Page 27 of Forbidden to Fall

“Thanks for doing the feeding and watering,” Archer said.

“Just trying to make sure you don’t have any excuses to miss the party tomorrow. You’re not planning to bail on me, are you?”

He put a hand to his heart. “I’m offended you’d think that.”

I shot him a look. “Right…like you’re above using your horses as an excuse to get out of something you don’t want to do.”

He smiled guiltily.

I had to be at the mayor’s birthday party to make sure the dessert service went to plan, but after seeing Archer’s low mood the last week or so, I’d persuaded him to join me for the rest of the event. He needed to get out and do something with mammals whose method of communication wasn’t neighing or pawing the ground. And who didn’t projectile sneeze on you.

James came jogging around the side of the stable and slowed at the sight of us. He held a Ziploc bag in his hand, which he handed to me. It had ice in it and a paper towel wrapped around for insulation.

“Oh,” I said with a blink. “Thanks.”

“You ready?” he asked.

I nodded and repositioned the bag on my shoulder.

James gave Archer a nod, and Archer tipped his hat as we turned away.

“Don’t do anything sketchy on my trails, you two,” Archer said. “This is a family-friendly business.”

My eyes widened. I could’ve skinned that man alive.

“Pretty sure these trails belong to the farm,” James retorted.

Archer’s soft chuckle was all the response we got as we made our way to the trail that led to Carver Farm. At least it was a beautiful place to take an awkward walk with the man I’d had a crush on for half my life.

“How’d you end up with such an annoying cousin?” I raised the ice to my forehead, willing the cold to help drain the color from my face and downsize the bump.

James laughed softly. “Luck of the draw, I guess.”

I adjusted the duffel on my shoulder, wanting to kick myself for not putting it in the trunk of my car. Now I was stuck with it for the entire walk. I’d been too focused on what this walk would be like to think practical thoughts.

Would James try to talk to me about the things he and Archer had been discussing? I wasn’t prepared for that. Would he ask me not to repeat anything I’d heard? He could spare himself. I didn’t plan to tell anyone about this incident. No one even knew he was in town, and it was best to keep it that way.

“Look,” James said, “I really appreciate what you’re doing for the farm and for my mom.”

This was what he wanted to talk to me about? How grateful he was?

He’d already thanked me. We didn’t need a private walk in the woods for round two.

This was one of my favorite stretches of the season, short as it lasted. Most leaf peepers saw the woods when they were a fiery sunset of oranges, yellows, and reds. Right now, the greens still dominated, while color filtered down from the treetops, making the woods more like a rainbow.

“It’s really not a big deal.” I readjusted the duffel strap higher on my shoulder. “And like I mentioned before, it’s helping me too, so it’s fairly selfish.”

He glanced at me.

When I met his gaze, a jolt of something flickered through my chest. I’d had a crush on James Carver for all of my teen years. Some of the reactions I’d had to him all those years ago were probably still coded into my system.

My left hand was getting cold despite the paper towel, so I switched hands. The change made the duffel strap slip down my shoulder. I scrambled to grab it before it hit the ground.

James reached over and took it by the strap, lifted it over his head, and slung it across his chest.

I opened my mouth to object, but he cut me off.

“It is a big deal. To my mom. To me. Not that you’re doing it for—” He looked away. “The point is, I appreciate what you’re doing enough that I don’t want to make things harder for you.”