Page 5 of Snatched By the Scarecrow

“Yeah, sounds good.”

She bounces on her feet. “Perfect.”

The odd couple gets to work on my order, and a minute later I’m saying a half-assed goodbye to them with a corn dog in one hand and a cider in the other. I swear I feel their eyes on the back of my head as we walk away, but I don’t turn to look.

After we’re a good distance from them Ava exhales. “Sorry about them. I swear the people in this town can be a little too much sometimes.”

“Does that include you?” I ask as I sip my cider. The flavor bursts on my tongue, and I have to keep myself from moaning. Definitely fresh, like Olive said. It automatically makes me feel better and more at ease, reminding me of when I had cider here as a kid.

Ava grins like she knows I just put one of the best things I’ve ever had in my mouth before answering. “Sometimes. Though I like my too-muchness.”

“I usually say the same about myself.”

“Then you understand.”

We walk past a few more stalls until she points to a picnic table. “Want to sit so you can enjoy your food and we can chat?”

“Sure.”

Once we’re seated, I take a bite of my corndog and find that its good too. It’s hot, the hot dog is juicy, and I swear the cornmeal tastes freshly milled. I don’t know how I would know that, but the flavors are insane for something battered and deep fried.

“At least Mike and Olive can make good food, right?” Ava asks.

“Really good,” I reply, after another bite. “So fresh.”

“Everything you eat here in this town was grown, harvested, and processed by people here. It’s what makes Silas Valley so unique.”

“I think I read on the town's website that you have award winning crops.”

Her brows raise and she smiles. “I like that you’ve done your research.”

“I wanted to know a little bit about the place I was moving to,” I say.

“I’ve been here my whole life, but that sounds like a smart idea. You were thorough in your emails about the farmhouse.”

“Sorry if I was a little annoying with all my questions.”

“Not at all,” she chirps. “Have you found it to your liking so far?”

“I did have an issue with the boiler, it was missing propane.”

“Oh shit, I’m sorry. I thought I put in a full one.”

“It’s fine, I got the heat to work. It was a fun little challenge.”

She pauses, smile growing wider. “I like you, Harper. I like people who can get shit done. Independence looks good on people.”

“It does make life easier, especially when you live on your own.”

“Very true. In all seriousness, you have my number and email. If you need anything at all just let me know. I don’t live far from the farmhouse. I can be over in no time.”

“Thanks. That’s kind of you.”

“I’ll admit, my kindness may come with a price.”

I cock my head. “Oh?”

She laughs. “Nothing bad, but I’d love to be your friend. This place is lacking in cool people.”