Page 11 of Falling for the Maverick

He ate the donut, then drank his cider. “I’m hoping newcomers like me can help that renaissance, too.”

“Of course you can,” Michelle said confidently. “We now have Brandts, Hawkinses, Abernathys and Johns migrating from Bronco to Tenacity, and that many of them are donating to the foundation set up by Bennett Deroy.”

“I’ve been spending so much time on the ranch that I haven’t had much time to check out places to hang out here in town.”

“If you’re willing to hang out, then there’s the pumpkin spice crawl next week. It’s like a bar crawl but with pumpkin spice beer, coffee and other desserts,” Michelle said when Lucas’s expression showed confusion.

“Oh, that sounds great. Maybe we can go together.”

* * *

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Lucas realized he’d put his boot in it. What was he thinking. He was supposed to keep his distance from Michelle, not ask her to go out with him, and he hoped he wasn’t going to be in over his head now that he’d suggested they go out.

Michelle’s smile was dazzling. “I’d love for us to go together.”

Lucas swallowed a groan when he realized Michelle seemed pleased with the invitation. He knew he couldn’t retract it. After all, he rationalized, it was just coffee and not a real date. He drained his cider and threw out his empty cup. “Now I’m ready for this pumpkin chucking contest.”

“Which device are you going to try?” Michelle asked.

“The trebuchet.”

“Look at you,” she drawled, grinning. “Going for the big pumpkins.”

Lucas reached for her hand. “I’m a big dude, so I need a big pumpkin.”

“Bragging, cowboy?”

“Nope. I played right field in high school, and I threw out my share of runners who tried to make it to home plate.”

“Are you telling me that you have a cannon for an arm?”

“No comment.” He took off his Stetson, placing it on her head, then slipped off his jacket. “I’m going to need you to hold these for me.”

* * *

Michelle registered a woman’s gasp, then a whisper to her friend about the gorgeous dude in the Black Watch plaid flannel shirt. She knew the woman was referring to Lucas because he was the only man wearing Black Watch plaid. She knew if he spent more time in town, he would definitely attract a lot of attention from women.

Lucas paid the fee, then told the man running the event that he wanted the heaviest pumpkin on the lot. There were more gasps when the man struggled to carry an enormous pumpkin and dropped it in the basket attached to the arm of the trebuchet.

Michelle held her breath, then it was her turn to gasp when the pumpkin shot up like a missile and landed close to a marker measuring distance.

The operator handed Lucas a small stuffed white teddy bear holding a pumpkin. “Congratulations, son. You just tied the record for the farthest chucking.”

Smiling, Lucas gave Michelle the bear, then removed the Stetson from her head and put it on, along with his jacket.

“You don’t have to gloat,” she teased.

Lucas adjusted the angle of his hat. “I never gloat.”

She handed him the bear. “You forgot this.”

He shook his head. “That’s for you.”

“Thank you.”

Lucas dipped his head. “You’re welcome. What are you going to do now?”

“I’m going to head home.” She debated saying that she wanted to stay and spend more time with him, but knowing they would see each other again for the pumpkin spice crawl was enough. It was something she could look forward to.