Page 126

61

BLADE

Nothing hit quite like that earthy, fall smell. As the Cadillac careened down the winding dirt road, I rolled my window down and let the scent fill the car. The cool air flowing through my hair made me buzz with excitement.

Winslow’s Orchard was set far back from the road, but that just means you got a perfect view of the acres and acres of orchards and fields that supplied the farm. Apple trees, cauliflower, kale, and even grapes stretched as far as the eye could see. But at the top of the hill was the prize we’d come here for: the pumpkins.

As we approached the farm, I leaned farther out of the window, straining my eyes for a glimpse of the parking lot. But my search was unnecessary: it was only a second longer before Cyrus was sailing across a nearly empty parking lot.

“Score!” I pumped my fist, ducking my head back into the car. “We’re like the first ones here!”

Polishing off the last bites of her burrito, Tess smirked. “Well you made sure of that, didn’t you?”

The tilt of her lips made my stomach lurch. She was perfect, even in her skepticism.

“I don’t know what you’re smirking about,” I protested, ducking back into the car for a better look at her. “You’re going to love every minute of this. Especially without all those kids around.”

I wiggled my eyebrows, earning an adorable little eyeroll from my toy. But I knew once she saw the farm, that skepticism would be gone.

Time to show my little Trinket what the season’s all about.

The second the Cadillac came to a stop, I flung open the door and raced over to Tess’ side of the car, offering her my back. “M’lady.”

“Wow, door to door,” she laughed, wrapping her legs around me for a piggyback ride.

The clearing was muddy from some overnight rain, which wouldn’t do for my gorgeous little doll. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying it, sprinting and splashing through the mud and letting it cake the hem of my jeans.

“Blade!” Tess squealed, squeezing her legs tighter around my waist. As the toned muscle clenched against me, a buzz of excitement ripped through my chest. She was a strong little thing. Yet she broke so easily for me…

I could have held her like that all day — could have given her a lot more than a piggy back ride — but there were things to do, traditions to keep. And as nervous as I was in the back of my mind that we would run out of time, I had a feeling Tess was staying for good. I needed her to.

So, hoisting her up high, I led the charge to the farm’s entrance: Tess on my back, and Nash and Cyrus trudging along close behind us.

If I had to picture a heaven, Winslow’s Orchard would be it: acres of mountains and woods molded into a postcard perfect farm. The simple dirt road widened at the mouth of a big wooden gate, opening to a clearing of red barns that had been converted into shops.

Barrels of apples and other produce lined the shops, ripe for the choosing. But for anyone who wanted to pick their own, there were canvas totes and picker poles available by the main shop. Beyond the converted barns stretched produce as far as the eye could see — probably enough to feed a few generations with leftovers.

And downhill was the most immaculate view of the valley — especially during the fall. The sweeping canvas of red, orange, and yellow leaves swayed in the wind, leading the way down to a sparkling river in the distance.

Few things on this earth were as beautiful as the valley in the fall. And I was lucky enough to have one of them riding along on my back.

“I think we’re past the mudflats,” Tess teased, giving my shoulders a squeeze. “You can put me down now.”

“I can, but where’s the fun in that?” I smirked. But ultimately, I relented on the point — if only so I could see the wonder on her face as she took in the majesty of Winslow’s. “Have you been here before?”

“Can’t say I have,” she murmured, eyes drifting across the farm. “It’s cute though.”

Cute wasn’t cutting it. Whipping around to Cyrus and Nash, I doled out the morning’s marching orders. “Alright, we’re working on a limited time frame if we want to hit everything. Nash, you go get us wristbands for the hayride. Cyrus, you need to go pay for the apple totes.”

“And what are you two contributing?” Cyrus narrowed her gaze, flicking it measuredly over Tess.

“Apple cider!” I smirked, lacing my fingers with Tess’. “My treat.”

And before Cyrus could bitch me out, I squeezed Tess’ hand, dragging her across the clearing at a light sprint.

Her chuckle as we ran was enough to set my heart ablaze. I could listen to that melody all day. But she was so unaware of her own charm. Without even trying, she’d gotten me addicted.

And now, I was her devoted shadow. She had my heart and soul.