Page 58 of Searching for Thanksgiving

“Whatcha’ doing?” he asked.

She held up the basket. “I thought everyone might like some paw-paw fruit. It ripened a little early.”

He frowned and looked at the round, purple fruit with an expression of uncertainty. “It looks… weird. What’s it taste like?” he asked.

“You’ve never had paw-paw fruit before?” she asked with surprise.

He scuffed his boot against the ground and shook his head. “Naw. I don’t think we have that on my planet.”

She lifted a piece of the fruit, checked to make sure it was clean, and lifted it to his lips. He opened his mouth in surprise. She popped it inside when he did.

His eyes widened with surprise when he bit down on the sweet, delicious fruit. He grinned at her, showing off a taint of purple on his teeth and tongue. She giggled. Fortunately, the color would fade fast.

“That’s really good!” he mumbled around the last bit before he swallowed.

“It is. Have you ever tried Sweet Meadow?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

She reached down and cupped his hand in hers. She stopped in surprise when he didn’t move with her. Instead, his hand tightened around hers, and he held her still.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to try some?” she asked.

“I-I—,” he stuttered before his face flushed, and he leaned into her.

Spring’s lips puckered in surprise when Roam pressed his lips against hers in her first kiss. The sweet tang of paw-paw juice clung to his lips. She stood frozen, unsure of what to do. She slowly closed her eyes and leaned into him.

“Spring, where are you?”

Roam pulled back, stared at her for a brief second, before he muttered something unintelligible under his breath and bolted. Spring stood staring after him as her mother rounded the garden path. A slow, silly smile curved her lips, and she lifted a hand to touch her lips.

He kissed us! her dragon muttered with a grunt.

Yes… yes, he did.

“There you are! We are about to eat,” Carmen said.

“Okay,” she replied, still grinning as she clutched her basket of precious paw-paws to her chest.

“I just saw Roam run by. Is everything okay? You two haven’t been fighting again, have you?” her mom asked.

“No, we weren’t fighting. He must have known the food was ready. He is always hungry,” she said, blushing at the small fib.

She paused when her mom lifted her hand and pressed the back of it to her flushed cheek. Her mom frowned and studied her face. Spring could feel her cheeks growing warmer as her lips tingled.

“You look a bit flushed. Are you feeling alright?”

Spring grinned at her mom. “I’m fine. In fact, I think this is going to be one of those days you and Dad say you never forget,” she confessed with a deep sigh.

“Good afternoon, Lady Trisha.”

“Hi Devon. How are you doing?” Trisha replied.

“I am well, thank you.”

“Hey, Mom, watch this!” Leo called out.

“Wahoo!” James shouted.

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