Page 17 of Baking Spirits Bright!

“Nice to see y’all again,” Ryan calls.

He catches up to me, and we exit together.

I squint my eyes at a big white bus parked out front. “Moonshine County Juvenile Detention Center.” I turn to Ryan with a questioning glare.

He laughs. “It’s the Apple Cart County Baptist Church. They bought a new bus and said they haven’t had time to change out the signage.”

“Clearly.” I laugh.

The bus door opens as we approach. Morgan Archer smiles when she sees us. She’s one of those people I can take in small doses, mainly because she’s such good friends with Brooke.

Ryan touches the small of my back as I climb the steep steps in front of us. My stomach buckles as a warmth shoots up my back. I don’t like feeling like this.

Actually, I do like it, a lot. But that’s the precise reason Idon’tlike it.

We reach the landing and Morgan winks at me. I give her a look that warns her not to say anything. In true Morgan fashion, she does.

“Welcome. When Ryan told us who would be accompanying him tonight, the congregation decided we’d pick you up and save him the trouble.”

“How neighborly of y’all.” I narrow my eyes and her smile widens.

Then I turn to about twenty other smiling faces, as a whole crop of random Apple Cartians stare at me and Ryan—whose hand is again resting on my back.

CHAPTER 5

Ryan

Everyone’s face is lit up brighter than the lights outside. I nod and smile as I follow Erica down the bus aisle to an empty row in the back.

“Howdy, neighbor.”

We turn to an older couple in the seat across from us.

“Paul. Ms. Dot.” Erica waves and gives a tense smile, then faces straight ahead.

About a dozen heads turn toward the front when they make eye contact with her.

“I’ve never had such an attentive welcome.”

Erica sighs and raises a brow at me. “Welcome to Apple Cart County.”

I laugh. A loud beep quiets all the whispers around us. The driver talks into a walkie-talkie that echoes into overhead speakers.

“As most of you know, I’m Morgan, and I will be your tour guide for the evening. Conveniently, our first stop is the Apple Cart County Apple Orchard, along with several homes owned by the Marshall family here on the property.”

I sit back and look out the window at the lights. It’s a nice view, especially since it includes Erica’s profile. I study her jawline and brown eyes.

It’s crazy for me to think that about someone who I may never see again after a few days. Then again, that makes me want to spend as much time with her as I can. Even if it can’t go anywhere, I’m having too much fun getting to know her.

She turns to me, and I blink. Maybe she didn’t sense how long I’ve been staring at her.

“You never told me exactly why you came here.”

That’s a fair enough question, especially from a hometown girl.

“The big draw was the bake-off, but also the orchard and all of Apple Cart County. I like to visit other rural areas for inspiration.”

“Inspiration?” She tilts her head, studying me this time.

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