Page 36 of Fall at Once

“You’re trying to tell me about what’s healthy? Hypocritical much?” Ignoring her excellent advice, I focused on something I could argue with. “Are eternal granny panties and cheeseballs good for you? BingingBridgertonis completely healthy, so I’ll let that one pass. But you said it yourself; you’ve given up. That is not healthy at all.”

“Are my feelings a mystery?” she shot back. “Do you ever wonder how I feel? About anything?”

“No, you’re an open book, Kenzie. But I’m not like that. I don’t want to talk about Ross with my freaking sisters or you. What’s wrong with that?”

She heaved out a sigh. “When you’re ready, I’m here to listen. But the longer you wait, the more alcohol we’re going to need to get through it, just saying.”

Chapter 12

Cole

The week went by in a blur of kids’ activities, work, and the various minutia of life. I saw Madi most mornings at the Confectionery when I was there for breakfast with the guys from the station or when she stopped by Gigi’s to walk Basil with Natalie. But it was always brief, and I was unable to get any time alone with her—which was good since I was not supposed to want to be alone with her, damn it. The lack of discipline in my mind whenever she crossed it frustrated me.

We had a fundraiser meeting next week, but I didn’t want to wait that long. I craved another conversation with her. I wanted to hear her laugh, and I missed her smile.

“Dad! Can I put it here? Pumpkins are just too freaking heavy,” Evan grumbled as he hobbled from the back of my truck to set hisarmful down next to me.

“Yeah, bud.”

October had rolled into Cozy Creek, bringing in burnished shades of red, orange, and deep golden-yellow. The town square was decorated to the nines for the season, and I, along with the rest of the Fire Brigade crew, were doing our part to keep the station festive.

Leaves blew in the light breeze as Evan and I added pumpkins and scarecrows to the pots of marigolds and mums decorating the old red 1950s GMC pumper truck parked in front of the station. It no longer ran, but it was a piece of our history that tourists loved to sit in and pose for pictures with.

Long-standing Cozy Creek tradition dictated our décor. A few crew members were outside the station on ladders, hanging garlands and festive lanterns.

I waved as Mac McCreedy drove by on his tractor, pulling a trailer full of happy-faced locals and tourists through town on a hayride. He donated pumpkins to the station every year. His family’s ranch had been around forever.

“Can I go on the next ride?” Evan asked.

“Yup, find Nat, and she can go with you.”

“Yes! Thanks, Dad.” He ran into the station to find Natalie, who was busy helping Monica decorate the reception area. Each year at Halloween, we passed out candy and gave station tours.

“Cole!”

I spun to find Madi hurrying across the street toward me with a huge camera bag slung over her shoulder. She wore tight jeans, agold-colored V-neck sweater, and high-heeled booties. Her long golden-brown waves flowed over the opposite shoulder to tangle in her necklace and fall into the delicate line of her cleavage.

The breeze carried her perfume to me, like when I picked her up that first day on the highway: vanilla and spice. I wanted to pull her in and smell it up close. I wanted that scent on my skin. I wanted too much.

Fuck me, she was stunning, and I couldn’t look away. She radiated sunshine. Even her walk was filled with cheerfulness.

“This is perfection.” She patted the truck’s hood, slamming into me with the heavy bag as she approached.

I let out a breath and rubbed my hipbone.

“Oh god! I’m so sorry.”

“I’m okay.” Her nearness was overwhelming. She could run me over with her car, and I probably wouldn’t mind too much.

“Did I hurt you? This bag is huge.” Her delicate fingers struggled with the strap, which had become tangled in her hair.

“Let me help you. Hold still.” Our foreheads touched as I leaned in to disentangle her. “Sorry,” I mumbled under my breath.

“No, it’s okay,” she whispered back. “Thank you, I’m a mess. We can do the photo shoot for the calendar right here by the truck. It’s like you knew I was coming. It’ll be so pretty with all the flowers and the decorated station in the background.” The slight chill in the air flushed her cheeks pink, and her parted lips were stained a deep burgundy rose. It was all I could do not to kiss her.

I cleared my throat. “Damn, I was secretly hoping we’d run outof time for that. It’s short notice, isn’t it?”

“Nope.” She beamed at me. My heart boomed in my chest, and I knew I was about to do anything she asked me. “I know a guy who owes my mother a favor. His specialties include everything last minute and cheap, and he just texted me back. He can get the calendar formatted and printed in time for the fundraiser—as many as we need—if we send him the pictures of you guys by the end of the week.” She gestured to the camera case I’d set on the truck’s hood. “I was hoping to stop by and grab a few shots.”

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