Page 20 of Dancing in Lake Mistletoe

It’s chilly, and I pull my scarf tighter around my neck, wishing I’d worn a warmer sweater. The breeze is crisp; it bites, but also feels refreshing. I skip across the road and walk over to the freshly carved gourds, glancing around and searching for familiar faces.

A voice—sweet and full of excitement—calls, “Mindi!”

I turn, and there, standing with her dad, is Josie. Dutch is grinning in that lazy way he does, one corner of his mouth tugging higher than the other. His dark hair always looks like he just ran his hands through it. There’s something about him that makes me stare for a beat longer than I should, and I want to run from the embarrassment.

“Hey there, kiddo. Look at you. What a pretty princess you make,” I say, trying to ignore the way my pulse jumps.

She looks up at me. “Daddy and I carved that one,” she announces, pointing to one of the pumpkins with a silly face.

“Oh, see, I thought that one was the coolest.”

Josie beams.

Keller and Bob begin loading the entries onto the wooden lily pads.

“Can I go watch with Cobie?” Josie asks, looking up at her dad with pleading eyes.

“Yes, but stay with Sela and don’t get in the way.”

She sprints down to the shore.

Dutch watches her, shaking his head as her tiny plastic heels get caught in her princess gown. “I’ve got my hands full, keeping up with her tonight.”

“I’m sure. Being a girl dad isn’t easy,” I say.

His eyes come to me, and he quirks a brow.

“I might not be a dad, but I’ve been a girl my whole life, and I know how daunting we can be.”

He smiles, and I feel the flush in my cheeks go a little hotter. It’s been like this every time I run into him. He probably thinks I have some kind of condition.

“Are you staying to watch the pumpkin launch?” he asks.

“Of course. I’ve never seen a Pumpkin Piddle Paddle before. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Well, I was just on my way to grab a candy apple for Josie before settling in to watch. You interested?”

He looks at me expectantly, like he wants me to join them. It’s a small thing, but I feel that invitation pull at something deep inside me. Before I can overthink it, I nod.

“You read my mind. I was just about to get a caramel apple myself,” I say, feigning nonchalance as my heart thuds a little harder.

His grin widens. “This way.”

He guides us to a table, his hand resting on my lower back as we weave through the crowd. The touch sends little sparks up my skin.

When we reach the candy apples, he picks out two coated with glossy, bright red candy.

“Which one would you like?” he asks me.

I go for the caramel with nuts. As he pays, he gives me a wink that makes my stomach do a little flip.

He hands me the caramel apple, and I take a bite of the crunchy treat.

“Good?” he asks.

I moan my approval as I nod. “Between Hal and Alice’s meals and all these sweet treats, I’m not going to fit into my Sugar Plum Fairy costume.”

His eyes sweep over me. “I don’t think you have a thing to worry about.”

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