Page 67 of 5 Golden Flings

That was what Autumn had always wanted, a relationship as perfect and deep as her parents.

If she could find that with Noah, didn’t she owe it to herself to take a leap of faith and try?

They spent hours wandering the fair. Autumn found the cutest set of gourds painted as penguins, but talked herself out of buying them, only to turn around and find a bag slung over Noah’s shoulder with the entire set.

She’d rolled her eyes, but accepted them. What else could she do?

She’d bought a few Christmas presents for her family. Although she’d finished her shopping weeks ago, she couldn’tresist the matching hair bows for Cindy’s girls or the marshmallow gun for her son.

The sun was setting, pink, orange and purple tinging the sky, as they wandered through the last booths in the long line. One snagged her attention, a shiny airstream trailer with a green and red striped awning. Underneath was an eclectic assortment of Christmas ornaments and the most adorable little woman with long white hair and a bohemian air about her.

“That must be the place Harry was talking about. Where she got my ornament.”

Noah nodded and followed slowly behind as Autumn made a beeline.

“Welcome, welcome,” the woman said, sweeping her arm to bring them under the tent. “Anything specific you’re looking for?”

Autumn shook her head. “Not really. A friend bought an ornament from you, I think, and I just wanted to say it’s adorable and perfect.”

“Oh, really? What did she get?”

“A little snow globe.”

The woman’s eyes began to glitter with joy and merriment. “Of course. The snow globe. You made a wish when you shook it, right? Christmas wishes are so powerful.” Without waiting for Autumn’s answer, the other woman’s gaze swept behind to take in Noah lurking at the edge of the displays.

“What a handsome fella you have.”

Autumn tossed a glance over her shoulder. “Oh, we’re not together.”

The other woman’s eyebrows lifted, taking in all the packages Noah was carrying for her. He’d insisted. “Sure looks like you’re together.”

“Long story,” which she wasn’t about to get into with a stranger. “I just wanted to ask, do you have any more of those ornaments? I know someone else who’d like it as much as I did.”

“Oh, no, I’m so sorry. Most of my ornaments are unique and one-offs.”

“Oh,” Autumn glanced around and realized she didn’t see any two items on display that were exactly the same. “I didn’t realize. I just assumed.”

“That’s what makes them so special,” she winked. “But I hope the snow globe brings you many years of joy.”

Autumn smiled in thanks. “I’m sure it will. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”

“No doubt, I will.”

Autumn backed out of the booth and headed towards the gazebo at the far end of the park square.

Beside her, Noah said, “She was a little…odd, wasn’t she?”

“No, I don’t think so. Just sweet and quaint.”

The day had been perfect. Easy. And by the time Noah pulled into her driveway stars had begun popping out against the bruised night sky.

And she didn’t want their time together to end.

God, what was wrong with her? Clearly a glutton for punishment, Autumn found herself saying, “Want to come in for a drink?”

They’d eaten at the fair, so she didn’t even have that excuse.

“I’d love that.”

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