Page 30 of Falling For You

Plus, he told my parents they had first dibs if he ever sold.

Maybe he just wanted to sell his property and buy a smaller home closer to town.

But why hide it and not ask our family?

I shook my head in bewilderment as I walked to my cabin.

One thing I knew was that I would find out before Owen got around to telling me.

“Good afternoon, Violet,” Millie smiled at me, and I nearly shot through the trees.

The older woman popped out of nowhere. She was a town fixture nearly as old as the town itself.

Millie also ran the local book club, but I knew to avoid it. Strange things always happened to those who joined,like love and marriage.

I shivered at the thought.

“Hey, Millie. What brings you here?” I asked, glancing at my cabin.

“I spoke with your mom about having a small petting zoo at our Fall Festival, and she said absolutely.”

I nodded enthusiastically, knowing there was more to this than a simple lending of animals.

“Great news.”

“And your mom mentioned that you might be willing to make some cupcakes for our auction.”

I smiled, letting out a relieved sigh. “Yes. Absolutely. I’d love to.”

She beamed, glancing at the carpet of leaves, and muttered something else I couldn’t decipher.

“What was that, Millie?” I shook my head.

“And the snglection.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Still have absolutely no clue what you said.”

She moved her thin lips into an even wider grin. “And a singles’ auction.”

I choked. “Pardon me?”

“You know, a fun little raffle for the singles in our town.”

Terror pulsed through me. “I’m not single.”

She cocked her head. “Since when?”

“I mean, I’m single, but I’m not available.”

She pulled on her orange scarf and crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you’re with someone?”

“No, but I don’t want to be with anyone.”

Her nose crinkled like the wires in her head had fried. “It’s just for fun and supports a great cause.”

My brows lifted. “The book club?”

She snickered. “No, silly. It’s full Thanksgiving meals for the folks around here who need them.”

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