Page 60 of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe
Nana nodded, still ticking ‘Fall Festival to-do items’ off on her fingers. ‘Okay, so you’ll drop off the pumpkins, Grandpa and I will bring the last bushels of apples to set up at the farm tent. We already donated a bunch to the town hall a few days ago. They decided on a caramel apple station instead of bobbing for apples which seemed like a good call to me. All those kids spitting into a bucket of water is disgusting.’
Logan didn’t bother to contribute more than the occasional grunt and nod. Nana was on a roll.
‘Luis has the goats under control for the petting zoo. Mayor Kelly was so pleased you offered to bring the Bobs this year. The kids just love those goats.’
Logan didn’t recall offering to do any such thing, but the wheels were fully in motion on this thing; there was no stopping it now.
Nana brushed her hands on her apple-patterned apron. ‘And that should be about it, I think. All that’s left is to enjoy the festival.’
‘Yep, should be.’
Nana studied him with sharp eyes; clear blue, like his. ‘Are you picking up that nice Jeanie who stopped by here the other day?’
Logan shrugged. He hadn’t heard from Jeanie in over a week. He figured she was still upset with him, or maybe she’d just decided this thing wasn’t worth the complications. Every time he picked up his phone to text her, he couldn’t figure out what to say. And now he had to spend the day with her, judging the costume contest.
‘I hadn’t planned on it.’
Nana frowned. ‘I thought you were working together today. Seems like it would be a nice gesture to offer her a lift.’
Logan decided not to point out that the town square, where the festival was held, was just a few minutes walk from the café and he was sure Jeanie could manage it on her own. Nana had on her fighting face, as Grandpa called it. The face that meant she was not going to back down. And Logan glanced at the clock. He didn’t have time for a fight.
‘I’ll swing by after I drop off the pumpkins.’
He had to get the pumpkins there early so the festival crew could set up the pumpkin-painting table before the crowds started arriving. People spent the full day at the festival, filling up on apple-cider donuts and Annie’s hand pies for breakfast, and staying straight through until dark when they lit the square with hundreds of twinkle lights and a bonfire in the park.
‘Very good. Well, I have to get ready!’ Nana peeled off her apron and hurried out of the room to change into what Logan was sure would be one of her many Halloween-themed sweaters, probably accompanied by her classic, black witch’s hat. She’d worn it to every Fall Festival for as long as he could remember. He smiled at the memory.
Before all large town events had been tainted for him, Logan used to love the Fall Festival. Especially as a kid. He would help his grandparents set up their stand and then he’d be off with Annie, and a whole crew of kids high on too much candy and donuts, in partial costumes they’d shed throughout the day. He loved how early it got dark, how high and hot the bonfire grew, how the whole night felt cozy and spooky at once. Like he was safe here with his grandparents and his friends, but there still might be danger lurking just beyond the glow of the fire.
Logan had always been a shy kid, but Annie made sure he kept up, that the other kids let him play. His grandparents always made sure he was loved even with his parents gone.
His whole damn life he’d been taken care of, loved, and protected. And somehow, he’d grown to resent it? He prickled at the idea of his family and friends knowing he’d failed, that he’d been hurting. It seemed absurd now. Especially if it meant losing Jeanie.
He was done hiding.
* * *
The shops were closed on Main Street. Everyone was at the festival. Logan was sure the café would have a tent set up selling coffee and hot cider all day, but he was hoping he hadn’t missed Jeanie already. It was still early, the sun barely up over the horizon, casting the row of quaint shops in a golden glow. Logan peered in the front window, but the café was empty.
Shit. Maybe she’d left to set up already.
But talking to her before the festival suddenly seemed urgent, so Logan cut through the alley, memories of Jeanie’s legs wrapped around him instantly filling his head, and went around to the back door.
He knocked, hoping she was just upstairs getting ready.
No answer.
He knocked again. Maybe he should text her?
‘Jeanie?’
Or maybe he could yell her name in the alley like a deranged person.Good call, Logan.
He could see where she’d put cardboard over the broken window and his heartbeat ratcheted up. What if something was wrong? What if things had escalated and she hadn’t told him? Would someone hurt her?
He knocked again, harder this time, feeling more frantic the longer he stood in this damn alley, staring at that damn broken window.
‘It’s open,’ a small voice said from the other side of the door, and Logan didn’t waste time. He shoved open the door and strode into the main café, his gaze scanning the room ... for what? A threat? A refrigerator unplugging. A window-breaking intruder? A disgruntled employee? A not-so-friendly ghost?
