Page 63 of The Holiday Ex-Files

What depressing thoughts. I tried to shake myself out of them. I was there to have fun with Liam and Jaxon and my family. Noah, I wasn’t so sure about.

I walked out of the stall looking like a fool with hands and pockets full of corn kernels. A few women chuckled, and some nodded appreciatively like they’d been in my position before. Anything for the kids.

De-kernelled, I walked out into the crisp autumn day with plenty of sunshine. Laughter and squeals of delight filled the air, as children ran from place to place to enjoy each activity the pumpkin patch had to offer. Behind the children lagged parents holding pumpkins and juice boxes, tired, but with smiles on their faces. Sure, there were some tears and even tantrums, but for the most part it was a happy scene.

I meandered down the dirt path to the apple cider stand, where they sold a variety of flavors, both warm and cold. I was a sucker for warm cinnamon apple cider and planned to get some before we headed over to the hayride.

It didn’t take me long to spot Noah, as he towered over most people. He stood near the stacked shelves where they offered gallons of their cider for sale.

Noah held up two lidded cups as I got closer.

Meanwhile, I frantically looked around for Jaxon and Liam. “Where are the boys?” I asked, my heart racing.

“Relax.” Noah handed me a cup of steaming apple cider. The cinnamon and apple scents tickled my nose. I loved that smell, but how could I relax when the boys were missing? Better question was, how come Noah wasn’t panicking? Shanna was going to kill him, and possibly me.

“The boys are safe,” he put me at ease. “Your parents offered to take them on the hayride.”

I tilted my head. “I wanted to go with them.”

Noah gave me a pressed-lip smile. “I hoped we could talk.”

“Listen, let’s just forget about earlier. I have no business giving anyone relationship advice. And you’re allowed to get grumpy and act like a jerk sometimes.” I smirked.

He grimaced. “I don’t ever want you to think I’m a jerk.”

I shrugged. “It happens to the best of us.” I held up the apple cider. “Thank you for this.”

“It’s the least I can do.” He kicked at a rock near his feet. “You’ve been great with my nephews today. Watching you in that corn crib with all the kids was a beautiful sight.”

“Because they were trying to take me down with brute force?”

His eyes met mine. “No, because you let your guard down around them.”

I took a sip of my drink, not sure what to make of that observation, although I knew it to be true.

“Let’s walk,” Noah suggested.

I silently followed him away from the crowd. He headed toward the back of the property, the same direction as the corn maze. I still wasn’t sure it was the best idea for me to revisit that part of my past today, yet I kept putting one foot in front of the other.

When Noah didn’t say anything, I responded to his observation. “It’s easy to be myself around children because I know that it doesn’t matter what I do or say, they will still love me. And even if I mess up, they easily forgive my mistakes.”

“Kids are great that way.”

“Agreed.”

“You know, there are plenty of adults in your life that feel the same way about you as those kids do. I think they miss you.”

“Is this part of my parents’ intervention?” I cringed, thinking about them recruiting Noah to their cause. Worse, my mother trying to throw us together. I’d told her he was in love with another woman.

“No, no,” he stammered. “This is me telling you how much I loved seeing the old Cami today.”

See, I told you, you should just give me control, Miss Sparkly bragged.

“Then why didn’t you join in on the fun like you promised?” I threw back at him.

“I was having too much fun watching the kids obliterate you.” He nudged me.

I rolled my eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

“Honestly,” his tone softened. “I was admiring you. There is something special about you, Cams. I hope you know that.”

“Thanks,” I whispered, not sure if I believed him. “So, should we see if we can catch the hayride?” We were getting closer and closer to the corn maze, and I was getting itchy. And not from the residue of corn kernels.

He stopped and looked between me and the sign directing people toward the maze. “I was hoping we could talk. I know you say you’re the last person who should be giving relationship advice, but honestly, I think in this situation your advice and insight would be valuable to me.”

I drank and drank my apple cider until my insides burned, trying to stall. When every taste bud I had was burned, I cleared my throat. “I really don’t think I could offer anything of value to you. You know my history, and how I feel about relationships now.”

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