Page 90 of A Cup of Autumn
For the Boo Bash.
But a part of her wished it could be for longer. One day at a time. Raine was trying. “His efforts are what made the Boo Bash a success.”
Garrett grinned. “Keaton always rises to the occasion. My mom will never admit it, but he’s the favorite. He’s the only one who never got in trouble and did what he was told.”
That didn’t surprise Raine. “I can see that.”
“Keaton knew what he wanted from a young age and went for it. The only thing that changed was his major. But he was passionate about Norse legends, and it was the right choice for him. Now with the temporary position in Boston, he’ll be all set. Lots of elite colleges around there to give him the opportunities he can’t find out west.”
Raine did a double take. She couldn’t have heard Garrett correctly. “Boston?”
Regret flashed in Garrett’s eyes. Based on his expression, he wanted to take back his words. “I need to grab more frosting inside.”
Garrett disappeared into the bakery. No doubt he’d been careless with his words, saying something he shouldn’t have.
Taryn handed a child a shaker filled with orange sprinkles. Her face was a portrait of sympathy. Or was that pity?
What had Keaton said?
I’m in town through October at least.
That was only a couple days away. “Keaton’s moving to Boston?”
“I’m sure he’ll tell you what’s going on.” Taryn held a tube of icing for a kid dressed as a firefighter. “Both of you have been busy with the Boo Bash.”
Busy, yes. But they’d been seeing each other every single day. He’d had plenty of opportunity to tell her if he’d taken a job on the other side of the country.
Keaton had told his family.
What did that say about his feelings toward her? Keaton said he didn’t feel like he had a home. She guessed he meant that literally not figuratively.
But they weren’t in a relationship. Not really. Even if it had felt like one.
Still, her eyes stung. She blinked.
Taryn came toward her. “Raine—”
“I need to check on another activity.” Raine made a beeline for the coffee shop. She needed to catch her breath.
And not fall apart.
Okay, she had no idea when the job started. But if she’d meant anything to Keaton, wouldn’t he have told her? Not have her hear the news secondhand from his brother?
It was Emmett all over again. Making plans without telling her until he was ready to leave.
She rubbed the spot over her heart, but the space felt empty as if a black void had swallowed everything in the area.
The door was propped open to make things easier for the kids.
As she entered the coffee shop, Dorothy and the scarecrow fromThe Wizard of Ozexited.
Timmy stood in front of a cauldron with steam pouring out from black ice. He wore a unicorn costume. He’d dyed his hair pink, blue, and green to match the pastel rainbow theme. “The kids love the Witches’ Brew. We should add seasonal drinks like that to the menu.”
“Go for it.”
His grin spread across his face. “Will do, Boss.”
“I’ll be in the back for a minute or two if anyone needs me.” She must have her poker face down because Timmy didn’t blink an eye. Thank goodness. She wouldn’t even know how to explain the knife gutting her. The hurt cut that deep.
