Page 35 of A Cup of Autumn
He opened the lid. No trolls or remnants of trolls. Only folders, checklists, a clipboard, orange cardstock, and spools of Halloween-themed ribbon. “Is this what you expected?”
She peered over his shoulder. “Honestly, this is more than I thought would be in there. When I got the folder for the Valentine’s dance, it didn’t have much information. Organizers are so tired and behind they only have time to pass on the basics.”
He rifled through the bin. A whole lot of nothing. “That seems to be the case here.”
“You sound disappointed. What were you hoping to find?”
“A magical document with a step-by-step of what to do that would make parents, kids, and business owners happy.”
“Perfect answer, Professor.”
She wasn’t making fun of him. Only his family and Margot knew about how he’d lost his job, but hearing Raine call him that burned. His ego had to get used to it.
“Find anything good?” Raine asked.
“A few supplies.” Nothing jumped out at him as being particularly helpful. “I’ll go through everything, so we know what we have to work with.”
How hard could helping Raine be?
Planning a Halloween event for kids was a far cry from translating ancient manuscripts, so fragile they might disintegrate at any moment.
Except the lines on Raine’s forehead deepened to Grand Canyon-level depths. His answers to her questions hadn’t been enough.
Okay, Keaton got it.
Planning a happy hour, a lunch, or a bachelor party weren’t the same as organizing a community event, but what he didn’t know, he could learn. She would see. Until then…
He might as well say the words. “I won’t be a burden.”
Keaton agreed with Robin. The Boo Bash shouldn’t be all about the candy. He wouldn’t suggest over-the-top, time-intensive ideas, which was likely what Raine expected him to do. “I never called you that.”
“No, but the thought crossed your mind?”
Her cheeks reddened.
“No apology necessary,” he added quickly. “I don’t blame you for thinking that.”
Keaton didn’t. Robin’s comment about not as much candy had dropped the metaphorical guillotine on Raine’s neck. Her eyes had gleamed, and her lips trembled slightly. He thought she might cry.
But she hadn’t.
When Callie shed tears, Keaton and his brothers did what they could to make the waterworks stop. They hated seeing her hurting, and that had led to more than one trip to various theme parks in the area. Same with Taryn when Brecken had taken off.
Keaton would have done the same with Raine. Not that she would have asked for anything from him. “I just want to help you with the Boo Bash, but you’re in charge.”
She wet her lips.
He stared at her mouth before glancing at the cookie she’d brought him. “What do you say?”
“Okay. I’m not trying to be a pain. I’m just…”
“Over your head.”
The bell on the door jingled.
“Way over.” Raine closed her eyes and sighed. “I’ve—”
“Go.”
