Page 52 of A Cup of Autumn
Keaton knew that one too well. His job loss had been a numbers game. “It always comes down to money.”
He’d offered to pay Margot rent, but she’d acted offended and said no. Instead, he did chores and ran errands for her. This morning, he’d replaced all the smoke detector batteries. And no dirty dishes remained in the sink for long. Not on his watch.
“Money and time.”
Their gazes locked. The connection he’d felt with her roared back to life. It wasn’t always there, but something flowed between them. Stronger now. “There’s never enough time.”
Maybe for her, but time was all he had right now. Raine, however, wasn’t talking about his situation. She meant the Boo Bash.
“Before we move on, let’s finalize the scavenger hunt.” Keaton lifted the list off his lap. He’d used a red pen to cross out items that would be too complicated for a community event and scribbled in simpler ones. “Our revised list looks good to me. What do you think?”
Raine took the page and then grinned. “This one is done.”
Her enthusiastic voice made him smile. “I’ll make corrections to the file. On to the activity list?”
That was what she wanted to simplify.
Nodding, she reached for another piece of paper. “I love the idea of decorating mini pumpkins with markers and stickers, but I think the cookie decorating is enough. It’s cheaper and easier for them to carry around in their treat bags or eat right there.”
“That works for me.”
As Raine studied the list, she rubbed her chin. “Coloring’s a good activity, but what if we took it a step further?”
“I thought you wanted to simplify?”
“I do, but I had an idea for a card-making station.”
“Halloween cards?”
Raine nodded. “There are five days between the Boo Bash and Halloween. Instead of taking their cards home, we ask the kids to write a note to a resident at the local assisted living center, and we can deliver them before the thirty-first.”
“No pumpkins to carry and a community service project.” He thought about it. “You’re brilliant.”
“Thanks. I’m more street smart and common sense than book smart like you, but I like the sound of brilliant.”
“I like the card idea.” Truth was, Keaton liked Raine.
“I’m impressed with all your mock-ups.”
His chest puffed. “Margot helped me. I’m not crafty.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
He shrugged. “But now I see why people enjoy teaching kindergarten and first grade. The crafts are cool.”
“Art projects are fun, but they can be messy.”
“Hence the no glitter rule.”
“No one wants First Avenue coated in sparkly stuff.” She kept staring at Keaton, but he didn’t know why.
Maybe it was time to ask. “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“You keep looking at me?”
“I’m just…happy.”
