Page 77 of A Cup of Autumn
“She means well.”
“Can’t disagree with that since Margot brought you to help with the Boo Bash.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be than working on it with you.”
All he wanted to do was kiss her. But they both had places to be and a stack of things to review was still on the table. “So you ready to keep going?”
She nodded. “We have time for a few more buckets tonight.”
That gave him an idea. “What do you say when we finish we celebrate by going out to dinner?”
“Another practice date?” she teased.
“We can call it whatever you want, even a real date, if you’re ready to move on.”
She bit her lip.
Keaton hoped he hadn’t pushed her too much. “Or we can stick to practicing.”
Raine stared up through her eyelashes in a way that made her both vulnerable and sexy at the same time. “For real might be nice.”
His pulse kicked up. Very nice. But he didn’t say that. “We can decide later.”
She nodded. “Guess that gives us incentive to finish a few more buckets tonight.”
“It does.”
Awareness buzzed between them. Unexpected but not unwelcome. This could get interesting.
*
Stifling a yawn,Raine stood at the shop’s cash register. She’d had two Saturdays off and was used to sleeping late. This morning’s alarm had been a shocker. She rang up Mr. Hurley’s order. “That’ll be six-eighteen.”
He paid using a card.
The approval came through. “Your order will be ready soon.”
This morning wasn’t that busy, but that might change in an hour.
“Thanks.” Mr. Hurley, who operated the Christmas tree lot in December, ran a small stand on the weekends selling the fruit and nuts from his other trees. “I’m hearing good things about the Boo Bash.”
“Should be fun.” Raine couldn’t believe it was only five days away. Time was flying by, but she had enjoyed every minute working with Keaton. She should be doing that with him today and finishing the final buckets.
Except she had to be here.
Robin had called late last night saying Nick dropped off the kids, who both had a stomach bug, so she could take care of them. Clean up the mess was what he’d really meant. But Raine understood custody issues and how things might not go smoothly each time. She’d told Robin not to worry, to keep washing her hands so she didn’t get sick, and that her shift would be covered.
Raine restocked the display unit with more scones and muffins.
“I can handle this place on my own.” Timmy prepared a caramel macchiato. “There’s no reason for you to be here.”
“You run this place better than I do.” Though Parker was catching on fast. “But I prefer to have two people.”
“It’s your day off.”
“And if Parker can come in later, I’ll leave.” He was busy this morning. “If not, you’re stuck with me.”
“I don’t mind that. It’s just…”
