Pumpkin Patch Sweethearts by Sasha Summers

Author:Sasha Summers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781952560873
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2020-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Good morning.” Harley waved as she walked past Dickinson’s pecan decorated-canopy topped booth. The scent of cinnamon and caramel wafted from the old-fashioned roaster Mr. Dickinson would spin occasionally, keeping the candied pecans from sticking or scorching.

“Morning,” Mrs. Dickinson called back, handing her a small plastic cup with a sample. “We added maple this year. What do you think?”

Harley took the sample cup. “It certainly smells delicious.” She popped one of the still-warm nuts into her mouth. “Oh, yum. This is like tasting fall.” She bought two bags—one maple and one classic candied—and wandered to the next booth.

She loved the Farmer’s Market. Loved seeing all the small businesses from neighboring communities, loved the smiles and friendly faces—and the wide array of treats. But this morning, she was struggling.

“I got you one.” Autumn handed her a small to-go coffee cup. “What is that heavenly smell?”

Harley passed her the pecans and hooked arms with her sister. “It’s a pretty perfect morning, don’t you think?”

“It would be—if you were smiling.” Autumn looked her way. “And don’t try to feed me the ‘I’m just tired’ excuse you used on Dad. There is way more to it than that.”

Harley avoided eye contact. “Whatever. How about we enjoy this crisp, clear and sunny morning.”

Autumn raised an eyebrow. “Don’t whatever me. You know you can’t keep secrets from me so why bother trying?”

“I just love all the delicious smells,” Harley continued as if her sister hadn’t said a thing. “I have a feeling I’m going to be buying a lot of goodies.”

Autumn made a production out of searching the crowd. “Where is your hunky coach? I mean, where is Nadia?”

Harley swallowed down her sigh and took a sip of coffee. Where indeed?

After last night, she wondered if they’d show up today. Then again, he wasn’t the one who had been thoroughly humiliated. Had she been staring up at him hoping he’d, maybe, kiss her? Yes. Instead he’d gently disentangled himself and proceeded to explain he was not interested in her—just the help she’d offered with Nadia. He’d been kind, but firm. He’d made it clear he still wanted her help—just not her.

It had hurt. It did hurt. She hadn’t been expecting that.

“Are they coming?” Autumn asked.

“I think so.” She popped another candied pecan into her mouth and feigned interest in a hand-stitched Thanksgiving table runner hanging from the closest booth.

Hurt or not, this wasn’t about her. She wasn’t spending time with Josh and his children to spend time with him.

Now that she knew the extent of loss Josh and his family had been through, she understood the connection they shared.

And Nadia? Seeing her Lolly collapse? Being surrounded by strangers, scared and alone? Poor little girl. Harley’s heart ached just thinking about it. For Josh too—it was clear he felt guilty about it. Not that there was a thing he could have done to prevent what had happened. Still…she was his little girl. She came first—Tucker too.

Hurt aside, Harley respected his dedication to his children.

Now that she

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