Page 32 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

“Tomorrow morning.”

“I need the real number, Beau. Not a favor because you knew Pops.”

Her directness caught me off guard.

“I’ll give you the real number.”

“And I’ll pay for it.”

“We’ll discuss that after I know what it needs.”

Her jaw tightened, but Evelyn touched Carson’s arm before she could argue.

“Let the man inspect it first.”

Carson looked between us as if we had already formed an alliance against her.

“I hate today.”

“That makes two of us,” Evelyn said. “I had to drink my coffee alone because somebody disappeared before sunrise.”

“I left you a note.”

“You wrote ‘deliveries’ on the back of an electric bill.”

“You found it.”

“Barely.”

I smiled before I could stop myself.

But Carson noticed. “Don’t encourage her.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“You’re both terrible.”

Evelyn patted my arm. “You should come for supper another night.”

“Meme.”

“I’m inviting the boy who brought you home safely. That’s called manners.”

“It’s called meddling.”

“Same thing when you’re my age.”

Carson closed her eyes briefly, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

“Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Rome, bringing your granddaughter home safely was a pleasure. I should get going,” I said. Carson removed my jacket and held it toward me. The sweatshirt beneath it was still damp, and her arms immediately folded across her middle to fight the cooler air.

“You can keep it until your clothes dry.”

“I’m inside now.”

“And I have others.”

“I’m not keeping your jacket.”