Page 52 of The Fall Fix Up

Before she could say another word, the engine roared fully to life, pulling them out of the driveway and down the street. The wind swept over her as the world blurred past, the leaves an array of warm oranges and deep greens. After a moment, Janae got used to the speed, and she lifted her head to gaze at the scenery as it swept by. The air smelled like pine and hay, along with something she always recognized as being distinctly fall.

The ride to the farm wasn’t long, but with Aiden warm against her, it seemed transformed. She knew as soon as they pulled into the parking lot that she would no doubt ask for a repeat experience. As they slowed to a stop, she ran her cheek over his back. She was smiling in a wild and unguarded way she hadn’t in years.

“So,” Aiden said, glancing over his shoulder at her, “what did you think? That wasn’t too bad, right?”

She giggled and lifted her chin. “It was . . . fine.”

He turned more fully and gave her an incredulous look. “Fine? Just fine?”

She smirked at his affronted tone. “I mean, I might need another ride to fully form an opinion on how it compares to being in a car.”

Aiden paused for a moment before he chuckled and shook his head. “You are just full of surprises.”

The farm entrance was alive with activity, families coming in and going out. Some had children, loud and eager to explore, while others had babies half asleep in their strollers, tired from having already enjoyed themselves. Janae filled with excitement as Aiden helped her off the bike. When he lifted her chin again to help her take off her helmet, she nearly forgot why she was there as his fingertips brushed over her skin, lighting all her nerves. This was not the time to be turned on, and yet she found her body acutely attuned to his every movement. It was possibly becoming a problem, one she didn’t particularly want to solve.

Aiden didn’t seem as affected, so Janae pushed her feelings aside as they made their way to the farm. They walked together at an easy pace, their boots kicking up gravel with each step. It was the sort of fall day she looked forward to all year. The sun shone down on her shoulders, warming her against the cooler fall breeze that carried the scent of autumn. Somewhere nearby, she heard a few geese honking and the sounds of a tractor carrying laughing children.

When they made it up the small hill, the farm opened in front of them, and Janae could see the rows of orange just beyond the fence. The scent of rich earth grew stronger as they drew closer. When the breeze blew again, she breathed deeply.

“This place looks like a perfect memory,” she said softly.

Aiden glanced at her, his smile wide and his hand warm where it rested against her lower back. “It does, doesn’t it?” His eyes drew her in. “Perfect.”

Janae had to swallow hard against the knot of want in her stomach. There were children here, and probably some of her students. She couldn’t be caught trying to climb Aiden, no matter how deserved it was.

They walked on, side by side, only slowing when they got to the entrance and Janae saw Joseph standing there. He waved them in, guiding them to the pumpkin patch while talking a mile a minute. Janae marveled at Aiden, who easily matched Joseph’s pace and kept the conversation going where she might have faltered. She knew Joseph had probably earmarked a section for them to look at and, sure enough, he stopped at a group of roped-off pumpkins he’d already designated for the school. After he had gone back to the building to finalize the paperwork, Aiden turned to her.

“You didn’t tell me you would be buying one hundred and sixty pumpkins.”

Janae smiled sheepishly. “I’m buying them for the fundraiser, but don’t worry. Joseph is having them delivered straight to the school the day of.”

Aiden chuckled. “Well, that’s a relief. Though I wouldn’t mind making multiple trips out here.” He looked around. “You know, we should pick out some pumpkins for the house. Jazz it up real nice for the holidays. I think your sister might like it too.”

Janae nodded. “That’s not a bad idea actually. It’s been a while since I had a place to really decorate and Braeden and I used to go all out for Halloween. It was one of our favorite holidays growing up. Will they fit on the bike though?”

“They should, unless you’re trying to get a festival winner.” He grinned when Janae shook her head and they made their way to the main patch.

The pumpkins stretched out in front of them in sprawling rows, in every size and shape imaginable—some a deep burnt orange, while others were so bright they looked like someone had taken a neon sharpy and colored them in. Janae hadn’t spent much time with Aiden outside of the house, but she found she was enjoying talking with him just as much now as she did then. He was funny and considerate. When she tripped, he grabbed her arm.

“Don’t crush the baby pumpkin,” he said while his arm wrapped around her back and steadied her. “Imagine how the mommy and daddy pumpkins will feel.”

She snickered and shook her head. “You are so strange sometimes.” Still, she stayed close to him and made sure to look down as they walked farther into the field. “This is . . . perfect.” She turned in a slow circle before turning her face up toward the sun. When lips brushed her cheek, she opened her eyes and looked over at Aiden. He was staring at her, mouth quirked up in a soft grin.

The moment was too perfect to pass up no matter who might be watching. She reached out, cupping his cheek and brushing her lips over his. The kiss was soft, but it still sent sparks down her spine. Aiden leaned in, chasing her lips when she pulled away. When he opened his eyes, there was something wonderous in his gaze that made her want to leap forward and throw caution to the wind.

“We should probably focus on the pumpkins before we scandalize the town,” he said.

Janae smirked. “Then stop distracting me with your everything.” His laughter was energizing and before she could second-guess things, she reached down and took his hand in hers.

They wandered between the misshapen rows of pumpkins, their feet occasionally kicking up dirt or hay. They paused every so often, both picking up pumpkins to test their weight and talk about whether it might be the perfect size or fit. Aiden picked one up that she immediately rejected and he had her almost bent over giggling when he indignantly talked about pumpkin potential and to not insult it to its face. When he lifted the pumpkin and mimed a sad face, she thought she might pee herself with laughter.

“Where do you come up with these things?” she asked as she shook her head.

Aiden put the pumpkin back down before straightening with a shrug. “I don’t know. I guess I just like to hear you laugh, so I try to make it happen as much as possible.”

Her cheeks heated. “Why do you care if I laugh?”

Brown eyes locked onto her before looking away. “Because it sounds nice when you do.” He looked back at her and, after a pause, seemed to make a decision. He stepped closer to her and raised a hand, brushing the back of his fingers over one of her cheeks. “Because I like knowing I made you smile.”