Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I bite my bottom lip. “It’s not my fault you find me irresistible.”
He pulls away, placing his other palm on my cheek, offsetting the briskness of the cool weather.
“You’re adorable,” he tells me with a cute smile, then pulls away and opens the door for me.
I don’t know what I expect or what I even want from him. What we’re doing is purely physical, but this feels like it’s growing into something more than either of us bargained for.
When we arrive at the inn, I’m pleasantly surprised by how quickly it’s transformed from yesterday. Vehicles are parked along the driveway, and tons of employees are running around.
A few men carry random picnic tables as others set up hay bales for extra seating. Finn is all smiles as we walk hand in hand and look at the progress. I can see he’s mentally checking things off his list. The man is meticulous when it comes to the farm, so none of it surprises me.
Time is running out, and it’s all hands on deck as people rush around to finish everything that has to be done by tomorrow.
“There’s the stage where the live band will play,” he explains as it’s being assembled.
“Oh wow.” Of course I knew it would be big, but I didn’t realize it would look like a mini carnival. There’s a bouncy house for the kids and tons of booths set up for activities. Food trucks are parked around the perimeter too.
“This is incredible.” I take it in as we walk across the crunchy leaves scattered on the ground.
“And it’s all free for the public.”
“Really?” I hadn’t realized they weren’t profiting from this.
“Yep. We’re expecting the locals and tons of tourists. That field will be full of cars by daybreak. Speaking of, we need to set out the signs so no one gets lost.”
“Sounds good.” I follow him inside the packed inn. Finn keeps me close to him as we look for his grandma. When we find her, she glances down at our interlocked fingers, and I almost pull away but don’t when I see her smile. She still doesn’t know we’re faking.
We’re faking it, right?
“There you are! Was wondering when I’d see you. Have you two eaten yet?”
“Yes, we had breakfast already,” Finn explains. “We were going to put out the signs starting at the main road. Is there anything pressing you need done after that?”
“Nah, we’ve pretty much gotten it all taken care of. You could check with your mother and see if the bakery needs anything.”
Finn gives me a side glance, and I know he doesn’t want to step foot near it with Aspen lingering around. She seems to conveniently pop up at the exact wrong times.
“I’ll text my ma and see if they’re doing okay,” Finn states, keeping his tone steady, but I notice his clenched jaw.
“Great. Everything is waiting for you in the shed. James reminded me this morning they were there. You know your grandpa won’t let me forget a thing.”
I chuckle because they have the cutest relationship. We say our goodbyes, and as soon as we’re in the storage shed, I see a large stack of signs.
I try to lift half, but they’re too heavy, so Finn carries most of them. He throws them in the back of the truck, and I do the same.
Once I’m inside and buckled, he turns on the heat.
“Thank you,” I offer as a shiver runs through me.
He snorts. “Such a baby. I’ve worn shorts in colder weather.”
“Of course you have.” I snicker. “I mostly wear dresses or skirts with bikini tops.”
“Wow, must get hot there.”
“Yeah, but I love it. The earthquakes are unsettling, but the views and nightlife are incredible. There’s always something to do. Poetry readings, open mic nights, wine and paint nights at local galleries—those are my favorite.”
Finn nods, and his lips turn down. I hate that I can’t read him.
We spend the next few hours placing signs every mile or so on the property. Tatum texts me for an update, but I tell her I’ll chat later after I’m done.
When we shove the last one into the ground, I turn to him. “How many people do you think will still get lost?”
He chuckles. “Handfuls. People don’t read or pay attention.”
“But they’re neon orange.” I glance down at the blinding bright color.
“A few distillery employees will be out here with flags guiding people in the right direction.”
“Smart. I guess it really does take an army for an event this size?”
He nods.
“Is this the first time the farm has had a celebration this large?” We climb back in the truck and head toward his house.
“They had a seventy-fifth-anniversary one when I was nine. But now that social media is a thing, it’ll be much bigger. Jessa’s been posting about it nonstop.”
“Wow, that’s a good point. I don’t know what life is like without having a mini computer in my pocket.”