Page 40 of Stealing Kisses

She, too, had a steady stream of people stopping by her booth. Even with two high schoolers there to ring up purchases for her, Baylin worked straight through lunch. He’d kept an eye on her across the room, and she hadn’t slowed or sat down at all.

Midafternoon, Teddy extricated himself long enough to visit Anita’s setup in the refreshment room.

“How ya doing?” he asked her.

“Better than you, I hear,” she answered. “But congratulations on the game last night.”

Salt in the wound.

“Yeah,” he mumbled. “Thanks.”

Anita laughed at him in reply.

“She’ll come around,” she said.

“You think so?” A twinge of hope tugged at his chest.

“I do,” she affirmed. “Baylin’s had some tough surprises in her life. Your identity?—”

“I never hid—” he interrupted to defend himself. Not defend…explain.

Anita didn’t wait to hear his justification.

“Yourfullidentity,” she continued, speaking over him, “snuck up on her. And if I know Baylin —at least inhermind — it proved she shouldn’t have risked falling for you.”

“But my playing baseball doesn’t change how I feel, not about her.”

“Maybe not,” she said. “But it changes how things progress, how they develop and grow between you. She gave up any ideas she had about leaving Green Hills when she agreed to take on the farm. Your life is the extreme opposite. You might not see that as a roadblock, but Baylin will.”

“You think she’s falling for me?” he asked with the first genuine smile he’d had since the day before.

“Yes, you big dork. She likes you!” Anita shook her head. “Now buy something… I have this new investor, and he expects a profitable return on his money.”

Loaded up with two boxes of assorted pastries and a drink holder full of coffees and teas, Teddy made it through the crowd and back to Baylin’s booth without too much hassle. Perhaps that was the trick…don’t have hands available for shaking or signing.

She still wouldn’t stop to talk to him, but she did say thank you for the coffee, and when she took a sip, Baylin’s countenance relaxed, albeit an infinitesimal amount.

Since she wasn’t ready to forget or forgive quite yet, Teddy decided he’d find a way to pick up Boxy.

That prospect, paired with Anita’s assurance that Baylin would get over being mad at him —eventually— put a spring in Teddy’s step.

He’d just walked outside and pulled out his phone, hoping to use a ride share app, when a truck pulled up beside him.

Rhys Larsen lowered his window. “Need a lift?” he asked.

“I think so,” Teddy answered. “I can’t seem to find a car service.”

“Not here in Green Hills,” Rhys laughed. “Where ya headed?”

“Fielding’s Gas & Garage.”

“Jax finished with your hot rod?”

“Not a lot of secrets in this town,” Teddy replied in lieu of an answer.

“None, to be exact,” Rhys laughed. “His garage is on the edge of town; mind if I make a couple of stops along the way? My fiancée handed off her errand list so she could shop at the festival.”

“I’m happy to tag along, if you don’t mind company.” Teddy walked around the the truck and climbed in. “Fiancée, huh? When’s the big day?”

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