Page 49 of Firecracker

“I amnotlike Princess Diana. And I can’t believe you know so much about her.”

He laughed. “I’m just saying, being a princess doesn’t have to be negative, if you don’t want it to be.”

Once again she fell silent, clearly thinking.

The farmers’ market was busy, as usual on a sunny Saturday. They wandered among the tents set up with all their different wares, taking in baked goods, produce, flowers. He watched Arden’s face light up as she studied heirloom tomatoes, bunches of Swiss chard, and crusty ciabatta. She lingered over a tent with gorgeous potted plants and colorful flowers.

“I don’t know what to buy.” She met his eyes with a look of longing in hers that made his heart kick against his ribs. “I want everything.”

“I know.”

He caught her checking her wallet and got the feeling money was tight for her, which sucked, because he wanted her to have everything she wanted.

She ended up with some tomatoes, bread, cherries, raspberries, and a bunch of fresh carrots. She’d lingered over flowers, then turned away. Then they found the tea tent, and she picked up some Tranquil Dreams tea.

Tyler stopped at a tent selling meats and sausages. As he picked out andouille sausage and Canadian bacon, Arden studied the sign. They also sold eggs and butter.

“I’ll take a pound of butter,” she told the man behind the table when Tyler had paid for his goods.

Tyler lifted an eyebrow at her eight-dollar purchase.

“For Mila. I bet it’s really good.”

“It is,” the man behind the table said with a smile.

Tyler’s heart turned over in his chest. That was nice of Arden, thinking of Mila, especially since she’d clearly held back from buying things she wanted herself.

They picked up more veggies—beans, chard, onions, and mushrooms, as well as honey.

Arden sighed and smiled as they left, some of the booths starting to close down. “That was awesome. I love food.”

“Hold on.” He paused at a flower tent and picked out a bunch. He didn’t know what they were, but they were pretty—tall stems with multiple small flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and orange. An elderly woman was about to pay for a bunch of sunflowers, and he waited behind her.

“Oh no!” The woman dug through her purse. “I’ve lost my wallet!”

Tyler met Arden’s eyes and they both grimaced. Arden bit her lip.

“I can’t believe it!” The lady sounded near tears. “I just had it!”

“When did you have it, ma’am?” Tyler stepped up beside her.

“I just bought this bread…”

He recognized the paper bag and knew exactly where she’d bought it. “Hang on.” He handed Arden his flowers and took off jogging toward the tent. They were almost closed down when he skidded to a halt. “Hey, there was a woman here who just bought some bread…white hair, pink sweater…she left her wallet here. Did you happen to find it?”

“Yes!” The dude’s eyes widened. “I was going to try to get hold of her.”

“Oh great. She was pretty upset.”

“I’ll get it.” The guy pulled it out of a bag. “Here it is.”

“Thank you! She’ll be so relieved.”

It struck him that he must look honest for the guy to turn the wallet over to him. He hiked back to the flower tent. Arden comforted the woman, who had tears running down her face, Arden’s arm around her shoulders.

He held up the wallet.

“Oh, thank you!” The woman took it and clasped it to her, pale blue eyes beaming at him. “You’re a sweet young man.”

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