Page 20 of By the Book

“Fall Fest is still three weeks away, don’t do anything yet,” I say evenly, tension prickling behind my eyes. That’s just what we need, for everyone to feel they lost out on the last push of tourism before the off season. Those riots I was worried about would come with pitchforks and flames—as I’d deserve.

“Alright, let’s check back in next week,” Fitzy agrees. “Good luck, Tripp.”

It feels like a stay of execution, and I roll the tension out of my shoulders. Rising, I check my watch to ensure it’s late enough to head to Ivy’s without seeming eager.

“And by the way,” the mayor says, rising as well and adjusting the navy blazer on his barrel-chested frame. “This doesn’t determine anything about your ability to do this job. Remember that.”

“With all due respect, Fitzy, this quite literally is my only job. And I’ve yet to be successful at stopping this harm from coming to our county.”

“Okay,” he scoffs, “then just know that I don’t fault you for this.”

With a brusque handshake, I make my way back out to the ivory tile floors and through the dark walnut double doors. Town hall sits on the edge of the square, a space perfectly manicured with mature trees boasting flaming red leaves and rows ofpumpkins that have been lined up in the grass. I cross the make-shift pumpkin patch and cut through the painted white gazebo.

Foxport is quintessential New England in autumn. And I have one week to convince its mayor to continue with the festival that shows it off.

“Why do you think they picked my store?”

I lean in the doorway and watch Ivy don her coat. “I really don’t know. I’m sorry, I should have an answer for you. But… this veered from the small pattern they did have. They’ve never gone near the Brick District, so picking a store smack in the middle of it seems odd.”

“What do I need to do first?” she asks. We step into the hall and make our way to the stairs.

“We’ll go to your shop to see what we’re working with, then just take it a step at a time. Have you talked to your family today?”

“I called them this morning, before anyone else was up. It was… a lot.”

“They care about you,” I say as we cross the lobby. “And they are wicked supportive when they care.” I think back to how involved her family has always been for me. Specifically, when I wasn’t functioning well with Pops passing. Ruth and Howard had insisted on taking care of all the arrangements. As always, they were there for me.

“Tripp?”

Glancing over, I see her doe-eyed expression fixed on me. “Mhmm?”

“Thank you.”

I’m overcome with the urge to wrap her up in my arms and tell her to never thank me for being here. That I want to be the one supporting her. The one facing down the morning with her. Instead, I shove open the door and hold it for her to step outside.

“It’s my pleasure.”

“Tripp?” she asks again.

I catch her gaze and give her a reassuring smile, encouraging her to continue. Her next words come out laced with disappointment. “What if I’m not ready to go to my shop?”

“That’s okay,” I assure her. “We can take as much time as you need.”

“Can we stop at Café Around the Corner? I think a pumpkin scone would help.”

We can stop a hundred places, I think. I want nothing more than to spend all day together. And while I hate the reason, I finally have an excuse to do so.

“Sure, want to walk?” I look up at the sun, its light radiating in the clear blue sky. This is probably one of the last few days we’ll get with a pleasant temperature until spring.

“Always,” she replies as we begin down the brick sidewalk. “I love October in this town. It glows. The red and orange leaves with the brick everywhere, it feels like a warm hug just walking down the street.”

“I love how you do that,” I reply, surprising myself with my honesty.

I must have surprised her too, because she almost trips on the uneven brick as I say it. Reaching out, I catch her around the waist and steady her. At the same time her hand comes up and latches onto my forearm. Looking up at me through her thick lashes, she asks, “Do what?”

“Make something as simple as walking down the street sound so appealing.”

“I don’t know about that,” she murmurs. She drops her gaze and smiles shyly, causing a fluttering sensation to erupt in my chest.

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