Page 27 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

Silas has on matching clothes but his long sleeve shirt is red. His hair is neatly combed over so it’s not going in every direction. Seraphina has on a long sleeve dress with leaves and a pair of boots. A large bow sits on her head. Both of them exclaim when they see me. Keefer releases them on me as soon as my feet hit the sidewalk. They rush forward into my arms, nearly knocking me over. Both of them talk a mile a minute, telling me all about their days. Tears prick behind my eyelids. I don’t understand how Joe could disregard them so easily. I can’t even imagine my life without them and by the look on Keefer’s face, I’m betting he’s feeling the same way.

Being back in New York City just solidified my decision to move for me. Joe was so cold and cruel, but in a way, he gave me the best gift. How he signed away his rights to his own children in exchange for my fashion lines is beyond me. My decision was easy. No amount of money or success or businesses could take the place of these two little beating hearts.

Once I manage to get detangled from Silas and Seraphina, I stand up. Keefer is in front of me. The door to the bakery opens, the autumn smells drift out and my stomach rumbles even though I didn’t feel hungry before. Warbee calls the kids inside, leaving Keefer and I alone. His hand reaches up and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ve missed you, darlin’. I’m glad you're home.” The smile on my face is huge and he laughs. “What?”

“Home. I like the sound of that.” This is the last place I expected to be at this point in my life, but I wouldn’t trade it. Keefer’s lips find mine and I know that home is wherever Keefer, Silas, and Seraphina are. My heart is always with them.

Keefer takes my hand and leads me to the bakery, but before he opens the door, he stops and turns to me. “I have a surprise for you. Well, a couple actually, but this is the first one.” The mischievous look in his eyes and smile reminds me of the boy he used to be. Excitement explodes in my veins. As he opens the door, I’m taken back.

It’s done. Warbee’s bakery is completely finished. My entire plan has been brought to life and I didn’t even know it. What should have taken at least two weeks, has been accomplished in two days. I stare in awe, so proud of the vision I had. The wood floors are now finished in a creamy white. The molding that sits on the middle of the wall is now trimmed black with the bottom half of the wall is white and the top is the beautiful mint green color. The tables have been refinished with white tops and black legs. The seats of the chairs were reupholstered with mint green. The booths stand out with one bench seat in mint green and the other bench seat in black with a white table between. Mason jars sit in the middle of each table with twinkle lights and baby breath sitting in them. New display cases line the entire exposed brick wall which has been white washed. It gives her more room to show the goodies she makes. Warbee lost three booths, but it’ll be worth it for her. She has so many creations that she was constantly trying to squeeze them into the display cases she already had. I scan the room until I see Warbee. “Do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s perfect. The colors are fresh and vibrant with a touch of me. Mason jars are southern, so you even kept it with the small-town country vibe. It’s amazing, Teag.” Warbee hugs me and the smile on my face makes my cheeks hurt.

When Warbee releases me, I spin around still in awe. “How did you get all this done?” I ask Keefer.

He shrugs and slips his hand into mine. “Everyone came to chip in. My parents, Keith, your mom and siblings. The gossip musketeers are magicians at reupholstering.”

“How did they know?”

One look at Keefer and I know it was all because of him. “I may have spread the word a little.”

I scan behind the counter and notice the menus hanging above the coffee and tea makers. “She has menus now!”

Keefer nods. “Her regular menu items are on those. I had one of the girls from my company use her graphic design degree and draw them up. A buddy of mine in Atlanta printed them out and Jayse and I got them laid over some displays.”

“It’s so perfect. I can’t believe you did all this.” This man is beyond anything imaginable.

He stares down at me. “I’d do anything for you.”

Tears prick at my eyes once more. “You did so much while I was gone. You recorded the tryouts and dance class. That was more than enough. You understood how hard it was on me to miss out on those things. Now, finishing Bee’s Batter with my design concept...it’s just so much.”

“You deserved it. However, I’m not done yet. I’ve got one more surprise. My mom and your mom are actually holding the fort down for me. Capri, can I get those drinks now?” he asks.

She smiles and winks. Her fake eyelashes are as big as ever and her hair now is deep purple. It suits her somehow. “Sure thing!”

Capri slides us a drink holder with four hot cups. Keefer grabs it and then my hand. “Come on kids!” he calls over his shoulder, and I think my heart nearly explodes.

Warbee closes up the bakery and we all make our way a few blocks over to where Bushels of Fun is kicking off. Country music comes from the live cover band. Bales of hay sit around along with picnic tables. Local shops are set up showing off what they have to offer along with restaurants selling food and drinks. The pumpkin patch is in full swing as well as the apple picking. I watch as the hayride takes off on its tour. This was always one of my favorite things about Blue Ridge. Autumn here is always so special. “I’m so glad to be back here with you.”

“Me too, darlin’,” Keefer replies. I rest my head on his shoulder for a moment, and he presses his lips to my forehead. Warbee’s parents smile at us from behind Warbee’s booth.

Warbee appears in front of me. “Now, it’s my turn for the surprise.”

“What?” I ask. Confused once more. I had forgotten Keefer said it was a two part surprise.

Warbee grabs my hand and drags me farther down the line of booths. I recognize Dixie and my mom sitting behind a booth for BeeTeag Planning. I look at Warbee and her smile is so large it’s contagious. Years ago, she and I came up with an event planning business idea. We would help people plan their wedding, birthday parties and anything else. She could take care of food and I’d take care of the decorations. It was our dream for the longest time. At least, until I decided I wanted to run off and become a fashion designer. “Is this for real?” I ask.

“It is if you want it to be. Keefer and I also thought you might like the idea of starting up your own interior design business. You did so great with my bakery.” Warbee explains.

I rush forward and hug her. “This is perfect. It’s so perfect. I can’t wait to start this with you.”

“Well, it wasn’t just me. A lot of this was Keefer,” she says, as she points to where he’s hanging back at apple bobbing with Silas and Seraphina.

My heart swells with happiness. “Some things never change.” It seems to be our catch phrase. The words that sum up our lives. No matter what did change for either of us, our love seems to not have changed. This town and the values it holds haven’t changed. I used to dread the future and what it might hold, but now...I’m excited because I get to share it with all the ones that I truly love.

EPILOGUE

Keefer

---