Page 6 of Harvesting with Hayes
“Uh oh. Already can’t handle your cider?”
“Let’s just say…it’s been a while. And this is fantastic.” Serena finished her can.
My mouth fell open. “Damn, woman. I still have half of mine left.”
“Try and keep up, will ya?” Serena held out her hand for another cider.
“Yes, master. This can’t be your first time trying my family’s cider, right?”
“Actually, it is. Most of the time, I grab a some of the fall ale specials that are around, but for some reason, this year, I had a craving for the cider.”
“It wouldn’t have to do with a handsome guy running it or anything.”
“No, of course not. Let’s go play Ring Toss!” Serena pointed to the row of carnival games ahead and took off running like a little kid. I hurried after her, my kid like happiness bubbling up from somewhere inside me.
Five rounds later and Serena walked away with the largest stuffed unicorn they had.
As the night went on, we drank more cider, played more games, and ate some fried dough. It was nearing the end of the evening, and I didn’t want it to be over. Spending time with her made me feel alive. In so many wonderful ways.
How could I just ignore that?
“Phew! What a night!” A now very drunk Serena shouted as she danced around, nearly falling on the ground.
I laughed and slipped my arm around her waist. She immediately wrapped her arms around my neck. “Thank you, Hayes. I think I’m a little drunk.”
“A little?” I teased.
“A little, yes.” She slurred her words and swayed to whatever music played around us. “I need to show you Lookout Rock and Osprey Lake! Let’s go!”
“Whoa, whoa, slow down there. I don’t think you’re going anywhere tonight but home to bed.”
“Boo, that’s no fun.” Serena’s face crumpled but in less than a second, she was over it. “I know what’s fun!” She declared.
I froze, afraid of what she might say next.
But it wasn’t what she said.
It was what she did.
She kissed me.
Right there, in the middle of the Maple Ridge Fall Festival, in front of anyone and everyone, without a single care in the world.
One kiss and everything around me fell away.
All the pain, all the struggle, all of it.
Gone in an instant.
One kiss and she healed my soul.
CHAPTER FOUR
Serena
The spiked cider tasted amazing,not at all like it had alcohol in it. Easy down, and down more went. I felt good, buzzed, electrified.
Okay, maybe a bit more than buzzed. Tipsy, almost.
