Page 23 of Fall Surprises
"I know this is complicated and the timing is terrible. But Sam, these past few days—"
"Have been incredible," I finished. "And confusing. And terrifying."
"All of the above?"
"All of the above." I curled my fingers around his. "I don't know what we're doing here."
"Neither do I." He brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "But I don't want to stop."
Through the windshield, I could see the vans starting to pull away. Diana stood by the remaining vehicle, talking urgently into her phone, probably already planning how to spin tonight's events to maximize viewership.
"We should go," I said reluctantly. "Before they send a search party."
"Or before Raven decides she needs an emergency midnight crisis meeting."
"Don't even joke about that."
He shifted into gear, but kept hold of my hand as we drove back toward Wintervale. The darkness was complete except for his headlights illuminating the winding mountain road. A deer's eyes flashed green in the beam, then disappeared back into the forest.
By the time we pulled up to the Evergreen Inn, the other vehicles were already there. Through the lit windows, movement showed—the wedding party heading toward their rooms, Diana likely debriefing her crew.
"Tomorrow's going to be even worse," I said, not quite ready to leave the cab.
"Probably." Gus acknowledged with a nod. "But we'll handle it."
There was that word again.We.When had my solo operation become a partnership? When had I started relying on someone else instead of trying to control everything myself? When had I started falling for the stubborn chef who drove me crazy?
“Get some rest,” he continued, releasing my hand reluctantly. "You'll need your strength for whatever tomorrow brings."
"Always so optimistic."
"I'm a realist." But his eyes held nothing but tenderness.
I climbed out of the truck, then leaned back through the open door. "Gus?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're here."
His face brightened, the tension finally leaving his jaw. "Me too, Sam."
I watched him drive around to the back where he'd park for the night. As I climbed the porch steps, Raven's voice carried from somewhere inside, dramatically recounting their maze adventure to anyone who would listen.
My room suddenly felt like a sanctuary. I closed the door behind me, leaning against it and finally allowing myself to acknowledge what I'd been trying to ignore all evening.
I was falling for Gus Ramsey. The timing was terrible. I'd be leaving in three days. Every logical reason said this was a mistake.
But the way he'd looked at me tonight, the way his hand had found mine in the darkness—he was falling too.
Outside my window, the lights of Wintervale twinkled in the valley below. I caught my reflection in the dark glass—hair coming loose from its pins, a small smile playing at my lips despite the chaos of the day.
Tomorrow would bring more madness, but tonight, in the quiet of my room, I let myself feel the comfort still lingering from his hand in mine. Let myself imagine what it might be like to stay here in this beautiful small town, to build something real with Gus, to stop running from feelings because things weren’t perfect.
Tomorrow could wait.
Chapter Six
Gus
