Page 27 of The Heart Shot
Jameson
You’re going to be nice, right?”
I fixed Aunt Jo with a stern look. She was over thirty years my senior, but she was such a mischievous punk that I felt more like a father reprimanding a teenager than her nephew.
She rolled her eyes, pulling her silver hair up into a bun on the top of her head. “Oh, Jamie. I’m always nice.”
My responding snort was both disbelieving and unattractive.
Aunt Jo pursed her lips. “Maybe don’t do that in front of the girl though.”
“Thanks forthathelpful dating advice.”
“Anything for you, dear,” Aunt Jo sing-songed, disappearing into the back room.
Tonight was my first date with Elsie, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.
Outside, my family’s pumpkin patch, Beck’s Pumpkins, buzzed with people. Parents and children ran around, picking pumpkins, others wandered into the shop to purchase cider and pastries, and out in the distance, the hayride rolled over the uneven ground, ushering kids over to the corn maze.
My grandparents had started the patch decades ago as an extension of their farm, not only to bring in extra income, but to offer the small town of Meridel something fun to do in the fall. There wasn’t anything overtly fancy about it—it was your standard patch with cider, pumpkins, and a corn maze—but it was my family’s pride and joy. Aunt Jo ran it even better than her parents had. She was the only reason it was still in business at all.
Why had I chosen this as the location of my first date with Elsie? I honestly couldn’t say.
In my head, it seemed like a good idea. I hoped the familiarity would ease my nerves a little bit, and I hoped the simplicity would put Elsie more at ease. We could wander the grounds, enjoy some cider and donuts, then get lost in the maze. There wouldn’t be the pressure of trying to force conversation over dinner, or attempting to stomach a full meal when we were both on edge.
I thought this would be a good compromise, but after Aunt Jo’s comments and knowing her streak for being nosy, I wondered if I made a mistake inviting Elsie here.
My stomach did a little spasm as I checked my watch. It had only been a few hours since I left her at the coffee shop, but it felt like days. Knowing Elsie would be here any minute had my pulse racing, pounding in my ears. I thought about waiting out by the parking lot and greeting her there, but I had a feeling she was the type who would need a minute to settle herself once she arrived. I wanted these dates to go well so badly that I would do whatever it took to keep her happy.
“When’s she getting here?” Aunt Jo said, emerging through the colorful beads hanging in the doorway that separated the store from the back room.
“Any minute.”
Aunt Jo marched up to me, adjusting the collar of my flannel. “Just be yourself, Jamie. There’s no way she’ll be able to resist you.” She winked before handing me a big bag of donuts. “Besides, no girl can say no to my apple cider donuts.”
I chuckled, taking the bag. “She might be the first,” I admitted with a wince.
“What makes you say that?”
“Maya made it sound like Elsie has a lot of emotional baggage, which makes her resistant to dating.”
Aunt Jo pursed her lips. “Maya also talks a lot.” I barely suppressed a snort this time. “Even if that’s true, the girl agreed to meet you here.”
“Hesitantly.”
“Hesitantly is still better than a flat-out rejection. Maybe you’re the man to help her unpack that baggage and put it away for good.” She patted my cheek. “You’re a good man, Jameson. Give yourself some credit.”
Her words soothed me like cold sweet tea on a hot day. “You think so?”
Aunt Jo’s cheeks crinkled as she smiled. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
I wrapped her into a hug. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Aunt Jo.”
“You always have my vote, Jamie.” When I let go, she spun me around, giving me a swat. “Now, go get your girl.”
Elsie
The late fall warmth finally receded, leaving a pleasant chill behind.
