Page 70 of The Pumpkin Spice Romance
Scarlett blushed a lovely shade of red to rival her name.
“I’m such an idiot. I thought— I mean. . . Last night. . . And then now. . . Well, you looked like. . .maybe you wanted to—” she stumbled over every word, starting and stopping until snapping a terse, “Never mind.”
Noah tried making eye contact, but Scarlett glanced anywhere —everywhere— except at him.
“Scarlett, look at me.” His gentle tone didn’t encourage her to comply, so he stooped down to her height while lifting her chin with a soft nudge of his thumb and forefinger.
She gave in with a dejected sigh, but her stormy gray-sky eyes met his. Raw emotion and honest vulnerability swirled in their depths.
“The fact I wasn’ttryingdoesn’t mean I wasn’tthinking. . .orwanting,” Noah whispered. His thumb traced the warm, velvety skin under her bottom lip. “When the time is right. . .”
His words faded, leaving a tangible thread of possibility hanging in the air between them.
“Noah? We need that hammer,” Franky Bouchet hollered from across the clearing. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Yeah,” Noah yelled back, not taking his eyes off Scarlett. “I sure did.” He spoke that part quietly, meant only for Scarlett to hear. “I’ll be right there,” he added in a louder voice. Then he ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek and joggedoff to help the high schoolers complete the photo backdrops to Scarlett’s specifications.
Indulging in one more glance her way, Noah turned midstride to run backwards. Holding her gaze, he grinned and flashed her a quick wink before facing forward to watch his step. His fingers still tingled from the silky warmth of her skin. He shook his hand and balled it into a fist. Then he rubbed his chest, hoping to ease a constricting sensation in his lungs. Noah’s heart burned and thrummed furiously. . .from a light jog across a thirty-yard pumpkin patch.
Some fitness buff I turned out to be.
9
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement
and the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Friday, October 2, 2026
“What’cha thinking?” Noah asked Scarlett after taking the last load of tools and materials to his truck.
She’d been in a bit of a trance, experiencing a moment of wonder.
His voice — the perfect balance between wise, dependable, and downright sexy — shook Scarlett from her reverie.
“The festival starts tomorrow, and we’re ready. I didn’t believe this was possible,” Scarlett declared. With her arms spread wide, she turned a slow circle in the middle of the ranch clearing she’d transformed into a pumpkin-themed paradise. Perfect for taking pictures!
“It’s fantastic,” Noah agreed. “But Ididbelieve; I knew all along you’d pull it off.”
The Murphy wagon took center stage, decorated with stacks of pumpkins in various colors and piled with floor pillows and quilts. Placed under majestic tree limbs, red and gold leaves, and strands of twinkling lights, the repurposed church pew radiated timeless warmth. Another collection of quilts, crocheted afghans, two antique wooden rocking chairs, and pots of colorful ornamental cabbage and kale drew attention to a large, parquet floor. Reclaimed-wood backdrops lined the temporary slab, creating a variety of settings for families, couples, babies, and friend groups. The ensemble of props, furniture, fabrics, lights, flowers, pumpkins, and decorations formed an enchanting wonderland.
“I’m exhaustedandbouncing with energy.” Her slow circle escalated to spinning twirls. “It’s wild!” she exclaimed with an exuberant cry. Her joy floated on the breeze.
They’d been at the ranch since early that morning. . .had stopped briefly for a quick lunch. Scarlett’s feet and back and brain had never been so tired.
But it felt so good.
Thrilled with the final product, she couldn’t wait for M’Kenzee Stewart to see what Scarlett and Noah and the high school volunteers had accomplished.
Scarlett looked forward to seeing the community in the lovely — perhaps mystical — space. An otherworldly air hung over the pumpkin patch. It demanded attention; it would encourage guests to push aside distractions and justbe present. Her fingers itched to grab a camera and begin snapping photos and portraits and candids of everyone who visited the festival.
“Tomorrow’s the big day,” Noah said, reading her thoughts.
Scarlett stopped spinning to smile at him.
Dizzy from her princess-like dance — or perhaps from the way Noah looked at her — Scarlett’s body buzzed.
