Page 51 of The Pumpkin Spice Romance
“Oh, you’re going to love her! She’s so sweet,” Maree gushed.
“If you say so,” Noah said in a low voice, teasing the girl as he eyed her.
The girl in question smirked at him.
“How’s Kansas City?” Noah asked. “Does Max feel good about the game on Sunday?”
“It’s wonderful,” Maree answered. “The babies are having a blast playing together. We’re determined these cousins are going to grow up closer than brothers.”
“And you know Max. . .quietly confident,” M’Kenzee added. “Thanks so much for helping Scarlett get settled this week. I feel terrible for not being around when she arrived, but we just hated to miss the football game when Janie Lyn called and explained about all the hoopla around Max’s award on behalf of the Chiefs.”
“Scarlett, you say?” Noah asked, letting his gaze stroll over Scarlett with a slow skim from head to toe and back up to meet her fiery bluish-gray eyes.
“Yes,” M’Kenzee said. “Scarlett St. James. She’s just gorgeous — you can’t miss her. Please ask Scarlett to help you set up the pumpkin patch this week, including a backdrop staged with three sets: one for babies, one for couples, and one for families. Can you also introduce her to Jinx? Let her know to put whatever she needs on my account at the hardware store; she should be able to find everything there that she wants to use in building the props. Whatever she comes up with will be great. All my lighting equipment is in the storeroom at Maree’s shop, and you have both the store and apartment keys on that blueLodge at Daisy Lakekey ring I left for you to give Scarlett. Please encourage her to make herself at home there—”
“Itisher home,” Maree said over her sister. “She can move, paint, and change anything she wants!”
“We’re rambling,” M’Kenzee declared with a laugh. “You’re the best, Noah. I know you’ll make her feel welcome and help her find what she needs until we get back next week.”
“Happy to help,” Noah said with genuine cheer, pleased he could be of assistance. “Y’all have a great time, and tell Max we’re proud of him.”
They finished their call. Noah slid his phone back into his pocket and leaned against the pew with a victorious grin.
“Fine,Noah. Now you know my name. And it seems you’re stuck babysitting me for the week.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,Scarlett,” he said, eyes dancing with delight while a smile tugged at his mouth. “And let’s not think of it as babysitting. In fact, I’d say I’m tasked with being your gopher. For that matter, the entire youth group is at your beck and call around their scheduled school and sports activities.”
“To set up a pumpkin patch?” Scarlett asked, disbelief threaded through her words.
“Not justapumpkin patch,” Noah corrected with a pointed look. “ThePumpkin Spice Fall Festival, a Green Hills tradition since 1974, and one that brings thousands of visitors to town every October.”
“Thousands?” Scarlett sounded less than convinced.
“Possibly tens of thousands.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Noah confirmed. “And the photography booth is the biggest attraction.”
“Really?” she asked again, clearly unconvinced.
“Really,” Noah repeated with a chuckle. “I’ve heard you’re quite the portrait photographer.”
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. Her eyebrows furrowed.
“I’m not making this up. . .heard all about you when the girls asked me to be your guide. M’Kenzee said your work speaks for itself and that festival visitors are in for quite a treat, sitting for one of your portraits. I’m telling you, they’ll hang your pictures in their homes and plaster them across their social media. You’re about to be in high demand.”
“She said that?”
“She did. And Maree agreed. They both said the festival will be the perfect place to introduce your work to the world.”
“They saidthat?” Scarlett asked, surprised yet again.
“I believe their exact words were,Stunning backdrops, autumn colors, natural lighting, and Scarlett’s vision — amazing! What a blessing for Green Hills.”
“You’re teasing,” she said, wrinkling her forehead in distrust.
“Trust me. . . I’m not,” Noah reassured her.
