Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 103552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
One thing at a time, I reminded myself. Right now, I was going to enjoy that I’d made something so many people agreed was amazing. I’d planned to serve whatever we didn’t sell tonight in the taproom, but it looked like the crowd here might drink every drop.
A crew of kids in costume ran by, a mummy’s white streamers trailing behind them as they zigzagged from one candy station to another. The Orchard staff had set up a scavenger hunt of candy, challenging enough for the older kids and easy enough that the little kids still got their share. All of us working the event were in costume, like a lot of the kids, adding to the festive air. I’d kept it simple with a black dress and fangs that were still attached to my teeth because I hadn’t tried eating yet.
My stomach growled, reminding me how long it had been since breakfast. I thought I’d gotten used to the tantalizing scent of barbecue drifting in the air, but I saw someone walk by with a huge pulled pork sandwich, and my stomach made itself known. Glancing around, I thought I might have time for a quick break.
I turned for the food truck and almost bumped into August, my brother, Tenn, and his wife Scarlett’s youngest son. Looking up, I saw him accompanied by Nicky, Finn and Savannah’s son, and August’s older brother, Thatcher. Griffen and Hope’s nanny, Paige, stood a few feet away, wearing baby Stella in a carrier.
“Hey Paige, hey guys,” I said. “How long have you been here?”
“A while,” Nicky said, bouncing on his toes. “We went and shot the potatoes, and I think I decapitated one of the scarecrows—” I glanced up to see Thatcher shaking his head.
“Didn’t even get close,” he said under his breath, but Nicky didn’t pay attention.
“—and then Paige said we could get some donuts after we bob for apples,” Nicky finished.
Paige smiled at me over Stella’s head. She was sweet and quiet, and great with the kids. I hadn’t been sure about having someone in the house who wasn’t family. Savannah didn’t count. Even before she married Finn, she’d grown up with us as the daughter of the housekeeper, Miss Martha, who’d run Heartstone my entire childhood.
But Paige had fit in seamlessly, first living in town and only coming in during the day to help Griffen and Hope with Stella, filling in when anyone needed help with the older kids. A month ago, she’d moved into Heartstone Manor, and by all I could see, she was making everyone’s lives easier. I liked her.
“Who else is here?” I asked.
Paige looked back over her shoulder at the food truck. “Griffen and Hope. That’s why I have this one here,” she said, smiling down at the top of Stella’s fuzzy pumpkin hat. “Finn and Savannah, too. Sterling said she was going to come by, but she isn’t with us yet. And Ford.”
“Ford? Really?” I asked, surprised. Ford didn’t come out in public much, especially among crowds. I don’t think he’d been to a single town event since he’d been sprung from prison months before.
Paige pressed her lips together, nodding. I wondered if he’d been dragged or come willingly, but it wasn’t the kind of question I’d ask Paige. I’d ask Ford myself when I saw him.
“Have fun,” I said to the kids. “Don’t make yourselves sick on those donuts.” They laughed and rolled their eyes, August and Nicky bolting for the big metal tubs set up for apple bobbing.
“Good luck,” I said to Paige, squeezing her shoulder as I walked past her, my eyes on the long line at the food truck, the smell of barbecue making my mouth water.
A man walked by, holding a red and white paper container mounded high with mac and cheese. I started making a list in my head: a barbecue sandwich with plenty of coleslaw, some of that mac and cheese, maybe they’d have collards with bacon. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast—a million years ago—and I’d been on the move since I woke up. I could devour a whole platter of barbecue and all the sides.
I scanned the crowd for any of my siblings or their spouses and came up empty. The turnout had been wonderfully big. Rivers Bend Orchard was popular, which sure didn’t hurt, but neither did having the name Sawyers Bend Brewing on the banner at the front. I was almost at the food truck when I had a thought and diverted back to where my staff was pouring beer.
Dave looked up. “I thought you were on break.”
“I’m working on it,” I said. “I’m getting some food. You guys want me to get you anything?”
“I’m good,” Cammie said. “I’ll eat when you take my spot here.” I’d been thrilled when she hadn’t bailed on me for this. We needed every hand on deck for today.