Chapter Twelve

T uesday brought a rush of customers, but with Parker and Robin working behind the counter, they handled the orders efficiently. It was the best start to a day that Raine could remember in months. That made her smile. Something she'd been doing all morning.

And not only because of her staff.

Raine sneaked a peek at Keaton, who worked on his laptop at the corner table. He'd arrived earlier than normal and let her pick another pumpkin spice drink for him.

She fought the urge to touch her forehead where Keaton had kissed her. For a practice date, last night had felt…real. She wasn't ready to open the door to dating yet. But leaving it ajar didn't feel wrong.

Not that Keaton wanted to push open the door and date her or vice versa. But she enjoyed spending time with him, and she hoped they could go out again.

As friends.

Or fellow Boo Bash volunteers.

Or…

A label wasn't necessary, even if she'd found herself labeling or being labeled quickly after she met someone. Raine didn't have to do things the way she'd always done them.

Going on the practice date last night had shown her that.

She glanced over at the corner table.

Keaton's screen blocked his keyboard, but she imagined his fingers typing at a rapid rate, the way she'd seen last week.

Click, click, click.

Words forming.

His eyes focused on the screen without a sense of anything around him.

She couldn't hear his fingers striking the keys, but in her head, the sound rose above the din of the other customers and the rhythm of his typing went with the beat of music playing.

Raine grinned. She hoped he was making good progress on his book.

Parker handed her a cup. "This is the last drink for the to-go order."

He was in his early thirties, from Portland, Oregon, where he'd managed a coffee franchise, and was willing to work any shift. He was quiet and hadn't given her a reason for moving to Silver Falls, but he showed up early, worked hard, and got along with everyone. She couldn't ask for anything more.

"Thanks." Raine put the café au lait into the drink carrier with three other cups. "Anna."

The dog groomer from Wags and Tails must be picking up coffee for the staff, only Callie's favorite drink was missing. She must be off or coming in later.

Someday I'll be able to do the same thing.

Maybe someday soon if her interviews this week went well.

As Anna came to the counter, her blond ponytail bounced. She tucked her phone into the front pocket of her hoodie. "Your smile's back."

"It's always been there."

"Not like this morning." Anna grinned. "Let me guess, it has something to do with Callie's brainy brother."

"He's helping me with the Boo Bash."

"I heard you went out last night. And he kissed you."

Seriously? "This town needs to watch TV or read more books."

Anna raised a curious brow. "So, it's true?"

"We went out for dessert."

Anna smirked. "Is he a good kisser?"

Raine glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "He kissed my forehead. No lips were involved."

"Too bad, but forehead kisses are so sweet. And a nice slow start to something more."

"It wasn't a date." Raine hated the way the words rushed out.

Anna shrugged. "Ask him out."

"He's only in town for a short time."

"Make the most of it," Anna encouraged.

"I…" Raine considered the idea and tossed it away. "I'm not ready to date again. And I've never done anything like that."

"Dated casually?"

She nodded.

Anna leaned in closer. "Look, I'm the last person to give relationship advice after what happened with Davis last Christmas."

"You're not clingy."

Raine couldn't believe Davis had called Anna that when they broke up. Of course, he changed his mind and wanted her back if they could date other people.

Who did that?

Well, besides Davis Tucker.

Raine respected Anna for saying no to the hottie contractor. Looks weren't everything.

Anna shrugged. "I wasn't trying to be, but he saw it that way. And I was desperate not to spend another holiday alone."

Raine would face that herself this year. Emmett and his family went all out with food and tradition. She'd enjoyed each holiday with them since moving to Silver Falls. From Thanksgiving through New Year, even Mrs. Wilson made her feel like one of the family, and for that, Raine was grateful. She would miss them.

"But I've changed my thinking about relationships after watching Callie and Brandt and Taryn and Garrett," Anna continued.

"Spill the tea please. Or is this secret sauce stuff?"

"A combination. We, I'm using that as a general term, need to stop trying to find a boyfriend."

"I'm not. I don't want one."

"Right now. But eventually you will." Anna sounded more certain than Raine felt. "Relationships take on their own energy. You don't have to force anything. Love happens when it's right. I saw it with Callie and Taryn. That's what I'm holding out for."

"Even if it's a pipe dream?"

"It might feel like a pipe dream, but it's not. Some of us are just late bloomers."

"I prefer that to loser." Raine hadn't been called that, but she'd thought of herself as one after Emmett left her. Anna was all sunshine and smiles. "But you're younger than me."

"Life and love begin at thirty. That's my new motto and I'm sticking with it. I've told Pippa the same thing."

Anna would turn thirty-one soon. Raine smiled. "Going all in with this."

"One hundred percent. And I suggest letting things with the geeky gorgeous professor run their course, whether that's as friends, co-coordinators of the Boo Bash, or something more." Anna glanced over her shoulder toward the corner. "Should've called dibs in December."

"I didn't."

"He has eyes only for you. The same as Brandt had for Callie." Anna picked up the drink carrier. "Now relax, take a few deep breaths, and keep smiling."

"Thanks, Anna."

"You're welcome. I need to get these drinks to the shop while they're still warm, or Sam will complain."

Raine waved. "Have a great day. And thanks for the advice."

Now she had to put that into action.

Relaxing wasn't easy for Raine to do. Breathing deeply, she could handle. And smiling was something she did whenever she saw Keaton.

*

Keaton kept busy applying for jobs, working on the Boo Bash, and revising his manuscript. The Boo Bash took most of his time. He hadn't made it to the coffee shop yesterday, and earlier in the week, he'd arrived later in the day when the place was less crowded.

Not that Raine was less busy, but she appeared more relaxed and less tired now that Parker and Robin worked during the weekdays.

Progress.

Now to get the Boo Bash put together, so Raine would have less to worry about.

On Thursday at eleven, the first boxes of supplies he'd ordered arrived. Keaton carried the two boxes to the guest room and set them on the desk. He opened the first box—enough candy to send every dentist in Silver Falls on a fully paid, all excursions included Caribbean cruise. This amount was less than half the amount passed out during last year's Boo Bash. No wonder Robin and other parents wanted less candy given out. Next came the second box full of small toys and other items.

"It will be a bootiful Halloween in Silver Falls."

He double-checked his order with what arrived—candy, spider rings, jack-o'-lantern mini bubble bottles, sticky skulls, stretchy skeletons, mini coloring books, erasers, pencils, stamps, and stickers.

Keaton took a picture, typed a text, and hit send .

Me: Look what arrived.

Raine: Fun! That's a lot more than I thought we'd have.

Me: Wait until you see everything in person. Are you on break?

Raine: Yes. Can you bring the stuff to my house?

Me: When?

Raine: Tonight? I'm off at seven.

Me: See you then.

Keaton set the phone on the desk and put the items back into the boxes. He should bring something for her. The bakery was on the way, and most people enjoyed cookies. He would call ahead to see if someone knew what Raine enjoyed.

A knock sounded.

"Come in."

Rex lumbered into the room followed by Callie. "Margot let us in on her way out."

"Nice you could stop by." Rex pressed against Keaton. He'd seen the dog a few times since he arrived, but not as much as he'd planned. "Good to see my favorite nephew. Being good for your mom?"

Rex's tail wagged, and Keaton rubbed behind the dog's ear.

"He's always a good boy." Callie peered at all the supplies. "For the Boo Bash?"

Keaton nodded. "Just arrived."

"Looks like a lot of stuff. I didn't think the budget was that big."

It isn't. Keaton shrugged before brushing his hand through his hair.

"You bought some of this."

He picked up a bag. "Stretchy skeletons. How could I not?"

Callie's gaze clouded. She took a closer look at what was on the desk and in boxes. "You mentioned having savings—"

"I do. And severance." He raised his chin. "Don't worry, sis. This won't set me back."

"Okay, but why are you going to so much trouble? Spending your own money when you don't even live in Silver Falls and Margot forced you into helping?"

Raine had asked him a similar question. His answer remained the same, though there was more to it now. "The town is important to you and Garrett. That makes it important to me. Margot has opened her home to me for the second time this year. The First Avenue Business Association events mean everything to her. This is a perfect way to pay back her kindness and generosity."

"And Raine?"

Rex nudged Keaton's hand. The sign the dog wanted more rubs, so Keaton gave Rex what he wanted. "We agreed Raine needed help. A few have volunteered to do more than pass out candy at the Boo Bash, but it's only because they were asked. No one stepped up."

Callie's lips pursed. She blinked. "You're just helping Raine?"

That wasn't the question his sister wanted to ask. "I am, which is what Margot asked me to do. Everyone at the dinner thought it was a good idea."

Callie picked up a package of pencils. "Cute."

He focused on Rex, who savored each touch by leaning into Keaton more. The dog was addicted to rubs. "The Boo Bash will be fun."

"Looks like it." She set the pencils on the desk. "Are you having fun with Raine?"

"I haven't seen her much outside of the shop, but we'll work this weekend on the Boo Bash."

"You saw her Monday night at Lawson's."

That must be what was on Callie's mind. "We went for dessert."

A beat passed. Then another. "What was the forehead kiss all about?"

Talk about ridiculous. He sighed. "The people in this town really need to mind their own business."

"You're the one who kissed Raine on the sidewalk where everyone could see."

The words shot out of Keaton's mouth like Thor's Mjolnir. "Everyone?"

Callie shrugged.

"It was late. No one else was nearby or driving down the road. I'm not sure how anyone saw what happened."

"Security cameras."

His jaw dropped. "This town is whacked."

She plopped onto the bed. "It's a small town. But that's not the question here."

As soon as he stopped rubbing Rex, the dog nudged Keaton again. "It should be."

"Do you think kissing Raine was smart?"

"I'm not one to make dumb moves." He looked at Rex. "Isn't that correct? Uncle Keaton is smart."

Callie rolled her eyes. "Raine is…"

"Surprising. Funny. Sweet."

"Fragile."

He shook his head. "Not the Raine I know."

"Her and Emmett—"

"Raine's closed that door. She doesn't want to get back together with him."

Curiosity written all over Callie's face, she leaned forward. "How do you know?"

"She told me."

"Okay, but Emmett hurt Raine. Not once but multiple times. The guy led her to believe he would stay in Silver Falls, then tried to convince her to go with him. When she wouldn't, he dangled the long-distance-for-now carrot—twice."

"She didn't give me those details, but she was open about what happened."

"You're only in Silver Falls temporarily, so why are you dating her?"

"First, it wasn't a date. If it were, I would have kissed her on the lips not her forehead."

"If Raine thinks it's more—"

"Give me some credit, sis." Keaton couldn't believe this. "Raine knows I'm only in town for a short while. I've told her about losing my job."

Callie's eyes widened. "You told her?"

"I did, and she knows I'm applying for others."

"Oh." The one word spoke volumes.

"It's admirable you want to protect your friend. But Raine's an adult. Any other concerns we need to discuss?"

Callie did a double take. "Uh-oh."

Keaton shouldn't ask, but… "What?"

"You've got the look." She looked at Rex. "You see it too, right?"

Rex wagged his tail.

Something must be in the water source for Silver Falls. People acted weird. "What look?"

Callie studied him as if he were a new type of dog discovered and she was setting the breed standards. "It's the same one Garrett had when he talked or thought about Taryn."

Keaton made a T with his hands. "Time-out. I don't have any look. Again, what part of not a date did you miss, sis?"

"Just calling it like I see it, bro," Callie shot back.

"I hope you have health insurance with eye coverage. You need glasses."

She started to speak and then stopped herself.

Keaton knew that Callie was holding back. "Say what's on your mind, or you'll end up calling me in the middle of the night when you can't sleep."

"Okay, you're not wrong." Callie took a breath and another. "Please be careful with Raine. Even though you both know where things stand. She's been through a lot, and I worry about her. I'm not sure she can survive having her heart broken again."

Warmth balled in Keaton's chest. "You're a caring person, baby sis. I promise. I won't be breaking any hearts in Silver Falls, including Raine's."

Especially hers.

All he wanted to do was help her. Not hurt her.

He hoped Callie understood that.

*

A few hours later, Raine rinsed off her dinner plate and put it in the dishwasher next to two others. She usually only turned on the dishwasher once a week to not waste water. Often, she got takeout. One of the joys of being on her own was eating straight from the container.

She glanced around the house. Her clogs hadn't made it into the shoe basket again. The only things out of place were the three stacks of orange five-gallon plastic buckets, courtesy of Mr. Jones. He'd found them in his storage room and remembered he'd used them when he and Mrs. Jones ran the Boo Bash.

All she needed was…

Keaton.

Then they could get to work on sorting whatever had arrived and figure out the next steps.

The doorbell rang.

Her heart leapt. Okay, not really. It did a slight jump. Only because she wanted to see the things that had arrived.

Her bare feet padded across the floor. She opened the door.

Keaton stood next to two boxes. On top of them was another box she recognized from the local printer. He held out a bag from Lawson's Bakery. "I come bearing gifts."

"I see that." As Raine took the bag, the scent of chocolate and sugar tickled her nose. She could get used to being brought dessert. Even though she had a sweet tooth, it wasn't something she usually bought for herself. "Thanks. I had no idea you were bringing this much. I would have helped you carry it to the door."

He motioned to her feet. "No shoes. And it didn't take me long."

She set the cookie on a nearby end table. "The least I can do is help you bring the stuff in."

Keaton grabbed one of the larger boxes and the one from the printer. She got the other.

"See." Raine picked up the bag of cookies… Priorities! "I'll put these on a plate and get us drinks."

"I'll unpack." He glanced around. "Where do you want the stuff?"

"The dining room table so we can see everything."

"On it."

In the kitchen, Raine put the cookies on a plate. Not all were chocolate, but the scent of those made her mouth water. She blended whipping cream, pumpkin, pumpkin syrup, and pumpkin spice. Once that was mixed well, she used a hand mixer to make sure everything was nice and creamy. Ice went into two glasses. She added vanilla syrup to each and then cold brew coffee, which she'd made when she got home. Then she divided the pumpkin cream mixture between the two cups.

Raine wasn't a huge fan of pumpkin spice, but she enjoyed this drink. She carried them out of the kitchen.

Keaton's eyes widened. "Whoa. I heard the blender, but I had no idea you were going full-on barista tonight."

"Can't break your streak of trying new pumpkin spice drinks."

"That looks tasty."

She handed him one. "It's a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew."

He took a sip. "Delicious."

"One of my favorite pumpkin spice drinks." And then she remembered. "Have a seat in the living room, and I'll get the cookies."

Raine hurried to the kitchen, grabbed the plate, and returned to the living room. Of course, she forgot napkins. But how messy could cookies be?

She placed the cookies on the table and sat, still holding her drink.

He raised his glass. "If you weren't already a barista, I'd say you missed your calling."

"Thanks. I used to make my parents' drinks on the weekends. I'd experiment with Dad's coffee and Mom's tea bags. I cut them open to make her special blends. I'm sure some mixtures were truly awful, but she drank every cup." Raine took a sip. The cream could be a tad thicker but not bad. "Got my first barista job, and there was no looking back."

"You found your passion early."

"I did." She set her cup on the table. "You did, too. A freshman in college is young."

He nodded. "The thing about teaching is we don't see the end results beyond the quarter or semester. Some students stay in touch if they think they'll need a recommendation letter someday but many you never see or hear from again."

"I get to see my finished project each time. And I can tell if someone likes it or not. Unless it's a to-go order. But in a small town, people come back if they enjoy something."

"That would be nice."

"Your book might be more immediate gratification, seeing people buy it and leave reviews."

"Unless the reviews are awful."

"I can't imagine you writing a bad book."

He leaned toward her. "Why is that?"

"You put everything into what you do. At least you have with the Boo Bash, so I assume you're writing would be the same."

"I hope you're correct."

Something told Raine she was. She took another bite of her cookie. "How is the book coming along?"

"Good, except…" He stared at his drink.

"What?"

"I have an outdoor scene. I'm struggling to come up with the right description. Which means I keep writing and rewriting. It's only a small part but an important one."

"Where have you been writing?"

"At Margot's and the coffee shop."

She thought for a moment. Keaton was intelligent. He probably knew this, but maybe he'd forgotten. "I journaled after I lost my parents as part of grief counseling. When the words wouldn't come, I would go to the park or lake. Being outdoors inspired me. You might need a change of scenery to find inspiration."

"That's a great idea."

"There are plenty of spots. The park is lovely this time of year with the leaves changing." She tried to think of other places when the perfect location hit her. "Have you been to Silver Falls?"

"No." He reached for a cookie. "I meant to when I was here in the summer, but the hike would have been too much for Rex, and I didn't want to leave him alone when he missed Callie so much."

The guy had a kind heart to care that much about a dog. "You should go. The hike has some gain in elevation, but you can make it to the falls in less than an hour. There are a few benches if you want to write there."

"Tomorrow, I want to pass out and hang flyers for the Boo Bash, but I could go on Saturday."

"It might be a little more crowded on the weekend, but if you can write at the coffee shop, that shouldn't bother you."

He nodded. "Would you want to go with me?"

The question caught her off guard. "To the falls?"

"Yes." He ate his cookie.

"I thought you wanted to write."

"I don't want to take my laptop on a hike. I can jot down some notes up there. You could bring a journal."

"I don't have one." The words flew out like the crows in the apple tree grove when the hawk kite had been installed. "My old one might be in a box in the attic. It's not something I've wanted to reread."

"Understandable." He rubbed his hands on his khakis. "You could still go. Maybe with the leaves changing colors, you'll get inspiration for a new autumn tea blend."

It sounded like he wanted company. "Well, it is my first full Saturday off. Timmy and Parker are working."

"Do you have other plans?"

"Only to not set an alarm and sleep in."

"I'm more of a planner, but I don't mind waiting until you're up. You need the sleep."

"I do." Saying anything else would be silly. "But a hike might be just the self-care I need."

"And the inspiration my creativity needs." His grin made him look more like a college student than a professor. "Text me when you wake up then we can figure out the time."

His eagerness to plan was adorable. "I will. And in the meantime, we need to go through all the stuff you bought and sort it. Mr. Jones gave us buckets, which will make it easier."

"That will make the job easy-peasy." Keaton pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket and unfolded it. "I made a list of which shop gets what."

"That will save us a ton of time. Thanks."

"Sometimes my being a planner comes in handy."

"It does." But did he plan out his life the same way? She might have to ask during their hike tomorrow. Right now, they had work to do.