Chapter Fourteen

K eaton sat at Raine's dining table, filling a bucket with bat stamps, candy, and instructions. The type of activity he'd been doing most nights for a week and a half. She'd even given him a key to her house so he wouldn't have to wait when she got held up at the coffee shop. This was the first key to a woman's place he'd ever had. Keaton appreciated her trust.

He glanced at Raine, who sat across from him, separating the Halloween stamps and placing them in plastic baggies. He placed one set of those—bat stamps for the hardware store—on top of the candy filling the orange bucket.

"I hope this is simple enough for Mr. Jones." Simple for this year's Boo Bash equaled passing out candy and stamping kids' scavenger hunt list with a specific item or character. "He specified something uncomplicated on his form."

"He'll be fine." Raine stretched her arms over her head. "Mrs. Jones was at the coffee shop yesterday. She'll be at the hardware store to help during the Boo Bash."

"I'm glad we cut the pumpkin decorating there."

"That would have been the opposite of simple."

Keaton nodded. Only one week to go until B-Day, what he'd been calling the date of the Boo Bash, and over half the buckets were ready to be delivered to shops. If they kept up the same pace, they'd be finished this weekend, which meant no last-minute work or late nights to be ready on time.

"I plan to be at the coffee shop tomorrow." Some of the prep work involved things he couldn't do there. "I have a couple of things to do in the morning, but the afternoon is reserved for book writing."

"Still inspired?"

He nodded. "I keep forcing myself to go to bed. I'd be happy writing through the night, but I'd regret it the next day when I'm tired."

"Now you know where to go again if you're having trouble."

"I do." Only he wasn't certain whether being outdoors at the falls had been the deciding factor or being there with Raine. Keaton guessed he would figure that out eventually.

They hadn't spent as much time together in the same place, but they'd texted daily, often several times a day.

Her cell phone rang. The ringtone was from a song. Something by Taylor Swift. Callie used to listen to it a lot, but he didn't remember the song's name.

Raine glanced at her phone, sitting face up on the table. She inhaled sharply.

None of his business, but he looked.

Emmett's name appeared on the screen.

First a text. Now, a phone call.

Had Emmett tried to reach her again when Keaton wasn't there? Were things escalating between the former couple? Or had Raine had a change of heart over her ex?

Keaton's gut churned. A yes to any of those questions wouldn't be good.

For Raine.

Not good for Raine.

She hit the decline button on the screen.

Keaton leaned back in his chair. That was interesting.

"Sorry." She rubbed her thumbs over her fingers. "I didn't want to put my phone on silent mode in case someone at the shop needed me. Nick has the kids, so Robin wanted to close."

"Phones ring." Keaton wanted to wipe away the worry from her eyes. "I saw who was calling."

She glanced at the now-dark screen. "Yes."

"You didn't answer."

"No." The word came out clipped. "I have nothing more to say to him."

Keaton shouldn't, but he had to ask. "Don't you want to…lock the door?"

Her lips parted. "Shouldn't no answer be an answer by default?"

"Not sure if everyone sees it that way."

"I would."

Knowing she didn't want to talk to her ex made Keaton happy. Raine deserved better. "Has he been trying to contact you and open the door?"

"Not since the text."

"Good, I mean—"

"It is good," she finished for Keaton. "Emmett's the one who left for the Emerald City."

"Oz?"

"No, Seattle. But for me, there's no place like home."

"Silver Falls."

She nodded. "Emmett lived in Silver Falls his entire life. He planned on leaving, but then I moved to town to open the coffee shop, and he stayed. I thought we were on our way to a happily ever after, but he wasn't happy. He wanted to leave Silver Falls and asked me to go with him, but…"

"You couldn't."

"Not only couldn't. I didn't want to. Not even for my happy ending."

"Was that hard for you?"

"Yes and no. The fact I didn't consider going makes me realize we weren't meant to be. But I'd grown up in a suburb of Seattle, lived there until I moved here, but it never felt like Silver Falls. Long distance didn't work. When Emmett decided he was finished with Silver Falls and me in April, I won't claim it didn't hurt. That it didn't take me a while to get out of my funk, but the last time I saw him in July, I knew for sure. We're better apart. He's happier in Seattle. And when I'm ready for another relationship, it'll be with someone who wants the same things as me."

Keaton considered her words. "You found your home and don't want to leave. I'm still searching for mine."

"You'll find it." She covered his hand with hers. "You're where you should be. Silver Falls is the perfect place to search for a new home."

"I'm open to suggestions."

"I have one, but first, you should know it's not as hard as it sounds if you keep an open mind."

"That doesn't sound hard."

"It's not if you trust yourself."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"As you search, you'll come across a lot of different places. But when you find the one…home…there will be a sense of belonging inside of you. You won't feel the need to look for something better. Everything you could ever want is right there. Mind you, it might not be perfect, but that doesn't matter. You'll be content and at peace, even when things don't go the way you wanted."

Keaton had a feeling she meant Emmett. "So, when you know you know?"

"Yep." Her mouth quirked. "As for actual suggestions, with your family here, Silver Falls or Summit Ridge should be on your list of places to consider. And no Washington state income tax is a huge plus. There's also a community college and a four-year university nearby. The cost of living is lower than you'll find in Seattle, the Vancouver-Portland Metro area, or Spokane."

He laughed. "You sound like a town spokesperson or Margot."

Raine looked at her hand on his. Her lips parted as if she hadn't realized she was touching him, and she lifted her hand from his. "Has Margot been trying to get you to stay in Silver Falls?"

Keaton missed Raine's touch. "Yes. Garrett and especially Callie have been, too, though they're more subtle."

"Margot's not known for her subtlety."

"She means well."

"Can't disagree with that since Margot brought you to help with the Boo Bash."

"There's no place I'd rather be than working on it with you."

All he wanted to do was kiss her. But they both had places to be and a stack of things to review was still on the table. "So you ready to keep going?"

She nodded. "We have time for a few more buckets tonight."

That gave him an idea. "What do you say when we finish we celebrate by going out to dinner?"

"Another practice date?" she teased.

"We can call it whatever you want, even a real date, if you're ready to move on."

She bit her lip.

Keaton hoped he hadn't pushed her too much. "Or we can stick to practicing."

Raine stared up through her eyelashes in a way that made her both vulnerable and sexy at the same time. "For real might be nice."

His pulse kicked up. Very nice. But he didn't say that. "We can decide later."

She nodded. "Guess that gives us incentive to finish a few more buckets tonight."

"It does."

Awareness buzzed between them. Unexpected but not unwelcome. This could get interesting.

*

Stifling a yawn, Raine stood at the shop's cash register. She'd had two Saturdays off and was used to sleeping late. This morning's alarm had been a shocker. She rang up Mr. Hurley's order. "That'll be six-eighteen."

He paid using a card.

The approval came through. "Your order will be ready soon."

This morning wasn't that busy, but that might change in an hour.

"Thanks." Mr. Hurley, who operated the Christmas tree lot in December, ran a small stand on the weekends selling the fruit and nuts from his other trees. "I'm hearing good things about the Boo Bash."

"Should be fun." Raine couldn't believe it was only five days away. Time was flying by, but she had enjoyed every minute working with Keaton. She should be doing that with him today and finishing the final buckets.

Except she had to be here.

Robin had called late last night saying Nick dropped off the kids, who both had a stomach bug, so she could take care of them. Clean up the mess was what he'd really meant. But Raine understood custody issues and how things might not go smoothly each time. She'd told Robin not to worry, to keep washing her hands so she didn't get sick, and that her shift would be covered.

Raine restocked the display unit with more scones and muffins.

"I can handle this place on my own." Timmy prepared a caramel macchiato. "There's no reason for you to be here."

"You run this place better than I do." Though Parker was catching on fast. "But I prefer to have two people."

"It's your day off."

"And if Parker can come in later, I'll leave." He was busy this morning. "If not, you're stuck with me."

"I don't mind that. It's just…"

"What?"

"Just a sec." He placed the drink on the counter. "Mayor Sellwood."

The mayor in a track suit and ponytail came to the counter. She picked up her drink. "Looking forward to the Boo Bash, Raine."

"Should be fun." That had become Raine's stock answer. Saying it would be awesome might raise expectations, so people ended up disappointed. Fun seemed the best adjective to use.

"Mr. Hurley," Timmy called out.

The tree farmer grabbed his drink. "See you at the Boo Bash."

Raine waved.

The lull in customers gave her a chance to drink her own coffee.

"So back to what I was saying." Timmy took a swig from a water bottle. "Ever since Heather left and Robin and Parker started, you look better. Happier. More rested. I don't want you to go back to being overworked and exhausted."

"One Saturday won't change anything. I promise."

His nose scrunched. "Aren't you supposed to work with Keaton today?"

"Yes, but we can do it tomorrow." She'd texted him last night to give him a heads-up that she wouldn't be home. "Sometimes people need to call out. This is nothing like Heather."

Timmy shivered. "We should call her she-who-can't-be-named."

"She was that bad, wasn't she?"

He nodded. "The worst."

They both laughed.

Timmy winked. "Be glad you have me."

He was too much, but what he said was true. "I count my blessings each and every day."

The bell on the door jingled.

"And our impromptu break's over," Timmy whispered.

She smiled, only her smile got bigger when she saw Keaton and Garrett. "Hey."

"Good morning." The way Keaton gazed into her eyes, making her feel like the only person in his world, told her it would be a great day. "I wanted to see if it was okay if Garrett came with me to your house to finish the buckets today."

"You're working on them."

"Yes," Garrett answered for Keaton. He motioned to his brother. "This guy woke me up early but said we had to stop here first for your permission."

Keaton rolled his eyes. "You don't invite someone into another person's house without permission."

"As if I'll steal something or make a mess."

"Asking is the right thing to do." Keaton focused on Raine again. "Do you mind?"

Her heart melted. "I don't. Help yourself to what's in the kitchen."

Garrett raised a box. "My wife is providing breakfast."

"I can provide coffee," Raine offered. "What would you like?"

"One of those pumpkin spice drinks Keaton can't stop raving about," Garrett said.

Raine stood taller. That was the best compliment she could have received. She looked at Keaton. "Do you want one you've already had?"

"What's next on the list?"

"A Nitro Cold Brew with Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam."

"Love the other pumpkin cream, but it's a little chilly out for that. How about the Pumpkin Spice Flat White?"

Garrett snickered. "Listen to my little brother order fancy coffees."

"Ignore him," Keaton said. "My second oldest brother can't be nice until his first cup of coffee."

Garrett nodded. "He's not wrong."

"Two Pumpkin Spice Flat Whites coming up."

Garrett had his wallet out. "How much?"

Raine held up her hands. "No charge. Boo Bash volunteers get drinks on the house."

"If I'd known that, I would have offered to help sooner."

Keaton scoffed. "You didn't offer today. Your lovely wife suggested you help me. You came kicking and screaming."

Andrews family get-togethers must be interesting. "Timmy will have your order up shortly."

Garrett moved to the far end of the counter and spoke to Timmy, who made their drinks.

"Thanks." Keaton leaned over the counter. He kept his voice low. "As soon as we finish, I'm making a dinner reservation for us. How does the Falls Café sound?"

"Great." She fought the urge to shimmy her shoulders. "It's my favorite place in town."

"I can't wait to celebrate all the buckets being done."

Her pulse quickened as if she'd downed two espresso shots. She couldn't wait to go out with Keaton again. "Me, too."

Their gazes met.

"Drinks are ready, Keaton," Timmy called out.

"I'll text you."

"Have fun."

Keaton and Garrett walked out with their drinks. Keaton waved at her, and she waved back.

Timmy crossed his arms over his chest. A swatch of purple hair fell over his left eye. "Guess there's another reason you're happier, besides hiring Robin and Parker."

"Huh?"

"You and the professor." Timmy's suggestive tone left no room for misinterpretation. "You've always had a crush on him."

"I'm too old for a crush. And he's not my type."

"I agree. He's not. Keaton's the opposite of Emmett and perfect for you."

"He's…" She struggled to find the right words. "He's not staying in Silver Falls. He's helping me with the Boo Bash."

"That look you two shared?" Timmy touched his chest. "A thousand heart-eye emojis rose to the ceiling. More than the Boo Bash is happening."

"We've hung out."

Timmy's eyes narrowed. "Define hang out."

"Dessert at Lawson's and hiking to Silver Falls."

"He mentioned dinner."

"Hasn't happened yet."

"But it will. Are you sure this is a good idea? You said you would never do long distance again."

"Don't worry. It's not like that with Keaton. He's been upfront about looking for jobs and leaving Silver Falls. But this is good practice for when I'm ready to date again."

"Practice, okay." Timmy didn't sound like he believed her. "Just be careful. I remember when you met Emmett, and you two came together fast. But I never saw you look at him the way you look at Keaton."

"Gratitude," she blurted. She was grateful for his help. That was all it could be, right?