Chapter 35

35

STERLING

T he fall festival spanned from the farm all the way through town. Today was the first day, and at the end, there would be a big parade that was taking place this coming Sunday. The day after the reunion.

In just a few hours, Northfield Farms would be swarming with people, droves of them coming out from Allisburg and the surrounding towns to get their pumpkins, tour the old farm, and visit the bakery.

Daphne had been working nonstop to get it ready and Dad and I had been out in the fields since hours before dawn, trying to get through the finishing touches so we would be ready for the visitors once they arrived.

There was a biting chill in the air this morning, the cold really starting to sink in into the ground during the night now that winter was creeping closer. I worked side by side with my dad as the sun rose above the mountains and created a soft glow in the fog that clung heavily to the earth.

Breathing in deep, I grinned even as the cold burned my lungs and I couldn't feel my nose anymore. These last few days, I'd been helping out on the farm as much as I ever had, and I had to admit, it felt better than I'd ever known it could.

It was even easy for me to understand now why my dad hadn't been able to leave it behind after all. He might not have thought that he was cut out for this life, but combined with Mom's enthusiasm, I could see why he'd changed his mind.

"I'm headed over to the pond to clear the benches of leaves one last time," Dad called a little while later.

I glanced over at him, pleased that the old man was looking a little better these days. After our talk, I'd taken to having groceries delivered and some ready-made meals as well. He was actually eating with me, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and already, his cheeks were a tiny bit fuller and the color had returned to them.

"Sure thing. I'll hang around here and direct the cars once they start arriving," I said, unexpectedly happy to be working so well with him.

At this point, I'd all but forgotten about my life back in New York City. I hadn't given it much more than a fleeting thought for weeks now, and even when I spoke about it, it was Allisburg my brain kept focusing on.

Only a minute or so later, I heard the purr of an expensive engine ripping into the driveway, and after pulling off my work gloves, I dusted off my hands against my jeans. Stepping into the top of the drive, I flashed whoever was inside the car a welcoming grin and pointed in the direction of the nearest parking area.

We'd put up signs, but from experience, we knew that at least the first few cars needed to be directed. Once they were parked, other people seemed more confident in where to go.

To my surprise though, the fancy Maserati didn't follow my directions. It squealed to a stop right beside me, and when the tinted window rolled down to reveal who was inside, my knees nearly gave in from the shock.

"Henry? What the hell are you doing here?"

My coworker from back in Manhattan shrugged, smirking at me from behind a pair of obnoxiously large sunglasses. "I came to see you, man. Coffee?"

"Sure," I said, but I still couldn't quite believe he was here. "Just back up and park over there in front of the house. I'll put a pot on."

"No need," he said happily. "I brought some."

The window slid shut again and he drove to where I'd told him to park, shut off the engine, and then leaned against the car as he waited for me. More than surprised to see him, I waved him in and noticed the branding on the coffee cups he was carrying.

"Northfield Farms bakery, huh? I didn't know they were open yet."

"They weren't," he said offhandedly, sliding off his sunglasses as he followed me into the house. He looked completely out of place in our dated kitchen, wearing one of the salmon-colored, collared shirts he seemed to favor, a pair of beige slacks, and polished shoes on his feet.

Just a few weeks ago, I'd arrived here wearing a suit, and I couldn't believe how much of a joke Daphne, Eric, and even my dad must've thought I looked like. Henry certainly looked like one, with his strawberry blond hair styled as neatly as if he was on his way to the office and his coat so fitted it practically outlined his biceps.

I led him to our kitchen table and waved him into a seat, taking one across from him before accepting the coffee he'd brought me. My heart pounded when I realized Daphne had made this. "If they weren't open yet, how did you manage to buy these?"

"I badgered that hot barista at the bakery for it." He smirked and leaned back in his chair, taking a not-so-discreet look around the outdated kitchen. "Eventually, she gave in. No one can resist my charm."

That may just be true. I'd never admit it out loud, though. Instead, I simply chuckled and nodded, raising my eyebrows as I stared across the table at him and wondered if I was having a nightmare. "What are you really doing here, Henry?"

"I was curious about your life back home, bro," he said easily. "I wouldn't have imagined you growing up like this, though. Can I have a tour? The sign on the road said you were offering tours for the fall festival?"

Begrudgingly, I nodded and got up. "Sure, but we're going to have to make it a quick one. This is the busiest time of year on the farm and I promised my dad I'd help."

"No problem," he said, standing up and following me out the kitchen door. His coat definitely didn't stand up to the cold out here, though.

Within minutes, his teeth were chattering so much that he couldn't keep up the small talk he'd been trying to make about my childhood, and soon after, he was pretty happy when I sent him on his way. Once he was back in his Maserati with the heat blasting on full, he finally grinned at me again.

"I'm staying for a few days," he said. "There's a luxury B&B just a few miles from here. I got a suite. It has a hot tub on the balcony. If you want to pop in for a drink, give me a shout. I really am curious about you and this place, bro."

"I'll do that," I said, but I wasn't entirely sure it was true. "Like I mentioned before, we're pretty busy around here this time of year, but I'll try. I still don't understand why you came all the way out here, though."

He chuckled, sliding his sunglasses back on before he shrugged. "You've been a mystery to us for years, man. It's about time someone cracked it open and I was just sitting in my office one day, wondering when you were coming back. Then I Googled the town and here I am."

My eyes narrowed. There was more to this than that. After I grunted out a reply, he gave me a wave and took off, racing back down the driveway and disappearing around the bend. I groaned, feeling completely off-kilter.

A few more cars arrived and I directed them to the lot, but I was more than just a little distracted. Eventually, I called Eric, hoping that some face time with my old friend would help me regain some perspective.

"Hey, man," I said when he picked up. "What are you up to tonight?"

"Not much," he replied. "I was thinking of checking out the festival. You game? We can grab a few drinks and walk it?"

"Sure." I grinned. "Do you think Jake and Rachel would be interested?"

He chuckled. "I doubt it. It's pretty cold out at night, but Jake might meet us for a few. I'll find out."

I'd been planning on asking Daphne to come too, but when Eric made a comment about her, I immediately shut my mouth. "Let's just leave my sister out of it, okay? I'll ask Jake, but I'm not even going to ask about Rachel and the baby. If they come, Daph's going to come and she's been weird recently. I just want one night off from worrying about what's going on with her."

Fuck .

These last few days since we'd hooked up, I'd been walking on sunshine. Obviously, I'd known all the time who she was, but something about hearing him talk about her like that made it sink in.

Eric was my best friend around here and I'd just slept with his little sister. A little sister he'd always been crazy protective over, going so far as to ignore all the most popular girls at our school simply because he hadn't liked the way they'd treated Daphne.

Plus, Henry's arrival had reminded me in a very real way that I had to leave. I still had a job back in New York and I was still up for that promotion I'd been busting my ass over for years. While Allisburg and the farm had definitely sucked me in, seeing Henry had made me realize I wasn't sure if I was ready to give all that up, and it wasn't like I could take Daphne with me.

I'd stirred some shit up and I was confused as hell because of it, but ultimately, I needed to respect my friend's wishes. Which meant Daphne wouldn't be coming with us tonight—no matter how much I'd rather have spent the time with her than anyone else.