Chapter 18

EIGHTEEN

Cornstalks rustled around them, the only sound Emily could hear as she and Diana ventured into the maze. The music and laughter of the festival had been muted by the stalks surrounding them. Overhead, the moon shone nearly full, bathing everything in its pale, silvery light. The maze was cloaked in darkness, but Emily knew from past experience that certain spots would be illuminated—usually in shades of purple or red—to keep them on track.

“I don’t like this,” Diana murmured. She’d zipped the jacket, hiding her sweater, so there were no shimmery strands to catch the moonlight this time.

“Nothing scary has even happened yet,” Emily said with a laugh. “Afraid you’re gonna scream louder than me?” She nudged Diana with her shoulder, receiving an amused smile in return.

“I don’t scream.”

“No? I seem to remember—” Emily cut herself off as she realized what she’d been about to say, the way Diana had lost control that night when Emily finally let her come.

“For fuck’s sake.” Diana jumped to the side as if something unexpected had touched her, which it probably had, given where they were.

Before Emily could respond, something cold and feathery brushed against her cheek, and it was her turn to yelp, cringing away from the touch even as she felt a nervous giggle building in her throat. It was fun to be scared when she knew there was no real danger.

She and Diana approached the end of the long path that had led them into the heart of the maze. “Left or right?” Emily asked.

“Left,” Diana decided, and they started walking again. A vicious growl came from the cornstalks, and Diana lurched away from it with a startled yelp. “What is that?” she hissed.

“A sound effect.” Emily seized the opportunity to take her hand. “The maze is full of them.”

“What if it’s not? What if there are coyotes in here? Or…or a bear? I saw one, you know, right in my driveway. It was enormous .” The growl came again, closer this time, and Diana quickened her pace, half dragging Emily down the path away from it.

Emily giggled as she hurried after her. “No animal would come in here with all the screaming and monster sounds. Only humans enjoy this stuff. You didn’t tell me you saw a bear.”

“We weren’t all that friendly at the time. Oh my God.” Diana stopped so suddenly that Emily bumped into her from behind. She peered over Diana’s shoulder to see a person dressed as a ghoul approaching them, talon-like hands extended in front of them. “I know that’s probably someone you know, but…” Diana sidestepped as the ghoul approached her .

“Remember what they told us before we entered. The actors aren’t allowed to touch us.”

Diana backed up until she was pressed against the cornstalks, then darted past the ghoul, still dragging Emily behind her. Emily yelped as the ghoul swiped at her, claws missing her by inches.

They darted around another corner and directly into a giant spiderweb. Cold, damp, cottony strings wrapped around them. Diana swore, swatting at the mess, while Emily said, “Ew, ew, ew!” until they’d worked their way out of it. That was new this year.

The next stretch of the maze was impenetrably dark, only the faintest outline of cornstalks visible, and even so, they bumped into the dry, scratchy plants multiple times as they crept down the path. They both walked with their hands out in front of them to keep from face-planting into any more unfortunate surprises.

Noises echoed around them, ghostlike wails and the sound of something thrashing around in the corn. A high-pitched scream came from their right, and Diana jumped, bumping into Emily, who let out an inadvertent scream in response. The look Diana gave her was hard to read—especially in the low lighting—but she didn’t seem upset. On the contrary, she almost looked like she was having fun.

They headed down a wider path lit with flickering purple lights that illuminated various ghostly hands reaching toward them from the cornstalks. They hurried through that section, temporarily blinded as they made a right and entered an unlit path after their eyes had adjusted to the purple lights.

Emily put her hands out in front of herself. She was walking so quickly that she didn’t have time to react when she heard the rustling sound of Diana bumping into cornstalks as she reached the end of the path. Diana spun, and Emily walked right into her, instinctively gripping Diana’s shoulders to steady herself.

“Oh,” Diana murmured. Her chest rose as she inhaled sharply.

They’d already had so many near misses tonight, and Emily just…reacted. Her arms were around Diana almost before she’d realized what she was doing, her face tilting forward so their lips met. Diana froze for a moment, and then she released a little growl as she kissed Emily back. Her lips were cool from the night air, but her mouth was hot as her lips parted, her kiss bold and all-consuming and everything Emily had missed since the last time she kissed her.

Right now, she was exquisitely aware of how much she’d missed it, how much she still wanted Diana. Emily pressed forward, sliding her hands down to Diana’s ass as the chemistry between them ignited. Emily felt more alive than she had in months.

The night was dark and endless around them. Stars twinkled overhead. Cornstalks rustled in the breeze as Diana sank her hands into Emily’s hair, tugging just enough to make Emily gasp with pleasure. They were wrapped up in each other, kissing almost frantically, and Emily’s body burned with need. She wanted more.

She wanted everything. She wanted Diana naked beneath her, right now.

A sharp scream split the air, and they jumped apart. Adrenaline tingled in the pit of Emily’s stomach. For a minute, she’d completely forgotten they were in the middle of a haunted corn maze. Maybe Diana had too. She was staring at Emily with glassy eyes, the nuances of her expression hidden by the darkness .

For a long moment, neither of them said anything.

Another scream split the night air, and they both startled. Diana reached up to smooth back her hair, and Emily wondered what hers looked like. Was her lipstick smeared? When they exited the maze into the better-lit part of the festival, would it be obvious to her friends what she’d been doing in the corn maze with Diana?

“Come on. We’ll talk about it later.” Diana took Emily’s hand, and they walked back through the dead-end path they’d ended up on, hustling past the flickering purple lights and groping hands until they found another path to try. A large scarecrow stood in the moonlight before them, button eyes staring sightlessly in their direction. Emily was still processing everything that had happened in the last few minutes. Her mind was spinning. A cool breeze caressed her tender lips, and she smiled as she hurried after Diana.

That happened. They kissed.

The scarecrow lunged toward them, raggedy hands just missing Diana’s jacket, and she let out a little yelp that was almost a scream, stumbling backward into Emily. Diana glared at the scarecrow as she passed it, and Emily giggled. Diana was adorable when she got flustered, and maybe it was the cider talking, but Emily felt like that kiss had uncorked everything she’d bottled up since June.

And then some.

Because now she knew Diana so much better, and she liked everything she’d learned in the month since Diana returned to Vermont. This was a woman she could actually fall for…except for the unfortunate fact that Diana was returning to Boston in a few weeks. That realization sobered Emily’s romanticized thoughts pretty quickly.

The man running toward them in a Scream mask finished waking her up. She squealed, jumping behind Diana as the man passed them, disappearing into the cornstalks.

“Are we almost finished?” Diana asked, her voice tinged with frustration and something else Emily couldn’t quite identify. “Surely we must be almost to the end.”

“I think so.” They turned another corner, walking past several glowing skeletons that chased after them and a bubbling cauldron that smelled vaguely like cotton candy. There was enough light here for Emily to see the tension in Diana’s posture. Either she was kicking herself for kissing Emily, or she was really ready to be done with the maze.

Emily didn’t like either possibility. As they entered another darkened stretch on the path, she hauled Diana up against her and kissed her again. “For the record, no regrets on my part.”

Diana softened against her. “Me either, but?—”

The distinctive buzz of a chain saw cut through the night air, and Diana pulled out of her arms. A figure clad in ripped, blood-soaked clothing rushed at them from the stalks, and Emily squealed before remembering who it was…and what she might have just seen.

Emily grabbed Diana’s hand and sprinted down the path, because the chainsaw-wielding madman was always at the end of the maze. Sure enough, the exit loomed ahead, and she and Diana dashed onto the lamplit path that would lead them back to the main field.

Before they reentered the more crowded part of the festival, Emily tugged Diana to a stop. “I know it’s complicated, and maybe we shouldn’t do it again, but I meant what I said when you were sick. I really like you, Diana. I don’t know how to resolve the fact that you’re leaving in a few weeks, but…”

Diana stepped closer, her expression fully visible now, and it was tender, even affectionate. “I like you too. I always have. I like you too much to hurt you, and I’m afraid that’s exactly what would happen if we started something now.”

Emily knew she hadn’t been able to disguise the disappointment on her face.

“I mean, Boston’s only a three-hour drive,” Diana said. “I’m willing to try things long distance, but I’m not exactly the committed type, and you’re completely committed to your life here in Crescent Falls.”

Emily sighed. “If circumstances were different…”

Diana pressed another kiss to Emily’s lips. “If circumstances were different, you’d already be in my bed.”

If Carter weren’t here, Diana would have bailed on the foliage hike the following morning. Emily had been right about one thing: Diana had fun at the fall festival. She’d enjoyed herself a lot more than she’d expected to, so much that she’d lost her senses and kissed Emily in the middle of the corn maze.

So much that last night, she’d slept better than she had in weeks. Diana was rested and refreshed this morning, and hopefully, the new prescription she’d just received from her psychiatrist would help her keep the momentum going, but a hike with Emily and her friends? That felt a lot like playing with matches.

“I’m not that into foliage or anything,” Carter said as he carried a mug of coffee out of the kitchen, “but the hike sounds fun.”

“Or a certain person you’ll be hiking with?” Diana asked as mildly as she could. She hadn’t broached the topic last night, exhausted and distracted by her own romantic problems, but now she wanted to check in with him about Drew.

Carter sipped his coffee and gave her a knowing look. “I heard I wasn’t the only one kissing someone last night.”

Diana flinched. “Um…”

“Talia was the chainsaw murderer who interrupted you and Emily, you know.”

Diana had known that, although she’d tried to convince herself that maybe Talia hadn’t seen anything, or if she had, that she’d keep it to herself. Diana had never discussed her sex life with her nephew before. What was appropriate here? “Emily and I…well, it’s complicated.”

“Because you’re going back to Boston soon?”

“Mostly, yes. What about you and Drew?”

Carter shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s all new, and Boston’s not that far away, so we’ll see. But I like him. I really like him.” His cheeks went pink with the admission.

“Carter, I’m thrilled for you.” She gave his hand a quick squeeze. “And I’m here if you want to talk about anything.”

“Okay.”

She looked down at her coffee, feeling more like a parent than she ever had before. But Carter was inexperienced, and his parents were still in denial about his sexuality. “You’ll be safe, right? I mean, if things go that far…you’ll need condoms.”

“I know that, and we only kissed for the first time last night.” His cheeks were even pinker now, and his tone had grown defensive, or maybe just embarrassed.

She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make things awkward, I just…sex education isn’t always LGBTQ inclusive. I didn’t have anyone to talk to about these things when I was younger, and I want to make sure you do, okay? ”

He fiddled with his mug, pointedly not looking at her. “Yeah, uh, okay.”

“No judgment, whatever it is, I promise.”

He nodded again. “Thanks. Now can we get ready for the hike?”

She held in a sigh. There was no getting out of it now. And besides, she did want to see the foliage. She also wanted to see Emily. As she put her empty coffee mug in the sink, her gaze fell on the pumpkin she’d picked last night. In the light of day, it was a pale creamy color, almost white. She never would have chosen it, but now that it was hers…she kind of liked it. It was different, just like her life in Vermont.

Everything in her life these days was different, and she liked it all.

An hour later, she was on a leaf-covered trail with the rest of the adventure group. Carter and Drew were walking together, talking quietly, as were Margo and Alexis. Tom, Talia, and Emily were chatting, while Diana brought up the rear.

She focused her attention on the foliage overhead. The leaves around her were mostly a mix of green, gold, and brown. Here and there, she saw pops of red, but apparently, they were heading toward one of the best vistas in the area for viewing foliage.

“Hey.”

Diana turned to find Emily walking beside her, and her heart sped, flooding her chest with warmth. “Hey, yourself.”

Emily’s smile was more sweet than sexy, and yet, it only made Diana yearn for her even more. “Having fun?”

Diana nodded. “I had fun last night too…just like you said I would.”

Emily’s smile broadened. Her brown hair was in a high ponytail, and she had on another flannel, this one in shades of blue and purple. Diana loved her in flannel. “I’m glad, especially after…you know.”

“Apparently, word traveled fast about that.” She gave Emily a meaningful look, still annoyed that the whole group knew her business.

Emily’s expression turned bashful. “Yeah, sorry about that. Talia saw us, and she told Drew, and I’m guessing Drew told Carter, if it got back to you.”

“It did.” She exhaled, already a bit winded. Again, she’d underestimated how strenuous it was to hike in Vermont. “I guess it was unavoidable, but I don’t like gossip.”

“Neither do I,” Emily said, “and my friends aren’t gossips. Well, Tom is a little bit, but he means well. They just want me to be happy.”

Diana wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

“I think…” Emily pressed her lips together and then exhaled slowly. “I think we should stick with friendship since you’re leaving so soon, but I do want to be friends. I hate the way we were tiptoeing around each other the last few weeks. I don’t want to do that anymore. Let’s hang out, grab lunch together at work, that kind of thing. I’d love it if you came on more of our group activities…you and Carter both. I enjoy spending time with you, Diana.”

Diana heard the truth in Emily’s words, even as her stomach dropped. She was already breathless from the hike, and she knew she had no business kissing Emily again. It was entirely inappropriate now that Diana owned the inn and especially with her leaving town soon. But somehow, in the middle of that cornfield last night, she’d started thinking maybe…maybe she could have it all. “You’re right. I’m sorry for kissing you last night.”

“Oh, don’t you dare apologize,” Emily said, sounding vaguely outraged. “First of all, I kissed you , so if anyone should apologize, it’s me, but…I loved every moment. Kissing you in the middle of a haunted corn maze? Once in a lifetime.”

“It was pretty great,” Diana admitted. “And I’d like to give it a try as friends. I could use a friend here in Vermont.”

“Yay for friends.” Emily grinned. “Is this only your second time hiking here?”

“Yeah. I’ve been running every day on the roads near my rental, but I haven’t gotten back out on the trails.”

“Well, we do group hikes almost every weekend if you want to join us. This is a really gorgeous time of year to hike.” She swept an arm around them, and she wasn’t wrong.

The trees around them were decked out in various fall shades. Some were still bright green. Others contained a mixture of yellow and orange, and a few were bright red. The forest floor was carpeted in fallen leaves that crunched underfoot as they walked. In front of them, Alex had picked a bouquet of brightly colored leaves, and Margo was taking pictures of her holding it.

“I think I’d like to go on more hikes with your group.” Diana was enjoying this one, especially now that she and Emily had cleared the air between them. They hiked for about thirty minutes before they arrived at their destination at the base of Crescent Falls. The waterfall roared in front of them, while to the right, the valley beckoned, bursting with color.

Diana couldn’t get over the way the distant mountainsides looked this time of year. There was so much red! They took a variety of group selfies, and Emily even convinced her to take a selfie of the two of them together. Emily had also taken a lot of pictures of the leaves for painting inspiration. Diana made a mental note to ask to see them once she was finished. Maybe one of these fall vistas could find its way home with her.

Once she was back at her rental cabin, she started thinking about dinner. She’d worked up an appetite on their hike. She looked in the fridge to see if there was anything she could cook for her and Carter before he headed back to Boston.

“I’m going out for a while,” Carter called from behind her.

Diana straightened, closing the refrigerator with a frown. “But you have to drive back to Boston tonight.”

“Well, I was thinking about that.” He gave her a sheepish look. “I brought my laptop and everything with me this weekend because…what if I work from Vermont this week? I mean, surely I’m more help to you here than two hundred miles away at your town house.”

She stared at him for a moment in silence. He’d caught her off guard, and she hated that feeling. “You want to stay here for the week?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Why not?”

“Is this because of Drew?” she couldn’t help asking.

Carter’s expression hardened. “That’s none of your business. I’m an adult, Aunt DD.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. Oh, she wasn’t going to tolerate that attitude. “You’re living under my roof, and that means I get to be a little bit involved in your life. It was just a simple question.”

“Was it, though? You automatically assume I’m being irresponsible, that I’m making all my decisions because of a guy, instead of considering that maybe I like it here. I have friends here, not to mention you’re here, and you’re my boss, so why should I be in Boston by myself? ”

“Carter…”

“Ugh, whatever. You’re as bad as Mom and Dad sometimes.” He grabbed his keys and his jacket off the kitchen counter and headed for the door. “I’ll be back late. Don’t wait up.”