Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Avery
I had no expectations as to what a Sprout n’ Shout would entail, but after just over an hour of visiting the many tables of various plants for sale or trade, I couldn’t help but be impressed. The town of Trickle Creek was not only full of prolific gardeners, but everyone seemed to be in the mood to celebrate.
Besides plants, seedlings, and cuttings, there was an entire selection of artisans selling and showcasing their various handicrafts, a row of food trucks along the back of the field, and a smattering of musicians walking through the crowd, entertaining people.
I couldn’t help but get caught up in the festive atmosphere around me. Somewhere around the table full of irises, Reid had begged off and gone in search of the beer gardens and his brothers.
Even though he wasn’t right next to me, I could feel his presence. From time to time, when I turned around, I spotted him watching me. When he caught me looking, he’d wave, and more than once, I got a smile out of him. But only for a second before one of his brothers would elbow him in the ribs and no doubt give him a hard time.
As it turned out, my grumpy handyman wasn’t nearly as grumpy as he’d have most people believe. At least not for me. I loved the way the warmth spread through me at the thought that Reid was mine and his sexy smiles were for me only.
“Well, if that isn’t the look of a woman in love, I don’t know what is.”
Heat rushed to my face. I spun to see Lauren Westfield next to me. I didn’t know her well, but we’d been introduced at the wedding and like most people in Trickle Creek, she’d been welcoming and warm.
“Sorry.” Lauren laughed. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just think it’s cute.”
“Cute?” I forced myself to look away from Reid and focus on Lauren. “Really?”
“Oh my goodness.” Lauren put her hand on my arm and squeezed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen two people more over the moon for each other than the two of you.”
Heat bloomed in my chest. Love? Was it?
I hadn’t been in love with anyone since Porter, and it hadn’t felt anything like what I was feeling for Reid. But I was feeling something for him.
I couldn’t deny that.
This time with him had been refreshing and fun in a way I didn’t even know I needed. Being with him had made the stress of the will and the inheritance so much easier. To the point where I was almost glad of the husband clause my grandparents had put in the will.
No, I was glad of it. I couldn’t imagine doing any of this without Reid.
Aware I hadn’t responded to Lauren, I smiled. “It’s been a whirlwind,” I said honestly. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Reid is just…” I sighed on my exhale, causing Lauren to laugh all over again.
“Oh yeah. You two are totally gone for each other. I haven’t seen Reid look at a woman like that since…well, ever. ”
“Really?” Besides the one time I mentioned my ex, and the fact that I’d once thought we’d get married, somehow Reid and I hadn’t discussed our romantic history. It didn’t really feel right considering we weren’t actually a couple.
At least, we weren’t.
But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, and with the opportunity to learn a little more about him right in front of me, I couldn’t help myself. “What were Reid’s ex-girlfriends like?” I asked casually. “I mean, from another woman’s perspective.”
Lauren nodded as if she totally understood. “Well, I’d like to tell you something, but…”
“Oh, was his ex a friend of yours?” That made sense. It was a small town, where everyone knew everyone else. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No.” Lauren put her hand on my arm. “It’s not that it’s weird or anything. It’s just that…well, Reid hasn’t had a girlfriend.”
My head snapped around. “What? Like, ever?”
“I mean, not since I’ve known him.” Lauren shrugged casually. “But from what little Brody’s said, there was a girlfriend in high school who did him dirty and after that, he’d kind of sworn off women.”
“Really?” That little bit of information made me sad for Reid. “That feels…”
“Lonely?” She nodded. “I think so.” Her smile brightened again. “But now he’s got you, so it all worked out the way it was supposed to.”
A flash of guilt hit me in the chest. He did have me. But for how long? If Reid had gone almost his entire life without a relationship, it wasn’t likely to change now. Especially not for someone he barely knew and was only doing a favor for.
No matter how I felt about him, and how I was quickly starting to feel for him, I needed to remind myself that it didn’t mean he felt the same way.
It wasn’t real.
I needed to remember that and keep remembering that. Or I was going to get hurt.
“Right,” I managed to say when I realized Lauren was waiting for my response. “Now he has me.”
“And we all think you’re great.”
Her smile was so warm as she looped her arm in mine, I had to ignore the feeling deep in my gut and hope she still felt the same when all this ended in Reid and I splitting up.
Thankfully, Lauren changed the subject a second later. “Hey, have you seen the lilacs that Geneva has at her table?”
“Lilacs?”
“For the inn.” Lauren looked at me as if I’d missed the point of the entire festival.
Which, maybe I had because my mind was not on plants.
“Right. The inn.”
Lauren laughed and looped her arm through mine. “Okay, okay. I know you’re love-struck. But you do still have a grand opening to get ready for, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Then let me help you,” she said. “I love plants and gardening. I’m sure Reid’s handy with a shovel, but you’ll need a woman’s touch when it comes to figuring out what to plant.”
I didn’t bother telling her about Reid’s plans for daisies and peonies and how cute he looked when he was playing gardener.
Lauren’s energy was infectious, and I enjoyed being around her. It wouldn’t hurt to get another perspective and make a friend in the process. Happily, I let her lead me around the tables again and distract me from the confusion that continued to build in my heart.