Chapter 14 Lucy
LUCY
“Huh, it really is a hayride at a Christmas tree farm,” Colton says, looking at the brightly lit farm in front of us.
“I told you,” I laugh. “Did you think I was making it up?”
“No, not making it up. But it’s hard to imagine until you’re seeing it, you know,” he admits, and I have to agree with him.
The Coopers’ Tree Farm is nestled in the small town of Springside, and if it weren’t for the proximity to Mills Corner, I’d have no idea it existed.
But ever since the first time that Amelia and I visited this hayride several years ago, it’s been my favorite.
Instead of a haunted hayride, they go with a festive approach, lighting the trees with orange lights and lining the path with a series of fall-themed decor made out of Christmas lights.
We make our way up to the ticket counter, and I pull out my wallet, ready to pay for the admission fee for both of us.
“Darlin’, why the hell are you pulling out your wallet?” Colton asks, looking down at my small pink wallet with disgust.
“Uh, buying our tickets. You’re here because of me, so it’s only right for me to cover the cost of everything.”
“Absolutely the hell not,” Colton growls, and I look at him in surprise.
“Colton, this isn’t a date. I don’t mind paying.”
“I don’t care, Lucy. When you’re with me, I don’t wanna see that damn thing. Let me take care of you.”
“Colton, I don’t understand why this is such a big deal,” I say, trying to piece together why he’s so adamant about this.
“Listen, I’m not doubting your ability to take care of yourself.
But even though I’m not riding anymore, I have more than enough money to take care of you.
I like spending time with you. This isn’t an inconvenience, and you take care of everyone else.
So just let me fucking take care of you for once,” he begs, and I nod.
“Oh, uh, okay. Well, thank you,” I say, trying not to smile at his compliment. “And I like spending time with you, too.”
He smiles down at me as we step up to the ticket counter.
It’s surprisingly chilly for the mid September evening, and I feel a shiver run through me despite the fact that I’m wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
After purchasing our tickets, he wraps his arm around me and leads me into the inside of the tree farm.
“Are you cold?” Colton asks, and I nod, letting myself nestle into him a little, telling myself it’s just to shield me from the wind.
“Just a little bit,” I admit. “Usually I’m sweating my ass off on this thing, but this year it’s chillier than I expected.”
Colton wraps his arm tighter around me, pulling me into him as we make our way to the concessions line.
“What do you want?” Colton asks, looking up at the menu.
“Their apple cider is to die for. So that and a hot cinnamon pretzel, please. But I promise I don’t mind getting my own,” I say, trying not to laugh at the look he shoots my way at that statement. “Fine, fine. Thank you.”
After a few minutes, he hands me my cider and pretzel, and I lead us to the line for the ride. “So, how excited are you about your first hayride?”
“I cannot contain myself, can’t you tell?” Colton teases, causing us both to laugh. “I’m kidding, I’m really actually looking forward to it.”
“Good, I hope it’s not a disappointment. I’ve gotta admit that it’s kind of one of those things that’s better in theory, riding on a bumpy tractor with hay sticking up your ass, but what can I say? It’s a tradition.”
“Wow, you’re really selling this, aren’t ya?” Colton says sarcastically.
“Well, I just figured you’d want to go into it with realistic expectations,” I tell him. “Now that you’re here, and it’s too late to back out.”
“I appreciate the honesty,” he admits, as the employee waves for us to climb the ladder up to the large trailer in front of us.
“Uh, I’m not one hundred percent sure this is safe,” Colton points out, watching as the ladder shakes with each step the person in front of us takes.
“Yeah, I don’t think there’s any safety clearance here, Cowboy,” I laugh.
“I’d say so,” he agrees, holding the ladder for me to climb up. It’s tough to manage with my hot cider, and when I get to the top, I lose my balance, certain I’m about to fall to the ground. But Colton’s right behind me, and he reaches out to steady me, grabbing my waist and holding me tight.
“Thanks,” I tell him, with an embarrassed laugh as he lets go of me. Instantly, I miss the feeling of his hands on me, and I try not to pout.
“No problem,” he says, gesturing for me to pick a place to sit. I lead the way to the left side of the trailer and sit on the empty hay bale, patting the area beside me for him to come join me. He obliges, wrapping his arm around me and letting me nestle into his side, protecting me from the wind.
“Oh, honey, aren’t y’all just the cutest couple, the elderly lady beside me says, gesturing at us. How in the hell did she even manage to get up here? I think, looking at how frail she looks.
I open my mouth to tell her that we’re just friends, but Colton surprises me by saying, “Oh, thank you. It’s all her, though. I’m just lucky she gives an ugly bastard like me the time of day.”
The old lady laughs, shaking her head. “Trust me, honey. If my husband and I looked like you two, we’d never leave the bedroom,” she teases, shooting us a wink.
“It’s tough,” Colton agrees, “she’s pretty much all I think about.”
My breath catches at the admission before I remind myself that he’s just playing along with the lady’s assumption.
“With good reason, I’d say,” the lady says, wrapping her blanket tighter around her frail body.
Turning back to Colton, we share a secret smile as he leans in to whisper, “I can already tell you were right about the whole hay up your ass part.”
I laugh, leaning into him and nodding. “Yep, it’s not really the most pleasant feeling, is it? I always say that I’m going to bring a blanket thick enough that I won’t be able to feel it, but I always forget. So I’ve just accepted that this is a part of the experience.”
“Fucking fantastic,” he mumbles, taking a sip of his cider. “Damn, this stuff really is delicious.”
Just as he says it, the tractor pulling the trailer starts up, and we start moving at a crawl through the tree farm.
“Yeah, it’s usually pretty incredible,” I agree, taking a sip of mine too and groaning when the taste hits my tongue.
Colton shoots me a look, and I smile at him, briefly thinking how sexy he looks in the glow of the orange lights.
His worn cowboy hat sits slightly crooked on his head, and I reach up to straighten it.
As I lean in, I notice a small bit of sugar from his pretzel stuck in his beard.
Without thinking, I lean in and rub his lip with my finger.
Immediately, his eyes dart to mine, and I don’t miss the desire in his expression.
“You’re playing with fire, Darlin’,” he drawls, and the tone of his voice is anything but friendly. And I know he’s right, but I can’t find it in myself to care. But just as I’m about to throw myself at him, a woman from across the aisle calls out, “Lucy Phillips, is that you?”
Looking up, I’m surprised to see Caroline Tyler sitting across from me.
Caroline and I were both selected for a leadership conference when we were in high school, and we spent the week becoming best friends until the conference ended.
I keep up with her through social media, but I haven’t seen her in person in over ten years.
“Oh my God, what are you doing here?” I squeal, pushing away my earlier frustration at being interrupted with whatever was just happening with Colton.
“Babes, I live here! What are you doing here?” she says with a laugh, leaning into the man beside her. “Oh, I’m sorry, this is my fiancé, Theo Johnson.”
The man beside her doesn’t say anything, but he tips his head in acknowledgement.
“Oh my gosh, I saw your post. Girl, that ring is gorgeous!” I tell her truthfully, remembering the vintage engagement ring she posted with their engagement pictures.
“Thanks,” Caroline says, sending her fiancé a small smile. “And who’s this with you?”
“So sorry. Where are my manners? This is my boyfriend, Colton Harris,” I say, without thinking.
Caroline looks between us, and she must be able to tell that there’s something going on because she just smiles.
“Sounds like we have a lot to catch up on,” she says, and I can’t help but giggle at that.
“Yeah, for sure. You know, this is our busy season with the pumpkin patch, but y’all should drop by sometime.”
“That would be fun! I’ve been telling Theo we needed some pumpkins to decorate the house with. We’ll see if I can convince him to venture into Mills Corner territory,” she teases.
“Hell no,” her fiancé grumbles beside her, and my eyes widen in surprise.
Caroline grimaces and shoots her fiancé a look of disapproval. “Sorry, he’s a bit of a grump when he wants to be. He’s a coach for the high school team here, and they had a not so great experience when they played y’all earlier this year.”
“Oh no! The first fight,” I gasp, remembering the way the town gossip had gone crazy over the players starting a major brawl with one of their rivals. But I hadn’t paid enough attention to remember which team it was.
“Yeah. It wasn’t pretty. But if you can promise no fist fights, I promise we’ll try to swing by,” Caroline says.
“I think we can promise that,” I tease, and Caroline nods.
“Sounds like a plan. So good to see you,” she says, turning back to look out at the light displays happening around us.
I turn to do the same, nestling back into Colton for warmth, as he leans forward to whisper, “Boyfriend, huh?”
“Hey, you said it first,” I defend myself, causing him to laugh.
“You’re right,” he admits, wrapping his arms around me. “Might as well go with it for the night then, right?” he teases, “unless you don’t want to.”
“I’m good with it,” I confess, my heart racing. Does this mean he’s finally going to kiss me again?
He leans in, and my breath catches, confident I’m finally going to feel his lips on mine again. But instead, he presses a kiss to my temple and shoots me a wink.
“Let’s enjoy the ride then.”