Chapter Eleven
ISABELLA
Getting a text from a sweet, hot hockey player asking me out—I can’t think of a better way to start my day. I smile as I reread Austin's message again.
Hi. Just wanted to say good morning. We had an early meeting, but at least I made it on time. Are you free tonight?
“What are you smiling at over there?” Sammy calls from across the kitchen.
I glance up before holding my phone toward her. “Austin texted me this morning and asked if I’m free tonight.”
“Obviously the group date went well,” she says knowingly.
Heat fills my cheeks. “It was a lot of fun. Everyone is so nice.”
Sammy grins. “So, I’m guessing you said yes to his invitation.”
I grin. “I did. He’s picking me up here at six.”
“Well, I know someone else who’s going to be very happy to hear this,” she continues. “Your brother is beside himself about you dating a pro athlete. But be prepared because he’s going to ask you for hockey tickets constantly.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” I say. “Just remind him that they aren’t my tickets to give out.”
“You should invite Austin to come with us to the pumpkin patch today,” my mother says as she walks into the kitchen with Jude on her hip.
I narrow my eyes. Obviously, she overheard our conversation.
“Um, that’s a no. I’m sure Austin has better things to do than attend an infant photoshoot.”
Because that’s what today is all about. Yes, we will pick out some pumpkins, but the main purpose is to take hundreds of photos of the cutest baby on earth in his tiny overalls.
My mother hands Jude to Sammy. “What did I tell you the other day? I knew you’d be thanking me.”
Sammy instantly looks between us suspiciously.
“Okay…what exactly is she supposed to thank you for?”
I point at my mother. “Would you like to explain to your daughter-in-law what a bad influence you are?”
Mom grins proudly ignoring my comment. “Dexter texted Isabella pretending he was checking in about her injury. Then he asked if they could talk, so I stepped in with a solution. Isabella is just being dramatic.”
Sammy raises her eyebrows. “What kind of solution?”
My mother folds her arms proudly. “I simply told Isabella to text him that she had a new boyfriend.”
Sammy’s mouth drops open.
“And then she typed Austin’s name into the message and hit send,” I add.
Sammy gasps. “Noooo.”
“Oh, it gets worse,” I say, groaning. “Dexter never even responded to me. Instead, he messaged Elise asking who Austin was and how long we’d been dating.”
Sammy places her hands on her cheeks. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I was. Then Elise called me in a complete panic because she thought I secretly got into a relationship with Austin and somehow forgot to mention it to her. The only thing she knew was that I was going out with Austin and a group of people. Naturally she’s freaking out thinking I was already in a relationship. ”
“So you’re in a fake relationship that has already spiraled out of control.”
“Pretty much.”
I point toward my mother again. “And I already told her if this backfires, I’m telling everyone it was her idea. I’ll throw her under the bus in a second.”
Mom looks unbothered. “Well, it worked didn’t it. Dexter hasn’t contacted you since. You don’t need any more stress right now while you’re healing.”
In her defense, she has a point. Dexter backing off was the goal, and he hasn’t messaged me since that text.
The only problem is the rumor floating around that someone named Austin is now my boyfriend. I know how this goes—gossip like this can spread like wildfire.
“Austin doesn’t know about any of this, right?” Sammy asks carefully.
“No way. Could you imagine that conversation? Something like this could end things before they even begin. I guarantee he wouldn’t want to date someone who tells people they’re already in a relationship.”
She visibly relaxes. “Good. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“So the answer is no to inviting him to join us today,” I add, glancing at my mom.
She sighs. “I don’t understand what the big deal is. It’s just a pumpkin patch. A fun, relaxed day.”
“An outing with my family, me, and my fake boyfriend—it’s not happening.”
“Fake?” she counters. “You’ve gone out with him, and you’re going out a second time. Clearly the first date was a success and things are progressing very quickly.”
“We had a great time together,” I admit. “Which is exactly why I don’t want anything to mess it up. Your little plan will throw a wrench in everything.”
She smiles smugly. “Not a chance, judging by the way that man looked at you. I had a feeling nothing could mess this up, and that was before you spent any time together. He’s already hooked.”
I groan because this is pointless. “Anyway, I think Jude is ready to get this show on the road. Let’s go.”
Thankfully they both agree. We gather our things and head outside to Sammy’s SUV.
I scroll through my phone as we make our way to the patch. “On another note, I have my follow-up with the doctor tomorrow. I’m hoping he says I can stop wearing this stupid boot.”
“Don’t you think it’s too soon?” my mom asks from the backseat. She has one arm draped over Jude’s car seat holding on tightly.
“No, he said everything looked good at my last appointment,” I remind her. “I need this thing off so I can get back to my life.”
Neither my mom nor Sammy say anything, so I glance back and forth between both.
“Okay, what’s going on?” I ask.
My mom clears her throat. “We just don’t want you to rush it. Healing takes time. What if you do too much and it only makes it worse?”
“I’ve been healing for weeks,” I say. “I trust the doctor knows what he’s doing.”
Sammy looks in the rear-view mirror at my mom. Clearly, they are having one of those silent conversations.
“Just say it,” I exclaim.
“Okay. We aren’t ready for you to leave yet…” Sammy says.
I turn around to face my mom. She’s focused on Jude, adjusting the car seat straps.
“Mom, I’m not going to just take off if the doctor tells me I’m clear.”
She shrugs. “We’ve just really loved having you home. It’s been a long time since the family’s been together.”
A lump starts forming in my throat.
“I know, Mom,” I say, reaching my hand back. “I promise I won’t just pick up and leave no matter what the doctor says.”
“Okay.” She pauses for a few seconds. “And you just started seeing Austin. You should at least give it some time to see where things lead.”
I let out a heavy sigh. I should’ve known this was coming.
Thankfully we arrive at the pumpkin patch, which interrupts our conversation. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. I know Mom’s intentions are good, but I have a whole life and a career I love waiting for me. And if I have new people in my life when I leave here, that’s just an extra bonus.
Nothing says fall quite like a visit to a pumpkin patch, and this one feels almost too perfect to be real.
I feel like I’m walking through a movie set.
Rows of pumpkins and gourds of every shape, color, and size stretch across the rolling green hills, carefully lined up like something out of a fairy tale.
Hay bales are scattered throughout the fields, and behind them the trees are bursting with the fall colors—deep reds, oranges, and golds.
It’s so magical I could stay here forever.
And we aren’t the only people here taking photos.
There are several families wandering between the rows carrying babies in sweaters, parents kneel on the ground trying to get toddlers to smile, and groups of kids run through the patch clutching tiny pumpkins.
And I’ve never seen more people in flannel shirts.
Sammy brought along a little red wagon, and Jude rides happily inside it, chewing on one of his toys as we pull him through the patch. Every so often he lets out a squeal of excitement as the wagon moves through the grass.
I can’t deny how much I’m loving this time with my family.
An injury is what brought me home, and for a while I could only focus on the frustration of it all and how it paused everything I worked hard for.
In this moment, I feel beyond grateful breathing in the autumn air.
The amount of joy I feel watching my chubby little nephew in his wagon is so overpowering, tears threaten my eyes.
I understand what my mom has been saying, and I’m going to keep my promise to stay for a while. And yes, I like Austin but one amazing evening with a man doesn’t mean I should pause my life. For now, I will enjoy every minute I have here and wait to see what happens.
Sammy picks out the perfect spot and sets the stage for Jude’s photos.
I find a spot nearby on the grass and sit cross-legged.
It’s hysterical watching my mom and Sammy setting the scene for Jude, who falls over a few times.
But the baby is a trooper and just so happy through it all.
Sammy finds two more spots, and the photo session continues.
I’m enjoying myself, but admittedly my evening with Austin isn’t far from my mind. I’ve already thought about what I want to wear and what we’re going to do.
“Isabella, it’s your turn to be in some pictures with the baby,” my mom calls.
“Oh yes,” I exclaim. I pick up Jude and give him a gentle hug.
“You’re so lucky your Auntie Isabella is here,” I say in my best baby talk tone. “Otherwise you’d be stuck with crazy Mommy and crazy Gramma.”
Jude gives me a wide smile. “See, he agrees with me.”
I snuggle my little nephew and smile for about fifty photos. I have no control over the future, but I can soak up every second of the present.
I can’t remember the last time I was picked up for a date from my parents’ house. And I can report that even as an adult, it’s just as awkward as I remember.
Of course, my entire family insisted on being here when Austin arrived. Including my completely star-struck brother.
“The last game was wild,” Dane says from the edge of his seat. “You guys really had to fight for that win.”