30. Harlow
Harlow
A chill blew through the air as I walked across the dewy grass of the Bramley Farm property to Colt’s house. A shiver ran over me, but I couldn’t pull my coat any tighter because my hands were occupied, balancing a jar of apple cider caramel on top of a pot of mashed sweet potatoes.
It had been a little difficult to find something that was, firstly, good enough to bring to the Bramley’s Thanksgiving dinner, but secondly, something I could cook in my tiny kitchenette without an oven. And I didn’t want to take over Jude’s kitchen either.
I’d already pushed my way into his space.
On Friday, I’d come home to find the broken valve in my shower fixed.
Still, he’d insisted that it was only practical to keep whatever I wanted at his place.
I guess my toiletries were already tucked into their habitual positions, and I liked the custom of calling out good night to him every evening.
So we barely questioned when our routine didn’t change.
But I didn’t want to push it. I was trying to keep him at a platonic arm’s length.
Despite my worries, if the scents wafting up to my nose were any indication, I think I did a pretty good job with my dishes in the end.
The walk to Colt’s wasn’t too far, certainly not as far as Kasey’s little green cottage.
The route took me beside one of the apple orchards, and soon I met the path leading upwards to his classic red farmhouse.
The green apple trees gave way for autumnal maples and a small pond sat just to the left of it.
I waded through a sea of orange leaves on the ground and tried not to trip.
That’s all I need. I was nervous enough about intruding on their family dinner, and trying to make casual conversation with Jude after what we’d done.
I didn’t need to show up covered in leaves, dirt, and mashed potato as well.
I wasn’t embarrassed about touching myself in front of Jude, after all I’d watched him come apart as well. I was just trying to protect us both, with my departure date looming.
It’s a one-time thing that can never happen again. Still, my body didn’t exactly want to follow my lead. Any thoughts of him sent my heart racing. Who knew what a conversation would do?
Of course, there’s also the chance of a contract extension in my future.
I swiped the thought away from my mind.
I couldn’t hinge my hopes on an uncertain future. Especially in a place I didn’t belong in. Right?
“Let me get that for you.”
My lips parted, as my mind caught up with what was happening. My mashed potato dish was stolen right out from my hands, just as I reached Colt’s porch. My distracted gaze refocused and snapped up to meet the thief’s eyes.
Golden and paired with a charming grin.
“I didn’t realize you’d be carrying so much. I should have come to get you.”
I shrugged, but my skin flushed beneath my knitted sweater. “I’m all right. It’s a short walk.”
Jude’s hand—the one that wasn’t holding my food hostage, because of course he could hold it in just one—held the front door open as he led me inside.
I stepped into the farmhouse. Large windows filled the room with light and a red brick fireplace heated it.
The living room spilled into a country-style chef’s kitchen, with an island which Kasey sat at, with a mug between her hands.
“Mulled cider?” she called out.
“Please,” both Jude and I replied at the same time.
I looked away from him and found Colt with his brows knitted together, standing menacingly over the oven with three different timers—one on his phone, and two mechanical kitchen clocks—set up around him.
Someone needed to get him an Alexa for Christmas.
I waved hello, but I didn’t think Colt could peel his eyes away from his cooking for a second to notice.
Lorna lounged on the plush cream sofa by the fireplace, beside a grey-haired man, who must be Ed.
I walked over to introduce myself to the Bramley’s grandfather before he could trouble himself with getting up, and then left them to continue snuggling on the couch.
They looked so enamored it almost made my heart ache.
“I didn’t realize everyone was here already,” I whispered to Jude as I made my way back to the kitchen, grabbing a cider from Kasey as I wandered by. “Sorry if I’m late.”
“Nah, Kasey and my grandparents slept over. Colt pretends he doesn’t like us all hanging out here, but he has way too many rooms in this house. He secretly likes it, even if he’ll never admit that.”
“You didn’t want to stay over, too?”
“I like my bed too much.”
I didn’t need to be thinking about Jude Bramley’s bed right now. I gulped softly as his golden eyes pinned me in place, and took a long sip of cider to distract myself.
This must be the mulled cider Kasey had been speaking to Lorna about. It was delicious.
Colt walked across the kitchen, breaking our tension, and tapping a pencil against a small leather notebook. “Cider caramel and mash?”
“Yes, sir.” I slid the containers across the counter.
Then Kasey leaned over. “I hope you used some good cider for that caramel.”
I rolled my eyes. “You really think I brought a rival cider to the Bramley Thanksgiving?”
On my other side, Jude’s eyes focused intently on me. “I didn’t give you any.”
“I don’t know if you know this, but you all are quite popular here,” I joked. “I picked it up from the general store.”
He let out a breath, blowing a lock of hair away from his eyes. “I would have given you some for free.”
“Next time.” I laughed softly and turned to Kasey, who seemed too focused on the front door to notice the way Jude’s gaze caught on mine. “What’d you make, Kase?”
“Stuffing, cranberry sauce, coffee cake for later.”
I hummed in reply, my mouth already salivating.
Jude’s deep voice sounded again, and I could feel the edge of his breath on my collarbone that was left exposed by my off-the-shoulder sweater. “Your caramel will go well with the cake.”
“I hope so.”
“Obviously.” Colt sighed. “That’s why I planned it.”
Jude elbowed him as Kasey giggled at his exasperation. A few moments later the door swung open. It was the man I’d seen warming up with Jude and Colt at the hockey game, tattooed with brown, almost black hair, and with even more food in hand. Must be Wells Dawson.
It looked like we were going to be absolutely spoiled by the end of the day, with all of this to feast on. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a home cooked meal this elaborate before—if ever.
I used to have dinner at my Grandma’s flat every week, but we usually ordered a takeout so we could focus on catching up, rather than dishes. And Thanksgiving celebrations with my parents had been slowly phased out, after years of living away from Canada. We didn’t have many elaborate traditions.
I had to admit, I always envied this kind of holiday.
As soon as Wells put his food down, he was tackled into something between a pile on and a bear hug from both brothers, before Colt made his way back to monitoring the turkey.
Kasey hung back, adjusting the denim vest she wore over her flowy dress. Then Wells turned to her and pulled her into a quick but enveloping hug, before heading off to chat with her grandparents.
Jude went with him, and Ed sung out, “Hey, Jude,” as his grandson sat down.
I smiled at the spontaneous song and overheard as their conversation turned to Ed and Lorna’s upcoming cruise.
As I spoke with Kasey, my eyes couldn’t help but drift over toward them, watching the older couple joke and lean against each other.
When Lorna spoke, her husband was enthralled by her. And when she said something funny, her eyes immediately looked to Ed to see if he laughed—and he always did.
Seeing love like that—open, affectionate, warm—made my heart tighten in my chest. I loved my parents, and they loved each other too, but we were rarely in the same room these days. I hadn’t seen a healthy relationship in person for a long time.
I could see why Jude didn’t want something casual when this was his blueprint.
He deserved a love like that.