Chapter 4
CLARA
The corn maze was half-decorated but still looked like a disaster.
Tall stalks swayed in the late-morning breeze, and I was knee-deep in fake cobwebs, plastic skeletons, and strings of orange lights that refused to be untangled.
The fall festival kicked off next weekend, and if we didn’t get this thing looking properly spooky, Mom would have my head.
I was balanced on a step stool, trying to drape a giant spiderweb across the entrance to the first turn, when I heard footsteps crunching on the gravel path behind me.
“Clara!” Greg called. “Special delivery!”
I twisted around and nearly toppled off the step ladder. My sixteen-year-old brother stood at the entrance to the maze, with Ronan right behind him. Greg was grinning from ear to ear, but Ronan’s expression was blank, his intense gray eyes locked on me.
“Careful.” Striding forward, he gripped the edges of the step ladder and glared up at me. “You could break that pretty neck if you fall.”
“I’m fine. I’ve been up on ladders decorating this corn maze since I was twelve.”
“Yeah, but you’re leaving out the part where you fell off and—”
I narrowed my eyes at my brother and interrupted, “Aren’t you supposed to be in the store with Ella right now?”
Greg only smiled wider. “Yeah, yeah. I can take a hint.”
“Then go.” I pointed toward the store. “Now. Before I make you untangle the lights.”
Greg laughed but started backing away. “Fine, but I’m telling Ella you’ve got a boyfriend!”
“He’s not—” I started, then snapped my mouth shut when I realized it was too late. He’d already turned and took off running.
Ronan shook his head with a deep laugh. “Kid’s funny. Shoulda known he was up to no good when I realized the maze was a straight shot from the store.”
“Let me guess…he insisted on walking you over. And his twin sister backed him up.”
“Yup,” Ronan confirmed. “Said he wasn’t sure I’d be able to find it on my end, and Ella just nodded.”
“That little punk,” I mumbled.
The corner of his mouth twitched like he was fighting a smile. “Your family’s nosy.”
“I wish I could say Harper, Greg, and Ella are the worst of the bunch, but then I’d be lying.” I climbed down from the step ladder, brushing fake cobwebs off my jeans.
“Means they’re a good source of information.” He tilted his head in the direction my brother had gone. “Like that story he was about to share. What happened when you fell off the ladder?”
I sighed, my cheeks heating. “I broke my wrist when I was thirteen. Put my hands out to break my fall, and it snapped.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.” I huffed out a laugh. “But my dad is big on getting back on the horse to overcome your fear, so I was right back up there helping to take down decorations when I got the cast off.”
“Explains some of your sass.”
“My sass.” I planted my hands on my hips. “Is that why you’re here, Ronan? You didn’t get enough of my sassiness the last two times you saw me?”
His eyes darkened at the sound of his real name on my lips. I liked that reaction more than I probably should.
“Wanted to see you.”
He said it like his explanation was obvious, but the simplicity of his response blew me away.
Before I could reply, the rumble of Dad’s tractor cut through the air. He was hauling the last load of hay bales from the barn so that we could stack them along the maze walls for seating and extra atmosphere.
Ronan glanced over, then headed in his direction.
I blinked. “Wait—”
He didn’t stop until my father parked the tractor. Then he grabbed the nearest bale and waited for Dad to tell him where to put it. The two of them quickly fell into rhythm, tossing and stacking hay like they’d done it a hundred times.
I tried not to stare at the way Ronan’s biceps flexed as he lifted bales that would’ve made most guys grunt. Dad said something too low for me to hear, and Ronan answered with a short laugh. The first real one I’d heard from him.
When the hay was all taken care of, my father gestured to the old Harley parked under the barn overhang. He still rode on weekends when the orchard, my mom, or one of us kids wasn’t demanding every second of his time.
Ronan walked over with him and ran a hand along the tank. Dad’s face lit up, and the next thing I knew, they were deep in conversation about carburetors and custom exhausts.
Mom appeared from the direction of the farmhouse, carrying a tray of iced tea. She stopped short when she saw Ronan, then flashed the welcoming smile she gave all guests.
“You must be Clara’s friend. Greg mentioned he walked you over to the maze.” I snorted, earning myself a disapproving look from my mom before she lifted the tray. “Would you like a glass of tea?”
“Sweet?” he asked.
My mom nodded, laughing softly. “Is there any other kind?”
Ronan took it with a polite dip of his head. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Please call me Kathy.”
Ronan lifted his chin. “Rebel.”
Mom’s eyes flicked to me, then back to him. “Well, Rebel, if you helped with the hay, you’re staying for lunch at least.”
He shook his head. “Appreciate it, but I’ve got club business later. Rain check?”
“Absolutely.” Mom beamed. “Clara’s dad doesn’t let just anyone touch his Harley. You’re already ahead.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly strained something. “Mom.”
She just laughed and headed back toward the house.
My dad murmured, “She’s not wrong.”
“Isn’t this the part where you’re supposed to get all protective?” I accused. “Why aren’t you telling him about the rifle you keep in the house? Threatening him with bodily harm? The least you could do is tell him there are lots of acres to bury his body if he hurts me.”
Dad laughed over the rim of his glass of tea. “Don’t worry, kiddo. I’ll keep my eye on him.” His gaze shifted to Ronan, his expression turning serious. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll treat my daughter right.”
“I will, sir,” Ronan replied with a respectful nod.
“You better.” Following my mom, he left me standing there with a man who’d somehow charmed both my parents in no time at all.
Acting as though what had just happened was no big deal, Ronan turned back to me. “Show me the maze.”
After he drank his tea in a few gulps, I set the empty glass down where I could grab it later.
Then I led him past the first few turns where the decorations were still half done.
The corn closed in around us, tall enough to block the outside world.
When we reached a dead-end alcove I’d planned for a scare spot, he stopped.
I turned. “This is where the—”
He caught my wrist, tugged me close, and kissed me.
His beard scraped my skin in the best way, one big hand cupping the back of my neck while the other slid to my waist, pulling me flush against him. I made a small, surprised sound, my lips parting on a gasp.
Ronan took full advantage, his tongue sliding into my mouth to tangle with mine. He tasted a little sweet from the tea, and I hummed in appreciation. His kiss made my knees weak, and I gripped the edges of his leather vest to remain steady.
When he finally lifted his head, I was breathless.
“Been thinking about that since you bumped into me at the clubhouse.”
I swallowed, trying to find sass through the haze. “You’re slacking, then. It took you a whole two days to follow through.”
“That sass.” He brushed his thumb against my bottom lip. “You coulda just asked if you wanted me to kiss you sooner.”
I laughed despite myself. “You’re impossible.”
“Yeah.” He kissed me again. “And you like it.”
Before I could drum up a fake protest, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and all the softness left his expression.
He shoved the cell back. “Sorry, gotta go soon.”
There was a lot about the Hounds that Poppy couldn’t share with me when she was falling for Ace, but I knew enough not to ask questions if Ronan wasn’t volunteering answers. “Okay.”
He studied me for a moment before kissing me again. Slower this time. And deeper.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. “See you soon, baby.”
I watched him walk out of the maze, butterflies swirling in my belly as I pressed my fingers against my tingling lips.
He’d shown up. Tolerated my brother. Helped my dad. Made a good impression on my mom. Kissed me senseless. And let me know he’d be back again.
My answer to Harper’s question about whether I thought Ronan might be the guy for me was well on its way to becoming a resounding yes instead of just maybe.