Chapter 14 Tate
tate
The hayride was, in fact, a blast.
Mostly from Amber’s reaction to the jump scares.
The gray gelding with the reenactment of the Headless Horseman was definitely a highlight.
Evidently, the kids in one of the hay trucks were actually reading the book.
The squeals of fright then laughter had translated into more fun for everyone else as well.
But watching Amber take in the orchard and the Halloween touches was worth the slow and bumpy trip around the orchard. I was too damn tall for the seats, and my back was screaming, but the wonder in her face loosened something inside of me that I didn’t realize was locked up.
I’d strived to find joy since my mother died a few years ago, but that day was one of the first times I’d actually felt it. It was easier to be Tate, the guy who helped everyone. But right now I was just Tate with the pretty, interesting woman by his side.
Watching her with kids was also going to end me.
A family had always been an abstract thing that I’d eventually do. I was too focused on the Winter Wonderland to think about house, home, and a baby with gray eyes.
But damn if I didn’t dream a little.
When a black robed figure started hopping carts, I immediately yanked Amber into my arms. She gave me a startled look and then yelped as the Ghostface mask came into view. The guy behind the mask didn’t say a word, just jumped to the next cart.
Amber dissolved into laughter. “He’s lucky I didn’t kick him in the ba—” She glanced at the ten-year-old next to us. “Unmentionables like Sidney did in the movie.”
I tucked her in close to me. “That even got me.”
“What a fun day. Thank you so much for asking me to come.”
I couldn’t resist dropping a quiet kiss on her mouth. The kiss melted into a laugh at the kids around us groaning and pretending to choke themselves in disgust.
We finished off our hot chocolate as the truck rumbled over the pitted path in front of a massive, weathered barn.
The owl logo proudly displayed with a smaller sign advertising to pick your own bushel from the massive apple bins.
We could either take off into the trees to pick some ourselves or make a mix and match collection from those in the bins. We both opted for the store instead.
While we were making our own basket, Amber finally got recognized.
The wildfire of people that came forward was slightly alarming. An eight-year-old said her name in a barrage of tears and Amber immediately crouched to her level.
“Hey, it’s okay.” She put her basket on the ground and brushed the little girl’s bangs out of the way.
“But I love you so much!”
“I love you too, sweetie.”
A teacher tried to push through the crowd of students, alerted by the tears. “What’s going on here?”
Amber looked up from her crouch. “Ruby just is in her feels a little bit, but we’re okay.”
The teacher went white. “Oh, crap.”
Amber smiled at her briefly before turning her attention back on Ruby. “Are you okay now?”
The little girl threw herself at Amber, nearly knocking her down. I hurried forward, my gaze clocking all the kids slowly making the circle tighter. “Amber, things are getting dicey.”
She held a hand out for me and I helped her stand.
She dipped a hand into her purse and came out with a silver Sharpie.
Startled that she was prepared for this eventuality, I just watched incredulously as she waded into the crowd.
She signed whatever was stuck out for her and smiled for photos and selfies.
Unfortunately we were making a spectacle of ourselves, and more and more people came over to check out what was going on.
A tall man with a Brothers Three baseball cap came over as backup and called over a half dozen more workers from the barn.
I recognized Justin Manning as the tallest one. I waved him over.
“What’s going on, folks?” His smile was affable, but his eyes were clear and assessing. He grinned up at me. “Hey, big guy. How can I help?”
I pitched my voice low. “Do you know who Ambrose is?”
“Only my fantasy woman come to life.” At my narrowed gaze, he cleared his throat. “I know who she is.” He followed my gaze. “Oh, hell.”
“Yeah.”
“Think you have somewhere we can escape to?”
“Can do.”
He made a few hand signals to the guys with him. They immediately jumped into action, herding the crowd of kids and adults away from the increasing mob. The offer of free cider and donuts helped cut some of it, but Amber was still the big draw.
Amber held up her hands. “Okay, guys. I’m so sorry I need to go. You totally killed my Sharpie.” She waved and when I drew her back against me, she gave me a grateful smile.
The number of cameras being held up was astounding. Voices rose as they shouted questions and seemed to be talking over one another to narrate their live videos.
“They’re going to help you out of here.” I lowered my voice so only she could hear me.
“Sorry,” she said sadly.
“Hey, don’t be sorry.” I clasped her hand and drew her around the large apple bins into the barn. People looked around to see what the commotion was, but we just kept moving.
I followed Justin into the back of the operation. There was a large cold storage area where a shit ton of apples were labeled in even larger bins.
Amber ran a shaky hand through her hair.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just the adrenaline comedown. I can’t show fear around them or it gets really ugly.”
Justin jogged back to us holding a bottle of water. “Wow. That was intense.”
“Thank you.” Amber took a long swallow, and I watched her neatly knit herself back up into the woman I was used to being around. “I’m sorry about all of that. I didn’t think there would be such a reaction.”
I stroked a hand down her back. “Do you deal with that a lot?”
“Not really. I usually have security around me. I just didn’t think I needed it today. Stupid.”
“Not stupid at all.” I stared right into her eyes.
“I ruined our day.”
“No, you didn’t.” I stroked my hand up her back and laid a hand on the back of her neck. The warmth of her skin actually calmed me down. Seeing just how easily a crowd could get out of hand was a lesson I wouldn’t soon forget.
“Do you have a vehicle? We can get you out of here if you need us to.” Justin craned his neck, making sure no one came through the double swinging doors.
“I parked over at The Lodge.” I dug out my keys. “Black Ram truck.”
“You can’t miss it. The only one that would fit this one.” She hooked a thumb back at me.
Justin grinned. He held his hand out. “Justin Manning.”
“Tate Reynolds.” I shook it followed by Amber.
“Oh. Rachel gave me a head’s up you were here. I was out scaring the kids on the hayride.” He pulled off his baseball cap and turned it around backward. “I love playing Ghostface.”
“You scared the hell out me.” Amber laughed.
“I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you. Then again, I was moving pretty fast. Halloween weekend is crazy here. We’re gearing up for the big night.”
“You guys have an amazing setup here. I came by to see if I could get some ideas for the village.”
Justin tucked his hands into his Carhart jacket. “Thanks. We like it around here. We go all out for Christmas for the gift shops and food. We’re nearing the end of the apple season now, then Clay and Rachel take over for Christmas trees. Then maybe I’ll finally get to take a rest.”
“Somehow I don’t think that’s a word in the Manning vocabulary.”
“Not if my big brother has anything to say about it.” He laughed. “I’ll run over and get your truck. I’ll leave it out the back here. You can take the access road out of here past the Christmas trees and sneak out.”
Amber twisted her fingers together in front of her. “That would be amazing. I’m so sorry, I made such a fuss.”
“Don’t sweat it. Anytime my cousin Ian comes in, it gets even crazier.”
She frowned. “Ian?”
“Kagan. It’s a regular revolving door of rockstars around here.”
I whistled. “I didn’t realize.”
“Yeah, my cousin Leelee manages Oblivion and is married to the guitarist, Nick Crandall. Then we just couldn’t get rid of them all.” Justin laughed. “You should see it around here for Christmas dinner. We’re tripping over famous musicians.”
“I can’t even imagine.” Amber laughed, some of her tension fading. “Oh, I also have a pretty big order over at the gift shop.”
Justin grinned. “On it.”
“I hate to pull you away from your work.”
Justin shook his head. “No big deal. I’m used to being the everyman around here.” His grin was genial. “I guess I’ll see you in December. I’ll be helping with the trees. Clay always ropes me in to do the heavy lifting.”
I’d been in the planning stages for so long, the actuality of the Wonderland suddenly made me queasy. “I really appreciate you taking a chance on the village.”
“It’s all about community. We’re excited to get our name out there too.
Brothers Three is trying to expand the distribution of our hard cider.
It takes visibility. You’re helping us just as much as we hopefully will do the same for you.
Ronan, our cider master, actually made a special small batch cider just for this event. ”
“Truly?”
“Yep. We’re going all in.”
Now the queasy was a churning. “Here’s to a mutual collaboration.” I held out my hand one more time.
Justin shook it. “I’m excited, man.” He nodded to a couple chairs near the apples. “You guys can chill out. I’ll be back in a few.”
“Thanks again,” Amber said softly.
“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, you probably just sold out our weekend Halloween Hayride.”
She laughed. “That’s one way to look at it.”
“There’s always a bright side. There’s one of our new fall ciders in the cooler if you want to partake.” He winked and loped off through the big barn door.
I turned to her and rubbed my hand up and down her arms. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I almost forgot who I was today.”
Instinctively, I pulled her in for a hug, stroking up and down her back. She stayed stiffly in my arms, but finally relaxed and rested her head against my chest.
“Thanks.”