Page 14 of To Fall or Not to Fall

I walk over to the group of women and notice that there are more women here than men. I really hope none of the men are going to drop out, but I know how flaky some men can be.

I look at my watch. “We’ll give people about ten more minutes.

Once everyone has arrived, I will match you up based on the surveys that were filled out and your interests, and then we’ll go on the hayride.

We have some ice-breaker questions for you to get to know each other better, and then you’ll have about thirty minutes at the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins.

If you have any questions, just let me know. ”

“I have a question,” Rupert says, putting his hand up.

I’m about to ask him what he wants when I notice a car pulling up. My heart races as I see Theo getting out.

He’s standing there in a long, dark wool coat.

There’s a smug expression on his handsome face, and he looks very out of place here on the farm—also extremely good-looking.

He locks his car door and heads toward us.

I try to look away. I don’t want him to think I’m interested, especially since, after our near-kiss, he’s barely said two words to me.

“Hi. I hope it’s okay that I crash,” he says. “I figured I would check it out.”

“Sure, no worries.” I nod slowly. “We actually have two of you men who have decided to join.” I look over at Rupert.

Theo looks over at him and frowns slightly. “Actually, I wasn’t here to join the hay cart—hayride,” he says, correcting himself. “Or whatever else you call it. I had some questions for you about the town, and I was wondering if you would be able to answer them for me.”

I’m confused. Why would he come to a matchmaking event to ask me questions about the town?

“Sure, I can answer, but I’m not really sure this is the right place?—”

“I’ll pay for the hayride,” he says quickly. “Maybe you and I can go on it together.”

“I guess…” I stare at him, not really sure what’s going on.

“But I thought we were—” Rupert starts.

Theo gives him another look, and Rupert just shakes his head. “You take a job and this is what you get,” he mumbles under his breath.

“Sorry, what?” I ask, even more confused.

“Nothing.” He looks at his watch. “I gotta go. I will see you later.”

And before I know what’s happening, he’s walking off.

Theo comes and stands next to me. I watch as he runs his fingers through his hair. I shiver slightly because I can feel his body heat next to mine.

His face immediately creases. “Are you okay? Are you cold?”

“No, I’m fine.” I shrug slightly.

He takes off his coat and hands it to me. “You should put this on.”

“What?” I’m shocked by the gesture.

“You were just shivering, and I’m overly warm right now, so put on this coat. It will keep you warm.”

I slide my arms into the oversized coat.

I have to accept. I can’t tell him I was shivering because his body was so close to mine that it was making me feel like I was going to burn alive.

The coat smells like cedar and expensive cologne.

It’s warm, and even though I’m now hotter than I’ve been in a long time, I’m happy that he was so concerned.

“So, what exactly did you want to ask me?” I say. “Is it something that can be asked before the hayride, or does it have to be on the hayride?”

“Maybe I’ll ask you later.” He cocks his head slightly. “Maybe I’ll enjoy the hayride with you and then see where the night goes.”

“Oh.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Really?”

“Really,” he says, grinning.

“So, has this event been profitable?”

I nod slowly. “We’ve made about three hundred dollars from ticket sales. I have to pay Old Man Johnson one-fifty. I promised Aria and Arabella that they’d get fifty each for working the event.” I shrug. “So… fifty dollars. Not bad. Fifty dollars.”

He shakes his head. “Is that really going to help you save?” He shrugs. “Sorry, I don’t mean to, but?—”

“It’s fine. Each event is adding a little bit more to the pot.” I say the words positively, but I know it’s not adding enough. I’ve got to think of something better, or I’m in deep shit.”

“All right, everyone, I’m going to pair you up.

” I give Theo a smile as I address the group.

“And then we’ll go on the hayrides and pick the pumpkins afterwards.

Anyone who’s interested is invited back to the bookstore, where we will have special hot cocoa and fall cookies that I made today. And yeah, enjoy the evening.”

Theo looks down at me and whispers something.

“What did you say?”

“I said you’d make a great hostess.”

What does that mean exactly? Does he mean that he wants me to be a hostess in his house?

Does he want a housekeeper—or does he want a wife?

Does he want me to wine and dine his business colleagues?

I don’t know why I’m being crazy and thinking so far ahead in the future when I don’t even know if the man likes me.

But I think that’s the problem when you live with your head in the books.

“I just meant that I wish you were as good with numbers as you were with hosting.”

“Me too, Theo,” I say, shaking my head.

He leans forward and brushes some hair from the side of my face. His thumb gently strokes my cheek and, for a couple of seconds, rubs against my lower lip.

“Kissable,” he says softly, leaning toward my ear. “Very kissable. Maybe instead of talking about money and finances, we can do something that we both find more enjoyable.”