Page 37 of Trick or Tease

SAbrINA

T he next day I was out by the edge of the woods with Tyler, working through the logistics of our newest addition to the hayride. We’d been brainstorming ways to make that final stretch from the old house back to the barn more exciting, and I’d finally hit on the perfect idea.

We were going to extend the ride to go down the dirt road that led through the trees before winding back down to the patch itself.

It was probably silly to keep adding when we were so close to the end of the season, but I also hoped it would inspire people to keep coming back. What new stuff would they find?

That was my theory anyway.

“So you’ll be hidden in the trees right about here,” I said, pointing to a cluster of oak trees about fifty yards from the path. “When you see the tractor coming, you ride out on the horse and run beside the hayride for maybe thirty seconds before disappearing back into the woods.”

Tyler grinned, clearly loving the theatrics of it all. “And I’ll have the cloak rigged so I can see but the passengers can’t see my head?”

“Exactly. We’ll attach it to your shoulders and let it hang loose so it looks like you’re headless. And instead of a real jack-o’-lantern, we’ll use one of those LED ones so there’s no fire hazard.”

“This is going to be so cool,” he said, already practicing how he’d hold the fake pumpkin while guiding the horse. He had been riding since he was four, so I had no doubt he could handle it. “The little kids are going to lose their minds.”

I laughed, caught up in his enthusiasm. “That’s the idea. We want them scared but not traumatized.”

We spent another twenty minutes working out the timing and the route he’d take through the trees.

Tyler was a good kid who seemed to share my somewhat twisted personality.

He was responsible enough that I trusted him not to do anything stupid, but young enough to really get into the performance aspect.

“I’ll practice the route a few more times tonight,” he said. “Make sure I know exactly where all the roots and holes are.”

“Perfect. We’ll do a full run-through tomorrow before?—”

I stopped mid-sentence as I caught sight of a familiar silver sedan parked near the main house. That appraiser woman was back, and this time she was alone, walking around the property with her camera out, taking pictures of everything.

My stomach dropped. Yesterday had been awkward enough with her talking about sales and development potential right in front of me. But at least Garrett had been there to provide some kind of explanation. Now she was back, documenting the property like she was building a case file.

“Tyler, can we finish this up later?” I asked, trying to keep my voice casual. “I need to go take care of something.”

“Sure thing. I’ll go practice the route.” He hopped on his horse and cantered off toward the woods, leaving me alone with my growing suspicion that something was very wrong.

I walked across the field toward where the appraiser was now photographing the old house on the hill. She was taking shots from multiple angles, making notes on her tablet between each one. This didn’t look like casual documentation. It looked thorough and professional.

“Excuse me,” I called out as I approached. “Janet, right?”

She looked up from her camera and smiled politely. “Yes, that’s right. Sabrina, wasn’t it?”

“That’s me. I was just wondering what brings you back today. More consulting work?”

“Just getting some additional photographs for the client’s file,” she said, adjusting her camera settings. “Standard procedure for this type of assessment.”

Something about the way she said “client’s file” made my stomach clench. “Aren’t we the clients? I mean, this is the Hogan family farm.”

Janet paused, looking at me with what might have been confusion or surprise. “Well, technically I’ve been hired by Ivar & Geiss. They’re handling the arrangements.”

Ivar & Geiss. That was Garrett’s law firm.

I felt like someone had just dumped ice water down my spine. “I see.”

“Is there a problem?” Janet asked, clearly picking up on my change in tone.

“No, no problem at all. Just wanted to make sure everything was in order.”

She nodded and went back to her photography, but I was no longer paying attention to what she was doing. My mind was racing, trying to piece together what this meant.

Why would Garrett’s law firm be hiring an appraiser? If this was just about insurance documentation like he’d claimed, wouldn’t the insurance company handle that themselves? And why hadn’t he mentioned that his own firm was involved?

Why was his firm involved?

Billy and Garrett should be the clients, right?

I was so confused. And I felt a little foolish because I didn’t understand all the ins and outs of insurance requirements and business licenses. I knew Billy didn’t either.

We were all counting on Garrett and his expertise. And for some reason, I got the feeling that might not be the best idea.

I walked back toward the main house on unsteady legs, feeling like the ground had shifted beneath my feet.

The past few days had felt like a fairy tale with Garrett.

I loved working with him and planning for the future festivals and events at the farm.

I especially loved spending our nights wrapped up in each other like we were building something real and lasting.

But now I was wondering if I’d been living in a fantasy while Garrett was making very different plans. Plans that apparently involved his high-powered law firm and property appraisals and conversations about sales and development potential.

Plans that maybe didn’t include me at all.

I thought about the way he looked when Janet mentioned selling the property yesterday—uncomfortable, yes, but not surprised.

Not like someone hearing the idea for the first time.

And the way he’d tried to redirect the conversation so quickly, like he was trying to keep me from understanding what was really happening?

My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air. Had I completely misread everything between us? All those moments that felt so intimate and meaningful, had they meant something entirely different to him?

I found myself thinking about our conversation under the stars, when he’d talked about wanting to matter, about contributing to something bigger than himself. Had that all been just pretty words while he was secretly planning to tear down everything me, Billy, and Lucy built together?

The worst part was that I couldn’t even be angry with him. Not really. This was his family’s property, his decision to make. And I was just the hired help, wasn’t I? The local girl who’d gotten too attached, who’d started believing in something that was never real to begin with.

But God, it hurt. It hurt worse than I wanted to admit, even to myself.

I was still standing there trying to process everything when I heard Lucy calling my name from across the field.

She was waving me over with that bright smile that meant she was excited about something.

I forced myself to wave back and walk toward her, hoping my face didn’t give away the icky feeling in my stomach.

“There you are!” she said as I approached. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. How’s the prep going for tonight?”

“Good,” I managed, grateful for the distraction. “Actually, Tyler and I just finished working out the details for our headless horseman addition. He’s going to ride alongside the hayride with a fake jack-o’-lantern and a cloak rigged to hide his head.”

Lucy’s eyes lit up. “That sounds amazing! The kids are going to love that.”

“That’s what Tyler said too. We’re doing a full run-through tonight to make sure the timing works right.”

“I love it. This whole thing just keeps getting better and better.”

“Have you seen Garrett today? I wanted to ask him about the vendor setup for tonight.” That was a lie but I figured it was worth not upsetting her.

“No, I haven’t seen him since this morning. Why?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head.

“I think he and Billy went into town to pick up more hot chocolate and cups. We’re running low already, which is a good problem to have.” She tilted her head, her expression growing concerned. “Hey, are you okay? You seem a little off. You haven’t been hitting the cider already, have you?”

I forced what I hoped was a convincing smile. “I’m fine. Just tired from all the work. I think I’m going to head home and get changed for tonight.”

“Good idea. What are you thinking? Something spooky to match the theme?”

Despite everything swirling in my head, I found myself genuinely smiling for the first time since seeing that appraiser. “Actually, I was thinking of going full goth tonight. Extra makeup, maybe some dramatic eyeliner. Really lean into the haunted farm aesthetic.”

Lucy burst into laughter. “I love it! You’re going to look amazing. The contrast with your blonde hair will be perfect.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.” I started backing toward my truck. “I’ll see you in a few hours, okay?”

“See you soon!” she called out, already turning back toward whatever task she’d been working on.

I climbed into my truck and sat there for a moment. At least I had a few hours to pull myself together before I had to face Garrett again. Maybe by then I’d figure out what I was going to say to him.