Page 28

CHAPTER 28

NATE

The winter air nips at my nose as Caspian and I walk hand in hand through the festival grounds. It’s the first day of the Winter Wishes Festival, and vendors are still setting up their stalls, creating that special kind of chaos that comes before any big event. Strings of lights crisscross overhead, waiting for dusk to transform the space into something magical.

Special Blend is closed and I helped Caspian set up his coffee stand so he’d have a chance to enjoy a little bit of the festival and meet some people.

Caspian’s fingers are warm in mine despite the cold, and I can’t help but steal glances at him as we walk. His cheeks are pink, and his eyes sparkle with excitement as he takes in everything around us. It’s his first Winter Wishes Festival, and watching him experience it makes me see it all through fresh eyes.

“Oh look!” Caspian tugs me toward the Moon Meadows Maple Farm stand, where Jason is unpacking bottles of maple syrup.

Jason looks up with a grin. “Hey, you two!” His eyes drift to our joined hands, and his smile widens. “I see things are going well.”

I feel my face heat, but I don’t let go of Caspian’s hand. Instead, I squeeze it gently, loving how natural it feels to be openly together like this.

“Hey, did you get a chance to look at that sustainability report I sent over?” I ask Jason.

“Yeah, it was great actually. Already started implementing some of your suggestions.” Jason grins, then turns to Caspian. “How’s the shop doing? Brie keeps going at me about stopping by, but it’s been a little busy at the farm.”

“The shop’s doing great,” Caspian says, examining the different grades of syrup on display. “I’m opening my stand in a bit. I’ll send over some maple lattes for you and Brie to try our special blends.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Jason says. “Brie’s been talking about your coffee nonstop since you opened. I think she’s already addicted to your caramel macchiatos.”

We chat for a few more minutes before moving on, weaving between half-assembled stalls and greeting familiar faces. The sense of community is strong today, with everyone working together to create something special.

“Oh wow,” Caspian breathes as we approach Addy’s booth. She’s also still unpacking, but the paintings she has out are arranged in a mesmerizing display, each canvas capturing the essence of Vermont’s natural beauty. There’s something almost magical about how she captures light hitting snow or the way bare tree branches reach toward winter skies.

“These are beautiful,” Caspian says, releasing my hand to step closer to a painting of a sunrise over snow-covered mountains. “The colors are incredible.”

Addy emerges from behind her display, paint-splattered overalls and all. “Thank you! I was just about to come find you two.” She pulls me into a quick hug before turning to Caspian. “The coffee you sent over this morning was perfect for painting. I swear I could taste the inspiration.”

Caspian laughs, the sound warming me more than any coffee could. “I’d love to get one of these for my house,” he says, still admiring the artwork. “It would be nice to have a piece of Maplewood on my walls, and it’ll go perfectly with a few things I bought in the craft markets I visited while traveling here.”

“Speaking of getting together,” Addy says with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Nate, will you be bringing Caspian as your date to my wedding in June?”

Caspian looks between us, curiosity bright in his eyes. I wrap an arm around his waist, pulling him close. “Well, if he’s willing to put up with me until then, absolutely.”

“As if that’s even a question,” Caspian says softly, leaning into me.

Addy clutches her heart dramatically. “You two are disgustingly cute. I approve completely.”

We spend a few more minutes with Addy, and Caspian picks out a painting of a misty morning in the woods that reminds me of the view from a cabin my parents used to rent sometimes for Christmas. As we walk away, I notice his attention drawn to the Wishing Tree. It’s already filling up with decorations containing people’s wishes for the new year.

“Are you sure you don’t want to make a wish?” he asks.

“Why would I put my fate in a tree when I already have the best thing I could have wished for right here?” I ask, pulling him closer and delighting in how his cheeks flush at my words.

“You’re way too charming for your own good,” Caspian says, shaking his head with a fond smile. “Keep talking like that, and you’ll go a long way with me, Mr. Stone.”

“Good.”

We’re still making our way back to Caspian’s coffee stand when we run into Olivia, who immediately engulfs Caspian in a warm hug.

“There’s my favorite neighbor!” she exclaims, releasing him with a bright smile. “I can’t thank you enough for reopening Special Blend. The traffic from your shop has been spilling into mine all week.”

“That’s great!” Caspian beams.

“Although…” Olivia puts her hands on her hips with mock sternness. “I might have to join the gym if I keep sampling your pastries. Having them right next door is dangerous for my willpower.”

“Worth it though, right?” I can’t help but chime in, thinking of Mom’s maple pecan danish I had this morning.

“Absolutely worth it,” Olivia agrees. “Oh, before I forget—Bo wanted me to remind you about the festival committee meeting next week. We’re already starting to plan for the Pride Festival.”

“Count me in. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried my rainbow-spiced latte.” Caspian checks his watch, and his eyes widen slightly. “Speaking of planning, I should probably go.” He turns to me apologetically.

“Let’s go, I’ll help you manage the line,” I say, waving goodbye to Olivia as we head toward Special Blend’s festival stand.

We brought everything over earlier since it’s just across from the coffee shop, and Caspian clearly has a system all worked out because he’s organized cups and supplies to help him reach for everything quickly. I help where I can, but mostly, I just enjoy watching him work. He moves with such confidence now, and judging by the number of people who come over just to say hi, it’s like he’s lived in Maplewood all his life.

Once the line dies down and everyone is visiting other stands or by the amphitheater watching tonight’s show, I kiss his cheek. “Looks like you’ve got this handled. Mind if I go say hi to Amelia? I’ve just spotted her by Ever’s honey stall.”

“Go ahead,” he says, already focusing on the espresso machine. “I’ll see you later?”

“Count on it,” I reply, stealing one last quick kiss before heading off into the growing festival crowd.

As I cross the park toward Amelia, I spot those guys from Special Blend’s opening day—Ben, Indy, and the twins. Something about Caspian’s unease with the twins has been nagging at me, and when I notice them huddled together in what looks like an intense discussion, I slow my pace.

The one with his hair in a bun—Indy, I think—is holding one of the twins’ hands. “We have to tell him,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “You saw him, Tate. Caspian seems really nice. He’ll take the news well.”

I pretend to be checking my phone while I listen, my protective instincts kicking in. What news could they possibly have for Caspian?

“I know,” the other twin—must be Tristan—says, his arm draped over the shoulders of the guy in glasses who I remember is Ben. “I want to speak to him. He needs to know. We’ve come all this way.”

Their words send a chill through me that has nothing to do with the winter air. The serious tone of their conversation, combined with how they were watching Caspian at Special Blend, sets off warning bells in my head.

Before I can stop myself, I’m walking toward their huddled group. “Excuse me.”

They all turn to look at me, startled by my interruption. The twins share an uncanny resemblance up close, though one—Tate, I think—has slightly longer hair.

“I’m Nate, Caspian’s boyfriend.” The word still feels new on my tongue, but I say it firmly. “I didn’t mean to overhear your conversation, but I did, and I’m concerned. What exactly do you want with him?”

The four men exchange glances before Ben steps forward, hands raised in a placating gesture. “I’m Ben. This is my husband Tristan”—he motions to one of the twins—“and this is Tate and his husband Indy.”

“Nice to meet you,” Indy says, his smile genuine despite the tension.

They seem friendly enough, but the overheard conversation still rings in my ears. “Look, I don’t mean to be confrontational, but while you all seem friendly enough, Caspian mentioned feeling uneasy about your visit to Special Blend. And now I hear you talking about having news for him…”

Tristan and Tate share another look before Tate speaks. “We’re related to Caspian,” he says quietly. “But he doesn’t know it yet.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “Related how?”

“We’re his brothers,” Tristan says. “Half-brothers, technically. We only found out recently ourselves, when our father passed away.”

“We want to talk to him,” Tate adds, “but we don’t know how. The coffee shop’s always busy, and this isn’t exactly the kind of conversation you have between serving customers.”

Ben looks at his husband with concern, then turns to Tate. “Maybe Nate can help. He seems to care about Caspian, and having someone Caspian trusts there might make it easier.”

“I do want to help,” I say, torn between protecting Caspian and recognizing the sincerity in these men’s faces. “But I need to know more. This is a lot for anyone to take in, and I don’t want Caspian to get hurt.”

Tate nods, understanding written across his features.

“Caspian’s been through a lot,” I add. “Losing his mom. Moving here. This news…could be overwhelming.”

“We know,” Indy says softly. “That’s why we want to do this right. We don’t want to hurt him.”

Looking at their earnest faces, I make a decision. “I’ll help you. He has a day off coming up if you’re still around.”

The relief on their faces is palpable. Tate reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card. “We’ll be here. Here’s my number. Let us know when and where.”

As I take the card, I can’t help but think about how this revelation will affect Caspian. But looking at these men who seem so genuine in their desire to know their brother, I hope it might bring something good into his life.