Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Is that Mallow?” Kate asked.
“Yes. I thought you’d want to meet her before things get even crazier.”
Rhys lifted the kitten out of the carrier and petted her while he carried her to Kate.
When he looked up, he saw Caleb staring at him with more hunger in his eyes than he should have in public.
“Caleb, stop watching your boyfriend and introduce me to your cat.”
Caleb huffed at her. “I deserve a moment to appreciate my man.”
“Eww.”
He took the kitten from Rhys and snuggled her. “This is Mallow, and if you can’t be nice, I’m not going to let you hold her.”
Kate just laughed at him. “It’s good to see how much you like Mallow, Rhys. I won’t tolerate any more assholes who give away pets.”
“I would like to rip Adrian apart for that,” Rhys said.
Kate smiled at him. “Yes, I definitely like you.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “I need to take Mallow back to Cloud Nine. Why don’t you come with me so I can show you the shop and my apartment?”
“That sounds good if everything’s okay here.”
Rhys nodded. “I’ve got this. Go show off Cloud Nine and get Mallow settled.”
“Nice to meet you, Tessa,” Kate said before she and Caleb started off toward Cloud Nine.
“You too. Stop by my booth later.”
“I will.”
Tessa turned to Rhys once they were gone. “She seems great, but you didn’t tell me his sister was going to be here.”
“I didn’t find out until last night.”
“Oh my God, Caleb waited until then to tell you? He had to know that would freak you out.”
“He wasn’t sure if Kate could get away. She’s got a big trial coming up next week. That was why he waited, but I told him not to ever do that again.”
“Good for you. What did he say?”
“He apologized and said he would give me more warning next time. He thought he was doing the right thing by not worrying me until her visit was confirmed, but now he knows that’s not what I need.”
Tessa put her hands over her heart. “Oh my God, you two are so great together.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, I think he’s the one for you.”
“I just want to take it a day at a time.”
Tessa raised her brows. “Since when do you take anything a day at a time? I’m sure you have a ten-year plan in place for this.”
“Of course I have a plan, but I can’t lock on to it and let myself believe it’s absolutely going to come true.”
“All right. I see that, but I think you’re meant to be, and I think this is going to be the best Harvest Festival we’ve had in years.”
Rhys glanced up and down the square. “It sure looks good. I think there are more booths this year than ever before.”
Tessa nodded in agreement.
Rhys could easily get overwhelmed in this kind of atmosphere, but he felt anchored there. This was where he and Caleb belonged.
“I’d better go,” Tessa said. “Finn needs my help to finish setting up. I’ll talk to you later. Good luck.”
“Good luck to you too.”
CHAPTER 34
Caleb pulled Kate to him in a one-armed hug. “Thank you for being here, and for accepting Rhys.”
“He’s so in love with you. I could tell just from the way he looked at you, and then when he picked up Mallow, I knew everything was going to be all right.”
“You really could tell?”
“Yes, the way the two of you look at each other. It’s sickening.”
“Stop that.” He bumped her with his shoulder, and she pushed him back.
“Just don’t start going on about how you wish I’d find someone too.”
“All right. I’ll keep my happiness to myself.”
“Good.”
The warmth Caleb felt from Kate’s acceptance of Rhys was intensified when he saw her reaction to Cloud Nine. She turned around wide-eyed, taking it all in.
“The pictures you sent were great, but it’s so much more amazing in person. It’s so inviting and colorful, and so you.”
“Thank you.” Caleb hugged her and tried not to cry with joy.
“I can’t get over how perfect it all is: the decorations are beautiful. Your fall vibe is just right, but then you’ve got all the signs with rainbows and clouds and doodles. It’s all so fun. And your signature drinks are just the kind of over-the-top thing you do best.”
“It’s everything I wanted it to be, and so far, the customers are happy, and I have regulars now.”
“Of course you do. How could anyone come here and not want to come back?”
“You are a little biased.”
“Maybe, but I would tell you if I didn’t like it. I was ready to tell your boyfriend off.”
“That’s because you’re protecting me. You want me to be happy.”
“And you are, right?”
“Yes.” He wasn’t sure he’d ever had a better day in his life. He and Rhys were working the festival together. Kate was here. She loved the shop. It was more than he could even have imagined a few months ago when he started this project.