“I know you’re trying to make light of this…”
“Then let me,” she said softly. “One more week.”
He sighed. “One more week.”
“And don’t eat too much candy at the festival.”
He let out a small laugh. “I’ll try. The shop is going to be open tomorrow until noon and then we’re closing for the weekend. I’m not going to go over to the square until tomorrow night.”
“Isn’t that when they’re doing the hay rides at Travis Bennett’s farm?”
“Yup. No one to hold on the ride so…I’ll hang out around town and check out the games and see where I can help out. I hadn’t volunteered for anything so…”
“I know. I know. Believe me, I’d give anything to be there with you rather than here…like this.”
“I know that too,” he said, his voice soft like silk. “Go rest and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Mmm…sounds good. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Fifteen
IT WAS A little after six on Friday and Will waved to the good people of Sapphire Falls as he made his way toward the town square. Everyone was out and decked out in costumes and seemed to be having a good time already. The atmosphere was extremely festive and, as usual, the organizers outdid themselves with the theming.
He wished Serena were here to see it all with him.
While there were some things set up and going on, the bulk of the people were going to be heading to Travis’ farm for the hay rides. Maybe he’d go on over and see if they needed a hand with anything – like driving the tractors or something like that. It would be a good distraction and a way to help out.
“Hey, Will!” Chloe yelled out as she and Dylan walked over. They were dressed as a race car driver and a sexy race car driver. They looked cute and from the way Dylan was smiling at Chloe, he figured his friend would rather be home and out of their costumes than wandering around town in them.
“Hey, Chloe! Dylan,” he said, shaking his hand. “You guys look great.”
Dylan nodded. “Sort of living out my NASCAR dream right now.”
“Okay, I get that, but…” He motioned to Chloe’s checkered flag mini dress.
“It was the only matching option,” she said. “It’s called a first-place racer costume. It seemed cute so I went with it.” She was smiling broadly and then shivered a little. “Although it’s a bit cool to be walking around in a mini skirt and no jacket.”
“I promise to keep you warm,” Dylan said, wrapping his arms around her. He looked over at Will. “So what are you up to? Going over to the farm?”
He nodded. “That’s the plan. I figured I’d ask Travis if he needs some extra hands to drive the tractors.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” Dylan paused. “But I have a favor to ask first.”
“Sure.”
“I’m supposed to bring some extra coolers with me and I left them at the shop and…well…now that we’re here at the square and I can see all the stuff set up…”
“You guys want to walk around a bit first,” Will finished for him.
“Exactly. So…do you mind?”
“Not at all. I’m just killing time so it will give me something to do. Are they in your office?”
Dylan nodded. “There are four of them. And if you can get them over there for me, I’d really appreciate it.”
“No worries. You guys go and have fun. I’ll see you over at the farm later.”
“Thanks, Will,” Dylan said as he led Chloe away.
With nothing else to do, Will walked over to where he’d parked his truck and made the short drive over to the shop. Once there, he loaded the coolers into the back and then decided to call and check on Serena.
He sat down on the bed of his truck and listened as her phone rang.
And rang.
And rang.
“Maybe she’s sleeping,” he murmured and decided to just leave a message. “Hey, Sweetheart. Just calling to see how you’re feeling and make sure you’re okay. I’m on my way over to Travis’ farm with some coolers and I’m going to see if I can help out over there. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling better. I love you and can’t wait for next week. Bye.”
Hanging up, he sighed – hating that she hadn’t answered. With nothing left to do, he secured the coolers, climbed into the truck and made his way across town. The drive over was a little slow due to all of the extra traffic and some of the roads being blocked off for the festival, but he figured he wasn’t in too big of a rush.
At the farm, he parked in the designated area and then grabbed two coolers and made his way around toward where they had refreshment stands set up. He noticed several long tables and a first aid booth. It looked brand new and he figured since this was the first year of a new festival, they were probably in need of some new supplies. Still, it was the first time they’d had one at a festival. Maybe since they were outside of town, it was a necessity.
“Hey, Will!” Lauren Bennett – Travis’ wife – called out as he approached. “I see you brought Dylan’s coolers!”
He nodded. “I ran into Dylan and Chloe at the square and they wanted time to check things out there so I volunteered to bring them over.”
“That was very nice of you,” she said with a smile.
“Hey, Will,” Travis said as he made his way over. They shook hands and Travis took the coolers from him. “Thanks for bringing these over. Are there more?”
“Two more in the truck. I’ll be back in a minute.”
The next two hours flew by as Will lent a hand wherever it was needed. When he finally got asked to drive the tractor for a couple of rounds, he was more than happy to help out. It wasn’t the way he imagined spending the festival – and he missed Serena like mad – but he was still having a good time, just like everyone else.
After his third time around the maze, he stopped to help people down and noticed just how crowded it had become. So many people were milling around that he had a hard time believing anyone could be over at the town square.
He helped an older couple down and heard the woman let out a small cry when her foot hit the ground. “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“I think I twisted my ankle,” she said, reaching for her husband.
Will immediately helped her over to the nearest bench and once she was settled, he called out to Travis that he needed some ice.
“Go on over to first aid!” Travis called out.
First aid? Oh, right. The booth. “I’ll be right back,” he told the couple and then made his way through the crowd toward the booth. As if sensing his urgency, everyone moved out of his way – it was a little like the parting of the Red Sea. If he wasn’t in such a rush, he might have appreciated it more.
There was a woman behind the counter – all dressed in white – and he wondered who got pulled for first aid duty. Her back was to him and he didn’t have a clue as to who it was.
A little breathless, he leaned on the counter. “Excuse me,” he said. “One of the guests twisted her ankle getting off the hay ride and I need an ice pack. Do we have one?”
Then she turned.
And it was Serena.
In a sexy nurse costume.
****
The look on Will’s face was priceless.
Although now he looked as if he was going to pass out.
“Will?” she said frantically, leaning over to take his hands in hers. “Are you okay?”
“What…what are you doing here?”
“Volunteering,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“But…I thought…you said…”
“I wanted to surprise you,” she said, leaning over a little more and exposing a bit more cleavage to him.
“Well…you managed to do that. In spades,” he added.
“So you need some ice,” she said, her voice a little low, a little sultry and she loved how his eyes stayed fixed on the skin she’d just exposed to him.
“It’s going to cost you.” Serena almost wanted to giggle at her sexy Marilyn Monroe-esque voice.
His eyes met hers. “Cost me?”
She nodded. “Uh-huh.”
A slow grin started to cross his face. “What’s the price?”
“A kiss.”
His grin broadened. “A kiss?”
She nodded again. “Rumor has it that you kiss like a dream.”
He chuckled and moved in a little closer. “That’s no rumor. That’s the God’s honest truth.”
“Prove it,” she whispered.
Cupping her face in his hands, Will did just that. The moment his lips met hers, she was lost. It was just like every kiss they’d shared at the festival and so much better – because this time, she knew she’d be leaving here with him.
Bolder, his tongue teased hers and more than anything, Serena wanted to crawl out of the booth and wrap herself around him. She was just about to do that when a massive round of applause thundered around them.
Lifting her head, she smiled. Will was a little more confused as he looked around. “Wait…what?”
It seemed as if the entire town of Sapphire Falls was standing around witnessing their kiss and celebrating with them. He smiled and laughed out loud when he spotted Hailey who was giving him a thumbs up and yelled, “Finally! Now we can all go on and enjoy the festival!”
Looking over his shoulder at Serena, a wicked grin crossed his face. With a curt nod, he turned and walked around the back of the booth and pulled Serena out. Then he cursed.
“What’s the matter?” she said loudly in his ear to be heard over the still-going applause.
“The ice pack!” he said. “I need to get…”
She cut him off and turned him toward the crowd. He spotted the injured woman – who didn’t look as if she were having any problem standing on her feet – and then looked at Serena in confusion.
“My mom and dad,” she said. “They wanted to be in on the surprise!”
That had him laughing again. “I’ll have to thank them,” he said. “Tomorrow!” And then he scooped her up in his arms and made his way back through the crowd amidst the hoots and hollers. When they got back to his truck, he slid her in, climbed in after her and kissed her again.
As they backed out of the parking lot, Serena took Will’s hand in his. “This has been the best festival yet!”
Will kissed her hand and turned the truck toward home. “Sweetheart, you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Epilogue
THEY WERE DANCING Sunday night at the Monster Mash Ball and having a great time. Looking into her eyes, Will was amazed. “I still can’t believe you pulled this off.”
“Still?” she laughed. “We’ve been talking about it for two days. You know how I did it.”
“Yeah, I know. But I can’t believe that I didn’t know! I’m always in the thick of everything. I was the one who organized getting Dylan and Chloe back together. I can’t believe no one let me in on it. Bunch of traitors.”
“Oh, stop. It was perfect. I’ll never forget the look on your face when I turned around in that booth.”
“It was the costume. It was better than my fantasies.”
She blushed. “You’re better than my fantasies.”
“I like the sound of that,” he said, his voice a bit husky against her ear.
Dylan and Chloe made their way over. “You two all set for tomorrow?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Will asked.
“Everything’s already covered,” Dylan confirmed. “We’ve got the shop covered for the day and I’ll be by in the morning to help you unload what you need to and then I’ll go to work in the afternoon.”
“I kind of feel bad,” Will said. “I don’t want to put anyone out.”
Dylan laughed. “If this means you’ll finally stop moping around, I’ll gladly be inconvenienced!”
“Ha, ha. Very funny.”
“Dylan, seriously,” Serena began, “Thank you for all of your help. We couldn’t have coordinated all of the helpers without you.”
“Welcome to Sapphire Falls, Serena,” Dylan replied and then spun Chloe in his arms as they danced away.
“That was wrong,” Will said, pulling Serena close against him.
“What? What was wrong?”
“What he just said. It was wrong.”
She was thoroughly confused, which she told him.
Leaning down, Will kissed her. Softly. Then a little bit deeper. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers.
“Welcome home, Serena.”
And then she understood. Sighing, she hugged him tight. “It’s good to finally be home.”
About Samantha Chase
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.
When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, blogging, playing way too many games of Scrabble on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina. For more information visit her website at www.chasing-romance.com.
Other Books by Samantha Chase
Jordan’s Return The Christmas Cottage
Ever After Catering to the CEO
In the Eye of the Storm Wait for Me
Trust in Me Stay With Me
More of Me A Touch of Heaven
The Snowflake Inn Mistletoe Between Friends
Exclusive Moonlight in Winter Park
Duty Bound Honor Bound
Forever Bound Home Bound
Baby I’m Yours Baby Be Mine
The Baby Arrangement The Wedding Season
Return to You Meant for You
I’ll Be There Made for Us
Love Walks In Always My Girl
This is Our Song One More Kiss
Christmas in Silver Bell Falls Christmas On Pointe
Friday Night Brides Waiting for Midnight
Wildest Dreams Roommating
Going My Way? Seeking Forever
Where to Find Me
Website: www.chasing-romance.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SamanthaChaseFanClub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamanthaChase3
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http://bit.ly/1jqdxPR
COME TO SAPPHIRE FALLS!
Welcome to SAPPHIRE FALLS—a tiny Midwestern gem overflowing with small-town charm. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy happy hour at the Come Again bar, a tasty treat at Scott’s Sweets, a country-music-infused party at the river with a mason jar of legendary Booze, or even join in the fun at one of the annual town festivals, where the locals specialize in making you feel right at home.
But fair warning: Love is always in the air, and visitors tend to fall quickly—for the town and its inhabitants. You may not be looking for happily ever after…but in Sapphire Falls, happily ever after might come looking for you.
Start with the original series by Erin Nicholas:
Getting Out of Hand (Book 1 – Adrianne and Mason)
Getting Worked Up (Book 2 – Phoebe and Joe)
Getting Dirty (Book 3 – Lauren and Travis)
Getting In the Spirit (Christmas novella, Kate and Levi)
Getting In the Mood (Valentine novella, Kate and Levi)
Getting It All (Book 4 – Delaney and Tucker)
Getting Lucky (Book 5 – Hope and TJ)
Getting Over It (Book 6 – Hailey and Ty)
Getting to Her (Book 6.5 – Hailey and Ty
)
Getting to the Church On Time (Wedding novella – all)
Getting His Way (Book 7 – Tessa and Bryan)
Getting Wound Up with author Jennifer Bernard (Caitlyn and Eli)
Then move on to these amazing Sapphire Falls reads from Kindle Worlds:
October 2016 Release
Going Back to Find You - PG Forte
Because even vampires deserve a second chance.
Going Crazy for You - Allison Gatta
Getting her help is going to be a lot easier said than done...
Going for Brook - Kinsey Holley
He can’t live with her, he can’t leave without her.
Going for the Moment - Elena Aitken
Sometimes opposites don’t just attract, they collide.
Going for Wilder - Trish Edmisten
It’s been ten years since Jackson walked away from the only woman he ever loved. Maybe it’s time to get her back.
Going Haywire - Rachelle Ayala
Vampires, zombies, and wolves, oh my! Honey's vacation with her ex-husband goes haywire. when he tries too hard to get her back.
Going Home - Amanda McIntyre
Sometimes what your heart is searching for is never far from home.
Going Strong - EmKay Connor
Ember Jones-Roseman needs a reminder that life is about the journey, not the destination, and Ford Slater is the perfect man for the job.
Going the Extra Mile - Katy Alexander
Small town. Big hearts. But can one little secret tear it all apart?
Going to be Yours - Samantha Chase
They’ve been in an intimate relationship for three years, they’ve just never met.
Going to the Castle - Angelique Armae
A rebellious aristocrat looking for love… Meets a noble rebel worthy of his heart…
Going Wild - Sydney Somers
Love at first sight, or a past they don’t remember?
Sapphire Falls: Going To Be Yours (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 10