Page 171 of Let Me Show You

I glance at Katie. “Sure, that’d be great.”

Before we leave them, Katie explains to Owen that he can stay with Anthony and reminds him to be good for Memaw and Pawpaw. She fixes his wild mess of hair and gives Loretta and Elliot a wave before we head across the way.

We wait in line for the hayride, and when it pulls up and slows down in front of us, the workers grab a step for Katie to use. After we’re settled, I wrap my arm around her. I lean in and place a soft kiss on her lips as the tractor pulls us through the pumpkin patch. The sweet smells of caramel and cotton candy drift through the air and mix with the earthy scent of freshly baled hay.

“This has been so much fun,” Katie says.

“And the day is just getting started.” I wink. “Remember when we came here as teenagers?”

“I do. I remember actually finding the courage to hold your hand on this very ride.”

“You remembered?” I ask with raised brows. Of course she did.

She smirks. “How could I ever forget? I was nearly shitting bricks that I had made a move even though it was a childish one.” Her tone drops into a whisper, and she tugs me toward her, and I lean in. “Shoulda sat on your lap and stuck my tongue down your throat.”

I smirk. “Woman. You know what happens when you say stuff like that…”

She snickers just as the ride comes to a stop at the entrance of the pumpkin patch.

“Let’s get off here,” I suggest.

We step off, and she stares at the thousands of pumpkins in all different colors and shapes. People are taking pictures with them while others are decorating or carving.

“I think I need to go to the bathroom,” I tell her, grinning.

She laughs. “There’s one out here?”

“Yeah, just on the other side. Might take me about ten minutes,” I say and lead her to some hay bales arranged as seating. “Might be good for you to rest a minute. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay! Bring me back a candied apple, a slice of pumpkin pie, and another one of those fizzy drinks.” Katie gives me a wink.

With a laugh, I shake my head. “Yes, honey.”

I make my way through the crowd of people, and it takes at least ten minutes for me to get to the area where I’ve asked all of our friends and family to meet. When I turn the corner, they’re chatting and laughing. Excitement fills the air.

Gemma, Tyler, and Everleigh hoot and holler as soon as I come into view. Gemma’s rocking the stroller back and forth, and I love that she brought Scarlett too.

Dad gives me a big hug. “You ready, son?”

“As ever,” I say, meeting everyone’s eyes. I’m so thankful Katie’s parents, Belinda, Elliot, Loretta, the boys, and my and Katie’s best friends are here to celebrate this special moment.

After everyone takes a step closer, I suck in a deep breath. “Do y’all have your letters?”

I glance around, and they hold their silver envelopes.

“You do know this is gonna make her bawl like a baby?” Everleigh says, tapping hers against her palm.

“You weren’t supposed to read it, Ev,” Gemma whisper-hisses over the stroller.

She snorts. “I literally just peeked a little. I needed to know what she was gonna be reading so I’d be aware of how to react.”

Gemma groans and crosses her arms over her chest, eyeing Everleigh. “I passed them all out and instructed them not to read them. Some people just don’t know how to listen.”

“It’s fine. If anyone was gonna break the rules, it would be her.” I look at her and smile.

“That’s very true,” Everleigh admits. “It’s almost like you know me better than your sister.”

Before Gemma digs in, I speak up. “Okay, so y’all know the order, right?”