Page 39

Outside, the cold night air felt wonderful after the close interior of the attraction. Peyton stood beside me for a moment, looking back toward the building as another group emerged laughing and talking over one another.

“That was marvelous. Absolutely ridiculous, but marvelous.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“I think I may have frightened one of the actors. He looked rather startled when I screamed.”

I grinned.

“I noticed. You might’ve given him something to talk about after his shift.”

She laughed, then leaned against my side as we started along the path toward the quieter edge of the festival grounds.

The crowds had thinned around the outer displays, and the lanterns hanging between the trees cast pools of amber light across the gravel. Somewhere behind us, music was still playing, but the sound softened as we walked away from the busiest areas.

Peyton tucked her hand into the crook of my elbow.

“I can see why you love living here,” she said. “There’s something rather lovely about a place where people make so much effort for one another.”

“I’ve always thought so. Folks here aren’t perfect, but when somebody needs help putting something together, you can usually count on a few familiar faces showing up.”

She looked toward the lights, thoughtful.

“I like Minneapolis, but sometimes I think I’ve gotten so comfortable with my own routines that I’ve forgotten how much fun it can be to do things with someone else.”

We walked a little farther before she spoke again.

“Can I tell you something slightly embarrassing?”

I glanced down at her.

“Sure. Although after everything we’ve read together this week, I think your definition of embarrassing might be a little different from mine.”

She smiled, then grew more serious.

“I haven’t had much luck with men. Not because I haven’t wanted to date, but because the men I found attractive generally didn’t seem interested in me that way. I was always the woman they wanted to talk to about books or ask for help with something. It wasn’t terrible, exactly. It was just disappointing after a while.”

I listened as she described a few of the awkward situations she’d found herself in over the years. There was no bitterness in her voice, but I could hear how much those experiences had affected her confidence.

“I know I’m not particularly glamorous,” she continued. “My sister Chelsea is the one who walks into a room and makes everyone turn around. I’ve always been more comfortable talking about books than trying to impress somebody at a party.”

I stopped beside the path and turned toward her.

“Peyton, I can’t speak for the men you’ve known, but I can tell you that I’ve spent the last two days looking forward to every minute I get to spend with you. I like your intelligence, your sense of humor, and the way you get excited about something that matters to you. And since you brought up appearances, I happen to think you’re beautiful.”

Her expression softened, and she rested her hands against my chest.

“You’re rather good at making a woman feel appreciated.”

“I’ve had plenty of practice appreciating you lately.”

She laughed softly, then rose onto her toes to kiss me.

I wrapped my arms around her, enjoying the warmth of her body against mine and the quiet pleasure of having her close.

When she finally eased back, she remained in my arms.

“I don’t want the evening to end yet,” she admitted. “Would you come back to the cottage with me? I’d like to spend some more time together, without the entire town wandering past.”