Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Chapter Eleven
Finn
“I’ve come to steal you away.” I strode up to the counter at the bookstore where Harrison was standing. It was midday on a sunny Friday, and I was feeling pretty damn confident in my latest plan. We’d had some texts back and forth since our dinner, but we hadn’t managed an in-person meeting between my farm obligations and Harrison’s busy schedule with the soft opening of the store and the grand opening still looming.
“You’re stealing me?” Harrison didn’t sound opposed to this idea, more like adorably befuddled. He was wearing a shirt so crisp and white that it made his eyes and hair seem an even richer shade of brown. Today’s glasses were less hipster and more bookish with horn-rims, and I immediately had a dozen naughty librarian fantasies.
“Your mother assured me she and Oz, and the new clerk, can hold down the fort for the day.” Even though the shop was largely empty, I resisted the urge to kiss him to see if I could get his cheeks even pinker.
“When did you talk to my mother?” Harrison’s eyes narrowed as he glanced toward the rear of the store.
“My mother had her number.” I made a dismissive gesture. Harrison wasn’t the only one who could get what he wanted when he wanted it. “And I needed to pick her brain about some children’s books for this year’s Farm Camp kids. And somehow I mentioned that I’m driving the ducklings out to the rice paddy today—”
Harrison’s eyes went wide and alarmed. “You’re doing what?”
“You’re fun when you’re confused. And see, this is why I didn’t text you.” I finally gave in to the urge to touch him and clapped him on the upper arm. “You need the escape, and it was worth it to see your face.”
“Well, I am rather perplexed.”
Perplexed wasn’t a no, so I smiled. “Our ducks are working ducks. I have an arrangement with a rice farm south of Vergennes where I bring them ducklings at the start of the summer to maintain the health of their rice paddies, then I’ll pick them up in August or so when their job is done. Some will join the flock in our farm’s pond, while others will bring a little holiday cheer to area families.”
“Holiday… Oh.” Harrison’s eyes widened with understanding.
“Yep. Around here a lot of families count on us for a Christmas duck. But right now, they’re not dinner. They’re adorable, and you’ve never seen a thing as cute as ducklings turned loose on a rice farm.”
This was one of my favorite days, and I was determined not to closely examine why I was so hell-bent on bringing him along. I should have been more obsessed with getting him alone for a late-night hookup, but once I’d had this idea, I hadn’t been able to shake it.
“I’m surprised my mother didn’t try to talk you into taking her.”
“Yeah, well, maybe she wants to see you happy.” More like she’d been only too delighted to play matchmaker, and while I still had no plans to get serious with Harrison, I wasn’t going to burst her bubble either. “And you can take pictures for her.”
“The store—”
“Will be fine.” Harrison’s mother bustled up with an open carton overflowing with children’s books. “Here’s your book order, Finn. I know the kids will appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“Thanks. We’ve done Farm Camp several years now, but we try to grow each season.” My call to Harrison’s mother hadn’t been all pretext. We kept a couple of bookshelves for rainy days and slow moments for the day-camp kids, and while most titles were farm-related in some way, I also wanted a few more inclusive books. “And we’ve got a diverse group of campers, so I want our little library to reflect that.”
“Excellent ambition.” Audrey beamed at me as she handed over the box before turning to Harrison. “Isn’t it, Harrison? And put Finn out of his misery and say you’ll meet him at the farm after you change.”
“Yes, Mother.” Harrison’s eye roll was worthy of a seventeen-year-old, not a serious businessman in his forties. I had to laugh as he nodded at me. “I guess I can spare a few hours.”
“You can. And dinner too.” I leaned across the counter to whisper in his ear. “I still have plans for you.”
“Well. All right, then.” Yup. He was definitely pinker now, and I hadn’t even kissed him yet.
Audrey laughed, clearly delighted at our banter. I didn’t want to give her the wrong idea, but maybe Harrison and I could manage something of a friendship even after this fling ran its course. I liked the Fletchers a lot, and being friendly as long as they were in the area wouldn’t be a hardship.
“See you in about an hour?” I asked. “Rachel and I will do most of the loading up while I wait for you, then it’s about an hour to the rice farm at the speed the ducks require.”