Falling For You (Honey Leaf Lodge #1)

Chapter Fourteen

Violet

I stood outside the Buttercup Hotel, tapping my foot against the cement sidewalk, and hummed as I waited for Owen.

The afternoon air had a crisp, cool bite, making it a perfect fall day. The leaves shimmered and danced in reds, oranges, and yellows, but I noticed a lot fewer hanging on the limbs.

The blue skies, without a cloud in sight, made today awesome for the outing I had planned.

I couldn’t wait to share this adventure with Owen. I’d spent all night wondering if I really should be letting myself fall for a guy who didn’t even live here. But then I reminded myself that I was all about personal growth. This didn’t have to end in something serious.

I chuckled, realizing just how many conversations I’d had in a twenty-four-hour period with nobody but me.

Pulling my jacket tighter, a smile tugged at my lips as I thought about what awaited us.

A hayride. Nothing screamed “small town” more than that.

Maybe I was subconsciously trying to scare him off.

I glanced at my phone. It was one o’clock sharp, and Owen emerged from the hotel as if on cue.

He looked as dashing as ever, which only made me wonder, why me?

I wasn’t a toad, by any means, but I wasn’t five-foot-ten inches, a size 00, and impeccably dressed. I was a five-foot-four type with a little more squish in the middle.

I had a penchant for ponytails and jeans, and it was hard to imagine he’d even give me a second look where he came from.

But whatever.

I wouldn’t second-guess everything about the feelings I knew we shared. Sometimes, attraction worked in mysterious ways.

Owen spotted me and waved, jogging over with a cute grin. All of the worry from the night before looked like it had vanished. Maybe whatever meeting he’d had this morning helped.

“Hey, you,” he called, his breath coming out in visible puffs. “So, what’s the plan? You mentioned something about a surprise?”

He kissed my cheek quickly, and my knees nearly clanked together. He had bundled himself in a black puffy coat, and the hem of a grey wool sweater hung below it.

I couldn’t hide my happiness. “Oh, it’s a surprise, alright. Ihope you’re ready for the quintessential fall experience at Buttercup Lake.”

Owen raised his brows. “Should I be worried?”

“Only if you hate fun,” I teased, nudging him with my elbow as we walked toward my car. “I’m taking you on a hayride.”

“A hayride?” Owen looked both surprised and amused.

I studied him as he opened the passenger door and climbed in. I couldn’t tell if he wanted to run back inside or if hewanted to come.

He smiled at me. “I don’t think I’ve been on one of those since I was twelve.”

“Well, today’s your lucky day, city boy,” I said, grinning as I slid into the driver’s seat. “Prepare to be charmed.”

I turned on the radio and spun it to the local channel playing Christmas music, and he laughed.

“Whoa, farm girl. We haven’t even gotten to Thanksgiving.”

I chuckled and shrugged. “The season goes by too quickly. Why not stretch it where you can?”

He laughed and looked out the window.

“It’s a quick trip to the farm.”

As we pulled out of town and followed the country roads to our destination, I glanced at Owen, taking it all in.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say he kind of liked it here.

The drive to the farm wasn’t long, and soon enough, we pulled up to a sprawling field bordered by towering trees.

A tractor sat waiting at the edge of the field, hitched to a large, flatbed wagon piled high with hay bales. A small group of people—mostly families—was already gathered, chatting and laughing as they waited for the ride to begin.

“This is the spot?” Owen asked, stepping out of the car and surveying the scene. “Beautiful place.”

I hopped out and clapped my hands together. “This is it! And trust me, it’s more fun than it looks.”

Owen shot me a teasing look. “You just want to see me try not to fall off a hay bale.”

I grinned. “That’s definitely part of it. Don’t worry. There isn’t coffee around, just hot cider.”

He chuckled, and we made our way over to the wagon, where the farmer—a burly man with a thick beard and an even thicker Wisconsin accent—greeted us with a friendly wave. “Hop on up, folks! Plenty of room!”

Owen climbed on first and turned around to hoist me up.

I playfully scowled. “I could have done that myself.”

“Oh, I know. I know.” He grinned. “But just like your remembering the coffee incident, I remember what happened with the trough.”

I playfully swatted at him and followed Owen, where he found a spot on a bale of hay near the edge. I settled in, adjusting my jacket and pulling my scarf tighter around my neck as the tractor rumbled to life.

“This is pretty amazing so far,” he whispered in my ear.

I could barely hear him over the machine. “We haven’t even started yet.”

“I meant being with you.”

My insides warmed, and I let out a slow breath.

“You always know what to say.”

“Does that worry you?” he asked as the tractor took off.

I looked into his eyes and smiled. “I don’t know.”

He nodded and looked off into the distance. “Fair enough.”

We bumped along the field, the tractor growling as it pulled us through the open expanse of the farm. Pastures led to woods and wandering creeks before entering back into farmland.

The view was breathtaking. Rows of dried corn stalks swayed and rattled in the breeze.

I glanced at Owen, who was smiling and noticing the beauty like I was.

Leaning back, I let the cool air whip my hair. Satisfaction settled over me. This moment wasn’t fancy or contrived, but it was ours.

Owen draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in as I tried to memorize everything about this ride.

“So, the last time you did something like this was when you were a kid?” I asked him.

Owen chuckled and nodded. “Though, I don’t remember the hayrides being this cold.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right. You grew up in Wyoming. That’s not exactly tropical breezes this time of year.”

He grinned and kissed the top of my head. “True. But you overlook that part when you’re a kid.”

“Well, we’re getting the full experience here.”

Owen smirked, pulling his jacket tighter. “Right, the full experience.”

As the tractor started moving up a small hill, the wagon jolted, causing me to slide into Owen. I laughed, gripping the side of the wagon for balance. “Hold on tight! It gets a little bumpy.”

His arm tightened around me, and I looked into his green eyes. We were so close now, and if there weren’t a couple of families on the trailer, I was certain his lips would be on mine.

We continued to bump along the field on a makeshift trail. The tractor growled as it pulled us through the open expanse of the farm. I spotted a barn up ahead.

“So,” Owen said after a moment. “Is this where you bring all the guys you’re trying to impress?”

I snorted, giving him a sideways glance. “Please, you’re the first city boy I’ve taken on a hayride.”

“What about country boys?”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re the first male I’ve ever taken. How’s that?”

“Lucky me,” he said with a grin, shifting slightly as the wagon hit another bump. “I feel honored.”

I smiled, a little surprised at how genuine he sounded. “It’s one of my favorite things about this time of year. The hayrides, the apple cider, the bonfires. You just don’t get this in the city.”

“I can see why you love it,” Owen said, his voice quieter now.

He looked out at the landscape, and for a moment, I thought I saw a different side of him. A side that wasn’t so guarded and maybe appreciated the small things more than he let on.

I was about to make a joke to lighten the mood when the wagon hit a huge bump, causing me to lurch forward. I grabbed Owen’s arm for support so I didn’t wind up on the floor.

I chuckled. “Whoa! Guess I should take my own advice and hold on tighter.”

Owen laughed and turned to wrap both arms around me. “I got you. I always will.”

My heart skipped a beat.

I rested my head on his arm for a brief second and nodded. “I’m getting that feeling from you.” I didn’t pull away and let the warmth of him chase away the chill in the air.

“I hope so.”

“You’re kind of impressing me, actually.”

He glanced at me, his lips quirking into a teasing smile. “Told you, I’m used to farm life.”

I rolled my eyesbutcouldn’t stop the grin from spreading across my lips. “I’m still not convinced. You haven’t chopped any firewood yet.”

“You’ll see,” he said with a wink.

The tractor took us through winding paths around the farm, past forgotten pumpkin patches and smaller barns.

Whenever I pointed something out, Owen seemed interested. I couldn’t help but notice how I could just be myself with him. No awkwardness. No fumbles. Just him and me.

The tractor slowed to a stop in front of a large red barn.

“We have arrived,” the farmer announced.

All the other families and couples got off the wagon, and I slowly stood and turned around to see Owen stretching.

“There’s cider and donuts,” the farmer explained, pointing inside the barn.

“Yum,” I hummed, and the farmer nodded in agreement. “Thank you.”

The truth was that this girl knew donuts were part of the package. I could sniff them out a mile away.

Owen jumped down from the wagon, reached for my hand, and kissed it before grabbing for my waist to lift me down.

“Such a gentleman,” I teased.

Owen made me feel as light as a feather, which only made me smile.

“What can I say?” He lifted his brows.

“Come on, city boy. Time to see if you can handle the rest of farm life.” I winked at him, and he shook his head, linking his fingers with mine.

“Lead the way.”

I spotted a table with piping hot cider and a platter of cider donuts. “This is what I’ve been waiting for.” I glanced at Owen. “Have you had these before?”

He scoffed and shook his head. “Have I had them? My mom makes the best apple cider donuts to raffle off for the VA every fall.”

His revelation took me aback. “Really?”

“Of course. She’s an amazing cook. She taught us boys most of her recipes, too.”

We each grabbed some hot cider and a donut, but I turned to look at him.

“I never would have guessed.”

“Oh, yeah. I can make a mean casserole, too. Why does that surprise you?” He cocked his head slightly as I took a bite of thedonut.

I shrugged. “You seem like a takeout guy.”

He nodded and sighed. “Recently, yeah. I’d say that’s been my life.”

“By recently, you mean the last decade?”

Owen laughed and nodded. “At least.”

“I don’t know. It just seems like you had such a good life in Wyoming. I don’t know why you’d leave.”

He chuckled. “The same could be said about you and Buttercup Lake.”

I smiled and took a bite of thedonut. “True.”

He shook the donut in front of him and closed his eyes. “These are really good.”

I quickly kissed his lips without thinking twice, feeling some of the cinnamon sugar against mine.

“Even better now.”

I chuckled as we wandered around the barn that had been converted into an event space.

Twinkle lights in an arch in the corner caught my attention.

“This must be where people say I do .” I grinned, glancing at him as he polished off his donut.

“Violet, we just met,” he teased.

I playfully smacked him and chuckled. “You wish.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

The farmer announced the tractor was starting up again.

I glanced up at Owen, who was studying me like I was the most beautiful woman in the world.

I looked away, blushing. A poster for the upcoming charity auction caught my eye. Apparently, the event was being held here.

Good to know.

Feeling extra cocky, I spun around to squeeze him.

Instead, my shoe caught in a twinkle light cord.

My eyes widened as I felt the cord tighten. My feet danced in the wrong direction.

But instead of tumbling forward toward the lights, I shrieked, stepped on the back of my heel, and flew backward.

Owen dove to catch me.

I crashed with a thud, but it was a soft landing.

For a moment, everything was still as I lay in Owen’s arms, blinking up at the barn’s ceiling.

My head would have smacked the cement of the barn if he hadn’t caught me.

“Owen,” I said as my mind tried to catch up with what just happened, “what is wrong with me?”

He chuckled and traced his fingers along my chin. “I was just wondering the same thing.”

I laughed as he helped me up, and the farmer rushed over to see if I was okay.

Right when I assured himthat I was, I tripped over my feet again but caught myself.

Owen’s eyes widened with shock. “Are you okay? Like seriously.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “Oh, my God. This is so embarrassing.”

His lip twitched to hold back laughter.

“Are you trying to stop yourself from laughing?” I teased. “At me?”

Owen couldn’t hold it in anymore, and full-bellied laughter echoed through the barn.

“You know what it is?” I joked.

“I couldn’t even begin to guess.”

“I usually get tongue-tied and awkward with people, but not so much with you anymore.” I grinned. “Instead, I’m just a clumsy mess. I’ve traded one for the other.”

Owen grinned and shook his head, taking a piece of straw from my hair and letting it fall to the ground. “I don’t mind as long as I’m always here to catch you.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “That has to be one of the most romantic things I’ve ever heard.”

“Well, it’s true.” He grinned. “I mean, you’re a walking disaster.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible. You just ruined the moment.”

“But you love it,” he shot back.

He rested an arm around my shoulders as we returned to the wagon.

When we climbed back on, I couldn’t help but glance at Owen. The familiar flutter in my chest returned, and I wondered if this had a chance.

There was something about him that made me feel lighter and freer.

The tractor rumbled back to life as we bounced along the field.

Owen reached over, laced his fingers with mine, and gently squeezed me before pulling me close.

“What’s that all about?” I teased.

Owen shrugged. His green eyes warmed as he looked at me.

“I’m just making sure you don’t fall off.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “As if. What makes you think that would happen?”

He chuckled. “Just a hunch.”

“I think I’ve gotten it out of my system for the day,” I assured him.

“Maybe. But I’m not taking any chances.”

My breath caught when his eyes locked on mine, and I realized just how much I was falling for him.

And as we rode back toward the farm, my hand still in his, I couldn’t help but wonder where this ride would take us next.

But first, I needed answers.