My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

LEVI

DAY 8

I worked until dark yesterday, giving Fallon the space she needed. I kept myself busy and showed up with dinner like nothing had happened between us. She did the same, so now we’re pretending that night doesn’t exist.

“Ready?” I ask Fallon as we pull up to a rustic inn on Bennett’s Orchard Farm.

“This place is like my second home,” I explain as we climb out of the truck. We’ve had a strange energy between us all day that I can’t seem to shake, but neither of us mentions it. Instead, I continue to act as if we didn’t get lost together. It’s easier than getting caught up in the emotions I’m not used to feeling.

So I tuck it away and act indifferent.

Fallon studies the inn for a moment, focusing on the white building with dark shutters.

“I spent many summers here helping,” I say as Finn’s younger cousin, Sebastian, walks toward us.

“This your girlfriend of the week?” he blurts out. He’s tall, with dark brown hair, and at a quick glance, he could be confused for Finn. But his smart mouth always gives him away.

Fallon gives him a weird look.

I clear my throat, interrupting the daggers she’s shooting at him.

“Sebastian, this is Fallon Joy,” I introduce, then explain what she’s doing here.

“Ahh, a journalist. You know what they say about them?”

Fallon crosses her arms. “No, what do they say?”

“Nothing,” I blurt out before Fallon can give Sebastian a verbal beating.

“Only that they’re gorgeous,” Sebastian tries saving his ass. “And from what I’m seeing, it’s true.”

Fallon’s body relaxes, but she keeps her infamous scowl. “Are you a Christmas freak too?” Her gaze lands on his Christmas sweater peeking out of his unzipped jacket.

Sebastian’s face breaks out into a grin, too damn happy to be getting her attention if you ask me.

“I can be any kind of freak you want, baby doll.”

The fact that he is desperately trying to flirt with her, even though she’s not taking the bait, has my jealousy rearing its ugly head.

“Oh, perfect. I’m into Daddy play,” Fallon says in such a serious tone, I have to make sure I heard her correctly.

“Daddy what ?” I scratch my cheek, still confused about whether she’s messing with him.

“Oh, I could totally handle that,” Sebastian blurts out, his eyes lowering down her body like a possession. “Call me Daddy anytime you want, princess.”

“Alright…” I drawl, setting my palm against her lower back. “It’s time to go.”

I lead her toward the door, then glance over my shoulder at Sebastian.

“ Hot ,” he mouths, and I shoot him a death glare.

“Sorry about him,” I say once we’re far enough away from him.

She snorts. “He seems harmless.”

He is, but that doesn’t mean I liked the way he looked at her.

Willa—my honorary grandma—comes from around the corner carrying a plate of apple turnovers. I snatch one, but it’s so hot I have to pass it between my hands.

Willa laughs. “That’s the risk you take when you snatch goodies from trays. These just came from the oven.”

I blow on the pastry as Willa smiles at Fallon. “Hi. You must be Ms. Joy. We’ve been expecting you.”

Fallon smiles sweetly. “Thank you for having me. I’m happy to be here.”

I take a bite, and the gooey apple filling burns the roof of my mouth. They both snicker as Willa offers Fallon a special tour of the inn.

“I’ll survive,” I offer. As they walk away, I take the opportunity to text Finn, letting him know we’re on the property.

Finn

You still coming over this afternoon? I just got home and am jumping in the shower.

Levi

Yep. Fallon’s on her special tour. Be there right after.

Finn

Sounds good. See ya soon.

I check the time, and it’s past three. In the winter, he doesn’t work long hours because it’s the off-season. He also tries to spend as much time with Oakley as he can between her busy schedule.

After an hour, Fallon returns wearing a smile, and this one meets her eyes.

“Thank you again. I appreciate you taking the time to show me around and share the orchard’s history. It’s fascinating.”

“You’re welcome. I was serious about you visiting next year to experience our fall festival. You can stay here, my treat, but let me know well in advance.”

Fallon grins, but I notice how she doesn’t immediately say yes.

“I’m sure it won’t disappoint,” she says.

“Would you like some pastries?”

“I wish I could, but I have to watch how much gluten I eat,” she explains. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh, I understand, sweetie. No worries.”

“I guess we better get going. Finn and Oakley are expecting us.”

Willa’s eyes light up. “Please tell my grandson and my favorite new granddaughter I said hello.”

“I will,” I say, snagging an apple turnover for the road, then we make our way outside. The cool wind brushes against my cheeks, and I see Fallon shiver.

“That was fun,” she admits as I open the passenger door of the truck so she can climb in. After I slide in the driver’s side and crank the engine, I turn to her. “Are you still up for going to Finn and Oakley’s house?”

“Yeah. Can’t wait to meet them.”

I try to keep the conversation going as we make our way across the property, but we don’t talk about anything of substance.

“We won’t stay too long,” I tell her when we park.

She nods, and before we can knock, Oakley swings open the door and greets us.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Fallon!”

Without thinking twice, Oakley pulls Fallon into a tight hug as if they’re long-lost friends. At first, Fallon hesitates but then reciprocates. When they break apart, Oakley steps aside, allowing us in, but turns to waggle her brows at me.

I smile and shake my head, not wanting her to play matchmaker.

Finn’s sitting on the couch watching TV and immediately stands and introduces himself to her.

“I met your grandma earlier,” Fallon explains.

“Oh, I bet that was an experience .”

“Very educational. She was sweet, though, and I learned a lot. Congrats on the centennial. I heard it was quite the event.”

Although it was over a year ago, it’s still the talk of Maplewood Falls.

“It was incredible,” Oakley says. “I’d never experienced anything like it before.”

“Yeah, Levi told me,” Fallon says. “I saw your painting in the town hall and the one you did for the tree farm. Your talent is amazing.”

Oakley blushes. “Thank you. I’m glad you liked them.”

“I could’ve stared at that fall festival painting for hours.”

With a laugh, Oakley turns to me. “Okay, I like her.”

“I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t,” I say truthfully, meeting Fallon’s beautiful eyes. A silent conversation streams between us before Oakley speaks up.

“Want to see some small things I’m working on?” Oakley asks, and Fallon immediately agrees. They move to the far side of Finn’s place, and I’m grateful for Oakley’s ability to keep the conversation flowing. She’s great at making anyone feel comfortable.

“Would you guys like some adult eggnog?” Finn asks.

I follow him into the kitchen as he pulls everything from his fridge, along with the amaretto and rum.

As the girls are busy talking, Finn sets out four glasses, then stares up at me. “You fucked her, didn’t you?”

I narrow my eyes, trying my best not to give myself away. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He furrows his brow as if he’s waiting for me to break, and I eventually do.

“It’s not like that.” It wasn’t just a one-night stand for me even though that’s ultimately what it turned into.

Finn laughs. “That’s what they all say.”

“She’s different,” I mutter, keeping my voice low while stealing a glance over at the girls.

“Wait, you like-like her.”

“Shut up,” I say, not wanting them to overhear.

“C’mon, spill the beans.”

I lean my lower back against the counter, watching Fallon as Finn mixes our drinks. “Something happened between us that she’s made clear she doesn’t want to happen again.”

“Ah, I see. The tables have turned, and you’re doing the chasing.”

“I’m not chasing anyone,” I argue. “That hasn’t changed.”

“It will. I said the same thing. It’s what we like to call denial, especially when we meet the one .”

I glare at him.

“Whatever. You’re too stubborn to admit shit, I get it. Good luck because you’ll need it when it’s time for her to go. Letting her leave will be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. Take it from someone who experienced that kind of heartache.”

“Yeah, I remember…” He was a goddamn mess. Luckily, Oakley returned two weeks later to put him out of his misery.

He hands me my glass, then delivers the others to the girls.

Fallon will only be here for another week, and I’ll keep her at arm’s length until she leaves because that’s what she wants.

As if she knows I’m thinking about her, she meets my eyes from across the room, then takes a sip. Her gaze lingers a little too long, and I break the spell by looking away. I swallow hard, not wanting to think about what she stirs inside me, replaying the words she said the next morning.

Finn returns and grabs his eggnog. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, following him to the living room. Fallon and I sit on the couch, our arms brushing as we get comfortable.

After Finn sits in the armchair, Oakley takes his lap.

“So we have some news,” Finn says.

“We’re engaged!” Oakley quickly announces before I can even guess.

“I proposed last week, but we wanted to tell you in person,” Finn explains.

“Congrats!” I stand to give Oakley and Finn each a hug. We’re all smiles as Oakley explains exactly how it all happened. It’s impossible not to notice how they look at each other with intense love and admiration.

After we’ve finished our first round of spiked eggnog, Finn gives us refills.

“I guess it’s time to tell all the embarrassing stories about Levi,” Finn taunts when he returns with fresh drinks.

“Oh, yes, please,” Fallon quips. “Though I have a couple of my own already.”

I shake my head. “Bad idea.”

“ Perfect idea,” Oakley counters.

“So there was this one time when Levi’s parents went out of town for a day right around Christmas?—”

I quickly interrupt him. “Come on, man. You don’t have to tell this one.”

Based on the look he gives me, the rum is already making its way through his system.

“Anyway, Levi asked if I wanted to come over after school, so I did.”

Oakley snickers like she’s heard this story before.

I narrow my eyes at her, silently warning her to stop engaging.

“What?” She shrugs. “I know how this ends.”

Fallon eagerly waits for him to tell the rest.

“So I have my mom drop me off, and what does Levi do? He makes me keep watch for his parents as he meticulously opens several gifts under the tree. He was so good at it, too. He’d slip the boxes back in the same paper, and you couldn’t even tell they’d been touched.”

“Wait, how old were you?” Fallon asks me.

“Twelve.”

She smirks. “So…old enough to know better.”

“Oh yeah,” Finn agrees. “Anyway, he’s in the living room playing this game when his parents drive up. When his mom walks into the living room and sees the box on the table and the toy in Levi’s hand, she nearly loses her shit.”

“Oh no.” Fallon laughs.

“Levi tries to lie his way out of it, but Mrs. White doesn’t take the bait. She demanded he donate all his gifts to charity so he’d learn a lesson.”

Fallon’s eyes widen. “Ouch.”

I sigh. “Trust me when I say I have never been able to live it down. All these years later, Lucy brings it up anytime she can.”

“Speaking of Lucy, she’s the one who snitched so their mom would come home early.”

“Wow, she plays dirty.” Fallon chuckles.

“We’re twins…it’s not fun without a little pranking. To be honest, I deserved it. I read her online diary and then told all her crushes what she wrote about them.”

“Oh my God.” Fallon’s jaw drops. “That’s evil.”

I shrug. “We were kids!”

We’re laughing our asses off, and when Fallon leans into me, I feel her body heat and smell her shampoo. I’m tempted to wrap my arm around her and pull her closer.

“That kind of reminds me of something that happened to my older sister when I was a kid. But to make matters worse, she had snuck her boyfriend over instead of her best friend,” Fallon says with a grin. “There was another time my mom caught them making out on her bed. After that, there was a strict open-door policy, and no boys allowed in our rooms. You’d think they were having sex or something by the way my mom acted, but they weren’t.”

“Oh man. I bet that was embarrassing for her,” Oakley says.

“It’s okay, though. My sister married that boy, so it all worked out.”

“I bet your mom had countless stories to tell at the wedding,” Oakley says.

Fallon gives a small smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes. “Unfortunately, no. She passed away before she got the chance to do that.”

Awkwardness fills the room, and Oakley apologizes profusely. I’m angry with myself for not knowing this and somewhat hurt she didn’t tell me. Not that she owes me details about her life, but she already knows so much about mine.

“I’m so sorry,” I offer.

Fallon shakes her head. “No, it’s okay. I forgot for a moment that you guys don’t know about my past. I’m so used to everyone knowing, and I got lost in the moment.” She pauses for a moment. “Guess my sister is right. I’m the grinch who’s great at ruining good times. Please forgive me.” Fallon sets her half-full glass on the coffee table and smiles.

“You’re not a grinch,” Oakley speaks up, then quickly changes the subject. I’m appreciative of how intuitive she is. “Now this guy, he was the grinchiest grinch I’d ever met.”

Finn furrows his brow. “Am not.”

“Bullshit. You still are sometimes. Get this…” Oakley says. “When I first arrived, he was so damn rude. He picked me up from the airport without introducing himself, yelled at me to get in, and it was an hour of pure awkward silence.”

“That must’ve been uncomfortable as hell.”

“It was painful ,” Oakley admits, laughing at Finn.

“Okay, I think you might have me beat,” Fallon concedes.

“Pfft. You literally pepper sprayed me in my own house,” I argue. “I think you might win this one.”

Fallon beams. “And you were naked.”

“It was my bedroom ,” I remind her, though she doesn’t need it.

“Imagine a strange naked man walking toward you in a place you thought you rented. I thought he was there to murder me! What would you do?”

“I don’t blame you one bit,” Oakley agrees. “Too bad I didn’t have any Mace on hand when I met you,” she directs to Finn.

“For what? I let you stay in my house—sleep in my bed, rather—and I drove your ass around,” Finn reminds her, and Fallon and I laugh.

“Yes, but you were grumpy about it the whole time.”

“Well…” I grin. “Not the whole time. You two were pretty handsy.”

“I eventually won him over.” Oakley beams.

Finn turns to Fallon. “Have you tasted his famous gingersnap cookies yet?”

“The ones at the shop?” Fallon asks.

“Yep, those are the ones,” Finn confirms. “But no one knows how to make them. The top secret recipe has been in their family for seven generations. You basically have to be a White or marry one. Apparently, being his childhood best friend wasn’t enough to get it.”

Fallon snorts.

“My grandma’s tried to recreate it, but no one can figure out how to make them correctly. If you do, I’ll pay top dollar,” Finn tells her.

“It’s eight generations,” I muse.

“Just spill it already. I won’t tell a soul.”

“What’s so secret about it?” Fallon asks, glancing back and forth between us.

“If I told ya, I’d have to marry ya.” I shoot her a wink.

Fallon gives me a mischievous grin. “I thought you were allergic to the M word.”

Finn and Oakley bellow out in laughter.

“Nah, still searching for the right one who can handle me,” I state, hoping she gets the hint.

“Well, good luck finding her,” Fallon mocks.

“Oh, you’ll settle down eventually. You’re a big ole cinnamon roll, and eventually, you’ll find your Cinnabon,” Oakley tells me.

“Thanks for believing in me,” I say with a laugh.

Oakley and Finn carry the glasses to the kitchen, and Fallon bumps her body against mine.

“Cinnamon roll, huh?”

I give her a smile. “Are you really surprised?”

“That must explain why you’re so warm on the outside and gooey on the inside.”

I wish I could place my fingers at the bottom of her chin and kiss the fire out of her. Our eyes stay locked as she licks her bottom lip. For a few seconds, everything around us disappears, and I watch her eyes flutter closed. Before I can lean in to kiss her, Oakley walks over with a six-pack of hard cider.

“Wanted to give this to you since it’s your favorite,” she explains.

I grab it, and when Fallon looks at which flavor it is, Oakley mouths, “Sorry,” realizing she interrupted a moment. I give a slight shake of my head, then check the time, knowing we need to get going.

As we stand to say our goodbyes, I congratulate my friends again on their engagement, then drive us home.

“I like them a lot,” Fallon admits, and it makes my heart happy to hear that. I can almost imagine her staying here forever. Even if it’s wishful thinking, the thought makes me smile.