Page 8 of Midnight Confessions
“Look up, sweetheart,” Amos gains my attention. I’ve been deep into my artwork, trying to keep my mind off groaning in boredom andhaving stiff muscles. That didn’t mean while I was deep in the process, Amos wouldn’t take my hand in his, entwining our fingers together, simply holding my hand at times. We’d disengage when he’d take a sip of water, and I’d lose his touch. A few minutes later, I’d reach out to him, hold his bicep if he had his hand on the wheel. Never in my life would I feel this confident, be this brave to reach out and willingly touch anyone, but this is Amos.
Amos, who has me falling head over heels in love with him, ready to follow him to the end of this world and go all in.
“Oh my gosh, Amos. This can’t be real.” Every Halloween decoration you can think about is on full display. Hanging from one corner to the next, each store front has a Halloween character. A clothing shop has aBeetlejuicetheme, dresses in the black and white stripe design with outfits that are reminiscent of the movie. The pet store has aHocus Pocustheme, Thackery Binx right up front. And then there’s my personal favorite,The Nightmare Before Christmas. I’m not sure what kind of store it is, but if we have the time, maybe Amos won’t mind taking a quick detour for a small shopping adventure. If the crowds aren’t too much for me.
“Clay mentioned it’s always like this, doesn’t matter the time of year. They celebrate Halloween all year long.” My eyes leave thestorefronts and walkways where everything is displayed top to bottom. This is a Halloween lover’s heaven, therefore it’s me. I’m in awe and look at Amos.
“This is the coolest place ever. I’m not sure I’ll ever want to leave.” Amos better drive fast, or I’m going to open my mouth and beg for us to add another day to our road trip.
“It is pretty cool,” he replies, his warm eyes looking at me since we’re at a four-way stop in the center of town. There are passersby walking along the sidewalks on each side of the street, cars parked along the roads on either side, parallel parked at that. I’m not a bad driver, but if you put me on the spot where you have to street park between two vehicles, I will literally drive right by and find another spot or drive my happy ass home.
“Pretty cool?” I question. “No way. Amazing is more like it, unless we’re talkingTim Burton’sLabyrinth.He’s currently doing exhibitions all over the world; sadly, not here though.” I’m probably coming off super obsessed with how I’m feeling about all of the fun stuff we’re seeing, but honestly, when I’m not working, you can find me watching Tim Burton movies. It doesn’t matter the age or if it’s a movie or series. I’m hooked until I’ve gone through a binge session.
“I take it your favorite holiday is Halloween?” Amos asks as we continue our trek, leaving the area that’s decorated the most.
“One hundred percent. You know how people leave out a Santa all year long because they love Christmas, and it’s supposed to bring good luck?” I follow up his question with my own.
“Not sure I’ve heard of that theory, but continue.” His hand goes to mine, bringing it up to his mouth to place a kiss on the back. Then he places my hand on his thigh. God, I love the way he makes me feel.
“Well, it’s a thing. At least for some people. Anyways, I keep a pumpkin out all year long while I anticipate that first whiff of fall air, ready to decorate my entire apartment with everything Halloween and fall décor. You really didn’t know this? I for sure thought Sienna would tell you how obsessed I am with this part of my life.” When she realized my love for pumpkins, ghosts, and all things spooky, it was her who suggested we throw in some new holiday pottery. We’re working on what we’ll bring in for the Christmas season in the upcoming weeks seeing as how Halloween is upon us.
“Nah, my baby sister is a vault. It’s why it took her so many years to tell me about Trey when I knew all along. Then there was her not saying a single word about Two Chicks,” Amos replies.
“You’re right. We had many a conversation about the two of them. Then she’d turn the tables on me and, well, let’s just say I learned quickly tostay tight lipped until she brought it up. Anyways, when we get back, it’s going to be time for us to rework the storefront.” I rub my hands together, excited to decorate, and then we’ll be getting ready for Arrowleaf’s trunk or treat. All the stores will open for the evening. Parents and children can walk through the area, collect candy, walk around with a beer or wine, and shop. It’s the town’s first ever event where they close off the street to do something like this. It’s similar to what Midnight Falls does, only they do it year-round.
“You need help moving shit around, you call your man. I get you and Sienna can do a lot on your own, but you both got people in your corner, me specifically.” I’d like to say I roll my eyes and stand on business with ‘I’m an independent woman.’ Except my tendencies for spilling, breaking, and trying not to trip have been a fun experience to say the least. Half of the time, Sienna and Amos are saving my bacon.
“I’d need your number in order to call you, Amos,” I decide to tease him a bit. Yes, I’ve known Amos for a while because of Sienna, but I’ve never needed his number, not in this capacity.
“I’ll be rectifying that as soon as we make it to Clay’s place.” My chest deflates with his statement.
“Okay.” I’d much rather stay intown for the night and watch the festivities take place. Sadly, Amos is here for a work trip, which means he’s more than likely on a schedule. Maybe next time he makes the journey down here, I can tag along and persuade him to take an extra couple of days.
EIGHT
AMOS
I hate like hell that Genevieve’s lost all hope of seeing more of Midnight Falls once we head toward Clay’s ranch. Which is why when we get to his place, I’m going to pull him aside, ask to off-load the trailer, and head right back to where we just were and make Genevieve’s day. I’ll obviously need a hotel room, one with a balcony. Genny has yet to come out and talk about her avoidance of big crowds. No, not even big crowds, crowds in general. Where people are talking loudly, where she doesn’t know anyone, and where I’ve seen her hide away in a corner to escape the mayhem. It’s a good thing our family is small. I figure the Johnson family would probably overload her within sixty seconds flat.
Ten minutes later, I’m pulling onto the dirt driveway leading to Clay’s place. He lives closer to the edge of town and owns just enough acreagewith a small house on the land to breed bison. Since Trey and I are doing so well, too damn well at times, we wanted to make sure we got more stock from Clay.
“Wow,” Genny breathes out. The landscape is different from Wyoming, but one thing stays the same: seeing the beauty in the animals always makes me stop in my tracks, and it seems that Genevieve is having the same reaction.
“It never gets old.” We’ve driven through countless roadways, watched wildlife along the way, but seeing the herd together is a lot like being back at home.
“It doesn’t. I have to say, Texas is pretty, but Wyoming is beautiful.” A couple of dogs take off from the house. Clay stands near the porch railing, more than likely whistling for them to come back, but they don’t listen. They never freaking do. He threatens to send them home with me often, knowing Sienna would have a soft spot for them, but after the bison are back in Wyoming, the Ellison ranch is closed for business in the pet department. Sienna took her dog, Champ. What she didn’t take was the rest of the wildlife that likes to make homes beneath the porch or nuisances that like to get into the trash, and I don’t want to mention all the other critters that like to make their home in the barn.
“I couldn’t agree more.” I park the truck near the pasture. With any luck, Genevieve will walk around while I talk to Clayto figure out the best hotel or bed and breakfast to stay in. That is if Clay doesn’t mind. It could go either way. We’re more business partners than friends. Still, I’d be willing to offer him some money for one more night.
“How old are the calves you’re picking up today?” I wince, worried about what she’s going to think about how this works when it comes to being a farmer.
“The male calves wean when they’re six months. The female calves take a bit longer; they like to stay with their mom.”
“Oh, is that normal?” There’s a wistfulness to her tone, and it’s clear she’s not been around farm animals. Not that I’m surprised. Sienna did let me know that while she grew up in a small town that’s a little bigger than Arrowleaf, they didn’t have a ranch of any kind. The only animals she had were pet dogs and cats. Her dad raised her solo, a lot like Ryland Johnson is with Case, except Ry has a family whose heart is made of gold. Genevieve had her dad and his parents to help raise her. They made it work, and Genny turned out more than alright. Clearly, they did something right.
“Yeah, it is. We’re taking about twenty of them, babies and their mommas.” I watch as the anxiousness leaves her body. Shit, I’m going to have to shield my woman during calving season. There’s no way she’ll be able to handle losing a baby. While most men would want their womanto get over it, I had my mom for more years than Sienna. She was soft where it counted—her husband, her kids, and her animals. Dad didn’t begrudge her. Instead, he’d come up to the house, take his hat off, and give her the news. She’d shed a few tears, and Dad would take her in his arms, holding her until she settled down. He did it time and time again. I know without a doubt I’ll be doing the same when it comes to Genevieve.
“That’s good.” Genny unbuckles her seatbelt, and I follow suit.