11

Thanks to Clover and Will, several other high school kids, Gavin and Lily, and occasional spurts of energy from Addie—though only when Gavin was working—Madison’s six thousand seedlings were all planted in the ground. And it only took two weeks. To celebrate this amazing feat, and thanks to Lily convincing the other teen workers to help her with the planning and setup, Madison agreed to hold a harvest party.

The kids straightened up the barn, hung lights, and set out pumpkins and cornstalks. Clover even persuaded her uncle and his bluegrass band to provide music—for free. Madison’s part was to provide food. According to Lily, the menu should include hot dogs and chili and apple cider. “Like my friends’ party back home.”

Neighbors from along the river and a few acquaintances from town, as well as lots of friends of Lily and the teenagers, all came to the party. A clear evening with a full golden moon provided the perfect backdrop, and everyone was in good spirits. Even Addie seemed to appreciate the informal gathering. Stylishly if not somewhat overly attired in a silky purple dress, Addie played the part of hostess. She seemed to enjoy flitting from guest to guest, although she was mostly focused on Gavin. Clearly marking her territory as she claimed him for her dance partner again and again.

Meanwhile Madison oversaw the food preparation and serving. Tending the steaming cast-iron pot of spicy chili, she knew she smelled of garlic and onions, but it had to be done. It was also up to her to ensure the hot dogs and fixings remained plentiful. The tasks kept her pleasantly busy. Too busy to change out of her old jeans and flannel shirt before the party started. She’d laid out clean clothes with the hopes of grabbing a shower and taking her hair out of the two pigtail braids. But when it was all said and done, she realized most of the guests were casually dressed too. After all, it was a barn party.

She’d just gone to the kitchen for a couple more gallons of apple cider when she heard the squeak of the screened back door. She was surprised to see Gavin coming in behind her with a slightly furtive expression, like he was hiding from something or someone.

“Good. I could use some help.” She handed him a cider jug.

“And I could use a break.” He sighed.

“Oh, sorry. I can take that.” She reached for the jug.

“Not a physical break.” He grimaced as he held fast to the jug. “It’s your sister.”

Madison couldn’t help but chuckle. “I noticed she’s been dogging your heels.”

“I’m afraid I’ve given her the wrong idea somehow.”

“That’s possible.” She held up her cider jug. “I really should get these to the barn. We were running low, and it’s pretty warm in there. Folks will be thirsty.”

He took the jug from her. “I’ll take these if you promise to give me a bit of your time.”

“Sure.” She shrugged.

“And a dance?” he added as they went outside.

“Okay. But let me make sure there’s still enough food. Although I think most have eaten by now.” She felt a rush of nerves as they walked to the barn. Was this attention just his usual neighborly friendliness or something more? Or was she just his handy excuse to avoid Addie? Which could be problematic considering how things between her and Addie had recently smoothed out some. Madison didn’t really want to rock that boat again. Or did she?

Gavin set the cider on the refreshment table while Madison checked to see that the food table was still plentiful. The music played loudly as she followed Gavin out a side door. She didn’t look back but wondered if Addie was watching.

“It’s quieter out here,” Gavin said as he led the way toward the river. “Easier to talk.”

“Yeah. The music is great for dancing, but so loud I couldn’t hear myself think.” She breathed in the cool night air. “It’s really mild for late October.”

“We should enjoy it. According to this year’s Farmer’s Almanac, we’re in for a cold winter.”

“You read Farmer’s Almanac?”

“Of course. Don’t you? It was your grandpa that got me hooked on it long ago. It’s surprisingly accurate.”

“Yeah, but you’re not even a farmer anymore.”

“I can still care about the weather,” he said, defending himself. As they neared the river, Gavin pointed upward. “Check that out.”

“A harvest moon.” She smiled. “Perfect for our harvest party.”

“Actually, it’s a hunter’s moon.”

“Huh?”

“Harvest moon is in September.”

“Did you learn that in the Farmer’s Almanac too?” She elbowed him teasingly.

“Maybe.” He winked. “Anyway, the moon is perfect for tonight.”

“I totally agree.” They both stood quietly, admiring the moon’s golden reflection in the ripples of the river. “I’m so glad Lily pushed me to do this party,” she said finally. “It’s been a little work, but the kids helped a lot. And it’s so worth it.”

“And just what this community needed. A real morale booster to bring folks together after the fire.” He brushed pine needles from the bench that overlooked the river. “Care to sit?”

“Thank you.” She sat down gingerly, trying not to feel overly anxious about the very romantic setting. “I probably smell like chili,” she apologized. “I never had time to freshen up or change clothes earlier.”

“I think you look perfect.” He tweaked one of her braids as he took the seat next to her. “Like a farm girl.”

She laughed. “Thanks a lot.”

He slipped an arm along the back of the bench, turning toward her. “I don’t know what to do, Madison.”

She felt her heart flutter. Was he about to kiss her? “Do? About what?”

“About Addie.”

“Oh, yes. Addie.” She took a steadying breath, corralling her thoughts. “Well, as you may have figured out, our Addie is very much into you, Gavin. You’d have to be completely oblivious not to have noticed.”

“I’ve noticed.” His tone was solemn. “My question is what do I do about it?”

“Maybe the bigger question should be how do you feel about it?”

He rubbed his bearded chin. “Well, naturally I’m flattered. Addie is an intelligent and beautiful woman. And she’s been kindhearted toward us, always trying to help with Lily.” He chuckled. “Although I might appreciate that more than my tomboy daughter does.” He looked at Madison. “Lily reminds me of you. Strong-willed, independent, stubborn.” His tone was gentle, but it was hard to discern if his comparison was meant to be a compliment or not.

“Well, Lily and I definitely have some things in common,” she spoke quietly. “But we were talking about Addie . . . and how you feel.”

“Right. It’s a fair question. To be honest, this is sort of new to me, Madison. I mean, I haven’t dated anyone since . . . well, since I was a kid. And barely then.” He folded his arms in front of him and, leaning forward, gazed out over the river with a faraway look. Neither of them spoke for a long moment. She glanced at the part of the old oak tree where she knew their initials were still barely visible, though thankfully not in this dim light. She watched Gavin from the corner of her eye, waiting, wondering if he remembered being here with her, sometimes on this very bench . . . or was he thinking about Shelby?

“After my wife died, I had no intention of getting involved. With anyone. I just didn’t have the time with my work and everything. Especially while parenting Lily. As you know, she can be a handful. But she comes first in my life.”

“Of course.” Madison tried to process this. This talk of dating, was it about Addie? Or her? Maybe he suspected both McDowell women had him in their sights.

“So I guess I’m not really sure how I feel. Does that even make sense?”

“Well, I can see how you have your hands full with Lily. She needs your attention. And there’s the dirt bike project. That’s going to take time. Plus, you have your consulting, and you’ve just started to build your home. There’s a lot on your plate, Gavin. It’s not surprising that you feel a little overwhelmed at the idea of . . . uh, dating.”

“You got that right.” He sounded relieved. “I just don’t think I have time for a woman in my life. Not right now anyway.”

“So maybe that’s your answer. Maybe you should tell Addie that.” Madison let out a relieved exhale over what seemed a simple solution to everything.

“I think you’re right.” He sat up straight, turning to look at her with a furrowed brow. “But I don’t want to hurt her.”

Madison bristled to imagine he did have feelings for her sister. “Because you might want to be involved with her someday and don’t want to burn any bridges?”

“I don’t really know . . . but it doesn’t seem fair to string someone along just to keep my options open. Does it?”

Madison grew even more irritated. She didn’t appreciate being his sounding board when it came to his relationship with Addie. “I agree it doesn’t seem fair,” she said stiffly. “Well, unless the person wants to be strung along. And knowing Addie, she might not even care.”

“Really?”

Madison stood, ready to escape what was turning unexpectedly painful. “Honestly, Gavin, I think this is a conversation you should be having with Addie. Not me.”

He stood, reaching for her hand. “But I’m not good at this. You should know that as well as anyone.”

What was that supposed to mean? Even more confused, she stepped back, but he was still grasping her hand. “Look, I know we’ve never talked about stuff . . . you know, our history, back when we were kids,” she stammered. “But whatever it was that happened, I mean, when we were teens, is over and done. I want you to know I’ve left that all far behind me.” Okay, that was a big fat lie. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep it that way.” She tugged her hand from his. “Now, really, I need to get back to the party.”

Gavin’s brow was furrowed but he said nothing and, to her relief, remained behind at the bench. As Madison hurried off, returning to the warm, noisy barn, she felt flushed and flustered. What had he been attempting to tell her and why did it hurt so much? Had she totally misunderstood him? Had he misunderstood her?

As she crossed the crowded room, pretending to check on the cider supply, she felt Addie closely watching her. Was Addie upset by the two of them slipping out together earlier? Was she going to accuse her sister of going “after” him again? Did Madison even care?

“Hey, there you are. Just the gal I was looking for.” Jeb Borden from Borden’s Market grabbed her hand. “How ’bout a dance?”

She shrugged, then smiled. “Sure, why not?”

As she tried to keep up with the lively two-step, she noticed Gavin slip back in through the same side door she’d just used. Addie’s eyes fixed upon him immediately. And she did not look happy. Poor Gavin looked out of place, perhaps as confused as Madison felt at the moment. What had actually transpired between them by the river? Would she ever figure it out?