Chapter 13
Alisyn rose to get off the hayride as Shayna and the kids climbed off. Shane pulled her close and snuck another kiss. A warmth ran through her and her grin—the one that hadn't left all day—grew wider. He smiled back, threaded his fingers through hers, and helped her onto the cement. Leaves crunched underfoot and one of the ferrets' wet noses bumped against the back of her neck from her hoodie. She reached back and patted them.
"How are they doing?" Shane peeked behind her at them.
"They seem to be waking from their little nap." It probably wouldn't be long before they were crawling around on her shoulders again.
"Speaking of the little fluff balls, we should get their cage and whatever else we got." Shane glanced around her toward the animal shelter.
"Good idea. The kids look like they're going to drop from exhaustion."
Miles turned to her, his face painted like a jack-o'-lantern. "Can we have another caramel apple?"
Alisyn ruffled his hair. "Sorry, kiddo. You guys have already had more than enough sugar, and it's almost bedtime."
He frowned. "Please?"
She laughed. "Begging won't change my mind."
"Darn!" He yawned, proving how tired he was.
Lacie spun around. "Don't forget we have to pick up our painted pumpkins."
"Mine's decorated with stickers, not paint," Piper said.
"Doesn't matter," Lacie snapped. "We still have to get them."
Shane put up a hand. "I know we're all tired, but let's not start arguing. I'll grab all the ferret supplies while Alisyn and Shayna help you guys with the pumpkins."
Alisyn turned to him. "You might need some help with all that. I'd better go with you."
"It's fine," Shayna said. "I can wrangle these four and meet you at the car."
They split up and Alisyn's heart raced at the thought of being alone with Shane for a few minutes. He might kiss her again, and that thought sent a thrill through her. The secret kisses all day had been the highlight of the festival.
Just as they neared the animal shelter booth, Shane stopped walking and stared at something behind her. "What's that?"
"What?" Alisyn turned to look, but he stopped her and brushed his lips across hers.
"That." He grinned.
She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him. "Thank you for today. It really is the best day I've had in years."
He returned the embrace and kissed the top of her head. "In that case, we'll have to plan more of these. Maybe even something for just the two of us."
Alisyn leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'd love that."
He stepped back. "We'd better get the supplies. It's probably not fair to leave Shayna with four cranky kids."
"True. But you promise me a date? Other than the dance?"
Shane took her hand and kissed the back of it. "That I do."
Excitement rushed through her. It had been so long since she'd felt much of anything—other than grief and trying to pretend it wasn't there—that the whirl of romantic feelings the past few days could've been brand new. Almost like she'd never experienced any of them before. She wanted to give into them and run to the hayride and sneak a ride, just to be able to snuggle next to him all by herself and soak in as much time with him as she possibly could. But he was right. They needed to help Shayna with the kids.
He threaded his fingers through hers—she loved the feel of her hand in his—and hurried over to the white tent. There was so much stuff to carry that one of the volunteers helped to carry an armload of food and supplies back to the Escalade.
By the time Alisyn put the key in the ignition, Miles and Piper were already asleep in their booster seats. Miles snored loudly.
"That's why he has his own room," Lacie said.
"We all have our own rooms," Cooper retorted.
"Enough," Shane said. "We're all tired. Let's just hang on to the happiness of the day." He went on to remind them of the fun they'd had eating apple cider muffins and kettle corn, playing pumpkin checkers, doing crafts, and so much more. By the time he finished listing all the activities, all four of the kids were sound asleep.
"I always told you you're boring," Shayna teased him.
Alisyn tried not to giggle but couldn't keep from smiling.
"Hey, at least they're not bickering." He laughed.
The two siblings teased each other the rest of the way back to the house. Alisyn and Shayna woke the kids while Shane took everything else inside. The kids all mumbled and stumbled inside, bumping into each other and the doorway.
Carrie came into the entryway dressed to the nines as always. "Did you kids have fun?"
Miles perked up and listed everything they'd done without stopping to take a break in between sentences.
The ferrets squirmed around in Alisyn's hood for a moment and then both climbed onto her shoulders. Her pulse pounded, fear pumping through her. What if Carrie was mad about them being in her house?
Her eyes widened, then her expression softened with curiosity. "What are those?"
"Ferrets." Alisyn pulled Cinnamon from her shoulder and held her close. "They're really sweet."
Carrie tilted her head. "Can I hold one?"
"Of course." Alisyn handed Cinnamon to her.
Her face lit up as she held the little fuzzy up close.
Peter came into the room. He glared at the ferrets and then the kids. "You kids better wash that stuff off your faces before you go to bed on the clean sheets."
Next to Alisyn, Shane stiffened and then stepped away. "I'm going to take this stuff upstairs."
Alisyn ushered the kids toward the stairs. "Come on, guys. Let's get cleaned up."
Once everyone was finally in bed, Alisyn wandered through the house looking for Shane. He'd set up the ferret cage in her room, and Cinnamon sat at the food dish, eating kibble. She pulled Dusty from her hood and put him inside before heading downstairs. The lights were dimmed and everything quiet.
Disappointment washed through her. After the wonderful day they'd had, she'd wanted to at least say goodnight and thank you. Maybe Peter and Carrie had given him a task to do, or maybe he was just tired and couldn't stay awake any longer. But then again, what if she'd done something to offend him? Perhaps on the ride home? It had been somewhere between leaving the festival and heading upstairs when his entire demeanor had changed.
Alisyn shook her head. She was making too much out of nothing, and she was certainly exhausted. Given that it was the anniversary weekend of the fire, it wasn't surprising that she was overreacting to little things that she normally wouldn't.
She pushed aside her hurt and went upstairs, focusing on their date at the dance the next day. That put a smile on her face. It also made her happy that her parents would be glad she was finding some joy at long last.