Page 7 of Manors & Mischief

I move to the window. The foliage from here is extraordinary. I can see the peak of the church, and the roof lines of nearby houses. Outside of Harvest Falls, a valley of trees with leaves in all different states of color greet me. If this isn’t the prettiest room in the house, I don’t know what is. I move to the other window. More houses, a cemetery in the distance with leaves filtering to the graves below, a farmhouse flanked by a field of corn. I can even see a huge tractor plowing the wheat-colored, end of harvest stalks to the ground. Possibly the host of the corn maze? The Harvest Falls website says it’s one-of-a-kind.

Excitement bubbles up inside me. It’s like I stumbled onto the set of Hocus Pocus. Maybe that will even be my costume this year. Not the Sanderson sisters, but Allison’s when she descends the steps of her parents’ huge house. Something regal and fancy.

I’m imagining it all in my head when a car pulls up next to the house. Not any car. My car.

Devon Lachey steps out. My mouth drops again. He has my car. What the⁠—?

I try to unlatch one of the windows so I can yell down at him, but it doesn’t work. These windows don’t seem to open, so I run down the set of stairs to the second floor, then down the ornate steps to the ground floor before running across the foyer to whip open my front door.

I don’t even think about the hole in the porch when I step out, but then I’m suddenly four feet shorter than normal, my right foot swinging underneath the porch.

A strangled cry must slip from my lips, but then I press them together. No way do I want Frosty, or Mr. Plaid, or whatever else I’m going to call the gump to see me like this. He’ll probably just gloat, or say something rude again about me buying a house without seeing it in person.

Unfortunately for me, he pokes his head above the black iron gate and around a thorned bush. An easy chuckle glides from his throat. “What do we have here?”

I try to push up, but when I realize that’s not going to work, I just stay there, arms crossed like I always stand on my porch with one foot while the other swings freely underneath the floorboards, my body stretching in ways I haven’t for several years. I can’t even think about the thing that’s down there with the glowing eyes. I try to keep my voice as even as possible. “Absolutely nothing.”

He jiggles a set of keys in his hand. “You left these at the brewery.”

“So, you thought you’d steal my car?”

“I thought I’d fill the gas for you and return it. They’re sticklers for the no overnight parking in town.”

I clear my throat, wondering if I should apologize, but decide there’s no chance. I can be civil though. “Well, thank you.”

“Trust me, it was worth it just to see you like this.” He grins as if he’s taking so much pleasure in this. A gentleman he is not. “Do you need help?” he finally asks.

“None whatsoever, thank you.”

“Comfortable?”

“Absolutely.”

He leans against the gate, my keys still dangling from his fingers. “You know, most people stand on porches.”

“Interesting. We must be doing it wrong where I’m from.”

He bends over like he can see under the porch. “Sure hope there are no critters under there.”

Me too because I think I feel something brush up against my leg. I capture the scream in my chest. I will not show weakness in front of this guy. I will not show weakness in front of this guy. “It wouldn’t bother me if there were.”

His mocking lips pull wider now while he shakes his head. He places my keys on the gate spire. “Guess I’ll leave these here. You can grab them when you’re done hanging out.”

Har-har. He thinks he’s so funny. “Will do.”

Devon hesitates, peering at me with his brows raised like I would deign to ask for his assistance. I don’t. I’d rather stay here all night. I’d rather be stuck here for eternity. After a little while, he salutes and walks away with a giant grin on his face.

Do you believe that man? The audacity to take my car, and then to leave me here.

I blow out a breath then peer around. A daddy long legs makes its way toward me, and I cringe away.

First thing’s first. How do I get myself out of this mess?

4

DEVON

Istand up, stretching my back. The crisp autumn air fills my lungs, and I take a minute to enjoy it. Why everyone says I hate this time of year is beyond me. It’s my favorite. The sun is out, but it doesn’t burn me alive and leave me in a puddle while I work. The leaves are gorgeous, even if I have to rake them up. If it were up to me, they would be left to scatter the ground like Mother Nature intended. Untouched. There’s true beauty in moments like that.