Page 49 of Flirty Fall Fling

“Please let me contribute to this. I’ve made several references to nineties movies, and the youngster didn’t get it,” Winter says.

“Youngster?” She scoffs. “You’re only two years older than me.”

“Chat with me when you’re in your thirties,” Winter tells her.

“Hard pass. That’s two whole years away. I’ll worry about it then.” Josie rinses her plate in the sink.

“Beetlejuice first,” Winter says, ticking movies off on her fingers. “Then Ghost, obviously, since Patrick Swayze is our new roommate. Practical Magic. Hocus Pocus, if you want some witchy vibes. Then, after you watch those, I have a huge list of others.”

“I feel like I’m being enrolled in a class.”

“You are,” I say. “Welcome to your first real fall. Attendance is mandatory.”

“Okay, well, joke’s on both of you because I came prepared for it.” Josie digs into her hoodie pocket, pulls out a folded piece of paper, and smooths it flat on the table like a treasure map. “I actually started a fall bucket list. I’ve been waiting for the weather to catch up.”

Winter leans over and reads out loud. “Cider doughnuts. Apple picking. Hay maze. Drive up and look at the yellow trees.” She grins.

“You have to do the scenic drive that goes from here, over the ridge, through Cozy Creek, and back around in a loop. You’ll never see fall colors like that anywhere in the world. It’s beautiful,” I say.

“I was told Coleman’s Orchard is having its season opening today. Doris Jean said the doughnuts sell out by noon, so I was going to head that way now,” Josie tells me.

“You two should go,” Winter suggests.

“That’s a great idea!” Josie immediately smiles.

“I really, really have to do inventory and stock up on herbs today,” I say.

“And? You can do it afterward. We won’t be there all day.” She’s convincing. “Please? Pretty please. There’s only one opening day of the season. It’s supposed to be magical.”

“You know it will only take a few hours,” Winter says.

The two of us grew up in the area, and apple picking at Coleman’s is an experience.

I open my mouth to argue and close it again because a morning down in the valley honestly sounds fun. It’s been years since I went. Besides, the aspens have really started to turn this week, so the drive will be gorgeous.

“Okay! Only because you twisted my arm.”

“Yay! Thank you! I promised my sister I’d send her tons of pictures for her to be jealous of,” Josie says. “Going upstairs to put my boots on. Can we leave in about ten? I want to be one of the first there.”

“Absolutely,” I tell her.

I go upstairs and get dressed in some warmer clothes since a cold front moved in early this morning. The temperatures have significantly dropped. Fall was like, Hold my beer. I’m coming.

Frost gathers in the corners of the windows while my breath hangs a little longer on the porch. The pumpkins are covered in glittery ice until the sun rises. Josie sprints to the car like the beach girl she is, but she decides she wants to drive her car because of the heated seats.

“Don’t hate on the Bug,” I tell her.

“I’m not. I just really enjoy technology. It’s too cold for that.”

Coleman’s sits a half hour down the valley, low enough for fruit trees to survive what our altitude does to them. The drive is what I love most about being in Colorado in September.

The hillsides are full of gold leaves fluttering every time the wind moves. It’s almost like the mountain is showing off just for Josie. She’s in awe the entire drive.

As we pull into the parking lot, I’m shocked by how many vehicles are already here. I’m pretty sure half of the surrounding towns are in attendance for this.

Coleman’s opening weekend is an experience. They pull out the wagons to give tours of the property and also have a cider press churning by the barn. Everywhere I look, there are lines.

It’s warmer in the valley and greener than in the mountains. The air has a mix of sweet apples and dry leaves. We stand under a sky so blue that it looks like a painting. Josie squeals with happiness.