A Pumpkin and a Patch

by Jennifer Peel

“I quite enjoyed that story,”

Nate was the luckiest guy around, and it was clear he knew it by the way he worshipped his wife.

Alpha roll

It was an alpha male mixed with a cinnamon roll. Meaning he was the perfect mixture of a take-charge man with a heart of gold who would do anything for those he loves, especially the woman he loves.

We are talking LSD-level hallucinations.

All I could think about was that blasted story and how every time the rogue pirate would touch the heroine, she felt as if she were drunk on rum.

“I’m still going to make you like me.” “Good luck with that.” And heaven help me.

I took my first sip and let the carbonation and sugar soothe my nerves.

I was afraid if I liked him, it would open the door to more torrid fantasies. Fantasies I knew I could never live out,

I slammed the laptop lid down before I thought about how cute it was,

I was definitely afraid he would leave a mark.

“just so you know, you don’t have to hide from me anymore when you see me around town.”

to get what you want in life, first learn the rules, and then figure out which ones you’re supposed to break.”

Again, I was fifteen and knew nothing of the world. I wasn’t sure I knew that much more now.

Meanwhile, I had to stop myself from thinking how attractive he was being.

Apparently, Reece really was a superhero. At least in his daughter’s eyes. Which, unfortunately, made him one in my eyes too.

He kept his eye on me, like if he didn’t, I might disappear.

I refrained from diving behind it. Instead, I did the non-psycho thing and sat on my chair.

but there’s something about you that makes me say things I wouldn’t normally say.”

Honestly, when you wrote that story about me, it made me feel like a rock star. That I had arrived somehow.”

Men were not to be trusted—not even ones with adorable daughters.

biggest battle I faced was myself. Yikes.

loved this time of year. There was something so magical about one night where a little bit of your fantasies came to life,

I stared at her baby bump, longing for one of my own.

“Josie, my life’s work is about truth, justice, and the American way.” “So now you’re Superman?”

He was all too tempting. But, I could hold strong. Right? Please tell me I’m right.

“If you need to know exactly why I want to get to know you, here’s my list: You’re a little crazy,” he chuckled. “You’re

passionate about everything you do, as far as I can tell. You’re talented and gorgeous. I can’t stop thi...

My teenage dreams were coming to life. But those dreams had turned into nightmares that still haunted me.

Maybe it’s time you get used to a man who exceeds your expectations.”

I mean tradition, was a little on the weird side.

they might think we were in a cult or something and never return.

All my life I wanted that kind of love. The kind where you come together as a couple and work toward something of lasting value and support each other. I wanted someone to love me for who I was,

a momentary look of I might have married a psycho. A psycho I love, but a bit insane, nonetheless. My esteem for my dad always grew when I realized he was not blind to my mother’s craziness, yet he embraced it anyway. That was true love right there.

There was no doubt this was where I had inherited my crazy. Along with it came passion, but it was a steep price to pay.

Like always, I had a need to hide from him—because hiding from him let me hide from myself.

Are you allergic to anything?” Yes, him.

The fact he hadn’t left running and screaming was impressive.

Do any men stay true?

Wicked witches, vampires, zombies, and hobgoblins had nothing on the monster living inside of me. Her name was self-doubt, and she was terrifying.

I smiled at his message, though he might be the death of me.

Knowing that he had stood up for me in high school meant more to me than he would ever know.

I wanted to eat her up. Not in a Hansel and Gretel sort of way.

as if the season were wrapping me up in a blanket, begging me to drink hot cocoa or warm apple cider.

And I think maybe I needed her and Reece. That thought scared me in ways I couldn’t articulate.

The Petersons had an unspoken tradition of pretending everything was perfectly pumpkiny all the time. Well, I hadn’t been pumpkiny in forever.

“You know what you should do? Take him up to the hayloft tomorrow, roll around a bit, and I bet he’ll tell you anything you want.”

Reece Cavanaugh was indeed a pirate. He was pillaging and plundering my heart. I couldn’t say I didn’t like it.

He pressed a hand against the door above me, leaning in, making all my senses go haywire.

he rattled off, like he was Google or something.