Fall and I'll Catch You: Small Town Romance in Double Creek, #5

By Regina Walker

Emeline has always been the biggest cheerleader for love in Double Creek, but despite her best efforts, she can't seem to find it herself. As she watches her friends pair off and start families, Emeline's heart aches for a love of her own. But every almost-date ends in disappointment, leaving her feeling more alone than ever. Even her best friend, Spencer, can't offer a good reason why she's still single.

Spencer has his own struggles to contend with. He spends his days running the hardware store his dad passed down to him, but at night, he relives the most awful moment of his life. Despite Emeline's unwavering support, he's reluctant to burden her with his grief. But as they work together to put on a fall festival at the local orchard, Spencer can't deny the feelings he's always had for Emeline.

As Emeline and Spencer navigate their feelings for each other, they'll discover that sometimes the person who picks you up when you fall is the one who steals your heart. But with their pasts holding them back, will they take the chance on each other? Join Emeline and Spencer for a heartwarming small-town romance that celebrates the beauty of fall, the joy of harvest, and the power of love.

Don't miss any of the heartwarming Double Creek love stories: Pursuing the Paramedic, Picking Pears with Piper, Yielding in Yellowstone, Hopeful in Hawaii, Fall and I'll Catch You, and Miracle Inn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regina Walker
• Release date: Aug 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223296270

Regina Walker

Regina Walker crafts compelling characters facing some of life's hardest challenges. Her heart's desire is to always point toward Jesus through the way her characters face challenges, relationships, and adversity. Regina is an Oklahoma import, although she was born and raised in the beautiful state of Colorado. She likes to curl up on the couch and binge-watch crime shows with her hard-working husband. When she's not wrestling with a writing project, she can be found wrangling their children, riding their horses, or working around their small hobby farm.

Book preview

Chapter One

Emeline walked the pumpkin patch, turning leaves over to check for squash bugs or signs of rot. All along the vines, where once golden blossoms came to life, now grew little green pumpkins. They varied in size, and Emeline turned several of the bigger ones so they would grow evenly.

How are the pumpkins? Piper asked as she made her way carefully between the plants.

Looking good, Emeline said. No squash bugs. They are all growing nicely. I think we'll have plenty for the festival. That patch, she gestured to her left, is pie pumpkins. The rest will be larger. I did plant some white pumpkins and some patty pan squash. The different shape of them is fun for the kids.

I still think we should contact other growers and make sure we have a backup supply of pumpkins. Between decorating and letting each family pick one out, they'll go quickly, Piper said.

Emeline flipped a big leaf over and pointed at the growing pumpkin underneath. I always hold my breath. Squash bugs would ruin us. If you want me to make sure there are extra pumpkins, I'll do it. I just thought it would be fun if they all came from the farm.

That's a great goal, but since it's our first year hosting a pumpkin patch, we should make sure we have pumpkins. Piper bent over and checked for the naughty bugs under several large, green leaves.

You know, a pumpkin patch is more than pumpkins. It is face painting. It is hayrides, corn mazes, and apple cider. Emeline grinned as she thought of all the different things that made a pumpkin patch fun. A petting zoo. A story in the forest. S'mores.

I don't disagree, but remember, this is our first year. If we do everything this year, what will we have room to add next year? Let's do one thing really well this year—pumpkins. We can have carving stations and painting stations. We have the pumpkin cook-off. A pumpkin toss. And the families are all going to go home with one pumpkin just for coming out. Piper straightened.

I do have a tendency to want to do everything at once, Emeline said. Which is not possible. But I did have an idea I wanted to run by you.

Another one? Piper raised her eyebrows, but the grin on her face said she was joking.

What if I go around to all of the businesses in town and ask them if they'd like to host a booth? I could give them ideas, and I will keep track of what people are doing so we don't have any duplicates, Emeline said.

Piper looked thoughtful as she considered Emeline's idea. How would that work? They can't come out every day, and the pumpkin patch will be open for the entire month of October, Piper said.

Emeline almost abandoned the idea and then she stopped short, lifted a hand and said, What if we have a Fall Festival the last Saturday of October? The businesses could come out that day and they could pass out candy to the kids. The rest of the pumpkin patch days will just be ordinary days.

That could work. Ask around, see if anyone is interested. If they are, then you have to plan it. Can you go to town for me today? Piper asked.

Cedar came running as fast as her little legs would carry her, yelling, Papa is here! Papa is here!

Corbin, Papa Ronnie, and I are going to do some work in the barn, and I've got my hands full today, Piper said.

I'll go to town for you. Just write down a list of what you need me to take care of. I need to go feed the chickens and goats. I also need to do some weeding in the pepper beds. I can go to town before or after I do that, though. Emeline brushed her palms over the front of her jeans to knock the dust and dirt off them.

I'll get a list together. I know Corbin needs some hinges from the hardware store. He already called his order in. I have a few stops for you to make, too, Piper said.

I needed to go by the hardware store today anyway. I need to pick up a new drill bit. I broke mine when I was helping with the new playground equipment, Emeline said.

Well, I'll leave you to it, then, Piper said. I hope you know I appreciate everything you do to help this orchard run smoothly.

I do. I'll come get the list after I take care of the animals, Emeline said.

Winding her way out of the pumpkin patch, Emeline followed her usual path to the chicken tractor. She needed to move the birds onto fresh ground and give them a tray of fodder from the greenhouse. Her favorite hen, a chocolate Orpington, was waiting expectantly by the gate. She squawked at Emeline and scratched the ground.

I'm getting it, Java. Just give me a minute, Emeline said as she lifted the end of the chicken tractor enough to pull it. She clucked to the birds inside as she pulled it along, encouraging them to walk as she moved their home. I need to build a new one and get more birds. The gardens have outgrown what you ladies are capable of. If we get a rooster then some of you can hatch out eggs in the spring.

Do you always talk to them? Corbin asked as he was walking by.

Pretty much, Emeline said. The goats, too.

Corbin chuckled and kept going.

Emeline went to the greenhouse for the hens' fodder. The thick mat of greens was warm and had grown to be several inches tall. Perfect, Emeline said. She carried it over. Opening the chicken tractor's gate, she dumped the fodder inside. Time to go see the goats. You girls be good today.

After double checking the latch on the chicken gate, Emeline went back to the greenhouse for more fodder. Taking two of the larger trays, she headed for the goat pen. When they saw her coming, all five goats started bleating. Hungry this morning? Emeline asked them. She stepped through the gate and then tossed the fodder in two separate feeders.

Nibbles, one of the does, stayed close to Emeline. She raised her nose in the air and tilted her head.

Do you want me to scratch your chin? Emeline reached out and started scratching Nibbles' chin and jaw.

The happy goat bobbed her chin up and down and then she licked Emeline's shirt.

Don't start that, Emeline warned. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad to get a break from milking before your fall kids come. Do you want to be in my petting zoo? It will be fun, and I'll let the kids feed you pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and alfalfa pellets. What do you say?

Emeline leaned closer to Nibbles' face, and then while she was scratching the goat she started talking like she was the doe. I say food is always good. I'll be a good girl for seeds and alfalfa pellets. Yes, I will. I'll let the kids scratch me all over as long as they keep feeding me. When did you say the extra food... I mean kids ... are coming?

This made Emeline laugh and she gently pushed Nibbles' shoulder. You silly girl. Not until fall.

image-placeholder

Spencer looked up from the hinges he was unboxing when he heard the bells on the door clatter against the glass. With her bright smile and inquisitive eyes, Emeline came strolling in.

Hey, Spence. Corbin has an order ready that I need to pick up, she said.

Spencer set the box on the shelf and followed Emeline to the counter in the middle of the store. Megan said that you and Piper are a force to be reckoned with. She said we're going to have a fall festival unlike anything this town has ever seen.

Emeline playfully rolled her eyes and leaned against the counter. You know how it is with me, Spence. At first, it was just the pumpkin patch, and then it was idea after idea. I couldn't stop myself. Pretty soon it was a pumpkin patch plus a fall festival. Piper is good for me, though. She reminded me to rein it in this year because we need to be able to add to it every year.

You've always had a head full of ideas, that's one thing I remember from back when we were kids. Did you need anything else? I have Corbin's order ready in the warehouse. Spencer shuffled some papers on the desk and stacked a few receipts.

Did he order that much? Emeline scrunched up her nose.

Oh no. I just put it on the shelf out there. I'm working on a new system. Trying to keep everyone organized here, Spencer said.

Emeline held the back of her hand to her forehead and huffed, feigning relief. I didn't want to load a whole bunch of lumber. I need a new drill bit. Half inch. I broke mine working on the new playground, Emeline said.

I told you not to buy tools at the bargain store, Spencer said as he came around the corner. They're over here.

Emeline followed him, not because she didn't know where the drill bits were, but because it was always good to catch up with her best friend. I didn't see you at the Labor Day picnic. Why?

Spencer glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes. I was here so everyone else could enjoy the festivities.

Lies. Lies. Tell me no lies. Everybody closes early for the picnic, Emeline said.

Spencer gestured toward the drill bits. Which one did you need?

Emeline pointed at the one she wanted.

Spencer pulled it off the hook. Anything else?

"Maybe you could not change the subject on me?" She cocked her hip out and rested her hand on it.

Just wasn't up for it this year, okay? Spencer forced a smile, although his eyes looked anything but happy.

Emeline relaxed her stance and reached out her hand, squeezing Spencer's bicep. I understand. Her tone was softer, and she gave him a little half-smile.

Oh now, don't do that, Em. I don't need your pity, Spencer said.

"Don't start in with that again, Spence. It