I didn't miss the knowing look on Sienna's face as Silas and I walked away together. "The apple orchard is just through here," he said, his hand warm on the small of my back as we walked. "The lighting should be perfect for photos right about now."
I nodded, trying to summon the enthusiasm I'd felt an hour ago. But everything had changed. The glow from our perfect night together was dimming, replaced by the cold reality that I was still an outsider here. That maybe I always would be.
"You okay?" Silas asked, his step slowing. "You seem…different."
"I'm fine." I adjusted my camera strap, putting some distance between us. "Just trying to stay focused on the work."
He stopped walking entirely. "Keely. What happened?"
"Nothing happened. I'm remembering why I'm here." I forced a professional smile. "I have an article to write, and you've been incredibly helpful. I really appreciate the tour."
He flinched. “That's not what this is, and you know it."
"Isn't it?" I turned to face him fully, crossing my arms. "I'm a journalist. You're a local showing me around. That's exactly what this is."
"Bullshit." His eyes searched my face. "Last night?—"
"Was a mistake." The words tasted like ash in my mouth, but I forced them out anyway. "I got caught up in the moment. It won't happen again."
He stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "Something happened between when I left you this morning and now. What was it?"
I wanted to tell him. God, I wanted to collapse into his arms and let him fix whatever was broken. But how could I explain that his own community didn't want me here? That they saw me as a threat, an outsider who would exploit them for a story?
"People talk in small towns, Silas. Maybe you should listen to what they're saying."
"What people? What are they saying?"
Before I could answer, a female voice called out from behind us. "Silas! There you are."
We turned to see Bobbi approaching, her face bright with excitement. She was the innkeeper who'd apparently been the town matchmaker for years. I’d met her the second I checked into the inn and she’d given me an earful about the town and the harvest market.
"I've been looking everywhere for you." She beamed at both of us. "I heard the most wonderful news."
Silas and I exchanged confused glances. "What news?" he asked.
"About your article," Bobbi said, turning to me. "Word's gotten around that you're writing about our fall traditions, and everyone's so excited. We've never had positive press coverage before."
My heart sank. "Positive press?"
"Well, of course positive. Sienna told Mrs. Upchurch about your conversation, and she told me how respectful and interested you were. How you really wanted to capture the authentic spirit of our community." Bobbi clasped her hands together. "We're all hoping this might bring more visitors to our festivals. Heaven knows we could use the tourism boost."
I stared at her, my world tilting. "But I thought…someone said people were worried I'd make you look bad."
Bobbi's face fell. "Oh, honey. You must have run into the worry committee."
"The what?"
“Sheila Jenkins and her sister Ruth. They're convinced every outsider is here to hurt the town somehow." Bobbi waved a dismissive hand. "They've been like that since that terrible article five years ago about mountain communities. But the rest of us know better. Especially after Silas vouched for you."
"Silas vouched for me?"
Bobbi nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes. He’s been telling everyone that you’re the real deal. That you understand what makes our community special and want to share that with the world." She leaned in conspiratorially. "He also mentioned you might be sticking around longer than planned."
Heat crept up my neck as I glanced at Silas. He was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.
"Actually," Bobbi continued, "we were hoping you might consider extending your stay. Maybe covering our Christmas festival too? It's even more magical than this one."
I felt like I was drowning. “I… I don’t…”
