I Only Have Pies for You

by Shyla Colt

  His mother’s hold on his hand tightened.

  “Alas, there can only be one winner, and this year’s winner is Rosaleen Plath with her pumpkin dulce de leche ice cream pie.”

  Rosaleen stood, beaming as she walked over to Katherine to be crowned, and given her sash. A bouquet full of bright oranges and yellows was laid in her arms. His chest swelled with pride as he stood to join in the standing ovations she was receiving. Now is the time.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t bring the title home for you, Mom. But right now, I need to go and congratulate the woman I love on her win.”

  “I knew there was something going on,” his mother cried.

  “We’ve been dating for a while now. The gossip hounds are voracious here, so we thought we’d keep things to ourselves while we found our way. Then this happened, and it felt like the wrong time to update you. I’m sick of hiding. She’s amazing, and I hope eventually you’ll love her as much as I do. I haven’t had a chance to tell her how I feel, but I’m going to change that immediately.” He smiled. “I think she’s the one, Mom.”

  “Then what are you waiting for my boy? Go tell her how you feel.” She smiled up at him. He nodded, then wove his way through the crowd to Rosaleen.

  “I see congratulations are in order, Ms. Plath.”

  She turned, and he cupped her face. Bending, he pressed his lips to hers. “I love you, sugar.”

  Her eyes widened. “I love you, too, hero,” she whispered.

  “How about we really give them a show?”

  “I think we already did.”

  “Not yet.” Dipping her, he swept his tongue across the seam of her lips, sinking into the opening she gave him. He closed his eyes as he tasted her, savoring their newfound freedom as they cemented their involvement. She tasted sweeter than any of the desserts presented that day. Standing her upright, he pulled away as cameras clicked around them. “I’m done hiding.” Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

  “Ms. Plath, do you care to comment on your win?” Jen asked.

  “I want to thank the people of Granville for welcoming me into their midst and making me a part of this town. Participating in so many amazing events has really helped me feel like I’ve found the right home. I’m honored to get to carry on the tradition of Pumpkin Queen. The festival will be another first experience here I’ll never forget. I only hope I can represent you all as well as the incredible women who’ve come before me. This was a close competition.”

  “Now the previous winner hands on the golden pumpkin. It’s a way to pass on the torch to the next queen,” Katherine explained.

  “I need to go help her.” Alaric tightened his arm in a hug.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  Rushing over, he met his mother at the table where they’d brought the golden pumpkin.

  “I got this, Mom. I’ll follow you.” Grabbing it, he carried it beside her as she expertly maneuvered on her crutches.

  Standing beside the women he loved most as they stood face-to-face, he held his breath. His mother’s lips curved up into a smile and he could finally breathe again.

  “You put up one hell of a fight, young lady.”

  “I had to if I wanted to best you,” Rosaleen said with an easy smile.

  “I’m happy to hand this over to you today, but next year, you’d better be ready to defend your title.”

  Rosaleen laughed. “I’m looking forward to it already.”

  His mother nodded toward Rosaleen, and he handed over the golden pumpkin. Flashes went off around them. His gut unclenched when his mother leaned in to give Rosaleen a hug and whispered in her ear. He tensed until Rosaleen nodded and smile. Tears glistened in her eyes, and Alaric knew they were going to be just fine.

  Stepping back, his mother smiled. “You two take care of each other, okay?” she asked.

  “Always, Mom,” he said.

  Epilogue

  ROSALEEN

  “I can’t believe it’s been a year since we did this the last time,” she said as they entered the community center together. A lot had changed since the last Pumpkin Queen contest. The Bulleys were her family. Sunday dinners, holidays, and town events were often spent at least partially in each other’s company. Not only had they met her mother, but they also got along with her swimmingly.

  “Time flies when you’re having fun, sugar.” Alaric wiggled his eyebrows, and she smirked.

  “I know. Mom is a lot of fun, isn’t she?”

  “Cruel,” Alaric huffed.

  Joan laughed. “Now, kids, I love you both.”

  “Trying to steal my mom right from under my own nose,” he said, shaking his head.

  Rosaleen shrugged. “What can I say? She adores me, and I adore her.”

  “I’m not complaining about that, trust me.” He steered them to the table, and she grabbed a paper and handed the other to Joan.

  “I don’t think I can go through this another year,” Alaric said.

  “What?” She turned toward him. He’d been so excited when they went over recipes and talked about how they would design things this year to spice the bake off up.

  “I can’t compete against you.” He dropped on one knee.

  “Oh my God.” She covered her mouth, shocked. Is he doing what I think he is?

  “Because I want to be baking on the same side of the table and turn this into team Bulley.” Removing a blue velvet box from his pants pocket, he opened the case to reveal a solitaire pink diamond on a thick platinum band. “Rosaleen Plath, I only have pies for you. Will you marry me?”

  She laughed wildly. “I’m the bakery owner, shouldn’t that be my line?” she whispered.

  He shook his head. “It seemed fitting.”

  “Yes, hero, I’ll marry you.”

  He removed the ring with shaky hands and slipped it onto her finger. The room erupted into applause, and he stood, pulling her into her arms. Dipping her like a dancer, he devoured her lips, and they lost themselves in a kiss that represented a new promise. He set her back on her feet, and she blinked.

  She was pulled back to the present when she heard a familiar voice. “Congratulations?”

  “Mom?” Turning, she let the tears flow when she spotted her mother, Julie and her family, and Stephanie.

  “You didn’t think we were going to miss this, did you?” Julie asked.

  “Hero, you continue to amaze me. Thank you so much.”

  “I think we’ll be needing just one paper this year,” his mother said with a grin.

  “You knew?”

  “I did. It killed me to act normal.”

  She laughed and wiped her face.

  Surrounded by those she loved in her new home, she’d never been more grateful that she’d taken the leap and chased her dreams two hours into the small town.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Told once 'You have to be an author, then you're craziness becomes eccentrics,' Shyla Colt has always been in love with the written word and possessed a desire to write. Named after Super Girl in the comics, she often mistakes her mortality for superhero status. So, she holds many hats, Mother, Marine Wife, and writer are her top three. Writing allows her to explore new venues, face her demons, and touch others. A huge practitioner of paying it forward, and putting in what you want to get out, she hopes to inspire, enlighten, move, and entertain you with her work. Mixing humor, drama, and strong women, often with a paranormal element, she continues to soldier ahead in the writing field. One of her favorite things is talking to fans. If you'd like to learn more or just drop a line, please check her out at www.shylacolt.com.

  Website: www.shylacolt.net

  Follow me on twitter: @shylacolt

  Facebook Address: https://www.facebook.com/authorshyla.colt

 

 

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