Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 9

"Ms. Scarlet, in the library with the candlestick!"

Watching Ali excitedly providing the attendant with her latest guess gave Sam a little thrill. If she got it right, her ecstatic response, sometimes consisting of actually jumping up and down was becoming the favourite part of his day. Followed very closely by the kiss they shared in celebration after each clue was confirmed.

When Ali had first suggested this game, Sam had been skeptical. The thought of running around a corn maze trying to figure out who killed Farmer Bill contradicted his original plans of staying in bed all day. But Ali had been insistent that they spend the day outside. She said he spent too much time cooped up in an office building and needed a good dose of fresh air.

As a compromise, Ali promised they could do whatever Sam wanted tonight. Sam had spent the car ride over to Pete's Pumpkin Patch making a mental list of exactly what his portion of the day would consist of. That list was pushed to the back of his mind as he got into the game, or more specifically Ali got into the game and he was feeding off her excitement.

"No, the candlestick is right here," pointed out the slightly bored-looking teenager who was manning the corner of the corn maze that was subbing for a library.

"Yes!" squealed Ali, her bright blue eyes dazzling in the afternoon sun. She pulled Sam closer, lips inches apart. "I was right, my love. It's not the candlestick."

Sam could not suppress a grin. They had already determined that the culprit was Ms. Scarlet and the location of the murder was the library. All that was left was the murder weapon. Ali was sure it was the wrench and Sam had his sights on the candlestick. He had never been so happy to be wrong.

"Nope, not the candlestick." Sam tried to appear disappointed but knew he failed miserably. He was having fun. And he savoured what was coming next.

"Reward please," demanded Ali in a sing song voice.

"With pleasure." Sam closed the distance between them, pressing his lips gently against hers, taking his time with her reward. For a moment their kiss was sweet, a simple indulgence. Then Ali wrapped her arms around Sam's neck and deepened the kiss, raising the hotness meter. Sam held Ali's waist to support them as he responded to her request. Who was he to deny Ali anything she wanted?

"Ahem..." The world had slipped away with the feel of Ali in his arms and Sam forgot they had an audience. Breaking apart, Sam sent the teenager a 'can you blame me' look.

Ali for her part blushed a little as she looked up at him through long lashes. She muttered a sorry to the boy but didn't look sorry at all. It made Sam's heart flutter. Ali slowly, relinquished her hold on Sam, drawing her hands lazily across his shoulders, tracing his biceps, tickling his elbow with one hand before entwining their fingers. The flutter in Sam's heart turned into a gallop. What this woman did to him.

"Let's go claim our prize." Sam wasn't sure if Ali was referring to the free mug of apple cider they got for winning the game or something else. Regardless, Sam willingly followed her.

Guessing the correct combination of murder, location and weapon was only part of the game. The other, and what turned out to be the harder part, was finding their way out of the corn maze. Hand in hand they strolled down the corridors lined with tall leafy green stalks of corn. Often, they ran into other players, trying to make their own way. A gaggle of teenage girls stopped them, asking if they knew which way the library was. Ali gave Sam that knowing look, both of them thinking of the unsuspecting boy they had just left as they pointed the girls in the right direction.

Turning left and then left again, Ali and Sam found themselves surrounded on three sides by a wall of foliage. A dead end. Ali turned to retrace their steps but Sam had other thoughts. Taking advantage of the privacy provided by the tall corn stalks, he twirled Ali around ending in an embrace and nuzzled up to her neck, peppering it with small kisses.