Pumpkins in the Forest: Chapter 1 pt. 2

Sneak Peek pt. 2!

As always, free subscribers get a preview, but paid subscribers get the full sneak peek. I will continue to post sneak peeks for the next several weeks in addition to the usual updates, and when preorders open up, paid subscribers will get a 30% discount! I have officially bought the ISBNs, so things are actually real now! I will be continuing edits and formatting, and soon, preorders will be available! Now, enjoy part 2 of Chapter 1!

Fortunately, it wasn’t too long before two more cars pulled up beside him. First Randy, then Marcus, of course. Oliver was glad for the consistency and was relieved at how easily they seemed to slip back into their old habits as the other two hopped out of their cars and into his Escape. Skipping morning pleasantries, as usual, Marcus immediately requested control of the music while Randy began talking about his week at work, being sure to share only the funniest stories of corporate mishaps.

They travelled the winding highway towards the trail they were going to, and each of them pointed out the same scenes and views they always had on a drive like that: the canopy road distilling the light from the early sun, a deer grazing in a field, a tree whose leaves had already started turning bright red - the sights didn’t surprise anyone, but everyone took a moment to appreciate each in turn. Oliver was glad for the familiar rhythm.

As they listened to the playlist Marcus had chosen, a song came on that Oliver didn’t recognize and he asked about it.

Marcus answered but frowned, “I found this band months ago, though, remember?”

Randy chimed in and tried to remind Oliver of a text Marcus sent sharing the band a few weeks ago, but Oliver was sure he hadn’t been included in that message. He half-heartedly said he thought that sounded familiar and dropped the conversation.

This exchange prompted the nervousness to spring a little closer to the front of Oliver's mind, but he shook it off when a familiar song took over the speakers. It was a Whitney Houston classic, of course. The comfortable melody drew him back to the presence of his friends.

Oliver couldn't help but roll down the windows while they hugged the curves of the back road they were cruising. Immediately, three hands stuck out from the windows, surfing the cool wind to the rhythm of the music. A few leaves threatened to fly into the car, but they were quickly swatted away like it was a game. At one point, Randy rolled back the small sunroof and popped his head out of it!

“Hey don't fall out while I'm driving!” Oliver chided, bumping him with an elbow.

He didn't hear the response but hoped Randy was being careful up there. Suddenly there were knocks on the roof, nearly making Oliver swerve off the road.

“Oh my goodness,” Marcus rolled his eyes, “His hat blew off.”

Sure enough, Oliver could see a small, red lump in the rearview mirror, sitting in the road behind them. Luckily, the road was abandoned other than Oliver's SUV, so he could stop and back up a little to let Randy run out and retrieve the hat while Oliver and Marcus shouted at him from the car - hoping no one would come up behind them during their 30-second pitstop.