"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.

As he had hoped, Ali melted into him, allowing him access to her ear which he playfully tugged with his teeth. A little moan escaped her lips, encouraging him to continue his travels. Kisses on her cheek, her nose and then their lips met. This time it was not sweet. But it was pure decadence. Hungry for more, Sam wove his fingers into Ali's hair as he tipped her head back for a better angle.

Just as Ali was opening up, a small voice cut through their activity. "Mommy, mommy, this way."

Sam was usually a big fan of children, admiring their innocence and the way they looked at the world with wonder. He would often stop whatever he was doing to talk or play with a child for a moment. At this moment though, Sam's instincts were the opposite. This was not an interruption he appreciated.

Barely in time, and very reluctantly, they stopped their make-out session. Ali pressed her face into Sam's chest and he held her there to give her a moment to recuperate. For his part, Sam tried to return his heart rate to normal as a small boy in dark blue jeans and a cream coloured sweater appeared before him.

"Oh hi," the dark-haired boy exclaimed at the sight of the couple.

"Hi there," Sam returned.

Somewhere not too far away a "Trevor, wait up," filtered through the air towards them.

"Is this another dead end?" whined the boy.

"Afraid so."

"Drat!"

Drat indeed, thought Sam.

A tall woman in a green coat with a long scarf wound around her neck and dark hair that matched their new friend joined the group. Trevor looked up at her. "It's another dead-end Mommy."

"Really?" The woman regarded Sam and Ali, the latter having recovered and had created some space between her and Sam. "Oh, I guess this isn't the way then."

"No, sorry," said Sam.

"Are we never going to get out of here?" grumbled Trevor.

His mother let out a sigh of frustration. "I am trying. Mommy just doesn't know which way to go."

To his surprise, Ali let go of Sam's hand and knelt in front of the boy, making them eye level. "We're looking for the exit as well. Why don't we help each other and look together?"

The sight of Ali with Trevor caused a strange warm sensation in Sam's chest. While he was always drawn to children and secretly could not wait to have a few of his own, Sam was aware that Ali's views were somewhat different. She tended to avoid little kids, often commenting on how they were always sticky, spoilt or needy. Yet watching her interact with this little boy, Sam could almost imagine that he was Ali's son, their son, with the tenderness she was showing. It gave him hope.

Trevor rewarded Ali's offer with a big smile and some vigorous nodding of his head.

"Right then," Ali rose to her feet and glanced back at Sam with a suggestive look. "Let's get out of here."

As they walked away from the dead-end, Ali introduced Sam and herself to Trevor's mother Laura. The woman timidly thanked them for being so kind. Not even ten minutes later, they were all surprised to find themselves emerging from the labyrinth of corn.

"We did it!" The excitement in Trevor's voice made them all smile.

"We did," echoed Ali. "Now let's go get our prize."

"Oh no," Laura's smile slipped as she pulled Trevor back from the couple, placing an arm around his shoulder. "We didn't get all the clues." She seemed slightly embarrassed as she regarded the ground. "We..."

"Oh, don't worry," Ali interrupted. "Sam and I have the answer. Come with us and we'll say we're together." Looking down at Trevor, Ali added, "Can't miss out on our apple cider."

Sam marvelled at Ali. He knew she was kind and had a big heart. But right now, he couldn't be more proud of her.

"Really," lit up Trevor. Then he looked at his mother for confirmation. "Can we, mommy?"

Ali walked over to her and wrapped Laura's arm in hers. "We got this. It'll be okay." Sam wasn't sure if it was gratitude or relief in the other woman's eyes, but either way, after a moment's hesitation, Laura gave them a weak smile and agreed.

As usual, Ali managed the whole situation, making everyone comfortable. First, she handed in their answer to the attendants, coming back with coupons for four apple ciders. When they went into the café she asked Sam to find a table for all of them.

Sam surveyed the area and spotted four empty chairs in a corner overlooking the maze. As he lead the little family over to it, Trevor ran ahead and pressed his nose against the glass, pointing out all the people.

When Ali returned, she not only had their drinks but also an assortment of baked goods to go with them.

"Look what I got," Ali smiled. Trevor's eyes lit up at the bounty.

Laura's face crumpled at the sight. "We can't...we don't have..." she stumbled.

"Oh," Ali quickly covered, Sam suspected she had guessed the reason for the other woman's discomfort might be money related. "They came with the coupon. I just picked what I thought you might prefer." Turning to Trevor, who was assessing which was the best selection, Ali pointed to the largest, a huge bear claw of a donut. "I thought you'd like this one."

Trevor licked his lips. "Thank you. Mommy, may I?"

Laura smiled at the delight of her son's reaction. "Yes, dear." Then aimed a thank you in Ali's direction. Ali waved it off, asking Laura if she would share a cream-filled concoction with her.

Placing an arm on the back of her chair, Sam watched with fascination as Ali chatted with the woman and child. Trevor interrupted now and again to provide his point of view of the topic. Underneath the table, Sam felt the touch of Ali's hand on his thigh, giving it a light squeeze.

When Laura took Trevor to the bathroom to wash his very sticky hands and face, Ali leaned back and rested her head on Sam's shoulder. "Not quite how I expected to be spending the day."

Sam stroked her hair, admiring its softness. "Oh, I don't know. I have a new appreciation for corn mazes now." Sam felt her smile through his sweater.

"It was fun for a while."

Kissing the top of Ali's head, Sam sighed. "I loved it. Every moment."

"Really?"

"Yup." Sam didn't quite know how to express his feelings about Ali's graciousness with the mother and child. "You did a good thing here. With Laura."

Ali shrugged her shoulders. "It's nothing."

"It's not Ali. I think it means a lot to her." Sam chuckled. "And Trevor is having fun."

"I just ... wanted to make them happy for a moment."

"And you have." Sam spotted Laura weaving her way back to their table. Sam quickly whispered in Ali's ear. "You make everyone happy. Me most of all."

This chapter is dedicated to @Barbieesilva in honour of her upcoming birthday this week. I hope you enjoy this fun little chapter.  I wish you many happy returns and lots of cake. 🎂🎉🥳