“What the hell is that?” Huck pointed toward the tall grass at the edge of the fairgrounds. “Looks like the same wolf that was watching me the other night.”
I followed his line of vision to where Hades stood staring at us. “That’s Hades. He’s probably wondering why there’s so much activity going on. He’s kind of like the town mascot. Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you.”
“Mustang Mountain has a wild wolf as a town mascot now? Seems like there’s no end to the changes this place has gone through since I left.”
My arms snaked up around his neck. “There have been a lot of changes, but some things are still the same.”
“Like what?” Huck turned his attention back to me and I took the opportunity to steal a kiss.
“Like how much I hate saying goodbye to you.”
“Just for a little while this time,” he said. “But if you want me to fix the stage, I should probably wrap up the cabin flip I’m working on with Levi. Can I come over later?”
“I’d be sad if you didn’t.” I rose to my tiptoes to kiss him goodbye.
What I intended as a quick peck on the lips quickly turned into more. It was like we’d been starved for each other for so long that we might never get our fill. Even now, while I was still wrapped in his arms, I was already thinking about how I’d be able to get through the next few hours without him.
“I’ll see you later.” Huck rested his forehead against mine and squeezed my waist.
“Later,” I agreed. Then, with my heart full of hope for a future we’d build together, I slid into my car and started to prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation I’d need to have with my dad. He’d had no right to push Huck out of my life and before I was done with him, he’d sure as hell know it.
CHAPTER 9
HUCK
The next morning,I drove toward the fairgrounds feeling more optimistic than I had in years. Peyton had her emergency meeting late yesterday afternoon, and I’d officially been awarded the contract. With the festival starting in just a few days, I had my work cut out for me, but I was ready to fix Franklin’s mistakes and prove to Peyton and everyone else that I wasn’t the fuck up the whole town had labeled me.
The scent of smoke drifted in through the window way before I rounded a corner and saw the destruction ahead. A pile of wood and ash sat where the stage had been. The vendor booths were covered in spray paint, several of them decorated with four-letter words.
Anger crackled through my veins. Whoever had done this did it on purpose. It had to have been Franklin. He was pissed when he lost the contract and must have come out last night to wreak his revenge. I’d been prepared to spend the next two days shoring up the stage and bringing everything up to code, not building the entire setup from scratch.
I got out of my truck and walked around the grounds. The damage was even worse than I initially thought. Peyton was going to be devastated. There was no way she could moveforward with the festival, not like this. Best case, she’d have to delay a couple weeks. Worst case, she’d have to cancel completely. And it looked like it was going to be up to me to break the news to her.
A suffocating heaviness settled in my chest as I snapped pictures of the destruction. I couldn’t just send them over. Hating that I had to be the one to tell her, I pulled up her number. Just as I was about to dial, her car rounded the curve. I wasn’t sure whether telling her in person would be easier or harder than calling, but I was about to find out.
I met her where she stopped. Before she even got out of the car, her face had flushed and tears ran down her cheeks.
“What happened?” she asked as I helped her out of the car.
I pulled her into my arms and held her as I told her what I’d found. “Best guess is that Franklin got mad and came out here last night to torch everything.”
“What am I going to do?” Red streaks shot through her eyes as she pulled back and stared up at me.
“I don’t know, baby. You could postpone to give us a chance to rebuild.”
“I’ve already got vendors on their way. There’s a food truck coming from Texas and a crafter who makes stained glass coming all the way from Portland.” She wiped her cheeks and stepped back to look out over the ruins of the festival.
“You expecting anyone out here?” I asked as a truck approached.
Peyton shook her head, then ducked back into the car to grab a tissue from her purse.
Ruby got out of the truck, her mouth wide open. “What in tarnation happened here?”
“It’s ruined. All of it,” Peyton said.
“I thought I’d bring coffee and donuts out for your first day on the job.” Ruby looked at me, then back at Peyton. “We need to get the sheriff out here. Orville too.”
Peyton’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Do whatever you think is best.”
