“If you say so.”
“I’m good, I promise,” Donald assured him. “Let’s get to work.”
“All right. Since it’s in a couple of weeks, tell me what you’ve done so far and what you need from me.”
“Okay so, let’s see. I spoke to Avi, the fire chief. He’s agreed to help out on the fireworks and to keep things in order. I met with LaMarkus, and he agreed to have some of his deputies in the area keeping the peace and all that. But this is Vale Valley, nothing bad really happens here.”
“What about other things like food and entertainment?” Quintus asked.
“The high school putting on the mid-day parade, and hopefully Scott and the band will be playing. I’m going to need a couple of booths set up for crafts. Did you know there’s a guy who lives in town that used to be a clown for the circus?”
Quintus shook his head but doubted Donald had seen the action.
“Yeah, me either. But he’s agreed to do some tricks for the kiddies. I’ve spoken to Bedywr, Nicholas, and Sirius. They are going to have the witches and warlocks put on a great magic show, as well as help with the fireworks. The community theater is also putting on a short play. Also, the actor Jacques, who’s been in town for a couple of months, will be in play. So it should be good, right? I think he’s also seeing some doctor. It’s like anyone who shows up in Vale Valley finds love. Well, except me. Anyway, the kids from the university and high school who need to rack up volunteer points are going to help out at some of the food and craft booths. Vic from the Vale Valley Inn and Alphonso Vale will be judging the cook-off competitions. Gods bless their stomachs when the day is over.”
Quintus covered his mouth, hiding his smile. Donald hadn't looked away from his computer while he rattled off the events for the day.
“Eric and Tony fromPicture Purfectwill need a booth set up where they can take pictures. I need to make sure they have the perfect spot. No one needs to squint from the sun while their pictures are being taken. Katarina, the sheriffs' wife, volunteered to do a couple of hours of palm readings. Rumor has it she's a seer or something like that. Not sure how true that is, but it should be fun. Let's hope she doesn't predict someone's death, that would be fucking horrible. Oh, and Rosemary said she has a celebrity guest coming, but won't tell me who it is. Gods, I hope it's not some diva celebrity who thinks we're going to bend over backwards for them. Your mom and the local restaurants will need a booth as well, so you need to add that to your list.”
“Damn, dude. You sound like you’re on top of your shit. I doubt you need my help.”
Donald blushed at the compliment and then cleared his throat. “Yes, I do. I need your man power to set up all these damn booths. I need to get everything over to Chance and Avi by the end of the day. The event is in less than two weeks, and I’m so behind.”
“All right, let’s get the map done so we can send things off to the printers. And if no one says it, I think you’re doing a great job. You have something fun for everyone to be a part of. Give yourself some credit.”
“He’s right,” they both looked up when Chance stepped into Donald’s office. “You’re doing a better job than Jafaris.”
No one ever talked about Jafaris, who was the last deputy mayor before he’d tried to kill Chance. Rosemary believed Jafaris had turned feral because he missed his wife—Ermaline had died in a freak accident. Ermaline hadalso been Rosemary’s sister, and there were times he could tell how much the former mayor missed her. Quintus looked at Chance. He was happy with Grayson and being a father. He didn’t want to think what would have happened to Grayson if he and Donald hadn’t found Chance in time.
Would he have become feral like Jafaris, since they were newly mated?
Being a shifter came with its own problems. From what Quintus had heard, losing a mate was the worst feeling ever to experience. He truly hoped he'd never have to find out.
“I just got a call from Avi,” Chance said.
“Yeah, anything I need to be concerned about?” Donald asked.
“No, he wanted me to know he had the fireworks,” Chance answered.
“I wished he had called me and not you.”
“We talked about other things, and he mentioned it. He wasn’t trying to cut you out of the conversation.”
“Okay,” Donald said, shaking his head. “Okay, does he need me to go over to the firehouse and take them off his hands?”
“Nope, he has them stored away in a safe place. Did you have a place in mind where you wanted them to go off?”
“Um…I was going to ask you that later. Where would be the best spot? I’m still working my way around Vale Valley, and I don’t want to—”
“Let me worry about that. You get everything else done.” Chance went to leave, but stopped. “And yes, Scott and the Crimson Knights will play at the event. It’s a given.”
Quintus smiled, listening to Donald and Chance talk. They were a good team, even if they did not realize it.
“I…”
“Say thank you and leave it alone,” Quintus whispered.
“Thank you,” Donald said quickly.
