I nod, making my way toward her. “On it, Martha.” I have all the info on my phone. Everyone does since we sent it out a week ago. It’s alright. I’m sure they’re all filled with nervous energy and anxious to get this show on the road.
As I work through the lineup issues, my mind wanders to the conversation I had with my parents. Their disapproval was palpable, but for once, it didn’t crush me. I felt strong and sure of myself in a way I had never felt before. The memory brings a smile to my face even now.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss Paige approaching me. She wraps her arms around my middle and snuggles in, a determined look on her face. “Noah,” she says, her voice tight with an emotion I can’t quite place. “Can we talk? It’s important.”
I glance around at the bustling warehouse. Now? We’re in the thick of it. But if she needs me, I’m there. “Of course.”
Before she can answer, Pastor Robert sidles up to us, his ever-present smile somewhat strained. “Noah, The church float is ready to move out, but we’re not sure if we come before the queen float or before the orthodontist.”
I glance down at Paige and see frustration on her face. “It’s fine,” she says. “We can talk later. This is more important right now.”
There’s no way I’m letting her go like that. She turns to leave, and I catch her arm, gently holding her in place. “Paige, wait. Whatever it is, it’s clearly bothering you. Let’s find a quiet spot and talk.”
I glance around, not wanting to leave the Pastor hanging. The floats are starting to pull out of the warehouse and move down to the starting line. We have so many that there will be some this far back when the parade actually starts. I spot Will helping hand out cocoa and cookies. I call him over and hand him my phone with the lineup open. “Can you handle the church float? I need to take care of something.”
Will’s eyes dart between Paige and me. He clamps his lips shut and nods. “I can and I will. You two take care of whatever you need to. I’ve got this covered. Let’s chat, Pastor Robert.” He hooks his arm around the man’s neck and hauls him away.
I guide Paige to a relatively quiet corner behind a float. Mrs. Larson gives us a knowing smile as we pass, and I feel a surge of warmth. A few weeks ago, that smile would have made me uncomfortable and self-conscious. Now, it just makes me appreciate the sense of community I’ve found here.
“What’s going on?” I ask, concern coloring my voice. I’ve never seen her so distracted and nearly upset by whatever is going on with her.
Paige takes a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. “I got a call from my sponsors this morning. They’re so excited about the project that they want to move everything up. They’re asking me to leave the day after Christmas.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I thought—I thought we had time to figure this out. I thought I’d have time to get things sorted—both with my art and my business. “The 26th? That’s... that’s so soon.”
Paige nods, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I know. They said it’s either leave then or pull out of the opportunity entirely. It’s an amazing chance, Noah, but...”
“But things are just getting started between us,” I finish for her, reaching out to take her hand. I pull her to me and rest my forehead against hers.
She squeezes my fingers and sniffs. “Exactly. I’m hesitating, Noah. For the first time in my life, I’m not sure if I want to go.”
My heart swells at her words. I can’t believe she loves me enough to consider staying, even as a part of me aches at the thought of holding her back. I think about how much I’ve grown since meeting Paige, how she’s helped me rediscover my passion for art, and how she’s shown me that it’s okay to dream big. I can’t ask her to stay here.
“Paige,” I start, but I’m interrupted by Sam’s voice cutting through our moment.
“Noah! We can’t find that case of window cleaner. Can you come take a look?”
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. The old me would have panicked, torn between the urgent need for the parade and the emotional need for this conversation with Paige. But now, I feel a sense of calm. I can handle this.
“Be right there, Sam,” I call back. Turning to Paige, I say, “We’re not done with this conversation. Let’s talk more after we get the parade started, okay?”
Paige nods, a small smile playing on her lips despite the seriousness of our conversation. “Duty calls, Co-Chair Montgomery.”
As I move to help Sam find his precious window cleaner, my mind is whirling. Paige’s potential departure hangs over me like a storm cloud.
For the next couple of hours, Paige and I are swept up in the final preparations. We direct volunteers, solve last-minute crises, and somehow manage to get all the floats lined up and ready to go. Through it all, I can feel the weight of our unfinished conversation, the ticking clock of Paige’s departure.
We get a few minutes before the parade starts when the Mayor gives her speech. Instead of listening, I pull Paige aside.
“So,” I say as I put my hands on her hips and pull her close, “where were we?”
Paige leans into me. “Do you think... is there any way you could come with me?”
The hope in her voice makes my heart ache. I think about the ice rink, about Sam, about the responsibilities I have here in Benton Falls. A few weeks ago, these things would have felt like chains holding me back. Now, I see them differently. They’re a part of something I’ve built and I need to take care of it properly. I can’t walk away from it in good conscience.
I could blame my parents for making me feel this level of responsibility—or thank them, as the case may be—but I know it’s the right thing to do to take care of it.
“Paige, I... I want to. You have no idea how much I want to. But I can’t leave in the middle of the winter. Sam can’t manage the rink full time and do his other shift, and I don’t have anyone else I could trust to run things while I’m gone. Setting all that up it would take time we don’t have.”
