“I see that.” Her lips and chin are covered in the remnants of pink sugar.
“I’m never going to get her down for a nap,” Kyler whines. “I don’t suppose the two of you are interested in some babysitting?”
“No way. I’m helping Chase do his first Pride properly, and that doesnotinclude anything appropriate for little eyes and ears.”
“TMI.” Kyler laughs. “Wait, are you two a thing?” He motions toward where Chase is still holding my hand.
Guess the cat is out of the bag now. “Yeah. It’s kind of new.” I hope he takes that to mean that he shouldn’t spread it around too much. Though there are a lot of people around, it would be hard for someone to see this as merely a friend thing.
I glance at Chase to see if he’s okay with someone knowing. We haven’t been hiding things, but we haven’t put out an ad in the paper either. It’s possible we’ll make the gossip column. The best we can hope for is that someone else makes a bigger splash than we do. Chase grins back at me and gives my hand a squeeze. Guess I’ll take that as approval.
“Okay, well, I need to get Nora home and into bed for an n-a-p.”
“No, nap. I not tired.” Nora shakes her head vigorously.
“Good luck with that.” I’m once again incredibly grateful not to be babysitting. “Come on, Chase. Let’s find some food.”
Further down the street, we find a stand offering maple creemees. I’d been hoping they’d be back so I could get Chase one. “They’re a Vermont specialty,” I explain as I hand him one. The sweetness hits my nose and makes my mouth water. “You’re going to love it.”
He sticks his tongue out to lick around the top of the cone. Suddenly, I’m not hungry anymore. I’d rather get him back to my house so I can put those motions to good use.
“Okay, I’ll admit it’s good. You’re all obsessed with maple syrup up here, but I’m willing to admit that it’s delicious.”
My face hurts from smiling so much today. I know we’re both stressed about Russ coming to town tomorrow and what that means for us, but for this little bit of today, we’re just here together.
CHASE
It’s totally different being here as a part of the community, in more than one way. It’s only been a few weeks, but somehow Sleighbell Springs has started to feel like home. Not because I live here—which I guess I do—but because the people are so welcoming.
That’s in large part due to Nix. He only needs to introduce me to someone, and they instantly welcome me. It’s like he’s some sort of wizard who owns the keys to the kingdom. Or something nerdy like that.
“Oh, Geraldine. I love the outfit.” The woman in front of us is dressed in a leather skirt and top with glitter covering most of her face.
“Thanks, Nix. How are things? Reading challenge going well this summer?” She leans in and gives him a peck on the cheek. Some of her glitter transfers over, giving Nix a few extra freckles.
“Same as always. A bunch of your students have finished already. I’m going to need to make an advanced version next year.”
I can’t even imagine. He already does a ton of work for that challenge. It started right when I arrived, but there are people asking questions about it and asking for their prizes nearly every day. And there are still two months to go.
“Well, let me know if you need help with that. Maybe we can tie it in to their summer reading assignments.”
“Geraldine, let me introduce you to my…” Nix pauses and looks at me. We haven’t exactly had this conversation.
“I’m Nix’s boyfriend. Chase Haywood. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh, you’re the one I see running in the morning. I recognize your tattoo.”
“Yep, that’s me.” I rub my hand over the owl on my thigh. Maybe not the smartest idea, but I was twenty-one and just won a big track meet. It seemed like a good option.
“Nix told me you’ve started a run coaching business. That’s amazing. Once I get through the final year of my master’s degree, maybe I’ll hit you up. I’ve wanted to focus on it more, but right now classes take up my time.”
“Yeah, anytime. What’s your master’s in?”
“School administration. I’m the principal for the local middle and high school.”
“That’s incredible.” I swear, she looks like she’s twenty-one. “Well, you know where to find me.” At least for now.
The longer I’m here, the less I want to leave. Sleighbell Springs might be weird, but I think I like weird.
