Page 123
Dad approaches slowly, hands tucked in his pockets, a nervous expression across his features. He moves beside her, facing away from me as she brightens in surprise.
I don’t realize it until now, but this is the first time I’ve seen them interact. Clearly, they weren’t planning on seeing each other here—but they do know each other. Standing a good foot apart, they focus on the horse in front of them as they carry on a quiet conversation.
Every once in a while, Dad shifts his footing, and I can capture a glimpse of his features as he speaks with her. He’s practically glowing, and she looks just as happy.
With Lisa, Dad has always been comfortable and happy, complimentary and willing to listen. But there’s a professionalism there, even if Lisa always tries to push the boundaries.
With Sharon, it’s the opposite. He joked and laughed in the hospital, and she laughed in return. But...that was it. At the football game, there wasn’t a lot of flirtatious looks—though there was a mutual respect and interest in what the other had to say. Theirs felt like more of a friendship than a romantic relationship.
But with Genevieve, sparks fly. The chemistry is palpable—the way she tucks her short hair behind her ear, how he leans in just slightly, their grins unfailing from the second they saw each other.
Neither Lisa nor Sharon is here, and I’m glad, only so I can observe these two further.
Unfortunately, the moment is short-lived. A minute later, Dad looks over his shoulder and meets my gaze before Genevieve does the same. This time, I’m the one to blush. Genevieve merely brightens again and waves at me across the way.
Dad doesn’t look embarrassed or flustered at all. Instead, he turns to say goodbye to Genevieve, then leaves her with the horses to join me—neither he nor Genevieve looking at each other again.
I’m at a loss. Why was he flustered with Sharon? And why did he choke on his water when I’d mentioned Genevieve?
“Hi, Dad,” I say as he reaches me. “You can finish your conversation. I’m in no rush.”
He shakes his head, his attention remaining on me. “I’m here to spend time with you, remember?”
And to see all of Archer’s hard work, but I keep that to myself. “You ready to have some fun?”
His features aren’t as bright or hopeful as they were with Genevieve, but he nods with a tight smile all the same.
It doesn’t take long for his attention to focus on the fire closest to us, then to the haybales nearby.
“You think that’s a hazard?” he asks.
I hook my arm through his, leading him farther into the space. “Come on, Dad. Relax. Archer has thought through everything.”
“So where is he? He couldn’t even welcome his guests?”
“He’s running the event. He can’t welcome every single person when he has everywhere else to be at the same time.”
He gives a little scoff, but I ignore it, pointing out all that Archer has improved before a small mic squeaks near the stage.
Archer’s deep voice travels towards us. “If you’d like to join us for a short rendition of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” put on by Autumn Ridge High Drama Class, we’ll begin shortly. Thank you.”
I pull Dad forward, and we take a seat near the back as the crowd gathers on more hay bales lit by even more lights.
Archer introduces the play, and we enjoy the quarter-hour drama that ends up as entertaining as it is endearing. The high schoolers do a great job and receive a standing ovation.
“Thank y’all so much for coming out to support this event,” Archer says on the stage again. “I hope it becomes a yearly tradition, along with our incredible festival.” He pauses for applause that Dad reluctantly and half-heartedly joins in. “We’re also excited to share we’ll be having wagon rides this time on our Sleepy Holler Encounter, beginning with a mellow kiddie ride. That does mean we’ll have a wait time of about twenty minutes between each encounter, so feel free to mingle, eat, and enjoy yourselves until it’s your turn for a ride. Above all, I hope y’all have fun.”
The crowd cheers again. Archer’s eyes sink into mine before he raises his hand in departure. I want to go on the encounter right after the kid’s ride, but Dad leans over to speak with May Carver. Their conversation lasts all of ten seconds before the Ednas interrupt next.
“Oh, look at you two together again,” Edna G. says, her eyes shifting between me and Dad. “As thick as thieves, just like usual.”
“Though I hear it won’t be like that for long,” Edna B. says with a conspiratorial glance.
“If the rumors are to be believed,” Edna G. agrees.
Dad doesn’t rise to the prompt. “How are you ladies doing? You’re looking as lovely as always.”
“Such a charmer,” Edna G. says with a wave of her skinny fingers. The firelight we stand nearby glints in her glasses. “We’re just happy to be here at such an exciting event.”
