Page 155

"You were right about the third station." Her eyes widen.

"I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?"

"No."

"Pretty sure I heard you say I was right."

"Must be the music." She laughs. I take one side of the tray. Together we carry it to the table.

When we set it down, Helen appears beside us. "Javier, you're needed."

"Where?" She points at Noah. He's standing on a hay bale. Of course he is. I close my eyes. Maddy pats my arm.

"Go save your nephew."

"My nephew?" Her expression changes, just slightly. She hadn't planned the word. Neither of us says anything about it. We don't need to. I head toward Noah. Behind me, I hear Helen laugh softly.

The afternoon settles into something easier. The first rush passes. Families spread across the farm instead of crowding the main area. Kids carry caramel apples. The band switches to something slower. People wander through the produce tables and stop to talk with the veterans working them.

This is the part I like best. Nate explains the greenhouse operation to an older couple like he's been doing it for years. Luis helps a little boy choose a pumpkin. Eric shows someone the wooden planters he's been making in the workshop. Cole stands near the food tent laughing with a family I don't recognize. A year ago, some of these guys wouldn't have chosen to spend a Saturday surrounded by strangers. Today they're part of what brought the strangers here.

Maddy comes to stand beside me. Her hand slips into mine. We watch for a while.

Then Julian's name lights up on her phone. I see it because she's holding it. Maddy looks at the screen, then silences the call.

"You don't have to ignore work because of me."

"I'm not." She puts the phone away. "Today I'm here." I squeeze her hand.

"Okay."

She looks up at me and smiles. Then Emma calls her from the dog demonstration area. Maddy kisses my cheek before heading over.

A minute later, Jack comes up beside me. His attention shifts toward the main building. A young man is standing near the edge of the festival. Jeans, dark jacket, hands in his pockets. He's watching the crowd like he's not sure whether to step farther in. I don't recognize him.

"Guy looks lost," Jack says. He heads over. I turn toward the produce tables when someone asks for help loading a box into their car. By the time I finish, I don't think about the stranger again.

Jack finds me behind the barn ten minutes later. I'm checking the propane on the backup grill when he comes around the corner.

"Martinez." Something in his voice makes me straighten.

"What?"

"There's somebody here asking for you."

"Who?"

"I don't know." Jack's face is strange. Not worried. Something else. "He asked for Martinez."

"Okay."

"He's waiting inside."

I set down the gauge. "Everything all right?"

"I think so." I follow him toward the barn.

"What did he want?"