AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’sactually whyI’mhere.Iwanted to get away from the city and focus on writing.”
Autumnnodded and pulled away from the curb. “So, since this is your first time inGossamerFalls, how about a little tour?”
Hazelnodded. “Perfect.”
“So, this isFoundryBridgeRoad.ItcrossesGossamerBayand runs along the shore.Theold foundry is right onGossamerBay.Itwas the town’s lifeblood way back when, but at the beginning of the twentieth century, demand for iron was drying up thanks to the rise of steel.It’sa protected landmark now, and a vital part of the town’s history.”Hazelnodded.Sheknew some of this from what she’d read, but she found herself wanting to learn more.
Autumnturned right and continued speaking. “ThisisMainStreet, the central part of town.ItcrossesChestnutAvenuein anX, and where they meet is what you’d consider our downtown.”Theypassed a gas station styled like it was the 1950s, and it shared a parking lot with a smallFoodTowngrocery store.Quiet, tree-lined streets branched off of main, with names likeHickoryStreetandBalsamDrive. “Upahead is the pub,PourDecisions.Ifyou want to check it out,I’dbe happy to take you one night.MybrotherBeckettis the bartender there, soI’msure we could score some free drinks.”
Hazelnodded.Shecouldn’t remember the last time she’d gone out for drinks. “Yeah.I’dlike that.”Andshe wasn’t just saying that.Therewas something immensely appealing aboutAutumn’svivacious, warm energy.
Sheblinked slowly as they passedPourDecisions.Theexterior looked like a properEnglishpub, with a black lacquer façade, the name written in a fancy serif font in gold paint across the front.Belowthe name, massive windows looked out onto the street, and several baskets of yellow and orange fall mums hung between the panes.
Autumnslowed as they came toMainandChestnut, the main thoroughfare. “There’sthe bookstore, up there on the left,” she said, pointing to a cozy looking shop on the corner.ThenameAllBookedUpwas painted in red and gold on a black placard, andHazelsmiled to herself.Thiswas starting to feel like something out of a movie set.Itwastoocozy.Tooperfect.Evenbetter than she ever could’ve imagined. “Downto the right there are a couple of cute clothing shops, an antique store, a few little restaurants.”Theycontinued upMainStreet. “Upahead on the right is the coffee shop and the bakery.Thecoffee shop is calledDejaBrew, and the bakery is calledYouLittleTart.They’rerun bySiennaandLaurelRadley—they’re twins and also my besties.”
“Thosenames are adorable,” saidHazel, already making plans to visit all of the cute placesAutumnwas pointing out to her.Ontheir left, a large town square opened up, filled with charming old buildings and cobblestone streets.Thebuildings were clustered together, but not so tightly as to make it feel claustrophobic.Justcozy.Warmand inviting.
“That’sHemlockSquare.That’swhere you’ll find the library, the post office, town hall, the police and fire station, the museum, and theOdeon, our movie theatre.Itonly shows second run movies, but it’s cheap and it’s fun.Plusthey have the best popcorn you’ve ever tasted.Idon’t know what they put in it, but it must be crack or something.”
Hazellaughed. “Whatare they showing right now?”
“TheMummy.NottheTomCruiseone,” she added quickly. “Thegood one.WithBrendanFraser.”
“Oh, that is a good one.Honestly,Ithink that movie was part of my sexual awakening.”
Autumnlaughed, the sound bright and loud in the confines of the van. “Girl, you are speaking my language.”Shepointed at a larger, newer building. “That’sthe condo building whereBeckettand my brotherOliverboth live.Nottogether.Intheir own apartments.”
“Soyou have two brothers?”
Autumnlaughed again, but not unkindly. “Oh,God.No.Ihave five.”
“Five?”
“Yep, andI’mthe baby.”
“Whatwas that like?” askedHazel, unable to wrap her head around the idea of having five siblings.Shehad one, and they’d never been close.
“Good, mostly.Noone ever messed with me growing up,Ican tell you that much.”
“Withfive older brothers,Iwouldn’t think so,” saidHazelwith a little laugh. “Dothey all live in town?”
“Allexcept one.”Somethingflickered acrossAutumn’sface, and then she changed the subject. “There’salso a farmer’s market everySaturdaymorning inHemlockSquare,” she said, returning to her tour. “Lotsof fresh food, baked goods, local artists.Definitelyworth checking out.”Asthey passedHemlockSquare, they came to another stoplight. “Ifyou turn right, that’sCemeteryRoad, and the town cemetery is down at the end.Hereon the corner, there’s a shop calledTheMysticMuse.Haveyou ever had your tarot cards read?”
Hazelshook her head. “Ican’t sayIhave.”
“Doyou believe,Hazel?” she asked, turning to look at her.
“Believe?”
“Inmagic?Inthings we can’t explain?Incoincidences so coincidental that there has to be more to them?Signs?”
“Um…maybe?Idon’t know.”
“Thatwasn’t a no.”
“No.Itwasn’t a no.”
“Goodenough for me.”
