“Harley!” the man with the megaphone shot back, mocking her. “Just like back home – you stay in your corner, and I’ll stay in mine… and currently my little corner of the world has a megaphone, and you don’t, so mehhh,” he announced, sticking out his tongue at her. Uncomfortable laughter tittered among the group as Matthew continued, completely unfazed. “As I was saying before I was so neighborly interrupted – welcome to Fate’s Jamboree, everyone.”
Matthew paused long enough to look over the crowd, obviously preening for attention as he stood on a stack of haybales, putting him a little higher for everyone to see. Heidi was watching everything – but a part of her was looking for Jack among the visitors. She knew he would be walking around in uniform, making sure everything stayed orderly, and nothing went sideways. In fact, he’d admitted that all three officers of Fate would be on duty this afternoon into the evening.
“And,” Matthew began again once the ripple in the crowd had gotten quiet. “It’s my distinct pleasure to let you know that any proceeds collected today at this tent will be donated to the Ember Creek Orphanage, to support our local kiddos. There will be no kissing booth, ladies…”
Another ripple of amusement rolled through the people at the man’s obvious ego on display.
“You can look, but you can’t touch… well, you can, but I think my wife would have a problem with it, and I’d have to explain to my kids. Whoops! Cat’s outta the bag, Hannah. Can I get a round of applause, everyone, for my genetics – we’re gonna have baby number two. Another Baird is coming soon to a daycare near you,” Matthew crowed proudly – to which another woman leaned up, grabbed him by the belt loop, and yanked him down from his perch. The megaphone squawked again, and you could hear a tussle even if you couldn’t see it because of the people standing on tiptoes trying to get a glimpse of what was happening.
“Baby, these are my favorite jeans, and you ripped the belt loop…”
“Would you just stop – please – for my sake?”
“I’m proud we’re gonna have another baby…”
“I know you are, but we were going to wait until twelve weeks…”
“I love making babies with you, Hannah-Banana… in fact, it’s my favorite pastime.”
“Matthew – can you let go of the megaphone – NOW.”
“Yes, ma’am… and remember our safe word, Wifey-pooh.”
“DIVORCE…”a woman’s voice growled – and you heard a tussle again before a man whimpered.
“That’s the safe word – here ya go, Wifey-pooh. Oh – and Baird Farm is not for sale, Hunter Petersen.”
“Oh for cryin’ out loud, Baird – seriously?”a voice rang out over the din. Becky Sue was grinning and shaking her head before looking at Heidi.
“Over in Yonder, one of the owners has been trying to buy up more property to expand their flight school, and Baird Farm has put quite a wrench in their plans from what I hear.”
“Sounds like it,” Heidi admitted, taking in everything for what it was – a beautiful day, friendly faces, and a bustling community despite their size. Obviously, someone had spread the word because people from other towns nearby were in attendance as well, according to Becky Sue.
The town square was marked with plastic flags tethered from one street light to another, zig-zaggingover the cobblestone road. Each lamp had a curled iron hook on it that now displayed baskets of petunias – and Heidi felt bad because she didn’t even notice them until Becky Sue had pointed them out. You could see the small water tower in the distance that had a faded ‘FATE’ emblazoned across the front.
“Oh fantastic…” Becky Sue muttered under her breath, and as Heidi looked at the other woman, she saw her plastering on an obviously fake smile. Two men were walking over, carrying a little girl. She was utterly adorable, about six to eight months old or so, with a little bit of wobble to her, like she was still learning how to hold herself upright against her father. It struck her as odd to see Becky Sue’s expression change like that – especially with what could only be her daughter. The little girl had the exact same bright blonde hair as Becky Sue.
“Ladies,” one man began – and that’s when it clicked in her head. That was the plumber – Matt Kingsley. He was the father of Becky Sue’s daughter, Taylor. “I thought I’d swing by and say ‘Hello’ since I saw Everett was here with Taylor.”
“Gee, what a delight,” Becky Sue said blandly, causing Heidi’s mouth to drop open. What was going on? Matt was the father, and Everett was getting married to Becky Sue… yet she didn’t look happy to see either of them. “Here, let me snuggle my baby – and Everett, we talked about this.”
“He’s the father, Becky Sue.”
“Not according to the birth certificate,” Becky Sue clapped back tersely, before melting as she nuzzled her daughter so lovingly. “Right, my sweet little Tay-Tay? If Sour-Matt is not wanting to be a daddy full-time, then you can’t be one part-time either, eh, sweet girl? Mommies don’t get to decide, so Daddies don’t either… because that’s the way of the world, or at least Mommy’s world where she got labeled a tramp by the whole community.”
Whoa boy…
This was going downhill quickly – and at her table.
“Oh man, I just love Becky Sue,” Heidi chuckled nervously, tugging at her collar. “Anyone want a cookie?”
“My appetite is gone,” Matt replied coolly before walking off. Everett stood there looking distinctly uncomfortable before also walking away. Both men left the baby there like it was nothing.
“Thanks for nothing!” Becky Sue called out after them, her teeth gritted angrily as she obviously tried to calm down. “Taylor, you are my heart, my pride, my absolute joy… but if anyone fools around with my baby girl without a wedding ring, your Mommy will put them in the ground, so you don’t have to deal with the same stuff I’ve had to deal with.”
“Um,” Heidi interrupted warily. “That’s a little hostile. She’s a baby, and we’re in public.”
That was obviously not the right thing to say in the moment.
