“Oh, you’ll fit in here just fine,” I said with a giggle. “Half our marketing strategy this year was dad jokes, and look how that’s turned out.”
Billy said that the engagement from the social media platforms had already brought in several hundred more tourists than in past years. They weren’t ground-breaking numbers, but I had proven my worth.
“I never thought I’d see another Maple Hollow Halloween Festival.” Mom dabbed her eyes as someone called out her name from behind me.
The woman walked up to our mini-reunion, and Mom’s eyes widened. She was middle-aged with flowing blonde hair, and I knew from her blue eyes and the shape of her face and the tightness of her lips that she must be Astrid Cunningham’s mother.
I braced for the collision, ready to jump in and defend my mom, but the woman approached tentatively.
“Susie?” Mom asked, her eyebrows lifting in surprise.
“Hi, Harmony,” the woman greeted nervously. They both froze before Susie finally moved in and wrapped my mom up in a hug. “It’s really good to see you,” she said, her voice wobbling, and great, now I was crying again. “Welcome home. I’ve missed you.”
“I-I’ve missed you too,” Mom said, still sounding surprised.
When they released the hug, Susie turned to Dad. “You must be Harmony’s husband. I’m Susie Cunningham. It’s so lovely to finally meet you.”
Dad shook her hand and chuckled. “Is it?”
Susie grimaced and shifted on her feet. “I wasn’t the most understanding twenty-year-old,” she confessed. “I’ll admit, I let my limited experience with humans cloud my judgment when it came to my best friend.” She looked between Mom and Dad. “I’m sorry for that. I missed out on years of threatening to turn you into a newt if you broke her heart.”
“I think Harmony would’ve enjoyed that.” Dad guffawed. “Our daughter has the same penchant, actually.”
“I’m sorry too,” Mom cut in, taking a tentative step toward Susie.
Goddess, it was so adorable.
I saw them at every stage of their lives: two nervous kids asking to be friends on the playground, two awkward tweens getting ready for their first school dance, two teenagers listening to music while playing hooky from school . . .
I let out a heavy breath, as if I could feel the weight they’d each been carrying lift from their shoulders.
Faith elbowed me. “We need to get back to the ice cream stall.”
“Go, go,” Mom said, “We’ll catch up with you after your shift. We’re staying at Bats and Broomsticks tonight.”
“I should show you some of the new town renovations,” Susie said, ushering my parents through the crowd. “You won’t believe what Luna’s done with the hairdressers. You’ll love it.” She looked at Dad and added, “My son is dating a human, actually. She’s an art therapist for horses from Minnesota. You might know her.”
Dad politely nodded as if that truly related to him somehow.
Faith and I snickered, then headed back to the ice cream stand. I was practically levitating with excitement. Mom had made it to the Halloween Festival. She’d come back home.
We pushed through the crowd, laughing and a little tipsy, and I stumbled headfirst into the person in front of me.
“Oh, sorry. I?—”
“Practicing some impromptu self-defense?” A familiar voice chuckled, and I whirled as my heart cracked wide open all over again.
39
Sabine
Ididn’t think it was possible, but Gwen looked even more beautiful than when I’d last seen her—and far more mystical. Her hair almost skimmed her shoulders, but her bangs were just as blunt as the deadpan expression she quickly schooled her features into. Still, I saw the flicker of nerves in her eyes and knew she wanted to bite her lip.
I wanted to bite it too . . .
That probably would’ve been a hotter thing to say than, “Hi.”
Why, Sabine? This was your time for a grand gesture!
