Chapter 35 Josh
Josh
It had been a very long time since I’d gone trick-or-treating. But when Julian asked if Wayne and I would come along, I’d jumped at the chance. His zombie costume was very creative, and he’d affected the perfect limp. The way he giggled and groaned “Braaains.” At his sisters was adorable.
Celine wore a fairy costume, complete with gossamer wings. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“You missed an opportunity,” I told her. “You’d make an amazing Little Mermaid.”
She blushed, ducking. “Stop it. You do not want to see me in a shell bra.”
I leaned in, my nose brushing her hair. “Um, I most certainly do. I think I may have a mermaid fantasy.”
With a roll of her eyes, she slapped my arm. I liked seeing her like this. In her element.
We’d already run into several of her students. Every few minutes, little witches and superheroes waved at her with sticky fingers.
“Julian,” Callie said, eyes dancing. “I love the zombie commitment. Very scary.” She handed him two candy bars.
His face lit up, and he was sure to thank her before he stepped back.
“Maggie, the costume is ambitious.”
Celine laughed easily, a sound that made my heart clench, and when Callie hugged her without asking, like it was the most natural thing in the world, and Celine didn’t hesitate, I had to fight the urge to pump a fist.
Logan passed us with Rosie, both dressed as astronauts, and from what I could tell, he hadn’t brought along any wild animals. But it was getting dark, so maybe I’d missed one or two.
“Uncle Logan,” Rosie said, “take a picture of me with Julian. His costume is super scary.”
Julian beamed, completely at ease, even in this crowd, as Logan snapped some photos.
Jasper caught up to us, wearing Vincent in a carrier on his chest and looking proud of himself. They were both wearing Ghostbuster jumpsuits. Vincent gurgled with happiness as he grabbed at the Snickers bar Julian held out to him.
As the night went on, I was struck by the natural way the town expanded and contracted around us. People greeted the kids by name, no one flinched or stared when Julian put on his headphones, and many offered hugs to Celine.
She wasn’t tolerated here. She was welcomed. She was wanted.
She belonged here. They all did. I just hoped she understood that. Maplewood had adopted her and her kids, and we didn’t give up easily.
At her side now, I began to feel like I belonged too.
I sipped my cider, my thoughts drifting to my parents. How they’d always been in the mix, organizing, handing out candy, donating cider and decorations.
Yet I’d withdrawn. For so many years I had shut myself up on the farm, determined that my only value lay in making it profitable. That I had nothing to offer besides my labor.
That if I saved the farm, I’d be respecting and honoring their legacy.
But the legacy was a lot more than acres of trees.
It was this town. Belonging, volunteering. Showing up for neighbors.
And Celine had made me realize that.
She’d drawn me out. Forced me to confront what I’d let my grief turn me into.
And I was ready to take the next step.
But only with her. So I’d wait. For now, I’d just enjoy these moments.
Maplewood had shown up like it always did.
Loud and over the top. Callie and Nora were dressed as witches with oversized hats and even a big broom.
The two of them had stationed themselves at the corner of Main and Maple Streets with a folding table and a plastic cauldron the size of a small bathtub and handing out full-size candy bars.
Eventually everyone headed over to the town green, where the fire department had started a large bonfire. A local band played on a makeshift stage nearby, and Mel and Jenn handed out cider donuts.
While the kids ran off to trade candy and play with friends, Celine and I stood close, so close our arms brushed, and chatted with Stella and Ruby. So badly, I wanted to take Celine’s hand, claim her as mine, feel her skin against mine.
My thoughts were interrupted when Logan sidled up next to me and handed me another cup of hot cider, and a second later, Evie rushed over, her eyes wide.
“Did you see it?” she asked, panting.
Ruby turned to face her. “What?”
“The TikTok? It’s going viral.”
I wasn’t following, but others in the crowd were murmuring as if they understood.
Gabe strode up in his Captain America costume, gritting his teeth. “Everyone’s seen it,” he said.
“According to this. Millions of people have,” Evie added.
“It’s just some influencer,” he argued.
“She’s WanderBetch,” Evie explained. “She travels to small towns and highlights local traditions and businesses.”
Okay. None of this sounded terrible to me. But I was still lost.
Gabe growled. “She shit all over the town.”
“She called us Murderville, USA,” Evie said. “Showed footage of the Harvest Festival that made this place look like a crime scene.”
“None of it’s true,” Jasper said easily. “It will blow over.”
“Tell that to the mafia,” Gabe snapped. “They’re trying to declare a state of emergency.”
With a sigh, I looked over at Celine and vowed not to get sucked into the latest Maplewood drama.
This town had been through a lot, and I was finally beginning to feel like I could be a part of it again.
“We’ll get through it,” I said. “We always do.”