Chapter 28
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
The town square bustled with activity. Festival staff were arranging a children’s petting zoo in the center, complete with small pens holding sheep, goats, rabbits, and a donkey. Near the stage, members of the local high school band were setting up their instruments, tuning them with varying degrees of success.
“Morning, boss,” Chris said to Max. “Everything’s on schedule for the final day.”
Max nodded, surveying the activities. He checked in with the food vendors who were preparing for the lunch crowd. His phone buzzed with a text from Gwen, confirming she would arrive with the rest of the family in an hour. Max replied quickly, then scanned the growing crowd for any sign of Laney. She hadn’t mentioned what time she would come, but he hoped to see her soon.
As if summoned by his thoughts, Laney entered the square from the eastern entrance. She wore a simple sundress that fluttered around her knees, her auburn hair catching the sunlight. When she spotted him and smiled shyly, his heart skipped. “Morning,” Max said as she approached.
“Hi,” Laney replied, her voice soft. “The square looks amazing.”
He gestured toward the petting zoo. “Want to take a look?” They walked over to the fence and watched the children pet the docile animals.
“Hard to believe the festival’s almost over,” Laney said.
“It’s been a good run,” Max agreed. “Though I’m looking forward to things getting back to normal. Well, normal plus our lodge trip.”
A faint blush colored Laney’s cheeks at the mention of their upcoming getaway. Before she could respond, the high school band launched into their first number, a surprisingly decent rendition of a popular tune. Families gathered around the performance area, small children dancing to the music.
Max and Laney stood watching, exchanging occasional smiles as particularly enthusiastic toddlers spun and jumped to the rhythm. The scene was exactly what Max had hoped for when planning the festival. It included community members of all ages enjoying themselves together.
“Want something to drink?” Max offered. “There’s a really good lemonade stand.”
“That would be nice,” Laney nodded.
He had just turned toward the vendor when a commotion erupted from the petting zoo. A small child, perhaps four or five years old, suddenly shifted into a fox right in the middle of the animal pen. The sheep bleated in alarm and scattered to the far corners, while the goats jumped and kicked, knocking over a water trough.
“Oh no,” Max said, unable to suppress a small laugh at the chaos.
Festival staff scrambled into the pen, trying to separate the animals while avoiding stepping on the small fox. The child’s mother rushed in, apologizing profusely to anyone within earshot.
“I’m so sorry! She’s just learning to control her shifts,” the woman explained, scooping up the fox pup and cradling it against her chest. “She gets excited around animals.”
The staff assured her it was fine, no harm done, and began restoring order to the pen. Several onlookers laughed good-naturedly at the incident. Max turned to share the humorous moment with Laney but stopped short when he saw her face. She had gone completely rigid, her complexion suddenly pale. Her eyes, fixed on the mother and fox-child, held a mixture of emotions Max couldn’t decipher.
“Laney? Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for her arm.
She flinched away from his touch. “I... I can’t stay,” she mumbled, already backing up a step. “I need to go.”
Alarm bells rang in Max’s head. “What’s wrong? Let me walk you home.”
“No.” Her voice was firm despite her obvious distress. “I’m fine. I just... I need to be alone. I’ll call you later.”
Before Max could protest further, Laney turned and hurried away, weaving through the crowd. He stood frozen, watching her retreat, completely baffled by the sudden change. What had triggered such a strong reaction? The child’s shift had been disruptive but ultimately harmless. Max considered following her but respected her request for space. Instead, he pulled out his phone to text her.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I’m here if you need me.” He waited, watching the screen for her response, which came several minutes later.
“I’m okay. Just need to get home. Enjoy the festival.”
Max frowned, tucking his phone away. The day proceeded without Laney, though Max found it difficult to maintain his enthusiasm. He went through the motions, helping with activities, chatting with festivalgoers, and sending occasional texts to Laney. Her replies remained brief and uninformative, increasing his worry.
By mid-afternoon, vendors had begun the teardown process. Signs came down, booths were dismantled, and the square gradually transformed back to its everyday appearance. Max checked his phone again, rereading Laney’s last message: “I’m okay. Busy.”
“You’ve been checking that phone all day,” Noah remarked, coming to stand beside him. “Everything alright with Laney?”
Max sighed. “I don’t know. She left suddenly this morning and won’t tell me why.”
“Women,” Noah said with a shrug. “Sometimes they need space.”
Max wasn’t convinced it was that simple, but he nodded anyway. Something about that child shifting into a fox had deeply affected Laney. The final ceremony began at four o’clock. Townspeople gathered around the main stage for the presentation of the “Fate Mountain Spirit Award,” an annual recognition of outstanding community service. This year’s recipient was Ash Bright, the local fire chief who had led several dangerous rescue operations during recent wildfires.
Max stood at the back of the crowd, applauding politely as Ash accepted the award. The mayor gave a speech about community unity and resilience, praising everyone who contributed to the festival’s success. Under different circumstances, Max would have felt pure satisfaction at the event’s conclusion, but his thoughts remained clouded by concern for Laney. After the ceremony, his parents and siblings approached, all smiles and congratulations.
“You did an amazing job with this year’s festival, son,” Drew said, placing a hand on Max’s shoulder.
“The best one yet,” Quinn agreed. “Everyone’s talking about how smoothly it ran.”
“Thanks,” Max said, forcing a smile. “Couldn’t have done it without the whole family pitching in.”
“Gwen’s already got a marketing plan for next year,” Liv said with a laugh.
“Let’s get through the financial reports for this one first,” Noah added, ever practical.
They chatted for a few more minutes before his parents headed home, leaving Max with his siblings to oversee the final cleanup. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the emptying square. Max stood near the main entrance, watching as the last vendors packed up their wares.
He checked his phone again. No new messages from Laney. The knot of worry in his stomach tightened. He replayed the morning’s events, focusing on the moment the child shifted and Laney’s immediate reaction.
As the workers finished clearing the square, Max thanked each staff member personally for their contribution to the festival’s success. Outwardly, he maintained the confident demeanor expected of him, but internally his thoughts circled back to Laney.
Would she open up to him before their lodge trip? Should he give her more space, or would that just allow her insecurities to fester? With the festival officially concluded, Max headed back home, leaving the empty square behind. He was proud of what they had accomplished, but the success felt hollow without Laney to share it with.