Chapter 36 Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
Standing in the gazebo, right smack in the middle of the town square, my feet slowly spin me around as I look out at the festival set up before me.
The air is cool in the early morning mountain air.
The sun barely sneaks out over the crest of the surrounding peaks.
I snuggle into my oversized sweater and soak up the quiet blanketing the town.
The streetlights are still on, dimly lit as they start their routine of turning off for the day.
I came out here early this morning to do one more test of the lighting, that includes large bulbs going from post to post around the perimeter, and smaller twinkling ones connecting all of the booths.
My vision was very Hallmark movie dreams, and it warmed my heart to see that I did it.
The warm glow of all the lights shines against the autumnal curtains fitted against each booth to give everyone their own comfortable area.
Fake strands of leaves wrapped around every pole.
Massive pumpkins sit on hay bales around every corner with tinier versions of the same on every table.
The gazebo is decorated in the same manner, tying it all together to give the perfect stage for the date auction later.
I turn around to look out the back of the structure, silently counting all the tables and chairs set out for people to sit and chat or enjoy one of the various food options we would have today.
Not a single area as far as the eye could see, from the square to the sidewalks on the opposite side of the road, had been left out in the planning and decorating. It was everything I had ever dreamed of and then some.
“There’s my girl.”
I’m shocked I didn’t hear his footsteps come up behind me, but then again I was too far gone staring out at the autumn wonderland.
Logan’s arm wraps around me from behind while his other hand goes in front of me, presenting a coffee cup with The Willow Whisk logo on the side.
“Pumpkin spice latte with oat milk,” his mouth against my ear stirs my hair around.
I take the warm cup in my hands, turning my head to place a kiss on his lips. “How did you know?”
“I can’t take full credit.” He angles me toward the cafe where I find Ophelia setting out the menu board Piper decorated just for today.
I was hesitant not to schedule someone else this morning to open, but my grandmother insisted she was more than ready to get back to her routine.
Plus, it helped that my sister was back in town for the weekend.
A flash of blonde in the window as the open sign flips around tells me she is in there helping set up for opening.
We always opened for the early birds on the morning of the festival. Everyone setting up for their booths flocks to us to get their fuel to start the day before we close and finish setting up our own.
I nibble on my lower lip, gnawing as I think about everything we still need to set up before Mr. Spencer shows up for his final inspection. What if he hated it? What if it wasn’t up to his level of perfection? What if–-
“You don’t have to worry. He’s all talk, baby. I promise.” Logan thumbs my lip free, tracing the indent I left behind. His hand cups my cheek, and I lean into his warmth.
“I’m not worried.” I try to fib a little, but the lie rings out between us.
Logan chuckles lightly, but doesn’t call me out.
“My father is a lot of things, but an outright idiot isn’t one of them. I can’t think of a single thing he could complain about. This event is probably the best I’ve seen.”
“You really think so?” My hands lay against his chest, and I revel in the feeling of his heartbeat on my palms.
“I know so.” Leaning down, he drops a chaste kiss to my lips.
But he doesn’t get far when he pulls away, coming right back for another.
Only this time he deepens it as his fingers tunnel into my hair.
My hands trail up around his neck to keep him against me for another moment.
At least until we hear a commotion down the way and jump apart like a couple of teenagers being caught by their parents.
Logan takes a step back, pushing his hands into the pocket of his hoodie.
I try not to let it sting, the distance he places between us, but I know he doesn’t want the rumor mill swirling.
One less thing for him to worry about while he gets comfortable with his position in the town.
I had a feeling his father will be formally announcing his retirement this weekend with all intentions of Logan stepping into his place.
I mentioned it to him last night as we cuddled in bed, my mind racing with all my to-do lists when I remembered the speech the mayor always gives during the festival.
It didn’t escape my notice when his hands fell away from my hip as he turned onto his back.
His quiet “maybe” holding more weight than I intended for some pillow talk, so I let it go.
This thing between us was new and, while I knew he liked me, I didn’t want to pressure him into defining this while so much was going on.
I still wasn’t entirely against the thought that this could just be the ill-fated trope I disliked so much.
The forced proximity making us think we are a great fit.
But that was for next-week-us to start figuring out.
This-week-us was a little busy making sure our town was going to have the best festival ever.
I turn toward the back of the booths to find Mary placing a table and chairs on top of a variety of colorful rugs.
She waves excitedly from her booth, turning back toward her eclectic decor before I can even reciprocate.
A few more booths seem to have movement to them now as people carry boxes of their goods to sell to set up. I check my watch quickly, noting that it was almost seven already.
“Only three more hours to go.” The nerves are starting to wrack through me as my words waver slightly.
Logan reaches out, rubbing his hand along my upper arm and giving a small squeeze before letting go. I look down between us and note his sneakers, the muddy ones he only wears on the trails.
“Going for a run?”
He shakes his head, scratching at the back. “Just got back. Took a couple of loops on the trails to get the blood pumping.”
I scrunch my face in disgust, causing Logan to throw his head back laughing. Placing my lips around the coffee lid in my hand, I take a long sip.
A smirk unleashes on my face and Logan narrows his eyes playfully, waiting for whatever I’m about to say.
“I thought I got your blood pumping pretty good when we woke up this morning. Guess it wasn’t that good, then.”
A low growl releases from his chest as he takes a small step toward me. “Waking up with your mouth on me might be the greatest way to start my day.”
“I’ll have to remember that,” I suggest coyly.
We share a heated look and I almost think he’s going to reach out to pull me in for another kiss. The thought shines through his eyes, but he blinks it away. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows, sending a shock wave straight to my core.
“Don’t look at me like that, Gwen.”
I flutter my lashes at him. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Mhm, right.” He takes a step back, looking around the square.
“As much as I would love to flirt with you right now, I promised some of the vendors I would help set up.” Walking backwards, he starts to leave but keeps his eyes on me for as long as possible.
“I’ll catch up with you in a bit. And remember, you did all this. I am so proud of you, Gwen.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I say.
He shakes his head. “I don’t believe that for a second.”
Feeling tears begin to gather in my eyes, I swipe at them quickly and blow him a kiss. His wink in response sends a flurry of butterflies through my gut. I continue watching as he jogs down the steps and heads toward the back booths, smiling at Mary as he walks up and helps adjust her table.
The next couple hours fly by as more people show up to get organized. I spend extra time triple checking all of the lists within my planner.
“You should take a break,” Kennedy walks into our booth from the curtain covering the open back with a fresh iced coffee in one hand and food in the other. I spot the Diner’s logo on the sandwich shaped wrapper. My stomach grumbles at the sight.
“Please say that’s for me.”
My sister waves it in my face tauntingly. “Oh, this freshly prepared bacon, egg, and cheese croissant and an iced shaken espresso made specially by your loving sister?”
My mouth waters as my stomach begins to rumble again. I reach my grabby little hands out to snatch it from her. She holds it behind her back so I can’t get a finger on it.
“Nope, first I want a question or two answered.”
I roll my eyes and drop back into my seat, arms crossed over my chest with a dramatic sigh. “I take back everything I said about wanting you home again. I forgot how annoying you can be.”
“It’s a really good thing I know you’re hangry and that’s just your stomach talking.”
“What’s so important that you have to ask me right this very second, Kenny? Mr. Spencer should be here any minute and now that you pointed out food, I fear I’m going to need it to help get me through.”
“That’s actually part of the question. A little birdie told me that you were getting awfully close to the mayor of Willow Grove’s son.”
“I should have known leaving Ophelia cooped up for too long would have her gossiping.”
Kennedy shrugs. “She had to find entertainment somehow, and when you seem to be making it easy, you can only blame yourself.”
“What does that even mean?”
My sister takes the extra chair beside me. She places the breakfast sandwich on the table, only pushing it toward me with a laugh when my stomach rumbles so loud it could be mistaken for thunder.