Chapter 19
Aspen
Yesterday I spend the day double-checking the plans for the parade. It was the second year for it, so Eve had a few notes about how to improve it this year. But otherwise, I followed her notes from last year.
I couldn't stop thinking about how sweet Cooper was with his sister.
How he'd been so protective, almost like a father to her.
I had no idea he was paying for her tuition and necessities.
I was surprised, but maybe I shouldn't be.
He'd been showing me all along who he was, someone who protected those he loved.
I just wondered if I could be counted in that protective circle or if it was just his family. He'd grown up in a volatile situation and needed to step into that role. It made me look at him in a different way.
It was difficult to concentrate on work when he was all I could think about. I couldn't ignore the fact that I was falling in love with him, and the way he treated his sister was a huge push in that direction.
But I had to put everything aside because today was the parade, and I only got one shot at getting this right. Everything had to run smoothly because Eve was attending the event with Maddox and his daughter, Sofia.
I grabbed my clipboard and earpiece and headed outside. I touched base with the judges who'd be rating the performers, and then I talked to the parking attendants. There was a toy drive in the town hall that the fire department had offered to manage this year.
Everything was set up and ready to go. The crowd was filling in along the parade route, people reserving their seats with lawn chairs. I stood just off the grandstand, trying to relax before I gave the word for the first group to start walking.
I walked past an alley, and Cooper grabbed my arm, pulling me deeper into the space. He leaned against the wall, his legs spread so that I could step between them. A smile played on his lips, and I reached up to brush the dark hair off his forehead.
"What are you doing here?" I hadn't expected to see him since he usually avoided crowds and events like this.
He gazed down at me with affection in his eyes. "I wanted to say good luck before I go to work."
I rested my hand on his chest. "You're working on the bathrooms today?"
"I have a crew today, so it won't be just me."
Was that warning not to sneak in, expecting some sexy times? "When can we be alone again?"
His lips quirked. "Not today."
I rolled my eyes. "Tonight?"
He lowered his voice. "I'll text you when I'm heading home. Not sure when you can get out of here."
Warmth spread through my chest. This certainly felt like plans a boyfriend and girlfriend would make. "I have to stick around and ensure that everything is broken down and put away."
"You don't think there will be a celebration?"
"Maybe." But I wanted to be with Cooper. Who knew how much more time we had?
"I don't want you to miss out. You deserve every accolade you get." He tucked a chunk of hair behind my ear.
I wanted him there to celebrate with me, but that wasn't our story.
He looked up the alley toward the street. "You think it's okay if I give you a good luck kiss here?"
I lifted my face, my hair blowing in the breeze. "Please."
He lowered his lips to mine, kissing me. It wasn't what I expected. It was almost like he was imprinting on my body. Was this his way of saying our days were numbered? Was it frustration that we couldn't be together for real? Or was I looking for something that wasn't there?
I didn't want to fool myself. I thought I'd gone into this with eyes wide open. But things had definitely changed, and I was on shaky ground.
He pulled back. "I know you'll be amazing."
Who said he wasn't a good guy? One that has emotions and feelings? His exes never knew him. Not like I did. And wasn't that crazy? Our relationship stayed in the dark, but I had a feeling that I knew him better than anyone else he'd ever dated.
That had to mean something, right?
He kissed me one more time. "Go. Be great."
I watched him walk away, and then I took a deep breath. It was time to put my professional hat on and get out there. Eve was expecting great things, and I needed to deliver. I'd show her that I deserved this job.
I lifted my phone, called the person in charge of the performers, and told them to send the first group.
I stood by the grandstand, feeling a little lightheaded. I couldn't believe I was in charge of an event this big. But Eve believed in me, and it was time for me to start believing in myself.
I checked with the judges to ensure they had everything they needed, including the list of acts in order.
Then I walked down the side of the street, along the crowd to get a feel for the energy.
Kids were sitting on the curb, and adults were sitting in lawn chairs with others standing behind them.
People were excited to be out despite the cold weather. Then I heard the sound of drums.
The local marching band in their red uniforms were moving in my direction. I hurried back to the judging area so I could give the signal when to stop and perform and when to continue on to finish the parade.
The crowd cheered as they came through. Eve had built a real community here. We weren't just a town that celebrated Christmas. There were people who came here to get their coffee and pastries before work and shopped after work for books and puzzles and even dinner. I was a part of that now too.
The band stopped and turned toward the judges, diving into a new song. After two minutes, they lowered their instruments, and the marching band director signaled for them to turn and continue marching.
I moved out of the way as they filed past, the only instrument playing was a drummer who kept the beat.
The next group was a dance troupe of little girls who twirled and spun in circles to music playing over a speaker. The proud moms directed them and picked up dropped props when needed.
Every so often, I had to step away and help someone troubleshoot a problem, when to open the next field for parking or to move the group which was blocking Clara's shop doors.
Eve and Maddox appeared, and my heart rate kicked up. "How are you guys? Are you enjoying the parade?"
Eve smiled. "It's nice to be a spectator this year."
"I don't miss being Santa," Maddox mumbled.
Last year, he was the firefighter who dressed up as Santa. Now that he was the fire chief, he'd directed one of the younger ones to take on the role. "So far, everything is running smoothly."
"I can tell," Eve said, looking around.
The performers were acting out the play they were a part of at the theater in Telluride.
"It's wonderful to see so many acts this year. Were you able to expand on my list?" Eve asked.
I nodded. "I called a few extra groups, assuming that some wouldn't be able to make it. So we have the same groups as last year and a few more."
"This is fabulous, Aspen. You really came through for me," Eve gushed.
"There's still the rest of the season and the winter ball." I couldn't let my guard down yet.
Eve rubbed her belly. "It's nice to take this break."
"I'm glad I could take a few things off your plate."
She shook her head. "You took on more than a few things."
Maddox guided Sofia toward the grandstand area to watch the group perform.
"This has been a good challenge for me. There're always multiple things going on at once." It felt like the perfect fit for me. But when Eve had her baby, she'd be the director again, and I'd be the assistant.
In the past, I would have preferred a role with less responsibility. But now I enjoyed it. Maybe it was because of what I was doing. I wasn't in an office, shuffling papers around the desk. I was building the community with Eve. Growing something she'd already started.
Eve smiled. "I'm excited about the ball."
"The renovations are on track to be done before the big day," I said with more confidence than I felt. Any delay with a delivery or an unexpected surprise could set us back. But I was choosing to be optimistic.
"That's wonderful news. I appreciate it, and so does this little guy." She rubbed her belly again, and I said, "Thank you for the opportunity."
Eve smiled. "You deserved it."
That took me aback for a second. I deserved this job? I never thought about it like that. That made me wonder if I deserved to have Cooper in my life and vice versa.
"I'd better get back to my family. Good luck with the rest of the parade." Eve turned to join her family.
Maddox put his arm around her. Sofia stood in front of them watching the scout troop march through with their wagons and dogs available for adoption. They'd combined their efforts with the local rescue, and it was a hit with the crowd.
Kids rushed to pet the dogs on the side of the road.
By the time the last act marched passed, some of the crowd had dissipated, probably grabbing lunch from a truck or restaurant or ducking into one of the many shops.
The point of these events was to create a destination for locals to do something on their weekends but also to shop at the stores and eat at the restaurants.
It brought awareness to the town and encouraged visitors to spend their money, hopefully coming back again.
When Eve and Natasha had bought the town, they’d hoped to increase the number of visitors that came year-round. And I think they were doing that. I hoped I'd be here next year and see an even bigger crowd.
I helped clean up the grandstand tables and chairs, storing them in town hall until next year.
Why were we only hosting a parade for Christmas?
Shouldn't we be doing one for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July?
How amazing would it be to see the crowd waving those tiny flags and wearing red, white, and blue.
I made a note in my phone to ask Eve about it later. I'd been so caught up in making it through, just checking off the next thing on my list, that I hadn't had any new ideas before now. Eve might like it, or she might dismiss it. It wasn't my town after all.
I was just assisting while Eve was pregnant. Who knew what would happen once the baby came? She might decide she couldn't afford an assistant or decide I hadn't done a good job.
It was a lot of pressure, which I usually avoided. But I felt satisfied too, as if I'd done a good day's work. I was exhausted yet excited to see Cooper tonight. It wasn't just about sex. Yeah, that was amazing, but I wanted to tell him about my day.
I hadn't had much time to process that he'd taken me aside before the parade to give me a kiss and wish me good luck. It made my insides mushy to remember it now. It had been sweet. Even though we were hiding from the public, I still adored the gesture. It felt like something a boyfriend would do.
The only thing that would have made it better was if he'd been able to do that in the open, on the street in front of the parade goers. But that would have tipped everyone off that we were in a relationship. It was never going to happen, and I needed to stop wishing for it.
Our relationship couldn't be in the open. No one could know about us. Instead, I had to endure my mother setting me up on blind dates.
But the thought of breaking things off caused my stomach to knot. I didn't want to say goodbye to Cooper or pretend he didn't mean anything to me. I wondered if it was time for me to tell him how I felt?
Or would that scare him off? He was a guy with a history of not sharing his emotions. But I felt like I'd gotten insight into his feelings, and they seemed genuine. I didn't think he was incapable of experiencing emotions.
I did a final walk through downtown to ensure that the signs had been removed, and any remaining chairs packed away. The food trucks were packing up and soon would head home. I stopped by the hot chocolate truck.
"How was business today, Hattie?"
She smiled. "It was so good. Thank you for offering me this spot at the town events."
"What would you think about being here on a permanent basis?"
Her eyes lit up. "That would be amazing."
"Well, think about it, and let me know later. I need to run it past Eve too."
The brightness in her eyes dimmed.
What would it be like if I had the deciding power?
If I could be the one to make decisions about the town?
It was never going to happen because Eve was the owner and I was just a temporary employee.
But the power I felt in that moment was striking.
I wanted to make a difference. Not just follow a blueprint from the year before but make my own contributions to the events or maybe even add a new one.
The thought of making decisions like permanent food trucks was heady. I wasn't sure I'd ever have that power. But I was finally excited about something. I had a stake in this town, and I didn't want to lose it.