Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
ZOE
The next morning dawned bright and clear, the kind of spring day locals waited all season for. The annual Walleye Weekend was in full swing by the time Zoe and Jackson made their way toward the lakeside community park.
Named after the fish that filled Bear Lake each spring, the festival had started decades ago as a friendly fishing derby.
These days, it was less about the catch and more about the celebration.
Locals still cast their lines at dawn, but most people came for the food stalls, the live music, and the excuse to linger outside after a long winter.
From where Zoe stood, she could see the shimmer of Bear Lake just beyond the park’s edge, sunlight dancing across the rippling surface.
Boats dotted the water, their engines humming softly as fishermen cast their lines for walleye.
On the far shore, Krista’s Hot Honey Hideaway would soon be buzzing with life when she opened for the summer.
Zoe loved hanging with her friends there after a long day, lights strung above them, soft music pouring out of the loudspeakers, the scent of spiced honey cocktails wafting on the breeze.
But for now, she would enjoy every minute spring had to offer.
Everything about Walleye Weekend made the whole town feel alive again, stitched together by sunshine and laughter after the long winter.
The local elementary school had held a coloring competition.
The winning banners lined the lampposts along Oak Way.
The colorful banners were painted with leaping fish and the words Welcome Anglers!
in cheerful letters. Booths lined the sidewalks with vendors selling caramel corn, cinnamon and sugar fried dough, and local crafts.
The air buzzed with a mix of laughter, music, and the crackle of a nearby speaker announcing updates from the fishing competition.
“Biggest catch so far—ten pounds, three ounces!” Mayor Bloomfield boomed over the mic from the lakefront. “That’s the number to beat, folks!”
Zoe couldn’t help smiling. “I love this weekend. Everyone comes out of hibernation. It’s like the whole town wakes up at once.”
Jackson fell into step beside her, jeans worn soft and a plain gray T-shirt stretched across his shoulders. He slipped his hand in hers, and Zoe tried not to stumble, loving the feeling of his calloused hand in hers.
She forced herself to remember that it was a play. They were acting. You didn’t fall for your co-star.
Across the square, Kit was in her element, bossing volunteers at the community fish fry, the air rich with the scent of batter-fried walleye, golden fries, and buttered corn on the cob.
Kit’s girlfriend, Rachel, with her freckles, bright blue eyes and almost painfully sweet expression, was setting up a folding table lined with lemons, butter and salt.
Zoe caught the quick, affectionate brush of Kit’s hand against Rachel’s hip when she thought no one was looking, and warmth bloomed in Zoe’s chest.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones enjoying the weekend,” Zoe murmured.
Jackson glanced over, and his mouth lifted a little more. “Good for Kit.”
“Come on,” Zoe said, brushing soil from her gloves. “Let’s see if we can impress everyone with our cornhole skills.”
Jackson smirked. “I don’t know. You’re already pretty impressive just standing there.”
Zoe laughed, trying to play his comment off, despite the heat threatening to rise to her cheeks.
They made their way toward the lakefront, where the smell of the fryer mixed with the laughter and music from the local band.
They joined the next group of players, and before long, Zoe was cracking up as Jackson dramatically overthrew a beanbag, sending it sailing past the board and into the grass.
“Wow,” she teased. “And here I was worried.”
“Just warming up,” he said, retrieving it. “You wait.”
By the time he finally sank one in, the small crowd nearby clapped and cheered. Zoe couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun at Walleye Weekend.
They were headed to grab lemonade when a familiar voice called out.
“Mr. Jackson!”
Zoe turned to see Emma barreling toward them, her pink sundress flaring, Tyler trying and failing to keep up.
Jackson crouched instinctively, catching her in a hug before she toppled over. “Hey, peanut! You here to beat me at cornhole too?”
Emma giggled. “Daddy said we could play after we eat. But first, I want pie! Did you see the bake sale? Gertie said I could help sell the cookies!”
Zoe looked over her shoulder to where her mom was beaming, pointing her and Jackson out to anyone who stood before her.
As if on cue, Gertie spotted them. “Zoe! Jackson!” She waved wildly, nearly knocking over a plate of brownies. “Come over here and say hello!”
Zoe’s stomach dropped. “I really should’ve seen that coming.”
Jackson chuckled, low and warm. “Guess we can’t escape fame now. The small-town bake-sale paparazzi await.”
“You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Maybe,” he admitted, his voice softening.
“Grab a cookie!” Gertie chirped as they approached. “For our Couple of the Year!”
Once they were closer, Gertie said, “Smile dear,” snapping a picture. “This one’s going on my Facebook. Might title it Mrs. Zoe Hawthorne!”
“Mom,” Zoe hissed under her breath, heat rising to her cheeks.
“Oh, I’m just having a bit of fun, but I’ve never seen you so happy. You’ve got a glow about you.”
Zoe’s heart squeezed. She tried for a laugh, light and easy, but it came out brittle. “It’s just the spring sunshine, Mom.”
“Nonsense.” Gertie wagged a finger. “It’s him. You’re happy, and I’m happy. Nothing makes a mama’s heart prouder than seeing her baby girl smiling again. After everything you’ve been through…” Her voice hitched, eyes misting. “You deserve this.”
Zoe’s throat closed. She couldn’t stand the way her mom’s gaze made her feel like she was standing on the edge, one step away from falling off the cliff.
Beside her, Jackson cleared his throat gently. “We’re going to grab some food. Can we get you anything?”
“Oh, don’t let me keep you,” Gertie said brightly, stepping aside. “But Zoe, honey? You hold onto this one. He’s a keeper.”
Zoe forced a smile that felt like it might shatter at the edges. “Yeah, Mom. I know.”
As they walked on, the sound of their boots hitting the pavement filled the silence. Jackson kept his eyes forward, jaw tight, like he hadn’t heard.
But Zoe knew he had.
Because her heart was still hammering at the look her mom had given her—like she already believed Zoe had found forever.
And Zoe wanted that to be true so badly she could hardly breathe.