Page 33 of Big Risks

"I'm fine," I insist, though my voice comes out higher than intended.

Hailey frowns, placing a hand on my arm. "Are you sure? You've been acting strange all week."

"Just works stuff," I lie. I hate to lie to them, but I can’t let the cat out of the bag just yet.

"Well, take the day off from thinking about it," Hailey says, squeezing my hand. "Today is about fun, remember?"

"Speaking of fun," Brooke interjects, "your daughter's pumpkin is causing quite a stir."

I turn to see a small crowd gathering around the pumpkin judging table. Olivia stands proudly next to her creation, which is now uncovered. From this distance, all I can make out is a riot of color and what appears to be... wings?

"I should probably go check that out," I say, grateful for the distraction.

"Go. I'll find you after we finish setting up," Hailey says, giving me another quick kiss.

As I walk toward the pumpkin contest, I rehearse what I'm going to say for the thousandth time. The words I've drafted and redrafted more carefully than any letter I've ever written.

"It's a fairy pumpkin queen," Olivia explains to Mandy and Paisley, who are judging the contest and looking at my daughter's creation with a mixture of confusion and awe.

The pumpkin has been transformed into an elaborate fairy throne, complete with smaller gourds acting as steps leading up to it. Atop the throne sits a fairy made from twigs, leaves, and what appears to be an entire craft store's worth of glitter. Tiny LED lights (courtesy of Noah's help) illuminate the whole thing, making it glow like something out of a fantasy novel.

"I see," Mandy says, though her expression suggests she doesn't, really. "And the, um, what are those?"

"Butterfly guards," Olivia says matter-of-factly, pointing to the pipe-cleaner creations flanking the throne. "They protect the queen from the autumn goblins."

"Of course they do," I say, coming up behind her and placing my hands on her shoulders. "Autumn goblins are a serious threat."

Olivia beams up at me. "Do you think I'll win?"

I survey the competition. There's a traditional jack-o'-lantern with a surprisingly detailed carving of the town square. Another entry features a pumpkin painted to look like one of those witches from a Halloween movie, complete with the signature witch hat. But nothing comes close to the elaborate fairy wonderland my daughter has created.

"I think you've got a solid shot," I tell her honestly.

She bounces on her toes. "Good, because I need that gift card prize to buy more craft supplies."

"More? There can't possibly be anything left in the store."

"Dad," she says with the gravity of someone explaining basic math to a toddler, "you can never have too many craft supplies."

I spot Noah making his way through the crowd, clipboard in hand. No doubt going over the list his wife Lexi gave him.

"Walker! Just the man I was looking for." He claps me on the shoulder. "We're still on for your reading later, right? Four o'clock at the gazebo?"

My mouth goes dry. "Absolutely."

"Excellent! Everyone is looking forward to it." He lowers his voice. "And I've been briefed on the, ah, special finale you have planned. Very romantic."

I nod, fighting the urge to check my pocket again. Noah had been all too happy to help coordinate when I'd explained what I wanted to do. In fact, he'd gotten misty-eyed and launched into a story about how he proposed to Lexi and how he couldn’t be happier.

"Thanks for your help," I manage.

"Not at all! Nothing like a public proposal to boost morale around here,” he says with a wink before moving on to greet other people.

Olivia tugs at my sleeve. "Dad, can I go get cider with Zoe?"

"Sure, just be back here by three-thirty, okay? I need your help with something."

She gives me a knowing look. "Operation Happily Ever After?"

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