Page 21 of Finding You

“Exactly.”

They went back to eating, and MacKenzie knew they were going to need a new topic. She was tired of talking about her car–because it was depressing her–and talking more about the people who wanted to gawk at her wasn’t much better.

“Are you going to the reunion this weekend?”

“That’s the plan,” he replied casually. “You’re more than welcome to come with me if you’d like.”

“Um…”

“Friday night there’s rock and roll bowling, which is really just like regular bowling with a lot of loud music,” he went on. “There’s a big dance in the high school gym with some food and stuff Saturday night, and then Sunday there’s a big pancake breakfast for everyone. It’s always a lot of fun. I think you’d enjoy it.”

She was too polite to say that nothing about that sounded overly fun–especially when she didn’t know anyone. Instead, she gave him a small smile and said, “I don’t know. Maybe.”

And luckily, Devin didn’t push.

“And this festival thing,” she began. “Are all the businesses going to have booths at it and close their shops for the day?”

“It’s a five-day festival,” he told her. “And I don’t think all the businesses are doing booths–it wasn’t really an option–but I know some of the food places are going to have trucks up there. The resort’s catering staff is doing the bulk of the food, that I do know. And as for closing, the garage is only going to be open until noon on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that week, and we’ll close for the whole weekend.” He shrugged. “I know it must seem silly to think about making all these concessions for a festival, but Joe and Eric both have little kids and they really wanted to have the time to take them.”

“For five days?” she asked with a small laugh. “Don’t get me wrong, I get that it’s a big deal, but what could there possibly be to do that would take five days to see? It’s not like they built Disney World up on the mountain.”

“No, but…the place has been closed and neglected for a long time. I told you about all the activities and the nightly concerts, so…I don’t know, it all sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

MacKenzie finished her dinner before reaching for her wine. “I guess I don’t see it that way because my dad always worked and we never did things like that. There were plenty of carnivals and stuff that came around once a year, but I went to those with my friends and only for a single night because we couldn’t afford for me to go more than once.” She sighed. “I’ve been working since I was fourteen to help out. My dad worked a lot and it never seemed to be enough. So maybe…maybe I look at taking five days to hang out at a festival as being frivolous or irresponsible.” She took a sip of her wine before adding, “God, what a judgy bitch I must sound like.”

But Devin wasn’t looking at her like she was crazy and he wasn’t looking at her with pity.

And that scored major points with her.

Not that he needed them. The man was already the equivalent of seeing Bigfoot and a unicorn at the same time.

“You don’t sound judgy,” he assured her. “That’s what your life was like, and it sounds like your dad did the best he could. And from everything I’ve gotten to know about you in the last twenty-four hours, he did a great job.”

She swallowed the lump of emotion clogging her throat. Her dad had been awesome and she still missed him so much. Hearing Devin’s words made her realize she was still honoring her father by being a good person.

Even if she made horrible choices in her life from time to time.

“Besides,” he went on. “We’re all entitled to our opinions.”

“I’m sure it sounds crazy to you…”

“Not at all,” he quickly interrupted. “But…if you’re still in town and want to check it all out, I’d love to go with you.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why, but she already knew.

Because he was a good guy.

And maybe if she was legit still here in Sweetbriar for the festival, she’d finally figure out how to handle someone like Devin.

Maybe.

ChapterFive

Why wouldn’t her brain just shut up and let her sleep?

For two days, MacKenzie was too busy to even think. Between learning how to handle things at Devin’s shop to all the friendly people she was meeting, she was beginning to feel more than a little overwhelmed. Either it was a really slow news week, or the people of Sweetbriar Ridge were justthatcurious about everything that went on in people’s lives, because it seemed as if everyone had heard of her and wanted to know about the woman who was staying and working with Devin.

She was a little embarrassed at having to talk about the circumstances of how she ended up in that predicament–but not Devin. He was more than happy to talk about it to anyone and everyone, and with a smile on his damn handsome face, no less. That set tongues wagging and before she knew it, people were giving MacKenzie sly glances and telling her what a great catch Devin was.

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