Page 24 of Daddy Bear Picnic

“Hi, Elijah,” he said, waving me into a space near another car. “I’m excited to have these. The kids are excited about getting to paint on them.” He continued as I pulled up beside him. He noticed Malcolm. “Oh. I don’t think we’ve met yet.”

He shook his head.

“This is Malcolm. I think wen we came by you weren’t around,” I said. “Probably at the library.”

He tutted his tongue at the roof of his mouth. “Sounds about right for my schedule. Either that, or I’m home bingingMurder, She Wrotelike an absolute fanatic. Angela Landsbury, the woman that you were.” He pressed his fingers to his mouth in a kiss and then raised them to the air.

“I loved her,” Malcolm said. “I used to watch that with my gran.”

“Right, you moved into your grandparents house,” Leo said. “People talk. I feel like I already know you.”

I climbed out of the van. “Ok, so where do you want the bird houses dropping off. I’m assuming they’ll be painted today. So maybe we should keep them outside.”

Conversation was quickly diverted when Leo spotted the teddy on Malcolm’s keyring as it dangled out of his pocket. I’d wondered if it was dangerous to keep them dangling like that, but he couldn’t exactly shove that thing in his entire pocket, and he seemed to enjoy and glow every time someone mentioned the teddy, like they belonged to a secret club, and it was quite fitting given that he was a little in search of the secret club they talked about in the local bulletin.

I occupied myself as they gushed over their collections, surely both of them now realizing they were both part of thatsameclub. I unloaded the van, stacking the bird houses along the side of the community center, right by the front door.

“Let me add you to the group chat,” he said. “What’s your number?”

And already scoring an invite. I was proud of Malcolm for integrating himself into the town so well. It gave me faith that what we had was going to be strong.

“Who else is part of it?” Malcolm asked in a whisper. “I—I was kinda told this was a thing here, but I’m nervous about groups.”

Coming up behind Malcolm, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. Leo is a good person.”

“Thank you,” he said. “And speaking of being a good person, did you see the sold sign on the property right on the main street? Someone bought the old bakery and apartment. Do you think they’re going to open it up as a bakery again?”

“It is?” I asked. “Huh. When?”

“Drove passed it yesterday and saw the red sold sign slapped over the for sale board.”

“I wonder if David and Reynard bought it.”

Leo shuddered as did Malcolm right against my chest.

“You know they’d hate it here in the winter,” Leo chuckled. “And they’d make it everyone’s business.”

“I hope I don’t hate it here in the winter,” Malcolm said, looking up at me.

“You won’t, as long as we get you a new boiler installed before then,” I told him.

Leo gasped, stepping back. “Oh my gosh, I see it now.” He raised a hand in the air and snapped it shut as if collecting something from the air. “You two are adorable. Like, oh my gosh, I mean, it’s obvious now, but like a minute ago, I was completely oblivious.”

With my arm wrapped around Malcolm’s waist, I hadn’t intended on it being such a public announcement, and with Leo, the news would be live around the town competing in speed with Gladys for gossip.

“It’s not like a secret, or anything, is it?” he asked. “Because I know how to keep a secret.” His head seemingly shaking to express the opposite opinion.

“No you don’t, Leo, and that’s absolutely fine,” I chuckled. “We’re dating, we’ll see where things go, and I think they’ll go far, all things considered. I hope they do.”

Malcolm tucked himself in closer. “I really think so as well.”

“Oh gosh, now you’re making me feel lonely,” Leo laughed. “Well, thank you for the bird houses, the kids are going to love customizing them. Also, I think Oliver wanted to talk to you, but you know what he’s like, running the town and all.”

“We’ll head over,” I said. “Assuming that’s ok with you, Malcolm, I don’t know if you had plans.”

He nodded. “I like getting to know people in town. It’s fun.”

Leo wiggled his phone in the air. “Don’t forget to check the group chat, there’s a bunch of us in there. You might be surprised.”

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