Clusters of pumpkins and lit jack-o-lanterns lined the walkways, glowing in the fading daylight. Music resounded from the main stage near the town square, a local cover band playing renditions from festive popular movies such asHalloweenandHocus Pocus, adding an air of revelry to the night.
Children in costumes darted between the crowd, stopping at booths to trick-or-treat and collect their bounty of candy. Witches, goblins, cowboys and princesses dashed in front of Henry and Ava as they wound their way hand in hand through the crowd.
“This is amazing,” Ava said as she looked at Henry.
His eyes lit up as he replied, “Let’s get something to eat.”
Ava nodded and they continued walking toward the center of town to the food stalls. The green space in the town square had been converted into a giant haunted house, the sounds of shrieking children and adults alike drifting from the entrance.
She smiled at herself at the feel of Henry’s fingers interlaced with hers. The intimacy that small act created was something she’d been craving without even realizing it until he appeared on her property that fateful morning.
The food stalls were neatly positioned near the main square, also adorned with purple lights and dark fabrics, full of mouthwatering smells of pumpkin, turkey legs and apple cider.
“I’m starving,” she said, inhaling the scents as her stomach growled.
“Me too.”
They decided on a turkey leg to share and some cold apple cider for the time being, though Ava wanted to devour all the pastries and confections she could find, satisfying her never ending sweet tooth. They sat on a bench near the lawn, watching patrons enter and leave the haunted house with faces full of excitement.
Henry handed her the turkey leg. “Thanks for coming as my date.”
Blushing, she fidgeted in her seat. “Thanks for asking,” she replied, taking a bite.
“We have a spring festival too. You should set up a flower booth next year,” he suggested.
“That’s a great idea,” said Ava. “You could help me build a display stand!”
“Only if you let me do the hammering,” he said as he took a sip of cider.
She rolled her eyes and laughed.
She imagined herself in her overalls, collecting and organizing flowers and transporting them to the town square. She could see her booth, decorated with light purple fabric with bouquets for sale but also single stems for purchase. The combination of pink tulips, white hyacinths and yellow daffodils would make a lovely display as she visited with thetownsfolk who purchased her goods. Maybe she would even create a ‘build your own bouquet’ station.
After they finished the turkey leg, Ava announced, “I need something sweet.” And led Henry to the stalls with the delectable dessert options.
She opted for a deep-fried pumpkin ice cream sandwich while Henry ate a fried apple pie, and they wandered toward the artisan stands as they munched their treats.
“This is so good. Try it,” she moaned as she held it up.
He took a bite. “That’s delicious.” Then leaning in, he whispered, “Save those sounds for later tonight.” He turned and faced her, stopping in the middle of the crowd, and his eyes dipped to her lips.
Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up. “I—Um. What?”
He took a step closer as he murmured, “We never got to finish what we started in the greenhouse.”
Butterflies erupted in her stomach as he turned and continued to walk, reaching around her waist and pulling her closer as they strode side by side.
Wandering through the crowd, they came upon a tent with a sign that read,Have Your Fortune Told. $10.
Henry noticed her looking at it. “Do you want to?”
“Sure, I guess. What’s the harm?” She shrugged as they turned and headed toward it, knowing it was all a ruse anyway.
They entered the small shelter and a woman rose from her folding chair in the corner. “Welcome, welcome! Which of you would like to have a reading?”
Ava didn’t recognize her from town. She was old, with cavernous wrinkles hiding her deep-set brown eyes. A turquoise floral scarf was fastened over her snow-white hair, and she wore brightly colored layers of flowing chiffon, her skirt billowing with deep purple and royal blue as she approached.
“Both of us,” answered Henry.