Page 57 of Under Pink Skies

Connor leaned back, smiling down at me. “I’ll be waiting.”

My mouth went dry as he turned toward the Roadhouse, waving to Willie and Gale. He grabbed a tray from underneath the foldout table and started collecting trash and recycling nearby while Gale gave him instructions on where they needed his help.

I shook my head, clutching my clipboard to my chest as I made my rounds. All the vendors thanked Watford for the opportunity to come to the festival, many of whom asked for my card so that I could be in touch with them about future events. My face ached from smiling so much in a way I hadn’t in years.

Finally, once all the vendors were packed away, everyone gathered on the edge of town. The mayor made a speech about this incredible turning point in Watford’s history that had most of us locals teary-eyed. For the first time in a long time, we felt like we’d done something as a town. We’d put ourselves back on the map. All the investing in ourselves we had done in the years since the economic downturn was finally paying off. And we were all there to see it.

I turned my gaze back to the Roadhouse as the fireworks went off overhead, and I could have sworn Connor Harvey smiled back at me.

Chapter 21

Connor

TheRoadhousewassuffocatinglyfull of sweaty bodies.

If I wasn’t so desperate to see Abbie let herself enjoy her success, I wouldn’t be here. Bars and my history don’t go well together.

I pushed my way through the throng of people, most of whom were already on their second or third drink. I could tell by the way they leaned into the aisle, making it difficult for everyone to pass through. And by the way they laughed and talked too loudly. There was a difference between talking loud enough to compensate for the pop music blaring overhead, and drunken cackling.

Most were leaning toward the latter.

Finally, I noticed Kameron sipping on his sparkling water at the end of the bar. Some of the tension in my shoulders eased as I made my way over to him, ignoring the tacky substance that clung to my shoes as I walked. Kameron gestured for me to join him at the bar, but I didn’t take the empty seat, opting instead to lean back against the bar with my arms crossed over my chest. I told myself I was keeping a lookout for Abbie, which was true.

I also wanted to keep my eyes on the exit, in case my anxiety about being in this stupid establishment overtook me.

“Can I get you water?”

I shook my head. The last thing I needed was to drink anything here, even if it was non-alcoholic. I was already on high alert.

“This place hasn’t changed,” I muttered.

“It’s certainly got character,” Kameron said with a small laugh.

A torrent of cheers rose from the crowd, and I stood up straighter, searching for the reason the crowd suddenly seemed to lean in towards the door.

And there she was. Abbie and Imogen had entered the bar, Imogen holding Abbie’s hand up in the air as if she was announcing the latest WWE winner. Abbie’s eyes scanned the bar, and when she found me, she grinned wildly.

My heart seized in my chest.

I would give this girl the world. I had always wanted to give her the world. Even when I was broken, bruised, and beaten, wondering if I could ever be normal, I saw a future when I looked at her. She was my sun, a guiding star whose presence made have faded in my life, but never completely disappeared.

Abbie made her way toward me, only to be swallowed up by some vendors and other patrons celebrating the festival’s success. Abbie patiently accepted their praise, dishing out hugs and compliments, but every so often, her eyes met mine, sparkling with amusement and something I couldn’t quite place.

All of it—her gaze, her outfit—threatened to send me into a spiral. She had changed from her festival organizer attire into a yellow sundress and short cowgirl boots.

I stepped forward before I was fully aware of my actions. I felt drawn to her, as if an invisible string was tying her to me. Her wild eyes met mine, and I couldn’t stop the grin that spread on my face as I opened my arms for her. She practically sprinted over to me.

“Hello,” she said, and leaned into my embrace. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head, not giving a damn who saw. There would be whispers. But Abbie and I had never cared much about what others thought.

I pulled back and held her face in my hands.

“I am so proud of you, Abbie. You did it.”

“Wedid it,“ she said, and I shook my head, unable to stop smiling.

“You were our fearless leader from the start. Take credit where credit is due.”

Abbie’s smiled widened, and she stretched up to kiss my cheek. She was so close, her warm body pressed against mine, and I was fighting not to ask her to come back to the cabin with me. I would kick Lucas and Kameron out and do whatever she wanted.

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