Page 61 of Worth the Want
The string lights over my head make me think of the farmers’ markets my family would go to when I was a kid. It’s noisy and loud, and there are booths lined up as far as I can see. I’m walking down one of the lanes, thinking about how much Han would love it here. The colorful people and the live entertainment. It’s just the sort of thing we would have dreamed up while telling stories to one another.
I’ve been here since seven this morning, helping Winnie set up all the baked goods, and I even helped Ivy and Florence get some packages together for the auction they’re having. Free nights at either The Edgemont or The Holloway Hotel sound amazing, but the packages now both include a spa treatment and an outing.
“Indie!” I turn to see Hazel up on top of Knox’s shoulders. She’s waving at me frantically. The sight gives me that fuzzy feeling I’ve become well acquainted with. They both feel like mine.
“Hi, Hazey!” I yell back to her. Beside Knox are his parents. I smile at them.
“Hello, Indiana. It’s good to see you again,” Mr. Holloway greets me.
“Very good to see you again,” Mrs. Holloway chimes in.
“It’s great to see you both. Please, call me Indie. Are you enjoying your night?”
“Oh, yes. We always like to come and see the sights. This town is always celebrating something,” she comments.
“That’s something I’m looking forward to. I love this kind of thing,” I say, looking out over the festival.
“Me too!” Hazel yells. “I have cotton candy!”
“I see that. And it’s blue. That’s my favorite, you know?”
“Want some?” She holds it out to me in offering. It’s not as fluffy as I assume it used to be, and there’s some melted sugar in spots, but I will not reject this very gracious offer.
“Indie, you don’t—” Knox starts, but I lean forward and bite a small piece off.
“Mmm. Hazel. That is the best cotton candy I’ve ever had. I have to get some for myself before I eat all yours,” I tell her seriously. She grins at me.
“I can share!”
“That’s okay, baby. Why don’t we go get Indie her own?” Knox encourages shooting me a wink. With that wink, that boyish gesture, I melt like the cotton candy on his daughter’s sticky fingers.
“Okay!” Hazel agrees, and I grin at her easy-going nature. So unlike her father in that way.
“We’re going to stop by the bakery booth; we’ll catch up with you in a bit to get Hazel and head home,” Mrs. Holloway tells us.
“Yay! Sleepover with Grammy and Grandpa!” Hazel cheers.
Knox smiles but shakes his head. “It’s not like you don’t have a sleepover every week or anything.”
“Time with grandparents is very important for her development, son. It also keeps us young,” Mr. Holloway says.
“Studies have also shown that grandparents who spend time with their grandchildren retain their memories longer. You wouldn’t want me to lose my mind, would you?” Mrs. Holloway asks Knox pointedly.
“More than you already have?” Knox mutters. His dad laughs, and I bite my lip to stop mine.
Mrs. Holloway gives me a look. “It’s like he doesn’t remember that I know all the embarrassing moments of his life, and I really enjoy talking.” At that, I can’t stop the bubbling laughter.
“See you in a bit,” she calls over her shoulder as she walks away, Mr. Holloway beside her, reaching for her hand.
“Your parents are really great. They remind me a little of mine,” I tell Knox.
“They’re the best. I just like giving my mom a hard time every now and then. She would keep Hazel at her house permanently if it were an option.”
“She does give that impression,” I muse.
“But you want to stay with Daddy, right?” He looks up at Hazel, and she leans her head down to look at him.
“Forever and ever,” she says sweetly.
