Page 37 of Something Cryptid This Way Comes
“Our on-screen debut.” Dmitri kisses Ever’s cheek. “We have the premiere video bookmarked.”
Someone with a bullhorn announces that the kids’ costume parade is about to begin. We line the side of the park’s pathway with the other attendees and clap as the kids come by on their way to the fountain at the park’s center.
On the other side of the path, I spy Hayworth and Felix Spring, dressed in costume. Felix rocks a cowboy look and Hayworth’s an astronaut. Hayworth catches my gaze and we wave at each other.
“Who’s that?” Bram slides his arm around my shoulders.
“Hayworth. He and I go to the same gym. The cowboy next to him is his partner Felix.” I lean into Bram, scanning the parade of costumes. “See the cowgirl walking beside Little Bo Peep? They’re Felix’s kids, Elsa and Aria.”
The girls light up and wave at Felix and Hayworth, and Bram turns to me. “Toy Story, right? That’s a good group costume.”
“It is. The T-Rex was my favorite character. Maybe Bandit will go as a dinosaur next year.”
Farther down the path, Jason Zervudachi from Moon Meadows Maple Farm stands with his older sister's family. They cheer louder when the next wave of kids comes by, and one of the kids waves back at them. Seeing him reminds me that we need to put in another order for more maple syrup for the inn. I add a note to my phone and am relieved there aren’t any messages from Peter, our other assistant manager, who’s at the helm there today. My staff is extremely competent, but the worry for things to be well never really goes away.
Bram clasps my shoulder. “It’s time for us to line up.”
“We’ll see you guys later.” I nod at Ever and Dmitri then follow Bram toward the opposite side of the park. Alaric and Jake flank me, promising to take pictures and cheer us on. We leave them to find spots in the crowd lining the parade route. As the kids did, we’ll walk toward the fountain.
We line up behind a Dalmatian dressed as an angel. Bram steps closer to me to allow a golden retriever dressed as a pumpkin, complete with a little stem beret, to pass. Bandit is busy sniffing the Dalmatian, but the large spotted dog is more interested in Hades.
Alex MacDougall approaches us, camera in hand, and captures the angel and devil getting acquainted. “This is going in the photo carousel for sure.”
Laughing, I guide Bandit away from the duo so he’s not in the shot. Then Alex turns his camera on Bram and me, with Bandit standing between us. Bram wraps his arm around my waist and leans in, his temple resting against mine. My heartbeat stutters at how natural this feels. Like we’re acouple, not two best friends trying to figure out if these last few weeks have been a fling or something more.
“That’s a nice one.” Alex lowers his camera. “I’ll send it to you.”
“Thanks.” Bram keeps his arm around me, like it belongs there, and all I can manage is a nod and a murmured thanks of my own.
Alex walks away, taking more photos as he heads toward the fountain. An announcement comes from the bullhorn that the pet parade is ready to begin.
I crouch beside Bandit and stroke his back. “Good boy. We’ll walk in this, and then get you and Hades a present. Then we’ll go home and you can watch that farm show you like so much.”
Above me, Bram chuckles and holds out his hand to pull me to my feet. “You’re adorable.”
Heat flares into my cheeks. I flick one of my headband antenna and send a pumpkin dancing. “Especially in these pumpkins.”
He links our hands together, then draws them to his lips and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “Even without them.”
Overwhelmed, I don’t know what to say.
The Dalmatian and her owner move forward. Hand in hand, we follow with our dogs. I love the cheers and the smiles, and this town so much. Sharing it with Bram feels right. Holding their phones up, Jake and Alaric let out whoops, calling our names as we pass.
When we reach the fountain, one of the festival volunteers hands us a small bag with various pet treats, toys, and coupons inside. There are so many people and pets roaming around, our dogs are overwhelmed.
Bram points out an empty bench away from the vendors and we hustle to claim it. There are bushes on both sides, secluding us from the bustling activity. We calm the dogs withsoft words and pets, and the way Bram interacts with Hades is so sweet, my heart sighs.
As Bram adjusts Hades’s horns, I sort through the bags for the treats we bought from the pet boutique. The dogs gobble them up, then nose the bag, looking for more. I find pumpkin-shaped chew toys in the bags and distract the dogs with them.
Our bench gives us a great view of the stage set up on the side street beside us. Bram taps my arm. “Agnes is over there. Looks like the Rocktogenarians are on next.”
“Do you want to move so we’re in front of the stage?”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Staying right here is fine.”
We can see and hear everything, and don’t have to worry about anyone banging into us or the dogs. “Sounds good.”
Dressed in various versions of leather and animal print, the ladies take the stage. Led by Rae, they warm up the crowd.
