Page 29 of One Chance to Stay (Bears of Firefly Valley #4)

Patrick: These could be stepping on your feet.

I attached a photo of my boots and clicked send.

With any luck, he’d open it and chuckle at the memory.

To be fair, I’m not sure how much his feet could take.

It’d be a long time before I mustered anything but the Electric Slide, and even then, I toppled over Harvey.

Broken hip avoided, but I’d never live it down.

The tables in the American Legion were lined with snow globes featuring different stores in Firefly.

I reached for one, smiling at the sight of a tiny hardware store.

With a gentle shake, multicolored glitter snowed down on the shop.

Inside, I imagined a tiny Seamus grumbling to himself as he stocked the shelves.

The brown paper tag, tied with twine, read, “Bring home a little piece of Firefly.”

Audrey hurled a piece of cake into Walter’s face. He dragged his fingers through the frosting before licking them clean. The two were an adorable— Audrey leaned in, licking his cheek. An innocent tradition turned vulgar. Thankfully, Megan stepped in.

“Join the couple on the dance floor. To dance. Dad. Dad!”

The room chuckled, and the music started. Walter wiped the cake from his face and pulled Audrey onto the dance floor. The crowd converged. I couldn’t help but smile as the kids mingled with grandparents. For celebrating, Firefly didn’t discriminate.

“They really thought of everything.”

I turned, eyes going wide as Mabel Syrup dragged a chair next to me. Of all the people I expected to see, she hadn’t even been close to making the list. Her green dress, with white fuzzy hems for once, didn’t stand out in a crowd.

“Girl, I never thought I’d say this, but you’re underdressed.”

“What a hateful thing to say.” Her eyelashes fluttered, emphasizing the green gems along her eyes.

“Never upstage the bride.” The elbow-length white gloves were almost understated.

It’d be hard to outdo her sequin body suit, complete with a birdcage in her wig.

“Just wait for the Christmas party at the bar. Eight men with leather harnesses will pull my sleigh onto the stage.”

“I expect nothing less.”

“I hope you’re making good use of this little vacation. You know I rigged the raffle, right?” I raised an eyebrow. Her eyes rolled back in her head. “Honey, you needed a break. You’re a wonderful bartender, and you make the perfect Cosmo, but you needed time with yourself.”

“Thanks. I think?”

“I thought you needed a little rest. I didn’t think that’d involve a scandalous adventure. Though…” That smirk made patrons at Spectrum shower her in dollar bills. “I’m proud of you.”

The heat reached my face. I thought a quiet vacation would give me time for introspection.

By the end, I’d have my life figured out.

Bullet lists on the steps moving forward.

Instead, it looked more like a toddler’s coloring book.

Somewhere in the chaos, I scribbled the answers.

I couldn’t help but smile because of a single man turning my life ass over teakettle.

“So.”

She turned toward me. One leg extended, pausing for a moment before folding it over the other. This queen knew how to move for maximum drama.

“So.” Play dumb.

“ So.”

Before I could reply, a gloved finger hooked under my beard, lifting my chin. The bright red lips were pursed, a perfectly tweezed eyebrow traveling up her forehead. Unlike the people of Firefly, Mabel didn’t wait for hearsay; she wanted the dirt straight from the source.

“Which one has my baby bear questioning his status as a heterosexual?”

Baby? Mabel couldn’t be more than a year or two older than me, but she did bring the mother energy. Part of me wished I could point to one of the men and get her read. She’d have opinions for days.

“He went home after the wedding.”

“Tsk. Tsk. Teach me to be fashionably late.” She gave my cheek a light pat.

“Why aren’t you on his doorstep with a boombox on your shoulder?

If my baby is smitten, he needs to get on board with romantic expectations.

Maybe a flash mob? I could get the girls.

We have the perfect routine. How do you feel about pyrotechnics? ”

I snorted, knowing full well she meant every word. “He’s more of a quiet man. Reserved. I don’t want to spook him.”

“Honey, don’t play that game. If there’s one thing Mabel knows, it’s that everybody wants to feel special.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Holding up the snow globe, I gave it another shake while I imagined us dancing.

I agreed with her. I agreed hard . When he squeezed my hand, staring at the deer food, I hoped he understood his impact.

I tried it his way, actions over words, but maybe I needed to rely on what I did best. I wasn’t done prying my way into Seamus’s life.

“Excuse me.”

Harvey stood with his hands behind his back, twisting at the waist like a school child with a secret. He had a smile stretched across his face as he waited for us to acknowledge… her to acknowledge him.

“Harvey, dear.” Mabel offered a hand. He took it and with a sweeping bow, kissed her knuckles. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Would you do me the honor?”

“For such a fine young man?” She got to her feet, taking his hand. Leading him to the dance floor, Harvey exaggerated a parting wink. “Keep your hands north of the equator, mister.”

As fast as the seat emptied, Julie took Mabel’s place. She gave a glance to Mabel and Harvey before looking at me. “Does he…?”

I nodded. “Ever since she started reading to the kids, they love her. The girl has charm for miles.”

“And legs,” Julie whistled. “Consider me jealous.”

Less showy than the wedding party, the newest shopkeeper in town opted for a classic ugly green sweater. When she turned toward me, Rudolph’s nose lit up. She dug around in her boot before revealing a flask.

“You came prepared.”

“Is it wrong to admit I’m a liquor snob?” She spun open the top, ready to take a drink. She paused. “Where are my manners?” Digging into her other boot, she produced a second flask. “Can’t drink alone.”

I suspected she had at least one more hidden underneath the sweater. She handed me the flask, and I unscrewed the top. I held it up in a toast. “To Firefly’s newest shopkeeper.”

She laughed. “To surviving this crazy.” We clanked, and I tipped it back. Tequila. Straight. I coughed as it burned down the back of my throat. “After the first sip, it goes down nice and smooth.”

On the dance floor, Harvey spun Mabel around as if she were the belle of the ball. The jealousy crept in as I wished Seamus had stuck around. Her words continued echoing in the back of my head, louder with every gulp of tequila. I needed to brainstorm.

Julie leaned closer, raising her voice over the music. “Do you know what’s going on with this solstice thing?”

“Evelyn is hosting it. Or, I should say her bed-and-breakfast is arranging it. She roped me in to play bartender.” She nodded along, and my eyes narrowed. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

“Do you know how many group chats this town has?”

Speaking of group texts and the people who kept adding me, Amanda had joined the dance floor.

She wedged herself between Jason and Simon, resting her head on Simon’s shoulder.

The three of them moved in slow circles, the epitome of Firefly.

With no boundaries, they could be the most invasive people, but they did it with the best of intentions.

The warmth overrode the lack of personal space.

“I’m asking because I think Valhalla and the Harvest & Vine could come up with a little something for the bonfire.”

“Like signature cocktails?” It wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’m thinking spiked hot chocolate? Eggnog? Oh, snow bunnies! They’re delicious. We can come up with a menu. I’ll supply the booze, of course.”

Sounded as if I would need to brush up on my holiday-themed cocktails.

I didn’t need to ask Evelyn for permission.

If it included free alcohol, I’m sure she’d jump at the chance.

This was the Firefly way, one business helping another.

Who knew I’d go on vacation and wind up bartending not one, but two events?

“To bonfires and booze.” I held up the flask.

“I can drink to that.”

And drink we did.

“Patrick. Earth to Patrick.”

My eyes widened as I gave my cheek a light slap. With a quick shake, I turned to see Amanda sitting on the table. Jason plopped himself down while Jon took a spot on his lap. The alcohol slowed my response time. It took a moment before I realized Amanda gave her snow globe a furious shake.

“I’ve never seen him intoxicated.” Jon poked at my cheek before I swatted him away.

“I’m fine.” It was mostly the truth. “Barely a buzz.” Less truth.

“We’re going to head to Jason’s house,” Amanda said. “It’s horrible horror night. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

“Simon’s in charge of snacks,” Jason added. “I promise, no pie.”

The space had all but cleared out. The hundred people had dwindled to a handful. Grace and Megan were laughing hysterically while they talked. Walter and Audrey were still dancing. Next to them, Mabel spun Harvey. Something about the scene filled my heart.

“I’m going to stay a little longer.”

Amanda slid off the table. “More popcorn for me!”

“Text if you need a ride,” Jason said.

Jon got up, giving me a hug. Jason patted me on the back while Amanda kissed my cheek.

It’s funny how this trio had once been strangers sitting at my bar.

One visit after another, they moved from strangers to friends.

Now, out from behind the counter and gallivanting in their world, I’d gladly hang out with them outside of work.

Tonight, I wanted to bask in the happy couple’s joy.