Page 2 of A Moment In Time

Gage had always found Sydney attractive, with her dark hair falling in soft curls to her shoulders. She’d pull it back into a high ponytail when she was working at something where it might be a distraction. She always had an elastic hair band or two on her wrist for that purpose. They were hidden among the manybracelets she wore made from jute and various beads. In Gage’s mind, it seemed the bracelets would be more distracting than her hair. But maybe that’s because he was slightly infatuated with her dark locks. And then there were her eyes. They were almost as dark as her hair, especially when she was mad at him. Which happened more than it should. But that was his fault, not hers. He wasn’t easy to be around sometimes.

They left the office and got into their respective vehicles. Gage waited for Sydney to back out, then followed her. She’d been working with him for almost four years now. She was a great journalist and had a way of making people relax when she interviewed them. She was definitely an asset to the paper.

He sighed. It was really hard for him to admit that to her. He hoped giving her a chance to take some pictures during the festival would let her know he trusts her. If they used digital cameras, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But Gage refused to give into the digital age. At least as far as photography was concerned. He took all the images for the paper with his film camera. Then he developed them in the basement. It took longer, but he loved it.

If he had his way, they’d still be producing the paper on the old printing press in the back room of the building. His Great-uncle Lawrence started the paper in 1975 and switched to digital printing in the early nineties. When Gage’s Uncle Duncan took over the paper, he updated the computers and printers. But he continued to use film cameras for the photographs. Gage saw no reason to change that.

The big event on Friday was the bonfire. It was held in a clearing at the start of several hiking trails going into the foothills. It was a popular site which was used throughout the year for various events. Today, the bonfire would be in the six-foot diameter firepit. There were benches around the edges,which were all occupied by people who were probably unaware they’d be the subject of Gage’s theme this year.

The Red Door Café, along with the Ambrose Tavern, had food booths. The tavern was selling hot chocolate and cider. You could get either of them spiked, if you so desired. They also had giant chocolate chip cookies, which Lillian and Delaney had spent the last two days making. The café was selling chili, a tradition started just two years ago by Brynlee. It had been a big hit when she introduced it, so it became an annual thing.

The Pizza Shack was serving pizza by the slice. And various service clubs sold a variety of foods and sweet treats. The mayor would arrive soon to make his speech officially starting the Winter Festival weekend.

Gage gave Sydney the camera and told her to mingle, then he headed for the tavern’s booth.

Paxton and Remington were manning it, and he gave them a smile.

“I think I need some hard cider to warm me up.” It was clear. But the temperature was in the forties.

Paxton nodded at the camera around Gage’s neck. “Should you be drinking while you’re armed?”

“It hasn’t affected my work yet.”

Remington handed him a cup of cider. “Where’s your better half?”

“Sydney?”

“Yeah.”

Gage scowled. “Since when is she my better half?”

“She’s better looking, nicer, and people like her.”

“Who doesn’t like me?”

Paxton laughed. “It’s not that people don’t like you. They just find you a bit socially challenged.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Paxton looked at Remington. “He’s never going to get it.”

Gage drank some cider. “I get the job done. What else is there?”

Remington reached across the counter and put a hand on Gage’s shoulder. “It’s called congeniality.”

Gage took a step back. “Congeniality doesn’t get the paper out twice a week. Hard work and perseverance does.”

Paxton nodded. “Okay. I hope that hard work and perseverance keeps you warm at night.”

Gage shook his head. “Why are you guys busting my balls? What did I do to you?”

Remington laughed. “We’re just messing with you. We love you and your conservative demeanor, brother.”

“Hmm.” He glanced at Paxton, who raised a hand.

“Me too. I love you.”

Gage finished his cider and set the paper cup down. “I’ll take another. The mayor will be here soon. He loves to see his picture in the paper.”

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