Page 29 of That One Heartbreak

Eight

Addy and Ethanwere already running ahead as Kate lifted up the trunk to get her chair and cooler out. The fields and roads at the riverside were mobbed with people. She was surprised. And a little overwhelmed.

“Slow down,” she shouted, because there were way too many people here for her to feel comfortable with them running out of her eyesight. “Ethan, come grab the blanket. Addy, I need your help with my purse.”

The kids were buzzing as they made it into the lush green field alongside the creek. The big houses that overlooked the water were further along. She could see people filling each yard. The fields were full of chairs, tables, and blankets. In the corner of the first field she could see the makeshift stage and the volunteers – one of them James – standing by it.

“Mommy, there’s Noah from school. Can I go say hi?” Ethan asked.

“Can I go, too?” Addy said. “I want to say hi to him.”

“He’s not your friend, he’s mine,” Ethan said.

Here we go.“Nobody’s going anywhere until we find somewhere to sit. And then we’ll see,” Kate told them firmly, looking around to find a friendly face.

“Kate.” She felt a warm hand touch her arm and looked up to see Marley Hartson standing next to her. He took the cooler out of her hands. “Where are you heading?”

“I don’t know.” She offered him a smile. “Just trying to find a free spot.”

“You want to join the others from the department or would that be weird?” There was no judgement in his voice. Just an offer and she took it as that.

She took a deep breath. “I don’t think I’m ready for that,” she told him. Once upon a time she would have sat with the fire department without a second thought. But now, it would feel too weird.

He nodded in understanding. “How about my family?” he asked. “They’ve got a little spot to the left of the stage.”

“Can we put these things downsomewhere?” Ethan asked. “My arms are getting tired.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “Near the stage sounds good.” That way she could keep an eye on James, too, because that’s where the volunteers were stationed.

“Come on, then.” Marley took the folded up chair from her too and started walking. Ethan walked next to him, talking about the t-shirts Marley left the other week. Addy walked beside Kate, holding her hand now that she had them free.

The closer they got to the stage, the harder it was to weave in between the clusters of people sitting in circles. Kate kept Addy close, afraid she might lose her.

“Here okay?” Marley asked her, stopping next to where his mom was sitting. Maddie Hartson immediately stood up.

“Kate, it’s lovely to see you.” She reached out to hug her. “Oh my goodness, look at these children. How grown up are they?” She smiled widely at Kate. “Are you joining us?” she asked.

“If that’s okay?”

“Of course.” Maddie nodded as Marley put Kate’s cooler on the grass and opened up her chair. There were younger kids in the family group already – Marley’s niece and nephews, plus some more of his extended family. Ethan and Addy were already walking over to them because they knew the kids from school. Marley leaned forward and whispered something in his mom’s ear and she nodded.

“James is over there,” Marley told her, pointing at the side of the stage. And sure enough, he was sitting on his own, sorting out what looked like fliers. He was wearing jeans and a junior firefighter t-shirt, under a bright yellow vest. “He’ll go on litter duty every half an hour. Apart from that, he’s been told to stay by the stage.”

Her eyes met his. “Thank you.”

“Any time.”

“Shouldn’t you go now?” she asked him. “Don’t you have some drums to play?”

“In a while. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay first.”

“I’m fine,” she told him. “Thank you. For everything.”

He nodded. “Are you staying after the show is over?”

She looked at Addy and Ethan who were laughing at something one of the other kids was saying. “I’m not sure. I need to get those two into bed.”

When she looked back at him, his gaze was on her lips. He quickly brought it back to her eyes, but she felt a strange pulse of excitement rush through her. It made her feel breathless.

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