Page 5 of Reckless Flames

“Well, you’ve gone quiet,” she said.

“I’m sorry. I was just thinking about some things I have to do first thing in the morning. I want you to spend the night, but I can’t put them off to a later time, and I just can’t figure out how to balance what I want and what I need to do.”

“Oh,” she said, sounding a little surprised. “Well, I’ll just go home then. You don’t mind taking me, do you?”

“No, of course not, Sophie. I just wish I didn’t have to, but I don’t see any way around it.”

She was pretty quiet while we got dressed and got into the car. She’s usually outgoing, sassy even. At least, that’s the impression I’ve always had of her, and that’s how she’s been with me tonight. I hope she was just tired and not angry with me. Then, on the way to her house, she turned to me, clearly intending to tell me something.

“About tonight...” she started, her voice trailing off as though she were searching for the right words.

I turned to look at her. “Yeah?”

“We were both a bit drunk, and things got...carried away,” she continued, her gaze steady.

“Right. Carried away. Maybe we should just chalk it up to the alcohol and the whole heat-of-the-moment thing.”

A relieved laugh escaped her, easing the tension. “Sounds like a plan. Just a crazy, one-off thing.”

“Exactly,” I affirmed, though part of me rebelled at the idea of dismissing so easily the connection that felt so right, so good to me. I just had no idea what to say about that—how exactly I was going to fit her into my life, even though it was beginning to look like that’s what I might want.

Chapter three

Sophie

Afew days had passed since that night with Ben, each of them tinged with the lingering sense of doubt. Had it just been sex or could it have been more? Shaking off the remnants of those feelings, I found myself swept up in the vibrant chaos of the Finch Valley Festival, an annual tradition that had always managed to draw me back into the fold of my hometown.

The festival in Finch Valley was an extravagant celebration that lasted all weekend, transforming the town into a vibrant mosaic of life and joy and bringing in folks from miles away. As attendees meandered along bustling Main Street, they were greeted by an array of booths, each adorned with a vivid banner, creating a visual feast. Artisans from all corners of the region showcased their crafts, stalls brimming with hand-painted ceramics, intricate jewelry, and bespoke textiles amongother goods, each piece a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the valley.

The air was filled with the sounds of melodious guitars and the rhythmic beats of drums that echoed in the heart of the town square. Street performers, clad in flamboyant costumes, captivated groups of people with their theatrical displays, from mesmerizing juggling acts to awe-inspiring acrobatics, each performance adding a unique note to the festival.

Great food awaited at every corner, with vendors serving a smorgasbord of local and international cuisines. The tantalizing aroma of sizzling delicacies mingled with the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries, leading visitors on a culinary adventure that tantalized their taste buds and invited them to savor the flavors of the world.

As day turned to night, the festival took on a magical quality, with lanterns and fairy lights casting a soft glow over the proceedings. The highlight of the evening was the spectacular fireworks display, when bursts of color illuminated the night sky, reflecting off the river that meandered through Finch Valley, and drawing gasps of wonder from the gathered crowd.

The festival was not just a celebration of the senses but also a gathering that knit the community closer, as people from all walks of life came together to share in the creativity that defined our town. The event was a testament to the enduring spirit of the town, a place where tradition and innovation intertwined, creating a tapestry as colorful and diverse as the festival itself.

The air was alive with music and conversation as I walked along Main Street with Madi, her fiancé, Theo, and our cousins, Adam and Leah. The nearby scents of sizzling sausages and sweet cotton candy mingled together, creating a tantalizing aroma that danced on the breeze.

“Remember when we used to compete to see who could eat the most corn dogs without throwing up?” Adam joked, a grin on his face as we passed a stand adorned with colorful banners and lights.

I laughed, “Yeah, and who ended up winning most of them?”

Adam feigned a wounded look. “We don’t talk about that. Some wounds are too deep.”

“You’re the one who brought it up!”

Leah said, “You’re so lucky, Soph, that you were one of those skinny kids that could eat everything and never gain weight. I’ve always envied that. Why couldn’t it have been me that got the high metabolism?”

As we meandered through the crowd, the warmth of the setting sun bathed everything in a golden hue, casting long shadows on the ground. Children ran past, their faces painted with whimsical designs, their laughter as infectious as the music that filled the air.

We stopped at a booth draped in strings of lights, the handcrafted jewelry on display catching the last rays of the sun and sparkling like tiny stars. My sister picked up a delicate necklace, holding it up to the light, her face a picture of concentration.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, and I agreed. The craftsmanship was exquisite, a testament to the talent hidden in the nooks and crannies of Finch Valley. Theo pulled out his wallet and, after asking the price of the necklace, began digging for the right amount. “No, honey, you don’t have to do that. We agreed to save our money for a really great honeymoon, and I’m fine with that. Really!” Madi said. Theo paid for the necklace, ignoring Madi completely, then stepped behind her to put it around her neck and fasten it. He turned her around, gave her a steady look, and said, “Absolutely beautiful.”

As they kissed, Adam called out, “Enough! Can’t you two keep your hands off each other for one evening?” They both looked at Adam and, in unison, said, “No!”

As we continued our leisurely stroll, we were greeted by familiar faces, each exchange a reminder of the tight-knit community that had shaped us. The conversations were easy, peppered with laughter and the occasional good-natured ribbing, the bonds of years evident in every interaction.

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