Page 44 of A Fowl Match

“When I was freshly graduated and twenty, I was so fed up with this small town that I left. I thought that I needed to travel the world to experience life. I hitchhiked to Woodstock all by myself, I met a few friends along the way. The experience was out of this world. It was so peaceful, full of music, friends, and love. The weather wasn’t ideal though. Now remember, this was in the seventies when everyone had long hair, fringe everything, tie-dye. You should have seen me—I was a picture of nostalgia. I never saw so many people in one place in my life. I met H there. And that’s all you’re getting!”

“Oh come on! Who is he?” Violet begs, desperation in her tone.

“Look what time it is.” She taps a non-existent watch on her arm. “It’s time for dinner. I’ll have to tell you next time.” She averts her gaze to the nurse strolling in the door with a dinner tray.

“I told you she wouldn’t give it up.” Violet drops her shoulders. “But at least it was a good day, and she remembered who I was. Also, we did get another clue at least.”

“We tried, but now we will have to go straight to the source.”

“That’s what I was dreading.”

Chapter 30

Violet

Agaggleoftowniesand tourists crowd the park. Children are lining up behind the row of slides, giggling as they swoosh down on potato sacks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many people in one place here before. Some are seated in fold-up lawn chairs lining the open field, scattered around chatting. The same lines painted for the chicken race were given a fresh coat. Thankfully, the rain has quit long enough for the grass to dry up so that we aren’t racing in mud.

I feel the grass beneath my feet. The subtle smell of barbeque swifts into my nose out of a tent where Rooster’s Bar is catering. It's a refreshing sight to see everyone come together for the day. And it puts a smile on my face.

At the last competition every year they set up a raffle for baskets. Every business creates a basket full of a few things. I donated plants, a gift card, some flowers, and a few vouchers for free flower arrangements. Dustin made a basket full of soap, candles, lip balms all made from the goat’s milk. Even a few coupons for cheese to spend at the Valley Harvest. Now thathe was able to get some cheese stocked there. This raffle really helps to raise money for the businesses, and it's a fun way to have activities for everyone who shows up.

“Hey!” I greet Olive, Mason, and Chloe.

“Hey girl!” Olive smiles. “Mason was just telling us all about the chicks that just hatched.”

“No way! What kind of chickens did you get this time?”

“Five Salmon Faverolles.”

“What do they look like?” I ask.

“Their feathers are white and brown and they lay brown eggs. They are also cold hardy so they will lay eggs in the winter.”

“When did you get them?” Chloe pipes in.

“Yesterday. They were delivered to the post office from a hatchery in Ohio. Laura was so excited, she spent the morning with them while she worked. Then I picked them up around noon.”

“They deliver them in the mail?” Chloe asks.

“Yep. If you want, you can come see them. I have them separated in the chicken coop. Olive spent hours with them yesterday, but I’m sure she would love to introduce you both to them.” He grins at her. Her face flushes crimson.

I shoot Olive a knowing stare.

Mason and Olive have been friends forever. I can tell they have chemistry, but I don’t think Olive has ever noticed it. I try to stay out of her love life the best I can. But when she needs advice I am always there for her, just like she always has been for me.

“Ahh,” I yelp when I feel strong hands wrap around my waist to pull me backward.

“It’s just me Vivi,” Dustin’s husky voice murmurs in my ear. And he pulls me into the front of his chest. A pleasant woodsy smell penetrates my nose, pine and a touch of sandalwood. I melt in his embrace.

“You two are so adorable.” Olive sighs. I don’t miss the longing glance Mason gives her.

“There’s Constance holding her signature microphone, I guess she traded it for the megaphone,” Chloe chimes in.

“I gotta go! I have to talk to her.” I pull Dustin along because we are in this one together. He owes me after all.

“It’s so nice to see you two together.” Constance smiles.

“Thanks. We have a couple questions for you if you have the time,” Dustin says.

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