Page 17 of Fore-Ever Yours

“Cassie!” Beth replies, her face beaming. “Come on.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

She hurries over to the woman as I pull out my phone. I sign the contract and email it back to Travis.

It’s a done deal now.

“Matthew!” Beth waves me over to her.

I make my way to where Beth and Cassie are chatting, my limbs somehow moving even though my mind is still reeling. Signing that contract felt like the final piece in this complex puzzle—the last point of no return. I just hope I’m ready for whatever lies ahead.

“This is my boyfriend, Matthew. And this is Cassie, the event planning queen.”

“Y’all are causing quite the commotion.” Cassie grins, her eyes twinkling at Beth.

“It’s those Madame C’s causing the commotion.”

“Well, Ryan and I might not be engaged if it wasn’t for them being so nosy.” Cassie chuckles.

A microphone crackles to life, cutting our conversation short. The mayor steps up to the microphone on the stage and begins welcoming everyone.

“It’s time! Gotta go. Have fun, you two!” Cassie says, giving Beth a quick hug and me a friendly nod before hurrying away.

“Come on!” Beth pulls me toward the growing crowd, her hand still in mine.

Fairy lights are hung everywhere, but it’s still daylight so they aren’t lit yet. Booths are scattered across the town square with the stage in the center. I’m introduced to several townspeople as we walk around the festival looking at all the different booths and activities. There’s a chili cook-off, hot chocolate bar, and game booths. We’re heading for the s’more fire pits when three women step right in front of us.

“Matthew, dear, we’ve heard so much about you!” the first woman exclaims with a warm smile that crinkles her eyes at the corners.

“Hello, ladies,” Beth kindly says. “This is Aunt Clara, Cecilia, and Catherine.”

Aunt Clara and Cecilia have warm smiles but Catherine narrows her eyes at me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” I stammer out, trying not to squirm under her gaze.

“How did you two lovebirds meet?” Catherine asks.

Play it cool.

“At a coffee shop,” I say, without hesitation.

“And when did this meeting take place?” Aunt Clara asks, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. They love their information, that’s for sure.

“Recently,” Beth replies, keeping it vague just like we talked about.

Catherine’s gaze intensifies, then her stern expression softens into a smile. “A new romance.”

The three of them release a collective sigh.

“Tell us more!” Aunt Clara says.

“Well, I’d love to,” Beth replies, glancing toward the campfire, “but we don’t want to miss getting some s’mores.”

“Of course, dear.” Cecilia tilts her head.

“You’ll have to tell us everything later,” Aunt Clara adds, her eagerness practically radiating from her.

Catherine, however, merely nods before adding, “I’m sure we’ll talk again soon.”

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