Page 84 of One Chance to Stay
“Try your luck.” Seamus dragged me toward the skating rink. “I dare you.”
As the night wore on, parents took their children home. The crowd had dipped to a dull roar. Those who remained huddle in groups, inching closer to the fire pits or the bonfire. Even a calm winter night sent a chill through our bones.
As we stood in the dying warmth of the bonfire, Abraham and his family took a spot by our side. If Seamus thought I didn’t notice the tightening grip, I bit back a smile.
“Crops this year?” Abraham asked.
“Maybe,” Seamus replied.
“I’ll borrow Logan’s tractor.”
“Corn should grow.”
“Not if the deer have any say.”
“It’s for them.”
“You’re too nice.”
“I know.”
Laurel groaned. “Can you two have a conversation? Words cost nothing. Full sentences. Nouns. Verbs. Would an adverb kill you?”
“Yep,” they said in unison.
“Patrick, so help me God?—”
“Girl, don’t worry about me. I can speak enough for all of you. I have a monologue ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
“Good, hopefully you’ll rub off on the old men.” She smacked her brother in the chest when Bobby snickered. “Don’t laugh. You’re just a younger version of Dad. If it wasn’t for Chris, family dinners would be downright tedious.”
“Thanks!” Chris said with a laugh. “I think.”
Abraham gave Seamus a pat on the shoulder and leaned in, whispering in his ear. Whatever he said, Seamus tightened his grip on my hand.
“And with that, I need to get inside before the boys freeze.”
“I’m fine,” Bobby said.
“Myotherboys.”
“Ew.” Laurel leaned against Bobby’s boyfriend, and the foursome wandered off in the direction of Valhalla. As much as I enjoyed their company, and I loved that Seamus had rekindled a friendship, the selfish part of me wanted him to myself.
What had started as a raging six-foot fire had dwindled to a meager four feet. Whoever had continued supplying the logs as the night went on had let it fade to a dull roar. Evelyn had spent the entire evening schmoozing with the townspeople. The perpetual smile on her face suggested it had been a success.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the sheet Evelyn had handed me. As we watched the adults ice skating, bumping into each other and falling on their butts, I thought about my wish. I had a long list of things I wanted for the future, but I didn’t want to write a novel before throwing it to the flames.
“Still need to write my wish.”
“I did mine.”
“Really?”
“Mhmm.”
I could wish for a job I’d love, or a way to balance my professional and personal life. It had been the reason I first came to Firefly. It’d only be fitting to summon that Firefly magic they spoke of and harness it for my career. Stability? Fortune?Satisfaction? I patted down my jacket, hunting for a pencil. I had already put too much thought into a foolish activity.
Click. Seamus offered me a pen. “Always prepared.”
