Page 93 of Light Up The Night
"So, I'm calling with news regarding the fundraiser Noelle was putting together."
“Was?" I cut in, my voice faint and wobbly. "Did something happen?"
"Sort of, but not like you're thinking—I’m calling with good news, not bad. I just got off the phone with Noelle. The word got out, and Three Rivers has proven yet again why we're the best small town in the state. Local businesses and business owners—such as yours truly—have already cleared your goal by quite a margin."
The breath leaves my lungs in a whoosh, leaving me blinking and flapping my mouth like a fish. "I, um—what? You…you are being truthful? This is not a joke?"
"I wouldn't joke about this."
"But…there was no event."
"Nope."
"And they just…donated? Just like that?"
"Yep."
I clear my throat. "And when you say my goal has beencleared…you mean to say your town has raisedmorethan the eighty thousand dollars I need?"
"Looks like…" I hear paper flipping. "A hundred and nine thousand, four hundred and twenty-three dollars."
"But…but…how?Why? I am not from Three Rivers. I only know Riley, you, your lovely wife, Bear, Noelle, and the Cartwright sisters. And except for Riley, I only met all of you once. How…why…" I feel tears pooling. "I do not know what to say."
"Noelle knows the right people. So does Mrs. Aldis. There was…ohhh, lemme see…about ten grand from private, small-dollar donations. The rest of it came from businesses here in town and the general area. I'll give you the full list later. Just thought you'd like to know."
I cannot breathe. I am so overcome by shocked gratitude that I cannot breathe, cannot function. I hear voices, register nothing. Eventually, I feel Riley's warmth behind me, and his arms wrap around me, and his chin rests on my shoulder. Faster than any other tactic, strategy, or calming technique I have ever used, Riley's mere presence calms me.
My lungs open. My mind slows.
"I cannot believe it,” I whisper.
"Told you, sweetheart. This place comes together when there's a need."
"Truly." My mind is whirling. "I need to prepare. With the funding secured, I can book my flight and leave early."
He tenses. "That's good."
I turn my face to his. "Riley—"
"Hey, no. Don't think about me."
"You may as well tell a fish not to swim, Riley. What areyoufeeling?"
"Glad you're gonna get to do this thing that's so important to you."
"And?" I prompt. "I know there is more."
"Sad you gotta leave. And I know…" he clears his throat. "I know there's no real reason for you to come back here."
"But there is." I turn in his embrace, spreading my leg over his thighs. "Not just because I will have to come back to give an account for how their money was used." I cup his cheek. "For you."
"Cadence—"
"Cadie." I feather my hands through his hair. "Call me Cadie."
"Cadie," he echoes. "I like it." A pause. "I…I'd like nothing more than for you to come back just for me. To see me. To be with me. But you've got a bright fuckin' future. A mind like yours? Talent like yours?"
I cover his mouth. "Hush, Riley. Do you not see?"
