Page 75 of Stay for Forever

“Thank you for what? Being awesome? You’re welcome.”

I tickle his ribs and he swats my hand away. “No. Thank you for letting the subject of our future children drop when it freaked me out.”

“Of course, June Bug. I know it’s early in our relationship to discuss children, but I thought I’d put it out there.”

“I’m not opposed to having children, but I don’t want to rush into parenthood the way Ashlyn and Ellery did.” Although Ellery’s foray into motherhood was a complete accident.

“Understood,” he murmurs before kissing my hair.

We continue on for a few minutes in silence until we reach the town square where the Beltane festival is happening.

“What are those?” Mav asks indicating the bonfires.

“Those are bonfires.”

“I’m sorry, but those are not bonfires. For one, there’s no fire.”

“The candles simulate fire,” I argue even though he’s right.

There are no bonfires on Beltane in Winter Falls despite the traditional use of bonfires for the festival. Bonfires are bad for the environment and Winter Falls is tolerant of many things, but not of anything harming the earth. Thus, the towers of candles instead of bonfires. Truth be told, the majority of the candles aren’t lit either.

“What’s with the goats?”

“According to tradition, cattle would be passed between the two fires to purify them and ensure the fertility of the herd.”

“I may be a city boy, but I’m fairly certain cattle and goats are not the same species.”

I giggle. “You would be correct, but there are no cattle farms in Winter Falls – and please don’t ask me why – thus, the goats.”

“Why can’t I ask why? Is there something nefarious about …” Mav’s questions drop off when he notices Phoenix passing by with two of his goats on leashes.

“Is he going to walk the goats between the two candle fires?”

Phoenix hears and answers for himself. “Yes, I am. I’m going to walk my goats on leashes between the two candle towers. Afterwards, I’m going home and drinking a whiskey and pretending I don’t own leashes for my goats.”

“Someone’s grumpy,” I sing.

“Someone was up all night with a sick kid.”

“Why didn’t you ring me?” I’m not a vet, but considering my experience with wild animals, I often help Phoenix out when he’s having issues with his animals whether it’s the goats or the chickens or the rabbits.

“I was ordered not to bother you.”

I snort. “Since when do you listen to orders?”

“Since they threatened I’d be the next person to be matched if I didn’t leave you alone.”

There’s no doubt who ‘they’ are. “You know they’re going to try to match Lilac first.”

“Can’t chance it, Juniper. I can’t chance it.”

“Why not?” I ask, but he’s already moving his goats away. I nearly follow him to dig further, but I know what it feels like when everyone’s up in your business. I’ll give him his privacy. For now.

“I think you need to interpret your conversation for me,” Mav says when we’re alone again.

I pat his arm. “The only thing you need to understand is the gossip gals are on my shit list.”

He shivers. “I’d be careful if I were you.”

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