20

The nature walk ended with applause.

The children crowded around Emily all at once.

"Can we come again next year?"

"Will you show us the waterfall?"

"Can we look for bears?"

Emily laughed as she tried to answer every question.

"One at a time!"

The little girl with the red pigtails wrapped her arms around Emily's waist.

"You're my favorite forest teacher."

Emily's heart melted.

"Thank you."

"I had the best day."

"So did I."

Nearby, parents began thanking her as they gathered their children.

"You made science fun."

"My son hasn't stopped talking since you showed him those fox tracks."

"My daughter wants to borrow books about trees now."

Emily smiled, humbled.

"I'm glad they enjoyed it."

One father chuckled.

"They're already asking if you're coming back next year."

Emily hesitated.

"I...don't know."

She hadn't thought that far ahead.

Her assignment was only six months.

Yet the idea of leaving suddenly felt...wrong.

---

Kael watched from beneath the shade of an old cottonwood tree.

"You were right."

Emily looked over.

"About what?"

"The children."

She smiled.

"They were wonderful."

"They trusted you immediately."

Emily shrugged modestly.

"I just talked to them."

"No."

Kael shook his head.

"You listened to them."

She looked at him curiously.

"There's a difference?"

"A big one."

For a moment neither spoke.

Emily looked away first, smiling to herself.

Compliments from Kael somehow meant more than compliments from anyone else.

---

"Emily!"

Grace hurried toward them carrying two paper plates.

"I saved you pie."

Emily laughed.

"Again?"

"You worked all morning."

Grace thrust one plate into Emily's hands and the other toward Kael.

"You too."

Kael accepted it with a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

Grace looked between them.

"Now."

"You two sit."

"We're fine standing."

Grace placed her hands on her hips.

"That wasn't a suggestion."

Emily couldn't help laughing.

"Does anyone ever win an argument with her?"

Kael quietly admitted,

"No."

They followed Grace's orders and sat beneath a large maple tree overlooking the festival.

Children played tag across the grass.

A local band tuned guitars on the stage.

Someone announced the beginning of the pie contest over the loudspeaker.

Emily took a bite of blackberry pie.

"Oh..."

She closed her eyes dramatically.

"This is incredible."

Kael smiled.

"I told you."

"I officially owe Grace an apology."

"For what?"

"I doubted her."

---

For several peaceful minutes, they simply watched the festival.

Emily noticed families greeting one another.

Teenagers helping elderly neighbors carry folding chairs.

Shop owners stepping outside to hand free lemonade to volunteers.

"I've never seen a town like this."

Kael followed her gaze.

"It wasn't always easy."

"What do you mean?"

He leaned back against the tree.

"Years ago, people mostly kept to themselves."

"What changed?"

He smiled thoughtfully.

"Enough people decided it was easier to be neighbors than strangers."

Emily nodded slowly.

"My dad always says communities don't just happen."

Kael looked at her.

"He sounds like a good man."

"He is."

She smiled.

"He coached Little League even after I got too old to play."

"He still volunteers every Christmas."

"He fixes everyone's gutters without charging them."

She laughed.

"My mom says half the neighborhood owes him dinner."

Kael smiled.

"I'd like to meet him someday."

The words escaped before he thought them through.

Emily looked surprised.

"I think he'd like you."

Their eyes met.

The thought lingered between them longer than either expected.

---

Across the square, Noah watched the exchange while eating a funnel cake.

Lena walked up beside him.

"So?"

"So what?"

"They're talking about parents."

Noah grinned.

"That's progress."

Lena laughed.

"You have absolutely no shame."

"Nope."

She glanced toward Kael.

"I haven't seen him this relaxed in..."

She stopped.

"Years?"

Noah nodded.

"Longer than that."

---

As the afternoon wore on, the festival grew busier.

A local bluegrass band began playing lively music.

Children danced in front of the stage.

Couples joined them.

Emily watched with a smile.

"I love this song."

Kael looked at her.

"You know it?"

"My grandfather used to play it on his guitar."

The music filled the square.

Without thinking, Emily tapped her foot to the rhythm.

A little girl grabbed her hand.

"Come dance!"

Emily laughed.

"Oh, I don't know..."

"Please?"

She looked at Kael.

"Should I?"

He smiled.

"I think someone already made the decision for you."

The little girl tugged harder.

Emily laughed and let herself be pulled toward the dance area.

Within moments she was laughing with a group of children, clapping along to the music as they spun in circles.

Kael remained beneath the tree.

Watching.

A smile settled across his face that he didn't even realize was there.

Noah appeared beside him carrying two cups of lemonade.

"You've got it bad."

Kael accepted the drink without looking away.

"I know."

"You've known her four days."

"I know."

"You've smiled more this week than you have in five years."

Kael quietly laughed.

"I know."

Noah nudged him with one elbow.

"Go dance."

Kael looked horrified.

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"I don't dance."

"Everyone dances."

"I don't."

Noah pointed toward the children.

"They'd love it."

Kael shook his head firmly.

"They deserve better."

---

Emily was still laughing when the song ended.

Breathless, she thanked the children before making her way back across the square.

She stopped when she reached Kael.

"You really weren't going to join us?"

"No."

She folded her arms with mock disappointment.

"I think you're afraid."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Afraid?"

"You'd lose."

He actually laughed.

"Is that so?"

"I'm an excellent dancer."

"I'll have to take your word for it."

She smiled mischievously.

"Maybe next festival."

Kael met her eyes.

"Maybe."

Neither noticed the elderly woman sitting on a nearby bench smiling to herself.

Margaret closed her book and quietly whispered,

"The mountains have been waiting a very long time for this."

She looked toward the sky where clouds drifted lazily over Granite Ridge.

"Let's hope they have a little longer."

Because beyond the laughter, the music, and the warmth of the festival, shadows were already beginning to gather at the edge of the forest.

And someone was waiting for nightfall.