Evie trudged up the hill towards her house, weary and muscles quivering, but grinning ear to ear. Luke had an arm slung around her shoulders, chatting about the different styles his dad's shop offered and which one was probably the best one. She was pretty sure he was trying to convince her to get the fanciest style more because he wanted to make fancy furniture to go with it than to empty her pockets. Finn had long since fallen asleep and was snoring in her pocket contentedly.
"I don't think I'm a luxury kinda girl," Evie finally responded doubtfully, only to yawn widely a moment later.
"Ah, c'mon, the paint job and wallpaper's all the same prices. I guess the furniture is more spendy, but it'll take awhile to make them, so you can save up, right?" Luke beseeched with big pleading eyes.
"How about you pay for the fancy-schmancy furniture and then we'll have a deal," Evie retorted with an eyeroll even as she knew she'd probably give in. Those kitten-ish gold eyes were killer. She would've said "puppy-dog", but they were too cat-like for that, and kittens were just as impossible to say no to as puppies were anyway.
"My dad would kill me," Luke protested with a laugh. "Just think about it. I won't bug you about it again till your barn and coop are all done up. Promise."
"And then you'll never stop buggin' me 'bout it, I bet. At least I finally have enough wood and stone to actually have a date set to fix up the coop!" Evie exclaimed, clapping her hands together excitedly- and wincing slightly in worry she might've jostled Finn in her pocket. He merely sighed and snuggled deeper. Relieved, Evie turned her gaze back to Luke. "First day of summer, first thing in the morning, I'll be at your shop, Carpenter," she warned, nudging his ribs.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember. I can't wait! A big job. It's just a coop, but it's still bigger'n I've ever had. I bet I could convince my Pops to do it solo!" Luke enthused, fistpumping and eyes shining.
"I dunno if…"
"Hey, is someone at your house?" Luke interrupted her hesitant objection and his bright eyes narrowed. There was a figure standing just outside her door, rubbing the back of their beck and looking around perplexedly. The bright shine of sunlight on silver clued her in the same time it did Luke. "Hey, I think it's Toby. OI! FISHER!" Luke bellowed, waving his one arm fervently.
"Whoa, wh-whut?" Finn exclaimed in shock, wings buzzing wildly as his head popped up over the top of her pocket. "Oh, it's just Lu-Luke," he stammered around a teary-eyed yawn. He pushed himself free and floated wibbly-wobbly towards the well. Evie watched him go with a fond smile, just to shuffle a little faster to keep up with Luke.
Evie fought down the urge to blush as they rounded the corner of the house and Toby smiled and dipped his head in greeting. She'd spent all of lunch with him and his family, and had survived it just fine. It had been great, actually, and pleasant all around. Why was she acting so goofy now?
"Hey, Tobes," she greeted a little too cheerfully.
"How was… wood-chopping?" Toby asked with an amused smirk.
"Awesome, as always. It's nice to have someone out there with me again. I never realized how boring it was alone until Evie couldn't go with me," Luke complained good-naturedly while mussing up her hair.
"I'm not your kid brother, Lu. Stop that," Evie retorted, laughing and slapping his hand away.
"You kinda are. You're even short and annoying, Princess," Luke mocked, poking at her cheek.
"I'll have to agree with Evvy on this. Brotherly isn't the best descriptor for her," Toby demurred playfully.
"Only 'cuz she acts all girly around you. She hits me," Luke asserted with an exaggerated pout.
"I act 'girly' around everyone because I'm a girl," Evie stated dryly, air-quoting around the adjective with a roll of her eyes.
"A much better way to say it. Less subtlety," Toby chuckled. Evie grinned over at him.
"You can't use subtle with Luke, he's more oblivious than me."
"Hey," Luke yelped, "how'd I end up the butt of the joke?!"
Evie sighed dramatically. "It just comes so naturally to you."
"Your leg isn't broken anymore! I can toss you around now," Luke threatened with a wide swing of his arm to catch her. She laughed and ducked away easily.
"My leg isn't broken anymore which means I can also run again. You'll have to catch me first. Now get off my property, Carpenter. I know for a fact your Pops gets grumpy if dinner is late 'cause he's waiting on you," Evie ordered, shoving at his back. He groaned and threw his weight back on her arms.
"But it's so far away. I'm hungry now."
"I don't have anything here for you. Get going!"
"Fine, fine. Nice seein' you, Toby! You gonna be at the Festival tomorrow?"
Toby nodded, smirking at their antics. "Of course. I always enjoy seeing the pet contest."
They watched Luke jog away a long moment before Evie turned to Toby with a curious tilt of her head.
"I wasn't expecting you tonight," she said quizzically. Toby ducked his head and rubbed at his nose.
"I was at the pond, seemed like a good day for carp fishing, and thought I'd stay long enough to see how your first day outta the cast ended. Besides, your property has the prettiest view of the sunset," Toby explained, jerking his chin forward. She followed the motion, turning slightly to see the admittedly gorgeous, panoramic view of the ocean horizon and vibrant skyline.
"It is a pretty nice spot," Evie conceded, body feeling relaxed and loose as she gazed at the sight. There was something about beautiful things that soothed the soul. "I'd think up in Garmon might be better, though."
"Garmon doesn't have Serenity," Toby pointed out. Evie blinked in surprise and delight.
"There. That's why it's the perfect name. For moments and comments like that," Evie breathed happily. Her eyes danced over her property, the rundown buildings, the vividly green grass and swaying crops, the animals that wandered aimlessly about, the fairy that was a tiny, bobbing light darting through the pink cherry trees. "There's no place like Serenity." She turned back to Toby and matched his lazily contented smile. "Did you wanna stay for dinner?"
"I'd like that. We could sit for a while and have tea after, if you want?" he suggested as well.
"Yeah, that's sounds great. I need to plant some seeds, though. We might not have enough time…" Evie remembered, biting down on her lip.
"I'll find food inside and rustle something up while you do your farming business. We'll make time," Toby offered simply. Evie grinned widely and nodded.
"I'll go inside. I'm starving. I wanna see what he's cooking," Finn informed Evie, buzzing around her head before zooming into the house after Toby.
Evie let him go without protest, glad to see he was feeling better after the setback of that morning (and his clear discomfort of the Fugue Forest). The talk with Ozzie had been a simple one. Apparently the Lighthouse couldn't be fixed because the aqueduct that powered the electricity had long since stopped working. There was some sort of blockage high up in Garmon District that they just couldn't get to; the water just wasn't flowing as strong as it should be. Without the water of the aqueduct, there was no way to power the light, and no light meant no ship could come into their harbor. During storms or night or even early morning, the light was needed. It was too dangerous to allow ships to dock without it. It didn't help that further off the shore, the waters had gotten too choppy and wild, making even daytime travel to Castanet docks difficult. Paolo offered to show her his and Phoebe's Apparatus plans, but before he could clarify what he meant, Evie had to leave to meet up with Luke. She'd promised to see them soon, but Finn had been beside himself when she chose to leave.
The newly bought seeds were planted- and she was just finishing up watering them- when a voice hallooed her from the path. She glanced up, startled. Rooted in place and bewildered, Evie watched as Hamilton bustled up her lawn to perch on her well and sigh gustily.
"That is quite a walk and it's my second time today. You're a very hard young woman to track down," Hamilton admonished jovially. He pulled out a lacy handkerchief to pat at his flushed cheeks.
"I'm…sorry?"
"It's quite all right. I just take my duties as Mayor and your town guide very seriously, you know. I like to keep you abreast of situations," Hamilton explained portentously.
"What situations? Is everything all right?" Evie asked in concern.
"Oh, yes, yes. It's about the festival tomorrow. Surely you've heard word of it?"
"Oh, yea-yes, I have. The… Animal Festival, right?"
The little town Mayor clapped his hands a few times giddily. "Oho, indeed. You do keep up, excellent. There are a few little contests and a few such useful prizes, and right before lunch, the race. Very exciting, that race. You can place a bet, or even race yourself if you feel up to it," Hamilton told her with a sly wink.
Evie scrunched up her nose and shook her head. "I doubt Hera is much of a racer, and neither am I. I'd like to watch, though. I love cheering people on."
"Yes, I'm more an audience member myself, but it is quite exciting. You won't be disappointed. It starts at nine in the morning, but you could come early if you're feeling particularly eager. We could always use another pair of hands to help set up."
"I could do that. It's…in Flute Fields, right?"
"Exactly! Specifically right on Horn Ranch land. Cain and Hanna are always happy hosts for the Animal Festival." Hamilton got back to his feet as he finished.
"I'll be there bright and early. As soon as I'm done with my chores here," Evie promised.
"We'll be delighted to see you there. Have a good night's sleep, Miss Evelyn!"
"You, too!" She waved to him until he was out of sight, then turned back to her field. Hera had moved closer to nudge insistently at Evie's elbow with a damp, warm nose.
"Ah, time for bed is it?" Evie giggled, patting the cow's black-n-white neck. At her knees, little Clotho baa'ed piteously. Thalia (her duckling), Eris, and Aphrodite could care less about her, however, and were still scuttling around the grass. She rang the bell, propped her fists on her hips, and watched them waddle their way into their respective homes with a proud little grin.
"Doing all right for only one season under my belt," Evie boasted quietly to herself. "Doing all right."
She heard her door open and, glancing over that way, saw Toby standing in the doorway. He waved in her direction, making her grin and jog over to him. The smell of something mouth-watering and spicy had her stomach growling and saliva pooling at the back of her tongue.
"What's that?" she moaned, eyes slipping closed and nose raised.
"Bouillabaisse," Toby answered simply.
Evie smirked playfully. "Bless you."
"Does this make me the Hermione to your Weasley?"
"You caught it!" Evie laughed, head tilting back.
"I make it a point to remember anything Harry Potter. Was that Hamilton I just saw walking down the road?" Toby asked as he stepped back. She followed him into her house, inhaling deeply and sighing appreciatively.
"It was. He wanted to make sure I knew about the Festival tomorrow."
Evie stopped dead in the middle of the room, blinking in surprise. Toby continued on towards the stove and the bubbling pot, scoffing under his breath and shaking his head. Somehow, Toby had set up the crooked, shabby, little table and utterly transformed it. A large blue and white checked cloth lay over it, an old brown bottle filled with pretty green and yellow herbs and matching silverware set out nicely over the now-covered surface. A large green bottle filled with a dark liquid made with what smelled like berries of some kind sat by the flowers as well. He must've brought it all in his tackle box. Pressing her fingertips to her mouth, her wide, astonished, auburn eyes bore into his back.
"It's not as if it's the biggest event of the season and everyone hasn't been talking about it," Toby was drawling wryly, stirring the pot on the stove.
"Y-Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone has invited me to it ten times," Evie joked weakly while slowly making her way to the gussied up table. She brushed her fingertips over the very rustic-chic centerpiece, then sank into her chair.
"Look at the pretty table, Evie! Why don't you make it look this pretty? And it smells yummy, doesn't it? He had all sorts of yummy fish and shells and stuff in his box. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it was magic, too!" Finn exclaimed as he zipped around the table, only to halt and cuddle under her chin, wings chiming.
"It does look pretty, doesn't it?" she whispered softly. She smiled up at Toby as he set down a bowl in front of her. Instead of sitting opposite, he sat next to her with his own full bowl.
"I hope you like spicy?" he inquired, brows contracting in slight concern. She quickly shook her head and grinned.
"I love it. What's this?" she asked, picking up the berry juice.
"Cranberry juice from last winter, and it's the last bottle at home. It's my favorite, though. Do you…?"
"Yeah, of course! Here, I got it."
Dinner, and tea with conversation on her stoop later, ended her long, busy day on a happier, soothing note. Sleep that night came easy and sweet, a content smile on her face and Toby's back retreating down the path clear in her mind's eye.
…
Horn Ranch was a mess of half-made booths and clusters of multi-colored balloons swaying perilously in the early morning breeze. Cain and Dale were tying up a huge banner between two white-and-red striped poles just at top of the hill, while Renee and Anissa hovered on each side with their hands cautiously raised in the air as if the poles might fall at any moment. Hamilton was smoothing table cloths over the finished booths while Hanna and Shelly set out boxes of what looked like… merchandise? Luke and Bo were setting up one of the last booths and Kathy was brushing down horses in front of the barn. Evie hesitantly walked up to Renee, her own eyes darting up towards the men on their rickety ladders and the unsteady poles they were using for balance.
"Oh, Evie! You made it!" Renee enthused when she tore her eyes off her father.
"Yeah, um, it seems kinda hectic, where should I…?" Evie trailed off uncertainly.
Anissa stepped over then, pleasant and sanguine smile on her pretty face. "There is a sign that needs to be placed at the bottom of the hill, and maybe a handful of balloons to be tied to it? Just put it next to the crossroads sign, that should be fine," Anissa offered gently, gesturing towards the materials with a sweep of her hand.
"I can do that!" Evie agreed, relieved.
"You can come help me n' my boys with the stage once you get back," Dale boomed down at her. She craned her neck to look up, shading her eyes when the sunlight almost blinded her. "It's good to see you runnin' about, not that the cast slowed you down much," he added with a belly-shaking laugh. Anissa gasped and jerked towards him when the ladder shook precariously. It didn't fall over, thankfully.
"It's nice to see you too, Mr. Dale. I'll hurry up with my chore so I can come swing a hammer around with you guys! Don't fall and break your neck before I get back!"
Dale and Cain both guffawed good-naturedly.
"So it's fine if he falls when you get back?" Cain called down to her.
"I wouldn't want to miss the show," Evie quipped before darting away, leaving the men laughing and the younger women stifling shocked giggles.
She spared a wave towards Hamilton, Hanna, and Shelly, but held up the sign to signal she was already busy instead of going over. Hamilton's particular brand of… jollity just wasn't appealing at seven o'clock in the morning.
Though it had appeared so chaotic when she first arrived, the festival grounds pulled together quickly. By a quarter to nine every volunteer was lounging on the grass and drinking iced lemonade that Ruth had brought over. Renee and Cain brought out baskets of fluffy biscuits and strawberry jam while Hanna handed out boiled eggs from a large pail. Luke, Bo, Evie, and Anissa all sat together, chatting about festivals past and similar events Evie had seen back in her hometown… er, city. Luke was exceptionally interested in the weeklong food fair. Evie herself felt a little homesick at the thought of the tiny, yet famous donut shop she used to go to near daily. They were probably a bit expensive for donuts, but worth every penny.
"You could ask my Papa to help you try to re-create them, Evie," Renee offered as she sat with the group and set her nearly empty basket aside. "He loves baking and he's very good at it."
"You could ask Chase. I heard he's an amazing cook at anything, and… maybe he could use a new friend," Anissa suggested quietly. Evie scrunched up her nose and frowned lightly.
"We didn't exactly have the best first impression… but I'll think about it," Evie hedged.
"Yolanda is kinda famous for baking, you could ask her, too," Luke pointed out.
"Are you trying to say my Papa's baking isn't good?" Renee demanded with fists on her hips (which looked a little awkward from where she was sitting curled up on the grass). Everyone laughed at her mock-offense.
"I'm just sayin' Yolanda's is legendary! Have you had her spinach cake? It's the best thing in the world," Luke enthused dreamily, a slight bit of drool gathering at the corners of his mouth. Evie shoved at his shoulder.
"Everything is spinach with you. Mop up your face."
"I prefer her strawberry shortcake, and since it's strawberry season, she might actually bring some to sell today," Renee interjected with an equally dreamy look, sans drool.
Bo nodded eagerly to Renee's wishful thinking. "Definitely strawberries for me, too. Sorry, Mr. Luke." Luke merely snorted loudly and ruffled Bo's short blond hair.
"Will your mother be selling some of her famous goat cheese? I haven't had it in forever," Anissa lamented longingly.
"Yes! Not very much, so buy it fast. Most of it we sell to the city," Renee explained in an aside to Evie. "We've had to buy poultry feed for the past couple years, and, with our animals producing, um… poorer quality and less and less each season, all of our best products we've had to sell to the city to make ends meet." Her shoulders slumped as if under a heavy weight, Anissa's worried expression mirroring hers.
"Why have you been buying feed? Can't you make your own?" Evie asked in confusion. Renee's normally mirthful brown eyes turned dark and sad, flickering towards the motionless windmill.
"The wind in Castanet has been so…" Renee broke off.
"It's like the soil and the fire," Anissa cut in when Renee seemed at a loss. "The wind's just not as strong as it used to be. It can't turn the windmill anymore. If it doesn't turn, then…"
"Then, you can't grind your own feed," Evie finished. Anissa and Renee both nodded glumly.
"Sugar, curry powder, salt, feed, pretty much anything we need to grind, we have to buy and bring in from the city. We can usually sell the raw materials, but," Anissa grimaced slightly, one hand fluttering through the air and falling back into her lap. "The soil's been so weak…"
"And the animals have been so listless," Renee added softly.
"It's just been a lot harder on everyone," Anissa admitted. "The waterwheel, where all our flour's made… used to be made… doesn't turn with enough power to grind anymore, either. My father finally locked it up last year."
"And even the fish don't bite like they used to," Renee exhaled sadly, hands fidgeting just above ehr lap. Luke blinked and glanced around as if suddenly remembering something.
"This conversation suddenly got depressing," Bo realized with a frown. Anissa and Renee chuckled ruefully. "It's not all bad, especially not recently! The Bells are ringing again and Mr. Carpenter says the Goddess' blessings are coming back," he reminded them stoutly. Evie bit her lip as Renee and Anissa shared a look of tentative hope at his words. Luke was still squinted into the distance and Evie latched onto the potential change in topic desperately.
"Luke, did we lose you?" she teased a little too heavily. Luke turned back to them with a grin.
"No, sorry! Rey just mentioned fish and I thought… where's Toby? He didn't come with you?" he asked, turning abruptly towards Evie. Evie's face blushed bright red.
"Wh-what is that supposed to mean?" she stammered in surprise.
"I thought he spent the night?" Luke replied slowly, questioningly, and completely obliviously. Anissa gasped a startled and intrigued 'oh' as Renee glanced between Evie's tomato-red face and Luke's naively baffled one.
"No, he didn't," Evie retorted, sorely regretting her actions already. "He stayed for dinner… and drank some tea on my stoop for a bit…" Evie muttered through a pursed-lipped scowl, dragging her finger over the grass in shy circles.
"Why are you guys acting all weird? I've spent the night with Evie," Luke exclaimed, his expression even more bewildered by the second.
"But it's just you," Renee answered vaguely. Luke only frowned harder.
"You and Evie, anyone can tell you're just friends. I was confused at first, but you're more like siblings than… something else," Anissa tried to clarify subtly. Luke blinked again and Evie sighed roughly.
"Lu, you're just a friend, and a total prat. Anyone with two extra seconds to think could tell you and I have the sexual chemistry of a teaspoon and block of wood," Evie finally said with a loud exhale of exasperation and embarrassment.
"Am I the block of wood?" Luke asked in confusion. His eyes abruptly narrowed. "Waitaminnit, I am oozing sex appeal over here, okay? I'm a LMFAO levels of sexy."
Bo groaned and dropped his beet-red face into his hands. Both Renee and Anissa shrieked their laughter, hands clutching their sides.
"Yeah, you're a real animal, bro," Evie drawled dryly, her mouth twitching at the corner. "But not with me. Are you trying to suggest we secretly want to bone each other?"
"Dude, no way!" Luke burst out laughing. "Point taken, but why is Toby- Oh. Ooooh, really?" His bright eyes popped open wide, finger pointing right at Evie's nose. "Toby? I was just jokin' around before! But really?" He gaped at her incredulously.
Evie again regretting every life decision she'd made the past ten seconds and tried not to blush. It didn't work, she could definitely feel her cheeks burning. But she ignored it fervently. "You don't move that finger, I'mma bite it," she warned dangerously. Luke did drop his hand, but it looked more automatic than because he believed the threat.
"So… does this mean you're dating?" Renee hesitantly queried. Evie was staring down at her shirt hem, where she was fiddling agitatedly, and Luke was still staring at her, so neither noticed the suddenly concerned glance Anissa shot in Renee's direction.
"I don't really want to talk about it!" Evie announced briskly, jumping to her feet. "The Festival will start soon and Candy is going to be here any minute. She's entering her silkworm, Vera, and I said I'd meet her." She dusted off her shorts and cleared her throat all while still blushing wildly from hairline to chin. "Where's that girl at?" She stomped away awkwardly.
"Hey, wait! Evie, Toby, really?!" Luke hollered, flailing and stumbling as he rushed after her.
"Shut up, Lu!"
"I think I'll go drag Luke away from Ms. Evelyn before she does bite him," Bo told the two women next to him. He was taking off after the other two before he quite finished the statement.
"You could talk to her. She doesn't seem very serious about it," Anissa murmured to Renee as they got to their feet and shook their skirts straight.
"I think she's not talking about it because it is serious," Renee replied simply. She gave Anissa a soft, wistful smile. "There's nothing that needs to be said."
Anissa smiled back gently. "How about we help your mother with those dairy products?"
"You just want first pick at the cheese," Renee accused with a good measure of her usual cheer returned. Anissa giggled behind her hand.
"Perhaps."
It didn't take long for the festival grounds to fill. Paolo, Taylor, and Chloe were rushing around creating noise and mayhem aplenty while most of the people Evie's age were clustered around Cain, who was writing down names of the racers and all the moneyless bets being placed. Finn trilled excitedly beside her ear, his eyes wide and huge as they glanced around. Even his little sharp nose was twitching at the scents coming from Yolanda's booth.
"Did you enjoy sleeping in?" Evie risked a murmur, hiding her moving mouth behind her glass of melon milk. She glanced down at it in surprise and took a bigger gulp.
"Yeah! I love sleeping at the Spring with Mother and Alana and Collin, but your pillow might be more comfortable than the grass," Finn confessed with a guilty droop of his pointy ears. Evie snorted and coughed painfully around a nose full of milk.
"Oh, Evie! Be careful," Candace scolded anxiously, coming up to take away Evie's cup and pat her back gently.
"I didn't mean to choke," Evie protested hoarsely. "Also, hey, Candy."
"Good morning, Evie," Candace sighed fondly. She shifted the large box under her arm and handed back the glass. "How was setting up?"
"Easy and fun. And I got free second breakfast from it. I don't think anyone appreciated my hobbit jokes, though. The plebes." Evie grinned and rubbed her nose with the back of her glove. Her eyes caught on the box, obviously, and she pointed to it. "Is that… Vera?" Candace nodded, her eyes brightening.
"Yes! Do you want to meet her? She's very sweet," Candace offered eagerly. She was already lifting the lid– liberally covered in large air-holes Evie now saw– as she spoke. Inside lay a large, sleepily-blinking silkworm. It was pale pink, almost white, with a funny little flare at the tip of its tail. Candace reached in to pat Vera's head affectionately, and the silkworm made a strange, but contented sound.
"She's very cute and looks happy. You must be a very good mother," Evie complimented genuinely. Candace blushed lightly and shook her head.
"She's very good all by herself. I wonder if we'll place this year. I don't mind if we don't, but I think she would like it," Candace explained in a flustered rush.
"Vera says she just wants to make Candace proud of her," Finn told Evie simply. Evie ducked her head to hide the smile. Of course Candace's silkworm adored her.
"I bet if she loves you as much as you love her, Vera will be happy just making you proud of her," Evie said as earnestly as possible. Both the silkworm and the sprite were nodding in agreement (Evie really hoped Finn had explained it to Vera himself, because it would be just too strange otherwise…).
Candace lowered her eyes bashfully, the shadow of her bangs not really hiding her pleased smile. "I should go enter her in the contest now."
"Right, I'll go with you!"
Evie and Candace made their way over in step, Finn flittering mostly unseen just behind them. When they got to the stand, Evie looked up to see Toby standing there chatting with Hamilton while a familiar-looking and cute orange-and-white tabby purred contentedly in his arms. Its blazing yellow eyes were slitted, but Evie knew its gaze was focused on her… or, well, the tiny bobbing light at her shoulder. The conversation of that morning had her face burning, suddenly feeling wooden and robotic and her limbs jerking gracelessly as the two young women closed the gap. The gawkiness only increased when Toby turned and smiled languidly towards them, obviously at his ease.
"Good morning, Candace, Evelyn," Toby drawled with a nod of his head.
"Good morning."
Evie mumbled something that sounded vaguely like 'morning'.
"Has your early start already tired you out, Miss Evelyn?" Hamilton chortled. Evie quickly shook her head.
"Oh, no! I'm fine! Rarin' to go!" Evie chirped over-brightly, swinging her fist across her torso energetically.
Candace gazed over at her, visibly perplexed. Hamilton chuckled on completely unaware. Evie carefully avoided Toby's eyes by bending over just enough to be on the same level as the tabby.
"Who's this little guy… or gal?" Evie's eyes darted up in question, only to rapidly dart down again.
"His name is Sinatra. I just entered him in the pet contest," Toby answered with a puzzled quirk to his tone.
"Sinatra? Like Frank Sinatra?" Evie finally met his gaze head on, lips curving up in charmed half-smile.
"He's one of my favorites. My mother has all his records on vinyl," Toby murmured, voice dropping pitch, immediately making what should have been a public moment intimate. The green of his eyes gleamed under his pale lashes as his mouth tilted up to match hers. "When I was supposed to be in bed, I'd hear the records play and sneak out. My parents would be waltzing in the living room as Sinatra played and I'd watch them for hours. I'd fall asleep behind the couch listening to 'Moon River' and wake up in my bed."
The smile on Evie's face grew wider. "That sounds ridiculously adorable. From beginning to end. Is that your favorite song? I don't… actually know any Sinatra, not really. I'm more a 'all 90's, all the time' kinda listener," she admitted ruefully. She reached out the tips of her fingers to Sinatra the cat's twitching nose.
"It's not my favorite, but it's a good one. We'll listen to Sinatra together soon." The promise combined with the intense green-eyed smile had Evie almost swooning towards him. There was something about a man– no, just Toby– holding a cat and talking about love songs.
In other words, it was completely and utterly unfair.
"Ahem," Hamilton coughed politely. Evie jumped guiltily, only slightly gratified that Toby also started, eyes widening minutely. Hamilton chortled behind the loose flare of his sleeve. "I believe your friend here is trying to sign in her own entry."
Evie gasped and whirled around to gaze at Candace, mildly horrified at herself. "I'm so sorry, Candy," she exhaled quietly.
By the shake of her blue braids and tiny, understanding smile, Evie could tell Candace knew her apology meant more than just being in the way. There had been an oblivious bubble around her during that entire exchange; the rest of the world a hazy background. That Candace had been put 'in the haze' had Evie's insides squirming like snakes.
Toby and Evie moved out of the way with swift apologies– Hamilton's infuriating chuckles far too knowing this time– and waited just a foot or two way while Candace finished her task. The silence between them was stiff but… significant. Evie reached out to stroke Sinatra's silky, orange head between his twitching ears.
"What about your parents?" Toby suddenly inquired, voice still low and scratchy.
Evie bit down on her lip and shrugged. "My parents got married because they liked each other and it was convenient. They're friends, not epic romantics."
"I thought I would like something like that," Toby mused thoughtfully. Evie gaped at him.
"But you have such lovely memories of your parents being so… so gone on each other. Why would you settle for something… something less than that?" Evie demanded confusion.
"I didn't think of it as something less. Romance and being, well, gone on someone… it seemed like a lot of work," Toby laughed at the confession. "It's the thing you see in movies and read in books. I think my parents are great, it's amazing to see how much they still love to woo each other whenever I visit them, but putting so much effort into loving someone seemed daunting. Something to work at every day. I thought friendship, an easy companionship, would be better and just as long-lasting."
Candace walked up to them, catching the end of his words and working through them with a confused frown.
"It's nice, I guess," Evie conceded with her brows furrowing. "There's nothing wrong with my parents' marriage, and sometimes the real passionate romantic stuff… it can be scary and intimidating. Loving someone that much…" The idea of it did send a particularly hard press to her chest, her heart beating extra hard to catch up with her breath.
But was it fear? Or just… yearning?
"It may be scary, or intimidating, b-but… I'd r-rather have d-dancing in the middle of the night than having a c-companion," Candace disagreed, stuttering more than usual at speaking out. "I s-suppose that's s-silly and s-selfish of me…"
"I didn't say I thought the same anymore," Toby murmured. Evie felt her palms sweat and spine stiffen. He's not- Stop over-thinking, Evelyn Tallesin. "Maybe romance isn't as much hard work as I thought it was."
"Romance? Why are we talkin' 'bout romance when there's a race t'be havin'," Kathy challenged in mock-outrage, fists on her hips and legs braced apart. The strange frission of tension fizzled away completely as Kathy barreled into their circle. Evie was not complaining in the slightest, already grinning widely at Kathy refreshing brashness. "Y'all better have betted your money on me," she added with a toss of her golden ponytail.
"W-we d-don't bet money?" Candace pointed out.
"Semantics. C'mon, girlie, you're gettin' the best seat t'see me win. Y'all, too," Kathy ordered. She linked arms with Candace, careful of the silkworm box, and winked at Toby and Evie. "Romance is for Flower Festivals or stargazin', not for racin' days."
"She has a point," Evie laughed. "I'm pretty sure Luke wanted me to cheer him on."
"Kathy or Renee would be the better choice," Toby warned as they made their way towards the racetrack behind the two women arm-in-arm. Evie released a long-suffering sigh.
"Oh, I believe you. But some things you sacrifice for friendship, like winning some fancy carrots."
"If I win fancy carrots putting my name down for Renee, I'll share some with you."
"Ooh lala, that's true romance there!" Evie teased, fanning herself and batting her eyes.
Toby tilted back his head and laughed his shoulder-shaking laugh. For the first time, she noticed his eyes crinkled at the corners and she couldn't help but wonder if they'd be etched there one day– marks of a cheerful life lived well and happily.
"City girls are apparently easy to please romantically."
"Oh yes, just wave some shiny carrots at us and we swoon. Probably because most of us haven't seen carrots unwashed and without plastic wrap."
The festival went off without a hitch. Renee had barely eked a win, Kathy a pace behind, and Luke trailing in fourth after Irene on a goat. Evie had teased him mercilessly around a mouthful of romantic, barely-washed yet somehow shiny, carrot. Candace got second place in the livestock contest, just behind Hanna's first. The humble, overwhelmed, teary gratitude had all of Candace's friends hugging her tightly and enthusiastically congratulating Vera– who probably had no idea why so many new faces were cooing down at her. Dale, of course, won first place in the pet contest, showing off Boss's repertoire of amazing tricks to the whole town's ecstatic cheering and clapping. Though, Toby and Sinatra surprised everyone by coming in second; showing off an amazing set of flips that Sinatra accomplished flawlessly. Sinatra immediately leapt, wrapped himself around Toby's neck like a living, purring scarf, and promptly fell asleep. He didn't even stay awake long enough to see the scarlet and silver ribbon Toby received in Sinatra's honor.
After the humiliating and guilty moment of forgetting Candace that morning, Evie threw herself into humoring and chatting with every friend animatedly. She hovered mostly around Candace, attentively including her in every conversation and rarely leaving her side for longer than a moment. Every now and then, Candace tossed Evie a mystified look, but neglected to call her out on it– as per Candace's norm. When the sun finally set, and Hamilton announced the closing of the festival, Evie was one of the first to volunteer to help tear down the booths and load leftover merchandise onto wagons.
Evie wiped sweat from her forehead after laying down another armful of planks. Finn was off playing with some of the pets still wandering around the ranch, waiting for their owners' whistles to go home, and only a handful of villagers were left helping. Of course, all the Horns, Anissa, Kathy, Shelly, and Candace. With the last of the booths and the stage already broken down, the Carpenters and Bo swung onto their wagon to leave. Their backs still casting long shadows over the top of Moon Hill from where they all sat on the bench, and Evie shaded her eyes to watch them go– an excuse to pause and rest for a moment. Candace stepped up to Evie, a steaming mug clasped in her hands.
"Hey, Candy. I'm surprised you and your grandma aren't gone yet. You had the least amount of stuff," Evie stated questioningly. She took the cup and groaned in delight at the sweet taste of milk tea.
"Since we don't set up in the morning, we like to help at the end. As a thank you," Candace explained modestly. "You know, I'm not… I'm not upset with you. About this morning," she said, hesitant and uncertain. "You don't have to try so hard to make it up to me."
"Candace," Evie breathed out, shame coloring her tone. "I shouldn't have cut you out like that. I don't want you to feel like I only tried so hard because I was guilty, though. Some of it was, but mostly, I just like being around you. You keep me levelheaded. And I need that," the rancher added dryly.
"It's okay… t-to b-be s-swept away. You work so hard and spare so much time for everyone. It's okay if… s-sometimes… you w-want to be… s-selfish," Candace urged as firmly as she could in her halting, shy way. "It's okay to be r-romantic," she blurted with a bright blush and determined set to her soft chin.
Evie ducked her head and rubbed the back of her neck. "It's not okay to do that at the expense of a friend, though."
Candace shook her head and, pausing only a moment, reached out to clasp Evie's hand in both of hers. "I know you… you care about me. You're the… b-best friend I've ever had. N-nothing you c-could do would ever c-convince me otherwise."
"Awww, you darling!" Evie gushed, throwing her arms around Candace's shoulders and tugging her close. Tea spilled heedlessly over Evie's glove and onto the grass. Candace eeped and giggled while her hands fluttered through the air over Evie's back. "I love you so much, Candy. You're my best friend, too."
"Then, when I s-say it's okay to g-go now, you'll believe me?" Candace queried a little breathlessly.
"Go now? But I'm not done yet," Evie said as she pulled back, eyebrows rising high. Frowning, she exchanged the mug of tea to her other hand and flapped her wet, gloved hand to dry. Candace took the mostly empty mug back and smiled kindly.
"You helped set up this morning. No one would mind if you left early. Especially s-someone who I th-think is waiting for you," Candace whispered, mortified by her own daring.
Evie cocked her head to the side and frowned. "Who's waiting for me?"
Candace sighed and twisting the hem of her cardigan with one hand, the other pressing the mug close to her chest. "M-Maybe he's not, but I think he is." Evie's eyes widened and her mouth pursed into a silent 'oh' of surprise. "Good night, Evie."
"Good night…" Evie stepped back, rubbing her flushing cheeks with the back of her gloves. She shouted one more good night to the rest of the stragglers before turning and jogging towards home. Finn flew up and climbed sleepily into her breast pocket, yawning widely.
"It's about time. I'm exhausted. Those pancakes we had for lunch were yummy, though. We should have pancakes every day," Finn suggested sleepily.
"You'll get so pudgy you won't be able to fly," Evie said in amusement.
"Worth it! You can just carry me around," Finn shrugged. She chuckled and patted at his head. When they reached the house, Finn was fast asleep and whistle-snoring.
And Toby was sitting against her front door with his eyes closed and head tipped back, Sinatra in his lap with his tail swinging lazily.
"I rang the bell to call your animals in. Is that alright?" Toby informed her without opening his eyes.
"That was… yeah, that was fine. I'm sure they appreciated it, because I'd have had to wake them up to call 'em in if they'd waited for me," Evie said with a helpless little shrug.
Toby peered up at her through half-lidded eyes. In the darkness, she couldn't quite see his eyes, and she couldn't help the little spur of disappointment. As if reading something on her face she didn't know she'd let show, Toby gently lifted Sinatra off his lap and got to his feet. Sinatra stretched and yawned between them.
"I just wanted to make sure you made it home," Toby said, apropos of nothing when the silence drifted on too long.
"I did," Evie choked out, shuffling her feet in the dust and clasping her hands behind her back.
"That's good. I'll see you tomorrow, I'm sure. You made a promise to Paolo, after all," Toby replied lightly. He clicked his tongue at Sinatra and moved to pass Evie, his hand coming up to brush over her elbow.
It was such a stupid touch. Her elbow? It was stupid and awkward and not what she wanted.
"If… If I asked you to stay…?" she forced out, body twisting to follow him and hand reaching out to grasp his. The one that had touched her elbow. Like a dork.
Toby stilled, then turned on his heel. The moonlight on his hair shined silver and his gaze was intent on her face. She shivered and couldn't tell if it was the look or the night breeze or both.
"Are you? Asking?"
Evie swallowed hard, heart pounding. She wondered, inanely, if it would wake poor Finn up like a bass drum to the ear.
"Yes. I… I want you to stay. Not for… it doesn't have to be like that, just lying down and falling asleep or… maybe, I wouldn't mind a little more, but n-no pressure!" Evie babbled, her free hand gesticulating wildly through the air and the one still clutching his feeling sweaty and hot inside the heavy leather glove.
Nothing Toby ever did was fast, or quick. Nothing he did was truly sudden. But somehow, his slow, languid movement towards her managed to startle her. His hands smoothed up her arms and goosebumps followed. His feet stepped just one pace forward, body leaning incrementally into her space and the fine hair at the back of her neck stood up. She saw it coming, expected it when he responded to her invitation so earnestly, but still she was surprised, heart stopping and breath catching, when he pressed close enough that their clothes rustled against each other. Her head tipped just enough their noses missed bumping, and their eyes, half-lidded and falling, met. Then his lips brushed hers and the world went hazy again.
The moment of the morning was back as if the rest of the day had merely been a long intermission. With her hands suddenly free, and his resting on her shoulders, she did two things– first, she reached back to shove her creaking, rickety door open, and second, reached forward to grasp the loose folds of his shirt over his belly in a tight fist. Finally, she stepped back, tugging him after her. They broke apart just long enough for Toby to whistle sharply between his teeth and waited just a breath longer for Sinatra to bound past their ankles into the house.
"He comes when you whistle?" Evie giggled a hair's width from Toby's mouth, lips brushing as she spoke.
"I trained him to do flips and that impressed you?" Toby retorted wryly. She could feel his lips against hers twisting up into that teasing smirk-that-wasn't and it made her giddy.
"It's the little things," Evie replied flippantly. She threw her arms around his neck and, before she could stop herself, blurted, "Anything else you can impress me with?"
Toby's forehead knocked against hers as he groaned in pain. "That was a terrible pick-up line. City girls." Evie tipped her head back and laughed loudly and freely.
Both his hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing over cheekbones and making her feel… fragile. Her laughter melted into a sigh and her arms lowered to his waist to hold on tightly. Then, his mouth was over hers again, gentle and sweet and slow. Like he could send hours standing in the middle of her dining room and kissing her breath away. He smelled like sea wind and brine, and his hands were warm on her skin. It was a wrench to step away, and Evie's lashes fluttered dazedly when she tried to pry her eyes open. But she could hear the faint whistles coming from her shirt and Toby couldn't.
"Lemme go wash up and uhm… we could…?" Evie shrugged a shoulder with an awkward, lopsided smile. Toby smiled– his lips were redder, bruised and just a little puffy, and she couldn't stop staring, but it looked like he was staring at her mouth, too– and nodded once.
"I'll be here," he agreed quietly, brushing hair behind her ear. His fingertips lingered right at the hollow there.
She wondered, with her eyes darting over his lazy smile and half-lidded green eyes, how many times had he told her that?
While Toby kicked off his shoes, Evie discreetly tucked Finn on the far side of the pillow, closest the wall, and hurried into the bathroom. It took too long, and she'd frozen, wide-eyed and red-faced when she saw Toby waiting, sitting on the edge of her bed when she came back out, but they fell into the bed together at last. Fully dressed and eyes locked. There was a long, silent moment, long enough Evie had to duck her head to hide the half-embarrassed grin, then his arm fell around her waist and he pulled her close. Evie squeaked, then burst into laughter quickly muffled by her pillow between them.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. Just," Evie looked up to see Toby gazing down at her, the only light from the moonlight outside casting most of his face in shadow. She looped her arm around his shoulders and moved through that tiny bit of space before she could think too much.
Lips lingered over curves of his cheek and jaw, their noses bumped, and whispered laughter was interspersed at last with slow, almost shy, drugging kisses warm and damp from shared breaths. They fell asleep between one kiss and the next, heads on the same pillow and limbs tangled.
It was… simple. Nothing terrifying about it at all.
A/N: Sorry I'm just about a week late! I ended using my entire last week of the reversebang tidying up the MASSIVE fic I accidentally ended up writing! oops (though are you really surprised?) If y'all like Sterek and are on AO3, keep an eye out for it! It's a'coming!
I hope this chapter makes up for the wait. My beta sure liked it when she snuck a peek at the rough draft. LOL It hasn't actually been beta'd, so any and all mistakes are mine!
Next Update: 06/07/2017
