Partying with Dale
The first day of the Annual Pumpkin Festival is a school holiday in Morton. (Yeah, that's how big this is. I was surprised too.) Friday was set aside for the school kids to come out with science teachers to try their hands at anything from handheld slingshots to massive bands between posts that could throw large objects, mainly pumpkins. The jr. high and high school kids tried their hands at potato cannons and giant slingshots, causing the town to drip with mashed potato and squashes at inconvenient times throughout the day. Someone thought flinging pies would be fun. Clean-up was a woot. (Note the sarcasm.)
In the morning, Tyler and several of his gang helped with the elementary age with handheld slingshots and centrifuge, but they tried out their own giant slings in the afternoon. They created the most buzz and resentment by their centrifuge creation and because Dale's support team was cheering in full force for them. Even the Fling King himself was watching and cheering in Tyler's corner.
Saturday was a cacophony of roaring booms from canons and cheers from blood-thirsty crowds. The motorized cannons whipped the masses into a frenzy. I suspect alcohol was involved, but it set a thrilling mood for the Saturday night festival.
The main street boasted booths, lights, and music in the evening, a time for family and kids. The Elementary played a concert in the main street pavilion with gourd instruments. It was creative and, well, interesting, but all clapped politely before breaking up to catch the show of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" projected on a sheet stretched between two posts on the city green.
As the monster mash played on speakers and tricker treaters ran from booth to booth, I made my way to the Evanson booth to find my own personal treat. They were selling cookies, hot chocolate, and pumpkin pie on a stick. It's better than it sounds. But Bella was the sweet I was craving.
I found her painting a butterfly on a little princess's face. I watched as the girl would turn her head, and Bella would turn her head back only to have the girl fuss about her terra being out of place. When the butterfly princess fluttered back to her beaming parents with a cookie in hand, Bella blew a strand of hair out of her face and grinned at me.
"There you are. I thought maybe you skipped town on me." She was smiling, but I recognized the kernel of truth and inkling of fear in the back of her jest.
"Naw, can't' get rid of me that easily," I smiled and sat in the vacated seat next to her.
She grinned, "Do you want a butterfly too?"
I smiled back and used one finger to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just want to sit near the artist."
She nudged me with her shoulder before turning back to her booth's work. I kept Bella company until her shift was over and another waitress replaced her.
Free to walk around, I took her hand and slipped our joined hands into my jacket pocket. There was every kind of booth you could imagine. I tried and failed to win a poodle pillow for her at the ball toss, but she won a sheriff's badge and gun set for me at the rifle range. Yeah, my manhood is still intact. I'm a 21st-century male. I did make her swear never to tell Carlisle, though. I'm not stupid.
I kissed her every chance I got. It became a game for Bella to find little out-of-the-way places to rip lip. Let me just say; I like how this girl thinks.
We met the gang at Evanson's at the end of the evening. The whole town seemed to filter through at some point in the evening.
Carlisle held court at his regular booth and would call people over to his table. Emmett, Jasper, and Tyler each took their turns in the conference.
It was fascinating and inspiring to watch the Fling King orchestrating his troops with his second in command at his side.
As Main Street closed, Esme came in and sat next to Carlisle with her hand on his thigh. When Carlisle completed his meetings and interviews, he turned his full attention on his girl. Causing me to realize it was time to take my girl (yeah, my girl) home.
Holding her hand, we said our goodbyes with a promise to meet for breakfast in the morning. The great day of reckoning was upon us, and we all felt the exhilaration and the weight of the moment.
At Bella's door, I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her and lacing my fingers at the small of her back.
She smiled warmly at me, and my mind flashed back to first meeting her. Her snarky quick wit had me on the back foot, but now I understood the little powder keg in my arms. She had let down her walls with me, and I felt honored.
"I had a great time tonight," she said as she ran her hand inside my jacket and around my back, pulling me closer.
"Me too," I said and gave her a lingering kiss. The kiss turned into more as she pulled my shirt out of the back of my pants to give her hand free rein over my back. She opened her mouth to me, and I claimed it, running my hands into her hair to maneuver a better angle. I pulled back, dragging her bottom lip between my teeth before dropping my lips to her neck. By the feel of her nails scraping down my back, I think she liked it.
Headlights in the driveway had us pull apart, panting and wide-eyed. I could hear Esme and Carlisle's laughter even better after Carlisle cut the engine.
"Well, continue this later, yeah?" I whispered and kissed her soft, warm lips.
She brushed her hair back and dragged out a frustrated breath. "I hope so."
So sweet.
I ran my nose along hers and breathed, "Know so. I like you, Bella Swan."
She ran her hand up my button placket and said, "I like you too, Edward Cullen."
"A lot?"
Shyness washed over her, and she rolled her eyes but whispered, "a lot."
I kissed her forehead as Carlisle and Esme approached, "Me too, a whole lot."
"Never thought I'd see the day little Bella Swan would be sweet on a boy." Carlisle's taunting voice had me move to step in, but Bella swung around in my arms and stuck a finger in Carlisle's face.
"Rooster, as much as I've had to witness you climbing down my aunt's gullet, I'd shut the hell up about anyone else. Talk about pots judging kettles, sheesh." She turned to me and gave me one last peck, and said in a softer voice, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"For certain, I'll be by to pick you up around six-thirty, yeah?"
Esme turned Bella's key in the lock and pushed open the door, "Oh, she can ride with me."
Bella made to answer, but I said, "No, tomorrow she rides with me." I avoided my uncle's amused grin as I kissed a startled Esme on the cheek and gave Bella's hand one more squeeze before stepping off the porch.
Carlisle called after me, "See you in the morning, Lover Boy."