Page 88 of A Cup of Autumn
“I thought you might have a new dream now,” Callie challenged.
“My dream hasn’t changed.” But as Keaton said the words, he wasn’t one hundred percent sure that was still true.
“You need to take the job if only to prove to yourself that you could,” Flynn counseled.
“Hey.” Lines creased Callie’s forehead. “What happened to what you do doesn’t define you?”
“We’re talking about Keaton—not you, dear,” Dad said.
“Fine.” Callie sounded resigned. “Whatever you decide. Follow your heart. It won’t lead you wrong.”
“Good advice, baby sis,” Flynn said. “My advice is to call first thing and accept the job. You need to follow your dreams.”
And Keaton’s dream was in Boston. So why didn’t that make him feel happier?
Chapter Sixteen
From the excitedchildren to the smiling parents, the Boo Bash appeared to be a hit. Raine stood in the middle of First Avenue checking her clipboard. So far, so good. And right on schedule.
Her nose itched, but she ignored the urge to scratch. That would ruin the makeup she’d used to make herself into a cat. The rest of her costume consisted of a headband with ears. Her tail hadn’t lasted long thanks to it getting caught in a door while setting up for the event.
The animal theme had been Timmy’s idea, and the entire staff, including the two new high school kids she’d hired, had dressed in costume except for Robin, who was with her kids attending the Boo Bash.
Raine carried her clipboard and a drink. She wanted to make sure Jayden, who’d stepped up to be DJ when the one they’d hired turned up sick, didn’t get thirsty. His setup was a cell phone and Bluetooth speakers, but based on the dancing pirates, princesses, and zombies, no one cared.
Raine handed a paper cup to him. “Here you go.”
“Witches’ Brew?” he asked.
“Nope. Rachelle said you’d need caffeine.”
He laughed. “She’s right. I don’t see how these kids have so much energy.”
“Candy, and I believe the costumes give them superpowers.”
“I’ll have to remember that when our little one is old enough to participate.”
“Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?”
“The ultrasound tech knows. We have the answer sealed in an envelope to go in the baby book, but we want to be surprised.”
“That’ll be fun.”
“Tell that to my wife who keeps wondering if we made the right call.”
“You have the envelope.”
“True, but when I remind her of the fires started from gender-reveal parties she doesn’t want to know.”
“Sounds like you know each other well.”
He nodded. “Our tenth anniversary is coming up. Smartest move I made was marrying that woman. She can’t cook soup without burning it, but she can fix anything that breaks.”
“A good thing you’re a baker.”
“If I wasn’t, I’d have to learn to cook, or we’d starve. We don’t have a traditional marriage, but this works for us.” He glanced around. “I don’t see the professor.”
“Keaton’s around somewhere.”
