Page 106 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

After a time, Max gets to his feet and shakes out his blanket. “I’m going to get myself a drink before Targan joins me. That way I can claim I need him to carry me home,” he adds with a giggle.

To my surprise, Skylar jumps up too. “I’ll join you if you don’t mind.” He smiles at me. “Want anything, babe? I’m buying.”

I smile back. “Sure. I’d love some of Laurelis’s apple cider.”

He and Max head off while the rest of us continue enjoying the late afternoon festivities.

About twenty minutes later, Skylar returns alone, holding two disposable cups full of cider.

“Targan found Max and they’re feeding the kids. I guess all that singing and dancing made them hungry.” He hands me my drink. “Sorry it took me so long, but there was a line.”

“It’s okay. Thanks for the cider,” I say, sipping the sweet, crisp drink with pleasure.

Skylar chuckles. “Did you know Max is Grand Marshal of the Harvest Festival parade tomorrow morning?”

“He’s been campaigning for that position since he joined the committee. I’m sure he’ll be fabulous.”

“Well, I know he’ll be memorable,” Skylar says. “He sashays to the beat of his own dance song.”

I laugh. “That’s a lovely way to put it.”

By the time the sun sets, the night air has turned much cooler, and we say our goodbyes to Ryder and Vash, who had worked a late day.

“We’re going back to our motel to crash for a few hours,” Rowan says, looking worryingly pale.

“Everything’s under control here so go get some rest. I won’t call you unless something big happens,” Astraea says.

As I watch Rowan and his familiar head out, Skylar links his arm through mine. “You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

I bite my bottom lip. “I don’t think he’s well yet. The poor man needs rest.”

Skylar leans into me. “Don’t worry, babe. Rowan and Ange will be moving into the B&B tomorrow and you can fuss over him to your heart’s content.” He grins. “And I’ll get the side benefit of enjoying all the delicious comfort food you’ll whip up for him.”

How did he know I was already planning a whole menu in my head?

“I’m not sure when I’ll be back tonight,” Astraea says, drawing my attention back to her. “I’ve got some things to take care of.” She leans down to give Elvira one last pat on all three heads and takes off.

Once she disappears into the crowd, Skylar and I walk home hand in hand. Along the way, I think about this and the many Harvest Festivals to come—and how we’ll be able to spend them all together.

The future awaiting us is bright and beautiful, I just know it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Dear Journal (okay, fine, this is kinda a diary),

Opening Day at the salon was a huge success, in no small part thanks to Hal. I should have expected it, but he talked to damn near everyone in town and encouraged them to check out my salon. He’s clearly been doing this for weeks, and I didn’t have a clue.

Every day, he makes me love him more and more.

I started out this journal trying to think about what I’m grateful for. At first, it was mostly just having survived. And I’m still grateful for that, and proud of all I’ve overcome. None of that’s been easy. But now, I’m even more grateful for Hal. He’s the brightest part of my life, and he’s taught me what real, truly unconditional love is. He’s helped me believe in myself, in us, and in a future we’ll share.

There’s a scene in that movie Shawshank Redemption that Grandma loved. It’s when Andy, after years of masterminding his escape from prison, has to crawl through a tunnel of shit to get to freedom. But when he’s on the other side, he emerges in the rain, which gets him fucking clean and he’s at last a free man. I can relate. I feel like I’ve spent a lot of my life trapped and wading through shit, but when I arrived in Mystic Hollow, my soul was cleansed and I finally found my freedom. Cheesy, I know, but true.

But Mystic Hollow wouldn’t be what it is to me and quite a few other folks without Hal. So I’m working on a little something to show him just how much he means to me and everyone else in this town.

—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal

Second day of the Harvest Festival…