Page 52 of Searching for Bristol
CHAPTERTEN
Bristol couldn’t stop smiling. She hadn’t been this happy in a very long time. She was currently sitting in front of The Sweet Tooth, watching the parade. Rocky had been right, the “floats” were nothing more than pickup trucks hauling flatbed trailers, but everyone was in high spirits and having a great time.
She hadn’t been to many parades, but the few she’d attended hadn’t been this…neighborly. It seemed as if the entire town had shown up for the parade and the festival that would follow. All the businesses in the square had agreed to stay closed until after the festivities, other than having tables set up to sell some wares, giving the owners and employees a chance to enjoy the day. Well, all the businesses except for the pool hall.
Rocky had grumbled about the owner being a jerk who hated Fallport. Which made no sense to Bristol. If he hated it here, why in the world had he bought the business in the first place?
But everyone else was having a great time. Lilly was running around taking a million pictures, Elsie was sitting to Bristol’s left, waiting anxiously for Tony and Zeke’s “float” to drive by. On her right side was Finley, who was stressing about whether or not she’d made enough cookies and other goodies for the festival after the parade. The jewelry Bristol had made was all spread out on the table behind them, and she hoped to make a good amount of money for the Eagle Point Search and Rescue team.
Across the way, Bristol could see Silas, Otto, and Art sitting in their normal spot outside the post office. They were waving at everyone and generally being treated like the kings of Fallport that they were.
Little kids roamed everywhere and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.
“What are you smiling about?” Finley asked.
Bristol turned, directing her smile at the other woman. She’d been so welcoming, and Bristol had seen firsthand how generous Finley was…handing out extra treats to the customers, and even making sandwiches for Davis Woolford, the lone homeless man who lived in Fallport.
“I just love this,” Bristol told her.
“Yeah, this is only my second year being here for it, and there’s really nothing like small towns when it comes to a festival.”
“I didn’t realize you’d been here that long,” Bristol said. “For some reason, I thought you were relatively new to the area.”
The other woman shrugged. “I mean, compared to most people, Iamnew.”
“What brought you here? Fallport isn’t exactly on the beaten path,” Bristol said.
Finley shrugged…and Bristol realized she seemed uncomfortable with the question. “I needed a change,” she said simply.
Knowing better than to push, Bristol squeezed her arm affectionately before sitting back in her chair. “Thanks for letting me hang out and use some of your table space,” she said, doing her best to change the subject.
“Of course. I appreciate the company,” Finley said.
“Having a good time?” a deep voice asked from behind them.
Bristol jumped in her chair, and felt better when both Elsie and Finley had a similar reaction. Elsie turned and scowled at Brock, who’d walked up behind them without any of them noticing. “Jeez, Brock. You need a bell or something,” she told him.
He chuckled as Bristol turned to greet him—and for the first time, she noticed the man was absolutely ripped. He wore a white tank top that showed off his arms and shoulders, and was much more muscular than Rocky.
“Sorry,” he told them. “You guys thirsty? It’s kind of hot out. I could go grab you a lemonade or something.”
“I’m okay,” Elsie said. “You guys?” she asked, turning to Bristol and Finley.
Bristol shook her head. “I just finished a water.” She looked over at Finley…and saw her new friend’s gaze was focused on her hands in her lap. “Finley?”
“Huh? Oh, I’m good,” she said, then turned her attention back to her fidgeting fingers.
“Tony and Zeke should be driving by soon. I saw Tony earlier with his crown and sash, and he was practically bursting with pride,” Brock told Elsie.
“I don’t think he slept at all last night,” she said with a chuckle.
Brock exchanged a bit more small talk with her and Elsie. Finley was as silent as a mouse as she listened, but didn’t participate in the conversation.
“Where’s Rocky?” he asked at one point.
Bristol pointed over to the other side of the square, where Rocky, Raid, and Tal were sitting behind a table. They’d volunteered to be the judges in the watermelon seed spitting contest. It wouldn’t start until after the parade was over, but they were busy signing people up and giving directions on when and where the participants should show up for their turn.
“That’s right, I forgot they were suckered—er…volunteeredfor that,” Brock said with a grin. “Well, if you need anything, just give me or any of the rest of the guys a yell. Have fun.” He walked off…and Bristol saw Finley watching him leave with a longing in her eyes she could totally understand.
