Chapter Sixteen

F rom the excited children 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."

"I've heard the two of you have been spending time together."

"We have been." She motioned to the activities happening on First Avenue. "And this is the result."

Laughter lit Jayden's eyes. "Your romantic dinner for two at the Falls Café was only about the Boo Bash?"

Raine shook her head. "This town is too interested in everyone else's business."

"It's the only entertainment since the movie theater closed. Seriously, if Keaton is anything like his brother, you're in good hands. Garrett treats Taryn like a queen, and all of us at the bakery get treated like her court. It doesn't suck."

Raine laughed. "I'm sure it doesn't."

Jayden took a sip. "Oh, this is choice. I'll be ready to do the ‘Thriller' dance when that song comes up."

"Have fun." Someone called her name. "Let me know if you need anything."

She turned and looked around.

Two laughing superheroes ran in front of her chased by a mom holding their bags.

"Raine!" Margot wore a witch's hat, a black dress, and a purple fringed vest. "I'm glad I got your attention."

"Everything okay?"

"It couldn't be better." Margot's blue eyes twinkled. "You've set a high bar for future Boo Bashes."

"It's all Keaton." If he decided to change professions, he had a future in planning children's events. "He's the reason today happened."

"Well, he said it was all because of you, so how about if both of you share the credit?"

"Thank you." She and Keaton made a great team. "And thanks for your work with the scarecrows. The kids are having so much fun stuffing them."

"Mayor Sellwood was helping with one, so it's not only the kids having fun. Tell that man of yours, I want to make you dinner once you've recovered from today."

Man of yours? Margot meant Keaton, but he wasn't Raine's man. Still, Raine liked the sound of that. She grinned. "Sounds great. You have my number."

Margot winked. "And so does Keaton."

"Go matchmake somewhere else," Raine joked.

"I will because I believe my work is done here."

Wait. What? Did Margot know something?

The woman prided herself on knowing all the gossip and secrets in Silver Falls. And Keaton was staying with her.

Before Raine could ask, Margot flitted away, disappearing into the crowds.

Raine headed to Lawson's Bakery. Kids surrounded the tables on the street outside. Garrett and Taryn supervised the cookie decorating.

"Need anything?" she asked.

"We're good." Taryn glanced at the tray of cookies. "I've got Brecken baking more, so we don't run out."

Raine smiled. "Popular activity."

"They all are." She watched the kids decorate the sugar cookies. "Not sure how you pulled it off."

"Keaton." Raine's stomach fluttered. She'd caught glimpses of him this afternoon, but he'd been making sure his activities ran smoothly so their paths hadn't crossed much. She couldn't have asked for a better partner.

For the Boo Bash.

But a part of her wished it could be for longer. One day at a time. Raine was trying. "His efforts are what made the Boo Bash a success."

Garrett grinned. "Keaton always rises to the occasion. My mom will never admit it, but he's the favorite. He's the only one who never got in trouble and did what he was told."

That didn't surprise Raine. "I can see that."

"Keaton knew what he wanted from a young age and went for it. The only thing that changed was his major. But he was passionate about Norse legends, and it was the right choice for him. Now with the temporary position in Boston, he'll be all set. Lots of elite colleges around there to give him the opportunities he can't find out west."

Raine did a double take. She couldn't have heard Garrett correctly. "Boston?"

Regret flashed in Garrett's eyes. Based on his expression, he wanted to take back his words. "I need to grab more frosting inside."

Garrett disappeared into the bakery. No doubt he'd been careless with his words, saying something he shouldn't have.

Taryn handed a child a shaker filled with orange sprinkles. Her face was a portrait of sympathy. Or was that pity?

What had Keaton said?

I'm in town through October at least.

That was only a couple days away. "Keaton's moving to Boston?"

"I'm sure he'll tell you what's going on." Taryn held a tube of icing for a kid dressed as a firefighter. "Both of you have been busy with the Boo Bash."

Busy, yes. But they'd been seeing each other every single day. He'd had plenty of opportunity to tell her if he'd taken a job on the other side of the country.

Keaton had told his family.

What did that say about his feelings toward her? Keaton said he didn't feel like he had a home. She guessed he meant that literally not figuratively.

But they weren't in a relationship. Not really. Even if it had felt like one.

Still, her eyes stung. She blinked.

Taryn came toward her. "Raine—"

"I need to check on another activity." Raine made a beeline for the coffee shop. She needed to catch her breath.

And not fall apart.

Okay, she had no idea when the job started. But if she'd meant anything to Keaton, wouldn't he have told her? Not have her hear the news secondhand from his brother?

It was Emmett all over again. Making plans without telling her until he was ready to leave.

She rubbed the spot over her heart, but the space felt empty as if a black void had swallowed everything in the area.

The door was propped open to make things easier for the kids.

As she entered the coffee shop, Dorothy and the scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz exited.

Timmy stood in front of a cauldron with steam pouring out from black ice. He wore a unicorn costume. He'd dyed his hair pink, blue, and green to match the pastel rainbow theme. "The kids love the Witches' Brew. We should add seasonal drinks like that to the menu."

"Go for it."

His grin spread across his face. "Will do, Boss."

"I'll be in the back for a minute or two if anyone needs me." She must have her poker face down because Timmy didn't blink an eye. Thank goodness. She wouldn't even know how to explain the knife gutting her. The hurt cut that deep.

Keaton had told her he was leaving, but every second with him, especially this past week, implied a strong connection between them.

The way he'd kissed her…

Parker stood behind the counter dressed as a Teenage Mutant Turtle. It was the only costume he would find, and he said a reptile counted as an animal.

Raine hurried past him with a brief ‘hey,' tossed her clipboard onto the desk in the office, ran into the bathroom, and locked the door. She took a breath and another. Tears threatened to fall, but she didn't have time for them. Raine blinked them away, staring at the ceiling.

That didn't stop her eyes from reddening.

She couldn't wash her face without ruining her cat makeup, so she fanned her eyes using a paper towel. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror.

Sad eyes.

Still a little red.

But the downtrodden expression.

The lines around her mouth and on her forehead.

The sallow skin.

She gasped.

Raine recognized the woman staring back at her. It was how she'd looked after Emmett left and then broke up with her. Twice.

She couldn't blame this time on him.

Time to pull herself together. She needed to be at the Boo Bash.

She pinched her cheeks to give them some color and peeked in the mirror. "Better."

With her clipboard in hand, she went out front. She was almost to the door when Keaton came in.

"Hey." Keaton held up an empty bag. "Pippa needs more candy."

"It's in the office." Her voice remained steady. Surprising given the way her insides trembled.

"I'll grab some." He beamed with pride. "The Boo Bash is a huge success. I hope the association uses ours for a template in the future for events. I left detailed notes in the bin for whoever runs it next year. I'll add a lessons' learned sheet to the bin before I return it to Margot."

"Sounds good."

His forehead creased. "Something wrong?"

She should wait until later, but the news was tearing her up inside. "Garrett said you got a job in Boston." The words cascaded out one after another. She couldn't stop herself.

Keaton's face fell. "I was going to tell you after we finished with the Boo Bash."

He sounded sincere, but that didn't stop her heart from hurting. "A good job?"

"Temporary, but being a visiting professor at a tier-one university will look good on my CV. They want my decision tomorrow. If I accept, I leave on Saturday."

Raine didn't think her heart could break any more. She was wrong. "Not much time."

"No."

She pushed her shoulders back, calling on every ounce of strength she had. They hadn't known each other long enough for her to become his dream, but once again, she felt as if she wasn't enough. Even if it wasn't the same situation.

Still, Raine wanted to support Keaton. "If this is your dream, you have to accept the position."

A beat passed. "It's a long way from…L.A."

"That's what planes are for."

"You're right. I'd be stupid to turn it down. It's my dream."

She had no idea what to say.

Keaton started to speak and then stopped. He held up the bag. "I'd better get the candy for Pippa."

Raine wasn't sure how she stepped out of the way when her heart had stopped beating, but she did and kept walking in a daze.

Callie ran up to her. "I've been looking for you."

"Did you know?"

"About?"

"Boston."

Callie nodded. "Did Keaton tell you?"

"Garrett."

Callie inhaled sharply. "Are you okay?"

"I'm trying to be. I want him to be happy."

"He's happy."

"Especially now that he's found his dream job in Boston." Raine couldn't keep the sarcasm from her voice.

"I meant he's happy in Silver Falls," Callie amended.

"For now, yes. But for how much longer? He's had the Boo Bash to plan."

"I'm not talking about the Boo Bash. You—"

"Once again, I'm not a big enough draw. And neither is Silver Falls."

"You don't know that."

"Does your brother seem like a small-town guy?"

"Not at first glance, but you never know." Callie's tone was so hopeful. "Besides, the position is temporary. Keaton's planning to spend Christmas here. He might decide he doesn't like Boston and prefers Silver Falls."

He was a sweet guy who'd helped Raine when she needed it most. But a dream was a dream. The chances of him changing his mind… "After my experience with Emmett, I can't believe that'll happen."

Raine didn't want to say goodbye to Keaton. Not because he helped her or kissed like a dream or tutored college kids for free. She was falling for him. Based on this afternoon's reaction, she'd fallen without even realizing it. But now that she had, Raine wanted to see where it could go.

"My brother isn't like Emmett."

Raine wanted to believe Callie, but… "Then why does it feel like goodbye?"