CHAPTER TEN

Renn

Firefly Night is one of the town's traditions that is known only by locals and Solitude Ridge regulars, and we try to keep it that way. The town is always welcoming to the crowds of tourists, but we like to hold on to the small town aspects when we can. For example, there are a handful of lakes in the area, but Mirror Lake has been kept away from the flow of tourists for many years, and I hope that never changes.

It was a happy coincidence that I saw Tova stop at the bookshop to say her goodbyes to Mina and Tash, and when she spotted me loading up my truck with folding tables and chairs to take down to the lake, she of course waved me over. I was honestly disappointed she had to leave, and when she gave me that warm, motherly hug asking me to look out for Maven, it made the guilt stab again because I couldn't tell her that I was trying to keep my distance since that night at the coffee shop.

Shy and I make a quick detour to pick up Grant, since he doesn't drive on his own much anymore, and now the three of us are driving down the bumpy, beaten road to the lake. Shy sits in the middle of Grant and me, ears perked and alert because she loves playing fetch on the lake shore, running through the water and retrieving sticks over and over again. There's already a line of cars parked on the beach, with grills and fires going when we arrive. It is a potluck of sorts, everyone contributes in some way.

I spy Mina and Valery directing people where to set up food and supplies. Shy stays in the truck, waiting for my command that she can get out. "Now don't get into trouble," I say to her, rubbing her ears.

"You've got that dog trained so well, she doesn't know what trouble means," Grants scoffs, slowly getting out of the truck.

"I know. I know. I just like to remind her." I pat Shy on the head one more time. "Alright then. Go ahead." She jumps out and makes a beeline for the lakeshore where a group of kids are laughing and already splashing around in the water. They welcome her with excited screams and giggles.

"Hey you two!" Tasha calls out, making her way over to us.

"Tash, help an old man out, would you?" Grants asks, beaming at her with his full gray beard and all.

"Of course. Anything for my favorite guy in town," she replies, taking his arm and helping him toward the camp.

"I thought I was your favorite guy in town," I say with a smirk.

She rolls her eyes playfully. "I'll be right back to help you unload those." She nods to the back of the truck.

I start pulling out the tables and chairs, and soon, Tash joins me. "You're so sweet, always taking care of Grant," she says, gathering a couple of chairs.

"He looked out for me when I first came here, so it's the least I can do," I respond, wrapping my arms around one of the tables, just wide enough for me to manage on my own. She snickers next to me. "What?" I ask through a smile.

"I've known you for years now, and I still can't get over how kind you are sometimes. You're a good friend," she says. She's looking toward the lake, so she doesn't see the flicker of guilt that I quickly push away. "Good." That word again. It still stings just as much as it did earlier.

"And what about you?" I ask. She looks at me a little surprised. "You"re a good friend too." Her cheeks blush faintly as she grins up at me, finding I'm completely serious. "Don't think I've forgotten all the things you did for me when I showed up here too. I know you don't get new people who stay often, and you made it easier on me with your kindness. You and Grant were my first friends."

She grins wider now. "I take back what I said earlier. You are most definitely my favorite guy in town." She laughs, hitting me lightly in the arm with her free hand. "Speaking of friends…" I follow Tasha's gaze to see Maven pulling up next to my truck. All at once, nerves spark to life. What is wrong with me? I can't help but watch Maven get out of her car, her blue gaze flashing over me for a millisecond before looking at Tash.

"Mave!" Tasha exclaims, setting the chairs down before running over to her and wrapping her in a big hug. "It's Firefly Night!" she shouts, and they both chuckle.

"I know! My favorite Solitude Ridge tradition!" Maven says smiling. They both giggle excitedly like little kids for a moment.

"Come on!" Tash says, pulling her along.

I don't know how it happens so fast, but suddenly Shy starts running toward Maven and Tasha as they're locked arm in arm, barking happily.

"Shy! No, no, no!" I shout, but she completely ignores me and jumps on them, knocking them both to the ground. I'm not sure what I expected, but a jumble of laughs and Shy whining happily, licking Maven's face was not it. "Shy! Get off!" I yell, grabbing her by the collar and trying to pry her off.

Why do embarrassing things keep happening to me in front of this woman?

Tasha is on her knees clutching her stomach from laughing. Maven is flat on her back, stunned, but looks unharmed. I finally pull Shy off, but she still whines loudly.

"Sit," I say to her sternly, then look back down at Maven. "I am so sorry," I say as she sits up on her elbows, avoiding my eyes. "Are you okay?" I ask, kneeling beside her.

She wipes her face with her sleeve, her hair falling loose from parts of her long braid which is currently draped over her shoulder. She looks at me expressionless for a moment, but then she bites the inside of her cheek, trying to stop from smiling.

"I've never seen Shy do that to anyone!" Tasha exclaims.

"Uh-huh," Maven breathes out, narrowing her gaze at me while still holding back a smile the best she can.

"It's true. I swear," I add, but she doesn't look at me. Instead, she glances at Shy who is staying put, her tail thumping on the ground as it wags happily. Maven looks at Shy then back to me, and then the wonderful sounds of her laugh pours from her. Before I know it, all three of us are laughing, and I swear, if dogs could look smug, Shy's expression looks like she is quite proud of herself.

"Thanks for the warm welcome, Shy," Maven says cooly with a wide grin, rubbing a hand over Shy's ears.

"I really am sorry," I say as she continues to pat Shy's back.

"I forgive you, Shy. It's okay," she says while looking at me. Tasha flashes me a smirk. I stand and reach down for Maven's hand, and she squeezes it tightly as I help her to her feet.

"Don't worry, I've got it," Tasha says, standing. "Anyway. Let's go. Mom and I got our spot all set up." I give her an apologetic look.

I watch them walk away before I say to Shy, "Not really helping ‘the keep my distance' plan, you know."

Shy's tongue sticks out of the side of her mouth, and she's staring at me like it was nothing at all. Then to top it all off, she leaves me to follow the two of them. That little shit, but I will love that dog forever for breaking the tension. I watch Shy trail Maven and Tash all the way to where they have a group of chairs arranged together. Shaking my head, I walk over to sit next to Grant.

"I guess Shy isn't as well trained as I thought," Grant says to me as I sit down next to him.

"I guess not," I mumble, rubbing my jaw as I watch Shy sit right beside Maven like she's done it a thousand times. Grant follows my gaze.

"Looks like you've been replaced," he adds, chuckling.

"I'll say."

"Renn! What happened over there?" Val asks as she walks over to us.

"I have no idea."

"Looked pretty funny from where I was standing," she says, giggling.

"It was not funny! More like, awkward." I bellow. I can't help but glance back at Maven as she runs her fingers through Shy's fluffy, brown fur. Shy looks like she's in heaven.

"Renn, are you blushing?" Valery asks, her tone rising an octave.

"What? No!" I say, standing.

"Where are you going?" she asks, giving me a look.

"To see if the food is ready. I'm hungry."

"I think you're right, Valery. He is blushing," Grants says, chuckling.

"Okay, thank you! You can stop now," I say, walking quickly toward the large tables with plates of food on top. This is going to be an interesting night to say the least.

No one really knows why, but every year without fail, a glow of fireflies make their home on the shores of Mirror Lake, and their lights shine the brightest against the still surface of the water at this time of the season. This phenomena is the closest thing I've found on this planet that can compare to the wonders I've seen in this galaxy. That is, until I saw Maven's eyes. That thought alone heats my blood. Get a hold of yourself.

Eventually, dinner gets cleaned up, and we all start to gather together on the lake's edge as the sun begins to set. It's moments like this that make us feel more like family than just neighbors. Shy hasn't left Maven's side the entire afternoon. We make eye contact a few times, but I stay by Grant's side for the majority of the time until the sun starts to set and an excitement starts building because we all know what is about to happen. I use this as my opportunity to walk over to Mina, Tash, and Maven.

"I hope Shy hasn't been bothering you all too much," I say, standing beside Mina.

"Not at all. She's always such a sweetheart," Mina says.

"She certainly has a thing for Maven," Tasha adds, giving me a knowing look.

I give her a tight smile. "It looks like it," I reply.

We all wait a second or two for Maven to add something to the conversation, but she keeps her attention on the lake, like she might not have heard us at all. Tasha and Mina both give her a look of sympathy.

The last rays of the sun dip under the mountain peaks, and at this exact second, the fireflies start to emerge from the foliage and begin dancing over the lake's surface. Even though most of us have witnessed this several times, many still ooh and ahh at the sight. Everyone watches for several minutes without a word, taking it all in.

"I'm so glad to be here with you all," Tash says reverently as she looks at each of us. I give her a wink when her eyes catch mine.

"Me too, sweetheart," Mina says, wrapping her arm around her daughter. "I wish your mom was here with us, Maven," Mina adds, and Maven takes a deep breath.

"I wish both my parents were here," she says softly, her eyes still entranced by the glow of the fireflies, like she hasn't realized what she said aloud. Mina and Tash look at each other, but before either of them can reply, Valery comes over to us, pulling their attention away. I don't hear a word they say to each other as I watch Maven out of the corner of my eye. I don't think she notices me, but I catch a small tear falling from her eye. She bats it away quickly. The urge I have to walk over to comfort her hits me so deeply that I take a few steps away from her, hoping some distance will help ease that pull. Unfortunately, it doesn't. It seems the weeks I was able to stay away did little, and now I'm right back where I was that night in the coffee shop, wondering, and wanting to know her more and more.

It seems like everyone gives Maven her space for the span of the fireflies' intricate display. The only one to never leave her side is Shy, but I get the feeling that is what Maven prefers, because she never looks away, not once.

When the display ends, I don't know if she ever looks my way as I walk back over to Grant's side to help him back into my truck. Everyone disperses, so I can't see Maven or Shy through the crowd, so I whistle for Shy to follow, and to my surprise, she actually obeys. I thought I was going to have to pry her away from Maven. Shy runs to my side and looks up at me, blinking a couple of times, and even though her golden irises aren't human, they seem to match mine. Because all I see in her eyes is a sadness and a want that neither of us can explain, but it's clear we both are thinking of the same woman.