Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(46)

He realized several things at once. That from an early age, Felicia had managed to find what she needed emotionally. A mentor here, a father figure there. Justice was like a brother, as was Ford. She might have been abandoned by her parents, but she’d instinctively learned to take care of herself as best she could.

He also understood that she was harder on herself than any soldier he’d ever known.

“Are you right?” he asked.

She turned back to him. “About the festival?” She shrugged. “I know my theories are sound. So if I only consider the logistics, then, yes. But people are harder to quantify. Especially in a setting like this. I didn’t take that into account.”

“Standing up for what you know is right is the definition of bravery, Felicia. You have to believe in yourself.”

She gave him a weak smile. “That’s something Brent would have said. It’s a soldier thing, right?”

“They beat it into us.”

The smile strengthened before fading. “I don’t like that people are angry with me. I’m not used to being questioned. It makes me uncomfortable. Plus, what if I was wrong about the festival? What if I get fired?”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll give you a part-time job at the station. You can work in the file room.”

She gave a strangled laugh. “Do you have a file room?”

“No, but I also don’t think you’re going to be fired, so it’s not a big deal.”

She leaned against him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She bent down and picked up her tablet.

“Come on,” he said, heading toward the food court. “Let’s go get an elephant ear. I hear they’re tough to find, but worth the effort.”

* * *

“HERE.” THE TAROT woman handed Felicia a pale green T-shirt. “To say thank you and I’m sorry.”

Felicia wondered if there was a curse on the shirt. “Okay,” she said slowly. “Um, you’re welcome?”

The woman smiled. “I had a great festival. You were right about my booth. I got way more traffic. I hadn’t realized how many people walked by without stopping because they were eating. This time, I had a line practically all four days. It was great. I’m sorry I was so difficult.”

She turned to walk away, then looked back. “Whatever you want to do for next year? I’m up for it.”

Felicia smiled at her. “I’m happy to hear that. Thank you.”

The woman waved.

Felicia held out the shirt and grinned when she saw all the tarot cards displayed on the front of the shirt. A friendly gesture, she thought happily. Not the first of her Sunday evening, either.

Barely an hour before, two guys from different bands had stopped by to tell her that attendance had been up for their concerts, along with CD and T-shirt sales. Downloads of their music had gone through the roof. Three of the food vendors had wanted her to know they’d nearly doubled their sales from the previous years. There was still friction with the honey booth guy, but no situation was perfect and this was more of a win than Felicia had expected.

Patience and Lillie raced up to her. “Did you hear?” Patience asked. “It’s Heidi. She had a girl. We’re going to the hospital later to see her. It’s the perfect end to a perfect weekend.”

“I hadn’t heard,” Felicia said, thinking she’d only met Heidi a couple of times. The woman had seemed very nice. She had married the previous summer and was now a new mother. “Please tell her congratulations from me. I’m a tiny bit envious of her happiness.”

Patience hugged her. “We’ll find you someone. Did you go to Denise’s booth? You could talk to her about Kent. Unless you’re interested in Ford.”

“I’m not, but thanks.”

“Just as well. Despite her protests, I’m convinced Isabel still has a thing for him.” Patience glanced at her engagement ring. “This town is just so magical.”

Lillie tugged on her mother’s hand. “Mom, we need to get to the hospital.”

“You’re right.” Patience hugged Felicia again. “Come to Brew-haha soon. I want to hear all about your first festival.”

“Sure.”

They ran off.

Felicia circled the park and checked on the cleanup. The crowd had drifted away, and the booth vendors were busy breaking down their displays and packing them away. People called out to her as she moved by. She greeted them and wished them a safe journey.

She’d done it, she thought happily. Survived her first big event. It hadn’t been easy, but she’d only had a mini breakdown and she had more information for next time. She would go a little slower with the changes and explain more. She would get input and then she would move forward.

She had a plan, she thought happily. Always a good thing.

She walked toward the front of the park. Gideon had said he would meet her there. She appreciated that he was checking up on her. She spotted him as she crossed the street, then realized he wasn’t alone. There was a boy standing next to him.

The kid was maybe twelve or thirteen, with dark hair and eyes. Neither was unusual, so she shouldn’t have found herself staring at the boy. Only there was something about him. Something almost familiar.