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Yup

She tapped her chin as she watched Chris is typing… flash on her phone screen.

Chris:

I love a town in cahoots! Watch the movie Small Town, Two Hearts, Big Shmooze for counter intelligence and opposition inspiration. This is not new territory for me.

After having the impromptu pep talk with Chris, Maye was ready to take on the town and all of their setup shenanigans. She was not, under any circumstance or due to the actions of others, falling in love with Christoffer Robert R. Walker.

- 24 -

Greenville Fall Festival

Maye checked her work calendar to see that the majority of her appointments for the week had been rescheduled to open spots later in the month. Welcome to the first full week of October, Maye thought. The whole town seemed to embrace the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the season. On Monday morning, the official start to Fall Fest, Maye joined the volunteers and vendors at Town Hall for donuts and coffee before the traditional hayride to the downtown market entrance. The day of the Fall Fest kickoff was a holiday in Greenville, so she didn’t have any appointments.

“This is kinda cool, huh?” Maye said as she climbed onto a trailer and found a spot on a bale of hay next to Tracy. “I’ve only ever watched the parade as a spectator.”

“Oh, you’re in for a treat,” Tracy said. “Riding by the cheering crowds is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a championship parade. Will Chris be here tonight?”

“He’s supposed to get here around 6:30 tonight,” Maye said.

“Just in time for the inaugural nighttime market,” Tracy said. “Ooo, we’re here. Check this out.”

As the procession of tractors rounded the corner toward the final stretch of Main Street and the Tucker Turnkey Construction Downtown Fall Market entrance, the crowd that lined the streets became fuller and louder. They arrived at the market entrance to a raucous welcome, which Mayor Mayer attempted to quiet for more than two minutes.

“What a crowd!” the Mayor shouted into a microphone from a makeshift stage at the market entrance. He smiled as he took in the raging sea of flannel shirts. “We’re about to officially kickoff our Fall Fest the same way we have since I became mayor of this great town.” The whoops and cheers calmed. “As you know, the town’s Public Works Department has been conducting covert operations in broad daylight over the last week. Now, if you’ll direct your attention to the cranes high above Main Street,” the mayor pointed at two cranes, each holding a bulging tarp above the street. “Those tarps are filled with the secret contents we’ve collected.” The mayor offered an exaggerated wink as the crowd cheered.

“Get on it with, Matt,” a voice said as the crowd quieted. “We all know it’s our leaves in those tarps.”

“Clam it, Melvin!” the mayor shouted. “That’s right,” he smiled and looked back over the crowd. “You know what’s coming! Please join me in counting down to one of the greatest traditions this town has…our Fall Fest Kickoff Leaf Drop!”

The crowd erupted briefly and then joined Mayor Mayer in the countdown.

“5…4…3…2…1…Drop! Those! Leaves!”

The crane operators pulled a lever that flapped open the tarps, sending thousands of leaves floating, and rustling, and twirling to the ground to blanket the downtown market.

“Greenville Fall Fest is officially underway!” the mayor announced as he waved the tractors and crowd through the entrance.

“Alright, let’s get off here,” Maye said as she hopped off the hayride under the Greenville Fall Fest arch, opting to walk the market. Leaves crunched as they stepped onto the street.

“So where should we start?” Tracy asked. “Cider? Donuts? Candy apples? Can you tell I’m picking up all the scents in the air?”

“Actually,” Maye said as she angled toward a vendor table. “I was hoping to put together a little welcome basket for Chris. Some local syrup, cider, soap, candles—” Tracy’s face scrunched up in a skeptical look. “What?” Maye asked.

“I think you’re leaning a little more personal than a generic ‘welcome to my town’ gift.”

“You think?” Maye said, second guessing herself.

“It’s a good idea. I just think maybe leave out the Edna’s Pumpkin Spice Scented Massage Oil.”

Maye and Tracy walked down one side of Main Street and then up the other side back to the market entrance.

“I am going to put these things in a basket and deliver it to the inn before Chris gets there,” Maye said.

“Are we still meeting at Town Hall later?” Tracy asked.

“Yup,” Maye confirmed. “I’ll pick up Chris and then we’ll see you there.”