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An Unexpected Date
     
    by  
     
    Susan Hatler
     
     
    Frustrated beyond belief, I slumped my chin onto my fist, and studied the crowd at the Falling Leaves Festival as each person passed by my Treasured Creations booth without a second glance. Whoever said love didn’t pay the bills sure knew what they were talking about.
    I loved living in Whitefish, Montana, loved my beading business, and even loved my tiny one-bedroom apartment. But, once again, I found myself short on rent. I’d have to make a serious sale today or end up facing my landlord, Barry “Hit That” Benson, the bow hunter. Call me crazy, but it didn’t seem wise to upset a man who could secure his family’s entire season of food with one arrow.  
    But then again, facing “Hit That” would be better than having to talk to my mother again. Last night, we’d had the same old phone conversation.  
    “Holly, when are you going to stop goofing around in that little resort town, move back to the city, and get a real job?”
    “Mom, I’ve told you—”
    “You told me you wanted a husband and family. If that’s true, then where are my grandkids? You’ll never find a man in the boonies and you’ve been there since your college graduation! It’s time to grow up and move back to civilization.”
    The calls came frequently, but even my mother’s desperate pleading couldn’t make me give up on my dreams. I mean, hello? I had a view of Big Mountain from my kitchen window. I could bead jewelry, picture frames, or anything else my creative side brought to life beside that picturesque landscape. Well, if I continued to bring in enough dough, that is.
    Voices clamored throughout the park, children squealed, and a soft breeze blew my bangs back snapping my attention into the present. Instinctively, I gazed up at the tree-lined summit. Despite what my mom thought, despite how hard it was to earn a living here, this was where I belonged. Living in a city had far more job opportunities, movie theatres, and theme parks, true—but it didn’t soothe my soul like this special little town with its three hundred and sixty degree view of nature’s amazing creations.
    A young couple skipped by with their daughter, laughing and smiling as they made their way to the lemonade stand. The familiar sense of longing swept through me. With only a month until my thirtieth birthday, it was hard to believe I was still single. According to my mom, I’d already be married with a family if it weren’t for the low supply of eligible bachelors in this small mountain town. But, wouldn’t the right man also need these mountains and its surrounding outdoor jewels in order to feel complete? Wouldn’t he wake up, excited to experience whichever outdoor adventure the season had to offer? With me? No, leaving this town could very well mean leaving the man I was just on the cusp of finding. I couldn’t give up on what I wanted. I’d gone to the college I wanted. I’d started Treasured Creations like I’d wanted. And I wouldn’t leave this place. Ever.
    As a figure approached my booth, I sat up and straightened my business cards. Then I inched the most expensive necklaces forward for good luck. “Hit That” would have his rent in full even if I had to rearrange jewelry all day long.  
    “Hello,” a husky male voice said.
    I snapped my head up, startled. The guy in front of me wore a flannel shirt that complimented his deep blue eyes. Eyes that were the exact color of agates I’d used in several necklaces. As I stood, my legs wobbled, and I tried to get a professional grip.
    “Hi,” I said, wondering where he was from. No way could he be local or I would’ve noticed him before. “Are you enjoying the festival?”  
    “Very much.” He glanced over at the lemonade family who’d just purchased rainbow colored ice cream cones and laughed merrily when their little girl got some on her nose. For a second, the same longing I’d felt earlier seemed to reflect in his