Hometown Love Read Online Free Page A

he’d once managed to consume cotton candy, ice cream, and a bag of mini homemade donuts all in one night. He’d then proceeded to spend the remainder of the night sick in bed with a stomachache.
    Next to him, Grace nodded, but although she hadn’t argued with him, it didn’t mean she wouldn’t try to get more than one treat later on.
    Cutting through Saint Mark’s parking lot, Mack led his daughter toward Main Street. As they got closer, the air around them changed as the smell of burgers on the grill mixed with the scent of popcorn in the old-time popping machine the senior center brought over for every town event.
    At the edge of the Common, Mack paused, his daughter’s hand still clasped in his, and he took in the view. The scene before him looked like every block party he remembered. Everywhere he looked, people he’d known all his life interacted. Some danced to music performed by Gage Larson’s band while others sat at the tables enjoying food and conversation. A sense of coming home washed over him, and he realized how much he’d missed this place and these people.
    “Can I try the games?” Grace asked, shaking him from his thoughts. “I won the ring toss with Grammy.”
    “Lead the way.” No sooner did he speak the words, then Grace started off as fast as her legs would carry her toward the carnival games the elementary school’s PTA had set up.
    “Which one first?” Each one already had a short line of children waiting their turn.
    Going by the look on Grace’s face as she considered the booths, one would’ve thought he’d just asked her how she’d solve the government’s national debt.
    “The ring toss,” she answered after several moments.
    As they joined the line, Mack pulled out his wallet. He knew the PTA used the games as a fundraiser, so dishing out a few dollars didn’t bother him.
    “Mack Ellsbury.”
    At his name, Mack looked up at Kenny Adams. They’d graduated high school together. Back then, they’d hung out a lot, but had lost contact since.
    “I heard you were moving back. You bought the Kerry place, right?”
    Mack nodded. “Moved in today.”
    “Welcome back. Is this your daughter?”
    “This is Grace.” Mack and Grace stepped forward as the line moved.
    “She looks about the same age as my son, Gabe. He’s starting kindergarten this year.” Kenny put a hand on his son’s shoulder.
    “Me, too.” Grace pointed toward herself.
    “Then I guess we’ll be seeing you around.” Kenny clapped him on the back and then led his son toward the food tables.
    The next hour or so went much the same way as people came up and welcomed him back. Over the years, he’d kept in contact with some of his childhood friends, like Sean and Striker, but others he hadn’t seen in years despite his regular visits back to see his family. Most looked like they did in high school, but there were others he barely recognized.
    “So are you ready for a snack?” Mack asked as Grace climbed down from the bounce house the Parks and Recs department had set up. She’d already gone in the thing three times since they’d been there, each time coming out with the name of a new friend she’d made while inside.
    “And something to drink,” she answered with a pink face.
    Pleased that she’d agreed without any fuss, he took her hand. “Sounds like a good idea. What do you feel like tonight?” Together they crossed the makeshift dance floor, which was empty at the moment while the band took a break. “The ice cream truck is still here.” During the summer the ice cream truck still made daily runs through town. He didn’t think there were many that still did that. At least, he’d never heard one in Watertown.
    “Nope. I want a donut.”
    He liked the way his daughter thought. The homemade donuts the church sold were better than the ones from the store or popular coffee shops. “A donut it is. Let’s go.”
    Weaving through the crowd, they headed for the table where Mrs. Mitchell and