This is my third story and I am enjoying the feedback from the Literotica community. I appreciate all feedback whether it be votes, favorites, or comments. My goal is to write a touching romantic tale that is fun to read so please keep that in mind when reading.
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Daniel wins a key to the city and Haley's heart
The sky was filled with a beautiful orange glow as the sun set beyond the distant mountains. The people of Deercreek, Montana could not have asked for a more perfect night for their 150th celebration. The town's founders decided to build a quiet and wholesome ranching community a century and a half ago. Today, Haley Wilson found herself in one of its sprawling public fields waiting for the fireworks show to begin.
"How can you not be more excited?" Lisa asked.
Lisa was one of Haley's friends. Or perhaps it would be more fair to say Lisa was Haley's only real friend. The town of Deercreek was small, 7500 people, and Lisa was the only person her own age that Haley talked to on a daily basis.
"I am excited!" Haley said, though it was clear she was faking it.
A month ago she had broken up with boyfriend Roger. It was about time. He started off as a great date, and the two had known each other growing up, but soon into the relationship he started drinking more and more. He was not mean or aggressive, he just would never do anything except stay at home with a 12-pack of Coors.
"Good! This isn't Times Square on New Years but this might be the biggest celebration Deercreek has ever seen," Lisa said.
She was right. The crowd that day was a massive 10,000 people spread out over several fields with food stands and carnival games. It was more people than lived in Deercreek, or had ever been in the town at any time. Everyone living in Deercreek came, and people from neighboring towns had flooded in as well, knowing it would be a good time.
As the sky got darker, Haley shared a cotton candy with Lisa and watched the high school's band perform some of their songs. The two of them had managed to snag a spot near the main stage when the official ceremony started.
"Once the fireworks start I'm going to find Andy," Lisa said. Andy was her boyfriend. Haley thought he alright. A nice guy, but a bit boring and not smart either.
"OK. I may head home then," Haley said.
"Non-sense! With all these people walking around there has got to be a new guy for you," Lisa said.
"We'll see..."
The choreographed presentations began and it seemed like everyone with any claim to Deercreek got to make a speech. Each of the previous mayors that were still alive, five of them, stood up to the microphone and gave their own reasons why Deercreek was the best town in Montana. An old school principal, a minister, and a random postman did as well. Finally, there were just two men left on the stage
"Happy 150th birthday Deercreek!!" the town mayor yelled into the microphone.
"Thank you all for joining us," he continued, "Before I come back and give my final ode to our lovely town, I wanted to share some good news. As you all know our town has survived through the years on the helpful spirit and generosity of our people. The Gordons are some of the people. The Gordons were here 150 years ago and I hope in 150 years the Gordons will still be here with us."
The crowd let out a chuckle as the mayor continued on.
"As you know the town has been facing some monetary issues but the Gordons have stepped up. The family has decided, and it is my pleasure to announce, that they will make a $1.5 million dollar donation to help refurbish our schools!!"
The crowd began to cheer as the mayor's excitement grew, with him shouting the last of the words through the microphone.
"It's a small token of appreciation, but I am here to present the key to the city to the Gordon family. You may be asking, 'I didn't know Deercreek had a key to the city?' It didn't until today. The Gordons have been so generous we had to make one just to give to them. Daniel come up here!"
The mayor pulled a two-foot long, old-fashioned iron key out of the podium and turned around. A man walked towards him. He caught Haley's attention at once. From where she was sitting, she hadn't been able to get a good look of anyone until they were at the podium.
The man was tall with wide shoulders. He had short brown hair which was combed in a nerdy but charming way. Unlike the others on the stage, his suit looked new and tailored. His muscular hands gripped the podium and he leaned into it.
"Thank you. I'm Daniel Gordon. Most of you probably know my parents better," he talked slowly and with a calmness. Unlike the mayors and other speakers, it didn't sound like he was trying to be the loudest one at a pep-rally. He was serious, "I wish my father was still with us, and I wish my mother was in good-health to be able to join us at this celebration tonight. I was born in Deercreek and it feels great to give back."
With that short speech he walked back to his seat.
"Who are the Gordons?" Haley whispered to Lisa. Haley had been born and raised in Deercreek, but her parents had moved there from out-of-state. That meant, unlike Lisa, she wasn't in-tune with town politics especially when it came to "Old Deercreek". That's where the money was in the town. Despite the size of Deercreek, not everyone crossed paths.
"The Gordons own that crazy house down on Hitching Post Lane. The one that looks like a fortress. They've been here since the town was started," Lisa said.
Haley nodded, inching up in her seat trying to grab another view of Daniel who was not towards the back of the stage.
"Why, you interested?" Lisa said in a playful tone, making fun of Haley, "Maybe I'll try to introduce you."
Haley blushed and did a slight hand wave towards Lisa, as if she wasn't interested. But she was, at the least, intrigued. The man was from one of the oldest and most established families in the town, yet Haley had never seen him and he did not look like anyone from Montana. He was too stylish, too organized, and maybe too handsome.
The mayor gave a final speech and then the fireworks started above. Every Fourth of July the town had a show, but this was much larger and much grander than the amateur show that they threw together then.
Part of the crowd had begun to spread out into an open field that had a better view of the fireworks.
"Follow me," Lisa said. She grabbed Haley's hand and soon they were weaving through a crowd of people. "Let's find you your Prince Charming."
"Maybe I'd rather just go home. I don't want to run into Roger," Haley said.
"You're not going to run into Roger," Lisa said. Haley knew that Lisa was right. Haley's ex-boyfriend was almost surely at home drinking and watching baseball.
Lisa and Haley were walking almost perpendicular to the crowd which was migrating to the other field. Every few seconds they had to stop and let someone by, only to move again rapidly trying to avoid the people coming at them.
"I thought you were going to go find Andy," Haley said.
"He can wait a minute. My parents were friends with the Gordons. Don't worry, this will be good," Lisa said.
Soon they had broken free from the crowd and saw the group of former mayors all congregating in a circle by the stage, shaking each other's hands and laughing. Daniel, anyone could tell from his body language, was less enthused. He was standing up straight and stiff, as if he was only there because he had to be.
