Page 50 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Sorry it makes it sohardfor you.” She strutted off with an extra sway in her hips and took Gus’s hand, tossing a taunting glance over her shoulder.
She was going to be the death of him.
“Come on, Gusto. After the buckets, let’s beat Daddy on the obstacle course!”
They got doused by buckets, sprayed by elephants, and they rode the lazy river and a handful of other rides. By late afternoon, Gus was slowing down. As they came off the obstacle course, he pointed to a boy eating ice cream and said, “Can we get ice cream?”
“I think we can do that.” Ezra ruffled Gus’s hair. “Then we should think about heading home.”
“I don’twannago home,” he whined.
“I know, buddy, but it’s getting late.”
“I’ve had a lot of fun today, but I have to get back to take care of the horses,” Sasha said.
“Okay.” Gus leaned against Ezra’s leg.
He ran his hand through his sleepy boy’s hair. “Getting tired, buddy?”
“No.” Gus shook his head.
Ezra exchanged a knowing glance with Sasha, and her sweet smile cut straight to his heart.
They got ice cream and headed for a table with an umbrella.
“I forgot napkins. I’ll be right there.” Sasha hurried back toward the ice cream stand.
A little girl yelled, “Mom! It’s Gus!”
Ezra looked around.
“Dad, Annie’s here.” Gus pointed to a little blond girl tugging her mother in their direction.
Ezra recognized them from preschool. Annie’s mother, a tall blonde wearing a short white cover-up, had tried to lure him into conversations a few times, but he had no idea what her name was.
“Gus!” Annie ran over, and the kids squealed with delight, gabbing about the rides they went on.
“Hi, Ezra.” Annie’s mother flashed a flirtatious smile. “Imagine running into you here.”
“Hi.”Fuck.What was her name? He saw Sasha closing in on them, looking curiously at the girl’s mother, who was looking at Ezra like he was a steak and she was starving.
“Here you go, Gusto.” She wiped ice cream from Gus’s cheek and handed him a napkin.
“Is that your mom?” Annie asked.
“No. That’s Sugar.” Gus beamed at Sasha.
“The one who takes you horseback riding?” Annie asked.
“Ah,you’rethe infamous Sugar,” Annie’s mother said.
“Actually, my name is Sasha. Only Gus calls me Sugar.”
“Well,Sasha, I’m Layla. I volunteered in their preschool class two days a week, and Gus talked about you a lot.” She said it like she was tired of hearing about her.
“Really?” Sasha asked.
“Yes. I’ve heardallabout the cookies you bake, horseback rides, and a dozen other things. Are you his nanny, or…?”
