Page 58 of Double Booked

“Of course, sweet girl. Go on now.” She shooed us away with a wave of her hands.

Colton clasped my hand with his. “You heard her, let’s go have some fun.”

Justin took my other hand and we walked back towards Main Street. The large park at the other end of the street had been transformed into a small carnival. Delicious smells wafted from the food tents while the colorful lights and loud music from the carnival rides beckoned us in.

We stopped by a food tent selling corn on a stick. It reminded me of the fairs in Minnesota so we picked up a couple of ears as we walked around. Justin and Colton each bought a hot dog and I got a corn dog. There was nothing quite like fried food at a fair.

“Well, should we go for the fried cheesecake dipped in chocolate or the fried oreos?” Justin asked, leaning into Colton as he studied the menu.

“Why not both?” Colton grinned, a wicked glint in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re incorrigible,” I scolded playfully.

“You know I love when you talk dirty to me,” Colton said, drawing me closer. I shook my head at him but leaned into him, my shoulder bushing Justin’s as Colton wrapped his arms around both of us. We drew a few looks from the crowd but I did my best to ignore them.

Something caught my attention out of the corner of my eyes. A dark figure moved by the corner of a food tent a few tents down from us. There was a baseball cap pulled low over his head but Raymond Hargrove was staring at us, a scowl on his face. I tried not to stiffen as I sucked in a quick breath. I had been right, he was here. But why? Alyssa’s last report had him in Louisiana. What was he doing here?

Justin stepped up to order and I took the opportunity to pull out my phone as he and Colton debated on adding chocolate covered strawberries on a stick to the order.

He’s here. In Oakville, I texted Conrad.

Conrad didn’t have to ask who I was talking about before he messaged back. On my way. Don’t approach him. Tracking your phone.

I didn’t want to let Raymond get away but I also didn’t want him anywhere near Justin or Colton. Whatever reason he had for being here couldn’t be a good one. My muscles felt tight and I took a few deep breaths before plastering on a smile as Colton and Justin turned around, sweet treats in their hands.

“Did you buy out the stand?” I asked, my laugh felt stilted but I meant it. Between the two of them, they had one of every dessert the food tent offered.

“Why choose, right?” Justin grinned.

“He’s rubbing off on you.” I rolled my eyes.

“That’s not all he does,” Justin leaned down to whisper in my ear.

I shoved him away but I laughed. I glanced around surreptitiously as we found a table to sit down. I didn’t see Raymond anywhere but now that I knew he was here it was like I couldn’t relax.

“The games or rides next?” Colton asked, his words garbled around a bite of the fried oreo.

“Definitely the games,” I said, rubbing my stomach. “I don’t think I could handle any rides right now.”

“Fair,” Justin agreed. “Besides, we have to see who can win the biggest stuffed animal.”

“Game on!” Colton said. Games were a good idea. It would get us away from the food and around more people. And it would distract the guys so maybe Conrad could find Raymond before anyone realized what was happening.

Throwing our trash away, we walked over to where the games and rides were set up. There were lots of your standard carnival games like ring toss, balloon darts, and various shooting games. The guys quickly got sucked into competition. I was pretty decent at the games having grown up going to the fair every summer but I bided my time, waiting for a game I was really good at. When we got to the first shooting game, I made my move.

“I want to play too.” I stepped up next to the guys.

Colton raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Of course, baby girl.” He paid the attendant for three players.

“Shall we make it interesting?” I tried to keep the smirk off my face but Justin’s eyes narrowed.

“Winner gets one favor from the other two?” Colton suggested.

“That works for me.” I said.

Justin nodded. I let Colton go first to “show me how it was done.” Then Justin went. Both men did well. These games weren’t really designed for anyone to win but Colton knocked down four out of the seven targets and Justin got five. Then it was my turn. I had been paying attention to which targets fell easier and which ones were ‘stickier’. Pulling the trigger in quick succession, I fired seven shots, knocking out six of the seven targets. The seventh leaned back dangerously but ultimately righted itself.

Both guys stared at me. Justin had a knowing look in his eyes and he laughed while Colton just looked shocked. “Well done, baby girl,” he recovered quickly. “I guess we owe you a favor.”

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