Page 57 of Wrangled Love

I lean in and capture her mouth in a slow, teasing kiss.

The way she melts into me has me looking forward to our first night together. I want it to be memorable, not rushed by sneaking around worrying that Caleb might wake up and end it abruptly. Briar deserves so much more than a hurried moment, and I’ll make sure she gets it.

The only issue? Waiting will be the hardest part.

The county fair has been a staple in Bluebell for as long as I can remember. The fairgrounds are thirty minutes outside of town, and every year, they’re packed with locals, tourists, and enough fried food to give a cardiologist nightmares. I’ve been going since I was a kid.

My friends and I would scrape together our money for funnel cakes and caramel apples, then dare each other to go on the scariest rides. Charlie loves adrenaline and would always suggest the most intense ride first, whereas Wren and Birdie made a sport of stalling her with pleas to start with the carousel or the bumper cars.

On the other hand, I was more than willing to go along with Charlie’s impulsive adventures if it meant delaying the inevitable Ferris wheel ride at the end of the night. It’s not the height that scares me, but the idea of being stuck at the top with nothing but a flimsy metal bar between me and the ground. Now, the Tilt-a-Whirl? I could ride it on a loop without breaking a sweat.

I’m here with Caleb and Jensen this year, so our time has been spent on kid rides and the game booths. I’m hangingout near the front entrance, waiting for them to return from their snack run, when I get a text from Charlie.

Backroads & Bad Decisions Group Chat

Charlie: I can’t believe you’re cheating on us, Briar.

Briar: It’s the county fair. Not an affair.

Charlie: Excuse you. Our friendship includes annual traditions and a sacred oath to ride the Zipper at least three times.

Wren: I’m queasy just thinking about it.

Charlie: Now I’m stuck with Birdie who won’t even do the bumper cars because she’s too busy stalking the animals.

Briar: Spending time with her can’t be that bad.

A video flashes across my screen of Birdie standing by the livestock barn on the far side of the fairgrounds. Her lips are pressed into a worried pout as she watches a horse pace restlessly in a nearby corral. The livestock auction is tomorrow, and we usually make a point of steering clear of the event to prevent Birdie from buying every animal in sight.

Charlie: We should be on rides, but thanks to you, I’m forced to follow Birdie around a smelly barn.

Briar: What happened to laying low?

Birdie: There’s a baby cow with a limp and a donkey with the saddest eyes. I can’t let them be auctioned off to thehighest bidder.

Wren: This is why you’re supposed to avoid the livestock auction.

Charlie: Maybe I could have if Briar hadn’t abandoned us.

Briar: If you didn’t want me to go to the fair with someone else, maybe you shouldn’t have set me up with the lawyer, plotting for Jensen to show up and tell me he didn’t want us to see other people.

Charlie: How was I supposed to know the urban cowboy doesn’t know how to share?

Briar: Rookie mistake.

I set my phone aside when I glance up to see Caleb running toward me, clutching a stick of cotton candy bigger than his head. Wisps of sugar cling to his face, evidence that he’s already gotten in a few bites on his way over here.

I let out a low whistle. “Wow, that thing’s massive. You sure that’s cotton candy and not a pillow in disguise? Maybe you should share so you don’t get a stomachache,” I say playfully.

Caleb giggles and tears off a giant piece, holding it out for me.

He’s the sweetest little boy, and his thoughtful gesture melts my heart. I accept his offer and pop a bite into my mouth, letting the sugar dissolve on my tongue.

Caleb watches me with those big, eager eyes, waiting for my reaction.

“It’s so good,” I exclaim.

“Couldn’t wait another minute for your own treat?” My gaze drifts past Caleb to where Jensen is heading toward us, holding a deep-fried Oreo and funnel cake, one in each hand. Caleb must’ve sprinted ahead on their way back from the food stands.

---