Page 48 of More Than a Little Spark

“I despise them, but I’m pulling out all the stops today.”She flashes a smile.“Hopefully it works.”

We step into the dimly lit building, and the snake charmer attendant motions us closer.There is a corn snake wrapped around his hand.Bailey walks backward until she backs into Daphne, who puts a hand on the girl’s shoulder.

Daphne leans down and says, “They’re kind of icky, aren’t they?”

Bailey bobs her head.“One time, I climbed a tree almost to the top to get away from a snake.Then I couldn’t get down.”

Daphne takes Bailey’s hand.“We can dislike snakes together.”

Fred nudges Mason forward to hold the snake first.I’m not sure if that is motivated by kindness.Maybe Mason is just the guinea pig.Either way, I make sure to capture the moment in photos.

After holding it a few moments, Mason hands the snake to Fred.His eyes light up in a way that makes me nervous.I am not ready to take on a pet snake.If he brings it up, maybe I can counter with the idea of getting a dog.

Then Fred marches up to Daphne and holds out the snake.Bailey jumps back, but Daphne doesn’t.Stiff, she takes the snake and holds her breath as it wraps around her hand.She looked less stressed when I pulled her out of her upside-down car.

She finally takes a breath and pushes her hand closer to the snake guy.“I think I’m done.”

“I want a turn.”Bailey marches up close to the snake and sticks out her hand.“Does he bite?”

The attendant skillfully sidesteps her question.“He won’t hurt you.”

Daphne and I are both snapping pictures, and Bailey looks as proud as can be.

Fred, on the other hand, looks dejected, and I have no idea why.

Chapter20

Daphne

Daphne

At Bailey’s request, Carson and I did not send the snake pictures to her parents.Now, she’s bouncing in her seat as we pull up in front of their place.Prim and Anderson step out onto the porch, and Bailey runs up to meet them.

Carson and I follow.He has the photos cued up.

“I want to show you something!”Bailey jumps up and down.

“What?”Prim looks at us, a mixture of curiosity and confusion in her gaze.“How’d it go?”

“We had fun.She was awesome.”Carson hands the phone to Bailey.

She holds it up.“I held a snake!I was brave like Miss Daphne.”

Anderson scoops her up.“I’m so proud of you for being brave.”

“That’s amazing, sweetheart.I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to hold a snake.”Prim takes the phone and hands it back to Carson.“Will you send me those pictures, please?”

“Absolutely.”He drapes an arm around me.“We really did have a great time.But please don’t blame me if she asks for a pet snake.”

Prim shakes her head.“We are not getting a snake for a pet.She has a pony.”

I laugh.“She held the snake longer than I did.And she looked happy about it.”

Prim gives me a hug, and then I hug Bailey.With Anderson in tow, she runs to the truck.

“Fred, thanks for inviting me.I had fun with you and Mason.”Bailey waves.“Bye.”

And off she runs into the house.

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