Page 53 of Fight for Me
“What is?” she asks.
“That we don’t have to worry about your mom or dad telling us no.” I give her a wink, and she grins back.
“Will Uncle Declan tell us no?”
I drop my voice to a whisper, but I know he can hear us. “I know all the tricks to get what we want from him, you leave it to me.”
She buckles herself in and leans back in the seat. “I love you, Aunt Syd.”
“I love you most.”
Declan’s deep voice sounds resigned. “And I’m in so much trouble.”
“Yes, yes, you are,” I reply, feeling lighter than I have in days.
Chapter Sixteen
Sydney
“Can we get another snow cone or maybe a funnel cake?” Hadley asks after we finish with the petting zoo. Well, if you can call it that. Basically, it’s a pig from the farm down the road, two goats, and a few cows, which may be from the pasture and not part of the zoo at all.
“I think your stomach might revolt if you keep up at this pace,” I suggest.
As much as denying this kid is the last thing I want, I also don’t want her sick to her stomach. Since we got here, she’s had pizza, a pretzel, a fried Oreo, and a snow cone.
“Okay, then can we go to where all the toys are?”
Declan leans in. “What toys?”
“I have no idea.”
“Are you going to clue her in that it’s a bunch of crap?”
Not a chance in hell. I’m not breaking her heart. “Nope.”
He slides from the bench of the picnic table and extends his hand to help me up.
“Thank you.”
“I may be an asshole, but I’m always a gentleman.”
I laugh. Sure, he’s not. “Whatever you say.”
“Come on, Aunt Sydney!” Hadley grabs my arm, and we start to walk.
It doesn’t take long before we’re in the throngs of the town people. It’s busy, and people stop to wave as I see them. This town has been a huge part of who I am, and I’m going to miss it.
“Sydney!” Mrs. Symonds, the principal at the high school, calls out. “Are you feeling better, dear? I was so upset when I heard you weren’t well.”
“You were sick?” Declan asks.
My mouth goes dry, and I speak quickly, ignoring him. “I wasn’t sick. I was just really tired after being out on a call last night.”
She pats my arm. “I’m so glad to hear that. I understand being tired, with running this event and working, it’s a lot even for me. I heard that Mr. Grisham fell and broke his leg. Is he all right?”
I nod. “Yeah, just a fracture. I’m sure he’ll be all good.”
We really need to get some people in this town a hobby. Mrs. Symonds is so incredibly busy, yet she still listens to the police scanner as though it’s the radio. She knows everything that goes on in this town. She also knows everyone in this town since she either taught them or was the principal when they were in school.
