Page 78 of Always a Bridesmaid
The magnet hit the water with akerplunk, and Ford dragged it around in search of a fish. A blue-and-green fin snagged the end, and Ford jerked the pole. “Whoa, it’s a big one.” He hooked his hand on Violet’s hip and navigated her in front of him. “I’m gonna need help reeling it in.”
Indulging him in the game—mostly because it meant having his strong arms caging her in—Violet took the offered fishing pole. As he instructed her to go slow and steady so she wouldn’t lose the fish, he wrapped his hands around hers, as if she needed the support.
Considering the way her heart skipped a few beats, it might be hampering her skills, but it’d be a chilly day in hell before she asked him to let go.
Out came the fish, droplets of water flicking them as Ford grabbed the string and swung him closer.
Misaki clapped, as if they’d accomplished a great feat. Then she took the pole and toy fish and pointed at the carnival prizes. “You can choose any one of these.”
A boy with ebony curls and tawny skin toddled by, and Ford greeted his parents—Darius the firefighter and a woman with ivory skin and fiery red hair—and asked if Trevon wanted to pick a prize.
Ford placed his hand on her shoulder. “Remember Violet? Maisy’s sister?”
Darius stretched out his hand, and as Violet took hold, she said, “Ford’s being nice, leaving out the part about the fire at the bakery.”
Darius chuckled and introduced his wife, Willow, and his son. Then Ford lifted Trevon so he could choose a prize. The toddler settled on a toy truck, and Ford set him down and ruffled his hair.
Before she could remind herself not to get carried away, the strings that made up Violet’s heart gave a sharp tug. How was she supposed to avoid falling for a guy who had a giant heart that he inexplicably tried to keep hidden?
Not that he was very successful—the secret was definitely out.
After waving goodbye to Darius and his darling family, Ford leaned in and whispered something to Misaki. Her face lit up as she took the twenty-dollar bill from Ford and tucked it in her cash box.
Ford placed his hand on the small of Violet’s back. “The toys are for the kids, but Misaki is also selling her… Oh, I’m gonna butcher it, but here it goes anyway. Her amigomi.”
“Amigurumi,” Misaki kindly corrected with a titter.
“Yeah, that.” Ford’s thumb slipped under the hem of Violet’s shirt, a quick brush that left her dizzy. “So, go ahead and pick one.”
As a teenager, she’d daydreamed a date that went this way—and standing next to Ford, his thumb hypnotizing her more with each swipe, she felt like that overly romantic girl she used to be once again.
Violet scanned the crocheted animals, pausing on the purple pig she’d picked up earlier. But then the white-and-black-speckled dog caught her gaze, and everything in her shoutedthat one. “Can I please have the dalmatian?”
Misaki handed it over, and Violet hugged it to her chest. “I love him already. I’m gonna name him…McGuire.”
One of Ford’s dark eyebrows arched.
“Get it? Because he’s a firefighter dog and you’re a firefighter?”
“But I train German shepherds.”
“Well if you’re so picky, McGuire,” she said, addressing the stuffed puppy instead of the guy at her side, “I’ll have to get you a German shepherd to play with someday.”
Ford shook his head, but that sexy indent popped in his cheek.
They thanked Misaki and told her goodbye, and once they were a few steps away, Violet curled in close for a kiss. As she moved her lips against Ford’s, she took a second to inhale his cologne and soak in the way he towed her closer and nipped at her lower lip.
If she got any happier, she might float right up to the ceiling next to the helium-filled balloon some kid was probably regretting letting go of.
“What next?” Ford asked.
“I need to thank Lottie before I forget.” She took a step, but Ford went full statue, his feet cemented to the floor.
“Sweetheart, I would do most anything you asked. But that woman and I have a long history, and I’d only be a detriment.”
“Oh, come on.” A tug, and he reluctantly began to move again. “She’s not that scary.”
“Hell yes she is. You haven’t seen her after a puppy’s dug up her flowerbed—not one of mine, for the record. Tucker’s old dog, Casper, got into her yard one day while we were…doing kid stuff, and she came charging after us. Regardless of not knowing why, we were all terrified.”
