Page 12 of Love and Pumpkins
“Yes, the cousins revolted after that year. Those costumes are a thing of the past.”
“Will they have a corn maze this year?”
“Yes, it’s going on now.” I straighten a couple of soaps that shifted when he leaned on the table. “I can’t believeyou haven’t had fifty people ask you about it. A hundred people asked me yesterday.”
“I must look like I’m not from around here.”
“That’s it! You don’t.”
“Hey, I am from here. I just haven’t lived here in a long time.”
“Well, unless you move back, you’re going to be seen as an outsider.”
He looks away again, his forehead creases with worry, and I turn to see if someone is behind me. No one is there.
“You aren’t considering moving back, are you?” I ask.
He turns back to me and smiles, but it’s tight. “Never say never.”
He retreats to his booth, and I stare after him. Is he considering moving back? That shouldn’t matter to me. But I feel a jolt of excitement.
I want to know more.
Around three o’clock, a lull settles over the field of vendor stalls. Fair attendees must be home napping or lined up around the food trucks for an afternoon pick-me-up. I’m ready for a jolt myself and am considering which caffeinated drink I want.
Before I can ask Hunter to watch over my booth, my sister Chloe approaches. I see her coming and wave hello. Maybe she’ll run and get me that drink, and I won’t have to leave.
“Hi, Sis,” I say as she approaches. I look at her outfit. She always looks cute, but today she looks exceptionally gorgeous. She’s wearing short boots, leggings, and a long-sleeved tunic top with a chic belt and a plaid scarf. Everything highlights her blonde-hair-blue-eyes good looks. “Dang, girlie, you look adorable.”
I probably look like I’ve been selling soap all day. My ponytail feels loose and messy, and I’ve spilled soapy water down my pant leg twice. I set bowls on the tables so I can show customers how the soaps lather if they’re interested. I glance down at my jeans, tennis shoes, and damp “Birdie’s Boutique” sweatshirt. Wow, I’m not this messy when I make soap! Maybe I should have taken more time with my appearance.
“Thanks.” She smiles and glances at Hunter’s booth. “The store was dead, so I closed a little early and got ready. Hope that’s okay.”
She doesn’t know how big the furnace repair bill is. If she did, she wouldn’t have closed early. I sigh.
“Fine. Everyone’s here at the festival. Besides, you could help me out by getting me some caffeine. I’m flagging.”
“Of course! Coffee? Soda?”
“A maple pecan latte, if you can find one.”
“I’m on it. Hey, Hunter!” she calls. “Making a beverage run. Want anything?”
“I’m good.”
Chloe turns to me and whispers, “I bet he is.” She winks before turning on her heel. I want to yank her back by her scarf and ask her what she means.
Or do I?
Hunter has a softball in his hand, and he’s tossing it in the air a few feet before catching it again. Why does he have that? Walking out in front of his booth, he looks left and right. He shrugs and strolls into my booth. He makes like he’s going to toss the ball to me, and I put my hands over my eyes.
“No!” I shout. I don’t need a ball coming towards me in this tight space.
He laughs and takes a seat in my chair. “You did well in the game last night, Slugger.”
“Oh, come on. I got lucky with one hit. Don’t forget I struck out twice.”
“Minor details.”
