Page 38 of Valentine Nook
We stop at the wide stone arch, which marks the end of Valentine High Street. Unlike the fountain with its elaborate carvings, the arch is plain except for words running along the top.
Amor Principum.
“What does that mean?” I ask, pointing at the inscription.
“Love is the beginning,” he replies quietly, his eyes locking onto mine so intensely I feel like I’m swaying. “Anyway, I need to be going. Thanks for the coffee, Hollywood. And the donut.”
Hollywood.A smile pulls at the corners of my mouth. Two can play at this game.
“Anytime, Gracie.”
The laugh he belts out almost has him toppling out of the stirrups as he mounts Thunder. And dear god, this guy on a horse . . . it shorts my brain.
“See you at the fair.”
I stay there, under the arch, watching him ride off as I finish the remainder of my donut. Which is way more delicious than it looks.
Not the only thing deceiving today.
Lando, not quite as moody as I originally thought.
Quite the opposite.
CHAPTER 7
Lando
“Uncle Lando . . . Uncle Lando . . .”
I stop my search through the crowds of people and turn to my nephew.
“Yes, Max?”
“Did yousee?”
“Um . . . see what?”
“UncleLando. . . did you see Sherbet?”
Max’s little face is so filled with excitement as he stares at me through big blue eyes, I immediately feel guilty for not listening to a word he’s said. In my defense, he does talka lot, and I have to filter it.
Plus, it would be a full-time job replying to everything, and he already has a dad for that.
It’s his dad I turn to now.
“Want to help me out here? What am I supposed to have seen?”
“Sherbet and Max are twins today. Max is dressed like Spider-Man, and Sherbet’s wraps are red and blue. His mane and tail have been plaited with redand blue ribbons,” Hendricks replies, his tone slow and deliberate like I’m hard of hearing or something.
I’m not hard of hearing. I just have other things on my mind today.
Max is staring at me from his elevated position on Hendricks’s shoulders. This time, I give him a genuine smile and tug on his Spider-Man boots. “Well done, Maxy, I bet he looks splendid.”
“He does. I helped with the ribbons.” He beams with pride.
“And I can’t wait to see. What time’s the competition?”
“Two thirty,” he cries, pointing aggressively at the crowds in front of us.
