Page 38 of The Pink House

That’s all it took for Mackenna to head off with Jace and his daughter.

“She ditched you.” Charlie’s voice rang heavy with disapproval.

“True, but I don’t mind.” Hannah shrugged. “I enjoy my own company.”

“I get off in…” Charlie paused as a redheaded boy about sixteen strolled up. “Right now.”

“I’m ready to take on the horde.” The boy glanced around. “What did you do with the customers? Scare them off?”

“We’ve had several surges. It gets busy, then nothing.” Charlie pulled off the white apron splattered with different colors of syrup and handed it to the boy. “It’s all yours, Rusty.”

“Cool.” Rusty pulled on the apron and slipped behind the counter. He reached for the snowball dispenser, but Charlie put a hand on his arm.

“Wash your hands first. For twenty seconds.”

“Jeez.” The boy rolled his eyes, but went to the sink. “You sound like my dad.”

“I know your father,” Charlie said with equanimity. “I take that as a compliment.”

“It wasn’t meant as one,” the boy groused, but shot Charlie a grin. “Get out of here. I’ve got this.”

Charlie looked at Hannah, then hesitated. “If you prefer to wander alone, that’s okay. If you wouldn’t mind company—”

“I don’t mind. But you need to know I’m headed to the barns.”

“Works for me.” He fell into step beside her. “Anything special you’re wanting to see there?”

“The animals. Anytime my dad and I would come to the fair, I’d make him take me to the barns.”

“Make him, huh?”

“It was a trade-off. He took me to see the animals, and I went with him while he looked at the farm equipment.” Hannah chuckled. “He knew nothing about any type of farming, but for some reason he loved seeing the equipment.”

“What about the Midway?”

“Rides are fun,” Hannah told him as they drew closer to the barns. “I love animals more.”

“I’m surprised you don’t have one.” He laughed at the startled look on her face. “Not a lamb or a pig, but maybe a dog or cat.”

“That was part of the plan,” Hannah told him absently as she paused at a stall where a cow with large brown eyes eyed them.

“Plan?”

“Brian and I had it all worked out. Pets and kids in our thirties.” Hannah stroked the side of the cow’s neck and remembered how, back then, it had made such sense. “Our twenties were so busy that it didn’t seem fair to have an animal that would not only take our energy, but would spend so many hours alone.” Her fingers stroking the cow’s neck faltered for a second. “I convinced myself when Brian died that it was good I didn’t have a child or a pet to worry about. But—”

He offered only an encouraging smile when she didn’t continue.

“I believe either one would have brought me comfort.” She lifted a shoulder, let it drop. “Not meant to be, I guess.”

They made their way through the barn, stopping at various stalls, but halfway through, Hannah found herself yearning for sunshine and fresh air. “Unless you want to stay longer, I’m ready for the Midway.”

Charlie gave an alpaca a pat, then grinned. “Lead the way.”

CHAPTERTEN

If the parking lot was any indication, business at Skyline Farm Brewery appeared brisk, despite the fair being in full swing.

Charlie strode around the front of the pickup to open her door. When she got out, he gestured with one hand toward the impressive scene laid out before them. A large yellow barn topped with an impressive cupola drew the eye, and music floated on the breeze. Though daylight lingered, clear globe string lights added extra brightness to the scene.

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