Page 23 of His First Baby Rodeo

Mac situated the puppy across his shoulders like a father carrying the world’s largest toddler.

“What next?” he asked. “The Ferris wheel?”

“You like Ferris wheels?”

He glanced at her. “You don’t?”

“No, I love them. But nobody in my family does. It’s impossible to find anyone who’s ever willing to ride with me.”

“You’re kidding. Jeff doesn’t like Ferris wheels?”

“Believe it or not, he’s afraid of them.”

“That doesn’t sound like him.”

“Yeah, I know. He’s usually more confident than that. But even when I’ve tried to look up specific details about how safe Ferris wheels are, to help reassure him, he doesn’t want to hear it. He says even thinking about that kind of thing just makes him that much more freaked out.”

“Well, we better get you on that wheel while we have the chance,” Mac said. “Come on.”

“What about Peanut?”

“What?”

El pointed to the stuffed puppy.

“His name isPeanut?”

“He’s my dog. I can name him what I want.”

Mac laughed. “I’m sure the ride operator will hold on to him for us while we take a spin. Let’s go check it out.”

But they didn’t make it to the Ferris wheel. “El!” a familiar voice called, and El turned to see Jeff and Marilyn walking across the midway toward them, their two older kids in tow.

She blinked. “Jeff? What are you doing here?”

“That’s the greeting I get? Your own brother?”

“I’m glad to see you guys, of course,” she said. “But I wouldn’t have expected you to want to travel so soon after having the baby — wait, where is he? You didn’t lose him, did you?”

Jeff laughed. “Marilyn’s parents are watching Jace for the weekend,” he said. “We wanted to get away, and the state fair was in town.”

“Not even your own state fair.”

Jeff shrugged. “Everything’s bigger in Texas. Plus we figured we’d come see you and Mac tomorrow. Nice dog,” he said, looking up at the stuffed animal. “You win that at balloon darts?”

“He’s a natural,” El laughed. “We were just about to go check out the Ferris wheel.”

“How about another round of balloon darts for the kids first?” Jeff grabbed Mac’s forearm, leaned in, and murmured, “Get them small prizes. I don’t want to haul one of those massive things around.”

Mac chuckled. “You got it.”

El started to follow them back over to the games, but Jeff stopped her. “Walk with me,” he said, his voice low. “I want to talk to you.”

Concerned, El followed her brother.

CHAPTER11

EL

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