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Authors: Cynthia Hickey
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woman.”
Ethan hadn’t declared his true feelings for me, and I’d backed off to give him space, almost falling for a stranger’s flattering words. It wasn’t until he and Joe had rescued me from my “admirer” that I realized Ethan loved me as much as I did him.
If I wanted to live long enough to get married, I’d have to solve this case quick. But something deep within my soul told me I needed to do this. With God’s help, I’d survive.
“Let’s not spoil the evening.” Ethan rose and held out a hand to help me. “Dinner’s ready, and there’s a county fair to enjoy.”
“My first as an officially engaged woman.” I couldn’t wait to show off my ring. The thoughtfulness behind the jewelry’s design set wings to my feet. I’m sure they barely brushed the wood floors as we headed in to join my aunt and uncle.
They pulled apart from each other, Aunt Eunice’s face red. Uncle Roy winked at Ethan and pulled out his chair. “Just received a proper welcome home. Couldn’t do it outside. The neighbors would’ve seen.”
“Stop it, Roy.” Aunt Eunice set a plate of roast beef, potatoes, and vegetables in front of him. “You’re embarrassing them.”
Ethan laughed and sat, reaching for the second plate, which he handed to me. “You’re the one with the red face, Eunice.”
She giggled like a schoolgirl and took her place at the opposite end of the table from Uncle Roy. I smiled. The love that still existed between my sixty-year-old aunt and uncle filled me with joy and hope for the future.
Conversation during dinner consisted of wedding plans and my aunt’s gushing over my ring. Hopefully, April hadn’t seen it yet. I didn’t want to miss the expression on her face when I showed it to her. By turning my hand back and forth, I could observe the glints of light flash from my finger.
“Summer, pay attention.” My aunt’s sharp words brought me back to earth. “Your uncle will work the booth with me tonight so you and Ethan can run off and play. You guys could’ve called and told us your plane would be late. Then we wouldn’t have wasted a whole day waiting.”
“I wanted to wait for Ethan. Aren’t you glad you stayed home to wait for Uncle Roy? He brought you flowers.”
A flush rose in my aunt’s cheeks. She reached over to pat Uncle Roy’s hand. “Yes, I am.”
“We tried calling. Not much cell phone service in Mexico.” Uncle Roy kissed her. “I’m gonna get my gun so we can leave.”
“For what?” Aunt Eunice’s brow furrowed.
“I’m going gorilla hunting.”
“Roy, you can’t take a rifle to the fair.” Ethan wiped his mouth on a napkin and pushed back his chair.
What amazed me was how my uncle could go from kissing my aunt to wanting to shoot someone. I know he wanted to protect me. My heart swelled with affection for the gruff old man, but he was way too fond of settling things with a rifle in the crook of his arm.
Chapter Nine
The second night of the fair bustled with a crowd of people. It seemed as if the entire town, maybe the whole county, saved their visit for Saturday night. Harassed parents shepherded children through the gate and toward the smaller rides and petting zoo. Hand-holding teens made a beeline for more exciting rides and shows. And above it all, the fun house’s clown head bobbed and beckoned to those who wanted to be scared within an inch of their life. A catwalk stretched behind the clown’s head. It wobbled while it bobbed, and my stomach lurched at the thought of being on that narrow platform.
“They have a cornfield maze this year,” Ethan whispered in my ear, tickling my neck. “Want to get lost in it?”
“Don’t tempt me.” I grabbed his hand. “Let’s buy our wristbands.”
The giddiness of a teenager grabbed hold of me as tight as I gripped Ethan’s hand. Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I strained to see over the heads of the crowd as I searched for April. She entered the gate, her arm linked
Ethan hadn’t declared his true feelings for me, and I’d backed off to give him space, almost falling for a stranger’s flattering words. It wasn’t until he and Joe had rescued me from my “admirer” that I realized Ethan loved me as much as I did him.
If I wanted to live long enough to get married, I’d have to solve this case quick. But something deep within my soul told me I needed to do this. With God’s help, I’d survive.
“Let’s not spoil the evening.” Ethan rose and held out a hand to help me. “Dinner’s ready, and there’s a county fair to enjoy.”
“My first as an officially engaged woman.” I couldn’t wait to show off my ring. The thoughtfulness behind the jewelry’s design set wings to my feet. I’m sure they barely brushed the wood floors as we headed in to join my aunt and uncle.
They pulled apart from each other, Aunt Eunice’s face red. Uncle Roy winked at Ethan and pulled out his chair. “Just received a proper welcome home. Couldn’t do it outside. The neighbors would’ve seen.”
“Stop it, Roy.” Aunt Eunice set a plate of roast beef, potatoes, and vegetables in front of him. “You’re embarrassing them.”
Ethan laughed and sat, reaching for the second plate, which he handed to me. “You’re the one with the red face, Eunice.”
She giggled like a schoolgirl and took her place at the opposite end of the table from Uncle Roy. I smiled. The love that still existed between my sixty-year-old aunt and uncle filled me with joy and hope for the future.
Conversation during dinner consisted of wedding plans and my aunt’s gushing over my ring. Hopefully, April hadn’t seen it yet. I didn’t want to miss the expression on her face when I showed it to her. By turning my hand back and forth, I could observe the glints of light flash from my finger.
“Summer, pay attention.” My aunt’s sharp words brought me back to earth. “Your uncle will work the booth with me tonight so you and Ethan can run off and play. You guys could’ve called and told us your plane would be late. Then we wouldn’t have wasted a whole day waiting.”
“I wanted to wait for Ethan. Aren’t you glad you stayed home to wait for Uncle Roy? He brought you flowers.”
A flush rose in my aunt’s cheeks. She reached over to pat Uncle Roy’s hand. “Yes, I am.”
“We tried calling. Not much cell phone service in Mexico.” Uncle Roy kissed her. “I’m gonna get my gun so we can leave.”
“For what?” Aunt Eunice’s brow furrowed.
“I’m going gorilla hunting.”
“Roy, you can’t take a rifle to the fair.” Ethan wiped his mouth on a napkin and pushed back his chair.
What amazed me was how my uncle could go from kissing my aunt to wanting to shoot someone. I know he wanted to protect me. My heart swelled with affection for the gruff old man, but he was way too fond of settling things with a rifle in the crook of his arm.
Chapter Nine
The second night of the fair bustled with a crowd of people. It seemed as if the entire town, maybe the whole county, saved their visit for Saturday night. Harassed parents shepherded children through the gate and toward the smaller rides and petting zoo. Hand-holding teens made a beeline for more exciting rides and shows. And above it all, the fun house’s clown head bobbed and beckoned to those who wanted to be scared within an inch of their life. A catwalk stretched behind the clown’s head. It wobbled while it bobbed, and my stomach lurched at the thought of being on that narrow platform.
“They have a cornfield maze this year,” Ethan whispered in my ear, tickling my neck. “Want to get lost in it?”
“Don’t tempt me.” I grabbed his hand. “Let’s buy our wristbands.”
The giddiness of a teenager grabbed hold of me as tight as I gripped Ethan’s hand. Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I strained to see over the heads of the crowd as I searched for April. She entered the gate, her arm linked
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