walked over to the window. Lifting the curtain, he peered out. “It’s a beautiful day. We should go out.”
She frowned. “What?”
“There is a fun fair at the park. Let’s go there.”
She didn’t quite know what to make of this weird statement. As he turned to face her, she was taken aback by the excitement on his face. Did he actually mean it? Or was it just his excuse for changing the topic? “Fun fair? How old are you?”
“Never mind that.” Marching forward, he thrust out his hand at her. “It will be fun. Come on. You’ll love it.”
Tania didn’t quite remember the last time she went to a fun fair. It had to be way back when she was in school. Crazy as this idea was, it also appealed to her. It would get them out of the house and anything she did with Riley was always bound to be exciting. Taking his hand, she stood. “What will be next? A circus?”
“That might not be a bad idea. Come on, you felt the same way about bikes and now I can’t get you off mine.”
She was actually thinking about buying one of her own. “I seriously doubt that I would feel just as excited about a fun fair.”
“Wait and see, sweetheart. You’ll be singing a different tune in a while.” He grabbed his jacket with hers. “Let’s go.”
They walked out and she locked the house. Tania eyed the bike. “I want to drive.”
“Ah!” he protested. “You did it yesterday.”
She picked up the helmet and wore it. His fingers moved nimbly under her chin as he closed the straps. “I need practice.”
He sighed and let her sit on the driving seat. After taking a seat behind her, he gripped her waist. She could feel the strength and warmth of his hands on her skin through the t-shirt she wore. It felt great to ride through the streets. Now that she was with Riley, everything felt different, better. She loved this new life. It was exciting and comforting to have someone with her.
When they reached the park, she parked the bike. They strode inside, hand in hand. Kids raced past, heading for the gate of the fun fair while their parents marched behind. After getting the tickets, they entered. Stalls were set up in a circle. In the middle were games and rides. She saw a rollercoaster and a pirate ship. Loud music blared from speakers.
Riley rubbed his hands together as if he couldn’t wait to begin. “So what should we do first? How about the pirate ship?”
She eyed the boat that hung high up. People sat in and yelled loudly as it heaved form one side to another at a great speed. Tania felt the color drain out of her face. She was never excited about the prospect of risking her life. “I don’t think so.”
He yanked her forward. “You’re brave. You’re strong. You can do this.”
“You’re crazy. You’re a maniac. Leave me alone.” Laughing, he made her stand in the queue for tickets. They bought two and then climbed abroad the ship. “I hate this. If I die now, my ghost is going to haunt you for all eternity.”
“You’re not going to die,” he assured her in a calm voice.
“I might puke on you.”
“Try to do it on the other side,” he said in a clam voice as if he was sure that she wouldn’t do something like that. “After this, we do the roller coaster.”
“I don’t know what I saw in you.” She gripped the handle fast when the ship began to swing in the air. “You’re trying to kill me, I know that. That is your secret plan. Why didn’t I see it before?” She moaned as they swung high up, the ship almost vertical. She could see the bottom. If they fell, it was going to be a long fall. If the steel cables that held this monstrosity broke, they would all die or get seriously injured.
She gripped his hand. As they swung back and forth, her grip tightened more so. People around them were squealing and yelling, but she kept her mouth shut. Tania was scared that if she opened her lips, she
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