Suddenly exhausted, I rested my forehead against the pony’s side.
“They’re talking about taking it down.”I hiccupped.
“Taking it down?”
I nodded, the agony of its possible loss closing my throat.“Yes.It needs repairs and they haven’t decided if they’re going to put the money into it or just take it down.”
Daire sat down beside me, then pulled me onto his lap.
I went without a fuss.I snorted to myself.I was getting used to him carrying me around.
“Why didn’t you use the fundraiser for the carousel?”
“That would be selfish.I can’t just ignore something the whole community needs and use the money for something that is really only important to me.”
After a few minutes, he asked, “Do you still have the key?”
I smiled.“Hawk thinks he has the only key, but Hunter gave me one the day he made them.”I produced my keys from my pocket, showing Daire the key.
“You want to ride?”
“I haven’t ridden the Carousel since he died.”
“Would this be a good time?”
I looked up at him, his visage blurred.“It works on a timer.Will you ride with me?”
“Yes.I’ll ride with you.”
Daire started the ride, stepping up on the side and trotting around to where I sat on Hunter’s pony.
I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against the pole and found myself immersed in the sound of Hunter’s laughter, the memory of his wide grin, the fierce light in his eyes when he set his mind to something, the weight of his arm around my shoulders, and all the love I carried for him in my heart.
And when the ride slowed to a stop, Daire stood unmoving beside me, his arms looped loosely around my waist, his face tucked into my hair.
I ran my fingernails over his scalp, my heart more at peace that it had been in years.“Are you okay?”
“Are you?”he countered.
“I haven’t felt this much peace in years,” I admitted.
His head shot up, his beautiful eyes stared into mine.He seemed to find what he was looking for as he smiled.“Good.That’s good, Harley.”
Lifting my other leg over the pony, he wrapped my legs around his waist and picked me up.
“What are you doing?”I laughed, my voice hoarse.
“I’m carrying you.”
“I’m not a baby,” I snorted even as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Trust me,” he guffawed.“I know.Just shut up for a few minutes and hang on.”
“So romantic,” I sighed dramatically, but I shut up and tucked my face into his neck.
He walked us off the carousel, set me down on my feet, and retrieved my key.“Let’s go get you something to eat and put you to bed.”
“I don’t want to see anybody, Daire.”
