I did my best to keep the thoughts of my racing heart and the way my body reacted to Faith to myself. We had been dating for three weeks, and the excitement of it just kept growing. I made eye contact with Dotty across the room, she smiled and raised her eyebrows.
I shrugged, blushed a little, and followed Faith.
After an hour of hanging signs for everyone who was “vertically challenged”—Faith’s words, not mine—the business fair started, and Danny straightened his shirt and sat in his chair.
I hoped people would be kind.
The first to come for Danny’s knowledge was Mom. She put one dollar in his jar and sat down in the chair opposite him. I could never repay her for all the help she had given me these last years. I wished I could do more for her. Mom leaned forward and placed her hands on her knees.
“What do you want advice about?” Danny asked.
Mom smiled. “I was curious what advice you might have about space travel?”
Her eyes flicked to mine, and I mouthedThank you.
“What about space travel?” Danny asked.
“Well, if I wanted to go to space, what should I do?” Mom asked.
Danny raised an eyebrow. “Grandma, I’m sorry, but I think you need a new goal.”
I nearly choked on my cup of hot cocoa that I bought from one of the third graders.
Mom’s eyes went wide. “Why?”
Danny’s forehead creased. “It depends, but most people haveto train three to five years, and then they are usually in their thirties or early forties max. I think you might be too old.”
I closed my eyes. I didn’t know whether to laugh, correct, or console at his blunt advice.
“Well, thanks for the advice.” Mom nodded and rose from her seat. I had a feeling this was going to be a long day.
Next in the hot seat was Faith’s roommate, Rose. With her were Marissa and Scott, who own the B&B, and if looks were correct, maybe Scott’s brother or twin, and another guy.
“Hey, long time no see,” Rose said as she sat in the camping chair.
Danny merely nodded toward the cup holding the dollar. She chuckled and pulled a dollar out of her pocket and placed it in the jar.
“What’s your question?” Danny sat tall.
Rose tipped her head up to the ceiling, thinking of a question.
“How about why I am so violent and scary?” Scott’s assumed brother muttered. “Or, I know. Am I in the habit of sticking things to cars?” He raised his eyebrows. Rose’s head whipped in his direction, her dark hair flying with the movement. He stepped back slightly, raising his hands in front of him. There must be a story there.
“Those aren’t about space or snow?” Danny added.
“Right, Michael! Wait your turn.” Rose growled and then faced Danny again. “What is your favorite planet?”
Danny pursed his lips. “Well, we don’t know if all the planets have been discovered.” He raised his hands.
Rose held back a smile. “True. What’s your favorite of the known planets?”
Danny answered immediately, “Jupiter. Did you know that a day on Jupiter is only ten hours? That means school would only last like two hours tops.”
Rose smirked. “I like your reasoning.” She stood up, and thenMarissa sat in the chair and added a dollar. She extended her hand toward Danny.
“Hi, I’m Marissa, a friend of your teacher.”
“Nice.” Danny nodded.
