“No way!” Banjo protested.
“Carnival! Please, Uncle Chase!” Delilah pleaded.
“Okay, I’ll consider it… if I get two giant bear hugs.”
Delilah and Banjo barreled into Chase.
“So, what’s there to do at this church carnival?” Maggie asked.
“Games! I wanna play games… ooh and pet the animals,” Delilah clapped.
“Cot-ton can-dy,” Banjo said slowly for emphasis.
“This sounds like my kind of place,” Maggie smiled.
Chase nodded, “Alright, ya’ll finish eating and get cleaned up. Then, we’ll head that way.”
Banjo proceeded to shove a whole piece of bacon in his mouth. “All done!” he announced proudly.
Chapter 29
Chase
Astheypulledintothe church parking lot, Chase could hear the carnival music swirling. Swarms of families and kids ran toward the grassy area next to the church building. Colorful streamers and signs designating each game flapped in the wind.
“We’re here!” Chase announced to squeals of delight from Delilah and Banjo.
Once free from their car seats, Chase grabbed Banjo’s hand and reached for Delilah.
“I wanna hold Miss Maggie’s hand,” she told him.
“Okay, well then, I see how I rate,” Chase feigned offense.
Maggie held out her hand and Delilah happily took it.
“Where to first?” Maggie asked.
“Cotton candy!” Banjo said, jumping up and down.
“Yeah cotton candy!” Delilah agreed.
“Let’s do a few games first, ya know, before we get all sticky and sugary,” Chase suggested.
“Good call,” Maggie smirked.
As they walked amongst the crowd, Banjo suddenly pointed straight ahead. “I wanna play ring toss!”
“I wanna pet the goats!” Delilah declared.
“Okay, let’s do ring toss first—” Chase stopped suddenly. A woman with big, blonde hair teased up like a beauty pageant contestant was walking toward them. It was Betty’s daughter, Ruby. Chase quickly looked around but realized there was no place to hide.
“Chaser, hi!” Ruby rushed to his side.
Maggie nudged him with her elbow, “Chaser huh? Thought that was our thing.”
Chase laughed awkwardly and forced a friendly smile, “Hi Ruby, how are you?”
“Doing fantastic now that I’m seeing you.” She latched onto his arm. Ignoring the kids and Maggie, she whispered loudly into his ear, “You know, our mamas have been talkin. They think we’d be great together. I do too…” Chase wriggled his arm away and tugged Maggie close to him.
