Milly straightened, having heard the teen, and looked at him knowingly. “That’s the woman and young girl you plowed over yesterday?” Her voice was low and teasing. “Mmm. Now I see why you were doe-eyed. She’s gorgeous.”
David ignored her and waved back.
“Well, invite them over,” Milly told him. She glanced around the tent. “There’s only one single table left, and you have one that could seat six.”
“I’m sure they aren’t sitting,” David said, feeling awkward.
Eve got her coffee and a cup of something for Lila. Her eyes scanned the tent, clearly looking for a place to rest.
Milly punched him discreetly on the arm. “David! Don’t be rude.”
David glared at her, then stood and waved them over. “Hi there. I have room at my table if you’d like to join me?”
Milly found the wallet but didn’t move from her spot as the two women came over.
“Hello again,” Eve said, her smile warmer now that she was off her feet.
Before David could introduce Milly, she stepped forward with her hand extended. “I’m Milly Jones. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Eve Reynolds,” Eve said, shaking her hand. “And this is Lila.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Milly said.
They settled into chairs, Eve groaning slightly as she slipped off one boot and rubbed her foot.
Milly stood there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
David finally said to Milly, “Isn’t your husband waiting for you?”
“Oh, yes,” Milly held up the wallet. “We were going on the rides but couldn’t buy tickets because my husband put his wallet in one of our shopping bags.”
“My late husband used to do that too,” Eve said, exasperation clouding her eyes. “I can’t tell you how many times I found it in one.”
“I know, right?” Milly laughed. “I have no idea what their logic is.”
“Maybe they don’t want it to be pickpocketed?” Lila suggests making David grin. The teen had a sharp mind.
“That’s what he said,” Milly told her, pointing at David. “But I don’t see the logic in it.”
“Thieves go for the pocket or purse,” Lila told them. “If they’ve been scouting you out, they already know what you have in your shopping bag, and a guess, I’d say you found your husband’s wallet in the bag with the less likely to be stolen goods.”
Yup, she really was sharp as a tack. For some reason, David’s heart swelled with pride. Probably because he knew his daughter was just as smart as she was.
“Ahh…” Milly nodded.
“That makes sense,” Eve and Milly said in unison.
“What ride are you going on?” Lila asked, changing the subject at the speed of a high-speed train, like most teenagers. She leaned forward, watching Milly with interest.
Milly named one of the bigger roller coasters, and Lila’s eyes lit up. “I want to go on that so badly.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” Milly said, then quickly looked at Eve for permission. “If you don’t mind, Eve? I promise we’ll look after her.”
Eve hesitated, and David respected that. Lila was a young teenager, and Milly was a stranger.
“I can vouch for them,” David said, knowing it was a weak offer since he was a stranger, too. “Besides, I have Milly’s purse with all her keys and ID in it.”
Eve smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She glanced at Lila. “Sweetheart...”
