“Good thinking.” She went to the back room and opened her overnight bag. She’d packed a lightweight cotton cardigan and impulsively slipped in a sundress as well. But she suddenly felt silly at the thought of dressing up for a county fair. She shook out the pretty dress. It was white rayon with a Navajo-inspired border around the hem of the full skirt and looked perfect with the turquoise-and-silver necklace Mom had given her during their recent sort-and-move process. She knew the dress looked good on her, but if everyone else was walking around in blue jeans and shorts, would she look out of place? Did she even care?
She brushed her hair and refreshed her lip gloss. When she emerged, wearing the pretty sundress with the cardigan looped over one arm, the girls were gone, and Miguel’s eyes widened. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” she told him.
“No problem.” He set down the soda he’d been drinking and stood. “You look ... beautiful.”
She smiled and thanked him. As he took her hand to lead her down the trailer steps, she felt her cheeks warming. Hopefully she didn’t appear too presumptuous, but after all, he’d been the one to say they had a “date.” Still, as they strolled through the fairgrounds, quieter now that the crowd had thinned, she was glad she’d gone to the extra effort. “It’s cooling off nicely,” she told him as they got in line for the barbecue place.
Before long, they were seated at a table covered in a red gingham tablecloth. And then a waiter who looked to be about Cooper’s age appeared to take their order from the very limited menu on the table. Fortunately, plenty of napkins and severalmoist towelettes were provided with the ribs, and somehow Jewel managed to keep herself from looking too messy by the time they were done. “You’re right, Miguel,” she told him as they left. “Their ribs are amazing.”
After dinner, they wandered around the fairgrounds, looking at quilts, art exhibits, and food stands. Finally they came to the hall that displayed the “latest” products—goofy items that Jewel couldn’t imagine anyone would really want, as well as the old standbys of “new and improved” cookware, nutrients promising ageless youthfulness, “time-saving” appliances, and a few items whose purpose they couldn’t even figure out. “Well, that was educational,” she said as they left the exhibit hall.
“Now how about the Ferris wheel ride?” Miguel asked as they strolled past another food stand. “Unless you’d rather have some dessert first.” His brows arched. “Because before we’re done tonight, I plan to indulge in an elephant ear.”
“Ferris wheel first,” she told him. “I don’t want you eating so much that you toss your cookies up there.”
“No worries.” He laughed and, linking his arm in hers, led her through the carnival area. While he bought tickets, she just looked around. It was all so festive in the twilight. There were colorful balloons and flags and graphic signs, with a background of cheerful music and the sound of hawkers trying to lure unsuspecting folks to their booths. It was like a real time warp, and Jewel was so grateful to get to experience it.
“I’d like to paint something that captures all this,” she told Miguel as they got into the surprisingly short Ferris wheel line. She noticed the younger crowd stood in long lines for the wilder rides. “It’s all so magical.”
“It is.” Miguel greeted the muscular young ticket taker who motioned them forward, and then, ever the gentleman, Miguel helped her get into the Ferris wheel car. She felt a rush of childlike excitement as the young man locked them in, and soon they were going around and around.
“It’s like a giant living kaleidoscope,” she said as she looked at the colorfully lit fairgrounds whirling around down below them.“I hate acting like a tourist with my phone, but would you mind if I took a couple pics? You know, to inspire me for painting later?”
“No, of course not.” He chuckled. “I’m used to Anna taking photos of everything, including her food sometimes.”
“Well, I try not to be addicted to taking pictures.” She reached in her small shoulder bag, slipping out her phone and even doing a quick check to make sure neither Mom nor Coop had texted. Then she took a few pics of the wonderland below from several angles. And when Miguel wasn’t looking, she snatched a couple of him. As she leaned forward to slip her phone back into her bag, she felt Miguel’s arm slide around her shoulders. She smiled happily as she zipped her bag closed, then leaned back. “This is all so perfectly beautiful,” she said quietly.
“It sure is.” He turned to her. “All of it. Including you.”
That warm, nervous rush went through her again, and now they were stopped at the very top of the wheel, the car just rocking gently back and forth with the motion, as new passengers boarded below. Jewel felt slightly breathless as they continued to look at each other, and then Miguel leaned forward and gently kissed her. Looking almost surprised at himself, he leaned away. “I, uh, I hope that was okay with you.”
Jewel felt dizzy, and it wasn’t from the height of the Ferris wheel. “No, Miguel, that was not okay.” She firmly shook her head, holding back a smile. “It was way better than okay.” She laughed and he kissed her again!
34
Jewel
After a surprisingly good night’s sleep sharing the bed with her daughter, Jewel awoke refreshed and eager for the day. Cooper was still sleeping and the trailer was quiet in front as Jewel got ready for the day. Tiptoeing out, she saw the blinds remained down, but only Anna was curled up in the dinette bed. The sofa bed was tidied up and empty. Knowing Miguel wouldn’t be far away, she decided to hunt him down. Right after she found a good cup of coffee.
As it turned out, she found both. After standing in a coffee line for a few minutes, where other early morning farmers were waiting, she found Miguel, who reminded her that he hadn’t gotten an elephant ear last night.
“Care to join me for one?” he asked her as they walked with their coffees.
“That sounds delightful,” she said. “They’re kind of like donuts.”
It was strange strolling across the quiet fairgrounds. Several maintenance workers were out and about, sweeping debris up from the previous night, and a few food booths were open, including the one that sold elephant ears. Several others were already waiting.
“Looks like you’re not the only one who appreciates elephant ears for breakfast,” she told him as they got in line.
“Good taste.” He winked.
Eventually, they got their pastries and took their “fair fare” to a picnic table by the coffee kiosk to dine. Their conversation felt a little awkward at first, probably because Jewel kept thinking about the Ferris wheel kiss the night before, but it slowly returned to normal as he told her about this morning’s 4-H livestock auction.
“They usually have it earlier in the fair, but our auctioneer got a summer cold, so the whole thing got postponed until today.” He explained how that put more pressure on the livestock owners, having to keep their animals clean and healthy and looking tip-top before the auction.
“And today is the big day.”
“Yes.” He checked his watch. “Hopefully Anna is tending Barney by now.”
