Momma laughs. “You should see how long it took us to get all that on.”
“Worth it.”
Pop’s text comes through a minute later—he’s stuck in a meeting with one of his racehorse partners and will be running late—so Momma rides with Ruby and me in my truck.
By the time we pull into the fairgrounds, the place is already slammed. Trucks, ATVs, even a couple of tractors line the lot. The whole town must’ve turned out. The grounds stretch out in front of us—the arena, the exhibit halls, the auditorium, the RV park, and a sprawl of tents and rides in between.
There’s something for everyone—games, food, livestock shows, lawn-mower races in the little rustic arena. And later tonight, the band will play in the big event barn.
I park at the far end of the lot and help Ruby down, making sure her wings don’t catch on her car seat.
Momma heads for her booth, where her ladies’ group is selling their handmade wares—quilts, macramé, pottery, wood carvings, candles, and soaps.
Imma Jean is already behind the table, arranging items.
“Hi, Waylon. And who do you have here?” Imma Jean asks, bending to tap Ruby’s nose.
“It’s me!” Ruby bellows.
“Me who?”
“Ruby, silly.”
“Well, I declare. I didn’t recognize you, Ruby. I thought a unicorn came galloping out of the forest,” Imma Jean gasps causing Ruby to giggle.
Customers begin to line up, so Ruby and I break off to hunt for games and candy.
She spends the next two hours dragging me from booth to booth, eyes wide as vendors fill her tote until it’s overflowingwith candy. Then we land at a ring-toss stand with a cluster of vintage glass bottles.
I’m lining up my third throw when Ruby suddenly squeals and bolts to my right.
“Ruby—”
I turn just in time to see Shelby and Harleigh Storm. Shelby scoops Ruby up like she’s done it a thousand times.
I toss my last ring—miss, of course—and head their way.
“No luck?” Shelby asks as she sets Ruby down.
“They’re all rigged,” I say.
Harleigh scoffs. “No way. Let me try.”
She holds out her hand.
“I’m telling you, I’ve already sunk fifty bucks into games,” I say.
Harleigh just raises a brow and shakes her hand. Giving in, I dig a few crumpled bills from my front pocket and drop a ten into her palm.
She looks down at Ruby. “Come on, kid. Let’s win you a unicorn to match your dress.”
Ruby takes her hand and skips off with her.
Shelby and I are suddenly alone.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hi. Looks like Ruby’s feeling better.”
