After a few agonizing seconds of watching him, he finally reached inside the gourd and wiggled his hand around inside.
Bale leaned over and whispered in my ear. “There’s only a single piece of paper in there. MacElroy’s a terrible showman, wouldn’t be able to convince a blind man the sky is blue.”
I chortled, the humor a welcome respite from the tension already building inside me. Why was I so fucking nervous? I knew exactly what was about to happen, and yet there was a tremor in my limbs putting me on the edge of wanting to flee or tackle MacElroy before he could read the name.
Finally pulling out the piece of paper, Mr. MacElroy gave a brief smile before making the grand announcement. “T-this year’s participant in Falston’s annual corn maze chase is,” he took another look at the paper, seemingly double-checking the name, “is Miss Harlow Lenoir.”
A wave of relief seemed to roll over mostly everyone there, quickly replaced by congratulatory applause. But all I heard was Beth’s gasp, and I didn’t need to see her face to know that all her previously conveyed concerns about the corn maze were wildly spinning through her mind.
“Is Harlow here tonight?” MacElroy scanned the crowd a few times before spotting me. “Oh! T-there youare. Come on up here, sweetheart. R-right this way, over here by t-the steps,” he indicated with a jerk of his chin to the far left of the platform.
Forcing a smile that felt as comfortable as gnawing on a pricker bush, I gradually made my way toward the wooden steps. However, not before hearing Corbin say something to Beth, barely audible even with my advanced hearing.
“Don’t worry, little tabby. Black cats only bring bad luck to those who underestimate them.”
Looking back over my shoulder, I smirked. Beth’s face, wide with astonishment at Corbin’s noncoincidental words, was absolutely priceless.
It gave me just enough feral courage to strut onto the platform and pretend I didn’t want to fuck all of the Town Council’s plans to shit.
Chapter
Twenty
My time up on stage made me feel like I was a prized pony on display. The rules were explained to me in the vaguest possible way.
Funny, they failed to mention that death was on the table. Imagine that. A corrupt Town Council meddling with evil forces wasn’t straightforward and honest? Could never have guessed.
I played my part for a short period of time when all eyes were on me. Smile, wave, and internally cringe at every congratulatory remark.
When I stepped off the platform, my dad intercepted me.
“Har! I can’t believe it! Look at you, already making a name for yourself in town,” he praised before embracing me in a larger-than-life papa bear hug.
I awkwardly patted his back as I returned the hug with a shaky sigh.
“I didn’t really do much, Dad,” I muttered with a weak smile.
He pulled back and grabbed my shoulders. “Nonsense! All your hard work putting your S.P.A.R.K.L.E. into the universe has paid off.”
Then, he moved his hands to cup my face while pinning me with a look that often preceded something absolutely ridiculous.
“You’ve been working on Step 5 of the program, haven’t you? It’s one of my favorites, you know.”
Generally, I didn’t make a habit of lying to my dad, but the way his face lit up with hope and pride was something I couldn’t bear to shatter. Besides, a little white lie wouldn’t hurt.
“You’re right, Dad. I had kale with my lunch today. Totally embraced the ‘K’ in S.P.A.R.K.L.E.”
“HAH! I knew it!” he exclaimed. “I just knew it. I’ve been telling you girls that kale is key. Without it, we’d all just be microorganisms living dull lives in a world without color and pizazz.”
Dad pressed a kiss to my forehead before releasing me. He looked like he was ready to vibrate right out of his skin with excitement.
“Heh. It’s nothing short of a miracle,” I mumbled before looking around for the guys.
A man’s voice called out near the platform’s steps, “Wade!” Mayor Dennison waved him down. “Come over here, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Of course, my dad smiled from ear to ear and nodded at the mayor before looking at me. “Stay sparkly, Harlow,” he said as he gave a gentle fist bump to my shoulder that pulled back with an explosion of spirit fingers like some sort of super-secret handshake of Club S.P.A.R.K.L.E.
Then, he was off to socialize with Falston’s least sparkly inhabitants.
