Cindy tells Dee he was supposed to watch Kyle better, and Dee tells her not to blame him for everything. Jenson intercedes and says it was his water, so neither of them should be blaming each other. But Dee keeps complaining about Cindy and her “attitude.” I raise my eyebrows at Jenson, who shakes his head as he takes the paper towels out of my hand.
“Thanks for grabbing these,” he says in my ear. “You’re a lifesaver.”
I pat his arm. “I’ll help you clean up the spill.”
“It’s okay. I got it.” He lowers his voice. “Super fun family picnic, huh? And who the hell is that guy hitting on you?”
“No one important,” I murmur. “Just another of my mother’s delusional ploys.”
“I think my mom’s got one of those ploys lined up too.”
“Seriously?” I say.
“I’ll explain later,” he assures me.
“Dee, why can’t you let it go?” Cindy says in a loud voice. “Goodness, I didn’t mean to start anything. I just thought you could have been watching him better!”
Dee storms off to the drink table. Cindy exhales loudly as she mutters that apparently not everybody is in a sunny, picnicky mood today.
At that moment, Dad rings the liberty bell.
“Welcome to the Liberty Falls fair, everyone!” he calls out into the microphone. “As you all know, today is the birthday of our town, and we like to celebrate in style every year with our annual fair. The dog show is about to start!”
“Livia, are you coming on the carousel?” Connor asks me. “Daddy promised he’d take us now.”
“Sure,” I say, taking his hand. “Let’s go.”
After riding around on the carousel three times, Jenson convinces the boys he needs to stop spinning in a circle for a while.
I laugh. “Why don’t we go see how Sheldon’s doing with the dog show?"
The fair’s crowded as usual, and it takes us a few minutes to weave our way through the throngs of people and variety of tents scattered across the lawn.
“This is my year, Olive,” Sheldon says when we reach him at the dog park. “I can feel it.” He rubs his hands together while Cara tries to corral Corkscrew, their hyper dachshund who’s dressed up in a tuxedo-type coat.
I wave to Hayley as she heads toward us through the craziness of barking dogs, sniffing each other and romping through the man-made pond built just for them. This is the one park in town Mom and I avoid on our weekly walks—Mom says if you’re not stepping in dog poop, you’re trying to avoid a wet, furry animal running toward you at top speed. The leash law in Liberty Falls is not enforced here.
“So what prize are you aiming for?” Jenson asks.
“Whatever I can get,” Sheldon says as he takes Corkscrew’s leash from Cara. “They give out so many freaking awards. I’ll take anything.”
“I see you’ve gotten desperate enough to even try for best dressed, Sheldon,” Hayley says as she reaches us.
I smile. “Cara, was the little outfit Sheldon’s idea?”
“Of course it was,” Cara says. “I don’t give a crap about these contests, but Sheldon had me practicing bocce ball with him for weeks, along with searching for a tuxedo for Corkscrew. He’s promised he won’t enter any contest next year if he wins something today.”
“I’ve got my fingers crossed for you then, Cara,” Hayley says. She raises her eyebrows at me. “And you’re looking hot today, Ms. Graham.”
I cross my arms over my low-cut top, but not fast enough. Sheldon notices. “No, that’s a good idea, Olive,” he says. “The fair could be a great place to meet a nice guy. It’s safe, unlike a bar, and it’s family-friendly. Maybe you should hang out with me here at the dog park. I’ll even let you hold Corkscrew’s leash—some couples have been formed through their common love of dogs.”
Jenson’s hot hand on my back is the only sign of his reaction.
“Do you ever let up?” I say to Sheldon. “Mom is bad enough.”
“I’m just saying,” he says, “I know the single life is fun, but we can’t do it forever, you know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cara snaps as she hits him in the arm. “I thought you wanted to get married!”
