“Oh, okay,” she said, quickly covering up both the disappointment and embarrassment at having asked and been turned down.
“Truthfully,” he said, clearly able to sense the change in her, “I would have totally stayed, but—” he glanced at his watch “—I, er… I’m running late as it is.”
“Going anywhere nice?” she asked, imagining him meeting one of his brothers at the Firestone. Or maybe he was going on a date…
Don’t Maeve.
“I’m actually meeting some friends in Vegas.”
Maeve spluttered. “I’m sorry, you’re what? Going to Vegas? But you’re going to the fair on Saturday?”
“Yeah, it’s just one night.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.
Maeve’s last vacation had been driving upstate to a theme park for the weekend. Naively—wishfully?—she had pictured Brodie settled in Autumn Falls. Zoey—maybe even Maeve herself—keeping him tethered. But no, of course he’d been jetting off on the days she didn’t see him. Carrying on his free-spirited, very untethered existence. The news, while obvious, made her feel foolish. To think they—she—had been worth staying for.
“That sounds fun,” she said as nonchalantly as she could. “Anytime you need to go away for longer, Brodie, feel free. I can always get Carole. There’s no obligation to be here all the time.”
He narrowed his twinkly blue eyes so knowingly that she feared for a moment she had inadvertently said some of her thoughts out loud. “It’s no obligation, Maeve. I’m enjoying it.”
That was the problem, she thought. It was fun for him. He hadn’t dealt yet with the tantrums or the drudgery.
She was aware always of the intransience behind his being here. That they were still a novelty, still shiny. She didn’t want to think that of him but it was impossible not to, especially with the notifications that came through constantly on his phone that made him smile as he read them, giving the impression there was always more excitement to be had somewhere else in his world. What would happen when the fun of the park and the milkshakes wore thin? Where would Brodie go then?
ChapterThirty-Three
Since Zoey had been tiny, the Redemption River Summer Fair was one of her favorite days of the year. Maeve never had time to make her a costume and always ordered it online. Now, however, she was part of the Carter family and Martha Carter was a whiz at running up a kid’s costume.
When Martha stopped by to drop it off, Zoey was wide-eyed with excitement.
“I don’t know if it’s duck-like enough,” Martha said, holding up the suit made of white terry cloth with big orange feet and a padded bill. “I’m afraid you might look more like a goose.”
“I’m happy with either,” Zoey said, and took it from her like it was treasure. “It’s awesome. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Zoey.” The fondness in Martha’s eyes was unmistakable. When she ran off to get changed, Martha looked at Maeve and said, “She’s so cute, I just want to eat her up.”
“Now that would be a waste of a good costume,” Maeve replied with a half-smile.
Martha chuckled, giving her a playful pat on the arm. “I’m glad this has all happened, Maeve, I truly am. I think it’s been really good for Brodie.”
Maeve nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears—aware of how easily she blushed at the mention of Brodie—imagining him jetting off to Vegas and wondering if Martha knew.
“I know he acts like he doesn’t take anything seriously or care too deeply, but I can see that this is real important to him. I just wanted to say thank you, for telling him—for trusting him.”
Maeve didn’t know what to say. She’d never, in all of Zoey’s life, thought that Martha Carter would be on her doorstep thanking her with such warmth and kindness. She thought fleetingly of her own parents standing there all formal, stiff like statues, seeing only the negatives of the situation. No matter her increasingly complicated feelings for Brodie, it made her suddenly less fearful for who Zoey now had in her life. Grateful, in fact.
* * *
The Redemption River Summer Fair was held at the fairground on the outskirts of Autumn Falls, where the river looped around the land like a horseshoe. There was always a full schedule of events from the kids’ costume parade and Pee Wee animal showmanship to flower and plant judging and a carnival.
The Silver Pantry had a stall selling snacks and coffee, and a selection of beautiful homewares. Word had spread that Martha’s infamous coconut cake was for sale and there was already a queue snaking almost to the Ferris Wheel.
“Let’s go and see Brodie. I mean, Dad.” Zoey, in her white duck costume with its big yellow feet and beak, pulled Maeve by the hand to where they could hear Brodie on the microphone calling out the competitors for the dog show.
Logan was nearby with his horse, Jojo, who he was getting ready to show at the next event. When they went past he said, “Hey, Maeve, where’s Zoey?”
Zoey said, “I’m right here!”
Logan looked confused. “I can only see a giant duck.”
