“Beats me,” Pip said, looking determined. “But I want that dinner.”
“Now, honey, turn your mean down a bit. No need to draw blood to get it,” Dylan said.
“Before we start, I would like to add that this is a friendly event, and we are all civilized people.”
“My ass, we are,” Jack said.
“I shall now count down,” Mayor Gripper said. “Five, four, three, two, one!”
The Christmas carols started, and the contestants walked in a circle slowly. All very sedate and well behaved for now. Fin knew that would change any minute now. He kept his eyes on Maggie, making sure he could reach her when the music stopped.
“Do what you need to, Fin!”
“On it, Mrs. L,” he replied. She stood at the front of the crowd with a banner in her hands that stated Fin For The Win! Shaking his head, he focused on Maggs again.
“Do you think that’s written in lipstick? Looks like that orange color she uses,” Rory said from behind him.
The music stopped, and they all lunged. Fin saw Calvin Harding sit in a chair, then reach for Maggie.
“Not happening.” Fin grabbed her. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he lifted Maggie off her feet and onto his lap as he fell into a chair. “He can’t have you; you’re taken.”
Breathless, she looked over her shoulder, brown eyes wide.
“I’m so sorry, Fin.” Her eyes were desperate. “What I did was wrong. I betrayed your trust.”
“It’s okay and I forgive you, sweetheart.”
“You do?”
“I do. I know you wouldn’t intentionally hurt me. Just don’t do it again, ok.” He kissed her, hard and fast. “Now hold on, sweet cheeks, we have a dinner to win.”
For now, that was enough. They’d talk and work out what was going on between them. Looking at her again, he felt that heavy weight in his chest and knew exactly what it was.
The music started, and he lifted her off his lap.
“No hand holding!” Mayor Gripper called.
It was descending into carnage. Joe took Jack out on the next pass with an elbow so he and Bailey could get to a seat. Bas from the garage sat on Calvin Harding, who was partnered with Ava, Mary Howard’s youngest daughter. He was helped away, declared unfit to continue, by Aunt Jess and Mr. Goldhirsh. Mary Howard was furious.
Christmas carols rang out cheerfully, people heckled and encouraged, and in usual Ryker Falls fashion, the entire event went from harmless to survival of the fittest.
“Go, Fin!” Mallory yelled her encouragement. His father and stepmother were laughing, arms around their daughter. His family, he thought. They would work on that.
Jack, who was now out, stuck out his leg as Lenny from the lodge passed, sending him flying, which allowed Fin and Maggie to take the seat he’d wanted.
“I owe you,” Fin said to Jack.
“I’ll take a ride on Harriet!”
They were down to the last four couples. Only one wouldn’t get a meal at the lodge. Joe and Bailey, Fin and Maggie, plus Pearl and a young man who looked extremely uncomfortable with a lady considerably older than him on his lap. Especially as she had her arms around his neck. There were also two tourists.
“Your girlfriend has found someone else,” Joe said from beside them.
“I’ll always be her first love,” Fin said.
“Last round. Please follow the rules and keep it clean. Please!” He heard the desperation in Mayor Gripper’s voice as another entrant was led away with a bloody nose.
“Bas’s eye is already going black.” Fin looked at Joe. “He’s going to make you pay for that.”
