Her hands stilled on the fabric. “Are you just saying that or do you truly mean it?”
“I mean it.”
“Thank you.”
We worked together for a while and the mood felt lighter. We hadn’t solved anything between us, but I could tell she appreciated my honesty.
Maybe it was time I was more honest with her—and myself—about my feelings.
Assuming I could figure out what I was feeling.
The afternoon sun slanted through the small window on one end of the loft, catching the gold in her auburn hair. She’d abandoned her usual style, letting it hang loose around hershoulders. A few strands had escaped to frame her face, and I found myself wanting to brush them back, to feel the softness between my fingers.
Focus on the costume, I reminded myself.
“Becken?” Her voice held uncertainty. “What’s going to happen with the program after I leave? You’ve said yourself you might not remain on the surface.”
“I think I will.”
Her eyes widened. “You decided?”
I shrugged, because, honestly, if she left, I wasn’t sure I could remain here after. I’d see her everywhere. Feel her touch, only to turn and find myself alone. I was beginning to realize I’d crave her for a lifetime.
“No matter what happens, my cousins will manage,” I said.
“That’s not what I asked.”
I set down the harness I’d been examining, though I’d already checked it at least ten times. Let’s face it; I was here because she was, because I couldn’t stay away from her. I…cared. Far too much.
“They’ll hire someone permanent, someone with experience managing tourist operations in general, since we need help with more than the rodeo, then staff to manage things with the rodeo itself.”
“You’re talking about a general business manager.”
“Yes, that.”
The door from downstairs burst open, and Aunt Inla swept in, her arms full of red fabric and her face bright with excitement. She wore another of her prairie dresses, this one green with tiny gold tea pots.
“Perfect timing,” she said, her attention mostly on me. “I’ve finished the costume.”
“Exactly what costume?” I straightened, alarm shooting through me.
“Yourcostume for the parade.” She shook out the fabric, revealing a massive red outfit with white fur trim. “I had to special order the fabric and work day and night to get the sizing right, but Grannie helped. It’s going to look amazing.”
“You expect me to wear a red and white onesie?” I half-bellowed. I only knew the term onesie from Beth, who showed me the baby clothing she’d ordered online. I could see the practicality of the outfit for a youngling, but for me? “Please tell me there aren’t snaps along the inside of the thighs to undo it.”
Carla snorted and gave up any pretense of making antlers.
Aunt Inla held the outfit up higher, studying the groin area. “Why would there be anything like that?”
“To change the swaddle.Diaper, as humans call the undergarment.”
Now Carla was outright laughing. “I think it’s an amazing idea. Imagine if you had to go to the bathroom fast. A few snaps, and you could drag your dingdong out.”
“Dingdong?” Aunt Inla and I said at the same time.
“Penis, if you want to be technical, but I think the word sounds…clinical, don’t you?”
“Dingdong is not clinical,” I said.
