Page 56 of Lost King

"Emerson, Sweetie. Isn't your mother supposed to be in town soon? I'd love to have lunch with her," my mom asks.

"Oh, yes, I forgot," she looks at me, then back to my mom. "My dad texted earlier. They decided to come see us a couple of days ahead of schedule, so you'll have plenty of time for a visit," she tells her.

Finally making it out the door, Emerson stops.

"You okay, Sunshine?" I ask.

"I'm just happy," she smiles and I smile back.

Pulling the car door open, I grin, "hop in, beautiful."

We're cruising down the road with the windows down. I look over at Emerson with her hand out the window dipping it high and low through the breeze. The weather is starting to change. Personally, this is my favorite time of the year. The leaves are beginning to turn from green to bright hues of orange and red, and the air carries the smells of delicious food from the county fair that rolled into town two days ago. I still can't believe my woman has never been to a fair. Mom and Dad took me every year to both the county and state fair. We would get up early in the morning and make a three-hour drive to enjoy the rides and stuff our faces with fried food.

All that is about to change, because I'm going to surprise her by takin' her tonight. It's not as big as the one in Great Falls but big enough she can experience the sights, smells, and bright lights of the Ferris wheel after dark.

"Oh my god. Do you smell that?" she inhales and closes her eyes. When she opens them, the Ferris wheel comes into view, and her eyes light up. "You're taking me to the fair?"

"If you're not too tired," I reach across the seat and grab her hand. Her eyes water a bit, and she vigorously shakes her head no.

After parking, we start walking down the short midway. "So, what do you want to do first, Sunshine?"

"I want one of those footlong corn dogs coated with hot mustard sauce."

"You read my mind, sweetheart."

Later, after the sun has set, we walk hand in hand. "Well, beautiful. I think we have played every game on the strip," I announce holding a giant unicorn, a sizeable inflatable hammer that makes a squeaky noise whenever you bop someone with it—I know this because she has used it a few times on my head, and a goldfish—a living goldfish.

Grabbing the bag containing the fish from my hand, Emerson examines it. "What are you going to name it?"

"Name it? It's your fish, Sunshine."

Her eyes lift to mine, "I won this for you. You have to give it a name."

I pull her close, "we can name it later. You ready to take a ride with me on the Ferris Wheel?" I kiss the tip of her nose. She smiles.

Leaving our loot next to the ride operator, I help her onto the seat then sit down beside her and pull the lap bar down. I wrap my arm around her shoulders as she snuggles into my side as the wheel begins to move. I watch her face light up like a kid at Christmas as she takes it all in.

"This is amazing. It's so beautiful," she says.

I haven't been able to take my eyes off her. Her happiness has me grinnin' so hard my cheeks hurt. The words almost spill out of my mouth at that moment, but I stop myself. Soon.

* * *

"What the hell is that doing here?" Gabriel grumps after taking his seat at the bar. He's referring to the goldfish swimming around in the bowl that's sitting on top of the bar.

"What? James Pond?" I sip my beer and Logan chuckles beside me.

Raine steps behind the bar and hands Gabriel a cold beer. "You named the fish James Pond?" she laughs.

I shrug. I don't see the big deal. I think it's a great name. Setting my empty bottle down, I look at the time. "Gotta run and meet a man about a woman." Standing, I face Logan. "Have you heard from your woman?"

"Everything is good, brother. All the women are out for lunch and a little shopping. Go do your thing," Logan responds.

Shortly after leaving the clubhouse I've made it to the hotel where Emerson's parents are staying downtown. When I walk into the lobby, Mr. Evans is waiting for me. I can't tell you how happy my woman has been since her parents made up with her and finally accepted her for who she is and what she strives to become. The difference in their relationship is like night and day. The only thing she worries about anymore is the fact things are still strained between them and her brother. "Mr. Evans," I extend my hand.

"Quinn, it's good to see you this afternoon. I hope everything is alright?" he says with a look of concern.

"Everything's fine. I needed to ask you somethin' and needed to do it in person." The worry disappears from his face, and the corner of his mouth lifts in a grin.