by Mia Caldwell
“You’re absolutely correct, Phae,” Kent said. “I’ve learned my lesson. I hope you’ll allow me to make it up to you. Shall we venture to the snack shack and stuff ourselves with carnival junk food?” He held out his arm in a courtly gesture.
Phae did what any woman would do when confronted with a caveman too charming and sexy for his own good: she graciously accepted his invitation. “Fine. Let’s go.” Okay, perhaps not so graciously, but accepted nonetheless.
“Come on, Neesa. We’re up,” James said.
“Neesa? What’s he saying?” Phae asked.
“Sorry, he talked me into helping him follow you around,” she answered, then leaned in beside Phae and whispered, “The plan is to follow you until I can find a way to distract James long enough so you and Kent can slip away. Now act pissy with me so he won’t be suspicious.”
Phae crossed her arms over her chest. “Traitor. I can’t believe you’d side with him.”
“I only want the best for you,” Neesa said.
“Arrest that old coot!” Sylvie cried out. “He didn’t pay up—it’s a kiss and dash!”
They swiveled and saw the old man hobbling away at top speed, which wasn’t very fast at all. He kept looking behind him to see if anyone was chasing him and nearly ran into a trash can.
“False advertising!” the old man yelled and shook his fist in the air.
“Seriously, what’s the point of having my cousin be sheriff if you’re not going to arrest people who rip me off?” Sylvie complained.
Phae took Kent’s arm. “Shall we go before this gets any weirder?”
“Please,” he said, and led her away.
“Come on, Neesa,” James said, falling in behind the pair.
Neesa hopped up beside him, leaving a complaining Sylvie behind.
“Oh, sure. Go off and have fun while I slave away by myself, saving the little cats and dogs!” Sylvie called.
Her complaints went unheeded, and the foursome quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Chapter 7
THIRTY MINUTES, TWO SODAS AND two greasy funnel cakes later, Phae and Kent strolled together to the gaming booths. They pointedly ignored their escorts, James and Neesa, who had been arguing steadily about whether James might or might not be a sexist pig.
Phae glanced over her shoulder. “I’m afraid we’re going to be stuck with them all night.”
Kent said in a weary tone, “I tried to lose him before I found your booth, but I obviously didn’t have any luck. We can try to sneak away when it gets dark.”
“Almost eight. It won’t be dark for another hour. Neesa said she’d try to distract him so we can get away, but she’s not having any luck either.”
“While we wait, how about I win you a prize at one of these booths? If I scored some fuzzy dice for you, would you reward me?”
She’d jump into his arms for a cheap plastic whistle, Phae thought. “Let me think. Hmm. I believe the appropriate reward for that prize is a handshake.”
The late evening sunlight made Kent’s black hair sparkle. “You wound me. Your family was right. You have no regard for the male ego.”
“Do all men obsess about this ego business? What’s the deal with that?”
“It’s a secret that all men swear never to reveal to a woman.”
Phae smiled sweetly. “But you’ll tell me, won’t you?”
“Nope. Last time I checked, and trust me, it wasn’t but a few seconds ago, you were all woman.”
They stopped beside a shooting gallery where Kent leisurely surveyed Phae from head to heel. “While we’re on the subject of the mysteries of the genders, why don’t you tell me why you didn’t wear your white shorts?”
“I didn’t have a chance to do laundry.”
“Mmhm. I’m sure that’s what happened.”
“You didn’t actually expect me to wear them just because you told me to, did you?”
“Actually, no. I like these blue shorts you’ve got on. Aren’t they a little tighter than the white ones?”
Phae inspected her fingernails. “I don’t think so.”
“Maybe they look tighter because your shirt isn’t so long. I like it, by the way. You look good in pink and it shows off your assets far better than those baggy t-shirts I’ve seen you wear.”
“If you’re trying to get a rise out of me, it’s working.”
“Why would I deliberately provoke a beautiful woman like yourself?”
“Because you’re a sexist pig?”
“Phae! You wound me. Has it occurred to you that maybe I’m just a run-of-the-mill horndog?”
She laughed and swatted his arm. “Shut up.”
“Maybe I like to get you wound up so I can see that evil glint in your eyes when you’re mad,” he said.
“In other words, you think I’m beautiful when I’m angry. I hate to tell you this, Romeo, but that’s trite.”
“I didn’t say it made you beautiful. Actually your skin gets kind of puffy, and your nostrils flare all crazy, and your face kind of scrunches in on itself. It’s not very attractive. If it weren’t for that wicked glint of yours, I’d recommend reserving your anger for your most private moments.”
“It’s a good thing I can tell you’re teasing, Kent Holmes, or I might punch you in your washboard stomach.”
Neesa’s voice rang out behind them. “I challenge you to a duel!”
Phae and Kent turned to the other pair.
James’ hands were raised. “Calm down, Neesa. All I said was that I’d win you a prize if you’d quit nagging me.”
“You called me childish! And by saying I was nagging, you mean I’m a shrew.”
James dropped his hands. “If the shoe fits, cuz.”
Neesa spun and beckoned to Phae. “Get over here, sister. You and I are gonna kick these Flintstone brothers’ asses.”
“What did I do?” Kent asked.
“You were born a man.”
Kent shrugged. “Can’t argue with that, I guess. What kind of duel are we talking about?”
“A gaming booth duel,” Neesa answered.
Kent snorted. “Fine, but you two wouldn’t stand a chance against James and me.”
Phae sauntered over to Neesa’s side. “Us little weaklings against two big strong fellows like you? We’d annihilate you.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you, Phae,” Kent said. “It’s just that James and I used to do well at these fairs when we were kids. We spent hours practicing at home.”
Neesa poked Phae in the ribs with her elbow. “Yeah, well, it’s been a long, long time since you two guys were kids. Way longer than us.”
Phae leveled a disdainful look at the two men. “Can’t you imagine them way, way back then? They probably strutted around like they owned the midway.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Neesa added. “I mean, that’s how they’re acting right now, so why should they have been any different back then?”
“What’s it gonna be, boys? Are you going to accept the challenge or are you going to beg off like a couple of chickens?” Phae grinned when she saw a muscle twitch in Kent’s cheek.
“I ought to wring your neck, James,” Kent grumbled. “All I wanted was a pleasant evening with a beautiful woman, but because you’ve got the diplomacy skills of a rabid rhino, I’m going to be forced to trounce Phae in this ridiculous contest. That’s not good news for my love life.”
Before Phae could respond, James said, “Good. You haven’t known her long enough to have a love life.” He glanced at Neesa. “I accept your challenge, child. But you said this was a duel, so I get to pick my second. I pick Phae.”
Phae smiled at Kent’s astonishment.
“What do you mean you pick Phae?” Kent asked.
At the same time, Neesa said, “You can’t have her.”
“It’s a duel. I can pick who I want,” James said.
Kent frowned. “What the hell? I’m better at these games than you are, and you’re throwing me over for Phae.”<
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Phae held up her hands for peace. “Okay, everybody. That’s enough. It’s going to be the women against the men and that’s that. No, James, don’t argue. Neesa and I are going to show you two who the weaker sex is. Tell them the rules, Neesa.”
James groaned but stopped short when Kent glared at him.
Neesa squared her shoulders. “All right, boys. Listen up. We’ll play one round each at eight different booths. James will go first, then me, then Kent, and lastly Phae. Each team will take turns picking the booth and whoever picks the booth, pays. Understand? Good. When we’re finished, we’ll put all the prizes in two piles and whoever has the biggest pile wins the challenge. Agreed?”
They all agreed.
“Since I made the challenge,” Neesa said, “you can pick first.”
Kent cocked an eyebrow. “Right here. The gun shoot.”
“Fine by me,” she said casually, but thinking ‘oh yeah’ inside.
James scowled. “I don’t think that’s a good choice.”
“For crying out loud, you’re a cop, James!” Kent said.
James shrugged. “Yeah, and I’m sure I could beat you hands down, but Phae—”
Phae quickly interrupted. “You’re up first, James.”
Kent yanked out his wallet and slapped some bills on the counter. “Go, James. Have some confidence. Buck up.”
“Buck up?” James grabbed up an air rifle and pumped it vigorously, the carnie giving him a hard look.
The rules of the booth were ten shots per play. The smaller the target, the bigger the prize. There were ten tiny ducks spinning on a wheel, and if a shooter managed to hit all ten, they won the grand prize, a giant stuffed dog propped on the highest shelf.
James aimed carefully and ended up hitting eight out of ten shots, not attempting to hit the spinning ducks. He selected the largest prize offered him, a hand-sized teddy bear.
Neesa only hit six of the larger targets, and hung her head as she accepted her prize, a key chain.
“Guess that explains why the coyotes keep getting the chickens out on your farm, Neesa,” James teased.
Neesa raised her nose in the air. “I don’t know that it’s coyotes getting them.”
“Neesa has a farm that she runs all by herself,” Phae told Kent proudly. “She grows all these organic vegetables and stuff for fancy restaurants.”
Kent looked impressed. “That would be hard work for a single woman, I’d think.”
“And she moonlights as a security guard at the college in Rollinsburg,” Phae added. “You don’t go around messing with Jones women, Kent. You might as well throw in the towel right now and save yourself some embarrassment.”
Kent smirked. “Nice try. You’re not going to rattle me. Give me that rifle. I’m going for the little ducks. Wish me luck.”
“Don’t do it,” James said. “You’ll never hit that little thing ten times in a row, not the way it’s jerking around.”
“It’s nice that you’ve got confidence in me,” Kent drawled.
“Go for it!” Neesa cheered, winking at Phae.
Phae admired the way Kent’s biceps flexed as he pumped then sighted the rifle. He turned to the side, his stomach muscles rippling under the fine lawn of his shirt.
She had more than enough time to enjoy his physique. He took forever to aim his shots. By the time he finished shooting, she was tapping her foot in annoyance.
“I got six out of ten ducks. What do I win?” Kent asked.
The worker dug under the counter and extracted a pair of fuzzy dice.
Kent dangled them in front of Phae. “Not bad. Your turn, my lady. Shall I show you how to pump the rifle?”
Phae waved him aside. “How’s my hair holding up, Neesa?” She lightly patted the back of her long braid.
“It’s perfect.”
“Are you sure? You know how I hate to shoot guns if my hair isn’t perfect.”
“Women,” Kent muttered. “Hurry up, Phae. We haven’t got all night.”
“Hard to believe you would rush me after you took like three hours to take ten shots.”
James nudged Kent. “Ignore her. She’s trying to rattle you.”
Phae shrugged, pretending that wasn’t exactly what she’d been trying to do. She turned to the man behind the counter. “Do you have ten rifles back there?”
“Sorry. Only got six.”
“Then let me see them.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Kent snapped.
“You said you wanted me to hurry,” she replied as she rapidly inspected the rifles. “This one’s no good,” she said, returning it to the worker. “And reset the spinning duck wheel, please.”
In quick succession, she pumped air into the five remaining guns then laid them neatly on the countertop.
“Do it, Phae,” Neesa called.
Phae carefully eyed the spinning ducks. It had been many years since she’d played this game. She took a deep breath. No problem. It’d come back to her. Muscle memory, like riding a bike.
One after the other, she raised the rifles to her shoulder, sighted and pulled the trigger. Then she re-pumped the guns and five more times she aimed and fired.
All the little ducks lay flat behind the spinning wheel.
Neesa cheered loudly, jumping up and down as Phae pointed to the gigantic, four-foot-tall yellow dog.
Phae took the stuffed animal from the flabbergasted carnie then turned to face an equally flabbergasted Kent.
“After the contest, I’ll give him to you, Kent,” she said. “I hope you know how to thank me appropriately.”
Chapter 8
“THAT WAS AMAZING,” KENT SAID, glancing at James. “I see why you wanted her to be your partner.”
James puffed out his barrel chest. “Tried to tell you. She knows all the tricks. An uncle on her mother’s side owns a carnival and taught her how to win these games. We’ve tried to get her to share her secrets, but she says her uncle made her promise not to tell.”
“I see,” Kent said. “So you’re cheating.”
“I’m not cheating,” Phae said. “It takes skill to do what I did.”
“Maybe, but by knowing what you do, you’ve got an unfair advantage.”
Neesa waggled a finger at him. “You’re jealous that she’s better than you.”
“That’s easy for you to say. She’s on your side. What you did was pick a ringer to settle your ridiculous argument with James.”
“Ridiculous argument?” Neesa’s voice raised in pitch, surprising Phae since Neesa was usually so easy-going. “Hey, you don’t have anything to complain about. You said you and James used to win a lot and that you practiced. So all three of you are good at this stuff and I’m not. I’m Phae’s handicap, and that makes this an even contest. Now quit acting like a baby and get on with it.”
Phae stared at her angry cousin, wide-eyed. “Damn, someone ate their Wheaties this morning. He’s kind of right about the cheating, though. There are tricks to some of these games if you want to beat them.”
“Yeah,” James said. “One year she was barred from the fair for winning too much.”
“And most of it I won for someone else,” Phae said. “I didn’t hear you complaining back then when I was only twelve and you were eighteen, begging me to win a gaudy necklace so you could give it to a twit you wanted to impress.”
James grinned. “That girl was kind of a twit.”
Kent ignored James and said to Phae, “So what are we going to do now that you’ve admitted you’re cheating?”
“I said you were kind of right about it, that there are tricks to help.”
“I don’t think that’s what you said, but semantics aside, we need to level the field somehow.”
“I won’t tell you my secrets,” Phae said. “I’d never break my promise to my uncle. This is all kind of dumb, anyway. Let’s forget the whole thing.”
“No!” the other three exclaimed in unison.
“I can’t believe this,” Ph
ae said. “Fine. There are a lot of games that are new since I was a kid. Like that water thing over there and the electronic gizmo that’s making all those pinging sounds. We’ll stick to games my uncle didn’t teach me about and that should make it fair for everyone. How’s that?”
The two men grumbled, looked questioningly at one another, then nodded their affirmation.
“Finally,” Neesa said. “Let’s go! We pick the duck pond next.”
“We do?” asked Phae. “But that’s just a game of luck.”
“I know.” She lowered her voice and whispered to Phae. “I’m going to get Sylvie to help us pick. You know how she claims to be psychic.”
“Please. She’s about as psychic as my big toe.”
“Yeah, well, I say it’s worth a shot.”
They walked off into the crowd, the two men so disgusted with the duck pond selection that they looked ready to bolt. Phae decided this alone was a good enough reason for Neesa to have picked the game.
She didn’t want to admit it, but Phae wanted to win this contest. She wished she weren’t so competitive, but she simply couldn’t help it.
In the past, she’d run off men with this type of behavior. She knew the smart thing would have been to play dumb at the shooting gallery. Instead, she’d allowed herself to react to Kent’s gibes and gave her best Annie Oakley impression.
What had it gotten her? Or more importantly, what had it cost? So far, Kent was still hanging around. But for how long?
She had a friend in high school who had all the boys traipsing after her as if she were a goddess. Phae used to watch her in amazement, because, frankly, this friend wasn’t a great beauty or anything. But the men thought she was gorgeous. Why?
After watching the girl for a while, Phae learned her secret: she played the helpless little female act. She was all fluttery lashes and compliments and carrying on about how strong and great the guys were. “Ooh, I wish I could do that as good as you do,” was a constant refrain.
Phae used to watch her coo and gush until she was so revolted she couldn’t take it anymore. That friend of hers was terrifically intelligent, extremely capable and had a biting wit. But she didn’t show a moment of any of it to the guys she dated.