Kate watched, arms folded, nodding slightly at the performance. Bravo,
Carol. She turned to Peter. “So, clock savior, how was your week?”
“Well. You look good. You must be making progress on the project?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She gave a noncommittal nod. He was being gracious, and
she liked it. Her hair was flopped the wrong way, and she wasn't wearing makeup. And now that she suddenly remembered that, she turned quickly. Oh, geez.
He made his way in but still stood. Polite.
Carol had returned from dropping off her precious two-dollar cargo. “Peter,
will we see you at the carnival tonight?”
He nodded. “I'll be there. Have to man the balloon booth. Pop a balloon, win
a prize.”
Too bad there wasn't a kissing booth, Kate thought haphazardly, then
squinted. Okay, easy. Must be the lack of sleep.
“Kate, why don't you come to the carnival tonight? You'll need a break, won't you?”
“Carnival?” she said in her best who me? tone.
“Yes, the Community Center Carnival. Remember, that's what the Thread
Heads were meeting about last time you were here? It's a fundraiser we do every
fall. This year it's for the wounded veteran's group. Peter will be there.”
As if that was supposed to be the clincher. “Well, I suppose maybe I can take
a break. For a few minutes.”
Peter was just standing there looking like a big gorgeous puppy, arms folded.
“Actually, I could use some help with the face painting booth,” Carol said.
“What time?” Kate asked. Well, she really would need a break later.
Anyway, she could hunker down all day tomorrow.
“Starts at seven,” Peter said.
Kate thought, then nodded. “Okay.”
“It's a date,” Carol said.
Kate glared at her.
“Good,” Peter said, heading back to the door. “Sorry, I've got to go. I still need to pick up the helium tank for the balloons.”
He wafted by, and Kate inhaled.
“Ladies,” he said, and let himself out.
“Such a nice man,” Carol said dreamily.
Kate sauntered over to her friend. “You know, he's single,” she said
suggestively. “Have you ever heard of May-December romances?”
That got her a swat. “Oh, stop. And thank you.”
“For what?”
“For agreeing to help. Gives you a chance to see some of the community
again.”
She hadn't thought of that. Mixing with the denizens of Golden Grove again?
She sighed. Well, it was for a good cause, and maybe it would give her some inspiration for her proposal. After all, that was at least part of why she'd decided to drive to Golden Grove and work here instead of Chicago this weekend, right?
“Are the men in Chicago as nice as him?” Carol asked.
