Something primitive broke open inside Taylor, and he realized that it wasn’t the vulgar prizes that were to be won that made men play this game but it was a man exhibiting his skill to win a woman. In the years since coming to the Caulden Ranch, Taylor had almost forgotten his past, all those years of struggling to put himself through school. One of his early jobs had been working at night in a carnival just like this one. He would take over for anyone who, for some reason or other, couldn’t work that night. He’d worked in every booth, on every ride, in every fake exhibit.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a nickel.
“Taylor,” Amanda said, “you really don’t have to do this. I have no desire to own one of those…those…”
“Kewpie dolls,” Hank supplied. “Afraid he’ll lose and embarrass you?” he asked softly.
“He hasn’t lost anything to you yet,” she answered, but she held her breath. She didn’t really want Taylor to make a fool of himself.
Taylor knew the trick was that the bottom row of bottles were weighted heavily. When he’d worked for the carnival, he’d had to demonstrate to the audience that the bottles could be knocked down.
Easily, he knocked all three sets of bottles down, and Amanda, with a triumphant look at Hank, chose a purple-feathered doll.
“Shall we try the shooting gallery?” Taylor asked Hank. “Or do you use only brute force and not skill?”
“Try me,” Hank said.
“I’m not sure—” Amanda began, but the two men stalked ahead of the women. Amanda gave Reva a weak smile and looked at the garish, fragile doll. “It is kind of cute, isn’t it?”
“Which? Their idiocy or the doll?”
“Definitely the doll,” Amanda answered.
The men went from one booth to another. Hank had to work harder, because he had no inside information on how to win the games, but he tried as if he were competing for his life. Taylor won at the booths that required skill and knowledge, but Hank beat him badly at the strength test. He made the bell ring, shoved a stuffed animal into Reva’s full arms, then rang it a second time to win an animal for Amanda—but she refused to accept it.
By nine o’clock the women were weighted down with dolls, stuffed animals, plates, ugly little cups and saucers, and “surprise” packages. The two men prowled ahead of them like lions on the hunt.
When they’d covered every booth, the men turned and glared at each other.
“May we please take these things back to the car?” Amanda asked. “And if it’s all the same with you, Taylor, I’d like to go home. I can feel a raging headache coming on.”
Reva stood there, her arms full to brimming, and looked from one man to the other. She didn’t think that Amanda had any real idea of what was going on, but Reva did. She was sure that Taylor had been winning prizes for her—not Amanda. She’d seen the way Taylor had glanced in her direction every time he won. He’d shoved the prize into Amanda’s arms but it had been Reva he had looked at.
I think I may be in love with him, Reva thought with horror. He was completely wrong for her—he had no money at all—and she figured he’d never in his life marry someone like her, but right now she wanted to leave the carnival and be with him. Don’t do it, she told herself. He needs money as much as you do, and he’ll sell himself by marrying Amanda so he can get t
he Caulden Ranch. But before he married Amanda, she meant to have him.
Reva doubled over as if in pain, dropping most of the gaudy prizes.
“What’s wrong?” Amanda asked, trying to free an arm to help Reva.
Taylor was there instantly, his arms supporting Reva.
“Just a stomachache. I think I better go home.”
“Come on, then,” Hank said reluctantly.
Reva groaned and clutched her stomach. “The ride in that little car of yours! I hope it doesn’t make me sicker.” She looked at Taylor, saw the interest in his eyes.
“I’ll take her home,” Taylor said. “She can stretch out in the back of my car.”
“But I hate to ruin everyone’s fun.” Her eyes locked with Taylor’s and she sensed that he understood her meaning.
Taylor straightened, and when he looked at Amanda he was her teacher once again. “Amanda, I am going to escort Miss Eiler to her home, but it is not necessary to ruin your evening. You may stay, and Dr. Montgomery, I’m sure, will drive you home.” He didn’t wait for an answer from either of them. “Here, Miss Eiler, let me carry those things for you. Good night, Amanda, and don’t stay out too late.” He started walking away with Reva beside him.
Amanda gritted her teeth. “I should have blackened both her eyes when I had a chance,” she said angrily.
Hank was laughing. “What’s the matter? Somebody steal your boyfriend?”