I sit up a little straighter and my mouth waters. This is my first time getting to see the fair. “They have funnel cakes?”
“Oh yeah.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“The husbands can meet us there.” I drop the book onto the table before polishing off my root beer and getting to my feet. “How long has Shaw been gone?” Damn it. I’m supposed to wait for him, but it’s only down the road.
“Not too long ago.” Kayla gets up with me. “But I’m down for them meeting us there.”
“Where is your shadow?” I grab my purse. “Do you think his badge could get us to cut lines?”
“We’ll have to see.” She pulls out his badge and I burst into laughter. She has already thought this out. “Joe is at the station and told me to call him when I’m ready.”
“Let’s roll. I’ll text mine on the way.”
I head out the front door and lock it behind us. We both text our men letting them know where we’ll be and follow the smell of powdered sugar and cake.
“Did you ever think six months ago this would be our life?” I rest my hand on my stomach. You can’t really see much of the bump since my overalls cover it more than normal.
“Both married with babies? Sure, we’re catches.” She touches her shoulders to mine as we walk to the end of the main street where the fair is.
“No wonder my place was dead today. Everyone is here.” The fair is in full swing and not only is most of the town here, but so are a bunch of people I’ve never seen before.
“Out of the way.” Kayla holds up the badge and I shake my head at her. People actually move out of the way and I have to fight back the laughter. “Someone tell us where to find the funnel cake and no one gets hurt.”
“Does Joe know you got his badge?”
“Shut it, Larry. You glare at people and don’t talk,” she fires back and I shake with laughter while Larry goes back to glaring at us.
“I’ll help you ladies find it.” A man steps in front of us and he looks to be about my age. He’s dressed casually, so I don’t know if he’s at the fair for fun or working it. Doesn’t matter, he knows where the fried batter is.
“Did he call us ‘ladies’?” Kayla whispers loudly to me.
“This is trouble,” I whisper back.
“But it’s for funnel cake.” She makes a good argument. “We’d be delighted if you showed us the way.”
The man laughs, thinking we’re joking around as Kayla puts the badge away. “It’s right this way. My friend actually makes them.” He motions for us to follow him.
“You work for the fair?” I ask, making small talk.
“Yeah, for a few years now.” We follow him through the crowd of people. “Best part of a fair is the food. I’m going to treat you both to funnel cake.” He winks at me but maybe it was grass or something in his eye.
“You can just have funnel cake whenever you want. You’re living the dream.” Kayla lets out a long dreamy sigh.
“You know if you want you can make it at home. It’s somewhat of a mess, but it can be done.”
When we get to the funnel cake stand there’s no line.
“I don’t need that kind of power or knowledge,” Kayla says, as serious as I’ve ever heard her.
The guy grabs two plates and hands each of us one. I pull off a piece, digging into mine, and Kayla does the same.
“This is so good,” I moan around my bite. “I love powdered sugar.” I shove another bite into my mouth while it’s still hot and gooey.
“I bet you taste like sugar.”
I don’t really catch what the guy says at first since my mind is focused on sugary goodness. Then his hand comes up to brush a hair off of my face and I freeze. Before I can step back a strong hand grabs the man around his wrist and I stare in shock. I know that hand.
“Don’t touch my wife,” Shaw barks as he flings the man’s hand back at him so hard he almost falls on his ass. Then Shaw looks down at me. “I can’t leave you alone for twenty minutes?” He puts my coat over my shoulders before he fishes out a twenty and drops it on the table next to the stand.
“They’re free,” Kayla informs Shaw.
“Nothing is free,” Shaw replies, and I see Joe in the distance.
“Here comes Joe,” I warn.
“Crap.” Kayla shoves the funnel cake into her mouth faster.
“Get lost,” Shaw barks at the man, who is still standing there. He jumps like he’s been electrocuted and takes off. The girl making the cakes laughs.
“I’ve never seen Sean strike out before.” That doesn’t help the tic in Shaw’s jaw.