Page 41 of Small Town Daddy

A child bumped into me, giggling as she apologized, her small hands clutching a balloon shaped like a cartoon character. I smiled and continued, weaving through the throngs of people, each face a blur except for the one I sought.

"Come on, where are you?" I murmured to myself, the words lost in the carnival's lively chaos.

"Lucy, over here!" Marie's voice cut through the din, warm and welcoming. I spotted her behind the counter of The Daily Grind's pop-up booth, a bright smile lighting up her face. As I approached, she enveloped me in one of her signature hugs, all warmth and affection.

"You look absolutely radiant!" she exclaimed, pulling back to give me an approving once-over. Her eyes twinkled with mischief, noticing my sundress. "Got a hot date, or just trying to outshine the carnival lights?"

"Maybe both," I replied, unable to hide my grin. The truth was, Marcus had been on my mind since I left his place this morning. And the possibility of seeing him again set my heart racing.

"Well, if anyone can pull it off, it's you," Marie said with a wink, turning to fill my usual order. The comforting aroma of coffee mingled with the sweet scent of pastries, wrapping around me like a familiar embrace.

"Thanks, Marie," I said, accepting the steaming cup she handed me. We chatted briefly about the day's events, the bustling crowd, and plans for the autumn. It felt good to slide into easy conversation with someone who knew me so well.

Just as I took a sip, a presence appeared at my side, the proximity sending a jolt through me. I glanced up to find Marcus standing there, his expression unreadable but eyes twinkling with that playful glint I had come to adore.

"Fancy meeting you here," he said casually, though the suggestion of amusement colored his tone. He looked effortlessly handsome, his broad shoulders filling my vision and making the world blur at the edges.

"What a coincidence," I replied, matching his teasing energy.

Marie raised an eyebrow, expertly reading between the lines. "I'll leave you two to it," she smirked before turning to help another customer.

"Shall we?" Marcus gestured toward the lively chaos of the carnival beyond.

"Lead the way," I said, feeling a bubble of excitement rise within me.

We drifted from booth to booth, our laughter mingling with the carnival's vibrant soundtrack. At each stall, we tried our luck, our competitive banter punctuated by genuine enjoyment. A ring toss here, a dart throw there—none of it mattered except for the shared experience.

"You're terrible at this," I teased, nudging him with my elbow as yet another ball veered wide of its target.

"Hey, I'm just warming up," he retorted, feigning indignation. His smile was infectious, drawing my own in response.

"Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night," I shot back, reveling in the light-hearted exchange.

As the evening wore on, the atmosphere became even more enchanting. Strings of lights crisscrossed above us, casting a soft glow over the stalls and painting everything in hues of gold.

"This time I’m going to win something," Marcus said with certainty, nodding towards a booth promising oversized stuffed animals as prizes.

"I’ll believe it when I see it.”

The shooting gallery lights flickered, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on Marcus's focused face. I watched him intently, my heart racing with anticipation as he took aim. His hands were steady, his eyes narrowed in concentration. The crack of each shot rang out, echoing against the carnival cacophony. One by one, every target fell.

"Well, color me impressed," I said, unable to hide the admiration in my voice.

Marcus allowed himself a small smile. He turned to the booth operator, who gestured toward a lineup of prizes. Without hesitation, he plucked a plush teddy bear from its perch—a ridiculous thing with a big red bow—and turned to me with a flourish.

"For you, milady," he announced, offering it with a mock bow that was both chivalrous and teasing.

I laughed, the sound escaping before I could catch it. The bear was soft and silly, but something about the gesture made warmth bloom inside me. I hugged it close, feeling the plush fur against my skin. "Thank you," I murmured, meeting his gaze. There was a spark there, an unspoken connection that made the bustling fairground fade away for a moment.

"Anytime," Marcus replied. “Well, you know, anytime that there happens to be a carnival in town. So pretty much once a year.”

We moved along, the bear tucked securely under my arm, when a familiar voice cut through the crowd. "Look who it is!" It was Marcus’ firefighter brother, Brett. He was operating a grill. He wiped his hands on a towel, the smell of grilled food surrounding him like a welcoming cloud.

"Hey, Brett!" Marcus greeted, his tone lighter than I'd heard before.

"Didn't expect to see you two here together," Brett continued, a knowing grin spreading across his face.

"Small town, big surprises," I quipped, trying to match their ease, though the heat in my cheeks betrayed me.

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