Page 18 of This Kind of Forever
Immediately, we’re thrust into the throng. A lot of cottagers use this weekend as their last hurrah before they pack up for the winter, so most of the people here aren’t locals.
We walk along a stretch full of food trucks and tents, where vendors are selling their wares. Carole has a booth set up for the gallery, and she waves as we pass by. Then Abbie is grabbing my hand, dragging me toward the colourful lights of the midway.
“I’ve only ever been to the fair once,” Hallie says at my side. A scream coming from a nearby ride cuts through the air, and she winces. “I forgot how loud it is.”
My brows raise in surprise. “Really? That was your first time, when we went in grade twelve?”
She nods as she fiddles with her yellow wristband, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah. It was too overwhelming for Pops, and my mom…” She trails off. “Well, her idea of fun was anything but spending time with me.”
Hallie’s strained relationship with her mother is by no means a secret. Still, every time Hallie mentions parts of her upbringing like that, it damn near breaks my heart.
“Strawberries!” Abbie squeals, cutting off our conversation. “Let’s do that one first!”
I share a look of commiseration with Hallie as I let my daughter pull me to the back of the line. I hate these damn spinning strawberries, and I know Hallie does, too. After she finished making out with her boyfriend, Clara made us ride them the last time Hallie came to the fair. We both came away with pounding headaches.
Thankfully, Abbie doesn’t know that the wheel in the middle of our car can control how fast you spin. I don’t volunteer thatinformation as we settle into our seats. Instead, I let her enjoy the default pace of the ride and try to avoid looking outside our car to avoid motion sickness.
“You’re looking a little green over there, Bowman,” Hallie teases.
I grimace. “The rides are admittedly not my favourite. I don’t love being tossed around.”
“But you suggested the Ferris wheel last time! Why’d you do that if you didn’t want to go on it?”
Simple—I wanted to be close to her. For just a little while. And that led to me almost kissing her. I can’t say that, though, so I skirt the truth.
I shrug. “I thought you’d have fun.”
Soon after, the ride ends, much to my relief. Abbie is grinning as she hops out of the big, metal strawberry. I’m slow to follow.
Hallie glances at me in concern. “Maybe you should sit the next one out. I really don’t mind riding with her.”
I arch a brow. “I didn’t peg you as an adrenaline junkie.”
With a laugh, she points toward Abbie’s next ride of choice: a small rollercoaster styled like a dragon. “After this, I might go skydiving.”
The rollercoaster is rather tame, but watching the way it makes my baby girl light up, it’s worth its weight in gold. And when I look at the woman sitting beside her, my heart nearly stops working altogether. Hallie’s smile has always been breathtaking, but right now, she looks so carefree. The tension that seems to always rest in her shoulders is nowhere to be found. She looks so happy with the wind whipping her hair behind her, and damn, is she beautiful.
What I wouldn’t give to see that expression on her face every day.
After the roller coaster, Abbie starts tugging us along to our next destination. If she had it her way, she’d tackle every ride and rigged game in the place.
“Oh, can we getthose?” Abbie asks, stopping short. Her eyes are wide as she points toward the funnel cake stand.
I turn to Hallie. “Apparently we’re getting funnel cake. Do you want one?”
She chews on her lip as she contemplates, and then she nods. “Yeah, I think I do.”
The line moves quickly, and soon it’s our turn. I step up to the window and order a cake to share with Abbie, because those things are almost the size of her head and she doesn’t need that much sugar in one evening. Then I step aside and ask, “Which one do you want?”
Hallie shakes her head. “I can get my own.”
I hand a twenty to the teenager manning the register. “Don’t take her money.”
She huffs as she rolls her eyes. “Gabriel.”
I grin. “There’s a line forming behind you, Foster. Better make it quick.”
When she looks over her shoulder and realizes I wasn’t lying, she quickly places her order and then steps to the side. She crosses her arms as she bumps me with her shoulder, glaring softly at me. I laugh, throwing my arm around her and tugging her against my side.
