Page 57 of Merry Mayhem
The audience applauds as Nora writes all the points on the board.
“Okay,” she says, turning back. “The relay race starts at ten o’clock sharp. Grab some breakfast and coffee, and we’ll see you back here. Well, at the statue,” she says with a laugh.
The relay race will start at the statue of Julia the Otter. Of course.
The audience disperses to the booths that have been set up with breakfast foods, coffee, and, of course, the cocoa stand that is open throughout the event.
The participants in the cookie decorating contest shrug out of their coats and mittens and head off for refreshment as well.
I look up at Josh. “We could’ve kicked butt at that contest and gotten all the points,” I tell him unnecessarily. “You’re an excellent cookie decorator.”
He sighs. “I should probably confess something to you as my teammate.”
I think I know where this is going. “And what’s that?”
“I’m not very competitive. I’m definitely a team player. And I like to help other people.”
I put my hand on my chest and gasp. “No. The firefighter and paramedic is a helpful, nice guy who doesn’t like to see other people struggle?”
He grins. “I’m going to struggle in the relay race and obstacle course against those two kids and the two older ladies.”
I like him so much.
“Well…”
He turns to face me fully. “What?”
“The only real objective is for Sam and Ashleynotto win.”
Josh’s eyes narrow, but his smile grows. “That’s true. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That we can help everyone except them? That we could make sure that they don’t win rather than worrying about winning ourselves?”
He nods. “Yes. I’m into that.”
“Then I think you should know something,” I tell him.
“What’s that?”
“I really want to kiss you right now.”
Heat flares in his eyes, and he takes a step closer. Too close. We cannot stand this close in public.
A point that is emphasized when Bruce and Harley come up behind me and say, “That was awesome.”
I straighten and turn quickly to greet them with a smile that is probably too bright. “Thanks. We had a good time.”
“You two are so good together,” Amanda Long says enthusiastically. “It’s so great that you get along so well since you’re going to be in-laws.”
I struggle to hold onto my smile.
They all think we’re going to bein-laws. Josh is going to be mybrother-in-law. Because he’s with mysister. Ugh. “Well, Josh is pretty hard not to like.”
Not a lie.
“You’re jumpin’ ahead there, Amanda,” Harley says with a chuckle. “Violet and Josh are just datin’. Don’t be scaring him off.”
Amanda laughs and waves that away. “As if marrying into your family would scare someone off.” She looks at us again. “Maybe the two of you need to keep being partners for Merry Mayhem in the future. Do you think your sister will let you borrow him?” she asks with a laugh.
