Page 12 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
“He’s doing much better. Hoping to transfer him to the rehab center in a few days so he can start working on getting stronger to come home.”
“Oh, good.” The music starts to get a little louder, drawing everyone’s attention to the stage. “Did you bring a chair? You can come sit with us.”
When I told Gram I was coming to the pageant, she told me to grab one of the bag chairs out of the garage, but I didn’t know if I was staying long, so I didn’t. But I also don’t want to make Joy any more uncomfortable than I clearly did earlier. “I’m just here for a few minutes. Gotta work early tomorrow,” I tell her with a chuckle.
“Aww, well, if you change your mind, we’re over by the tree. You’re welcome to come sit with us.”
“I appreciate it,” I tell her as the stage lights brighten and everyone around us turns their attention to the mayor, who is about to do the customary welcome and officially kick off the festival.
“I’m sure we’ll see you around,” John says, reaching for Eve’s hand. “We plan to come out and pick out our tree tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there.”
With waves, they take off toward their spot in the crowd, and I’m left standing in the back, off to the side, out of the way. I listen as the mayor finishes his welcome and the master of ceremonies joins him on the stage. Margaret Hamilton has served as the emcee of the pageant since the very beginning. I’m not sure how old that makes her, but she still moves well and sounds exactly the same. The only difference is a slight limp with her left leg and her blond hair turned gray.
Four contestants start the competition while I finish off my cake pop. A few people still mill around the sidewalks, and my eyes are constantly scanning. I recognize a few people but have no clue who most are, especially the kids.
Movement catches my attention, and I immediately recognize the woman heading my way. Joy’s wearing a thick winter coat with some sort of faux-fur around the hood, a stocking cap with reindeer on it, and boots that look like she’s ready to hike the snow-covered mountains. “Hi,” she says with a shy grin.
“Hi,” I reply, slipping the stick from my cake pop into the bag and placing it in my coat pocket to discard later.
“How was it?” she asks, lifting her chin toward the cup in my other hand.
“Delicious,” I confirm, earning a gorgeous smile that lights up her green eyes.
“I’m glad you like it.” After a few awkward seconds, she asks, “Are you just going to stand back here and watch the pageant?”
I shrug and glance at the stage. “I don’t think I’m staying long.”
After another few seconds she drops her gaze and says, “I’m, uh, sorry Krista was so pushy earlier.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her.
“No, it’s not. Sometimes she tries to play matchmaker for me, and it’s really annoying. She got married two years ago and thinks I need to be just as deliriously happy as she is,” she mutters, sticking out her tongue.
“Which part made you get all weird? The deliriously happy or the trying to set you up with me?” I ask in a teasing tone, even though I’m not sure I’m teasing at all.
Her eyes turn serious as she looks me up and down for a brief moment. She clears her throat and looks away as she mutters, “Not the latter.”
A wave of excitement sweeps through me, and I can’t stop myself from smiling. “Was it my boyish good looks or my strong, handsome jawline?”
She snorts a giggle that makes my balls tighten. “Handsome jawline, Burkey Turkey? Really?”
I shrug. “I’ve been told it’s one of my best features.”
Joy shakes her head as she laughs before sobering. Leaning in she whispers, “Huh, I would have guessed your ass would be considered your best feature.”
All I can do is grin like a lunatic.
Clearing her throat, I catch a hint of a blush on her cheeks before she says, “Well, you might as well come over and sit with us for a bit. Come on, I have an extra chair.”
My legs are moving before my brain can even process what’s happening. “Do you want me to walk in front of you so you can check out my assets, Easy-Bake?” I tease, earning a giggle from the woman beside me.
“Smart-ass,” she mutters as we start to make our way through the masses of townspeople sitting in the park, watching the pageant.
When we approach the tree, I spot two free chairs sitting beside the rest of her family, and a wave of delight hits me hardin the chest. She did bring me a seat. “Look who’s here,” Joy announces quietly when we reach the tree.
“Burk!” Cindy bellows, jumping up from her seat and giving me a warm hug. When she pulls back, she adds, “Ray has been talking about you being back nonstop. It’s so good to see you.”
