Page 27 of Something Old

ChapterNine

They pedaled into town, only to encounter blocked roads and swarms of people walking on the streets. They pulled off at the Rusty Anchor and stashed the bikes in the back and walked to the boardwalk. Signs for the Fall Extravaganza were displayed all over the place. As they approached the fenced-off area, Ethan realized it wasn’t going to be as easy as he had first thought. The amusement park was wall-to-wall people, lines for rides, food and games. The first three items on the list were going to be a lot more challenging than expected.

Dinner receipt

Picture on the roller coaster

Prize from the boardwalk

Delaney sighed next to him, apparently realizing the same thing. According to the rules, they had to stay together, no separating for any task. While no one would probably know, it was a matter of pride to win by the rules, even if he bent them once in a while.

He turned to Delaney and put his hands on her shoulders. “Okay, here’s the plan.”

“Wait. Why do you get to set the plan? Why can’t I come up with the plan? Women can come up with plans too, you know.”

He closed his eyes, resisting the urge to shake her. “Delaney, we don’t have time for this. Do you have a plan?”

She looked indignant. “Not exactly. I’d like to be consulted.”

“I am consulting you. Do you want to beat Anna or not?” He played the strongest card he knew. “Besides, any time you came up with our plan, we lost. Badly. We’ve already lost thirty minutes and, trust me, none of those lines will be short. So, we don’t have time for you to be stubborn, okay?”

She sniffed, folded her arms across her chest, and looked away. “I’d just like to be a partner. You never saw me as a partner, but as someone who did everything you said.”

He stared at her. Was she seriously having a relationship discussion now? “Jesus, Delaney. You really are the queen of bad timing. You never said you had a problem with it before.”

“Maybe you never asked.”

He rolled his eyes and counted to ten mentally. “How about I outline my plan and you tell me what you think?”

She pursed her lips and glanced over at him, then nodded.

“We grab food, hot dog or something quick and handy. Eat in line for the roller coaster for pictures. Then we can scope out games to win.”

“I hate roller coasters.”

“Take it up with Caroline. We both do it or we lose. Your choice, princess.”

She nodded. He grabbed her hand and tugged her into the park entrance. They bought tickets for food and rides, tucking the receipt in Ethan’s pants. Then they stared at the food row. Delaney curled her lips, and Ethan smiled.

“Not fancy enough for your palette?”

She darted a devilish glance at him. “I’m not the fancy vintner with your fancy wines and big events. I’m worried that this might be a little too unrefined for your usual tastes.”

“Fancy? This coming from the woman who wouldn’t even drink bottled water unless it was a specific European brand?” He snorted. “Honey, I spend more time digging in dirt than eating fancy food. I’m a farmer, not a desk jockey. Not anymore.”

She eyed him, almost as if seeing him for the first time, her heated gaze roaming down his body in a considering look. “I can see that. You look good, Ethan. Real good. You sure you want to spoil that with a po’boy? Because that’s what I’m having.”

He smirked. “Remember, we have to get on that roller coaster after eating. And a po’boy could be messy. You think you can handle the mess?”

Uncertainty crossed her face as she watched the screaming people on the wooden roller coaster. “Maybe we should eat after.”

His gaze followed hers. “It’ll take more time.”

“It’ll take more time if we get sick,” she pointed out. “So? Can you handle a change to the plan?”

He shrugged. “Fine by me.”

They walked toward the roller coaster. She slipped her hand in his, surprising him with the strength of the grip. Was it strength or fear? He couldn’t remember a time when she’d ridden any of the rides, except for the carousel, and barely that. God forbid she was ever not in control of herself. Ethan remembered Delaney’s mother lecturing her often enough about decorum, and their last year on the island, Delaney even spouted the same words when he tried to get her to go on one of the rides, saying a Winters should never be seen screaming like one of the ordinary citizens. Especially if a picture was taken at the end. She had sounded so much like her mother, so repressed and controlled. It was chilling and had made him wonder what the rest of their lives would be like. Then everything went to hell, and he never found out.

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