Page 17 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“I love your hat!” Lily says. She rushes up to give Mia a hug, and my heart warms at how close the two girls have already become. They hold hands as they follow us into the carnival.

This isn’t some roadside attraction with a questionable safety record, mind you. This is a carnival built to last. It’s themed around dragons and an enchanted forest, promising hours of entertainment and plenty of rides to satisfy any grade-school child.

I’m sure Noah will test that promise.

I buy the tickets and pass out the wristbands to each child. Ollie whines again, thinking the wristband means he has to get on the scary rides. But Sarah reassures him with a gentle pat on the back.

“I don’t like scary rides, either. So if the big kids want to go on them, then you and I will sit and watch them together. Is that okay?” Sarah asks

Ollie nods quickly with a big smile, then asks to take her hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t know you disliked roller coasters,” I whisper to her. That puts a small dent in the date.

“Oh, I actually do! But I like making kids feel safe more. Don’t worry about it,” she says. “Mia wants to try one of the big coasters, but she’s nervous. I think she’ll feel safer if she’s with you anyway.”

That sounds like a pretty solid plan to me, but I make a mental note to give her a chance to ride the coasters, too, if she wants. But for now, we start off small, with something all of the kids are practically screeching to do: pony rides.

The ponies are decked out in medieval-looking finery, each with a different color scheme, and the kids are encouraged to pick which one they like best. Lily sticks her nose up at the pink pony and fights Noah for the right to the green one.

“Hey!” I call, getting their attention. The attendant is looking a little miffed at the argument. “Settle it the way we always settle things.”

Thus, after a rousing game of rock, paper, scissors, Lily wins and Noah is stuck with the blue pony.

“That’s genius,” Sarah says while observing the game. “I don’t know why I never thought of that.”

“It only works about half the time,” I sigh. “The other half, someone plays scissors into their sibling’s eyes.”

“Oh, no!” Sarah snorts out a laugh and slaps her hand over her mouth. “I don’t know how you manage with three. I can barely handle two.”

I look down at her with surprise. “What? You’re doing an amazing job.”

Sarah looks back up at me, lowering her sunglasses and giving me a warm, gentle smile. Then she stands on her toes and lays a soft kiss on my lips.

“Thank you,” she whispers. But the quiet moment is quickly interrupted before it can go any further, as Ethan starts screeching in terror when his pony begins walking forward. “Ethan, honey, it’s okay! Just hold on to the saddle!”

“I don’t wanna anymore. I’m scared. Please, can I get down?” Ethan sobs, bending over and grabbing onto the pony’s reins. The attendant walks over to use and unlocks the gate.

“Would either of you like to walk with him?” she asks.

“I will,” I state firmly. I see an opportunity to bond with the young man and take it.

“Are you sure? We can just get him down and –”

“No, it’s fine,” I say reassuringly. “Get out your phone and take some photos.” Sarah nods and does so while I walk over to Ethan.

“You need to sit up straight so you have a balanced center of gravity.” I correct Ethan’s posture as the ponies begin their incredibly slow stroll in a circle.

“What if he kicks me off?” Ethan asks, voice wavering and tears threatening to fall from his red eyes.

“Well, let’s ask him not to. Let’s see, the saddle says his name is Buttercup. Let’s give him a nice pet and ask him not to kick you off.”

Ethan does so, and the pony responds with a snort and a whinny.

“What did he say?” Ethan asks.

Does he think werewolves can talk to animals?

“That you’re safe with him,” I say. I give Ethan another pat on the back, and suddenly his confidence has returned. The pony ride adventure is saved.

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