“Hi, Rider,” she greeted before she reluctantly acknowledged the man standing quietly. “Lucky.” Jerking her arm away from Curt’s tight grip that she was sure would leave a bruise, she tried to step around Lucky and Rider. “I need to find Caroline. I’m afraid she managed to escape from me.”
Willa didn’t slow down, trying to put as much distance between her and Curt as possible. Why was it every overbearing person in Treepoint tried to overpower her? Did she have a freaking sign on her back that told them she was a coward?
“Let us help you find her,” Rider offered.
“That’s not necessary. I have it under control,” Willa said without turning around.
“That’s not what it seems like to me.”
She ignore Lucky’s snide comment, blinking away frustrated tears. Why did she have to always make a fool of herself in front of him?
Willa released a sigh of relief when she saw Winter with Caroline as they walked in a circle while music played. As the melody came to a stop, the two stood on the last available circle, winning the cake walk.
Winter laughed, picking Caroline up and tossing her into the air. “You’re my good luck charm.”
The girl squealed in laughter when Winter caught her.
“Thank God you found her. I was worried sick.”
Winter took the cake she had won. “Caroline’s been helping me win one of your cakes.”
“Thank you, Winter.”
“I’m going to share my winnings with my partner.” Winter gave Caroline a wink.
“I don’t think she deserves it for leaving my side.” Seeing that Winter was about to protest, she relented. “I have several cupcakes at home. I’ll give her one of those. You keep the cake for yourself and Viper.”
“I’ll take you up on that. I’ll be lucky to save Viper a slice when the other members find out I won it. All the men tried to win it as soon as they saw it was chocolate on chocolate.”
“Would you like me to hold it for you?” Rider asked, greedily eyeing the cake.
“Over my dead body.” Winter pulled the cake closer to her. “I’m going to lock this beauty away in my office until I’m ready to go home. Want to help me, Caroline?” Winter held her hand out, and the girl took it. “I’ll keep her with me and let her play a few games if that’s all right, Willa?”
“Are you sure? She can be a handful,” Willa warned.
“I deal with The Last Riders every day. Caroline will be a breeze compared to them.” Winter moved away with Caroline obediently walking beside her. Willa wished she handled her as easily.
Winter bent to place Chrissy on her feet. Straightening, she saw both Lucky and Rider gaping at her. Glancing down, she turned bright red at seeing her top button had come loose when she had been carrying the child. When she had leaned over, she had flashed the men a generous view of her breasts.
Clutching Chrissy’s hand in one of hers, she tried to button her top with her other hand.
“Where are the other three tonight?” Lucky’s hoarse voice had her taking an involuntary step backward.
“Charlie is with his friends at one of the booths, and Leanne and Sissy are both at home. They said they were too old for school carnivals.”
“Neither volunteered to help you with their cousins?”
“You know teenagers …” Willa began to defend the two older girls.
“Yes, I do, and they’ll take advantage if you let them.” Lucky’s eyes were still pinned to her trembling fingers trying to button her blouse.
“I wanted to give them some free time.” His nerve-wracking observation of her fumbling attempts made her even clumsier.
“Exactly when was the last time you had any?” He took a step forward, brushing her hand away then fastening the button for her.
Her mind went blank as she stared into his hazel eyes. “Wh-What?”
“Free time?” This time, a small smile played on his sensuous lips.
“Oh.” Reason gradually returned when Lucky reached down, picking up Chrissy and placing her in Rider’s surprised arms.
“Keep her occupied. We’ll be back in an hour,” Lucky told Rider before taking Willa’s arm.
“Wait. I can’t just leave her with him.”
“Why not? He’ll take good care of her.” Lucky hustled her through the crowd toward one of the booths.
Willa stared down at the rubber ducks going in a circle of water, dumbfounded at Lucky planning to spend an hour with her. She had never managed to be in his presence for five minutes without feeling awkward. An hour would be torture.
Lucky handed the girl behind the table a dollar. “Pick one.” He motioned at the innocuous yellow ducks.
“Why?” Willa asked in confusion.
“For fun. Do you even know what fun is?”