Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)

“What am I going to do with you?” he asked softly.

“A question for the ages.”

He leaned in and kissed her. “Mind if I stay the night?”

“Not at all.”

His mouth curved up in a smile. “You’re my kind of girl.”

Words that should have made her happy. The problem was, when it came to Rafe, she wanted more. She wanted to be everything to him. She wanted him to love her.

All wishing after the moon got a person was a pain in the neck. She’d heard that a lot when she was growing up. So, maybe tonight she would simply dream about the possibilities and leave the future to sort itself out.

* * *

RAFE WOKE SOMETIME BEFORE dawn to the sound of trucks rumbling into the yard. He realized several things at once. He was naked, he was in Heidi’s bed and he had an erection. The facts were equally interesting to him, especially if he could take advantage of all of them at the same time. Unfortunately, the noise from outside seemed more pressing.

Heidi sat up and rubbed her eyes. “What is that?”

“I was about to find out.”

He got out of bed and pulled on his jeans, then crossed to the window.

The faintest sliver of light glowed in the east. The night was clear and probably would have been still, except for the sound of trucks and a beep-beep-beep as one of them backed up to make room for the rest.

Heidi joined him, tightening a robe around herself. She stared at the large truck, then grinned.

“They’re here!”

“Who? Or what?”

She gave him a quick hug, then ran to collect her clothes. “The carnival!”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

HEIDI BURST OUT THE BACK DOOR of the house and down the steps, into the arms of her friends. She was literally squeezed from all sides, hugged and passed on to the next person, not exactly sure who was holding her close, but feeling safe and cared for every second.

“Look at you. Still so pretty.”

“Are you taller? Aren’t you too old to be getting taller?”

“I’ve missed you, Heidi.”

“How do you like living like a townie? Ready to come back to the carnival?”

The last question came from Glen’s friend Harvey, who held on a little longer than everyone else.

“You’re good?” she asked the old man.

He nodded. “Got a checkup just last week. The cancer’s gone.”

News that made her current troubles seem insignificant by comparison.

The back door opened again and Glen came out, trailed by a nervous-looking May.

“My friends and family,” Glen said, holding open his arms. He paused, then motioned for May to join him. “You probably won’t believe this, but I think I’ve found the one.”

“Took you long enough,” Harvey yelled.

Glen chuckled. “Everyone, this is May Stryker. May, my family.”

Heidi crossed her arms over her chest and shivered in the cool morning air. Not that she was interested in going inside. Watching the reunion was nearly as fun as being a part of it.

Madam Zoltan, otherwise known as Rita, joined her. “It’s good to see you.”

Heidi hugged her. “I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

“Not enough to come back and join us.”

“I like living in one place.”

Rita, formerly a natural redhead, arched her penciled, auburn brows. “You’ve become one of them.”

“Not really, but I do like the stability. I always wanted a home that didn’t have wheels.”

“Now you have it.”

Heidi hoped that was true. After all, the case hadn’t been decided yet, and the judge could rule against her. But, thanks to her increase in sales, her bank balance was steadily climbing. If the caves could be declared sacred Máa-zib land, that would help, too.

Rita linked arms with her. “So who’s the guy?”

Heidi followed her gaze and saw Rafe had come out of the house. He stood on the porch, all tall and sexy in his jeans and shirt. She found herself wanting to walk over to him and introduce him as someone important to her.

“He’s May’s son. He’s staying here for a while.” Heidi thought about the circumstances. “It’s complicated.”

“The best ones usually are.” Rita looked at her. “Is it serious?”

“Not for him,” Heidi said lightly, and forced a smile. “Wish I could say the same.”

Her friend squeezed her arm. “Want me to read his fortune and tell him he’s going to wake up as a frog one morning?”

“While I would enjoy that, I’m not sure he would believe you.”

Rita smiled at her. “Too bad. I do love the believers.”

“How long are you in town? I know the festival runs through the weekend.”

“Just four days. This is a short stop for us. We’ll be on our way Tuesday morning.”

“Then I’d better get my visiting done in a hurry,” Heidi teased.

Rita pointed to where the goats had collected by the fence. They were watching everything with interest. “Look at these wonderful girls! Are you going to introduce me?”

“Sure. I’ll even let you milk one if you want.”