“Sure.” They started toward the ride, Paige falling in beside him. He didn’t understand all he was feeling, but at least it wasn’t completely one-sided.
They walked over well-worn grass littered with crushed tickets and candy-apple sticks. It brought a sudden memory of being young, his feet pounding dry fairground dirt, an abandoned chunk of cotton candy stuck to the bottom of his shoe. He’d run on both feet that day, from ride to ride, booth to booth.
It struck him that today he was doing something he’d done before the accident and enjoying it just as much. Maybe more. There was something about Casey looking at him with her sky-blue eyes and Paige’s rare, carefree moments that made him feel not quite so knocked down. Enough that the tight bands of guilt around his heart loosened just a bit.
From their place in line, the three of them watched the ride. As it picked up speed, the small seats hanging from chains flew out from a center that was lit up with gold lights.
“This one’s just for kids,” Paige was saying. “You’ll have to go by yourself, Case.”
Casey studied the ride for a long moment, then turned her gaze to him for reassurance that warmed his heart.
“Looks fun to me,” he said.
“Me too. I can do it.”
Paige didn’t look so sure as they shuffled closer to the front. Their turn came and he let Casey point out the seat she wanted and he helped her in. He’d never given much thought to fair-ride inspections. Until now.
He checked the chains and how they were attached, pressed hard against the seatback and looked up to the top.
Paige waited beside him. “Is it okay?”
“Yeah. It’s good. Just wanted to make sure she was in.” They stepped back and a young attendant made his rounds, checking that each child was secure. When the employee moved to the next kid, JT went back to Casey.
“I checked it,” the guy said.
“Right,” JT answered. “And I’m checking it again.”
“Parents have to wait there. Behind that rail.”
“I got that.” He turned his attention back to Casey. “You good?” She nodded and bumped knuckles with him. “Stay here when it stops and I’ll come and get you.”
He and Paige moved to their designated spot among a line of parents holding up their phones for pictures or videos. A few of them even had real cameras. He noticed Paige had neither. His mom hadn’t gone anywhere without hers. Maybe he’d get Paige a camera.
Casey waved as the ride started a slow rotation until she was out of sight.
Paige leaned to the right and left. “I don’t see her, do you?”
“Not yet.” They were so close her shoulder brushed his arm. Her side pressed against his every time she leaned to the left.
Seconds passed.
“I still don’t see her,” she said. The ride turned so slowly it seemed forever before she came back into view. Casey smiled and waved, her foot dangling two feet off the ground now.
It made another cycle and again the wait.
“Do you think she’s big enough for this?” Paige’s voice was laced with concern.
“Yes. She’ll be fine.” But even as he said it, his stomach tightened. Relatively speaking, it was a small-children’s ride, but it was high and she was so little. She passed a few more times as the ride picked up speed and the swings flew out.
Squinting against the sun, he stood side by side with Paige and searched each face that flew by.
“There!” He pointed as Casey passed, holding on to the chain of her swing with one hand and waving madly with the other.
“She loves it.” Paige released an anxious sigh beside him. “It’s not her leg. I’m just not big on heights. Or fast things. I hope she doesn’t puke,” she added with a soft laugh.
“Puking’s kind of a fair rite of passage, isn’t it?”
She gave him a sideways glance. “I could do without that rite.”
They continued watching for Casey, waving each time she went past.
After a minute, Paige’s attention was still on the ride, but his was on her.
“This is so great,” she said, almost with a sigh.
It was great. Paige, happy and smiling, a noticeable weight lifted off her shoulders. Several pale strands had slipped free from her ponytail to curve at her cheekbones. It was impossible not to want her. Impossible not to fantasize about pulling her hair down and running his fingers through the hair he knew to be silky soft, or imagine dragging his lips along her damp neck. Her sundress was held up by the tiniest straps, delicate like she was, and he imagined with just the slightest effort he could slip them off her shoulders. Damn. He needed to think about something else.
“Casey had a few things to say about kindergarten,” he said.
“Really?” She looked at him, surprised. “Like what?”
“I think her exact words were, ‘I’m going to scream,’ and then something about fire trucks coming.”
“Oh Lord.” Paige half laughed, then ran her hands over her face. “It’s really out of character for her to be so nervous. She’s not usually shy or hesitant.”