Then her eyes lit up.
“Shall we go see if she’s here? We can cheer her on. Maybe she’ll even win a ribbon! We should get good seats so she can see thatyou and Iare rooting for her.”
Collin’s gut twisted. That was it. That was the goal. She wanted Dragonfly to see them together—to look likea couple. Parade him around like a prize goose and see what kind of reaction it stirred.
Before he could backpedal, Stella sprang to her feet and grabbed his hand. Her grip was firmer than expected, her expression bright with resolve. Whatever she was after, she wasn’t letting go.
Even if she had to drag him, she’d have her way.
Some merciful god must’ve finally heard his silent pleading—because salvation appeared.
Collin’s face lit with agenuinesmile for the first time all morning.
Stella, mistaking it for joy at her company, visibly swelled. She gave his hand an eager squeeze and tugged him forward like a girl about to waltz off with the man of her dreams.
But Collin didn’t budge. He pulled his hand free with a little more force than necessary and waved high above his head. “Logan! Over here!”
Logan spotted him and cut a winding path through the crowd. “Oh, Collin, thank the gods. I’ve been wandering around forever. You wouldn’t believe—someone actually tried to sell me a—”
Collin stepped in before Logan could ruin the moment. “Logan, welcome to our glorious autumn celebration. You’re in luck.” He turned toward Stella, radiant with mock sincerity. “Let me introduce you to one of our finest Daughters of Venus—Stella. Dancer, goddess-in-training, inspiration to artists.”
Stella crossed her arms. Her expression was ice wrapped in velvet. If looks could immolate, Collin would already be ash.
Unbothered, he summoned his most dazzling smile. “Stella, it’s been a delight—but I’m afraid I must leave you in excellentcompany. Logan here would bethrilledto accompany you through the fair.”
Before either of them could protest, Collin gave Logan a firm nudge in her direction and took a decisive step back. Go, go, please be charming, Logan. Use your face and your voice. Say something poetic about shoes.
To his relief, Logan rose like a prince from a storybook. He offered a fluid bow, then extended his arm with a polished grace that made Collin want to laugh.
“So lovely to meet you, Stella,” Logan said smoothly. “The Daughters of Venus—I’ve heard of them, of course, but never had the honor. You must train constantly to move so effortlessly. Do tell me more.”
Collin nearly laughed out loud. Stella didn’t look thrilled, but she also didn’t stab him—too busy answering Logan’s rapid, admiring questions to glare daggers his way.
As he slipped into the crowd, free at last, Collin glanced over his shoulder and tossed Logan a grateful wink.
Maybe they’d hit it off. Or maybe Logan would end up cursed. Either way, he owed Logan a drink.
Collin made his way to the livestock rings, which were already packed with eager onlookers. There were several rings in operation—he’d need to check them all.
He shoved his way to the front of the nearest ring, pressing up against the rail. He quickly scanned the lineup of entries.
Montigo, the chief steward, along with two other judges, walked slowly around a row of yearling calves in the center of the ring. They carefully examined each animal, running their hands over ribs, legs, and spines. At the end of the line, they paused, whispered amongst themselves, and marked their verdicts in the catalog.
Neither Arion nor Dragonfly were in the ring. Collin’s stomach twisted.
He turned to an old farmer nearby. “How much judging have I missed?”
“This ring just started. They were running behind...” The rest of the man’s reply was swallowed by the crowd’s cheer as Montigo awarded a prize to a young man holding the lead rope of a red-and-white calf.
As the calves were led out, a row of sheep entered from the opposite side, each guided by a young handler. Collin clapped as Arion appeared, leading his sheep into the ring. He waved, but Arion was too busy trying to keep his sheep from stopping to graze on the hay.
The judges examined the sheep carefully, deliberated in private, then awarded the prize to another entry. Collin groaned.
Next came the goats—large and small—followed by horses, ponies, ducks, and finally an assortment of pigs.
Arion’s big white sow lumbered into the ring and easily won first prize. Collin laughed as the massive pig dragged Arion right back out of the ring.
But where was Dragonfly? He strained to see the other rings but was blocked by the crowd. He could hear distant applause—other competitions were underway. Maybe she was helping behind the scenes.
