“That’s what Dad said, too. But there may be new folks in town.”
She’s not wrong. Our small town is rapidly growing, and I worry we’ll lose the charm I’ve come to love.
We spend the next few hours passing out cards to overworked, and overstimulated, parents. They gladly take them with the promise of a slow pace and good wine. I know for a fact some of these folks have been to the winery, but they need the reminder that it’s okay for them to take some time to themselves.
With our hands now empty, we take in the food trucks, games, and rides.
“So, should we eat?” I grab her hand and pull her toward a trailer with corn roasting over an open fire and get in line.
“Yes, I’m starving. I didn’t eat anything before you picked me up.”
“Why not?” I know her, and she’s not one to skip meals unless she’s nervous. Talking to people comes easily to her though. If she planned to hand out cards today, she knew she was going to be sweet talking folks.
“Nerves, I guess.” She glances at her hand still in mine, but she doesn’t remove it. “I want to bring more business to thewinery, and if the things we’re doing don’t work, I don’t know what will happen going forward.”
“It’ll work, I promise.” We’re almost to the front and I glance to see if they have anything else. The board lists corn and drinks. There is a table off to the side with various condiments to add to the corn. “Just one? Do you want anything to drink?”
“One is fine. And water, please. It’s too hot out here not to stay hydrated.”
She’s not lying. My shirt is damp from all the walking and I could use some water, too.
I place our order and once we have the roasted corn in our hands and fixed up the way we like, I search for a shaded area to sit. All the tables are full and I spot an open space under a tree. We’ll have to sit on the ground, but I know she won’t have an issue with it.
“It feels good to sit down.” She says as she plops to the ground. “We haven’t even been here that long and my feet are killing me.”
“Maybe we should add some cardio to our marketing meetings.”
“You’re so funny.” She bumps into me before taking a bit of the corn. “This is so good.”
The moan that comes from her is more than I can handle, and I need a change of subject.
“So, you never told me. How was your date?”
It’s the last thing I want to bring up, but I’m curious. She usually tells me how horrible her dates are, but this time she’s been oddly quiet about it. Fear that it went well and is progressing to another date stabs me in the stomach. Maybe I’m not so hungry after all.
“It was fine.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Rob took me bowling.”
Rob? “Oh, so you’re telling me their names now. It must be serious.”
Another shrug. She’s doing everything she can to keep her eyes off me. “He asked me on a second date.”
“What did you say?” Please let the answer be no. She’s gone on a couple of second dates that haven’t gone anywhere. I shouldn’t worry.
“I haven’t answered him.” She finishes off her corn, and I’ve barely touched mine. “Let’s play some games. I think most of them are put on by school organizations and the profit is going toward their funds.”
“Let’s give these kids some money.” I’m grateful for the change of subject and activity. As much as I tell her I’m okay with listening to her dating shenanigans, I don’t know if I can stomach hearing about a date that went well enough for her to consider a second one.
“I cannot believe you talked me into getting on that death trap.” Piper clings to my arm as we step off the ferris wheel.
This right here is exactly why I suggested it. She is terrified of heights, but always willing to go on this ride with me because she knows it’s one of my favorites. It’s the one ride that slows everything down and you’re able to relax without a care in the world. Unless you’re Piper, of course.
“You could have said no.” I laugh. “It’s not like I forced you onto it.”
“I know, but I don’t see why you like it so much. You can get the same feeling down here with both feet on the ground.”
“Because you can’t see the skyline from down here.”
“Okay, you’ve got me there.” She reaches for my hand and pulls me in the opposite direction. “Now you get to go in the funhouse with me.”
