“Here.” I thrust the warm churro at Ben. “You look like you need a sugar break.”
He studies the treat warily for a half a second before grabbing it and tearing off half in one bite. “Thanks.”
“Everything looks great, Ben. I can’t believe you put this all together in a matter of days. I think it’s time to let guests in and start making some money.” I gesture toward the entrance, where a few people are already milling about.
He checks his watch and nods. “Yes, we open in a few minutes. Which means it’s time for you to get to your post.”
“My post? I thought I was mostly here to eat fried foods and offer moral support.”
Ben blinks a lot but doesn’t say anything. He heads down one of the rows of games, expecting me to follow.
And I do. What choice do I have?
Ben stops in front of one of the booths.
A target and a large vat of water, a little plank hovering over the pool.
The dunk tank.
“Okay, what do I need to do? Take tickets?” I guess I can manage that, though it will require interacting with a large number of people. Normally that doesn’t bother me, but here in Heart Springs, nothing ever seems to work out as simple as planned.
Ben smiles, and it’s slightly condescending, but in sort of a nice way. “No. I don’t need you to take tickets, sweetheart.”
I cross my arms over my chest, flattening the ruffles lining the bodice of my lavender dress. “Okay, then what do you need me to do?”
“I need you to climb up in there and prepare to get dunked.”
I laugh out loud. A real genuine laugh, one that causes me to double over. “You have got to be high as a goddamned kite if you think I’m getting anywhere near that thing.”
Ben takes a step closer to me, crowding into my space and causing me to step back toward the ladder. Damn. Has he always smelled this good? “I thought you wanted to become a valuable member of the community. Don’t you want to help the children of Heart Springs?”
“To be fair, I never really said I wanted to help the children, I just didn’t think I had a whole lot of say in the matter.” I attempt to inch my way away from the water-filled monstrosity, but Ben keeps managing to corral me closer and closer to the dastardly steps. The woodsy scent of him invades my nose and a warmth spreads through my chest when his fingers brush against mine.
“You know, all three of your potential suitors will be coming to the carnival. I’m sure nothing would make Mimi happier than a carnival meet cute.”
“At this point, I think I might prefer three terrible, god-awful dates.” Lunging in the opposite direction of the tank, I try to make a break for it.
Ben catches me, his hands latching loosely around my wrists, our bodies almost flush.
My heart stutters in my chest and for a second, I wonder if I’m suffering from some sort of heart condition. But then Ben drops his hands as if it’s physically painful to make contact with me. My heart trips once, but then returns to its regularly scheduled programming.
He steps away. “If you’re not able to help out, I guess I can let Mimi know you’re ready for introductions.” He runsa hand through his hair. “It’s a shame. I have a feeling you would’ve brought in enough money to meet our entire fundraising goal.”
“The people of Heart Springs hate me that much, huh?” It shouldn’t bother me. It does.
He flashes me a small smile. “Well, you did traumatize an eight-year-old and almost ruin a wedding.”
“Fair enough.” I give the dunk tank a thorough once-over. If I’m dumb enough to climb up that ladder and take a seat on the flimsy platform, I’m sure to be plunged into the water. Repeatedly. Of course, my other option is to find out which dashing gentlemen of Heart Springs Mimi is planning to foist upon me.
Honestly, both options sound equally terrible.
But only one option helps Ben, one of the few people who has actually taken the time to get to know me and support me since I woke up in my own personal hell.
“Okay fine. I’ll do it.”
Ben grins like he knew I was going to cave the entire time. “Fantastic.” He holds out his hand.
Despite my trepidation about what comes next, I don’t hesitate to place my hand in his. His palm is warm and his strong fingers grip mine in a way that makes me feel totally secure. I revel in that feeling for a half a second before Ben helps me climb up the ladder next to the tank.
