AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Walking back down the stairs in a fresh pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, I was still the only one awake. After making some coffee, the aroma filled the air and finally woke Bones from his slumber. He groaned and grunted until he was upright and stretching.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I teased, pulling two cups from the cupboard.
He grunted before making his way into the kitchen and plopping down in a chair that bellied up to the wrap-around counter.
My mind was going over ways to find Naomi. I had a few small leads but didn’t want to come off as a stalker.
I forced myself to wait until I delivered a black coffee to Bones and watched him drink it.
“Sleep good?” I teased.
“What do you think?”
“I think it looks like you were out on an all-night drunk and didn’t know where you were when you passed out.”
“I wish. I don’t think three beers will do that to me, but I’m damned sure that god-awful chair will.”
I laughed and looked into the spacious living room. He was right. It might have looked good with the room, but it was uncomfortable as hell.
“You and Camilla seemed to hit it off pretty good last night.”
“Yeah, we did,” he grinned, nodding his head. He grabbed himself and sniffled proudly.
“Did you get her number?”
Bones looked up at me, and his grin widened. He chuckled deviously, leaning back in the chair. “You fishing?”
“Naw, man. Just making conversation.”
“Uh-huh.”
I shrugged trying to make it look like no big deal, but he had me pegged. He knew me enough to know exactly what I was fishing for.
“So, is that a no?” I gave in. I was beat. He had me.
He laughed heartily and slammed his hands on the counter. “Man, what are you doing?”
“I’m… asking you a question.”
“You’re serious about this chick? What are you going to do when we pack up and are back on the road again?”
“Who says we have to be?”
“You think I’m sticking around this rinky-dink town?”
“I didn’t say you had to stay.”
“Man,” he shook his head, obviously disappointed at me. “No. I didn’t get her number. I didn’t plan on sticking around for a reunion.”
I power drank my coffee as best I could without burning my throat, set the cup on the counter, and grabbed my phone. “Lock up when you leave.”
He didn’t protest or try to stop me.
I walked out the door and went into the garage for my bike. Climbing on, I had no idea where I was going to go, but I had to try. I opened the garage door, started the motor, and took off back to the field.
Naomi was born and raised in this town. There had to be someone at that carnival who knew her. When I pulled into the parking area, I bee-lined it to the line of tractor-trailers being loaded with all the parts and pieces that made up the Fourth of July festivities. Parking alongside one of them, I shut my bike off and watched the busy bees work diligently in the early morning sunshine.
“Excuse me,” I said, trying to interrupt a large man carrying a rolled-up tarp.
He walked by me as if I wasn’t even there. I tried again with a smaller man carrying a similar tarp with a little more struggle.
“How ya doin’?” I asked, grabbing the end of it for him.
“Thanks, man,” he inched up to the front of the roll and led me to the back of a trailer. “Appreciate it.” He nodded and walked back off the back.
“Hey, do you think you could help me?”
“What’s up?” He continued to walk.
“I wondered if you knew many of the locals here. I’m looking for someone specifically.”
“Can’t say that I can help. I travel with the crew. Not from here. But,” he said, grabbing my arm and leading me around a half torn-down tent. “See that woman over there in the green dress?”
I followed his extended finger and nodded when she was spotted.
“She lives here. I guess she helps the carnies every year. Some bigwig in the town. Maybe she can help.”
“Thanks,” I shook his hand and directed my attention to the woman in green.
“Good morning,” I said with my best smile.
“Can I help you?” she asked with a cheery tone. When she turned to properly look at me, she took a step forward. A flush filled in her cheeks and she seemed to soften instantly.
“I hope so. I’m looking for someone. A local.”
“Maybe I can help. I’ve lived here for over twenty years,” she gushed.
“She’s young, very pretty, dark brown hair. Her name is Naomi. She’s a teacher.” How did I tell a perfect stranger that I was looking for the woman of my dreams, someone I barely knew? “She is an artist as well. Said she’d show me a few pieces of her work.”
