AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter24
“Winners!” Mayor Gripper roared.
“How did we win when we stopped to argue with Sam, then changed partners,” Quinn asked Luke.
“I think everyone stopped to watch, or Mayor Gripper likes us best. He’s done that before, given the prize to his favorite local, which I am.”
Luke took Quinn’s hand and raised it and the cheers increased.
“You cheated!”
Luke stepped in front of Quinn as Sam stomped up to her.
“You need to walk away now, bud.”
He itched to hit the guy, but there were people around, and some were family. He wasn’t having them see him do that.
“You’re an idiot, Sam. Who behaves like that at a pumpkin rolling competition?” Quinn stepped around him. “Go back to your big city.”
He had pumpkin innards smashed all over his face and hair. His clothes would never come clean, and Luke had to say he was happy about that. He was not happy about the rage the man was sending Quinn’s way.
“Sam!”
They all turned to find Pearl. She didn’t look happy. “I cannot believe you behaved like that!”
“Aunt Pearl—”
She climbed to her toes and grabbed his ear. They all stood there in shocked silence as she dragged him away.
“There are no words,” Luke said.
Quinn started giggling, bent at the waist, and gave in to it.
“You all good there?”
She raised a hand but kept right on laughing. When she rose seconds later, tears were rolling down her cheeks.
She’d changed into worn jeans and a thick sweater. On her head was the rose-colored beanie. Her cheeks were pink, and her lovely brown eyes had dark bruises beneath. She was so goddamn sweet.
“Need me to slap you or something?” He was enjoying seeing her laugh. Quinn was usually controlled.
“You need me to chuck water on her?” Joe asked.
“Think it’s slowing,” Luke said. She was hiccupping now, and wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
“Ouch,” he said as she winced. “Nose sore?”
“A bit.”
“You have a weird look on your face,” Joe whispered to him.
“No, I don’t.”
“It’s kind of a mushy look.”
“Fuck off.”
“Well done, Quinny.” Her dad arrived and hugged her. “I thought you started the race with Sam?”
