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She took his hand. "I'm afraid your cotton candy's ruined. Do you want another one?"
Gabe jammed both hands into his pockets, and his scowl made it easy to read his mind. He thought she should be punishing Edward for deliberately dropping the cotton candy instead of rewarding him, but Gabe didn't understand everything her son had been through.
"No," he whispered.
Just then Kristy came up next to them. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone with an air of excitement. "You'll never believe this, but I have a date tonight. Mike Reedy asked me to go out to dinner with him. I've known him for years, but… I can't believe I said yes." Kristy had barely gotten her news out before her brow began to furrow as uncertainty poked into her excitement. "I probably shouldn't have. I'll be so nervous I won't be able to think of a thing to say."
Before Rachel could try to reassure her, Gabe wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her quick hug.
"That's one of the best things about you, Kristy. Men like to talk, and you're a good listener."
"Really?"
"Mike's a great guy. The two of you'll have a good time. Just don't let him get too fresh on the first date."
Kristy stared up at him and then flushed. "As if anybody'd get fresh with me."
"Exactly the kind of attitude that can leave a woman barefoot and pregnant."
Kristy laughed, and the three of them chatted for a few more minutes before she excused herself to check out the church's white-elephant booth. Rachel noticed she'd waited until Ethan left to go over there.
"I want to go home now." Edward looked sulky and unhappy.
"Not quite yet, honey. There's someone I need to see first." She put herself between Gabe and Edward and began walking toward the concessions.
They passed the large charcoal grills the Rotary had set up to roast corn on the cob, then went by the Art Guild's popcorn concession.
"Gabe!" A thin, bushy-haired man who was soliciting funds for the Humane Society moved out from behind his table.
"Hello, Carl." Gabe walked toward him, but Rachel sensed he did it reluctantly. She and Edward followed.
Carl regarded her with curiosity but no particular hostility, so she knew he hadn't been associated with the Temple. The two men exchanged pleasantries, then Carl got to the point.
"We sure could use a vet at the shelter, Gabe. Last week we lost a two-year-old Doberman to bloat because Ted Hartley couldn't get over here in time from Brevard."
"Sorry about that, Carl, but I'm not licensed in North Carolina."
"I guess the Doberman wouldn't have cared too much about the paperwork."
Gabe shrugged. "I might not have been able to save him anyway."
"I know, but you'd have tried. We need a local vet. I always thought it was a shame you didn't come back to Salvation to practice."
Gabe deliberately changed the subject. "My drive-in's opening on Friday night. We're having fireworks and free admission. I hope you'll show up with your family."
"I'll be sure and do that."
They moved on, passing a table selling T-shirts for muscular dystrophy. The crowd jostled her, and she lost Edward's hand.
Someone bumped against her back, and she lurched into Gabe. He caught her arm as she righted herself. She glanced around, but saw nothing suspicious.
Edward stayed nearby, but he didn't take her hand again. It was as if he wanted to put as much distance as he could between Gabe and himself. Ahead, she saw a table covered with platters of baked goods, and, behind it, Carol Dennis unpacking a plate of iced brownies.
"There she is."
"I remember Carol when she was younger," Gabe said. "She was a sweet girl before she got so religious."
"Ironic, isn't it, what religion does to people?"
