Page 71 of A Little Taste


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“Edward’s the best dog! He can figure out any ole maze.” Owen’s still going. “You won the gold medal, didn’t you, boy? He ran straight to me when all those other dogs ran after that girl.”

“He’s the coolest dog I’ve ever seen,” Ryan agrees.

“Is it okay, Miss Britt?” Owen looks up at me, gray-blue eyes worried.

Edward seems a bit confused by all the small-human attention, but I can tell he likes it. He stands, ready to follow the little guys, which is plain adorable.

“Of course!” I shake Owen’s shoulder. “Make sure he gets some water every now and then. Y’all have fun.”

“We will!” Owen cries, taking off with Ryan and Adam in the direction of the kids’ area.

Piper goes with Harold to get the details of the race and the charity recipient for her story, leaving Aiden and me facing each other.

“Alone at last?” He cocks a grin, and a bubble rises in my chest.

Stepping forward, I hug his arm. “At last.”

We leave the racetrack, heading into the thick of the festival. We stroll through the antique car show, and I marvel at the pristine condition of the hundred year-old Fords and coupes.

“I should find out who does their restorations and get them to look at my truck,” I joke.

“I’ll take a look at your truck.” Aiden puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to his side. “I still don’t trust those brakes.”

“So protective.” I snuggle close, loving the feel of being tucked into his side, safe from all the craziness in my life.

Townspeople walk up to him as we stroll along the booths. Everyone wants to speak and shake his hand. I know most of the people in Eureka, but not as many as the sheriff.

The pie-eating contest is in full swing when we exit the car park, but I can’t watch it. “Those contests make me feel like I’m going to barf.”

We continue on to the food tent, and I try the authentic Terra Belle’s Pickle Pizza (too salty), and the fried fudge (too sweet). We make our obligatory stop at the dunking booth to try and sink Doug.

His heckling game was not too bad. Sitting on the plank over a tub of water, he smiled and waved as I threw three balls and missed.

“Losing your arm, Britt?” He called, then Aiden threw three more balls and sank him.

Doug came up laughing, but Aiden leaned into my ear. “You missed on purpose.”

His eyes narrowed, but I only shook my head. “I must be out of practice.”

We walk down the midway to the livestock pavilion, and I drag Aiden to the winner’s tent where I present the blue ribbon to Holly’s prized pig.

“Like you didn’t know Myrtle was going to win,” I tease, elbowing him in the side as we finish the last of my duties. “She’s smart as a dog.”

“I know, I know.” Aiden holds up both hands like he’s under the interrogation lamp, and I lean forward, laughing as I push his shoulders.

His hands slide around my waist, and we’re in each other’s arms, right here in front of God and everybody.

“What are we doing?” I can’t help asking, lightness floating around me.

He looks down at me, his gray eyes warm. “Getting too close.”

My lips are heavy with need, and when I slide my tongue out to touch them, his gaze darkens.

The sky is turning a pretty red-orange, and a purple ribbon lines the horizon. Twilight is my favorite time of day, and Aiden threads my fingers, leading me in the direction of the Ferris wheel.

“We don’t have much time,” he murmurs, pulling me close to his chest. “I can’t leave Owen with my brother all night.”

“I don’t know,” I sigh, threading my fingers in the fabric of his shirt. “He has Edward and Ryan to keep him company.”

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