More than once, my thoughts drifted to Charli, the copper-haired beauty with the wit and self-confidence to match her stunning looks. The property was vast. I doubted I would run into her.
“Are they planning on selling this moonshine at the carnival?” Gideon asked. “Seems sort of risky.”
“I think they’d be shut down fast if that was the case. From what I’ve heard, this is a personal supply for Starfield. Griggs made some sort of a partnership with the man.”
“What does Griggs get in exchange?”
“Don’t know. I don’t ask him anything. I just get the orders and deliver. With a man like Griggs, it’s better to know less than more. Besides, what he does is of no interest to me. As long as he keeps buying whiskey from us.”
Dampness from the storm had made the air beneath the giant tent suffocating and warm. Billows of striped canvas hung like loose drapes over our heads and across the poles that held the tent up. Four tier stands had been erected along each side of the cavernous space, and colorful banners hung above them.
Buck Starfield walked out from behind a flap at the rear of the massive tent. He swiped at beads of sweat on his broad forehead. He had a wobbly belly and a long red beard, giving him the look of a salty old pirate. Only there was no eye patch, peg leg or parrot.
“Ah, I was waiting on you boys.” His booming voice would definitely work on a pirate ship. It probably came in handy center ring too. “Bring that cart this way.” We followed him to the back. I pushed the handcart through the opening to a small, partitioned-off section of tent. A large, messy desk and old chair sat in the center of the space along with a trunk that held a blue can of Pepsodent tooth powder and a bottle of Lucky Tiger moustache wax. Two cots were set up right next to each other in the corner. One cot wouldn’t do for a man of Buck Starfield’s girth. With the wild shrub of red hair above his lip, it was hard to see where Buck was using the wax.
“Excuse my office,” Buck said. “Just getting organized.” His attention went straight to the crates of moonshine. He pulled out a bottle and shook it, watching as the large bubbles formed and dissolved. He eyed the hooch like a kid might eye an ice cream cone. “Griggs tells me it’s real good stuff. It’s not all for me, mind you,” he said quickly. “The crew likes to have a little nip now and then after a long day of work.”
“We’re just here to deliver,” I said.
“Right, of course.” He walked over to the pile of papers on his desk and swept them around for a second. “Now, I’ve got some ducats for you both, free tickets, that is. Here they are.” He looked up, and his cheeks bunched up with what must have been a smile beneath the tangle of red facial hair. Two yellow squares of paper were clutched in his thick fingers. “You boys are coming, aren’t you? There’ll be lots of entertainment and games and an extremely entertaining dance act.” He winked. “The fight ring will be set up next week.” Buck inclined his head toward Gideon. “You look like you’ve been on the winning side of a boxing match more than once, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
Gideon took the free passes from his hand. “What fight ring?”
“Do you mean Griggs didn’t tell you about that? Well, I’ll let him fill you in.” Buck’s attention landed on me. “You look awfully familiar. Have we met?”
“As a matter of fact, we met as your trucks were pulling into town. You stopped to make sure you were going in the right direction.”
He nodded. “That’s right.” A rumbling chuckle erupted from beneath the moustache and beard. “The girls didn’t stop talking about you till long after you’d left. Thought Emma was going to propose to you right through the truck window. So, you’ve already met the Starfield dancers.”
Gideon looked my direction and lifted his brow in annoyance. “Where was I that day?”
This time a full laugh rumbled from Buck, like an eruption that started in his enormous belly and rolled out his mouth, nearly shaking the canvas walls. “I daresay you weren’t with this young man. He was busy entertaining a lady, as I recall.”
Gideon’s brow lift turned into an eye roll. “Of course you were.”
I lifted my hat. “Thank you for the passes, Mr. Starfield. See you soon.”
Gideon and I stepped back outside just as two women, the two dancers, were about to step inside. One was tiny but curvy with fashionable short brunette curls, and the other was tall with less curves and long blonde hair.
The brunette sashayed toward us with her arm stretched out and a limp hand ready for a kiss. “Hello there, I’m Emma.” Gideon took her up on her silent plea to have her hand kissed. She smiled up at him. “You’re one of those big strong types. I like the big strong type.” Her brown eyes flickered my way. “Why, I remember you. You helped us with directions.” She glanced down at my clothing. “This time your shirt is buttoned. Shame.”
“I’m Rose.” The tall blonde stepped forward, it seemed more to stop her friend from going on than from a desire to introduce herself. “Did Buck hire you on? Although, now that I look at you, you’re both dressed a little too sharply for carnie work.”
“We’re just here on business,” Gideon answered. He was looking at the blonde in the same way that Buck had eyed the whiskey.
With my brother’s attention now solidly on Rose, Emma gave a tiny shriek to remind us of her presence. “You both must stop by the burlesque show.”
“I imagine we’ll do more than just stop by. Might even spend the whole damn night there.” Gideon didn’t pull his gaze away from Rose as he answered Emma. My brother was probably only second to me in the number of women he dated, but I’d never seen him look this enamored on a first meeting . . . or ever, for that matter.
Rose’s cheeks went pink beneath his unrelenting gaze, and she didn’t seem like a woman who would blush easily. “We’ve got to go talk to Buck about our stage lighting. I guess we’ll see you men soon.” She brushed past Gideon. He turned to watch as she disappeared into the tent.
Emma brushed her fingers along the side of my hand. “See you soon, I hope.”
Gideon seemed to sense that I was holding back a laugh.
“What the hell is so funny, Jacks?”
“You. Haven’t ever seen you look so infatuated with a woman. She is pretty, but, considering what she does for a living, I imagine she has more than her share of admirers.”
“Sometimes you’re so smart it makes me want to wipe that cocksure smile right off your damn face.” He lumbered across the yard and then looked back. “And why the hell wasn’t your shirt buttoned? Never mind. Don’t bother to answer that.”
The empty handcart bounced along behind me as I hurried to catch up to Gideon’s long strides. “Bodhi’s coming with me on a run to D.C.. Check that truck out. If it looks good, try and talk them down on the price.”
“That’s what I was planning on doing, Jacks. Don’t need you to do all my thinking for me.”
I lifted a hand in surrender. “Fine. You’re right. Hey, check out that sphere. I’m looking forward to that motorcycle show. Might even be better than the girlie show.”
Gideon peered sideways at me.
I nodded. “Right. Nothing’s better than naked women.” The dolly jammed in a particularly deep rut. Gideon walked on as I stopped to yank it free. He was a good ten paces ahead of me when a figure stepped out from behind the Ring Toss booth.
My giant, bear-sized brother stumbled back a few steps, and I got a clear view of the person. Charli was standing in the bright afternoon sun, her hair shining like brand new pennies and flashing a smile that had already become familiar to me. She was dressed in a simple blue, knee length dress as if she were just out for an afternoon outing. With one exception. A giant snake, three times thicker and longer than any snake I’d ever seen, was draped languidly around her shoulders like a knitted shawl. I caught up to Gideon and could almost he
ar his heart pounding in his chest.
“All right, I see your point about snakes,” I said from the corner of my mouth.
Charli nodded to me. “Afternoon. I didn’t recognize you without a pair of women’s legs wrapped around you.”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “Ouch, that hurt.” My brother was in too much shock from the snake to pay attention to our conversation.
“You’re right. I apologize for that remark,” she said, but her smile didn’t really seem to be asking forgiveness. “I sure didn’t expect to run into you out here.” She spoke casually as if there wasn’t a massive serpent wrapped around her.
I pointed to the snake. It was cream colored and looked as if someone had painted red and brown diamonds on its back. It lifted its big, flat head and seemed to be assessing us with its black marble eyes. “Uh, you’ve got a little something there on your shoulders. I’d flick it off, but I don’t think that would help.”
Charli laughed and reached up to stroke the top of the snake’s head. It seemed to enjoy her touch. “This is Rusty. I’m just taking him out for some warm rays of sun.”
“You sure take this animal walking business seriously.”
“I need to start charging extra.” For the first time, she seemed to notice the waves of fear rolling off my otherwise unflappable brother. “You don’t need to worry about Rusty.” She turned to the side and pointed to a bulge in the snake’s belly. “He’s still digesting this morning’s breakfast. He won’t need to eat again for a long time. And, even with his jaw stretched open wide, I don’t think you’d fit.”
I laughed, but Gideon wasn’t at all amused. His mouth was pulled tight. His eyes never left the reptile.
“Gideon, this is Charli. She’s Buck’s stepdaughter. We’ve run into each other a couple of times. Although, she doesn’t usually have a serpent curled around her shoulders.”
“And he doesn’t usually have his shirt buttoned,” she added. Still no reaction from Gideon. He was nearly paralyzed with fear. An entirely different person was standing next to me.
“You’ll have to excuse my brother. He doesn’t really like snakes.”
“I should probably move along,” Charli said. “Rusty tends to make people uncomfortable.” She was being kind. Gideon’s reaction had gone way past discomfort. But I’d had enough luck to run into Charli, and I wasn’t ready to let her go.
“Gideon, why don’t you head to the car? I’ll be right there.”
He didn’t say a word but was happy to take me up on my suggestion. If the ground hadn’t been wet from rain, clouds of dust would have kicked up from his heels as he lumbered quickly away.
“Believe it or not, my brother is considered the toughest man in Harper’s Cross.”
“He’s not the first person I’ve seen react to Rusty like that.” The slit eyed monster wrapped around her shoulders did nothing to soften the impact of Charli’s beauty. She was something to look at. From every angle, every turn of her head, every tilt of her lips, she was breathtaking. “What brings you out here, Jackson?”
I pointed back to the main tent with my thumb. “We were just delivering some— some stuff to Buck.”
A disappointed smile turned up her lips, pink lips that looked extremely kissable. “Some stuff, I see. From your export business?”
I shrugged.
“Wait a minute, you’re not working for that man, that thuggish, mean looking man, Griggs, are you?”
“Why do you ask?”
She shook her head. “I don’t like him. Something about him makes my skin crawl.”
“Said the girl wearing the massive, scaly snake draped around her shoulders.”
Charli smiled. “Guess that does sound rather silly, given the context.”
“I do some work for him, but he’s not a friend. Just a business acquaintance. There aren’t a lot of ways to make money around here.” I glanced at our surroundings. “We all do what we have to to survive. Even taking snakes out for a sunbath, it seems.”
The snake, apparently wanting a different view, lifted its narrow snout and moved with fluid grace across Charli’s chest, finally resting its chin on her opposite shoulder. It was such an unusual sight, a beautiful girl with nice curves and a sparkling smile, a girl I’d already decided I badly wanted to kiss, a girl I definitely wanted to know better, completely at ease with a menacing-looking beast using her like a tree limb.
Charli reached up and scratched the snake’s head. “You’re right. I have no business judging you. I should get Rusty back to his owner. He’s starting to weigh heavy on my shoulders.”
I took off my hat and combed my hair back with my fingers. I couldn’t remember the last time a girl had made me nervous, but my usual Jarrett confidence seemed to be slipping. And it had nothing to do with the carnivorous snake she was wearing. “You should step out with me sometime,” I blurted the words so fast, I wasn’t completely sure I’d said them. But I had her attention. “I think we could have a good time together.”
Charli adjusted the snake’s body on her shoulders. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on. I know a place that has music on Saturday night.” I held out my hands. “I’ll behave. Give me a chance to redeem myself.”
She twisted her plump pink lips in consideration but still looked at me skeptically. “Why me when you’ve got so many women dying to step out with Jackson Jarrett? Or is it just the built in security of knowing that I’ll be out of here in six weeks? An easy way out and all.”
“I’m trying not to think about the fact that you’ll be leaving here once the show is done. That’s why I’m putting on my best pleading look. Time’s short, and I don’t want to lose out on one minute of getting to know you. And as for your first question, why you? Heck, where do I start? Of course, there’s the obvious reason— that you are exceptionally beautiful. You grew up here in this unusual, unstable world, and yet, your feet seem to be planted firmly on the ground. You’re funny. And you’re extremely plain-spoken. Almost painfully so, but I like it. Maybe I need someone like you to help me keep my own feet on the ground.” I tilted my head toward the snake. “Obviously, you’re also fearless. You’re not like any other woman I’ve ever met, Charli.” The pink blush on her golden skin deepened with each word. “And when you blush it puts even the most perfect rose to shame.”
She dropped her gaze, and long, dark lashes shaded her soft cheeks. I stepped closer and touched the snake’s side. It was surprisingly warm and dry.
She peered up at me, looking half lonely little girl and half world-wise woman.
“And you have a truly awful opinion of me, which I want to change . . . desperately.”
She paused for a long moment, and I was sure she’d refuse me again.
“We’re opening on Saturday. I have to work,” she said.
“What time are you free?”
“Charli,” a small woman called from across the way. The snake lifted its head.
“That’s Rusty’s owner. Now that he’s heard her, he’ll want to get back home.” She started walking away but took only a few steps. “I’m off at closing. Ten o’clock.”
“Great. I’ll meet you here.” I headed back toward the car but then stopped and turned back. “Charli,” I called.
It wasn’t easy with her unwieldy friend on her shoulders, but she stopped and looked back at me. “Yes?”
“Wear a different scarf.”
Chapter 7
Jackson
It was opening day, and the crowds had come. I parked along the side of the road and walked half a mile to the carnival. I’d dropped off Bodhi and Noah at the carnival at noon and then gone on to finish some business in Georgetown. Gideon had worked on the new truck all afternoon. He’d made plans to drive out to the carnival with a friend. With the way he’d been staring at the dan
cer, Rose, I was sure he’d gone straight to the burlesque show. Although, even if he hadn’t met her, he more than likely would have headed straight there.
It was only two hours from closing, but people were still lined up at the ticket wagon. An elderly man was perched on a stool at the entrance. I handed him my free pass. “If you want a seat for the Death Sphere show, you’d better hurry. The benches are filling up fast,” he said.
“Thanks for the tip.”
Twinkling lights had been strung from tent to tent casting a wavering yellow glow over the half-deserted midway. Some of the food carts were dark with sold out signs pasted across their posters. The steam whistles of the giant, ornate calliope had quieted for the evening. The only music was the faint sound of a fiddle, being expertly played, somewhere in the distance. Charli was nowhere in sight, and I wondered what creature they’d put her in charge of tonight. I’d been thinking about our date all day. She’d already formed a pretty crummy opinion of me, and I couldn’t blame her. I only hoped I could flip that opinion in my favor. I wasn’t completely sure why it was so important to me. There was just something about Charli that made her well worth the effort.
Voices and laughter rumbled from the back of the carnival where everyone seemed to be congregating for the big event, the motorcycle stunt show.
A man in a bright green top hat and yellow striped shirt held out a paper tray. “My last hot dog of the night, sir. You look hungry.”
“I am.” I pulled out my coins and traded the man for a hot dog that looked as if it had been overcooked more than once. I squeezed on some mustard and kept walking.
A good third of the east side of the midway was lined with games, darts, crossbow shoot and ring toss, all the games that were usually rigged in one way or another to ensure few winners. Apparently, my brother had figured a way around the trickery. Bodhi and Noah were weighted down with kewpie dolls and colorful walking sticks as they trudged toward me.