Page 90 of Denial
She gives a determined shake of her head. “Heck no. I don’t want to go on a ride ever again.”
“You love rides, kiddo. Next time, we’ll save the cotton candy and cheese curds until after.” I begin gathering the plushies from the bench, preparing to wrap up our evening.
Nellie throws her arms out, frantically sitting upright. “Wait! We can’t go yet!” Urgency colors her tone.
“What else is there to do?”
“Miss Alice has to ride the Ferris wheel!”
“Oh no, sweetie. I’m okay. If you don’t feel well—” Alice protests.
“No.” Nellie hops off the bench, planting her hands firmly on her hips. “You told me it’s your favorite. Youlovethe Ferris wheel. You have to go on it! You have to.”
Alice’s mouth drops open before closing.
“What’s wrong with my favorite girl?” Silas walks up to our trio in full police uniform. He lowers the volume of the radio at his shoulder, tucking his hands inside his vest, and smiles down at his niece.
“What are you doing here?” I intercept my brother, hoping Nellie will forget about this little tirade she’s on.
“Been back and forth all day. Mostly minor theft. Kids being too rowdy. There was a small fight over by the petting zoo. Apparently, some women paid to feed the goats, but the first one ate it all, so she wanted a refund. She climbed into the pen and refused to leave.”
Silas and I share a look. “Glad it’s my day off.”
“Uncle Silas.” Nellie tugs on my brother’s arm.
“Yeah, Nell-Bell?” He drops to a knee at her level.
“Can you watch me so my daddy can take Miss Alice on the Ferris wheel?”
“Silas is working,” I interject.
Silas’s grin grows three sizes. He makes a show of checking his watch. “Would you look at that? I’m on break. Come on, kiddo. I’ll give you a tour of my car. It’s parked near the Ferris wheel. We can wave when they get to the top.”
“Really, Nellie. It’s okay, sweetie. I don’t need to ride?—”
“You’re going, Miss Alice. That’s the end of it.” Her stern finality has me fighting a smile despite wanting to get out of here.
“Sutton, you don’t really want to.”
I sigh. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.” The reluctance in my voice is unmistakable, but I know there’s no point in dragging out the inevitable.
“You’re giving in?”
Silas and Nellie walk off, leaving me with two options. Chase them and risk disappointing my daughter—or I could simply give in.
For the sake of my sanity, I choose the latter.
“Are you afraid I might bite?”
“No. It’s just I love Ferris wheels for the tranquility. I’m not sure that’s within your wheelhouse.”
I scoff, striding across the fairgrounds. “I’m the picture of calm.”
“Your blood pressure might tell a different story.”
“I didn’t know you were so concerned about me. I’ll have you know I’m in perfect health.”
Alice pauses at the gate to the ride. “Shoot. Hey, Silas?” she calls loudly.
