Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 122097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
But he was there. Sitting on the top step of the stage.
There were a lot of people around. The Revival grounds never sleep when we’re in season. And Collin’s role in the whole affair was on that stage, so no one questioned why he was there, sittin’ on that step.
When I came into the tent, he smiled at me and stood up, always the gentleman. “I knew it was you.”
He said these words like they were no big deal.
But to me, they were the biggest deal ever.
And that was how we started.
I knew it was you.
The foot traffic is busy well past lunch, so when Collin Creed enters our booth with a dog and a funnel cake and asks me if I have time for a break, I just sigh at him like he’s my hero.
We walk towards the river on the far side of the tent grounds where it’s quiet and no visitors are allowed. There are a few dozen picnic tables, a couple self-service drink carts, and a dock.
Collin unclips the leash from his dog—who is called Mercy and belongs to Amon—and then he and I take that funnel cake over to the dock and sit down on the creaky benches that line one side. There’s an awning over the end of the dock, so we get to sit in the shade.
“Did everyone love your costume?”
Collin smiles at me. “My men gave me the wrinkle-free award.” Which makes me laugh. “Nah. I don’t know what the deal is with all this security. Jim Bob is paranoid or something. Do you always have this much?”
“I’ve never paid much attention, to be honest. We’ve never had dogs before, that’s for sure. But if they were dressed up in costume, I probably wouldn’t have noticed. I’m not here all day, every day. I’ll work this weekend because it’s opening day and all, and I’ll be there for all the big tent shows, but I’ve got a business.”
“Yeah, you do. I was wondering about that. I see some booths where they combine the two. MaisieLee is selling fittings for custom clothes in her costume booth, and April Laver sells her own cookie recipe from the bakery in her booth.”
“Yeah, but they like to share profits, and I don’t.”
“Ah. I knew there had to be a catch.”
“If I sold McBooms stuff here, I’d have to give the town some profit. And to be quite honest, I don’t need the business. I’m pretty busy all on my own.”
“That’s smart. To keep it all separate, ya know?”
“Mmm. Do I detect some cynicism?”
“No. I’m just saying. Legally speaking, you did a smart thing.”
“Who got your hackles up?”
“Why do you presume my hackles are up?”
“Was it Simon?” I point at him. “It was Simon.”
“I’m not saying I don’t trust him. I’m just saying I don’t know him.” He pauses. “Well? Do you have an opinion?”
I just shrug. “No one likes him. There. I said it. But the reason no one likes him is because they’re still loyal to your family. And even though it’s been almost a decade now, they’re still holding out hope that the Creeds will come back.”
“And now that I’m here?”
I laugh. “Oh, Collin. Now that you’re back, they’re gonna push that man and his whole family right out of town.”
“I hope not. There is no way in hell I will preach in that tent. Like hell will be freezing over before that happens. My daddy will come back and take that job before I ever will. Please relay this message to whomever it may concern, every chance you get.”
I just shake my head. “Anyway. Aside from your suspicions and hesitations, how is your day going?”
He nods, looks out over the river, maybe concentrating on the cliff on the other side. The river that runs through Disciple runs deep. And by deep, I mean over the course of the life of this planet, this water has carved out a place between hills. There used to be a working bridge that went from one side to the other, one of those old-timey train bridges with intricate trusses. But that thing started falling apart decades ago and no one had the desire to put it all back together.
They’ve been talking about tearing that bridge down for a long time now, but again, no one really cares enough about the damn thing to get rid of it, either.
“It’s the same and different.”
I look over at Collin and find him looking back at me. “Of course it is,” I tell him. “You’ve been gone a long time.” He just smiles at me. For quite a few moments. Too many moments to not be awkward, actually. “What?”
“We’re still on for bowling, right?”
“You spent all those moments being silent and awkward, and that’s what’s on your mind?”
“You’re on my mind, Lowyn. Just you. The bowling alley is just a way to get more time.”