“May I?” Rick nodded toward Lucy’s plate.

“Oh, yes, of course.” She was about to pick up the plate to hand it to Rick, but hesitated. The tilt of his head belied his curiosity. A quick study of the tent indicated that there were only a few other people milling about at the other end. Setting down the plate, Lucy loaded her own fork with a portion of her pie. Rick raised an eyebrow.

“Well, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right?”

“Well said.”

She reached her fork across toward him, but her arms were shorter and more constrained in her bodice. The taste made its mark, but one of the cherries didn’t. She brought up her other hand to catch the errant fruit as it fell off the fork and both of them laughed. Lucy set down her fork, but Rick took hold of the other hand, a reckless impulse surfacing. He saw her eyes widen and heard her gasp when she recognized his intention.

“Rick–” but her voice faltered when he brought her palm up to his mouth, teeth skimming her skin as he gathered up the cherry. Then his tongue followed suit, lapping up the spot of sugary juice the fruit had left behind.

You shouldn’t be doing this. Rick thought. She’s engaged, and you have no right to confuse things. 

He released her hand and straightened in his seat. “Walk away from those you hold dear.” He whispered under his breath.

“What?” Lucy blinked up at him, breathless.

“Nothing, forgive me.” Rick took his handkerchief from his pocket, giving it to Lucy.

She avoided his gaze, taking a moment to stare at her plate, toying with a dollop of whipped cream on it.

The laughter and music of the festival drifted in through the seams of the tent and under the canvas edges.

“Such a wonderfully playful atmosphere,” Lucy noted. “Easy to get caught up in.”

Rick didn’t respond.

Lucy surveyed the tent another moment, then sat up straight with a smile, catching Rick off guard. “You know, I get the distinct feeling Cleigh and Sofie are angling to make grandparents out of us sooner rather than later.”

Rick laughed. “I have to agree with you on that.”

“You know what that means, don’t you?”

Rick raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

“We’re going to have to remember how to play! Come on!” She stood up, taking Rick’s hand in hers, and began to tug him along toward the tent entrance and back to Main Street.

Outside, all the sights and sounds were in full swing. The smell of candied nuts and popped corn permeated the air, and the strains of a band playing somewhere in the melee competed with shouts of laughter and the barking heralds of booth attendants.

“Where shall we start?” Rick asked.

“At the beginning.” Lucy took Rick by the hand and began making her way over to the booths lining the edges of the street, noting that those in the middle were mostly to do with food.

Over the course of the afternoon, Rick and Lucy guessed at how many beans were in a jar, tossed whipped cream pies at a clown, took a rickshaw ride around the perimeter, and even competed at shooting targets with pellet guns.

“That was a lucky shot.” Rick insisted as they walked away from the counter, Lucy inspecting her new paper fan.

Evening bathed the festival in an even more magical light as the last jewel-tone glimmers of sunset faded and the electric lights flashed to life.

“No need to get upset, Rick,” Lucy mewed, “I understand your eyesight isn’t what it used to be, and your sniper days are long behind you, I don’t hold it against you.” She made no effort to hide her teasing smile.

“For your information, I–“

“Step right up, gentlemen, step right up!” A heckler using a cone to amplify his voice drowned out Rick’s argument. “Test your strength, gentlemen, win your lady a gift!”

“Good grief,” Rick winced at the man’s shout, “I know my ears are still fine, and I’d like to keep them that way.” He placed a hand on the small of Lucy’s back, guiding them by.

“Just a second, sir,” The heckler called out, reaching his cane out to cut off their movement, “I see your lady is devoid of one of our fine prizes!” He waved a hand toward a table filled with an assortment of toys and bric-a-brac. “A quick toss of the hammer will undoubtedly rectify that situation.”

Rick shook his head and made to keep walking.

“A complimentary warm-up swing, if it please you, sir!”

Rick began to shake his head again, but another voice called out from the other side of the strength meter, “Aw, come off it, Charlie, quit haggling the elderly!”

“Elderly?” Rick scoffed, turning to see a younger man manning the horseshoe toss.

“C’mon, gramps, how’s about a go at the horseshoes?”

“Gramps? Now see here, you–“

Lucy laid a calming hand on Rick’s chest, laughing. “You’re playing into their game, Rick, let it go.”

Rick knew she was right, but it irked. A few of the nearest festival goers had stopped in their stroll to watch the exchange, so he allowed Lucy to turn him away from the games.

“That’s right, Gramps, slow and easy. Don’t let Charlie’s nattering get to ya!”

With that, Rick turned back around, stomping up to the tall measuring post with a bell attached at the top, shrugging out of his coat as he went. Lucy trotted along behind him, shaking her head and taking his coat and hat when he handed them to her. With a shrug, she joined the now cheering small crowd of onlookers attracted by the previous banter.

“At ‘a boy, Rick, show the rascals how it’s done!”

Rick watched Lucy as he rolled up his sleeves. She was grinning with glee, bobbing and shifting to find her best vantage point. He was already regretting his hasty decision. The heckler handed Rick the heavy mallet, then stepped back as he prepared to wield it, swinging it in an arc over his head.

#

The streets were deserted with lamps lit as Rick and Lucy wandered slowly back to the hotel. Lucy munched quietly on a warm candied almond from the small paper cone in her hand. She hugged her new teddy bear in the crook of her elbow. Rick massaged his shoulder, rotating it carefully.

“You really shouldn’t take things so quickly to heart, you know.” She teased, offering Rick the candied almonds. He availed himself of a small handful.

“Oddly enough,” he stated, tossing one of the almonds into his mouth, “I can’t manage to think very clearly or make all that many rational decisions with you around. Why do you suppose that is?”

“You’re in awe of my vastly superior intellect?”

Rick burst out laughing, “Yes, I believe that’s it.”

They paused in front of the hotel, enjoying the last remnants of the carefree evening. Lucy looked up at Rick, the dim lighting softening any signs of the time they’d lost. They were young again, and for one day they’d managed to find that easiness between them that had eluded them in the months since they’d been thrown back together. For just this moment, Lucy wanted to believe it was permanent, that they could simply be again, like they had been in Leadville.  He sighed, and she got the feeling he was running through the same thoughts.

“I’m glad you’re here, Rick.”

“So am I.”

They leaned into each other, cautious, neither wanting to break the spell. The kiss was a gentle meeting, a recognition of long-faded dreams. There was warmth and understanding, masking a current of unsung need and desire.

I hope you enjoyed this little tidbit from Their Sweetheart City Love. If you’re curious enough to check out the full story, please check it out here, and don’t forget to leave a comment and/or review to let me know what you thought!