Keegan remains tight-lipped about where she’s taking us. Based on the absolute silence filtering in from the backseat, Millie and Josey are still batting for her team. The ordinary landscape has offered zero hints as we travel along the interstate. Nothing but rolling meadows and grassy fields greet my gaze as I look out the window.
“There’s beauty to be found in simplicity.”
When I return my eyes to her, she’s focusing on the flat road in front of us. I smirk at her stoic expression. “Spoken like a true believer.”
“Good thing I am one.”
“That’s why I’m keeping you around.”
“Among other things,” she trails off.
I stroke the stubble coating my jaw. “Ah, I suppose. There’s more to come.”
Another quirk of her brow. “For both of us?”
“Good grief, you two.” Josey’s head suddenly appears between our seats. “Why don’t you take a trip to the hardware store and get it over with?”
Keegan’s face scrunches up. “Huh?”
Josey flicks her arm. “Hammer and nails, Keke. Maybe some screws and caulking, too.”
She sputters. “Please don’t tell me you’re implying—”
“Without pause. Like you two should be doing.”
“Millie is sitting right next to you,” Keegan scolds.
Her daughter takes the provided entrance. “Mama?”
“Yes, baby girl?”
“JoJo isn’t wearing her seat belt. She’s gonna get hurt.”
Keegan glares at her friend. “Quit being a bad influence and sit back.”
“One day, you’ll thank me.” Josey points between them. “And I’ll get to gloat.”
“So, a typical Saturday?”
“Such a sass-pot.” With that parting barb, Josey settles into her seat. The click of her belt releases some of the tension that’s lifting Keegan’s shoulder.
“At least she provides entertaining commentary for the drive.”
I flick a look at the woman behind me. Josey shrugs and offers Millie a high-five. These three are conspiring against me. Again. “Any chance either of you wanna share where we’re going?”
“Not my secret to tell,” Josey chides.
Millie nods. “Don’t spoil the surprise, Ford.”
I slouch against my seat, resigned to sit tight a bit longer. After another song fades to black, I’m still very much out of the loop. I’d stopped trying to guess our destination once we got twenty minutes outside of Silo Springs. By this point, the unknown is making me itchy.
“Are you taking me to Denver?” I bounce my knee against the dashboard.
Keegan scoffs. “On this route? Highly unlikely.”
“Why else would we be heading south for this long?”
“The wait will be worth it.” That sounds all too familiar.
“Very funny.”
“I thought so.”
“Not even a hint?”
Keegan clucks her tongue at me. “You’re worse than Millie.”
A mock frown droops my expression. “I’d take offense, but she’s pretty bad as—”
“Asp,” Keegan finishes with a glare. Josey snorts, and she shoots her a look that makes me want to wither away.
“Uh, right. One of those wicked vipers that’s powerful enough to expel the evil queen.”
Millie gasps. “Like detention? Wow, that’s so cool. I totally wanna be an asp.”
Keegan groans while I laugh. “It’s better than the alternative.”
“I’m just so thankful it’s summer break. She has months to scrub her mind of all this bad language.”
The instinct to reach over and grab her hand clenches in my gut. I resist the urge, threading my fingers together and squeezing too hard. “She’s a really good kid, Kee. You’ve done an incredible job raising her. I have no doubt she will grow up to be a very conscientious and honorable person. That’s because of you.”
She sniffs and wiggles her nose. “Thank you, Ford. That means a lot.”
“Speaking the truth is no skin off my back.” I avert my eyes and notice the endless expanse of undeveloped land is broken apart by sporadic houses. Another two miles delivers more frequent buildings and condensing traffic—the outskirts of a city appear in the rapidly approaching distance. I recognize the name on a few signs, but can’t remember the significance.
It only takes three turns off the highway for more clarity to sweep in. The outline of a Ferris wheel and a shitload of parked cars begin to take shape. My muscles strain and flex against the offense charging at me. I draw in a sharp breath, picturing a flood of people gathering in lines, pressing into me as they walk past. Fuck, that’s not a pretty sight. I rub my temples against the sudden pulsing.
“You’re taking me to a county fair?”
“Close,” Keegan sings.
“Can I tell him, Mama?” Excitement vibrates from Millie’s tone.
“Sure, sweetie. Go ahead.”
“We’re going to a rodeo,” she blurts. “There will be horses and cows and sheep and clowns. I might be able to get a pony ride. Isn’t that so cool?” Millie’s skinny legs are kicking in wild disarray when I glance at her over my shoulder.
The clump of spikes lodged in my chest disintegrates with her announcement. “Wow, Peep. That’s awesome. I can’t wait.”
“You’re so good with her,” Keegan murmurs. This isn’t the first time she’s mentioned something along those lines.
“Yeah? It just comes natural.”
“That’s not the case for everyone. Take the other adult in this car, for example.”
“Oh, please,” Josey scoffs. “I’m the best fake auntie ever.”
“It’s fun to rile her up.” Keegan winks at me.
I chuckle. “Yeah, things were getting a bit too serious for a minute there.”
“Oh, oh. Look! We’re here.” If she was a bit bigger, Millie would be shaking the entire vehicle with her bouncing.
I follow her erratic pointing to find a large fairground spanning across the concave valley in front of us. Most of the land is dominated by a massive arena, equipped with a variety of pens and corrals on each end. American pride is painted across every available surface. Banners and flags hang from light poles and fence posts. Even with the windows shut, I can hear country music blasting from the mounted speakers.
Keegan pulls into the designated gravel lot and finds an available space in the center row. We all pile out, heading for the open gates. She passes four tickets over to a man collecting stubs near the entrance.
I still her movements. “Let me pay.”
“Too late. Advance passes were cheaper.
