The County Fair Queen

Chapter Nine

IT'S WORTH FIXING

For the rest of the week, Hurricane Brenda/Carole carried us through like an ocean torrent, hurling us out to sea with little to no care for where we landed. She got some great scenes along the way, so every time I found myself doubting her decisions, I would draw in a deep breath and remind myself she was just as heavily vested in this as I.

On Friday, Rivers and I spent the day together writing our speeches for the Muscadine King and Queen crowning that was to take place the next week. Rivers told me since I hadn't returned to crown the next year's winner, the city council was hoping I'd be willing to do so now. Apparently, last year’s winners were killed in a tragic car accident, and they wanted Rivers and I to take their place. The last thing I wanted was to take part in an event that had almost ruined me as a teenager, but with Riv batting his eyes dreamily at me, I didn't have the heart to say no. Even worse, I didn't want to say no. God help me; I was warming to the bastard.