Chapter 24
twenty-four
C ade tossed a peanut in the air, tried to catch it with his mouth. It bounced off his nose, landed on the floor of the risers among discarded popcorn kernels and candy wrappers. From the stands around him, families sat in groups, adults scrolling their phones while kids tossed popcorn at each other and giggled. The second performance of the Cajun Circus was about to start, evident from the jaunty music streaming through the overhead speakers. Hopefully tonight would bring fewer disasters—no more overcrowded porta-potties and pending lawsuits.
Guilt nudged. Maybe this was his fault. After all, he’d wanted to tell Bruno no but went along with it. And look what happened.
Couldn’t tell his father no , couldn’t tell a stranger no .
He wasn’t cut out to be a leader.
Rosalyn’s words echoed from that afternoon in New Orleans when he’d looked into Bruno’s hopeful face. You aren’t doing him any favors. She’d been right. Was the same about to happen as a result of this election?
Cade tossed another peanut. Missed. Speaking of Rosalyn, he hadn’t talked to her since last night, and why should he? He hadn’t talked to any of his other contract circus employees since last night.
And with Blaine in town, wasn’t that all she wanted to be?
He’d changed his seat for tonight’s performance, not wanting to risk Rosalyn finding him in the crowd. He’d considered staying home, but—this circus was his baby. Plus, Trent and his boss were due to show up either tonight or tomorrow night, and he needed do be available. Duty called, even if his heart still ached.
And if Blaine showed up again, well, Cade was mature enough to look the other way. He tipped his head back, tossed another peanut.
“You’re being a jerk.”
He caught this one, straight down his throat. Cade coughed, sputtering as Linc rolled his eyes from the seat next to him. “Give me those.” He snatched the bag from Cade’s hand, poured a few in his mouth.
Cade brushed peanut dust off his hands. “What do you mean? I’m sitting here minding my own business.”
“Last night.” Linc’s gaze landed on him with the force of Thor’s hammer. “To Rosalyn.”
“You don’t understand.” The lights dimmed, then the music shifted as the fan-favorite poodles paraded into the ring. Children scooted to the edge of their seats to watch, mesmerized as the dogs started their tricks. Teens stopped scrolling their phones to snap pics.
Linc remained unimpressed, the flickering lights casting colored orbs across his corded arms. “Enlighten me.”
Cade snorted. “Since when are you an expert in romance? Or any relationship, for that matter?”
Linc’s dark eyes flashed. “Just because I choose to be single doesn’t mean I don’t know when someone is being treated poorly. And you treated Rosalyn poorly.”
“Dude. She kissed another guy.”
“Didn’t she try to explain?”
Cade shifted positions on the riser. “Well, yeah, but?—”
“Then quit being a jerk. Man up, apologize. She’s a good woman—doing you a favor by being in this circus in the first place, right?”
True. Cade cleared his throat, watched as two dogs jumped through hoops. Off to one side, another set of poodles climbed a ladder and caught a ball from the top of a stand. “It’s not that simple.”
“Swallowing one’s pride never is.” Linc clapped him on the back—hard. “Choke it down with that peanut and do the right thing.”
“It’s complicated.”
“You already said that. Less talk, more action. That’s what women want.”
“Again, how would you—” Cade bit back his own protest at Linc’s growl. “Never mind.”
“Look, you obviously like her. So, as I said…” Linc shoved the nearly empty bag of peanuts against Cade’s chest. “Go make it right. Maybe she was actually telling you the truth all along.”
Cade shook his head. “Right, like the Mafia is actually after her? And she actually legally married someone under duress and she actually likes me instead of her husband, even though I personally witnessed her insulting Magnolia Days and kissing said husband?”
“ Actually …” Linc paused. “Yeah.”
It was hard for Cade to wrap his mind around that possibility, even harder to hope for it. After all, hadn’t he and Rosalyn agreed their timing was always awful? What made this any different?
Owen, in full ringmaster gear, swung his mic like a rock star to the applause of the crowd. “Next up, our very own world-famous aerialist—Rosalyn Dupree!”
His chest tightened as he waited for Rosalyn to take the ring. Longed for—and dreaded—seeing her. But maybe Linc was right. Maybe Cade had let his past grievances keep him from hearing Rosalyn out, believing her. Sure, it looked bad—but what if she was telling the truth?
What if he was telling the wrong person no this time?
Owen turned toward the backstage area, clearing his throat before dragging her name out again. “Rosalyn Duuupreeee!”
Where was she? She wouldn’t miss a cue, would she?
Linc frowned. “Better go find her.”
Cade was already standing before Linc’s suggestion. “On it. And don’t get a big head that I’m listening to you.”
His own head had been big enough for the both of them—one of the many things he needed to remedy when he found Rosalyn.
* * *
She’d missed her cue. And now Blaine stood between her and the back entrance into the circus tent.
Holding another blasted bouquet of flowers.
Rosalyn fought back panic. She had yet to talk to Cade or get anything settled between them. What if he thought she was sabotaging the show on purpose?
“Blaine, I’m late.” She tried for the second time to push past him, but he sidestepped her, eyes wide and not a little affected. Alcohol? He’d never been a big drinker, but then again—she clearly didn’t know him well.
“Come on. Take them.” He shoved the flowers at her and she automatically caught them.
What in the world was he up to? Had he actually fallen in love with her? Was this a stalker move?
She glanced over her shoulder, but short of scaling a fence or climbing a tree, there weren’t a lot of places to skirt around him. The wind whistled through the oak branches overhead, the moon high and bright. This end of the parking lot behind the tent was dim and vacant, except for one porta-potty meant for the circus performers.
Unfortunately, none of the other performers were in sight, since the show had already started. Even now, she could hear Owen calling her name over the speakers.
“I told you yesterday we needed to talk, and you blew me off.” Blaine stepped toward her, and she swallowed, fought the urge to retreat. Standing up to him, being firm, had worked last night.
Maybe lightning would strike twice.
“Good grief, don’t look so nervous.” He rolled his eyes, glassy as they were. “I want to talk, and you keep avoiding me. Not answering my calls or texts all day.”
She shot him a look, one that suggested he take the hint.
“I know you’re mad about the whole loan thing, but it’s just business.” Blaine shrugged, his trendy V-neck shirt and navy blazer a stark contrast to the porta-potty next to him. “You never would’ve gotten approved for a traditional loan, and you were supposed to make everything back in triplicate.” His brow furrowed. “Obviously no one could have predicted your little freak out in Saudi Arabia.”
“My freak out?” She crossed her arms, suddenly chilly in her rhinestone-studded leo and leggings despite the warm summer air. “That’s what you think that was? That all of this is my fault?”
“Freak out, episode—whatever you want to call it.” He shrugged. “And yeah. You got yourself into that situation. I got us out.”
His words burrowed, spread, like a parasite. This was her fault, but not in the way he was implying. She had made the decision to hire Blaine as her manager. Had trusted him, let him “rescue” her with marriage in a foreign country, believed he wasn’t capable of the very things he was doing. Had defended Blaine to the man she was falling for, all in the name of pride. Afraid of being found out.
She really wasn’t good enough for Cade.
“The point is you’re okay now.” Blaine’s tone gentled and he touched her arm. “And we’re doing everything we can to get you back in business. I’m here for you.”
She jerked away, angry at him. At herself. “You want to talk? Why don’t we talk about how you’ve been stealing my money?”
His show smile appeared, the one he used to negotiate deals with stubborn industry leaders. “ Doll . I have no idea what you’re talking about. You wanted me to handle your money when you signed with me—so I made some investments.” He laughed. “You should be thanking me.”
She lifted her chin, grateful for the flowers that hid her trembling hands. “Investments I didn’t approve? In accounts I can’t access?”
Blaine waved one hand in the air. “I have all of that information, obviously. I’ll get it to you.”
“I’m sure. Like you were going to get our marriage handled?”
His confident expression flickered. “I told you, it takes time for?—”
“You filed a marriage certificate , Blaine. Not an annulment request.”
“I know. That’s required for international?—”
“No, actually, it’s not.” She held his gaze, called his bluff.
His smile faltered. “How did you figure that out?”
“Is that what’s important?” She raised her eyebrows. “Because I think it’s more important that I’m onto you. You’ve been lying to me for months. Maybe longer.”
He shook his head. The wind shifted, bringing the scent of burnt popcorn and corn dog batter wafting over them. “You have all of this wrong. I’m on your side.”
“No, I’m pretty sure I’m seeing it clearly for the first time.” Rosalyn tossed the bouquet on the ground. The breeze scattered broken petals across his loafers. “I know you never tried to get our marriage dissolved. I know you’re a liar. And I know you’re mishandling my money and making decisions for things I never authorized.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that what you think?”
“That’s what I know .” She held his gaze, trying to ignore her throbbing pulse, her panic that Blaine might be even more unpredictable than she imagined. But bullies always backed down, didn’t they?
She squared her shoulders, ignoring the rushing in her ears. The fear threatening to claw her throat. “I want you to pay off my debt to whatever mob boss you borrowed it from, and then I’m out. You and I are done.”
His jaw set. “I’m afraid it’s not that easy.”
“It is for me.” She pointed to the broken flowers. “I know you came here to try to get back in my good graces. But that’s not going to happen.”
“Fine. Have it your way.” Blaine’s lips pressed into a thin line and he backed up, clearing her path to the tent. “But I’m actually here to save your life.”
* * *
Cade craned his neck to check the ring for Rosalyn as he rushed toward the steps. But the red silks, dangling from the rig in the center of the ring, remained vacant.
Okay, now he was getting worried.
He hurried toward the backstage area. Maybe Rosalyn had been listening to warm-up music in headphones and hadn’t heard Owen? Or maybe she’d had a wardrobe emergency or couldn’t find her rosin.
Or maybe she was upset because he’d been a jerk. No, she was a professional. It wouldn’t be that.
People in the stands whispered to each other, until the arena seemed abuzz with impatience. Two teens started a food fight with nachos. The din grew as voices raised and the confusion increased.
“Is it over?” A kid shouted loudly. “What about the girl who flies?”
And then—oh no. Trent, eating cotton candy and sitting next to a well-dressed, middle-aged man with silver highlights who could only be from Hollywood. Of all the nights…
Time for damage control.
Cade changed routes and hustled away from backstage and toward Owen. They needed a distraction until he could find Rosalyn. But what? They’d not planned any backup performances. Maybe the magician could go next?
As he rounded a tent pole behind the ring, Cade nearly plowed into someone wearing a dark T-shirt and baggy jeans. “Sorry.” Then he did a double take. Miley. An idea registered. He gasped. “Miley!”
“What? I’m right here.” She cracked a bubble with gum and peered at him, her nose ring glistening under the overhead lights. “Which is more than I can say for Rosalyn. Where is she, anyway?”
“I’m not sure.” Cade winced as the food fight grew larger. Kids shrieked. Parents yelled. He raised his voice over the growing chaos. “I need your help.”
Owen cleared his throat as he stood framed in the spotlight in the center of the ring. “Our aerialist must be detained.” His nervous chuckle filled the mic. “Um, how about those poodles though, huh? Pretty groovy.”
Cade scrubbed his hand down his cheek and shook his head. “Guess I owe you anyway, Mr. Secret Keeper. Want me to go backstage?” Miley looked over her shoulder.
“Actually, no.” Cade gathered all the charm he could muster and channeled it into his smile. “I need you to go on stage.”
Miley blinked. “I’m sorry, it’s so loud in here.” She blew another bubble. Two kids raced past them at full speed, throwing caramel corn into the air like confetti. “You won’t believe what I thought you said.”
“I mean it, Miley.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “I need you to do your comedy routine.”
“You’ve lost it. All this circus dust is getting to your brain.” She tapped his forehead with a black-painted nail. “It’s the only explanation.”
Cade shook her a little. “You’re so good! You’re a legit act.”
She wobbled under his hands. “And I legit can’t perform in front of people I know. That’s the whole point of doing shows in New Orleans.”
Frustration clawed at his chest. “I’m not asking you to take a ring to Mordor. Just tell some jokes.”
She visibly swallowed. “I’d rather take the ring.”
They locked eyes in a silent showdown. Caramel corn rained over them as the food fight ensued.
From the stage, Owen paced as the tech operator fought to keep the spotlight on his erratic movements. “Um…maybe if we all call Rosalyn’s name at the same time, she’ll hear us?”
Oh man. This was not the impression they were supposed to be giving of their town.
Cade turned back to Miley. “I’m officially begging.”
“Fine.” She huffed as she pushed away from him. “But only because that”—she jabbed her finger toward the arena—“is getting painful.”
“Bless you.” One of the many knots in his shoulder loosened. “And look on the bright side. At least now I don’t have to keep your secret anymore.”
Miley headed toward the ring, walking backward as she pointed at him. “You owe me.”
He saluted. “Lifetime supply of Skittles.”
“I’m thinking more of an IOU once you’re mayor.” She saluted back.
He’d created a monster. But as long as the monster was funny…“Deal. Go!” Cade texted the schedule change to Owen. Hopefully his ringmaster would be desperate enough to check his phone.
He slipped his cell back into his pocket. Then…oops. “Miley!” He trotted after her, reaching into his other pants pocket.
She turned, her dark eyes narrowed. “What now ? I need to babysit some hobbits too?”
“Gum.” Cade held out a tissue.
She leaned forward and spat her gum into his hand. “Happy?”
He folded the tissue. “Break a leg.”
She glared. “I could only hope.” Then she strode into the ring.
At least they’d bought a little bit of time. As Cade tossed the tissue, Owen announced Miley over the speaker.
Miley snatched the mic. “What a night, huh? I imagine you’re confused. First there were pink poodles. Then a Tim Burton character appeared.” She patted Owen’s shoulder, who had yet to walk away. She gently pushed him along, raising a chuckle from the audience. “And now you expected to see an amazing performer fly through the air on beautiful silks, but instead, you’re getting some weird girl with a nose ring making fun of people. It can only mean one thing.”
She paused and the audience quieted to hear.
“That’s right. You’re in a fever dream.”
A few chuckles spread through the crowd.
Miley paced slowly in the spotlight, one hand shoved in her back pocket. “Actually, you’re in Magnolia Bay, but that’s basically the same thing.”
More laughter, louder this time. Those who had been standing took their seats again. Cade released his breath. Maybe this would work.
“I can’t believe I’m here either, trust me.” Miley switched the mic to her other hand. “Did you know statistically, people are more afraid of public speaking than dying?”
The crowd murmured.
“Yeah, I’m glad giving the eulogy at your own funeral isn’t possible. I mean, talk about the worst day ever .”
The audience roared.
Cade brushed a piece of popcorn off his shoulder. Crisis averted.
Now to find Rosalyn and hope there wasn’t a new one.