Chapter 23
23
Over the years, McKay had visited amusement parks all over the world. He’d worried Robyn’s Place couldn’t compete. He’d been wrong.
For one, it wasn’t crowded—no more than ten people in any line. His security training automatically kicked in as he counted: roughly a hundred visitors, not including staff. Everyone stayed in family groupings, creating an intimate atmosphere unlike any park he’d experienced. The space rivaled the Astrodome in size, with retractable roof panels currently pulled back to allow in streams of summer sunlight.
Their check-in at the private hotel last night had been thorough but efficient. The wristbands they wore were coded to match Gracie’s, making family units easily identifiable—a security measure disguised as convenience. Each guest underwent a quick fever scan, reminding him that this wasn’t just any theme park. This was a haven for children like Gracie.
A man in an elaborate pirate costume intercepted them, his theatrical voice booming. “Ahoy there, Gracie!”
Gracie’s eyes lit up at hearing her name—another bit of carefully programmed magic that made the place special.
“Have you been to my pirate ship today? We’re going to sail the seven seas!”
“My Uncle Mac used to really sail the seven seas, but I’m coming to your pirate ship too!”
“Ah, you make sure you do that!”
The pirate spoke to Jen for a moment before moving on. “Did you ever meet a pirate, Uncle Mac?”
“I can’t say that I have,” McKay replied, though his mind flashed to some questionable characters he’d encountered in various ports.
“So, what’s next on your list?” Mac asked.
Jen consulted her phone. “Looks like our tickets are next for the racecourse.”
The attraction queues were perfectly timed to eliminate lines and put only one or two families on a ride at once.
“Do you think Uncle Mac can beat me at driving?” Gracie giggled as they crossed over to where the race cars awaited their next adventure.
Two hours later, they occupied a booth tucked into a corner of the castle—one marked with Gracie’s name. All her meals would be served at this particular table, one of the countless careful precautions that made Robyn’s Place unique.
“Can we go see Fairyland next?” Gracie’s eager voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“I’m sure it’s a great place,” Mac said.
Jen consulted her app. “We have a half-hour, but we haven’t seen the animals yet. They are supposed to have penguins.”
“Penguins?” Gracie gasped, launching herself from her seat before either adult could react. She darted ahead, her excitement overriding caution.
“Oh no, her shoelace!” Jen’s warning came too late.
Gracie took a tumble.
McKay reached her first, finding her clutching her bleeding elbow through tears.
A crew member materialized instantly. “The infirmary is just this way. I’ll show you.”
McKay scooped Gracie up, noting the efficiency of the staff’s response even as he hurried after their guide. The way everything operated with such precise coordination spoke of careful planning. If only his mother could be here.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a woman who looked so much like Dana that he nearly dropped his niece. Impossible. He refocused on getting Gracie help.
“Oh, that’s cold. Why does everything that’s supposed to be good for you have to hurt?” Dana winced as Chris placed a cold pack from the cooler on her ankle. How stupid had she been to walk into the gate. But that man carrying the little girl looked so much like McKay. It was her imagination. She’d seen the daily guest list. There wasn’t a family surnamed Worth. McKay couldn’t be here. If he was, she would have traded with someone else on the team.
Chris interrupted her thoughts. “The ice doesn’t hurt.”
“Bet?”
“Your nerves are extra sensitive because of the damage you did.” Having completed his Advanced EMT training last week, Chris was ready to dispense his newly acquired knowledge. “You’re lucky I happened to be on shift today.”
Dana rolled her eyes. “It feels like we just did this.”
“That was last month on a soccer field. Completely different.”
“Aren’t you going to get that golfer?” asked Peter. His three-year-old voice still held the adorable toddler lisp that made even his grumpiest moments endearing.
“Not golfer, gopher, st—-” Porter stopped the word he was going to call his youngest sibling mid-syllable. Dana may not be able to chase anything down at the moment, but she’d mastered the look that told any child they were venturing into dangerous territory. The seven-year-old quickly changed his statement. “St—Um, I mean, gopher and golfer do sound the same.”
“A gopher hole is made by an animal, not a person playing golf.” As always, the middle child and self-appointed expert on all things, Polly, was quick to offer an explanation to her younger brother.
Peter crossed his arms and glared at Chris. “So, are you going to get the gopher?”
“It wasn’t a gopher hole this time that tripped up Dana.” Chris locked eyes with her. “Was it Dana?”
“No gophers this time. Just me not watching where I was walking.” Dana barely heard the children’s banter. Her mind kept replaying the moment she’d stumbled—not because of any hole or loose shoelace, but because she’d seen a man who looked exactly like McKay. A distraction she couldn’t afford on the job.
Chris took out his phone. “I’ll call for a replacement and get you over to the infirmary.”
“I don’t need to go.” That is where the man had gone.
“Mama says you should go to the doctor when you are hurt.” Polly’s glare left little to discuss.
A moment later, backup arrived in the form of Candace, Colin, and their security team.
“Is that the same ankle?” asked Candace.
“Yes, unfortunately.” Dana winced out a smile. “It isn’t as bad as last time. I am not making a habit of it.”
“It was good timing. I promised the children some time away from Robyn’s Place for the rest of the day. You’re off duty for the rest of the day.”
“If she doesn’t get better quickly, can we make her ice cream again?” Peter’s question was likely prompted by whatever Porter whispered in his ear.
Dana looked at Candace, who was trying not to laugh. Colin scratched his chin. “I don’t know if that will help. We will have to see.”
“Awe,” groaned Porter.
Polly rolled her eyes. “Don’t pout, Daddy means yes.”
Chris helped Dana into a wheelchair he’d pulled out of some hidden corner. “Let’s get that looked at.”
“I feel so stupid. I did not want to be the first one to test out the infirmary.”
“You’re not. A guest twas injured about fifteen minutes ago.”
The man and the girl she saw. “How do you know that?”
“That was the text you got when you decided to go all distracted and trip over your own shoelace.” Chris chuckled.
“Not that funny.” Dana hit the button to open the infirmary door. “And I walked into a gate. My shoelaces are perfectly tied.”
Inside, a little girl dressed in a pink princess dress held her mother’s hand while she showed her father her new pink bandage. “See Uncle Mac. It’s just a boo-boo.” Not her father.
Dana’s heart stuttered to a stop, then started racing double-time. Of all the infirmaries in all the theme parks in all of Indiana… Dana only had a moment to collect herself before McKay turned around. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart raced. Did they have a defibrillator in here?
He spoke first. “Hi.”
“Oh, poor lady! Don’t worry, they’re really nice here. And they have bandages in all the colors—see, I got pink!” Gracie—it had to be Gracie—thrust her elbow forward for inspection.
Dana found her voice. “It is a very nice color.”
Gracie tugged on her mom’s hand. “Come on, we’ll miss all the fun!”
McKay didn’t move to follow his sister and niece.
“Uncle Mac!”
His eyes didn’t move from Dana’s. “Uncle Mac will join us in a moment. He needs to talk with someone.”
“Who Mommy?”
The door shut, muffling Jen’s response.
Chris cleared his throat. “I’m needed elsewhere. I trust you can take this from here.”
Traitor. He didn’t even try to hide his knowing smile as he left.
Dana summoned the courage to look McKay in the eye. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“You mean you haven’t injured your ankle?”
“Well yes, but not like last time…”
His eyes swept over her and stopped on her name badge. “Do you work here?”
“Sometimes.”
McKay stepped out of the way. “Do you need any help?”
Her ice pack slipped to the floor. They both reached for it, hands colliding—hot and cold all at once. He made sure she had a grip on the bag before letting go, but the brief contact left her skin tingling.
“It seems like we’ve done this before.” His eyes searched hers.
Tears having nothing to do with her twisted ankle welled up, clogging her throat. Words wouldn’t come. She looked down, struggling for composure.
McKay made a strangled sound before muttering, “Have a good day.”
She tried to turn the wheelchair to follow him, but the ice pack got caught in the wheel and a nurse walked up at the same time.
“Here, let me help you.”
Before Dana could protest, she was wheeled into an exam room. Could the doctor on call heal a broken heart?
Putting on a happy face should have been easier. McKay hurried to catch up with Jen and Gracie at the fairy ride. Jen raised a brow when he met them in line, but didn’t comment. Like other rides, McKay ended up in a seat by himself.
Based on a story of a little fairy who found a handsome prince, this ride had more hearts and flowers than anything should.
Love.
Ha.
Dana couldn’t even talk with him.
What had he thought? That she would jump out of that chair and greet him?
She had to be the clumsiest bodyguard alive.
Whoa, Mac that is uncharitable, even for you.
She worked here. She had to know that he was here. Even the custodian had greeted Gracie by name.
The end of the ride neared. McKay took a deep breath. Nothing would ruin Gracie’s big day. Not even Dana Knight.
The ride ended.
“I want to ride that one again.”
“I’ll request that for tomorrow,” said Jen.
“What is next?” asked Gracie.
Jen read her phone app. “Looks like you have a snack break.”
McKay was relieved to go back to the table. He wasn’t likely to run into Dana there. Could he take the coward’s way out and go back to his room?
Gracie chose an oatmeal cookie and carrots for her snack. Jen did the same. The server didn’t leave. Jen kicked McKay’s foot.
“Oh, sorry, nothing for me.”
“But Uncle Mac. These snacks are healthy. You should eat.”
McKay looked at the server and ordered a glass of water.
Gracie huffed. Their food arrived only a minute later, distracting Gracie with a cookie.
Jen’s concerned mother look turned on McKay full force. “I think someone needs to have a timeout and find his happy place.” Gracie crossed her arms. “You can’t give Uncle Mac a time out.”
“Oh yes, I can. I think twenty minutes should be long enough.” Jen snapped off a bite of her carrot.
“That is a very long time,” said Gracie.
“He can stay here while we go to the Mermaid Pond.”
Twenty minutes to collect himself. “Maybe I should write out lines too. Do you have any paper?”
Jen dug through her little bag, which had to come from a Mary Poppins store, and produced a pen and a small notebook. “Here you go. Write: ‘I will not be a bore,’ 100 times.”