27. Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
“Get ready to be embarrassed.”
After spending some time checking out the craft fair and farmer’s market, Abe and Maggie watched Gentry’s boys compete in the three-legged race, the sack race, and the egg toss. When it was time for the adults to compete in the egg toss, Abe convinced Milo to enter the contest with him.
The Buchanan brothers already had a reputation for doing well in the competition every year, so they were the team to watch. It was held in a large grassy area, and enthusiastic onlookers lined each side of the playing field, cheering on their favorite team.
They started a few feet apart, then stepped back after each successful catch.
By the time they were ten feet apart, only three other teams remained.
Two of them dropped their eggs on the next toss, causing a mix of moans and cheers from the audience.
This left Abe and Milo against Bruce and his brother Angus.
They both managed to make it to twenty feet apart, with each toss taking a little more thought and planning.
When Bruce and Angus dropped theirs, the moderator looked at Milo and Abe.
“If you make this catch, you’re the winners. If you miss it, you’re tied with Bruce and Angus for first.”
Milo had the egg, and he held it up. “One more, brother. We can do this.”
Abe nodded. “Hold on.” He waved at Maggie, and she ran over to him. “Give me a kiss for luck.”
“In front of all of these people? Half the town is here.”
He smiled. “Kiss me.”
Maggie kissed him, and the crowd cheered. She ran back to Kai, who was with Marti and the boys, and then Abe nodded to Milo. “Let her rip.”
Milo took a moment, then lobbed the egg into the air.
When Abe saw it was going to sail over his head, he backed up, keeping his eye on it.
It fell from the sky in slow motion and dropped toward his outstretched hands.
He gave with the impact and held his breath as it landed.
The crowd fell completely silent until Abe held up the unbroken egg, then erupted in cheers and whistles.
Abe ran over to Milo, shook his hand, then grinned and smashed the egg on his chest. Milo took a step back.
“What the hell?”
“I’m guessing most of your students are out there watching how you handle this situation.”
Milo simmered for a moment. “Well, I’m guessing they’d want me to put you in your place.” He wiped at the egg dripping down his shirt, then flung it at Abe.
Abe laughed as he took a step back, dodging most of the raw egg. He held up a hand. “I’m sorry. You can keep the twenty-dollar gift certificate we just won.”
“You’re damn right I’m keeping it.”
Maggie brought Milo a baby wipe. “Here you go.” She turned to Abe. “That was…”
“Old Abe?”
“Yes.”
He shrugged. “I guess he’s still buried in there somewhere.”
She cleaned the few spots of egg from his shirt. “Good.”
With the dance still a few hours away, Abe and Maggie decided to go to their respective homes for a while, then go to the dance together in one car.
Abe walked Maggie to her car. “I’ll pick you up at 6:45.”
“I’ll be ready.”
She bent down and kissed Kai, then kissed Abe. “We’re going to sit with Lucia, Justin, and the girls.”
“Is he on duty?”
“No, he’s off.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Kai fell asleep on the way home and stayed asleep as Abe carried him into the house. He laid Kai on the couch, then sat down next to him and put his feet up on the trunk. He tossed his hat, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
A whispered, “Papa” woke him. Kai was standing next to him on the couch, patting his chest.
“Oh, hey there, kid. That was a nice little nap.”
Kai climbed onto his lap and leaned against him. Abe kissed his hair. “Busy day. But it’s not over yet.”
“Kai eat?”
“Yeah. Papa eat, too.”
Abe made dinner for them, then gave Kai a bath and dressed him for the dance, putting him in a light blue T-shirt and jeans.
“Looking sharp, kid.” He needed to shower too, so he brought Kai into the bathroom with some toys, then took a quick shower with the curtain half open so he could keep an eye out.
As he was packing the backpack, he glanced at Kai. “We need to get you potty trained, little dude. Aren’t you ready to get out of those diapers and pee like a big kid?”
Kai smiled. “Pee pee.”
“Yeah. We’ll put that on our list of things to do.”
They left the house a few minutes later and headed to Maggie’s.
She came out as he pulled up and she slid into the passenger seat.
She kissed Abe, then turned to Kai. “Look how handsome you are in that blue shirt. It’s the same color as your eyes.
This boy is going to drive the women crazy in a few years. ”
“I hope it’s more than a few years.”
They drove into town and found a parking spot on the street not too far from the park. Maggie held Abe’s hand while they walked to where the dance was being held. A local band provided the music, and the dance always had a big turnout.
Maggie bumped Abe’s shoulder. “I’ve gone to these dances a few times. I’ve never seen you at one.”
“I haven’t been to one since my early twenties.”
“Oh goodness. Are you going to hate this?”
“I’m with you. How could I hate it?”
They heard the music before they were even close, and as they approached, they spotted Justin and Lucia. They were sitting at a table, and the girls were dancing with each other on the edge of the dance floor.
Maggie sat next to Lucia. “They are so cute.”
“My little divas. They insisted on dressing up for their first town dance.” She smiled at Kai. “Seeing this little guy makes me want to have another.”
Justin looked at her. “Just say the word, babe.”
“I still only feel that way when I see Kai. When I feel like this all the time, I’ll let you know. I feel the same way when I see Ezekiel.”
“How are Seraphina and the baby doing?”
“They’re fine. My brother is slightly overwhelmed. In a good way. He can’t get enough of the little guy.”
Abe nodded. “I know how he feels.”
“They were going to come tonight, but Seraphina didn’t want Ezekiel around so many people. Dayton is around here somewhere, though.”
Justin kicked Abe’s chair. “Take Maggie out to the dance floor. We’ll watch Kai.”
Abe got slowly to his feet. “Get ready to be embarrassed.”
Maggie stood and took his arm. “It’s going to be fine.”
“Let’s go where my brother can’t watch and make fun of me.”
“Justin wouldn’t do that.”
“Trust me. I’d do it to him, too.”
They went around the couples dancing, then Abe took Maggie into his arms. “I like this part of it.” He spotted Milo, Wes, and Luke sitting together. “Dammit. I can’t get away from them.”
Maggie laughed. “There are too many of you. Just forget about them and look at me. You’re doing fine.”
Abe pulled her in close. “Yeah. Screw them. I don’t see them out here dancing.”
“Are any of them dating anyone?”
“Nothing serious. Luke has a girl he dates on and off, but I think it’s more of a convenience than anything. On both their parts. When they feel like doing something with someone, one of them will call the other.”
“Friends with benefits?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. But maybe.”
“He’s cute. He’ll find someone. They all will.”
“Even Wes?”
“Even Wes.”
“Can we stop talking about my brothers now?”
“Yes.” She lay her head on his shoulder. “This is very nice.”
“It sure is.”
They danced two dances, then went back to the table. Justin stood and held his hand out to Lucia. “My turn.”
Maggie smiled. “We’ve got the kids.”
Abe dropped onto his chair. “Such a bizarre statement.”
“How so?”
“This time last year, Gentry was the only one with kids. Now, both Justin and I have them. And if Lucia spends any more time with Ezekiel and Kai, Justin will have more.” He looked at her. “How do you feel about kids…in general?”
“Obviously, I like them.”
He nodded. “Okay. I guess more specific to your future.”
“I want to be a mother.” She cocked her head. “Is that what you meant?”
“Yeah. So hypothetically speaking, you’d be willing to be a mother to Kai?”
“I’m pretty sure I made that clear when we were talking about growing old together.”
“Right. One would include the other.”
Maggie took his hand. “Let me answer the question I think you’re trying to ask. I’d be perfectly happy raising one child. That child being Kai. But I wouldn’t be opposed to adding another child or two down the road if that was something you’d want to do.”
“Okay. So, if I didn’t want another child…”
“I’d be fine with that.”
He looked at Kai. “I’m not saying I won’t want another child. He’s just so perfect. I might be afraid to push my luck.”
Maggie laughed. “Like I’ve said a few times now. We’ll take it slow and see where we end up.”
“You keep saying that. But we keep having these conversations that are the opposite of taking things slow.”
“I guess I’m a tad bit scared.”
“Of taking on Kai? Of me? How you feel about me? How I feel about you?”
“Of the fact that it happened so fast. I’m afraid to…trust it.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I think I’ve accepted that.”
“Kai’s not going anywhere.”
“I know.”
“So…stop worrying and let it happen.”
“The thought of waking up next to you for the rest of my life is quite appealing.”
“Well, yeah.”
“So, so cocky.”
Deputy Miles approached the table. “I thought Justin was sitting with you.”
“He is. He’s dancing. What’s wrong?”
“There’s an altercation going on in the parking lot that I think he’s going to want to know about.”
“I’ll go get him. I’ll be a lot less conspicuous.”
“Thanks. Tell him we’re in the north end of the parking lot on Front Street.”
Abe made his way through the dancing couples to Justin and Lucia. Justin stopped when he saw him. “I hope you’re not planning on cutting in. You have your own woman to dance with.”
“Eddie just came looking for you. He says there’s an altercation in the parking lot off of Front Street.”
“Damn. Of course there is.” Justin took Lucia’s hand. “Sorry, honey. Seems I don’t have the night off after all.”
She kissed him. “Be careful.”
They returned to the table, and Abe asked, “Do you want me to come with you?”
“I would hope three deputies and a sheriff can take care of it.”
“I’ll tag along. You might need some crowd control.” He looked at Maggie. “Can you watch Kai?”
“Of course.”
He kissed her. “Thanks.”
“Be careful.”
“Crowd control means standing around and looking ominous.”
As they started to leave, Milo, Wes, and Luke arrived at the table. “What’s going on?”
Justin shook his head. “Just some guys fighting, I think. I’m not sure yet.”
Luke nodded. “Do you want some backup?”
“Sure. Not many guys are going to go up against five of the Buchanan brothers.”
Lucia turned to Maggie. “It seems this is the equivalent of the hero saying…I’ll be right back.”
“Right before he falls off a cliff or gets eaten by a monster.”
“Yeah.”