CHAPTER EIGHT
County Fair
Saturday morning arrived with bright blue skies and a light summer breeze.
Emily walked into the kitchen wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a denim jacket.
Luke looked up from his coffee.
“You know…”
Emily smiled.
“What?”
“I think you were made for county fairs.”
She laughed.
“And why’s that?”
“You’ve got the boots.”
“I do.”
“The smile.”
“I hope so.”
“And you’re already planning what you’re going to eat.”
Emily grinned.
“I’ve been thinking about a funnel cake since yesterday.”
Luke shook his head.
“I knew it.”
The fairgrounds were buzzing by the time they arrived.
Children ran toward the rides while the smell of barbecue, kettle corn, and fresh lemonade drifted through the air.
Luke reached over and took Emily’s hand.
“This is my favorite part.”
“The food?”
“No.”
“You?”
“No.”
Emily looked confused.
“Watching you get excited over everything.”
She bumped his shoulder.
“You’re sweet.”
“I know.”
They wandered through the livestock barns first.
Emily stopped in front of a massive Clydesdale.
“Oh my goodness…”
Luke smiled.
“He’s beautiful.”
“I’ve never seen one this close.”
The horse calmly leaned his head over the stall door.
Emily gently scratched his forehead.
“I could stay here all day.”
Luke laughed.
“I figured we’d have to drag you away.”
Nearby, a young girl guided her horse through a showmanship class.
Luke watched quietly.
“You know…”
Emily looked over.
“What?”
“I’d like to do that someday.”
“The horse shows?”
He nodded.
“Just for fun.”
Emily smiled.
“I’d cheer louder than anyone there.”
“You’d embarrass me.”
“I absolutely would.”
After grabbing barbecue sandwiches and fresh lemonade, they found seats near the main arena.
A horse exhibition was about to begin.
The announcer introduced riders from around the Pacific Northwest, each showing incredible control and trust with their horses.
Emily leaned against Luke.
“Someday.”
Luke smiled.
“Someday.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
By late afternoon, they had somehow eaten a funnel cake, shared roasted corn, bought homemade jam, and watched three different competitions.
Luke looked at Emily.
“You realize we came here to save money.”
Emily looked down at the shopping bag in her hand.
“Oh…”
Luke laughed.
“We’re terrible at budgeting.”
She smiled sheepishly.
“But we made memories.”
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I’d rather have memories than perfect budgeting.”
Emily slipped her hand into his.
“Me too.”
As they walked back toward the truck, a local band began playing an old country song.
Luke stopped walking.
Emily looked at him.
“What?”
He held out his hand.
“One dance.”
“Right here?”
“Why not?”
People walked around them without paying much attention.
Emily smiled and accepted.
They swayed together in the middle of the fairgrounds while families passed by carrying stuffed animals and bags of popcorn.
When the song ended, Luke kissed her forehead.
“You know…”
Emily smiled.
“What?”
“I think every year we should come back here.”
“It’s a date.”
“No matter how old we get.”
Emily squeezed his hand.
“No matter how old we get.”
As they climbed into the truck, Luke glanced once more at the horse arena in the distance.
He could already picture it.
A little farm.
Two horses grazing in the pasture.
A few goofy dogs racing across the yard.
Emily beside him.
It wasn’t just a dream anymore.
It was becoming the life they were determined to build—one mile after another.