Chapter 17
Lainey
“Pull it back further, Jasper!” Zach’s voice carries over the buzz of the carnival.
It’s a warm Saturday afternoon, and the community fair is in full swing, bustling with families, music, and the scent of fried everything.
Jasper stands at the slingshot booth, tongue sticking out in fierce concentration as he pulls the rubber band back as far as his little arms will allow.
Zach hovers beside him, his hands gesturing wildly.
“No, no, angle it higher! You’re gonna want to arc it,” Zach says, his enthusiasm contagious.
“I’m trying!” Jasper huffs, his small face set with determination. He adjusts, peeking back at me for reassurance.
“You’ve got this, buddy,” I say, stepping closer and crouching beside him. “Ignore Zach. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Excuse me?” Zach’s mock-offended tone makes Jasper giggle.
“Just aim for the middle can, Jasper,” I continue, ignoring Zach. “Focus and let go.”
Jasper lets the rubber band snap, and the pebble arcs perfectly, colliding with the pyramid of cans and sending them clattering to the ground.
“Yes!” Jasper’s triumphant shout is echoed by the booth operator’s bell, signaling his victory.
“I did it!” Jasper spins around, his face lit up with pure joy. “Thank you, Auntie Lainey! And you too, Uncle Zach!”
Zach ruffles Jasper’s hair, beaming. “Told you you’d get it. Guess you just needed some expert coaching.”
“Oh, please,” I retort, crossing my arms. “If anything, you were in his way. That win was all Jasper—and maybe a little bit me.”
Jasper tugs at my hand. “Can I pick my prize now?”
“Go for it!” I gesture toward the wall of oversized plushies, fake goldfish in plastic bags, and spinning light-up toys.
Jasper’s eyes widen as he scans the prizes. “The panda!” he declares, pointing at an enormous black-and-white bear almost as tall as he is.
The booth operator hands over the panda, and Jasper hugs it tightly before looking up at us. “This is the best day ever. Thanks for helping me!”
“You’re welcome, Jasp.” I smile, my heart swelling at his happiness.
“Best day ever, huh?” Zach says, leaning on the counter. “I think I could top it. You ready to dominate the ring toss next?”
“Yes!” Jasper bounces on his toes, dragging the panda along as we head toward the next booth.
The ring toss is a little more crowded, but Jasper squeezes in between Zach and me, holding the colorful plastic rings like they’re Olympic gold medals.
“Okay, you’ve got to listen to me this time,” I tell Jasper, crouching to his level. “Aim for the closest bottle and don’t throw too hard. Let it glide.”
Zach snorts. “Terrible advice. You’ve got to aim further out and throw with confidence.”
“Confidence doesn’t matter if you don’t have accuracy,” I snap back, glaring at him.
“Confidence is everything,” Zach counters, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. “That’s why I’m here to teach him the right way.”
Jasper interrupts, laughing. “I’ll try both ways, okay?”
Wyatt and Chloe stand off to the side, clearly enjoying the show.
“They’re still like this,” Chloe says, shaking her head but smiling.
Wyatt chuckles. “It’s free entertainment. I’m not complaining.”
Jasper tosses his first ring using my method, and it bounces off a bottleneck. His second throw, guided by Zach’s enthusiastic coaching, also misses.
“It’s okay, Jasper,” I say quickly. “Last one. Just aim and believe in yourself.”
“And listen to Lainey,” Zach adds, grinning. “For once.”
Jasper giggles and takes a deep breath before letting the final ring fly. It lands cleanly, spinning around the neck of a bottle.
“Got it!” he shouts, jumping up and down.
“Jasper the Champion strikes again!” Zach declares, sweeping Jasper into his arms and spinning him around.
Jasper throws his arms around Zach’s neck, laughing. “I couldn’t have done it without you guys!”
“You’re the real MVP, Jasp,” I say, ruffling his hair.
The booth operator hands Jasper a sparkly, rainbow-colored stuffed unicorn, and his face lights up. “This one’s for Mom!” he announces, proudly holding it out to Chloe.
“Oh, my sweet boy,” Chloe says, pulling Jasper into a hug. “Thank you, honey.”
As the afternoon winds down, the Ferris wheel catches Jasper’s attention. “Can we go on it? Please, please, please?”
Wyatt exchanges a glance with Chloe, who shakes her head. “You go ahead, bud. I’m staying on solid ground for this one.”
Zach and I glance at each other, and before I can protest, Jasper grabs both our hands, dragging us toward the ride.
We pile into a swaying cart, Jasper in the middle with his panda on his lap. The Ferris wheel lurches upward, and he lets out a delighted squeal, pointing at the sprawling fairground below.
“This is so cool!” Jasper says, leaning over to take in the view.
“It’s pretty great,” I admit, glancing out at the sparkling lights and colorful booths.
“It’s okay,” Zach teases. “I’ve seen better.”
“You’re impossible,” I say, nudging his arm.
He smirks, his gaze warm. “But you like me, anyway.”
Jasper giggles, oblivious to the way Zach’s words send my heart into overdrive.
As the Ferris wheel crests its peak, Zach leans back, his hand brushing against mine on the seat. I don’t pull away.
“Thanks for helping him today,” I say softly, watching Jasper’s wide-eyed wonder.
“Always,” Zach replies, his voice low. “Anything for the kid—and for you.”
The cart sways gently, the world below glowing in the golden light of dusk. And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of something wonderful.