Kiss Me Hard Before You Go (19 page)

“No,” he shook his head, “it just means you’re going to be a great mother.”

She wiped at her eyes. “Look at me. I’m a blubbering mess.” She sniffled.

“It’s the hormones,” Finch said. “Wait until you get to your third trimester.” He stood up and walked to the table and took a few napkins. “Here.” He handed them to Katie.

“Thank you,” she said and gave him a warm smile. “Evie, if you don’t marry this man, I will.”

“Quit stroking his ego,” Evie said. “All he gave you were a few crummy napkins.”

“Sorry, but most of the men in my life, with the exception of your daddy, don’t have half the manners he does. Right now, a napkin is as good as a diamond ring in my book.”

Finch sat back and folded his hands behind his head, smiling at Evie. “She likes me.”

“She’s hormonal and doesn’t get out much.”

“Hey,” Katie whined. “I’m sitting right here, you know?”

Evie turned to her with an apologetic expression. “Sorry. He just gets me so frustrated.” She grunted.

“I can leave the room so y’all can make-out and get it over with. Or there’s a closet.” She gestured to a linen closet down the hallway. “How about y’all go in there for seven minutes and see what happens?” Katie teased.

Evie blushed at the thought. She knew that a trip in a closet with Finch would not have the same result as it did with Nick Tate. There’d be more than a stupid slobbery peck. She’d kiss that smirk off his face for every one of the beautiful seven minutes she was in there.

Even Finch turned a slight shade of pink, thinking of all the things he and Evie could do in a closet for that length of time. He’d hold her tight and run his hands along her cheeks, combing his fingers through her long blond hair. He’d kiss that tiny freckle on her ear lobe, and then the corner of her mouth, whispering how truly amazing she was.

“She’s likely to get a coat hanger and strangle me with it,” Finch said.

“Maybe,” Katie said and formed a slight smile. “But something tells me y’all would find other things to do to occupy your time.”

Evie’s ears were boiling hot. The rest of her was a rising inferno. She knew she was as red as a tomato and hated that he had that kind of effect on her. But there it was. And even though he crawled under her skin, she couldn’t stop wanting to be around him, wanting to say something to him, anything, if it just meant they were talking.

“It seems that you’re in a predicament,” Finch said seriously, rubbing his chin. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Katie answered. “I can’t stay here forever, but I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

Finch gave her a sympathetic nod. “I’ll see what I can do to help.”

Katie waved her hand up. “That’s all right. You don’t have to trouble yourself.”

“It’s no trouble,” he said reassuringly. “Let me see what I can figure out. Try not to worry.”

“Thank you, Finch. I can see why Evie likes you,” she said. She turned to Evie, “So, what’d you bring me tonight?”

Evie took a few seconds to respond, still in awe over Finch’s kindness.

Katie waved her hand in Evie’s face.

“A deck of cards, some food and more Coke,” she finally answered.

Katie pointed to her belly “He’s got a hankering for Coca Cola,” she said to Finch.

“Mom said I was a Pepsi guy,” he said. “It’s all she drank when she was pregnant with me.”

Katie rubbed her hands together and smiled. “Cards, huh? We should play a game before y’all leave.”

“I’m in.” Finch got up and sauntered to the table, pulling the deck of cards out of the bag.

He brought the other chair over and placed it in the middle of them, spreading the cards out on it and shuffling them.

“What are we playing?” he asked them.

“I only know how to play Blackjack,” Evie said.

“Blackjack it is,” he said and dealt them their cards.

***

An owl hooted high up in a tree, and coyotes howled in the distance. Frogs croaked, and crickets chirped incessantly. A slight chill filled the summer night air, and Evie shivered, feeling the coolness against her bare shoulders.

Finch took off his denim jacket and offered it to Evie. “Thanks,” she said, putting it on.

She could smell him all over it: cologne that was strong but not too overpowering; a slightly musky scent from the days he wore it to work; and the Earth. Finch was a conglomeration of all three.

He grabbed a hold of her hand and held onto it, just enough of a tug to let her know of his presence, that he was there, right next to her. She didn’t fight it and laced her fingers into his, feeling the leathery texture of his tanned skin.

“You were nice to offer to help Katie,” Evie said. It had surprised her. He was so kind, so empathetic.

He stopped for a moment and stared down at her. “I feel sorry for her, and it’s not right what’s happening to her,” he said. “The same thing happened to my mom, except she wasn’t pregnant. Her lousy parents booted her out of the house when she was seventeen, and as much as Kip frustrates me, he saved my mom. If he hadn’t taken her in, she could’ve ended up with some loser drunk or worse.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I guess I just don’t want the same thing happening to Katie. She’s a nice girl, and it’s a shame she’s gonna have to grow up so fast.”

Evie didn’t know what to say. He was being so open and so honest with his feelings, she wanted to give him a hug and pat him gently on the shoulder. The only words she could muster were, “Sometimes you confound me, Finch.”

He gave her a tired smile. “How’s that, Evie?”

“You’re a piss-ant one moment and a teddy bear the next. I can’t figure you out.” Her fingers grazed across her chin as she stared at him incredulously.

“And you, Evie, are a good friend. Katie is lucky,” he said, and they started their walk back to Evie’s.

In the quiet of the night it was easy for them to get lost in their feelings. They stole the short amount of time they had been given to learn more about each other, talking about anything and everything—which movie was their favorite, and why their favorite song meant so much to them.

“I better go inside,” Evie said in a hushed voice. Her voice was dry, and she felt like butterflies were fluttering around in her stomach. “Daddy’s probably asleep on the couch, but if he wakes up and sees I’m not there, he’ll have a fit.”

“I still want to take you out for dinner,” he said. “If you’ll go,” his tone soft.

“I’d like that,” she answered. “That was a much nicer way to ask.”

He kicked his foot back and forth and looked down, feeling ridiculous for mistrusting himself. He was a glob of nerves. “I was thinking since you check on Katie every night, I could walk with you, you know, to make sure you’re not traipsing around out here by yourself.”

Even Evie could hear the insecurity in his tone, that underneath there was hope, hope that she’d say yes. “Okay.” She smiled, happy that he had offered.

“We can continue our talk tomorrow night then,” he said. “Your taste in movies needs work.” He curved his lips up.

“How can you not like
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory
?”

“They’re a bunch of ungrateful kids, and people randomly break out into song and dance,” he said and paused for a moment, glancing at her house and then back at her. “Won’t your dad suspect something if you’re out walking around every night?”

Evie shook her head. “He’s so tired lately. After dinner, he falls asleep on the couch, and doesn’t wake up until after midnight.” A flicker of worry ran across her face and faded as quickly as it had come.

He gave her an understanding nod. “I will see you tomorrow after the carnival closes,” he said.

She stood on her tip toes and quickly pecked him on his cheek before saying a hurried “Good night.” She refused to make eye contact and wondered if his face was as flushed as hers. His cheek had felt warm, and she could still feel the sting on her lips from his five o’clock shadow. If she turned around to look at him, she’d die from embarrassment. It was just a quick peck, but she knew it was the start of something.

Chapter 18

He was punctual. True to his word, he met her outside of her house after the carnival had closed. Without saying a word, he took a small bag out of her hand and carried it, while he held onto her hand with his other. He was going to hold her hand anytime she let him.

He peered down into the crumpled brown paper bag and asked, “What have you got in here?”

“Candy for Katie, and I picked some up for you,” she said sheepishly.

“What’d you get me?” He stuck his hand down in the bag, rummaged around, and pulled out some Sugar Daddies. “Aww, my favorite. How’d you know?” He flickered a wide grin.

“You told me,” she said.

“Well, thanks,” he said with surprise, and she could see that for once, Finch was the flustered one. “I was thinking about Katie,” he said as they walked side-by-side. “Couldn’t she just live with you? I mean, her father can’t force her to live with her aunt and give up the baby. She’s eighteen.”

“She could stay with me, but he’d find a way to force her to leave. She’s so scared of him, and if you knew him, you’d be too. He’s the only man I’ve ever met that makes me say a few Hail Mary’s anytime I’m near him.” She shivered slightly.

“He sounded bad when she talked about him, but he must be worse than I thought. You’re afraid he’ll do something if he knows she’s here?”

Evie nodded with a sad expression. “I’d bet Miles’ life on it.”

Finch took a deep breath and pinched on the skin of his throat. “Give me some more time to think of something. Maybe she could join us on the circuit?” He shook his head slowly. “But I wouldn’t stick my worst enemy in this job, let alone a nice girl like her. The carnival is no life for someone like her.”

Evie blew air out of her lips. “Hopefully, we’ll get something figured out. She doesn’t want me to tell my dad, but I can’t keep this from him much longer.”

“No, you can’t,” he agreed.

***

Finch thought about Evie as he headed back to his tent. They were spending more time together, and she had kissed him. Okay, so maybe it was just a peck on the cheek, but her lips did touch his face even if it was for a brief moment. He couldn’t get her out of his head, and the more he got to know her, the stronger the pull was. He’d see her in his dreams, when he fixed a ride, when he smelled popcorn or tasted a funnel cake. She was everywhere.

“Haven’t seen you around lately,” Doris said. She was lounging on a lawn chair, fanning herself.

He half-shrugged. “I’ve been around.”

“Around in what sense, Honey Lamb? You’ve been hanging out with Evie, haven’t you?” She giggled. “Stoney said you borrowed his truck the other night.”

“Yeah. So,” Finch said with annoyance.

“So... did you take her out on a date?” She leaned forward with a groan. “Can’t imagine you borrowed his truck to sight see.”

“Don’t you have something you could be doing?” Finch asked with exasperation.

“Nope. I’m just waiting for Friedrich to come back with my Coke,” she said. “It’s been a quiet night anyhow, hon. Kip ain’t so pleased with us right now.” She frowned.

“Business still slow?” Finch asked with a note of concern. He had heard Kip chewing Doris, Friedrich and Mouse out earlier that week, threatening to sack their asses if they didn’t conjure up some more business soon. But they weren’t magicians, and they couldn’t create magic if it wasn’t there.

“Slow is an understatement. Dmitri’s doing great with his juggling act, though,” she said with a pout. “The rumor mill is buzzing, and it ain’t anything good.”

He looked down and rubbed his forehead.

“I didn’t tell you this to get you down in the dumps. Don’t you worry about us,” she said. “So, are you taking her out again?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “I’m hitting the hay,” he said and started off.

“Kip ain’t going to be so pleased when he hears you’re sweet on the owner’s daughter. We’re supposed to stay away from her.”

He stopped and turned around, facing her. “Well, it’s too late for that, isn’t? Maybe her dad won’t feel that way when we meet?”

She made a tsk-tsk sound. “You’re not a real charmer, hon. He’s gonna take one look at you and lock his daughter up in that farmhouse of his.”

“Thanks. A lot,” he huffed. “I’m not an asshole, Doris.”

“You know how much I love you. I just don’t want you getting your hopes up is all. People like him don’t want to know people like us, and they sure as hell don’t want someone like you knowing their daughter.”

A lump caught in his throat. “She doesn’t have a problem with me,” he said. “Maybe he won’t, either.”

“Daddies can make things complicated if they want. All I’m saying is tread carefully.” She lay back down and fanned herself. “She’s not some ten cent floozy.”

“I’m well aware of that,” Finch snapped.

Friedrich approached them carrying two glass bottles of Coke. “One for you my dear and one for me.” He handed Doris her drink and sat in the empty chair next to her.

“Thanks, hon. Finch is in serious trouble,” she said.

Friedrich stood upright and widened his eyes. “What is the problem?”

“Calm down. He’s okay. He’s just got the love bug is all, and guess who that bug is?”

“Evie,” Friedrich said and smiled, showing his crooked teeth. He sat back down and looked at Finch appraisingly.

“Bingo!” Doris sang.

Finch drew in a deep breath and released it. “I’ll see you guys later.” He stomped off, hearing Doris singing, “Finch and Evie sittin’ in a tree...”

***

She was a basket of nerves and couldn’t stop clomping around the house, chewing on her nails and twirling her hair. At least she had the guts to tell her dad Finch was taking her out on a date. His reaction was just as she suspected: pursed lips twisted to the side. He didn’t say much, only that he wasn’t happy about it and would make mention of it to Kip.

“You can’t, Daddy,” she begged.

He sighed. “You’re an adult. I can’t stop you from going on a date with this boy. But of all the people to go out with, a boy from the carnival.”

Finch was right; he was judged. People automatically thought of him as a crook, a loser, just because he made his living as a carny. “Give him a chance,” she pleaded, and from the look on his face, she knew it’d be a hard sell.