Dream a Little Dream (Chicago Stars, #4)(70)

“Edward’s stupid. Nobody has that name.”

Ethan gave Edward’s shoulder a comforting squeeze, then regarded his brother. “The volleyball game’ll be starting soon. Let’s play.”

“You go on,” Gabe said. “Rachel and I have someone we need to see.”

Ethan wasn’t pleased. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Don’t worry about it, all right?”

A muscle ticked in Ethan’s jaw. She knew he wanted to lash out at her, but overt hostility wasn’t in his nature. He rubbed his knuckles over the top of Edward’s head. “See you later, pal.”


Edward looked deeply unhappy as Ethan moved way. He had been separated from the man he idolized, and his day was spoiled.

She took his hand. “I’m afraid your cotton candy’s ruined. Do you want another one?”

Gabe jammed both hands into his pockets, and his scowl made it easy to read his mind. He thought she should be punishing Edward for deliberately dropping the cotton candy instead of rewarding him, but Gabe didn’t understand everything her son had been through.

“No,” he whispered.

Just then Kristy came up next to them. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone with an air of excitement. “You’ll never believe this, but I have a date tonight. Mike Reedy asked me to go out to dinner with him. I’ve known him for years, but . . . I can’t believe I said yes.” Kristy had barely gotten her news out before her brow began to furrow as uncertainty poked into her excitement. “I probably shouldn’t have. I’ll be so nervous I won’t be able to think of a thing to say.”

Before Rachel could try to reassure her, Gabe wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her quick hug. “That’s one of the best things about you, Kristy. Men like to talk, and you’re a good listener.”

“Really?”

“Mike’s a great guy. The two of you’ll have a good time. Just don’t let him get too fresh on the first date.”

Kristy stared up at him and then flushed. “As if anybody’d get fresh with me.”

“Exactly the kind of attitude that can leave a woman barefoot and pregnant.”

Kristy laughed, and the three of them chatted for a few more minutes before she excused herself to check out the church’s white-elephant booth. Rachel noticed she’d waited until Ethan left to go over there.

“I want to go home now.” Edward looked sulky and unhappy.

“Not quite yet, honey. There’s someone I need to see first.” She put herself between Gabe and Edward and began walking toward the concessions.

They passed the large charcoal grills the Rotary had set up to roast corn on the cob, then went by the Art Guild’s popcorn concession.

“Gabe!” A thin, bushy-haired man who was soliciting funds for the Humane Society moved out from behind his table.

“Hello, Carl.” Gabe walked toward him, but Rachel sensed he did it reluctantly. She and Edward followed.

Carl regarded her with curiosity but no particular hostility, so she knew he hadn’t been associated with the Temple. The two men exchanged pleasantries, then Carl got to the point.

“We sure could use a vet at the shelter, Gabe. Last week we lost a two-year-old Doberman to bloat because Ted Hartley couldn’t get over here in time from Brevard.”

“Sorry about that, Carl, but I’m not licensed in North Carolina.”

“I guess the Doberman wouldn’t have cared too much about the paperwork.”

Gabe shrugged. “I might not have been able to save him anyway.”

“I know, but you’d have tried. We need a local vet. I always thought it was a shame you didn’t come back to Salvation to practice.”

Gabe deliberately changed the subject. “My drive-in’s opening on Friday night. We’re having fireworks and free admission. I hope you’ll show up with your family.”

“I’ll be sure and do that.”

They moved on, passing a table selling T-shirts for muscular dystrophy. The crowd jostled her, and she lost Edward’s hand.

Someone bumped against her back, and she lurched into Gabe. He caught her arm as she righted herself. She glanced around, but saw nothing suspicious.

Edward stayed nearby, but he didn’t take her hand again. It was as if he wanted to put as much distance as he could between Gabe and himself. Ahead, she saw a table covered with platters of baked goods, and, behind it, Carol Dennis unpacking a plate of iced brownies.

“There she is.”

“I remember Carol when she was younger,” Gabe said. “She was a sweet girl before she got so religious.”

“Ironic, isn’t it, what religion does to people?”

“I guess it’s more ironic what people do to religion.”

Carol looked up. Her hands stilled on the box of Saran Wrap she was holding, and Rachel saw all the old accusations form in her eyes. Rachel knew how unpleasant Carol could be and wished Edward weren’t with her. At least he was lagging behind.

As she and Gabe moved nearer, Rachel decided everything about Carol was too sharp. The contrast between her pale skin and dyed black hair made her look brittle. Her cheekbones poked out at knifelike angles, her pointed chin lengthened an already long face, and her short, angular hairstyle was too severely cut to be flattering. She was thin and tense, as if all the softness had been leached out of her. Rachel remembered her sullen teenage son and felt a stab of pity for both of them.