The Memory of You (Sanctuary Sound #1)(85)

“Wow!” Emmy hopped to the counter, planted her hands there, and hoisted herself until her feet left the ground. “Can I have that pink bunny?”

“Sure.” Steffi beamed at her. Ryan mouthed “Thank you” over his daughter’s head. If things were less strained, perhaps he would’ve squeezed Steffi’s hand or given her a kiss. Maybe someday . . .

The booth runner spoke to Emmy. “One pink bunny coming your way.”

Ryan leaned forward so the young guy could hear him easily. “How about you don’t rig this game for the rest of the day, and I won’t report this to anyone?”

The kid nodded. “I just work here, dude.”

“I know,” Ryan replied, then handed Emmy the monstrous toy, which was half Emmy’s size and would certainly be a pain in the butt to tote through the fair. No wonder more people didn’t try to win these things.

Emmy squeezed it, wearing a giant smile before she must’ve remembered that she’d rather have her mother there. Smile tempered, she politely turned to Steffi. “Thank you, Miss Steffi.”

“You’re welcome.” Steffi wanted to ruffle her hair, or something, but wouldn’t force Emmy’s affections. “What will you name her?”

“What do you think, Dad?” Emmy hugged the toy again.

“Pinky Lee?” he said.

“What?” Emmy grimaced. Even Steffi had to wonder where he’d pulled that old reference from.

“Pink Panther?” he offered next.

“It’s a bunny, not a panther.” Emmy shook her head, the hint of a playful smile reappearing.

“EB?” Steffi ventured.

Both Ryan and Emmy turned their confused faces her way. “Huh?”

“Energizer Bunny . . . he’s pink.” She shrugged.

“This is a girl,” Emmy said.

Steffi decided not to ask how she knew that, or why it mattered.

“Obviously, this will take more thought. In the meantime, why not let me carry that for a while?” Ryan reached for the toy. “I might not throw as well as Steffi, but I can manage that big toy a little easier than you.”

“No.” Emmy twisted. “I’ve got it.”

“I like your style, kiddo.” Steffi smiled.

“My lot in life is to be outnumbered by opinionated women.” Ryan kissed Emmy’s head.

He stood just a couple of inches from Steffi now. She could feel the warmth of him and longed to hold his hand. Instead, she shoved hers in her jacket pockets. “You’re a lucky guy, aren’t you?”

“Very.” His eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Why don’t you two go to the burger hut and order lunch? I need to make a quick stop in the men’s room, and then I’ll meet you.”

“Sounds good.” Steffi turned to Emmy, somewhat anxious about being left in charge of a small child in such a chaotic environment. “Want to hold hands? It’s pretty crowded here.”

“I’m okay.”

“See you shortly,” Ryan said before trotting off to the portable toilets at the far side of the fields.

Steffi glanced at Emmy, whose stubborn streak showed no signs of surrender.

“Let’s weave through there and find a picnic table.” Together they snaked through the intersection of people waiting in lines for tickets and rides and food vendors.

The unseasonably warm October day had drawn a substantial crowd. Overhead, a colorful canopy of ocher and vermilion leaves rustled in the breeze. The sound of the circus calliope filtered through the crowd, making Steffi hum along to its manic tune. Emmy straggled two steps behind, trying to keep up while clinging to the bunny.

Steffi didn’t offer to help a second time. It wouldn’t hurt Emmy to learn to take care of herself or, conversely, to learn the consequences of not asking for help. Of course, Steffi had yet to master that second lesson.

They found an open table near the burger shack, where Steffi would have a clear shot of Emmy while standing in line. Ryan would be back momentarily, too. “Do you want to sit here while I stand in line?”

“Okay.” Emmy set the bunny on the seat beside her. “Can I have a cheeseburger?”

“Of course. Maybe fries, too?” Steffi went to stand in line, where her thoughts wandered to Ryan. They’d had no privacy today, so she couldn’t tell whether he regretted dragging Emmy along.

He’d promised a clean slate, and despite Emmy’s poor attitude, he’d made his intentions clear. He’d sent Val packing, making room for Steffi’s hopes to bloom.

While smiling to herself, in her peripheral vision she noticed two large men with dark hair walking in her direction. They laughed loudly, and one made a mock gun with two fingers and held it to his friend’s temple.

The crowd closed in as a high-pitched hum resounded in her ears.

A click echoed before a cold pistol pressed against her temple. “Don’t make a sound, bitch.”

“Grab her purse.”

“I’ll grab it all . . .”

Don’t be stupid. Don’t die. Please don’t die.

No. No, no, no.

Fly away . . . fly away.

“Hey, lady, are you okay?” the teenage boy who’d caught her from behind asked. Had she fainted?

“I’m sorry.” She clutched her purse as she wrested free of his hold. She barely met his eyes while curling her arms and shoulders inward, hoping to disappear.