Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 122097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“I’ve been thinking about that all day myself. And I think Jim Bob’s intention was to remind you of all the good things about Revival.”
“You mean that warm, fuzzy feeling we all get when it’s Christmas Eve and the whole fuckin’ thing is over?”
Lowyn chuckles. “Yeah. Probably. But it did remind you, didn’t it?”
“I cannot deny that his plan was clever. It was fun. Really fun. Why don’t they just do that every weekend, ya know? Why bother with all this story stuff in the first place?”
“I imagine they bother because things aren’t special if they happen all the time. And closing day is filled with things we don’t normally do.”
“So it’s just a plan. Jim Bob knows what he’s doing. He’s kind of a master manipulator, if you ask me. He thinks the cozy atmosphere under the big tent, and the hazy, soft glow of garden lights strung up everywhere—plus the dancing—will be enough to entice me to participate. But I’m telling you right now, it’s not gonna work. I don’t want to be a part of the show. And if he would just let me be, I’d gladly show up and dance with you on the boardwalk every now and then to make it all special.”
“He’s not gonna give up on you. He wants you here, Collin. You might as well make your peace with that.”
I would like to object here. Say more. But we’re home. I take my keys out of my pocket, click the key fob, unlocking the Jeep, then open the passenger door for Lowyn.
But in this same moment, Mercy starts to bark. At me, no less. She starts nosing my hand, whining. “Stop, Mercy.” I open the back door and point to it. “Get in.” Which she does without hesitation, but I think I catch a bit of dejection when her gaze catches mine.
Fucking Amon. He treats these dogs like people and it’s starting to rub off on me.
Bishop is a fuckin’ madhouse of cars circling for parking spaces. You can’t go into downtown using a car. You have to park and walk in, or take one of the horse-drawn carriages. They do have a nice big parking lot, but it’s a half a mile away, at least. They run big old streetcars with teams of Belgians pulling them to shuffle people in and out of the central historic district. And I see dozens of these streetcars as I circle the block, looking for a space to park.
“Damn,” I say, under my breath. “Bishop is going off.”
“We get the crowds from nine to six, Bishop gets the family folk after that, and all the partiers go to Revenant. That much has not changed. But the crowds are definitely bigger with each passing year. At least here in Bishop. I don’t know what Revenant looks like these days, but I assume it is pretty much the same.”
“We’re going down there tomorrow. Lucas came by yesterday and invited me, so I’m gonna check it out, see what he’s been up to, and take Amon along with me.”
“I’ll be busy at McBooms tomorrow. Those ladies I was talking to at the gate recognized me from TV. We’re always super busy on the Monday after opening. But hopefully it’ll be mostly online.” She points. “There’s a spot. Quick, get it.”
Sure enough, a truck is pulling out just as we come up on it, so I slip the Jeep in as it leaves. “We’re like seven blocks away. I hope your feet don’t hurt.” But just as I say that, I notice movement to my left. And when I look over, there’s a horse right next to us. And behind that horse is a carriage.
Lowyn opens her door. “Looks like we won’t have to worry about our feet, will we? Come on, Collin. Your Easter carriage is waiting.” When I look over at her, I catch a wink.
Then I chuckle. Well. I will not say no to a carriage ride with Lowyn. I get out and Mercy is at my side, having jumped out with Lowyn.
The carriage driver points to my dog. “She can ride up here with me if she wants, Collin Creed.”
I look over at Lowyn. “Did you set this up?”
Her response is a one-shoulder shrug. But it comes with a blush, so I know she did.
I direct Mercy to join the driver, then open the carriage door for Lowyn, giving her my hand as she climbs the bouncing steps and gets inside. I join her, leaning back in the cushions and slipping my arm around her shoulder just as the carriage begins to move. “You arranged a date for me.”
“I did. You were so grumpy this morning, and so insistent on making a thing about Easter, I figured it was the least I could do.”
I lean down and kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you. It’s the perfect way to end a very nice day.”