by D G Barnes
Dana laughed and shook her head, bumping her shoulder in return. “You’re such a goof.”
“Yes, but a loveable goof.” She squeezed her hand.
“I’ll have to agree with you there.” Dana kissed her cheek.
A little tingle of excitement rushed through her, and she welcomed it. These feelings that had manifest over the last few weeks were new, different from anything she had ever felt for a woman in the past. This was more than a summer fling. Dana was important to her, and it scared her a little.
“Where were you just now?” Dana asked.
“What? Oh, just thinking.”
“About?”
“How much I enjoy spending time with you.” Mac paused a moment before looking at her. Her reward were eyes that sparkled and danced and made her feel all sorts of wonderful.
“I kinda like being with you too.”
Mac stopped and pulled her into her arms. She leaned in and kissed her, luxuriating in it, not caring who saw. The sound of a throat clearing interrupted their kiss. Mac took her time pulling away, keeping her eyes fixed on Dana’s. She blinked several times, dazed from the show of affection.
“Whoa,” Dana finally muttered.
Mac grinned and turned toward the source of the interruption.
Ellie stood with arms crossed, scowling at them. “Really? Again? In public? Get a room!”
Mac laughed at Ellie and then at Dana, whose face was turning a lovely shade of pink. “Well, I’m sorry; it just had to be done. There was no avoiding it. You’ll understand when you’re older.”
“Whatever.” Ellie huffed. “Anyway, there’s a woman at that booth over there drawing caricatures. Can I get one? They’re only five bucks.” She pointed toward one of the small canvas booths several meters away, her attitude changed to one of excitement.
“Oh, that sounds neat. Let’s get one together. My treat,” Dana offered. “Join us?” she asked Mac.
“Okay! Awesome!” Ellie cheered.
“You two go ahead. Ricky sent me a text earlier, and I really should take care of it.”
Dana frowned for a second, then gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Okay, but don’t be too long.” She headed off to the artist’s booth with Ellie by her side.
Mac watched Dana’s retreating form. Damn sexy. Ellie really liked her too, which was necessary if this thing between them was going anywhere.
She retrieved her phone, called up the text Ricky had sent earlier and dialed the number of Jason Lawson.
***
The young woman sitting on the stool behind her easel greeted Dana and Ellie with a friendly wave. She was in her early twenties, a college student perhaps. She wore a pair of overalls and tee shirt with her hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
“Hello,” she said in a pleasant voice. “Wonderful day for a festival.”
“That it is.” Dana studied the samples of the woman’s drawings. All were cartoonish of course and depicted people with oversized heads acting out various scenes, such as flying airplanes, driving race cars, or playing a sport. The woman’s talent impressed her.
“Would you be interested in have a drawing done?”
“That is what my young friend and I are here for. A picture of the both of us.” Dana looked at Ellie who nodding excitedly.
“All right then. Do you have anything particular in mind?” She placed a blank sheet on her easel.
“Well, Ellie here is a bit of an artist herself. So, how about Ellie at an easel drawing a caricature of me?” She put an arm around Ellie’s shoulder.
“That would be awesome!” Ellie replied.
“Great idea,” the woman said. “Have a seat, and I’ll get started. Try not to move your head too much please.”
Dana and Ellie sat on the stools, and when the artist finished positioning them, she began to sketch. Sitting for a sketch wasn’t like sitting for a photograph. You could move your eyes and not worry about blinking. Of course, on the downside, a photograph was over in a matter of seconds. So, they sat there, listening to the scratch of the woman’s pencils and sounds of the chattering crowds passing by the booth.
“This is so cool, Dana. Thanks for doing it,” Ellie said after they had been sitting for a while.
“My pleasure. I’ve always wanted to try it.”
“And that’s a wrap.” The woman picked up the drawing and placed it on the back of the easel for both to see. Neither one spoke as they studied the art. The likeness was uncanny, regardless that their heads were grossly out of proportion with their bodies.
“This is absolutely wonderful,” Dana said.
“For sure,” Ellie added.
“Thanks. It’s just a hobby really, but it gives me a few extra bucks while I’m at school.” She wore a slight blush as she spoke. “Umm, I heard Ellie call you Dana. You wouldn’t by chance be Dana Lawson, the author?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Wow, I saw your poster for your book signing, but I didn’t think I would get a chance to meet you. I’m a huge fan, have all your books,” she stammered. “Umm, would it be okay if I asked you for an autograph?” She pulled a copy of What the Heart Desires from a tote bag that sat on the floor beside her.
“Thank you very much, and of course, I’d be happy to give you an autograph. I’m always glad to meet a fan.” She signed the book while April, the artist’s name as it turned out, put the drawing in a cardboard frame and then into a plastic bag.
“Thanks so much,” she said. “If you would like, you could leave the drawing here until you are ready to call it a day. No need to lug it around with you, and no worries of it getting lost or damaged. I’ll be here until the gates close tonight, so you can pick it up whenever.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” Dana handed her a twenty. “Keep the change.”
“But it’s only five dollars,” April said, taken aback by the tip.
“I know. We’ll see you later tonight, April.” And with that, she and Ellie headed off to find Mac. They soon found her a couple of booths down, looking at the tee shirts and ballcaps for sale. Most of them advertised Lobster Days with pictures of lobsters or Emerald Bay on them.
“Hey, you. Picking out an addition to your wardrobe?” Dana rested a hand on Mac’s lower back and kissed her cheek.
Mac plucking a hat off the rack and placed it on Dana’s head. “There, Ellie. What do you think? Suits her, no?”
Ellie giggled. “It’s you, Dana. You rock in crustacean fashion.”
Using the small mirror affixed to a nearby rack of sunglasses, Dana smirked as she examined the oversized, red foam lobster perched on her head. “Very funny, you two.”
“Nice hat, Dana. You should wear it tomorrow.”
They turned in time to see Rhonda waving at them as she passed by.
“Not a chance,” she called back as the heat climbed up her face.
They strolled leisurely along the boardwalk, not in any hurry to be anywhere. Dana had her arm hooked in Mac’s, and she felt good. Great in fact. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so comfortable with someone, so wanted. She glanced at Mac and saw a happy expression on her face and wondered if she felt the same thing.
Ellie, not one for casual meandering, had struck out on her own to explore the festival grounds, leaving Dana and Mac to their own devices. Dana brought them to a stop in front of a large white tent. Inside, thirsty festival-goers occupied the many rows of folding tables and chairs, large plastic cups filled with beer in their hands.
“You’re doing?” Dana asked, pointing at the large sign near the entrance of the tent. It read: The Rusty Anchor Aweigh.
Mac shrugged. “I thought it was cute,” she said with the smile that caused Dana to tingle all over. “Care for a cold one?”
She agreed and found an empty table in a roped off section outside while Mac headed inside to get them a couple of beers. As she sat watching the people pass by, she found herself again wondering what it would be like to live he
re, close to Mac and Ellie. What was going to happen at the end of the summer when she returned to Halifax? Would it be the end of this relationship? It didn’t have to be; she could drive down on the weekends. But then, how long could they really keep that up? A sense of sadness crept over her, and she had to give herself a shake, pushing the negative thoughts aside. She would deal with them later. Right now, she wanted to spend every moment she could with Mac.
“One pint of ale for me lady,” Mac said setting the plastic cup down in front of Dana.
She looked up at her and as if by magic, the sadness and doubt she had felt a moment ago disappeared. She couldn’t get enough of those dazzling green eyes and that killer smile. “You are far too kind, fair barkeep.” She took the cup and held it up to her in salute.
Mac sat close, and she watched her take a swallow of beer, smiling at the foamy mustache now on her lip. She took Mac’s chin in her hand and kissed her way along her upper lip until the foam was gone. “You had a little something on your lip,” she said, sitting back in her chair.
Mac blinked at her. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure,” Dana said as she took a sip from her own cup, being careful not to let the foam touch her lip.
“Dana. I need to ask you a question.” Mac looked down at her beer, turning the cup slowly with the fingers of both hands. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
She studied Mac for a moment. Mac looked shy, afraid of asking the question or maybe of how she might answer it. Her heart raced, and a knot formed in her stomach. She was almost afraid to hear the question. “Mac. Look at me,” she finally said.
Mac did, and Dana saw a look of shy uncertainty. “You can ask me anything. You don’t need to worry.”
Nodding, Mac took a sip of her beer. “The other night, when we had dinner with my folks, Dad called you my girlfriend.” Mac’s eyes moved, searching her face.
“Yes, I remember.” She knew where the question was going, at least she was hoping she understood. The thought excited her, and she bit her lip in anticipation.
“Well, it didn’t seem to bother you, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it…”
“And you want to know if I consider us girlfriends?” she asked quietly, but inside she was doing cartwheels while a Mariachi band played.
Mac nodded. “Yeah.” Her voice rose. “I’m sorry. I sound like a lovesick teenager.”
“I think it’s sweet, and if you want to, then I do too.” The last vestiges of the wall surrounding her heart when she first arrived in Emerald Bay turned to dust when Mac’s face lit up at her reply. Yet, in the back of her mind that other question nagged at her: what happens when summer is over?
Mac’s kiss brought her back to the present. She pressed a hand to Mac’s upper arm as they held the languid kiss for longer than maybe they should have.
“Why is it every time I turn around you two are sucking face?”
Dana snickered against Mac’s mouth. “I think we're in trouble.” She pulled away and glanced at an exasperated Ellie. She glared at them, her brow furrowed, from the other side of the roped off section. Her arm was linked with that of a pretty blonde girl.
“Sorry, Ellie.” Dana felt mildly embarrassed at the scolding. “Who’s your friend?”
Ellie’s frown quickly turned upside down. “This is my best friend, Monica. She’s been pestering me to introduce you. So, Dana. This is Monica. Monica, Dana Lawson.”
The girl turned a bright shade of pink, glanced at the ground then back up. “H-hello, Ms. Lawson. I love your books,” Monica said softly and pulled closer to Ellie as if drawing courage from her.
Dana stood and extended a hand. “Hello, Monica. It is very nice to meet you. I’m glad you enjoy my books.”
“Oh, I do, Ms. Lawson. Ellie lets me read hers when she is finished.” Excitement grew in her voice.
“She’s a good friend then. You should hang on to her,” Dana said with a grin. “I’ll be at the bookstore on Saturday signing copies of my book if you would like to get one.”
Monica’s smile faded, and she glanced down, kicking at a pebble. “I…I’d like to, Ms. Lawson, but I don’t really have the money for that.”
She hated herself for making the young girl feel bad. “Tell you what. You stop by the bookstore on Saturday anyway, and I’ll see what I can do about getting you a signed copy of one of my books. Gratis.”
“Gratis?” Monica gave her a confused look.
“It means free,” Ellie whispered to her.
Monica’s eyes widened, and her smile returned. “Really, Ms. Lawson. You would do that?” She vibrated with excitement.
Dana and Mac laughed at her enthusiasm. “Yes, I would, and please, Monica, call me Dana.”
After Monica thanked Dana for the dozenth time, she and Ellie headed off to enjoy the carnival rides with a plan to meet up with the adults at supper time. Dana had noticed the way Ellie looked at Monica during the exchange, and she wasn’t entirely sure, but she thought she saw something in Ellie’s eyes. Maybe Cait was right. When the two girls disappeared into the crowd, she turned to Mac. “How long have they known each other?”
“Since pre-school I believe. Why?”
“No reason. Just curious,” she said not wanting to get into it in case she was misreading things. Instead, she traced a lazy finger up and down the length of Mac’s forearm. “So, girlfriend.” It sounded wonderful to say that out loud. “Shall we finish these and enjoy the festival?” She held up her beer.
They spent the rest of the day wandering around the grounds, browsing the vendors’ booths, watching performances put on by Buskers, and listening to the band playing on the bandstand. The entire time Dana seldom left Mac’s side, and when she did, she was always within arm’s length. At half past five, they met up with Ellie and Monica, and Mac treated them to a feast of lobster rolls and home fries. As they ate and talked, Dana watched discreetly the subtle looks that passed between the two teens, which only strengthened her suspicions.
“Thanks so much for supper, Mac,” Monica said as she disposed of their trash. “I just love lobster.”
“You’re very welcome,” Mac said. “What are you two up to now?”
“More rides,” Ellie replied. “If you could loan me some money that is.” She smiled sweetly and batted her eyelashes. Mac frowned at her for a moment before handing her a couple of bills.
“Thanks, Mac. You’re the best.” She took the money, then turned to Monica and nodded toward the rides. Monica bobbed her head and took Ellie’s hand. Together they hurried off toward the cornucopia of flashing lights and magical sounds of the carnival.
“Wish I had some of that energy.” Dana chuckled.
“You and me both. Are you ready to brave the Ferris wheel?” Mac asked as they strolled toward the midway.
“I will go on it with you, but let’s wait until supper has settled, yes?” Dana gave her a peck on the cheek. “And thanks for that by the way.”
“Deal. And you’re welcome.”
They walked the length of the midway, stopping a couple of times to try their luck at various games of chance. At one game, where they had to race ducks by shooting targets with water guns, Mac won a stuffed toy. Naming the fuzzy blue rabbit Max, she gave it to Dana who cradled it in her arm and rocked it.
“He’s so cute, Mac. Has your eyes too.” Dana pointed at the green glass eyes of the bunny.
Mac frowned and furrowed her eyebrows at the toy. “It’s a stuffed toy. It’s not real.”
“Don’t say that about our son. You’ll hurt his feelings.”
Mac sighed in resignation and snaked an arm around her waist. “Yes, dear.”
They soon reached the Ferris wheel. Mac purchased two tickets, and they settled into their seat. Once they were secure, the ride started with a jerk and Dana grabbed the safety bar. It had been years since she had ridden, and she had forgotten what it was like and was now feeling a bit apprehensive.
“Not afraid, are you?”
Mac asked
“No! Not at all. Why do you ask?” Dana shot her a look.
“I think you're strangling our child.” Mac nodded at the stuffed rabbit.
Dana glanced at her tightly curled arm where only the head of the blue bunny was visible, pinched between her bicep and forearm. She relaxed her grip and gave Mac a playful slap on the thigh. As their seat reached the apex for the third time, the Ferris wheel came to an abrupt halt. Seats swung wildly and Dana, in unison with the people seated below them, screamed in fear.
When the seats settled and the screams changed to concerned chatter, Dana peered over the side at the ground. She didn’t have a clear view of what was going on but did catch glimpses of a couple of men in coveralls moving around the ride’s machinery.
“Well, this is fun,” Mac said.
“I think it’s kind of romantic actually.”
Mac raised an eyebrow. “Romantic?”
Dana moved closer to her, resting her head on her shoulder. “Sure. We have a spectacular view, the sky is clear and full of stars, and, best of all, its just you and me. Oh, and of course, Max.” She bopped the bunny’s nose on Mac’s.
“You’re so adorable, you know that? I think I’m going to keep you around,” Mac said running her thumb over Dana’s lower lip. Dana’s heart quickened at the words, and she kissed the thumb before it retreated.
“You mean that?” She kissed her before she could answer. Mac cupped her ear, and warmth filled her chest. She parted her lips, inviting Mac’s tongue inside. The night air sparked around them, and Dana was sure the temperature had shot up by ten degrees. But all too soon, the kiss ended as a loudspeaker crackled to life somewhere below them.
“Folks, we’re terribly sorry for the inconvenience. We’ve had a minor mechanical issue with the ride and hope to have it fixed within the next ten minutes. There is no need for concern as the problem does not pose any danger to you. Again, we apologize and will have you down very soon. Thank you.”
The message earned the ground crew a chorus of boos and jeers from the stranded riders above. But Dana didn’t care. Her body was thrumming from that kiss, and she wanted more. Her lips found Mac once again and as they moved together, a distinctive ring from her phone stopped her. Damnit.
