Chapter 30 [Two Hours Later]

Mood relaxed still further. Fairgrounds filled with Participants and Attendees. Lights and Music churned up. Hucksters goaded Passersby toward Games of Chance. Horses competed in Draws and Races around their track.

Work, however, seemed to intrude on even most basic Leisure…

[Horse Track]

Peter lugged Big Fluffy Companion on his shoulders. He shook his head. Of course, Gwen saw the four foot tall Cocker Spaniel Plush Dog sitting in a Midway Display. Her heart became set on it. Of course, he had to win it for her.

Her face brightened thereafter….and to him that made it all worthwhile…

"So, answer me a question, Man o' Mine…" Teasing glinted in her eyes. "Who's walking who? You should see yourself." Giggle lilted over her lips to his ears. She patted Prize's hind quarter.

"Imagine the food bills." Smile crossed his lips. Admittedly, he didn't feel the burden. Her tone made it worthwhile. "And the vet bills."

"I'm sure Dad would love that. Besides, that guy talked to us for about ten minutes afterwards." Mirth danced in her eyes. "It's nice to see my Lancelot compete for my honor."

"That, Gwendy, is my pleasure." He raised her knuckles up. Lips brushed Amor's delicate strokes across them. "Well, we've given our friend the grand tour. He rode the Ferris Wheel with us. I wonder what we can do next?"

Pink streaked her cheeks. Shrug lifted and lowered her shoulders. "We do have to take another pass by the booths. Those old ribbons'll be handed out this afternoon. Maybe we can do another loop and find out more?" She put her hand up. "Wait a minute! That's Brother Tony." She waved to the minister.

Tony waved back. He walked as briskly as possible toward them. "Peter? Gwen? This is a surprise!" He looked Dog over. "I see someone made a new friend?"

"Gwen fell in love with him, Brother. I knocked a few milk bottles over. We're happy. What's going on here?" Peter noticed a few dozen people climbing up into the grandstand.

"Our intercounty race is about to begin! Why don't you come with me? I'm sure there'll be room for your friend. It'll give you another insight into the fair. Then, perhaps I can follow you over to your Aunt's booth?" Tony clarified.

Peter looked to Gwen. He knew Aunt May and Stacy waited for lunch. "What do you think?"

"Dad and your Aunt need lunch, Peter." Grimace twisted her mouth. "I know we're supposed to be covering the fair. Still, we need to look in on them. Maybe we can catch a horse race later or tomorrow?"

"That's fine. Talk to me after services tomorrow. Balance sometimes is the hardest thing where duty is concerned. Have a nice afternoon, my Friends." Tony headed off toward the grandstand.

Gwen shook her head. "He sure said a mouthful. I want to cover all of this stuff for the Bugle. Still, we have a lot of good stuff now." She squeezed his hand. "Besides, I want to be there for the blue ribbons. I'm pulling for Aunt May."

"I am too." He nodded. "Let's walk our buddy here over there. Then, we'll see what the others want to do."

[May/Tomkins Booth—Fifteen Minutes Later]

Peter and Gwen cut a diagonal shortcut across the Midway. Their eyes witnessed more activity. Fun seemed to jump out from each booth and around every corner. Aromas lent weight to Hunger's load in their stomachs. They arrived back at Starting Point.

"Why, Peter! Did you enjoy yourselves?" Aunt May smiled from ear to ear. "I see you won something for Gwendolyn?"

"He sure did, Aunt May!" Gwen wound her arm up. "You should've seen him! Mr. P hit those bottles dead center. This pooch is on the way home with us! Sorry. We wandered all the way to the grandstand across the fairgrounds. It's so easy to just wander with the group. You know?"

"I hope your shoulder is all right, Peter Dear. You do remember when you hurt it playing catch with your uncle?" Reminder raised Aunt May's eyebrow and cleared her throat.

Somehow, Peter didn't roll his eyes. "I didn't throw the ball that hard. We even took our friend for a ride on the Ferris Wheel. So, how was your morning? Meet some nice people?" He surveyed the table and his aunt's craft goods. Blue Ribbon caught his eye. "We missed the judges?"

"They came right after you left, Peter." Stacy leaned back in his chair. "They weren't here all that long. Still, we have a great deal to be proud of." He nodded to Aunt May. "I believe that makes two ribbons?"

"Congratulations, Aunt May! That's great! Maybe you can stand beside the Comforter and ribbon?" Peter waited for his aunt to get in position. He took two shots of Aunt May by herself with her award. Then, he took one with Stacy and Gwen flanking her. Pride swelled within himself over his aunt's achievement. "So, where are the Tompkinses?"

Stacy cleared his throat. "They went for lunch." He pointed down at Red Ribbon on Millie's Afghan. "We volunteered to keep watch over the booth. Then, when they come back, we'll go ahead. So, you did manage to have some fun?"

"Yes, sir. We did." Peter squeezed Gwen's hand. "We did indeed."

"Then that's what matters. You mind me, Peter." Aunt May hugged Peter. "Those judges could've taken all day to get to us. This award is very nice. I'm glad you get to have some fun too."

"Remember what Brother Tony said about balance?" Gwen reminded him. Seeing their parental figures' confusion, she continued, "We may have our work for the newspaper but we have ourselves and you too. We can do a horse race tomorrow afternoon to finish everything up?"

"That sounds sensible indeed." Stacy nodded. He noticed Kelly coming toward them. "Finished already?"

"Yes, Sir! I didn't want you both to wait too long for lunch. I…" Kelly shook her head. "You two! I should've known you'd get the Really Big One for her, Peter." Giggle escaped from her lips.

"She wants it. I got it for her." Peter made a muscle with his right arm. "Where are Harry and Liz?"

"They're wandering around here." Kelly waved her hand. "They'll be fine. Did you see what Mrs. Parker did? Everyone's so happy for her. You'll hear more at dinner next week." She pointed toward Picnic Area. "Speaking of dinner, I'm manning the booth here. You all need to get some lunch. I got you."

"Why thank you, Miss Kell! Want us to bring something back?" Gwen offered Sauciness' bow.

"Maybe a piece of fried dough? I haven't had any yet." Kelly motioned toward the Big Prize. "I can get to know your friend too."

"That would be great." Peter set the Cocker Spaniel into the booth. "He doesn't bite."

"I'm sure he doesn't." Kelly cracked. Smirk spread across her face. "Go on and have fun! It's okay." She settled into Aunt May's former chair.

"That I believe is our cue." Peter waited for Aunt May and Stacy to step onto main dirt way. "Follow me." Noses led him and the others toward Picnic grounds.

Successes, it seemed, could be balanced with fun….