Nathan looked at the target as Lucas threw his eleventh ball at the bulls-eye trigger for the dunking booth. Sitting on the seat above the tub of water beneath, Nathan was more than happy to see the ball sail far below the target.
"That one was not even close, Bouchard," Nathan teased as he glanced back at the saloon owner.
Lucas wore a look of frustration. The fact that this was the fourth trio of balls he had bought told Nathan that the man really wanted to dunk him, something that Nathan was grateful had not happened during his hour shift sitting on the seat for the dunking booth. The money was for a good cause, new science books for the school, but he did not really want to get wet. The closest anyone had got to the target had been Jesse, and Nathan suspected the young man had missed on purpose after Kevin had asked him if he really wanted to get on the town Mountie's bad side after his second throw brushed the target as it passed.
"I'm warming up," Lucas said.
"Well I would say you are still cold," Ally commented from her spot by the jar she was collecting the payments in.
Lucas gave the girl an annoyed look. Ally just smiled back at him.
"Want me to throw it for you?" Ally asked.
"Like you would actually dunk your uncle?"
Ally shrugged. "Might be worth missing dessert tonight."
Nathan smiled. He had more faith in Ally's throw hitting the target than Lucas' throw, no matter how many balls he bought.
"I am good."
"Suit yourself," Ally told him.
Lucas threw the last ball, which again missed.
"Looks like you have run out of time," Nathan teased as he climbed from the perch, his shift over.
"Hope I can stay as dry," Carson commented as he moved to take Nathan's place.
"Well, I plan on waiting until Lucas takes the stand later to take my try," Nathan told him, as he put his uniform jacket back on.
An hour and a half later, Nathan made his way back to the dunking booth, Elizabeth now at his side and Jack in his arms.
"You know, you already have my heart," Elizabeth whispered as they got in line. "You do not need to do this to impress me."
" I know that. However, Lucas tried twelve times to dunk me. I have to try at least once."
Elizabeth smiled as she nodded.
"Besides, it will be fun. Do you want to throw one of the three balls?" Nathan asked with a grin.
"I leave you to your fun," Elizabeth told him.
A few minutes later, Nathan placed Jack on the ground, before handing the payment to Ally.
"You look a little wet already, Lucas," Nathan commented as he took the three balls from Ally.
"A couple of people might have gotten lucky."
"Was Jesse one of them?" Nathan asked.
"Not yet."
Nathan and Elizabeth looked behind them to see Jesse in line a few people back. There was a huge grin on his face.
Nathan chuckled as he looked back at Lucas. "Well, when you go in this time, it will not be luck," Nathan commented, confidently.
"Me throw?" Jack said reaching up for the balls.
"Sure, Jack," Nathan said, handing Jack one of the balls. "Toss it toward the red and white circle, he instructed pointing toward the target.
Jack did so. The toss fell short but Jack giggled anyway.
"Here, try again, Jack," Nathan said.
Jack repeated the process, giggling again. He then looked up at Nathan, "your turn," the boy said.
"Ready to go for a swim, Bouchard?" Nathan asked.
"Just get it over with," Lucas replied.
Just like he had whenever pitching in a baseball game, Nathan too a moment to eye his target before tossing the ball. The ball hit almost center on the bull's-eye, and Lucas took another dunk in the tank of water.
"He went splash," Jack exclaimed throwing his arms up as he giggled.
The others around the booth laughed at Jack's reaction. Even Lucas was laughing as he wiped water out of his eyes.