Chapter Nineteen
They left the Grange Hall and headed for the poultry tent as Cam, who was in charge of the chickens at home, was looking to expand her flock and wanted to see who had prize winners and who liked which breed the best. In the end, she decided to hold off making a decision for a while as none of the birds impressed her with their looks or personality.
"Let's go see what's happening that Mike can get involved in," David suggested. "Isn't there a jack o'lantern carving contest today?"
"No, that's tomorrow," his niece answered. "Today they've bobbing for apples and there's a sack race too."
"Which one do you want to do Mike?" Slim asked his ward.
"Apples please!" the youngster said. "And I want Cam to try it too."
"Oh, now, Mike," Daisy said. "Cam's not dressed for that."
"It's okay, Mrs. Cooper," the girl said "I'll manage just fine if somebody lends me a jacket to kneel on," she said with a sly look at her cousin.
"What are you looking at me for?" Gordon asked. "Why not Father or Slim or Jess?"
"Because you're the biggest one of the group therefore I will have more room to maneuver when necessary," she told him.
"She's got you there, Gordy," Slim laughed.
Gordon just gave him a "I'll pay you back for that" look. It didn't bother Slim in the least.
Presently they arrived at the scene of the bobbing for apples set up. A large wooden washtub had been set up in the same field where the corn husking contest had been held. Several dozen children and youths were milling around anxiously waiting for their turn. One of the fair officials was sorting them out by age and another was putting apples into the tub where they floated merrily around the tub.
"All right. Seven to ten year olds first!"
About a dozen children, including Mike, got positions by the tub.
"Hands behind your back now," the man said. "Okay. Ready, set, go!" A dozen heads tilted into the tub trying to get hold of an apple with just their teeth. There was much splashing and grunting from the contestants. Spectators cheered for their favorites - or all of them.
Finally a nine-year-old boy was proclaimed the winner. He happened to be Jeannie Riley's younger brother and every bit the braggart and bully as his best friend, Billy Harrison, who was also entered in the contest but had not gotten an apple.
The bully gave Mike a shove as he passed by him causing the smaller boy to stumble. Slim caught him before he could fall into the washtub which was now being filled with apples again. Dr. McAllister reached out and grabbed young Riley by the collar giving him a good shake.
"None of that now! Apologize to Mike right now."
"Sorry," the boy mumbled insincerely.
"Say it again," David commanded, "and this time sound like you mean it."
"I'm sorry," the boy said a little louder. "Now can I go?"
David gave the young bully another good shaking before letting him go.
"Go on then and don't let me catch you acting like that again!"
The Riley boy took off in a hurry anxious to get away from the man he knew would give him a thrashing if he caught him bullying anyone else.
"He's getting to be more and more like his brothers all the time," the doctor said shaking his head.
"There's nothing more you can about it, dear," Hannah told him. "Until his parents learn to discipline him the way they should, he'll just continue on behaving badly. Let's just be glad Mike wasn't hurt."
"Who was that child?" Daisy asked.
"That's the youngest Riley," Cam told her. The younger brother of the girl that has had her eyes on Jess ever since we bumped into her yesterday morning."
"Their parents have allowed their child to run wild with no discipline whatsoever," Hannah explained. "The older boys are always in fights and Jeannie causes many of them by telling them that some boys, or young man, has mistreated her. Her idea of mistreatment is just what we told you yesterday. It's when her "escort" doesn't buy her expensive gifts or tries to break off the relationship."
"Sheriff Markure has his hands full with that family," Gordon said. "I've had my own troubles with them when I refused - several times - to represent them in court."
"Now you know why I wouldn't let you get friendly with Jeannie," Cam told him. "You just steer clear of that clan."
"Don't worry," Slim told their hosts "We'll stay as far away from them as we can."
Jess put an arm around Mike's shoulders.
"You okay Tiger?"
"I'm okay Jess."
"I think it's my turn to bob for an apple," Cam said brightly, trying to lighten the mood. "Give me your jacket Gordy."
Somewhat reluctantly her cousin did so and Cam found herself a spot where she could put it down to kneel on it while she took her turn.
Five minutes later she grinned triumphantly as she won her round. With not as many apples in the tub, because of fewer contestants in the middle group, it had taken a little longer as the fruit kept bobbing away from those trying to get them.
Her face was dripping wet but she'd managed to keep her dress fairly dry. The same could not be said of Gordon McAllister's jacket. He grimaced at the sight of it - soaking wet and muddy as well.
"Sorry Gordy,": Cam said. "At least you can run home and get your other jacket. We don't live that far - not like some of the other folks."
Jess' eyes were sparkling with mischief at this point. Nobody was paying any attention to him while Cam and Gordy sparred verbally. There were no apples in that tub. Nobody lined up waiting for their turn for the fair officials in charge had gone for more water. Slim was standing close to the tub which was, in reality still about half full, It was the perfect opportunity.
He moved to stand near his partner and pretended to trip. Reaching out he "accidentally" pushed Slim who promptly lost his balance and fell - right into the tub of water.
"Slim!" Daisy was shocked at first but, seeing the look in Jess' eyes instantly knew what had happened.
"Jess Harper! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
Jess just gave her a cheeky grin. This was payback for being suckered into the three-legged race.
"Sorry, Slim. It's like I told Mose a while back - I got two left feet." He reached to help Slim up but David McAllister got between them before Slim could retaliate. These two reminded him of his own sons who were always playing tricks on each other, their sisters and cousin. He wasn't going to let things get out of hand.
"One soaking wet guest is more than enough. Slim, you go back to the house with Gordon and change your clothes while he gets his other jacket. You'll find an old jacket of mine in my office. Put it on and hang your wet one over the railing on the front porch to dry."
Still eying his grinning partner balefully, Slim left the group and went with Gordon back to the house to change his clothes. His mood didn't improve when the saw Gordon trying to stifle a grin.
"Very funny," he grumbled.
"Ah, come on," Gordon chided him. "You suckered him into the three-legged race. You had to know he 'd want to get back at you."
"Yeah. I suppose. He probably thinks this makes us even."
The two men arrived at the house twenty minutes after fighting their way through the crowds at the fair. Gordon gave Slim a large towel to dry himself off with when he removed the wet clothes that were clinging to him like a second skin.
As they went out the door and headed back to the fair Slim vocalized his suspicions that Cam was up to something. And leaving her alone with Jess was bound to be trouble.
"I'm telling you, Gordy, she's plotting something."
"What makes you say that?"
'You know how she is. She's got that innocent, angelic look on her face. It always means trouble."
Gordon thought about that for a moment.
"You're right but she's with Jess and my parents and Mrs. Cooper."
"That's even worse. She and Jess have gotten to be pals. What one doesn't think up the other one will and your folks won't see it coming."
"Don't worry, pal," Gordon said patting Slim on the shoulder. "I'll protect you from her mischief."
"And I'll protect you," Slim said with a grin. "Now if your folks and Daisy would keep an eye on both of them I might just get out of this weekend with just a dunking."