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Around six the next evening, Shea and Jessica led Annie past the Cortes County Fair entrance. The brisk air smelled of cotton candy, cooking grease, and livestock. Laughter, screams of delight, and tinny carnival music created a familiar mixture that summoned one of Shea’s few happy childhood memories. Annie’s eyes went wide with wonder at spectacle.
“Wow! Can I go on one of those rides?” Annie pointed to a towering machine swinging cockpits full of people side to side, spinning end over end.
“Ugh, makes me sick just seeing it,” said Jessica with a horrified look.
“You sure you can handle it, Doodlebug?” asked Shea. She had to admit it did look like fun. And better to ride it now than when Annie had a belly full of snacks. “Looks pretty intense.”
“I ride on the back of your motorcy
