Deep Fried Revenge (Farm-to-Fork Mystery #4) - Lynn Cahoon
Chapter 1
Angie Turner tucked the smiling teddy bear into her backpack as she walked around the carnival with her boyfriend, Ian McNeal. Idaho’s largest fair had just started that morning, and they were enjoying the fun. The sun had just dipped behind the mountains, and the heat of the summer Friday had started to ease. August was typically hot and sticky, and today’s weather hadn’t disappointed.
Ian pointed to an ATM set up on the grass by the funnel cake booth. “I need to stop and get some more cash.”
“How much did you wind up spending on Picasso?” She wiggled the bear’s dark-blue face that she’d left sticking out of the top of the backpack.
“I really don’t want to talk about it. I thought I was better at throwing a baseball than that. If anyone finds out, I’ll have to give up my spot on the church league.” He took out his wallet and pulled out his debit card.
Angie glanced around the carnival grounds. The grass, which had probably been green and fresh before the traveling carnival had set up earlier that week, now looked like a crowd of elephants had trampled through the field. The lights for the rides and the games were brightening as the natural light dimmed. Happy they’d gotten out tonight before the restaurant challenge started tomorrow, she walked over to the treat trailer while she waited.
A redheaded man glared at her as she started to speak, then he walked away from the window. Angie could hear him mutter to a young girl, “Go do your job.”
The pretty girl blinked at the harsh tone, then walked over to the window and smiled down at Angie. “What can I help you with, honey?”
“Cotton candy please.”
“Pink or blue?” The young woman leaned down so she could see Angie’s face. “I bet you’re a blue girl. Kind of a rebel, right?”
“She’s definitely a rebel.” Ian held out a twenty to the girl. Then turned to Angie, “So, blue?”
“Now I want to say pink, just to be contrary.” Angie glanced at the two bags. “Okay, give me the blue.”
As they walked away, Ian stuffed the change into his wallet. “I might have to go get more cash depending on where we eat dinner.”
“You don’t have to buy everything tonight. I have money too.” Angie took a big bite of the fluffy candy that melted immediately in her mouth and tasted like freshly picked blueberries. “Yum.”
“I am not letting my favorite girl go Dutch treat on our first date night to the fair.” He held his hands up in the air, taking in the lights and sounds of the crowds. “This is what memories are made of, and I don’t want you telling our grandchildren that their papa was always cheap.”
Angie took another bite of the blue fluff. It gave her a moment to gauge her feelings about Ian’s comment. Sometimes the thought of settling down with one man, in one place, scared her just a bit. Today, though, it felt okay. Probably due to the sugar high she was getting from the junk food. She decided to ignore the comment and turn the conversation back to dinner.
“I thought we’d hit the United Methodist Women’s tent, at least for dessert. Felicia’s volunteering there tonight. But first, we have to visit Estebe at the Basque Center tent. They’re both working the restaurant this weekend.” Angie stepped over a large power line in the path in front of her and ignored the catcalls from the carnies in the fishpond booth. “Next weekend, we’ll really be short staffed. I need Felicia with me on Friday and Estebe for the final night.”
“Do you really think you’ll have customers during Fair Week?” Ian glanced around the carnival. “We’ve only been here two hours, and I think I’ve seen half the population of River View.”
“Fairs are big business, especially in an agricultural area. Reservations are down, but not low enough we need to close.” She pointed to the haunted house ride. “Let’s do that before we eat.”
“Only if you’ll do my favorite too.” Ian stopped at the ticket booth. “Are we doing more than the two?