The Ride of Her Life (27 page)

“The miniature train is harmless, Lilly!”

Lilly glared at Nick. He couldn’t possibly understand why she didn’t want her son on the train any more than the roller coaster. Why didn’t he leave it alone? “It’s my choice to make. Not yours.”

“Then at least tell me why.”

Levi’s lip jutted out, and tears filled his eyes. “Why, Mama?”

“I said no and I mean it.” She took his hand. “Come on. Maybe Mr. Wissler will still be at the merry-go-round. I’m not promising anything, Levi, but if he is, he might let you give it a go.” Nick started to follow them, and she turned to him. “You can go back to work now. Levi and I will be fine.”

“Lilly, what has gotten into you? One minute you were fine, then the next, well, you were acting like someone put molasses in your flour. Is it me, the roller coaster, or the train?”

“Maybe all three.” She whirled and walked away.

He caught her elbow. “Or maybe it’s not any of that. Maybe it’s you.”

“Or me.” Levi hung his head, and his voice choked with tears. “I’m sorry, Mama. I know I shouldn’t want to ride the train. You told me before.”

Nick lifted Levi and dried his tears with his handkerchief. “Hey, Chipmunk. Don’t cry. It’s only a train. I think we can ride the merry-go-round, and it’s way better. Look! It’s all lit up.” He glanced down at Lilly. “You coming, or are pretend horses riding in circles too dangerous as well?”

Her stomach ached as if she’d swallowed a loaf of sourdough. She pressed her hand to it. “You go ahead. I’ve got some thinking to do.”

“I imagine you do.”

On the carousel, Nick waited while Levi bypassed the long-eared rabbit and the portly pig and headed for a dappled white steed. It had an ornate blue saddle blanket and gold-trimmed saddle. “Good choice, Levi.”

Despite Levi’s protests, Nick selected the less decorated black horse on the inside. The boy claimed good guys always rode white horses.

“This good guy wants to ride beside his buddy,” Nick said. He lifted Levi onto his mount, then swung his leg over his own black stallion. Unfortunately, having long legs meant his feet still touched the floor of the carousel.

When the music commenced, Nick smiled at Levi. “Wave to Mr. Wissler. It’s mighty nice of him to let us have an early ride and test this out for him.”

Tears now replaced by a wide grin, Levi waved his arm back and forth at the gray-haired man. He gave a loud “giddyap” to his horse, followed by a rousing “yee-haw.”

Nick added a “yee-haw” of his own, and Levi giggled. As the carousel turned, Nick caught sight of Lilly on a park bench near the turnstile. She gave them a halfhearted wave each time they passed. On the third time around, she was gone.

Nick’s heart felt like it had a kink in its chain. Maybe he shouldn’t have whisked Levi away. Perhaps he’d been too harsh. But that woman could be more complex than a set of drawings for a hundred coasters. What would make anyone react that way to a miniature train ride designed for children?

The merry-go-round slowed, and Nick spotted Lilly waiting with Mr. Wissler. The older man took her hand and helped her step on the carousel. She walked between the horses, holding on to the brass poles for balance since the ride had yet to come to a complete stop.

She looked at Nick and tilted her head toward a swan-shaped chariot seat for two mounted behind Levi’s horse. “Want to join me?”

Nick nodded and stepped over the back of the black stallion. He squeezed Levi’s shoulder. “You hold on tight, Levi. Your mama and I are going to ride behind you.”

“In a bird?” Levi scowled.

Chuckling, Nick held out his hand to Lilly. “Apparently he doesn’t approve of our choice, but I think this is perfect.”

The lively organ music began again, and the carousel picked up speed. Nick glanced at Lilly. Twice she’d opened her mouth to speak, then clamped her lips shut. He draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

A long sigh escaped her. “I don’t like trains.”

“I gathered that.”

“Ben was killed in a train accident. He was on his way back from Minneapolis when the train derailed.”

A weight settled on Nick’s chest. No wonder she’d gotten so upset. He should have guessed it was something like that. “Have you ever told Levi how he died and why you don’t like trains?”

Her eyes fixed on the little railroad as they passed. “It’s not fair to burden him with my fears.”

“He’s your son, but the way I see it, you’re doing that already by getting so upset about the train ride. He’s a smart boy. I’m sure he senses your fear. Have you ridden a train at all since the accident?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know if I could, and Levi doesn’t understand.”

“He’s not going to understand anything unless you explain it to him.”

Lilly said nothing for a full turn of the carousel. Nick glanced at her. The evening light cast shadows on her weary face. How he wished he could erase the last hour’s events.

The merry-go-round began to slow. Lifting her face to his, she said, “I need to ride it.”

“If you can’t, Lilly, you can’t. It’s okay. It’s understandable. I’ll even explain it to Levi for you.”

“No, I can do this. I’d do anything for him. Anything.”

“I know.” Nick nodded and kissed her cheek.

The merry-go-round came to a stop, and Levi turned toward them with a big grin. “My horse had to be more fun than that silly bird.”

Someday maybe Nick would get the chance to tell the boy the truth.

Placing her hands on Nick’s shoulders, Lilly let him swing her off the carousel and onto the ground. He lifted Levi high into the air before depositing him beside her.

“Let’s go ride the train.” Lilly took Levi’s hand.

“But you said—”

“I changed my mind.” She linked her arm in Nick’s. “Right, Nick?”

“That’s a fact. I only hope Mr. King is still there.”

They came around the side of the bowling alley and discovered Mr. Thorton walking toward them.

Halting, Lilly pulled her hand free from Nick’s arm. “Mr. Thorton. I didn’t expect to see you around this evening.”

“Obviously.” He glanced down at Lilly’s clasped hands. “Aren’t you three a happy little family?”

Nick frowned. “Lilly and I were on our way to take Levi on a train ride. Several of the operators are gearing up for tomorrow’s opening and told me earlier today to bring him by.”

“Mrs. Hart, I thought you’d be busy preparing for the opening day as well.”

“I’ll be heading back to the diner after Levi’s train ride.”

“I see. Have you given any more thought to what we spoke about? Your in-laws would like to take the boy for the weekend.”

“Sir, they are my
former
in-laws, and as I told you before, if they want to see Levi, they can come here and do so any time they want.” Levi tugged on her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Levi is pretty excited about possibly riding the train.”

“By all means. Excuse me.” Mr. Thorton stepped out of the way. “But be careful, Mrs. Hart. I’d hate for you or your son to get hurt.”

Was that some kind of veiled threat?

Nick pressed his hand to the small of her back and directed her around Mr. Thorton. When they were out of earshot, he glanced at Lilly. “More trouble?”

“Ben’s father has been passing along some messages through Mr. Thorton.”

“I’m surprised he’s still pressuring you. Mr. Thorton seemed like a kind man.”

“He is, I think. But he’s a businessman too. I don’t know if you realize how powerful Claude Hart is. Ben used to say his father could ruin a man in twenty-four hours if he wanted to.”

“Yet you still are fighting him.”

“And now so are you. I don’t have a choice, but you do. If he wanted my business, he could have it. But he wants my son.”

“Mr. King is there! I see him!” Levi ran on ahead.

Lilly spotted the train and stopped. Her pulse drummed, and she rubbed her sweaty hands on her skirt. “I know it’s ridiculous and I’m ashamed, but I don’t know if I can do this.”

“First of all, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Second, you can do this. Have a little faith. We’ll do it together—like we petted the snake.”

They caught up with Levi, and Mr. King smiled at them. “Mr. Perrin, I was wondering if you folks would be coming by.”

“Sorry, we got delayed on the carousel.” Nick reached in his pocket and pulled out some tickets. “These are for the roller coaster. Please come as my guest.”

“Tomorrow?” Mr. King tugged on the bill of his black-and-white-striped railroad cap.

“’Fraid not. Still have some safety checks to do, but it’ll be running by the end of the week.”

“I can’t wait.” He looked down at Levi. “Are you ready for a ride on my train? Since I’m the engineer, I need a good conductor who can yell, ‘All aboard.’ Would you do that for me?”

A smile blossomed on Levi’s face, and he nodded. “I can yell real loud.”

“Good for you.” Mr. King pointed to the cars. “Okay, go ahead. Say it as loud as you can.”

Levi took a deep breath, leaned back, and cupped his chubby hands to his mouth. “Aaaaaaall aboard!”

“Well done. Maybe you can have my job someday.”

“Nope. I’m gonna build roller coasters like Mr. Nick.”

The miniature train bumped along with a steady
clack clack
, but Lilly couldn’t relax. She clutched her pocketbook in her hands, her knuckles whitening. Nick pried her hand free and held her sweaty palm in his as if he didn’t notice. All the while, he and Levi chattered like railroaders about the track, the engine, and the cars, contrasting and comparing them to those on the roller coaster.

“Isn’t this fun, Mama?” Levi twisted in his seat to face her and Nick.

Nick squeezed her hand and chuckled.

She elbowed his ribs. “It’s certainly an adventure.”

Levi whirled the other way and leaned out over the side.

“Get back in and sit right, Levi Hart,” she snapped.

He frowned and glanced at Nick.

“She’s the boss.” Nick patted the back of the boy’s seat. “Sit back here and enjoy the rest of the ride.” He shot Lilly a devilish grin. “I know I am.”

Heat infused her cheeks, and her pulse quickened again, but for a whole new reason. What was she going to do with Nick? Didn’t he realize this could never work between them? He kept saying to trust him and trust the Lord, but he didn’t know what she did. The only one she could trust was herself. Bad things could happen to anyone. Perhaps God had blessed her with love again only to rip Nick away as well.