“Is that a dare?” she laughed. That would make it all the better.
“Yes, if you can fly tandem on my hoverboard all the way to the pier, then I’ll buy you a sundae at the ice cream parlor.” His eyes danced with delight. That look had gotten them into heaps of trouble as children.
She held out her gloved hand. “It’s a deal.”
They shook. He cocked his head, a partially amused smile on his lips. “Since when do you wear gloves willingly?”
“It’s proper to wear gloves.” Her cheeks burned both at the words that tumbled out of her mouth and the fact she’d unconsciously grabbed them. This wasn’t the first time. The sprite liked frippery and finery. Most of Noli’s newfound ladylike behavior, behavior her mother praised, was the sprite, not Noli.
Noli hated herself for it, because she didn’t want to be a proper lady. She wanted to be a botanist, she wanted to fix things, she wanted to save her family through hard work and a university education—not marriage to a boring society lump.
Fighting her mother, society, and the sprite in order to hold on to herself and her beliefs tired her even more than homework and housework. The sprite liked the idea of marriage, as long as it included parties and fancy gowns— precisely the type of marriage her mother sought for her.
“Noli?” Jeff touched her arm, bringing her out of her thoughts, eyes brimming with concern. “Are you feeling well?”
She shook it off. “I’m fine, let’s go before it gets too late.”
The vast, unyielding blue-grey of the Pacific Ocean came into view as Noli and Jeff approached the pleasure pier on his hoverboard, the colorful cars of the Ferris wheel on the horizon. They touched down on the sand.
Jeff picked up his board and walked over to the wooden hoverboard rack alongside the pier. “I can’t believe you actually stayed balanced the entire time.”
She grinned as he put away the hoverboard. “You owe me a sundae.”
“That I do.” He held out his arm. She opened her parasol against the afternoon sun and took his offered arm. Jeff eyed the parasol on her shoulder but didn’t say anything as they walked up the wooden steps leading to the pier. It had two parts, a fishing pier and a pleasure pier filled with rides, games, shops, and, her favorite, the carousel.
They strolled past those fishing off the sides of the pier and made their way through the throng of carnival games. The air smelled of salt, fish, sugar, and funnel cakes. Carnies called out, asking Jeff if he wanted to test his strength or win her a bauble.
As they passed the candy floss vendor she inhaled the sugary sweet scent, her mouth watering at the thought of the pink confection. “Do you remember how father always let us each have one game, one ride, and one treat?”
Jeff smiled. “Those were fun times. I’ll tell you what, why don’t we do the same—only your treat is your sundae.”
“Really?” The thought of riding something made giddiness rise inside her.
The sprite flit around her head, bouncing off the sides like a pinball as she took the pier in. I want to ride everything. Oh, that’s shiny. Can we eat that?
“Are you certain you’re not too much of a lady to go on rides? You might get dirty … ” Jeff flicked her parasol with his fingers.
“Would you like me to be smacked with my parasol, sir?” she teased back, trying to damper the sprite’s excitement before she grew out of control. “Besides, it’s not improper to enjoy rides.” A group of giggling girls in dresses finer than hers climbed into the Ferris wheel. “I’m going to ride the carousel.”
He cocked his head, looking the tiniest bit out of place in his flying gear and no hat. “The carousel? We’re a little old for that, don’t you think?”
She let go of his arm and strode toward the large wooden structure near the back of the pier that housed the carousel. “You might be, but I’m not.”
Jeff held up his hands in surrender. “As you wish.”
He opened the wooden door of the carousel house for her and the sounds of organ music greeted them. Large, colorful wooden animals rose up and down to the music as the red-topped carousel whirled around and around. Nannies with prams and mother speaking softly lined the walls. A young couple stood hand and hand watching each other more than the carousel. Noli closed her parasol, remembering how their father had brought them here as a special treat before he left for San Francisco—and disappeared forever.
Jeff bought two tickets. They leaned against the wooden barrier and watched as children and a few girls a little younger than her streamed off the carousel.
She gave him a look that said, see, told you.
The operator let them in. Hiking up her skirt with the hand not holding the parasol, she headed straight for her favorite—the white and pink horse. She climbed on, bustle and all.
Oh, pretty, the sprite whispered.
Isn’t it? I always ride this one. For a split second she could hear her father coming behind her, saying up you go, as he boosted her onto the wooden horse.
Jeff climbed onto the blue horse next to her. Usually he rode the red one up ahead, but a little boy had claimed it.
She watched as the young couple took a seat on the sleigh, holding hands. Pangs of sadness pierced her heart. Hopefully V would return from the Otherworld soon.
The carousel lurched forward, music filling the air. She held on to the brass pole as the horse went up and down. Closing her eyes, she thought of happier times. Of her father.
Too soon the carousel slowed to a stop. Jeff jumped down from his horse and held out his hand to help her off. As they made their way outside, she turned and gave the carousel one last look, biting her lower lip. Good-bye, carousel.
“What should I win you?” Jeff asked as they strolled through the aisle of games, making their way through all those enjoying the pleasant fall day. “Unless you want to play?”
As a child she usually let Jeff play for her if she’d really wanted the prize.
They stopped in front of a test of strength. A doll with red curls and green eyes sat on a shelf watching her—she appeared to be laughing.
“Could you win this one?” Noli watched as a young man took a wooden mallet and struck a metal plate, trying to send a counterweight up to hit a bell. It didn’t ring and the carnie asked if he wished to try again. The young man shook his head and walked away.
Jeff studied the game, rubbing his chin. “I think so.” He paid the carnie, took the mallet and swung, ringing the bell on the first try. “What would you like?”
She pointed to the doll. “Her.” The carnie handed her the doll. Getting up on her tiptoes, she gave Jeff a peck on the cheek. “On to the ice cream parlor?”
He linked his arm through hers. “On to the ice cream parlor.”
At the ice cream parlor, which smelled of vanilla and sugar, they got a large sundae with extra whipped cream and two cherries, two spoons, and sat at a small table near the window where they could watch people stroll by as they ate. They parlor itself was noisy, packed with sticky children enjoying a treat.
“Now what’s this about being thrust upon society?” Jeff asked between bites.
Noli poked at the ice cream with her spoon. “Mama has it in her head that the only way to save us financially is for me to marry well. She thinks since we’re still a family of fine breeding, I can attract a suitor, even though we have no money. So, ever since I returned … from boarding school she dresses me up and foists me off on all the right people so I can meet a rich husband.”
Jeff made a face of disgust. “How is that working for you?”