“What are you going to do about it?” Marva Jo asked. “You’ve got to be honest with him, Lizelle.”

She peeked around the end of the two boxes. “Right now, I’m just happy where we are. We’re having fun being together. I’m not in a hurry.”

“That’s good. Maybe you’ll decide to come home. I’m thinkin’ about shooting my brother for giving you that house and land.” Marva Jo dragged three boxes to the edge of the truck and jumped down. She added another one to Liz’s and then picked up the remaining two and led the way to the gallery.

“Stock is getting low,” Liz said.

“It’s right where I want it for the last gig of the year. We’ve got a couple of extra backup boxes, but I think we ordered supplies just about right last spring. We’re going home with trucks that are almost empty. Are you going to dance and cover the wagon on Thursday and Friday to give Tressa a rest?” Marva Jo asked.

Liz nodded. “I’m lookin’ forward to tellin’ fortunes. Did I tell you that I told fortunes at Gemma’s Halloween party? And I saw a blond-haired cowboy in Colleen’s future.”

“Well, glory be!” Marva Jo declared loudly. “You did say cowboy, didn’t you?”

Liz gasped. “He had blond hair and…”

“He didn’t have boots or a hat, did he?” Marva Jo whispered.

“It’s just a reading.” Liz felt the color leave her face. “And even though Aunt Tressa thinks they’re the real thing, we know they’re just for fun, right?”

“What?” Tressa ripped the tape from the top of a box and handed Liz small stuffed animals to hang on the wire at the back of the gallery.

“She saw a blond-haired man in Colleen’s future,” Marva Jo said.

“Well, that sucks!” Tressa said, “But there have to be dozens of men with blond hair floating around this part of Texas.”

“It can’t be Blaze. He won’t ever settle down. You said it yourself,” Liz said.

“I read his cards last night just for fun. I saw a red-headed girl in his future, and I turned over the wedding card,” Tressa said.

“Dammit!” Liz doubled up her fist and slammed it into her other hand.

Raylen poked his head around the end of the gallery. “Hurt yourself?”

“Raylen! What are you doing here?” Liz squealed.

“I came to meet your carnie family and to help,” he said.

Liz leaned out the booth window and kissed him on the cheek. “You got here at just the right time. You can meet Mama and Aunt Tressa at the same time.” She made introductions.

Raylen shook Marva Jo’s hand. “Where did Liz get black hair and dark eyes?”

“From her father who was Latino. His name was Eddie Garcia. I gave her our family name when she was born because he had already passed away, and it simplified matters,” Marva Jo answered.

“And this is my Aunt Tressa,” Liz said.

He dropped Marva Jo’s hand and held it out to Tressa. “My sister, Colleen, has red hair. Not the same shade as yours but still red. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”