“That’s morbid, but you’ve got my curiosity roused. Besides, you know I like red hair. You are just tellin’ me this crock of bull to keep from talkin’ more about you and Raylen,” Blaze said.

“I am not!” Liz protested loudly. “To prove it I will introduce you, but things would never, ever work between you two. If she caught you flirting she really would deep-fry the jewels and feed them to her cat.”

“That made shivers up my back. Did you turn over the card that says I’m to run from her?” Blaze asked.

“I’ve overstepped the confidentiality boundaries between reader and client already,” Liz said. “Now, I’ve got to go help clean up the mess. It’s a neighbor thing. I’m helping them today and starting tomorrow they’re going to help me put up my decorations so it will be all pretty when y’all get here.”

“Lizelle, don’t get too involved with Raylen.” Blaze’s voice went into his big brother tone. “He’s just someone you met a couple of times when you were a kid and you’ve built him into a superhero. He’s a real person, sweetheart, and real people aren’t gods or heroes. Your heart will always be a wanderer. You know that old sayin’ in the church about giving them a child until they are six and they’ll never change. It works the same in lots of things—like carnivals.”

Liz sighed. “You were fourteen.”

“Yes, but my mother was a flower child, and I loved the carnival my whole life, even if I didn’t get to join it until I was fourteen. I’d stand by the fence and watch y’all leave in the spring, and my heart would hurt to go with you. We’re carnies at heart, sweetheart. We’ll never change. Promise me you will be careful,” Blaze said.

“I promise,” she said and meant it.

“Did you sleep with him already?” Blaze asked bluntly.

“I’m not going to kiss and tell on that either. Tell Mama hi,” Liz said and ended the call.

She was halfway to the barn when Raylen stepped out and waved.

“Already done?” she called out.

He grinned. “You aren’t that lucky. I’ve got the cobwebs down and part of the tables cleared off.”

She was about to put her arms around him for a hug when Colleen called out, “Come right on in. You can strip down the tables, and I’ll wash them. Then Raylen can take over and stack them on the rack. I bet Gemma took extra appointments today on purpose. She loves to get ready for a party but hates to do the work afterwards.”

Liz quickly took a step back. “We’ll make her work extra hard when we start putting up Christmas decorations tomorrow night, won’t we? Are you going to help us too, Colleen?”

“Nope.” Colleen grabbed Raylen by the arm and pulled him back toward the doors. “I’ve got plans in just a few minutes, and then I’m dealing blackjack for the next seven nights in a row. Six at night until six in the morning.”