Father Bernard, a sly smile on his face, motioned for Boomer and Cady to take their place at the finish line, where Father Cyril was handing out awards. A huge crowd surrounded the area as Tom Sanders and his wife, Cissy, walked off with the first place prize. The nine remaining winners were awarded purple ribbons with a gold seal stapled in the middle.

“I want to see you win next year, Chief,” Father Cyril boomed. “It’s all about practice and getting in sync.”

Boomer nodded. “Did you hear that, Cady? He said we have to practice. We have to get in sync.”

“I thought we were in sync,” Cady said boldly. “I think I’m ready to go home now.”

“We didn’t go on any rides. I wanted to take you on the chairlift thing to help you conquer your fear of heights.”

“Next year. Let’s get some cotton candy and go home. No, no, we can’t go home yet. You have to win the big panda bear for me. We still have to walk back across town and I don’t have any shoes.”

Boomer’s mind raced. How in the hell was he going to get Cady the big bear? She didn’t say he had to win it.

“There it is. Oohhh, it’s a big one! All you have to do is throw the ball into the clown’s mouth five times and you win it! You can do it, can’t you, Boomer?”

“Of course I can do it,” he snorted. “First I have to make sure the balls aren’t loaded and the clowns aren’t off center. You just stand here now while I talk to the owner of this little game of skill. I’ll be right back.”

Boomer skirted the edge of the booth and drew the carny outside. “Here’s the deal, Mister. I’m the police chief here in Indigo Valley. My girlfriend wants that big panda bear. How about a hundred bucks, and I don’t inspect the balls and positions of the clowns?” He fanned five twenty-dollar bills under the carny’s nose.

“Deal, Mister Police Chief. Throw your balls and the little lady will take home the panda!”

“Looks like it’s on the up and up,” Boomer said when he joined Cady at the booth. “Let’s see, all I have to do is pitch five balls. If I get all five in the clown’s mouth, you get the panda.”

“Five balls for a dollar,” Cady said. “Oh, I hope you can do it! Lola took me to a fair once, but neither of us won a thing. I’m crossing my fingers, Boomer.”

Boomer picked up the balls and, with five rapid throws, landed all five balls in the clown’s mouth. Cady squealed her joy as the carny handed her the huge panda.

They made one last stop for cotton candy before they left the carnival. Their faces were sticky red with sugar when they collapsed in Boomer’s car.

“Oh, Boomer, I had such a good time tonight. I think it’s one of the best times I ever had in my whole life.”