Page 110 of Loving Kai

“What’s that?”

“I used to hate your backward hat. I thought it was so…cocky and immature.”

“Wow. And now?”

“Now it’s adorable.”

He scowled. “Not really what I was going for.”

“Too bad.”

“So, is that what Rachel finds attractive about me? My hat?”

Maggie laughed and patted his chest. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what she sees when she looks at you.”

Chapter twenty-seven

“Get ready to be embarrassed.”

After spending some time checking out the craft fair and farmer’s market, Abe and Maggie watched Gentry’s boys compete in the three-legged race, the sack race, and the egg toss. When it was time for the adults to compete in the egg toss, Abe convinced Milo to enter the contest with him.

The Buchanan brothers already had a reputation for doing well in the competition every year, so they were the team to watch. It was held in a large grassy area, and enthusiastic onlookers lined each side of the playing field, cheering on their favorite team.

They started a few feet apart, then stepped back after each successful catch. By the time they were ten feet apart, only three other teams remained. Two of them dropped their eggs on the next toss, causing a mix of moans and cheers from the audience. This left Abe and Milo against Bruce and his brother Angus. They both managed to make it to twenty feet apart, with each toss taking a little more thought and planning. When Bruce and Angus dropped theirs, the moderator looked at Milo and Abe.

“If you make this catch, you’re the winners. If you miss it, you’re tied with Bruce and Angus for first.”

Milo had the egg, and he held it up. “One more, brother. We can do this.”

Abe nodded. “Hold on.” He waved at Maggie, and she ran over to him. “Give me a kiss for luck.”

“In front of all of these people? Half the town is here.”

He smiled. “Kiss me.”

Maggie kissed him, and the crowd cheered. She ran back to Kai, who was with Marti and the boys, and then Abe nodded to Milo. “Let her rip.”

Milo took a moment, then lobbed the egg into the air. When Abe saw it was going to sail over his head, he backed up, keeping his eye on it. It fell from the sky in slow motion and dropped toward his outstretched hands. He gave with the impact and held his breath as it landed. The crowd fell completely silent until Abe held up the unbroken egg, then erupted in cheers and whistles.

Abe ran over to Milo, shook his hand, then grinned and smashed the egg on his chest. Milo took a step back.

“What the hell?”

“I’m guessing most of your students are out there watching how you handle this situation.”

Milo simmered for a moment. “Well, I’m guessing they’d want me to put you in your place.” He wiped at the egg dripping down his shirt, then flung it at Abe.

Abe laughed as he took a step back, dodging most of the raw egg. He held up a hand. “I’m sorry. You can keep the twenty-dollar gift certificate we just won.”

“You’re damn right I’m keeping it.”

Maggie brought Milo a baby wipe. “Here you go.” She turned to Abe. “That was…”

“Old Abe?”

“Yes.”

He shrugged. “I guess he’s still buried in there somewhere.”