Kashi washed her hands after handing the reins over to Markuson only moments ago. He'd been more than happy to take over for her, letting Kashi take a moment to clean herself up before heading to the chili booth. She splashed water on her face too, cooling herself down. It wasn't hot out, but the sun was shining fully, making Kashi sweat. Some of her hair that was loose from her braids was sticking to the back of her neck.
Carr wouldn't care though. She'd never actually worked with him before. They still worked for different Thompsons. Kashi had gone to work for her uncle originally out of spite for her dad, but now she was enjoying it. She wouldn't be able to work for her dad either. Boss and dad were titles that didn't go well together. And it was probably best that she didn't work with Carr anyway.
She meandered over to the booth, weaving through crowds of people. He knew what time she was getting off so he'd probably be there already. She was a little slow in getting to the chili booth. Markuson had been abnormally chatty, wanting to ask her some opinion about the wedding venue he was choosing. He and his fiance were planning a wedding about a year from this time. It was a beautiful time and place to get married.
Kashi spotted Carr where he was leaning against a neighboring booth. Luckily for them, the line was short. He slid his hand into hers as they joined each other. "Hey Kash." he kissed her forehead sweetly. He sounded fatigued.
"Hey. So what's so important?" she asked, wanting to get right to the point. She squeezed his hand a little bit.
"Well I'm not sure if you know, but Jeremy Hughes is here and so is Matthias." He frowned, scanning the crowd of people around the fairgrounds as if searching for him. Kashi had lost sight of him when her uncle had gone over by his side. She turned her back to lead a child around the loop and when she finally faced the trailer he'd been near, he was gone. But she had Matthias hopefully getting something out of him.
"Yeah I was aware. He's the one that donated the money to get all the rides and extra tables and things we would have needed." Kashi shrugged, "I don't like it, but it does give him a right to be here. But I'm sure he has an ulterior motive."
"I'm sure Kashi, but the bad news is that he was talking to your Aunt Cee. I think she is a part of the whole scheme. Matthias is back on good terms it seems because the three of them were over by her booth and Hughes bought Matthias a piece of her pie."
Kashi grimaced. "I don't know if I'm surprised or not. I knew she had to have some semblance of an idea. She's married to Hughes' new partner so it would be hard for them to keep it from her. But how do you know she is a part of it all?"
"He handed her a very very large check Kashi. Think like enough money to build seven more of your uncle's new stables. She pocketed it and pointed to your uncle." He ran a hand through his hair, taking a few steps as the line moved up.
"There's something big going on, and it's definitely not good." Kashi recalled what Matthias had said to her. "He wouldn't give out money that easily, so he has to be making a ton of more money with whatever it is my uncle put into this business."
"Yeah that's true. And we still have no idea what it is that Hughes and your uncle are up to." Carr said.
Kashi didn't respond because they reached the front of the line. Kashi ordered a spicy vegetarian chili while Carr had some monstrous chili bowl of ingredients. It looked like someone had emptied the contents of their refrigerator into the bowl. She wasn't even enticed by the smell. She'd stick to her own bowl. And also the large piece of sweet cornbread that came with every bowl. It was a perfect combination.
They found a folding table under the large white tent, decked out with fall themed tablecloths. A band was playing on the stage at the other end of the tent, the guitarist plucking a dallying country song, a sweet and simple melody, some woman Kashi had definitely seen before singing along in a pretty country voice. She found herself humming the chorus of the song to break the silence that had settled between Carr and herself as she turned back around away from the stage to face him.
He looked up as if remembering she was there. "Sorry, good chili."
"Right," she chuckled, "Mine is good too, but this cornbread is divine."
Carr finished chewing a piece, laughing as Kashi stared at him, "Sorry," he laughed, "Reminds me of my mom's cornbread. She's the only other person I know who uses actual corn and not just cornmeal. Makes it better that way." He looked around for a minute, "Where's Sierra?"
That was a very good question. "I'm not sure, I know she was supposed to be here. Her parents are out of town today but she's staying with the nanny and her brothers. I saw those three little demons riding the hayride while I was with Mr. Sparkles— he's a horse" Kashi clarified when Carr made a face, "I'm so glad they didn't come in line when I was there. They'll probably listen well to Markuson. He's big and scary."
The band behind them finished their set. Carr was facing them, Kashi faced the other direction. "I guess I'll send Sierra a message."
"Nope. I found her." Carr said, pointing his finger past Kashi's head. She twirled around.
"Carr, don't play jokes." Kashi scowled, turning back around.
Carr instead, walked around the table, and grabbed her hand, pulling her through the maze of tables to the other side of the tent where Sierra was standing on stage with a cowboy hat and a guitar, grinning.