* * *
The morning set-upwent about how I expected: quiet with lots of caffeine being handed out to the volunteers.
With only a few minutes to spare, we finish getting all of the cats and dogs positioned around the booths, make sure everyone has enough supplies to last through the first wave of guests, and double-check that the vendors have all arrived.
So far, the worst thing to happen was a dog peeing in his crate, but that was easy to clean up. At least, it looked easy when I watched Sam take care of the mess.
I’ve hardly seen Kenzie this morning, but as I’m making my way over to the dunk tank, I spot her fiery red hair.
She’s laughing with my sister whose face painting booth is only a few yards away. Kenzie is tossing a ball in her hand, and there’s a glint in her eyes when they meet mine.
“What’s going on?” I ask before leaning in to give her a quick kiss.
She pats my shoulder. “You’re first up for the dunk tank since you arrived last.”
I shake my head. “No, I was supposed to be collecting tickets for this booth, not participating in it.”
“Well, plans changed. I need you in the hot seat, Bentley,” Joyce’s voice says from behind me.
I turn around and she’s walking one of our newer puppies on a leash. “I didn’t bring any extra clothes.”
My excuse won’t work with Joyce. I already know that, but I have to try.
She smiles widely. “We have donated clothes inside for volunteers when mishaps occur during their shifts. I’m sure you can find something to wear from that box if you get wet. Just remember, it’s mostly kids. I’m sure they’ll miss.”
Kenzie is still tossing the ball in her palm, and I have a feeling I’ll be soaked all too soon.
Instead of trying to talk my way out of it, I kick my tennis shoes off, empty my pockets, and grin as if this was my idea all along.
I climb into the tank, grateful the water isn’t freezing, and take a seat on the wobbling board,thenmy stomach sinks.
Maybe I should have tried a little harder to get out of this.
“Oh, Bentley. Did I ever tell you what I spent my high school years doing?” Kenzie calls out, standing a good distance from the tank.
I cock my head to the side and don’t respond when her grin widens.
“Fast-pitch softball.”
A second later, she launches the ball toward the target and a bell goes off as the world falls out from under me.
Okay, maybe not the world, but I didn’t actually expect her to hit the damn thing on the first try.
I spit and sputter and find my footing, then point at her with a glare on my face. “Not cool.”
Her eyes roam my soaked chest. “Seems rather refreshing.”
Celia laughs and gives Kenzie a high-five. “If you ever get tired of him, please don’t think we’re a package deal and ditch me too.”
Kenzie throws her head back and says something I don’t catch as I get distracted by the rise and fall of her chest.
Once I’m back in my spot, my balls are freezing, but the sound of squeals and laughter around the one-acre property take over my attention.
There are tents, streamers, pet playpens, and the smell of popcorn wafting through the air. Of course, I’m always happy to see this event be a success, but since I’ve been more involved this time around, there’s an extra sense of accomplishment as I watch kids begin to line up for the booths.
Kenzie has her back to me, collecting payment from parents and handing out baseballs to the kids. At least, I think they’re all kids until I see Owen standing at the back. Word spread fast. Great.
Though, being back in the water right now sounds ideal. Sitting here wet, waiting to get dunked, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.