Chapter Seven
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As a child, Elijah had always looked forward to fairs, festivals, and parties. There was something about the thrill of it all, especially when it came to the fair and the rides. He was such a thrill seeker. Such a wild child as his momma accused him of being—affectionately, of course.
He wondered if Miles would be like him, or if he would keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. Whatever his personality, Eli would make sure to nurture it. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but at this point, raising Miles seemed like a hell of a lot easier than getting to know Skye again.
How could they have fallen so quickly for each other before, only to have her be so standoffish this time? He hadn’t been the one to leave her… and yet, here he was, at the Corn Pudding Festival, without her.
He hefted Miles higher on his hip, trying to figure out what would spark the boy’s interest.
“Would you like to get your face painted?” a woman asked.
Elijah almost went for it, but he shook his head. “Didn’t clear it with his momma first.”
“Smart man. There are some baby animals over by the corn-husking station. I’m sure she wouldn’t object, and they’re about his speed.”
“Thanks. Want to see some animals, Miles?” he asked.
“Mooo.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Making sure his son still had his favorite toy airplane, he headed to the baby-animal exhibit. As soon as Miles’ feet touched the ground, he ran for the fence and almost tumbled right into the pen. Elijah caught him by the back of his pants just in time.
That’s all I need.
He’s a boy. Let him get dirty.
I would, but his momma’s not too happy with me right now.
At least give her something to be legitimately angry about.
He could, but he wasn’t petty like that.
Or… he wasn’t petty like that anymore. Hadn’t been for a long time.
Part of his adventurous nature was to push people to their limits. See what they could take and what got them mad, sad, or happy.
When he was younger—a lot younger—it worked for him, until it didn’t. It was then he’d had to decide if he wanted to have clients or show up his boss for the day. Common sense won out, thankfully.
“Moo. Moo.”
“That’s a sheep. Say baa. Baa.”
Miles wrinkled his nose. “Booo.”
“Close enough.”
“Booooo.”
The handler gave them a look.
“He’s not booing the animals,” Elijah explained. “He’s mashed up baa and moo together.”
That made the young man smile. “Easy to do when you’re that little. Would he like to come in and touch them?”
Elijah looked at Miles. “Want to pet the animals?”
“I wouldn’t do that, son,” Eli’s father said, startling him.
A smile crept up his face. “Dad. Where’s Mom?”
“Judging the corn pudding, where else?”
“Wouldn’t mind having that job myself,” Elijah said. “Anyway, why shouldn’t I let Miles pet the animals?”
David’s faded blue eyes twinkled, his white hair gleaming in the sun. “He’s not as adventurous as you were, and I don’t want you to get your feelings hurt.”
“I promise I won’t get my feelings hurt.”
“That’s what I said, but I did anyway.”
“Over what?”
Miles looked over at David and started waving his arms. Immediately, Elijah’s dad kneeled and motioned for Miles to come closer. “That’s my boy.” He hugged his grandson tight, and Miles lay his head on David’s shoulder. “He sure loves people and hugs. I think that’s his love language.”
“Isn’t he a little young to have a love language?”
His dad laughed. “Not that kind of love. Love language is what makes you you. What fills up your well, and makes you feel safe, secure, and loved. And it’s also how you express your love to other people, too, which can be tricky if that person doesn’t share the same language.”
“Oh, yeah, that sounds much better than what I was thinking.”
“You know, it applies to adults as well,” David said, carefully standing with Elijah’s assistance. “For instance, your mother’s love language is acts of service and words of affirmation. Nothing pleases her more than helping and doing things for those she loves and likes… and to dole out praise. She also likes getting praise, too.”
“What’s yours?”
“Gifts—I love giving and receiving them—and quality time.”
“Guess you and Mom had to figure out how to compromise, huh? Loves makes you feel all crazy inside, I guess.” He wasn’t dumb. He knew his dad was trying to give him advice on how to work things out with Skye, only his dad made things sound a lot simpler than what they really were.
“Love isn’t a compromise or a feeling. It’s an action. If I love her, then I do for her what makes her feel loved and safe. Doesn’t matter if she does it for me or not, because love isn’t about keeping score.”
“Have you considered writing this down?”
His dad threw his head back and laughed. Miles copied him, and Elijah felt nothing but joy in that moment. He felt like he’d finally come home.
“Men and women far smarter than me came up with that stuff. The only thing I had to be was smart enough to implement it.”
Elijah considered his dad’s words for a moment. “How would you and Mom feel about keeping Miles this afternoon? Maybe letting him spend the night—after I clear it with Skye, of course.”
“I’d feel like you’re on the right track.”