“We’ll root for both teams,” Mom promised.
“I’m rooting for Hay-Hay,” Irene said firmly.
Eve pulled Hayden aside. “Promise me you aren’t treating this like some sort of grudge match with Steven. I don’t think it’s good for Katie to see so much…aggression.”
“I won’t disappoint any of us.” Hayden brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “We’re competing in the spirit of the festival. It’s been a long winter. We’ve got energy to burn. No grudge matches allowed. It’s just you and me.”
Eve might have believed Hayden if his gaze hadn’t shifted toward Steven and hardened.
Steven bounced on the balls of his loafered feet a few yards away, grinning like he’d already won. Violet hovered at his side, her smile brittle. She wasn’t the first person to run the obstacle course in heels, but Eve imagined Vi hadn’t considered her footwear when she’d volunteered to partner with Steven.
“I need teams at the first station!” the announcer boomed. “Piggyback egg carry! Ladies, hold the spoon. Gentlemen, get ready to carry your partner. If the egg drops, you go back to the start and get a fresh egg.”
Eve selected an egg and a spoon.
“Shoot,” Vi said, having dropped her egg as she tried to climb onto Steven’s back. She hurried back for another egg, long skirt swirling about her ankles.
“Don’t worry, Evie.” Hayden crouched low in front of her. “I’ve got you,” he said quietly, as if this weren’t a spectacle but something private. “Just focus on the egg. I’ll go slow.”
“Like a turtle.” Reassured, Eve hitched up her skirt, wrapped an arm around Hayden’s collarbone, and leaped on, very nearly dropping her egg.
“That’s it.” Hayden wrapped his arms beneath her legs and stood a little higher until Eve’s face was next to his ear.
With little effort, Eve could press a kiss to the side of his neck where she smelled a woodsy scent. Not that she submitted to that temptation. When it came to winning her husband’s heart, she was in a marathon, not a sprint. “Why do I think you’ve done this before?”
“I haven’t done the obstacle course before.” Hayden chuckled, the sound vibrating from his back to her chest. “You know, I’ve got four younger brothers. As a kid, I was always giving out piggyback rides. It’s a skill.”
“Remember,” the announcer boomed. “Once you start, go at your pace through each station all the way to the finish line on the other side of the park. As always, the heat champions win matching T-shirts, courtesy of Robins Feed.”
“Give me a kiss, Evie,” Hayden whispered.
“What?” Eve stiffened, nearly dropping her spoon. “Why?”
“For luck.” He angled his cheek in her direction.
Eve fulfilled his request, embarrassed she’d let her lips linger longer than necessary on his skin.
There was no time to second-guess her action or his reaction. The announcer began the countdown to start. “On your marks… Get set… Go!”
“Go, Mama! Go, Daddy!” Katie cried, jumping up and down on the sidelines.
As promised, Hayden moved slowly. Not rushing. Certainly not reckless. Eve kept her eyes on the egg trembling on her spoon, but she felt the power in Hayden’s arms. The way his grip tightened whenever she wobbled and he encouraged her to, “Relax.”
“Too slow, suckers!” Steven sprinted past them, Violet squealing on his back as their egg bounced off her spoon.
Crack.
The sound carried.
The crowd groaned.
Muttering, Steven turned around and headed back for another egg.
“Keep your eyes front.” Hayden kept moving, step after deliberate step, until they crossed the line along with two other couples. Applause broke out.
“We did it!” Eve laughed as Hayden eased her to the ground, breathless and surprised by the strength of her own joy.
“You did it.” Hayden touched his palm to her cheek.