Estienne the Carousel Centaur 2 (special preview)

“A little,” he laughs with a shrug. “But now, if you want to take this job and join the carnival, we can really figure out what we want with each other. You’ll have a great job and I’ll have my friend to look forward to seeing everyday. A friend I have very deep feelings for.”

My cheeks burn and I slowly lift my hands back up. “I have those feelings for you too.”

Estienne dips down, kissing me again. I had always read in those silly romance novels I always got from thrift stores that a kiss could take your breath away, and it always made me giggle. But Estienne did more than steal my breath, he took the gravity around us and made me feel as if I was floating in midair.

I take the job from Robin and confirm it with Mr. Faire, who is still weepy from the wedding, so he gives me an extra tight hug. When I go home that evening, I pack up everything I will be taking. Robin promises me he will keep the place for me while I am away. That way, I still have a home and a place to keep my things if need be. 

The next day, Mr. Faire sends Arty and a few others to help me move what I am taking. As I am getting ready to walk out the door, I see a photo of me and my dad sitting on the side table and quickly collect it.

“Forget something?” Arty chuckles.

“Almost?” I look over the photo and grin.

Arty looks at it as well and then his eyes narrow. He lifts his hat so all eight eyes can stare at it. “I know this man.”

“My dad? How?” I ask.

“He saved my wife, Oshun,” he replies as he takes the picture into his hand. “He built the carousel for Mr. Faire back when he was a young man.” He looks down at me in awe. “Is this really your father?”

“Who else would it be?” I take the photo back and look it over. That explains why the carousels match, the big one and my toy. That’s why the music that plays is the same as well, my father was the one who created it.

“He saved the swan twins as well, he even built the new carriage for the prince and princess,” Arty tells me. “He and Estienne used to be very close until your father left. I guess that was around the time you were born.”

When we return to the carnival, the tents are down, but the fence is still up. I run through the crowd, getting to the carousel. The figures are all off it and watching as Mr. Faire pulls a lever that makes it spin in an opposite direction and fold up until it turns into a toy music box just like mine. Mr. Faire then sets it in a special box and hands it to Estienne.

I tug on Estienne’s arm and he turns to me with a great big grin. “There’s my darling!” Before he can touch me, I show him the picture of my father. He takes it in his hand as his expression goes gentle and warm.

“I can’t believe it-” he whispers.

I tug down the picture so he can see me talk. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew my father? All this time and you could have told me.”