Cherry Ames, Private Duty Nurse by Helen Wells

Author:Helen Wells
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

CHAPTER VII

Romance in Reverse

BRIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING, THERE WAS A loud banging on the girls’ doors.

“Get up!” Charlie called. “The sun is shining and we’re going to the county fair!”

The only protest at being awakened early came from Bucky, as he staggered down the stairs. Even Midge, who had stayed overnight at the Ameses, willingly yawned herself awake. None of the girls had slept much the night before. Who wanted to sleep, as Gwen said, when they could visit—they could sleep some other time. Part of their talk had consisted of wails at Cherry: “Lucky—to have Bucky falling for you!”

“Oh, no,” Cherry had said modestly. “He’s just being nice to me because I’m his hostess.”

But she convinced no one, not even herself. The girls’ teasing planted the idea in Cherry’s head. She fell asleep thinking of Bucky’s crooked grin.

And now, in the test of broad daylight, with Bucky gallantly putting cream and sugar in her coffee for her, Cherry looked at him with increased interest. He certainly was a darling. Maybe he did like her. Maybe her friends were right. Well, she would wait and see what today would bring. And if it brought her a real conquest of Bucky, that would be very, very nice!

“Don’t get all mushy and woozy, Ames,” she warned herself. “Remember, you’ve been working so long and hard that practically any nice young man would look awfully good to you.”

But Bucky really was someone special, and it was hard to hold on to her heart when he whispered to her:

“Do you always look so ravishing first thing in the morning? Good grief, most gals I’ve seen at this hour look like tired dishrags. You have roses in your cheeks and your eyes are shiny and—gee, you’re even civil at breakfast!”

“Ever been to a county fair?”

“Don’t change the subject. Why won’t you take me seriously?”

“They have pigs and carrousels and side shows.” “All right, Cherry, I’ll take you for a ride on everything. On one condition.”

“Oh, I’m in fine condition, thanks,” Cherry giggled.

“Look, Princess, we’re speaking English. I think—Listen, Cherry, the condition is this: Will you let me ask you a question? Later on? I really am stuck for an answer.”

Cherry was amazed but kept it to herself. “That will cost you one ferris wheel ride extra.”

“Sold.”

Charlie drove up in the family car. Giggling and in high spirits, the girls tumbled into it. They set off along green country roads for an all-day jaunt to the fair.

In a big stretch of trees they found cars parked hundreds deep, saw a maze of wire-fenced streets and wooden buildings, heard the barkers and the tinny music of the merry-go-round. A ferris wheel rose in outline against the brilliant blue sky.

“Me for the flower show!” Mai Lee exclaimed as they tumbled out of their parked car.

“I want to see the prize livestock,” Bertha Larsen said. “And the preserving and baking exhibits.”

“And the handmade bedspreads and quilting,” Josie squealed.

Both men groaned. What they wanted was to see the rodeo.

“But that isn’t until this afternoon,” Cherry said, consulting a handbill.

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