Runabout by Pamela Morsi Page A

how they did it," Luther answered as he watched the spinning mirrors and colors atop the hill. "Jedwin Sparrow is a shrewd businessman. I'm sure he used the queen idea to create a diversion."
    }Tulsa May demurely adjusted the angle of her hat and attempted to act her age. "I've never ridden a merry-go-round," she whispered quietly to Luther as if making a lurid confession. Her legs were suddenly full of jitters. Glancing around, she was grateful that no one was staring at her unseemly behavior.
    }Luther's grin was broad and his laugh was as comforting as a warm sheepskin. "Tulsy," he said. "You can be as adult as you like. But I can't wait another minute to ride on that thing."
    }A crowd had already formed on the near side of the whirling stage and youngsters darted in and out trying to sneak through the press of adults to be first in the line.
    }"This is the best idea Jedwin Sparrow ever had," a young matron with two bright-eyed children in tow proclaimed.
    }"It wasn't Mr. Sparrow's idea," Maybelle Penny piped in. "Mrs. Sparrow and I thought of it. Her husband just handled the details."
    }Dressed in a pale blue gown with white eyelet at the wrists and throat, Maybelle looked especially lovely. And from the way she held her head and casually patted her hair, she was well aware of the fact.
    }"Well, it's just wonderful." Tulsa May reached across to the younger girl and grasped her hand with excitement.
    }Maybelle was smiling back at her warmly, when suddenly her expression changed. Shocked, the young girl stared at the elegant peach taffeta gloves that graced the hand that held hers.
    }"Your gloves?" Maybelle's question was an incredulous whisper.
    }"Oh, thank you," Tulsa May answered, assuming she was receiving a compliment.
    }The operator of the merry-go-round chose that exact moment to stop the whirling carousel. Everyone rushed forward. Luther jumped up on the round platform, then turned and easily pulled his partner up beside him. Then he headed toward the wildest-looking horse. "Might this be a pleasing mount for you, Miss Tulsy?" he asked, gesturing to a gaily decorated black wooden pony with a carved windswept mane and a tail made of genuine horsehair.
    }As she nodded, Luther grasped her around the waist, his hands warm and sure, and lifted her up to sit sidesaddle.
    }"Now, don't fall off," he admonished.
    }In mock terror, Tulsa May grasped the long pole that ran through the horse's neck and chest. "Oh, stay here and protect me from this dangerous animal."
    }Luther tweaked her nose playfully. "Sorry, ma'am," he answered in a deep Texas drawl. "This cowboy has his own horse to wrangle." He threw one long leg over the blue and white pony next to hers.
    }"You're a little far from the ranch, aren't you, cowpuncher?" Tulsa May asked.
    }Dramatically, Luther raised an eyebrow. "Just call me Kid, ma'am," he said with low-toned gruffness. "Carousel Kid."
    }Tulsa May was hooting with laughter when she caught sight of the bench directly behind them where Maybelle Penny sat primly between Rossie Crenshaw and Fasel Auslander. The young woman's unspoken censure was so vivid that Tulsa May covered her mouth in embarrassment and turned her attention demurely to the horse in front of her. Chin down, lips closed, she told herself. The loud, breathy music of the calliope began again and slowly, as if uneager for another trip, the horse beneath Tulsa May lowered toward the floor and then began to rise again.
    }Smiling once more, Tulsa May looked ahead as the merry-go-round picked up speed. A lock of curly carrot-colored hair worked free of her rather severe coiffure and sneaked out from beneath her hat brim to fly in the breeze.
    }As the merry-go-round turned, situated as it was along the far side of the knoll, she could see nothing beneath them but the Cimarron River far below. Tulsa felt as if she were flying in thin air. Breathless with delight, she turned to Luther. His vivid blue eyes were bright as starlight. Silently the two shared