The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) by Debbie Viguié Page B

walking again. “So, what’s the real reason?”
    “As the newly returned former scholarship winner, they’ve asked me to weigh in with my opinion on the top five candidates for this year.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Do they always do that?”
    “No, this year is kind of special. After all, you’re practically a celebrity. If it was a popularity contest, you’d win hands down. They wanted someone from outside who didn’t know any of the five candidates personally to make a suggestion.”
    “So, whoever you pick gets the scholarship?”
    “It’s a little more complicated than that. My opinion does matter, but it’s not the only factor.”
    “So, how do I stack up?” she asked.
    “Pretty well. Afraid I can’t say more than that.”
    “I understand,” she sighed.
    “Hey, before you head home, you want to ride The Spiral?”
    “With the guy who created it? Totally!”
    A minute later they were waiting to board the ride.
    “So, how did you come up with the idea?” she asked.
    “I played football with my dad and brothers when I was a kid, and my dad always drilled into us the importance of a perfect spiral throw. He could make balls do things you wouldn’t believe. Then I got a summer job working here and was one of the first people to ride Rim Shot, the one where you feel what it would be like to be a basketball. I thought it was cool, but I was disappointed that there weren’t any football-themed rides, especially since John Hanson was a quarterback. I heard about the competition and, voila!, I had my ride.”
    “That’s amazing.”
    Even more amazing was actually getting to talk to the guy who came up with the ride and then screaming hysterically with him on the ride. When they got off, Candace was so dizzy she was staggering. They exited the ride and then stopped for one final look at it.
    “Awesome,” she said.
    “Thanks. Well, I’ll see you around, Candace.”
    “See you,” she answered.
    She headed for the Locker Room, grabbed her things, and made her way to the parking lot. On the way she checked messages. She had one from Tamara, but all she could make out was a high-pitched squealing sound. For a moment she thought it was some horrible kind of static until she realized it was actually Tamara making that sound.
    “What on earth?”
    She called Tamara.
    “Hello?”
    “I can’t understand the message you left on my cell phone,” Candace said.
    Tamara started shrieking in her ear, and the only thing Candace could make out was “You’ll never believe it!”

11
    “Calm down, Tam, I can’t understand you,” Candace urged.
    “I won a Zone anniversary prize! I never win anything, but I went through the turnstile, and I won!”
    “Congratulations. What did you win?”
    “I don’t know yet, I’m waiting to hear.”
    “Tamara, where are you?” Candace asked.
    “In the Hall of Fame.”
    Candace turned around and headed back for the Home Stretch. Once she reached the Hall of Fame, she went inside and found Tamara sitting in a chair with a customer ser vice ref.
    Tamara leapt to her feet and threw her arms around Candace. “Guess what I won?”
    “You know now?”
    “Yes! I won dinner for a group at Boone’s.”
    Boone’s was the exclusive, members-only restaurant on top of the fort in the History Zone.
    ”I actually won something! I never win anything!”
    “Congratulations, Tam! What are you going to do with it?”
    “I’ve been thinking maybe a party for my parents for their anniversary.”
    “That would rock,” Candace said. “As long as I’m invited, of course,” she joked.
    Tamara rolled her eyes. “Of course you are!”
    “Seriously, that’s awesome.”
    “I’ve got a party to plan. You’ll help me, right?”
    “Totally.”
    Tamara finished up her paperwork, and they left. “So, what were you doing here anyway?” Candace asked.
    “Oh my gosh, I forgot!” Tamara said, grabbing her by the shoulders. “I was coming to surprise you. We’re going