Absolutely, Positively

the fairground receded into the distance. A great silence gripped the trailer. The shadows within seemed to thicken.

    Leon appeared to shrink in on himself. “Yeah, yeah. A deal's a deal. Go on, get outa here. I got to get down to the pits. Racing starts at seven-thirty tonight.”

    Harry let the sagging screen door clatter shut behind him.

    He walked toward the fairground entrance. The smell of grease and popcorn and the aroma of the animal barns washed over him.

    He suddenly wanted to find Molly.

6

    Clutching an armful of purchases, Molly paused outside the red, gold, and turquoise striped booth. She looked up to read the words on the sign overhead.

    Madam Evangeline

    Learn the Secrets of the Past, Present, and Future

    ADVICE ON MATTERS OF LOVE AND MONEY

    Discretion Assured

    Molly studied the beaded curtain that closed the entrance to the booth. She did not believe in palmistry, card readings, or crystal balls. The last thing she wanted to do was get her fortune told. She wondered if Harry intended to meet her outside or inside the booth.

    She turned to scan the length of the midway, hoping to catch sight of him in the crowd. All she saw was an endless stream of people, their hands full of popcorn, candy apples, and hot dogs, wandering from booth to booth.

    As Molly watched, a young man strolled past carrying a huge stuffed panda bear. He caught her eye and grinned.

    “I won it for my girlfriend,” he said proudly.

    “Nice.” Molly eyed the panda wistfully. “Was it hard to win?”

    “Nah. You could probably win one for yourself.”

    “Do you really think so?”

    “Sure,” the young man responded very smoothly. “Why not give it a try? Only costs a quarter a toss. The booth is right across the way. See it?”

    “Yes. Thanks. Maybe I'll give it a whirl.”

    “You won't be sorry,” the young man promised. He strolled off down the midway.

    Molly was about to make her way through the crowd to the coin toss game when she heard the fortune-teller's curtain snap open behind her.

    “Madam Evangeline sees the past, present, and future,” a throaty voice declared. “Come inside and learn your fate in love and fortune.”

    Molly swung around in surprise. A handsome, statuesque, middle-aged woman with silver-shot black hair stood amid the clattering beads. Fine brown eyes, a classic nose, and high cheekbones composed a face that would be striking until the woman was well into her nineties.

    The fortune-teller was dressed in an ankle-length gown made of several layers of variously colored and patterned fabrics. Her long, graceful fingers were sheathed in rings. A massive necklace hung with gold and amber pendants accented an impressive bosom.

    “Hello,” Molly said politely. “I'm supposed to meet someone here.”

    The woman looked deep into Molly's eyes. “I think you have already met him.”

    “I beg your pardon?”

    The woman inclined her head in a regal gesture. “I am Madam Evangeline. Come inside, and I will show you your future.”

    Molly shifted the packages in her arms. “That would be pointless. I don't believe in fortune-telling, Madam Evangeline. And, quite frankly, I wouldn't want to know my future, even if you could see it for me. Thanks, anyway. If you don't mind, I'll just wait out here.”

    “Please come inside,” Evangeline murmured in an insistent tone. “I will not tell you anything that you do not wish to know.”

    Molly hesitated, her curiosity piqued. She glanced around once more to see if she could spot Harry in the crowd. There was no sign of him. She turned back to Evangeline.

    “Actually, there is something you could tell me,” she said.

    Evangeline bowed. “I am at your service. Come inside and tell me what it is you would discover.” Bells tinkled as she beckoned Molly into the tent.

    Molly stepped cautiously through the dancing beads. A shadowy gloom filled the interior. The floor was covered in a midnight-blue carpet dotted with yellow stars and a moon. Yards of dark, heavy fabric cascaded down all four sides of the tent.

    When her eyes adjusted to the low light, Molly was able to make out a table draped in maroon velvet. An opaque, softly glowing glass ball stood in the center. Beside it was a deck of cards. A shallow, silver bowl filled with water was placed on a nearby shelf.

    “Please sit down.” Evangeline gestured toward one of the two chairs that were positioned on either side of the table. “You may put your packages on