The start of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire means Wes can finally get back to his seasonal job and distract himself from his recent messy break-up. There’s plenty for him to think about at the Faire, such as his role as a wandering flower merchant, the overwhelming August heat, and Carlo, who plays a handsome knight.<br><br>Carlo is the exact opposite of Wes’s ex, Phillip, who won’t let their relationship die easily. The young knight is sweet and caring and chivalrous, but Wes has sworn to himself he’s not ready to jump back into dating yet.<br><br>When Carlo collapses off his horse during a joust, Wes has to confront his own feelings for his new friend, as well as Phillip’s constant attempts to win him back.

Heat Wave: Manheim

“Flowers for sale!” he called with a dry mouth. The air was laced with dust kicked up from the parched ground. Wes coughed, took a sip from his hip flask, and called again, “Flowers for sale! Marvelous flowers that will never wilt nor fade, not even in this heat! Two dollars each or three for five!” His sips became more desperate, until he found himself shaking the last drops from his flask. The joust was fast approaching, and Wes needed to get to the field, but he needed water even more.


“Pickles!” came the familiar cry. “Sweet and salty pickles! Cold and crisp and delicious!”


Wes hustled over to Jared’s cart, swallowing hard as he went. “Good morrow!” he greeted.


“Good morrow, good sir!” Jared replied. “Care for a pickle? They’re quite a mouthful. Guaranteed to fill you up in all the right ways!”


“Alas, I have not come for a taste of your famous pickle,” said Wes. “I require two bottles of your finest water.”


Chapter 11