Carousel Nights Read Online Free Page A

on the facades when the park opens in a week? It’s nuts.”
    Jack, who was standing by the window, raised one eyebrow at June. His look said you’re on your own with this argument .
    June wasn’t asking for the moon and stars. She just wanted the theaters to look like they hadn’t been designed by the same person who’d imagined the cheeseburger stand. Something a little more modern—even a new paint scheme and lightbulbs would be better than nothing.
    â€œFresh blood,” June said. “Our planning guys will just come up with the same old same old.”
    â€œSo?” Evie asked. “Same old ensures continuity. People like the old-fashioned aura. Even if you don’t.”
    â€œNews flash,” June said. “Change is good.”
    June crossed her arms and leaned against the large window beside Jack. He’d finally moved into their father’s office over the winter. Last summer, he’d kept the smaller office next door out of a combination of shock, grief and respect. Moving into this office—rich with their father’s history, his big wooden desk, awards and mementos from years in the business—was a sign Jack was growing into the job of CEO.
    â€œI refuse to be the grown-up here, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Jack said. “Just because I’m the tallest and smartest of the three of us.”
    Evie breathed loudly through her nose and stared down her older siblings. When had she gotten so opinionated? Evie had always been the nice, sweet one. Hadn’t she? June had been away for seven years, and in that time Evie had gone from fifteen to twenty-two. Practically a lifetime.
    â€œFifteen hundred bucks so far and all I’ve gotten out of him is an argument,” Evie said.
    â€œYou argue with people?” June asked.
    â€œI’m doing it right now.”
    â€œThat’s different,” June said. “We’re related. And what the heck is wrong with doing something new around here? You opened the Sea Devil last year. A multimillion-dollar roller coaster is a pretty big deal compared to what I’m suggesting.”
    Although it was by choice, June felt like a third wheel when she had meetings with Jack and Evie about Starlight Point and its future. The small profits last year had been split three ways. This year’s profit would be split as well, even though it’d certainly still be modest as they worked to convince the bankers to extend the loan.
    June wanted to earn her share, small though it was. And theater was the best way she knew how to do that. Better shows could mean more ticket sales. They might bring local pass holders across the Point Bridge a few more times each summer to see the shows, and locals spend money on popcorn, elephant ears and soda.
    â€œThe Sea Devil was Dad’s idea,” Jack said. “He started it, he just didn’t get to finish it.”
    â€œAre you saying you wouldn’t add new rides in the future?” June asked.
    Jack exhaled slowly, staring out the second-floor window at the front section of the midway. “I’m saying I wouldn’t go that big, especially if it practically bankrupted us. Not anytime soon.”
    â€œOur plan for this year is good,” Evie said. “Small improvements that guests will notice. New paint, a few new facades on buildings—”
    â€œLike both theaters,” June said.
    Evie went on as if her sister weren’t even there. “Restroom upgrades, new safety belts in the children’s rides, new signs on the Point Bridge. But we’re not breaking the bank.”
    â€œUnless the bank breaks us,” June said.
    Jack waved at someone outside and then turned back to his sisters. “If we made it through last year, we’ll make it through this year. The bankers liked what they saw last summer even though we had very little time to do anything. We have a solid plan. And one of our owners