Between Tommy’s wild handling of the hose and Charlie’s shaking, Bethany and the boy had ended up almost as wet and soapy as the dog.
She smiled, remembering their shared laughter and how much fun she’d had. During their short time together, she had learned that Tommy was only six years old. This wasn’t his first foster home, nor was it likely to be his last in view of the fact that he refused to go anywhere without his best friend, namely Charlie.
The first salvo of the fireworks show had already been set off by the time she’d showered, changed, dried her long hair and returned to the park. She peered at the land across the river. There was Stan’s fire engine, parked just where he’d said it would be. Her heart did a little flip and landed in her throat.
Maya Logan, the woman who had relieved Bethany at the baked goods booth, hailed her. “Hey, over here. There’s room on our blanket.”
“Thanks. I forgot to bring a chair or anything.”
“No problem.” As Bethany sat down, Maya scooted over and gestured toward the little girl who was curled up, asleep, beside her. “Layla wore herself out playing. I tried to keep her awake to watch but even all this booming and commotion isn’t enough to do that.”
“So I see. How did the sales go after I left?”
“You mean after you and Stan left, don’t you?”
“We happened to walk off together, that’s all. There was nothing to it.”
Laughing, Maya raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That’s not the way I heard it.”
Bethany was shaking her head and trying to squelch another earsplitting grin. “Okay, okay. So he bought me a burger. That doesn’t mean it was important, except to my empty stomach. It was just lunch, not a real date.”
“If you say so. I also heard that you two were seen having a very engrossing conversation. Why did you suddenly jump up and run off?”
Bethany rolled her eyes dramatically. “I don’t believe this. Doesn’t anyone in High Plains mind their own business?”
“Nope. Never have and never will. Folks in a small town like this look after each other. We can’t help it if that shared concern sometimes comes across as nosiness or gossip.”
“You can say that again.” Settling back and crossing her legs, Bethany sighed. “I wish Stan was as serious about me as the rumors make out.”
“You might grow on each other if you give it half a chance.”
“I doubt it. He still hasn’t gotten over what my selfish sister did to him. I’m afraid that his memories of Amy will always be between us.”
“Where is he tonight?” Maya asked, just as another burst of brightness opened in the sky like a summer flower.
“Across the river, manning that engine,” Bethany said, pointing. “The regular firefighters and the volunteers are all working, just in case there’s a spark.”
“Good thing, too,” Maya told her. “Look.”
Bethany’s breath caught. Her pulse began to race. The revolving lights atop Stan’s engine had just come on and there was a flurry of activity beside the pumper. Shadowy figures were running. She thought she could hear shouting above the already noisy crowd in the park, too.
“Dear Lord,” she breathed, barely whispering. “Help them. Be with them. And keep them all safe.”
The deepest regions of her heart added, Especially Stan.
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