Sighing unobtrusively, Stan carried a tray with their food to one of the picnic tables that had been set up under the shady cottonwoods between the church and the river.
Bethany followed with their drinks and chose to sit across the table rather than beside him. He wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad. Either way he’d have to pay closer attention to her than was comfortable for him.
She swung her slim, jeans-clad legs over the bench and met his gaze. “Isn’t this a beautiful day? I was afraid it might rain and ruin the fireworks show tonight but so far, so good.”
“Yeah. I’m glad, too. Although I wouldn’t mind a little rain on the prairie grass on the other side of the river. Every once in a while we have a wayward spark land over there and start a spot fire.”
“I forgot about that. Do you have duty tonight?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’m stationed on an engine across the river. We’ll crew a couple other units here in town while the show goes on, too. May as well be ready if there’s trouble.”
“I really admire what you do,” she said, taking a bite of her burger after bowing her head over it for a moment.
“Thanks. I see it more as a calling than a job.”
“I know. I wish working in the bank felt like that to me. There’s nothing very noble about passing out money.”
“I suppose not, unless you were to give out samples to the needy,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh, that would be nice. I can see the headline now—Local Bank Employee Arrested for Giveaways.” She laughed. “I don’t think my boss would approve.”
“Probably not.” Pausing, he ate a bite, then took a drink before continuing. “You could join the Fire Department Auxiliary. They do a lot of community service.”
“Like what?”
“Well, they collect food and supplies for victims. And they make up these cute teddy bears to give to children who are involved in accidents or fires.”
“Hmm. That sounds like a worthy cause.”
“It is.”
He decided to keep to himself the fact that he often spoke to the auxiliary and also taught classes in CPR. Here he sat, trying to think of ways to avoid Bethany in the future, and he had just invited her to become part of another segment of his life. What was wrong with him? He supposed he could back off those volunteer duties if she did decide to participate, but that didn’t seem right, either.
Changing the subject, he asked, “How are your folks doing in Florida?”
“Fine. Dad plays golf all the time and Mom has gotten involved in a book club at the senior center in their neighborhood.” She glanced at the children running and playing nearby. “They sound like kids at a picnic when I phone them.”
“That’s good.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about my sister?”
“I wasn’t, no,” Stan said with a scowl.
“You should.”
“Because she’s never going to disappear from my life and you need to know that she’s miserable. At least I think she is. Oh, she puts on a big, important front and brags about her success but I don’t believe a word of it. I can tell how she really feels.”
“I’m not interested.”
He felt about an inch tall when Bethany reached across the table, lightly patted his hand and said, “I don’t believe you, either.”
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