the local police chief was selected by the judges amid applause and cheers from the crowd. Emma Fulton, a former Strawberry Queen herself, had the honor of placing the golden tiara upon the reigning queen’s head.
Concession stands practically covered the village green, and there were red, white and blue balloons and streamers everywhere. The strawberry shortcake stand, coordinated by Betty Anderson, offered more dessert than they could eat for two dollars with all of the proceeds going to the anticipated expense of the Harvest Celebration to be held in the fall.
Maggie and Frank, Julianne and Nora, and Luke and Todd spent most of the day together in a group, much to Maggie’s dismay. She kept trying to shoo Julianne and Luke off by themselves—to eat strawberry shortcake, play a carnival game, listen to the local entertainment at the bandstand…anything without the kids tagging along. But it didn’t happen that way. The kids were stuck to the adults like Velcro all day. Not just to their father, whom they hadn’t seen enough of lately, but also to Julianne.
The affection Julianne freely offered was something the children seemed starved for, and the more they needed from her, the more she wanted to give. Julianne had been told by Maggie that she too often thought of other people so much that she disregarded her own wants and needs, but it wasn’t going that way with the twins. Nora and Todd’s companionship was exactly what Julianne needed and wanted that beautiful Fourth of July. They turned that summer holiday into the fun time Julianne had promised herself, and her goldfish, that she would have.
When time for supper came around, the Wrens, the O’Haras and Miss Quinn returned to Frank and Maggie’s house where leftovers from the picnic became a light supper. The kids’ excitement over the impending fireworks display scheduled to take place over Baylor Lake at night was wearing on Luke’s patience. He soon suggested they head over to the lake where the kids could run and play for a while until the fireworks started.
“Good idea,” Maggie agreed as she patted her plump tummy. “But this kid already has me worn out,” she said in gentle reference to the child within. “I think I’ll pass on the fireworks display this year. But you and Julianne go ahead. The twins need to get out for a while, and the lake would be a good place to take them. Perhaps there will be other children there for them to play with.” Frank went to Maggie’s side, slipping a hand around his wife’s waist.
“I’ll stay here with Maggie,” Frank said. “You okay, honey?”
Maggie nodded and smiled. “I think so. I’m just tired from today’s activities. That’s all.”
Luke looked toward Julianne, who was playing cars on the floor with Todd and Nora. “Will you come with us?” he asked as he watched her race a small metal car up Nora’s arm prompting a round of giggles from the child. Then Julianne looked up.
“Yes, Luke. I’d like that,” she answered. Then she saw what she thought could be the hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. After enjoying this day with him and his kids, getting him to smile was becoming almost a personal challenge.
They all thanked Maggie for her good food and hospitality that holiday. Then the four of them headed toward the truck. The kids climbed into their usual seats in the extended cab and then Julianne slid into the passenger seat. She knew she probably should feel nervous about going off like this for the first time with Luke; but with two rambunctious children in the back seat, she gave little thought to the matter.
The ride to Baylor Lake took only minutes since it was a short three miles from the center of Fairweather. The kids had barely finished singing some silly song when Luke pulled into a parking spot at the far end of the lake.
“Can we sit in the back of the truck while we watch the fireworks?” Todd asked.
Nora reached underneath the seat to pull out a blanket. “No, Todd, because Aunt Maggie sent this blanket for us to sit on. Remember, Daddy?”
“No, I don’t remember that, Nora, but it doesn’t surprise me. Maggie seems to think of everything.” Luke walked around the truck to open the door for Julianne.
“Aunt Maggie thinks of everything, and God takes care of everything,” Todd said from his seat in the back of the vehicle. “Doesn’t He, Daddy,” Todd added matter-of-factly.
Julianne’s eyes widened in surprise. Wasn’t this the forbidden topic Maggie had warned her about? She looked from Todd straight into Luke’s frowning face as he gripped her arm firmly enough to help her from the truck without responding to his son’s statement.
“He didn’t hear that from me, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Luke remarked quietly and moved his hand away from Julianne’s arm once she had her feet firmly on the ground.
Then Todd continued, “He takes care of me, He takes care of Dad and Nora and Julianne and the flowers and the lightning bugs—”
“Lightning bugs!” Nora interrupted when she jumped out of the truck. “Let’s catch some!”
“Both of you stay where you can see me,” Luke instructed his children. They ran through the grass in their shorts and bare feet with the carefree laughter it sometimes seemed to Luke only kids could have.
“Stay where they can see you instead of where you can see them. That’s a good idea,” Julianne commented. She watched Luke spread out the blanket Maggie had sent with them, and they sat down together. “It gives them clear boundaries.”
“All they have to do is look for me. That keeps it simple,” Luke said. “Julianne…I’m sorry if I was sharp with you a moment ago when Todd was talking about God. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“You weren’t,” she replied. “Maggie mentioned to me that Christianity was a subject better left alone. For now, at least.”
“For always would suit me just fine,” Luke added, and glanced at the woman seated next to him on the ground. He hadn’t been this alone with a woman since Kimberly. And he didn’t feel too comfortable with the idea of being here, like this, with Julianne Quinn even now. No matter how great she was with his children or how pretty she was. Whew. Now, there was a thought he hadn’t had before about Miss Quinn. Had he?
“Don’t worry,” Julianne assured him with gentle words. “I didn’t come along to preach to you. I just came to see the fireworks.”
Luke nodded. That’s the only reason he was here, too. Wasn’t it? “So…” he began with some awkwardness “were you here in Fairweather for last year’s Fourth of July celebration?”
“Yes,” Julianne answered. She’d been with Craig Johnson then, but there was no reason to point that out. Luke would probably start pondering what was wrong with her if he knew she’d been jilted by someone. Unless… She wasn’t really sure what Maggie may have told Luke about her. Not that it really mattered. “I’ve been living in Fairweather and teaching at the center since I graduated from college three years ago. So, I’ve seen these local fireworks before. I guess I should warn you. They’re not anything to get excited about.”
Luke motioned toward the children. “As long as they enjoy the show, that’s good enough for me.”
Julianne nodded in agreement and gave a soft laugh that Luke enjoyed hearing. He looked her way again and studied her profile as she watched the kids chasing bugs. Her features were beautiful. Not just pretty, but actually beautiful and with very little makeup as far as he could tell. She was what Maggie called a real heartland, natural-looking type. And Maggie had been accurate, although it had taken Luke until this moment to fully realize that fact. Tall, blond and brown-eyed, Julianne was nothing like his late wife, and yet she was every bit as lovely—all in her own way.
Julianne’s eyes remained on the children while Luke’s gaze lingered on her. She knew he was looking at her, really looking at her—maybe for the first time—and she wasn’t ready to look back. Dusk was settling in, and the children were heading back toward their father and teacher. The twins ran up and plopped down on the blanket between them. “Is it time yet?” Nora asked.
“It