“Are you sure you don’t want me to give you a ride to the airport?” Grant strolled back to the car. “I don’t mind.”
“No, dear. We’ll be fine.”
He loaded the second bag in the truck and then checked his watch. “You guys better get on the road if you’re going to make your flight. Where’s Mom?”
“I’m here.” April hurried down the walkway. Her hands were fluttering, and she bit her lip. “It took me some time to pull myself together.”
She was nervous. Grant hugged her. “I’m really proud of you, Mom. I know this is a hard step. Thank you for taking it.”
“I have a long road ahead of me.”
“We do. You aren’t in this by yourself.”
Suzie nodded. “Your son’s right, April. We’re both here to support you, and we’ll do whatever we can.”
“I know, and I love you both for it.” April backed out of Grant’s embrace but held on to his hands. “You’re going to the library party tonight, aren’t you?”
He nodded. Grant planned to keep a low profile since he was giving Sara time to sort out her feelings, but he still wanted to be there to support her.
“Please tell Sara I’m sorry to miss it,” she continued. “I hope everything works out for her.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know, Mom.” Grant jerked his head toward the car. “You’d better get going.”
“Wait, I have one more thing.” She dropped his hands and dug around inside the purse hooked over her shoulder. “Suzie and I found something in my drawer while we were packing, and I want you to have it.”
She pulled out a diamond engagement ring. It sparkled in the sun. “Your father gave me this when he proposed.”
“Aw, Mom. I can’t take this. Besides, we are far from any engagement. Sara’s not even sure she’s in love with me.”
Although the idea of marrying her made his heart skip a beat. If only he was that lucky.
April pressed it into his hand. “Take it anyway. I have a good feeling.”
He chuckled. “Not one of your good feeling stories again.”
She smacked his shoulder lightly. “Listen to your mother, young man.” Her expression grew serious. “Your father supported me through difficult times. Be patient with her, son. She’s had a rough go of it.”
“So be like Pop, that’s what you’re saying.”
She nodded then hugged him. “You’re more like your father than you know. We’ll talk soon.”
His mom hopped in the car, and Aunt Suzie drove away. Grant gave a last wave before they turned the corner at the end of the street. He glanced down at the diamond ring in his hand. It was a beautiful teardrop shape with smaller diamonds around the edge. His father had chosen wisely.
There wasn’t a chance on earth he’d need the ring any time soon, but Grant tucked it in his pocket anyway. As a symbol of his future.
A future he hoped to share with Sara.
Overhead, a brilliant full moon lit the night sky. The delicious smells of brisket and hamburgers scented the air. Sara raced from one area of the library party to the other, ensuring everything was taken care of. No detail could be overlooked.
All around her, the citizens of Hidden Hollows had set up chairs and spread out blankets. The band was going to perform soon. A sound check had already been done. Country music filtered across the grassy space from the speakers surrounding the area.
“You’ve done a wonderful job, Sara.” Peggy Haines, owner of The Smokey BBQ Joint,
wiped her hands on her apron. “We’ve got more than enough volunteers to man the food stations.”
“That’s fantastic. Thank you, Mrs. Haines. If you need anything, give me a shout.”
Sara weaved through the crowd. There were many familiar faces, but she hadn’t seen
Grant at all. Maybe he wasn’t coming. She couldn’t blame him for skipping the event since things between them were uncertain, although a part of her wanted him there all the same.
Sara stopped to say hi to Rachel and her family. Her brother-in-law, John, was working his way through a slice of pie. “This is amazing.”
“Millie from the bakery donated them. Along with cookies and other pastries.” Sara bent down to hug Ben. “How are you doing? Did you get enough to eat?”
Rachel snorted. “He had two plates.”
“You did?”
Ben grinned. “The food is really good. And I’m excited about the band.”
“Me too.” She checked her watch. “In fact, I should get up to the stage. The mayor wants to give a speech before they start playing.”
She worried her bottom lip as she crisscrossed through the crowd. Everything seemed to be going as planned, but Sara wouldn’t count it as a victory until the night was done.
It was standing room only near the front of the stage. Sara spared a few minutes to thank the band again for coming. They’d eaten their fill of dinner and were doing a final check of their equipment.
Mayor Stewart, dressed in jeans and a flowy top, clapped her hands together. “The whole town is buzzing over this event, Sara. I asked you to make a splash, and you did.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I had a lot of help.”
Mostly from Grant. If he hadn’t encouraged her and helped pick her up when she’d stumbled, none of this would’ve been possible. Sara scanned the crowd again but didn’t see him.
She missed him. It was a hollow ache settling in her chest. There had been complications today, small issues to sort through, and she’d managed. But it would’ve been so much better to do it with Grant. He’d crack a joke and make her laugh, or tease her about being worried, or simply brush his hand across hers in comfort.
“It’s time.” Mayor Stewart grabbed Sara’s hand and tugged her on stage. She waved to the DJ to shut off the music and then tapped on
