Page 648 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Yeah, maybe.”

Emma waved at Kendall to get his attention. “Look who I found standing all by herself.”

So much for letting Kendall come to her.No matter what Sydney did, it always looked like she was throwing herself at Kendall’s feet.

Sydney waved at Kendall but her eyes met Sean’s. His expression was unreadable. She felt her face flush and wondered if Sean would tell Kendall that she’d been flying with him. Maybe he already had. Was that what they were discussing?

Emma plopped down on the blanket and motioned for Sydney to join her. “Here, you’ll need this today.” Emma reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of insect repellent.

“Thanks,” Sydney said, her mind still on Kendall and Sean. She looked around. “Speaking of Chuck, where is he?”

“He went down to Gulf Shores to visit his mother.”

Sydney searched her memory. “Doesn’t she live here?”

“After his father died, his mother bought a condo down there so she could be next to her sister.” Sydney jumped when Emma slapped her ankle. “The mosquitoes are eatin’ me alive.” She doused herself with more repellent. “What happened to your arm?”

Sydney tugged at her sleeve. She knew she should have at least worn a quarter length sleeve. Now it was time to tell the age-old lie. “Oh, I got burned when I was little. My mom was making macaroni and cheese, and I pulled the pan of boiling water on top of me.”

Emma grimaced. Both girls looked up as Kendall and Sean joined them.

“Well, well, look who decided to join us,” Sean said to Sydney.

She didn’t answer.

Kendall had that same awkward, constipated expression on his face like he wasn’t sure how to approach Sydney. He sat down next to her and gave her a peck on the cheek, which she didn’t acknowledge. What gave him the right to act possessive when he’d not even called to invite her to Depot Days? Kendall sensed her coolness and became fidgety. Color crept into his face. Sydney looked at Sean and felt her face flame when she saw his amused expression.

All of this was lost on Emma. She was too busy scanning the street to see when the parade would begin. She turned her attention to Sean. “Is Jessica coming?”

So it was true, Sydney thought. Sean and Jessica were an item.

Sean looked at his watch. “She should be here any minute now.” He looked up and smiled. “Speak of the devil. Here she comes.”

All eyes turned to Jessica. She made her grand appearance, looking terrific in her white pleated shorts and red shirt. Her sandals had just enough of a heel to emphasize her shapely calves, and her curly hair was expertly pulled up in a high ponytail. She removed her sunglass and put them on her head when she got close to the group. Sydney hated herself for it but couldn’t stop the jealously that stabbed at her when Jessica sat down by Sean and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

Jessica’s makeup was perfect, making Sydney wish she’d done more to herself. Makeup wouldn’t last long in this heat though. Before long Jessica would have mascara running down her face. Oh, one could only hope. Sydney shook her head. She was going to have to learn to temper these horrible thoughts.

“What have I missed?” Jessica asked.

“Nothing,” Sean said. “The parade is just about to start.”

After all was said and done, the parade really wasn’t much to brag about. There were several civic groups with banners and the high school marching band. The cars came through last, as if signaling the grand finale. Girls wearing formal dresses were sitting on top of the cars waving and smiling while trying to keep perspiration from dripping in their eyes.

During the course of the parade, Jessica managed to position herself between Sean and Kendall. “Jess, I would’ve thought that you’d be up there too,” Kendall said.

Jessica laughed and nudged Kendall with her elbow. “I’m afraid my time for that is past.”

“Jessica was homecoming queen and county junior miss,” Kendall said to Sydney.

“Oh,” Sydney said, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

“Our little Jess is a woman of many talents,” Kendall added.

“Oh, Kendall, you’re just biased,” Jessica said, beaming.

Sydney couldn’t handle any more. She looked at Jessica and smiled. “Then we didn’t really need to come to watch the parade. We could’ve just sat and watched Jessica parade around.”

Jessica’s face went scarlet, and Kendall looked shocked. Sean was the only one who chuckled.

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