Page 55 of Final Escape
Carrie looked up in surprise. “Wouldn’t they be half over by the time we got there?”
“We have a better place to watch. Quite a few townsfolk come up into the foothills, too—just a couple miles this side of Granite Falls. Do you two want to go?”
Penny finished the last bite of her dessert and gave a blissful sigh. “That pie was perfect, but now I just want to clean up here and then head off to bed. I’m beat.”
“Carrie?”
She glanced uncertainly between them. “You’re sure you don’t want to go, Penny?”
“You two should go and have some fun.” Penny stood and gathered up some of the leftovers, then looked across the table and must have caught Carrie’s hesitance, because she smiled. “Well...okay. Maybe I’ll stop there for a while, then head on down to Aunt Betty’s. Deal?”
Logan found himself holding his breath, waiting...not wanting the evening to end. He couldn’t hold back a grin when Carrie finally nodded. “I know Penny—once she gets there, she won’t leave until the grand finale. Let’s get this place cleared and bear proofed, so we can be on our way.”
* * *
THE SCENIC OVERLOOKon the highway to Granite Falls was certainly no secret as a fireworks destination. By the time their two vehicles pulled in, there was barely enough parking space. Logan motioned for Penny and Carrie to take the last free area off the highway, while he parked along the shoulder.
“Looks like we got here just in time,” Penny said as she pocketed the truck keys and handed Carrie one of the three flashlights she’d brought from the boathouse.
“Or maybe not, given all of the parked cars here.” Carrie dutifully followed as Penny stepped over a guardrail and started down a short path leading to a long, rocky ledge high above a vast, deep valley.
Several dozen people were already settled on blankets and folding chairs along the ledge, some with picnic baskets, coolers and thermos containers. The scent of hot cocoa wafted on the chilly mountain breeze coming down from the high country. Down below, distant rows of sparkling lights revealed the street layout of Granite Falls, while colorful points of light marked the motels, restaurants and other businesses in town.
A rustle of whispers, marked by a few louder voices, spread through the crowd when Logan followed and helped spread out a blanket on a section of rock ledge well past the other people.
“That’s him...and to think he’s out here, free as a bird.”
“Sheriff isn’t looking hard for anyone else. Sorta gives you a clue, doesn’t it?”
“Makes you wonder what it’ll take.”
“But if they don’t have proof, they can hardly arrest him. And if there’s no proof, how can you evensuggesthe did anything wrong?” a softer feminine voice protested. “Now, just be quiet—the fireworks are starting.”
Carrie winced and glanced in the direction of the voices, then turned to Logan as the three of them sat down on the blanket, with Logan in the middle—probably by design, if the smug grin that Penny flashed was any clue. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. If you want to leave...”
He reached over and covered her hand with his. “Thanks. But this is nothing new.”
She savored the warmth and weight of his large, strong hand on hers and held very still, not wanting him to let go. “It still isn’t right.”
Penny leaned forward to peer around him. “The gossip never ended all last year. People were cruel, some were just snide—saying awful things aloud that we could overhear. And now it’s probably going to be worse.”
“Then maybe we should go.”
“And give these uninformed people that much power?” She whispered just loud enough that the people nearby must have heard her, because they all fell uncomfortably silent. “Hopefully they’ll be embarrassed and learn a good lesson when the truth does come out.”
“Easy, Penny,” Logan warned, his voice tinged with quiet laughter. He looked down at Carrie and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then let go. “She’s my guardian.”
“Someone has to be,” Penny shot back. “‘Judge not, lest ye be judged,’ the Bible says. And what about the Ninth Commandment—on not bearing false witness against someone? Some people figure the Lord’s words don’t apply to them, I guess.”
Carrie looked up at Logan, wishing she could take away the hurt he must feel.
From down below came a distant thud, and seconds later a ball of green sparkles burst high in the sky. The crowd along the ledge collectively sighed in awe as it faded into falling emerald teardrops.
Carrie braced her palms on the rock behind her and leaned back to watch as a display of fireworks in dizzying colors began bursting across the sky. On and on, until every color of the rainbow glittered across the sky as part of the grand finale.
“Wow,” she breathed. “That was gorgeous. The prettiest I’ve ever seen.”
“I think so, too. Without a doubt.”
