Page 245 of Small Town Firsts
Oliver’s chin lifted. “There’s a difference, Alison.”
I tilted my head. So much Seth in him and yet, not nearly the same. Seth put Laurie first—put me first—in so many ways. Maybe Oliver would be the same someday.
But now I had to trust in Seth. And myself. “I’m going after him.” I grabbed my bag off the chair.
“Hallelujah.” Oliver lifted his arms then waved to the window. “He even gave you a map for once.”
“Huh?” I hooked the knapsack over my shoulder and made sure I had my wallet, keys. My fingers brushed the early pregnancy test at the bottom of the bag.
“The fireworks. He said he was going for the fairytale.”
My eyes flooded. “He did that? That’s him?”
“God, you guys are so dense. Of course it’s him. Even after he paid to put hearts in the sky, you still question it?”
I dashed away tears with my wrist. “Guess he should have taken out a skywriter.”
“I’ll tell him to do that next.”
I laughed and jangled my keys. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” I swallowed the nerves threatening to slow me down. “It’s time to go get my man.”
“Finally.”
TWENTY
I ranthrough the cabin and out the front door. My fingers shook as I got in the car and tried to get my keys in the ignition. I saw more sparks through the trees and the fireworks floated higher into the sky with each explosion.
The white made the crinkly fuzzing sound that made my skin crackle in reaction.
Another heart speared the sky.
Then a succession of three.
For all of us?
The family we made?
The red and white shimmered as my eyes burned. I slammed my car into drive and hit the winding road with a scatter of dirt and gravel in my wake. The lake never felt so big as it did tonight. In my head, I knew it was a mere seven minutes into town. Thirteen years of traveling these roads had left an imprint. I could probably drive them blindfolded.
Good thing since my eyes kept filling when I glanced up at the sparkles and hearts dotting the sky.
“I’m coming.” I didn’t realize I’d said it aloud until my voice wavered. Sureness filled my chest and my heart pounded in my head, echoing in every nerve of my body.
I finally turned on Main Street and slammed the heel of my hand on the steering wheel at the line of cars. Some were leaving the park, but others were simply sitting there in awe of the light show. The lake held fireworks for the Fourth and sometimes Labor Day, but it was pretty rare. They were expensive and the restrictions were a headache.
I only knew it because I’d stupidly signed up to help with one of the celebrations. Sage was a joiner and a pleaser. Watching her flounder during the Fourth of July preparations a few years ago had prompted me to help. Never again. Small towns were full of way too many helpful hands that never ended up doing anything but complain.
No thanks. I’d rather volunteer to babysit a dozen three-year-olds.
Right about now, I’d empty my bank account to get rid of every car on the road. I looked around for a place to park, but of course that wasn’t going to happen either. My fingers ached from squeezing my steering wheel in frustration.
I rolled down my window and looked for a break in the line of cars to get to a side street. I slapped the side of my wheel when the hearts started slowing in the sky.
God, I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t paying attention.
I scanned the people on the sidewalks. I was about ready to scream for help from teenage Madison Masterson when a familiar laugh floated my way.
Sage.
