Part 15 (1/2)
”I made it myself,” Annie said proudly. ”Well, Aunt Vera helped, but I did most of it alone.”
”The color makes your eyes as green as new spring gra.s.s,” he said quietly, and she blushed.
Luke helped them both into the back seat of the buggy and climbed on the front seat to guide the horse. Annie recognized the vehicle as one of the finer rigs her father sometimes rented.
”You must have made a lot today, renting all these rigs,” Charmaine said.
”No, I loaned them.”
”For free?”
”Yes, it was for the town's celebration, after all.”
Charmaine glanced at Annie and raised a brow.
”That was kind of you,” Annie said.
”Where we headed?” he asked. The streets were filled with people and makes.h.i.+ft stands selling fudge and popcorn b.a.l.l.s and lemonade.
”Annie's chair is at the school where we started,” Charmaine replied.
The closer they came to the school, the harder Annie's heart thudded. And there, standing in the side-yard as Luke pulled the buggy to a stop, was Annie's family.
Chapter Nine.
”Oh, dear,” Annie gasped.
”It's all right,” Charmaine said.
”They saw me. They saw me smile and blow him a kiss.”
”Easy, Annie,” Luke said over his shoulder. ”Nothing's going to happen that we can't handle.”
Ignoring his a.s.surance, she wobbled to her feet and started down the carriage steps.
Burdell rushed toward her. ”What are you doing? Wait for help!”
”Annie!” her mother said, hurrying forward. ”What has gotten into you, child?” She stared agape at her daughter. ”And where did you get that dress? You left before I could see you this morning.”
”He hasn't done anything!” Annie said, rus.h.i.+ng to get the words out before trouble started.
”It was me who talked Annie into joining us on the float, Aunt Mildred,” Charmaine said, taking the blame. ”None of us thought ahead to how we'd get her back to her chair, and Mr. Carpenter was kind enough to give us a ride in his buggy.”
Eldon moved forward with Annie's chair. Burdell plucked Annie from the step of the buggy and carried her toward her seat. Diana stood nearby with Will in tow and gave Annie an apologetic shrug.
”Is that correct?” her father asked Annie.
”Yes,” she replied quickly. ”But it wasn't Charmaine's fault. In all the years I was tutored I sometimes got to help on the school float, but I never got to ride on it. I wanted to, Daddy. It was my decision.”
”You could have fallen and been badly hurt,” her mother scolded. ”I was terrified when I saw you up there. Where's your regard for your parents?”
Diana stepped forward then, just as Luke descended. ”Thank you for seeing her safely back here, Mr. Carpenter.” She extended a gloved hand and Luke took it briefly. ”I know her parents appreciate your attention to their daughter's safety. And I'm sure you went out of your way to bring her here.”
”My pleasure, ma'am,” he returned politely.
After that, there really wasn't much Burdy or her father could say about Luke bringing Annie home. Charmaine and Diana had made it look like he'd done them a favor. And he had. Suddenly they were obligated to the man they'd detested for so many years.
”Yes, thank you, Mr. Carpenter,” Annie added and Charmaine murmured her thanks as well.
Luke tugged the brim of his straw hat politely and turned to leave.
”You haven't thanked the man,” Diana whispered to her husband and father-in-law.
Annie cringed. It had been enough that they hadn't beaten him flat, couldn't Diana leave well enough alone?
Seated again, Luke shook the reins over the horse's back and the buggy pulled away from the schoolyard.
”We should take her home,” Mildred said to her husband.
Her father turned toward her. ”Do you want to go home, Annie?”
She almost fell out of her chair.
Her mother placed her hand on her hip and glared at him.
He'd never before asked what Annie wanted. She didn't care why he had this time, she just knew she wasn't going to let the opportunity to express her choice pa.s.s. ”No. I want to see the contests and the displays and watch the dancing tonight.”
”Very well,” he said. ”But you'll inform us if you get tired.”
She nodded. ”I will.”
”Eldon,” her mother said in a disapproving tone.
Charmaine shared a look of astonishment with Annie while Annie's parents had an angrily whispered exchange.
”Glenda entered her pickles in a compet.i.tion. I want to go see if she's won a prize yet,” Annie said cheerfully.
”I don't think that's wise,” her mother objected.
”Annie said she'd let us know when she got tired,” Eldon said. Then, more quietly as he stepped behind her chair and pushed, he added, ”And I've never seen her tired yet.”
Annie twisted to look at her father. His face didn't reveal his thoughts, but he gave her a nod and pushed her toward the activities. When no one was watching, he slipped several dollars into her hand.
Annie had never enjoyed herself more. The only thing that would have given her more pleasure would have been if she could have gotten out of her chair and stood beside the townspeople playing games-or maybe played a few herself. But she'd been allowed to attend, even over her mother's objections, and for that she gave silent thanks.
A crowd gathered around for the sheriff to announce the winning float, and the Ladies' League won again. ”We'll beat 'em next time!” Doneta Parker called to Charmaine and Annie.