Riverbend Reunion(84)

“We might be grown-ups, but our hormones haven’t died yet, and the heart wants what the heart wants,” Haley said. “You can’t tell me all that didn’t set your hormones to whining for more.”

“Nope, I can’t, and we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds. Now, back to this craft fair. Where do we start?” Jessica asked.

Mary Nell shook her finger at Jessica. “Don’t you ever hold on to good news like that for a whole week again without telling us.”

“I promise I won’t. There just wasn’t a time when we were all together and Wade or Oscar wasn’t close by,” Jessica told them. “Now, the first place that I’m stopping is at the baked goods booths. I’ve been craving cookies ever since we had that little demonstration at the bar.”

“We can always make more. The girls love to bake, but Haley is supposed to be the one doing the craving, not you.” Risa stopped in her tracks and stared at the booth not far from them. “You sure you want to stop at the first booth?”

Stella and Lulu were sitting behind a table covered with baked goods. A sign that said that all proceeds would be donated to the missionary fund at the church was propped up on the table. As usual, Stella had already spotted them and was alternately whispering to Lulu behind her hand and shooting dirty looks across the park right at them.

“Are you okay?” Jessica asked.

“I should’ve remembered that she would be here,” Risa answered. “She was all in a tizzy about it for weeks when we used to talk about it on the phone.”

“Remember that old Ray Stevens song about Santa Claus?” Haley said with a giggle. “Stella is like the man in the red suit.” She waved her arms around and said in a high-pitched, singsong voice, “She’s everywhere, she’s everywhere.”

“And so are we,” Mary Nell laughed with her. “From the look on her face, I’d say she’s more agitated than we are. I’m going to go over there and buy a dozen cookies. The money is going for a good cause, and I know we can each eat three. Then we’ll go on down the row and get a slushy drink to wash them down. Snickerdoodles good with all y’all?”

“I’ll buy half a dozen of Lulu’s key lime cupcakes.” Risa started that way. “I see an empty picnic table where we can sit. Wade and Oscar will be here soon, so I’m sure they’ll help us eat them, and maybe Wade will even offer to push Jessica on the swings if those kids ever get off them.”

“Shhhh.” Jessica pointed across the fairway. “Wade and Oscar are coming this way.”

“Hey,” Wade said when they were close. “It’s only a few minutes until the twins and their friends are playing in the gazebo. Think maybe we better head that way?”

“We’re going to buy some cookies and cupcakes first,” Risa answered. “I cook when I’m nervous, but since I can’t do that out here, maybe eating will calm me down. They’ve played in front of a crowd before, but it was all family.”

“Hey, now,” Oscar argued. “They played for the church demonstration, remember?”

“Yes, but that was different,” Risa told him.

Wade laced his fingers with Jessica’s. “Are you as nervous about them as Risa?”

“Almost,” Jessica answered, liking the way his big, calloused hand felt in hers. “They didn’t seem a bit antsy, so I don’t know why we all are worried.”

“I’m not.” Oscar frowned. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. I just wish there was a talent scout here at the festival. Wouldn’t it be awesome if they got a scholarship to a good university based on their musical ability?”

“Yes, it would.” Jessica led the way to Stella’s booth.

“What can we do for you?” Lulu looked like she was a bunny rabbit that had wandered into a coyote convention. She pointed to the sign. “All the proceeds go to help the missionaries in Africa.”

“If you want something, buy it and get going.” Stella’s tone was somewhere between disgusted and downright hateful. “I don’t want people thinking that I’m having anything to do with any of you.”

“Our money ought to be as good as anyone else’s cash,” Oscar said.

“And like Lulu says, it’s going to a good cause.” Risa rounded the end of the table, bent down, and gave her mother a hug. “I forgive you for all the mean things you’ve said and done, but my forgiveness is not for you as much as it is for me. I don’t have room in my heart for all that ugliness, and I chose to just let love live there.”

Stella went as stiff as a board and shivered like the devil had just kissed her. “Get thee behind me, Satan,” she growled.

“I don’t see horns and a forked tail on Risa,” Jessica said, “but I also don’t see wings and a halo on you.”

“Just go,” Stella said.

“Lulu, I’d like that plate right there with the dozen snickerdoodles, and the one with the key lime cupcakes, and then that one with the cinnamon rolls. How much do I owe you? We can tell when we’re not welcome, so we’ll take it to go instead of staying around here to visit with y’all,” Haley said.

“I’ll be your pack mule and help you carry this if you’ll share with me.” Oscar had already reached for two plates. “Mary Nell, get that last one, and I’ll make a mad dash for that picnic bench over by the gazebo. It’ll be like we’re at a dessert theater.”