A Daddy for Jacoby(76)

The weather was so warm that she wore the strapless sun-dress and wedge sandals she’d purchased while on vacation. Everyone around her was also dressed for the heat, so she didn’t feel out of place. Here she was, finally feeling like a part of this town and a part of her family, and she was leaving again.

Her mother’s hand landed lightly on her shoulder. “Here come the twins.”

They watched Gage’s precious vintage pickup, decked out in school colors and filled with members of the senior class, cruise down the street. Although the vehicle was barely crawling due to the speed of the parade, Garrett looked nervous behind the wheel. Giselle had been chosen as one of the class princesses and shone again in her senior prom finery.

Gina sighed. The twins had tried to persuade her to stick around for a few more weeks, at least until their graduation, but she promised to come back for the ceremony and party.

She couldn’t stay. Not for one more day.

If she did, she was sure she would end up on Justin’s front porch, again, only this time she’d spill out her heart and make a fool of herself—to a man who’d made it clear he wasn’t interested.

Unless, of course, she was pregnant and he was forced to do something about it.

“I wonder if Gage has seen what they’ve done to his truck,” Racy said, joining them. “Good thing I’ve got airline tickets and hotel arrangements to distract him.”

Gina scooted over to make room for her sister-in-law. “Are you talking about your Paris honeymoon?”

“Yes, we’re finally going. We head out a few days after the twins graduate. Then it’s two full weeks in the most romantic city in the world.” Racy sighed and patted her belly. “I can’t wait, even if I can’t sample any of the French wines.”

“Where is Gage?”

“He’s working the parade route, but we’ll probably run into him later at the fairgrounds for the barbecue. You are coming, right? Before you head out?”

Gina’s car was packed and ready to go. She was driving as far as Hastings, Nebraska, tonight with plans to continue to South Bend and the Notre Dame campus in the morning.

“I don’t know. It’s a six-hour drive to my hotel. I should head out as soon as the parade ends.”

Yes, she was avoiding the town-wide picnic because she’d probably run into Justin and Jacoby. It was going to be hard enough to stand here and watch the library float go by and wave to the little boy. She knew the story-hour kids were being featured. She’d been asked to sit on the float, too, but she begged off.

More groups came by. The 4-H crowd featured every kind of animal from horses to sheep, and the local square dancing troupe do-si-doed and walked at the same time, the ladies’ colorful skirts swirling. The military veterans came next, some fresh from the Middle East, others dressed in uniforms decades old, marching with a local National Guard unit and flag detail. In an instant, the crowd was on its feet, showing appreciation of their service with loud applause.

Then she saw the library float.

Because of the ages of the children on board, the float was on a lowboy trailer, only two feet off the ground and being pulled by a slow-moving tractor. A short railing made sure no one could tumble off by accident and colorful fringe wrapped around three sides. The dozen or so kids and members of the library staff sat in a field of green grass with flowers made of construction and tissue paper to look like books.

The boys and girls were waving to the crowd and held up signs, but they were still too far away to read. As they got closer, Gina could finally make out the words. Joy burst forth from deep inside her.

Thank you, Gina!

Gina + Reading = Fun!

Smile If U Luv 2 Read!

“Oh, the signs are wonderful.” Her mother reached for her hand and gave her a gentle squeeze. “How sweet!”

“Those kids really love you.”

Gina turned at the sound of Gage’s voice, surprised to find him standing next to Racy. Seconds later, Giselle and Garrett joined them.

“Whew, we made it in time,” Giselle said.

Garrett faked handing the keys to Gage’s truck to him with a wide grin and pocketed them instead. “Yeah, we didn’t want to miss this.”

“Miss what?” Gina looked at her family.

Gage gently turned her around to face the parade again, the tractor having slowed to a stop right in front of where Gina stood with her family.

Then she saw the black Stetson.