Pretend You're Mine: A Small Town Love Story (32 page)

“Are you kidding? We’re almost done?”

“Half mile to go.”

“Seriously?” Harper perked up. “I think I can run that.”

“I know you can. And so can I.” He pulled the cycle into his mother’s driveway.

She stopped and bent at the waist to catch her breath. “Aldo —”

He carefully stood, reaching down to adjust his leg. “Before you even start, I cleared it with Steers. A half-mile at a slow jog. Are you up for that? We’re not stopping until the finish line.”

“Let’s do it!”

They left the driveway at an easy jog and rejoined the race. Aldo’s gait was smooth.

“You make this look so easy,” Harper puffed.

“Believe me, it’s anything but easy. But it’s necessary.”

They rounded the next corner together and the noise level exploded. The finish line was two blocks away, a straight shot down Main Street Benevolence. The sight of Aldo running was enough to create a good-natured pandemonium.

“They must think you’re some kind of hero around here,” Harper teased.

Aldo merely grinned and she knew that he was finally home. Elated, she let the cheers of the crowd carry her to the finish line. As they crossed, Aldo grabbed her wrist and raised their joined hands high overhead.

The momentum carried Harper almost into the arms of two older veterans in dress uniforms who were handing out medals.

The two men snapped to attention and saluted Aldo.

“Thank you for your service, Lieutenant.”

Aldo saluted and then accepted a medal.

“And here’s one for you, young lady.” The shorter man with thick glasses and an even thicker head of white hair placed a medal around her neck.

Tickled, Harper couldn’t resist. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you!”

“Luke is going to kick my ass if he sees I let you cast him aside for another soldier,” Aldo laughed, dragging her toward the water.

They were intercepted by Mrs. Moretta and the entire Garrison clan.

“You did it!” Sophie leaned in to hug her. “Ugh, you’re sweaty and disgusting, but I’m still proud of you!”

Harper laughed. “I can’t believe I did it! I don’t think I’m going to be able to move for the rest of the day, but it was worth it!”

“Did you know Aldo was going to ditch his bike?”

“No clue. That was pretty awesome!”

“Aunt Hawpa!” Josh, in a little baseball hat and sunglasses, threw himself at her legs. “Up!”

She picked him up and settled him on her hip. “Hey there, handsome. Are you having fun?”

“We’re going to the pawade,” he announced cheerfully. Josh patted her shoulder. “Sweaty. Ewh!”

She laughed and gave him a hug before putting him back on the ground. “Go tell Aldo he did a good job.”

Josh darted over to him and launched himself into Aldo’s arms. “You sweaty, too!”

Claire approached, banana in hand. “Here you go, kiddo. You’re going to need this after a finish like that! You two had the whole town on its feet.”

Grateful, Harper immediately inhaled the banana. “Did anyone get a picture of Aldo finishing? I think Luke would love to see that.”

Sophie held up her phone. “Only about seven hundred or so shots. I’ll pick out a few good ones and send them to you.”

“Thanks, Soph.” Harper sat down on the curb and took the rest of her congratulations from a seated position.

“Hey, Harper! That was some finish.” Gloria appeared out of the crowd. She was dressed in white shorts and a navy blue tank with a cute red headband tied in her dark hair.

“You look gorgeous,” Harper said. “I’d hug you but I’d ruin your cute outfit.”

Gloria laughed. “You can hug me after you shower. I wanted to see if everyone wanted to sit with me at the parade? You can’t beat the seats,” she pointed to her front steps. “The parade goes right past.”

“That would be great, thanks! What time does it start?”

“It starts after the last finisher of the 5k. They call it leading the parade,” she grinned.

“Do you have room for one more? Maybe two? My mom’s a sucker for parade candy.”

Gloria jumped at the sound of Aldo’s voice and Harper saw her square her shoulders before turning around.

He had taken off his t-shirt and stood in all his ripped, sweaty glory.

Harper was pretty sure Gloria’s jaw hit the cement before she recovered with a polite “Hi, Aldo.”

“Hi, Gloria. You look beautiful and festive.”

The tips of her ears turned pink. “Thank you. You look ... good.”

He grinned. “Do you mind if I join you for the parade?”

“Sure, I mean. Not at all. The more the merrier.”

“Great. See you soon.” He walked off and Gloria fanned herself.

“Oh my. What just happened? Did I pass out?” she asked.

Harper giggled. “I think this is Aldo coming around and pulling out all the stops. Prepare to be swept off your feet.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for that. Can’t he just say hello to me once a week for a year or so until I get used to looking at him?”

“I don’t think that’s how he works. You’ll be married in no time.”

Gloria playfully swatted Harper’s arm.

“Miss Harper!”

She turned at the sound of her name and saw Robbie and Henry waving at her as they crossed the street to her. Mrs. Agosta, carrying Ava, was hot on their heels.

“Miss Harper! You did it!” Robbie high-fived her.

“Way to go, Miss Harper,” Henry fist bumped her and then made an exploding noise with a tiny bit of spit.

“Thanks, guys. Are you here for the parade?”

“Yeah, we’re scopin’ out seats so we can see the fire trucks and get lots of candy,” Henry said.

“Congratulations, Harper,” Mrs. Agosta said. “I see you running past the house a couple times a week, and every day you get faster.”

“Yeah you don’t look like you’re going to die anymore,” Robbie added helpfully.

“Oh, good. I’m glad,” Harper laughed.

“Would you like to join us? We’ve got prime parade seats right here,” Gloria offered.

“Oh, boy! Can we?” Henry dropped his kid-size folding camp chair on the sidewalk next to Harper. “This is perfect.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind some very loud, energetic company?” Mrs. Agosta asked Gloria.

“The more the merrier,” Gloria insisted and winked at Harper. “Since we’ve got a good crowd and some fine seat savers here, do you want to help me make some lemonade and iced tea?”

“Can I have my own gallon and can you carry me up the steps?”

“Sure, why not?”

***

T
he parade was a huge hit. The very last 5k finisher was a 76-year-old veteran carrying the American flag followed by the high school marching band playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The action paused long enough at the finish line for Aldo to place the 5k medal around the man’s neck and salute him. The gentleman saluted back and then hugged Aldo, slapping him on the back, and the crowd was on its feet cheering.

Harper saw Gloria swipe away a stray tear as she applauded.

The kids kept Josh entertained, freeing Sophie to run out onto the road to give Ty a kiss when he drove by in the squad car with lights blazing.

“Miss Sophie just kissed that policeman!” Henry shouted with glee.

Charlie, Claire, Mrs. Agosta, Mrs. Moretta, and Gloria’s mom, Sara, set up chairs on the top step of Gloria’s building and enjoyed their iced teas and lemonades.

Harper snapped picture after picture and emailed them all to Luke. She missed him fiercely.

Her phone signaled a new email.

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T
o: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Re: Parade

Keep the pictures coming, baby. I’m looking at every one of them. I miss your beautiful smile.

Love,

Luke

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H
arper hugged her phone to her chest and sniffled.

“Aw.” Sophie spotted her watery eyes. “Missing him?” she asked, draping an arm around Harper’s shoulders.

She nodded. “Yeah. A lot.”

“What’s wrong with Miss Harper?” Henry asked.

“She misses Mr. Luke,” Sophie told him.

Henry patted her arm. “It’s okay Miss Harper. We’ll take care of you. We’ll take you to the carnival tonight to see the fireworks. That’ll make you feel better!”

“Thanks, buddy. That’s really nice of you,” Harper said, surprising him with a hug. He grinned, showing off a missing front tooth, and hurried back to his prime candy catching spot.

Mrs. Agosta sighed from her perch on the stoop. “I don’t think I can survive a carnival and fireworks after all the excitement today.”

“How about if I took the kids over to the park tonight?” Harper asked. “I’d love to have some extra company for the fireworks.”

“Oh, dear, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“I would love to do it. And think how well they’ll sleep.”

“There’s car seats to worry about and Robbie is allergic to bees ...”

Harper could sense she was wavering. “I’ll have them home fifteen minutes after the fireworks and I won’t let them have any soda after seven.”

“If you’re sure ...”

***

S
he was knew it would take some creative maneuvering to cram three kids plus a stroller into her Volkswagen, so she invited Claire, Joni, and Gloria to join her. Between two vehicles and four adults, Harper felt reasonably confident they could manage the evening.

“Fireworks!” Henry shouted as he sprinted toward the park.

“Slow down, crazy,” Harper laughed after him.

“Fwoks!” Ava, in her hot pink sunglasses, chirped from the stroller.

Robbie retrieved his brother and gave him a piggyback ride back to the group. “You’re a good big brother, Robbie,” Claire said, playfully adjusting his baseball hat.

His freckled nose wrinkled. “They’re okay, I guess. When they’re not annoying me all the time.”

“Obbie piggyback!” Ava held out her arms to her brother.

Robbie rolled his eyes. “Everyone always wants something,” he sighed.

“Wise beyond his years, that one is,” Joni laughed.

They took a poll of the kids and prioritized the route through the carnival to hit the highlights before claiming their spot for the fireworks display.

Gloria and Harper shared a funnel cake while Robbie and Henry did the goldfish toss.

“Mrs. Agosta is going to kill me if the kids come home with fish,” Harper moaned.

Robbie hooted in victory as his ping pong ball landed in a fish bowl.

“Crap. Looks like Max and Lola have a new sister.”

Henry whooped and did a victory dance.

“For the love of — Claire! Stop giving them money! Joni! Don’t think I don’t see you slipping him that dollar!”

“Guess you’re going aquarium shopping tomorrow,” Gloria teased.

“Laugh all you want, because here comes trouble for you,” Harper nodded.

Aldo was striding toward them. Clean-shaven now, he was sporting cargo shorts and boat shoes. His aviators were tucked into the neck of his fitted navy t-shirt.

“Why do I have this reaction to him?” Gloria whispered in a panic. She brought her hands to cool her flushed cheeks.

“Just enjoy it,” Harper hissed. “Ask him if he wants to watch the fireworks with us.” She gave Gloria a little shove forward and hurried back to the goldfish stand to give them some privacy ... and stop the diabolical Claire and Joni from feeding the kids more fish cash.

***

A
s dusk fell, Aldo sprang for a round of lemonade for the fireworks. They let the kids choose a spot in the open field by the lake where they spread out blankets and set up chairs. Harper, snuggling sleepy Ava, smiled when Aldo made himself comfortable on the blanket next to Gloria.

Robbie and Henry took turns asking Aldo questions about his new leg while Joni and Claire caught up on any tidbits of town gossip that had spread since the parade. Harper noticed them sneaking peeks at Aldo and Gloria — who were covertly holding hands — and knew they were probably the topic of speculation.

There were no secrets that could be kept in Benevolence. Sooner or later, everything was brought to light.

The first volley of fireworks lit up the sky, and the crowd oohed as the colors sparkled and shimmered before winking out.

Ava squirmed to sit higher and Harper was worried she might cry, but the toddler pointed to the sky in awe.

“Boom,” she whispered.

“Boom.” Harper nodded.

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T
o: [email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject: Again?

What does a guy have to do to keep you away from other men?

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A
ttached was a picture of Harper kissing the man handing out medals at the 5k.

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T
o:[email protected]

From: [email protected]

Re: Again?

I wasn’t kissing him. I needed oxygen after rocking my first 5k. I’d rather be kissing this guy.

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S
he attached a picture of Luke making a fish face at Josh.

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T
o: [email protected]

From:[email protected]

Re: Again?

He looks awesome. You should definitely make out with him.

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W
hen Harper checked her email later that day, she got unexpected good news.

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T
o: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Miss your face

I’ve gone Harper-free for too long. I’m starting to forget what your face looks like. So, if you’re free this weekend, I’m heading your way! Break out the facial masks and pizza because we’re having a sleepover!

Xoxo,

Hannah

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T
o: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Re: Miss your face

Are you serious?? You wouldn’t tease me about this would you? This isn’t some cruel joke?

Don’t destroy my fragile heart,

Harper

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T
o: [email protected]

From: [email protected]