Back home in the evening, Sarah and Ben first checked on Willie’s progress on the chicken coop and found it finished.Inside, a dozen different colored chicks happily pecked away at a feeder.“It’s all done,” she said.
Ben muttered agreement as he tested the strength of the coop’s construction.
Taking an apple she’d bought in town, she gave it to her favorite horse, a stabled gelding.Reluctant to leave the peacefulness of the barn and the animals, at last she said to Ben, “Okay, I need to get the food put away before it spoils.”
Sarah stashed food into the refrigerator and ran the washing machine.
In the living room, the men settled with Ben.On a pad of paper, he drew a schematic of the town square, and they discussed the best possible security positions.
Sarah listened with only half an ear.She no longer felt the creeping dread she’d lived under the past month.It must have been Ridley Kemper doing those evil things, and he was caught now, no longer a problem for her or others.
Big Jim turned in early and the men headed for the bunkhouse.Ben and Sarah retired to her bedroom.On her dresser, Ben laid out his Glock and K-bar knife.In his arms, Sarah slept snug and dreamlessly.
****
Arriving in town earlythe next morning, Sarah, Ben, and his team found the place had kicked into high gear.
The parking lot in the center of the town square had been completely cleared of vehicles, and people were setting up booths and carnival attractions.The Lions Club was building a temporary stage, and The Shriners were partitioning off the parade route.Maintenance people were sweeping, and the sounds of swinging hammers and shouted orders rang in the air.
Two farmers in overalls and their children spread straw around an animal enclosure.A slender girl of around eleven called to her.“Miss Sarah?Will you come and see my goat tomorrow?I want to win a ribbon.”
“Of course I will,” Sarah said.“I’ll be back here to root you on.I bet you get a blue ribbon.”
The girl beamed.
Her father touched his hat shyly.“Thank you, Miss Sarah.My little Emily is a big fan.It’d mean a lot if you could stop by.Just for a minute.”
“I wouldn’t miss Emily’s goat.See you tomorrow.”
Ben’s men fanned out and Sarah immediately pitched in.She helped Milly roll into the street the commercial barbeque grill they kept in the alley, where Milly’s fry cooks would be transformed into pit masters.They’d expertly grill whole chickens, ribs, and brisket.She hand-lettered signs advertising their food and prices.
Ben helped her do everything, and his team walked the short parameters of the town, getting to knowthe lay of the land, as Ben put it.
“Ben, please tell them to blend in,” she said.“Be unobtrusive.”
“They know,” he said.
She pursed her lips but decided not to say anything further.While she fiddled with a string of plastic flowers, he set up a ladder.
Annie Smith came out of the pharmacy, and when Sarah spotted her, she hurried over to take her hands.“Annie, how are you?I was going to stop in and see if you’re healed yet.”
“I’m getting better.”The other squeezed Sarah’s hands and then held up her arms, still lightly bandaged.She glanced over her shoulder.“I haven’t gotten past my fear of the alley yet.The pharmacist must take the trash out.That dark area back there freaks me out.”
“That’s where that horrible man attacked you, right?Of course you don’t like being there.I don’t blame you.”She bit her lip.“I still feel awful about what happened to you.”
“It’s not your fault,” Annie said.
“Well, I’m just glad you’re getting better.”She smiled.“So, are you excited about the Rhubarb Festival?”
From the corner of her eye, Sarah saw Franklin loitering at the end of the block.In this small town of country folk, with his bulk, full sleeve tattoos and bald head, he appeared as out of place as horns on a dog.So much for blending in.
“Yes, indeed,” Annie said.“This will be my first year to participate.They say a great country band will be playing.And there’s a parade?”
Sarah laughed.“Just remember, this isn’t the big city.There will be homemade floats carrying kids with their 4H pigs riding along, okay?Don’t expect a Hollywood Rose Parade.”
Annie laughed with her.“I won’t mind that.I like the small-town values here, where everyone knows everyone.It’s charming.”
“Our parade is charming, all right,” Sarah assured her.“Now, do you want me to hang some of these garlands over the pharmacy?”
