Page 19 of A Change Of Heart

She jerked on a pair of fresh jeans and a pink cashmere sweater, then quickly washed her face and reapplied a little make-up.Comfy brown boots and a fluffy ski jacket would keep her warm.

When she hit the street, she noticed several couples and families heading down the road, turning right at the corner.She'd forgotten that tonight was the fair.The whole town would probably show up.But too late now.

Someone waved from across the street.It was Julie and her daughters, the first people to welcome her to town.She waved back, knowing her chance of being alone tonight was not going to happen.

Might as well go with the flow.

Stephanie ran across the street to greet them."Hi Julie.Thanks for waiting up."

"It's good to see you.The girls keep asking me when you can baby-sit again?"

"Anytime," she grinned, hugging both girls."Are you all excited about the fair?"

Brooke wore a silver sparkly wool cap."Yes.Do you like my hat?"

"It's adorable and I love it," Stephanie told the youngest daughter."Where's yours?"she asked Kara.

"It's so lame I wouldn't want to be caught dead in it,” the young teen said.“I stuffed it in my backpack in case it gets really cold."

Julie gave Kara a side hug."Teenagers!Everything is lame.But at least after a little fight and intervention from Nathan, she agreed to bring it along."

Kara rolled her eyes.

Julie glanced down the street."Nathan is closing the Bistro early and will meet us there at half past six.He can't be late.He's playing one of the shepherds who discover the baby Jesus."

Brooke clapped her hands."That will be so funny!"

"Lame," Kara said.

"Come on with us.You can hold my husband's seat."

"Thanks,” Stephanie said, “I will."

The park and common area in town held all the free events. Several bands were set up around the park, playing mostly Christmas music, but one lone fellow had a saxophone and kept a small crowd entertained with his sweet music.There were plenty of food stands and merchants selling their goods, and the people of the town had all come out to celebrate.

She couldn't believe she'd forgotten the pre-Christmas fair.It was the talk of the town, but unlike everyone else she had been hidden away in her tiny apartment working on her book.She was becoming a very dull Jane.If she didn't have a cat allergy, she'd probably be known as the crazy cat lady.

At the joyous noise of carolers, the four picked up their pace.The scents of buttery popcorn, freshly cut evergreen trees, pine needles, and apple cider tickled her nose.

Stephanie followed Julie as she bee lined toward a group of friends happily chatting amongst themselves.She recognized Ally and Chief Wallace, having babysat their son and daughter as well. Troy was six, Sophie three.Both cute as a button.

"Glad you came out, Steph," Ally said.

"Me too.I needed to get outdoors, if just for a while."

"Tom and I couldn't find a babysitter until the last minute and now I'm glad I didn't reach you.We don't see you away from that bookstore often enough."

"You'd have had your hands full," Tom admitted."Our little rascal is quite a wild one,” he said proudly.“Turned my back on him this morning when Ally was at her art studio—big mistake.I was on the phone when I heard a loud thump.Troy had pulled the drapes down and was tangled up in the fabric.Scared, not hurt."

"Oh no!"Stephanie clapped her hand over her mouth, laughing with them.The kid was indeed a handful.“So, what did you do, Chief Wallace?Arrest him?"

"Naw.I called Ally and she wouldn't let me.Had the perfect kid-sized cuffs too.Don't know when I'll get the chance to use them."He smoothed his mustache, his eyes twinkling.

"We'll save them until he's twelve," Ally joked."That's about the time he'll become a real delinquent."The artsy photographer grinned."Steph, we're going to find some seats near the bandstand.Wanna come?"

"Julie asked me to hold a spot for Nathan.He won't get here until six-ish."

Julie heard her name and said, "Steph, I didn't mean it literally.You go have fun and we'll see you later."

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