by Pamela Bauer
“It sounds like fun. I love a parade.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t asked you to be in it.”
Kika laughed. “Certainly I’m not a celebrity.”
“No, but your presence has generated a lot of excitement. I’m going to have a float with some of the Tyler tots who’ve been in my Video Playmates series.”
“You are? Cool!”
“You’re welcome to ride along.”
Again Kika laughed. “I think I’d better watch from the sidelines.”
Glenna shrugged. “Suit yourself, but it might be a good chance to check out the babies sitting on the curb watching the parade go by.”
Kika didn’t want to tell her that the only baby she needed to check out she could find without riding down Main Street on a float. She had but one mission for the Fourth of July celebration and that was to get Nick Miller to agree to bring Melody to the audition. If that didn’t happen, fireworks or no fireworks, Kika’s Fourth of July would be a big dud.
* * *
BECAUSE OF THE holiday celebrations, breakfast hours in the lodge’s dining room were shortened on the morning of the Fourth. Unable to resist a swim in the clear water of the lake, Kika skipped her usual blueberry pancakes, thinking she’d pick up something in town.
Dressed in a pair of white shorts and a red sleeveless shirt, she pulled her hair back and tied it with a blue-and-white-striped bandanna, then grabbed her camera and headed out the door. By the time she arrived in town, however, most of the eating establishments were closed so that their employees could watch the parade.
The citizens of Tyler lined the streets. Some sat on lawn chairs, others on blankets, still others on the bare curb. Kika walked up and down Main Street, trying to find Nick Miller and his children. She was about to give up when she noticed Melody atop her father’s shoulders. They were at the very end of the parade route, near the town Square.
Across the street from Nick and his family were the Santoris. Kika pushed her way through the crowd until she was next to the innkeepers.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Kika! How good to see you! Is it working out for you at the lodge?”
“Umm-hmm, it’s great, although I miss that wonderful feather bed of yours.”
She and Susannah exchanged pleasantries until the sound of a marching band heralded the start of the parade. Cub Scout troops, war veterans and elected civic officials filed past, waving to the crowd.
“Oh, look. That must be the convention of yodelers,” Susannah exclaimed as a group of men in lederhosen marched down the street. “Sheila Lawson said they were staying at the lodge.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I wake up to that every morning,” Kika told her as the group yodeled their way past them.
Several times during the parade, Kika looked at Nick, but even though she was certain he saw her, he didn’t acknowledge her presence. Sitting in the sun, she began to feel rather light-headed. She closed her eyes briefly to try to keep her senses on an even keel.
Fire trucks rolled by with their sirens blaring, snapping Kika to attention. Celebrities perched on convertibles waved as they passed, but it was a flatbed trailer pulled by a tractor that drew the most applause from the crowd. From it Judson Ingalls traveled the parade route, hopping off occasionally to spread the good news to various employees that the rebuilding of Ingalls Farm and Machinery would start next week. Kika learned from Susannah that now that the insurance company had determined last winter’s fire was not arson, the plant would be rebuilt and employees could finally have hope of returning to work.
Shortly after the F and M entry, the TylerTots float came by. All the toddlers on the fake grass wore red T-shirts that said I’m a Tyler Tot and they carried miniature flags.
Kika unzipped her camera case. Because the sun was in front of her, she crossed the street to eliminate its glare. As she stooped to capture all of the tiny tots in the picture, she felt dizzy again. Whether it was from the heat or from a lack of food, she wasn’t sure. The last thing she remembered was Glenna waving at her.
When she awoke she was lying in the grass in the shade. A woman with short dark hair and gray eyes held her wrist.
“My name is Cece Baron. I’m a nurse,” the woman said, as she took her pulse. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. What happened?” she asked. She attempted to sit, but Cece insisted she lie still.
“You fainted during the parade.”
Behind Cece stood Susannah, anxiously awaiting the diagnosis. “Is she going to be all right?” Kika heard her ask Cece as she handed the nurse a cold cloth.
“Her vital signs are normal,” Cece answered, placing the cloth across Kika’s forehead.
“I’m fine,” Kika insisted. “I don’t know why I would have passed out like that. It’s never happened to me before.”
“Then you don’t have anything in your medical history that would have caused you to faint?” Cece asked.
“Oh, no.”
“Maybe she ate something that didn’t agree with her,” Susannah suggested.
“I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon,” Kika confessed. Then, seeing the admonishing look on Cece’s face, she added, “I’ve been too busy.”
“That’s probably the problem. No food in your stomach, the hot sun...” Cece looked up at Susannah.
“I’ll go get her something,” the innkeeper offered.
“No, it’s all right. Susannah, you go back to Joe and Gina. You’re missing the parade,” Kika told her.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to get you something to eat first?” Susannah asked.
“No, I feel fine. See?” This time Kika did sit up. “I can get myself something to eat.” She attempted to stand, but her wobbly legs had her gingerly easing herself back down.
“I’m on the picnic committee. Since I was about to go over and help with the food, why don’t you come along and we’ll see what we can find?” Cece suggested in a serene voice.
Something in her soft-spoken manner made Kika want to trust her. “That’s very kind of you, but I’ve already been enough trouble.”
“I have ulterior motives,” Cece confessed. “The picnic committee can use another pair of hands to get the food out on the tables. You’ll earn your meal.”
“All right.” They sat for several minutes longer while Kika sipped a soda and slowly regained her strength. When she no longer felt unsure of her legs, she stood, dusting off her white shorts.
“How did I get here? The last thing I remember was standing in the middle of the street taking a picture of the TylerTots float.”
“Oh, that’s right. I wonder what happened to your camera?” Cece remarked with a worried frown, looking about the grassy area. “Hopefully, it’ll turn up.”
“How did I get here?”
“My brother-in-law saw you fall. He sent my nephew to get me and carried you over here to the shade.”
“That was very kind of him. You’ll have to point him out to me at the picnic so I can thank him.”
“He would have stayed and made sure you were okay, but he needed to get back to my mom, who had five grandchildren in her care. Besides, I knew you would feel more comfortable without a strange man fussing over you.”
Again, Kika felt herself drawn to this gentle woman. “Thank you. You’re right. It’s rather embarrassing.”
“Don’t feel bad. You’re not the only one who’s succumbed to the heat. My husband, Jeff, is a doctor, and he’s been treating members of the marching band all morning. I think we’re going to set a record.”
As they crossed the grassy park, Cece talked about the schedule of events for the rest of the day. Kika couldn’t help but admire the way everyone in the small town pulled together to make the holiday celebration a community event.
“The only thing different this year,” Cece told her, “is that the carnival’s come to town. I imagine that instead of watching the softball games, many of the kids will be
over there.”
Their destination was a small group of women gathered around a row of picnic tables. “I’ve recruited another volunteer,” Cece announced as they approached the group. “Only she needs to eat first, then work.”
Kika could see the curiosity in the eyes of the women, but each gave her a warm smile and welcomed her to the picnic committee.
“I want you to know, Kika, that you are looking at the women responsible for putting on the best picnic in the whole state of Wisconsin.” Cece proceeded to introduce them one by one.
“Amanda Trask, my sister-in-law, a wonderful attorney and the reason we have hot dogs for this occasion.” The chestnut-haired, blue-eyed woman offered Kika her hand.
“Alyssa Wocheck, my mother-in-law, president of the Women’s Garden Club and involved in nearly every civic event in Tyler.” Kika shook her hand as Cece added, “She’s managed to procure two-hundred pounds of hamburger patties.
“And this is Marge Phelps, owner of Marge’s Diner. She’s this year’s committee chairwoman. We figured who better for the job than someone who feeds people every day of the year?”
Kika recognized the woman from having eaten at the diner.
Cece moved on, saying “Anna Kelsey, of Kelsey Boardinghouse. She recently became a grandma—yet again. Her daughter-in-law Pam had a baby girl last week. If we run out of potato salad, we blame her.
“And last but not least, Britt Marshack, owner of Yes! Yogurt. She organized the ice-cream social. In addition to pie and ice cream, we’ll be having Britt’s scrumptious cheesecake and, of course, Yes! Yogurt.”
“Pleased to meet you. All of you,” Kika said sincerely.
While the women went about setting out the food, Kika sampled the potato salad and had a piece of watermelon. Being the good nurse and mother she was, Cece made sure Kika was adequately fed before allowing her to lend a hand.
By the time the parade had ended and the townsfolk had meandered over to the park, hot dogs and hamburgers were on the grills, the picnic tables were covered with all sorts of wonderful potluck dishes and the park lawn had become a patchwork quilt of blankets and families ready to eat.
“What can I do to help?” Kika finally asked, tossing her watermelon rind in a trashcan.
“You’re a guest, Kika. I was only teasing when I said you needed to work for your food,” Cece answered.
“But I want to help.”
“I’ll put you in charge of the beverage cart, but only on one condition—that you agree to picnic with my family.” Cece pointed to a tall man with two little girls. “That’s them over there.”
“How cool! Twins! How old are they?” Kika asked.
“Three. Too old to be Fancy’s Baby, right?”
“Sorry.” Kika smiled apologetically.
“I’m glad you’re going to be joining us. I’m curious to hear all about your work,” Cece said sincerely.
Kika felt as though an instant bond had been formed between the two of them. She hadn’t expected to develop such a kinship with the quiet-spoken nurse, nor had she expected the women of Tyler to accept her as one of their own. She found herself giggling and chatting as people came to fill their plates at the picnic feast. As she glanced across the park and saw a sea of happy people sitting on blankets, she felt as if she were in a Norman Rockwell painting.
“It’s time to grab a plate and sit down,” Cece told her after they had been serving food for nearly an hour.
“Has everyone been fed?” Kika knew that Nick Miller and his family hadn’t come through the serving line. She had watched for them.
“No, but our replacements are here.”
Kika couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing behind the picnic committee were five men with aprons wrapped around their middles.
“Tyler’s an equal-opportunity community,” Cece said with a grin.
“I’m impressed.” Kika gave her own apron to a young man named Jeremy, then for the second time that day helped herself to the food.
Jeff Baron, she soon discovered, was just as nice as his wife, making her feel right at home on the patchwork quilt. Kika learned that he was chief of staff at Tyler General and that Cece no longer worked as a nurse but stayed home with their daughters.
Kika was in the middle of explaining her work to Jeff when Cece looked over her shoulder and said, “Kika, you’re going to get that opportunity to thank my brother-in-law. He’s coming now.”
Kika turned around and saw Nick Miller approaching. One hand held Melody’s, the other balanced a plate of food. The two boys carried their own lunches. Walking beside them was the woman Kika recognized as the postmistress. She carried two plates.
“Hey, Dad! Look! It’s Kika!” Zachary proclaimed when he caught sight of the casting director.
Nick’s eyes followed his son’s pointing finger. There on a blanket with his sister-in-law sat Kika Mancini. The sight of her was like a shot of adrenaline.
“The boys have met her, too?” Annabelle’s voice held accusation.
“She’s really cool, Grandma. She knows Jim Carrey,” Zachary boasted.
Jim Carrey. They did travel in different worlds, Nick realized.
“Nick, come meet Kika.” Cece jumped up to spread another quilt on the ground.
“He’s already met Ms. Mancini,” Annabelle snapped, before barking out orders as to where her grandchildren should sit.
Seeing the surprise on Cece’s face, Kika said, “We met at the day-care center.” To Nick she said, “I understand I owe you a thank-you.”
“Dad picked you up when you fainted,” Zachary announced proudly.
“Are you all right?” Nick wished his own head didn’t feel so light simply because he could see the delicious curve of thigh exposed by Kika’s shorts.
“I’m fine. Cece is a good nurse.” Before they could say another word to each other, Cece introduced her mother.
“Maybe you should be lying down if you’re not feeling well,” Annabelle suggested, running her eyes over Kika’s slender figure.
“Mother, Kika’s fine,” Cece insisted. “And I’m sure she doesn’t want to miss the fun.”
Fun? Nick wondered how the afternoon could be anything but agony if Kika Mancini was going to look like a pinup girl from World War II. Until he had seen her in shorts he hadn’t realized what a great pair of legs she had. Now it was all he seemed to notice.
“Kika, do you play softball?” Cece inquired.
“Not on a regular basis, but I have three brothers so I’ve had plenty of experience,” she answered.
“One of the regulars on the downtown merchants’ team has to sit on the bench because of a back injury. My guess is they’d be delighted to find a replacement,” Cece said enthusiastically.
Nick thought that if the team was composed mainly of men, the players would be falling over their feet trying to make Kika welcome.
“Are we going to be able to run in the races, Dad?” Zachary asked, interrupting Nick’s musings.
“We’ll see,” he answered, which drew Annabelle into their conversation.
“Of course you can run,” she told her grandson. “There are all sorts of prizes to be given away.” She looked at Nick and said, “If you won’t take the boys, I will.”
“I’ll do it,” he told her, thinking it probably best that he watch the children’s footraces rather than the adult softball tourney. Still, he couldn’t prevent the twinge of envy he experienced when the softball captains began to gather their players. As Kika sauntered off with a mitt dangling from her wrist, he wished he didn’t have to watch six-year-olds running for the finish line. He wanted to be the catcher squatting behind home plate when Kika stepped up to bat.
CHAPTER FIVE
KIKA SHOULD HAVE known Nick Miller wouldn’t be at the softball games. He was new to Tyler. Plus he didn’t look like the type who liked to play ball. Actually, he looked as if he didn’t know how to have much fun at all.
Which made Kika wonder if the Miller children were e
njoying the picnic. Something about them tugged at her emotions. Maybe it was the fact that instead of a mother’s love they had a grandmother who looked as though she could breathe fire.
As the sun made its gradual descent toward the horizon, families began drifting over to the carnival site. Kika hoped the Millers would be one of those families.
After nearly circling the carnival area without seeing them, she was beginning to think that Nick had taken his children home. Then she spotted the two boys gawking at an amusement ride called The Rocket. Not far behind them was their father, standing in line at the ticket kiosk sandwiched between the carousel and the Ferris wheel.
Kika hadn’t ridden a carousel since she’d been a child. Assuming Nick was buying a ticket for Melody to ride one of the brightly painted horses, she got in line behind him.
“Hello again,” she said with a friendly grin.
He acknowledged her greeting with a nod. Melody, who was in his arms, turned her head toward his shoulder. Except for a shy peek at Kika, she kept her face hidden.
Kika refused to be discouraged. “Are you having a good time?”
Nick shrugged. “Not bad. It’s a little noisy.”
“Zachary and Patrick look like they’re enjoying themselves,” she commented, glancing over to where Nick’s sons stared with mouths agape at the tumbling rocket.
“I think you have to be under thirty to like spinning around upside down,” he remarked as the two boys watched the rocket catapult up and over.
“Aw, come on, Mr. Miller. If you talk like that I’m going to think you don’t know how to have any fun,” Kika said, a challenge in her voice.
She expected that statement would end their conversation. It didn’t.
“How were the softball games?” he asked.
“We lost, but I had fun.”
“Is that your consolation prize?” he asked, looking at the white teddy bear she carried under her arm. Melody, too, was casting furtive looks at the stuffed animal.
She held up the plush bear. “I won this by tossing a dime onto a dinner plate at one of the game booths, but only after I spent probably twice as much as it’s worth. And the worse part is I have to lug this bear around with me the rest of the night.”