Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter

Author:Beth Carpenter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-02-14T19:44:37+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

INDEPENDENCE DAY DAWNED clear and warm. When Lauren returned from the morning milking, Bonnie served her a plate of French toast with strawberries and blueberries arranged on top in the shape of the American flag.

“Wow, I’m impressed,” Lauren told her.

“Wait until you see my firecracker Bundt cake.”

“Where’s Patrick?” Lauren asked in what she thought was a casual voice, but Bonnie still shot her an amused look before answering.

“He’s getting the lawn chairs down from the attic. The parade starts at eleven, but we should leave here by nine thirty to get a good spot. Now eat up. I’m going to go change into my parade clothes.”

“Okay.” Lauren wasn’t sure what constituted parade clothes, but from what she’d seen, her jeans would fit in at almost any Alaskan event. Patrick confirmed this when he carried three folding chairs through the kitchen a few minutes later, wearing jeans and a gray T-shirt with a flag on the front.

“Good morning.” He stopped to smile at her. It really wasn’t fair. Nobody should have such an irresistible smile.

Which was the main reason she’d spent yesterday avoiding being alone with him as much as possible. Because if he tried to kiss her again, she was going to have to say no. And it was going to be hard to say no to that face. But no one said that they couldn’t be friends. She just needed to make sure it stopped there. She smiled back. “Morning. I gather we’re leaving for the parade in Wasilla soon.”

“That’s what Gran tells me. Are you all done with the milking?”

“Yes, and I’ve turned the goats out to pasture. I’ll need to be back for evening milking by around six, but until then I’m free.”

Bonnie came into the room, dressed in red-and-white-striped cropped pants, a white top and a blue vest covered with white stars. Tiny red firecrackers dangled from her ears. “Ta-da!”

“You look fabulous!” Lauren said.

“You do,” Patrick agreed. “Are you ready to go?” he asked Lauren.

“Two minutes to change clothes. Not everyone appreciates the scent of goat as much as I do.” Lauren ran upstairs to throw on some clean jeans and a white shirt with red polka dots.

When she returned, Bonnie had just finished tying a patriotic bow around Wilson’s neck. “I almost forgot to get him ready for the parade.”

“I managed to talk her out of the top hat,” Patrick whispered to Lauren as they carried the lawn chairs to load into the trunk of Bonnie’s car.

“I’m sure Wilson was grateful,” Lauren whispered back.

Lauren loved the homespun quality of the parade. Floats were created by various organizations and usually crammed on as many costumed people as possible. Sometimes it was hard to decipher the theme, as Lady Liberty mingled with a dancing moose and a giant pumpkin, but their enthusiastic waves and the candy they threw brought cheers from the crowds.

There was a marching band, local dignitaries riding in classic cars, Scout troops, several groups on horseback, and a group from a gymnastics school doing flips and cartwheels down the street.

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