CHAPTER 33

For their regular Saturday get-together and to commemorate the Fourth of July, the locals gathered on the courthouse lawn. Charlotte didn't just observe from a bench. She spent all day serving beverages and making popcorn with Marlene and Angie.

"You're so good at this," Angie said, watching Charlotte scoop popcorn into a brown bag.

Charlotte winked. "I can wash dishes, too. Not that I'm volunteering or anything."

Angie laughed, handing Mrs. Hornsby a drink. "Charlotte, you've brought excitement to this sleepy town."

She didn't know about that. All she knew was that she was happy, something she hadn't been in a while.

Judge Fitzwater, dressed in plaid shorts and a polo shirt, walked up and ordered a drink. "You're doing a fine job at Horseshoe, Ms. Lily, I must say."

"Thank you."

The D.A. walked up. "Save a dance for me, Charlotte ."

"You got it."

Marlene frowned. "Now, Wayne Greenwood, you never tell me that."

Wayne bowed from the waist. "My sincere apologies."

"Yeah, right." Marlene laughed, and then whispered to Charlotte, "Men are such idiots."

Sadiq, who was on duty, nervously stepped up. "Ms. Lily, I'm so sorry about the jailbreak and what you had to go through."

"Thank you. I'm just happy you're okay."

"Still-"

"Sadiq, stop worrying about it. I'm fine. You're fine, and Tosin is where he should be."

She hated that he blamed himself, but he seemed in a better mood as he walked away.

Later, she and the kids, who all seemed to be attached to her, sat on the lawn and ate hot dogs and watermelon.

No one ignored her. When folks walked by, they'd shout, "Hey, Charlotte, how's the mural coming?" Or, "Charlotte, when you gonna help out at my place?" She laughed and joked with them as if she'd lived here all her life.

Her previous perception of the locals as being impoverished has been replaced by the knowledge that they are incredibly wealthy in terms of family, friends, and love. Charlotte too felt a part of this incredibly vibrant community.

The band broke into "Louisiana Saturday Night" and everyone gathered to dance. But not before Charlotte and the kids did their rendition of "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog." Everyone was in stitches. Alice didn't just sit and watch, either. She participated, and then Erin, Bethann and Alice danced together, holding hands. Alice was making friends and it was wonderful to see. They hadn't talked about her resistance to being called a girl, and Charlotte was hoping it would simply fade away.

After a while Charlotte was out of breath from dancing with Hardy, Curtis, Wayne and several other men. But the one man she wanted to dance with wasn't there.

Since their passionate kiss in the moonlight, she and John have hardly spoken. She was happy he didn't apologize since she could sense he wanted to. Because that might cause her to really smack him.

Her stay here would soon come to an end, and she would return to her life in Austin. Brielle and Mindy hadn't phoned since that one time. They would now be a part of her past. There would also be no more parties, heavy drinking or throwing hissy fits when she didn't get her way.

She had truly grown up in this small country town. And fallen in love. She would return to Austin with a broken heart because John Stark was not ready to move forward. She feared he never would be.

Hardy stepped on her toes and Charlotte said, "Ouch."

"Sorry about that, sugar."

"It's okay. I think I'm about danced out."

"I'll take over." John moved from the shadows, and her heart rate went into overdrive.

"Hey, Sheriff," Hardy said, placing her hand in John's. "Ms. Charlotte is ready for someone to sweep her off her feet. Lord knows I've bruised them enough."

She moved into John's arms and they sailed across the concrete. He wore jeans, white shirt, boots and his Stetson. The manly scent she associated with him trapped her in her own private paradise.

They didn't speak. They didn't need to. For once they just enjoyed the feeling of being together.

The waltz ended and a slower number began. Now Charlotte rested her head on his chest and they swayed, barely moving.

"You smell great," he said softly.

"Are you flirting with me?" She looked up into his face.

"Is that possible?" He smiled and it was one of the most beautiful sights she'd ever seen. He didn't smile enough. Itsoftened the strong angles of his face and made him look vulnerable. Made him all male and that much more attractive.

"Oh, yeah, Sheriff, it's possible. Just remember I'm not easy?"

"Never crossed my mind."

She sighed with pure happiness as the song came to an end.

As did the evening.

But not before everyone sang "God Bless the U.S.A."

On the drive back to the house, Alice clamored for her daddy's attention and Charlotte was just happy to watch them. He was different tonight. He seemed happy.

Was there hope?