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waiting in town.
    Long before she reached the house, she could hear the girls. As she turned the corner, she saw them waiting impatiently for her on the porch.
    â€œWe make music, Aunt Lara,” Kelly said, clapping two pan lids together. The makeshift cymbals were accompanied by Jennifer’s improvised drum, the bottom of one of Lara’s best pots. The performance made up in enthusiasm and volume what it lacked in rhythm and musicality. Lara shuddered again but kept a smile on her face.
    â€œThat’s very loud music,” she said, a comment she was certain they would consider high praise. “As soon as you’re finished with your song we can leave for the parade.” The pan and lids clattered to the porch. She shook her head. “Nope. They go back inside.”
    There was much scurrying before they finally reappeared, miniature American flags in hand. Dressed in red-and-white-striped shirts and blue shorts, they made a patriotic pair. Lara pulled her camera out of her pocket. “Let’s get a picture of you two to send to Mommy and Daddy. I’ll bet they’re missing you a whole lot today.”
    The girls posed reluctantly, clearly more excited about the prospect of the parade. The instant the camera’s shutter clicked, they were off to pile into the car. Jennifer had already fastened her seat belt, and Kelly was crawling into her car seat by the time Lara got there.
    The downtown streets were already crowded when they arrived a half hour later. They parked a few blocks from Main Street and walked over to find places on the curb, which was already lined with families.
    â€œMe can’t see,” Kelly protested, trying to wiggle between adult legs.
    â€œMe, either, Aunt Lara.”
    â€œWe’ll walk a little way down and see if we can’t find a better place.”
    â€œBut the parade’s already started. I can hear it,” Jennifer lamented, tears welling up. “We’re going to miss it all.”
    Suddenly Steven was blocking their path. Catching sight of Jennifer’s tears, he was instantly kneeling down in front of her. “What’s all this about?”
    Blue eyes were turned on him appealingly. “Kelly and me can’t see anything. Everybody’s too tall.”
    â€œWell, we’ll just have to fix that, won’t we?” His gaze lifted to meet Lara’s. She was trapped. Again. His voice dropped a level. “Hello, Lara.”
    â€œSteven.”
    â€œMind if I help out my friends here?”
    She shrugged. There was no point in objecting. She’d have two hysterical children on her hands if she did.
    Steven lifted Kelly and perched her on his shoulders, then took Jennifer’s hand. He approached the family in front of them. “Excuse me, folks. Would you mind if the little one here gets up front so she can see?”
    They responded automatically to his smile and parted to create a space for Jennifer. She looked back at him. “You, too.”
    â€œNope. That wouldn’t be fair. Your Aunt Lara and I are tall enough to stay back here. We’ll be right behind you.”
    Accepting Steven’s word without question, Jennifer turned to watch the parade. Kelly was already wide-eyed as the first band came marching past. She waved her flag so enthusiastically it almost caught Steven in the eye. Lara reached out to take it away from her, but Steven intervened, his hand catching hers in midreach. “She’s okay. No damage done.”
    Instead of dropping her hand, he used the incident as an excuse to keep it, holding it in the familiar way of two lovers used to such casual intimacy. Lara’s head protested the touch, but her body accepted it all too readily. His flesh was warm, his fingers gentle in their command over her senses. It was the touch of a man who knew well the subtleties of seduction. In time, just when Lara’s blood was heating, her heart drumming, he released her. She felt