And on how Cole reacted when it was all over.
She was ready, Annabel told herself as the buggy carrying her and Mellisande and Lucius rolled away from the park. As ready as she was ever going to be . . .
****
The day of the competition dawned foggy, as usual, with billows of the white, clinging moisture rolling across from the Marin headlands and engulfing the city by the bay. There was a warm breeze, however, and by ten o'clock, most of the fog had either burned off or been blown out to sea.
Annabel donned a simple dress, one she could unbutton and wriggle out of quickly when the time came. Under it she wore the panties, sports bra, and white T-shirt that had come from her own time. She had the SFFD pin attached to her shirt for luck. On her head she wore a wide-brimmed hat to shield her from the sun. The hat would also serve as a bit of a disguise if anyone caught her when she tried to sneak into the San Francisco Fire Department tent
Mellisande was going to the park in her own buggy, so Annabel and Mrs. Noone were the only passengers as Lucius drove toward the site of the festivities. Mrs. Noone's lined face was flushed with excitement and anticipation. "I haven't been on an outing like this in years," she said. "And I have you to thank for it, dear."
"I hope you don't intend to overexert yourself, madam," Lucius muttered from the driver's seat of the rig. "You know how delicate you are."
"Nonsense!" Mrs. Noone said crisply. "I feel absolutely wonderful. This fresh air is the best medicine for anyone."
Annabel couldn't argue with that. It was indeed a glorious day.
And it seemed as if everyone else in San Francisco was taking advantage of it, too. The streets were crowded with pedestrians, buggies, horse-drawn wagons, and popping, huffing Model T Fords. The cable cars were packed, with every seat filled, the aisles crowded, and people even hanging on to the outside of the cars. Everyone was converging on Golden Gate Park.
That was all right with Annabel. The more people who were there, the less likely it was that she'd be spotted. Of course, she would still be risking discovery by members of the fire department, but she hoped they would be so caught up in the competition that they wouldn't pay any attention to her.
Skillfully, Lucius guided the buggy into the park, following one of the paths that would take them near the center area where the tents were located. When he could go no farther, he parked the buggy and hopped down from the driver's seat to assist Mrs. Noone. He took her wooden wheelchair from where he'd strapped it to the rear of the buggy, then carefully picked her up and lowered her into the chair. "Thank you, Lucius," she said./
"My pleasure, as always, madam," he murmured. He went behind the chair, grasped its handles, and began rolling it over the grass, picking out the-smoothest possible path.
Annabel followed, enjoying the festive commotion all around her. This gathering was part carnival, part circus, part picnic. Crowds of children ran and played, while adults strolled and looked over the fire department equipment on display. A band was tuning up somewhere, the strains of the music floating over the park and providing background for the hubbub. And everywhere, people were laughing happily, adults and children alike. Today was more than an exhibition and competition; it was a celebration.
When they reached the area of the tents, Annabel bent and quickly kissed Mrs. Noone's cheek. "I have to go now," she said.
"I know," Mrs. Noone said. She took hold of one of Annabel's hands. "Good luck, my dear. I hope you get everything you want from this day."
Annabel smiled and nodded her thanks. She knew that if everything worked out as she hoped, things would never again be the same between her and Cole. He would have to look at her in a whole new way.
And what was so wrong with the old way? she suddenly asked herself. There were worse things than having a smart, handsome man looking at you like he wanted to take you in his arms and make passionate love to you. Weren't there?
Annabel gave a little shake of her head as she started toward the tents. She was committed to her plan, and she had never been the sort to back out of something once she had started it. After glancing around to make sure that no one was paying any attention to her, she slipped to the back of the San Francisco Fire Department tent.
Time to go to work.
Chapter 13