As they approached the park where the crowd was gathered Maggie felt her spirits lifting. She could see rows of tables set up under some large oak trees and headed in that direction with her offerings. As they placed the bowls of potato salad on the table Maggie saw an adorable little blonde girl darting between the tables giggling. She ran out in front of Maggie and Aaron, nearly colliding with them in her excitement. Close on her heels was Lacey, carrying a toddler on her hip.
“Courtney Marie, I said stop right there, don’t you take another step, young lady!” Lacey called out to the little girl before glancing up to see Maggie and Aaron standing nearby.
Maggie smiled at her, but Lacey’s reaction was closer to fear. Her eyes opened wide as she came to a sudden halt. Her gaze rested on Aaron for a brief moment, before her little girl came skipping up to her side. Lacey protectively pulled her daughter against her and immediately turned from them hurrying away without a word. Maggie was dumbfounded by her reaction. She glanced over to Aaron and saw the sadness in his downcast eyes. The reality of the situation hit her and angered her all at once. Whatever Aaron’s past might hold she just couldn’t believe he deserved that kind of treatment. She reached over and took his hand.
His gaze flitted to hers and she smiled at him encouragingly. He returned her smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. They walked from the tables hand in hand, and she was aware of the stares and whispers from the crowd around them. She held her head high and gripped his hand tighter. The sight of Andi approaching was like a ray of sunshine in the middle of a storm. Maggie smiled happily and released Aaron’s hand to hug her friend.
“I’m so glad you made it!” Andi exclaimed. “Both of you,” she added, smiling kindly at Aaron. Maggie wanted to hug her again. “I’m Andi,” she introduced herself, extending her hand to him. “I don’t think we’ve officially met.”
“Aaron,” He smiled shyly as he shook her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Aaron,” Andi said cheerfully. “Hey, I could really use some help hanging this banner. Would ya’ll mind?”
“Of course not!” Maggie agreed, smiling first at Aaron and then back at Andi. She wanted so badly for Aaron to feel the warm acceptance that she’d felt on her last trip to Sweetwater, and even more so she wanted to show the people of this town that they’d judged him too harshly.
Andi led them to a make-shift stage set up in the middle of the park and showed them the large banner that she’d been attempting to hang above the stage. Without hesitation Aaron scaled the ladder and busied himself with the task. Maggie and Andi hovered below handing him tools as needed and chatting happily about the fireworks show that was to be put on later that evening.
“Is there anything else I can help with?” Aaron offered once the chore was done.
“I think that’s it for me,” Andi replied. “My job is done. The stage is decorated and now I can turn it over to the band.”
As if on cue a teenage boy popped up and asked Andi if they could begin setting up their equipment on the stage.
“It’s all yours,” Andi replied.
“Do you need any help?” Aaron offered.
“Sure! We’ve got a whole truckload of equipment to set up,” the boy replied gratefully. Aaron seemed relieved that he could continue to keep himself busy. He glanced to Maggie and she smiled back at him.
“Don’t worry about me,” she assured him. “I’m sure I’ve got a ton of gossip to catch up on.” She nudged Andi and both women giggled. Aaron smiled and happily followed the boy to his truck.
Maggie and Andi took a walk around the park arm in arm. The evening air was humid. Maggie took in the scene before her and absorbed the utter peacefulness of it. Children were running and playing while their parents stood clustered in groups that were constantly expanding as new families arrived. People were greeting each other with hugs and cheerful exclamations. As the women walked Andi pointed out various people, telling Maggie their names and random bits of information about them. Maggie listened to her friend’s chatter but continually looked back towards Aaron, never quite losing sight of him. She saw him laughing and smiling with the group of boys as he helped them unload and set up their equipment. Everything was exactly how she hoped it would be.
“He really does seem like a nice guy.” Andi’s comment drew Maggie’s attention from Aaron and she realized she’d been staring.
“Yes he is,” she agreed, looking back at her friend. The women had circled the park and were coming back toward the stage.
“And what a hottie!” Andi exclaimed. At that moment Aaron was lifting some large speakers onto the stage, his biceps flexed against his t-shirt.
“Yes he is,” Maggie agreed emphatically.
“A man like that could even make old Mrs. Bouchard blush.” Both women laughed at the ridiculous statement.
“Speak of the devil,” Maggie said as she spotted Mrs. Bouchard crossing the lawn. “Looks like we’re about to find out.” She picked up her pace to reach Aaron’s side about the same time as the old woman.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing here, criminal?” the old woman bit out at Aaron. He seemed startled by the harsh demand and simply stared at her, unsure of how to respond. Maggie stepped up to his side.