Page 647 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Sydney planned to go to Depot Days. It was an annual celebration, centering around the old depot that dated back to the civil war. Her parents had always looked forward to the event. They would arrive early Saturday morning and then stay all day and go to the street dance that night. She could still picture them dancing close together. Figures in a music box, beating one heart, sharing one breath—locked so close together that the rest of the world faded away.

“Syd?”

She looked up to see Sean studying her. She was glad he couldn’t read her mind.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just listening to you.”

“I thought I’d lost you there for a minute.”

“No, just waiting for you to continue.”

“You’ve been saying you need to get to know the men down at the mill. I thought tomorrow would be a good opportunity. A lot of them will be there with their wives and kids. This is the biggest event in this town for the whole year. They’re expecting hundreds of people.”

“If hundreds of people are going to be there, I don’t think they’ll miss seeing me. What’s the big deal about Depot Days anyway?” It gave her a touch of satisfaction to see a cloud come over his handsome face.

“Depot Days ranks right up there with football and church in this town. You’ve been here long enough to know that.”He paused. “Why do I even bother? Anyway, it was just a suggestion. Suit yourself.” He shook his head and left her office.

Sean was right, of course. She needed to go to Depot Days, not only for her job, but for herself. She’d thought that Kendall would invite her to go with him, but he hadn’t mentioned it. That was proving to be the story of her life. For a split second, she thought about calling Kendall and inviting him, but then thought better of it. She wasn’t about to throw herself at him. She’d let him come to her.

The morningof Depot Days turned out uncharacteristically hot, letting the residents of Stoney Creek know that summer was still in control and not quite ready to relinquish her hold to fall. Sydney chose a pale blue cotton shirt and white cropped pants. Instead of applying makeup, she used a tinted moisturizer and brushed her lips with gloss.That was as good as it was going to get today. She grabbed her sunglasses and shoulder bag and went out the door.

When Sydney arrived downtown, the sidewalks were already filling with people who were waiting for the parade to begin. She decided to cross the street and go to the old train depot and watch the parade from there. She followed the brick walkway that led to a gazebo where lush ferns hung like feathery caps, providing some shelter from the sweltering sun. Not surprising, all the seating in and around the gazebo was taken. Her gaze wandered to the mounds of colorful petunias, marigolds, and daisies bordering the walkways. She loved the wise old two-story storefronts with their big glass windows and creaky wood floors. It was good to see Stoney Creek revitalizing the downtown district. The streetlights from her childhood had been replacedwith old-fashioned lampposts, and the white trim on the train depot looked like fresh milk glistening in the sun.

Sydney found a lamppost to lean against. It shouldn’t be too long before the parade began. She watched the people buzz back and forth. A group of majorettes were setting up their snow cone booth, and a little boy was tugging at his mother’s sleeve and pointing in the direction of a snack stand that was selling cotton candy, boiled peanuts, and popcorn. She closed her eyes and let the sound of the crowd take her to another time. Like an old movie reel playing the same scene round and round, she could see her parents laughing and dancing at the street dance—Avery’s protective embrace, Susan’s hair flying in the wind.

“Hey Sydney. Nice to see you again.” Emma’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Kendall’s here. He’s standing on the other side of the depot. I figured y’all would come together.”

“No, I didn’t tell him I was coming,” Sydney said, looking at Kendall’s younger sister.

Emma frowned and looked like she was going to question Sydney about her comment. Instead she said, “I love that blouse. Come on. I’ve got a blanket over here.” Sydney didn’t have a chance to respond before Emma caught her by the arm and maneuvered her through the crowd.

Sydney noticed several people gathered under the big oak tree next to the depot. From a distance, she could see two men engaged in what looked like serious conversation. When they got closer, she recognized first Sean, then Kendall. She frowned. “Why is Sean talking to Kendall? I was under the impression that they barely knew each other.”

Emma cocked her head. “You know Sean?”

Sydney nodded.

“Oh yeah, that’s right. He works at the sawmill with you. You were talking about him that night at Jessica’s.”

For a split second, Sydney thought Emma might be attempting to bring up that disastrous moment when her tongue had gotten the best of her, but Emma’s expression was without guile. Her curls bounced happily when she shook her head and chuckled. “Every woman in Stoney Creek under the age of sixty-five knows who Sean O’Conner is. He’s gorgeous.”

“You think so?” Sydney wrinkled her nose.

“Look at him and then tell me honestly. Is he not one of the hottest looking guys you’ve ever seen?”

Sydney glanced at Sean, not bothering to really look at him. She’d already committed him to memory anyway. “He’s all right, I guess.”

“You must really be nuts over my brother. That’s all I’ve got to say.” Emma grinned wickedly. “Chuck would just die if he heard me carrying on about Sean like this.”

Sydney put her hand over her heart, feeling a little like she was in junior high again. “I’ll never tell. It’ll be our secret.”

Emma stopped and stared at Sydney. “Talk about déjà vu. That was weird. You remind me of someone.”

“Oh?” Sydney’s heart began hammering in her chest.

Emma shook her head. “It’s gone. Maybe it’ll come to me later.”