A Pineville August - Surprise!: Pineville, #9

By Anne Fons

Step off into a summer of surprises in beautiful Pineville! Residents often gather for their beloved Farmer's Market and those incredible summer holidays. Also, the Anderson family has some additional preparations this season as the arrival of Joseph and Stephanie's new baby is coming near. Each person has plans for special time with family and friends. Yet, sometimes plans, and friendships, change. What will be the highlights of this year's summer? Are there any special plans for the celebration of Stephanie's pregnancy? Will hard-won friendships remain intact? What other unexpected moments change the course for the people who live or travel here? The fictional town of Pineville, Wisconsin is a place where holidays are celebrated with the festivity of years gone by. The people care about one another, their town, and finding the joy in the little things in life. Come on over to where the greetings are friendly, the hearts are big, and there's always something to celebrate and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anne Fons
• Release date: Jun 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201605254

Book preview

Chapter One

Y ou do realize that doing this today might have more tongues wagging than your wonderful proposal did two years ago, Stephanie said to her husband.  Although, I have to say, that did keep people talking for quite some time.

She sat on one of the front porch rocking chairs while Joseph put the finishing touches on the children’s bicycles.  He turned his six-year-old daughter’s bike completely around so that Stephanie could see all sides of it.

Stephanie laughed.  You guys have so much red, white, and blue on there for the decorations that you can hardly tell the bike itself is pink.

I did very little of it, Steph, Joseph said.  I only did the area near the spokes so she wouldn’t hurt herself.

Such a wise daddy, said Stephanie.  I’d say that one is ready to be loaded into the back of the truck.

Now, I just have to make sure it’s secure in here, said Joseph.  He lifted the bike into the back of the campground truck.  He wedged it next to one side and tied it down with bungee cords.  Once we get the coolers and lawn chairs in here, it will be ok.

Once he was done loading Emmie’s bike, he showed off Charlie’s handiwork as well.  What do you think, Mom? he asked his wife.

For a five-year-old, I think he did a pretty good job, she said.

Ready to load? asked Joseph.

Sure, said Stephanie.

She got up from the rocking chair and took her time walking over to the truck.  She walked the slowest on the few stairs that led from the porch of their log home to the dirt-packed driveway.

Joseph was finishing getting his son’s bicycle lodged against the other side.

Joseph, said Stephanie, do you think today is the right day for this?

For a parade? asked Joseph.  Holidays have always been a good time for them, particularly the 4th of July.

Stephanie gave him a playful tap on the arm.  No, my dear, she said, you know what I mean.

Joseph took her in his arms and then backed her up just far enough to look into her eyes.  Steph, I don’t think this can wait much longer.

But, with the holiday and everything-

I know, said Joseph, but we will have everyone together tonight like you wanted.  That’s not likely to happen again in the near future.

Stephanie sighed.  I did, and I do, she said, but I don’t want people to think I’m taking away from the holiday celebration.

I seriously doubt the family is going to feel that way, said Joseph.  It’s something I think they are going to wish they would have known sooner.

Maybe tomorrow morning, said Stephanie, you know, once the holiday itself is over.

No, said Joseph, remember how you felt about waiting to tell people about our engagement for even a few days?

Yes.

Well, I’m feeling that way now, and it’s been a lot longer than six days since we knew about this, Joseph said.

But what about tomorrow? asked Stephanie.

No, said Joseph.

Why not? asked Stephanie.

Think about it.  When exactly would you do it?  In the morning when almost all my family are working?  After supper when Elizabeth and possibly your family have already left?  No, Steph.  Today, please, said Joseph.

She sighed.  Ok.

ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE the parade stepped off, Stephanie, Emmie, and Charlie joined the throng of people lined up for their spots in the queue.  The bicycles are toward the middle, said Emmie.  She tugged Stephanie’s hand.  Over this way!

Ok, Ems, said Stephanie, but, Honey, there’s no need to rush.  We’re here on time.

We have to find Uncle Lucas! said Emmie.  Daddy said he would have our bikes unloaded from the truck.

Stephanie heard a familiar voice call her name.  Stephanie, over here! said Lucas.  He waved his arm in the air until he caught her attention.

There he is! said Emmie.

I see him, said Stephanie.

Hi, Uncle Lucas, said Charlie.

Good morning!  Happy 4th of July! Lucas said.

Good morning! said Stephanie.  Thank you for bringing these bikes over.

Well, we certainly weren’t going to let you carry them, said Lucas.

That probably wouldn’t have been wise, said Stephanie.

My brother would have had my head if I wouldn’t have gotten these here on time, said Lucas.

Stephanie smiled.

Daddy doesn’t want Mommy to carry anything right now, said Emmie.

I understand, said Lucas.  Here, let’s get you guys set up.  I need to go and check on my high school float kids.

Lucas was the faculty float advisor for all classes of the Pineville Area High School.  Whenever any parades were being held in town, the school decorated and contributed at least one float from the local teenagers.  The 4th of July parade brought with it not one high school float, but four.  Each class participated for the top prize of a blue ribbon and an announcement over the public address system.  The winning class also gleaned bragging rights for the following year.

Aren’t you going to walk with us this time? asked Charlie.

I’ll be back, said Lucas.

You don’t have to do that, Lucas, said Stephanie.  I’m here.

I know that, said Lucas.  However, in case one of them takes a tumble or decides to do something else that would require lifting, I’m coming back to help.  That’s another thing Joseph would have my head over.

Stephanie laughed.  You are wonderful!

Tell your husband that, won’t you? said Lucas.

Absolutely! said Stephanie.

Being in the group with the children’s decorated bicycles, strollers, and baby buggies, brought with it the opportunity for Stephanie to see many of her former, or future, students.  This group was filled with the kindergarten-age children that Stephanie taught, plus a few years on each end of that grade.  She was always delighted when the kids stopped by to say hello to her, or to proudly show her how they found a new friend or lost a loose tooth.  She loved hearing about their summer adventures and was eagerly awaiting the time she would be able to return to her classroom.

A small wave of melancholy washed over her.  She knew she wouldn’t be teaching on the first day of school this year.  That was always such an exciting time for the kids – and for her!  The first day set the tone.

She knew the school district would find a good substitute for her, but it wouldn’t be the same.  Maybe I’ll stop by for a few minutes, she thought.

Stephanie gave herself a mental shake.  Are you crazy?! she thought to herself.  You have some of the most exciting things that will ever happen in your life going on right now!  You know where you need to be, and you know where you really want to be!  There’s no way you would change any of it, except that Charlie won’t have you in the teacher’s chair on his first day of kindergarten.  She sighed.  That was the part that gave her the most sadness.  She had been Emmie’s kindergarten teacher throughout that entire school year, but Charlie would start without her in the room.  As for all the rest, they were simply products of her emotions and the wishing that she could have it all.

Lucas tapped her on the shoulder.  Are you ok? he asked.  You looked like you were lost in thought.

I was, said Stephanie.

Do you need anything? he asked.

Nope, she said, I’m good.  The voice inside her head said, or at least I will be once we get through dinner tonight.

THREE-FOURTHS OF THE way along the parade route, Stephanie’s back began to ache.  Instinctively, she winced and pressed her thumb into the problem muscle.

Hey, Steph, said Lucas, we’re about a half-block from where the family is watching.  Why don’t you join them when we get there?  The kids and I can meet you at the park after the parade.

Stephanie would have liked to argue with him, but in addition to her aching back, her feet and legs were beginning to feel tired, too.  You sure you don’t mind?

Not at all, said Lucas.

Maybe I will join the group then, Stephanie said.

When they arrived at the spot where the Andersons and the Cannadys were gathered to watch the parade, Stephanie stepped off to the side.

Her father arose from his lawn chair.  Sit, he said.

No, I’m ok, Dad, she said.

I want to stand for a while.  You sit, said Johnny Cannady.

As Stephanie sat down in the chair, her mother looked toward Johnny and mouthed the words, I don’t like how tired she looks.

Johnny cleared his throat and nodded.

She looks exhausted, Jeannie Anderson whispered into her own husband’s ear.

Don Anderson gave Jeannie the same nod that Johnny Cannady had given Barbara only a moment before.

It’s kind of a hot one today, said Johnny.  Are you doing ok with this heat, Steph?

Oh, I’m fine, said Stephanie.  I’m a little tired, but not overheated or anything.

Barbara reached into a small cooler near her feet and brought out a bottled water.  Here, Stephanie, she said.  Drink this.  Mother’s orders.

Stephanie closed her eyes for a moment.  Yes, Mom, she said.

Stephanie, her mother continued, do they have a chair or a fan or anything for you in that exhibition tent?

I’ll be fine, Mom, said Stephanie.

Well, said Barbara, you didn’t answer my question.  Do they?

There are always some chairs, and every tent has some kind of fan in it, said Stephanie.

Ok, said Barbara, but I will stay with you to help in case you need something.

Mother, really, I can handle this, said Stephanie.

Stephanie, said Jeannie.

Yes? asked Stephanie.

Don’t argue with your mother, said Jeannie.

Oh, my goodness! said Stephanie.  Would somebody please tell my moms that I will be just fine?

Nobody answered Stephanie’s request.  However, they began talking in earnest about everything else regarding the parade.

Chapter Two

Joseph Anderson was almost always in uniform on holidays.  Whenever there was a gathering of any size, whether he was scheduled for a day off or not, he was there.  His community needed him the most on days such as those.  Although most days went by without incident, it gave the townspeople peace of mind to know that if anything were to go wrong, he would take care of it.  For the most part, Joseph’s holiday duties consisted of traffic snarls, blocking off roads in time to keep the parade participants and onlookers safe, and having brief conversations with everyone he knew.

Hey, Sheriff, how’s that wife of yours doing? asked one man.

Won’t be long now, will it, Sheriff? said another.

Sheriff, how is Stephanie feeling? asked one woman.

He tried to take the time to talk whenever he could.  It was good public relations for the town, but it was also the way he was.  He knew many of these folks from when he was a young child.  Growing up in that small-town environment left him with a true caring for every place in Pineville and for all of the people in it.

He was removing the last barricade from the Main Street parade route when Lucas caught up to him.

Hey, Lucas said, got a minute?

Sure, once this thing is moved off the road, traffic will be flowing in both directions again, said Joseph.  I can head over to the park, check in with everybody, and make the rounds for a couple of hours before supper.

Lucas took the other end of the barricade, and he and Joseph moved it to the curb for the street crew to pick it up later.

Um, how’s Stephanie been doing lately? Lucas asked.

We’re about a month or so away now from her due date, said Joseph.  She’s feeling big, tired, and occasionally cranky.  Why?

Joseph, look, said Lucas, I don’t want to alarm you, but she had to step out of the parade when we got to the folks.

Like I said, she’s tired, said Joseph.

Um, said Lucas.

Are you developing a new speech pattern or something? asked Joseph.  You’ve said ‘um’ twice in about three sentences.

Joseph, she was way beyond tired, said Lucas.  I was getting more than a little concerned.

What do you mean? Joseph asked.

Her back made her wince.  She was favoring her left leg, and seriously, I thought for a moment, she was going to go down, Lucas said.

Oh, dear God, said Joseph.  She has been having a little bit of trouble with her sciatic nerve lately, and yes, I know she’s been very tired.  However, not to the extent that you’re describing.

I don’t know if it was the heat or what, but something sure affected her, said Lucas.  I thought you might want to hear it from me before you hear it from everybody else.  Stephanie’s mother looked as though she was ready to kill me.

I’d laugh at that, but I have a hunch I’m going to get a look similar to that in a few minutes, Joseph said.  "I know Barbara’s not really mad at either one of us, but you were the one walking with her, and I’m