“Ignore her. This is my best friend, Ava,” Nikki replied.
“Pleasure’s all mine,” Paul said and then immediately looked at Nikki. “Do you need help getting to the venue?”
“No, I have the rental,” Nikki replied with a smile. “But thanks.”
Paul nodded. “I’ll see you there, then.”
“Nice meeting you,” Ava called as he headed through the door. “Wow,” she said as soon as the door closed. “You mentioned there was a Paul back in the day but…wow.”
“Yeah.” Nikki blushed. “He’s just a friend now, though. High school was years ago, and I was the one who walked away.”
“So?” Ava asked as she came around the sofa. “He’s still super cute.”
“I know, but let’s focus on the event,” Nikki said and walked to the kitchen.
“How’s Trish doing? I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you this morning.”
“It’s okay.” Nikki sighed. “There’s nothing much to see, and you’ve gone with me for a couple of days now. Nothing’s changed.” Nikki sat on the barstool by the island. “Nothing except finding Amy.”
“Her long-lost daughter,” Ava said.
“Yes,” Nikki said and wiped her hand down her face. “I know it’s something I must do, but I’m a little anxious about it. What if I find her, and she doesn’t want anything to do with Trish for giving her up? Or me?”
“Well, don’t worry about that now,” Ava consoled her. “You can’t control any of that. All you can do is try. Clearly, Trish wasn’t worried about that. Maybe Amy will be over the moon.”
“You think?” Nikki asked as her spirit slowly lifted.
“Yeah, don’t worry about it. She’s grown now. Who wouldn’t want an aunt like you or a mother like Trish?” Ava smiled.
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. So chin up, and let’s get ready to have some fun.”
Nikki was in much better spirits when they pulled up at the venue. The air was festive with music from the local band, laughter, dogs barking, and children cavorting all over the mossy green. Kiosks were set up all over, and various vendors displayed food and keepsakes.
Barbecue grills were smoking, and it felt a lot like being at a carnival. “I haven’t been to anything like this in forever,” Nikki observed as she walked toward the booth sheltering members of the Humane Society.
“Oh, bingo,” Ava said as she veered to the right.
Nikki laughed. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Three members were at the booth, including Reed, one of the leaders. Each had a name tag in bold red color that was impossible to miss. Paul had gotten her up to speed about Reed and vice versa and what she would be doing to help out.
“So good to meet you, Nikki,” he beamed. “It’s a pity that Trish couldn’t be here to see what she made happen.”
“She’ll hear about it when she wakes up,” Nikki told him optimistically.
“That’s the spirit.” Reed smiled, and the wrinkles at his eyes creased. “I hope you’re ready to man the dunk tank. And there are many contestants in that raffle.”
“I hope I’m up for it,” Nikki replied and turned to check out the surroundings. “It seems we’re going to get a good crowd.”
“We usually do at this time of year,” Reed said as he came up to her, his hands shoved into the pocket of his jeans. “With so many seasonal things here on the island, people look forward to the summer festivities. Believe me when I say you’ll have your hands full.”
“I have no doubt about it. This place is all too familiar for me,” Nikki replied.
“Trish used to say that all the time too,” Reed muttered, and when Nikki looked over at him, she could see the sadness in his eyes. He missed her. “I’m having a hard time doing all of this without her. We are, I mean,” he said, motioning to the man and woman behind him busy handing out pamphlets about recycling and protecting the coral reef.
“I know,” Nikki told him. “We just have to have faith that she’ll pull through.”
