Gloria couldn’t remember looking in the mirror and liking what she saw more than she did in that moment. Her white shorts showed off bruise-free legs, and the navy-blue tank nicely showcased arms that were beginning to take shape. She looked strong, festive, and maybe even pretty. Inspired, Gloria dragged her makeup tote out from under the sink and skillfully applied a cat eye and subtle sparkle to her eyelids. She painted her lips a patriotic red with stain and then gloss.

“Happy Fourth of July,” she whispered.

On her way out the door, she glanced at the letter on the table. She’d been too busy to open this one. That said something. She just didn’t have the time to figure out what. The personal protection order was stalled until Glenn made some sort of overt threat. But the man was behind bars, and her focus was on giving her town the best Fourth of July celebration it had ever had.

Main Street Benevolence was a hive of activity. The finish line for the 5k race happened to be right in front of her building, and the judges’ bandstand for the parade floats was set up across the street in front of the police station.

Gloria grabbed her phone and clipboard with her checklists, settled her sunglasses over her eyes, and took a deep breath. All the wheeling and dealing, the hand-holding, the hours of organizing and answering questions was about to come to fruition.

She was terrified.

What if it sucked? What if she’d organized the worst Fourth of July celebration in the town’s history?

“Well, at least I won’t be poor little Gloria Parker then,” she reminded herself. “I’ll be that idiot who ruined an entire holiday.”

“Georgia Rae hasn’t called me fourteen times this morning bitching and moaning about her damn parking space,” Ty said, stepping up onto the curb to meet her. He tucked his thumbs into his utility belt. “Far as I’m concerned, this is the best Fourth we’ve ever had around here.”

“You’re only saying that because the fireworks didn’t ignite the snow cone tiki hut yet. I should have moved it to the other side of the park. It’s going to be a four-alarm blaze once the fireworks start,” Gloria moaned.

Ty put a hand on her shoulder. “You did good, Parker. Deal with it.”

“Thanks, Ty.” She could tell him about the letter now. But tomorrow was soon enough. She had bigger fish to fry than Glenn Diller right now.

His radio squawked, and he grinned. “I’ll see you around.”

To-do list in hand, Gloria jogged off in the direction of the park to make sure everything was exactly right.

* * *

“I can’t believe nothing’s caught fire or a swarm of killer bees and locusts hasn’t descended yet,” Gloria said, unfolding one of the lawn chairs her mother brought.