Page 21 of A Fall to Remember

MIRANDA

Miranda always loved the Fall Harvest Fest parade. Seeing the streets come to life with colorful floats adorned with fall foliage and bushels of apples, pears, and plums, horses draped in silky shawls trotting along Main Street as if it belonged to them, and goofy clowns with bright red noses and floppy shoes tossing handfuls of candy. She tapped her foot along to the beat of the high school brass band and waved at the Fall Harvest princes and princesses in their autumn finest and shimmery sashes riding high atop a float designed to look like Cinderella’s pumpkin. It was tradition for the high school to choose a court of students who represented the diverse student body. The king and queen would be crowned at the bonfire, and each of the members of the court would receive generous scholarships. The Green Grocer had donated to the scholarship fund since it had been open.

Getting to share the parade with Jim made it more enjoyable. A dizzying sea of color and sounds marched along the street—costumes, dancers, floats, and bands.

He was completely in the spirit. Twice, he got pulled off the sidewalk to dance in the street, and anytime pretty wrapped candies came sailing their way, he scooped them up by hand and passed them to nearby children.

“Shall we?” he asked Miranda, bowing slightly and offering his hand when the high school band director announced that she wanted everyone on their feet for their rendition of “Uptown Funk.”

A jolt shot up Miranda’s arm as she took Jim’s hand, and they swayed in rhythm with the popular song. “Are you having fun?” she asked, raising her voice over the drumbeat.

“I’m having the time of my life,” Jim replied, spinning her in a circle. “I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this.”

Miranda felt her heart leap at the words “I’m having the time of my life.” But then it sank a little with the mention that he was getting paid to be in Half Moon Bay.

That’s right.

He’s getting paid to be here.

This is his job.

She needed to remember that. This was a job for her, too. It was nearly impossible not to be disarmed by those warm, soulful eyes, or how he smelled like pine and peaches. She could feel herself wanting to get closer to him. But this was Jim’s job; he was getting paid to make her look and feel good.

She tried to shake it off as the band marched on, and they sat back down.

Shelby tapped her on the shoulder. “Can I get you to stand up again? Sorry. I’d love to capture you dancing but without Jim in the shot. Let’s run up ahead so we can get the band behind you.”

“Yes, no problem.” Miranda shot Jim a fleeting look and followed Shelby’s directions. She had to admit that while things were easy and seamless with Jim, she appreciated that Shelby had clear guidelines for her.

“Look slightly to the left. Tilt your chin up a touch. Okay, good. Hold that and give me a small smile like you can’t believe you’re lucky enough to be here right now.”

That wasn’t difficult.

Miranda was happy to be here now.

“Now I want you to dance like no one is watching,” Shelby said, moving her body as she positioned her phone camera on Miranda.

Miranda considered pointing out that the entire town and a hundred thousand strangers were indeed watching her. How do you dance alone in the middle of a crowded parade and make it look natural?

“Good. Sway your hips and raise your hands. Yep, a little to your left.” Shelby continued to choreograph Miranda’s every move. “That’s it. Can you give me a flirty grin now?”

What have I gotten myself into?

A flirty grin?

How?

Miranda laughed out loud as the band got so close she was fairly sure they were going to mow her down, or she was going to force them to abruptly stop in the middle of their march. She hurried out of the way and nearly tripped over the curb.

That was more like it.

That’s what Shelby should be catching.

“Are you okay?” Shelby asked, putting her phone down for a minute.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Other than that, I feel silly. Pretending to dance.”

“That’s normal. Don’t worry about it. It will get easier the more we do. I’ll try to keep giving you direction. Even though some of my suggestions might sound strange, there is a method to my madness. Would you like to see?” She held her phone for Miranda and swiped through the photos she’d captured.