This months story has been provided by Leanne. Thank you so much, Leanne, for sharing with us.

We decided to go watch the town of Marana's annual 4th of July celebration that is held at the city center. We grabbed a couple of sodas, whistled for Miss Daisy, and piled into the car in happy anticipation of viewing a beautiful pyrotechnic display in the skies above the vast Sonoran desert. We carefilly wound our way westward through the deserted mountain pass and descended into the valley while a rich red, gold and orange sunset illuminated the skies behind the giant saguaros. We could see monsoonal clouds building well north of us, but the wind currents often push the monstrous storms to the east of the city, and we were hopeful.

We got to the area early enough to park at the edge of a very large cotton field about half a mile from the event grounds and turned off the engine, hoping to hear the music from the live band at the show while we waited to see the fireworks. The desert sky was so dark that the stars seemed to burst from the heavens with new radiance. And we waited with hearts full of the excited anticipation that small children are prone to. Suddenly, a police cruiser came flying up the road with it's brilliant red and blue lights flashing ... and slid quickly onto the rocky soil in front of us, blocking our exit in one swift maneuver. Within seconds, a young and handsome police officer swung out of the driver's seat. A deep rumble rose from Miss Daisy's throat as he adjusted his cap lower across his eyes, and loped his way towards the driver's door of our darkened car. Dust swirled like ghostly vapor in the beam of his headlights and I heard a coyote's eerie call in the distance. My heart was thumping in my chest, knowing well that our insurance rates would go up sky high if Vince got a ticket for trespassing or parking in an unauthorized area. I held Miss Daisy tight in an effort to quiet her, and watched breathlessly as the hulking mass of a man moseyed over, his muscles rippling, boots crushing through the gravel, and his badge glinting in the moonlight.

Vince said "Oh chit" and lowered the window before raising his hands above the steering wheel. You can't be too careful in the rural areas which are frequent hiding places for illegals crossing the desert at night, or drug runners setting up a tryst with the Mexican mob. The emotionless face of the young lawman became clearer the closer he got. I heard him suck his teeth, as if to unseat a stubborn morsel lodged between his bicuspids, and his lip curled. I felt strangely chilled even though the outside temperature was still above 100 degrees.

"Howdy," he said with a southwest twang. "You folks out here to watch the fireworks?" Stunned, we nodded wordlessly, eyes wide with fear. He placed his hand on the car door and leaned closer to peer inside. Miss Daisy's low growl hummed into the silence. "Well then, you missed them," he said flashing a brief smile that exposed perfectly aligned and large, white teeth. "They set them off early because of the approaching storm. Have a good night and drive safely home." He tapped the door smartly and flipped one hand skyward in a dismissing wave as he turned and strode quickly back to his waiting black and white. I glanced at Vince's pale face and saw that it was glistening with sweat wrought in the monsoon's thickened humidity. But he looked relieved and breathed out a tremendous sigh of relief. And I almost wet my panties laughing in the aftermath.

Now .... ain't life just precious???