Ruffles. Ruffles. And more Ruffles. I think I just managed to sum up Founder's Day in one word.

I'm standing atop of the Sweeney's parade float and as I look to the eager crowd, that's all I can manage to pick out. I look down to my rose-pink gown and am pleased that I don't look like a cheap cupcake. My mother did a fantastic job with choosing my gown but I still had to bend over, squeeze in and hold my breath to get it zipped up. My boobs are almost to my chin with how tight the corset top is, but I assume Ryan will be pleased.

I look over to Austin and he does look handsome in his gray General's uniform. His hand is resting on the handle of his sword and he has one foot perched up on a crate, so it looks like he's sailing over the parade route. My mother and father stand behind us, both dressed in antebellum attire and they wave politely to the crowd as we crawl forward. I toss candy out to the children's outstretched hands and many of the familiar townsfolk cheerily wave back to us. The parade is short, it starts at the library, passes main street, circles around the winery and ends at the wide park where the afternoon festivities take place. It probably takes two hours from the first float to the last float but with how hot it is today, people have already started migrating to the park to find some shade. Annabeth and Ryan don't get to participate in this tradition with us, so they said they would meet us at the gazebo in the middle of the park after the parade.

My hand sits over my stomach as I attempt to breathe in the rib-crushing gown and I am seriously concerned with dying of heatstroke. I push my tightly curled hair off my shoulder and fan myself with my gloved hand. I try and keep a smile plastered to my face throughout the parade route but it is getting hard to hide how hot and uncomfortable I am.

When the truck pulling our trailer slows down, I am the first to jump off. My mother scolds me for being careless in my dress but I ignore her as I beeline it over to some shade. A festival volunteer hands me an ice-cold bottle of water and I pop the top off and guzzle the icy drink down. I move the bottle to come up for air but I am immediately disgusted by what's now in front of me.

"Sawyer! Isn't this so much fun!" LulaBelle Anders squeals as she claps her hands together. I notice the Anders' patriotic float pull into the parking lot behind us. I half-smile to her and nod.

"I am just so excited that I got to be on Mayor Anders' float this year. It really is such a special privilege to be married to the Mayor's son. And I just keep gathering so many different ideas for the parade we are going to throw once our little bundle of joy arrives in February!" LulaBelle beams as she rubs her stomach in large circles. Her pastel blue dress is covered in layers and layers of ruffles and she added a massive navy-blue bow to sit smack in the center of her stomach, drawing all attention to her baby belly.

"Well, you know what they say LulaBelle. Don't count your chickens before they hatch." I reply and LulaBelle's toothy grin instantly flattens into a frown.

"Well, that was an ugly thing to say Sawyer!" I look to her after I realize how I just sounded and wave my hands around.

"Oh, sorry, no that's not what I meant. I just meant planning a parade in February. It could be cold." LulaBelle still looks ruffled, quite literally, as she snaps, "Sawyer, the people of Hollis will endure some slightly chilly weather to get a glimpse of the newest Anders." She stomps off like I am the most ridiculous person but I gladly accept her departure. Austin comes up behind me and looks off towards LulaBelle.

"She looks like a dang carnation Sawyer. A dang huge carnation with an ugly bow." I giggle and nod in agreement.

"Hey, I dare you to go ask her about her feelings on the parade today."

"Why?" He asks. "So I can count how many times she can say Mayor in one conversation? That woman gives me indigestion," Austin says before jokingly rubbing his stomach as he walks toward the gazebo and I follow him.

The wire-rimmed petticoat I have on keeps my skirt from sweeping the floor as I walk but I still have to pick up all my layers to climb the gazebo stairs.

"Man, women did not shimmy through windows while wearing these get ups." I joke to Austin and he smiles, "I don't think most women used to escape their mothers through windows Sawyer."

"Windows aren't just for escaping out Austin, they are also for sneaking in." I wink to him, being the only one in on my inside joke and he just rolls his eyes at me- like it's better to be left out.

I catch Annabeth's bright purple gown before I catch her face. She's standing with her back to us, saying something silly to Ryan and we both watch him smile at whatever she's telling him. Ryan catches Austin and I walking up the gazebo steps and Annabeth's eyes light up when she sees us.

"Holy crap Sawyer! That is the best antebellum dress I have seen today! Your mother must have paid a fortune in rentals," Annabeth gushes as she leans into me for a hug. While she has me close, she whispers, "Do you think Austin will let me play with his sword?" She winks at me as she pulls away and I pretend to throw up in my mouth. She turns away from me and immediately goes to fawn over Austin. Ryan takes Annabeth's place next to me and I bite my lower lip to keep from grinning.

"Now, I enjoyed you in that little number yesterday but this, this is a whole different level of delicious," Ryan says in my ear, but I shake my head.

"I look like a flower. Like a sweaty, wilting flower." He disagrees with a slight shake of his head and says, "You look beautiful. Truly stunning." I can't help but smile and I know my pink cheeks match my dress. I take a step back and dramatically run my eyes over his ensemble. He's in a gray Confederate uniform too and I grab onto the wide belt he has fastened around his waist.

"So how hard is this to take off?" I ask him and he looks down to all the brass buttons he has on his jacket.

"About as hard as untying your dress. Which, I am looking forward to doing later." Austin sneaks up behind us and startles us by saying, "Looking forward to doing what later?" I glance to Ryan but he's quicker than I am.

"Beating you guys in the dance contest." Austin stands with his shoulders back and rests his hand on his sword again.

"Come on guys, I'm Austin Sweeney. I have this in the bag."

"Don't be so confident Austin, half the women judges are your former midnight play dates. They might not be so happy to see you after you left them in tears all those years ago," I smugly reply. Austin rolls his eyes at me and then runs his hands down his dapper uniform.

"Sawyer, look at me. They'll take one look at my sword and just hand me over the trophy."

"Austin, all those ladies have already seen your sword. It's not worth a trophy," I joke back and both Ryan and Annabeth laugh. Austin shakes his head at me and turns around to leave the gazebo. I loop my arm through Ryan's and he patiently helps me down the small flight of stairs.