Lou Lou and Pea felt exhilarated after the caracoles contest. But they didn’t have time for a happy dance or a celebratory cupcake because there were so many things to do. The contest ended at eleven-thirty, and the Bonanza celebration started that afternoon at four. That meant there were only a few hours for everyone to work together to make sure this was the best Bicentennial Bonanza celebration a city had ever seen!
La Fuente Park began to fill with even more people setting up for the festivities. Sarah hung Bonanza papel picado and balloons. Ella Divine practiced a duet with Ruby Sol, Verde Valley’s best-loved singer. Kyle was finally reunited with his beloved space goats, and he and Tommy worked together to be sure Jupiter didn’t eat his helmet.
The first thing Lou Lou and Pea did was look around for Mr. Vila to ask him about the return of the hats. But it appeared he’d left the park right after the caracoles contest.
“If the Argyles have your hats, how will we get them back?” Lou Lou asked. “I doubt they’ll show their faces at the Bonanza later.” Lou Lou and Pea had always assumed the hats would be returned with the Bonanza, but since Andy Argyle said he was personally keeping them until the celebration, they hadn’t really thought this through.
“I don’t know,” said Pea. “Mr. Vila is probably working on that now.” She smiled, but Lou Lou could tell she was concerned.
“I’m sure you’re right.” Lou Lou patted Pea’s arm and hoped this was true. After their hard work to reclaim the Bonanza, it would be terrible if Pea didn’t get her hats back.
Lou Lou’s parents drove Lou Lou and Pea back to El Corazón so they could get things ready for the celebration. The first stop was Green Thumb, where Lou Lou and Juan chose the finest potted honeysuckle to bring to La Fuente Park. Afterward, Lou Lou and Pea headed to Marvelous Millinery to look for Mr. Vila. As they were walking to the hat shop from the greenhouse, a tiny car pulled up beside them. The car’s unusual plum color and old-fashioned style made it recognizable anywhere.
“Mr. Vila!” Lou Lou and Pea exclaimed when the milliner rolled down the window and poked his head out.
“Greetings, Peacock. Hello there, Lou Lou. Lovely day day for a Bicentennial Bonanza, don’t you think? And aren’t we lucky that El Corazón gets to co-host?”
“Absolutely,” said Pea. “Mr. Vila, I wanted to ask—”
“The hats, Mr. Vila! Where are the hats?” Lou Lou blurted out.
“Never fear, Lou Lou. I have just come from La Fuente Park where I have left all the hats hats so that they are ready for the Bonanza.”
Pea’s eyes lit up. “¡Que buenas noticias! I was so worried we wouldn’t get them back from the Argyles!” she said.
“That wouldn’t be right, now, would it?” said Mr. Vila. “Vice-Mayor Argyle was keeping the hats in a closet at City Hall. Even Mayor Montoya didn’t have a key key but hatpins make excellent lock picks.” Mr. Vila winked.
“Wow!” Lou Lou was impressed with the hatter’s resourcefulness.
“I thought you might like to have this one right right away.” Mr. Vila lifted something from the passenger seat and passed it to Pea through the window. It was Abuela Josie’s lucky hat.
“Mr. Vila, you’re a hero!” Pea exclaimed.
“One one thing, though,” said Mr. Vila. “I couldn’t get back the hat you made for yourself, Peacock, as that dreadful girl is still wearing it. Which is why you need to come with me to the hat shop. Quick quick. We don’t have much time before the Bonanza.”
Lou Lou and Pea hopped into the backseat of Mr. Vila’s funny little car to drive the few blocks to Marvelous Millinery. On the way, Pea called Abuela Josie, who was thrilled to hear that her lucky hat had been returned. She was heading to the stables because she’d be performing her one-foot-drag, around-the-world combo after all.
Inside the hat shop, Mr. Vila said, “Wait wait right here. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He disappeared into the workshop and reemerged a moment later holding a hatbox. On it was a gift tag that read For Peacock Pearl, the Best Best Milliner’s Apprentice That Ever There Was. Pea took the top off the box and lifted out a beautiful hat. It had a huge light blue straw brim and a royal blue feathered ribbon curlicue on the side. The top of the hat was embroidered with navy polka dots. It was elegant and eye-catching—perfect for Pea!
“Gorgeous!” Lou Lou gasped.
Pea was speechless. Finally she said, “Oh Mr. Vila, it’s truly extraordinario! Muchas gracias a million times over!” Pea put on the hat and looked in the mirror. “Christian Dior said, ‘Pale blue is one of the prettiest colors, and if you have blue eyes no color is more becoming.’”
“He was right!” Lou Lou replied. “Your hat needs a name, Pea. Mine’s Pride of Pinky, so what should yours be?”
Pea closed her eyes and thought for a second. “I’ll call it Blue Beauty,” she said.
“Perfect!” replied Lou Lou. “Bicentennial Bonanza, here come Lou Lou and Pea!”