A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17) (20 page)

“A baby?” Iris said. “Is that what all the commotion’s about? Colbi’s pregnant?” She shook her head as if disbelieving. “Wow, another little baby. How cool is that, Craig? A playmate for Lily. Oh, I hope it’s a boy! Then we’ll have a boy and a girl.” The others watched as Iris became more and more animated, then suddenly became quiet. She looked at Colbi, then at Damon, and said, “Oh…my…Gawd.”

“What?” Savannah said, starting to laugh.

Iris, having lost some of her steam, pointed a finger. “If Damon’s going to be a father, that makes me a…oh…no…it can’t be!”

“Oh yes, Mother dear,” Damon said, “you’re going to be a…”

“No!” Iris shouted. “Don’t say it. I don’t want to be a grandmother—gads, it makes me sound so old.”

“You don’t want to be a grandmother?” Colbi asked, her feelings obviously hurt.

“Well, yes, I want the honor; I just don’t like the title,” Iris groaned.

“We can come up with another title, Mom, but the fact is, you’re going to be a grandmother,” Damon said, taking her hands and dancing around the room with her. “Isn’t it great?”

Once Damon let her go, Iris sat down again next to Craig and started speaking more quietly, as if to herself. “Mimi, Nonny, TuuTuu, Grammy…no, that’s too much like gramma. Oh my, what can I have him call me? I must come up with a name for myself before he gets here.”

“How about Riss-Riss? You want Lily to call you Aunt Riss-Riss,” Savannah offered.

“Yeah, but this will be my grandchild.”

“You have a while to come up with a name, Mom—he won’t be here for…” Damon turned to Colbi. “When? When will he be here?”

“He or she will be here sometime in September.”

Damon laughed. “And he won’t be talking for another couple of years after that. You have plenty of time, Mom.”

“Uh-huh—how about Gigi, Mimaw…”

“Oh stop, Iris,” Savannah said. “I say we congratulate the happy couple.”

“Can I trade my wine for something stronger?” Iris pleaded.

Savannah reached over and patted Colbi’s knee. “Looks like you were worried for nothing, girlfriend. I hate to say it…” she grinned, “…no, I’m happy to say it…I told you so.”

Colbi smiled graciously. “Yes, what a load off. Life just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?”

Savannah leaned forward and hugged Colbi. “Yes, it does.”

Just then Iris’s cell phone rang. She looked at the screen and excused herself. When she returned from the kitchen, her demeanor had shifted considerably. She spoke almost reverently. “Well, that was Eugene’s mother.” She looked at Damon. “…your grandmother. Her daughter’s bringing her here to see you.” When Damon seemed disinterested, Iris said, “She’s a wonderful woman. She said she regrets walking away from you when you were young, but it was because of her health. She was no longer able to be an active grandmother and then when you were…”

“Yeah, I know, unlovable,” he said.

“No, Damon, you were ill, too, in your own way,” Iris said. “Well, that wasn’t a good time for her to come back into your life. Now that we’ve reconnected, she’s very interested in seeing you and meeting Colbi.”

“Oh, okay, I guess. It’s just that we’re so busy right now. Can’t a reunion wait until after the wedding?”

“I think she wants to be at your wedding. They’re coming here to put her son to rest. She and her daughter will be here tomorrow evening. Kids,” she said, “I think it’s important that you make time for them.”

“As awful as the daughter was to you on the phone?” Savannah said, frowning.

“Well, Ellen apologized for Audrey,” Iris said. “I think that’s water under the bridge. At least, I hope so.”

****

“Did you meet Damon’s grandmother yet?” Savannah asked Colbi two days later, as they drove to the mall to pick up last-minute things for the wedding.

“Oh yes,” Colbi said, her eyes dancing. “What a dear woman. Iris was right. She’s a delight. Savannah, I feel so sorry for her.”

“Why’s that?” Savannah asked, while pulling into the parking garage.

“Well, she’s just so sad about her son.”

“Oh, about his death?”

“No, because of what he became. She kept apologizing to Damon. She said she tried to bring up both of her children to love and respect others and she doesn’t know what went wrong in Eugene’s head to make him get so far off track.”

“What about her daughter? Did you meet her?”

“Yes, Audrey’s sweet. She’s into quilting—runs a quilting shop, but only part-time now so she can help her mother out. Ellen is well enough to travel some, so they take trips to exotic places a few times a year.” Colbi turned to Savannah as she prepared to exit the car. “Ellen’s husband was some bigwig in an oil company, so they’ve always had money. Ellen didn’t have to work, and she volunteered most of her life for organizations that help children. According to Audrey, she was a tireless worker bee and has been celebrated many times for her generosity.”

“Where’s her husband?”

“He died back in the nineties, so she’s been a widow for a long time,” Colbi explained. She slipped out of the car and watched as Savannah unstrapped Lily from her car seat and placed her in the stroller. “You’ll get to meet her at the wedding.”

“Oh, nice. So they’re staying for the big day, are they?”

“Yes, Ellen’s really excited about it. Says she has never been to a family wedding—her daughter never married and Iris and her son eloped.” She grabbed Savannah’s arm. “Oh, and she wants to give us a special wedding gift—something she’s sure Damon’s father would have given him, if he hadn’t…you know, gone down the wrong path in life.”

Savannah raised her eyebrows. “Ohhh, I wonder what it is.”

“I don’t know. I think maybe a piece of furniture. She asked about furnishings for our new place.” Colbi ran her hand over Lily’s soft curls. “You know, she just seems to be such a generous soul. I’ve never known anyone who takes such pleasure in giving. The more she talked about our gift, the happier she became.”

“She sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to meet her.” As she wheeled the stroller into the mall, Savannah asked, “Now, where’s your list? What do we need?”

“Let’s go to the party store. I want to pick up plates, napkins, things like that—maybe a few table decorations. I’m so pleased that you and Michael hired Helena and her family to help. Oh my gosh, to have the catering handled is such a burden off us. I remember what a lovely job they did for your wedding.”

“You’re welcome. They actually enjoy coming together and contributing to a special occasion. It makes them happy.”

Colbi pointed at someone in the distance. “Hey, there’s…isn’t that your sister?”

“Oh yeah, it is. Wow, what are the chances?” Savannah said, rushing toward her, calling out, “Hey, you!”

When she turned, Brianna looked surprised. “Vannie, Colbi, hi! What are you doing here?” she asked as she walked up to them. Before they could respond, Brianna kneeled down and spoke to Lily. “Hi little one. Don’t you look cute today in your little pink sweater?” She kissed the baby’s cheek, then stood to speak to the women. “Vannie, she’s more beautiful every time I see her.”

Savannah beamed. “She is a cutie-patootie, that’s for sure. And a handful,” she said, noticing the toddler trying to climb out of the stroller. She picked her up and placed her on the floor, where she walked around their legs playing peek-a-boo with Brianna.

“So what are you doing?” Brianna asked, again.

“Picking up last-minute wedding supplies,” Colbi said.

“Yeah. What are
you
doing here?” Savannah asked. “No patients today?”

Brianna smiled at Colbi. “I have a wedding to go to this weekend. And Bud and I are going to a concert tonight, so I took a few days off. I’m shopping for a sparkly top to wear tonight, actually.”

“Any luck?”

“I just got here.”

Savannah ran after Lily, who was following a therapy dog in training. “Let’s go look at toys, shall we?” she said enticingly, once she’d grasped hold of her hand.

“Toy?” Lily said, looking around.

“See the toys?” Savannah said, leading her to the window of a baby shop.

“Ba-by,” Lily said, pointing. “Truck. Ki-ki. Wow-Wow.”

“Boy, she’s really talking up a storm,” Brianna said. “Can you say Aunt Bri?”

Lily stared at her for a moment. “Auntie?”

“Aunt Bri,” Brianna repeated.

“Auntie?” Lily said.

Brianna picked her up and hugged her. “Well, close enough.” She added, “Hey, I’d better continue on my mission. Bud will be home soon and wonder where I am. Have fun shopping, you two.” She smiled at Colbi. “See you Saturday. Are you excited?”

Colbi nodded. “Yes. Finally I can say I’m excited and eager to get married and get on with my wonderful life.”

Savannah smiled at her friend, then hugged her sister and took Lily from her. “’Bye. Happy shopping.”

****

“What a beautiful day,” Colbi said the following Saturday afternoon as she gazed out through her second-story bedroom window.

Savannah smoothed the back of Colbi’s veil. “Of course it is. It’s your wedding day. How are you feeling?”

“Great—no, more than great—fabulous!” She became quiet for a moment, then added, “What a difference a day makes. I can’t believe how awful I felt just last week—like my whole world was caving in on me.” She turned to Savannah. “I think I was depressed.”

“Do ya think?” Savannah quipped.

Suddenly they heard someone call out, “Knock-knock.”

“Sounds like Iris. Okay if she sees the bride before the wedding?” Savannah asked.

“Yes. I’d love to see her. Come in,” she invited. When Iris stepped into the room, Colbi rushed to hug her, then stood back and said, “You look gorgeous!”

“And so do you,” Iris said dabbing at one eye. She waved her hand in front of her face. “Oh, I don’t want to cry, I don’t want to cry.”

“Give it up, Iris,” Savannah said, smiling. “You’ll never make it through the service dry-eyed. Do you have enough tissues in that tiny purse of yours?”

Iris nodded. “That’s all I have in here.” Her voice cracked. “Well, except for lip liner, lipstick, mascara—you know—in case I need a touch-up.”

Colbi and Savannah smiled at her.

“It’s almost time,” Iris said. “Most of the guests are here. The setting is beautiful; Damon and Harrison did such a wonderful job out there.”

“Yes, didn’t they?” Colbi agreed.

When the bride started to choke up, Savannah said, “Oh no. Don’t you cry; you’ll smear your makeup.”

“Who did your makeup?” Iris asked.

“Savannah,” Colbi said, smiling.

“It’s really nice. Love your hairdo, too. And that pinky-peachie color is great on you. Good job putting yourself together.” Iris looked into Colbi’s eyes. “But you always look lovely.”

Just then, Colbi’s bedroom door opened and Harrison stuck his head in. “It’s time,” he said. He smiled at his sister. “Are you ready?”

“I sure am. Let’s do this,” she quipped.

“Oh, I’d better take my place,” Savannah said, picking up two bouquets. “Colbi, here are your flowers.” She pressed her cheek against Colbi’s and murmured, “I’m so happy for you.” Savannah then rushed down the stairs and out into the yard, taking her place next to Michael behind the rows of guests, who were seated in white chairs facing a rose arbor. She smiled when she saw Adam hanging out off to the side with Lily, who was sitting in a wagon full of rose petals. Margaret stood near them. “Oh, I hope she got pictures,” Savannah said.

“I got some,” Michael assured her. “Time to go,” he said, when he heard the processional music begin. He offered her his arm and the two of them walked toward the rose arbor. Once they’d each taken their place, she smiled across at him and he winked at her.

Then, Damon and his two brothers stepped in from the side and joined Michael. Brett stood next to Michael and motioned for Chris to stand next to him.

Then all eyes were on the flower girl, as Adam—dressed in slacks, a dress shirt and tie—walked down the aisle, pulling Lily in the wagon. He reached into the wagon for a handful of petals and tossed them, showing Lily that he wanted her to do the same. Everyone laughed when she picked up a petal between her thumb and finger and dropped it outside the wagon, then leaned over the side to see where it had gone. Margaret, who followed behind, rushed to keep the baby from climbing out.

When Adam encouraged Lily to scoop up more of the petals, she tossed a handful of them in the air, most of them landing in her hair. Savannah and Michael chuckled when they saw guests snapping pictures of the tiny flower girl decorated with rose petals.

Next came Colbi on Harrison’s arm. She smiled when she saw friends, co-workers, and neighbors standing to watch her last walk as a single woman. When the couple drew closer to the front rows, she acknowledged her cousin, Roberta and her two daughters. She nodded at Leah and blew a kiss in baby Charlie’s direction. On the groom’s side, she smiled at Grandma Ellen and Audrey in the second row and Craig and Iris in the front row. She noticed that Iris was still dabbing at her eyes. Then Colbi looked forward and made eye contact with Damon, who stood next to the minister, smiling broadly. He held out his hand to her. As she took it, Harrison stepped back and sat down with his arm around Leah and little Charlie.

****

“What a beautiful wedding,” Roberta said to Colbi and Iris as everyone mingled and enjoyed the elegant array of food later that afternoon.

“I think part of that was the glow,” Iris said.

“Glow?” Roberta and Colbi repeated.

“Yeah, I don’t remember ever seeing such a happy bride and groom,” she explained, dabbing at her eyes.

“Hey, Mom,” Colbi said, “you’d better stop that, or you’ll need a complete makeover.”

“That did it,” Iris said, her eyes filling with tears again

“What?” Colbi asked, creasing her brow.

“You called me…sniff…sniff…Mom.”

“Hey, babe,” Damon said, approaching his new bride. “Grandma Ellen wants to talk to us.”

“Oh yes, I want to thank her so much for being here,” she said as the two of them walked arm-in-arm to the table where Ellen and Audrey sat, a glass of punch and an empty plate in front of each of them. As the newlyweds approached, Helena moved in stealthily and scooped up the empty plates. “Thank you,” Colbi said, smiling at her. “Everything is just wonderful, Helena.” Colbi then hugged Ellen and Audrey and sat down across from them. Damon sat next to her and held tightly to her hand. “We’re so glad you could be here,” Colbi said. She glanced at her new husband. “It means a lot to both of us.”