She sighed and sat back in her chair. “I don’t know,” she said. “There’s a reason Timmy hasn’t moved on. I don’t know if it’s because Emil didn’t do it or because Timmy hasn’t been able to recognize that Emil did it. But, unless we talk to Emil, we’ll never know and Timmy will never move on.”
He nodded slowly. “Well, then, it looks like we’re going to be planning a visit to Dixon in the near future.”
“Oh!” Mary said, sitting up straight. “I nearly forgot. Linda and Bob are getting married in a week and a half and they would like us to attend.”
He smiled. “That’s great. So, will you be my date?”
Grinning, she nodded.
“Of course.
And she asked me to be her maid of honor.”
“Well… that’s a good thing, right?”
She laughed. “A very good thing,” she said. “Rosie, Linda and I are going shopping this evening to pick out some fabulous dresses.”
Both of their cell phones vibrated and they reached for them at the same time and read their text messages.
Bradley grinned and typed in his response. Mary did the same.
“So, how many cookies did you buy?” he asked.
Mary looked a little embarrassed. “Don’t laugh,” she said, “I bought forty.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t have to worry about me laughing at you,” he confessed. “I bought eighty.”
“Time to hit the gym, Alden,” she quipped.
Yeah, you’re not kidding.”
“Hi honey, I’m home,” Mary called as she entered her house later that day.
“Oh, and aren’t you the clever one,” Ian said, strolling from the kitchen with an apron wrapped around his waist. “I slave all day over a hot stove and you just show up willy-nilly at any time you’d like.”
“Oh, Ian, you didn’t cook, did you?” Mary asked. “I’m going out with Rosie and Linda. We were going to eat in Rockford.”
“
Aye,
and when were you going to let me know about your plans?” he asked.
“I’m sorry…” she began and then saw the twinkle in his eye. “You’re a cruel man, Ian MacDougal.”
Laughing, he sat on the edge of the couch and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mary,
me
darling,” he said. “Bradley gave me a call and we decided we’d have a boys’ night of poker while you ladies go out shopping.”
“Poker,” Mary cried. “I love poker.”
“Aye and you fleece us out of every penny we have,” he replied. “With you out of the way, the rest of us have a chance to win something.”
“What are you playing for?” she asked.
“
Samoas
,” he said with a grin. “But the cookies aren’t coming until the weekend, so we’ll be using pennies in their stead.”
“How late is the game going?” she asked innocently.
“Oh, no, you’re not going to come back here all fresh from shopping and then take away all our winnings,” Ian said. “We stop the game as soon as you enter that door.”
“Spoilsport,” Mary mumbled.
“Aye, darling, that I am,” he said. “Now, would you be having a taste of my chili before you leave?”
She followed him into the kitchen. The counters were covered with chopping boards, pots and pans and various ingredients. “Well, from the looks of the kitchen, I’d say you worked very hard on your recipe.”
“Now, Mary, darling, don’t be looking at the process,” Ian said, grabbing a spoon from the drawer and dipping it into the chili. “Try the final creation.”
She leaned forward and blew on the spoon, and then took the contents into her mouth. “Oh, wow, that’s good,” she said. “What’s in it?”
“Well, I took your basic recipe and added some ingredients of my own,” he replied.
She pulled a small cup from the cabinet and filled it halfway with more chili. “Like what?” she asked, shoveling another spoonful into her mouth.
“Well, a bit of cocoa, a wee bit of cinnamon, some cilantro and some cumin,” he said. “And then there’s the secret ingredient.”
Licking the chili sauce from her lips, she smacked them together. “You have to tell me,” she insisted. “What’s the secret ingredient?”
“Tripe,” he pronounced proudly.
Mary covered her mouth with her hand. “You’re kidding? Tripe?” she gagged, “as in sheep’s stomach?”
“Aye,” he replied.
“Aye as in you’re kidding or aye as in sheep’s stomach?”
Grinning he placed the lid back on the pot. “Aye, as in if I’m losing at poker, I’ll mention the tripe in the chili. That ought to put them off their game for a bit,” he said and then added, “And aye, I’m only teasing. There isn’t a grocery store within five miles of here that carries a good selection of tripe.”
“Well, thank goodness for small favors,” Mary said. “And just to show you that there are no hard feelings, I’m not going to help you clean up.”
“Ach, Mary, you wound me,” he teased.
She laughed. “I’m sure you’ll get over it.”
He picked up a collection of pots and pans and carried them over to the sink. Mary found herself automatically following his lead and started to put spices back in place in the cabinet.
“Where are you going with the ladies?” Ian asked.
“Rockford for a little dress shopping,” she replied. “Linda is getting married in a week and a half and she asked me to be her maid-of-honor.”
“Well, that is an honor, isn’t it? Wasn’t she the one who received the letters from the soldier?”
Mary nodded. “You’ve been reading my files,” she said.
“Aye, you’ve some amazing cases there.”
“Some more gratifying than others.
It’s so wonderful that Linda and Bob will finally be together.”
“True loves conquers all?” Ian asked.
“With a little help it does,” Mary said, smiling at Ian. “Although even with help, it’s not easy.”
“Aye, I agree with you on that,” he said. “So, is Linda’s mother coming with you?”
Shaking her head, Mary gathered the measuring cups and spoons and put them in the sink. “No,” she replied. “Linda mentioned that her mother had her hands full with dealing with her father.”
“Dealing with her father, strange comment, that,” he said.
“I agree. I can’t imagine my mother not being involved with my wedding.”
“
Aye,
and speaking of which, what can I do to help you with the arrangements for your own wedding?”
A bright smile spread over her face. “You’ll stay then?” she asked. “You’ll stay until June?”
“Now how could I leave without seeing the marriage of two of my newest and best friends?” he asked. “I’ll stay and see if Gillian can come over to meet you.”
She threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Ian,” she said.
He hugged her back. “Of course, this does mean you have to have haggis on the menu,” he teased. “It’s customary at a wedding.”
Stepping back, she laughed and picked up a sponge to wipe the counters. “Actually, I’m thinking we might be having Girl Scout Cookies at the wedding.”
“Well, our Maggie was floating a few inches off the ground when she went to school this morning,” he said, pouring dish soap into the sink and adding hot water. “I do believe she has Mary Margaret Kelly soundly trounced.”
“You’re a good man, Ian MacDougal,” Mary said.
He winked at her. “Aye, and don’t you forget it.”
“Now girls, since this will be my sixth wedding, you really have to acknowledge that I am the expert,” Rosie said as they strolled down the main aisle at the mall.
“Six weddings?”
Linda asked. “Why didn’t they last?”
“Oh, well, they did,” Rosie said. “But, God rest their souls, I was just too much to handle.”
And since Mary had never seen a ghost following Rosie, she silently admitted they all must have died happy.
“So, Rosie, what do you suggest for a small intimate wedding?” Mary asked.
They passed the lingerie shop and Rosie glanced in that direction.
“Not that intimate,” Linda said quickly, blushing.
“Oh, well, how about a dressy suit,” she suggested. “Something in ivory that’s feminine, but not fussy. And perhaps a pillbox hat with a little veil.”
“That sounds perfect,” Linda acknowledged, “but where are we going to find something like that?”
“Oh, I know just the place,” Rosie replied with a smile.
Two hours later, their arms filled with their purchases, the three women headed to a restaurant to get something to eat and rest their feet.
“Thank you, Rosie,” Linda said. “You really did know exactly what I needed.”
Rosie smiled. “Oh, well, when you have as much experience as I do…”
They were seated quickly and the waitress took their orders.
“So, tell me about your wedding,” Rosie said to Linda. “What are you planning?”
Linda shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said. “There’s still so much to do and I’m sure I’m leaving out a million details. I have a church and now I have my dress.”
She smiled at Mary. “I have my maid of honor.”
“And I have my dress,” Mary added.
“So, I guess the important things are done,” Linda said.
“What about your invitations, your cake, your flowers, your music, your reception…” Rosie started to list things off.
Linda shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “The last time I got married, I was really young and my mother took care of most of that. I hadn’t even thought of those things, quite frankly.”
Rosie reached over and placed her hand on Linda’s. “Is your mother deceased?” she asked.
“Oh, no, no,” she said. “It’s just that she really has her hands full dealing with my father. Actually, he’s my stepfather.”
“Hands full?”
Rosie asked.
Mary could have hugged her for her innocent inquisitiveness.
“Well, he’s not really happy about my wedding,” she said. “He thinks I’m too old for this kind of silliness, as he calls it. Frankly, I think he’s more interested in my paycheck leaving the house than anything else.”
“You live with your parents?” Rosie asked.
“When my husband died, my mother suggested I sell my house and move in with them,” Linda said. “She told me that she could use my help. I found out later that my stepfather actually needed the money from the sale of my house to keep his business afloat.”
“Did he return the money to you?” Rosie asked.
Linda shook her head. “No, he lost it,” she said. “I was actually feeling a little trapped until Bob came along. He was my knight in shining armor in more ways than one.”
“Does Bob know?” Mary asked.
Nodding, Linda picked up her soda and took a sip. “Yes, he’s been wonderful,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons we are doing this so quickly, so I can move out without causing bad feelings.”
Rosie pulled a notepad out of her purse. “Well, then, why don’t I just give you a hand with all of those other little details,” she suggested. “Since I’m planning my own wedding next month, it’s really no bother to double things up. What are you favorite
flowers,
honey?”
Mary sat back in the booth and watched Rosie maneuver her way into helping Linda. Somehow making it seem like Linda was doing her a favor. She was filled with an overwhelming gratitude for her unselfish friend and realized now why none of Rosie’s husbands had to stay around after they died. They were loved unconditionally and went from a heaven on earth to a heaven up above.
Maggie Brennan put the cookie order form in her backpack and smiled again. She zipped the pocket and patted it twice for good luck, just like Ian had shown her. She was going to beat Mary Margaret and every other girl in her Brownie Troop. Maybe even all the girls combined. She couldn’t wait to see her leader’s face when she showed her the form.