Something Old, Something New (8 page)

“You willing to be the organizer?” Trent asked.

“I'd consider it. It would have to be after the wedding, though.” She looked Gary's way. “What do you think about a reunion, Gary?”

“Might be fun. We've never had one that I can remember.”

Trent replied, “Neither can I.”

“Then let's put it away for now and talk about it after the first of the year.”

Bernadine entered the dinner. She and Lily exchanged a wave over the sizable crowd and the sound of Al Green crying about how tired he was of being alone, blasting on the jukebox. Lily watched Bernadine and Malachi greet each other with a quick kiss before they slid into a booth.

“Bernadine's been good for him,” Trent said.

Lily hadn't known he'd been watching them, too. “The only time she seems to relax is when he's around.”

“She's made him grow up. That alone makes her gold in my eyes.”

Lily understood. When they were in high school, Malachi July had been in his glory days as a wild man. Although Trent never talked about it, Lily knew how much it hurt him to be the son of a man seemingly bent upon self-destruction. She remembered many a Friday and Saturday night riding shotgun in Black Beauty with a worried Trent while they scoured the county's dives and truck stops, hoping to find his father before he killed someone driving drunk. Mal was a mess back then.

“I'm glad she came to town,” Trent said as he turned and met Lily's eyes.

She agreed.

They spent the next few minutes discussing Gary's move and his plans for his girls. He explained to Lily, “Leah's being pretty supportive, but as I was telling Trent yesterday, Tiff is not happy.”

“I know how she feels. Losing your mom doesn't make for happy times. Even though our circumstances are different, a loss is a loss. Do you want me to talk to her?”

“I'd like that. Warning you, though, she's got a lot of her mother in her. She may not want your help.”

“I won't force myself on her if she's not comfortable.”

As the cast of diners came and went around them and the ruby red jukebox continued to kick out the jams, Rocky appeared, carrying a tray. She stopped beside Lily. “When are you going to get me that list?”

Lily was supposed to have decided weeks ago on what food she wanted served at the reception.

“You're going to mess around and have everybody eating peanut butter and jelly on crackers.”

Lily hung her head.

“Get with it, Fontaine,” she scolded and moved on.

Gary quipped, “Rocky hasn't changed much, either.”

Lily sighed dejectedly.

B
ack at home, Lily took a cup of tea out onto her deck and sat down at the wrought-iron patio table. She could still hear Rocky's admonishment ringing in her ear.
Get with it, Fontaine.
She supposed she should, but she didn't want to. First, she didn't want to take the time away from all the other stuff she was doing; who knew that town building would be such a rush? She loved her job, whether it be going over the blueprints for rebuilding Main Street, or arguing with the county over an out-of-date building code, or riding around in her hard hat and boots.

The second reason was that she didn't know the first thing about how to do it. When she married the first time, it had been a quick trip to the judge, and that was it. Although she wouldn't mind doing that again with Trent, Henry Adams was a small town, and no matter how much she protested to herself, it was understood that her friends and neighbors would want the day to be one to remember, and because of that there had to be at least a wedding dress and a reception dinner.

She let out a frustrated sigh. She needed to have someone else do the planning, which automatically meant Bernadine, but as she'd mused earlier, by the time the Boss Lady was done flashing her onyx card, there'd be glass slippers, seven dwarves, and lord only knew what else. There had to be a middle ground between glass slippers and a quick trip to the country courthouse, but she had no idea what it might be or how to go about finding a compromise that didn't take away from her life. Yes, it was her wedding, but she was far more excited about marrying Trent than she was about the ceremony. She glanced down at her finger, sporting the beautiful sparkler he'd given her in San Francisco, and once again she voted to just elope.

Lily heard Sheila Payne calling her through the screen of the front door, so she set down her tea and hurried inside.

“Hey, Sheila. Come on in. How are things?”

“Interesting, let's just call it that.”

Lily directed her back out to the deck and offered her tea, but Sheila declined. Lily gestured her to a seat and waited to learn the purpose of her call.

“First, thank you for counseling Preston.”

“About what?”

“Preston said you told him to talk to Barrett and me about his search for his birth family.”

“Ah.” She understood now. “I'm assuming he did?”

“Yes, but it's not sitting well with Barrett. He and Preston are back to circling each other like boxers in the ring.”

“I'm so sorry.”

“Barrett's just being a hard-ass. He doesn't understand why Preston would want to do this, and frankly, he's taking it personally, as if maybe Preston wants to leave us.”

“Is that what you think?”

“Of course not. Preston made it very clear what he's about on this, and I told him I'd help in any way I could.”

“Good for you.”

“Even though Barrett's not on board, I wanted to thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

“Now my second reason for coming is to offer to host a bridal tea.”

“A bridal tea?”

Sheila explained, “You don't impress me as a bridal shower kind of woman, but it might be nice to bring all the ladies together and have a tea, maybe on the weekend before Thanksgiving.”

“Sheila, that is so sweet of you. You don't do weddings, too, do you?” she tossed out teasingly.

“I've arranged a few in my day.”

Lily paused. “Really?”

“I may not know how to run a town or stand up to an adulterous husband, but I'm an expert at entertaining. I've overseen officers' dinners, Red Cross luncheons. I even put on a dinner for two hundred generals, various senators, and their wives, and did I mention the president and first lady were there as well?”

Lily almost fell off her chair.

“So do you want to have the tea?”

Lily searched Sheila's face as if seeing the woman for the first time. “Yes. Very much.” She supposed the colonel knew about this side of his wife, but no one else did. This Sheila, speaking with confidence and humor, was not the Sheila she thought she knew. “You're not making all this up, are you, girl?”

“Of course not. Who'd lie about being able to plan a dinner? This may sound silly, but spearheading events gives me joy. Trying to decide on the right china pattern or whether to use damask or linen for the table keeps one's mind off your husband sleeping with another woman.”

Lily didn't say a word.

“So do you want me to plan your wedding, too?”

“I would.”

“Then how about I come over tonight, and we can make some decisions.”

“Not tonight. It's Friday. Movie night at the rec, remember? We can get together in the morning, if that's okay.”

“Of course. Sorry to be so eager. It's been a while since I've had anything like this to do. I'm excited.”

Lily sensed the happiness. “Glad I could help, and I'll expect a bill for your services.”

“You're not getting one, so forget that.”

“Sheila—”

“No, this is my wedding gift to you, and my gift to myself. No bill.”

Lily didn't argue, but planned on revisiting the matter at a later date.

Sheila got to her feet. “Thank you, Lily.”

“You're welcome.”

“I'll give you a call around nine.”

“Sounds good, and Sheila?”

She stopped and turned back.

“Thanks,” Lily whispered with emotion.

Sheila winked and exited.

After the departure, the first thing that came to Lily's mind was the biblical saying “Ask and ye shall receive.” She wasn't sure the verse applied to things like weddings, but she sure wasn't going to complain. She also hoped Sheila knew what she was doing.

Chapter 7

T
he rec was nearly full by the time Lily and Trent arrived. Devon was with Zoey and the Garlands. Amari was seated down front with Preston and Leah, so she and Trent were on their version of a date. He spotted Gary and Tiffany Adele seated in the midst of the noisy crowd. Trent and Lily walked down the center aisle to join them.

“Hey, Gary. Tiffany.”

Gary greeted them with a smile.

Tiffany spoke, then went back to looking angry.

“How are you, Tiff?” Lily asked. “School go okay today?”

“Yes.”

“Your dad has my number—call me if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” Tiffany said, with no sincerity in her tone.

Gary sighed.

Lily didn't let it bother her; she was too busy scanning the crowd to see who was there. On the far right, Leo and Marie sat talking. Watching Marie smile at something Leo was saying did little to dispel her concerns, but she had to admit that her godmother did seem relaxed and at ease in his company. She saw Mal entering with Bernadine, and right behind them were Cliff and Genevieve. Cliff was decked out in a nice suit that was a perfect complement to her pretty green dress and pearls. “Genevieve is having people sign her cast,” Lily told Trent with a laugh.

There was a small line of folks waiting to give their autographs. “Cliff doesn't look happy, though.”

Trent directed his eyes up to the entrance. “No, he doesn't.”

He could be seen standing by her side with a pained look on his face. While Trent explained to Gary the backstory on Genevieve's cast, Lily said ominously, “Uh-oh.”

Riley and Eustasia came in. Riley had a white bandage the size of Iowa across his nose, and not even distance could hide the fact that his eyes were black and blue and swollen closed.

“He can't even see the movie,” Lily said, turning to Trent in confusion. “Why's he here?”

“Probably to show Genevieve he's not intimidated. You know he's got more pride than sense. The way he looks, he should be in bed.”

Gary stared with wonder. “Did she break his nose?”

“Yeah.”

“Goodness.”

As they continued to watch, the atmosphere by the door grew tense when Genevieve offered Riley the Sharpie so he could sign her cast. He puffed up like a bantam rooster. Genevieve, who was five inches taller, leaned down over him like an angry crane. As they began jawing at each other, Cliff took her arm to lead her away. Eustasia just stood there, looking confused.

“His lady friend looks like she's not sure where she is.”

“Folks around here can have that effect on you,” Trent drawled.

Cliff marched the tight-lipped Genevieve to a seat. To their credit, Eustasia and Riley didn't turn tail, but found seats as well.

The auditorium lights began to dim. As the interior faded to black and the opening music of
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
sounded, everyone took their seats.

“Thank God,” Lily declared.

Trent laughed.

During intermission, Lily ran into Bernadine at the concession stand. After they made their purchases of popcorn and sodas, they stopped to chat for a moment about the Riley and Genevieve drama.

“She's going to need a criminal lawyer if she keeps this up,” Bernadine pointed out. Marie walked by, waving. They returned the wave with smiles and began the walk down the crowded hall back to the auditorium.

“I'm having her and Leo over to dinner.”

“Okay,” Bernadine replied in a neutral-sounding voice.

“She is my godmother, and I haven't spent a lot of time with her lately, but apparently I can't have her without him.”

Bernadine must have correctly interpreted Lily's feelings on the matter because she said, “It'll be okay.”

“He's just using her. Why, I don't know, but he's after something.”

Bernadine looked around to see who might be hearing their conversation. “Lily, I don't want to talk about this.”

“I know. Sorry. It's just—” She'd planned to let the matter rest, but couldn't seem to stop. Keeping her voice down, she whispered fiercely, “He came here supposedly to get back with you, but when you kicked him to the curb, he's suddenly in love with Marie? I'm not feeling that.”

Bernadine maneuvered her box of popcorn so she could stick her fingers in her ears, and began to chant, “La la, la la, la. I can't hear you.”

Lily laughed. “Okay. I'm done.”

“Good. Now tell me what's happening with the Clark family before we sit down. I saw him at your table during lunch.”

Lily filled her in about the trailer.

“Mal told me about the big kiss.”

“Back in high school, the man's kisses could stop an argument cold.”

“Sounds like they still work.”

Lily took a sip of her cola. “I don't want to talk about it.”

Bernadine laughed. “I'm going back to my seat.”

A grinning Lily did the same.

Lily and Trent didn't stay for the second feature,
Cabin in the Sky
. Instead, they walked home hand in hand. The temperature was warm for a late September night, and they were enjoying their kid-free interlude. The boys would be spending the night with their friends and weren't due home until noon, so the only issue that remained for them was: Trent's house or hers?

“In the spring, I think I'm going to put up a swing for us in the backyard,” he said to her. “That way, after the boys are in bed we can sit under the stars and neck like we're at the drive-in.”

Lily snorted. She loved him so much. “Sounds wonderful. I think the spot over by my roses would be the perfect place.”

“Your roses? The swing's going up in my yard.”

She stopped. “Why?”

“Because that's where we're going to be living, right?”

“Says who?”

They studied each other under the moonlight.

He spoke first. “Guess this is something we need to talk about.”

“Duh,” she replied with amusement.

“I just assumed.”

“Wrong, pardner. We're living in my house. I don't want Devon to have to move again.”

“And what about Amari?”

“Amari's flexible. You know he'll land on his feet.”

He disagreed. “This is the first time in his life he's had his own room. He's not going to like packing up and starting over any more than Devon.”

“But he'll be okay.”

“That's not the point, Lil.”

“What is the point?”

Trent wasn't feeling this, especially her seemingly flippant attitude toward his son's well-being. He realized his plans for the swing had inadvertently opened up a can of worms. He also realized that this was going to escalate into a full-fledged argument if they weren't careful, and by the flash in her eyes, she was halfway there. He chose his words carefully. “My point is that Amari needs to be given the same consideration you're giving Devon, that's all.”

“Then what? Do we live in a brand-new place? I don't think Bernadine's going to build us a new house just because we can't agree.”

“And I don't expect her to, so the word is compromise.”

“Which means your way, right?”

He paused and sighed. “No, Miss I Got a Temper.”

“Don't start.”

“Then cut out the snippiness.”

She turned and marched off angrily down the road.

Trent shook his head. He loved her like he loved sunshine in spring, but Lily Fontaine was a trying woman, lord knew she was. He called out. “When you cool off, give me a call. I'll be at home.”

She didn't look back.

By the time Lily got to her front steps, she realized she was about to waste one of the few nights she and Trent had been able to have alone. Yes, he'd been wrong to have assumed that she and Devon would be moving to his house, but she'd been equally wrong to throw a mini tantrum in response. Gary was right, they were still seventeen—particularly her—but Trent loved her enough to marry her, and that meant something, especially considering she'd been the cause of their breakup twenty years ago.

Another part of her snit was rooted in having been divorced and single most of her adult life. Letting someone else run the show, or at least attempt to, wasn't something she was accustomed to. It occurred to her that being married again was going to be more than a notion.

She looked over at him, standing on his porch in the dim moonlight. He'd parked himself against the banister and was watching her, arms folded, seemingly waiting. The nonchalant stance was a familiar one. He'd used it often back in high school, usually after she'd blown up and stomped off. It was almost as if he were saying,
When you stop being crazy, I'll still be here,
and he always had been. It only took her a moment to decide what to do. She turned and walked across the street.

When she reached the top of the steps, he didn't say a word. Instead, he simply opened his arms. She basked in the feel of him enfolding her and the tenderness of the soft kiss he placed against her brow. All she could think was, How could she not love a man who took her as she was, feet of clay and all? She leaned back and looked up into the shadow-shrouded planes of his strong face. “Sorry for going off.”

“I appreciate that. Now my turn.”

The darkness hid his expression, so she had no idea what he was about to say.

“My apologies for not considering that you might have an opinion on where we should live. It was thoughtless of me. And if you say, 'Yes, it was,‘ I'll understand.”

“Yes, it was.”

He laughed, and then pulled her closer, and they wrapped their arms tightly around each other.

She confessed, “And you were right about Amari. I was so focused on Devon not having to move, I didn't think about how Amari might be affected.”

He took her by the hand and led her over to the old porch sofa. They cuddled close and basked in their togetherness, the darkness, and the star-studded silence of the sky. A cold wind blew in for a moment, and Lily shivered in response.

“Winter's coming,” he said.

“I know, and I'm not looking forward to another winter on the plains.”

“It has its own beauty.”

“Not for a girl from Atlanta.”

He gave her a squeeze. “Could be worse. If we were back in the early days, we'd have to worry about livestock, the pump freezing—did we lay in enough stalks and grass to keep warm all winter. Some of the Dusters spent that first winter living underground in dugouts. Some froze to death.”

“And here we are fussing over two homes equipped with every gadget known to womankind and we can't decide which one to live in. Pitiful.”

He looked down at her face. “How about we do this? I'll talk to Amari and see how he feels, and if he's okay with it, he and I will move in with you and Devon.”

She looked up excitedly, threw her arms around him, and gave him a big, fat, melt-his-bones kiss.

“There's a caveat, though.”

She waited.

“In the spring, I want to add more square footage to your house. You're going to need a room to escape all the testosterone, and Amari and I have been kicking around the idea of adding a gym, so now, we'll just build it onto your place, along with your new room.”

The thought of adding a gym to her house made a voice inside Lily scream,
No!
loud and long, but she kept it to herself. “Anything else?”

“I know you like to cook, so if you want a larger kitchen, we can add that to the floor plan, too. What do you think?”

She thought it over and said, “Okay, now, let me get this straight.”

He responded with muted laughter. “Uh-oh.”

“No, I want to make sure I'm hearing you right. After you and Amari move in, I go from having my whole entire house to myself to just a room?”

He grinned. “Yep, and testosterone free.”

She grinned back. “I'd have to be crazy to turn down a sweet deal like that, wouldn't I?”

“Yes, you would.”

She wrapped her arms around him again and listened to his heartbeat. “Thank you for a wonderful compromise.”

“I love you, woman. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

She hugged him tight. She then told him about hiring Sheila to plan the wedding.

He asked, “You think she really knows what she's doing?”

Lily shrugged. “How bad could it be?”

“At least it's not Amari.”

She laughed and thought back on Amari's handling of the August First parade.

“Mal says Amari's been looking at hotels in Hawaii.”

“I'm almost afraid to ask, but why?”

“I think he thinks he's going on the honeymoon.”

“He'd better think again.”

“You got that right.”

After a few moments of silence, while they both thought about Amari and his over-the-topness, Trent looked down at her and said, “I like this new version of you.”

“New version?”

“Yeah. Back in the day, you wouldn't've come over here so we could work this out. You'd've sashayed your sweet little behind into the house and simmered about it for a week.”

She couldn't deny that. “True. We spent almost as much time arguing as we did cuddling.”

He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Thanks for hearing me out.”

“I love you. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

She heard his amusement rumble in his chest.

He glanced down. “How about we build a big fire, pop some corn, and watch a movie?”

“I'd love that. What are we watching?”

“You choose.”

“My favorite big-fire, popcorn movie is
Pretty Woman
.”

“Oh, no.” He laughed, shaking his head. “We're not watching
Pretty Woman
.”