“Is he allowed visitors?”
“I’ll get you in, if you want to see him.”
“Maybe after lunch tomorrow?”
“Sure thing.” After a short pause Ed said, “You know, Dan, this whole situation is getting kind of weird.”
“Tell me about it.”
CHAPTER 6
“A wuddin’,” Jess mumbled, her mouth full of pepperoni pizza. For the second time that day, she’d exercised bad manners, but she couldn’t help it this time. He’d just stunned her with the news that they wouldn’t be having a simple ceremony. Swallowing before she even finished chewing she said, “I thought we’d just go to a Justice of the Peace.”
“Bentley is going to scrutinize everything we do, so it’s got to look real,” he explained patiently. “He’s got to believe it’s legitimate, that we’re in love – if we don’t want world war three on our hands.”
“In...love?” She leaned her arms on the table and closed her eyes. How could she pretend to be in love with Dan? She loved Frank. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“Yes you can. For the baby, you can do whatever it takes. If he suspects it’s a sham, he’ll have us in court so fast you won’t know what hit you.” He took a bite of salad while she sipped her soda.
“I guess I can try.”
“You can do better than that. Pretend you’re in a school play or something. It’ll only be when we’re in public, so it won’t be as hard as you think.”
“I’m glad you’re sure,” she said, with what she hoped passed for a smile. “I think it’s going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
“No. That’s happening on Monday.”
“What’s Monday?”
“My mother’s taking you shopping for a wedding dress.”
“Oh great.”
The thought pretty much ruined the rest of the weekend for Jess, who would rather go shopping with King Kong than Dan’s mother. The woman could only resent her presence in the family, no matter that it wouldn’t be for long, so why had she agreed to this?
The answer was easy. She was only beginning to know Dan, but one thing was certain. When he wanted something done, nothing – and no one – swayed him from his course. But he should have asked about this.
~~~~~
Ty and Emma arrived at the house early Saturday morning. By that time, Jess was helping Dan prepare breakfast for three men he’d introduced as his oldest friends. Cal O’Hara’s wife had come with him, and she was just the cutest, elfin little thing Jess had ever seen. Moreover, Darby was nice, too, and she knew she was going to like this woman.
It was funny how she’d gone from near seclusion for more than three months, to being thrust into more social situations in the past couple of days than she’d been in a long while. There would be a houseful for the day, since they were also providing lunch and supper for the ‘crew.’
Jess had only been in Dan’s house for a couple of days, and admitted she didn’t know him very well, but she thought he seemed just a little nervous around Ty. Or intimidated, and she couldn’t figure out why. She and Emma had called him ‘Ty, the teddy bear’ since first meeting him, because he was a kind and gentle man. Of course, it could be Dan was uncomfortable because he didn’t know him yet.
Jess turned her attention to the hash browns, now crisp to perfection, and began heaping them into a serving dish, which joined platters of bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs on the dining room table. Dan followed her with a mountain of buttered toast, and they were finally able to sit down and enjoy the fruits of their combined labor. It seemed they worked well together. At least in the kitchen.
“So do we know where we’re going to put all of Jess’s furniture?” Jon asked, crunching into a slice of toast.
“In the basement,” Dan said, passing the platter of bacon to Jess. “There’s plenty of room, since I’ve never finished it.”
“We could get that fixed up in a weekend easy,” Sam told him. “Give you another family or rec room.”
“I’m gonna be busy that weekend,” Cal mumbled around a mouthful of eggs, and everyone chuckled. Darby cuffed his arm lightly and said,
“Just let us know when.”
“I appreciate the offer, but until we pull this wedding off, I can’t even begin to think about anything else. I want it to look as legitimate as possible, which means guests. I can get about half a dozen couples from the office to come, but the rest already have plans. I don’t suppose you could help us out here.”
“I’ll check with my family,” Ty offered. “They all know Jess, and most of them love her as much as we do.”
“Most of them?” she teased, and he winked at her.
“Those with good taste.” Jess felt her eyes fill with tears, and looked quickly at her plate. Ty reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“I’ll ask Chris, and see if he can bring a date.” Chris was Jon’s partner, and their construction company built the subdivisions Sam designed. “Some of the other guys might come, too. I’ll ask Monday.”
“I can check with Holly,” Sam said quietly. “Are kids allowed?”
“The more the merrier,” Dan told him, hiding a smile. He’d told her that Sam had had a crush on Holly McGinty since her oldest son joined his Boy Scout troop a year ago.
“I’ll see who else might be available. My family thinks you’re a dweeb, but maybe they don’t have anything better to do.”
“Your family would adopt me if they could,” Dan shot back, and more laughter filled the room.
Cal and Darby promised to see who they could round up, and everyone would let Dan know by Monday night. Cal would need the numbers, because his company would cater the reception. When Dan said they were his best friends, he hadn’t been exaggerating. Jess was amazed at how everyone was pulling together to help them out.
“It sounds like we have a plan,” Dan said, pushing away from the table. “Ladies, we will be back with the first load around lunch time, and we’ll be starving. Don’t forget, the coach will be meeting us at the apartment, and he eats like a horse. Gentlemen, if you’re ready.”
It was a good day, Jess thought, all things considered. She, Emma and Darby spent an enjoyable day cooking, though they were insistent Jess not work too hard.
She’d been surprised to find the ‘coach’ was none other than Ed Winslow, and the guys called him that because he’d coached their little league softball team for years. The fact that he was only fourteen years older didn’t alter the fact that he was every bit as much a part of their circle as the rest. And by the time everything had been moved, and they all sat down to a spaghetti supper, it was clear that Ty was fast becoming part of the group.
~~~~~
By the time Dan left for work Monday morning, Jess was a nervous wreck. Even worse than the day before, when she’d called Emma to beg her to take the day off work, and come shopping with her and Dan’s mother. Monica Mulholland was due to arrive at ten, and Emma, who had promised to be there at least an hour earlier, had been true to her word. Since it was just the two of them, she was making herself at home, looking in closets and cupboards. Jess just rolled her eyes and let her go.
“I just can’t get over how nice this house is. It’s like being transported back to pioneer days.”
“I suspect most pioneers lived in one or two room cabins, not fancy rustic houses that are worth a few hundred thousand dollars.”
“True, but I seriously love this place. It would be worth staying married to Dan just to live here. Then I could visit and enjoy it any time I wanted.”
“Emma,” Jess said in disgust. “I doubt that he’s thrilled to be stuck with me for two years, let alone forever, just so you can admire it whenever you want.”
“If I were you, I’d give it some thought.”
“Jeez, Em, knock it off? You’re here to prevent me from having a panic attack, remember?”
“Sorry, sweetie.” Emma laughed, and put her arm around her. “I was only
teasing. Now, offer me some coffee before the dragon lady gets here.”
“I never called her that,” Jess protested, filling a snow-white china cup, and handing it to her. They leaned against the counter to wait the ten minutes or so left before Monica was due.
“That’s what you made her sound like.”
“Well it wasn’t intentional. For heaven’s sake, I haven’t even met the woman.” Jess hefted herself up so she was sitting on the counter. “I don’t know why we can’t just get married downtown. This is such a farce.”
“You need to remember Dan is a pretty important businessman, and he probably needs to keep up appearances. A small wedding will look better than a quickie ceremony in front of a Justice of the Peace.” Emma took a hesitant sip of the brew, then smiled. “Dan made this, didn’t he?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Because it’s good.”
“And mine isn’t?”
“Your coffee tastes like mud.”
“I’ve never actually known anyone who knew what mud tasted like.” Jess was rewarded with the tip of a pink tongue pointed her way.
“That was bad,” Emma said, chuckling.
“Teach you to insult me, won’t it?”
“That wasn’t an insult. It happened to be the gospel truth.”
They debate over mud and Jess’s coffee making skills was still underway when the door to the garage opened, startling both women. Dan strolled in, grinning at their surprised expressions.
“I thought you were working,” Jess almost accused, hopping down like a guilty child to stand on the floor.
“I decided it wasn’t fair to leave you alone with my mother.” The grin grew bigger. “Besides, I want to have some fun with her. So, no matter what I say, you two keep quiet, okay?” Jess looked at him suspiciously.
“What are you going to do?”
“Nothing,” he said, the smirk he wore indicating otherwise. “Much.”
“Dan...” Too late. A knock at the door signaled the arrival of their guest and shopping companion, and Dan wiped the smile off his face, heading to the front of the house to let her in. Moments later they heard him say,
“Hi, Mom. I hope you don’t mind but, I decided to tag along today. So did Jess’s sister.” Jess and Emma exchanged knowing glances, and Jess closed her eyes, opening them only when she heard them walk into the kitchen.
“Jess, I’d like you to meet my mother, Monica Mulholland. Mom, my fiancée, Jess Bentley.” Jess smiled sickly, and held her hand out, only to find it grasped in a limp, milk toast shake.
“I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Same here,” came the terse reply, an icy smile on her tense face. Jess knew in that instant that this was going to surpass the miserable day she’d already envisioned.
“And this is Jess’s sister, Emma Lanning. Emma, my mother.” The look on Monica’s face was comical, as Emma held out her hand for the same limp shake.
“Her sister?”
“You wouldn’t know it to look at them, would you?” Dan asked, his face completely straight. “Shall we get your coat, Jess? I thought we’d go to the Lansing Mall. They have just about anything you could ever want. If not, we can buzz across the street, and see what Baryames has.”
“Dan, tell her the truth,” Jess whispered, as soon as they were out of ear shot, standing at the closet in the hall.
“No. Let’s let her wonder for a while.” Clearly, he thought it was a riot, and probably wanted to see how long it would take before she mentioned it.
“This isn’t nice. She doesn’t like me anyway, and she’s going to like me less when she finds out you’ve played a trick on her.”
“All right,” he said, sighing. He helped her into the gray coat, and slid an arm around her shoulders.
~~~~~
Monica wasn’t thrilled at having been made fun of, and she wasn’t at all gracious about Dan’s apology, though she didn’t say a word. He was relieved when she and Emma chose to drive their own cars to Lansing, leaving Jess to ride with him.
Dan was glad he’d come home, especially since his mother was going out of her way to be as rude as she could. He was afraid he might have to pull her to the side for a little chat. She might object to the marriage, that was her right, but he wasn’t going to allow her to treat Jess like this.
When they finally got to the store, he and Emma were the only two who were able to muster any enthusiasm. They were also the ones who picked the dress out after less than an hour of looking. A traditional white, old-fashioned gown. The sort of gown brides in love wore, a fact that didn’t escape Monica. And once the bill for it had been taken care of, she didn’t waste a moment before saying she had an appointment, taking her leave of them almost immediately.
“Gee, that was fun,” Emma said with a grin, as they walked out to the parking lot. “Can we do it again?”
“She did outdo herself in the charm department, didn’t she?” Dan drawled, smiling down at Jess. He was beginning to feel quite comfortable with her drawn close to his side. “And now it’s over, I can rest easy knowing you and my mother will be the best of friends.” She’d been nervous since they’d gotten up that morning, which was the reason he’d decided to accompany them, but now she relaxed a bit, laughing at his joke.
“I’m glad you can be so casual about this. Have you thought about what the next two years are going to be like, Dan? I think she hates me.”
“I think hate might be a little strong. I’d say it’s more of an intense dislike. But that’s her problem, not ours.” He glanced at Emma. “Are you in a hurry, or can we treat you to lunch?”
“If it’s all the same to you, as long as I took the whole day off, I’d like to get home and make a big pan of lasagna. It’s Ty’s favorite.”
“Trying to bribe him, Em?”
“You bet,” she said grinning. “I saw a ring in there, and I want to butter him up a little.”
“A ring.” Dan slapped his forehead and groaned. “We still need to get our rings.”
They waved Emma off, and headed back into the store. He knew this was going to be worse than picking out the dress. Rings would make it more real. In order to wear his, she’d have to take Frank’s off.
Knowing how heartbreaking the moment was, Dan also bought a gold chain. That way she could wear Frank’s rings around her neck.
“Now,” he said, as they walked back out to the parking lot, “shall we get some lunch before I take you after the Jeep?” He held her door open.
“I wish you’d stop mentioning food,” she complained, buckling her seat belt.
“Why?”
“Because, every time you do, I feel like I’m starving.”
“Where to then?”
“Cheddar’s? It’s right across the street.” He could see that her mood improved at the thought of a big greasy burger, and potato skins oozing melted cheese.
~~~~~
The week passed too quickly for Jess’s piece of mind. So many changes and activities, she hardly had time to breathe, much less think. Unpacking, trying to decide which of her things would remain in boxes for the next two years, and what she might want or need during the interim. Deciding, when Dan asked, what colors she wanted for the wedding flowers and cake. Trying to get used to her new home. The hours simply flew by, and before she knew it, it was Friday morning. D-Day.
She was supposed to meet Emma at the church at five, so they would have plenty of time to get ready for the seven o’clock ceremony. Only eight more hours to get through – and to wonder what kind of mess she was getting herself into.
She vacuumed. And dusted. And made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. And tried not to think that, before this day was over, she would be trading Frank’s name for a new one. How would he feel about this? Would he understand why she had to do it? That it was for the baby’s sake?
The need to be with him was so overwhelming, Jess found herself bundled up and kneeling beside Frank’s grave at four o’clock. The pink
roses she brought, the same kind that she would be carrying down the aisle in a short time, looked pretty against the fresh white snow, and she felt warm tears slide down her icy cheeks.
“I don’t even know where to start, Frank,” she whispered, brushing the marble headstone off. “I mean, it’s not that I don’t still love you. I’ll always love you. It’s just that your dad, you know how he is. Well, he’s being nasty about the baby, and I’m scared.
“I wouldn’t consider it if there was another way. I don’t love Dan. I just don’t think there are any other choices right now. I don’t have the money to fight your father, and I know you wouldn’t want him to have the baby any more than I do. I don’t know what else to do, Frank. Please try to understand. And don’t be angry, sweetheart. It’s for our baby.” She outlined the letters that spelled out his name with one gloved finger.
“Dan’s a nice man. I feel like I’ve known him forever. And I think you would have liked him. He’s good to me. I know what his brother did but, Frank, I swear there’s nothing going on between us. And nothing ever will. I promise.”
Jess searched through her purse for a tissue. Between the cold air and the crying, she needed one rather badly. This was a lot harder than she’d thought it would be. Like closing the door on the part of her life with Frank. Like losing another small piece of him.
“I wish there was another way, sweetie. I wish this was all a bad dream and I’d wake up and you’d be here. I miss you so much.”
“Jess?” Emma’s soft voice made her jump. “I thought you might come here.”
“I had to tell him.”
“I know. Frank wouldn’t mind. He’d understand you’re only doing what you have to do to keep the baby safe. But, Jess, he would be upset to know you were risking pneumonia being out here like this. Come on, honey. It’s almost five.” She helped her to her feet. “Look, your slacks are wet.”
“I didn’t realize…” She wiped her face with the back of her hand, and Emma hugged her tightly. “I hate doing this, Em.”
“I know.”
~~~~~
Bruce looked terrible, Dan thought, looking at his brother through the glass wall that separated them. A wave of compassion washed over him for the first time in years as weary blue eyes seemed to beg his forgiveness. Dan didn’t know what to say. Didn’t even know why he was here. The only time he’d seen his brother since his arrest had been briefly at the hospital, and that hadn’t been an experience he wanted to repeat. So his wedding day seemed like an odd time, but he’d still felt the need to come.