“Every family has those things,” Lola said.
“They don’t have to tell the neighbors, but shouldn’t they know the truth? That’s how we’ve gotten along so far—being honest. Telling the truth.”
“I don’t know,” she said again. “This one might be too much for kids. Even adult kids.”
“And the other thing—can you be with a man like me? I made some awful mistakes...”
She smiled gently. “I don’t see many mistakes in there, Tom. You loved your wife, you didn’t want a divorce. Bless her little heart, she lost a good man. I bet she’s sorry about that now.”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Although I do believe she wanted it all—independence and freedom as well as a family, a variety of men who could take her to fancy places and the one at home she practically grew up with.”
She leaned toward him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. “You are my everything,” she said. “I can’t imagine one more thing I would need.”
“You can live with a man who slept with his ex-wife, the hooker, for years?”
She gave him an amused smile. “I don’t think you should do it anymore.”
He growled and pulled her against him. “God, I love you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“When we figure out a way to shuffle all these kids around and find a place where we can be together, I’m not sure I can share space with your ex-wife.”
“We’ll figure that out. The kids are real close to moving on. I don’t want them to go far—we’ll always have room for them, but... Brenda graduates from high school next year. I’m going to buy her luggage...”
Lola giggled.
“I’m going to talk to my kids...”
“Easy does it, Tom. Let’s concentrate on one thing at a time. I’m going to tell my boys that after a year of dating, we’re talking about making a commitment, but we’re not rushing our families. I just want them to know. I owe it to them that there be no surprises.”
“Like any of them would be surprised...”
“Take it slow, Tom. I worry about your girls and how they might take the news about their mom. No matter how she lives her life, she loves them and they love her. Guard that. It’s precious.”
“Why don’t you tell them for me,” he suggested.
“Nice try.”
* * *
Sedona Jones Packard couldn’t bring her family to Colorado on such short notice, but she would not be kept away from Sierra’s wedding, small and simple though it might be. She arrived on Saturday for the Sunday afternoon ceremony.
“I’m very happy you made it,” Sierra said, embracing her. “And if you try to improve or help in any way, you will be banished.”
“Just tell me what you’d like me to do,” she said.
“Did you bring a dress?” Sierra asked.
“Of course!”
“Then tomorrow at three thirty you can put it on and at four o’clock you can be our witness. Connie’s brother is standing up for him and you, my sister, will be my matron of honor.”
“Oh, Sierra! You do like me!”
“I love you, but you do get on my nerves. You’re so bossy!”
“Not anymore,” Sedona said. “I’ve cured much of that. I don’t have to have my way all the time anymore.”
“Wonderful. Then get comfortable, play with the baby, visit with your brother, relax and enjoy yourself.”
“I’ll help with dinner,” Sedona said.
“Cal’s making dinner tonight. Family only.”
“I’ve got it,” Cal yelled from the kitchen.
So Sedona had a glass of wine, visited with Maggie and Sierra, was caught up on all the family gossip—like how Sierra met and fell in love with Connie—and then when she could stand it no longer, she migrated to the breakfast bar, where she could watch Cal at work.
“Will you be turning the flame down on those potatoes pretty soon?” she asked. “You aren’t going to boil those beans, are you? Because if you steam them...” Cal glared at her. “Point me to the good dishes and I’ll set the table.” Then, less than three minutes later, she asked, “Are you sure these are the good dishes?”
Thus, Sedona was banished from the kitchen. But by a unanimous vote, she was elected to clean up.
Sedona was indefatigable. When Dakota arrived, they hugged and greeted each other; he asked about her husband, Bob, and the kids, then she said, “So, what’s this about you being a garbage collector?”
“It’s an excellent job with great benefits and pay,” he said.
“And when will you put your education and experience to use?” she asked.
Sierra called Sully. “The sooner you can get over here and occupy Sedona, the less likely one of us will kill her.”
Sully arrived at Cal and Maggie’s a little earlier than he had planned, but it became obvious right off that it was not so much to be helpful as to figure out what was going on. He had met Sedona briefly when Cal and Maggie got married but he’d never seen the Jones siblings gathered like this, without a lot of other people around. He asked for a tall iced tea, then sat back and observed. Sedona was telling Cal how to make the dinner, quizzing Dakota about his future plans, insisting that Sierra go over her plans for the wedding day. After a little of this, he took Sedona’s elbow in his grip and escorted her to Cal’s patio.
“Sit down here and tell me about yourself,” Sully said. “I’ve had a lot of time with your brothers and sister but I hardly know you at all.”
Sedona sat in a lawn chair and proceeded to tell him about her husband, Bob, her son, Travis, and daughter, Rayna, about Little League and swim club and her husband’s business, which was a successful architecture firm that designed everything from skyscrapers to luxury homes. She elaborated on the kids: one had glasses like his father, the other scared her to death with her love of diving from the high board. She didn’t stop talking for twenty minutes.
“You must have a lot of experience in a lot of things,” Sully said.
“I suppose,” she said. “Why do you say that?”
“You’re full of advice,” he said. “I know a little about your folks. They sound like pretty interesting people. Why do you suppose each one of you four kids is so accomplished? I think someone should know the formula and write a book about it,” Sully said.
“Well, there’s no good explanation. We weren’t exactly raised to be independent as much as we never had much parenting. Your story is probably more interesting. How do you explain raising a neurosurgeon?”
Sully laughed. “Girl, I take no credit for that whatsoever. Maggie’s mother and stepfather saw to her schooling and her discipline. I counted myself lucky if they let her come for a visit. My ex-wife left me when Maggie was only six and kept us separated for years. She said I was a terrible father and she was probably right. I think Maggie is who she is in spite of me, but thank God I didn’t hold her back too much.”
And just like that, tears gathered like storms in Sedona’s eyes and she started crying. Rivers flowed down her cheeks and she used her napkin as a tissue to mop up the tears and blow her nose.
“Here, now,” Sully said, reaching out and patting her knee.
Sedona babbled something unintelligible.
Sully opened the back door and called to Maggie. Maggie came to the door with a perplexed look on her face but then took in the sight of Sedona sobbing.
“Oh dear God,” Maggie said in aggravation. “What did you say to her?”
“I just asked her about herself. She was telling me about her husband and kids, who, by the way, are perfect and exceptional.”
Maggie crouched beside Sedona, pulling her into her arms. “What is it?” she asked gently. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
With a hiccup of emotion, Sedona looked at Maggie. “We’re separated!” she said i
n a stressed whisper. “Bob moved out, left me and took the kids. He said my perfectionism was going to be the end of us all. I don’t know what in the world I’m supposed to do.”
“Oh, my,” Maggie said, hugging her and patting her back.
Sully stood by the back door. “Well, I guess it wouldn’t be a proper wedding if someone weren’t bawling.”
A man must first govern himself ere he be
fit to govern a family.
—SIR WALTER RALEIGH
9
“I SHOULDN’T HAVE COME,” Sedona said. “It’s Sierra’s special weekend and I’m just going to ruin it.”
“No, that’s not going to happen,” Maggie said. “You stay right here with Sully. I’m going to make you a cup of tea. We just won’t talk about this right now. We’ll talk about it after dinner, when the house quiets down.”
“I look a mess,” Sedona said.
“You’re entitled to be emotional when your baby sister is getting married. Just go with it for now,” Maggie said, then looked at Sully sternly. “I’m trusting you not to get things riled up while I’m making tea.”
“Me?” he protested. “I swear by God I get blamed for everything!”
“I’m warning you,” Maggie said. Then she fled.
After a long quiet moment, Sedona spoke. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Old men and younger women are always getting in trouble one way or another,” he said. “I’m sorry to hear about your situation.”
“I’ll work it out somehow,” she said.
“I think it’s a good idea to talk with your big brother later,” Sully said. “After I’m gone.”
A tremulous smile broke over Sedona’s lips. “I’ve scared you half to death, haven’t I?”
“I’m gonna tell you the truth here, in spite of Maggie. I feel a real sadness that you have something to work out, and you will, I’m sure of it. I don’t want to minimize that. I been through separation and even divorce and at the time it was the darkest of days. But I got through it and I bet you’ll get through it even better than I did—you being so much smarter than I am. But here’s the thing. That little girl in there, Sierra, she’s like a daughter to me. She’s had a very hard time of it and she’s come a long way and she’s happy. I’d like it if tomorrow is one of her happiest days. Believe me when I say she’s earned it.
“One thing you’re going to learn when you’re older—life has plenty of troubles to fill the days. Sometimes it feels like there’s no hope, but just when it seems hopeless, some light will shine through. Now, you get a grip on yourself. We’ll get your little sister married and on her way, and once that’s done, we’ll focus on you. And you can trust me, we won’t go down without a fight. You believe me?”
She sat up straighter. “I’m a PhD in psychology and you know what? I think you just did as good a job as any therapist.” She sniffed back her tears.
“I didn’t say you can’t fall apart,” he said. “I just said you can’t fall apart right now.”
Maggie reappeared with tea. “Hmm,” she said, handing the tea to Sedona. “You look better.”
“I apologize,” Sedona said. “That really took me by surprise. I guess I’m a little emotional. We’re working through a couple of issues, like you find in any marriage. Bob is a wonderful, devoted husband. We just need a little time, that’s all. Everything will get back on track. Really, our family is known for ticking along perfectly. We don’t generally have these kind of issues.”
Maggie sat down. “Perfectly, huh?”
“I meant, smoothly.”
“We’ll talk later,” Maggie said.
* * *
The Jones siblings, Maggie, Sully and Connie had a great dinner together. Stories were told, laughter was loud, the food was outstanding. Connie and Sierra and Sully were all excused after dinner while the remaining group worked together to clean up.
But when it was time for Maggie and Cal to have a chat with Sedona about her problems at home, Sedona slipped away and went to bed.
“That was a little too obvious,” Maggie said.
So it was Maggie and Cal who had the talk. “Your sister is in trouble,” Maggie began.
* * *
Sierra woke up at dawn and jostled Connie. “When we go to bed tonight, you will be my husband,” she told him, the grin on her face as bright as the sun.
“You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”
“You can’t escape me now,” she said. “It’s only a matter of hours.”
Connie’s expression was serious. “Sierra, I’m going to be so good to you, you won’t know how you made it this long without me.”
She kissed him. “I already don’t know.”
They had a big breakfast and cleaned up the house, and while Connie went to Cal’s to see if there was anything he could do to help out there, Sierra took her time with her bath and prettifying herself. At about one o’clock Connie returned and his mother, Janie, and his younger brother, Beaner, arrived. After a brief visit everyone changed clothes and Sierra put on her dress.
She had driven to Colorado Springs to find the right dress and she was very proud of it. It was an off-white sateen that had a bit of a golden cast to it. It had an off-the-shoulder cowl neckline and was knee-length, and while it wasn’t tight, it fit snugly enough to show off her curvaceous figure. She wore her hair down, with a little baby’s breath in it.
“Oh my God,” Connie said in a whisper. “You’re so beautiful. I just want to undress you!”
“Don’t you dare touch this dress until we’re married! And then you’d better be so careful!” She turned in front of the mirror. “I love this dress,” she said.
“You hardly ever wear a dress,” he said. “You should. But then again, you in a pair of tight jeans kills me. In a T-shirt makes me weak, too.”
She smiled at him. “Connie, I’m a lucky girl,” she said.
They went to Cal’s in two cars. Janie and Beaner had been invited to stay over, but they declined, opting to leave the bridal couple alone. Cal and Maggie had extended the invitation to them to stay at their place but they declined that, as well. “We’re going to drive back tonight,” Janie said. “When this celebration is behind us, we’ll come back and stay awhile.”
At Maggie’s insistence, there had been help from a catering service. Hors d’oeuvres, champagne and sparkling cider were ready when the wedding party assembled and their reception dinner was being kept warm. Cal and Maggie’s table was extended and appointed with the caterer’s china and crystal. The patio had a trellis covered with flowers. Lined up on the patio table were all the flowers for the wedding party—the bride’s and matron of honor’s bouquets, a corsage for Connie’s mother and boutonnieres for the men.
When Sierra saw the flowers, the dining table, the decorations, she began to cry.
“Oh, honey, is it okay?” Connie asked.
“It’s so beautiful!” she said. “It’s just so perfect. It’s exactly what I wanted for us.”
When the minister, Rafe, Lisa, Dakota and Sid arrived, they were ready to begin. With Sedona beside Sierra, and Beaner beside Connie, they stood in front of the decorated trellis with the beautiful Rockies in the distance and recited traditional vows, with the exception of a few old-fashioned words like obey. It took a total of twelve minutes and then rings were exchanged and Connie took Sierra into his strong arms and kissed her long and lovingly.
“Are you sure it’s legal?” Sierra whispered against his lips. “That was so fast!”
“It better be because I’m never letting you go.”
“I love you, Connie,” she whispered.
“Sierra, thank you. Thank you for loving me.”
And with that Sedona let a sob escape and dabbed at her eyes.
A glorious dinner of Caesar salad, lobster, fil
et mignon, potatoes au gratin, baby green beans and a small wedding cake decorated with orchids was served. Both Elizabeth and Sully were perfectly behaved. And afterward, the remnants of dinner was quickly and silently whisked away by the mother-daughter team that had served them. None of the guests lifted a finger.
By nine o’clock the guests were saying good-night. Sierra and Connie were headed back to their home and dog, exactly what they wanted most.
* * *
Dakota helped Sid climb into his SUV. He started the engine and looked at her. “Did you have fun?” he asked.
“I did,” she said, smiling. “Your family and friends are a riot. I already knew I liked most of them, but this was as close as I’ve been. Lisa Vadas is lovely. Maggie is someone I’d love to get to know better. What a great family.”
“You look wonderful, Sid. I didn’t know you could get sexier.”
“I don’t dress up very often.”
“I was worried,” he started. Then he shut it down.
“What were you worried about?”
“You had a terrible divorce,” he said. “I was afraid the wedding, even a simple wedding, was going to make you nostalgic and maybe...unhappy.”
Sid laughed. “I loved the wedding. I loved the simplicity of it. It was amazingly simple and beautiful. Intimate. And fun. My wedding was actually kind of awful—maybe I should have taken that as a sign.”
“What was awful?” he asked.
“Well, it was far too important to David. He fussed over the details and needed it to be perfect. There were bridesmaid issues, he had family issues, there was arguing, bickering. You’ve heard of grooms saying, ‘Whatever she wants’? Our situation was just the opposite. I really wasn’t that into the whole thing but I wanted him to be happy and he had to have some kind of big party even though it put us in debt. I didn’t have family to pay for that and he certainly didn’t. It was exhausting and unsatisfying. It was pretty, though. I don’t know Sierra and Connie that well, but didn’t it look like a wedding that fit them both perfectly? And didn’t they seem so happy and ready to take on the world when they left tonight? I had a moment of envy. But I wasn’t melancholy.”