NOW, just you calm down there, honey.” Hal stood in Vanessa’s foyer watching her run around to gather everything she needed before they left for the Inn. “We’ve got plenty of time. I promise the wedding won’t start without us.”
“I need to get there a little early.” She ran past him on her way upstairs for the third time since he arrived. “I have all these favors to take with me so they can be put out on the table with the place cards, and I have to run back upstairs for my dress and I can’t find my shoes.”
“Take a deep breath, slow down, and put one foot in front of the other.” Hal looked amused, and in spite of herself, the sight of the older man in his tux, a silly smile on his face and the box of prettily wrapped cookie boxes in his arms, made Vanessa smile, too. “I swear, even Beck didn’t seem to be as excited as you this morning.”
“Beck doesn’t have an appointment to get his hair and makeup done in fifteen minutes,” she called down the steps as she ran up them.
“Well, it would be a first if he did.”
“What?” she asked as she flew down the steps, the dress over one arm, shoes in her hand, and a tote over her shoulder.
“I said, Beck didn’t mention having made an appointment to have his hair and makeup done this morning.”
“Oh, you…” She swatted at him with her free hand. “I think I have everything.” Mentally she went through her checklist.
“Does this mean we can leave? This box is getting heavy.”
“Oh, you could have set that down, but yes, I’m ready. Let me just find my keys. You go on out, I’ll be right with you.”
Hal went out through the front while Vanessa searched her bag for her keys with her free hand. She found them in the pocket of her jeans where she’d stashed them while looking for her shoes. When she joined Hal outside, he was in the middle of the yard, looking over the debris that had been her carefully planted tulip bulbs.
“What the heck happened here?” he asked.
“I’m not sure, but I think Cujo might have gotten out last night and gone on a tear.” She locked the door and dropped the keys into her bag. “It was like this when I got back from Lola’s. I picked the ones that had a stem and a flower still attached to it and brought them inside and put them in a vase, so at least they’ve gone to good use. First thing this morning I gathered up the loose leaves and petals that were scattered around and trashed them. It actually looks better than it did.”
“Jason is going to have to do something about that dog.” Hal frowned. “I know he isn’t vicious, but he’s fast, and he could hurt someone, or at the least, give someone one hell of a scare if he bowled them over. You should say something to them.”
“I really don’t want to do that.” She shook her head as she walked to Hal’s car. “For one thing, they’re good neighbors except for their dog occasionally taking a shortcut through my yard. For another, I don’t know for sure that the dog caused the damage. It could have been some kids up to mischief.”
Hal opened the trunk of his car and set the box of favors inside. “That’s vandalism, not simple mischief.”
“I don’t know if little kids would see it that way.” Vanessa carefully placed her dress across the backseat and got into the front passenger side. “Anyway, some of the bulbs hadn’t bloomed yet, so there will still be a little bit of a show over the next few weeks.”
Hal slammed the trunk and got into the driver’s seat. As he backed onto Cherry Street, Vanessa said, “Thanks for picking me up this morning.”
“Well, I thought it would be nice if we got to ride over to the Inn together. It’s a family sort of day.”
“It is.” She returned the smile, and wanted to say something like, Thank you for letting me be part of your family, Hal. But the words wouldn’t come, so she simply said, “Anyway, I appreciate the ride.”
“I would have driven you home last night, but I hear Grady beat me to it.”
“We were leaving at the same time, so he gave me a ride.” She tried to shrug it off and make light of it. “I didn’t have time to hang around much after dinner because I still had so much to do here to get ready for the wedding. For some reason, Grady thought I shouldn’t walk home alone in the dark. I think he spent too many years in the FBI. As if anything ever happens in St. Dennis.”
“Well, we do have a pretty safe town here, and your neighborhood is generally a good one. That business a few years ago, though… all those girls being murdered.” He shook his head. Vanessa knew it was still painful for him and Beck to look back on the killer who’d taken several young lives, including that of the first woman police officer on their force. “But Grady probably knows better than most of us that there’s no such thing as a place that is one hundred percent safe, one hundred percent of the time. God knows he’s been closer to the devil than any of the rest of us have, and I’ve been in law enforcement for more than thirty years.”
“Maybe so, but one of the things that I really like about living here is that I can walk to and from work every day. It’s not just the exercise, and it’s not just that I’m saving gasoline. I like the peacefulness, the quiet mornings before everything comes alive, and the hum of things winding down at the end of the day, know what I mean? This town is so slow to wake up and early to bed most days.”
Hal chuckled. “Well, for another few weeks, anyway. Then we get full into the season and things won’t be slow around here again till September. But I do know what you mean. The rhythm around here is more downbeat than up-tempo.”
“That’s exactly what I meant.”
She turned her head to look out the window as Hal made a left onto Charles Street and headed out toward Sinclair’s Point. They passed marshes where the cattails were growing tall and green again and the migrating birds had already stopped to forage for food and rest. A red-winged blackbird sat atop a reed that swayed in the morning breeze, and a hawk rose on a thermal to see what it could see. Vanessa had never been much of a nature girl, but that had changed when she moved to St. Dennis and Hal taught her to notice things she’d overlooked before.
“If you’re going to live on the Bay, you need to know the Bay, and all its inhabitants,” he’d told her, and took it upon himself to teach her what he thought she should know.
Vanessa took no small amount of secret pride in the fact that she could now recognize several birds by their calls alone, and could tell a wood duck from a mallard, a mallard from a blue-winged teal from a northern shoveler. She knew more about crabs-the Chesapeake being the home of the famed blue claws-than she ever suspected there was to know. She learned to tell a sook-an adult female crab-from a jimmy-an adult male-and the best way to catch them as well as the best ways to cook them. All tiny triumphs, but to her, triumphs all the same.
The car slowed as they approached the entrance to the Inn at Sinclair’s Point, marked by a handsome sign adorned with a painted life-size great blue heron, to which someone had tied a very large bunch of pink, navy, and lime-green balloons.
“I guess this is the place,” Hal said as he made the turn.
“I’m so excited.” Vanessa could barely contain herself. “This will be the first wedding I’ve ever been in.”
Hal shot her a look of surprise but said nothing.
“No, neither of mine were anything like this.” She sighed and wished she didn’t feel the need to explain. “Anyway, I’m excited for Mia and for Beck.”
“I am, too.” Hal parked near the entrance to the Inn. “Let’s get you and your gear inside, then I’ll park over in the lot.”
He got out of the car and walked around to the trunk. One of the staff who’d been hired for the special event appeared to give Hal a hand with the box of favors.
“Give those directly to Claudia,” Vanessa called after the young man who was hurrying up the walk with the box. “She’s probably waiting for them.”
“Will do,” he assured her.
Vanessa gathered up her dress, her shoes, her bag, and stood on her toes to plant a kiss on Hal’s cheek.
“Thank you again. It makes it extra special for me to be here with you.” She swallowed what she knew would be only the first of many lumps that would come and go in her throat over the course of the day. “I don’t thank you often enough for all you do for me, not the least of which is to always find ways to remind me that-”
“You don’t have to say it, Ness.” Hal patted her on the back. “Now go on in and help your almost sister-in-law get ready for her big day.”
Vanessa nodded. “Right. The photographer will be here any minute. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll start taking pictures of the guys first.”
She hustled into the Inn and stopped at the desk to get directions to the suite the bridal party was using for hair, makeup, and dressing. She ran up the wide central stairway and down the hall to the last suite on the right. Mia, Annie, and Dorsey were all in various stages of prep. The hairdresser provided by the Inn had started with Mia, whose long hair had been carefully worked into a French braid, and was just finishing up with Annie and getting ready to move on to Dorsey. Mia’s makeup was almost complete, and the chatter and laughter seemed to be calming everyone’s nerves. Before Vanessa arrived, a cart had been wheeled in with plates of fresh fruit and croissants and coffee, and Vanessa helped herself while waiting her turn. She stepped through the French doors onto the balcony and looked down on the lawn where the actual wedding would take place and the reception tent had been set up. An altar had been erected for the ceremony, and it was now completely covered with garlands of magnolia leaves and white hydrangea, baby’s breath, and pink roses. Shepherd’s hooks lined the aisle, and silver cones hung from the hooks.
“The cones are going to look gorgeous after Olivia finishes with them,” Vanessa called back into the room to Mia.
“I noticed the cones earlier,” Annie said. “What’s going in them?”
“Bunches of peonies and hydrangea.” Mia’s eyes sparkled. “And Olivia is going to scatter rose petals up the aisle and there will be large urns of flowers at the ends of the front two rows of chairs. It’s going to be gorgeous.”
“It will be,” Vanessa agreed, and leaned on the railing to watch the staff set up the guests’ chairs in a fan shape in front of the altar.
She continued to watch all the scurrying below and wondered what it would be like to have a day like this. It was painful to admit even to herself, but secretly, she couldn’t help but envy the fairy-tale wedding, with Mia a bride so beautiful she could have stepped right out of the pages of a magazine, and Beck a real life Prince Charming. In her heart, Vanessa most envied that Mia had found someone wonderful who truly loved her, someone who would love her for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and all the rest of the promises that people made on their wedding day. For Vanessa, none of those promises had been kept. For Mia, Vanessa was certain that Beck would keep every one.
She deserves it all, Vanessa reflected, and I truly am so very happy for her. She deserves to have it all: the dress and the fabulous day and the wonderful guy and the happily-ever-after-and yes, even the one-thousand-plus glazed lemon cookies. Mia has done the right thing all her life, has made all the right decisions, and had the good fortune and the good sense to fall in love with a very special guy who loves her deeply.
Vanessa couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have such a day, such a life. The envy she felt wasn’t the soul-killing, turn-green-and-spit-fire kind, but more a wistful, I-wonder-what-it-would-have-been-like-if-I’d-been-more-like-her envy. And maybe it was also partly because Mia was the person Vanessa wished she’d grown up to be.
“Ness?” Mia was calling to her. “Ness?”
“Oh. Sorry.” Vanessa planted a huge smile on her face before turning around. “I was just watching the goings-on and must have zoned out.”
“Well, zone back in. It’s your turn.”
Vanessa came back into the room, her smile intact, and placed a kiss on Mia’s cheek as she walked past on her way to the chair where the hairdresser waited.
“What was that for?” Mia asked.
“Just because I’m happy for you,” Vanessa said, and meant it.
“Aw, thanks, Ness. I’d kiss you back, but I just had this mouth painted on.” Mia pointed to her very rosy lips.
“I spent ten minutes on that mouth,” the makeup artist reminded her. “Do not mess with the mouth.”
The chatter started back up again with the arrival of the photographer. Vanessa sat while her hair was being blown out, watching and listening, happy to be there, grateful that she was part of this wonderful day when all was right in the world.
She held on to that feeling while her makeup was being applied and she slid into the light-as-a-feather green silk dress; while she floated down the stairs with the other members of the bridal party; while she listened to the strings begin to play. She felt as if she had a part in a magical play-until she started down the aisle and made the mistake of glancing to her right. There, in the last row of seats, in the chair closest to the aisle, stood a woman who looked so much like her mother they could have been twins. Vanessa did a double take.
The woman winked and waved.
Dear God, it was her mother.
Feeling a bit like a deer caught in the headlights, Vanessa somehow managed to make it down the aisle without missing a step.
How had Maggie found out about the wedding? Surely Beck hadn’t invited her. Beck never spoke to her. Hell, he rarely spoke of her.
What in the name of all that’s holy was she doing there?
And oh, God, what was Beck going to do when he saw her?
Vanessa took her place at the head of the aisle and maintained a fixed smile, even when she met Beck’s eyes. She detected no hellfire burning there, so he apparently hadn’t gotten the good news yet. She focused on Anne Marie, and then on Mia, who appeared at the foot of the aisle between her handsome brothers.
Mia was a picture-perfect bride, with every detail just so, from the flowers in her hair to the amazing gown. Vanessa stole a glance at Beck, who looked positively gob-smacked, and definitely close to needing oxygen. Then her gaze locked with Grady’s for a moment, and she felt the color rise in her cheeks, as if he could read her mind to know that she’d awakened that morning thinking about him.
The minister stood at the flower-covered altar and stepped forward to begin the ceremony. Vanessa barely heard a word, her attention divided between thinking about Grady and the big uh-oh back there in the last row.
The minister pronounced Beck and Mia husband and wife, they kissed, and Annie handed Mia her bouquet, which Annie had held while the rings were exchanged. The bride and groom turned to their guests and the strings began to play the recessional. The newly married couple was halfway down the aisle when Beck momentarily froze. Vanessa closed her eyes as Annie and Hal fell in behind Beck and Mia as they’d rehearsed, followed by Andy and Dorsey.
“Vanessa.” Grady was at her elbow.
“Oh.” Her eyes flew open and she took his arm just as a smiling Maggie took one step toward the aisle to greet Beck and Mia. Vanessa held her breath as Beck walked past Maggie, apparently without giving any sign of recognition, judging by Maggie’s reaction.
“Oh, dear God,” Vanessa muttered. “Why did she have to do that?”
“What?” Grady leaned closer.
Vanessa just shook her head and craned her neck to see if Hal had noticed Maggie, but she guessed he had not. Not yet, at least. Hal never would have ignored her the way Beck had.
But how would the tenderhearted Hal react when he realized that Maggie was there? Remembering the toast he’d given on Thursday night, one might suspect that Hal had always carried a torch for the woman who had given birth to his son and whom he’d once hoped to marry.
Well, Beck once said he wanted fireworks at his wedding, Vanessa recalled. I don’t think this is what he had in mind, but if you toss a thought out into the cosmos, you better be prepared for whatever form it takes when it comes back at you.
The guests followed the wedding party onto the veranda, where the cocktail party was to take place.
“How about a glass of champagne?” Grady asked.
“Oh, yes. Please,” she replied.
He signaled the waiter as Maggie stepped onto the porch.
“On second thought”-Vanessa grabbed Grady’s arm-“ask him to bring the whole bottle…”
From the corner of her eye, Vanessa tried to keep track of her mother in the crowd. For most of the cocktail party, Maggie kept to herself, standing alone at the doorway to the lobby, or on the lawn, sipping her champagne and looking uncomfortable.
Well, what did she expect? Vanessa thought. Did she really think that Beck would welcome her with open arms?
Apparently, she had. Otherwise, why would she have come, uninvited and unexpected?
Vanessa sighed deeply.
“Excuse me,” she said to Grady. “There’s someone here I need to talk to.”
She walked to the doorway and stopped in front of her mother.
“Hello, Maggie,” she said.
“Well, at least you remember me, which is more than your brother seems to do.”
“Oh, come on. What did you expect him to do? Seriously.”
“I guess I didn’t think about it, other than, oh, my son is getting married. This might be the opportunity I’ve been waiting for all these years.” She wiped a tear from her face. “I can’t believe he looked right through me like that, as if I didn’t exist.”
“Maggie, don’t play that card. Don’t pretend to be the injured party. You abandoned him, it wasn’t the other way around.”
“What could you possibly know about that?” Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “What could you possibly know-”
“I know what Beck’s told me, that you brought him to Hal and dumped him and went back to your life. Are you going to tell me it happened any other way?”
“It wasn’t quite that simple.”
“Whatever you say, Maggie.” Vanessa felt a monster headache coming on. “How did you know about the wedding?”
“Well, obviously not from either of my children.”
“Did Hal tell you?” As soon as she said it, Vanessa knew he had not. Knowing how Beck felt about his mother, Hal never would have done such a thing behind his back.
“Of course not.”
“Then who…?”
“I called your shop the other day, and when I told the girl who answered that I was your mother, she said you were home baking cookies for Beck’s wedding. Well, of course I wanted to be here. I took the first flight I could get-I had to take several connecting flights; it was not a pleasant trip, let me tell you. But I got into town early this morning, took a room here at the Inn, and here we are.”
“Where’s…” Vanessa tried to recall the name of her mother’s current husband. “You know. Mr. Turner.”
“He passed away six weeks ago. That’s why I’ve been calling you and leaving messages that haven’t been returned.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your loss, Maggie.” Vanessa conveniently passed over the part about the unreturned phone calls. She would have called to offer condolences if her mother had left a message that had gone beyond “Call me.”
“Well, you know, he was so much older than I, and he’d been ill for a long time now.” She shook her head imperceptibly. “I do wish you could have met him, Vanessa. He was the best of all the ones I married.”
“Well, knowing you, Maggie, I’m sure you’ll land on your feet.”
“That was a mean-spirited thing to say to a woman who’s just been widowed.”
Before Vanessa could reply, Mia swept across the brick floor and grabbed Vanessa’s hand.
“We’re doing pictures.” When she realized Vanessa had been in conversation, she apologized. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt…”
“That’s all right, dear,” Maggie told her. “We were finished.”
Mia hesitated. “Do I know you?”
“Ah, no.” Vanessa squeezed Mia’s hand. “This is… ah, this is my mother, Maggie Turner.”
“Oh.” Mia looked momentarily startled, but recovered nicely. “Well. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” If Maggie had anything else to say, she kept it to herself. Mia saved the awkward moment. “I hope you’ll stay for the reception, Mrs. Turner.”
“I don’t believe my son would like that, but I appreciate the thought.”
“I know there will be room. We had a few unexpected no-shows, so please stay.”
“Mia.” Annie poked her head through the door. “The photographer is getting antsy.”
“Right. We’re coming.” Mia smiled at Maggie. “Stay.”
“Thank you,” Maggie said noncommittally.
Vanessa all but dragged Mia into the lobby.
“Are you crazy? Beck is going to have a fit. He doesn’t want Maggie here. I think he made that very clear.”
“She’s come a long way, right? From somewhere out west? She should stay. If Beck doesn’t want to speak with her, that is his choice. Not the one I’d make, if it were up to me, or if she was my mother, but he has that right. And I have the right to ask her to stay.” Mia slowed her steps. “She looked so sad, Vanessa. When I saw her standing there with you, my first thought was, ‘Who is that sad woman?’ It isn’t going to hurt anyone if she’s here for a while. Besides, I bet Hal will be happy to see her.”
“Now see, that’s the one thing that’s bothering me the most about her being here. I don’t want Hal to get all sentimental over her. I don’t think he’s ever gotten over her. She married someone else way back then-and she’s married several other someones since-and she’s just lost another husband, which means she’s going to be looking for a new one sometime real soon. Maggie is never without a man in her life. Besides, she isn’t good for Hal.”
“Well, I think that would be for them to work out.”
The conversation dropped because the photographer had the shot lined up and was only waiting for Mia and Vanessa to take their places, Mia in the center with her new husband, Vanessa on the end with Grady.
“So did you get rid of him?” Grady whispered as she posed.
“Get rid of who?” she whispered back.
“Whoever it was you had to see.”
“It’s a long story.” She sighed. “But it wasn’t a him. It was my mother…”
“Oh.”
“Mia had the same reaction when I told her. Just… ‘oh.’ I guess no one knows what else to say.”
“What did you say when you realized she was here? Or did you know she was coming?”
“I think my first reaction might have been, ‘Oh shit, that can’t be her.’ But I can’t be sure because I was walking up the aisle when I saw her and I think my mind went temporarily numb. And no, I didn’t know she even knew about the wedding.”
“Are you upset that she’s here?”
“I’m upset that she upset Beck by coming uninvited. I’m upset because she knows better. And I’m upset because I’m afraid she’ll…” She could barely get the words out.
“You’re afraid she’ll what?”
“She’s newly single and I’m afraid she’ll hit on Hal.”
“Well.” Grady cleared his throat. “I didn’t see that coming. But, if I could point out, you’re upset for everyone except yourself.”
“I can handle Maggie being here.”
“You sure about that?”
“Of course.”
“Then maybe you should let everyone else handle her presence here on their own terms, too.”
She fell silent, and was grateful when the photographer switched their placements so that all the men were on one side and all the women on the other. After the last frame was shot, it was time for dinner to be served, and the wedding party went as a group to the tent that had been set up on the south lawn, facing the Bay. There were toasts before and during dinner, and dancing on the wooden dance floor in the center of the tent. Vanessa tried to push from her mind the whole unsettling mess of her mother being there and her brother refusing to acknowledge it.
Grady is right, she told herself as she swayed in his arms to a seventies ballad. We’ll all have to deal with this on our own.
At that moment, all she really wanted to deal with was Grady. She pushed everything else from her mind, and moved closer when he drew her in, reluctant to move away when the band stopped playing. She liked the feel of his body next to hers, the way they moved together, the way he held her, the way she almost came up to the tip of his chin-well, at least in these shoes she did.
She knew the exact moment she decided to seduce him.
The band had just finished playing two slow dances back-to-back: a fairly decent cover of Journey’s “Open Arms” led right into the brassy female lead singer’s somewhat cheesy version of the Bangles’ “Eternal Flame.” Grady never let Vanessa out of his arms, just held her, his eyes looking into hers as they moved from one dance into the next. In that moment, her entire body seemed to come to life, and she wanted the music to keep playing on and on. When the last note faded away, it took all of her willpower not to wrap her arms around his neck and draw him into the longest kiss he’d ever had.
Oh, my. Wouldn’t Cuppachino be buzzing in the morning.
The best part was she knew that he was thinking-feeling-exactly the same way, that her thoughts had somehow become his, and her wants mirrored his own. Had it been anyone’s wedding other than her brother’s, she would have suggested that they leave right then and there.
But it was her brother’s wedding-his sister’s, too, she reminded herself-and there’d be no sneaking out early. It was all right, though, she told herself. She could wait. They’d have all night.
And there was still Maggie…
“Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Maggie caught Vanessa’s arm as she and Grady made their way back to their seats at the head table.
“Maggie, this is Grady Shields,” Vanessa said levelly. “Grady, meet my mother, Maggie Turner.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Turner.” Grady greeted Maggie politely, as Vanessa knew he would do.
“Well, you’re certainly a tall one, aren’t you?” Maggie appraised him. “But very good-looking. Vanessa, don’t you think he’s-”
“Ah, Grady, now would be a good time to maybe scout up a glass of wine for me, if you wouldn’t mind.” Vanessa forced a smile, something she felt she’d gotten plenty of practice doing that day.
“I don’t mind at all.” He turned to Maggie. “Mrs. Turner? Could I bring something for you?”
“Why, a glass of champagne would be lovely, thank you.” Maggie flashed him her best smile, one Vanessa was certain was not fake. Maggie loved nothing more than flirting with a good-looking man.
“Should I bring the bottle?” he deadpanned, and Vanessa nodded slowly.
“Well, he certainly is something.” Maggie appraised Grady as he walked away. “Did you say he’s the bride’s brother?”
“No, I didn’t say, but he is.” Vanessa sighed and sat in the nearest chair. “I see you decided to stay.”
“And I’m glad I did. It’s a lovely reception.” Maggie scanned the room, her eyes fixing on Mia. “Is she as nice as she seems?”
“She’s wonderful. Beck couldn’t have found anyone nicer.”
“I’m glad.” Maggie’s face softened. “He deserves… well, I guess we all deserve to be happy, don’t we?” She forced a brightness into her voice that Vanessa suspected she didn’t really feel.
“I suppose.”
Maggie patted Vanessa on the arm. “I’m sure you’ll find someone just as nice, honey.”
“I’m not looking for another husband, Maggie. I’m not going that route again. Twice was enough.”
“Oh, you say that now. But I bet you’ll change your mind when-”
“I doubt anything could change my mind.”
“Life can get very lonely when you’re by yourself.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “When were you ever by yourself? I can’t remember a time when you weren’t with someone.”
If Vanessa had intended to wound, she’d hit the mark.
“You don’t know everything, missy,” Maggie snapped.
“I know that there was never a time in my life, growing up, when there wasn’t one man leaving and another coming in to take his place.”
“Is that really what you remember, when you look back on your childhood?” Maggie appeared surprised.
Vanessa nodded.
“Oh, honey…” Maggie moved toward her daughter, but Vanessa stepped back, both hands up as if to ward off her mother.
“It’s a little late, Maggie,” Vanessa told her. “Besides, that’s a conversation for another day.”
“All right.” Maggie nodded. “We’ll talk about something a little less… charged.” She appeared to think for a moment, then said, “So, I guess you were surprised to hear from Shannon.”
“Who?”
“Shannon. Your best friend from high school.”
“Maggie, I didn’t have any friends in high school.”
“Of course you did, honey. Don’t be silly. Why else would she have called to get your address so that she could get in touch about the reunion?”
“What reunion?” Vanessa frowned. “Who wanted my address?”
“Haven’t you been paying any attention? Shannon called about your high school reunion.”
“Shannon who?”
“I don’t know.” Maggie’s exasperation was evident. “She was your friend.”
“I don’t know anyone named Shannon, and I cannot imagine that anyone I went to high school with would give a rat’s ass whether I showed up at a reunion or not.”
“So, I guess that means you haven’t heard from her.”
“I haven’t heard from her or anyone else.” Vanessa rubbed her temples. The headache had all the makings of a monster. Please, she begged the tiny man she imagined was responsible for all the pounding inside her head. Please go away. Not tonight…
“That’s strange, because she called over a week ago, and seemed so eager to get in touch. She was so interested in hearing about where you lived and what you were doing these days. I’m really surprised that you haven’t heard from her.”
“Well, if I ever do, I suppose the mystery will be solved.”
The band started up again, and Vanessa watched Steffie lead a tall, ruggedly handsome man onto the dance floor, and she wondered if this was the enigmatic Wade MacGregor.
Steffie does look fabulous in that dress, Vanessa thought. I’m going to have to tell her…
“… but I’m not sure that I want to do that,” Maggie was saying.
“Not sure you want to do what?” Vanessa tuned back in.
“I’m not sure I want to stay in St. Dennis for a few more days.”
“Why would you?”
“Hal said he had some things he wanted to talk over with me.” Maggie’s eyes took on a soft shine. “You know, he’s still the most wonderful man I have ever-”
“Uh-uh.” Vanessa took her mother by the hand. “Please, don’t get involved with him, don’t get his hopes up. Don’t get him tangled up with you again after all these years. Leave him alone, Maggie.”
Maggie looked as if she’d been slapped. She backed away from Vanessa, and walked through the dancers toward the opposite side of the tent.
“Was it something you said?” Grady handed Vanessa a glass, and poured from the bottle he’d managed to talk one of the waiters out of.
“I’m afraid so.” Vanessa bit the inside of her bottom lip and wondered if she should have just kept her mouth shut and let Hal take care of himself.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Maybe later.” She took a sip of champagne and stood, slipping her arm through his. “Right now, it looks as if Mia and Beck are about to cut the cake. Let’s go watch.”
And after that, she thought as they joined the bride and groom at the cake station, they’ll leave.
And then, so will we…