Full Bloom

  Max glanced at the animal. “I swear I think that dog has sleep apnea.”

  “He snores louder than Dee Dee,” Frankie said, and immediately punched his fist lightly against his forehead. “Please don’t tell Dee Dee I said that.”

  The plane rolled to a stop, and a few minutes later Nick and Billie Kaharchek descended. Billie’s children followed them: Christie, a dark-haired beauty in a smart dove gray business suit, and younger brother Joel, who had the same hair color as his sister but obviously lacked her sense of style. He wore khakis, a kelly green dress shirt, and the ugliest plaid jacket Jamie had ever seen. He was a good two inches taller than Nick and had an easy lopsided smile.

  Everyone hugged and Nick and Billie praised the smooth flight while Joel extolled the awesome in-flight cookie tray and Christie complained good-naturedly that she had probably put on five pounds by eating her weight in brownies.

  “You two amaze me,” Max told Nick and Billie. “You never age.”

  Billie laughed. Despite having a little age on her, she had maintained the youthfulness and zest for life that had drawn Nick to her some twenty years ago.

  When Max had flown Jamie to Virginia to meet Nick and Billie, she had taken an instant liking to the handsome couple who had practically raised Max. Jamie was equally fond of Christie and Joel. She liked that Billie, was down-to-earth and unpretentious despite having married a multimillionaire.

  “Where’s Dee Dee?” Nick asked Frankie, who was in the process of checking Joel’s muscles and planning their first arm-wrestling match.

  “In the limo. She’s having problems with her feet.”

  “I need to give her a big hug,” Billie said.

  “Just don’t tell her she’s fat,” Frankie whispered to the group.

  Billie smacked his arm, and they started toward the vehicle as the last piece of luggage was placed inside the trunk. “I plan to smother her with a lot of TLC while I’m here,” Billie said.

  Jamie glanced in Fleas’ direction. He rolled over, pulled himself up, and shook, his big ears and sagging jowls flapping from side to side. He started toward them in slow gear.

  “Check out that cool bloodhound,” Joel said. “I think he’s following us.”

  “He belongs to Jamie,” Max said. “Although I’ve agreed to adopt him after we’re married.”

  Everyone paused and waited for the dog to catch up. Christie reached down and stroked his head. “What’s his name?”

  It was the question Jamie always dreaded. “Fleas.”

  Instead of jerking her hand away like most people, Christie laughed loudly. “Poor baby,” she said. “No wonder you look depressed. Who stuck you with a name like that?”

  “Not me,” Jamie said, noting that Fleas was giving Christie his most pitiful look, having perfected it when he’d discovered it was usually followed by Jamie-the-sucker pulling his favorite butter pecan ice cream from the freezer. “And he always looks like a candidate for Prozac.”

  “What happened to his fur?” Joel asked, reaching down to pet Fleas as well.

  “Hey, you guys are looking at a champion and silver-cup raccoon hunter,” Max said, although the looks he received were dubious. “He’s since gone into retirement, living off his 401-K now.”

  “Well, if you ask me, it looks like the last coon kicked some hound dog butt,” Joel said.

  Frankie opened the back door of the limo and climbed in next to Dee Dee as the others began opening doors, waving off the chauffeur’s offer to assist. A subdued Beenie sat beside Dee Dee and nodded as Frankie made introductions, trying to talk above the compact TV set where a woman was kneeling before a toilet bowl singing the praises of a new product. Frankie hit the remote control button, and the woman disappeared as quickly as she had assured the toilet bowl stains would.

  “You look wonderful,” Billie said, reaching across the seat to hug Dee Dee. “Except I thought you’d have put on weight by now.”

  “She’s already gained fifty pounds,” Frankie said. He winced the moment the words left his mouth. “Although you’d never know it to look at her,” he added sheepishly.

  It wasn’t until they were all seated that Jamie noticed Dee Dee and Beenie were behaving oddly. They had said very little, and there was tension on their faces. “Dee Dee, are you okay?” she asked.

  When Dee Dee hesitated, Beenie spoke for her. “We just saw your friend on CNN.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Annie was wearing a bright smile when she answered the doorbell shortly before 6:00 PM and found Max, Jamie, and Max’s family standing on the other side. “Welcome to my home!” she called out gaily to the crowd, wondering how many of them had seen her on CNN. The only thing she had going for her was the fact that she looked 100 percent better than she had on TV in her shabby bathrobe.

  She had purposefully chosen to dress like an old-maid librarian: conservative dark gray skirt that fell below her knees, rose-colored cardigan and shell, sensible pumps, and her grandmother’s antique cross pendant. Lovelle had offered her rosary, but Annie figured that would be overkill.

  “Please come in,” Annie said, stepping aside so the group could enter.

  Jamie and Max gave Annie a hug. Jamie had called earlier in an obvious attempt to cheer Annie and make light of her CNN debut, and in the end they were laughing hysterically, just like old times.

  Max began making introductions.

  “I’ve already met our mayor and his beautiful wife,” Annie said, offering Frankie and Dee Dee a warm handshake. Frankie and Dee Dee were infamously fun-loving and colorful, though Dee Dee was known to be a bit of a drama queen and prone to hysterics. And with her late-in-life pregnancy, these personality traits were becoming increasingly pronounced.

  Dee Dee’s bottom lip trembled when she smiled, and she didn’t quite meet Annie’s gaze. “I’ve heard so much about you,” she said. “From Jamie,” she added quickly.

  They all knew, Annie told herself. Probably everyone in Beaumont knew by now, which explained the traffic jam out front. Theenie had caught several people snapping pictures.

  “Pregnancy becomes you,” Annie said. “You must be very excited.”

  “Yes.” Dee Dee’s voice squeaked and she edged closer to Frankie.

  Finally, Max turned to an older couple. “This good-looking twosome is my cousin and best man, Nick Kaharchek, and his lovely wife, Billie. They took me in when I was dangerous,” he added with a grin.

  “He’s still dangerous,” Nick said.

  Annie greeted them. She could see the resemblance between Max and Nick, even though the older man’s face bore a few lines that gave him an air of distinction. His wife was lovely and exuded a feeling of warmth as she smiled and shook Annie’s hand.

  “And these are my children, Christie and Joel,” Billie said.

  Annie offered her hand, and the young woman shook it and gave her a quick wink that suggested Annie was all right in her book. Joel held Annie’s hand longer than necessary and flirted shamelessly.

  “Enough already,” Billie said as she pulled him away and told him to behave. “I’m still your elder,” she said, trying to sound stern and failing miserably because she couldn’t quite hide her smile.

  Annie noted an anxious-looking dark-haired man standing at a distance. He stepped forward and shook hands, but Annie could see that his smile was forced. “I’m Beenie,” he said. “I sort of take care of Dee Dee.”

  “He spoils her rotten,” Max said.

  “I could use someone like you,” Annie replied jokingly. “How would you like to come to work for me?”

  “I can’t!” he blurted, drawing stares from those around them. He blushed. “I mean, Dee Dee needs me. Especially right now with the baby due soon,” he added. “I’m her personal assistant, so I can’t leave her side. Not for five minutes, even if it means sleeping at the foot of her bed like a Chihuahua.”

  “Jamie was right about the house,” Billie said, taking in the living room. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ev
er seen. In a good way,” she added.

  Jamie nodded enthusiastically. “I told you you’d love it. How many people get to tie the knot in a pre–Civil War bordello?”

  “Red is Dee Dee’s favorite color,” Frankie said. “She wants the name of your decorator before we leave, right, honey?”

  “Um . . .” Dee Dee looked at Beenie.

  “I don’t think red is a good color for babies,” Beenie said. “The person who decorated the nursery thought red was an angry color.”

  Annie laughed. “I suppose that explains my bad temper,” she said. “Because I’m surrounded by red.”

  Annie had already served cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by the time Vera Bankhead arrived. “Saw you on CNN,” she whispered. “I’d rethink that chenille bathrobe.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Annie said. She was about to close the door when she spotted the minister hurrying up the front walk. She was glad Theenie had removed some of the more risqué objets d’art, although she suspected her grandmother was frowning down at her.

  Reverend Lester Tuttle had presided over a number of weddings in Annie’s house. She introduced him. He sat close to Max and Jamie, obviously wanting to get to know the couple before the wedding. Destiny entered by way of the dining room, wearing a purple ankle-length dress that hugged her curves and breasts and brought a bright blush to the minister’s cheeks as they shook hands.

  “I’ll hang out here and see to the refreshments,” Destiny whispered to Annie. “I know you have things to do in the kitchen.”

  Annie thanked her and hurried through the dining room and the swinging door that led to the kitchen, where Theenie and Lovelle were checking the two prime rib roasts with meat thermometers. “How do they look?” Annie asked.

  “Everything is right on schedule,” Theenie proudly announced. “We should be ready to serve the first course as soon as the rehearsal is over.”

  “Has Wes come in?” Annie asked.

  Theenie shook her head. “Haven’t seen him.”

  Annie tried to hide her disappointment as she worked to get things ready. When she was certain all was in order, she returned to the living room and led the group into the chapel. For the next half hour Reverend Tuttle instructed the wedding party as to when they would come in, where they would stand, and Annie coached Jamie and Dee Dee as they practiced walking down the aisle.

  “Would you just look at me,” Dee Dee said to Jamie. “I’m waddling like a duck.”

  Jamie and Annie lied, insisting that was not the case.

  “Are you still planning to use Fleas as your, um, flower dog?” Annie asked Jamie.

  She nodded. “I know it sounds totally crazy, so go ahead and say it.”

  “It is crazy,” Vera said. “The craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “Yuck!” Dee Dee said. “You’re going to have that—”

  “Don’t you dare call him ugly,” Jamie said.

  Dee Dee clamped her lips together but shook her head sadly.

  “I tried to talk her out of it,” Vera said to Annie, “but she treats him like her firstborn.”

  Annie chuckled, noting the wide-eyed look on Reverend Tuttle’s face. “Trust me: having a dog in the wedding is tame compared to some of the things couples have asked for.”

  “Thank you for defending me,” Jamie said. “I’ve never had a pet before, and I know I’ve spoiled him, but . . .” She paused and sighed. “I think his previous owner mistreated him, so I guess I’m trying to do all I can to make up for it.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Christie said. “Mom and I are big-time animal advocates, so we admire people who take such good care of their pets.”

  “I still think it’s dumb,” Vera said.

  Afterward, while Annie ushered the group into the dining room, Dee Dee asked Jamie to show her where the restroom was located. They started down the hall.

  “Psst! Psst!”

  Jamie glanced over her shoulder to see who was making the sound and found Beenie hurrying toward them.

  “Here comes Beenie,” Dee Dee said. “The man just won’t leave my side.”

  He closed the distance between them. “What? Why are you staring at me?”

  “Because you’ve been sticking to me like glue since we arrived.”

  Beenie planted one hand on his hip. “I’m your personal assistant. It’s what I do.”

  “I have to pee. I don’t think following me into the bathroom is part of your job description.”

  “I think Dee Dee is asking for breathing room,” Jamie said.

  He looked hurt. “Okay, if you insist on knowing, this place creeps me out.”

  Jamie made a sound of disgust. “Oh, for Pete’s sake! I don’t believe you said that.”

  “Honey, I don’t want to hurt your feelings,” Dee Dee said to her, “but this place gives me the heebie-jeebies, too. Why, there’s a grave in the backyard, and everybody suspects Annie killed her husband. If I weren’t a strong woman I would probably faint just thinking about it.” She pulled a linen handkerchief from her pocket and mopped her brow. “I might faint anyway.”

  “You do look pale,” Beenie said.

  “She’s pale because she refuses to let the sun touch any part of her body.” Jamie crossed her arms. “Annie is perfectly innocent of the crime with which she’s been charged. She is no more capable of murder than we are. She’s also a very good friend of mine, and I don’t want her feelings hurt,” Jamie added. “She has been through enough.”

  Dee Dee looked contrite. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I am so emotional these days. I seem to cry over everything.”

  Beenie nodded. “Me, too.”

  “We wouldn’t think of doing anything that might embarrass you at your wedding,” Dee Dee said, and Beenie nodded in agreement.

  Jamie looked relieved. “Thank you.” She motioned to the bathroom door. “We need to hurry. I’m sure Annie has begun serving.”

  Dee Dee turned for the bathroom door, then paused and turned. “Just one question,” she said. “Her husband didn’t die from food poisoning, did he?”

  Annie noticed Jamie ate very little dinner and refused dessert, although Max convinced her to take a tiny bite of the almond torte.

  Annie smiled as she refilled coffee cups. She had specifically chosen not to serve anything chocolate, knowing Jamie would find it hard to turn down. Annie and Jamie had once shared an entire bag of Snickers candy bars. It had been well worth the stomachache they’d had afterward.

  Vera looked at Jamie’s plate. “You barely touched your food.”

  “How many more pounds do you have to lose?” Dee Dee asked.

  Jamie looked proud. “I’m down ten pounds. But I don’t want to eat anything fattening and risk blowing it.”

  “Don’t be surprised if you gain back a few pounds on your honeymoon,” Billie said. “I kept something in my mouth the whole time.”

  All eyes turned her way, and Billie blushed profusely, but nobody said anything in deference to Reverend Tuttle.

  “It’s this house,” Destiny whispered to Billie. “I haven’t stopped thinking about sex since I walked through the door.”

  “Jamie, you should take up horseback riding,” Billie said as though hoping to change the subject. “Once Max moves his horses down,” she added. “That’s how Nick and I keep in shape.”

  Dee Dee gave a shudder. “I could never understand how you could tolerate those smelly horses.”

  “I must be used to it by now.” Billie looked at Jamie. “Before I met Nick I didn’t even know how to climb on a horse.”

  “She didn’t know how to get off, either,” Nick said. “First time I tried to help her dismount she slipped and fell on me, and we both ended up on the ground.” They shared a private smile.

  Annie noticed the loving exchange between the two as she began to clear away the dessert dishes. She had caught Max and Jamie looking at each other the same way, and she’d felt sad that she and Charles had never
experienced that degree of intensity. She wondered what it would feel like to be madly in love with someone, to fall asleep and wake up in that person’s arms year after year and still share that depth of feeling.

  “Max told me it was love at first sight for the two of you,” Jamie said, addressing Billie and Nick.

  “I guess you could say that, considering the fact we got married after knowing each other only two weeks,” Billie replied.

  Vera gaped. “Two weeks! Goodness, it takes me longer than that to break in a new pair of shoes. I’ll bet everybody thought you were crazy.”

  Billie and Nick nodded in unison. “I think sometimes you just know from the beginning that it’s right,” he said. “At least that’s the way it was for us.”

  “That is so sweet,” Beenie said, dabbing moist eyes with his napkin.

  “We had a double wedding,” Frankie said. He winked at Nick. “Remember the bachelor’s party and Billie jumping out of that cake half-naked?”

  Annie, holding a tray of empty dessert dishes, paused at the swinging door and turned around. She didn’t want to miss this one.

  Billie hitched her chin high. “Excuse me, but I was wearing a T-shirt over my tassels and G-string.”

  “A very sheer T-shirt,” Nick corrected.

  “Mother!” Christie looked shocked. “You never told me about that.”

  “You should have seen the men tossing money at her,” Dee Dee said.

  “That is so cool,” Joel said. “My mom the stripper.”

  “I made a gigantic fool of myself,” Billie confessed. “I slipped and fell across a table of cold seafood. My hair smelled like fish for days.”

  “I’d like to have seen that,” Max said.

  “You were busy at the time,” Nick reminded, “taking my Mercedes apart piece by piece.”

  Annie grinned, pushed through the door, and entered the kitchen. Jamie joined her a few minutes later, smiling broadly. “Everything was perfect,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without Theenie and Lovelle,” Annie said, and was pleased when Jamie praised their efforts as well. Annie’s face softened. “You’re going to make a beautiful bride.”