“Oh, I’m working on my vows. I promised D.J. I’d memorize them, and I’ve never been very good at that sort of thing.”
She clasped her hands together. “Well now, how about this: I’ll help you.”
“You’ll help me with my vows?”
“Sure. I used to help my kid sister work on her lines. She was an actress. So you just talk to me like I’m your husband. Er, husband-to-be.”
“Both,” I said.
“Whatever. Just let me have it.”
“Okay.” She rose and I stood in front of this total stranger, doing my best not to hurl as her toxic breath almost knocked me backward. “I, Bella Neeley, take you, D.J. Neeley—”
“Wait, did you say Neeley?”
“Yes.”
“Earline’s boy?”
“Right.”
“Did I mention that Earline and I went to school together? Of course, she wasn’t Neeley back then. Can’t rightly remember what her maiden name was. Guess she didn’t marry very well, did she?”
“Why do you say that?”
Harriet’s leathery brow wrinkled. “Well, she used to date that Deets fellow, but then she broke his heart.”
“Yeah, she married Dwayne Neeley.”
“Yep. Heard that she and this husband of hers joined a motorcycle gang. Kind of a shocker, if you ask me. She was always such a nice person. He must’ve corrupted her.” She sighed. “I’ve known many a man who corrupted a good woman.”
“Well, it’s not exactly a gang. It’s a ministry.”
“Ministry?” The woman glanced my way once more. “Hey, speaking of ministers, we’ll need one if we’re going to keep working on the vows. We’ll call him Pastor Higgenbotham.”
“Okay. Whatever.” I didn’t care what she called the pastor as long as I got to go over my vows so I would have them memorized in time for the ceremony.
Would there even be a ceremony now? Once word got out that the bride was being held for questioning, the guests would probably freak out. We would be ruined—not just D.J. and me, but the whole family.
I yawned and Harriet patted me on the back. “Sure you’re up for this, honey? I think I’d just skip the vows and get some shut-eye, especially if you’ve got a big wedding thing tomorrow. What time is it, anyway?”
“Oh, it’s probably midnight by now.” I yawned again.
“No, I mean what time is your ceremony tomorrow?”
“Oh. Two o’clock at the Town and Country Wedding Chapel.”
“Don’t think I’ve heard of it. Sure hope they bust you loose in time to say your ‘I dos,’” she said. “It’d be terrible to miss the big day.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll just have a few questions and then I’ll get to go. Of course, I’ll have to call someone to take me back to my car. I wonder if Jenna is still up.”
“Jenna?”
“She’s my best friend.” I released another yawn.
“I sure miss having friends.” Harriet sighed.
After going over my vows a couple more times, I felt myself getting groggy. I took a seat and closed my eyes. Minutes later I heard a familiar voice.
“Bella?”
My eyes popped open and I saw Mayor Deets standing there.
“Mayor?” I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. He looked a lot different at this time of night. He had a serious five o’clock shadow, for one thing. And the rings under his eyes made me wonder if maybe he’d been awakened.
“You need a ride back to the store?” he asked.
“You . . . you came to get me? I don’t understand.”
“Clayton called me. Told me what happened. I knew it had to be a mistake, so I talked to the store manager and the officer. I, um, paid for the extract.” He handed me the bottle, and Harriet snatched it from my hands and opened it.
“Mmm.” She giggled. “I’ve always loved the smell of almond extract.” She turned her attention to the mayor and pointed a crooked finger his way. “I remember you. You used to date Earline Neeley. Before she joined the motorcycle gang.”
I groaned.
“Bella, let’s get you out of here.” Mayor Deets took the bottle of extract from Harriet, put the lid back on it, and handed it to me. “You need some rest before your big day tomorrow.”
“Seriously?” I could kiss you! Or not. “So I’m free to go? Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Harriet waved goodbye and wished me well, and after processing a bit of paperwork and reclaiming my purse, I headed out to the parking lot behind Mayor Deets.
“Is my truck still at the Piggly Wiggly, or was it towed?” I asked.
“It’s still there. Clayton’s keeping an eye on it to make sure it’s not towed.”
“Clayton? He’s still sitting at the Piggly Wiggly with my truck?”
“Well sure, Bella. No point in having you pay towing fees on top of everything else. I told him to stay put. If anyone tries to haul off your truck, he’s to tell them that the mayor said, ‘Over my dead body.’”
I couldn’t help myself. I threw my arms around the old sourpuss’s neck and squealed. “You’re a nice man!”
“Please. Don’t. Tell. A. Soul.”
“I won’t. Well, maybe I will, but I won’t give them details, okay?”
He winced. “The only person you’re allowed to tell is Bonnie Sue, and only if she happens to be making more of that banana pudding.”
“Hmm.” Well, about that banana pudding . . . Should I tell him that Bonnie Sue hadn’t really made it? Nah. He’d probably find out soon enough.
I followed him to his car, where he opened the passenger-side door. I climbed inside and rested against the seat, overwhelmed with relief. He got into the driver’s seat and turned on the car, and I got my first glimpse of the time—12:30. Ugh.
“Just for the record, this never happened.” The mayor glanced my way. “You get my meaning?”
I nodded.
“And just so you know, I never had anything against you personally.” He sighed. “Sometimes a fella gets a little discombobulated when things don’t go his way.”
“I understand, trust me.”
“Sometimes it takes the kindness of a fine woman to knock some sense into you.”
“O-oh?” Perhaps he would elaborate.
“I had a call from your mother-in-law a few days back,” he said.
“Earline called you?”
“She did. Apologized for breaking my heart when we were younger. Not sure if you know about all of that, but, well . . . jealousy is a terrible thing, Mrs. Neeley. It can drive a man to do all sorts of things he ends up regretting.”
“I’ve battled the green-eyed monster myself many times over.”
He shrugged. “Getting to know Bonnie Sue has put some things in perspective for me, I guess. The past is in the past. I need to get over it. And I don’t need to trample on anyone else to do that.”
“Are . . . are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I asked.
He nodded. “I’m saying that the bylaws are bygone laws. You can have your facility any way you like it, even if it’s covered in purple glitter.”
I wanted to do the happy dance right then and there. “Oh, I can assure you it won’t be.”
“Well, even if it was, I’d probably say go for it, just because Bonnie Sue would like the idea. I . . . well, I’m prone to want to do whatever makes her happy these days.”
“You’re twitterpated, aren’t you?”
He laughed. “I guess you could say that. That’s what Bonnie Sue calls it, anyway.” He chuckled again. “It doesn’t hurt that she makes a mean banana pudding.”
“Hmm.”
Nah. No point in telling him.
We got back to the Piggly Wiggly, and I found Clayton standing next to my truck, keys in hand. He opened my door and I got out and stretched, then reached back inside for my purse. When Mayor Deets got to my side of the car, I threw my arms around his neck once more. “I can’
t thank you enough.”
“You’re welcome. But Bella, remember, this never happened. The trip to the sheriff’s office. Me helping you. Any of it. I won’t say a word to anyone, so you don’t have to either.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep. My lips are sealed. Capiche?”
“Capiche!” I took a couple of steps toward my truck and then turned back to look at the mayor and Clayton. “Hey, if you’re not busy tomorrow afternoon, I hear there’s a really great party going on at that new wedding facility.”
The mayor laughed.
“I’ll be there,” Clayton said. “But not just for the party.”
“Oh?” Was he still interested in Lily, perhaps? This might complicate things for Cecil.
“I’ll be there to chat with Jordan Singer, from Texas Bride magazine.”
“Is he doing a piece on you too?” I asked.
“No.” Clayton shook his head. “I got a random call from him today. Out of the blue. He’s, well, he’s offered me a job.”
“A job?” the mayor and I responded in unison.
“Yes. He said that someone from Splendora gave him some of my old articles, the nature pieces, and he really liked my writing. Turns out they’re looking for someone at Texas Highways magazine, the parent company for Texas Bride.”
“Clayton, that’s great,” I said.
“But I’ll have to move to Austin. That’s the only downside.”
“Austin?” Mayor Deets echoed.
Clayton nodded. “Yeah. But I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I like the idea more and more. I think it’s time for me to strike out on my own and try something new.”
“What will happen to the Gazette?” the mayor asked.
“Well, funny you should ask, Uncle Tommy. I was thinking maybe you might like to take it on.”
“Me? Manage the paper?”
“Sure. No one knows more about the town of Splendora than you. And you’re a solid writer. Those bylaws you put together”—he coughed—“well, they were an excellent piece of fiction.”
Mayor Deets laughed and slapped him on the back. “Why, thank you. That’s high praise, coming from a real writer like you.”
“Just saying, maybe it’s time for a change for all of us.”
“You suggesting I drop my run for mayor to take over the paper?”
Clayton shrugged. “Dunno. Why don’t you pray about it and see what God has to say?”
“What God has to say?” The mayor spoke these words as if they were some sort of revelation. “Hmm.”
I pondered all of these things as I climbed into my truck and headed out. No doubt Jasmine would be worried sick, wondering why I’d been gone so long. I’d have a lot of explaining to do once I arrived back at the Rigas home.
Or not.
I walked into the house and braced myself for twenty questions from Jasmine, who was still at work in the kitchen. She was listening to some worship music and singing her heart out.
“Hey, Bella.” She looked up as I entered the messy kitchen.
“Hey. I, um . . . Well, I’m sorry I, um . . .”
“Sorry? Were they out of extract at the Piggly Wiggly? Did you have to drive all the way to Humble to find some? You’ve been gone awhile.”
“Oh, right. Yes, it’s been awhile. But the good news is, I found the extract.”
“Perfect! I’m almost ready for it. Thanks for going to all that trouble.”
“Well, yeah, but I wanted to apologize for taking so long.”
“No problem. I had plenty to keep me busy. Besides, you did me the favor, silly. Who else would make a run to the store the night before their wedding? I should be apologizing to you for not being more sensitive, not the other way around. Then again, you’re such a nice person. Always doing for others. So thanks again for going. I’m grateful.”
“You’re welcome.” I reached into my purse and came out with the extract. As I placed it in her hand, she sniffed the air between us.
“Um, Bella, you smell a little funky.”
“Oh?” Well, try sitting at the sheriff’s office for an hour with a drunken stranger and you’ll understand why.
“Maybe it’s something the massage therapist gal used on you. I’m not sure. Just a strong, weird odor.” She gave me a wink. “You might want to take a bubble bath. That’s what I’d do if I smelled like that. Don’t want to scare the groom away.”
No, indeed. I certainly did not.
“Besides, you could probably stand to relax. I’m sure you’re tired. It’s been a long day. Fun, but long.”
I wasn’t so sure about the fun part, but I agreed with her about the rest.
Jasmine opened the almond extract and poured a capful into a bowl, along with some unmelted chocolate pieces. She started telling me about the candies she’d prepared for my wedding reception and lifted the cutest little heart-shaped chocolate for me to examine.
“Here, taste this one.” She handed it to me and I popped it into my mouth. Mmm. The perfect antidote for a night at the sheriff’s office.
I stifled a yawn.
“Go on, sleepyhead.” She giggled. “Head upstairs and use our soaker tub. You’ll love it.”
“You sure you’re going to be okay by yourself?”
“Of course. I’ll be fine out here by myself. I always am.”
“Okay then.” I grabbed my purse, preparing to head off to the bathroom for a good long soak in her tub. At the last minute I turned back to face her. “You know, Jasmine . . . I’ve been thinking a lot about Clayton Deets and his uncle.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Why? Did they do something awful again?”
“No. Just thinking that everyone has a story. A backstory, I mean. You know?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“Sometimes people just need time. And space.”
“Well, since you brought that up . . .” Her cheeks flushed. “I have some news about Fred.”
“Oh?” Must be good news, judging from the impish grin. “Is the wedding back on?”
“Well, I do think we’ll get married and live happily ever after.” She gave a little shrug. “I just don’t think it’s going to happen as soon as I thought. He’s overwhelmed with things at work, and I’m going to be so busy with the wedding facility and my candy business. We’re talking about getting married in the spring.”
“A springtime wedding will be beautiful.”
“I think so too, and I know the wedding facility is the perfect place.”
“Awesome!”
“Do you know why he wanted to take a step back?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, but I didn’t really feel like it was any of my business.”
“I don’t mind telling you. He thought I was a little too . . .” Her nose wrinkled. “Anxious?”
“To get married?”
“About the whole thing. He adores me and I adore him, but he wanted to make sure I wasn’t marrying him to try to beat my sister to the altar. That’s funny, now that I think about it.”
“Funny? Why?”
“Because I’d be willing to bet she ends up married before me.” Jasmine stuck the bowl of chocolates into the microwave and turned it on. “And that’s okay with me. Now, anyway. If you’d asked me a few weeks ago, I might’ve felt differently.” She checked the timer on the microwave, then turned back to face me. “You might not have noticed this, Bella, but there’s a bit of a competitive thing happening between us most of the time.”
“Really?” I tried to look surprised. “You two are competitive?”
She chuckled. “Yes. And brace yourself . . . it’s pretty common with twins.”
“With sisters in general,” I said. “Remember, I have a sister too.”
“Yes, but I think the bond between twins is so strong. You’re connected in a different way. And anything that might break that bond—like a guy, for instance—is a threat.”
“But now?”
“Now . . .” The timer went off on
the microwave, and she reached to open the door. “Now we’re in a different place. We’ve both moved on. I think it’s kind of like these candies. God had to take us and melt us down a little and reshape us. We end up looking—and acting—a lot better than where we started.”
“Well, amen to that.”
She pinched her nose. “You’d better go bathe, Bella. I’m not sure what they’ve done to you, but you really need to start fresh.”
I pondered her words “start fresh” as I slipped into the tub filled with bubbles minutes later. Wasn’t that just what God had done in all of our hearts over the past few weeks? Mayor Deets. Clayton. Jasmine. Lily.
And me. Yes, God had certainly done a work in me. And now, with just hours left before I met my husband at the altar, I had every reason to hope that God would help the two of us start fresh as well.
24
Who Needs Pictures
I loved being outside. We’d hold lightning bugs in our fingers and pretend they were diamond rings.
Loretta Lynn
On the morning of my vow renewal ceremony, I awoke with my thoughts in a whirl. The voices of my friends sounded from the next room, all giggles and laughter. Sounded like they were all wide awake and having a great time together. I lay in the beautiful queen-sized, four-poster bed, hoping for a few more minutes of rest. While I did, I reflected on the crazy dream I’d had the night before. Seemed so ludicrous now. I’d been hauled off to the sheriff’s office for stealing a bottle of almond extract. Ha!
I stretched and felt a little twinge in my side. Ugh. I’d definitely been overdoing it. Or maybe it had something to do with the stress of the past twenty-four hours.
I sat straight up in the bed, realizing the truth: I did go to jail! I didn’t dream it. It really happened. I let out a gasp and threw the covers back, trying to remember exactly what had happened.
“Bella? You okay?” Jenna came rushing into the room. “Sounded like you were in pain or something.”
“Oh.” I rubbed my side. “Well, I was having a little twinge, but I’m okay now.”
Rosa telephoned from the B and B to update me on the foods she planned to bring. Bubba called Jenna to ask some questions about setup for the barbecue, and Mama telephoned to see if I’d made it home okay from the store the night before.