Love You Moore (22 page)

“
This was your Great-Grandmothers
handkerchief, I know she would like you to use it today, you can
count it as your something old.”

“
So that makes everything then, my
something borrowed is Mom’s veil. Everything is complete.” There
was another knock at the door, it was her mother.

“
It’s time Honey.” Her mother kissed
her on the cheek. She gave her husband a reassuring look, kissed
him as well and left the room.

“
Ready to go, Baby, you know you can
back out it’s not too late.” This made Abby laugh.

“
Thanks Dad. Let’s go.” He lowered her
veil and she wrapped her arm though his and walked out of the
room.

The ceremony was going to be held in the
garden and it was absolutely gorgeous. All the colors of fall
overflowed everywhere. The chairs were adorned with cream colored
silk covers tied with a bow in the back. The garlands were filled
with flowers of every color of the fall, burnt orange, deep red,
golden yellow and chocolate browns, Abby had never seen anything
more beautiful. As Abby and her father were getting ready to walk
down the aisle, Holly turned around right before it was her turn to
go; they had stayed up most of the night before talking and
reminiscing. They made plans to see each other as often as possible
and cried because they knew it would not be often enough.

“
Abbs,” Holly was crying. “I know all
of these years you felt it was you that was the lucky one to have
me as a friend, but it’s not true, I am the lucky one. From that
first day in Mr. James’ class when you told me you liked my silly
puffy dress, I knew you were someone special. I love you Abby, for
the rest of my life you will be my best friend.” Both girls were
blubbering now. Abby’s father was doing his best to clam them both
down mentioning that they were going to smudge their make-up seemed
to do the trick. They both had one last teeth, nose and eye check
and Holly turned around and proceeded down the lace runner covered
grass aisle.

Abby walked slowly with her father glancing
from side to side at all the friends and family. What she also
noticed were all the celebrities on Jimmy’s side. Movie and
Television stars, rock stars and rock legends. Abby had to take a
double take a couple of times just to make sure she was really
seeing who she thought she was seeing.

“
Dad.” Abby whispered.

“
Yes Honey.”

“
Did you see all who was here? There
are some really famous people here.”

“
Really? Should we stop so I can take a
look?”

“
Funny, no keep walking.” Then her
attention was on Jimmy, he was so handsome standing at the end
waiting for her, she forgot about everyone else that was
there.

When they reached the end, her dad raised her
veil, gave her a kiss on the cheek and handed her over to Jimmy. It
was the hardest thing he had ever done. Abby and Jimmy took a step
closer to the front where Pastor Godley was waiting for them.
Pastor Godley had been Abby’s minister for as long as she could
remember. She remembered asking her father when she was about six
years old.

“
Daddy, don’t you think it’s funny that
Pastor Godley’s name had the name God in it and he’s a man of God.
I don’t think it’s funny ha ha but funny strange.”

“
Well, what other job would a man have
with a name like Godley, I think it’s perfect.” Her father
questioned her, humoring his daughter.

For awhile after that, Abby had assumed that
your profession was tied to your last name. She realized one day
that it wasn’t true when her neighbor, the Carpenters were not in
fact carpenters but a nurse and a mechanic.

Pastor Godley started the ceremony, Abby was
oblivious to anyone but her and Jimmy, only when she heard her name
did she pay attention to what was being said or asked of her.
Before she knew it he was announcing them husband and wife and
telling them they could finally kiss. Jimmy gently raised her veil
and just stared at her for a brief moment, then slowly leaned in
and kissed her softly on the lips.

“
Forget this” Abby thought, she threw
her arms around him, grabbed him tight and kissed him as
passionately as she could. The applause from the audience was as
thunderous as their laughter. They both turned to face their guests
and were announced as Mr. and Mrs. James Douglas Riley.

The reception was held under a huge tent set
up on the garden grounds just a few feet from the ceremony site.
Inside the tent looked like a beautiful woodland forest. The
centerpieces were each three feet tall with a multitude of colorful
fall flowers and branches in crystal vases. Hanging from each
branch was different sized crystals that were illuminated buy tea
light candles lit on the tables. Chocolate and cream colored silk
linens covered the tables. White Christmas lights were strung from
one end of the tent to the other, it gave the illusion they were
dining and dancing under a star lit night. The cake was a six tier
masterpiece. The same fall flowers in the centerpieces, adorned the
cake over the off white vanilla butter cream. A crystal cake topper
in the shape of the initials A&J sat at the top. The white cake
with lemon filling was Abby’s favorite and soon became one of
Jimmy’s as well.

. Every friend Jimmy had in the industry was
there and they all got up on stage at one point or another, either
to sing one of their hit songs, or to assist in the backup or duets
with other singers. The dancing, the food, the guests and the
decorations all made this night a night Abby would never forgot.
She also wouldn’t forget it because of one guest that arrived. Mrs.
Robinson, Mitchell Robinson’s mother was there, staring at her from
the tent entrance. Abby excused herself from the guest she was
speaking with and approached Mrs. Robinson.

“
Mrs. Robinson, it’s so nice to see
you.” She went to give her a hug and Mrs. Robinson stopped
her.

“
Don’t” she said holding up one hand,
“I did not come here to congratulate you Abby, I came to remind you
that a wedding like this is something my son never got to have,
because of you.” She pointed a bony finger right in Abby’s
face.

Abby tried to get her outside of the tent
before anyone could hear her.

“
I’m sorry Mrs. Robinson, but how do
you feel it’s my fault your son died?” Abby panicked thinking Mrs.
Robinson remembered she was the one driving the Jeep in the
accident.

“
If you hadn’t let your Uncle get
behind the wheel the accident would never have had happened.” She
spat “You should have let him get arrested if that was his fate,
but no, you wanted to save your poor Daddy’s reputation and try to
fix the situation, well you didn’t fix anything Abby did you, in
fact things ended up a lot worse didn’t they?!”

Abby was freaking out, she needed to get Mrs.
Robinson away from here before Jimmy hears any of this. She was
able to catch her father’s eye and he came directly out.

“
Everything ok here” He
asked

“
NO Tom everything is not alright, your
daughter gets to have this fabulous wedding and live a glamorous
lifestyle while my son gets what, nothing because he’s dead and
it’s all her fault.” She was again pointing her skeletal finger at
Abby.

“
Amanda, I think you have had a bit too
much to drink and you are not thinking clearly, here let me help
you to a waiting car to take you home.” Tom Moore tried to guide
Amanda Robinson to a cab that was waiting.

“
Get your hands off of me.” She
screamed. “I am not going anywhere until everyone knows the truth,
that you are a murderer Abby Moore.” Abby’s blood ran
cold.

Tom motioned to Zane that was close between
the entrance and the bar. Zane came over fast as he could tell
there was an incident happening.

“
Yes Sir, can I help you with
something?”

“
Yes Zane, please assist Mrs. Robinson
to a cab, she has had a bit too much champagne.”

“
No I haven’t and you can’t make me
leave, please I need to get in there.” She was very belligerent at
this point.

“
Ma’am I think its best we just get you
home.” Zane practically carried her to the cab and placed her
inside of it. Tom Moore had already given the driver Mrs.
Robinson’s address. She was still yelling as the cab drove
away.

Abby turned to her father with a horrified
look on her face.

“
Dad, this is all going to end isn’t
it, this is all going to fall apart.” Abby sobbed

“
No, this too shall pass. Unfortunately
this is a big event for a small town and it has been getting a lot
of attention. I think it just became too much for her. Once all the
hype is over and you and Jimmy are out in LA you will no longer be
in the forefront of her thoughts. Go back inside Honey, dry your
tears and go be with your new husband. I’m going back in, I think I
saw Jimmy Buffet.” Abby smiled at her father, he always could make
her feel better, she was going to miss him.

Abby and her father walked back into the tent
and rejoined the party. Abby tried to put Mrs. Robinson out of her
head but she feared this encounter wasn’t going to be the last, it
was only the beginning.

* * * * *

Chapter 19

After the reception, Abby and Jimmy said
their thank yous and good-byes, changed out of their wedding attire
and headed to the airport. Before they left, Abby had another teary
good bye with Holly and Abby’s parents. This part was the most
difficult. On the happiest day of her life, it was also the
hardest. Holly promised to come out and visit as soon as she could,
she had to walk away or she would have let Abby go, she would have
chained herself to her if she could. Abby’s mother and father
hugged their daughter.

“
We are so proud of you, we are going
to miss you but we know you are going to have an exciting new life
and Daddy and I will come out to see you and you know you can
always come home.” Her mother had always been
reassuring.

Jimmy said their Honeymoon destination was
going to be a surprise but made sure she packed appropriately.

“
You will need a bathing suit and some
sunscreen and that’s all really.” Jimmy told her.

“
Really? I think I may need a little
more than that.” Abby laughed.

“
Well then pack for warm weather days
and hot nights.” He winked at her.

So with one small suitcase in tow she and
Jimmy boarded his jet and headed out into the unknown. Abby had
fallen asleep on the plane, the excitement of the day had caught up
with her. When she awoke she looked out the window and saw the sun
setting over crystal blue water. It was amazing. The most
magnificent sunset she had ever seen. She turned to Jimmy.

“
Where are we?”

“
Turks and Caicos, the island of Parrot
Cay, very secluded.” Jimmy winked at her again.

“
I know what you have been up all night
thinking about” Abby laughed.

Jimmy laughed at that too and shrugged his
shoulders. Abby laughed at him again and turned to look out the
window as they were getting ready to land.

The island and the resort were exquisite.
Abby had never seen such clear blue water and white sand beaches.
She and Jimmy spent two amazing weeks at the resort. They were
pampered and spoiled, Abby hated to leave but was also excited to
get to LA and set up her new home. Plus she wanted to see Margret
and Charles again.

Abby hadn’t spoken to Holly for almost a
week. She had texted her and call her from the island but since
Holly was in school she had to leave messages on her voice mail and
wait for a call back. They had been playing phone tag for a few
days. On the car ride from the airport to Jimmy’s LA home Abby had
tried to call Holly again.

“
Ugh this is so frustrating, I hate not
talking to her, I want to know how school is going and what’s going
on with her.” Abby pouted.

“
I am sure she is fine, Abby.” Jimmy
comforted her. “She is probably feeling the same way you
are.”

“
I’m going to try her again.” Abby
tossed her phone onto the seat after getting Holly’s voice mail
again.

“
We have to make a quick stop before we
head to the house is that ok?” Jimmy asked.

“
Sure, where are we going?”

“
I told a friend I would check out his
new real estate investment. He is a very conservative person and
wants to make sure he is investing wisely. He just wants a second
opinion. Do you mind if we look at the property first?”

“
Not at all.” Abby stated. She looked
out the window and was amazed at all the houses. “Holy Smokes,
Jimmy, look at all of these homes. Where are we?”

“
Calabasas, Kingston Court.” I
think

The car pulled in to the drive way of this
palatial estate. Abby’s mouth hung open as she got out of the car.
“OMG” she said quietly to herself.

There was a man waiting by a Black Mercedes.
Jimmy walked over to him.

Mr. Craney, good to see you again.” Jimmy
shook his hand.

“
Always a pleasure Mr. Riley.” The man
replied back.

“
Meet my wife Abby, Abby this is Mr.
Craney, my friend’s Real Estate agent. He is here to show us the
property.”

“
Nice to meet you” Abby reached out her
hand.