It's Bliss (35 page)

She looked over at her fiance adoringly. “I’d love to, Dodds. Where shall we begin?”

He grinned. “With the note you wrote me, of course.”

Their audience was more than responsive as they heard the account. With both Billie and Sheldon explaining Billie’s unique problem, their friends understood, particularly the women. They all laughed, some teared up, and other times just quietly listened with rapt interest. When Lora Lemmon came into the story, the laughter really began and Billie laughed the hardest, finding out things she hadn’t known about Sheldon and Lora. The greatest fun was when Sheldon told of falling over Lora in the video store. Then came the strange tale of Lora and the ants. Lora and her ‘almost threat’. Then, of course, the sequence of events that followed.

There was one more surprise for Billie; finding out that Lora was Sheldon’s courier with the roses, requiring her once more to hide in the bushes.

They attentive audience clapped as the fascinating story concluded. “But,” Nettie said, “we must hear the poems.

Sheldon and Billie looked at each other, a small smile passing between them as Sheldon gave her hand a special squeeze.

Sheldon shook his head. “That’s carrying it too far, Nettie.”

“
Then at least,” insisted Hal, “we need to meet this Miss Lora Lemmon.”

“
Interesting that you should say that, Hal,” Billie said, “for I suggest that she replace me in Project Success.”

-

Sheldon drove into the underground parking of his condominium.

“
Where are you taking me, Dodds?”

They had said goodnight to their friends, and he had driven here without explaining. “Well, Bliss, I live on the top floor of this building. What I was wondering is, would you mind if we live in my place here until we can build us a house?”

She leaned over and kissed him. “I would love to. I would love to live anywhere with you.”

He decided that they should remain in the car until he told her more about himself. “You see, Bliss, I own this building.”

Billie’s brow rose questioningly. “You mean you own the condominium?”

“
No. I mean I own the whole building. I built it as an investment.”

“
This whole building is yours?” she asked, incredulous.

“
Yes.”

“
I knew you were a brilliant businessman, Dodds, but I didn’t realize you were that well off.”

Sheldon smiled, put his arm around her, and drew her close, realizing that now was the time to tell her just how wealthy he was. “My grandfather left me a small inheritance and I made an investment. I was lucky, for it turned a nice profit. I invested the profit, sold again and so on.” He told her everything he owned. When he was through, he waited for her reaction—and waited. “Bliss?”

“
That means you are very rich, Dodds!” she exclaimed in hushed tones.

“
Yes, Bliss, very. Your father was quite surprised, too.”

“
My father? How does he know?”

“
I told him when I asked for your hand. He seemed quite pleased that I could support his daughter in a proper manner.”

Billie sighed. “How romantic that you asked for my hand.”

Sheldon laughed again. He leaned over and kissed her full, delectable lips long and lingeringly. Her warm response left him a happy man. He got out of the car, opened her door, and led her to the elevator. Billie was quiet, still trying to take it all in as they rode to the top.

As they stepped into Sheldon’s condominium, Billie gasped in delight.

“
It’s fabulous. Did you do the decorating, Dodds?”

“
Yes, and I know it isn’t what a woman would choose,” he began apologetically.

“
Oh, but, Dodds, I love it. It looks like you.” She walked around the big room looking at everything. “The colors are strong and the furniture massive—all wonderfully decisive and masculine—like you.” He flushed with pleasure. She walked over to the big picture above the fireplace. “And this watercolor on the wall is beautiful. It shows your sensitive and artistic side,” she said, smiling knowingly. She examined the room further. “The decorative items, such as this large vase and the bronze statue of Lincoln definitely point out your strong aristocratic character. Everything is well placed, wellorganized, like you.”

She walked over to him and smiled, her eyes filled with admiration, “Everything in here is of the finest quality, telling me that you have made money, and that suggests to me a number of things, including your ability to interact and work well with men.”

Sheldon’s chest swelled with that special feeling that only comes to a man who is sincerely admired by the woman he loves. Sheldon knew instinctively that this confidence, inspired by a woman, was the kind that made men want to climb the highest mountain, build the greatest empire, dig the best ditches, paint the finest pictures, hammer the straightest nail, and while he’s at it, leave the world a better place.

With moist eyes, he put his arms around his beloved and held her close, praying that he would someday be worthy of her admiration.

Two and a half weeks later, on a Saturday morning, William Bliss, in the presence of a small group of friends and relatives, gave his daughter, Billie Margaret, in marriage to Sheldon Dodds Ackerman. This special occasion was held in the backyard of the Bliss home while the last vestiges of summer lingered on, mingling with the coming new season.

The bride, with one significant white rose in her lovely auburn hair, wore a simple white gown. Her groom, dressed in a black tuxedo, stood beside her with one matching white rose tucked into the lapel of his coat.

The glow of happiness that radiated from the bride and groom renewed everyone’s hope and faith in their own marriage or marriage to be.

Those in attendance were the immediate family, a few relatives from the Bliss side of the family, Henry’s children and grandchildren, several close friends of Will and Margaret,and a few business associates. The DeePees were there, relieved to see their friend finally lose his bachelorhood and join the ranks of the happily married.

Arly Bates and Lora Lemmon, special guests of the bride and groom and the bride’s family, were present, holding hands and looking almost as happy as the bridal pair. They had been issued an invitation with a special thank you note enclosed for their part in protecting the Bliss family from the depredations of a car thief.

Margaret, Matilda, and Billie had prepared a lovely buffet brunch, which they served out on the large back porch. Every one mingled and congratulated the bride and groom, who, as quickly as they possibly could, exited, anxious to leave on their honeymoon.

-

A week later, back from their honeymoon, Sheldon, under the guise of observing the social amenities, hosted an open house at the Maple Hills Country Club for all his colleagues at the university, his business associates from several cities, and for the rest of the friends of the Bliss family in Claytonville. Sheldon’s real motive was to show off his lovely bride.

As the evening ended, the DeePees—Hal and Sharon, Don and Nettie, Robert and Mollie—cornered Sheldon and Billie for one purpose. They had one last question to ask.

“
All right, Sheldon,” Robert said, “we all want to know why you called Billie by her last name, ‘Bliss’?”

“
Yes, Shel,” Nettie said, smiling, “tell us.”

He looked at them, contemplating the answer. He gazed down at Bliss’ lovely smiling face, now upturned to his. Her luminous, brown eyes were also curious and questioning.

A slow smile spread across Sheldon’s face. His deep blue eyes shining with happiness, he answered them while gazing at his bride.

“
Because, my good friends, getting to know Billie Bliss and being married to her has simply been—pure
bliss
.”