Playing for Keeps (10 page)

Something inside me melted. I patted her hand. “Of course you can help. In fact, I really welcome it.”

Maybe with Fawn as an ally I could get Nell on track. Some of the pressure would be off me, too. In fact, I felt ten pounds lighter already.

I grinned and held up my mug. “To a memorable wedding.”

She laughed and clinked her cup against mine. “Hear, hear.”

If only I’d remembered to be careful what I wished for.

Chapter Eight

Invaders become more intent the farther they enter foreign territory, to the point where native rulership cannot overcome them.

—Sun Tzu, The Art of War

As reluctant as I’d been to have
River
‘s parents stay with us, after I spent a while in their warm company I had a complete about-face. An older woman’s guidance—a mother’s guidance—was exactly what I needed, and Fawn fit the bill.

Of course, Daddy wasn’t as happy to have them.

Nell stuck around until they’d gotten settled in, which consisted of setting up a tent in the yard and transferring perishable foods from their Coleman to the fridge. As soon as Nell made sure I wasn’t going to boot them out, she took off.

Not a hardship, especially since
River
‘s parents decided to take a nap, or siesta as they called it, in the backyard.

Which left my afternoon free.

The first thing I did was go to my room and call Celeste.

“LunaVerse. Good afternoon.”

“How did you know?”

“How did I know what?”

“That Riley’s name is really River.”

“I always told you he felt more like a River than he did a Riley.”

Getting a straight answer out of her was impossible sometimes. “His parents are here. They sleep outside and are hippies.”

“Does your dad know?”

“No.” What Nell did hit me then. “I’m going to kill my sister.”

Celeste sounded amused but not surprised. “Left you holding the bag again, huh?”

I imagined introducing Daddy to Fawn and Leif on my own and grimaced. “I’ll kill her and won’t even feel bad about it. I have a spare sister. I can afford to lose one.”

“I’d come over for moral support but I have a date after work.”

“I’m glad you have your priorities straight.”

“Someone’s got to.” I heard the chimes signaling a customer entering the store. Celeste’s voice called out a greeting, muffled by her hand over the receiver. “I gotta go,” she whispered a moment later. “Major hot guy just walked in. Talk to you later.” And she hung up.

Well, at least I knew where I stood next to a hot guy. I dropped the phone in its cradle and went straight for my stash of Godiva chocolate-covered strawberries. It was time to pull out the heavy artillery.

I hadn’t heard a peep from Fawn or Leif and felt a little guilty about abandoning them, but not guilty enough to find them and make sure they were okay. Instead, I put on Die Hard and watched Bruce Willis kick some terrorist butt.

I was watching Bruce throw Alan Rickman out a thirty-some story window when I heard Daddy arrive home. I’d eaten myself into complacency so I didn’t feel the need to jump up and greet him. Instead I waited for what I knew was coming.

Three, two, one…

“Grace Connors! Get your butt down here right
now
.”

There was a certain comfort in knowing how things were going to go down.

I trudged down the stairs to find my dad standing in the kitchen doorway, hands fisted at his sides and face livid. He didn’t even wait for me to reach the bottom step. “Who are those goddamn people who’ve breached the perimeter?”

Daddy was always blustery, but you could tell when he was really upset because he started to use military lingo. “Daddy, they’ll hear you.”

“What the hell are they doing here?” If anything, his voice just got louder.

“They’re Riley’s parents. They’re staying with us for a few days while we go over some wedding plans.”

“Riley’s parents? They’re goddamn
hippies
. The enemy has established a foothold in our camp.”

“Daddy, they’re going to be Nell’s in-laws.” Sighing, I held his arm and pulled him into the living room with me. “Whatever they are, whatever politics they believe in, is
not
going to come into play here. You won’t ruin this for Nell by picking on her fiancé‘s parents.”

His lips moved like they wanted to protest but he managed to keep his thoughts to himself. Finally, he sullenly said, “I don’t like hippies.”

“I know, Daddy, and I don’t blame you, but you can’t hold Riley’s parents accountable for what happened in the past.”

“Why not?”

I grinned at his sulky tone. “Because.”

He scowled. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to.”

“How long are they staying?”

“Nell said a few days. They’re going to some convention thing in Mexico.”

“Hm.” He didn’t look any happier.

I kissed his cheek. “What would you like me to make for dinner?” I was going to offer to make tofu stir-fry but I didn’t think that’d go over well.

“I’m going out,” he said absently.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Any other time I would have asked him where he was going, especially in light of his recent covert activity. Tonight, all I could think of was I wouldn’t have to tell him Fawn and Leif were vegetarians. It’d have sent him over the edge.

“I have to go take a shower.” He grumbled all the way up the stairs to his bedroom.

I heard the door slam shut. “That went well.”

Now to make sure
River
‘s parents were still in one piece.

They were hovering outside the kitchen door, peeking in the window as if wondering if the coast was clear.

“I’m sorry about my father. He was, uh, surprised to discover we had guests.”

Fawn patted my arm. “Quite alright, dear. No need to apologize for him. Though I think he could use a good enema followed by an aural cleansing.”

Leif solemnly nodded his head in agreement.

I really had to introduce them to Celeste. “So I was thinking about dinner—”

“No need to concern yourself over us, dear. We packed plenty of food. We’ll have a picnic out here under the stars.” She smiled at her husband in a way that made me blush beet red.

More info than I needed. I tried not to picture them doing it in my backyard. Mental note: use the front door this evening if going outside.

“Um, great.” I backed away. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“Of course, dear. I thought we could go over some of the wedding details before Nell comes over in the afternoon. To catch me up.”

“Sure. I’m glad you’re going to be helping. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be in my room.”

“We’ll be fine. Good night.”

Leif smiled at me and patted my shoulder. He didn’t talk much—actually, I wasn’t sure I’d heard him say a word since he arrived—but I liked him.

I let myself into the kitchen and dimmed the lights before I barricaded myself in my room.

Bruce Willis just arrived at the airport to pick up his wife in Die Hard II when I heard my dad stomp out of the house and tear off in his car.

I really needed to ask him what was going on. It might have given me something to dwell on rather than the fact that everyone in my family had more of a life than I did.

I was making coffee late the next morning when Chloe dragged her carcass downstairs. She plopped in a chair and dropped her head on the table.

She’d a late night. I only knew this because I was watching Die Hard with a Vengeance for the second time when she came home. She probably went to sleep before I did, but she doesn’t bounce back from a late night very well, and she’s not a morning person.

I love mornings. No matter what time I go to bed, I wake up with dawn, refreshed and ready to go. There’s something hopeful about the morning, like being given a fresh slate.

It was also great for torturing your sisters.

“Chloe, did you have a good time yesterday? What did you do? I heard you come in last night. Late.” I sighed dramatically. “I remember going out all night. The parties, the dancing, the men…”

She lifted her head enough to glare at me. “You never went out all night. I know what you’re up to. Annoying chatter isn’t your forte, it’s Nell’s.”

She was right, but I knew I did it well enough to drive her crazy. I wondered if I should put some music on and sashay around the kitchen.

The back door opened and Fawn and Leif stepped in. “Good morning! Oh, this must be Chloe. Why, she’s the very image of Nell, isn’t she?”

I grinned. I wouldn’t have to chatter with Fawn here. She made Nell look like an amateur.

Chloe gave me a
what the hell
look. At least she had enough manners not to say it out loud.

“Chloe, meet Riley’s parents, Fawn and Leif.”

She frowned at them. “Riley’s parents.”

“Oh dear.” Fawn shook her head. “You need a stimulant, don’t you? Luckily, Leif has his special blend coffee right here.”

Leif held up a plastic Zip-Loc bag full with dark beans.

“He roasts them himself, you know. Honey, make the girls a pot.”

I broke out of my incredulity as soon as he waddled over to the stove and filled the kettle with water. “I just made a pot of coffee if you’d like some,” I said.

Fawn wrinkled her upturned nose at the thermos in my hand. “That’s hardly worth drinking.”

Before I could even start my next thought, she took it, unscrewed the top, and poured the fresh coffee down the drain. Rinsing it, she set it in front of Leif. She produced a filter looking thing and set it on top of the thermos. I had no idea where she had it hidden, you’d think it would have made a big bulge in her dress. She rubbed Leif’s semi bald head and joined Chloe and me at the table.

Both Chloe and I were speechless. I have no idea what Fawn said to fill up the space while Leif made his special brew. I couldn’t get over the fact that she so cavalierly threw away my coffee. I made good coffee, too.

The next thing I knew, Leif set down steaming mugs in front of us with a bright smile.

I sniffed at the mug. It smelled good actually—dark, rich, and velvety. I hesitated for a moment, wondering what his special brew consisted of. I sniffed it again. If it contained magic mushrooms, I’d be able to smell it, right?

Throwing caution to the wind, I added a spoon of sugar, stirred, and took a tentative sip.

It was good. Really good. I perked up.

“Hey. This is way better than Gracie’s coffee,” my sister exclaimed.

Fawn smiled indulgently at Chloe as she accepted a cup from her husband. “It’s all in the roast.”

Normally I would have taken exception to the not so vague insults against my coffee, but I was willing to let it go this time. I had to admit, I’d never had coffee as delicious as this. “From now on, you can make the coffee in the morning.”

He beamed at me with pleasure.

“Oh shit, is that the time? I’ve gotta get to school.” Chloe jumped up, mug in hand, and dropped a kiss on Leif’s forehead. “Thanks for the java.”

He blushed charmingly, watching her bound out with adoring eyes.

I rolled my eyes. Both Nell and Chloe had that illusive thing that made men melt around their pinkies. I lacked that gene, too. I got up. “I should get ready for work. Make yourself at home, okay?”

“Don’t worry about us, dear. We’ll be fine.” The way they both smiled at me made me feel guilty for leaving them at home.

I got to the studio early and worked nonstop until two when I left for home. Nell’s car was already in the driveway when I got there.

Fawn and Nell were seated around the kitchen table, laughing uproariously over something.

“Hey.” I dropped my purse on the floor and pulled a Coke out of the fridge.

Nell wiped her eyes. “Fawn was just telling me some stories about Riley when he was a kid.”

Fawn’s eyes sparkled. “He was such a funny little boy.”

“Where is the little guy now anyway?” I asked as I sat down.

“He couldn’t get away from the firm,” Nell said.

Right. Was I the only one who didn’t find it odd that he hadn’t been by to see his parents since they arrived here?

To be fair I had to admit that maybe he came over while I was at work. “Did he make it by this morning?”

“No. He’s such a workaholic.” Fawn patted Nell’s arm. “Hopefully you’ll change that, dear.”

I took a swig of my Coke. I needed my mouth full so I wouldn’t express my feelings on the matter.

“Riley and I talked things over and we decided on the second Saturday in October.” Nell smiled with the pride of a toddler taking her first step.

“Great. Have you thought about where you might like it held? I was thinking maybe The Pavilion.” The Pavilion seemed like the perfect place. There was a large banquet hall as well as a beautiful English garden. The mother of one of our kung fu students worked in their business office and I was sure she could hook us up. The most influencing factor was it looked so much like the place where my mom and dad got married.

Nell’s face looked thoughtful. “That could wor—”

“You know,” interrupted Fawn, “a wedding on the beach would be so beautiful. I can just see it. Nell walks down the sand toward the water where River waits for her in the surf.” She held her hands out in front of her and stared through them.

I tried looking through them too, but obviously I was on a different channel because I saw nothing but blank screen.

“They meet and hold hands in the spray.”

I cringed, thinking of the expensive dress Nell bought getting salt-water stains. Not to mention how cold it was on the Oregon Coast in October.

“We end the ceremony by sending off bottles in the ocean with messages of love and peace.” Fawn sighed happily.

Nell wiped a tear from her cheek. “That sounds so perfect.”

Maybe we
could
have autumn at the beach. We could sprinkle leaves across the sand. And make driftwood cornucopias.

I shook my head. Someone had to get a grip here. “I’m not sure having the wedding at the beach would be the best idea.”