See Bride Run! (22 page)

Annie quickly looked away and found Darla grinning at the sight of Sam. She put two fingers in her mouth and blasted an ear-splitting wolf whistle that startled several customers and woke a baby who howled in protest.

“I
hate
when she does that,” Sam hissed to Annie. “Every year, she does the same old thing.” He paused. “Annie, are you even listening to me?”

Annie refused to look his way. “I’m getting iced tea for a table of eight,” she said. “I don’t have time to chat.”

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes, fine.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she insisted.

“Something’s wrong,” he said. “I can tell.”

A giggle escaped her. “Sam, please don’t bother me right now.”

“Oh, I get it. It’s this outfit, right? Am I right?” he said when she didn’t answer. “Is that why you won’t look at me?”

Laughter bubbled up from her throat. “Go away, Sam,” she ordered. “I can’t work with you here.”

“It’s not that funny.”

“Yes, it is. Trust me.”

“I have to go,” he said, sounding hurt. “The parade starts in fifteen minutes, and I have to take my place next to the other pathetic looking okras. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Okay.”

“Annie?”

She tried to look serious. “Yes, Sam?”

“I wish I could kiss you right here,” he said.

“Please don’t. There’s a truck driver in the second booth who just proposed marriage. If he thinks I’m hot for Okra Man, he might lose interest.”

“That’s not funny,” Sam said and hurried away.

Most of the customers had cleared out in time for the parade, and those who remained watched from their seats next to the window. The parade began with a marching band, each member wearing the same green as the okra outfits. It stopped right in front of the restaurant playing,
When the Saints Go Marching In.
Annie, Darla, and Wayne sat on stools at the counter trying to eat lunch and watch the parade.

Flo and Patricia craned their heads from the food window, both appearing frustrated that they could not see what was going on. A moment later, they came through the swinging doors, having dispensed of their white aprons. They watched from the front door and fell into a fit of laughter when a dozen men marched by in okra outfits. Flo laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes. She had to sit in a booth to recover.

Once the parade moved past the restaurant, Darla and Annie refilled the sugar canisters and condiments, and wiped the vinyl menus with vinegar water. With Wayne’s assistance, they got the place ready for the dinner crowd in half the time it usually took. Annie made up salads in advance and stuck them into an oversized refrigerator while Darla refilled the pie case and made tea. Wayne cleaned every booth and table in the restaurant, swept the floor, and quickly ran a damp mop over it while Flo and Patricia, along with Patricia’s daughter, readied the kitchen.

Once they finished their side jobs, Darla and Annie took a well-deserved break, but Wayne kept at it, polishing the stainless steel appliances until they shone like a new penny.

Sam came through the kitchen doors, minus his okra outfit, and poured a cup of coffee. “Well that was embarrassing as hell,” he said. “Next year I’m going to pay someone to break both of my legs so I can’t walk, and then, just maybe, I won’t have to participate in that stupid parade and make a damn fool of myself.”

“Now Sam, you don’t mean that,” Darla said. “If you quit, all the other okras will quit, and then we won’t have an Okra Festival, and this poor town will shrivel up and die. Bad enough there aren’t enough jobs to keep the young people here. We need those tourists because they go home and tell their friends about our town, and that’s how we get vacationers all year. But if you’re determined to ruin it and turn this into a ghost town, then I’ll ask Bo if he’ll break your legs. First, though, I need to know how much you’re willing to pay.”

“Very funny, Darla,” Sam said. “Next year,
you
can wear the okra suit.”

An amused Annie was standing a few feet away sipping a soft drink and listening to Sam go on and on, when, all of a sudden, several young men came through the front door. Annie did a double-take at the sight of Nelson, and she almost choked on her drink as she tried to swallow a mouthful.

Nelson grinned and fixed his gaze on her. “We heard this place has the prettiest waitresses in town,” he said, slurring his words. “Hey, gorgeous,” he added. “I hope you’re on the menu.”

Annie wished she could disappear in a puff of smoke.

“Well, isn’t this grand,” Sam muttered to Darla. “Just when I thought the day couldn’t get worse, in walks a group of drunk strippers.”

“Hey, Darla,” Nelson said. “You’re looking real pretty in that uniform. Oh, look, it is Annie’s uncle,” he added.

Annie shot Darla a look of pure panic. Darla grabbed several menus. “Annie, why don’t you give Sam a refill of coffee so he can take it to his office and relax, and I’ll wait on these gentlemen.”

Annie grabbed the coffee pot and offered Sam another cup.

“I don’t want any more coffee,” Sam said, “but I’ll tell you what I
do
want.” He took the coffee pot from Annie and set it down, then, without warning, pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. When he raised his head, Annie saw they had an audience. She stood there, frozen in place, as Darla and Wayne stared at her, and Flo and Patricia gaped from the other side of the food window.

“Now then,” Sam said. “My day just got better.” He looked at Darla. “I trust you can keep those kids under control. Please don’t let them dance on any of the tables or take their clothes off.” He took one last look at Annie and pushed through the doors to the kitchen.

“Oh, my Lord!” Darla said. “I never thought I would see the day. Sam Ballard is in love!” She grinned at Annie.

Annie did not think it was funny. In fact, she was both embarrassed and humiliated. “Would you please excuse me,” she said and pushed through the doors just as Sam had a moment before. She found him sitting in his office filling out a deposit slip. He looked up.

Annie stepped inside, closed the door, and crossed her arms. She was as furious as the look on her face. “You listen to me, Sam Ballard, and you listen
good
,” she added. “If you
ever
do that again, I’m going to walk out the back door, and that will be the last you see of me.”

He looked surprised. “Are you really angry?” he asked.

“I’m so mad I feel like hitting you over the head with Flo’s skillet,” she said. “You do
not
have the right to embarrass me in front of the other employees
or
our customers. I’m sorry that you are annoyed because you had to be in a parade. Gee, what a terrible, horrifying, miserable experience that must’ve been. My advice to you is get over it.” She opened the door and walked out without another word.

#

For the next few days, everyone raced about the Dixieland Cafe, trying to keep up with the crowds. Between studying and keeping the mad pace at work, not to mention constantly sorting through her feelings for Sam whose apology she’d finally accepted, Annie felt scrambled much of the time.

She was thankful when Sunday finally arrived. She knew Sam was taking a financial hit by closing the restaurant for the day, even more so since he’d promised everyone would still be paid for the day, but Annie figured Darla deserved it after all the years she had worked for Sam.

Annie straightened her place, took a hot shower, and spent a long time on her makeup. Once her hair dried, she sprayed it and finger-combed the waves and curls so that it came out fuller. She did her nails and waited till they were dry to begin dressing. Checking her reflection in the mirror, she was pleased with the finished product. The only thing missing was perfume. She thought of her perfume tray back home that held her favorite scents and shook her head.

She opened the door to the linen closet and looked among the shelves for perfume or body spray. She smiled when she found what she was looking for, simple lavender water, the same brand Vera had spritzed on her bed pillows for years. Annie had a sudden yearning to see the woman and decided she was going to insist that Vera visit her once the Okra Festival was over. It made no sense that Vera had not tried to reach her, but Annie couldn’t think about it at the moment. She was putting on lipstick when Sam arrived. He whistled when he caught sight of Annie. “Don’t you know it’s not nice to outshine the bride,” he said.

“That’s not likely to happen,” Annie said, giving a chuckle. “The bride has spent hours at the hair and nail salon, and her gown is worth umpteen-thousand-dollars. Fortunately, she will only be wearing about half as many crinolines so she’ll have an easier time getting around.”

“Did I tell you that Bo had to climb that tree for the tiara and veil?” Sam asked. “Darla had given up on it, said they could probably find something just as nice at the mall, but Bo knew she wanted it.”

Annie smiled. “I’m glad because that’s actually my wedding gift to them.”

“What do you mean?”

“The diamonds in that tiara are real, Sam. Twenty karats of perfectly flawless stones, straight from Tiffany’s.”

“And that would be worth, um?”

“Well . . .” Annie paused. “Darla and Bo could each buy a new vehicle for starters. And they could put a huge down payment on a nice house.”

“Hold it,” Sam said. “You’re telling me you let that tiara dangle in a tree all this time,
knowing
what it was worth?”

“Yep.”

“How could you sleep at night?”

Annie smiled. “Silly boy,” she said. “The tiara is insured.”

#

As planned, Sam and Annie arrived before the bride and groom. They stood apart from the crowd while the band played soft music. The band had been moved to a grassy area nearby so the wedding would take place on the raised gazebo where everyone could see. People stood or sat in lawn chairs, patiently awaiting the couple. Lillian, Kazue, and the others stood a short distance away, waving and throwing kisses.

“I only have two requests,” Sam whispered to Annie.

“Anything for you handsome.”

“This is not
your
wedding. Please do not steal anybody’s car and take off.”

She grinned. “And your second request?”

“Do not tell Darla about the tiara until Bo and I are in position to catch her before she hits the ground.”

People began clapping when a white carriage and two white horses made their way down the cobblestone street that surrounded the courthouse.

The crowd went wild when Bo helped Darla from the carriage, and they saw her dress. The band began playing the “Wedding March.” Sam and Annie led the way to the gazebo and waited for the bride and groom. Annie felt a huge lump in her throat at the sight of Darla in the gown. She looked at Sam and found him watching her. He winked.

When the music died down, the minister stepped forward, and a hush fell over the crowd, except for the sound of cameras clicking. Darla’s wedding would no doubt end up on the front page of the Pinckney Gazette.

The minister stepped forward. “Dearly beloved . . .” he began.

Annie tried to concentrate on the minister’s words, but it was all she could do to keep from staring at Sam. She wondered what he was thinking, wondered if he knew how devastatingly handsome he looked. Most of all, she wondered if he suspected she’d fallen in love with him.

“. . . The ring please.”

Sam handed Bo the ring. Annie felt a giant lump in her throat as Bo, all six-foot-six, tenderly promised to love and cherish Darla for as long as they both lived. Annie’s hand shook, and she felt tears gathering in her eyes when she passed the ring to Darla who repeated the same vow.

The minister pronounced them husband and wife, and the two kissed as shouts and whistles rang out from the crowd below, and the band played a lively tune.

Darla hugged Annie, both of them crying. “Thank you for the dress, honey. And thank you for helping to make this the best day of my life.” Bo and Sam shook hands, and Sam kissed Darla, slipping her an envelope.

“This is for your honeymoon,” Sam said. “I know Bo just started a new job, but hang on to this, maybe in a few months he can get some time off.”

“Oh, Sam, you’re the best,” Darla said, hugging him.

He grinned. “Yeah, well wait till you find out what Annie is giving you.”

Darla gave Annie an odd look. “I don’t expect a gift from you,” she said. “You gave me this bridal gown.”

Annie shrugged. “Yes, well, I’d like to add a little something, but I would rather wait until later to give it to you.”

Sam’s eyes were soft as his gaze landed on Annie. He offered her his arm. “May I escort you to the reception, Miss Hartford?” he asked. She smiled and took his arm.

#

They were the first to arrive at Sam’s house. A catering service was on standby, and they went to work immediately, pouring champagne and bringing out trays of food. There was a small table holding a wedding cake, and numerous white and gold balloons hovered overhead. “It’s beautiful,” Annie said.

“I was up all night baking this cake and making hors d’oeuvres and blowing up balloons,” Sam told her. Nearby, the lady who owned the catering service chuckled. “Don’t give me away,” Sam said. “I’m trying to impress this pretty lady.”

Annie laughed. “I’m already impressed,” she said, patting his hand.

“You probably just came ‘cause you heard there was going to be food and champagne. I hope you’re not disappointed that I didn’t hire a male stripper.”

They kept up the lively banter until the guests arrived. Someone had helped Darla remove her train, and as she squeezed through the front door in the gown, Annie thought she looked radiant. The two women hugged again as Sam told Bo the secrets of a happy marriage. “Don’t wait for your wife to ask you to take out the trash,” he said. “Just do it.”

“What do you know about marriage, Sam Ballard?” Lillian said, coming through the door. “You’ve been single all your life. Don’t you think it’s about time you found a good woman and tied the knot?”

Sam’s gaze automatically landed on Annie, who in turn blushed and caused them to laugh. She was relieved when the caterer opened the bottles of champagne and it was time to make a toast.