The Break-Up Psychic (29 page)

My mother looks every bit as happy in this picture as she looks today. I thought she’d given up, that she’d chosen the safe road, the one that kept her from giving away her heart only to get it broken again. But she never gave up. I’m the one that gave up. I gave up my chance at happiness with Sam before I even met him. Can what Hart said be right? Do I still have time to right the mistakes of my past?

I leave the room and follow the sound of my mother’s sing-song voice down another hallway. She’s removing her wedding dress from its protective plastic, smiling widely at me as I enter her bedroom. The dress is beautiful. It’s a pale creamy lace with a silky subdued-yellow sheath beneath. It took this moment, this view of my mother on the cusp of a new life, void of worry or mistrust, for me to truly believe Hart’s words. I love Sam, and I know in my heart that letting him walk away is the wrong thing to do. I just hope there’s still enough time to make him my ‘plus one.’

The high-pitched and pleasant whine of Dolly Parton singing, “He’s going to marry me…” reaches my bedroom door as I put the finishing touches on my hair. I tried to reach Sam by phone last night, but he must be ignoring my calls and I couldn’t bring myself to leave a message. What would I say,
‘Sorry for holding you accountable for every bad boyfriend I’ve ever had and rejecting you in front of my half-naked ex-boyfriend on the street, but I’m ready to fight for you. Call me?’

I finally broke down and asked Luanne for help in getting Sam a message through Jason. She didn’t put up any fuss about it, but I have a feeling I’ve now committed myself to being her experimental hair model for the duration of her time in beauty school. I check my cell phone for the twentieth time this morning, waiting to hear back from her. She’ll come through for me. I know she will.

Vernon’s hearty laugh floats down the hallway, followed by my mother’s rather girlish giggle. They were all over one another at dinner last night, like a couple of teenagers. It was all I could do to hold down the barbeque. They’re so in love and they simply don’t care who sees it. As long as they keep the honeymoon activities out of the scrapbook, I’m content to let them bask in the glow.

My phone vibrates against the desk surface and I snatch it up like a hot potato. “Lu? Did you find him?”

“Hey, girl. It’s not good news, I’m afraid. Jason’s been ‘round to his house and the shop and can’t find him anywhere. I called up to The Cavern and Hart’s not seen hide nor hair of him either.”

No, no, no… I’ve finally gotten my head on straight, and he’s up and disappeared on me. “You don’t think he’s with her, do you?” I hold my breath, dreading any news of Roxy and what that might mean for my future happiness.

“No, I don’t. Jason told me he was absolutely murderous when he found out she greeted you at the door in nothing but an old t-shirt. Had her pack her bag and go. He reckons she’s gone back to Hollywood. Apparently she’s got a real promising job
waitin
’ tables at a strip club out there.”

I release the breath I’ve been holding. At least I don’t have to worry about Roxy anymore. If I’m honest with myself, I should never have worried about her in the first place. “Have I ruined it, Lu? Do you think he’ll ever be able to forgive me?”

“Now you listen to me, you haven’t ruined a thing. This is a case of a misunderstanding is all, and he’ll come around.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Then he’ll have to deal with me and Amber and every other friend that wants to see you get the happiness you deserve.”

I swallow the cry in my throat. I’m so thankful for my friends, for their love and loyalty. I feel I owe Luanne a great deal more than I can ever repay her. “Thank you,” I say thickly.

“Nothing to thank me for, and don’t you go
givin
’ up. We’ll find him. Even if I have to enlist the services of the devil himself, we will find him and he will come around. I’ll set Amber on it. She’s bound to have Satan’s cell phone number.”

Laughing, I say my goodbye and another thank you to Luanne and end the call. I slide my hands down the silky lavender fabric as I stand, wiping away the slight crease that formed while I was pinning up my hair. I wander out of the guestroom and into the hall where Vernon is trying unsuccessfully to pin a boutonniere to his tuxedo lapel.

“Here,” I say, walking toward him, “let me help you with that.”

He smiles and hands me the yellow Texas rose and white baby’s breath. I lift up the lapel and use the straight pin to secure the flowers to his lapel.

“I guess I don’t have to tell you this, but I want you to know I love your mother very much. I promise you I will take care of her, always.”

His brown eyes are kind and his face is handsome, despite being touched by age. I haven’t heard a single alarm bell in his presence. In fact, they’ve remained silent since I walked away from Tim’s place six days ago.

“I know you will,” I say, smiling back at him. “She’s sort of my hero, you know? All I want is for her to be happy.”

“I am happy, Ellie. I’m so very, very happy.” My mother is standing at the mouth of the hallway behind us, glowing in her lovely bridal dress.

Vernon’s smile is so excited and genuine, it nearly breaks my heart. As we move through the front door to the waiting limo outside, not even the rigid Arizona heat can wilt my mother’s excitement. I check my phone one final time before stepping into the car behind them. No missed calls and no new messages. I turn the phone off and slide it into my purse. First things first. Give away my mother, chicken-dance with my new stepdad, and begin mending my broken heart. Should be a piece of wedding cake.

In normal, everyday life, it would be wholly inappropriate to remark with shock and disdain that a woman south of thirty wasn’t yet married. Luckily for my Aunt Christie, we’re at a wedding where she can yell her surprise about my marital status to all of the dear friends and family who’ve gathered here today.

“I just can’t believe it, Ellie. I mean, here it is your mama’s wedding day and her own grown daughter hasn’t managed to wrestle up a single husband yet.” Christie’s affront isn’t really that I’m single, but rather that I have yet to join the ranks of the divorcee club which my family founded many years ago.

“I know, it’s really unbelievable. I guess I just haven’t found Mr. Right yet,” I say, thinking of what I’m going to say to Sam if he ever speaks to me again.

“Mr. Right? Honey, all you need is Mr. Deep Pockets and a good pool-boy.”

I wish I felt shocked by my aunt’s words, but I’ve been exposed to her brand of true love for four husbands now. When Christie starts in on the bios of the eligible bachelors in the reception hall, I decide it’s best to excuse myself and head for the ladies room. I’m halfway across the dance floor when Troy
Pardee
, Jr., Christie’s current husband and heir to a cattle fortune, steps into my path.

“Hello,
darlin
’. Couldn’t help but notice the wife
givin
’ you a hard time. I was on my way to save you when you ducked and covered.” He chuckles.

Troy
Pardee
, Jr., is my favorite of all of my Aunt’s husbands. He’s a good
ol
’ boy, honest and
hard working
. “Yes, well, I suppose she has my best interests at heart.”

“Nah, she just can’t stand to see anyone walking this life alone.”

“Is that why you’re number four?” I tease.

His laugh is deep, and it rumbles around us. “Well, you know what they say, fourth time’s the charm.” He smiles. “How about a dance?”

I accept the hand he’s offering me and he leads us onto the dance floor. He’s an excellent leader and guides me easily to the beat of the music. My mother and Vernon are dancing a few yards away, lost in each other. I feel lighter than I have all week and let my eyes flutter closed, lost in the music and the happy vibe which can only be found in the company of newlyweds.

“Pardon me. Mind if I cut in?”

My heart skips a beat and I gasp, turning my head so fast I nearly head-butt Uncle Troy.

“Not at all,” says Troy, passing my hand to Sam and winking at me before walking away.

I remain motionless, taking him in. He’s dressed in a navy-blue suit and crisp white shirt, unadorned by a tie. His top button is open and while the shirt and suit have clearly been tailored to fit him, the fabric stretches slightly when he raises my hand to his shoulder, leaving me holding onto him. I can’t believe he’s here. I open my mouth to ask him how, but I can’t manage it. All I can do is stare into those beautiful hazel eyes and hold onto him as he begins to move us in a slow dance.

“Well, aren’t you going to say hello?” he asks, smiling softly at me.

“Hello.”

He turns us to the left and pulls me in closer. His cologne is spicy, and the feel of his strong arm around me is thrilling.

“I know you didn’t officially ask me to be your plus one, but I figured you might be in need of a dance partner.”

“How’d you know where I was?” I ask, not really caring what the answer will be but needing to keep him there, dancing with me.

“You’re not going to believe this, but your mother called me up on the phone last night.”

“What?”

Shocked, I turn my head to find my mother in the crowd. She and Vernon are swaying slowly to the song, unaware that anyone else is near them. I look back up at Sam who’s staring happily down at me. “What’d she say?” I ask.

He pulls me up against him, his mouth moving to whisper in my ear. “She told me to get my A-S-S to Scottsdale.”

I let out a shocked laugh and look disbelievingly at his handsome face. “Sam, I’m so sorry, for everything. I didn’t trust you and I didn’t give you the chance to explain about Roxy and, God, I’m so sorry about Tim. We’re over, we’ve been over but I was just so hurt and so sure you were going to let me down because it’s always happening and—”

“Ellie,” he whispers, “just breathe.”

His warm breath tickles my ear. I take a deep breath and blink a few times, trying to clear away the wetness forming at the corners of my eyes. Sam pulls back, his lips just inches from mine.

“I should’ve told you about Roxy. It was a mistake, letting her stay the night at my place. I knew it when I agreed to it. She had nowhere else to go and it didn’t feel right, turning her out on the street. When I got back home after seeing you and saw how she was dressed and how she was acting, I knew she’d said or done something to scare you. I’ve wanted to see you, to talk to you all week, but I let my pride get in the way.”

“I’m so sorry about how I treated you. I’m sorry for everything.”

“I know. I’m sorry too,” he says, tightening his hold on me.

The song comes to an end and wedding guests on all sides of us move back toward their seats but we remain together, motionless on the dance floor. A new song blares to life from the speakers and Sam finally moves, taking my hand and leading me out of the reception hall to the empty patio outside. Twinkle lights are strung against the ivy covered wall on one side of us, and it reminds me of the dusty floor behind Clara’s. Sam drops my hand and turns to face me, a serious expression on his face.

“Ellie, I think we’ve been dancing around a real relationship here, and after what happened last week, I don’t want to leave you with any room for doubt. I’m in love with you. I’m crazy about you. I want you to be with me.”

I shake my head slightly, sure I’ve misheard him. “You’re—”

“I’m in love with you.”

“You’re in love, with me?”

“I can say it as many times as you need to hear it. It’s not going to change one bit.”

I smile, bringing a hand up to cover my mouth. It’s like having the wind knocked
into
me. Sam James is in love with me. There’re no alarm bells and I don’t worry about their absence because I know I’ll never need them again.

I step forward, closing the distance between us, and place my hand on his chest, seeking out the beat of this heart that’s declared its love for me. “Maybe, say it one more time.”

Sam wraps both arms around me, lowering his face until his lips are nearly touching my own. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I say, bringing my lips forward and sealing my happily ever after with a kiss.

Six Months Later

As I approach the chapel doors Luanne comes rushing over, her blue chiffon Maid of Honor dress trailing behind her.

“Where the hell have you two been? Everyone’s
waitin
’ for you and the Preacher’s about to get into the Easter wine. You know he’s prone to drink before the nuptials.”

I loop my arm with the handsome groom. The happy, confident smile on his face is all I need to keep me calm for what lies beyond the oak doors of the sanctuary.

“Sorry, we lost track of time,” I say, a devilish smile on my face.

“Alright, well, I’ll let them know they can start the music. I’ll see you two inside.”

As Luanne disappears, I turn to take in the groom before our march down the aisle. He’s opted to go with something more personal than the standard tuxedo. His black biker’s vest, worn green from years of riding through the elements, is a pleasing contrast to the starched white shirt and pressed black pants which complete the look. I reach up and smooth some of the silver hair that’s escaped his low ponytail. His murky hazel eyes are so much like those of his great-nephew.