The Secret Wedding Dress (22 page)

Joel cast a quick glance over his shoulder and ascertained that Rianne was in the dining room. He reached out and pulled Sylvie into a prolonged, satisfying kiss. When he let her go slowly, they were both breathing fast.

Sylvie studied him out of sexy, heavy-lidded eyes. “Now wouldn’t that greeting put my mother in a tizzy? She’s absolutely
positive my lackadaisical attitude about my appearance is guaranteed to drive you straight into Melody Pritchard’s clutches at the street dance.”

Joel licked his lips and leaned in for a second kiss. “Who’s Melody Pritchard?”

“Briarwood’s permanent beauty queen. But I have it on good authority that her current 38-24-34 figure is surgically enhanced.” Pulling back, Sylvie lightly smacked her cheeks. “Meow! That was totally not nice. She’s gorgeous. And rich, because Lyman Pritchard passed on six months ago, leaving Melody loaded. Word is, she claims she married for money the last time.
This
time, she’s looking for a red-hot lover.”

“Phew, that lets me out.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Sylvie muttered, darting past him. “Rianne’s in the dining room?”

“Yes. Hey, you make an ego-inflating remark like that and walk away?”

He wore such a hit-by-a-brick expression, Sylvie laughed.

“You’re laughing at my buggy?” Rianne wailed. “It’s awful.” Her little chest rose and fell as she cried harder.

“No, honey. It’s fine, truly. I was laughing at your dad. Hey, you have the right idea. Your problem is too much glue. Maybe it’d be better to use tape.”

“Daddy has some upstairs in his office. My hands are sticky. Will you go up and get it, Sylvie?”

“Sure.” She hurried into the hall and started up the stairs.

Joel emerged from the kitchen carrying two beers and a soft drink. “Hey, where are you going? I’m just bringing everyone refreshments.”

“To your office. Rianne said you have tape up there. Is it in a dispenser on top of your desk, or do you stick it in a drawer?”

Joel did keep it in a drawer. He recalled seeing the tape this morning—in the drawer where he’d shoved the tear sheets. “Don’t…go to my messy office. Here, take the drinks, Sylvie, and
stay with Rianne. Let me fetch the tape. I know exactly where it is.”

“Okay, sure.” Shrugging, she retraced her steps. “I don’t know why you’d get your shorts in a twist at the thought of me seeing a messy office. You’ve been in my workroom. It always looks like a cyclone hit it. Anyway, I like to see where people work. It helps define them, don’t you think?”

“In my case, no. Humor me in this.”

“I said okay.” She fumbled a bit as he handed her the three bottles. “People are always asking me what you do for a living, Joel. All I know is that Rianne said you work on a computer. Once she said you draw stuff. Are you some kind of architect? Or engineer?”

“Graphics,” he proclaimed from the first landing. Not precisely true, but he’d minored in graphic design at college. As he dashed into his office, Joel reflected that he didn’t like lying to her about his job. He didn’t even need to continue working. With the syndication of his early strips, his financial advisor had said he could afford to retire. So why had he jumped at expanding an already syndicated comic? Maybe because that last visit to Lynn at her TV studio had left him with a dissatisfied feeling—that she was somehow showing him up with her success. Maybe because he needed something to fill his time. Maybe because he
liked
his work.

His gaze fell on the latest strips when he retrieved the tape. Joel spared a few seconds to return the stack to its original envelope. Twenty-six weeks wasn’t that long, he told himself.

Recognizing his growing attachment to Sylvie, then and there Joel began thinking of finding a husband for Magnolia. He could wind down, and in his last frame he could draw a full-blown wedding party. He envisioned family and friends standing around, crying with joy as Magnolia and her groom—hey, he could have the guy resemble himself—dashed from the church in a hail of rice.

That would spell the end of country cousin Magnolia.

On
the ground floor again, Joel took a seat on the floor in the dining room and continued to plot the end of his comic strip as Rianne’s buggy project slowly took shape. Perhaps he’d come up with another comic strip later on, six months or a year from now.

That night, he stayed up roughing out all the remaining frames. He went to bed pleased at having salvaged his integrity. He faxed the strips, and started thinking about all the time he’d have to work on the house. All the time to devote to being the kind of dad he’d never had himself.

F
ESTIVAL DAY
began with a huge sense of relief, and also expectation. Joel practically had to tie Rianne down in all her excitement.

“She’s not looking forward to this or anything,” Sylvie said with a grin when the girl yammered nonstop on the drive to the park. “I stayed up till midnight baking three cakes for the cake-walk. From my kitchen window I saw a light in your corner office until quite late. You must enjoy working during the witching hours.”

Joel swung toward her with a frown. “Are you often up that late?”

“Heavens, no. As a rule I’m snoring away.” Now she frowned. “Do you work in the nude or something, and you’re worried I might see you?”

“What’s work in the nude?” Rianne interjected.

Sylvie glanced into the back seat. “Nude is when a person doesn’t wear clothes.”

“Oh. The people Daddy draws all have clothes.”

“I thought you said you did graphics. You draw people?”

“Cartoon people, yes. Where shall I park? You should’ve said we needed to leave earlier.”

“Let me out here, Joel. That section is the food booths, so I won’t have to carry a box with three cakes too far. You may have to park in the field across from the baseball diamond. Remember, Dad
showed you? And speaking of baseball, he’s anxious to meet your friend, Brett. Too bad he’s flying in this morning and out again right after the game. But you still could’ve met him at the airport instead of giving me a ride and making him rent a car.”

“He wanted to do it that way.” Joel squeezed Sylvie’s hand and murmured in a much lower voice, “I have plans for tonight. Driving Brett to Asheville after the game would have severely curtailed our…free night.”

Sylvie knew she turned flaming red. She should be getting used to Joel’s outrageous remarks. But maybe she never would because she was beginning to like him too much. She was starting to wish he wanted more than a rare night culminating in great sex. “I’ll meet you at the start of the parade route,” she said after he stopped and passed her the box of cakes. “Sure you can carry this?” he asked.

She nodded and took off straight away.

During the parade, Rianne and her pals passed the judging platform, where Joel and Sylvie stood. He cheered, and Sylvie snapped photos. “There are kids with pets in their buggies,” Joel said. “Dogs, rabbits, cats. I’m still glad I nixed Rianne bringing Fluffy. The band music would’ve driven that cat nuts. Next year I can see Rianne and Kendra wanting to haul their new dogs.”

“I told Rianne to start giving the pup buggy rides from the time she gets him home. These kids’ pets have grown up being wheeled around.”

“They’re cute. The kids
and
their pets. Happy,” he added, returning Dory’s wave. She and Grant were directly across the street. Grant held their young son, Roy, on his shoulders, and Joel felt a little jealous. He’d always wanted more than one child. “I don’t see Carline or Jeff. Did they decide not to come until the game starts?”

“Yes. I called their house earlier. Jeffery said Carline’s in a cleaning frenzy. According to Mom, that means she could start labor anytime.”

“Then
it’s good I’m playing his position at shortstop today.” Seeing his friend Brett Lewis on the bench, Joel told Sylvie he’d see her later and jogged off across the field.

As things turned out, it was better than good. The first inning had barely gotten underway when Carline’s water broke.

Word circulated around the field. It seemed the whole Shea family, with the exception of Rob and Grant, piled into cars bound for the hospital. Sylvie sent Joel a note via the catcher to say Rianne was going along to keep Kendra occupied.

“Nan’s going to call me,” Rob told Grant and Joel. “I hate to miss being there when I become a grandpa for the third time. But I am team captain.”

“Carline understands. Even Jeff was feeling torn about abdicating,” Grant said. “Who-eee, will you look at that. Your friend Brett knocked that ball clean out of the field, Joel.”

The men high-fived all around. Joel knew Rob felt smug; it was written all over his face when his arch rival from the Baptist team grudgingly congratulated them on Brett’s three runs.

By inning eight, the Methodists were so far in the lead, that the Baptists had no hope of overtaking them. This was largely due to Brett, but also Joel, who was a better-than-average player. Rob, in a surprising gesture, motioned both teams to the backstop. “I’ve got a confession folks. The guilt’s killing me. The reason we’re slaughtering you this year is because Joel’s pal, Brett, is a minor league player. Since I cheated, I propose awarding you Baptists the trophy anyway. According to my wife, if I leave at once, I can make the hospital in time to hold my newest grandson with a clean conscience.”

The Baptists’ team considered Rob’s joke great fun. They acknowledged that with Joel alone, the Methodists might have won. They agreed to save the trophy for next year and not award it to anyone. Everyone came to shake Brett’s hand. And to Joel’s relief, Brett could tell that Joel wanted to go with Rob and Grant. “Hey, buddy, go on. It was good seeing you even
briefly. I said I’d hang out here a while and sign autographs for the kids. If you don’t get back from the hospital before I have to leave, thanks for the free ticket out of the city. I wish I could stay. This is grand country.” Brett looked envious.

“It sure is.” Joel clasped his hand, they parted, and he ran to catch up with Rob. Grant had jogged ahead to get the car. The trio squeaked into the hospital birthing center five minutes after Keenan Manchester had made his appearance.

Kendra and Rianne stood at the door to Carline’s room, holding their hands over their ears. Joel walked up behind them in time to see the bundled baby passed into his Aunt Sylvie’s arms. He was struck by the tears standing in her eyes and the longing on her face. He knew then that he wanted her to play a larger role in his and Rianne’s lives. But how to convince her? He rubbed at his tense neck.

A nurse came in and suggested they all leave and let the Manchester family get acquainted with their son. On their way out, the Sheas met Jeff’s sisters rushing in. Rob and Nan stopped to rave about the baby.

Dory turned to Sylvie and Joel. “Grant and I will drop you two at the park. We’ll collect Rianne’s backpack from your van and meet you later at the street dance.”

Sylvie said tiredly, “Maybe it was the added stress of waiting for Carline to deliver the baby, but I’m wiped. Would anyone mind terribly if I skipped the dance this year?”

Dory’s expression could only be described as suspicious. “Nonsense. You’ll get your second wind once the band warms up. You have a good hour to relax during the barbecue. And aren’t you in charge of leftover prizes?”

“There are never leftover prizes.”

“We didn’t get to play any games or win prizes this year,” Kendra complained.

Sylvie affectionately ruffled her niece’s hair. “You two girls got the best prize of all, seeing Auntie Carline’s brand-new baby.”

Rianne
launched into a list of reasons why she wanted a baby brother.

“Roy’s not so great,” Kendra said. “He always messes up my Barbies. Rianne, we’re gonna be able to bring Curly and Spotty home soon. Dogs are better than brothers.”

“Young lady, tell Roy you’re sorry, or no sleepover for you tonight,” Dory put in. Kendra quickly made amends.

“Sylvie, I’m not all that big on dances,” Joel said. “How about if we go to the park just long enough to eat? If you still want to leave after that, I’ll take you.”

“I can’t ask that of you. This is your first Labor Day Festival.”

Dory nudged her sister. “Honestly, Sylvie. People don’t offer to do things if they don’t want to do them.”

Sylvie sent her a dirty look. “What’s made you so grouchy tonight, Dory?”

Dory rolled her eyes toward Joel, and significantly lowered her voice. “Mom said she told you Melody’s on the loose.”

But Joel heard what she said. “Ah, yes, the beauty queen.” He deliberately reached for Sylvie’s hand. “If you have an ounce of compassion, Sylvie Shea, you won’t leave me alone to fall into her clutches.”

Dory’s jaw sagged. “You
told
him about Melody Pritchard?”

“Sis! Give it a rest.” Sylvie shook herself loose from Joel’s fingers, which effectively ended the discussion. She did agree to sample the barbecued chicken and roast corn they could smell the minute they stepped from the car.

Her melancholy mood returned, however. She didn’t have to beg Joel to drive her home; he volunteered, after making sure Dory had Rianne in tow. “You blue over your sister’s baby?” He hadn’t said anything during the drive, so when he asked, he’d already parked in his lane. His observation surprised Sylvie.

“No,” she said, throwing open her door. “Yes.” She changed her tune as Joel rushed around the car. “Envy’s an evil emotion, Joel. I hate myself for it.”

He
ambled toward her house, sensing he had to tread lightly. Joel let her brood silently until they went inside. No dog greeted them. Even Fluffy was back in her own quarters. Joel watched Sylvie drop her purse on the kitchen counter. Stepping up, he wrapped her in his arms. “I don’t find your reaction surprising, Sylvie. You’re the eldest sister. Something I rarely admit…my dad remarried right after he divorced my mom. He had a second son. We’ve never met, but sometimes I wonder about him.”

Sylvie rubbed her face over Joel’s shirtfront. “Why did your dad cut off his relationship with you just because he divorced your mother?”

Joel swayed her from side to side. “Their divorce was bitter. Dad ended up hating her, and I look a lot like Mom. It took me years to realize it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t figure any of this out until Lynn walked. I’m determined not to set up any blocks between Rianne and her mother. In case you wondered, Lynn’s the one not making an effort to reach out to our daughter.”