A Marriage Takes Two (3 page)

“She doesn’t want me to take the money. She’s bitter about the way she was turned from his door. You know how she is.”

“Proud. Stubborn. She’ll come around.” He wrapped his hand around hers.

The pressure of his fingers elated her. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to shout, “Tony Flynn is marrying Carrie Graham.”

A short time later, Tony parked in front of his house. “We’d better take two cars. Doesn’t make sense for you to do the trip twice in one day.”

“Especially when I work tonight.” Though she liked sharing space with him, his suggestion made sense. Besides work, she’d promised her mother she would be at the house for dinner. Then there were the clothes she had to pick up and appointments to be made.

“Meet you at the courthouse,” she said.

“I’ll be there,” Tony said. “Afterwards, we’ll have lunch.”

“With Father John. He needs to talk to us. I’ll call him.” She hurried to her car and reached for the cell phone.

* * *

Tony stood on the sidewalk outside the restaurant and searched passersby for his high school buddy. Johnny A, a priest. Who would have thought the flamboyant pianist would have chosen psychology, or the priesthood?

He spotted his friend, a short balding man wearing the biggest grin Tony had seen for ages. He strode down the walk.

“Tony, good to see you.” Father John grasped Tony’s outstretched hand. “Where’s Carrie?”

“Inside holding a table.” Tony raised an eyebrow. “I can’t believe you’re a priest.”

Father John laughed. “Sometimes I have trouble myself. One day, I woke with a tight collar.” He entered the restaurant.

Tony followed. Carrie waved from a booth in the back.

When the priest kissed Carrie’s cheek, Tony’s hands clenched. Whoa, he thought. There was no reason for an attack of possessiveness. The man was a priest. The marriage was a sham.

“Told you he would agree.” Father John motioned to the waitress. “Let’s order. I’m starved.”

Tony stared at the menu. What else had Johnny told Carrie?  He was the only person who’d known about Tony’s feelings for her. He hoped his friend had forgotten.

Lunch was sprinkled with reminiscences and bits of counseling. In his answers, Tony skirted the edge of truth. He couldn’t announce that he wanted a marriage until death parted them. That wasn’t part of Carrie’s plan, or at the moment, his intention.

When the waitress returned to refill their coffee cups, Carrie shook her head. “I’ve errands to run and Mom expects me for dinner. Oh, how many people will you be inviting to the ceremony?”

Tony lifted his cup. Anyone from the clinic?  He didn’t think so. They’d all heard his views that marriage was a trap for fools and how he’d been the biggest one. “Six, but one’s an infant. Are you sure you don’t want a big wedding?” Marilyn had — with six bridesmaids and ushers and a country club reception.

She smiled. “We don’t have time and there’s no need. This one will be perfect.”

“Count on Hazel for the cake. She makes a killer chocolate one, and aren’t you a chocolate lover?”

“Me?  Weren’t you the one who ate ten chocolate bars on a dare?”

“Guess I was. Do you mind a chocolate wedding cake?”

“The cake sounds wonderful, but white icing, please. There is one thing. She can’t make the coffee.” She rose and started toward the door.

He chuckled. “Agreed.”

When he rose to follow her, Father John grabbed his sleeve. “Stay a bit. Have you told her how you feel?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Tony, how can you deny what you feel for her? I remember the night you told me about your dreams of a life with Carrie. I saw the way you looked at her today. Your feelings haven’t changed.”

Not about the way he felt about her, but his attitude toward marriage had. Friend or not, he couldn’t tell a priest that he had no desire to be married, not even if he were in love with Carrie. He cared for her as a friend. He wanted to help her. That wasn’t love.

“I guess you’re right,” he finally said.

Father John grinned. “So when are you going to tell her?”

“Soon.”

“Don’t mess up this time. Don’t let her slip away again.”

Slip up, Tony thought. Carrie intended to walk away and he wouldn’t stop her. “I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all a man can do.” The priest rose. “Because I know how you feel, I have no problem with this marriage.”

He looked like he wanted to say more.

Don’t ask, Tony decided.

* * *

Carrie stepped into the bridal boutique to pick up the dress she’d ordered months before. That was when she’d decided to ask Tony to marry her. Two hours after making the decision, she’d developed a fear of failure, or maybe it was success.

As the clerk zipped the silk creation into a hanging bag, Carrie found shoes and filmy white underwear. Not that Tony would see it, unless — but Tony had agreed to an exchange of vows and nothing more.

He had changed. Though he’d been glad to see her, she’d sensed a distance between them, one she might not be able to cross. The presence of his son was an obstacle she hadn’t expected, but she’d always thrived on complications.

She left the shop, put the things in her car and returned for the dress she’d brought her mother. Then she made a Saturday appointment to have her hair and nails done.

On Sunday, she would be Mrs. Tony Flynn. Now she had to tell her mother. Carrie’s spirits spiraled downward. There would be another quarrel, but nothing her mother said would change the wedding plans.

She parked in front of the ranch house she’d bought for her mother. With two hanging bags and several boxes in her arms, she headed up the walk and let herself inside.

Mary, the live-in aide, shook her head. “Looks like you cleaned out the store. What’s the occasion?”

“My wedding. Here on Sunday.”

Mary rolled her eyes. “So you went and did it. Good for you. She ain’t gonna be pleased.”

“She’ll have to live with it.” More of Tony’s advice, she thought. Her mother had always liked him, but that wouldn’t sweeten the reaction.

“Planning on something special for the occasion?”

“A buffet with salads, cold cuts and rolls. His housekeeper’s making the cake.”

The middle-aged woman nodded. “I’ll make some of them meatballs you like, cheese puffs and wings. How many you expecting?”

“Around twenty. Depends on how many of my co-workers don’t have plans. I’ll let you know. Mom first.”

“Luck.”

“I’m doing what’s best for both of us.”

“She ain’t gonna buy that. She’s hard-headed.”

Carrie entered the living room and dropped her packages on the couch. “Hi, Mom, bought you something.”

Her mother muted the television. “I wish you wouldn’t waste your money. Looks like you went wild.”

“Yeah, I did, but most of it’s for me.” Carrie opened a bag and took out a dress as blue as Tony’s eyes. “This is yours.”

“It’s beautiful, but where am I going to wear it?”

“Here on Sunday.” Carrie opened the second bag. “I’m wearing this.”

“Carrie, no.”

“Tony and I are getting married in this house so you can be with us.”

“We don’t need that money. We’re doing fine with my disability and your job.”

“I have two jobs, Mom.”

“Then move home and take a position at the hospital here.”

Carrie chewed her lip. “Impractical. Mary would have to leave and you’d be alone for the hours of my shift. I want to do more than work for the rest of my life the way you did. I’d like to get my Master’s, have a family, and travel. What happens if I get sick and can’t work?”

Mrs. Graham pursed her lips. “I want nothing to do with that man’s money. He called me a liar, and worse.”

“Mom, you know it wasn’t him. When he learned what had happened, he was sorry and he tried to find you. The inheritance was his way to make an apology.”

“But to tie it to your marriage.”

“I think I know why. When he was a patient, I told him about Tony and how I’ve always loved him. He knew Tony was divorced. He told me either to look Tony up, or forget him and move on.”

“But marriage.”

Carrie knelt beside her mother’s lounge chair. “It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

Her mother looked away. “What if Tony’s marrying you for the money? I’ve heard his ex-wife’s greedy.”

“She married a millionaire this summer.”

“What if he wants to stay married?”

“I can only hope he does.” Though she had fantasies about forever, she couldn’t set herself up for another disappointment. “Will you be a gracious hostess on Sunday?”

“Do I have a choice?  Tell me about Tony. Has he changed?  Is he still as heart-stopping handsome?”

“More than ever. He’s a good father, too. His son lives with him. Chad looks like Tony did years ago.”

“A child. Honey, you’re asking for trouble. Change your mind.”

“I can’t. Let me hang these dresses up and help Mary with dinner. We’ve plans to make.”

* * *

When Tony pulled into the driveway an hour later than he’d planned, he saw Chad and one of his friends in the front yard. Tony left the car and caught the football his son tossed.

“Where were you?”  Chad asked.

“Sorry I’m late. I had some things to do.”

“With her?”

“In a way.” Before he left his hometown, he’d ordered flowers for Sunday and bought a ring for Carrie.

Chad’s friend waved. “See you tomorrow.”

“Sure.” Chad turned to Tony. “So where are we going?”

“Homework done? Room cleaned?”

“Yes. Hazel checked my spelling. Said you’d have to do the math. Drives her crazy.”

Tony rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Let’s check it. How about pizza?”

“Yeah, and the arcade.”

“Sounds good.”

“Race you to the house.” Chad tucked the football against his chest and dashed away. “What did your friend want?”

Tony gulped a breath. Though he’d planned to wait until after dinner, the question presented the perfect opening. “To marry me.”

Chad laughed. “That’s silly.”

“She asked, and I said yes.”

“You can’t. You promised you would never get married again.”

“Wrong. I said I had no plans to marry. Now I do.”

“Mom’s gonna be mad. What if she changes her mind about Mr. Brinker and wants to marry you again?”

Tony shook his head. “That’s what you want, but it’s not going to happen.”

“Why do you have to marry her?  Did you give her a baby?  Mom said that’s the only reason you married her.”

Tony swallowed a bitter remark. He wouldn’t lay his guilt on Chad’s shoulders and he wouldn’t bad-mouth Marilyn.

“I haven’t even kissed Carrie.”

“Then you don’t have to get married.”

“She’s my friend and she needs my help.”

Chad pulled away. “You can’t get married. You gotta wait for Mom to come home. I don’t want to...Forget it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not fair.” Chad hurled the football. Glass shattered.

Tony raked his hair. What now? He couldn’t change his mind about marrying Carrie. How could he show Chad she wasn’t a threat? How could he tell his son he wouldn’t be living with his mother when she returned?

Chapter 3

Sunday. His wedding day and his nerves were tied in knots.

Tony pulled into the driveway behind Hazel’s car and strode up the walk. Was the event still on?  He hadn’t talked to Carrie since the day they’d gone for the license. Chad’s behavior had been the pits, and Hazel’s wasn’t much better. She’d questioned his sanity, but then so had he.

He yawned and stretched. Maybe part of the problem was exhaustion. He’d been at the clinic since the nurse midwife had called him at four A.M. Three babies had chosen today as their birthday. Jane handled deliveries one and three, leaving the breech birth for him. It had been a slow birth, a tricky situation, but the baby arrived and the teenage parents had been delighted with their son. Watching them had brought memories of the pride he’d felt the day Chad was born.

With a chuckle, he thought of the look on Jane’s face when she’d asked him how he planned to spend the day.

“Getting married.”

An explosion of questions had followed. “Who is she?  How long have you known her? When and where did this affair begin? Why aren’t we invited? That’s rude. We’ve worked together for three years and you don’t want us there. Are you ashamed or what?”

He’d made his excuses. “The decision was sudden. We’ve been friends for years. Her mother’s an invalid. We’re having a quiet home ceremony.”

She’d smiled and asked about a honeymoon.

“No time to arrange coverage.”

He had no desire to talk about the reason for the wedding. Not even his brother knew. He paused in the living room doorway and waved to Hazel’s husband. Ben sat in the recliner. A portable oxygen tank beside the chair.

“You look beat,” Ben said. “Best get a cup of Hazel’s coffee. Charge you right up. She’s been fretting. Afraid you’d be late.”

“There are hours before the ceremony. Plenty of time for me to change.” He headed to the kitchen. Ben was right. One cup of Hazel’s brew and his fatigue would vanish.

Hazel stood at the counter, boxing the layers of the chocolate cake she would assemble at Carrie’s. “About time you showed your face.”

“Cake smells good.” He grabbed a mug.

“Wait ‘til you see the finished product. Be the prettiest wedding cake you ever seen.”

“Aren’t yours always masterpieces?  You should open a bakery.”

“When would I have time?”

“Don’t know.” He stuck his fingers in the icing container.

She tapped his hand with the wooden spoon. “You’ll have your taste at the wedding. How many people you expecting?”

He shrugged. “Can’t be too many. It’s at her mother’s house. Where’s Chad?”

“Last time I knew, he was in his room sulking. Sure hope he doesn’t throw one of his conniption fits. Some days I think a firm hand applied to his rear might do him some good. Boy’s been a brat since you told him about the wedding.”

Longer than that, Tony thought. Since the day Marilyn dropped Chad and his suitcase on the porch. “He’ll come around when he gets to know Carrie.”

She cocked her head. “Sure hope so. Boy’s so set on having things his way he don’t stop to think, just acts. You tell him yet he won’t be living with his mama?”

Tony drained the mug. “She said she told him.”

“That one.” Hazel snorted. “Better hope she forgot, like usual. Otherwise, she probably made you out the bad guy. Especially when she learns you’re married. Sure hope this is the right thing.”

“Carrie needs my help.”

“And you want her.” She nodded. “Seen the way you looked at her. Sure hope you’re not making a tempest, what with the way Chad’s been. Could end up with everybody hurt.”

She could be right, but he refused to think about future problems… Not today.

“Let me give Chad a nudge. We’ll leave as soon as I shower and change. I’ve a couple of stops to make and I don’t want to be late.”

He took the stairs two at a time and paused outside his son’s bedroom. “Chad.” Before opening the door, he called a second time.

The room was empty. Chad’s blue suit lay on the bed. Tony spotted a piece of paper on the red bedspread and picked it up.

A groan escaped. His son had run away. Tony dashed downstairs. He found Hazel in the living room with Ben.

“Chad’s gone,” Tony said.

“Boy went out awhile ago,” Ben said. “He said he had to think and he’d be back for lunch.”

Tony raked his fingers through his hair. The abandoned house, he thought. He was sure Chad was there. Despite warnings and threats of punishment, Chad’s fascination with the once stately mansion hadn’t ebbed. The town’s tale of murder and ghosts were a stimulus to his son’s imagination.

“I’ll get him. Call Jerry. Tell him to pick up the flowers at Deminey’s and the ring at the Jewel Box. Then, in case I’m wrong, call Chad’s friends.”

Tony raced across the backyard and into the woods. The steep path was badly overgrown. Maybe Hazel was right and Chad needed a spanking. Would that stop his rebellious actions?  Probably not, but something had to change, and soon.

Briars pulled at his clothes and scratched his hands. He paused to release his jacket from a bush.
What if Chad’s hurt? Why does he react this way?
Fear and anger clashed.

Tony broke into the clearing that had once been formal gardens. The house with the roof partly gone and gaping holes that had once been windows and doors looked as haunted as the tales he’d heard.

“Chad, I know you’re in there. Get out here, now.”

“Told Ben I would be home for lunch.”

“Did you forget what’s happening today?” Tony gingerly climbed the steps to the porch.

“Don’t want you to do it.”

“Running and hiding won’t change my mind.” Tony regretted the rough edge to his voice. He regretted the lack of time for Chad to come to terms with the marriage.

“It’s not fair.”

Tony gritted his teeth. These days nothing seemed fair to Chad. “Just give her a chance. You might be surprised.”

“Won’t.”

“Chad, please. Carrie’s my friend. She needs my help. Don’t you think people should help their friends?” Tony edged across the broken boards of the porch.

“Sure.”

“Then why don’t you want me to help Carrie?”

Chad emerged from the house. “What about m...Mom?  What if Mr. Brinker doesn’t want to keep her? Where would...would she go? He don’t like me. It could happen to her, too.”

“That wouldn’t be my fault, or yours either.”

“But if you’re married, you wouldn’t want to help... her.”

“Who told you that?”

Chad shrugged. “I just know.”

“Look, if your mother needs help, I’ll be there. Carrie, too.” He led Chad from the porch to the path. “Trust me on this.”

“I wish I…”

“I wish you weren’t so upset. Your mother’s happy about her marriage. Now I’m getting married. It’s a second chance for me, and for you.”

“If you don’t like her, will you send her away?”

Tony sucked in a breath. “I like her. So will you.” He rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You’ll see.”

“Maybe.”

“Let’s move it. We’re going to be late. Had to call Uncle Jerry to pick up the flowers and the ring.”

“I won’t like her.”

“Your choice. She can teach you a lot of things.”

“Hah! She’s a girl.”

“So she is, but she was the best place kicker in the neighborhood and captain of the girls’ softball team in high school.” He broke into a half-run. “Race you to the house.”

* * *

Carrie stood in front of the full-length mirror and tried to smile. In half an hour, she would be Mrs. Tony Flynn. The dark smudges beneath her eyes had been concealed with make-up. The bodice of the gown clung to her breasts and the full skirt swirled around her ankles. White silk roses gathered sheer fabric to reveal the creamy underskirt. Several friends from the hospital had arrived to help her celebrate the most important day of her life.

Elephants danced in her stomach. Doubts fluttered in her thoughts like the wings of hooded falcons.

The doorbell rang. She headed out of the room.

“I’ll get it,” Mary said.

Carrie looked at her mother’s aide. “Just tell me who it is.”

A moment later, Mary returned. “Your grandfather’s lawyer and his wife.”

Carrie swallowed. She’d notified Mr. Hurcutt about the wedding, but she hadn’t expected him to attend. What if he had guessed the nature of the marriage and refused to release the money?

She uncoiled her fingers and forced her lips into a smile. At the living room door, she paused and listened to her mother.

“Of course I’m pleased. Even though he’s four years older, when they were children, where you found one, you found the other. I’m glad they’ve finally come to their senses.”

Carrie let out her held breath. Thanks, Mom, she thought. She crossed the room and shook the lawyer’s hand. “Mr. Hurcutt, I’m so glad you came.”

The courtly man pressed her hand. “Your grandfather would be pleased with this marriage. He wanted happiness for you. You are a beautiful bride.” He reached for the hand of the woman at his side. “My wife, Sarah.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hurcutt,” Carrie said.

The doorbell rang again. Betty pushed Carrie from the room. “Get on with you. What if it’s him?  He can’t see you yet.”

“Then wait until I escape.”

Instead of Tony, his brother entered the foyer. He grinned. “Carrie, you look great. Glad Tony finally saw the light.” He dropped several boxes on the table. “The flowers. Seems he’s running late.” He took the infant from his wife.

“Sue.” Carrie grasped her high school friend’s hands. “You look wonderful.”

“Starvation and hard work.” The blonde smiled. “I’m so happy for you. Remember all the schemes we invented to get Tony to see you as someone other than a pal?”

“And what disasters they were.” Carrie peered at the baby. “Definitely a Flynn.” For a moment, she wondered if any children she and Tony had would inherit the Flynn dark hair and blue eyes. Of course, there wouldn’t be any children unless she found a way to seduce him. She reached to close the door.

“Hold it.” Father John hurried up the walk. “Thought I’d be late. Had a client in crisis.” He took Carrie’s hands. “You make me wish I wasn’t a priest. Where’s the groom?”

“Running late,” Jerry said.

Father John frowned. “He’ll be here.” He put his arm around Carrie. “Are you all right?”

“Nervous.”

“Relax.”

“Easy for you to say.” The living room clock chimed twice. “Maybe he’s changed his mind.”

“I doubt that,” Father John said.

“If he did, he’ll hear from me,” Jerry said. “This wedding has been a long time coming.”

Carrie wished she could believe them. She opened the boxes on the table and took out the corsage for her mother. “Mom, Tony sent this for you.”

Her mother glanced from the flowers to the clock. Her mouth formed a thin line. “He’s late.”

“I know. He called Jerry.”

“He should have called you.”

Carrie pinned the flowers to her mother’s dress and fled before another word could be said. Grace, her friend and bridesmaid, followed her.

Grace picked up the veil. “Don’t worry. I’m sure there’s a good reason he’s late. Remember, he’s a doctor.”

“I guess there could be,” Carrie said.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Carrie thought she was going to be sick. Had he decided not to marry her?  Had he been in an accident?  She was ready to announce the end of the farce when the doorbell rang.

Grace peered into the hall. “Is he tall, dark and gorgeous?”

Unable to speak, Carrie nodded.

“Does he look like his brother?”

Again, Carrie nodded.

“Then he’s here and I’m envious. Are there any more like him around?”

“No.” Carrie smiled. He was here, and they were going to be married.

A short time later, she followed her friend down the hall and into the living room. Father John stood at the fireplace with Tony and Jerry. An assortment of guests sat on the couch and on folding chairs. Her mother blew a kiss. Hazel waved and Chad scowled. Tony turned and Carrie’s world contracted.

He had kept his promise.

When she reached his side, he took her hand. All she heard and saw was him. She knew Father John read the service and she said her vows, but all her being centered on the man she’d always loved.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Tony drew her into his arms. His touch raised an incandescent heat that chased her fears and doubts. His lips touched hers and she felt an instant intoxication. His lips were firm and hot. She dropped her bouquet. All too soon, the kiss ended and she had to breathe.

He stepped away, took her hand and turned to face the guests. “I give you Mrs. Tony Flynn.”