On Ice (47 page)

“
I hurt,” Rene pressed her hand to her chest. A hole in her jacket confirmed that she had been shot. “But, I don't think I'm hurt.” She grinned as she felt the bear fetish, shattered under her clothing. The bear had saved her life.

“
Mommy!” Sara was running toward her.

“
No you don't,” Mark shouted, moving to cut off her escape.

Rene struggled to her feet, ignoring Brett’s attempt to assist her. “Mark!” she growled through gritted teeth.

Mark stopped, startled by her tone. He looked confused, as though he didn't recognize her. The bullet she fired lifted him slightly. He rocked sideways from the impact. His face registered shock, then anger as he took a step forward. Her second shot made him stagger, reeling backward into the river.

He didn't make a splash as the Sad Horse River closed around him and rushed away with all evidence that Mark Desmond had ever desecrated this place. This place where a mother stood holding her daughter and a man held them both; where friends gathered to assure themselves that they were alive and well. The sound of their voices filled the void and returned the sense of normalcy to this Sunday afternoon in Sad Horse.

~*~

Maddy sat beside Ted in the front of the church.

T.J., her new engagement ring sparkling on her finger, looked around with interest, waiting for Terrence to bring the camera from the car.

Maddy noticed Ben sitting with Honeybee and their newly adopted tow-headed children. They all smiled, the encounter with Mark all but forgotten.

Maddy greeted Cindy and her family as they took their seats in the pew behind her.

“
Nice to see you,” Cindy said. “Glad you made it.”

“
Wouldn’t have missed it.” Maddy caught sight of Nadine and motioned her over.

“
You taught Rene to fire a gun. I give you my thanks.”

“
It was nothing. She’s a natural.”

“
How’s the priest? Rene says he’s fully recovered.”

“
It was slow going. Mrs. Pindar moved to the rectory to help him out,” Nadine said. “It’s been good for both of them. He’s completely sober now. He says that getting shot was the best thing that could have happened to him.” She joined her family two rows back.

The church, filling with smiling people, hummed with the buzz of low conversations. Maddy turned in her seat.

“
What are you fidgeting about? One would think you were the bride.” Ted slid an arm around her shoulder.

“
What can be taking Terrence so long? I’ll kill him if he misses the wedding.”

“
Yes, dear one,” Ted said with a sigh.

I hope you realize there isn’t even a real photographer here? The reception is being catered by the local inn-keepers.”

“
Don’t the flowers look nice?” Cindy whispered.

Maddy looked around. “Yes, the flowers are quite lovely. I didn’t realize there was a florist here.”

“
There isn’t. Angel grew the flowers and we all helped arrange them. The students chose the music and my mother made Rene’s wedding dress.” Cindy smiled. “I think you’ll like it. Mom wanted to repay Rene for everything she’s done for us.”

“
I understand your mother made the girl’s dresses, as well?”

“
Yes. She worked night and day to make sure they were little works of art.” Cindy waved at her mother, sitting beside Frenchy across the aisle.

“
Rene has been so secretive about the dresses. I can’t imagine why she’s kept me in the dark.”

“
She wanted everything to be a surprise.”

“
Look! There’s Terrence.” Ted nodded toward the back of the church where Terrence was struggling to make his way down the aisle filled with slow moving people.

Mrs. Jolly and the Reverand sat in the front pew on the opposite side of the church as the groom’s family, Maddy supposed.

Terrence slid in beside T.J. He held the camera aloft. “I put in a fresh memory card.”

A hush fell over the assembly as Father Paul strode purposefully toward the front of the church.

A huge lump formed in Maddy’s throat as the strains of a haunting tune wafted through the air accompanied by a gentle rhythmic drumming. She realized there was a vocal accompaniment, a sort of melodic chanting.

Brett followed Father Paul to stand in the front of the church. He wore western boots and jeans with a formal jacket with tails. He looked like he had stepped out of an antique postcard.

Mrs. Jolly-Goodnight dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

Genna, her hair grown to a respectable length, was chosen to be Rene’s lone Maid of Honor. She wore a pale lavender gauzy dress copied from the 1800’s and a wreath of flowers in her hair.

Sara and Miranda walked down the aisle scattering flower petals gleefully in their wake. They, too, wore garlands in their hair and pale pink dresses from the same period. The girls finished their parade in front of Brett and stood grinning up at him. He stooped to kiss each girl on the cheek before they ran giggling to land in Maddy’s lap. The dresses were adorned with rows of pin tucks and fine embroidery. Maddy realized the hours of painstaking labor spent in making the intricate garments.

The onlookers drew a breath as one. The audible sigh brought Maddy’s attention to the back of the church where Rene stood holding her son’s hand.

Seth maintained a solemn expression as he led his mother to her husband-to-be.

Rene, her gaze locked with Brett’s, wore a sheer, cream-colored antique style dress. She looked as though she had stepped out of a museum showcase. Her curls had grown out and were caught up with flowers and lace. A simple blue grosgrain ribbon hung around her neck supporting a newly hand-carved ivory bear figure.

Tears blurred Maddy’s vision as Rene joined Brett. The wedding ceremony was a mere formality for two people who were meant to be together.

Ted patted her shoulder. She noticed that all of the couples looking on held hands as Rene and Brett promised everlasting love and fidelity.

The newlyweds gazed tenderly at each other for a long moment before leaning together for a kiss. Applause broke out in the church. The unruly group clapped, whistled and cheered as Brett led Rene down the aisle and out of the church.

Maddy mopped her eyes and stood gazing after her baby sister and her groom. The children clamored around, demanding they be taken to the reception.

Although a tight squeeze, they managed to fit into the car long enough to drive three blocks to the hotel.

“
You look lovely,” Maddy said when she embraced Rene.

“
Thanks,” Rene said. “I was afraid you wouldn’t like my dress.” She fingered the bear fetish nervously.

“
It’s you,” Maddy said, smiling.

“
It is, isn’t it? Mayor Wolfe carved another pendant for me. He said she’s my bodyguard.”

“
I like your hair, too. It’s grown out enough to have some style.”

“
Nadine insisted on trimming it for the wedding. I’d grown accustomed to looking like a wild woman.”

Maddy chuckled. “Rene, you are a wild woman. Have I ever told you that you’re my hero?”

“
Hero? I’m not a hero. I was just determined to survive and keep my children safe.” Rene smiled, tilting her head to one side. “Besides, you’ve always been my hero, you know?”

“
Yeah, I know,” Maddy said. “But I didn’t deserve to be. When Mark began stalking me, I did everything wrong. You were the one who made things right.”

“
I couldn’t have done it without you. You made it possible for us to escape. I was too frozen to move. And I was ashamed. I thought everything was entirely my fault.”

“
I’m proud of you, Rene. You’ve accomplished so much.” Maddy folded her into an embrace. “By the way, when you throw that bouquet, try to lob it to T.J. or Terrence will never forgive you.”

“
Enough girl talk. I think this is our dance.” Brett offered his hand to Rene.

Rene placed her hand in his and gazed into his eyes as he swirled her onto the dance floor. “I’m so happy,” she whispered.

“
No more than I,” he said. “I promise to love, honor and cherish you and not to step on your toes.”

“
It’s okay,” she said. “I can handle you. I’m a very strong woman.”

# # #

About the author:

J.D. Faver lives near Houston, Texas with two spoiled, rotten cats, Emily and Daisy, and a rescue dog, affectionately called Heart of Darkness, Horrible/Adorable, or Minx for short. She writes humorous contemporary romance and romantic suspense, both seasoned with plenty of steamy passion. Even the darkest murder/suspense is riddled with numerous snarky sentiments. She is actively involved in several writer’s organizations, including National RWA and three of its local chapters, West Houston RWA, Houston Bay Area RWA and Northwest Houston RWA. She loves to spend time with family and friends. She writes daily but has time for other interests including painting, cooking and gardening.

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She loves to hear from readers. http://www.jdfaver.com

~*~

Other books by J.D. Faver

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A TWIST OF FATE

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Available soon:

DEAR NEMESIS