Talk of the Town (22 page)

Christmas Eve morning was like a picture postcard in Paradise. A layer of snow covered all the lawns and rooftops, and more was falling.

Kelly couldn’t sleep without Sam next to her. She looked out of the penthouse bedroom window over the entire town. Her town. It was her wedding day, again.

Her figure had rounded out quite a bit, and even though she said she’d be happy to squeeze into her November dress, Evelyn had found her another wedding dress anyhow. Something about the master plan and overall theme. If it made Evelyn happy, that was fine with Kelly.

She went in the walk-in closet and opened the
protective fabric bag to look at the gown. The waist was high just in case her waistline had expanded. Tiny pearls and crystal beads sparkled on the beautiful pleated silk lace skirt. It was supple, and flowed around her like shimmering water.

The bodice was silk-velvet—it felt like heaven. Around the low neck and sleeve cuffs ran an edging of white feathers that made her look like the snow queen in a storybook she’d once read. For her hair there was a crown of crystals and pearls, with flows of netting all around.

She supposed that white wasn’t too appropriate at this point, but no one seemed to mind. There was a white velvet cape with matching feathers—all to keep her warm on her mysterious trip to the church.

The wedding wasn’t until four. Ten hours away. Nothing was going to stop this wedding. That was for sure. Not this time.

Sam must be sleeping peacefully at his parents’ house—they came to the penthouse and took him captive last night. Sam’s mother insisted he not see his bride until the wedding. They said it was about putting the suspense back in, and they both laughed while Sam patted her belly, and claimed, “I’ve had enough surprises.”

But they insisted and told Kelly to be ready by two o’clock to be picked up for the wedding.

Kelly ran her hands over the two beautiful quilts that she and Sam had unwrapped yesterday. One from Dottie with crazy blue stars all over it, and one from the Grant County Fair and Rodeo they’d seen together. Sam had surprised her with that one. There were gifts all over the penthouse. Some had been waiting for them since the last wedding. Last night was the best Christmas she’d ever had, two days early. She was overwhelmed with the generosity of her friends.

By twelve o’clock, she had showered, eaten breakfast, eaten lunch—she was ravenously hungry these days—and was pacing in her formal maternity lingerie.

Myrtle was coming over to help dress her. The snow was wild outside, wind drifted it up against the sidewalks and cars, and she hadn’t seen a car drive down the street for two hours. At least a foot of snow must have fallen in the last three hours.

She pressed her cheek against the windowpane and thought about crying. No one had called. The power had flickered a few times, and here she was a good two miles from the church.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a lone
figure in the distance, trudging slowly through the storm. Great, it was probably Lynnette Stivers escaped from jail, coming to get her. No, it couldn’t be her.

It made her smile thinking how funny it was that Tom Blackwell was keeping Lynnette locked up in the town jail. He’d had her cell done over and brought in a psychologist from Vancouver for twice-weekly sessions. He figured that was the only way Lynnette would get a clue.

As the figure got closer, she saw a bright orange hooded parka take form. Myrtle! Kelly threw on her wonderful cashmere robe and a pair of snow boots, then ran to the elevator. On the first floor she stuck her head out the building door and yelled, “Myrtle! This way!”

Myrtle’s head popped up from her trudge, and she crossed the street, heading for the sound. Safely in the entryway, she stomped the snow off her boots and shook.

“Merciful Snow Goddess, we have a blizzard. Look at you, you’re practically nekked. Get upstairs, right now.”

Myrtle had a colorful backpack they dusted the snow off of, then hopped in the elevator.

“You know, Myrtle, I used to have this thing with elevators. I haven’t had to cry in one for ages. I think the curse is broken.”

“That’s because we’re watching out for ya
now.” Myrtle gave her a cold hug, and they jumped out the elevator doors and into the warm penthouse.

They stripped off Myrtle’s parka, boots, and hat by the doorway, revealing her red velvet jacket with rhinestone buttons over a full red velvet skirt. Wow.

“Myrtle, you came through this snow for me. I love you, you sweet old thing.” She hugged her, then shivered. “Let’s have some hot tea.”

“Honey, it’s gonna take a miracle to get this wedding together today, but that’s what we’re gonna do. You brew up that tea. I’m gonna make some phone calls while the lines are still up.” Myrtle plopped down on the sofa with the portable phone and threw Sam’s mohair blanket over her lap.

Kelly went to the kitchen and rummaged for the tea, snagged two bags, filled two mugs of her brand-new Portmeirion china with instant hot water from the sink, and let it brew. Modern life had its perks.

By that time, Myrtle had already finished one call and was on to another.

“Yep, that’s the size of it. Can you do it in an hour? Okay, doll face, I love you, too, and tell your daughter she can have a free color and cut for this. ’Bye now.”

Kelly sat down beside her, setting their tea on the small table in front of them.

“I can make it, Myrtle, I’ll just have to get married in snow gear. I’ve been walking about a mile or two a day anyway. Nothing is going to keep me from this wedding.”

“Looks like the storm is lettin’ up some. Jake Jacobsen up on the hill says he can see it lifting, and there’s less falling at his place now. Don’t you worry, we’ll get there one way or t’other. Now let’s see about yer hair, there—I might have to put it up so the weather won’t blow it all to poodle-doo.”

“Leave it to you to put the hair first.”

“Of course, darlin’, of course.”

Sam zipped a silver ski coverall over his black tux and stuck a helmet on his head.

“Ready, Sis, Tad, Earl? Mom? Dad?” His parents and two sisters appeared from doorways and stairways. Under ski parkas and heavy boots you could see bits of red velvet sticking out.

His sisters had red roses in their hair and looked like angels. He knew better, but they looked pretty anyhow. Their two patient husbands stood behind them. Tad and Earl were great guys.

It was great to see his family troop up and get
into the four-wheel-drive spirit. Nothing on earth, or out of the sky, was going to stop this wedding.

“We’ve got the plan, then, Dad, you pick up as many people as you can, get to the church, make sure the reverend is there, and make damn sure Lynnette Stivers isn’t. I’ll take the snowmobile over to Jacobsen’s and help get the sleigh team hitched up. Then we’ll get the bride and see you there. I love you all. Drive safe, Dad,”

“Son, I’m a skier. I’ve driven in worse. This is nothing. Okay, Grayson women, assorted spouses, let’s get to a wedding!” His dad took the rear and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek over her shoulder. “You look like a bride yourself, Evelyn. Will you marry me all over again?”

Evelyn gathered up the long skirt of her ice-blue wool suit and stuffed the last of it under her full-length quilted ice-blue down coat. She put the hood up, framing her face in white faux fur. She’d deliberately let a long pause go by. “I suppose I would marry you all over again, Hank.” She smiled at her son as she walked out. Hank Grayson let out a sigh of relief.

“Onward, Sam, we’ve got a wedding to put on.” Evelyn burst out singing, guiding her daughters out the door: “
Onward Christian sol
diers, marching on to church
…” She made up her own lyrics.

Sam waved them into the huge Suburban four-wheel drive and closed the door of his family home. The snowmobile started up easily. He waited for the Suburban to disappear down the drive, then took off toward the ridge. One-thirty, he thought. We are
going
to make it.

Lynnette pouted, screamed, paced, flirted, pretended to be ill, then pouted again, but Tom Blackwell ignored her completely.

“I’ve put three extra blankets in there with you, a sub sandwich, a bottle of water, a thermos of soup, and one of coffee. There’s a wind-up camp light if the power goes off, I showed you how to use it. I’ll be gone two hours. I’ve got a wedding to go to. Now, if you behave, I’ll take you out for a nice steak after. I put a copy of
The Dance of Anger
in there for you to read. I found chapter three particularly enlightening. Don’t forget to take your Prozac, sweetheart.”

“Eeeerrrrgggggggggggrrr. I’ll get you for this, Tom,” she growled.

“No, you won’t, dear. Read those nice romance books I got you. Maybe you’ll get some better ideas in your head. Gary’s here if you need anything else. ’Bye now, dear.” Tom
walked out into the main office. Just like taming a wild horse. Feed it sugar and pretty soon it’s yours.

“Gary, I appreciate this no end.”

“I figure I owe Sam and Kelly one—or two even.”

“Well, I owe you one now. I’ll bring you some wedding cake.”

“Thanks, Tom. I got the snow chains on the squad car. It’s just a few miles, anyway. Have a good time, man.”

Tom saluted his deputy as he put his hat on and pushed back the wind to get out the door.

“Two o’clock, Myrtle, we better get suited up and start walking.”

“Now, be patient, honey, it’s not good for the baby to fret like that. Go potty again before you get all trussed up in your gown.” Myrtle mothered her.

“I’ve peed four times in the last hour, Myrtle, I’ll keep.” Kelly was getting snappish. “Are you going to tell me how we’re going to get there?”

“Look outside. It’s just driftin’ down easy as you please now. The wind died off. We’re sittin’ pretty.”

“I’m putting this dress on now, Myrtle. I have silk long underwear pants to keep me warm. You let me know when it’s time.”

“Sure thing. Now let me help you into that, there’s twenty buttons down the back need some special attention.”

Myrtle helped get Kelly buttoned, tucked, and pinned.

“I’ll carry your veil in my backpack until we get to the church. Listen! D’ya hear that? I knew ol’ Jake wouldn’t let me down!”

The sound of tinkling bells got stronger by the instant. Kelly flew to the window. There, coming down the street, was a wondrous red sleigh with two huge horses trotting through the snow.

“It’s Santa!” Kelly laughed, opened the window a crack, and waved. Sure enough, the driver was dressed in a red velvet Santa suit, complete with white beard.

“Ho ho ho!” she heard him bellow. That had to be a sign! Santa in the plane, Santa in a sleigh. Beside him was Sam in a silver jumpsuit. Oh, well, she didn’t care what he wore to this wedding.

Myrtle got Kelly’s velvet cape over her and handed her a pair of red snow boots. That’s what she’d carried in her pack through sleet and snow and cold. “We’ll save the dainty shoes for later, hon, ya gotta have the right shoes—”

“For the occasion. I know, Myrtle, ya taught me good.” Kelly and Myrtle went out the door and down the elevator.

Sam held open the outside door. “Milady, your carriage awaits you.” He bowed, then straightened up. Kelly kissed him. He really was Prince Charming after all. He never even grazed through frogness.

“Prepare for lift-off, milady.” He swept her up into his arms. “Wait here, Myrtle, you’re next.”

“Like hell, I’m self-actualized, you wild man.” Myrtle zipped up her orange parka, donned her fuzzy hat, pulled the hood over it all, and marched through the snow. Sam gently set Kelly in the back seat of the sleigh and tucked her in properly. Then he went back, grabbed Myrtle, and swung her into the front compartment with the jolly driver.

“Whoa,” Myrtle whooped.

Sam climbed up next to Kelly.

“Giddyap!” Myrtle yelped.

“Myrtle Crabtree, I might as well give you the reins right now. On Prancer, on Dancer!” Jake clucked the horses into motion and gave Myrtle the reins.

“You’re a widower, ain’t ya, Jake?”

“Yep, I am, Myrtle, and it’s been a long, long time.” Santa Jake put his arm around Myrtle’s waist.

Kelly smiled at Sam, who kissed her full on the mouth. She’d left the red lipstick off this time.
He’d get that later, anyway—when Reverend Evans said, “You may now kiss the bride.”

The sky was snowy gray, but all along the way twinkling lights decorated the streets, and in the last stretch Kelly could see row upon row of people standing on the sidewalks, cheering them on.

Mr. and Mrs. Grayson, Sam’s sisters, and the minister were standing on the church steps. She saw Tom Blackwell in the crowd. He tipped his hat to them, and Sam raised his hand. It was a signal, Kelly could tell. Lynnette was in a nice warm jail cell.

As they climbed out of the sleigh, Sam took her hand. The twinkling outside lights flickered and went out. She turned to see the church. It was completely dark inside.

“At least there’s no thunderstorm, and no ghosts.” She sighed. “Will you still marry me in the dark?”

“In the dark, in a park, I will marry you, I will!” he joked.

“Very funny, Sam-I-am.”

“Don’t worry, folks, grab a light tube on your way in. Lydia, light all the candles up front.” In ten minutes, the reverend had the entire sanctuary lit with candles. They were in every window ledge, on every stand. It was glorious.

Huge stands of floral arrangements—red and white roses, white lilies, and tiny daisies—glowed in the candlelight. They filled every corner of the room.

On a tall table beside them was her bouquet. It was stunning: glittering crystal and satin trim, white roses, white lilies and orchids, and the miniature daisies. She fingered it and let the fragrance fill her with joy. The entire thing was amazing.

“Good Lord, did your parents knock over a florist’s shop?”

“No, they just had the wholesale grower fly in the winter hothouse crop and had the local florist and her entire family employed for a week, I’m sure. They’re having fun.” Sam had slipped out of his silver coverall and stood handsome as a
GQ
moment in his black tux. He handed her a single red rose, and she pinned it on his lapel. He pulled her in to him and kissed her with that kiss that had knocked her socks off the first time.