Brides at Coconuts (Coconuts Series)

by Beth Carter

  Alex made a face. “Oh, God.”

  “I know.” Cheri sipped her Cosmo and managed a chuckle. “I’ve got to stock up on booze. She drank a lot before, but now isn’t the time for a sermon.”

  Concern crossed Hope’s face. “Didn’t you tell us your mom was in rehab? She shouldn’t be drinking.”

  “It was a lie by my dad, likely to distract me. You know, put me off the scent of his transgressions.” Cheri shrugged. “She does drink a lot and more than ever right now.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” Alex said. “How did this go down with your parents?”

  After Cheri regaled them with details of her mother’s impressive sting operation at the boutique, which was greeted with much fanfare from the women, she turned to Hope. “Surely your news isn’t this major.”

  “It’s even bigger, I’m afraid.”

  Wide-eyed, all three women swiveled toward Hope.

  “Something other than your engagement and upcoming wedding?” Alex’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m not sure how much more I can take.”

  Suzy stared at her friend. “You can tell us anything.”

  Hope set her margarita down and clasped her hands. “I’ll jump right in.” She glanced from friend to friend. “I’m going to be a stepmom.”

  Everyone gasped. Alex said, “You didn’t want to wade into that pool?”

  “I’ll give you the bottom line version like Cheri did. After Tucker proposed, he dropped a bombshell. Turns out, he got a teen pregnant when he was in high school, his parents were tragically killed, and his aunt and uncle who lived in a different state took him in during his senior year. They didn’t want him to pursue fatherhood, and the young mother’s parents wanted her to put the baby up for adoption, but we’ve since discovered she kept her.”

  Alex leaned forward. “And the child?”

  “She’s a teenager now just like he was when he impregnated her mother.”

  “Holy hell.” Alex clapped her hand over her mouth. “Are you still going to marry him?”

  Suzy glanced at Hope’s hand. “I see you’re still wearing the engagement ring.”

  “Of course, I’m going to marry Tucker. We’re in love. For better or for worse, right?” Hope’s hand shook as she reached for her cocktail.

  “That’s the ‘rule’ during the ceremony, not before,” Alex said. “If you have reservations, now’s the—”

  “I already love the girl,” Hope said. “We’re going to be a family.”

  Cheri’s mouth fell open. “You’ve met her?”

  “His daughter goes to my school and the best part”—Hope’s eyes sparkled—“she has been my favorite student since she was a freshman.”

  “No way,” Alex said.

  “Way.” Hope beamed. “It’s Britney. I’m sure I’ve told you stories about her over the years.”

  Cheri put her face in her hands. “I think you do win because Mom will likely find a place to live, go back to Dad, or meet someone else. But having an instant family? Yep. You definitely win.”

  “Why are our lives so insanely crazy?” Alex sipped her wine. “And I thought putting up with my boyfriend’s nasty ex, bitchy intern, and a sexy cop partner was bad. That’s cake compared to you guys. Oh—and the best part—Hannah is now an intern at Ozarks5. I’ve been reinstated as marketing VP.” Her face fell at her friends’ strange gazes. “Okay, okay. This is about Hope and Cheri. Again.”

  Suzy put her arm around Hope’s shoulders. “You’ll be a great mom. We can share stories since Izzy is a teen like Britney.”

  “That would be helpful.” Hope nodded. “I’m actually excited about this. I was extremely nervous at first, I mean, it’s unchartered territory, but since his daughter turned out to be Britney, it should be a fairly easy transition.”

  “And you’re a counselor. You know how to handle delicate situations.” Suzy placed her hand over Hope’s. “You’ll be a terrific mom.”

  “Back to the wedding.” Alex rested her chin on her hand. “How have you found time to go wedding dress shopping?”

  “Whoops.” Hope’s eyes widened. “I knew I was forgetting something.” After seeing her friends’ horrified faces, she said, “Kidding.”

  Alex put both hands in the air. “What’s wrong with us? We should have had a bachelorette party for you, Hope, with male strippers right here at Coconuts.” Suzy wrinkled her nose and Cheri giggled.

  “Thank goodness you didn’t.” Hope plunged the lime in her margarita. “I’m getting nervous about the wedding decorations.”

  “I checked with my supplier and already ordered red bandanas for napkins, as well as Mason jars. They’ll arrive tomorrow. I also made an executive decision and had a florist send several batches of natural holly and greenery to Cole’s farm.”

  Hope clapped her hands. “Perfect. It’ll be a rustic country wedding.”

  “Remember, I have tons of white lights left over from Jon and Fernando’s wedding,” Suzy added. “I’ll bring them,”

  Drumming her fingers on the table, Alex said, “Sorry I suck at this. I promise to show up early and decorate, though.”

  Everyone laughed, as Cheri said, “It sounds dreamy, Hope. Cole’s big barn will be a perfect venue. He and his friends have already cleaned it out. Don’t worry about a thing.”

  Eyes misty, Hope said, “Thank you for . . . everything. I’ve got some last-minute wedding details to take care of. I want to find something with XOXO since that’s how Tucker and I end our messages.”

  Ignoring Alex’s eye roll, Hope wrapped her arms around her friends’ shoulders. “You’re the best. It’s almost here. I can’t wait.”

  Chapter 86

  On the drive home, Cheri felt relieved about her situation with her mother, knowing it would be much more temporary than Hope’s. She tiptoed inside and passed her mother’s bedroom where she heard gentle snoring.

  Cheri ended up sleeping better than she had the night before and decided to make a big breakfast. Padding to the kitchen to make coffee, she opted to make scrambled eggs and blueberry muffins. Cheri opened the French doors, went outside to clip the last remaining fresh basil from a pot on her deck, chopped tomatoes, and began whisking the eggs.

  As the coffee brewed, Victoria took a seat on a barstool at the island. “Morning, Mom. You smell much better than when you arrived.”

  “I feel almost human, darling. As soon as you pour a cup of coffee for me, I might become human.”

  Cheri bristled. Her mother had always had a maid, housekeeper, limo driver, gardener, and chef. But things were different now. She was on her turf and Cheri wasn’t going to be her mother’s keeper. Pointing with her head, Cheri said, “The coffee mugs are in that cabinet. I’ll take some too.” She paused. “Please.”

  “I see. I get the message. This will take some getting used to. I’ve been pampered, I guess.” Victoria slid off the barstool, opened the cabinet, and plunked two yellow coffee mugs on the counter. “How do you take it, darling?”

  “I’ll drink it black this morning. I had one too many drinks last night. Thanks.”

  “Did you have fun with your friends?” Victoria asked, as she poured a black coffee for Cheri and added cream to hers.

  Cheri wasn’t about to tell her Mom she was a major topic of conversation. “Yeah, we always have fun. You’ll have to meet them sometime.”

  “I’d like that. What are you making? It smells divine.”

  “Basil tomato scrambled eggs. Blueberry muffins are ready to go in the tins and into the oven.” She pointed with a whisk. “You’ll find the muffin tin in that cabinet.”

  Victoria laughed. “Something tells me you’re already tired of waiting on me, but I need to learn to cook, I suppose. How do I get the muffin stuff in the pan?”

  “It’s called batter. He
re.” Cheri reached for a can of Pam. “Spray the bottom of each tin, take a large spoon, and fill each tin about half full. I’ve already turned the oven on. It’s ready to go.”

  “What do you know? I’ve been here just over a day and I already know how to cook.” Victoria plopped the batter half inside the pan, half on the counter, with several dollops on herself. She peered at a glob on the floor. “I’m not very good at this. Maybe we should hire a chef.”

  “Mom. I am a chef. I’m not hiring one. You’ll learn. It takes practice. Try again.” Her mother managed to salvage most of the batter and placed the muffin tin inside the oven without burning herself.

  “Perfect.” Cheri grinned. “Now for the eggs.”

  ~ ~ ~

  After they ate, Victoria rubbed her belly. “I’m a chef after one day. Your father would never believe it.” Her face fell. “Not that he’ll ever know.”

  Cheri let the remark fade as she cleared the dishes. “How are you at dishwashing?”

  “Abysmal. Isn’t that what maids are for?”

  “Mom, I have a dishwasher. There’s no need to hire someone to place dirty dishes inside it.” She opened the hinged door. “Try it.”

  Victoria blew out her breath, put the biggest plates on the top, and the water glasses and mugs below. “Try the opposite. Watch.” Cheri rearranged the dishes but Victoria, obviously bored, stepped onto the deck. “I remember this gorgeous lake. “What’s it called?” she shouted into the kitchen.

  Cheri joined her on the deck. “Crystal Lake.”

  “Please tell me you have a housekeeper at least.”

  “Mom, it’s just me here—or was. And I’m not messy.”

  Her mother peered at Cheri as if she had grown a second nose. “But if you clean, cook, and drive yourself around, when do you have time to go to restaurants with your friends, or shop?” She shuddered. “You weren’t raised like this.”

  Cheri took a deep breath and reached for her mother’s hand. “I’m going to show you a different way of life. A better way. You’ll see.”

  Again, Victoria attempted to show emotion on her mostly frozen face. “That’ll be the day.” Staring at a lone fishing boat, she said, “The pace of life practically stands still here. Don’t you get bored?”

  “Not at all. I love being away from paparazzi in New York City. I’m a total stranger here. Few people know about my pedigree and I love it that way. Well, until it was splashed across that rag magazine.”

  “I saw that, darling. The photo of me was absolutely terrible. I’m sure they had better ones on hand.”

  Cheri let the remark go. Standing beside her mom, the chilly wind blew her hair across her face. Victoria shivered.

  “I’ll loan your some thick sweaters.” Cheri peered at the dove gray sky. “It looks like a snow sky. I hope we don’t have an early winter. With all of the hubbub, I forgot to tell you one of my best friends is getting married later today.” She hesitated. “Do you want to go? You can meet everyone.”

  “Heavens no, darling. A wedding is the last place I’d want to be.”

  “Oh, right.” Cheri nodded. “That makes sense.”

  “Who’s getting married and where will the wedding be?” Victoria asked, forcing mild interest.

  “Hope. She’s a sweetheart and has had a rough life. She met a guy last spring and they’re getting married in a barn at Soggy Bottoms.”

  “Soggy what?” Victoria asked.

  “Soggy Bottoms. It’s Cole’s farm. He named it that because it floods. Makeshift ponds always appear after a downpour.”

  “Cole. Cole.” Victoria acted as though she had never heard the name.

  “You’ve heard me mention Cole many times, Mom. Don’t act like you haven’t heard of the cowboy.”

  Victoria huffed. “Whatever.”

  “Whatever,” Cheri mimicked. “I’ve got to get ready and help him decorate the barn. I hope you can entertain yourself for the day and evening while I’m away.” She winked. “I might spend the night.”

  “Darling, just make sure you make an alcohol run and I’ll be fine.”

  Cheri rolled her eyes as she traipsed to her bedroom and called a local liquor store. She ordered a massive amount of alcohol and the owner acted as though it were an early Christmas, promising to deliver everything before noon. That should hold her over for a few days. Staring into her closet, she said to no one, “Think, Cheri. Think. What are you going to wear to the wedding?” She glanced out the window which had fogged over from the cold. Reaching for a black turtleneck, jeans, and boots, she decided on warmth while decorating the non-heated barn. She unzipped a garment bag and added an ivory sweater dress, brown, fringed leather vest, and turquoise jewelry. There.

  She loaded coolers with food, secured the cake in the trunk, and rushed toward the foyer. Grabbing her car keys, she noticed Victoria was already pouring a glass of wine. “Bye, Mom. See you in a day or two. Love you.”

  “No hurry. I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “I’ll try not to burn the house down.”

  Cheri stopped mid-step. “Don’t cook anything unless I’m here.” She pointed toward a drawer. “All of the takeout menus are in there. Call for delivery. Promise?”

  “Yes, darling, I promise. Scoot.”

  Chapter 87

  An hour later, Cheri arrived at Soggy Bottoms. She decided not to tell Cole about her mom until after the ceremony. They needed to stay focused on the event. She glanced around the barn and spotted him setting up a makeshift bar.

  “Hey, Cowboy.” She squeezed him in a big embrace. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Same here, New York.” He kissed her. “You look great in turtlenecks, by the way. Maybe it should be fall year-round.”

  She patted his behind. “Something smells great.”

  “I put a brisket in the smoker this morning and am gettin’ ready to grill steaks.” He shivered. “I didn’t think it would be so cold today.”

  “I know. It’s freezing.” Cheri glanced up at the sky. “I haven’t heard any weather reports, have you?”

  “Nah, been too busy.”

  “Same here. I’m going to unload groceries and prep the food.”

  “Need any help?”

  “You’ve done enough. The barn’s so clean.” She took three bags inside, relieved she had pre-prepped several items and baked the wedding cake days earlier before getting bogged down with her mom’s news. Returning to her car, Cheri unloaded several enormous white, oblong bowls. At Hope’s request, she planned to make coleslaw with pineapple, a multi-colored pasta salad, a Tex-Mex layered dip, baked beans—apparently Tucker’s favorite—a field greens salad with mandarin oranges, pecans, and strawberries—tricky to find this time of year but she had resources—and smoky deviled eggs topped with pimentos.

  Opening cans of beans, she placed them in a mixing bowl and added catsup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. She quickly chopped and sautéed green pepper and onions, and added the vegetables to the baked beans. She fried bacon and broke it into small pieces on top. After she placed the beans in the oven, she quartered a bag of potatoes, added oil, and onions and filled a large slow cooker. She set a timer to remind herself to make roasted brussels sprouts with dried cherries later. Wanting to add several dishes with red components to match Hope’s theme, Cheri reluctantly left off caviar and her usual elegant options since Hope had insisted on a delicious, home-cooked country meal.

  Satisfied the menu was under control, Cheri returned to the barn. She and Cole placed white tablecloths on several folding tables he had rented. Pushing up her sleeves, she said, “I’m regretting wearing this turtleneck now.”

  Cole chuckled. “You can always take it off.”

  “Yeah, right. That would be a memorable way to greet wedding guests.” As Cheri rolled up red bandanas as napkins,
she remembered she had shipped a large chalkboard to Cole’s house. “Is the chalkboard around here?”

  Cole pointed with his head as he positioned a table. “Over there. It’s propped up by the hay bales near the entrance.”

  Cheri crossed the barn and wrote the BBQ menu on the chalkboard. As she penned the last dish, she heard a familiar voice.

  “Hey,” Alex said, as she stumbled over a piece of gravel. “Shit. I nearly twisted my ankle. Hasn’t anyone heard of concrete in the country? On another note, did you hear the doom and gloom forecast? Do you think it’ll snow?”

  Cole obviously overhead Alex. “Accordin’ to the Farmers’ Almanac-” Cheri made a face. “It’s supposed to snow?” Alex nodded as Cole took her hefty wedding gift and placed it on the gift table.

  “Let’s hope the snow holds off at least until tomorrow,” Cheri said, as she hugged her friend. “You’re early.”

  “One for the record books.” Alex glanced around the barn. “This will be unique. I’ve never been to a barn wedding. What can I do?”

  “I’m glad you asked.” Cheri handed her a box of mason jars and two enormous bags of holly and red berries. “Will you stuff the holly and berries into the jars and place seven per table?”

  Staring at the jars, Alex said, “I’m not exactly crafty, but I’ll try.”

  Cheri set the box down and plucked a handful of holly and berries and expertly arranged them half inside and peeking half outside a mason jar. “See. Easy peasy.”

  “I suppose I can manage that but Suzy would be far better at this stuff than me.”

  “She’s probably running late because of the twins,” Cheri said. “That would make anyone run late.”

  Alex winked. “Excuses excuses.”

  Chapter 88

  As the women worked on the decorations, Cole rubbed Cheri’s shoulders. “What can I do? The barbecue is under control.”