"If you could spend your life doing whatever you wanted, what would it be?"
"Man to man, not boyfriend to dad?"
Mr. Anderson nodded.
"Get Julie and myself shipwrecked on some tropical island. I haven't had enough time to get to know her. Life keeps gettin' in the way. I wanna be there when she wakes up in the morning. Or to hold her when she's scared. But I also wanna know what's going on inside her head."
"As the father, I'm leery of this relationship. But as a Judge, I see no reason not to let you continue. I weighed what I know about you and what I've learned and I'm impressed with what I see."
Robert's eyebrows rose to his hairline. "Not the answer I was expectin'. I'll try and not screw this up."
Julie's father chuckled. "You're going to make mistakes, but that's all part of life. You've got to quit condemning yourself because of your past. You a few years ago and you today are two different people. This new person is a mature, rational, intelligent adult."
Robert was dumbfounded. The man he hated for so long accepted him as an equal. As he pondered this amazing revelation, sleep overtook him. The motion of the car stopping and then continuing woke him. He glanced out the window at the business towers of Highgate.
Mr. Anderson signalled then changed lanes. "Nice nap?"
"Yup. At least my headache's gone." Robert stretched. "Think this Aunt Kathy knows about me?"
"I'm sure she does by now." Mr. Anderson looked at Robert and grinned. "Not only is Sheila excellent at gathering information, she's equally good at dispensing it."
"Oh, great."
Mr. Anderson stopped the car next to a small gatehouse. A man exited it, checked the licence plate and raised the barrier. Bill drove past several estates and pulled into the long driveway leading to Aunt Kathy's. When the house came into view, Robert sat taller in his seat. "Oh, shit!"
"Spectacular, isn't it? Been in the family for a few generations."
"Look, Highgate's a big city. Couldn't we just like find a hotel?"
Mr. Anderson laughed and drove toward the parking area.
"No, I'm mildly serious here." Robert ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm gonna be way out of my element. Take a fish out of water and put it on a busy street, that's me in rich society. Just waitin' for someone to step on me. Put me in front of a drug-crazed, knife carryin' gang banger and no problem I know what to do. Swear at'im, beat'im up and go party. But this…this ain't me."
Mr. Anderson parked the car. "I'm going to sneak you in. To avoid Julie. We've got about an hour before I have to deliver Julie to the church. Shower, dress and hang around your room. We'll come and get you when it's time to surprise her."
Robert pulled his bag off the back seat and followed Julie's father into the house. They entered at the kitchen. It was full of people, busy with their assigned tasks.
Aunt Kathy turned from speaking with the chef. "Bill, I see you found the prize. Good, Julie's been out of sorts all morning, but trying to put on a brave face. So, you're Robert. I've heard a lot about you." She extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet such a brave, young fellow."
Robert dropped his bag and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs...?"
"Aunt Kathy. Everyone calls me Aunt Kathy."
"I'm off to get ready and collect the rest of my family. You're good?" Mr. Anderson smiled.
"No problem."
Mr. Anderson waved and exited. Robert's nose twitched at the delicious aromas.
"Are you hungry?" Aunt Kathy's eyes twinkled. "You missed lunch." She signalled to the head chef and requested he prepare a lunch for Robert. "It'll be sent to your room. Now let's get you settled so we can get on with this wedding."
"I'm staying here?" No f'in' way!
Aunt Kathy led the way through the back narrow hallways. "The place is such a madhouse today. All the extra domestics, the catering staff, the...I'm not sure I know who all is in my house. These secret back hallways were so in the old days the servants could move about without disturbing the master. But everyone uses them now as it's often faster to get around." She stopped at the head of a flight of stairs.
"I've situated you across the hall from Julie. I think it's wonderful you surprising her like this." Aunt Kathy smiled. "I love romance, and this is champagne and a single red rose."
Almost afraid to ask, Robert rubbed his chin. "Do you know who I am?"
"Yes, Sandra told me and showed me the video on the internet of your gang fight."
Robert dropped his head and shook it in disgust. "Right now I look the part. I spent the night in jail. A misunderstandin' with the police."
"The police can be very misunderstanding."
Robert laughed. "I like you."
"Good. Because I wanted to meet you. I'm more than entranced by the fact that Julie has fallen in love with a gang leader. I'm quite willing to accept you, as I trust Julie's instincts implicitly. But there are others." She shrugged.
Aunt Kathy poked her head into the hallway and motioned Robert to follow her. She opened the door to his room, turned and pointed to a door across the hall. "Julie's room."
She turned on the lights, illuminating the room with a soft glow. The bed was large and inviting. Robert pictured Julie lying across it. There was a small fireplace that would add a cozy, romantic warmth to the room. The furniture was antique but suited the atmosphere of quiet wealth.
Robert placed his tuxedo and gym bag on the bed. "Shower?"
Aunt Kathy opened a door.
"My own private shower?"
She nodded.
"Can I move in here? This is cool."
A young man knocked then entered carrying Robert's lunch on a tray. Aunt Kathy pointed to a night table. He placed the tray on it and left. "You've got forty-five minutes to eat, shower and dress. I'll see you at the church."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
He chuckled.
Aunt Kathy turned. "I caught that in the kitchen. You weren't very comfortable about coming here were you?"
"No, ma'am."
"I'll leave you to your lunch." She shut the door behind her.
Robert looked around his room and let out a long low whistle. "I could get used to being rich." Trying to decide whether to shower or eat lunch, the rumblings of his stomach sealed his decision. He wolfed down his meal then headed for the shower. Robert stood under the spray letting the water rinse off the stench of the cell and promised himself, he'd never go back to jail again.
After drying off with thick soft towels, he shaved and dressed. Looking at his reflection, he thought he was looking at someone else. The tuxedo fit to perfection and the shoes weren't as uncomfortable as he expected. Guess I can deal with this for a weekend. The only flaw would be corrected when Julie joined him. He looked over at the wall separating them and wondered what she was doing.
Chapter Twenty
I look this beautiful and no Robert to see me. Julie sighed. I'm so not looking forward to this evening. I'll probably spend the whole night dodging Ralph. A cold shudder shot through her core.
Julie smoothed the front of her champagne-coloured, silk, maid of honour's gown. The material clung to her sleek body rounding every corner.
She remembered with pride the day Kelly asked her to be maid of honour. Kelly was selective about who'd be paired with Stan's relatives and friends. The wedding was in the biggest cathedral in Highgate and the reception on the lawn of her adoptive parent's estate. If the weather forecaster knew what was good for him, it would be a cloudless, sunny day. A wedding set to perfection.
Kelly, Julie and the six other bridesmaids spent the morning at a spa having a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure while being served a breakfast of strawberries, orange juice and croissants. Julie and Kelly gossiped about other cousins, friends, Kelly's husband-to-be and Robert.
A knock on her bedroom made Julie blink. Her mother entered. Her hand flew to her mouth. "I've never seen you more beautiful."
Julie felt the blush ri
se on her cheeks. "Thank you, Mom. I just wish Robert was here to see me."
"I bet he'd be speechless." Her mother tapped her watch. "It's time to go, so you'll be there when Kelly arrives. She sent a text that the photographer would be done in twenty minutes, then he can do the group photos in the gardens beside the church."
"I'll be down in two secs." Julie glanced back in the mirror, checked her makeup, spritzed her favorite perfume and grabbed her clutch.
Mrs. Anderson closed Julie's door as Mr. Anderson exited Robert's room. In a low voice, he whispered, "Get a load of this. He cleans up pretty good."
Robert exited his room and shut the door. At first glance, Julie's mother didn't recognize him. His self-confidence and magnetism was something she'd never witnessed. But for all the sexiness and sophistication he portrayed, she still saw the shyness behind his eyes and smile.
"Looking good, Robert." She reached up and adjusted his bow tie.
"Thanks."
"You know," she whispered. "I think it's your shy side that makes the girls fall for you."
Robert's eye's opened wide. Stunned, he didn't move for a moment then hurried down the stairs.
Julie's father waited at the bottom. "If you stand over there." He indicated a spot to the side. "You'll see her before she sees you."
When Julie reached the head of the last flight of stairs, her parents were waiting in the main hallway. She could read the smile on their faces and blushed at the love she saw. The third last step was a small landing allowing the person to exit in any one of three directions. Julie stepped on it and paused. "Like?" With little steps, she turned, displaying the gown.
Robert walked out from his hiding place and stood at the foot of the stairs. Julie finished her turn. When their gazes met, she gasped and smiled.
Before her stood, not Robert the gang leader punk everyone else saw, but Robert the man she knew he was. His dark eyes were like magnets. She couldn't look away even if she wanted to. Her head swam from the sensuality emanating from the depth of his soul.
He held out his hand. Hers trembled as she took his and walked down the last few stairs into his waiting arms. Their lips met and for that moment, no one else existed.
The passion grew like fire as they kissed. He wanted her. He wanted to make love to her. She wanted him. She wanted to make love to him. They separated with a gasp.
"I've never seen anything or anyone more beautiful than you." His voice was low. "I want to make love to you."
His words sent shivers along Julie's spine. A discreet cough interrupted the moment.
Julie reached down and interlaced her fingers with his. If this wasn't real, she wasn't going to let him vanish. "How did you get him here?"
"We'll explain in the car. Let's go." Julie's parents headed for the doorway. Neither Julie nor Robert moved.
He leaned in close. "Let's stay. There'll be no one in the house." His breath teased like a flame as it brushed her skin.
Julie closed her eyes and gripped his hand tighter. Her head spun with emotions while her knees threatened to buckle. Oh, that you could just sweep me off my feet and carry me up to bed.
Reality nudged her. "I'm Kelly's maid of honour. I have to be there. But we can have tonight." She brushed a kiss across his lips then led him to the car.
They sat as far apart as possible on the van's middle seat. Neither dared to touch or look at the other. Julie tried to break the tension. "So how did you get here? I didn't hear your bike."
Julie's father chuckled as he started the van and drove to the church. "It's a long story." He glanced in the rear-view at Robert. "Want to fill us in on your side of it?"
Robert shifted his gaze from the side window and sighed. He didn't want to be pulled into the conversation. He wanted nothing to do with reality. He just wanted Julie. "I went to the clubhouse and we partied."
"Partied?" Julie's forehead wrinkled.
"Let's just leave it at partied." He rubbed his nose. "If I tell ya what really happened you'll lose what little respect ya have of me."
"Why?" Julie stroked his cheek.
Her touch sent waves of yearning through his body, intensifying in his groins. "Because… because I missed ya and that hurt more than any injury I've ever had. I wanted to make the pain go away. I needed to forget the world existed. Don't wanna see the ugliness of Shore no more. Gettin' use to life out here. I don't wanna go back."
He inhaled and slowly released his breath. "I think it was about two a.m., when I decided to go home. Don't know why. It just seemed like a good idea at the time. I checked on Jangles then looked for something to eat. Got my head in the fridge when a voice said, Freeze. I looked up into the barrel of a cop's gun. Tried to explain, but he didn't believe me. Called Paul to arrange bail but who shows up? Your Dad." He shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"I went back to Westland to straightened things before his probation officer found out. Then I talked him into coming along," said her father.
"You get an extra Christmas present from me this year." Julie reached forward and patted her father on the shoulder.
"More socks. Yeah." Julie's father turned into the church parking lot and parked the car.
Once inside, an usher escorted Julie to the flower gardens and another led Julie's parents and Robert to the pew where the younger Anderson siblings and aunt and uncle were seated.
Julie glanced around at the six bridesmaids and flower girl. "Kelly not here yet? The photographer must be going picture crazy."
"Is she as beautiful as you?" Christine, the young flower girl, looked at Julie with big brown eyes.
"Me? Oh my, no." Julie placed her hand on her chest. "Kelly's...unbelievable. Stan'll be blown away."
A black limo parked and a bride in radiant white stepped out. "I'm here!" The silk glistened as she walked and the pearls glowed in the sunlight. After the hugging, the oohing and aahing, the bride and her attendants, posed and smiled by the flowers until the photographer announced he was done. They followed Julie to the attendant's waiting room, stood near the door, bouquets in hand and butterflies in stomach.
After a few minutes, the flower girl complained she had to go to the bathroom. A bridesmaid showed her where to go. Kelly raised her hand to her mouth, but Julie pushed it away. "No, you can't chew those expensively manicured nails."
"I think I want to throw up. What if he's not coming?"
"He's just caught in traffic. Stan loves you. He'll be here." Julie put her bouquet on the table and poured a glass of water. She handed it to Kelly. "Let's sit. Breathe. Everything's fine."
The pounding noise of a fist banging against the door made one of the bridesmaid yelp in surprise. The door eased open a small distance "Julie." A voice hissed and a finger poked its way into the room motioning her to the hallway.
Julie patted Kelly's shoulder. "I'll be right back." She stepped into the hallway. "Stan. You're here. Thank God. Kelly's— "
The groom, Stan, waved his hands. "Stop talking. We've got a little problem. Ron and I were in a car accident. He's in the hospital. Broken leg. I have no best man. There's no cousin, brother, uncle or friend to fit the bill. I know Kelly paired everybody off exactly. If I go pick Bruce or one of my other buddies, she'll kill me."
Julie agreed. She'd heard Kelly's description of Bruce as a beer-guzzling reject from the sewer system. They stood, staring into space hoping for inspiration. Julie's eyes widen and her eyebrows raised. "This is a long shot. You're going to think I'm crazy. He's going to think I'm crazy. My boyfriend's here. He's been a best man before. He's pretty level headed and he's wearing a tux."
"He's got the job." Stan placed both hands on his head as if to keep it from blowing off.
Julie opened the doors leading to the inner sanctum of the church. A crowd sat while the organist provided background music. She leaned inside and waved a hand at an usher. "Pssst."
No one responded.
"Pssst!" An usher turned. Julie motioned him to the back. "Kip, next to my parents is a
good-looking guy, black hair, tux. Tell him Julie's has to talk to him. It's urgent."
Kip walked to the row where the Anderson entourage sat. Glancing at the row then back at Julie, he pointed over the entire family at Robert. Julie nodded.
He tapped Mrs. Anderson on the shoulder relayed the message through her to Mr. Anderson, the younger Andersons and finally to Robert who pointed at himself. "Me?" Robert turned and looked where the usher pointed. Julie signalled to him.
With apologies, Robert scooted past the Andersons then followed Kip to the back of the church. Julie opened the door, grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the hall. "Robert, Stan has a problem. A big problem. Oh, Stan is the groom. He and his best man were on their way here. Got in an accident. Best man's in the hospital. Broken leg."
Stan ran a hand over his hair and twisted his neck side to side. "What she's trying to say is, will you be my best man?"
Robert blinked. "Don't ya got some friends here?"
"Lots, but Kelly defines them as beer drinking sewer sludge."
"Gotta party with your friends." Robert chuckled.
"It took me three weeks to get Kelly to agree to Ron. She's going to blame him for this." Stan gulped some air then continued. "She matched this wedding to perfection, and if I try adjusting things, there'll be hell to pay. Please."
"You've got a tux and you said you were best man at Paul's wedding." Julie put on her best please-do-this-for-me smile.
"Yea, but best man is supposed to be best friend."
Stan pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat off his neck. "Look, I asked Ron. He accepted. He got hurt. Not his fault. I want to get married. I'm stuck. Help."
"Well, the most important best man jobs are done. He took ya out last night and got ya puke-brain drunk, right?"
"Threw up for two hours this morning." Stan shuddered at the memory.
"He almost got ya to the church. The only things left are the ring and the register. Ya remembered to get the ring from him?"
Stan threw his hands into the air. "I forgot Kelly's ring. It'll be a miracle if I live through this day."
Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) Page 23
