“Great wedding! Great day!” Rhythm continued in his usual hearty manner. “Brings back many a memory for Blues and myself. Many a memory,” he repeated a bit less enthusiastically, possibly remembering the weddings that weren’t marriages, and the resulting tragedy.
“Tell them what we’ve been thinking, dear,” Blues urged, as Susan tried to tactfully disentangle herself from Rhythm’s embrace.
“We have a plan. A wonderful plan. A great plan. A … a remarkable plan.”
“Why don’t you explain what it is,” his wife suggested.
Jed, who had been more successful than his wife in detaching from their new relations, made encouraging noises.
“Well, you know how important we think family is,” Blues began.
“Most important thing in the world!” Rhythm boomed.
“And … well, I guess we didn’t exactly get off on the right foot,” Blues added, her cheeks turning pink. “I’m afraid I was a little suspicious of you last night, and … Well, it’s been a difficult time for some of us who were together in the commune.”
“That’s all in the past,” Susan hurried to assure her. “Today is a new day. And the beginning of a new life for our children.”
“And for ourselves! Don’t forget the old folks!” Rhythm insisted. “Although I always say, Blues and I are just a couple of kids.”
“You certainly are,” Jed agreed, peering through the crowd that was surrounding the dance floor.
“We think the two families should get to know each other better.”
“Of course …” Susan didn’t see that she could do anything but agree.
“No time like the present. That’s what I always say. No time like the present.”
Susan and Jed exchanged looks.
“So we’ve decided to spend more time in your lovely town—just a few weeks. Then we can bond. You know?”
Susan did. And she saw her visions of a long week resting and trying to catch up flying right out the window. But she certainly couldn’t be rude and refuse to see them. In fact, she really should offer the hospitality of her own home. She opened her mouth, but Jed jumped in before she could speak.
“Well, Rhythm, it’s an excellent idea, but I think it’s going to have to wait for another time.”
“But Jed—”
“You see, I made some plans that Susan doesn’t know about. I have a surprise for her.”
“For me? Jed, what?”
“I have reservations at that hotel you loved in the countryside just outside of Lucca—for an entire week. Our plane leaves for Rome tomorrow night!”
“Jed! How wonderful … but what about Chad? And Clue? And those damn … uh, those adorable puppies?”
“I’ve thought of everything. I am paying our son an enormous amount of money to take care of all three canines while we are gone. He was thrilled with the prospect. Seems he’s saving to buy a motorcycle so he can tool around town with his new girlfriend. Now, don’t start worrying about him. He’ll be fine. But you see that we’re going to have to put your visit off for just a while.”
“Of course. Of course. You’ll be on a second honeymoon while the kids are on theirs!” Rhythm enthused.
“Oh, Jed. Italy …” Susan looked up at her husband. There were tears in her eyes for the third time that day.
“Why don’t you just dance with me—and you can tell me that you have a perfect husband.”
He put his arm around his wife and led her away from their new relatives and toward the dance floor.
“Well, I know you have the one thing necessary to become a perfect husband,” Susan said, smiling happily.
“What’s that?”
“A perfect wife.”
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Weddings Are Murder Page 26
