“This one has been way more active than any of you were.”
“As I recall, you always calmed us down with your guitar. Why didn’t you bring it this time?”
My fake fiancé made me forget it! “Too much luggage.” As the firstborn, Marley had received lessons in guitar and dance, an opportunity that dried up as more and more daughters joined the family. Lindy patted the mattress close to her. Marley moved over and was immediately entrapped in Lindy’s arms.
“Oh, I’m so excited for you,” Lindy said as she squeezed.
“Me? Why me?” Marley asked, returning the hug. She avoided entangling herself in the long blond hair. Memories flooded back of trying to brush out her sister’s snarls and listening to her scream. During their early years, they had been devoted to each other.
“Your engagement, silly.” Lindy pushed away, flipped her hair behind one ear and focused those blue eyes on her. “If only we could have made it a double wedding. When am I going to meet this Brant? He’s coming to my wedding, isn’t he? The best man can’t get leave from the army. I know it’s last-minute, and we’re devastated, but I was hoping maybe Brant could fill in.”
Marley choked on her own saliva and started to cough so hard, Lindy gave her a couple of whacks on the back until she was able to catch her breath again.
Michelle walked over carrying a large gray rabbit and attempted to climb onto the bed between her aunts. Marley quickly picked her up and placed her on her lap, relieved by the distraction. Lindy pulled the little girl away and handed her another stuffed toy before setting her back on the floor. “Your aunt Marley and I want to talk.” She turned to Marley. “So tell all. I want every detail. Can you get him here for the wedding?”
Marley smiled in an effort to match her sister’s gush of joy over Marley’s engagement, which every member of their family had duplicated. The struggle at false effervescence strained her cheeks, and she fought to remember what she’d spent hours rehearsing on the five-hour plane trip. The double wedding bit was something she hadn’t anticipated.
Marley cleared her throat. “Unfortunately, Brant has to work.” She tried to swallow without choking this time. “He really felt bad about not being able to attend.” Another lie. She’d nearly had to hog-tie him to keep him from joining her.
She had fabricated him to suit her family: a businessman and mechanic for Marley’s pragmatic grandfather; a traditionalist and financier for her conservative mother; an outdoorsman and athlete for her active brothers-in-law; and a cowboy for her romantic sisters. Only the cowboy part bore any semblance to the truth. That acting career? She’d never speak of it. Not to mention that Brant’s scruffy beard and worn-out cowboy attire would have sent her mother into a fit.
Lindy reached for Marley’s hand. “Where’s your ring?” Marley had placed it in her pocket, not feeling it necessary to always wear it, especially when she washed her hands or worked in the kitchen making meals.
Lindy watched as Marley slipped her ring back on. “Where did you meet him? At his ranch?”
“He...” Marley hesitated, not willing to continue the deception. Clearing her throat, she replied, “Enough of that. I’m here for your wedding, not mine. Give me the rundown on the future Mrs. Dennis Kellner.” Marley had met Dennis when she’d first arrived. She’d helped all her brothers-in-law before their weddings and, at Lindy’s insistence, taught Dennis some fundamentals in dance. Marley liked him, a nice man who obviously loved her sister.
Marley forced herself to relax as Lindy accepted the spotlight and elaborated on the details of the big event only a few days away. Most of the rest of the conversation blurred as Lindy made glowing statements about Dennis, the love of her life.
“Oh, and you’ll get to meet Denny’s older brother.” Lindy’s shoulders dropped, and she looked a forlorn heap in the middle of the bed. “I had planned to pair you off with him, but now that you’re engaged...”
In an attempt to avoid discussing her engagement again, Marley asked, “So what’s Denny’s brother like?”
Lindy leaned closer. “Looks to die for,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper. “He told Den he’d steal me away from him if I wasn’t a blonde.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a crush.”
“On him? No way. He’s too old. Besides he likes redheads. When Denny mentioned that you were a redhead, Rick sounded interested. Maybe you know him. He went to your college.”
“PITT?” Marley asked, referring to the University of Pittsburgh. “Sorry. It’s a pretty large campus, and I don’t remember any Rick Kellner.”
“His name’s not Kellner. His mother remarried after divorcing Rick’s father. His last name is Brewster and most people call him Richard, but I know him as Rick.”
“Richard Brewster,” Marley said, drawing the name out. It couldn’t be. Not her Richard.
Marley held her breath, waiting to hear more about Richard. Maybe getting engaged to Brant hadn’t been such a good idea after all. It would create a few obstacles if flames from her earlier romance with Richard fanned to life. Then again...their romance had been brief. Both had drifted away, and she hadn’t seen or heard from him since his college graduation.
Marley drew her fingers through her hair, only to get the ring caught in the curls, something her hairdresser back in Phoenix had managed to control. Walking over to the mirror, she concentrated on freeing her finger, wanting with all her might to find out more about Richard.
A knock on the door startled her.
“Time to get up, sleepyhead. Lots to do before the big day,” a man shouted through the closed door.
Michelle bolted for Marley and hid her face in her aunt’s lap.
Marley stiffened, then turned to face the door, enclosing her niece in a tight hug. Was that their father’s voice? Why was he here?
“Yeah, Daddy. See you later,” Lindy called.
Slowly turning around, Marley stared openmouthed at Lindy.
“Don’t be mad. He’s giving me away.” Lindy knelt in the middle of her bed, clutching a large panda bear. She added in a whisper, “Please don’t make a scene, Marley.”
“He’s back?”
Lindy nodded. “He moved his things in with Poppy last night, and I really want him to give me away instead of Poppy.”
Michelle glanced up at her aunt. Had the little girl picked up on Marley’s tension? Her niece’s face began to twitch.
Marley picked her up and cradled her in her arms. “It’s okay, honey.” She brushed kisses along the girl’s forehead to calm her down. A few moments later, Marley placed her on the floor and said, “See if you can find the baby kangaroo for me.” Distracted, Michelle went searching through the menagerie.
“Is he just here for your wedding?” Marley kept her voice cool for Michelle’s benefit and hoped the disapproval boiling inside her wouldn’t erupt.
Lindy jumped off the bed and deposited her bear on the crowded dresser. “I hope not. He and Mom have been talking, and who knows? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if after all these years Mom and Dad discover they’re still in love?”
Marley swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Was that what Poppy had meant when he said her mother might beat her to the altar? Were her parents getting back together?
She’d seen her father only occasionally since her parents’ divorce. When he’d returned the first time, she’d been in college. To her relief, he had left without getting involved in her life. As the eldest, she’d witnessed all the torment during her parents’ breakup. And she couldn’t conceive how they could ever get back together.
Marley picked up Michelle and her suitcase and backed out of the room. “I’ve got to get this one off to Kennywood Park. I’ll talk to you later.”
How could Mom put up with the man? Marley thought as she headed toward the front staircase. The trauma from his return a
nd departure a dozen years ago had left her mother inconsolable, yet she continued to love Red and want him back? Marley hadn’t been able to stay and watch back then any more than she wanted to be around now.
Upon graduation from PITT, she had moved to Phoenix and accepted a position teaching math in a high school, even though the same opportunities were available in Pennsylvania. And then she began building her fences.
She would never love a man to the extent her mother loved her father.
No man would ever be allowed to hurt her that way.
CHAPTER FIVE
BRANT ARRIVED HOME after several days at the ranch visiting with his sisters and their families. His father, who had asked to speak with him, had taken off with Brant’s mother, so Brant never did have the opportunity. Now he was back in the Phoenix heat, dodging people who recognized him. Several actually asked for his autograph. He didn’t look forward to hiding in his condo until his gig in New York.
His answering machine had several messages, and, for a moment, Brant hoped one might be from Marley. Wishful thinking. She wouldn’t know his number. Plus their last meeting pretty much put the kibosh on anything neighborly between them. Tough, because she intrigued him, and he’d really like to know her better.
Three messages were from Gus, and he sounded stressed. Maybe he’d found another musical instrument Brant could add to his collection. Brant picked up his home phone and dialed Gus’s store.
“What is it, Gus? Another instrument? I liked that mandolin you showed me the last time, but I still feel it’s a little pricey.”
“No. This is something different. Could you come down to my shop?”
Brant checked his watch. It was nearly nine, and Gus rarely kept his store open this late. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”
“No. It’s important you see this tonight.”
“Okay. It’ll take me a few minutes.” Might as well see what he wants, Brant thought as he locked his door and headed for the elevator. In the few years he’d known Gus, the man had sold him several beautiful instruments, including a banjo and guitar. Gus opened the door when Brant arrived and led him to the back. A policeman stood at the counter where Marley had purchased her ring.
“There’s a problem,” Gus said, not making eye contact with Brant. “When your fiancée paid for that ring?”
Brant chuckled. “She’s not my real fiancée.”
“Let him finish,” the officer interjected.
Brant turned to him, aware that the usual relaxed atmosphere in the shop had disappeared. He looked back at Gus. “What about my fiancée’s ring?”
“She paid for this one.” Gus held out one that looked exactly like the ring Brant had pointed out to Marley. “It costs less than fifty dollars. She walked out with the one for five thousand.”
“How...?”
“I don’t know.” Gus held up a hand and glanced at the officer. “I’m not saying she stole it.” He swallowed. “But if you could pay for the ring, there won’t be any...problems.” He cleared his throat.
“And if I return it?”
“I’ll take it back. No questions asked.”
Brant stood there for several moments, his hands braced on the glass counter. Wow. Five thousand dollars. An okay price to pay for a real fiancée, but not for a possible thief. What did he know about Marley? For that matter, what did he know about Gus?
Swiftly coming to a decision, Brant pushed away from the counter, reached for his wallet and handed Gus his credit card. “Put it on this.” Gus had never cheated him in the past, and Marley owing Brant wouldn’t hurt one bit. She played a guitar better than most professional musicians he knew. If she wouldn’t return the ring, she could teach him a few things about playing the guitar—a good five thousand dollars’ worth of lessons.
But he had no intention of waiting until his “fiancée” returned to Phoenix to acquire that ring.
By the time he reached his condo, Brant had a plan. He’d follow Marley and trade the expensive ring for the one she actually bought. Besides, he wanted to get out of the city, and, as he’d told her, Pennsylvania was a lot closer to his New York gig. Well, it might be a plan if he knew where she had gone. Pennsylvania was a large state, and there had to be hundreds of people with the last name Roman. Still, there couldn’t be that many Romans marrying in Pennsylvania this coming weekend. He turned on his computer and began searching social media.
* * *
MICHELLE WAS NEARLY finished with her pancakes when her mother came into the local restaurant and gave her a quick kiss. “How was it?” Chloe joined them in the booth next to her daughter. Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, she in no way looked pregnant. “You ready to have a dozen kids?”
“Only if I can drop them off on someone else occasionally.”
Chloe reached over and gripped Marley’s hands. “Thank you, a thousand times over.” She leaned back and sighed. “I feel good today, and, hopefully, I’ll make it through to the wedding.”
“He’s at the house.”
Chloe turned, her forehead puckered. “Who?” Then in delight she blurted, “Brant!”
Startled, Marley immediately shook her head. “No. Red. Our father.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Chloe glanced at her daughter. “Oh?” She leaned over and wiped some syrup off her daughter’s chin.
“He’s giving Lindy away. Did you know about this?”
Chloe studied her hands and swallowed. “Yes.” She looked up. “We all did.”
“I don’t believe this.” Marley shifted in her seat and glanced at her niece. Instead of having the screaming fit she felt entitled to, she controlled herself so as not to disturb the little girl with her outburst.
“When was anyone going to tell me?” Marley stood, choking back tears. She bent over and kissed her niece on top of her head. “You have fun, sweetheart. I’ll see you...” She turned to Chloe. “When will I see her? You dropping her off when you get back?”
“No. She’ll stay with us.”
Marley went for the door, ignoring all the pleading calls behind her.
* * *
MARLEY FUMED. How could she avoid her father during her stay? Why hadn’t anyone told her he’d be there? That question she could answer herself. Because you’d never have come. Well, the family was right on that score. She drove to the house and parked in the driveway. Easy access in case she wanted a quick escape.
Poppy sat in the living room with a newspaper when she entered. “Hi, Poppy. May I speak to you a moment? In my room?” She headed for the stairs after he nodded.
Marley took a seat on the bed and waited for him to take the rocking chair. “You heard?” he asked as he took the seat.
“Are you okay with this?”
Poppy sighed. “If there’s one thing my old age has taught me—you can’t force people to do what you think is right for them. You’re parents are grown and maybe they might even have developed a little maturity over the years.”
He looked past Marley and his expression neutralized. Poppy got out of the chair and started for the door, acknowledging the man standing there. “Hello, Red. I guess you and Marley may have some catching up to do. Well, see you around,” he said over his shoulder as he stepped through the doorway.
Basil Roman hesitated in the door frame. “Heard you had returned from Phoenix.”
For a split second, Marley could only stare. “Dad?”
“Have I changed that much?” he asked, moving into the room.
The puffy quality in his jowls and his additional girth hardly resembled the athletic man she remembered. “Red,” as family and friends called him, had provided the genes that gave her hair its distinctive color and curl. What little he had left no longer resembled its former brilliance. She wouldn’t have recognized him if she’d met him on the str
eet.
When she didn’t answer, he said, “Lindy asked me to give her away.”
Marley cleared her throat. She moved over to the rocker and stood behind it, not only distancing herself but also providing a barrier between her father and herself. “She mentioned you were coming to the wedding.”
“I’m staying here with your grandfather until the wedding.” When Marley didn’t respond, he added, “He invited me.”
Marley couldn’t handle it. Not when painful memories impaired her ability to see straight. She gripped the back of the rocking chair so hard her knuckles turned white. Why Lindy? Marley’s thoughts screamed. Why had he chosen to give Lindy away, when he’d never bothered to even attend any of his other daughters’ weddings? Lindy was the youngest, the one he’d abandoned soon after her birth along with the rest of his family.
He must have honed in on her thoughts because he said, “I was hoping to give you away, as well. Sort of make up for lost time.”
Coldness slithered down her spine. No way would she ever allow that to happen. “Thanks for offering, but I don’t plan on marrying for quite a while.”
“No? I thought your mother said you’d just gotten engaged.”
Of all the stupid... Marley twirled the ring around her finger with her thumb. How had she forgotten that minor detail? “Right. I...I...” She looked down at her hand. The fake diamonds caught the sunlight and tossed rainbows around the room. Placing her hand in her pocket, she tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t jeopardize her engagement and still keep her father out of any future wedding. “We haven’t set a date.”
“I look forward to meeting your young man.” He nodded and walked toward the hall, only to retrace his steps. “I know you took all the problems between your mother and me hard. We pushed a lot of responsibility on you because you were the oldest, and I’m sorry for that. I hope you can forgive me and let me make it up to you.”
Like that’s ever going to happen. She remained silent until he left. Marley tried shaking off the unwanted thoughts. More than half her life had been spent despising her father for destroying their family and hurting her mother.
An Act of Love Page 4
