Heart of Clay (The Tanner Series Book 6)

by Jo Willow

  Carie, Claire and Rose were busy decorating a two tiered wedding cake and directing the florist. They’d bought every rose and white carnation they could find in Atlanta and were arranging them around the pool. Chairs had been placed and draped in white sheets tied with wide red ribbons. Claire had practiced the wedding march on her violin until she was sick of hearing it. Ian had taken Scott to Marietta and had bought him a new navy blue suit that matched the one Mitch would wear. Rose had given Beth enough clothing so she knew her size, and a tea length ivory wedding dress was hanging in Beth’s closet. Several tables had been draped and set in the dojo/pavillion, complete with candles and rosebuds in vases. When the Tanners threw a wedding, they threw a wedding.

  Marla was getting her ducks in a row as well. Firmly believing that she had until the following weekend to snag her Tanner, her lunch date with Brian had gone better than she’d expected. He was rough around the edges but pliable and eager to please. He didn’t care to raise his children, but he was more than a little upset to learn that Beth had lied to him when she’d told him that she and Mitch were already married. He wanted to teach her a lesson she wouldn’t soon forget. Marla was more than willing to help him.

  When Mitch and Beth arrived back at Tara, the flurry of attack knocked them for a loop. They were hustled in the front door and without fanfare of any kind, suit clad Tanners grabbed Mitch and headed to the left, the finely attired Tanner women marched Beth to the right. They had one hour to prepare and they weren’t wasting a minute of it.

  Carie and Claire had prepared a staging area in Beth’s sitting room and they shoved her into a chair. Claire started on her hair and Carie sat in front of her, deciding how to approach her makeup. Rose was laying out her dress and talking fast.

  “We’ve set everything up by the pool and the food is laid out in the pavillion thingy. We managed a two tiered wedding cake because we only have two tiers in the house. The kids must’ve run off with the third one. Anyway, I hope you like roses and carnations because that’s what you’ve got. Candles are lit everywhere and as long as no one falls in the pool we should be set. I got your dress, I hope you don’t mind that it’s ivory. The ivory one was prettier. Our lawyer and a judge Kevin knows are outside waiting. They’ll have papers for you two to sign when the ceremony is over with, it’s for the adoption proceedings to start. Oh dear, where did I put your shoes?”

  Beth was doing her best to keep up but her head was reeling. As soon as she’d start to turn to look at Rose, Carie and Claire would straighten her head. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was not going to win an inch on this one.

  Mitch had three butlers of his own. All three were snazzy dressers in their own right and had their own ideas. Ian wanted the cumberbund, Kevin and Tim wanted the vest. Mitch wanted neither.

  “I’m not going to prom and I’m not going to court. The suit will be fine.”

  Ian stepped in front of him with the vest in his hand.

  “Mitch, you’ll only get married once in your life. She’s going to look like an angel fallen to earth. You have to make an effort. Put on the damned vest. You can take it off after the pictures are taken. Scott is wearing one too.”

  Mitch took the vest from Ian and slipped his arms through it. As he was buttoning it, he was mumbling.

  “How do YOU know I’ll only get married once?”

  “I know because I know Beth’s type. If you fuck up again, she’ll bury your ass and a second marriage will be a physical impossibility. Here. Put on this tie.”

  The tie was a paler blue, his shirt was ivory. Tim pinned a white rosebud onto his lapel and the groom was ready.

  Mitch looked at himself in the tall mirror and had to admit they were right. He looked every inch a Tanner. Scott came in and stood beside him. They could’ve been father and son. Mitch reached over and picked up the wedding rings. He handed Beth’s to Scott.

  “Put that in your pocket and when the Pastor starts talking about rings, hand it to me. It’s your mom’s ring.”

  “Who’s gonna hand mom yours?”

  Mitch suddenly remembered Rae and James. He looked up at Ian with a panicked look on his face.

  “Rae, James and the twins got here this afternoon. They’re outside with the kids trying to settle them all down before the ceremony starts. Give me your ring and I’ll get it to her. Relax. It’s not our first wedding under pressure Mitch. This is a cakewalk compared to Kevin’s or David’s. You ready?”

  Mitch put his hand on Scott’s shoulder and stood tall.

  “Scott, are you ready to pull this family together?”

  Scott straightened his posture to match Mitch’s and Kevin smiled at the sight before him.

  “Ready dad. Let’s do this.”

  Ian exchanged a look with Tim as they followed Mitch and Scott out the door.

  Everyone was seated and ready, Bill stood on a small riser with his black and white robes and his bible in his hand, waiting. Claire played The River on the fiddle as the men took their places, Scott standing next to Mitch, followed by David, Kevin, Tim and Ian. The Tanner men were all present and accounted for.

  Patty came down the aisle next, scattering red rose petals as she’d been instructed and looking properly solemn as she concentrated on her task. Rose and Pam came next closely followed by Carie.

  James sat in the front row holding Olivia, Amber held J.J. while Faith slept in her infant carrier at her feet. Alex and Jem sat side by side holding hands and whispering.

  When Claire saw Rae, she started the strains of the Wedding March and everyone stood. Rae took her place and Beth’s father walked her proudly down the aisle, still flustered by the last minute rush in plans.

  The audience of thirty or so might’ve been taking in the whole event, but Mitch’s eyes were glued to Beth. He knew whether he died tomorrow or three million tomorrows from that moment, he’d die with the memory of what he was seeing walking toward him.

  Beth had a wreath of tiny white roses on her head, her hair was in a french braid down her back. The neckline of her dress ended in a lace choker around her neck where a pale blue cameo was pinned, the color matching Mitch’s tie. The lace bodice was form fitting and ended in an ivory satin sash that tied in a satin bow behind her, the back an array of tiny pearl buttons that ended just below her knees. The same rich soft satin lined the dress and glowed through the ivory lace that made up the entire dress. The sleeves were tight to her wrist, but puffed from her elbows to her shoulders. Her stockings were sheer, her shoes the same ivory satin in a three-inch heel. Her only jewelry was her cameo and her engagement ring. She looked like she stepped from the pages of a country wedding catalogue and Mitch could not have been prouder.

  Stan Hamilton shook Mitch’s hand and used that same hand to present his daughter. When Mitch took her hand, Claire took her spot in the line of Tanner women.

  Bill cleared his throat and addressed the audience first. Mitch and Beth simply stared at one another.

  “Marrying Tanners is becoming old hat for me, I married both my daughters to two very fine men from this family and I’m proud to call them both my sons. This marriage I perform today is special. They’ve known each other for years and they’ve raised two remarkable children together. I’ve had the privilege to watch this family on a daily basis and they bring joy to each other and shower their children with love. I’m honored to be standing before you with the responsibility of joining them in the bonds of matrimony. Beth? Mitch? Are we ready?”

  Mitch kissed Beth’s hand and Beth handed Rae her flowers. They both faced Bill.

  The sun set while they exchanged rings, the candles floated in the pool and glowed amidst the flowers. A soft summer breeze carried the scent of roses and carnations all through the ceremony. The photographer stayed busy capturing every nuance of light and shadow, using the fading sun and candlelight to his advantage.

  Beth placed the ring on Mitch’s hand, then kissed his ring as he’d done when he slipped hers into place. The o
nly dry eyes present belonged to the bride, the groom, Bill and the children.

  When Bill pronounced them man and wife, Mitch kissed her forehead, told her he loved her, then kissed his bride. When they turned to face the crowd, they almost seemed surprised to find people there. Beth blushed and Mitch smiled and bowed his head. He put his arm around Scott’s shoulders and Beth took Patty’s hand. When she started to squirm, Mitch reached down and scooped her up.

  “Hey buttercup, I’m hungry how about you?”

  Patty put her head on his shoulder and nodded. Then they were surrounded.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tuesday morning Marla sat at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee and two newspapers, The Savannah Tribune and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They covered the art world nicely and she was currently looking for employment in that arena.

  She paged through the local paper first, hoping to find something close to home. Something caught her eye and she backtracked to the wedding and birth announcements.

  A grainy black and white photo of a besotted Mitch and a simpering Beth clad in lace and staring at one another, graced a column with a handful of details. She shoved the paper aside and fumbled for the Atlanta Journal thinking it might be more forthcoming with details.

  She thumbed to the society pages and she was right. The Tanners were big news in Atlanta. Three photos accompanied a story describing in detail the setting, the gown and the flowers. The attendees were also named as well as a few of the hottest names in Atlanta society. It went on to say that the happy couple would be making their temporary home at the family residence in Atlanta.

  Marla’s scream could be heard from the street.

  The newest Mr. and Mrs. Tanner awoke to two sets of eyes staring at them. Patty sat on Mitch’s side of the bed, Scott was perched next to Beth. They looked serious and guilty as all hell. Mitch leaned over and kissed his wife before he addressed his children.

  “Good morning wife.”

  “Mornin’ husband. What do you think we have here?”

  “It’s too early for anything too catastrophic. If they’d driven the van into the pool we’d of heard it from somebody else by now. Plus they’re dry.”

  Beth smiled at him and winked.

  “There is that I guess. What do you think they’ve done?”

  “I don’t know, but I bet I can get the little one to talk.”

  Mitch reached over, grabbed Patty who squealed and he put her on her back, tickling her mercilessly.

  “Spill it Patty. Spill it or I’ll tickle you until you puke!”

  “No, no, no, daddy stop! We didn’t do nothin’, I swear. We wanna do somethin’!”

  Mitch stopped and pulled her into bed between himself and Beth. Beth moved over and patted the spot beside her for Scott who joined his sister. Mitch had his arm around Patty and Beth held Scott. She kissed his temple and hugged him close.

  “Talk to me Scotty. What is it you want to do son?”

  “Uncle Ian and Aunt Rose are taking Gem and Alex to Disneyland. Amber and Phil are goin’ too. They’re staying for a few days, then they’re goin’ down to Rose and Ian’s beach house for a few more days to play on the beach. They want us to come with them but they said we had to ask you and dad. They’re flying on Ian’s jet and everything. Can we go? Please?”

  Beth looked at Mitch and he read everything on her face. It came down to money. Money they didn’t have and had no way of getting. He saw Patty’s hopeful face and kissed her forehead. They were good kids and they deserved this. Whether they could give it to them or not, they deserved it.

  “Tell you what kids. Let me and your mom talk to the other moms and dads and we’ll see what we can do. Okay?”

  Their little eyes grew huge. Neither one of them had dared to hope that it would even be a possibility and this sounded like a maybe. They jumped up and ran down the hall. Mitch leaned over and kissed Beth again.

  “So much for the honeymoon phase. Baby we’d better get up before four more adults come in ready for a discussion.”

  They were standing, Mitch in his boxers and Beth in her nightgown, both putting on bathrobes when Rose knocked on the door. She walked in and sat down on the bed with cups of coffee for each of them. They accepted the cups gratefully and looked at her.

  “Y’all may as well have a seat, you know what this is about.”

  Beth took a sip and sat down next to her.

  “Rose, you know we can’t afford Disneyland. Maybe in a few years, but right now it’s just impossible. We’re trying to start a business, we just got married, there’s all this adoption and Marla crap we still have to wade through - we appreciate the offer, but there’s just no way.”

  Mitch sat down on the other side of Rose and hugged her shoulder.

  “You and Ian have done enough. You opened your home and threw us a killer wedding. You’ve treated us like we’ve always been here and you treat our kids like they’re your own. As much as we’d love to give those kids Disney, we can’t.”

  Rose took Mitch’s hand first, then she took Beth’s.

  “Listen up. Faith and Charlie are staying here. With you. We’re trading you kid for kid. Do you honestly believe in a million years that either Amber or myself would leave our babies with anyone we didn’t trust? Claire and David have to cover the studio while we’re gone. Kevin works sometimes twelve hours a day and Pam and Tim are gone at daybreak every morning. Poor Carie has her hands full with her two plus Jace. Maggie’s helpful, but she’s got a house to run besides. The Bishops have church business in Marietta three days a week plus Sundays. Do you see our dilemma? Jem and Alex are at that age where Disney is going to be magic for them. Scott and Patty will be the same way. Scott and Phil get along like a house afire and we figure we’ll put Scott in charge of him. Ian, Amber and I can watch the other three easily. Hell, Jem and Alex won’t turn loose of one another and Patty does anything you tell her to do. It’ll be a breeze. Our house in La Jolla has plenty of room and a private beach. The kids can run and play all day in perfect safety. We’ll be gone seven, maybe eight days tops. But we can’t none of us go if you won’t agree to watch Faith and Charlie.”

  “Rose, you don’t have to take my kids, I’ll be happy to keep Faith and Charlie.”

  “Were you not listening at all? I need Scott to keep an eye on Phil. Phil’s gonna want to ride all those damned rides that make me and Amber sicker than dogs. He’ll eat enough for six people and I need someone that can keep him on a leash. I’ll need someone to wear a princess dress with Jem and that’s where Patty comes in. I’m a little old for princess dresses and tiaras. Now we can do this the easy way and just trade children, or we can do this the hard way and I’ll just kidnap them. Either way, they’re going. Do you wanna tell them or should I do it?”

  Beth had tears in her eyes when she hugged Rose.

  “I am so blessed with this family. First you gave me Mitch and then he gave me you folks. I don’t know what we did to deserve you, but I sure am glad we’ve got you. Of course they can go. I’ll need to take them clothes shopping first, we didn’t have time to get many summer things before we packed up and came here.”

  “Don’t you worry about it. We were going to take Jem and Alex into town today and do exactly that. We’ll take Scott and Patty so that they can get used to us. We’ll all be excited together. Plus it’ll give you and Mitch a little time to be just a couple. You need that. We’ll feed them lunch and bring them back before dinner. Faith and Charlie have been fed, bathed and dressed and they’re napping right now. Faith usually wakes up first around eleven and Charlie will be wailing about thirty minutes later.”

  “I’m on it. Send the kids in would you Rose? I think we should tell them what they’re hoping to hear.”

  Rose left and went bouncing down the hall. Mitch watched her and laughed.

  “Yeah, THAT won’t give it away.”

  “Did I do the right thing Mitch?”

  Mitch put down his cup and pulled her into
his arms.

  “You did the perfect thing. We get to practice with babies and the kids get to honeymoon with the Tanners. Their world may get a little chaotic in the not too distant future. Let’s give them happiness while it’s easy and accessible.”

  Scott pushed the door open and Patty peeked around her brother. Mitch looked at their faces and waggled his eyebrows.

  “Who’s up for Space Mountain?”

  The kids screamed for joy and ran to hug their parents. Beth hugged her son close and Mitch scooped up Patty before he laid down the law.

  “You have to listen to Ian, Rose and Amber. You do exactly what they tell you to do because they’re just like us when we’re not there. They only want to keep you safe. Okay?”

  Scott looked confused by something Mitch said.

  “What about Phil?”

  “Scott, I’m relying on you to help keep Phil safe. If you hear him say, ‘watch this’, stop him. Don’t let him talk you into anything that you know we wouldn’t let you do. Promise me.”

  “I promise. If he gets weirder than usual I’ll tell uncle Ian.”

  “Good boy. Now you two go and get ready. You’ve got a practice run today and they’re taking you shopping for vacation clothes and lunch.”

  Mitch kissed Patty on the cheek and put her down. She ran out of the room after her brother.

  “God I love those kids Beth. They’ll be alright won’t they?”

  Beth jabbed him in the ribs and he looked at her.

  “Listen to you! They’ll be fine, quit worrying. They’ll be a piece of cake compared to Faith and Charlie. Ready for diaper detail and bottle feeding?”

  “Babydoll, I was born ready. I remember going through it with Patty like it was yesterday. We can do this. Let’s go eat breakfast first though, I’m starving.”