The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series

by Patrice Wilton

  In exactly six day’s, Susie and Brett will be married and both Fran and I are in the wedding party. I want the air cleared between us before the rehearsal dinner, not only to relieve my distress, but because I don’t want to be the one to bring a cloud to their wedding. I had made enough negative comments regarding their upcoming nuptials, me and my big mouth, but now I get it. I can see why someone would be willing to take that leap of faith.

  Marriage wasn’t that scary of a word, not if it meant waking up in the arms of the woman you loved every morning and it was her face you wanted to see when you closed your eyes at night. Of course, you had to love a woman silly to want to do that. And I did. With Fran, I mean.

  Damn woman. Yes, she’d gotten to me. And now, I didn’t want to live without her.

  * * *

  The week passed slowly, one day at a time, with nothing interesting to break the monotony, no one to make me smile or sass me back, but tonight, I was going to see Fran whether she liked it or not. The wedding was at the Ritz Carleton in Key Biscayne, and since Susie’s parents were loaded, they had 300 guests, many from out of town who’d already arrived. The out-of-towners were traveling in a chartered bus to meet the wedding party at the Biltmore in Coral Gables for the rehearsal dinner.

  Susie’s father was Dr. Levine, a well-known plastic surgeon, and from what I understand, he’s a real sonofabitch, but I’ve got to say this–he sure knows how to throw a party.

  Unfortunately, the winds been kicking up the last few days and a hurricane that was supposed to miss us, has now hit Haiti, heading directly our way. I’m sure the Ritz will be able to withstand a Cat One, but it’s unpleasant for the guests, and Susie had her heart set on an outdoor wedding.

  I’ve got a tux rented for tomorrow, but my only suit was now loose around my waist, so I’d had to buy another. It was dark blue and I wore a new white shirt, and a red designer tie that this gay salesman sold me. Guess I looked pretty good. Should too, I spent more on this damn suit and tie than I’d spent on clothes in the past five years.

  Everyone else in the wedding party had been at the rehearsal, but there had been an electrical fire where an elderly lady lived with her five cats. Our unit was called, and we’d barely made it in time. I had hoped to make the rehearsal, thinking I might get a word in private with Fran, but it was not to be.

  At five-thirty, I left early to get to Coral Gables and parked my truck in the hotel lot. I was early by half an hour, so I decided to have a drink at the bar. When I walked in, I spotted Jed talking to another firefighter, Rick. I was best man, and Rick was an usher. At least I ranked high on someone’s totem pole.

  “Hey, look what the cat dragged in,” Jed greeted me. They sat at a table near a window, and he kicked a chair out for me. Whatta guy.

  I punched Rick on the arm. “Hey, buddy.” To Jed, I said, “How’re you holding up? Getting nervous about that long walk down the aisle?”

  “Nope, not in the least. I’m a little concerned about Susie bolting though. She’s a little high strung and this pre-wedding crap has her flipping out.”

  “Good thing it’ll be over soon.” I straightened my tie and glanced out the window. “Crappy weather. Hope it clears by tomorrow.”

  “We were just looking at the forecast on our I-phones and it’s looking bad. The Keys will be getting it first thing in the morning. It’s a slow moving storm so I’m not sure when it’ll hit us.”

  “What are you guys drinking?”

  “Scotch.”

  I nodded to the bartender. “I’ll have one too.”

  “So where’s this dinner tonight? How many has he got coming?”

  “Should be around 70 of us, and he’s booked the signature restaurant, the Palme d’Or. French.” Jed rubbed his chin and raised his eyes. “Must be nice to have that kind of money.”

  Rick gave me a look. “Old moneybags, probably comes here all the time.”

  “Who you talking to? Me?” I snorted. “Yeah, right.” I glanced around. “I don’t eat fancy. Hope I know which fork to use.”

  “Start with the outside and work your way in.” Jed replied. “Susie told me.”

  “Where is that gorgeous bride?”

  “She’s staying at the hotel and will be coming here with her parents.”

  My scotch arrived and I knocked half of it back with on big swallow. It burned all the way down my throat and lit warmth in my tummy. I hoped it might relax me.

  “So, has anyone seen Fran yet? And the other girls?”

  “No. They’re probably coming together too. I think the Doc has three limos booked tonight and the bus for the out-of-town guests.”

  We finished our drinks and Jed picked up the tab. “Sounds like we’re getting a five-course dinner tonight, paired with wine. Hope you brought your appetites along.”

  As soon as we entered the room, I spotted Fran talking to Lydia. My heart rate picked up and I felt as nervous as some gawky teenager at his first dance.

  Damn, she was beautiful. How come I’d never seen that before?

  She glanced up and saw me. Then she gave a little toss of her head and turned her back.

  Without thinking twice, I walked over to her and whispered in her ear. “Fran. Can we have a minute alone?”

  Her eyes met mine. “Not damn likely.”

  I smiled. That was one of the things I loved about her—she had plenty of spunk.

  “Come on. You can’t hate me forever. I won’t let you.” I let my hand run up her bare arm. “How many times can I say I’m sorry? Haven’t you punished me enough?”

  “Lydia, do you think I should forgive him? He thinks I’m too old and too plain to make it in the music business.”

  Lydia looked me up and down. She pursed her lips, rested a hand on her hip, and shook her head. “No way. If he said that to me, I’d probably knee him.” She glanced at my crotch. “You want me to?”

  “No, but thanks for the offer,” Fran said. “I don’t have to hurt him the way he hurt me, because it doesn’t bother me anymore. I’m moving on.”

  “I don’t want you to move on, Fran.” I spoke with urgency. “I really need you to forgive me. Please say you will.”

  Candy came forward. “Fran, I haven’t had a chance to ask you about Tampa. How’s Jay? I wish I could have been with you.”

  “It was fine. He helped me choose a couple of songs for the audition, and I’m so excited. I sang to a sold-out crowd and had darn near a thousand people on their feet. That’s the only validation I need.” Fran glared at me. “Not, John’s approval.”

  I ran a hand over my face. “You’ve got it, all right? I was wrong. You’re going to be the greatest hit since Cher.”

  Candy laughed. “Cher? Like Sonny and Cher? Boy, you sure know how to date yourself.”

  “Laugh all you want, but Fran isn’t going to get away from me. We were both hit by magic, it wasn’t only me. And you girls all know that you can’t fight the Candy Bar magic. It’s strong and it’s real and it changes a person’s life.” I grabbed Fran’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. “It’s changed mine. I’m in love with you.”

  Fran didn’t move. Her mouth opened and then clamped shut. Good. It was time she was speechless.

  The women were all gaping at me, and feeling a wee bit smug, I turned and walked away.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  FRAN

  I blinked and stared. “Did he just say he’s in love with me?” I asked Candy and Lydia.

  They both nodded, too dumbfounded to speak. Lydia was the first to regain her tongue. “Maybe you should reconsider this whole not forgiving thing. I mean, he seems very sincere and sorry for his thoughtless remark. He probably didn’t mean it the way it came out. You know how sometimes you really haven’t formulated your words carefully enough? You wind up saying something hurtful and cruel but it wasn’t meant to be like that at all.”

  “No,” I said slowly. “I don’t think I do.”

  “Neither do I,” Candy remarked. “If you
do forgive him, and you probably will, let him suffer a little longer. He deserves a little agony for putting you down the way he did. And in front of his kids too. Sheesh—what was he thinking?”

  “I haven’t the foggiest idea.” I took their arms. “Come on. Let’s take our seats. The men are already seated and we’re holding up the show. Oh, look. Doesn’t Susie look gorgeous? She’s the prettiest woman in the room.”

  “Yes, she is.” Candy agreed with a fond smile. “Her sister, Leanne, looks lovely too. Oh, there’s McKenzie. Look how tall she’s getting. How old is she now?”

  McKenzie is Leanne’s darling daughter, and just as lovely too. “She must be ten or eleven,” I said.

  As we walked to the head table, my traitorous eyes flew to John. He looked extremely handsome tonight, his face leaner, his hair a smidge longer than usual. I’d say he looked ten years younger than the guy I first took to my bed. Younger, sexier, and certainly more alive. Had the magic done this to him or was it love?

  I gave him a shy smile and saw his eyes light up. No, I wasn’t ready to forgive him, and it may take me a long time to get over that careless, cruel remark. If he wanted to be with me again, he’d have to work very hard to get back into my good graces.

  Keeping my head held high, I took my seat next to Leanne, the matron of honor. We spoke for a few minutes, and I brought Susie into the conversation. I could see her cheeks were pink, and her eyes sparkled. I wondered how she was holding up.

  “This is an amazing place,” I told them both. “Although I’ve lived in South Florida most of my life, I’ve never been here.”

  “It was built in 1926,,” Leanne said. She glanced around the beautifully appointed dining room. “A historic landmark as well as a stunning hotel.. I told Susie she’d be crazy not to have her wedding here.”

  I looked at Susie’s crestfallen face. Even now, her family had to find something to be critical about, and it made me want to stamp on Leanne’s toe. But I behaved myself and reached over, putting Susie’s arm. “It is lovely, but I’m so glad we’re going to be at the Ritz. Key Biscayne is nicer for your out-of-town guests, and it’s right on the beach. How can you beat that?”

  Her tremulous smile was my reward, and I took a deep breath, turning a cold shoulder on Leanne. Candy was right. Sometimes, it’s better not to say anything than to put your foot in your mouth and have to eat humble pie from now to eternity.

  I sipped my chilled wine and listened to the soft dinner music played by a quartet. I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Would you like to dance?”

  “Dance?” I glanced at John. “No one else is. Can you even dance?”

  He smiled. “I wasn’t called nimble toes in grade school for nothing.”

  “All right then,” I said a little ungraciously. He took my hand and helped push my chair back.

  We glided onto the dance floor. I probably haven’t danced in at least twenty years, but unbeknown to me, John seemed to know what he was doing. His hand on my back was firm, guiding me as we circled the room, and I felt light on my feet as if I were floating.

  Growing up, I’d always been pudgy, but now I skimmed across the dance floor. At the end of the music, I stood still, smiling at John. “That was a lovely surprise. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He winked and led me back to my seat.

  During our five-course dinner, I knew he was watching me, and I tried to act indifferent. My heart hummed, and I felt as though my life was about to begin.

  The restaurant could not have been more beautiful, the delicious food so elegantly prepared, and the sampling of wines a perfect complement to each course. There was laughter and toasts, and a healthy dose of romance in the air. It was a fairy-tale evening, and not only did I dance with John, but also with Jed, Lydia’s husband, and Brett, the groom.

  I hugged and kissed Susie and her family, said good-bye to all the guests, and regrettably told John no when he asked to drive me home.

  I came with Candy and didn’t want to see her drive back alone.

  When we were in the car, she teased me about John, and once again, brought the subject back to Jay. I still hadn’t told her about his friend, Megan, nor did I want to. Who liked the bearer of bad news? Nobody. And sometimes, friendships were lost by well meaning friends who disclosed information the other person didn’t want to hear.

  “So, was he with anyone?” she asked, darting a quick glance in my direction.

  “Eyes on the road,” I told her. “We don’t want to get killed tonight.”

  “Answer the question,” she said softly. “I know he has other girlfriends. After all, he’s only met me recently and we’ve shared some good times.”

  “Then why are you asking? What happens is between the two of you. I like you both, and I don’t want to get involved.”

  “You’re not. I just want to know. Yes or no?”

  I didn’t say anything, not wanting to admit one way or the other.

  “By your silence, I take that as a yes.”

  “Take it anyway you want, but leave me out of it. I love you, Candy, and I don’t want to see you get hurt. Why don’t you find some guy around here? Someone who isn’t touring all the time?”

  She glanced at me. “I’ve been on my own for eighteen years. I haven’t found anyone to love—not that I was looking, of course. I had a son to raise. I like Jay, but I’ll keep my eyes open. Some one else might come along one of these days.”

  “How’s Billy doing anyway?” He was at Jacksonville University and as far as I knew, keeping out of trouble, which was saying something for Billy.

  “Don’t change the subject,” she warned.

  “I’m not. Can’t I ask?”

  “He’s fine. Doing great, actually. So, are you and John going to kiss and make up?”

  “I’m not sure. Right now, I’ve got to focus on the audition.”

  “That’s smart. Make him wait a while.” She chuckled. “You may want your freedom if you win, and if not, John will welcome you back with open arms.”

  “I’m not sure about that. I’m not sure about anything except giving this my best. I would never forgive myself otherwise.”

  “As if you ever give less than your best.” Candy smiled at me. “Do it, Fran. Win it all.”

  “It isn’t just about winning.” Somewhere along the way making America Loves Country had stopped being about the prize money. Once I’d released my fear over my future, I realized I’d get those medical bills paid, slow and steady, if it took the next ten years.

  “Then what?”

  “I have to prove to myself that I really am Fearless Fran, ready to tackle the world and experience love, and life. The good parts as well as the bad.”

  “Well said, my friend. But winning would still kick ass.”

  I laughed, my inner competitor rising to the fore. “That it would.”

  Candy dropped me home, and I walked inside my humble apartment like Cinderella at midnight returning from the ball. I hummed to myself, picked up Milo, and twirled him around a few times. His claws came out and scratched my arm. I yelped and dropped him, which made Pepe squawk and curse like he was raised by a band of pirates, and my dream night crashed around me.

  I removed my pretty dress, hung it up lovingly, and went to bed to relive every moment of this very special night. My arms were empty but my heart was full, and that was enough.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  FRAN

  I heard the wind howling throughout the night, and a lot of banging and crashing during the wee hours of the morning. When I finally left my bed around six a.m., I glanced out my patio and saw the big tree I’d forced Milo to climb had several broken limbs, thrashing about like a hula dancer on drugs.

  I turned on the bigger TV that I’d splurged on during my chemo treatments, and watched the early morning news. The Cat One hurricane had turned into a Cat Three. Key West was taking a beating, and I watched in sympathy. The poor natives were hanging tough, as usual, defending their homes and busines
ses instead of fleeing the path of the storm.

  What a horrible day for poor Susie’s wedding. She’d gone to such pains to make the dream wedding she’d always planned, and it had been her dearest wish to be married on the beach.

  That was not going to happen—not without her, the groom, and the entire wedding party tethered down.

  I made my coffee and thought about calling her. She’d be having conniption fits right about now. I knew she was with her parents at the Ritz in Key Biscayne, and they must be getting pummeled. The thin strip of land was so exposed. And on a practical note, where would they hold the nuptials? It was high season and most hotels were booked a year ahead for weekends.

  Leanne may have been right after all. The Biltmore in Coral Gables is better protected against the storms. I made an egg on toast, poured more coffee, and continued watching the weather report. The news reporter hung on to a railing as he struggled to stand upright, and even in his rain gear, he continued to be pelted.

  “Stay inside,” he warned. “Winds are 110 miles per hour and picking up speed as it continues to barrel north. Parts of Broward County are in a severe tornado watch. The streets are flooding and we’re receiving reports of power outages.”

  I paced around the room, becoming more anxious by the minute. Surely, the wedding could not go on. Driving to Key Biscayne would be extremely dangerous even if the weather subsided, but the storm was not showing any sign of that. If anything, it seemed to be gathering strength instead of weakening as it normally does when it reaches landfall.

  From all reports, it was playing by its own rules, creating chaos and leaving devastation in its wake.

  I waited until seven then I called Lydia. She was the most informed person in my circle of friends and the voice of reason. “Lydia, what is Susie going to do? This storm is fast approaching and the hotel is right on the beach. Will she have to cancel?”

  “I’m sure the hotel has experienced this kind of thing before. After the series of storms in 2004, including Katrina and Wilma in 2005, they’ll be prepared for anything.”