“I don’t have a problem saying it to you.”
“True, but a lot of men do have a problem.”
“Men are just meant to build things and break things. It’s up to women to do all the mending and fussing about. Didn’t you ever read the book, ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’?”
“I started it and meant to finish it. Don’t tell me you read it?”
“Okay I won’t, and I didn’t, but I remember when Addison did. She ranted and went on and on about that book. I bought it and told her I’d read it some day just to shut her up.”
“You’re terrible. Did you ever read it?”
“No. It was not my type of book.”
“I bet you would have read it had it been a script.”
“That I could handle. But don’t mention the book. I don’t want to hear her go on about it.”
“I won’t say a word. I want to keep you on my good side. You’re my ride home.”
“That’s right. I could leave you here.”
“I don’t think you’d do that,” Randi said, leaning over and motioning for him to lean in for a kiss. After he did so, and then stole a kiss of his own, he shook his head.
“You keep that up and you won’t even get out of my sight.”
Randi kissed him again and smiled. “Promises, promises.”
Martin’s family met them at the airport and they drove to the small family home in their 2008 Allure. Martin complained several times that they should allow him to buy them a new car but his dad was having none of it. Randi could see, with ease, where Martin got his stubborn streak.
Dinner was on the table an hour after they arrived at the home. Addison and Rafa were already there. Though Rafa looked like he would be more at home in a courtroom, he seemed to be quite at home setting the table and helping out in the kitchen.
Grace was said over the meal with the family standing and holding hands. As everyone else sat down, Addison placed the rolls, butter and salt and pepper shakers on the table. Then, after placing a delicious looking bowl of steaming brown gravy on the table, Lillian sat down.
There was a lot of chatter around the table about the wedding, the trip to Italy and a few hints that maybe sooner or later there would be another family wedding at the chapel. Randi was surprised to not hear Martin correct them or say ‘no, not for years,’ instead he shrugged it off, saying, “Could be.”
“I think I’d take that and run with it,” Addison said, looking at Randi, “unless you’re the one in the couple with the cold feet. Between Rafa and I, neither of us could wait. We wanted to get started on our life together.”
There was a small grunt of objection from Ethan but everyone ignored him. Randi looked at Martin and he smiled at her but went on eating. It seemed he was leaving the answering of this question to her.
“I don’t think you’d call it cold feet, we’ve just been dating a few weeks.”
“Well, we all know the story about Grandpa and Grandma Taylor,” Addison spoke up again. “They only knew each other for about six weeks and were married fifty-eight years.”
“We do have to understand,” Lillian began, “times were different in 1940 when they met and married. Travel wasn’t easy in the country and church gatherings were the ‘social scene’ so folks may have tended to make their minds up easier and more quickly.”
Ethan chimed in, “Don’t try to overly simplify and romanticize a once in a lifetime happening and don’t give the kids ideas. You need to know someone before you marry them.”
After her dad finished speaking, Addison wasted no time in saying what was on her mind.
“Life is short and I see no use in waiting. If you’re sure of what’s in your heart, then do it. But I do know what Dad means. You need a good heart to heart - several of them. You need to know if both of you want kids, and how many, who’s going to work and who’s not. You need to talk about politics, religion, anything you can think of that might cause a rift between you.”
“Even then, marriage is not perfect. There will be times you want to leave but you can’t. Marriage is till death do you part,” Ethan said.
This comment had almost killed the conversation until Rafa spoke up. “It will be till death do us part because if I even mention divorce, my mother will kill me.”
At this serious but humorous comment, everyone laughed and the chatter resumed around the table. Randi could see, even though Martin was now one of the ‘rich and famous’, his roots were much like her own. Knowing this made her even more secure in her thoughts that Martin Taylor was the one for her.
Chapter 62
Midnight by Moonlight
Celia kept looking at her watch as she and Roger sat in her room playing cards. “Do you have somewhere you need to be?”
“Oh, shut up and don’t ask.”
“You’re the one looking at your watch. When I was showing Mike the websites, he said he would ‘ask you later’. That sorta insinuated that he planned on speaking to you again.”
“When did you become so nosy?” Celia asked, laying down two aces and three fours. “And, this is my last hand.”
“So you do have a date, and that beats anything I had.” Roger started putting the cards away and moved off the bed as Celia scooted to the edge of the bed.
“I don’t think I’d call it a date. I’m just supposed to have a late dessert with Mike out by the pool.”
“Good. That means things are moving in the right direction. We’ll both be dating new people.”
“Who are you dating? You’ve only been here a few days.”
“It’s a blind date. I spoke with one of the ladies in bookkeeping at the dealership. She’s going to be showing me the other dealerships. I’ll be getting some images of each shop tomorrow and she’ll be driving.”
“You don’t waste anytime.”
“I thought it would be nice to take her to lunch. She said, ‘why not?’ and who knows, maybe we’ll hit it off. Her name’s Irene.”
“Good luck, and while you’re out, see if you can find some crutches. I’m tired of this chair and having to depend on others for everything.”
“Will do, Sis, but take your time. Things are coming together. Some people say everything happens for a reason. I don’t know if I believe that or not, but I do know we only get one chance at life and we need the make the most of it. So be patient. Your time is coming.”
Celia wasn’t sure when her little brother became so wise but she hoped he was right. Once he’d helped her into her wheelchair, she touched up her make-up, added cologne and changed shirts. The cake she asked her mother to leave out was on the table and she was just out the front door when Mike came down the stairs.
“Let me help you, pretty lady.”
“Please do but I was hoping to be by the pool. This chair slows me down. Roger is going to look for crutches tomorrow.”
“I think you’ll find them about as tiresome as the wheelchair but you can trade back and forth between the two and break up the monotony.”
Celia set the brakes on the wheelchair when Mike rolled her up to the table. She set the cake on the table and took out two forks. “I thought we could share. I wasn’t sure I could carry two slices so I had Mom cut a big piece.”
“If we need more, I can get more. We need to work on that chair. You need some pockets. Maybe a place for a bottle of water and a place for your phone.”
“That would be nice, but I lost my phone in the crash.”
“That’s right. Well, maybe this will work until you can get a new one.” Celia smiled as Mike placed a new phone with a red bow around it on the table.
“What is this? I told you not to spend more money on me.”
“I can’t have my new girlfriend without a phone.”
“Have we graduated to that?” she asked, with a huge grin on her face.
“I think so. In a world where most people have sex on the first date, I don’t think we’re speeding along at warp speed or anything. We’ve been h
aving lunch for a couple of weeks now and all of the guys working on the house say they saw it coming.”
“Great. Gossiping behind my back,” she said with a sneer, but she was smiling. “And was that a hint for sex, because—”
“No, ma’am, it was not. Just an observation. I’m not a prude but I don’t move that fast either. I’m happy with learning more than a lady’s last name before moving to the bedroom. My mother taught me how to be a gentleman.”
“Well someone needs to tell her that she did a good job because a patient, kind man like you is not a common find these days.”
“If things go as I hope, you might be able to tell her that yourself in a few weeks. I’m tired of her trying to set me up and I told her today that I was capable of finding my own woman. She wanted proof and I told her I was seeing a lovely young woman.”
“What did she say?”
“She wanted to know everything. I didn’t tell her much, just that if, in a few weeks, we were still an item I’d bring you by.”
“Mothers do try to be helpful but I know in the end they only want what’s best for us.”
“You’re right. With mine, it’s every few weeks she has this new pretty young lady she wants me to meet. It does get tiring.”
“My mother never did that but I think it was only because she didn’t live in the same town. But now that she’s met you, and I’m single, she’s started offering advice.”
“I like your mom. She’s a lot like my mother. She’s always busy, great in the kitchen and there is nothing she won’t do for her children.”
“Thanks. I think we both did pretty well in the ‘Mother department’. It’s just the dating area we could use help in.”
“Maybe we need to take classes.” Mike leaned in to steal a kiss. When Celia pulled back, she was grinning.
“I don’t think you need any lessons in the kissing department. You’ve got that down. And I don’t know about you but I’ve learned a lot over the last few months on what not to do.”
“Thanks, and you’re right. So, do you want to be friends that kiss, or friends that date and kiss?”
Celia laughed, feeling like a teenager once again. “I don’t really see a big difference.”
“Well there may not be, but if I have anything to say in the matter, those are your choices.” Mike leaned in again and this time the kiss lasted longer.
Celia didn’t mind. It had been a while since she’d enjoyed kissing and she kept him close by sinking her fingers into his hair. When they separated she sighed. “I’ll take friends that date and kiss.”
“Good choice. Do we tell your mother and Roger or just let them figure it out on their own?”
“Let’s keep them guessing. It’s more fun.”
“Fine with me but I think they’ll figure it out if they catch us like this.” Mike leaned in to steal another kiss. “We could not kiss as often and it would take them longer to figure it out.”
Celia shook her head ‘no’ and after enjoying another wonderful kiss she spoke, “If that’s my only option, I’ll tell them first thing in the morning.”
Chapter 63
Wedding Bells
“Now that Martin is at the church and it’s just us ladies, how are you and Martin doing?” Addison sat at the kitchen table as her mother worked on her hair. “And you don’t have to worry. The men will stay at the church and we’ll drive down in an hour.”
Randi was tying pink ribbons onto the bird food packets. “We’re doing good. Sometimes it seems we’ve known each other for years and other times like we’re on a fast-track, but I’m happy.”
“Do you think he’s the one? The minute I saw Rafa, I felt something. Then we got to know each other and I knew I didn't want to look any further. Now I just need to keep working on being a good wife so we can have that happily ever after.”
“I think Martin could be the man for me. I fall more in love with him every day. We’ve got some things to work out but I can’t see my life without him in it.”
“That’s great to hear.” Lillian smiled. “I would love to have you as a daughter-in-law. I think you’re good for Martin.”
“I know she is,” Addison broke in, “and I’m going to tattle on Martin but not anything specific. I can see him changing. He’s trying to work on this relationship. He’s sincere in trying to make sure he doesn’t do anything wrong.”
“Thanks and I think you’re right.” Randi smiled. “I know he regrets his time with Celia, and I can tell he wants to talk about what he did wrong, but he hates to bring up the topic.”
“I tried to warn him that it wouldn’t work. And, I told him not to compare you and Celia because she didn’t love him.”
“Tell Randi why you knew it wouldn’t work,” Lillian prompted Addison as she began putting sprigs of baby’s breath into her hair.
“It didn’t take long. They had been dating about a week and Martin had been planning a vacation. He and some friends were going camping and horseback riding. He offered to let Celia stay in a nearby resort and she still said ‘no’. I knew if she had been in love with Martin, she would have gone. One week after I met Rafa, I would have gone to the moon with him. From there, it just got worse.”
“She didn’t like us either. I heard her several times in the background while we were on the phone,” Lillian began. “She called me simple, pigheaded and worse. You don’t talk about people when you know they might hear you, unless you just don’t care. She had no respect for us or Martin. But enough about her. I don’t hold her any ill will. I’m just thankful Martin has found you, and if he has any good sense, he’ll hang on to you with both hands.”
An hour later, Lillian’s words were still playing over and over in Randi’s mind. It was a good feeling to have the mother of the man you loved giving you such high praise. She stood waiting at the back of the church to take pictures. There would also be a paid photographer at the front of the church taking pictures.
When the music started she was ready with her camera. She didn’t want to miss a single opportunity for the perfect shot. But, it was hard not to just let her eyes follow Martin as he walked in and up the aisle with Rafa. He was the best man and she loved the smile he gave her as he walked by.
Addison was wearing her mother’s wedding dress. Lillian had done an excellent job altering the dress. It looked like it had been tailor-made for Addison.
The bodice and long sleeves of the dress were made of tulle and decorated with beaded lace appliqués. The chiffon skirt, in a sheath silhouette, fell in a soft sweep train at her feet. Satin covered buttons lined the back of the dress from the jewel neckline to the natural waistline. The beaded lace appliqué work, from the bodice, continued for about six inches below the waist of the dress. This small detail added an extra dimension of beauty to the already exquisite dress. Her only jewelry was a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to Grandma Taylor.
Randi guessed that this wedding meant a lot more to Addison than the one in Vegas. She could see the happiness on the faces of Father and Daughter as they walked down the aisle.
There wasn’t a large crowd so once everyone was in their places Randi moved to the other side of the church and took some shots. At a wedding you could never take too many pictures and later on they could delete the ones they didn’t like.
Martin smiled at her twice and she couldn’t help but wonder if he, too, would one day get married in this church. It was beautiful and they’d done a great job with the decorations. Randi could picture having her wedding here. A fleeting thought crossed her mind and she wondered if her mother would even attend, if she married Martin.
She kept taking pictures not wanting to miss anything and soon the church pianist was playing the wedding recessional. Next came the family shots, and when Martin and Addison insisted she be in some of the pictures, she pushed the thoughts of her mother out of her mind and enjoyed, for now, being part of Martin’s family.
More pictures were taken when the cake was cut, when
Rafa tossed the garter and Addison the bridal bouquet. During most of this, she and Martin sat eating cake and drinking punch.
“You look beautiful,” Martin whispered, as he moved his chair closer so they could talk and not be heard. When she took her eyes off the bride and groom and turned to face him, she smiled.
“Thank you, and you look good enough to kiss.”
“Is that a hint?”
“No, but you can take it as one. We didn’t get much time together last night or today and I miss being in your arms.”
“I know what you mean,” he said, looking over her shoulder before he leaned in to steal a soft kiss. “Maybe kissing isn’t only for the bride and groom at a wedding.”
“I hope not,” Randi said, and she allowed Martin one more kiss before turning back to look toward the wedding party. She felt Martin move and turned as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Did Mom and Addison talk much this morning?”
“Some. They talked about you mostly.”
“Me? What did they say?”
Randi smiled. “They were asking about us and how things were going. All in all, they both thought you should keep me around a while.”
“Oh, I plan to,” Martin said, kissing her softly on the shoulder. “But it’s good to know they agree. Now, if we can just convince your mother I’m a good catch.”
“She’ll come around even though it may take some time. But don’t worry, even if she isn’t convinced that you are a good catch, I am.” Randi wrapped her hands around Martin’s and jumped a little when she heard Lillian let out a squeal.
“Well, she told her,” Martin said, laughing a bit because Randi jumped.
“What?”
“Addison is pregnant.”
“Wow, that’s great news.” She turned facing him as best she could. “How long have you known?”
“Not long, but don’t dare tell Mom I knew. Mother’s are supposed to learn those kinds of things first.”
“Then I’d say we both should get up and go over there and act surprised.”
Celia's Knight (California Love Trilogy Book 3) Page 26
