Bones, Booze & Bouquets

by Marianne Spitzer

  “I did.” My answer caused Aunt Irene to laugh harder, and she finished her wine and poured another glass.

  Beth Ann and Laci were giggling again. I’m not sure I should open their gift. I lifted the top of the box and laughed when I saw the book listing over one hundred reasons why wives are always right.

  “Thanks, girls. With the predicaments I seem to find myself in quite often, I’m sure I can use this.”

  We laughed, drank some wine, ate cookies, and enjoyed the evening. Each of my friends assured me that the wedding would be perfect and all the details were set.

  When my friends left, Mom and Laci helped me clean, and we headed for bed. The wedding is the day after tomorrow. I can’t wait.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I met Clark’s son Zach yesterday. He’s a nice young man and looks a lot like his dad with the same deep hazel eyes. He’s an intelligent young man with a bright future. Studying for his Master’s in Earth Sciences, he plans to do field work and eventually teach at a college level. He and Clark will make a handsome pair standing at the end of the aisle.

  Aisle? It’s Sunday. I’m getting married this evening.

  I sat up in my bed and noticed Yummy wasn’t there. Laci must have taken him out for me. It’s past nine. I slept in again. I needed the sleep. It’s been a long week. I fell back onto my pillow when I heard a knock on my door.

  “I’m awake,” I called.

  The door flew open, and Georgie rushed into the room. “Good morning, bride of the day. Wake up and smell the coffee and muffins and orange juice and champagne.”

  “Champagne?”

  “Of course. This is a big day,” she explained shaking a sheet of paper at me. It’s her to-do list. “Look, everything is crossed off. We covered every item on the list. Now, all we have to do is eat something and head for the mansion. Using two of the guest rooms for all of us to get ready was a good idea. Having everyone in one place will save time. Do you want to shower here or at the mansion? You have time, the manicurist is your first appointment, and you have time.”

  “Manicurist? Where did you find a manicurist to come to the mansion? I planned on doing my nails before the ceremony.” I told her and climbed out of bed heading for the shower. “I’m showering here.”

  “Okay, Glory and I found everything we needed. The weather is perfect. You’ll be barefoot on the beach, so you need a pedicure, too. After the manicurist, the hair and makeup stylists will be there.”

  “Stylists? As in more than one?” I looked at her wondering what other plans she had in store for the day.”

  “Of course, there’s a lot of us. You, me, Laci, Beth Ann, and they can do your mom’s hair and Aunt Irene and Mrs. Cavanaugh’s if they want.” She plopped on my bed grinning at me.

  “I’m showering,” I answered walking into the bathroom.

  This is what happens when I leave Georgie in charge of the details. From the look on her face, there are more surprises waiting.

  An hour later we walked into the mansion. Carlotta and her crew were busy prepping food for the wedding dinner. “Good morning,” Carlotta said. “Thanks for letting us use your kitchen. It’s bigger than the one in my shop. I have sandwich makings and finger foods for you and anyone here this afternoon, so no one faints tonight.”

  “Faints?”

  Carlotta nodded, “A few weeks ago I catered a wedding, and one of the bridesmaids fainted in the middle of the ceremony. Evidently, she had champagne for breakfast and skipped the juice and muffins.”

  “Oh, my, I told you I shouldn’t drink that champagne this morning, Georgie.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Georgie encouraged. “You mixed it with orange juice.”

  Carlotta held up a plate of muffins. “Here, have one just in case.”

  Suddenly my appetite was back, and I gratefully accepted the muffin. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. When you want anything more, I can whip up some lunch. You need the strength on your wedding day.”

  I chewed my muffin and nodded as Georgie pulled me up the rear stairs. “Come on; you can take a peek out the windows and see what Lizzy did with the flowers.”

  “Wait,” I stopped on the stairs. “It’s early, and I want to see before we get pulled into everything you planned to put me through.” I turned, went back down the stairs, and headed for the dining room.

  “Georgie, look at this,” I said and stopped just outside the dining room door. The furniture was removed and replaced by two large round tables. Gleaming china and crystal stemware graced the table along with Lizzy’s flowers and Mitzi’s candles. At the back of the room stood the cupcake stands on another table. I can’t wait to see the cupcakes spiraling around the stand.

  “Wow, they did a great job,” Georgie answered.

  I stepped back out into the hall and saw the living room had also been turned into a dining area. Two long tables sat in the room. “I wasn’t sure we could get everyone in here. Glory did a great job.”

  “It’s a huge home, Annie. There’s a lot of room. The musicians will set up in the den, and the patio has more small tables and chairs for guests to sit and chat.”

  I peeked outside and saw rows of white chairs sitting between the front porch and the beach.

  The back door slammed, and I heard Laci call out, “Mom, are you here somewhere?”

  I walked back into the foyer and answered, “Out here.”

  Laci walked out of the kitchen area with Beth Ann, Mom, and Aunt Irene.

  A thought struck me, “What about all the cars?”

  “The Kellehers must have thrown a lot of parties. Glory found a large parking area behind the garages. It was overgrown with weeds and dead leaves. She had it cleaned and hired two valets. We’re all set.”

  “Okay, I think you took care of everything. We’ll go upstairs and see what’s next.”

  Our small army of wedding members walked up the stairs, and I marveled once again about the opulence of the mansion. I heard Laci offering compliment after compliment and Beth Ann gush over a painting or vase.

  “Hey, Mom, these double doors are locked,” Laci said.

  “I know. It’s the master bedroom, and I didn’t want guests wandering around in there. Inga purchased exquisite furniture for the room. I’ll show it to you one day next week.”

  I winked at Georgie. She’s the only person who knows Clark and I will stay here tonight.

  Before long, the house was a bustle of activity. Glory arrived to oversee everything, and I saw Betsy’s bright yellow bakery van parked near the rear entrance. When I looked out a front facing window, I noticed all the chairs were covered with a white cloth.

  “We’re not expecting rain,” I said to Georgie.

  “No, it’s not for rain, but birds.”

  A moments thought and I understood and was grateful Glory thought of everything.

  Two energetic young women knocked on the guest room door. “Hi, I’m Haley, and this is Wendy. We’re from Nails and Hair. Are we ready to get beautiful?”

  Aunt Irene ushered them in and introduced everyone. Haley took my hand, “The bride goes first. I’ll do your nails while Wendy helps one of the other ladies with their hair.”

  I don’t know how long we spent in the guest room, but amid all the laughter and scent of hair products, Betsy and Carlotta appeared with trays of lunch finger foods. We ate, laughed, and turned into stunning ladies.

  “Clark’s going to stop breathing when he sees you,” Georgie whispered in my ear. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Do you think it’s a good idea for me to look this way,” I asked wondering how Wendy managed to make my hair look the way it does. “When Clark sees me in the morning, he’ll run. He won’t believe I’m the same person.”

  Georgie smiled. “He saw you after your tumble down the hill and still loves you. No matter how bad you look in the morning, it’ll be better than covered in hives and dirt.”

  I groaned when I remembered that day. I heard Laci ask, “
Mom, there’s an enormous black dog sitting near the lake by the wedding arch. He won’t leave. Glory wants to know if she should call animal control.”

  Georgie and I looked at each other. “It couldn’t be,” I said.

  We looked out the window, and sure enough, Brutus was sitting patiently near the wedding arch.

  “Aww, he loves you,” Georgie said.

  “He needs water,” I answered. “Lou is bringing Yummy later, and I’m not sure how they’ll get along. If we give him something to drink, maybe he’ll go home. I wish I knew who owns him.”

  Georgie threw her hands in the air, “I wanted today to be perfect. We can’t call animal control. Who do we know that’ll come help us?”

  “Clark. Brutus let him get close enough to help me when I fell down the hill. Maybe Clark can convince Brutus to go home. He growls at anyone except you and me. We can’t go out there. He likes to jump on us.”

  “Your right, I’ll call Clark,” Georgie agreed and went looking for her phone.

  I don’t know where the time went, but I noticed the sun was dropping lower in the sky. It’s nearly time for the wedding to begin. One last peek out the window made me smile. Brutus was still lying near the wedding arch with a large metal bowl of water. The chairs were filling with guests, and the sounds of happy people reached me. I’m doing this. I’m really doing this.

  When I walked back into the guest room, everyone was dressed. It was my turn. I stepped into my gown and Georgie buttoned all the buttons. I swear it took her fifteen minutes.

  “I know I should’ve opted for a zipper,” I said.

  “The buttons are beautiful, and Clark will love them,” Georgie giggled.

  A few minutes later, my dad knocked on the door. Aunt Irene kissed my cheek. “I better find my seat so they can seat your mom and start this wedding.”

  The rest of us walked down to the foyer and waited for the music. When it started, Laci left the door first, and I watched her walk to the arch. Beth Ann followed her and then Georgie. I took a deep breath and smiled at Lizzy as she handed me the bouquet of pink roses. My dad held out his arm, and I slipped my arm into his, and we began to walk toward the beach as a violinist played a classical tune I love but for the life of me can’t remember the title.

  I made it to the wedding arch without tripping and handed my bouquet to Georgie. Clark held out his hand. I took it and stepped closer to him.

  Pastor Cartwright spoke, “Good evening everyone. We’re gathered here for the wedding of two people who appear to be stricken with love.”

  I knew the pastor was talking, but I concentrated on keeping my knees from shaking and gazed into Clark’s eyes.

  The Pastor read several Bible verses, and I tried to listen, but my mind raced. I heard the words but nothing registered. I tried to pay closer attention.

  He recited one of my favorite Bible verses, and I smiled at Clark. He squeezed my hands and smiled back as Pastor Cartwright continued with the verse from 1 Corinthians.

  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

  Unfailing love is what I feel for Clark. I know he feels the same.

  The pastor continued, “Do you Clark Cavanaugh take this woman, Annlynn Ryan, to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage, to love her, comfort her, honor her, keep her in sickness and health, and be faithful to her until death parts you?”

  Clark’s clear, strong voice answered, “I do.”

  The pastor looked at me and said, “Do you, Annlynn Ryan, take this man, Clark Cavanaugh, to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage, to love him, comfort him, honor him, keep him in sickness and health, and be faithful to him until death parts you?”

  I’m in luck; he didn’t say ‘obey.’

  I smiled again and tried to speak. I swallowed, and Clark stared at me. “I do,” I finally managed to utter. I wish my knees would stop shaking.

  Clark and I exchanged rings, and he helped steady my shaking hand while we lit the unity candle. Fortunately, the wind cooperated, and the candle remained lit.

  Pastor Cartwright grinned and said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. What the Lord has joined together let no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”

  Clark leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on my lips and whispered, “Tonight we both sleep under the blanket.”

  I nodded, and we walked back down the aisle to the applause of our guests.

  “We did it,” I said. “We’re married. We managed to get through it without a mishap.”

  “We certainly did, Mrs. Cavanaugh” Clark answered.

  Mrs. Cavanaugh. Annie Cavanaugh. Annie Ryan-Cavanaugh. I like my name.

  The reception was fantastic. The food was indescribable, and Betsy’s cupcakes were a hit. I’m glad we decided on a small wedding. It gave us time to speak with each guest and dance more. It was nearly midnight before the last of the guests left.

  Georgie hugged me before she and Paul left. “It was perfect, Annie. Everything turned out well, and Brutus didn’t eat Yummy.” The sparkle in her eyes told me she was nearly as happy as I was. I waved at her when the valet brought their car. The young men left, and we were finally alone.

  “Are you happy? Mrs. Cavanaugh, “Clark asked.

  “Delirious.”

  ~ * ~

  The sun was high when I opened my eyes. It must be noon, at least. I rolled over and grabbed my phone.

  “What are you doing?” Clark asking making me jump. I have to get used to the idea I no longer sleep alone.

  “I want to check the on-line Gazette article. Craig said our wedding would make the front page. I can’t wait to read about it.”

  “Why? You attended the wedding.” He tried unsuccessfully to grab my phone.

  “Wait one minute; I want to see this.” I groaned and handed him the phone.

  “What? Don’t you like the picture?” He read the article. “The mayor resigned his office effective immediately.”

  “He did it on purpose. He could’ve waited until today, so I’d get the front-page article,” I mumbled.

  “It says here there is a special city council meeting on Wednesday night to explain the situation to the public.”

  “Explain it? It’ll be all Phillips’ show. He’ll take over and do all he can to ruin the city. He’ll…” Clark silenced me with a kiss.

  ~ * ~

  Georgie and I met near the front steps of City Hall the way we do each time there is a town council meeting. Tonight’s meeting was unscheduled, but I needed to attend. Tonight, the town council would discuss the mayor’s sudden resignation.

  “Hey, Annie,” Georgie greeted me as she walked up. “This meeting should be interesting. Do you suppose Philipps is going to try and force his way into the mayor’s role?”

  I grunted. “Not if I can help it.”

  We walked into the packed meeting room and found two empty seats near the front. It seems as if the entire town needs the answer to the question Georgie asked. I hope she’s wrong. The last thing Heavenly Corners needs is Phillips as mayor.

  Councilman Phillips sat in the mayor’s chair and banged the mayor’s gavel to bring everyone’s attention to him. It isn’t looking good.

  “Good evening, thank you all for attending,” Councilman Phillips sat while smiling the smile that always made me suspicious.

  A few dozen mumbled “Good Evenings” greeted him back before he spoke again.

  “This impromptu meeting was called to address any questions you may have about Mayor Scrumbly’s resignation. The council and I met earlier, and until the November elections, I will fill the spot as interim mayor of our fair town.”

  Audible moans and groans were heard bouncing through the audience. I couldn
’t help but laugh quietly at the look on Phillips' face. He appeared upset but then plastered a huge smile on his face and continued. “Thank you; I will be running for mayor in November. Until then I will do my best to fill the position. Any questions?”

  He shouldn’t have said that. I stood. He saw me and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. This is interesting. All I did was stand, and he has a headache.

  “I have a question. How do we know you’re qualified to be the mayor?” I asked.

  Philipps closed his eyes for a minute. “I have been your councilman for quite some time. I believe I know what is best for the town. When Mayor Scrumbly ran for mayor, he didn’t have any political experience.”

  “Can anyone run for mayor?” I inquired wondering who else we could get to run against him.

  The city clerk stood and answered me. “Yes, anyone can run. All you need is enough signatures to get your name on the ballot. I have the forms in my office. You have approximately sixty days before the deadline to submit your signatures.”

  “Anyone?”

  “Yes,” the clerk replied.

  I have no idea why I asked the next question. Perhaps it was temporary insanity. “Even me?”

  The clerk nodded, Phillips dropped his head to the desk, and my dear friend Lou stood and yelled, “Annie for mayor.” Georgie doubled over in laughter as the room erupted in verbal chaos.

  “Quiet, quiet,” Phillips shouted as he banged the gavel on his desk.

  When the room quieted, he continued. “Yes, anyone can run, but the citizens of Heavenly Corners will elect the best person for the job. Someone who knows the ins and outs of the town and how to run things honestly.”

  Lou shouted, “Annie for mayor” again and I sat back down. I never expected to cause a commotion. I only wanted to ask a question.

  Georgie leaned close and said, “Go for it. We can get Phillips out of office, and no one loves this town more than you.”

  I looked at her as if she had lost her mind. I squinted and shook my head at her while I slowly rose back to my feet.

  “I want to run for mayor.” Oh, my goodness gracious, I did it now.