"It doesn't have to be. We already have a date and possible church. Tomorrow I'll see if they have December 15 available, and I'll start to check out reception sites. We've gotten a lot done already."
"Then what do we need a list for?"
The waitress handed me a glass of tea and gave Mom a cup of coffee.
"Organization," Mom said. "Let's start with something basic. What's your favorite color?"
"Green. Oh, and I also like white." That was easy. Hopefully all the questions would be like this.
"Perfect. Now we know what your colors will be. We can do white flowers, like roses, iris, or peace lilies. Your bridesmaids can wear green, which will fit in nicely with the holidays, and the décor for the reception hall will be green and white."
Oh, hey. Those were Girl Scout colors. Did I have that on the brain, or did I really like green and white? They seemed like boring colors, but considering that I also liked black and gray (and I was too lazy to really give it any thought), I decided to stick with green and white.
"You're joking," I snorted. "It can't be that easy."
The waitress arrived and took our orders. Both of us got the jumbo burger baskets, because duh. I never understood people who went to a burger joint and got salads. It seemed un-American. It was certainly un-Iowan.
"It is that easy. Tonight we can look through those magazines and get an idea of what the bridesmaids and flower girl will wear."
"Well, that sounds okay…"
I wasn't sure who my bridesmaids would even be. Obviously Kelly would be maid of honor. And I knew twelve little girls who would jump at the chance. Granted, I'd have to set rules, such as no weapons or fire-starting, and we'd probably have to have s'mores at the reception —but that might work.
And then there was my old friend, Maria Gomez. I'd have loved to invite her…of course I had no idea where she was or how to get hold of her. My CIA colleague had gone rogue the previous month, over something she called "scruples."
The waitress dropped off our food, and Mom swooned. I guess it'd been a long time since she'd eaten like this. We ate in silence, enjoying the grease and the red meat. It was definitely an Iowa thing. There weren't many dinners in my youth that didn't involve a steak or pot roast or meatloaf. Well, occasionally we had chicken or pork chops just to shake things up a bit, but meat was always on the menu.
The crowd was thinning out because lunchtime was over. I knew we couldn't eat too late because Rex was taking us to dinner. Not that I ever had a problem eating. Fortunately I had a high metabolism. Which was good because a few weeks ago I'd eaten two cans of SpaghettiOs over the sink for dinner.
After picking up the rental car and heading home, my mother and I spent the rest of the afternoon looking through the wedding magazines.
Did you know there are three million types of dresses? And they are expensive? And you only wear them once? Mom said something about handing it down to my daughter, but I broke out in heart palpations and she stopped pressing the issue.
We dog-eared the pages we liked and worked our way through the lot before it was time to get ready for dinner.
"Ladies"—Rex smiled—"you look wonderful." The man knocked this time, out of respect for my mother. He was so handsome in a black suit and blue tie. Goosebumps popped up all over me in all the right places.
"So do you!" I stepped forward and kissed him properly this time.
My mother beamed. I hadn't really had much time to think about what she and Dad thought of my getting married. I guess they approved, because they didn't ask me to reconsider.
They had met Rex during my troop's trip to DC and told me every chance they got that I was so lucky to have found him. I wasn't sure that was a compliment, because shouldn't he be lucky to have me? After all that's happened over the last two years, maybe they were right. I was kind of a ticking time bomb of disaster—even when it wasn't my fault.
Rex drove to Des Moines, and I insisted Mom sit up front with him. They chatted as if they'd known each other forever. My heart felt like it was about to burst with pride. What was my problem? Marrying Rex would be wonderful, and I had no doubt we'd be happy. So why was I so filled with dread?
Just outside of Des Moines, we stopped at a Greek restaurant called Syma's. Greek columns peppered the stucco walls outside.
"This is new! How did you find out about this place?" I whispered as Rex helped me out of the car.
"Officer Dooley told me. He's eaten here three times in the last week."
"Kevin drives all the way here to eat? I thought he just ate at the Stop-N-Go on 7th Street," I said, but Rex was already around the car to help Mom out.
Rex opened the door to the restaurant too and held our chairs while we sat down. Such a gentleman. My mother was impressed, and I was too. Now if only he'd talk to me about his family, I might be a little less doubtful.
The interior of Syma's was dazzling white with a frieze of the Aegean Ocean on the wall and a fresco of the Gods on Mt. Olympus on the ceiling. I thought Zeus looked a bit like Rex. In fact, he looked a lot like Rex.
I shook my head to clear it because I was clearly superimposing my handsome fiancé's face onto a Greek God's body.
My thoughts returned to the present as the fragrance of fish and lamb mingled with the scent of freshly baked bread. My stomach rumbled, and my mouth watered. Riley and I had been stationed very briefly in Greece when we were chasing Carlos the Armadillo. Unfortunately, the Colombian drug lord had only stayed a week. I was so smitten with the food, I could've killed him. Oh wait, I did…later. Too bad it was with my old car. But that story is for another time.
A waiter brought us a bottle of champagne. I didn't remember us ordering that.
"I called ahead," Rex explained.
The waiter popped the cork and poured three glasses before bowing and vanishing.
"How thoughtful!" Mom reached for her glass and held it up. "Okay. You can marry my daughter."
We clinked glasses and drank. As the bubbles tickled my throat, I found myself relaxing.
"Too bad Dad couldn't come," I said as I picked up the menu.
"He's very busy these days. There's a major bill going through the Senate right now, and he's had so many meetings…" Mom said. "Lately I spend most days alone in the house. This is so nice."
I felt a little pang of sympathy for her.
"But don't feel sorry for me. That's the way a politician's wife lives." Her graceful smile absolved us of pity.
"You should get a hobby or something," I suggested. I was going to suggest cat breeding, but Dad wasn't too fond of the little beasts.
"I've thought about it," Mom answered, "and I do have many friends in DC. I just need to get out more."
My stomach rumbled, reminding me it had been a while since the sinful burger basket at Oleo's. I opened the menu and gazed longingly at the list of appetizers.
Rex smiled warmly. "I'm so happy you're here, Judith. You've already made huge strides in getting Merry to commit to the wedding plans."
I frowned. He kind of made me sound like I was a dog she'd taught to sit, beg, and roll over.
She laughed. "You'll get used to it. I think the whole reason Merry joined the CIA was to avoid long-term commitments."
"Hey!" I protested. "I make long-term commitments! I have pets, a mortgage, and a Girl Scout troop." All fine, long-term commitments. Sure, I didn't have a calendar or even a watch, but I was in this for the long haul.
"But honestly," Mom smoothly covered, "I've never seen her so happy as she is when she's around you."
Rex actually blushed. It was so adorable that I leaned over and kissed him. We weren't normally big on public displays of affection. But here I was, kissing my fiancé in public. It made me realize my mother was right. Rex made me happy.
"Have you thought about groomsmen?" Mom asked.
Rex shrugged, "Not really. I was thinking of a simple ceremony."
"Surely you have friends or family…" she started.
; I came to his rescue. "How about we just have a best man and maid of honor? I'll talk to Kelly."
Rex bit his lip. I'd never seen him do that before. Whom would he choose for his best man? I'd never really met any friends of his. As long as he didn't pick Kevin Dooley. I pictured me walking up the aisle while Kevin munched on pork rinds…
And then it hit me—the family he didn't acknowledge. I had an idea. Tomorrow Mom and I would go to visit his sisters in the taxidermy shop. She'd win Ronni the angry twin over, and I could start getting to know them.
"There's plenty of time for that," Mom soothed as the waiter returned to take our orders.
Watching Rex as he ordered, I realized that talking about Rex's family was off-limits. That seemed like a problem. A committed couple should be able to talk about anything, right?
"So," Rex said. "December 15th is the date, and we're using the Lutheran Church. Where should we have the reception?"
"What about the old Peters lumber mill?" my mother asked. "It's right there on Main Street, and when I drove by it today, and they have a sign up saying it's a reception hall now."
Rex choked on his glass of champagne. Of course, he wouldn't want it there. The building was next door to his sisters'. He must've known I'd use any excuse to drop by, like borrowing tape or severed animal heads. My troop would like that.
"That's a great idea!" I nudged Mom. "Who owns it now?"
Mom shrugged. "It might be owned by whoever lives in the old Peters place. I see it's been turned into a taxidermy shop. Why don't we run by in the morning and ask?"
Rex coughed again. "The Radisson would be nice."
"That's too far," Mom said. "The lumber mill is right on Main, a few blocks from the church." She turned to him. "Don't worry, Rex. We can take care of this one, right, Merry?"
I grinned wickedly. "That's a great idea, Mom."
The food arrived before Rex could speak up, and we dug in. I loved Greek food. Especially stuffed grape leaves. I had the lamb while Mom and Rex ate seafood. And during the whole course, I realized that the next day, Randi and Ronni were going to find out they'd be getting a new sister. Of course, they'd love me. I'm fun!
I'd have to get Rex to move on introducing the rest of his family. They should meet my mother before the ceremony. And whatever had driven his family apart, Judith Czrygy should be able to patch it up easily.
My fiancé and mother chatted amiably through the rest of the dinner. It was so good to see them together, I felt a pang of homesickness…which was weird because technically, I was home. Dad would need to come visit. Maybe we could go to dinner with the Fergusons. Providing the sisters didn't bring dead animals with them, they'd probably hit it off.
Finally, I joined into the conversation as we talked about the guest bedroom furniture.
"What happened in there, Merry? You kind of rushed me through, but I noticed the holes in the bed and closet door."
Rex told Mom about how I'd shot up the bed and closet. She laughed, which was good because it meant she wasn't worried about me having a gun.
"I'm thinking of buying new furniture," I interrupted.
The two of them stared at me.
Uh-oh. What had I done? "What?"
"I just don't know why you'd want to do that since in less than a year, you'll be moving in with me," Rex said.
Oh man. That was one thing I hadn't considered. One of us would have to sell our house. I loved my house. It was my first. And yes, there'd been some murders at the place, but I couldn't imagine not living there forever. As a spy, I'd moved around so much that I didn't really belong anywhere. Owning a house was a huge deal for me.
My mother spoke up. "Of course. Rex's house is larger. In fact, I'd love a tour sometime."
"I hadn't really thought about selling the house…" I muttered.
"It doesn't make sense to have two houses, Merry," Rex said softly as he placed his hand over mine.
Maybe we could turn it into a meeting house for my troop? The idea had merit. I could put bunk beds in the bedrooms and a large table and chairs in the living room. Philby and Martini would always be permitted of course.
I snapped out of it. "I'm sure you're right. It's just the first time I've thought about it."
Mom listened as Rex began to describe the house to her. My mood, however, remained cloudy. I really didn't want to sell the house. But keeping it and using it for other stuff might be okay.
After an hour, the waiter appeared, and Rex asked for the bill.
"But sir, your bill has been taken care of. No charge for you or your charming dinner companions."
Rex seemed confused. "I think there's been some kind of mistake…"
The waiter shook his head furiously. "No sir. Thank you for your business."
He disappeared before we could ask him anything else. Once again, my eyes drifted to the Rex as Zeus painting on the ceiling.
"Do you know the owners?" Mom asked.
My fiancé shook his head and frowned. "I've never been here before. I have no idea why they'd pay for my dinner."
As we drove home, my fiancé and mother had moved on to talking about the cats, but I was staring out the window, into the night, thinking about how he avoided mentioning the twins. The discussion, or lack thereof, of Rex's family and my house seemed like big obstacles to overcome.
At least tomorrow I'd out myself to his sisters. And they'd probably love me, and all the problems would melt away.
Right?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kelly called first thing the next morning. "I scheduled the meeting with the vulture at the zoo for this afternoon right after school."
"Today?" was all I could manage. Once again, I hadn't slept much. All I could think about was losing my house.
"It was the only time they could do it. I guess the bird has a busy schedule."
I didn't respond.
"Are you okay? Did you get any sleep last night?" my best friend asked.
"I think you need to put me into a medically induced coma," I said at last.
"I can't do that, and you know it."
"How about Dr. Body? She could do it, right?" I asked, referring to our local coroner, Soo Jin Body.
"Nobody can do it. You just have to relax," Kelly said.
"I'm not sure that's possible." I didn't want to tell her my feelings on the wedding. "I've become obsessed with watching the neighbors. Last night was the first time I didn't stare at them through the garage window."
"The Fontanas?" Kelly asked.
"You know them too?"
I could swear I heard her eyes roll. "Of course. They handle my insurance."
There was a silence as I processed this. Slowly.
"Merry, you have to do something about this," she warned. "You could fall asleep while driving or worse. The hospital is doing a sleep study. Why don't I sign you up?"
"M'okay," I mumbled as the room started to blur.
"In the meantime, I'll pick you up for the zoo at 3:30, okay?"
I didn't answer.
"Merry?" My mother's worried face loomed over me, and I sat up. "Maybe we shouldn't go out this morning." How did she get in? Did I give her a key? I couldn't remember.
The thought made me jump to my feet. "Oh no! You have to meet them!"
Mom frowned. "Meet them? Meet who?"
"I never told you about Rex's family, did I?"
I filled her in on Randi and Ronni, how they were polar opposites who looked alike. How they took dead animals and gave them human clothing. Mom listened carefully as she made breakfast. I spotted the grocery bags on the counter and realized she'd been to the store before coming over.
"They don't know who you are? And they haven't contacted their brother since they moved here?" Mom frowned. "How very odd."
At last! Sympathy for the fact that Rex had kept his family from me.
"Still, every family has its quirks," she said as she scooped out the eggs and bacon and plopped them expertly on two plates.
I
picked up a slice of bacon and began munching. "Not ours. We're pretty normal, right?" Well, normal for a senator and his wife from Iowa who have a spy for a kid, that is.
My mother laughed. "Not really. I have an Aunt June I never told you about. And then there's your father's cousin Toad."
That got my interest. "Dad has a cousin named Toad?"
"Yup. He died a while back. Was hit by a car. Well, technically, he jumped in front of the car."
"Jumped…like a toad?"
Mom nodded. "It was quite fitting, actually. He always wore green and sometimes ate flies."
"How did I not know I had a cousin named Toad?"
"No one really liked him. Now Toad's brother Sal…"
"That's a normal name! How did his brother get saddled with—"
"…amander, he's okay. He's a biologist in Scotland."
I stared at my mother as she started washing up.
"Are we inviting Salamander to my wedding?" Was I going to have to write Salamander Czrygy on an actual invitation?
My mother shrugged. "We haven't really kept in touch."
"And Aunt June?"
"When you were little, your grandmother, about once a month, would call and tell us something about Aunt June. I'd never heard of her. Still haven't seen so much as a photo. But my mother insisted she was real."
"Well, I don't know about that, but Ronni and Randi are very real."
"What's wrong?"
"It bothers me that Rex hasn't told his family about me. It's like he's embarrassed about me."
"I doubt that. He probably is embarrassed about them."
"Maybe…but why keep them a secret? They've been here a month, and he only mentioned it because I pressed him."
"Let's go see them." Mom folded the dishtowel and placed it on the counter. "It's time they get to know their fabulous future sister-in-law."
The gunshot noise went off the minute we pushed through the door. I'd forgotten to tell Mom. She acted as though nothing unusual had happened. I guessed that years of being a senator's wife had trained her not to react to the outrageous.
I, on the other hand, flinched. Couldn't help it. Years of being a spy trained me that gunshots were bad things.
Motto for Murder (Merry Wrath Mysteries Book 6) Page 5
