by Linda Apple
“That’s fantastic.” I held up my finger to Mom who stood there with questions dying to be asked.
“And if it is all right, I plan on coming back and staying a few weeks to work on it with her. Is Molly Kate’s place open for business yet?”
“Not yet, but even if it was you’d be staying here anyway. And don’t even bother to argue. Momma and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“You’ll get no argument out of me. See you in a few.”
Nate came back on the phone. “See ya, babe. Oh, and in case she hasn’t said anything, I’m staying with Lexi.”
“I figured as much. But you better plan on eating here or you will starve to death.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
After we hung up, I took Momma by the hands. “Scott is dead serious about that book. He even has a publisher on board. So he said he’s coming back to Moonlight and staying a few weeks so y’all can discuss it and lay it out.”
“Merciful heavens. My recipes will be in a cookbook? Published in New York City? Will my name be on it, too?”
“Name, face, stories, the whole nine yards.”
“Move over Julia Childs, Big Momma is coming to town.” The oven timer went off, and Momma grabbed her oven mitts. “Since Scott is coming, do you think I should make a few more dishes?”
“Seriously, Mother?”
“Well, you know how I hate not having enough.” She checked the pantry. “How about a pear salad?”
All I could do was shake my head. Even though we had enough to feed everyone on Washington Avenue, I said, “Sounds good, Momma.”
Three hours later, the doorbell rang. The way I hurried to the door one would have thought I hadn’t seen the boys in years instead of two weeks. I threw the door open and wrapped Scott in a bear hug then flung my arms around Nate. As they handed me their coats they sniffed the air appreciatively.
Scott rubbed his hands together. “Something smells good.”
“That’s the truth.” Nate put his arm around my shoulder. “I’m starved.”
“Where’s my Miss Cladie?” Scott knew the way to the kitchen. I could tell he still had those ten pounds he’d gained his first visit here. Probably what convinced the publisher Momma’s cooking was that good. Scott hadn’t gained that much since I’d known him the past thirty years.
Nate, on the other hand, was as handsome as ever in his tight jeans and black sweater. Not bad for a guy who was sixty-something. Ty’s daughter would freak.
Momma pushed through the swinging door and met Scott on his way to the kitchen. “Come here, Scotty boy, and give me a big ol’ hug.” When she wrapped Nate up in her arms, this time he hugged back. Some of the reserve was wearing down. “Good to see you boys back so soon.”
Scott nudged Nate. “She called us boys. Another reason I like coming here.”
“I hope you’re hungry cause lunch is ready.”
Both guys grinned and said, “Yes ma’am.”
Well. If that don’t beat all. Darned if my mother didn’t make them Southern boys after all.
Chapter Ten
I walk the fine line of love and lust.
~Lexi Lowe
Lexi checked her mirror one last time. Nate would arrive at any second, and she had to look fabulous. But, she also had a job to do. She closed her compact and tried to concentrate on getting her column finished and sent to her editor, Vince, before Nate arrived. Her topic for this week was self-image. Did women accept themselves? Who or what defined them? She wrote about this because she, herself, was buried under negative self-image issues and, as any writer knows, they usually covertly write about themselves.
She was just about to hit send when Vince came sliding into her office, his chest heaving. “He’s here again. He’s actually here.” Vince jackhammered his finger toward the floor. “Here. In this building.”
“Who is here?”
He looked at the ceiling and spoke to her in a slow, deliberate, measure as if she didn’t understand English. “Nathan Wolfe is here in this building.”
“Already?”
“You knew he was coming, and you didn’t tell me? I could have dressed nicer. I would have made reservations at the club for lunch…”
She held up her hand. “He is here for Jema and Levi’s wedding. Besides, he will be busy with me.” She tilted the screen of her new Apple computer; a large purchase order approved by Vince at the suggestion of Nate, clicked on Photo Booth and checked her hair. In the background, she watched Vince pace behind her chair worrying his hands together. Sighing, she closed photo booth and twirled around in her chair. “You look fine. We will stop in your office before we leave.”
“Maybe I have a fresh shirt in my closet. I’ll go check.” Without waiting for an answer, he hurried out. Thank goodness. She didn’t want to delay the lip-lock she’d been planning since the moment Nathan had called to say he was coming.
It wasn’t long until he showed at her door and leaned against the frame. He looked even sexier than she remembered. Every nerve in her body trembled. Without a word, she strode over, took his arm and pulled him into the room, kicking the door shut with her foot. The cologne he wore was from the gods. He pulled her tight against him and they instantly lost themselves in the other’s kiss. She ran her hands along his back wanting to be closer even though an atom couldn’t fit between them. He lifted her up and kissed her deeper and deeper until they both had a fine sheen of perspiration on their foreheads.
Lexi opened her eyes and gazed at Nathan. “Have mercy, I’ve missed you.”
He cupped her face with his hands. “Not as much as I have you. I can’t concentrate on anything but getting back here.”
She stepped back and admired his tight jeans. Getting the right fit was something most sixty-two-year-old men had no clue about. The men at the office wore baggy jeans pulled up to the middle of their waists and cinched with a belt.
“Are you finished here?” A lock of salt and pepper hair fell across his forehead and he raked it back in place.
“Almost. I need to shoot Vince my column.” She sat in her chair scanned it one more time before hitting send.
Nathan read over her shoulder. His warm breath on her neck made it hard to concentrate. “Baby, you have no reason for self-image issues.” A shiver shimmied through her as she hit send. In one fluid movement, she rose and ran her fingers through the graying hair on his temples and pulled him down into another marathon kiss. Nate finally pulled away. “Ready to go to your place?”
“Yes, but we have to pay homage to Vince.”
His intense blue eyes deepened. “And then?”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the office. “Hurry, let’s get this thing over with.”
In mere seconds, she and Nate popped in and out of Vince’s office and raced home to Washington Avenue.
Chapter Eleven
My New Year, my new life.
~Jema Presley Abrams
Jema stared out the window in the upstairs lounge at Molly Kate’s B&B and marveled. Today was her wedding day—her wedding day. If someone at Molly Kate’s wedding had told her that in three weeks she’d be getting married on New Year’s Eve, Jema would have said that person had one too many flutes of champagne. But here she sat waiting with the girls for the beauty miracle workers David and Tryna to arrive. Soon a clamor of voices filled the stairwell, followed by heavy steps. Lexi strode into the room with a bowl of corn dip and chips. “They’re here. Margarita time.”
Tryna made it to the top of the stairs and leaned against the rail. “Whew, Lordy. What a climb.” Her arms were loaded down with plastic grocery bags. “Here are the margarita things.” She dropped them to the floor. “Where do you want them? Molly Kate told me to bring everything upstairs.”
Avalee picked up a couple of the bags. “They have a kitchenette up here for guests to get drinks and snacks when they want them. Molly Kate and Momma are in there now getting the food ready. Follow me.”
They passed
David who had just walked in the room. “Man, it’s cold out there. It has to be thirty degrees.” He pulled off his coat and called after Tryna, “Now don’t start drinking, Tryna. You’ve got work to do.”
Tryna retorted, “Pfff. I’m a professional no matter how many margaritas I’ve had.”
David leaned close to Jema. “We are in big trouble. Make sure she does you first.”
Jema laughed. “Never fear. Miss Cladie brought ham biscuits and my very fave thing, corn dip. Between her and Molly Kate, we should be fine and fairly sober.”
“Corn dip?” David pursed his lips up. “Yuck.”
Lexi sashayed over with a dollop of corn dip on a Frito chip. “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”
He stepped back, but opened his mouth to keep Lexi from shoving the chip up his nose. As he chewed, his grimace relaxed into pleasant surprise. “Wow, that is really good.”
“Told ya. I thought you’d love it.” Lexi consulted the wall clock. “It is seven o’clock.” She raised her voice. “We can all have a margarita, that is except for David and Tryna ’cause they will be slaving over us.”
From the kitchen, Tryna hollered. “Hey, I don’t like the sound of that.”
Lexi called out, “Sorry girl, but you’ll be too busy to drink.”
Avalee, Cladie Mae, Molly Kate, and Tryna walked into the room carrying food and drinks. Tryna lifted her chin at Lexi. “You’d be surprised at what I can do. I’m a multi-tasker.” She set her tray on the snack table, turned to Lexi and pretended offense. “And if you want my secret recipe, you’d better play nice.”
David lowered his head and looked at Tryna. “Play nice? I have two words to say to you, big bonus.”
“Tilting her head in mock thought, Tryna said, “All right.” She motioned at Lexi. “Follow me to the kitchen and I’ll show you how to make them. The secret ingredient is beer.”
While Lexi followed Tryna, she looked over her shoulder and mouthed, “Beer?”
“I think I’ll go supervise,” said David. “You never know about Tryna, or for that matter, Lexi either.”
In no time, David sauntered back with something looking much like an adult beverage. Jema lifted an eyebrow. He put on his little boy grin, the one the girls at the salon swore helped him get away with murder. “It’s okay. I’ll sip.”
Momma clapped her hands. “Okay kids, it’s time to get down to business. Who’s first?”
Tryna took Jema by the hand. “I’ll start with the bride.”
“Okay, I’ll start with Miss Cladie.” David flipped his hand toward Molly Kate, Avalee, and Lexi. “And y’all talk amongst yourselves.”
“No problem.” Lexi took a drink and began doing what she did best, telling tales, thoroughly entertaining everyone. Time flew by.
When Jema’s manicure was finished, she went to David’s chair and handed him a box. “Would you open this, I don’t want to mess up my nails. It’s a comb I picked out to wear in my hair after I purchased my gown.”
David opened the box and stared at the diamond and pearl comb nestled in a pillow of black velvet. “Wow. That’s amazing.”
Everyone stopped what they were doing and walked over to see what David was talking about.
He pulled it from the box and looked at the jewels. “Are they real?”
Tryna popped him on the arm. “David, that’s just rude. You aren’t supposed to ask something like that.” She leaned closer for a better look then asked, “Well, are they?”
Lexi blurted out. “Well of course they are—” Avalee and Molly Kate shot her a look warning her to keep her mouth shut. “—n’t.
“Sure looks real.” David held the comb on the right side of Jema’s head. “I was thinking about giving you a lot of soft curls and we can pull your hair up just above your ear, like this.” He lifted her hair and slid the comb in.
“I like that.” Jema sipped her margarita. “Tryna, these are really tasty.”
Tryna took Molly Kate’s hand and began filing her nails. “I know, right? And the more you drink, the better they taste.”
“But,” David tapped Jema’s head with his comb, “you want to walk down the aisle, not stagger.”
Avalee inspected the colors of polish Tryna had brought and said without looking up, “There isn’t going to be an aisle.”
Tryna looked over at Jema. “No aisle? What are you going to do then?”
“Everyone is going to stand around us, you know, sorta be a part of the ceremony.”
David looked dubious. “But doesn’t that kind of take away from Levi seeing you for the first time? From the hundreds of wedding parties I’ve done hair for, the groom not seeing the bride before the ceremony seems to be a big deal.”
“It is. But we’ve figured something out. When I get dressed, I’ll go to the library, where he proposed. Cladie Mae will position me to the best advantage, then go to Levi and bring him to me.”
“And then his mouth will drop open.” Molly Kate hugged herself. “I love it.”
Tryna pointed at MK. “Careful, you’ll mess up your polish.”
The ensuing two hours David curled, teased, and sprayed while Tryna filed, buffed and polished. When everyone was magazine perfect, thanks to the combined talents of David and Tryna, the girls went in the bedroom to help Jema dress. Just as she slipped into her gown someone knocked at her door. She threw a worried look at Avalee.
“Step over there and I’ll see who it is.” Ava peeked through the crack and opened it all the way. “Surprise, Jema.”
“Giiirrrlll, you look stunning.”
Jema’s face brightened and she clasped her hand to her chest. “Scott. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“You mean Lexi kept a secret? I didn’t feel the earth roll or anything.”
“Oh shut up.” Lexi stuck out her tongue.
He took Jema’s hand and twirled her around causing her dress to billow out. “I’m going to start calling your Ginger. That dress is gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Levi is an excellent dancer, so I’m sure I’ll feel like Ginger Rogers when we dance tonight.”
Molly Kate moseyed over next to Scott and said in a sing-songy voice, “We have a surprise for you.” She smiled up at Scott and then beamed at Jema. “Wait until you see the honeymoon suite. Scott has worked his magic again.”
Scott pumped his eyebrows up and down. “You’re going to love it.”
“Oh, Scott. Thank you.” Jema fanned her eyes. “Darned leaky eyes.”
David waved. “Hey everybody, we gotta be going.” He side-hugged Jema. “I’ll be back tomorrow to fix hair again.”
“Thanks, hon.” She tucked a white envelope in his pocket and another in Tryna’s purse, quietly giggling to herself at the thought of what their faces would look like when they saw their bonus.
Cladie Mae eased over to Jema and said, “Sugar, it’s time to get you ready for Levi.”
“Okay, but first…” Jema held her arms out and all the girls embraced her in an affectionate hug. “I love y’all so much.”
Avalee pulled away, walked to the kitchen, and came out with Jema’s bouquet. “We’ll see you in the ballroom.”
Jema held the roses to her face and breathed deep of the sweet fragrance. Downstairs the grandfather clock sounded the quarter hour. Like a scene from the pages of Cinderella, Jema’s fairy godmother, Cladie Mae, took her hand. “It’s time.” Tears trickled out of the old woman’s eyes. “Your destiny awaits.”
****
The mansion’s library was discreetly tucked behind the grand staircase. It was said this was old Mr. Norton’s favorite room. It was comfortable and even more important it was private. Jema loved it, too, not just because Levi had proposed there, but also because of its coziness. The mahogany paneling gleamed in the glow of the dancing flames in the fireplace and the white lights twinkled in the Christmas tree. Two deep leather chairs and a love seat were arranged around a low table, perfect for propping up one’s feet and relaxing while read
ing.
While Jema admired the ambiance and remembered back to the first time she stood in the room, Cladie fussed over where Jema should stand to create the best effect for when Levi took his first look at his bride. She moved the leather chair and had Jema stand in front of the Christmas tree and just close enough to the fireplace to cast a radiant light over her dress. Stepping back, Cladie put her finger to her lips and studied Jema.
“Yes, that’s nice. Now stand still.” She fussed over Jema’s hem and made sure it flared out just right. “Now. I think this will do.” Her eyes filled as she handed Jema her white rose bouquet. “You are so beautiful, my dear.”
Jema felt the warmth of tears threaten. “Now don’t you start, Cladie. I have hours to go before I mess up my makeup.”
Cladie pulled her hanky from her sleeve, where she always kept one hidden. “Here.” The white linen square was hemmed with delicate lace. In one corner were seed pearls and the initials JA were embroidered in silver thread. “I finished it last night.” Cladie wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’ve hoped for this day for the longest time. Since Ray passed, I’ve watched you struggle, but you’ve always been so brave. And you have always been there for others. Especially me.”
“Oh, Cladie. This is beautiful. I love it.” At the mention of her first husband who had died in a work accident many years ago, she lost her battle to keep her eyes dry. “Cladie, I think Ray would be happy about this? Don’t you?”
“Tickled to death.” She slapped her hand across her mouth. “Lord have mercy, what a thing to say.”
Jema didn’t know if it was her nerves or Cladie’s owl-round eyes, but she erupted in laughter. Waving Cladie off, she said through a fit of giggles, “Go tell my prince I’m waiting for him.”
Cladie dabbed Jema’s eyes. “I love you, precious girl.”
“I love you more.”
“I don’t think that is possible.” She patted Jema’s hand and quietly left.
Alone in the enchanted feel of the room, Jema closed her eyes and gave herself up to the mystical moment. While she meditated, she became aware of a whiff of pipe tobacco and peppermint. She opened her eyes and looked around the room. No one was there. Nothing had changed. That was odd.
