“We haven’t discussed details about the wedding, Jase,” Mary Kate said firmly as they walked to the car. “Audra can’t possibly know about the reception until we have a guest list worked out.”
“Honey, I don’t care if there is no one there other than the two witnesses necessary to sign the license and the parish register. But, I will not wait any longer than September second to be married. So you had better put your list together quickly.”
“Father Greer was right, you are impatient,” she responded with a smile.
Jase took her hand when they reached his convertible. “I’m only impatient with important things.”
“I’m glad you find this important.”
“Is there any doubt in your mind that I would?”
“No.”
“I’m glad.”
“Why September second?” she asked.
“It’s my birthday. I couldn’t think of a nicer present to give myself than a bride.”
“I love you, Jase.”
He smiled at her, but didn’t reply.
She was becoming really irritated with him. Why couldn’t he give her the words she wanted to hear? He wasn’t a stupid man. He had to know what she wanted to hear. Why wasn’t he telling her?
Mary Kate had to face the possibility that he didn’t love her. All he had ever told her was that he cared
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about her, admired her strength, and felt they were suitable for each other. Was that enough to base a marriage on? She had her doubts.
Still, she knew if Jase promised to love, honor, and cherish her, that he would keep his word to the very best of his ability. He had committed himself to making those promises. It was only a matter of weeks until he would publicly take the vows that would bind them together. Mary Kate told herself she would just have to take him at his word.
“You mentioned children,” Jase finally responded. “You want children?” “Do you have something against children?” “I like children. How many do you want to have?” “As many as we have, I suppose. At least two. I always wanted a brother or a sister. Growing up an
only child has its disadvantages.” Jase smiled at her tenderly. “We’ll have a good life together, Mary Kate. I’m going to give you and our
children the very best I can.” Mary Kate nodded affirmatively. “As long as we have your love that’s all that matters.” The silence stretched between them as they each were involved in their own thoughts. “Why are we stopping here?” Mary Kate asked as Jase pulled into a driveway near her father’s house. “I want you to see this,” Jase replied. “If you don’t like it, we don’t have to take it.” “A house?” “We need a place for ourselves. This house has been empty for about a year, since the owners died. It’s
been overpriced by the heirs. But with a cash deal, I think we can bring the price down to something that’s fair,” Jase told her. “It needs some work. Don’t be too disappointed.” Mary Kate looked through the dense trees, trying to find some sign of a house. Finally, she saw the house. It was a large, brick, Georgian style structure. “It’s beautiful.”
Jase laughed. “I thought you’d like it. It doesn’t have stables though. It doesn’t even have the room for stables. The grounds are quite small actually. There’s only about two acres here. If we want to ride, we will have to go to Harry’s.”
“Can we afford this, Jase?” “No problem.” “I think we need to sit down and go over finances. I have no idea what is or isn’t affordable. I know
this is very expensive, yet you talk about buying it with cash as though it were nothing.” “It’s a substantial investment. But it’s one we can afford. A discussion of finances is definitely in order,” he agreed easily. “But come on, let’s look at the house. I think you’ll like it.”
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“You’ve got a key?” “The agent is an old school buddy.” Mary Kate sighed. “It’s a big house.” “Not that big, but it will do,” Jase told her. “We can probably close on it before the wedding.” “Is this the house you want?” “Yes.” “Then I’m sure it’s fine. Come on, let’s get some ideas about decorating it.”
* * *
Audra, Missy, and Thea were already at the bridal shop when Mary Kate arrived on Tuesday of the next week. She had been at physical therapy during the morning and had lunch with Alice before coming to the shop.
“It’s about time you got here,” Thea announced. “I was having lunch with a friend. Time got away from me,” Mary Kate responded. “I didn’t know you had any friends locally,” Thea said. Mary Kate smiled. “Oh, I’ve made a few.” “Come along, dear. Let’s look at the dresses,” Audra urged kindly. “There are some lovely gowns here,” Missy advised. Mary Kate laughed. “Good. I’d hate to think I was shopping someplace where there were hideous
gowns.” Thea looked at Mary Kate with less than amusement in her eyes. “Honestly, child, you have tried on no fewer than two dozen gowns. Surely you must have liked one of them. That one is lovely.”
Mary Kate wrinkled her nose as she looked in the mirror and saw her aunt’s reflection behind her. “It is lovely. But,” She looked down at the antebellum style gown. There were six gathered lace tiers to the exceptionally full skirt. The dress was to be worn over hoops. It was a pretty dress. Yet, it wasn’t something she could ever see herself wearing.
Audra laughed. “It’s okay, Mary Kate. You should have just the wedding dress you want.” “Besides, I agree with you, Mary Kate. None of those dresses have quite been you,” Missy stated.
“They are all too...” “Fussy?” Mary Kate offered. “For the lack of a better word, yes. They were too frilly. You aren’t the frills type,” Missy stated. Mary Kate laughed. “Oh, Missy. From anyone else that might have sounding insulting, like I was a
‘no-frills’ type.”
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Missy nodded. “You know what I meant.” “Yes, I do. But the problem is that I’m not certain what I want.” Audra smiled. “As long as it’s my son you want, I couldn’t care less about your dress.” Mary Kate laughed softly. “Oh, Audra. I can see the typical mother-in-law jokes aren’t going to apply
here.” Missy teased, “No, she’s going to be worse. Trust me. I’ve seen her mother-in-law facade in action.” Audra smiled broadly. “Probably,” the older woman admitted. “But I’m wearing two hats here.
Mother-in-law and stepmother.” “Both hats have wicked connotations,” Missy teased her mother. Audra laughed. “True.” “Wicked stepmother and meddling mother-in-law,” Mary Kate stated. “What a combination.” The shopkeeper came bustling into the room. “This just came in yesterday. Maybe you will like this
one, Miss Devlin.” Mary Kate looked into the mirror. She really liked this dress. It was an Edwardian style suit in cream
satin without embellishments. “You like it?” Audra asked. “Very much.” “What would you do for a veil?” Melissa asked. “There’s no lace to match.” “This calls for a satin hat, I think, with a corsage of orchids or pale yellow roses as an accent, possibly
with illusion trailing behind as a train,” Mary Kate replied. “And I’ll carry a satin covered prayerbook with a corsage to match the flowers on the hat. Together with my grandmother’s pearls, it should be a suitably elegant wedding outfit.”
Audra laughed. “What about altar flowers and attendants’ dresses?” Mary Kate looked over at Missy. “What’s your favorite color?” “I look very good in blues and greens,” Missy said. “You go and look at the racks. Whatever you like is fine with me,” Mary Kate said easily. “I’d lean
towards blues with your eyes.” Thea looked stunned. “Melissa is your matron of honor?” “Yes. My best friend is expecting her first child sometime in the next month. So who would be more
appropriate than Missy.” “Who else will be standing up with you?” Thea demanded. “No one. We are having one attendant each. This will be a very small wedding party. Jase’s buddy
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“Rafe?” Missy asked.
Missy smiled. “He is that. I used to have a huge crush on him. But he always saw me as Jase’s baby sister.”
“Might be interesting to see the difference a few years will make in his reaction to you,” Mary Kate offered mischievously.
Missy’s smile became broader and her eyes twinkled with humor and anticipation. “I’ll have to pick out an especially lovely dress then.”
Audra smiled at her daughter. “Poor Rafe, he won’t know what hit him.”
“I think Rafe can handle himself. He’s always shown that ability,” Missy said.
Audra nodded, then asked, “The men will be in morning coats?”
Mary Kate wrinkled her nose slightly. “That’s what Jase wants.”
“It’s what is most proper,” Audra replied easily. “Morning coats, top hats... the whole ensemble. It will look wonderful in the photographs. Your father looks wonderful in gray. So does Jase.”
“That’s one more thing we have to do, find a photographer. But there isn’t much time.”
“When we get done here, we can go look at china patterns. You really should get your name and preferences on a registry or two,” Audra added. “With the wedding only a few weeks away, that doesn’t give us much time. Definitely not enough time for all the parties we should be giving.”
“I’m really not a party person, Audra.”
“Why the small, rushed, wedding anyway?” Thea asked. “Are you pregnant?”
“Certainly not!” Mary Kate replied in a hurt voice. “Why in the world would you think that?”
“You certainly aren’t wasting any time. A lot of people are going to be asking the same question,” Thea said.
“A lot of people can go hang then.”
“Are you ashamed of marrying Jase?” Thea asked with an edge to her voice that could have been anger. “Is that why you’re keeping this small?”
“Of course not.”
“Don’t you think you’re good enough to marry Jase?” Thea questioned, a shade too loudly. “Silly girl. That criminal whom you were engaged to when you were in college has no reflection on you. You had nothing to do with his drug money laundering operation. So why are you keeping the wedding small?”
“Aunt Thea! That’s enough!” Mary Kate replied sharply.
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In fact, it was more than enough. The shop owner was one of the most active, most imaginative gossips
in the area. Late that night, Mary Kate was re-reading the contents of the envelope Alice had given to her. All the “evidence” connecting Nan to the death was that Nan had been the one to find the body floating
in the pond on Harry’s estate. Peter Filson had been severely beaten. But the cause of death had been drowning. Someone had beaten Peter, then thrown him into the pond a couple of days before the accident.
Mary Kate thought about her small framed mother. There was no way a woman Nan’s size could have done that. Nan simply hadn’t been strong enough to have done that. What Mary Kate didn’t understand was why people believed Nan could have done so.
It was midnight when a knock came at her door. Mary Kate quickly gathered the photocopies into the envelope and hid it under her pillow. Maybe, just maybe, Alice was right. Someone in the house was responsible for the murder. All she knew was she couldn’t take a chance. She reached for her pistol.
“Mary Kate?” Harry’s voice came through the door. “Come in, Dad.” “You okay, honey?” he said as he popped his head inside the room. “I’m fine.” “You’re up late,” he stated as he came into her room and closed the door behind him. “Couldn’t sleep. Too much to think about.” Harry smiled at his daughter. “That’s a plague affecting most newly engaged young women, I
understand.” “Probably.” “You are in love with Jase?” “Yes, Dad. I do love him.” Harry looked relieved. “I’m glad. He’s a good man. I know you’ve had your problems with him.” “Those were only because he is so defensive about his family. He was afraid you were going to be hurt.
He loves you dearly. I can’t fault him for that.” Harry smiled at his daughter. “I just didn’t want you to feel forced into anything.” “Forced? You’ve never done anything to force me into this marriage.” “I’ve never discouraged it, either. I happen to approve of the marriage between you and Jase. I think
you will be good for each other.” “I don’t expect things will be smooth sailing between Jase and me. We are both exceptionally strong willed people. Our fights have been explosive, and I expect they’ll remain that way.”
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“You’d both be bored senseless if things were too smooth or easy between you. You both thrive on challenges. And you’re both stubborn enough to make the marriage work even during the tough and trying times.”
“Is stubbornness all that’s necessary?”
“No,” Harry shook his head. “You need trust, respect, and love, as well as the will and determination to make it work as I’ve learned in my years with Audie.”
“Which did your marriage to Mother lack?”
Harry sighed and looked profoundly sad. “Trust, on both of our parts, I think. Your mother was the most beautiful woman I ever had met. I took one look at her and I knew that I would have to have her as my wife. She had an understanding with another man. He had brought her here to meet his family before formally announcing their engagement.”
“Peter Filson?”
“You’ve been digging haven’t you?”
“I’ve heard things.”
“Peter and I went to high school together. Then he went off to Harvard, and I went into the Army. After my father’s stroke, I got myself transferred to the Reserves, and came home. I had revived my father’s business and had it on a firm footing for expansion. Peter had established a thriving law practice. But his passion was antiques. On one of Peter’s antique buying trips, he met your mother. Then he brought her home with him.”
Harry fell silent for a moment as he was obviously lost in thought. “She was an artist. But that you knew. I met her when she was out painting landscapes in watercolor. I’ll never forget how beautiful she looked, even dressed in jeans, a painting smock, and tennis shoes. It was early morning, barely dawn. She had wanted to capture the dawn light. I was out riding. She had picked a spot on my land to set up her easel.”
“I knew she was Peter’s girl. But that didn’t stop me from flirting with her. She was uncomfortable with the feelings that had sprung up between us. I pushed her into breaking up with Peter. He loved her, but so did I.”
“It was barely a week after she broke up with Peter that I talked her into marrying me. We were married as soon as we could get the license. I loved her almost obsessively, and I was jealous of every man she as much as smiled at. Maybe things would have been different between us, if I had trusted her more.”
Mary Kate’s eyes had been firmly fixed on her father’s face from the moment he had begun to talk about her mother. “What would you say if I told you the reason Mother left you was because she was afraid that if she stayed she would have put you into danger?”
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“Danger?” “From the people who killed Peter Filson.” Harry looked at her. “Are you telling me that?” “I can’t prove it yet, but I believe it may be the truth. All I have is what I’ve been able to piece together
since I’ve been here. It makes some sort of twisted sense.” Harry sighed raggedly. “What good is it going to do to dig up the past?” “I’ve asked myself the same thing. The problem is that if I’m right, whoever killed Peter Filson may
well be behind Mother’s murder. And possibly Jaime’s kidnapping.” Harry sighed. “I think you’re adding up one and one and coming up with five.” “Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is that this has all been too large of a string of hurtful co-incidences in
this family.” Harry nodded. “But sometimes, co-incidences are just that.” “I’ve heard a lot of rumors, jus
t keeping my ears open,” Mary Kate told him. “Most of them, I’ve
discounted immediately. But there’s one I can’t dismiss. I hate to raise the question, but I have to know.” Harry sighed. “Ask away.” “Is Missy my sister?” Mary Kate asked after a pause. Harry looked at her for a long moment. “Yes,” he answered, his voice tight. “How do you feel about
that?” “Does Missy know?” “She’s known since she was fifteen. Audie and I told her.” “Why didn’t you marry Audie, instead of Mom?” “Audie was living in Maryland. She and her husband had moved there before Missy was born,” Harry
explained. “We don’t always do things we’re proud of Mary Katherine. Nick and Audie were separated more than they were together. She had filed for divorce from him. She worked for me for a while and we fell in love. The preliminary divorce degree had been issued, but it wasn’t final. It just about killed me when they reconciled,” Harry told his daughter.
“You don’t have to justify your life to me, Dad.”. “Audie moved back here about two months before I married Nancy. She was in the process of divorcing
Nick, again,” Harry continued. “But I couldn’t get past my anger at her for having left me before.” “Oh, Dad... Love is such a mess, isn’t it?” “It can be, Mary Katherine. It can be.” A knock came at the door. Jase popped his head in without waiting. He took in the scene.
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“Is something wrong?” Jase asked.
Mary Kate forced a smile. “No. Not really. We were just talking about my mother.”
Jase came fully into the room and closed the door behind him. Mary Kate saw that he was wearing pajamas and a robe. “I was just on my way downstairs for a midnight snack. Want to join me? You look like you could use a cup of cocoa.”
“If you’re going down, I’ll excuse myself... You will think about the things we discussed, won’t you?” Harry asked.
Mary Kate smiled at her father. “Yes. Good night, Dad. Sleep well.”
“You too, honey... Don’t keep her up too late, Jase.”
“Goodnight, Harry.”
Mary Kate and Jase sat in the kitchen. Instead of hot cocoa, Mary Kate had brewed a pot of chamomile tea for herself and had made a pot of decaf coffee for Jase.
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