Valentine Wedding Hound: The Hart Family (Have A Hart Book 5)

by Rachelle Ayala

  “Why, thank you, Cait.” Jenna basked in this rare praise from her elder sister, who was usually highly critical of everyone else’s faults. “One thing’s for sure, I never want to settle into a boring life of compromise where neither party gets to do what they really want. I do feel I’m always dragging around a reluctant Larry. If he had his way, he’d hide in his weight room with Harley all day long.”

  “Trust me, Larry will come around. He’s still shell-shocked from Shelly dumping him while he was in the burn unit.”

  “No kidding. I’m glad she got shellacked by the press for walking away from the guy who saved all those children’s lives.”

  “She hasn’t found anyone else,” Cait said. “Last I heard, she’s still single and sniffing around the firehouse, but no one, not even the young horny probies, are hooking up with her.”

  “I’m glad she’s out of his life.” Jenna always got a funny, squishy feeling in her heart when Shelly was mentioned. “I heard he was pretty broken up about it. I wonder why she walked away from him, especially at the lowest moment of his life?”

  “You mean, he hasn’t told you the reason she dumped him?” Both of Cait’s eyebrows shot upward.

  “No. What happened?” Jenna hated when others knew more about her man than she.

  Cait licked her lips as they spread into a Cheshire cat smile. “You owe me a christening gown for my baby.”

  “Sure, sure, spill.” Her heart threatened to jump from her chest as she clenched her fists. Even though Shelly’s loss was her gain, she hated how much pain the witch had inflicted on her sweetheart.

  Cait glanced around the crowded fabrics shop and cupped her hand, whispering in Jenna’s ear. “I’m not sure I should tell you either, but apparently, Larry’s suffered a severe burn on his penis.”

  “I already guessed,” Jenna admitted. “I mean, about the burn, but I had no idea she left him because of that.”

  “Yep, so you can understand why Larry’s gun-shy in that department. I mean, the celibacy vow and everything.”

  “And you heard all this from who? Connor?”

  “I don’t reveal my sources.” Cait made a zipping motion across her lips. “But I trust you’re not going to go breaking Larry’s heart over this.”

  “Never, but if I ever get my hands on Shelly, I’m going to wring her neck.”

  “You should be thankful she gave up a hunk like Larry.”

  “I know, but she hurt him so badly, and that pisses me off.” Jenna took the illusion panel as well as the beaded panel to the cash register. “She’d better stay away from me if she knows what’s good for her.”

  “Amen to that.” Cait, ever the loyal sister, heartily agreed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next few days went by quickly. Jenna busied herself with the final details to her bridesmaid collection, while Cait went on shopping trips with Larry’s biological mother.

  Cora must have been winning Cait over, because after every trip, Cait would recommend that Jenna have lunch with the woman who was supposedly a mathematical genius.

  Right, a genius who couldn’t even count the days of her menstrual cycle.

  Jenna immediately felt sick at how uncharitable she was. No matter what, Cora had been only thirteen when she got knocked up. It was possible she hadn’t even started her regular cycles.

  Not everyone had a warm, loving, and protective family like the one she grew up in. Many youngsters had to fend for themselves, and horror of horrors, their own family members could be the very ones who abused them.

  Jenna got out of the show-provided limousine and stepped around puddles on the sidewalk. One of the show’s gofers held an umbrella for her and opened the door of the neighborhood bar where her bachelorette party would take place.

  The Deep Dive was a holdover from the twentieth century, well before large screen TVs and a cell phone in every palm. It had a surplus of well-scuffed wood and smeared beer signs, along with plastic good luck charms from around the world—including a green dyed rabbit’s foot, a plastic Buddha, and one of those ubiquitous lucky cats.

  She was herded into the dinky bathroom where a makeup artist touched up her makeup.

  The bachelorette party was supposed to be a surprise, and Jenna had no doubt that some freak-out moments awaited her. She and Cait had gone over all the possible scenarios, including dancing on the bar counter, taking shots, pretending to have sex on the pool table, singing while drunk, building a beer glass tower and filling it, and then sipping beer with a straw from it.

  “Almost ready in there?” Amy Suzuki peeked her devious face through a crack in the door. “Your guests have arrived. We’re going to walk you around to the front door. Try to act surprised.”

  “I don’t see why we’re having the party here,” Jenna mumbled. “My sister-in-law tells me the usual clientele is of the ancient mariner class.”

  “Don’t worry, we paid off the owner to keep the dirty old geezers away. Let’s go.”

  Jenna was herded out the back door by a gofer and picked her way through a soggy parking area full of potholes and trash. What was the show trying to do to her, humiliate her?

  Yes, but that was the entire point of a reality show. To entertain by humiliation. The prize had better be something worthwhile, but at what cost?

  She angled her way through the front door of the bar, which was now dazzling bright with studio lights and soft boxes.

  “Surprise!” a bevy of female voices cried.

  Loudest of all was her mother, Kimberly, who blew a party horn and jumped up and down like a hyperactive Energizer bunny.

  Jenna widened her eyes and clapped her hands over her mouth, squealing as if she’d won the lottery.

  “Thank you! Thank you!” She hugged her mother and gave her a kiss.

  At least with her mother present, she was sure she wouldn’t be getting any male stripper action. Unless, they were prepared to spring Larry on her.

  But Larry was scarred over half of his body, and there was no way he would display his badges of courage for a TV show. He hated to be on camera and was always sideways so that his good side showed.

  Cait, Melisa, Nadine, and most of Jenna’s friends from the fashion industry greeted her. Linx Colson, the owner of the dog rescue who’d benefit from the fundraiser held at Jenna’s wedding finale, was also present.

  “Too bad Grady wasn’t invited,” Jenna said to Cait after Linx wandered off with Melisa.

  “I know, huh. Any woman who’d drive Gregarious Grady into being a hermit must have some unknown superpower.”

  “Who are you talking about?” their mother interrupted. Her antennae and radar for her children’s possible relationships was her superpower. “Does that gorgeous gal have something to do with Grady?”

  “Calm down, Mom,” Cait said. “Half of your kids are married already, and Jenna will make it four out of six.”

  “Oh, but I do worry about Grady. I think he and Linx would make a great couple.” Mom rubbed her chin as the wheels in her matchmaking mind turned.

  “Linx’s dog hates Grady, so that’s an automatic out.” Jenna accepted a shot glass from a waiter.

  “Oh, I can’t have one,” Nadine said, waving off the waiter.

  “How about you, miss?” he asked Cait, but she also demurred.

  “You’re not doing shots?” Mom exclaimed as she accepted a glass.

  Cait had been known to drink everyone under the table.

  “Little stomach problem,” Cait said. “Must have eaten something bad at lunchtime.”

  Mom was about to say something when Amy cut into the circle. “Hear, hear. Let’s do a round of shots for the bride to be. Has everyone gotten their shot of whiskey?”

  “Melisa doesn’t have one,” Linx said, circling back to grab hers.

  “Not today,” Melisa said, darting a nervous glance at their mother.

  Uh oh. That did it. Their mother could sniff a pregnancy the way sharks smelled blood.

  “You to
o?” Mother slipped her arm over Melisa’s shoulder. “Did you have the same lunch Cait had?”

  “I, uh, no, stomach bug. It’s going around. I’m a school teacher. Some of my students are always sick this time of the year.” She, however, blushed way too much to be thinking about a bout of stomach flu.

  Melisa was never good at lying, and now that she had Mom’s arm clamped around her, she might as well give up the truth.

  Jenna was sure Amy had done this stunt on purpose to call out all the pregnant women—maybe even try to find out whether she was pregnant or not.

  Since she was free and clear of any stowaway embryos, Jenna tipped her head back and downed the burning liquid which immediately warmed her belly.

  Someone put Buddy Holly on the jukebox, and Jenna went around the room to mingle with her friends from the fashion industry.

  Everywhere she went, the cameras and boom mics followed, with Amy close behind, interviewing her friends and asking nosy questions. Jenna couldn’t rest. Something was about to blow, and she would be challenged to a dare at the worst possible moment.

  Sure enough, trouble came through the doorway. Larry’s mother, Cora, came in with a horse-faced woman with hair dyed jet black and so much makeup, she could be trying out for the monster house.

  “Jenna,” Cora said, giving her a hug as if they were old friends. “I’m so glad you’re letting me be a part of your wedding. I can’t wait to get to know you more. Me and you are going to be great friends.”

  Before Cora showed up, Jenna had had no opinion on whether she should socialize with Larry’s mother or not. Now that Cora had injected herself into their social events, rather than only performing her job as decorator of the Gilded Ballroom, Jenna no longer felt obliged to welcome her.

  How dare this woman who’d rejected Larry now come around to carpetbag this TV show from her?

  Jenna pushed away from the woman. “I’m taking my cues from Larry. If he doesn’t want us to be friendly, I won’t go against his wishes.”

  “Understood,” Cora said. “But you must believe that by the time my husband died, and I was able to contact Larry, he’d already been burned and refused my calls.”

  “That’s right.” The dark-haired ghoulish woman next to her nodded vehemently. “It was Larry who refused Cora’s overtures.”

  “And who are you?” Jenna wasn’t inclined to be gracious to a friend of Cora’s, especially since she suspected the vampish goth was none other than Shelly, the witch who’d rejected Larry at the lowest time of his life.

  “I’m Shelly Sweet, Larry’s ex.”

  Jenna cupped her ear, pretending she couldn’t hear over the music and party noise. “What did you say your name was again? Smelly Feet?”

  “No, Shelly Sweet.”

  “Yes, Smelly Feet. Nice to meet you. You have the perfect name for an unemployed dancer.”

  Magically, the camera and mic people honed in on them along with Amy, capturing every snarky word that spewed from her lips.

  “I see you two have met,” Amy said. “Shelly, how are you enjoying the bachelorette’s party?”

  “I just got here, but this looks like the greatest of all fun.” Shelly’s voice was nasal and she sniffed a lot. “I’d love to meet the bridal party.”

  “I’m sure I can arrange that,” Amy said, facing the cameras. “Here we are at the quarter-final round of this season’s She Wouldn’t Dare at Bride Jenna Hart’s bachelorette party.”

  No, no, no, no! Jenna’s heart threw itself on the floor and kicked and screamed with a temper tantrum rage. Having Shelly around for the dare was way too low, too underhanded, too nefarious, and obviously, exactly what the reality show would do.

  “Jenna Hart, you’re two weeks from your wedding, and this weekend, the producers of She Wouldn’t Dare will host a special on your new bridesmaid collection.” Amy paused and pointed her finger at Jenna. “But only if you pass this next dare.”

  Amy waited for the dubbed drumroll, then smiled brightly, snapping her finger as if she’d just had a lightbulb moment. “I almost forgot. You need another bridesmaid dress to finish your collection.”

  Jenna groaned and palmed her forehead. “I still have to work on my bridal gown.”

  Besides, her fingers were sore from being pricked by pins, and when she went to sleep at night, all she heard drumming behind her ears were the rhythmic sounds of her sewing machine.

  “You can do it,” Amy said. “In fact, I officially double dare you to not only create one more bridesmaid dress but to also add another bridesmaid to your wedding.”

  Jenna gaped at all the friends surrounding her, some looking expectant to be chosen, and others hiding in the background.

  “I can probably do it,” she muttered. “But who should I choose? I can’t make a decision like this in public and on camera.”

  “Sure you can,” Amy said. “Because the producer has already chosen for you and she’s accepted. Shelly Sweet will be your new bridesmaid, if you take the dare.”

  “What?” Jenna’s jaw smashed to the sticky floor of the bar. “I can’t have Larry’s ex as a bridesmaid. What will he think?”

  Amy was quick to produce a cell phone. “Please, call him and ask.”

  “But, wait, you’re saying that Shelly is going to be in the bridal party and I have to design a dress for her in two weeks?”

  “Exactly.” Amy turned to the camera. “She wouldn’t dare, or would she?”

  “What’s the prize?” Jenna was getting wise to the reality show. Something this big had better come with a hefty award.

  “A Tesla Model S all-electric car,” Amy announced. “Clean, environmentally sound, and stylish. So, Jenna Hart, will you, or will you not take the dare?”

  “I need to call Larry first,” Jenna said.

  She placed a call to Larry who answered on the first ring.

  “What’s up? Is everything going well at your bachelorette party?” Larry asked.

  “Everything is, but they gave me a dare I think I have to turn down.”

  “What is it now?” Larry’s voice was guarded.

  “Shelly was asked to be a bridesmaid, and I’m to make her a dress. In less than two weeks, with my own dress still undone.”

  “Oh, I see, and you want to know what I think?”

  “Of course. If you don’t want her as part of the wedding, I’ll quit the show now. Only I won’t get the special this weekend to show my collection.” Jenna was ashamed of herself for backpedaling.

  Larry sighed loudly over the phone. “Do what you want.”

  “I want you to be happy with it.”

  “If you’re happy, I’m happy,” Larry said. “She doesn’t bother me one bit, and I’m sure this is all done for the ratings. What’s the prize?”

  “An all-electric Tesla Model S.”

  Larry whistled long and low. “Well, then just do it. I know how much you’ve been wanting one of those cars.”

  “I mean, my car is on its last legs and is always in the shop.” Jenna knew she sounded lame. “Larry, I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

  “No need, sweetie. Just be happy with your decision.”

  Jenna’s stomach soured after she said goodbye and hung up. She couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes, least of all her mother who was shaking her head with disapproval.

  “I’ll do it,” Jenna said to Amy. “Under one condition.”

  “Okay, but we at She Wouldn’t Dare are not obligated to grant you any conditions.”

  “It’s not a big one, but my one condition would be that Shelly Sweet would be contractually bound to wear the dress I designed for her, whether she likes it or not.”

  “That’s a tough one,” Amy said. She stuck the mic in front of Shelly. “Do you accept Jenna’s condition? Yes or no?”

  “Definitely, yes.” Shelly tossed her head back confidently. “I have a dancer’s body, and I’ll look fabulous in anything she throws my way. So, I accept.”

  “Fabulous,” Amy crowed. �
�Jenna Hart, you move onto the She Wouldn’t Dare semifinals. Congratulations to you and Larry Davison. You are two weeks away from your wedding and a possible win of this season’s She Wouldn’t Dare: Wedding Edition, with the grand prize of a two hundred thousand dollar down payment to your dream home.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Larry put the phone in his pocket and rubbed his sore neck. Jenna had practically begged him to say it was okay to have Shelly in the wedding party. The call had been a formality, and she was going to take the dare, even if they’d asked her to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.

  She wanted the publicity and for that, she’d do anything to get into the finals. She didn’t even care that his mother, the high school math teacher, had commandeered the decorations. He wouldn’t be surprised if she filled the entire ballroom with numbers, geometric shapes, and golden ratio spirals.

  In fact, Jenna wanted the show to go on so much she was willing to make a dress for Shelly and let her be in the bridal party along with her sisters and sister-in-law.

  Larry crushed his fist into his hoodie pocket and whistled to Harley, who was exploring a bush along the trail they were on. The basset hound made sure to leave his own mark. He always lagged behind and usually Larry didn’t mind, but after talking to Jenna, all he wanted to do was go back to his place and hit the weights.

  Having Shelly and Cora at the wedding was bound to turn the already overwhelming event from a three-ring circus to a horror show. Shelly had loved to show him off back when he was one of San Francisco’s hottest bachelors. They used to enjoy dancing and even performed on stage in Shelly’s dance school auditions. He sure was a big man back then—popular and adored by the audience.

  But now? He was a parody of his former self. The monster instead of the man. The Phantom who should hide in the bowels of the Firehouse, wearing a mask across half of his face.

  Shelly would no doubt egg Jenna into doing a waltz for their first dance. She might even ask for a dance herself, for old time’s sake.