Get Geri

by Woods, Karen

  Josh agreed. “This is just the most expedient way of doing this.”

  She continued, “We want our families here as witnesses. It’s not a hole in the wall affair. We’re not sneaking around, running away, or treating this as anything except the important step it is for both of us. This is just a private celebration. Anything else would alert Albert, and that would be potentially disastrous, as you well know.”

  “Are you sure this is what you want, Gee? Are you absolutely certain?” Brad demanded.

  “I can’t think of much I’d want more. Except maybe to string up Bill Albert by his ankles.”

  Josh smiled approvingly at Geri, then he turned to Brad. “You know, she has a vicious streak in her.”

  “Nah, she talks a good game. But, she really has quite a tender heart,” Brad said.

  “The truth is probably somewhere in between those two extremes. Normally a tender heart with a streak of viciousness,” she admitted.

  Josh nodded. “I wouldn’t have you any other way than you are, sweetheart.”

  “Good, because I’m entirely unwilling and unable to be anything but what I am. Take me as I am, or leave me alone, Josh. I’m not capable of being reformed.”

  Josh nodded. “Neither of us are particularly malleable.”

  Geri sighed. “No. We both have too much steel in our spines to be easily broken or even bent.”

  “It’ll be okay, sweetheart,” Josh said. “We’ll get along just fine together. Trust me?”

  “If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you.”

  Josh smiled at her. Normally, his smiles made her feel better. This one only made the elephants in her stomach form up for Irish line dancing. “Josh, you have some calls to make, don’t you? Could you make them from another room? Brad and I need to draft a document. The computer would come in handy for that.”

  Josh nodded. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. We don’t really need a pre-nuptial agreement, unless that is what you really want. I’d just as soon not have one.”

  “I won’t have any child of this marriage—or anyone else, like your sister and her family—think I married you for your money, Josh,” she replied, hearing her own insecurities in her voice. “I simply won’t have it.”

  “Texas courts bend over backwards not to give too much weight to pre-nuptial agreements,” Brad advised. “And anything we put down on paper today can be changed by mutual agreement tomorrow or at any time during your marriage. And the courts are free to interpret the document as they will.”

  “That doesn’t matter, this will never go to court. There will be no divorce. There’s never been a divorce in the family, and I don’t intend to be the first. However, we will have an agreement signed before we exchange vows, or there will be no marriage,” Geri said. “And if Josh’s lawyer is to read it before tonight, we need to get it done so that we can fax it to him for review.”

  Josh smiled. “Woman, you constantly amaze me.”

  “Do you think I would take advantage of you?”

  “No. It’s not in your nature to take advantage of the people you love,” Josh told her.

  Geri smiled at him. Okay, so he knows I love him. So far, there have been no words of love from him. Can I live with that?

  She sighed, then said, “Go, make your calls. We have much to do and very little time to get it done in. Don’t forget to tell Betty there will be extra people for dinner and why.”

  Josh snapped a smart mock salute.

  “Oh, you!!” Geri replied with a smile as he left the office.

  “You realize,” Brad offered once they were alone, “even under the best of circumstances, you are likely going to be a relatively young widow given the difference in your ages.”

  “We’ll deal with that when and if it comes, Brad. No one can predict the future. Mom and Dad were the same age, and Mom was left as a young widow before she married Nate. She and Nate were the same age, and she outlived him by several years. Life doesn’t come with any guarantees. I could easily be dead tomorrow, and you know it. I’m not going to waste a minute of my life.”

  Brad nodded. “No one can blame you for taking what happiness you can find where you can find it, Gee.”

  “Good. Now help me draft the pre-nuptial agreement.”

  “What do you want it to say?” her cousin asked.

  An hour later, Geri read the several pages of the document. “It’ll do,” she said wearily. “Josh needs to read it.”

  “If you think it’ll do, it’ll do,” Josh said from the doorway. “The jeweler is here. Are you ready to select your engagement ring?”

  “It can wait five minutes. Sit down and read this, please.”

  Josh shook his head in denial. “The man did come out on Sunday. We owe it to him not to keep him waiting.”

  Before they could begin looking at the jeweler’s wares, one of the bodyguards came to Josh and whispered in his ear.

  Josh looked grim. Then he nodded. “You know what to do.”

  The bodyguard left as quietly as he came.

  “Josh?” Geri asked. “What is it?”

  “Nothing new,” he told her. “Just more of the same.”

  “Do I want to know?” Geri asked hesitantly.

  “Probably not,” Josh answered. “But, we’ll talk about it later. Let’s get this done.”

  “Do you have a favorite cut of diamond?” the jeweler asked a couple of minutes later after they settled in on the sofa opposite him.

  “My grandmother’s diamond pendant and earrings are a pillow cut,” Geri replied. “I’d like to have something to match my heirloom, tying together past and future.”

  “Ah,” the jeweler said with a smile. “We call that a cushion cut these days. Let me show you some.”

  Looking at the tray the jeweler had brought out, Geri felt overwhelmed. None of these stones were less than two carats, most were considerable bigger. All were perfect, near as she could tell with her naked eye.

  One caught her eye. “This one.”

  “There are prettier stones here. You wouldn’t like this pretty bauble?” Josh asked as he picked up a stone that had to be six carats, if it were anything.

  “No, Josh. This is a close match to the size of my grandmother’s pendant, about two and a half carats.”

  “You have a good eye,” the jeweler said. “It’s just under two and a half carats.”

  “If you’re sure,” Josh dismissed.

  “Together with my grandmother’s pieces, it will be a tremendous heirloom to pass on to our oldest daughter, if we’re so blessed.”

  Josh kissed her temple. “You’re brilliant.”

  “Yeah, right,” she dismissed.

  “Since you’re matching this to an heirloom, which metal is the heirloom set in?” the jeweler asked.

  “Gram’s necklace and earrings are set in platinum.”

  The jeweler smiled at her as he removed a tray from the sample case. “Before we go any further, let’s select your wedding band. I have engagement ring settings to match them all. Some of these are quite lovely works of skilled designers and artisans, quite a cut above.”

  There were beautiful rings in the case. They settled on matching narrow plain platinum bands and an engagement ring setting that matched those.

  The jeweler took a few minutes to set the diamond in the engagement ring.

  The ring felt heavy to her when Josh slid it on her finger. But she supposed she’d get used to it, soon enough.

  After the jeweler left, Geri said to Josh, “Okay, tell me what I didn’t want to know.”

  “There’s been a delivery at work,” Josh replied.

  “A delivery? Another ‘gift’?”

  “Looks that way.”

  “Who delivered it?” Brad asked.

  “Hand carried,” Josh stated. “The cameras didn’t catch the man’s face.”

  “Figures. He’s being consistent, at least, in not using the US Mail,” Geri said with a sigh.

  “
Seems that way,” Josh allowed. “The box has been taken out away from everything and the sheriff called. The department has called in a bomb disposal unit, as a precaution.”

  “It’s not a bomb, Josh. He wouldn’t be that stupid,” Geri replied. “He’s never sent explosives through a courier or any of the parcel services. The device couldn’t have a timer because he couldn’t absolutely guarantee the speed of delivery by the parcel service. A time bomb might go off in a truck or a warehouse instead of in my face. And he wouldn’t risk a remote detonator because he wouldn’t risk someone’s garage door opener or TV remote setting it off. And he wouldn’t trigger it to the removal of an outer covering or the lifting of the lid to the box because things do get ripped and jostled in transit. So, it can’t a bomb.”

  “We’re not taking any chances,” Josh said.

  “Speaking of not taking any chances, you need to read the pre-nuptial agreement and make any changes you deem necessary. Then your attorney needs to read it. While you are reading that,” Geri said, “I’m going to get ready for this evening.”

  “You go do that. Brad and I have some talking to do.”

  * * *

  When Geri had gone upstairs, Josh quickly read the document Geri had prepared. Then he angrily turned to Brad. “You let her draft a document like this…abomination? It’s a clear breach of your duties not to make her put her interests first.”

  “Gee is absolutely adamant about making the statement your money is profoundly unimportant to her.”

  “She did that, in spades,” Josh stated. “Without a doubt this is the most lopsided agreement I’ve ever read. She’s given away the rights to things any court would have gladly awarded her. She’s given away rights I want her to have.”

  “Because she loves you,” Brad said. “She needs you to know she is marrying you only for that reason. Don’t break her heart, Josh. If you don’t love her, if you can’t come to love her as she deserves to be loved, then don’t go through with this, I beg you for her sake. She would never recover from a bad marriage. She’s a strong woman, but a loveless marriage would destroy her.”

  “I wouldn’t ever hurt her. And this is not loveless.”

  Brad nodded. “I believe you. Are you going to sign that agreement?”

  “She wants me to. I will. But, we’ll gradually change the terms over the next few months to make them more favorable to her.”

  “Provided that any of us live that long.”

  “True. But to get to her, he’ll have to get through me.”

  “I’d expect nothing less. I’ve drafted a marriage certificate I expect everyone here tonight to sign as witnesses to your marriage. I’m going take it a photocopy of it for safekeeping. And I will have the original framed for her.”

  “What does she think of that?”

  “Look, Josh, Gee is the only family I have left. Treat her right and you will never have any problem with me. All I want is for her to be safe and happy. And I’ll do whatever I have to do to see that she is protected, even from herself.”

  “Then we share the same goal.”

  “I hope so,” Brad replied, his voice thick with meaning. “God, I hope so.”

  “I’ve had my attorney draft a new will in Geri’s favor, the terms of this pre-nupt not withstanding. He’ll be bringing it and I’ll sign it right after dinner.”

  Brad nodded. “That’s quite wise, given the circumstances.”

  “I thought so.”

  Brad sighed. “Just don’t break her heart.”

  * * *

  Geri looked through all of the clothes Josh had picked out for her. It came down to one of three dresses. A cream silk gown with a shallow vee neckline and a plunging back. She could pair that gown with the gold brocade jacket to make it more modest. An ice blue, one bare shoulder, Grecian style, draped gown. Or a white silk brocade dress cut on a Chinese pattern, long and narrow with silk frogs closing the neckline opening at the shoulder and slits on both sides. Those were the only things remotely bride like in the closet. Then again, her time to wear white satin and lace, with a tulle and lace veil had long since passed her by.

  A knock came at the door while Geri was at the closet.

  “Miss Geri?” Betty Henderson said as she put her head into the room. “Flowers for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Miss Geri,” the older woman said, hesitantly, as she came into the room and closed the door. She placed the florist’s box on the dressing table. “I want you to know that I’m very happy for both you and Josh. Do you want to go over the menu for dinner?”

  “I’m sure that whatever you have planned will be fine,” Geri said. “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to eat. I’m that nervous.”

  Betty Henderson smiled at her. “Do you need help with anything?”

  “No. I think I’ve got everything under control. On second thought, will you lend me something blue? I’ve got the old and new and a penny in my shoe. But nothing borrowed and blue.”

  The older woman smiled. “I know just the thing,” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  The housekeeper had left the florist box. Geri opened it. Inside were three arrangements of white orchids and red rosebuds, with baby’s breath: a crown for her hair, a boutineer for him, and a small bouquet for her to carry. That made her decision for her. The dress would be the white. Geri took down her hair and brushed it out. Then she placed the flowers on her head. If she was going to do this, she needed to curl her hair. She retrieved the hot curlers she’d bought during Saturday’s shopping expedition.

  Mrs. Henderson came back into the room as Geri was rolling her hair. “Oh, how lovely those flowers are. Josh is so considerate to order those flowers for you!”

  “Yes, he is. You’ve worked for him for a long time?”

  “My husband and I were hired on to the ranch right after we got married, forty three years ago. Missus Elizabeth, Josh’s mother, hired us on. Josh was just a boy. And Missus Elizabeth was expecting Miss Carol. I’ve been here ever since. Granted, the old homestead is gone now. Josh built this house thirty years ago, after his mother died.”

  “Your husband still works here?”

  “My Jim’s been dead for almost twenty years.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I know you are. You’re a fine lady. I’m so delighted Josh has you in his life.”

  “What time is everyone expected?”

  “In about an hour.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Here’s your borrowed and blue, Miss Geri,” the housekeeper said as she handed Geri a delicate lace edged linen handkerchief embroidered with bluebells. “One of my granddaughters made that for me for Christmas last year.”

  “It’s just what I needed. Thanks. I always cry at weddings. I doubt this one will be any different.”

  “A woman’s entitled to cry at her own wedding. But, only if they are tears of joy.”

  The worry in the older woman’s voice touched Geri. “They will be happy tears, don’t worry.”

  “I wish you and Josh only the best of times.”

  “Thank you.”

  “If you don’t need anything else, I have a meal to finish up.”

  “I’m fine. Thank you for bringing the flowers. And thanks for the loan of the hankie.”

  * * *

  Geri was just finishing the last touches on her appearance when the connecting door opened. Josh, fastening the cuff links on his snowy white linen shirt, walked in. He was wearing his tuxedo trousers, the cummerbund, and his evening jacket. His tie was hung, untied, around his neck. She had always thought him to be devastatingly handsome in formal dress.

  She looked up in the mirror of the dressing table. The desire she saw on his face took her breath away.

  “You look incredibly lovely. You should wear your hair down more often.”

  “I want to be lovely for you. But the hair is easier to deal with most days when it’s up and out of the way.”

  “It’
s so beautiful down.”

  “The Hassid have a rule that a married woman’s hair is never seen, least another man other than her husband is tempted by the beauty of her hair.”

  “I’m delighted that you and I aren’t Hassidic Jews, then.”

  He removed a velvet box from his jacket pocket. “I have a gift for you.”

  Geri lifted the lid to the box. Inside was a key ring with several keys on it. “Thank you.” She placed the keys on the dressing table.

  “As the mistress of the house, you are entitled to keys to the house. But, that’s not the only gift I have for you,” he said as he removed another box from his pocket and handed it to her. “I want you to have these.”

  Geri opened the box. Inside were some of the most beautiful cascading diamond earrings she had ever seen, with a matching diamond collar, bracelet, and ankle bracelet, all of which were set in platinum.

  “They’re beautiful, Josh.”

  “I wanted you to have something special to mark the day. Would you wear them for the wedding?”

  Geri looked at the jewelry then she touched the single strand of pearls at her throat. “These pearls are a family heirloom, Josh,” she said. “They had been a gift from my great grandmother to my grandmother on her wedding day. My grandmother gave them to Momma on her wedding day. Momma gave them to me before she died and made me promise to wear them often in her memory, and particularly on my wedding day. If I hadn’t been wearing them Friday, I wouldn’t have them now.”

  Josh nodded. “Then you must wear the pearls. I’d never ask you to break a promise to your mother. There will be plenty of time to wear the diamonds.”

  “Has your attorney gotten back with you about the pre-nuptial agreement?”

  “He approved it. He’ll be here in a few minutes to witness the marriage. Could you give me a hand with this tie?”

  Geri smiled at him as she stood. “Is anyone else here?” She neatly tied his tie. “I’m not very good at this, Josh,” she apologized. “I’ve never tied this kind of tie.”

  He looked in the mirror. “Looks perfect to me, sweetheart. Carol, David, and their kids will be here shortly. Brad is back, after he went home to change and grab his cameras.”