by Regina Hart
Doreen rubbed her forehead. “It’s not easy, but Megan’s taken on some of my bakery responsibilities. She’s also hired a couple of people to help.”
Benita sipped her lemonade. “The man and woman I saw earlier?”
“They’re husband and wife.” Megan glanced toward the kitchen door. “They’re retired restaurant workers who were looking for part-time work. They were an answer to a prayer.”
“They’re wonderful.” Doreen lifted her hand to cover a yawn. “Michelle still works with us. But during the school year, we only schedule her for Saturdays and school breaks.”
Benita vaguely recalled the high school junior whose hair dyes kept track of holidays: blue for Independence Day, red for Valentine’s Day, green for Christmas, and so on.
“You have a lot on your plate, between this successful café and being mayor.” Benita finished her chili and lemonade. She bit into her apple.
“I’m also planning my wedding.” Doreen should have sounded happy, but all Benita heard was fatigue.
“Aunt Helen told me.” Benita smiled despite her concern. “I’m sure you and Alonzo will be very happy. How are your plans coming?”
“Slowly.” Doreen’s sigh hinted at frustration. “I have a to-do list, but I’m not completing the tasks as quickly as I’d like. Alonzo doesn’t want to postpone the wedding. But today’s April eighth. We have less than three months.”
“Let me see your list.” Benita took another bite of her apple.
Doreen slipped off the stool and disappeared into the kitchen. She returned with a three-ring binder that she handed to Benita.
Benita opened the binder and found the to-do list on the first page. “This is very detailed.”
Doreen returned to her bar stool. “I’m sure we’ll get through everything. But right now, it seems so daunting.”
“I’m sure it does.” Benita finished off her apple, then dropped the binder into her tote bag.
Doreen looked from the tote bag to Benita. “What are you doing?”
“Just consider me your wedding planner.” Benita shifted on the stool to face Doreen. “I’ll coordinate these items and any I think you might have missed. I’ll see you and Alonzo at your place this evening around six so you can give me additional instructions.”
Doreen looked from Benita to Megan and back. “But—”
“There are no buts.” Benita held up one hand, palm out. “Do you want to get things done or do you just want to gripe about them?”
Doreen fluttered her free hand. “I want to get things done but—”
“Then leave it to me. I’ll see you and Alonzo at six.” Benita slipped off the bar stool. She sensed her friend’s struggle as she tried to come up with a viable argument against Benita’s help.
Finally, the bakery manager gave in. “All right.”
Megan gaped. “Why didn’t that work for me when I offered to help with your wedding plans?”
Benita shrugged. “You’re not used to unreasonably stubborn personalities. My family’s full of them: people who have to do things themselves, who have to do things their way. I don’t have time to reason with unreasonable people. Sometimes things just have to get done.” She turned back to Doreen. “No offense intended. I’ll see you and Alonzo later.”
She walked toward Books & Bakery’s exit, pausing to peruse the shelves of books. It was so easy for her to manage other people’s lives. It always had been. Why was it such a challenge to take control of her own?
CHAPTER 7
“Why is Leonard George sitting on your front steps?” Ms. Helen stood in her doorway behind Doreen Wednesday afternoon as they stared at the Fever home across the street.
“I was wondering the same thing.” Doreen returned Leonard’s stare from Ms. Helen’s porch.
“Do you want me to go with you to kick him off?”
Doreen smiled at the tone of Ms. Helen’s voice. Her friend sounded like she was looking for excitement. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary, Ms. Helen. I can handle this.”
“Well, be sure you tell me about it when you do your rounds tomorrow afternoon.”
Doreen turned to face her neighbor. “I keep telling you, Ms. Helen, I’m not on rounds. I like visiting with you, especially on my way home. It’s a nice way to end my day.”
“And I keep telling you that you and the rest of my Watchers aren’t fooling me.” Ms. Helen turned to go inside. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that, the retired chemistry professor crossed her threshold and locked her door. Doreen turned back to the street. Leonard sat on her bottom step, waiting for her. I might as well get this over with.
Doreen climbed down Ms. Helen’s front stairs and crossed the street. “What are you doing here?”
Leonard rose to his feet. “It’s been a long time, Dorie. Don’t I at least get a hello?”
Doreen stopped a little more than an arm’s length from her ex-lover. “What do you want?”
“Could we talk inside?” Leonard jerked his head toward her house behind him.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have anything to say to you. And if you aren’t going to talk out here, then we have nothing to say to each other.” Doreen started to walk past him.
Leonard shifted to block her path. “I want you back.”
Is he kidding?
His eyes scanned her face as though searching for a weakness. He must have thought she’d lost her mind.
“How does Yvette feel about that?” Doreen settled farther into her coat. It was the second week of April. Although the childhood poem presaged that April would come in “like a lamb,” it felt a lot like the lion of March.
“We broke up.” Leonard didn’t sound too torn up about it.
“Well, good for her.” Doreen started to circle Leonard to climb her stairs.
Leonard grabbed her left arm and raised her hand to see her fingers. He studied her two-carat Monarch diamond engagement ring with disgust. “I’d heard that the sheriff had proposed. I think condolences are in order. I’d like to rip that ring from your finger and throw it into the street.”
Doreen fisted her hand and yanked it from his grip. “You’ve said what you came to say. Now leave. I don’t want to see you again.” She tried to step around him a third time.
Again, Leonard blocked her way. “I wish we’d never broken up.”
“Step aside, Leo.”
“I miss you, Dorie.”
“I won’t ask you again.”
“Tell me what went wrong between us.”
Wide eyed, Doreen stared at him. “You’re what went wrong between us. You wanted me to stay home and take care of you. I have other plans for my future and Alonzo supports them.”
“I wanted to share my life with you.”
Doreen shook her head. “But you didn’t want to share mine.”
“What do you mean?” He looked confused.
“You gave me an ultimatum, remember?” Doreen settled her hands on her hips. “Be the person you wanted me to be or you’d find someone else. When I didn’t fall in line, you started dating Yvette.”
“Why did you have to run for mayor?” Leonard pressed his hand to his chest. “I wanted you to be my wife.”
“With you, it’s either-or. With Alonzo, I can have it all.” Doreen walked past Leonard and mounted her steps.
“This isn’t over between us, Dorie.”
Doreen waved her left hand over her shoulder, showing him her engagement ring as she continued up the stairs. “Yes, it is.”
Benita sat back on the fluffy pink armchair Wednesday evening and considered Doreen and Alonzo, seated beside each other on the matching overstuffed sofa. “April Fool’s Day was last Wednesday. Is this some sort of belated joke?”
The couple exchanged a look, silent communication that reminded Benita of her and Vaughn.
“What do you mean?” Doreen asked.
Benita blinked and Vaughn’s handsome features faded
from her vision. She was back in Doreen’s family room. “You’ve just told me you haven’t reserved a church, caterer, or ballroom. You haven’t created a guest list or identified groomsmen or bridesmaids. What have you done to plan your wedding?”
Alonzo gestured toward his fiancée. “Doreen bought her dress and I reserved my tuxedo.”
Are they kidding?
“That’s a relief. At least you won’t be naked.” Benita glanced at the wedding task list she’d taken from Doreen earlier that day. She’d affixed it to the clipboard on her lap.
Doreen folded her arms. “We can take care of this ourselves. We don’t need your help, especially if you’re going to criticize us.”
“My criticisms are designed to bring home the urgency of your situation.” Benita balanced the clipboard on her lap. “Today is April eighth. You want to get married June twentieth. Who chose that date?”
“I did.” Alonzo squirmed under Benita’s regard.
Benita froze. With sudden clarity, she understood why the sheriff had asked for a wedding date that was so close to his January first proposal. He wasn’t waiting a day longer than necessary to make a public commitment to the woman who’d held his heart for more than forty years.
Is there a similarity between Alonzo and Doreen’s love story and my relationship with Vaughn?
Benita struggled past the uneasy feeling that question gave her. “Luckily, in Trinity Falls, we don’t have to book wedding locations and services as far in advance as we would in L.A.” She drummed her fingertips against the clipboard. “However, Trinity Falls has fewer venues and vendors. We can’t take these things for granted.”
Doreen glanced at Alonzo, then back to Benita. “You’re right.”
“No more fun and games.” Benita stilled her fingers and gave her friends a stern look. “I’m going to knock off this list. When I call for your input or information, you’re going to give me an answer yesterday. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Alonzo gave her a chastened look that she didn’t buy for a minute.
“Before I get started, do you have any ideas or preferences for your ceremony?” Benita turned to a blank page on her clipboard.
“We want the ceremony to be different from Doreen’s first wedding.” Alonzo sat straighter on the sofa.
“In what way?” Benita made a note of their preference.
“We don’t know.” Alonzo exchanged a look with Doreen.
Benita considered the sheriff. He’d remained a bachelor, unwilling to wed as long as Doreen was in his heart.
Will that be me in another twenty or thirty years?
Not if I can convince Vaughn to move with me to L.A.
Benita returned her attention to the wedding task list. “I have a couple of ideas.”
“What?” Doreen and Alonzo asked in unison.
Benita smiled. “Let me check with the locations first. I don’t want to get your hopes up if the ideas don’t pan out.”
She asked a battery of questions to get a better sense of the type of wedding Doreen and Alonzo envisioned. Thankfully, they both wanted a small, traditional ceremony. Neither had guests coming from out of town, which meant Benita didn’t have to reserve lodging at the local inn or at Harmony Cabins. She also was able to talk them out of serving just cake and punch.
“This is Trinity Falls, people,” Benita reminded them. “If you don’t want your guests to speak ill of you even months after your second wedding anniversary, you should at least offer a buffet.”
Alonzo gave a crooked smile. “Good point.”
Doreen took Alonzo’s hand. “You’re right. No skimping on the food.”
Benita stared at Doreen’s fingers entwined with Alonzo’s. In her mind, she saw her hand in Vaughn’s. She even felt his rough, warm palm against her skin. The memory stole her breath. She missed him like crazy. She’d die if she had to wait as long as Alonzo had before claiming her happily-ever-after. She had to convince the stubborn composer to relocate to L.A. with her. I just have to.
Benita rose from Doreen’s cushy armchair. “I’ll get started on the list. Thanks for meeting with me.”
“Thank you!” Doreen laughed. “You’re doing us a big favor.”
Alonzo helped Doreen to her feet. “I know we haven’t given you a lot of time. If you’re able to pull this off by June twentieth, you’re a miracle worker.”
“I have no doubt I’ll be able to pull it off. But you’re both going to hate me before it’s over.” Benita tucked the clipboard under her arm and tugged her purse strap onto her shoulder. “Besides, I’m on vacation.”
“Some vacation, planning someone else’s wedding.” Alonzo stepped back so Doreen could lead them to the front door.
“We should pay you.” Doreen gave Benita a stricken look. “I should have thought of that sooner.”
“Don’t you dare.” Benita held up one hand. “This is my wedding gift to you.”
“It’s too much.” Doreen turned to Alonzo.
“Doreen’s right,” he agreed.
“Then you can repay the favor when my wedding day comes.” Benita continued on to Doreen’s front door.
“Is there something you want to share with us?” Doreen gave her a bright, inquisitive smile.
“I hope to have something soon.” First she had to convince one very sexy music professor that his heart was with her in California.
Benita strode across the Oval on Trinity Falls University’s campus Thursday afternoon. It was April and everything shouted spring: the blossoms opening on the stately sequoia trees, the scent of freshly cut grass wafting over the lawns, the puffy, pure white clouds drifting across the bright blue sky. It was as idyllic as any Walt Disney animated movie scene. Then what was behind the feeling of tension blanketing the campus?
She followed the path to Vaughn’s office. In the distance several students stopped beside Wishing Lake, the campus’s contained pond, and tossed something into its waters. Benita smiled. Finals were five weeks away. That must be the source of the tension she sensed. How many of the students pitching pennies into the pond wished they’d done a better job of keeping up with their course work? Poor things. Hopefully, they will have learned their lesson by next semester.
Benita mounted the main staircase in Freeman Hall, the academic building named after one of the university’s beloved art professors and benefactors. Vaughn’s office was on the second floor.
“Benita?”
She looked up, pressing herself against the wall to avoid several students rushing down the steps. “Hi, Peyton.”
The petite history professor was barely visible in the crowd of teenagers and young adults, many of whom towered over her. “This is a surprise. What are you doing here?”
“I’m hoping Vaughn is free for lunch.” Benita led Peyton down the stairs and out of the path of stampeding students.
Peyton looked over her shoulder at the staircase as though saying Vaughn’s name would conjure him. “I hope you have a nice time.” She glanced at her purple Timex. “I’m actually meeting Darius for lunch at Books and Bakery.”
Behind her smile, the history professor’s eyes expressed concern that triggered Benita’s unease. She shook off the sensation. “Maybe we’ll see you there.”
Benita mounted the stairs again. Outside Vaughn’s office, she scanned his bulletin board. He’d posted his office hours, upcoming classes, quotes about the value of music and music education, and a poster announcing the upcoming audition for his musical, Mystic Park.
Why hadn’t he told me he was ready to perform it?
Vaughn’s office door opened. Benita’s smile of greeting froze as she watched a tall, gorgeous woman in conservative beige clothing precede Vaughn from the room.
Who is she—and why is Vaughn’s right hand riding the small of her back?
“Benny.” Vaughn froze when he noticed Benita in the hallway. “What are you doing here?”
He was the second person to ask her that and she was starting to und
erstand why.
Benita lifted her gaze from Vaughn’s hand, which had disappeared behind the stranger’s bony back. Her gaze was starved for Vaughn. She devoured his appearance: broad shoulders wrapped in a black cotton shirt, powerful legs and slim hips in steel gray slacks.
“I was hoping we could have lunch.” Her heart was in her throat. Tell me we can have lunch.
“I already have plans.” His words were acid to her soul. Vaughn gestured between Benita and the woman at his side. “Benita Hawkins, Doctor Olivia Stark.”
The pain burned deeper when Vaughn stepped closer to the other woman. How long had they been seeing each other? Had he been dating her this whole time?
Has he left me for her?
Benita pushed past the hurt—and yes, fear—to offer the other woman her hand. “How do you do?” And why are you with my boyfriend?
“Nice to meet you.” Olivia’s eyes were curious. Her long, thin fingers were cool to the touch.
Benita released the professor’s hand and met Vaughn’s gaze. His cocoa eyes were guarded and distant, as though they hadn’t known each other since high school and hadn’t loved each other since college.
Why is he doing this and how can I make him stop?
“I’m helping Doreen and Alonzo plan their wedding.” Benita fisted her hands in her pockets. “I wanted to ask if you could provide the music.”
That sounded both casual and plausible. Not bad for a spur-of-the-moment, face-saving ploy.
Vaughn nodded. “I can do that.”
“Thank you.” Benita struggled to keep her smile in place. “We should get together to discuss the music selections.”
“Sure, you, me, Alonzo, and Doreen.” Vaughn checked his watch. “I’ll call you later. Olivia and I need to go.”
Benita glanced at the other woman. She seemed to be everything Benita wasn’t: tall, thin, poised. Perfect.
Is this the type of woman Vaughn really wants to marry? That couldn’t be true. Why would he have spent the past eighteen years with me?
Benita swallowed back a scream of pain and denial. “All right. I’ll ask Doreen and Alonzo for a time to get together.” With one final, heroic effort, she offered a smile to the couple. “Enjoy your lunch.”
