Authors: Nancy Hopper
When she got back to the ranch, she found Tim waiting to take her to dinner. "Isn't it a bit early?" she asked quizzically.
He shrugged. "I don't know. I suppose it is, but I'm hungry."
"All right. Just let me change clothes then, and we'll go."
"Great." He answered immediately. Tim seemed particularly eager to get moving, but Tasha went along meekly. Still, it made her wonder a bit.
She knew it
would
be wonderful to pull away from all the excitement and confusion, and be alone with Tim for a few hours. He'd only come home late last night, and today had been very frantic.
And their time together proved to be lovely, and quiet. Tim advised that his mother had made arrangements for Tasha to stay at the hotel. She was afraid they might see one another on the day of the wedding, and she thought it would be best if they didn’t.
"She's old fashioned, but I didn't have the heart to yell about it. I hope you don't mind."
"No, but you might have warned me. I didn't pack an overnight bag."
"Well, I'll tell you what. I know you have something to wear tomorrow, and I know it's hidden somewhere at the hotel. So I'll just take you shopping, and buy you whatever you need for tonight. That way, I can take you there; and I can have you all to myself for the rest of the evening. We can just kind of cuddle up together and be quiet, and alone for awhile." He suggested with a lazy grin.
"Mr. Rain, I am not at all certain that you are safe to be alone with in a hotel room this evening." She said with suspicious regret.
He made a face. "Listen to me, girl. I've gone through too much torment, to blow it now." He assured her with a growl. "If I get out of hand, you can always have me thrown out."
“
Well, all right. Let's see, now. I need jamas and slippers, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Elaine can bring everything else to me when she comes to the hotel tomorrow.”
Tasha had to admit that she purposely chose the skimpiest, prettiest, laciest, most feminine and sexy nightie she could find to purchase, and slippers to match. She was very gratified to watch the expressions on Tim's face as she thoughtfully considered each one, and finally selected the one that left his face the most tense and blank looking.
"Cruel and heartless." He said through clenched teeth, as he followed her to the cash register. "
And
sadistic. You could at least pretend you feel bad about it."
Tasha gave him an innocent, yet very provocative look. "Oh, I don't think so." She said sweetly. "I want to make sure you show up tomorrow."
He could only laugh. "You've got to be kidding!" He complained. "I've been waiting at the altar like a lamb at slaughter, for a year and a half. Give me a break!"
Tasha smiled. "Well, darling, I'll just hope it was worth waiting for." She said quietly.
Tim narrowed his eyes, and stared down at her with insolent passion. "Have no doubt, honey baby. You will be." He assured her. The look in his eyes made her shiver with anticipation, and set butterflies flopping in her tummy. She was a bit anxious, herself.
The cashier grinned at them. "Wedding is tomorrow, isn't it?" she asked significantly.
Tim and Tasha gave her a shocked stare. "Actually, it is. How did you know?" Tim asked lightly.
"Well, it's in the news." The woman admitted, shrugging her shoulders. "Everybody's been talking about it. And I want you to know, I wish you the best. Congratulations!"
"Thanks. God bless you." Tim said, with a brief smile. He took Tasha's hand, and led her quickly out of the store. When they got to the car, he was on his phone like lightning.
"Reuben! What's going on? Everybody in town knows the wedding is tomorrow! I was told it's on the news!"
"Yeah, they mentioned it." Reuben said, sounding surprised. "I don't know who told. I suppose with all the orders for flowers and food and stuff, it just got out."
Tim sighed. "
Man!
I hope nobody tries to turn it into a fiasco. Reuben, do you think we need any security?"
"Might not hurt, Tim. I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks." Tim snapped, and hung up. He did not look real happy.
Tasha put a hand on his arm. "Don't forget the grocery store." She reminded gently.
Tim nodded. He was quiet. When he pulled into the parking lot, he looked at Tasha beseechingly. "Mind if I wait here and make some calls?" he asked.
"No. I'll just be a couple of minutes, anyway." She assured him.
He was still on the phone when she came back out. He hung up as she got in the car. She was relieved to find him looking more relaxed.
"Are you okay now?" she asked teasingly.
"Yeah, I think so." He answered uncertainly. "I just never thought about people knowing. I'm glad that lady said something, and rattled my cage. We'll have security staff there to keep out anybody without an invitation, thanks to her."
Tasha smiled. "Everything is going to be fine." She soothed.
"Yeah; I'm sure you're right. But, I'll buy all the insurance I can get, just the same."
He checked her into the hotel, and saw that she got settled in her room. Then he held a hand to her, and smiled. "Come with me." He urged.
"Where?"
"I want to see the banquet room."
Tasha's eyebrows crashed together. "The banquet room? Timothy,
no!
"
"No?"
"No!" She insisted. "You are going to have to wait, like everybody else. I want to surprise you!"
He rolled his eyes. "I told Brent you'd do this. I told him! Tasha, you have to take me down there. Just be a good girl and do it, all right?"
"What's he got to do with this?" she asked suspiciously.
"Please, just show me the room."
"Timothy; I am sorry, but I absolutely
refuse
. I'm tired."
"Don't do the stubborn deal on me, Tasha." He warned. "I need you to take me down, and show me the banquet room. It's so that I can instruct the security staff. I'm not going to have time for it, tomorrow."
"You are a terrible liar, Timothy. Reuben is taking care of security. What do you take me for, an idiot?"
"No, no, no." He sighed and sat down. "Tasha, please. Just do it. I promised I wouldn't tell you."
"It's not a party! It can't be! I forbid them, and if they mess up my room ..."
"No, it's not a party." He assured her. "Honey, you'll be pleased. I promise."
She looked at him, as though considering. "All right, Timothy. But don't you dare ever say I've not been a sweet, submissive wife."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh, yeah. That's you, all right." He snorted. "Now, listen. You’d better brace yourself. This is a pretty big surprise."
She felt herself tensing as they got into the elevator. "How big is it, Tim?" she asked warily.
"It's real big, but don't worry. You're going to love it." He assured her softly. He pushed open the door to the banquet room, and Tasha's mouth dropped open.
"I locked that door myself, when I left here a few hours ago." She protested.
"It's all right. We'll lock it up when we leave." He soothed her. The lights were on, but fairly low. Tim put an arm around her, and walked her up the aisle toward the altar. "It looks wonderful, Tash. Incredible." He complimented. He couldn't take his eyes off the clear, miniature lights dancing in potted trees that lined either side of the center aisle, and the end of each aisle of chairs, along the walls.
There was a canopy with an arched entrance, and trees on either side, all was decked in beautiful lights, every bough. And there were can lights on the floor, shining up lovely, soft light into the canopy in lovely, rich colors. It was all fabulous!
She smiled at him. "I'm glad you like it. Even though you're not supposed to see it yet." She chided.
He just smiled down into her eyes, with a trace of worry. She grabbed his coat sleeves, and tugged in exasperation. "Timothy,
what?”
she demanded.
He hugged her, and kissed the top of her head. "You'll see. Hang in there." He advised.
"Leave the poor man alone and come here, Tasha. Brent and I have a surprise for you." A feminine voice called. Tasha turned and saw Elaine standing in front of the altar, with her father. She turned and walked toward them.
Then, she saw that there was a man and a woman sitting in the front row of seats. As Tasha went under her father's outstretched arm, the strange couple stood, and came toward them.
Tasha froze, in shock and surprise. It was Elaine! No, it couldn't be Elaine … Elaine was standing right beside the woman! It was Elaine's twin! Except that she was shorter. As she came closer, Tasha could see differences. She was several years younger than Elaine, and she had a shorter nose, a rounder chin. The woman smiled. There was still a remarkable resemblance.
She was beautiful; glamorous. In a white pant suit that shimmered when she moved, with soft pearls on her neck and ears, she looked like a queen. Her hair was done in a chignon. As she reached a hand toward Tasha, the realities began to sink in.
Tasha grew faint. Brent's arm held her securely, and she could feel Tim at her other elbow.
Tears glistened in the woman's eyes as she looked at Tasha. “Darling! I have dreamed of this moment for so long. I don't know what to say to you!" She whispered in softly accented English.
Tasha's legs turned to rubber. Tim's arm went around her instinctively, though Brent was holding her from the other side.
"Mother?
" she gasped faintly.
The woman smiled. "Yes. I hope it is all right with you that I have come, now. Brent and Elaine felt it would be a wonderful surprise."
"Oh, my!
Yes!
I just can't believe that you are ... really here!" Tasha assured her, blinking back tears.
The woman kissed her cheek, and enveloped her in a perfumed hug. "I would not have missed it for the world. And nothing, darling … nothing will ever come between us, again." She whispered, with a catch in her voice.
Tasha was simply overcome! She held her mother to her with incredulous joy, and they cried together as they laughed, and hugged.
Introductions helped ease any awkwardness that might have dimmed the joy of the moment. Her mother introduced her husband, Henri, and of course, Tasha introduced Timothy. When that was over, Brent suggested that they move to the restaurant, which was agreeable with everyone.
Tasha was ecstatic! It was incredible to just be suddenly with her, sitting across the table from her, as if all the years apart had never been. Henri obviously adored her. Tasha was enchanted by them both. Still, it was a bit much to take in. Tasha had to be glad that they hadn't sprung this on her at the wedding.
"I can't believe that my little girl is a bride." Emilie said, shaking her head slowly. "And two children. It is too much!"
Tasha smiled, her dimples showing. "We have skipped just a bit of time, haven't we?" she agreed.
Emilie looked at Timothy, with a look that said the sun rose and set at his command. "And this man," she commended, "is
so
good! Timothy, how can I ever thank you for all that you have done?"
Tim grinned, and shook his head. "It was enough to see the look on Tasha's face." He assured her.
Brent took Tasha's hand. "Honey, I've asked your mother, and I want to ask you. I was wrong to keep you and your mother apart. Will you please forgive me? It was so wrong."