Ready to Wed (25 page)

“So, you don’t have a clue as to why he’s here?”

Alice shook her head.

“It’s almost six,” said Jane. “Should I start dinner?”

“I’m not terribly hungry. I ordered pizza for the girls and probably ate more than I should have myself. And Louise mentioned she was going to Viola’s for dinner.”

“And I had a late lunch.”

“Well, I hate to admit it, but the ANGELs wore me out today,” said Alice. “Although it’s a good sort of tired. If you’ll excuse me, I think I shall go enjoy a little down time.”

Jane nodded. “I really do marvel at how you stick with that club year after year, Alice. Middle-school girls can be such holy terrors.”

“And that is why I stick to it.” Alice smiled as she stood.

Jane thought about going up to her room. Normally, once all the guests were checked in, there wasn’t a great need to have someone downstairs, but Justin might return, and Jane figured it was her duty to meet him. So she sat down in the living room with a magazine and waited. At
six thirty, Louise came downstairs and stepped into the room.

“I’m heading to Viola’s,” she told Jane. “Justin isn’t back yet?”

“Nope.” Jane couldn’t mask the irritation in her voice.

“That’s odd.”

“Maybe he and Belle have really hit it off.”

Louise frowned. “That seems doubtful.”

“You never know.” Jane shrugged. “Tell Viola hello. By the way, how is Gatsby?”

“He came home from the vet, but he is on a restricted diet now.”

“Give him my best.”

Louise gave her a wry smile.

After Louise left, Jane got up from the chair and began to pace, glancing out the window from time to time. Finally, she was about to give up and go upstairs when Clive came into the room. He glanced around, as if to find Justin, then asked her, “Where is the ex?”

“With Belle,” she said.

He chuckled. “Well, I was just heading to the Coffee Shop. I’m not ravenous after that fantastic lunch, but I am hankering after a piece of that blackberry pie. Care to join me?”

“Maybe so. Louise told me that Belle and Justin went to
town. Perhaps we’ll run into them there. Do I have time to freshen up first?”

“Of course. I’ll be right here.”

So Jane hurried up the two flights of stairs, quickly changed into a pale blue linen dress that Alice had told her looked lovely with her eyes. Then she slipped on some pretty sandals and tied a lacy white cotton cardigan over her shoulders. She brushed her hair, put on some lipstick and blush and a pair of silver hoop earrings, then went back down.

She found Clive waiting for her in the living room. He stood when she came in, nodding at her with a look of appreciation. “You look lovely, Jane.” Then he frowned. “Maybe we should go someplace more festive than the Coffee Shop.”

“No,” she said quickly. “The Coffee Shop is just fine.”

“Would you like to drive or walk?” He looked at her strappy sandals. “Those don’t look like the best walking shoes.”

“Maybe we should drive. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

“Maybe we’ll see Belle and your ex there,” he said as he opened the door for her.

“Maybe.”

But they did not see Belle or Justin. Not at the Coffee
Shop or anywhere else in town. At Jane’s request, Clive had driven slowly through town before parking at the Coffee Shop. Jane wasn’t sure whether to be miffed or relieved that Justin seemed to be playing hide-and-seek. She was tempted to ask Hope if Belle had been there with a strange man but decided not to arouse Hope’s curiosity. Why should she worry about Justin if he was being so casual about speaking to her? It was rather typical of him, doing things his way, controlling situations.

“Preoccupied?” asked Clive as he started the car.

“Sorry.” She sighed. “Just frustrated.”

“Do you want to go home now?”

“Did you have something else in mind?”

“I noticed that a film I’ve wanted to see is playing at the Potterston Theater.”

“Really?”

“Interested?”

Then he told her the title and she realized she was interested. “Sounds perfect.”

“And you’re not worried about missing your ex?”

“He doesn’t seem too concerned about missing me.”

“Lucky for me.”

So it was that Jane didn’t get home until after eleven. To her surprise, both Louise and Alice were waiting for her. Clive excused himself, and she followed her sisters into the
kitchen.

“We were worried,” said Alice. “We had no idea what happened to you.”

“I’m sorry,” said Jane, feeling like she was back in high school again.

“You could have called,” said Louise.

“I really am sorry.” Jane looked at both of them. “I thought I was simply going for pie with Clive. It was nearly seven, and Justin still hadn’t shown up here. I thought I might see him in town. When I didn’t, I got kind of irritated. I mean what am I supposed to do? Just sit around and wait for him to come? When Clive mentioned a movie, I jumped at the chance.”

“I can understand that,” said Alice. “I’m sure it’s frustrating. Justin and Belle came back a little past seven,” said Alice. “You must’ve just missed them.”

“Oh dear.”

“Justin said he’d come back tomorrow,” Alice told her.

“To see me?” asked Jane. “Or Belle?”

“You, of course,” said Louise.

“I really am sorry I worried you both,” said Jane. “Please, forgive me.”

“It’s all right,” said Louise as she hugged Jane. “I do realize this is difficult for you. And I hope you and Justin take care of whatever he came here to do as soon as possible.
I’m eager to hear why it is that he’s come.”

“You know how I love mysteries, Jane, but I have to admit that the suspense is killing me,” said Alice.

Jane almost laughed as she hugged Alice. “You and me both, sis.”

Then the three of them tiptoed up the stairs, said good night and went into their rooms. Jane quietly closed the door and stood wondering what tomorrow would bring.

Chapter Twenty-One

S
aturday morning, Jane overslept. She awoke with a start, pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt and her favorite clogs, and hurried downstairs.

“Good morning,” said Alice as Jane burst into the kitchen.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“I started coffee and made tea. But that’s about all. Put me to work.”

Jane tossed out some orders and quickly had things under control. Then Louise joined them after setting the dining-room table and before long, breakfast was ready. “If you two don’t mind serving without me, I’d like to go shower and change into something a little nicer,” said Jane as she poured herself a first cup of coffee.

“Not a problem.”

“And then you will join our guests for breakfast?” asked Louise.

“Sure.”

The truth was, Jane wished that she could lay low today. She didn’t feel the least bit hungry, but that was
probably because the idea of seeing Justin was beginning to make her stomach clench. Even so, she went back down to the dining room after showering and dressing.

The only ones still there were Belle and the just-marrieds whom Jane had not yet met. She was surprised that they were older than she’d expected, perhaps close to her age. “You must be the newlyweds,” she said to them.

“Yes,” said the woman. “I’m Gloria and this is my husband Garth.” She turned and beamed at him. “It feels so good to say that.”

“Congratulations on your marriage,” said Jane as she sat down and helped herself to a muffin.

“Louise said it was due to you that we got a room this weekend,” said Gloria. “We so appreciate that. Thank you.”

“Yes, after waiting so long to get married, I was worried we might have to wait that long to have a honeymoon too,” said Garth.

Gloria laughed, but Belle seemed sad as she refilled her coffee cup and listened. Jane realized that this banter might be like salt in a wound for Belle. Still, Jane was curious about the Fairviews.

“How long did you wait to get married?” she asked.

“All totaled?” Garth scratched his head as if to think.

“We went together in high school,” began Gloria. “Then we lost track of each other in college. We both married other
people. Then Garth’s wife was killed in a car accident about ten years ago.”

“And Gloria’s husband passed away after a long bout with cancer, just a couple of years ago.” Garth reached for Gloria’s hand.

“Both of us were devastated, and neither of us had any idea of marrying again. Then we met at our thirtieth class reunion,” said Gloria.

“That was last August,” offered Garth.

“And, as you know, we got married a week ago.”

Garth nodded toward the window, where the sun was streaming in. “We should get out there and make the most of this wonderful weather, Gloria.”

“I hope you have a marvelous day,” said Jane as the happy couple exited.

“They are so lucky,” said Belle in a dejected tone.

“Yes, but they certainly did wait for their happiness.”

“I’ve been waiting too.” Belle sighed. “I keep getting my hopes up, just to get them flattened like a pancake again and again. It’s so unfair.”

“So how did they get flattened this time?” asked Jane as she reached for the fruit platter.

“You should know,” said Belle. “You just keep stealing all the good men, Jane Howard.” Then she smiled. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t sound nasty.”

“I’m stealing all the good men?” asked Jane as she chose a piece of melon.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, you are.” Then Belle began to list off men like Craig Tracy and Kenneth Thompson, acting as if Jane had been seriously involved.

“But they are simply friends,” Jane interrupted.

“And what about Clive Fagler?” asked Belle. “He seems to be quite smitten with you, Jane.”

“Smitten?”

She nodded. “Yes. Even this morning, I saw the look in his eye when he asked where you were. By the way, he asked your sisters to tell you he would be back down in a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” said Jane.

“So, you see,” said Belle in a teasing tone. “You are hogging all the men in this town, and it’s not the least bit fair.”

“What about Justin?” asked Jane. “It seems you got to spend some time with him.”

“Exactly,” said Belle. “But I am fully aware that he is here to see you.”

Jane actually rolled her eyes. “You could’ve fooled me.”

She shook her finger at Jane. “You’re the one who’s been avoiding him, Jane. He just keeps waiting and waiting. If I had a man interested in me like that, I would not keep him waiting.”

Jane tried not to register her shock. “What makes you think he’s interested in me?”

“Why else would he make that long trip? Why else would he be parking himself in your house? Of course he’s interested in you.”

“You do know that we are divorced, don’t you?”

“Divorce sha-morse.” Belle waved her hand. “People get divorced and remarried all the time. Why, I have an aunt and uncle who are on their fourth go-around, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they were thinking about splitting up again even as we speak.”

“Yoo-hoo?”

“Ah, Aunt Ethel is here,” said Jane, nodding toward the kitchen and ready to change the subject.

“Oh, that’s right,” said Belle in a hushed tone. “She heard about Justin being here, and she was miffed at you for not telling her about his visit.”

“There you are, Jane.” Ethel made herself at home at the table, taking a cup and filling it with coffee before Jane had a chance to offer her some. “I’m upset with you.”

“I—”

“I cannot believe you kept this news from me, Jane. I had absolutely no idea that your ex-husband was coming to see you.”

“Well, I—”

“And in the meantime, you’re out cavorting with one of the guests.” She addressed Belle, shaking her head.
“Tsk-tsk.
And here I thought Jane was sincerely interested in Mr. Fagler, and I defended her after she stole him from you. I should’ve known better.”

“Aunt Ethel,” said Jane in a scolding tone. “You are being outrageous.”

“I know that you are playing up to the men in this town.”

“Playing up?” Jane tried not to laugh.

“Poor Belle is sincerely searching for a man, and all the while you are out there just—”

“That is enough,” said Jane in a stern tone. She stood and, taking her plate, retreated to the kitchen, where Louise and Alice were both standing by the door, obviously aware that Ethel’s visit did not bode well. “Did you hear that?” she whispered to them. They both nodded. Then, despite herself, Jane started giggling and, as if it were contagious, her two sisters joined her until all three of them were laughing so hard that tears were streaming down their cheeks.

“I don’t even know what is so funny,” said Louise as she dabbed her eyes with a lace-trimmed handkerchief.

“I think it was Jane’s expression when she caught us eavesdropping,” Alice gasped.

Jane just shook her head. “If you don’t mind, I’m going
to make a quick exit,” she said, moving toward the back door. “Call me a big chicken if you like.”

“I don’t blame you,” said Louise, nodding toward the dining room. “It sounds like Auntie is getting her second wind.”

“Better run,” said Alice.

With her plate and coffee cup still in hand, Jane went outside and sat down at the table by her garden. At last, some peace and quiet.