Page 13 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“He’s searching for Sasha. He promised to come home next moon cycle.” I looked over my shoulder at the fast-food sign. “Maybe things aren’t going as planned.”

“Marco may be big, blond, and beautiful, but he’s not stupid.” Gertie put the car back into gear and pulled away from the shoulder. “You can’t do anything about it until the next moon cycle anyway, so we might as well enjoy the wedding, especially the free buffet. I hope they have those little wieners wrapped in a biscuit.”

I hoped Gertie was right and Marco wasn’t stupid.

* * *

I’d beento many weddings at my Aint Elma’s house in the country. It now belonged to my cousin Trish, Gertie’s mom. She met us at the screen door, bottle-blond hair done up into a fancy twist, diamonds hanging at her ears, circling her wrists, and sparkling on her fingers. Her spray tan gave her an I-just-left-the-tropics glow, and her low-cut dress revealed the tail end of a new tattoo on the swell of her right boob. “Gertie, honey, you almost missed the wedding.”

Gertie shot me an evil you-made-us-late look. “Mom, we have lives, you know.”

Cousin Trish gave Gertie a hug and a few smacking kisses on her cheeks. She pulled me in for a hug. “Why Jennifer, I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Your dress is amazing, Trish.” And it was. Since Trish married money, otherwise known as Vinnie the Fish, her clothing had gone from Walmart to Wang.

“Thanks.” She shooed us with her fingers. “Now, y’all get on out to the backyard. There aren’t any ushers, so seat yourselves. I’ll fetch the bride from the bedroom.”

A step, clunk, step, clunk came from behind me. An older woman in a white satin dress, orthopedic shoes, a spiffy pillbox hat, and a bouquet of roses tied to her walker step-clunked toward me. She stopped and lifted her head to stare at us.

“Am I late?” she croaked.

“You’re right on time. The last guests are heading to their seats.” Trish gave us the stink eye.

“You look pretty, Mrs. Johnson.” Gertie smiled at her.

“It’s Miss Johnson until I get hitched, so you gals get outta my way. It’s gonna take a minute to walk that aisle, and Durr’s an impatient man. Took me years to snag ’im.”

I followed Gertie into the garden. The guests were seated under the old oak tree. A plump man dressed in a black suit stood under a rose-covered arbor at the head of a makeshift path between the two sides of seated guests.

The first four rows on the groom’s side were reserved for family. Mamma Bea, Durr’s sister Mable. Her husband Earl. My cousins Loretta Lynn, Buster Keaton, and Hildy. Several nieces and nephews. My mom and dad, Eli, my sister Melody, her husband Pete and Cousin Darryl sat on the third row.

Jake and Angel waved at me from the fourth row. Just perfect. My mother had included Jake with the family.

I scanned the crowd for Caiyan and locked eyes with a man in the back row. I’d never seen him before and the way he stared made me uncomfortable. I didn’t see Caiyan, so maybe the Scot wasn’t keeping his promise to be my plus one. Gertie dragged me toward the last two open seats in the family section.

* * *

After the wedding,Uncle Durr escorted his new bride to the old red barn decorated for the reception. A dance floor held center stage under the giant antler chandelier. A dozen or so round tables covered with white linen tablecloths wreathed the dance floor.

Uncle Durr looked handsome in his dark suit and signature purple cape. He’d worn the cape for as long as I could remember.

“Jen, how could you be late?” My mom’s nasal tone, the one she used when I was in trouble, sounded behind me. I turned to find Mom and Eli staring like I’d violated curfew. Mom to discipline, and Eli to relish in my demise.

“I was here before the wedding started,” I threw out, but knew by the look on Mom’s face that it wasn’t enough.

“We always arrive at least twenty minutes before the wedding.” Mom fingered her pearls.

“It wouldn’t have mattered.” Eli chuckled beside Mom. “You could have lapped the bride and been in your seat by the time she made it to the preacher.”

“Eli, don’t be crass.” Mom swatted his arm. “I’ve raised you better.”

“Have you seen Caiyan?” I steered the conversation toward Eli and away from my perfectly put-together and punctual mother.

Eli shook his head and glanced around at the crowd waiting to enter the reception.

Mom looked down at the Chanel wristwatch Dad had given her for their twenty-fifth anniversary. “He’s going to be late.”

My eyebrows shot up with curiosity. “And you know this how?”

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