Page 14 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“We’ve been texting for, gosh, a few months now. He wanted to know your favorite foods, and it took off from there.”

“Foods?” I was back to the repeating parrot. “A few months?”

“Well, yes. We’ve been exchanging recipes. This morning I sent him my recipe for popovers and asked if he was coming with you to the wedding. He texted he had a work conflict and didn’t think he could get here in time. I told him it wasn’t a problem, and he should come on to the reception. Durr won’t mind.” My mom clenched her jaw and spoke in a low tone. “He won’t even know. He has a touch of dementia.”

“That’s an understatement.” Eli grinned wide, and the dimple in his left cheek dented inward. “He forgot he was getting married today, and I had to go retrieve him from the local pub.”

“Anyhoo…” Mom sent Eli a cautious glare, then turned toward the reception. “Caiyan asked me to tell you he’d see you at the reception.”

Oh brother. It was A-OK for Caiyan to be late, but heaven forbid I should skedaddle in right before the bride.

Five

Uncle Durr danced with his new bride. They swayed together like a much younger couple to the beat of “Islands in the Stream,” Uncle Durr’s favorite of Dolly Parton’s tunes. The only clue to their age was the walker positioned just in reach, and, of course, the couple’s shuffling gait.

Jake and Angel sat across from me. So much for Gertie’s idea to switch them to another table. The minute I swapped the place cards from three tables over, my mom decided to double-check the seating arrangements.

“Well, my goodness, the wedding planner put Jake and his girlfriend at the wrong table. That’s the last time I use this company.” Mom plucked the two place cards off the table and walked quickly toward me. “They wouldn’t know a soul at that table. It’s Uncle Durr’s croquet team.” She switched them out and sent me a triumphant smile.

“Have you seen Marco since you returned from, you know?” Angel widened innocent blue eyes at me, bringing me back to my current table dilemma.

“No.” I ran my teeth across my bottom lip. I hated lying to her, but technically, it wasn’t a lie.

Jake flashed me a cautious glare.

I smacked my hand to my forehead like some forgetful fool. “Gosh, I totally forgot. Marco told me to tell you he needed some alone time.”

“He’s not answering his cell. He’s probably with his new woman. He won’t tell me who she is, but I have a feeling she’s special.” Angel winked at me like Marco was too busy gettin’ busy to answer his phone.

“Marco has a way of making all his girlfriends feel special.” I picked up my water glass and took a drink, swallowing the cool water along with my deception.

“It’s true. He’s still friends with all of them.” Angel looked wistfully at me. “I’d always hoped you and Marco would get together.”

I sputtered my water and choke-coughed. Gertie gave me a few slaps on the back.

“I’m OK.” I tapped my chest with my fist. “Got stuck in my airpipe.” Just like Marco was stuck in the wrong time.

The first dance ended. The guests clapped, and Gertie gave the newlyweds a two-fingered whistle that nearly burst my eardrums. My mom announced the buffet was open for guests.

“Let’s get in line.” Jake stood and offered Angel his hand. “I’m starving.”

“All right.” She beamed up at him with that special sparkle in her eyes of a girl in icky adoration of the man she loved.

“She’s got it bad.” Gertie smiled at them as they walked hand in hand toward the buffet.

“Yeah. Do I look at Caiyan like that?”

“Sometimes. When you’re not mad at him. Or in trouble. Or trying to decipher his mysterioso attitude.” She put a finger to her lips. “Or worrying that he might pop the question.”

“I’m not worried he might pop the question.”

“Really? The last time he was over, he said he needed to ask ye somethin’ in private. You turned green, excused yourself, then hid in the loo for twenty minutes.” She mocked Caiyan’s accent, which combined with her Texas twang, and I couldn’t stop from laughing. “The poor guy needed an antacid, for cripes sake, and he didn’t want to ask in front of your parents.”

“Caiyan’s not ready to propose, but if he ever asks me, I’ll be ready.”I think.

Gertie gave an improbable head shake.

I watched Jake serve Angel at the buffet. “I’m happy for Jake. He deserves Angel.”

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