Page 23 of My Stepbrother's Wedding
“I thought he was nuts,” I said.
“But he knew so much about this country,” she said.
Dad rolled his eyes and changed the subject. “After breakfast we’re expected back at Irena’s house for more circle dancing.”
“More!” I gasped, a panicky tingle in my chest.
Dad nodded. “That’s what Will said.”
“How wonderful.” Elizabeth clasped her hands together.
Dad and I shared another look.
“I don’t know if I can endure another day of this,” I complained.
“It’s not what we’re used to, but this is family.” Dad gave me a stern glare. “So you are coming.”
My mouth folded into a frown, and I crossed my arms. I’d agreed to attend the wedding, but I never knew it would last an entire week. Part of me wanted to sneak off and find a bus for Croatia, but I knew I’d never hear the end of it if I did.
After a joyless meal and a round of espresso shots, we marched through the winding streets to Irena’s house. Enkelana was small enough that we’d already memorized the layout of the town. That didn’t stop the locals from gawking when we passed by, however. Old men stared at us, not bothering to stop picking their noses, and old ladies spied on us from their balconies. I tried waving at them, but they didn’t return the gesture.
We were greeted by loud music when we arrived. Miranda, my new stepmother-in-law (if that’s even a thing), hustled out the front door and smothered us with double-cheek kisses and a spattering of foreign words. I pretended to be happy as we funneled inside the shambled house to the party. It was only eleven in the morning, but the festivities were infull swing. The wedding-goers cheered when we entered and immediately pulled us into the dance circle. I tried to resist but decided it would be easier to go along with the weird foreign stuff than fight it. Besides, I’d learned the basic step, and the movement put me in a better mood, even if the music was hideous.
Irena’s hair looked passable in a bleached-white bun. She wore a fluttering pink dress that fit perfectly over her gorgeous body. My stepbrother danced beside her, kicking his feet to the beat in a tuxedo. Everyone else wore the same clothes as the day before, and I wondered if any of them had slept or if they’d spent the whole night dancing.
The music stopped, and the circle broke up. I bolted for a seat before the Malegonians restarted, followed by Dad and Elizabeth. It would be harder for them to pull us back onto the dance floor if we were already sitting. Will came to our table, followed by three older women in flowery dresses.
“Irena’s aunts want to meet you,” Will said.
We stood up to shake hands and got more two-cheek kisses. I fought back a cringe. Didn’t they teach about germs in school here? No wonder the Old World had lost so many people to the plague. The three women stared at me andmumbled to each other. One made an odd hand gesture around my hips, as if measuring me for a skirt.
“What are they saying?” I asked Will.
“They have a boy for you if you want to get married.”
I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around my body. “Tell them I’m going to be a nun.”
Will said something, and the ladies let out a chorus of raucous laughter. They walked away and sat at a table across the room.
“What did you tell them?” I asked.
“I said you made a hilarious joke, and they should laugh. Don’t worry, I won’t let them marry you off.”
“Well thanks, I guess. Where are your friends Mark and Kyle, by the way? Did the locals get them fixed up yet?”
“No, although I think Kyle was open to the idea. Today is only for family, so they went sightseeing. I’m glad you’re here though.” He leaned in and gave me a side hug.
The unexpected brotherly affection caught me by surprise again, and I had to resist my instinct to pull away. Maybe he really did want me at his wedding.
Miranda emerged from the kitchen, still dressed in her apron, pushing a cart of food. Her sisters hurried to her side and set portions in front of every guest. The inviting smellmade my mouth water, but Elizabeth grimaced when she saw fish on our plates.
“I don’t like seafood,” she said softly.
“This is Achris trout, a local specialty,” Will said. “You can only get it from the lake. It’s technically an endangered species.”
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open as wide as her fish’s. “We’re eating an endangered species?”
Dad took the fish from her plate and bit into it. “Delicious! Tastes like salmon.”
