Читать книгу Deadly Deception - Brenda Gunn - Страница 10
ОглавлениеThe wedding guests stopped talking and gawked at each other in an uncomfortable silence.
“Go ahead and please help yourself to the hors d’oeuvres. I’ll be right back,” Brenda told her guests and followed Glen inside.
She found him pacing in the kitchen like a caged leopard. She tried to wrap her arms around him to reassure him, but he shrugged her off. She felt helpless.
“Glen, what’s wrong?”
“You should have told me all those people were out there!” he said.
The music of Billy Joel’s, “Just the Way You Are,” filtered in from the backyard. Brenda peeked out the window, relieved that her guests were mingling and seemed to be having a good time. She turned her attention back to Glen.
“Why did you invite all these people?” he asked, continuing to pace. He kept rubbing his hands on his pants in an attempt to find the pockets, but there were no pockets on the formal pants.
“It’s a wedding party. It wouldn’t be much of a party if I didn’t invite people, now would it? I’ve never seen you like this. What’s wrong?”
He stopped pacing and faced her. “I haven’t been around strangers very much. I don’t know how to act.”
“You don’t have to act any way. Just be yourself and have a good time,” she said, caressing the side of his face. “These people will be your friends, Glen. You just haven’t met them yet.”
“Brenda, I’m agoraphobic. Crowds petrify me. I’m not used to having a lot of people around,” he told her desperately.
She gently turned him to face her and looked him in the eyes. “Glen, remember family and friends who care are good for and to each other.”
He hugged her. She held him tightly.
“Nobody’s ever been as good to me as you are,” he said. They held each other a long time. All the while, Brenda stroked his back as a mother would to calm a frightened little boy.
Finally, he pulled back to look at her. “Sorry I ran out on you, Brenda. I’ll never do that again.”
“I love you,” she responded gently.
Glen nodded and smiled.
Brenda tapped on the window to give her sisters, Suzy and Emily, the cue and the wedding march began to play. Brenda looped her arm through Glen’s. Her dad and mother had not been well and she had decided she and Glen would walk down the aisle together, setting up their own new custom.
“Wait,” she whispered to him, “Sniffer goes first.”
Glen shook his head and frowned. “Honestly, Brenda, I know you love animals, but that bundle of bones and fur looks more like a rat. Are you sure you want your dog in our wedding?”
“Please, Glen,” Brenda said.
He managed a forced smile. “Oh, if it pleases you, I guess I can live with it.”
Outside, Suzy deposited the Yorkshire puppy on the ground. He wore a collar of carnations and apricot-colored tulle and a puffy bow on his wagging tail. In his mouth he carried a basket of rose petals. As he pranced down the peach satin draped aisle, the rose petals spilled over to form a trail for the wedding couple. Sniffer marched up to the Justice of the Peace and stopped, just like he knew what he was doing. The guests ooh-ed and aah-ed.
Next, Brenda and Glen came out the door and followed Sniffer down the aisle. The guests’ murmurs turned to silence as Brenda and Glen stopped in front of the Justice of the Peace. It was a lovely November day. The weather was perfect and exceptionally mild for that time of year. The skies were blue and clear, but for a few wispy clouds above them that were shading to pink as the sun set. The gentle rustle of deep red leaves on the maple trees was the only sound.
Glen took Brenda’s hands in his and looked lovingly into her eyes. His voice had a nervous edge to it as he recited the poem he had written.
“When I lay down to sleep at night,
I want you by my side.
Through good and bad and thick and thin,
I want you as my bride.”
Brenda gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and he squeezed hers back as he continued,
“I promise to love and cherish you,
And harm will come to you never.
For richer or poorer, in sickness and health,
I promise to love you forever.”
Glen smiled lovingly at Brenda. She gazed into his adoring eyes and began her vow.
“From this day forward, for the rest of my life,
I’ll promise to care for you, as any good wife.
As the sun rises and I wake up each morning,
Always know that my love is dawning.
If by human standards, we turn out to be poor,
We’ll still have each other, I won’t ask for more.
When there comes a day we don’t get along,
I’ll remember this promise, this lovely song.
I promise to love you, till death do us part,
And this I mean with all of my heart.”
The Justice of the Peace opened his Bible and recited the rite that made them husband and wife. As he rambled on, Brenda didn’t hear half of what he was saying. She was entranced by the man at her side. It was as if she was Sleeping Beauty and when Glen kissed her, she would awake to a whole new world and a bright new life.
“You may kiss the bride,” the Justice of the Peace said.
Glen bent down and kissed her softly. Brenda wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. She wanted this to be a kiss she would remember the rest of her life.
First they walked over to her father and mother and Brenda saw tears in both their eyes as they kissed Brenda and hugged Glen. Then guests swarmed around them offering “Congratulations” and “Best wishes.” Brenda was the happiest she had ever been. If her heart held another drop of happiness, she thought it would burst.
Brenda’s boss, Cal Langley, brought over a magnum of champagne which, in the delay, some of the guests had already opened. He refilled the glasses of her parents and the nearby guests. Everyone raised their glasses and toasted the nuptial couple.
The atmosphere was joyful and growing louder by the moment. Sniffer yipped and pawed at Brenda’s legs in an attempt to get her attention.
“No, no, Sniffer. You’ll tear my dress,” she admonished as she picked up the little dog and tried to calm him. She didn’t want Glen to be annoyed by his behavior.
A smiling young man with curly hair stepped up to Glen and stuck out his hand. “I’m Brenda’s brother, Dave.”
Glen shook his hand.
“You gave us quite a scare when you went back in the house,” Dave continued. “We figured Brenda was gonna stay an old-maid for sure.”
Brenda’s face reddened. “My brother likes to tease.”
Glen narrowed his eyes and said, “Watch out who you call an old-maid. That’s my beautiful wife you’re talking about.”
“Just brotherly-sisterly ribbing. She knows I love her.”
Glen laughed, though his eyes had an angry look and he changed the subject. “This is quite a shindig. I wasn’t expecting anybody to be here except Brenda, the Justice of the Peace and two witnesses. Suddenly, I saw about a hundred people jump out at me yelling ‘Surprise!’”
“There’s only thirty-five or so,” Brenda corrected.
“Well, it seems like a hundred.”
“We have some more champagne over there. Do you want a glass?” Dave asked.
Brenda glared at Dave. She had told him about Glen’s drinking problem, but guessed that he had forgotten about it due to the excitement.
“That’s nice of you to offer,” Glen said. “I don’t drink, but I’ll take a club soda if you have one.”
“Well, that’s a weak toast for your wedding,” Dave said looking at his new brother-in-law appraisingly, “but you got it.” He set off for the bar.
Suzy and Emily, Brenda’s two sisters, walked up to them. Emily, blond and petite in a powder blue suit, was the youngest. She looked at Brenda adoringly and kissed her cheek. Brenda was fond of Emily, who was the quiet, conservative one in the family. It had broken her heart when her baby sister took a job in California the year before, but she was thrilled that Emily could come back to town for the wedding.
Suzy was Emily’s opposite. She always spoke her mind and never shied away from even the most sensitive or racy of topics. The hem of Suzy’s expensive-looking pink silk dress had a beaded fringe and she wore a pink straw hat set at a sassy angle. Suzy stuck out her hand to shake Glen’s. “I’m Brenda’s older sister. I’m the one she complains about all the time and Emily’s the one who used to tag after her like a puppy—that is, until she moved far away and abandoned us all! Welcome to our screwy family,” she teased.
“Now Suzy, tell the truth. You’re the only one in the family that’s nutty,” Brenda joked. She wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Brenda, you look beautiful. Doesn’t she, Emily?” Emily nodded and Suzy went on. “See, I told you great-grandma’s dress would look great on you. Who was right?”
“You were right, as always, Suzy,” Brenda chanted with Emily. This was banter they had indulged in since sixth-grade when Suzy had told Brenda how to get the cutest boy in the class to kiss her.
Suzy was standing with one of her stiletto heels stuck in the ground, rocking casually back and forth as she talked. Sniffer, who had been enjoying the rapture of Brenda’s arms, noticed the swaying fringe and watched it intently. His head went back and forth as if he were watching a tennis match. Suddenly, it got the best of him and he lurched out of Brenda’s arms to the ground and playfully swiped at the fringe. A claw snagged a string of the fringe and he yelped. Sheepishly, he scampered under the food table and hid. Emily went to fetch him and carried the little dog back.
Brenda’s friend, Jane, sauntered over to them, a bottle of champagne tucked under her arm, tulip glasses dangling from her fingers. “That’s some watchdog you’ve got there,” Jane said, pouring a glass of bluish-tinged champagne and offering it to Brenda.
“Blue champagne?” Brenda asked, looking at the sparkling liquid.
“It’s blueberry. I wanted the finest for my best friend on her wedding day,” Jane said, giving Suzy a side glance. Suzy and Jane sometimes tangled. Brenda thought Suzy didn’t want Jane usurping her role as big sister and adviser.
“It’s delicious,” Brenda said as she took a sip. The tiny bubbles tickled her nose as she took another one.
Turning to her new husband, Brenda noticed Glen looking at Jane. He saw Brenda watching him, looked away from Jane and smiled reassuringly at his new wife.
He’s just trying to be friendly after that talk I gave him, Brenda told herself. I have to stop being paranoid he’ll find someone else more attractive than me.
Brenda took Glen’s elbow. She had been looking forward to introducing these two people to each other. “Glen, this is Jane Leach. She’s been my best friend since we met. In fact, she sold me this house almost six years ago.”
“Listen, buddy, you better take good care of her or you’ll have to answer to me,” Jane said to Glen, in a mock-threatening tone.
Brenda thought it odd that Jane hadn’t offered Glen any champagne. How does she know he doesn’t drink? She shook off the thought. I’m so suspicious of my own good fortune, I’m imagining things. Jane has just forgotten her manners.
“Drink a little too much champagne already?” Glen asked Jane sharply.
“Perhaps you need a little. Too bad you’d better not,” Jane shot back at him.
She must have overheard Glen tell my brother he doesn’t drink. Puzzled by her angry behavior, Brenda touched Jane on the shoulder. “Jane, what’s going on? What’s the matter?”
“I’m sorry, Brenda. My divorce from Marshall is final today and the fact that he’s gotten into trouble and been sent away only makes it worse. I just visited him in prison for the last time. I keep telling myself to get on with my life, but…”
“Out with the old,” Suzy intoned, “in with the new.”
Brenda mouthed “Cut it out!” to Suzy and wrapped her arm around Jane. Suzy was too outspoken. True, Jane was a bit of a flirt, but this was hardly the time to comment on it.
“Let’s go in the house and freshen up,” Brenda suggested, wanting to change the subject.
Jane nodded as Dave reappeared and handed Glen a glass of Perrier with lime. Glen smiled his thanks.
“Glen, I’ll be back in a minute. Will you be okay?” Brenda asked.
He nodded that he would. Brenda gave him an encouraging smile and the three women headed toward the house with Emily tagging along.
As Dave and Glen watched them leave, Dave said, “Brenda and Jane couldn’t be any more opposite. It amazes me they’re such good friends.”
“You can say that again,” Glen agreed.
“I like my women just like Jane—bleached blond hair, dynamite figure and a deep, sexy voice. Hell, I even like her sarcastic tongue and that sexy, flowery perfume she wears.”
Glen gave him a scouring look. “I favor women like Brenda. She has that wholesome quality. The first time I saw her, I went into meltdown,” Glen offered.
Dave chuckled, “You make her sound like a Palmolive commercial.”
Dave was still watching Jane as she went up the back steps.
“Down boy!” Glen interjected with a short laugh.
The women disappeared into the house and Dave sighed.
“If we want some of that buffet, we better get in line. It’s disappearing fast,” Glen said to Dave.
“Sounds good to me,” Dave replied.
They went to the end of the serving line.
Glen looked around. “This backyard would be huge if Brenda didn’t line the entire perimeter with animal cages.”
“You better not let her hear you say that. Brenda would really like to let the animals roam, but the neighbors would call the authorities,” Dave said. “Well, at least she keeps the cages spotless,” he added.
“That’s why the yard doesn’t have that muggy animal smell,” Suzy said as she joined them in line.
“What are you doing back so soon?” Dave asked.
“Oh, I’m not much for girl-talk. I want to enjoy the celebration.” She turned to Glen and pointed to the white and peach-colored heart-shaped balloons tied to the bars of the cages. “Guess how many balloons I put up there?
“I don’t know. Fifty?” Glen guessed.
“One hundred and twenty-three. I was trying to make these cages more cheerful,” Suzy said.
Glen grinned and scratched his cheek. “It looks really nice.”
“The place is like a zoo,” Suzy grumbled.
“Well, Brenda’s got quite a variety of animals,” Glen said diplomatically.
“Did you know the wildlife shelter brings her some of theirs?” asked Dave.
“Do you like animals?” Suzy asked Glen.
Glen frowned. “Well, uh…personally…I don’t, but if they make Brenda happy, then I’m happy.”
Suzy smiled and changed the subject. “I hope you can slow Brenda down. Lord knows, she won’t listen to me,” Suzy said. “All that girl does is work—fourteen, fifteen hours a day—then she comes home, takes care of these animals and studies.”
“I know. I think it’s great that she wants to better herself,” Glen said with a weak grin.
“I do too,” Suzy responded defensively. “I’m just amazed she had time to fall in love.”
“She fit me into her schedule between work and studying on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Glen joked.
“You won’t think it’s so funny when you’re living with her all the time and she does nothing but work.” In a confidential tone, Suzy said, “That’s why the insurance company gives her so many policies as bonuses.”
Glen’s eyebrows raised. “I like an independent woman,” he said quietly.
An animal growled and Glen jumped.
“That’s Katula, the mountain lion,” Suzy said. “She was being starved by some carney troupe when the humane society brought her to Brenda. That growling would drive me crazy, but Brenda likes it. Queen of the Beasts and all that.”
“It probably wants to go to the buffet, too,” Dave added.
“How many other wild animals does she have beside the mountain lion?” Glen asked.
“Haven’t you been here before?” Suzy asked.
“No, I haven’t. I knew she had a lot of animals, but I assumed they were all cats and dogs,” Glen said.
“Heck no!” Suzy said with a chuckle. She pointed to the first cage in the line. “That’s Lady Godiva, a golden retriever who someone tried to stuff into a garbage can. She lived on the streets. Brenda’s trying to civilize her into being a house pet. And next to her are the Rottweilers she’s been trying to breed.”
“The retriever might make a good hunting dog,” Glen said.
“Oh Gawd, does Brenda know you’re a hunter?” Suzy asked.
“Well, I guess the subject never came up,” Glen said.
“The next cage holds my favorites, the birds,” Suzy said, pointing toward it. “They flutter around and chirp all day long. Course, the only one I recognize is the yellow parakeet.”
“The cobalt-blue one is unbelievable,” said Glen, squinting. “His feathers are so bright it almost hurts my eyes to look at him.”
“Watch this,” Dave said.
He picked up a slice of apple someone had dropped on the ground and walked over to a cage containing a Rhesus monkey. It swung on the bars and chattered at Dave, who held out the piece of apple. The monkey snatched it from Dave’s hand and hid in the corner to eat it.
“That’s Sammy. Isn’t he cute?” Dave said, returning to the line. “He lives in the house half the time, so you’ll be seeing a lot of him.”
Suzy tugged on Glen’s arm. It was their turn. Glen moved forward and picked up two plates.
“Are you hungry?” Dave teased.
“One’s for me and one’s for Brenda,” Glen said.
“That’s so sweet,” Suzy said.
The spread before them was a sea of varying shades of peach—shrimp, white asparagus with peach Hollandaise sauce, salmon, sliced peaches, Royale Peach Meringue dessert, peach pudding, peach ice-cream, peach-colored deviled eggs, peach sherbet punch…even the French bread had a peach-colored swirl through it.
“I never would have guessed what half of this stuff is. It’s lucky there are name cards in front of each dish,” Dave said.
Suzy smiled. “Isn’t this beautiful? Brenda asked me to be in charge of the food since all this happened on such short notice. I was lucky to get the best caterer in town. Of course, when I told him to make everything he could peach-colored, he looked at me like I was crazy.”
Glen grinned. “It’s very nice,” he said as he made his way down the buffet line, putting a little bit of everything on one plate and very little on the other. He didn’t want any of that peach-colored stuff. Glen lifted the lid off a heated dish. “It smells good, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen peach-colored creamed potatoes before.” He placed the lid back on the tureen without dishing any onto his plate.
Suzy frowned.
“Sir, would you like roast beef or ham?” a young man behind the buffet asked.
Glen nodded happily. “Both, please.”
Suzy shook her head. “Meat-man, I see.”
He nodded. “This looks great,” Glen said, then headed over to the head table, which was covered with a lacy peach tablecloth. He set both plates down next to his new in-laws and gave each of them a hug. Then he sat down and began to eat. Looking up, he saw Brenda, Jane and Emily come out of the house and walk toward him.
“There she is, the love of my life, till death do us part,” Glen called out.
Brenda smiled tremulously, almost giddy with pride, happiness and love.
