Читать книгу Special Order Groom - Tina Leonard - Страница 11

Crystal swallowed as Kathryn’s eyes met hers. Why did my family invite her? was the first thought that shot through her mind.

Her second thought was that Kathryn looked very uncomfortable, either from her pregnancy or from being the center of attention. It didn’t matter. She’d made an effort to dress up and come to Crystal’s party, even bringing a brightly colored gift, and Crystal knew good manners like she knew sequins on a bridal gown.

“Kathryn,” she said, walking over to the woman she’d once called her best friend. “How lovely of you to come.”

“Thank you.” Kathryn’s voice wavered a little. “Tom couldn’t make it. I…I hope it’s all right that I came alone.”

Kathryn’s brown eyes seemed to speak of loneliness. Crystal remembered that her husband, Tom Trent, traveled a lot, the only one of the football buddies who’d ever managed to get past his small-town roots in some fashion.

“Of course it’s fine. I’m glad you could be here.” She took the present Kathryn offered her, admiring the silver-and-purple wrapping. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s just something small, a…a small thing to put in your house. I heard you liked animals,” Kathryn said nervously, staring up at Crystal.

“Do I ever. Come get a drink. We have Perrier water and a few other things.”

“Thank you.”

Crystal walked her over to the bar. Her mind flew with a thousand questions, none of which seemed like a safe topic to introduce. Kathryn seemed more ill at ease than ever, and it dawned on Crystal that she couldn’t leave the watermelon-shaped ex-cheerleader alone at the drink bar with no one to talk to. And no one seemed in a big hurry to rush over and greet the prom queen.

Crystal frowned as she fixed a Perrier. “How have you been?”

“Oh, fine,” Kathryn said airily.

Too defensively flip to be candid. Crystal stared at Kathryn. Long seconds passed. Why wasn’t anyone coming over to welcome one of the most popular girls in their class?

Suddenly, Mitch appeared at their side. “Hello, Kathryn,” he said warmly.

“Hi, Mitch.” The cheerleader’s smile was relieved.

“Care to dance?” he asked.

“And keep a brave front?”

“The only other option is to fold in the face of scrutiny.” He grinned at her, his expression daring.

After a moment, she nodded. “All right. Ever my knight whether in jeans or a tux.”

“Excuse us, Crystal,” he said, “Kathryn and I are going to enjoy a dance for old times’ sake.”

Crystal forced her jaw not to drop, but it was like holding up a concrete bridge. Once again he’d referred to that ill-fated night—so casually! Never mind that he’d gone off to dance with the woman for whom he’d dumped her, a move guaranteed to thrill the spectators. She felt exposed and ridiculed.

Barney Fearing pulled her out onto the floor. “Come on, Miss Red-Hot. Let’s not stand there like you just turned to stone.”

“Oh, hush, Barney!”

He chuckled. “Not that I expected you to thank me for being such a gallant and pulling you out of a pickle, but you could act like you’re enjoying yourself, Crystal. It’s bad for my reputation as a ladies’ man to have you treat me as if I smell like boiled cabbage.”

“I’m sorry.” She focused on Barney, making herself take a deep breath so her heart would stop racing. “You’re a true gentleman to save me from myself.”

“I know,” he said with a big smile. “Now, why don’t you quit eyeballin’ over thataway and affix your purty eyes to my handsome face? That way nobody’ll know your heart’s bleeding red as that sexy dress.”

Some irritation poured into her spine, a little at a time. “Affix my purty eyes to your handsome face?”

“That’s right. Is there anything in this room you’d rather be gazing upon?” His grin was wide and gleeful.

Crystal smiled ruefully. “No.”

“I didn’t think so. Mama always said I was a sight for sore eyes. And I reckon yours are sore as anybody’s tonight.”

She shook her head. “Barney, you’re different from the other men, I’ll have to give you that.”

“I know. Quality shows.”

Crystal laughed. “So…how come you haven’t settled down?”

He winked at her. “Because I couldn’t go out with my buddies anymore if I did.”

“I’m not sure I believe that.”

“Sometimes me and Frankie stay over at Linc’s until one o’clock in the morning,” he assured her.

“But if you had a wife, you wouldn’t have to do that.”

“Fine lecture coming from the most eligible woman in the Valley.”

“I’m not… Eligible isn’t how I describe myself.”

“How do you?”

“I don’t know,” she murmured. “Happy?”

“Alone?”

“Well, yes. I have my five cats, three dogs, et cetera, and my bridal salon. I never feel alone,” she said, vaguely wondering if she was telling herself or Barney the truth.

“Maybe you and I should get married, since we both think marriage is too much trouble,” he suggested.

“Maybe so.” She laughed, not taking him seriously. “I don’t cook.”

“I don’t vacuum.”

“It would make my mother deliriously happy.”

“I’d have to beat the hell out of Mitch every time he came around,” Barney continued.

She stared at him, her eyes stretched wide and her smile frozen.

“Jes’ kiddin’,” he said. “But in the three minutes you’ve had your eyes affixed to my handsome countenance, I estimate Mitch’s looked at your legs once every five seconds.”

“My legs?” she whispered.

“And all the rest of ya.” Barney waltzed her so that she couldn’t glance at Mitch no matter how badly she wanted to. “You two ever gonna get together?”

She frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Jes’ seems that you’ve got some unfinished business, which makes it hard for the rest of us bachelors.”

“You just said you preferred being single.”

“I know. And you just said you liked being single, so how come you’re not insisting you don’t want to get together with him?”

He had the slyest grin lighting his face. Crystal sighed. “Barney, you never have given me the respect the other guys did. I think you’re still smarting from my good aim.”

“You got lucky with that water balloon,” he told her. “I was in P.E. class with you, so I know you couldn’t hit the basket when you stood right under the net. But it’s not that I don’t respect you, Crystal. I probably just see myself in you. Kinda lonely, and kinda not sure what to do about it.”

She hesitated in his arms, surprised.

He kissed her smack on the lips.

“But at least I’ve got good aim,” he said with relish.

AFTER THAT, CRYSTAL AVOIDED the football trio, Mitch and Kathryn as they all stood around talking. She circulated among the other guests, and spoke with the McSterns. After a while, she cut her birthday cake and opened the gag birthday gifts, most of which had to do with her single status. Kathryn’s gift was a painted dog bowl that was darling, a fact Crystal reluctantly admitted to herself. She was even more astonished to turn it over and see Kathryn’s name on the back. “You painted this yourself?”

“Yes. I did. The invitation said to bring a gag gift, so I hope you don’t mind I brought something for your pets.”

“I didn’t know you were such an artist!”

Kathryn’s gaze bounced to Mitch and then back to Crystal. “I’ve had a lot of time to myself for the past couple of years. I decided to take up pottery. Fortunately, I’m having a little success with it.”

“Wait a minute,” Crystal said. “I’ve got a black teapot and cup at home that reminds me of this. It’s rimmed in white and has pink-and-red roses scrolling across the bowl.”

Kathryn blushed. “That sounds like my design.”

“I had no idea,” Crystal murmured, studying the oval shape of the dog bowl. Dogs and dog bones chased across the front in a cheery pattern, and at the bottom of the inside a red beribboned bow was painted. “Thank you, Kathryn. It’s almost too pretty to use. But I will.”

For some reason, the gift made Crystal a little sad. She finished opening gag gifts, and then, miraculously, the evening drew to a close. With relief, Crystal showed guests to the door. She thanked each one for coming. The band packed up their instruments and departed.

Her family’s bright eyes watched her as she closed the door for the final time.

“That was very sweet,” she told them. “Thank you.”

“Did you have fun?” Bess asked.

“I actually did.” Crystal hugged them all. “I’m glad it was a surprise party, because if I’d known I’d be facing that, I would have been nervous for a week. I think your birthday present gave me some extra courage, Aunt Elle.” She flipped her skirt to show the perfect pleats. “And the shoes, Mom. And of course the lovely necklace, Uncle Martin.”

“There’re flowers in the kitchen from Mitch we didn’t give you yet,” Bess admitted.

She halted, her emotions back on the skids. “Flowers?”

“We’re so sorry!” Aunt Elle cried, clasping her hands. “We didn’t want you…you know. Upset!”

“So we didn’t tell you about them. We were afraid it would ruin your evening,” Bess told her.

Crystal went into the kitchen, her heart fluttering as she saw the lovely roses. “Oh, my,” she murmured.

“Here’s the card,” Martin prompted.

“Thank you.” She opened it, her pulse beating with excitement.

Happy Birthday to a beautiful lady. Mitch.

She stuffed the card back into the envelope.

“Aren’t you going to tell us what it says?” Martin asked hopefully.

“No. It’s just typical Mitch. Nothing of substance.” Crystal headed for the front door, carrying gifts to load into her car. When she was done, she came back inside and hugged each of them again. “I truly had a wonderful time,” she said to her family. “For once in my life, I felt like a real Cinderella.”

She blew them a kiss and breezed out the door, her twinkly red heels catching shine from the porch lights.

Bess looked after her daughter wistfully. “May the clock never strike midnight for you when you finally meet your handsome prince,” she whispered.

THE FLOWERS, BESS NOTED immediately, somehow were left in the kitchen. “I don’t know that Crystal left them on purpose, but I somehow suspect she did.”

“It’s possible. Although I was very proud of the way she comported herself, both with Mitch and when Kathryn showed up alone,” Elle commented as she began hand-washing china plates.

“Couldn’t not invite her,” Bess said defensively. “She is married to Tom, and they’re both members of Crystal’s class. Tom would have heard about the party from Barney, Frankie and Lincoln.”

“Goof, Goober and Goobus,” Martin stated decisively, reaching for a cup towel to dry the dishes. “Do you really think those leftovers could catch Crystal?”

“No.” Bess shook her head. “But they sure did slobber all over her tonight, didn’t they?”

“We didn’t have to try too hard to keep Mitch away from Crystal, although his eyes might have well been glued to her.” Elle examined a crystal flute for lipstick. “Did you intentionally monopolize him, sister dear?”

“I most certainly did. I told him under no circumstances was he to encroach upon Crystal’s relaunch into society. It’s not fair that just when I decide to help her help herself, he shows up again!”

“Oh, my,” Elle breathed. “And he still sat in here with you most of the night. Clearly not cowed by the dragon.”

“Oh, hush.” Bess waved a silver fork. “He was the perfect gentleman to dance with Kathryn after everyone treated her like she had sand fleas.”

“I feel sorry for Kathryn. I think Crystal did, too,” Martin said.

“Somehow disaster was averted, and I am thanking my lucky stars it was. When Crystal fainted, I thought the whole evening was going up in smoke.” Bess frowned. “You know why she fainted, don’t you?”

Martin and Elle swiveled to stare at her.

“Because Mitch had been kissing her.”

“Oh, my.” Elle perked up. “Did he tell you that?”

“He didn’t have to. I could tell by the way she stayed away from him as if he were dog poo. And then when I asked him, he all but admitted it. So I had to tell him to leave her alone. If her father were here, I’m sure he’d do the same.” After a moment of self-righteous silence, Bess paused to look up. “He would, wouldn’t he?”

The threesome was very still.

“I hope I did the right thing,” she murmured. “We did agree that keeping them apart was the proper route.”

“Yes, we did.” Martin nodded.

“We certainly thought we were acting in her best interest,” Elle agreed.

They were quiet again for a moment.

“You know, I’ve got a sudden hankering for a drive,” Bess said. “I need some fresh air.”

Martin snapped his fingers. “I forgot to give Crystal her gag gift, didn’t I? We could just run it over to her house while we’re out for our drive.”

Elle raised her eyebrows. “You didn’t buy her a gag gift.”

His shoulders slumped. “No, I didn’t.”

“Never mind,” Bess said, suddenly energized. “We’ll just run these pretty posies of Mitch’s by her house. The more I think about it,” she said, lifting the salmon-and-white garden roses from the vase, “I’m positive she didn’t mean to leave without his gift!”

“MITCH!” CRYSTAL EXCLAIMED after getting out of her car. “What are you doing here?”

He stood on her porch, holding a bottle of something that looked suspiciously like champagne. “Waiting for you, princess.”

“Oh, please. That line won’t get you in the door.” She walked up to him, eyeing the bottle with unease. “What do you want?”

“To talk to you.” He held up the champagne to ward off her protests. “Talk only.”

“We don’t require champagne to talk.” She’d had a glass of champagne at her party. Somehow it didn’t seem wise to combine more bubbly with heartbreak, no matter how much her every sense called out to give in and enjoy Mitch’s very exciting kisses.

“You’re right.” He smiled, and her resistance registered a devastating crack. “But Crystal, I would really like the chance to speak to you.”

She had to step closer to the front door so that she could mentally distance herself from temptation. “I…I have to work tomorrow. And I’ve celebrated enough, thank you.”

“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about your birthday as much as I’m trying to bribe you.”

“Bribe me?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” He sighed. “I won’t deny I enjoyed kissing you tonight, Crystal. But when I went over to your folks’ house, your mother gave me a stern lecture about staying away from you. I realized she was right.”

Crystal was totally amazed. “I would have thought my mother would push you into my life.”

He shook his head. “Quite the opposite. She made me realize how inconsiderate I was to…force my attention on you. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m sorry.”

With a jolt of astonishment, Crystal knew she didn’t want Mitch to regret kissing her. In fact, just seeing him on her porch had given her a delicious sense of shivery pleasure. Not that she would allow herself to fall for him again, but the thought that he might still feel something from the past the same way she did was tantalizing. “So, if you’re not here to ravish me into a champagne haze, why are you here?”

“Do you mind if I come in? It’s something I’d rather discuss somewhere other than your porch.”

No way was she falling for this. Once he was inside her house, she might never get him out. He was still inside her heart, refusing to leave. “How about if I meet you later this week at the coffee shop?”

For once the smile left his face. “Crystal, look. I promised your mother I wouldn’t pursue you. I won’t. I would like to share your birthday with you, I won’t deny that. But I really need a favor from you.”

This from the man who’d dashed over to make certain she was only faint and not suffering a medical trauma. She sighed. “Can we agree on fifteen minutes, then? I really have to get up early in the morning.”

Mitch nodded, handing her the champagne. “I’ll set my watch. It’s got an alarm guaranteed to bring police running if I’m not gone.”

Rolling her eyes, Crystal unlocked the door. Three large bodies whistled through the opening, furry heads with enthusiastic tongues licking both her and Mitch, tails whipping their legs.

“No wonder you don’t want a man,” he observed. “You have your own ‘honey I’m home’ greeting squad.”

“Sit, Thor.” She pushed down a giant Great Dane that looked more horse than dog. “Sit, Igor. No, Nip. No nibbling on Mitch’s trouser leg.” The rest of the roll call was averted as she shooed the canine crew toward the back door.