by Kay Correll
Alexis slipped on a suggestive smile and nodded. “I sure will. Here, let’s get you all settled.”
George stood up and followed behind Alexis, staring at her short shorts. Or more likely, the long, tanned legs sticking out of the short shorts.
* * *
Cindy walked out into the early evening sunshine. She squinted her eyes against the brightness, plucked her sunglasses from their perch atop her head, and slid them onto her face. Better. Much better. She looked around and saw George across the way, talking to the waitress. The girl bent over George, hovering close, to hand him a drink. Cindy was pretty sure if the girl’s shorts were any shorter they wouldn’t leave much to anyone’s imagination. The girl stood, threw back her head and laughed at something George had said to her. George reached out and touched her arm as the girl stood talking to him.
Laughing.
Hanging on George’s every word.
Cindy heard Jamie’s voice tossed around on the gentle sea breeze. “Alexis, we need more glasses.”
The girl turned toward the Tiki hut where Jamie stood, then reluctantly pulled away from George. As the girl walked away, Cindy saw George watching the girl’s backside. That was one thing that had taken Cindy a long time to get used to. George’s eye for a pretty girl. Their front, their back, their legs. Whatever caught his eye. In her fantasy, she thought a man fell in love with a woman and never had a roving eye for anyone else. George shot that theory down. Completely. It still annoyed her that George was so obvious about it though. When she’d mentioned it to Vanessa, her sister had laughed at her and told her to grow up, that all men were like that.
Cindy slid on a smile with an it’s-not-going-to-bug-me-now shrug and walked over to where Jamie was serving drinks.
“Hey, Dream Girl. What can I get you?”
Cindy took a quick look over at George, wanting to order a beer in retaliation for George’s wandering eye, but knowing her mother would show up any moment and give her the evil eye if she had a beer in her hand. “Pinot grigio.”
“You got it.” Jamie smiled at her. He poured the wine and handed it to her. “Your George fella is over there.” Jamie nodded his head towards the sitting area across the way.
“Thanks. Yes, I saw him. Headed that way now.” Cindy turned, walked across the deck and settled into the chair beside George. He leaned over, gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek, and went back to sipping his drink. The place on her face where he’d pressed the quick kiss tingled with…with what? Wanting more? Wishing he actually missed her when they were apart and showed her just how much?
She looked down at her wine glass—that she really wished was an ice cold beer mug—and then back at George. He was watching a group of twenty-something women in impossibly tiny bikinis as they came up from the beach and crossed over to the Tiki hut. He nodded almost imperceptibly in appreciation of the view.
She realized with a start that she’d never once seen him look at her with that kind of appreciation. Like she was pretty or special or…
She put her wine glass down on the table between her and George. “I’ll be right back.” She pushed out of the chair and crossed over to the bar.
* * *
Jamie finished up serving the group of women and they headed off to lounge on some chairs on the deck. He looked up to see Cindy standing before him.
“Everything okay?” He’d just served her a few minutes before. He glanced over to where George was sitting—watching the bikini-clad girls—and saw Cindy’s wine glass sitting on the table beside him.
“I’ll have that beer.” Cindy slipped onto a barstool.
“You will?” Jamie nodded in approval and drew her a cold beer from the tap. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
“I will.” Cindy’s voice held an edge of defiance.
Jamie watched her spin off the bar stool and cross the distance over to George. Her dress blew and swirled around her in the breeze. She looked like a vision of a determined whirlwind as she crossed the distance.
Jamie pulled his stare from Cindy to George to see the man’s reaction. No man could be immune to the view of Cindy crossing that deck. She looked… beautiful. Spectacular.
But all the man did was scowl when he saw the beer in Cindy’s hand. She dropped into her seat and took a sip of it, either not seeing or ignoring the obvious disapproval of her fiancé.
Cindy’s parents and sister walked up to the bar, and Jamie pulled his attention away from Cindy.
“You’ll send someone over to get our drink order. We’ll be over by Cynthia and George.” Cindy’s mom didn’t so much ask a question, as make a demand.
“Sure will.” Jamie nodded. Most people just came up to the bar and ordered at their informal happy hour, so Alexis was the only waitress on bar duty tonight. He wasn’t thrilled about sending her back over to George.
Jamie saw Cindy’s mom send her a disapproving glare when Cindy took a drink of her beer. Jamie couldn’t help but smile.
He reluctantly sent Alexis over to get their drink orders, but to her credit, she didn’t flirt—much—with Cindy and all her family sitting right next to George.
He pulled his attention to another group headed to the bar. Paul, Josephine, and Bella walked up.
“Jamie, lad. We decided to come have dinner here at the inn, but thought a drink on the deck beforehand was in order.” Paul helped Josephine onto a barstool. “Bella wanted to check on something or other about the wedding, too.”
“Everything okay?” Jamie looked at Bella.
“Yes, everything is fine. Don’t worry so much. It’s going to be the wedding beyond compare, trust me.” Bella smiled and slipped onto a barstool. The trio sat and chatted with him about Belle Island news while they enjoyed their drinks.
He noticed Cindy and her family get up from their seats and head inside. Cindy stopped by the bar on her way in.
“Bella, I’ll see you at ten in the morning? We’ll go over everything again?” Cindy stood by Bella’s seat.
“Yes. Don’t worry about a thing. Everything is all going as planned.”
“I really appreciate your help.” Cindy turned, gave them all a quick wave, and headed after her family.
Bella nodded toward the departing group. “So, everything’s going okay with them? Cindy’s mom get all settled down? I tried my best to assuage her fears.”
“I think so. I mean, I don’t know.” Jamie sighed. “I just need this wedding to be pulled off without a hitch. I’m banking on getting some good word of mouth for using the inn as a destination wedding spot.”
“I’m doing everything I can.” Bella set down her drink. “I think it will all go fine.”
“I’m sure it will, dear.” Josephine patted Bella’s hand. “You know how good you are with making sure events go smoothly.”
“To be honest, I’m a bit worried about the bride and groom.” Bella leaned on the bar.
Jamie cocked his head, listening intently.
“The groom just seems… well… not how I expect a groom to act. I might be a hopeless romantic, but I expect a groom to act like he’s such a lucky guy to be marrying his bride. To act like… well, like he’s in love with her. Besotted, even. But I swear he acts like he’s closing a business deal with Cindy’s father.” Bella shook her head. “Oh, I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t really know them.”
Jamie had to bite his tongue. What he wanted to say was that George was a jerk and didn’t appreciate the fabulous woman who had said yes to his proposal of marriage. And while he was at it he’d like to add in that Cindy’s family didn’t appreciate her either. But he stayed silent.
“Some people just don’t show their emotions well.” Paul entered the conversation.
“Well, you certainly let everyone know that you’re nuts about my aunt.” Bella grinned.
Paul leaned over and placed a quick kiss on Josephine’s forehead. “I am crazy about this woman. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
“And that is the kind of love
I wish Cindy had found.” Jamie just couldn’t help himself. He had to say it.
“That’s the kind of love that makes a marriage strong and brings joy and happiness to the couple.” Bella paused and took a sip of her drink. “Maybe he’s just the reserved kind of guy.”
“Maybe.” Jamie wiped the bar in front of him, unduly sad about Cindy possibly headed into a marriage that… well, it didn’t appear it would be full of the love and appreciation she deserved.
Chapter 9
Cindy smiled as she and her family pulled up to Magic Cafe. She loved the place and hoped that George would find it as charming as she did. If she’d had her way, they would have strolled here on the beach, but her family and George had vigorously vetoed that idea.
The restaurant was in an old shingled building with a mismatch of additions constructed over the years, which somehow gave it charm, not disarray. A long porch stretched across the front, with rocking chairs and benches for the crowded times when people had to wait for their tables.
They all got out of the car and crossed the sandy parking lot to the entrance to the restaurant. “This town isn’t much on valet parking, is it?” George reached down and dusted the sand from his leather loafers as he stepped up on the porch in front of the cafe.
Cindy chose to ignore the remark. There was ample parking in the lot and they hadn’t been twenty steps from the door.
George was a bit of a snob.
Cindy froze in her tracks. Had she just thought that? Really? Maybe the thought had always been there, way in the back of her mind, but she hadn’t ever really thought it. She eyed him critically as he dusted off the other shoe. She’d been so focused on how well he fit in with her family. How he wanted to marry her. Her. With her ability to stumble and lack of style with her clothing. With her flyaway hopeless curls and awkwardness at parties. He was gallant and charming, with a sense of humor. Though, if she were honest, the humor was sometimes targeted towards others and it made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
Just then George turned toward her and flashed his ever-so-disarming smile and held out his hand. “Coming, sweetheart?’
She took his hand, and all of her uncharitable thoughts just vanished as quickly as they’d swept over her. She was just being a silly, nervous bride.
Miss Tally ushered them to a large table outside near the beach. A wonderful breeze kept the humidity at bay and the temperature was perfect for an outside dinner.
“We should have asked for a table inside in the air conditioning.” Vanessa looked up at the paddle fans lazily spinning in the ceiling above them.
“I love eating outside here. We’ll get the fabulous view of the sunset.” Cindy was not letting her sister’s negativity ruin her evening.
George squeezed her hand then held out her chair. “This is just fine. If this is what my bride-to-be wants, this is what she gets.”
Cindy slipped into the chair and smiled up at him gratefully for taking her side.
Cindy’s parents sat and her father turned to the waitress. “George and I will both have a glass of your finest bourbon, right George?”
“Right, Henry.”
“What brands do you have, hon?” Her father looked at the waitress.
The waitress listed off their top-shelf brands and her father was not impressed. He ordered their drinks with a sigh.
“That will just have to make do for us, old boy.” Her father shook his head and looked at George.
“Sure. That will work.” George looked just slightly annoyed, as if the brand of bourbon was going to ruin their meal.
“What would you ladies like?” The waitress turned to the women.
Her mother and sister picked up the drink menu and looked at the wines on one side and beer list on the back. The menu was a simple cardboard, covered in vinyl. Vanessa kept turning it over and over. “Well, I’ll have a glass of your best cabernet.”
“I’ll have the same.” Her mother set down the drink menu and wiped her hands on her napkin.
“I’ll have a beer.” Cindy couldn’t help herself.
“Cynthia, I don’t know what has come over you. I certainly hope you don’t plan on ordering a beer tomorrow at the rehearsal, or having one at the wedding.” Her mother looked appalled.
“There are a lot of calories in beer.” Vanessa gave her sister a pointed stare.
The waitress looked at her, waiting to see if she would change her order.
“The Abita beer please.”
Her mother shook her head.
They ordered their meals, and George and her father talked cars while they waited for dinner. Endlessly about cars. Vanessa and her mother talked shoes. Endlessly about shoes.
Cindy sat quietly between the two conversations and a wave of loneliness swept over her. She was sitting between her fiancé—the man she was marrying in two days and spending the rest of her life with—and her family, yet she was lonelier than she’d ever felt. An outsider at a dinner that was to celebrate her upcoming wedding. Her heart plummeted and she looked around in a bit of a panic.
It’s just wedding nerves. That’s all.
The waitress brought their meals. Her mother sent hers back saying the steak wasn’t cooked correctly, even though it looked like a perfect medium to Cindy. Who orders steak anyway when the restaurant was known for its fish?
Vanessa pushed around the fries and hushpuppies on her plate saying there was just too much fried food with her dinner.
Cindy ate her grouper—fried—and every bite of her hushpuppies.
“If we ever come here again,” George said in a loud voice, “we’ll have to bring our own bourbon.”
“Well, I can’t imagine why we’d be here again, but if we ever are, we’ll bring some good wine, too.” Vanessa’s voice rang out over the strangely quiet restaurant.
Cindy was aware that the locals were staring at them in an unfriendly way. She couldn’t blame them. No one criticizes Miss Tally or her cafe. The town loved her. Cindy loved her. She couldn’t help but take her family’s snobbish criticism to heart.
“Well, I think this was the best grouper I’ve ever had. How often do you get wonderful food like this, and this view? Look at that beautiful sunset. All the oranges and purples and yellows.” Cindy swept an arm in the direction of the sunset.
“Henry, how about we head back and have a cigar at the inn. I saw an outside fire pit near the beach. We could have it there. I’ve stashed some good bourbon in the room. We’ll grab it.” George pushed back his chair.
It was like her family ignored her. No, it wasn’t like her family ignored her. They did ignore her. She was invisible. That annoying family member you just put up with because you had to.
“Well, I’m going to stay here and watch the end of the sunset and finish my beer.” Cindy was feeling… what was she feeling? Angry? Annoyed? Left out?
“That’s silly. Come back with us.” Vanessa rose in a graceful swoop.
“No, I’m going to stay awhile.” Cindy held her ground. “I’ll just walk back to the inn in a bit.”
“Cynthia, I don’t know why you have to be so difficult.” Her mother stood up, shook her head, and walked away.
“We’ll meet you back at the inn, then.” George turned and walked away after her family, dashing all hopes that maybe he’d stay with her and the two of them could have some couple time together.
Miss Tally came and sat down beside her. “Everything all right?”
Cindy looked out at the ocean for a moment, the sea awash with colors dancing across the surface. “I think so. I mean… I don’t know what I mean.” Everything was so confusing all of a sudden. She knew her family was—particular—but now she could see it was more bordering on snobbish and rude. And she didn’t like that. And, even worse, George fit in with them beautifully.
“Miss Tally, I’m so sorry about my family and George. They were rude. I apologize.”
“No use you apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Miss Tally reached over and t
ook her hand. “You’ve always been the kindest, gentlest soul. I want you to be happy, Cindy. Does this fiancé of yours make you happy?”
Cindy looked into the woman’s eyes. Eyes filled with warmth and wisdom.
“I think he does. I mean, he’s perfect for me.”
“Is he now?” Miss Tally stood up. “You make sure before you commit to a marriage of just… convenience. A person should marry for real, can’t-live-without-it love… and if you find that, you should never, ever let it go.”
Cindy looked out at the brilliant sunset. George did love her.
He did, didn’t he?
In George’s own way.
* * *
Tally watched as Cindy stood and headed for the beach. A chill washed over her. The woman was heading into a heap of heartache, she could just feel it. She’d watched Cindy while the family was eating dinner. At best they ignored her, at worst her mother had nagged her to sit up straight and was appalled her daughter had ordered a beer. As if that was the worst thing a child could ever do to a mother…
Tally shook her head, chasing away the thoughts that always hovered at the corner of her mind. The doubts, the unanswered questions, the regrets. If she only had it to do all over again.
But, she was a practical woman. A person didn’t get do-overs in life. You lived with the consequences of your actions, like she did every day of her life.
She wished she could do something for Cindy, though. Make her take a good long look at the biggest decision she’d ever made in her life so far. Marrying that fella. The one that Tally just knew in her heart was the wrong man for Cindy.
And the thing was, Tally knew who was exactly right for Cindy.
* * *
Cindy crossed the beach to walk along the shoreline. The sand had cooled with the sunset and a handful of couples walked along the beach in the fading light. She turned and headed back towards the inn.
The breeze had died down a bit and the gentle waves lapped at her bare feet as she trudged along the shore, thinking about what Miss Tally had asked. Of course George was the right man for her. He was perfect for her. Her family loved him and he wanted to spend his life with her.