An Act of Love

by Marion Ekholm

  She paced her room, feeling drained emotionally by having to participate in yet another wedding. Just once she’d like to see a wedding from the front pew and not have to deal with all the backstage drama. Then to top everything, her father had to show up asking for her forgiveness? She couldn’t face it. Not now. Maybe never.

  She took out her cell phone. A little after nine o’clock. The three hour difference from Arizona switching to Pacific Time when everyone else went on Daylight Saving Time meant Dede might still be at home before heading for work. “¡Hola!” Marley said. “I really need to talk.”

  “You sound horrible. Didn’t the engagement thing go okay?”

  “Yes and no.” Marley paused, hoping to control her voice. “Everyone’s happy about that, but my father’s here!” She ended on a high note, unable to contain her frustration.

  “What?”

  “He’s staying with Poppy and giving Lindy away.” Dede knew all the details of Marley’s past; she’d understand her friend’s dilemma.

  After a short pause, Dede chuckled. “So the soap opera goes on.”

  “It’s not funny.”

  “Right. But there’s nothing you can do about it, so chill out.” After another pause, she continued, her voice lilting. “I saw your betrothed.” When Marley didn’t offer any remark, Dede added, “He asked about you. Sounded very concerned. Wanted to get in touch.”

  Marley collapsed onto the rocker and began to rock. “Right. The guy’s an actor, remember? Did he give you his ‘I adore you—let’s make love’ smile?”

  “No.” Dede giggled. “He must save that one for you, although it comes close on that poster you see everywhere. He’s having a hard time dodging all the people who recognize him.” After another short hesitation, she said, “He hopes to connect with you, maybe go out on a date. He wasn’t specific, but he asked for your cell phone number.”

  Marley stopped rocking. “You didn’t give it to him, did you?”

  Dede sighed. “No. I don’t do that without people’s permission.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What do you plan to do? Move to avoid him?”

  Marley loved her condo, but... “If I have to.”

  “Forget your ditsy rules. This guy could be the one. Give him a chance.”

  Remembering how much Brant’s nearness had upset her, Marley shuddered and said, “No way.” Totally flustered, she stood up, headed for her bed and flopped onto it. “Getting engaged was a mistake. The groom’s brother is in the wedding, and he’s Richard Brewster, my old flame from college. If I wasn’t in this fake engagement, I might be able to start something with him.”

  “Oh, so there is some man around who intrigues you? I was beginning to worry.”

  Even though she hadn’t heard from or seen Richard in years, he still brought back fond memories. “You got me into this mess with Brant. Now how do I get out of it?”

  After a long pause, Dede said, “I have the solution.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Tell everyone you broke off your engagement with Brant. That frees you to start something with this new guy. Then you move back to Pennsylvania so you’ll never have to deal with Brant again. Problem solved. And I’ve got to run.”

  Agape, Marley just lay there. The call hadn’t helped one bit. She had to come up with a solution, but telling everyone she’d just broken her engagement? No. That would require fabricating a whole new set of lies.

  CHAPTER SIX

  FOUR MORE DAYS, not counting today, and she’d be back in Phoenix. How would she avoid Brant once she returned? Did she want to avoid him? What should she do once she met with Richard? Annoyed, Marley tossed her phone into her purse and glanced out the window. Her father was getting into a car, heading out. Good. She wanted to talk with her mother and see how she felt about Red’s return.

  Marley found her mother standing at the kitchen counter, wearing a skirt and blouse covered by the ubiquitous flowered apron.

  “Morning, Mom.” Marley considered mentioning her father’s presence and decided to wait until her mother brought up the subject.

  Nora Roman turned with a warm smile. “You’re here? I thought you’d take off with your sisters and their families to Kennywood Park. The weatherman promised a few sunrays.”

  “No. Michelle’s back with Chloe and they plan to go. I’m way too tired. The tyke exhausted me.” How had her mother managed to take care of five girls, for the most part all by herself once Marley left for college?

  “Aunt Effie will be arriving soon. Do something with your hair, dear. You know how she always hated that kinky look.” Aunt Effie was ten years older than Nora’s fifty-five years and the matriarch of Nora’s side of the family. Aunt Effie rarely had a problem with anything, yet whenever her mother didn’t approve of something, Aunt Effie suddenly became very opinionated.

  Kinky? Marley automatically touched the springy curls. It had taken a long time to get her stubborn tresses to grow, and she liked how her hairdresser had managed to control the curl.

  “Your hair looks like you put your finger in a light socket.”

  For the hundredth time since she arrived, Marley felt trapped in a time warp. The years of living alone as an adult in Phoenix, plus those spent in college, were whisked away the moment she returned home. “I’ll tame it into a tight French twist by the time Aunt Effie gets here.” But it wasn’t kinky, never had been. It was merely curlier than usual, thanks to the high humidity. And a real pain in the neck to control.

  “You know how critical Aunt Effie can be. I want everything perfect for...for everyone.”

  Marley picked up a box of cereal, took out a handful of small cubes and began eating them dry. “Where’s she staying?”

  “Here, of course. Use a bowl.”

  “Here where?” Marley reached into the box again and took out another handful. The three bedrooms upstairs were full. So was her grandfather’s with Red staying there.

  “I thought she could use your room, and you can stay with me.”

  “Why not have her stay with you?” Marley really needed her sleep after dealing with the squirming Michelle. If her mother planned to discuss her present situation with Red, Marley knew sleep would be impossible. Her mother would want to talk all night.

  “She snores, and I’d never get any sleep.” Nora looked pointedly at the box of cereal and pushed a clean bowl in Marley’s direction. “Can’t you use this? I thought I raised you to have some manners.”

  “The cereal’s all gone.” Marley placed the last handful in her mouth. “Empty.” She turned the box upside down over the trash to show only a few crumbs remained before depositing it.

  “Can I help with anything?”

  “Thanks for asking, but everything’s under control. Actually, there’s little to do since your sisters refused to let me handle the wedding.” Nora eyed her daughter accusingly, knowing full well that Marley had instigated the rebellion.

  Convincing her mother to relax and enjoy the festivities this time around, instead of wearing herself out with the catering, had been a fight. But Nora not doing the work also meant her sisters, who helped Nora in her catering business, would be able to enjoy the wedding, as well. Marley had been so concerned about her sisters. Why had they backstabbed her and not told her...? Oh, stop this. Just get through it.

  “You work too hard. You need to enjoy a wedding, for a change.”

  “Since it won’t be the last, I hope you’ll let me cater yours.” Nora gave her daughter a hopeful smile, and Marley inwardly cringed. No way, she thought. No way.

  “There is something you can do.”

  Marley wavered. If it had anything to do with her father...

  “You’re the organized one in the family. Could you help Lindy with the thank-you cards? She’ll never get to
them without help.” When Marley nodded, Nora continued, “She sure got a lot of presents.... You can expect the same.”

  Not wanting to discuss her own wedding plans again, Marley left. She’d have to pack her things and take them to her mother’s section of the house. As children they had referred to the two additions as “mouse ears.” The additions stood on either side of the main building, one for Poppy and Nana when she was alive, the other for Nora and Red until the divorce.

  When Marley went upstairs, she found Lindy on the floor of the playroom, sitting among all her gifts. “Mom said you haven’t written any of your thank-you cards.”

  “I thought I’d do it after my honeymoon.”

  “Why not get it over with now? I’ll help.”

  Lindy rose and shook her head. “Nah. It can wait. Come on back to my room so we can talk.”

  “Okay, but I need to get my things out of my room before Aunt Effie arrives. She’ll be using it.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Mom asked me to stay with her.” Marley followed her sister into her room.

  “That’s no fun. Why don’t you sleep with me?”

  Marley took in the bed surrounded by a few hundred beady glass eyes and shook her head. “Mom probably wants to talk.” She grimaced. Her mother would probably want to talk about Red. Maybe she should reconsider Lindy’s offer.

  “I’m so glad you’re getting married,” Lindy said while climbing onto her bed. She turned around. “I didn’t want you to end up alone like Aunt Effie.”

  Marley picked up a giant teddy bear off the only chair in the room, intending to toss it at Lindy. Instead, she plopped down on the seat, holding the bear to her chest in a death grip. For several seconds she hid her face against the back of the bear’s soft neck. Well, what had she expected? Hadn’t the family breathed an audible sigh of relief when she’d told them about the engagement?

  Once she felt composed enough to show her face again, Marley peeked out from behind the bear’s head. “I better get going before Aunt Effie gets here.”

  “No, no. Wait! Silly me!” Lindy shouted, bounding off the bed and reaching for her purse. “I got them right here. Ta-da.” She lifted a bunch of keys and jingled them in front of the bear. “They belong to Rick. You can use his place. He won’t be home till Friday, another two days.”

  Marley hesitated. A night at Richard’s place sounded too intimate. “Why on earth do you have his keys?”

  “I feed his cat when he’s away. You can do it so I won’t have to.” She handed the keys to Marley. “At least you’ll get one good night’s sleep while you’re here.”

  “Are you sure he won’t mind?”

  “Who will tell him?” Lindy grabbed Marley’s shoulder and pushed her toward the door. “Use his guest room. That’s the one I always use when I want to get away from the family. It’s on the right when you enter the townhouse.” Marley hesitated. “Just change the sheets and leave the room like you found it.”

  Still undecided, Marley asked, “What’s the cat’s name?”

  “The Baroness. But she answers to ‘Kitty, Kitty.’ Now go. I’ll explain to Mom.”

  * * *

  WITH RICHARD’S ADDRESS punched into her cell phone’s GPS, Marley drove to his townhouse in her rented Toyota. Rain had started, again. Normally, Marley loved the sound of rain in Phoenix because it was infrequent and so welcome. But the intermittent downpours since her arrival in Pennsylvania had become annoying. She hoped the rain would end before the wedding.

  What would it be like to see Richard again? Had he changed much? Did he still have that golden hair, those eyes that melted any resistance? Did every woman he came in contact with still swoon and long to be in his arms?

  Their short romance had occurred while he was a senior at PITT and she a junior. Because he’d been popular with the women, Marley had felt special when he singled her out. Just as things between them had begun to heat up, her father had reappeared unexpectedly in her mother’s life. Nora accepted the situation, but Marley refused to.

  No way would she be like her mother, chattel, used by a man who tossed her aside when something better arrived. That promise to herself ruled Marley’s life. All her relationships had turned into slow fizzles the moment she detected any resemblance between the man and her father. At the time, she’d seen all the signs in Richard.

  She parked across from Richard’s townhouse in a guest parking space and dragged her one suitcase up the front steps. The Baroness, a solid gray short hair with a white bib, greeted her at the door and rubbed against Marley’s ankles. After cleaning the cat’s box and providing fresh water and food, Marley ran a bath for herself. The Baroness followed every step, demanding constant attention, which Marley gladly provided.

  Marley picked up a crocheted ball, one of the many cat toys scattered on the floor, and tossed it. “Here, chase this.” The Baroness ran after it, and Marley could close the door and slip into the tub. However, the cat scratched at the door, determined to get back in the room.

  When bubbles trapped around the cubic zirconia made a radiant rainbow of color, she thought of Brant. What made that man tick? He liked being engaged to her way too much. She hoped it wouldn’t create more problems for her when she returned to Phoenix.

  Marley slipped off the ring, wiped it dry and dropped it into her shoe. Once back in her T-shirt that served as a nightgown, she bustled about with a need to straighten the bathroom and destroy any evidence of her presence. Spotting underwear in the corner, Marley retrieved them, only to realize they weren’t hers.

  She dropped them into a hamper. The discovery of something so personal made her feel uncomfortable. What did she really know about Richard or his lifestyle? He could be having a steady relationship with someone. What a depressing thought. How could she resolve her muddled feelings for him if he already had commitments?

  Determined to get some rest, Marley closed the guest room door on the Baroness. She had no intention of sleeping with the cat, especially one whose purr had to equal Aunt Effie’s snoring.

  Oh, what quiet, what solitude. Climbing between the sheets, she relished the cool, smooth texture. Finally, a peaceful sleep.

  * * *

  THE BED UNDULATED, bringing Marley from a dreamless rest to semi-consciousness. When something hit her head, she woke completely. Ominous epithets from a masculine voice brought her back to her surroundings.

  I’m going to be murdered! Marley thought as the overhead light turned on. She pulled the sheet over her face and prepared for death.

  “What are you doing here?” a man shouted. “Sheba, get out!”

  Marley dropped the sheet to her nose. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she took in more and more of broad shoulders and flat waist. She gulped. Richard Brewster. His long pajama bottoms were covered with Pittsburgh Steelers logos.

  “Richard! What are you doing here?” She sat up, keeping the sheet protectively under her chin. His expression turned from questioning to incredulous.

  “Marley?” he asked. “Marley Roman?”

  “Yes,” she said, wishing she was facing a serial killer instead. Anything was preferable to having Richard discover her in his home. She gulped again and stared back as he breathed deeply, dropped his arm and relaxed his shoulders. “Who...” She faltered. “Who did you think I was?”

  Oh, the years had added more muscular weight, and his hair had a trimmer cut. Laughing, teasing, virile. The same old Richard, she thought as she clamped her teeth into her lower lip.

  “Sheba.” The single word came out in a whisper. Obviously not one of his favorite playmates. The Baroness jumped on the bed and came over to be petted. A welcome distraction.

  He still appeared stunned, so she asked, “Who’s she? Some exotic belly dancer?”

  “No.” He stared right into her eyes. “M
y mother’s poodle.”

  Marley’s stomach knotted at his easy admission. He didn’t even have the grace to look disconcerted. She bristled. “A dog? You thought I was a dog?”

  “Yeah. It’s your hair.” He flipped his fingertips through his own blond waves. Another reference to her hair. One more time and she’d shave it all off. “I thought my mother left her dog here.” His voice got softer as he continued to stare at her. “She sometimes brings her when she takes care of my cat.”

  “Really?” Adrenaline poured into her from her aborted fear. “Lindy said she was taking care of the Baroness.”

  Richard collapsed against the wall, rubbed his head and closed his eyes. “Right, I forgot. When the Baroness was scratching at the closed door, I came over to see why.”

  “The dog and cat get along?”

  He nodded, straightening, his eyes still on her. “So why are you here? I hoped we’d have a chance to get together. I just never figured you’d take the initiative.”

  “Hey, wait a minute.” Marley jolted upright. If he thought she’d planned this... “You’ve got the wrong idea here. I didn’t expect you home.” She paused. “I needed a place to stay, and Lindy gave me the key.” Had Lindy planned this so that Richard would discover her this way?

  Richard rubbed his head again. “I should have told her I changed my plans.” He faced Marley. “I’m in charge of Denny’s bachelor party tomorrow night...tonight, actually...I think. Tonight’s Thursday, isn’t it?”

  Marley reached for the clothes she’d placed at the end of the bed. “I should go.”

  “No. Stay. The room’s available. Not exactly how I planned our first meeting but...”

  “You had something planned?”

  Richard chuckled. “Not really. Just figured us meeting again would be a surprise. Figured you probably weren’t aware of your sister marrying my brother. I know it certainly shocked me.”

  The humor in Richard’s voice helped ease her tension. “Say, I’m wide-awake now. Want to talk?” He started out, but at the door he turned. “I’ll meet you in the living room.”