Brant spun around, grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm’s length, still shaking with laughter. “This has got to be the craziest wedding I’ve ever attended.”
“We nearly came to blows over the black lipstick and black nail polish, but I won.” Marley dabbed at her eyes, which had begun to tear. She wasn’t sure whether her eye makeup was waterproof, and she didn’t want it running down her cheeks. “No way was I going to walk down the aisle looking like a zombie.” She sucked in her breath. “A clown is bad enough.”
Now they were both completely gone, until Brant said, “I’d better get into my penguin suit.” He was still laughing when he emerged from the bathroom in his pants and boots. “Can you help me with this?” he said as he slipped into his white shirt. “It has regular buttons.”
Marley assisted, then handed him a small gift. “From Denny. Cuff links, for the tuxedo.” Brant opened the box and stared, then brought the box closer for a better view. “D and L? Am I seeing this correctly?” He handed it back to Marley. Sure enough, each link had only one initial.
“Their initials,” she said as she fitted them into his cuffs.
“Is it some kind of tradition?”
Marley shrugged. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“I sure hope he didn’t spend a lot for something I can only wear once.” He started to chuckle again and was still chuckling when she helped him with the bowtie and cummerbund. “And you thought my family getting married in Vegas was weird.”
As Marley turned to get Brant’s jacket, she felt a gush of air on her back. “What did you do?” Annoyed, she wheeled and said, “Stop fooling around, Brant. Zip me up.”
“What?”
“My zipper. Zip it. We’ve got no time to waste.”
He threw his hands in the air, palms up. “I didn’t touch you. Honest.”
Marley reached around, searching for the zipper and found only a gaping hole.
“No!” She ran for the bathroom and slammed the door.
A few moments later, Brant knocked. “You all right?” He tried the door. She’d locked it.
“The zipper’s broken.”
“Maybe I can help.” After she unlocked the door, he started to walk in but gripped the doorjamb instead.
Marley held the dress up in a vain attempt to provide cover for herself. “Stop ogling me. Lindy picked out the underwear.”
“I like it.” His face lit with humor that Marley didn’t appreciate.
“You’re drooling, Brant. This is a catastrophe. I can’t wear this.”
“Maybe we can sew it or pin it or something.” They worked on the dress for several minutes, but nothing could repair the zipper. The hook at the top was the only thing that kept the dress from falling down. “We better get to the church. You can wear my jacket.” Fortunately, it was long enough to cover the entire open area.
“I’m driving,” he said when they reached the car. “You’ve got a lot on your plate right now, and you need to concentrate on what can be done to solve this.” He started laughing again. “I’m sorry.” He looked at her, unable to stop grinning. “Could this day possibly get any worse?”
* * *
AT THE CHURCH they found all the bridesmaids clustered around Chloe, who was in tears. “For the hundredth time, Lindy—I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was pregnant when I got the dress.” She spotted Brant and backed against the wall. “He can’t come in here. My zipper broke.”
“So did mine,” Marley said. “They may all be defective. We’ll have to change into other dresses.”
“I don’t believe this!” Lindy said. “You just don’t like my choice of colors. Admit it—you don’t want me to have anything different.”
Lindy took in a deep breath and aimed her bombardment at Marley. “You figure this out, because I’m having my black-and-white wedding. No one is going home to get her bridesmaid’s dress from another time.” She whirled and headed for the cloakroom, slamming the door behind her. Marley had noticed the faintest pink on her train. So the cleaner had been unable to remove the stain entirely.
Marley went to grip her head in total frustration but stopped when she felt the stiff hairdo. She turned to Brant. “You find the groomsmen and bring them here, but don’t let Denny come. He can’t see the bride. Also, ask the minister to come see us.”
“You have a plan?”
“Two. Plan A we get the minister to delay the ceremony. If he can’t, we use plan B.”
“Which is?”
“Once the groomsmen are here, we’ll borrow their jackets. That way we’ll all look the same and won’t have to worry about further zipper breakage.” She hesitated. “Forget the groomsmen—just bring their jackets. And you better bring Denny’s, too.”
Brant gave her a thumbs-up and made for the small room by the altar, where the groom and groomsmen waited with the minister.
When Aunt Effie joined Marley, they clasped hands. “Brant said there’s some problem? What’s going on?” Marley explained and lifted the back of Brant’s jacket to display the broken zipper. “I suppose we can sew you into it, but that will take time.”
Brant had returned with the minister and an armload of jackets. Richard was right behind him with another armload. “There’s a name on the slip of paper in the breast pocket in each so we’ll know which belongs to who,” Brant said and dropped the jackets on a chair.
Richard followed suit. “The bride having another temper tantrum?” he asked. “I could hear her screaming all the way down by the front of the church.”
Marley bit her lip to avoid making any comment. The church, full of guests, must have heard Lindy, as well.
“I’ll explain,” Brant said, grasping Richard’s shoulder and directing him toward the altar.
Facing the clergyman, Marley began, “Pastor Williams, we’ve got some wardrobe malfunctions.” His brow furrowed, so she continued, “Several zippers broke, and we need to delay the ceremony.” She glanced at Aunt Effie, who mouthed, “One hour.”
“Can’t,” the minister said, backing away from Marley. “I have another wedding here in an hour, and then I have to attend a ceremony at another church. It’s now or never. Get your act together and go with the jacket solution.”
Marley rubbed her temples. “Plan B,” she mumbled and looked at the pile of jackets on the chair. She picked up the only white one and regarded her sisters, who had gathered around her. “Each of you take a jacket. They’re black like your dresses and will protect your backs. Roll up the sleeves like this.” She demonstrated by tucking the end of Brant’s sleeve underneath.
“Don’t look for your husband’s. Just find one that fits.” The women ignored her and checked for their husbands’ names on the slips of paper. Thanks to Al’s height, Chloe’s jacket reached her knees, totally covering her dress. “I’ll get Lindy ready. Where’s Dad?”
“Marley,” a small voice said. She turned to see her cousin, Cheryl, the only one in the party who wasn’t paired with a husband. “Do I take Richard’s jacket? He didn’t leave it.”
Marley closed her eyes and tapped her forehead.
“I’ll get it,” Aunt Effie said. She disappeared into the church and returned almost immediately with the jacket. “Brant got it for us.” She handed it to Cheryl. “Better check it for blood.”
“What?”
“Just kidding.” She turned to Marley. “Your mother’s already seated, and your father was outside having a cigarette. If you don’t need me anymore, I’ll get him and go back to my seat.”
Marley nodded and started for Lindy. She stopped and said to her sisters, who were quietly fixing their jackets, “Thanks. You’ve been wonderful. I really appreciate your help.”
“Group hug,” someone shouted. The five of them—Jen, Franny, Chloe, Marley and Morgan—piled together for hugs and gi
ggles.
Marley knocked on the door. “Lindy, it’s Marley.” When Lindy opened the door, she made no effort to hide her displeasure. A storm raged across her face.
“I am not wearing that jacket,” she said when Marley offered it to her. “If you all want to look like idiots, go ahead. Ruin my wedding, but you’re not going to make me appear like some—some—some...” She caught her lip with her teeth and made a Herculean attempt not to cry.
“This will cover the stain on the back of your dress,” Marley said, still holding the jacket out to Lindy.
“Where?” The bride circled herself, straining futilely to locate the discoloration. “Where is it?”
“On the train, which will detach once you’re out of the church. Wear this. We’ll all match and years from now, we’ll all have a big laugh over it.” The other bridesmaids had entered the tiny room, dressed alike in the jackets.
“Everyone’s laughing now,” Lindy said in a bleak voice.
“No, we’re not,” Chloe said. “And the men won’t laugh, either. Brant said no one will even crack a smile. The Roman Warriors will make sure of it.”
Every one of her sisters nodded approvingly.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
NO ONE LAUGHED. No one made eye contact. No one gave any prepared vows. And the people in the pews looked overjoyed as the bride and groom kissed in the shortest ceremony they had ever witnessed. Marley returned the cluster of calla lilies to the bride. Lindy and Dennis left the altar, and, to everyone’s delight, but especially Marley’s, began their walk down the aisle as a married couple, to applause and well wishes.
Now that the monumental undertaking had been achieved, Marley could relax. With a triumphant smile, she took Brant’s hand and started to follow the newlyweds.
Richard walked right behind them with Cheryl on his arm. “Was I that big of a threat you had to hire an actor to play your fiancé?” Richard asked.
Marley and Brant both stopped and turned. “This whole engagement thing is an act. Just like the drunk scene. Denny told me all about it.”
Marley felt the tension build in Brant’s hand, possibly because her own grip refused to let the blood flow. She grabbed his other arm to keep him as well as herself from doing anything unforgivable at the altar. “Ignore him,” she whispered. But he didn’t. Brant shook his arms free and whirled to confront Richard, creating a bottleneck at the gate of the wooden fence enclosing the altar.
“You want to take this outside?” Brant said in a quiet voice.
“Why? So you can sing and dance around me?”
“Whatever it takes.”
“Stop this right now,” Marley ordered, holding out her arms to keep the two men separated. “Don’t you dare spoil this wedding.”
“There a problem, sis?” All six feet and five inches of Al came between the men. He faced Richard. “We’ve got five Roman Warriors here who say this wedding carries on as planned.” After a short pause, he added, “Got that?” He winked at Marley, and would have high-fived Brant if she hadn’t grabbed Brant’s hand and pulled him down the aisle.
Marley could barely contain her fury. She closed her eyes and let the flow of people carry her to the reception line. Standing by the bride, she greeted friends, relatives and strangers with the same fixed smile, the same lines repeating in her head until everyone had left the church: They know. Everyone knows the engagement is fake.
“Calling Marley,” Brant said, waving a hand in front of her face. “I see you in there.”
Forcing herself to focus, Marley drew in a deep breath and looked around. They were the only two left in the church vestibule.
“How did Richard find out the engagement is fake?” Her voice was raspy.
“Probably nothing more than a hopeful assumption on his part. You tell me to ignore any of his attitudes that upset me. How about you ignoring remarks from him that upset you.”
“I can’t,” she said through a tight jaw, gazing at the floor.
“Welcome to my world.”
She looked back at Brant and gripped his arm. “Who told Richard you’re an actor?”
“You ever watch TV or go to the movies?” Brant asked and removed her hand from his arm, entwining his fingers with hers. “I told you I’ve done pictures and commercials. Even your nephew recognized my voice. My profession wasn’t anything you could keep secret.” When she didn’t respond, he continued, “I didn’t have to tell anyone. All your sisters knew. They mentioned it when I danced with them last night. So did your grandfather.”
Unable to deal with this latest calamity, she pulled her hand free, went back into the church and sat in an empty pew. “And not one had a problem with it,” Brant said as he sat down beside her. “You planning to talk to me or should I go and beat the crap out of your old boyfriend?”
Marley had begun pounding his chest, until he encircled her in an embrace and held her tight. “Did you know I’ve been inducted into the Roman Warriors, that distinct club for all the husbands of your sisters?” While he brushed her face with his fingers, he continued, “We meet monthly, dance around huge bonfires in the nude and wrestle alligators. Or was it crocodiles? Which ones are carnivorous?”
“Oh, Brant, stop talking. There are no alligators or crocodiles in Pennsylvania. I feel like such an idiot,” she said, edging away from him. “This whole engagement has been a farce from the beginning.” She looked up in an attempt to read his face. “And, no, I rarely watch TV, certainly not the commercials. The only actors I’m familiar with or liked died decades ago.”
Marley yanked off her engagement ring. “This gets returned along with the other one.” Prepared that Brant might object, she said, “It has nothing to do with money. I don’t want something that will remind me of this engagement. I’d never have even considered it if Dede hadn’t egged me on. I don’t even like diamonds. They’re too...too impersonal and cold.”
Brant reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the box containing the expensive ring. “So I can never give you this?”
Marley stood and Brant did, as well. They moved out into the aisle. “No.” She restrained his arms to keep him from pulling her back into an embrace. “Thank you for being my friend—”
“Is that all I’ve been?”
Marley closed her eyes and bit down hard on her lower lip. She was not going to cry, nor would she cling to him for support. “I’ve got to face my family, Brant. Make amends for being so foolish.”
“Let me—”
“No. Please.”
“Is this some kind of kiss-off because—”
“Brant, I—”
He placed his hand over her mouth. “It’s my turn. You’ve had your say. Now I have mine.” He drew in a deep breath. “I love you, Marley Roman. I have since the first day I saw you.”
“Stop telling me that. Love at first sight never happens.”
He pushed her back into the pew and sat down next to her.
“It does. It certainly did for me.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I’d been away for months, doing a picture down in Australia. My taxi pulled up behind yours at my condo, and I saw this gorgeous redhead get out of the cab in front of mine. You headed for the door obviously annoyed with the cabbie. I could hear you sputtering under your breath. Not so he could hear. I burst out laughing and tried to catch up with you. By the time I got inside with all my luggage, you were gone. I had no idea you had moved into the condo next to mine.”
He shook his head to indicate she shouldn’t interrupt. “Days later, when I finally met you in the hallway, I couldn’t believe my luck. I decided right then and there, I wanted to get to know you. That you avoided me and turned me down when I did ask you out intrigued me even more.”
Marley tried not to laugh and gazed in the other direction. Brant caressed her chin and forced h
er to look at him.
“I liked your spunk. And I just knew, in here.” He tapped his chest. “I knew you were the one for me.”
“You realize how insane that sounds?”
He closed his eyes. “Marley, let me finish.” He waited a moment then began again. “My great-grandfather came from England and settled in Arizona. On his way crossing the country he met his wife, a Mexican beauty he knew for one day before he proposed. They were married for nearly seventy years. My grandfather knew his bride three days, and my father took all of two weeks. Instantaneous recognition of true love is in our genes. I knew one day I’d find—”
“Didn’t you find her when you were in college?”
Brant stopped and stared straight ahead. “Janise had leukemia when I met her. I loved her and wanted to make a life with her. Even though she went through several remissions, I understood our chances weren’t good.” He looked back at Marley. “I don’t give up on people I care about.” He gripped her hands. “I never thought I’d find anyone again until I met you. I love everything about you, even your cotton-candy hairdo.”
“Brant, I—”
“Did I say I was through?” He paused and waited a moment before continuing. “I acknowledge we’re different. You may need a while before you feel the same about me, and I won’t rush you. But each minute I’m with you, I see so many things we have in common. We have to give us a chance.”
“Here they are,” Al said as he entered the church. Brant and Marley turned with blank expressions to find out who had intruded. “The bride’s waiting for pictures, and Aunt Effie has some special strong thread to sew you into your dress.” He reached past Brant and grabbed her hand. “You two can go back to kissing after the pictures are taken.”
As they got up to follow Al, Brant whispered near her ear, “As much as I admire your spunk, I’m not letting you face this alone.”
An Act of Love Page 16