An Act of Love

by Marion Ekholm

  Marley straightened and dropped her arms. “Who did you promise?”

  “Your mother. She didn’t want me to. I better go.” He turned at the door. “Thank you for listening to me.” Red reached out to Brant, and they shook hands. “I’ll see you tomorrow. And thanks. Thanks for taking care of my girl. The first one is always special.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  SEVERAL MOMENTS AFTER the door closed, Marley let out a frustrated scream.

  “You’ll wake up Michelle.” Brant kept his distance, something she appreciated. Right now she needed her space.

  “Why did he have to say that? ‘The first one is always special.’” She began pacing, knocking her fist into her palm. She glanced Brant’s way and saw no telltale expression that might explain what he was thinking. The actor.

  When he took a seat on the sofa, she decided to join him. “So what should I do?”

  He placed an arm on the back of the sofa and stared at her. “That is by far the most loaded question I’ve ever heard. And I won’t risk my life to answer it.”

  Marley shrugged. “If I do the wedding, I’ll need to pick out a dress. Mom stores all of them in the spare room.”

  Brant bounded off the couch and went into the other room. He pivoted. “How superstitious are you?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you believe the groom shouldn’t see the bride’s dress before the wedding?”

  Marley shrugged. “I haven’t even thought about a wedding dress.”

  Brant disappeared, then reappeared with a garment bag. “No need to.”

  Marley gently pulled the dress out of the bag, marveling at the heavy white lace trimmed in pearls. She looked at Brant, too stunned to speak.

  “It was my grandmother’s. Elaina thought it would fit you, and you do need something special.” He picked up the dress. “Put it on. You can wear it as one of the bridesmaids.”

  “Brant Westfield, you have no idea....” She took a deep breath. “Only the bride wears white to a wedding, so no, I will not wear this to my mother’s wedding. And I won’t try it on in front of you. Not before our wedding. It’s bad luck.”

  Marley began repacking the dress. Coming up behind her, Brant grasped her shoulders and whispered, “But you will consider it, right?”

  She turned into his embrace. “Absolutely. It’s beautiful.”

  * * *

  MARLEY AWOKE TO something tickling her eyelashes. She opened one eye.

  “You ’wake?” Michelle asked.

  “I am now.” Marley rose to a seated position and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She wore the long PITT T-shirt Brant had packed in his suitcase, something she’d put on after last night’s shower. Michelle still had on yesterday’s clothes.

  “Come here and give me a good morning hug.” Michelle climbed onto her lap. “You know what we’re doing today?” Michelle shook her head. “We’re going to see Grandma and Grandpa get married. And guess who’s going to toss rose petals?”

  Michelle pointed to herself. “Me?”

  “Yes, you. And then Grandma’s going to walk all over them.” Right after I’ve walked over them. Yes, Marley had decided to be in the wedding.

  A rap on the door brought Michelle to total alertness. She scooted off Marley’s lap and ran to the door. “You don’t come in, Unky Brat.”

  Silence.

  Marley quickly got to her feet and approached the door. “Who’s there? We’re not dressed.”

  “It’s me. Al. I came for Michelle.”

  “Daddy!” Michelle screamed and began jumping in place.

  The door opened and there stood Al. He picked up his daughter and walked into the room, dragging Marley’s luggage. “Unless you’re planning to wear that shirt, you better get dressed.”

  “Thanks. I’ll change into what I’d planned to wear to the wedding.” Marley grabbed the luggage and walked over to the bed.

  Lindy peeked in behind Al. She was wearing a frilly yellow bridesmaid’s dress and carrying another, a chiffon full-length one in green, one Marley had worn at another sister’s wedding. She couldn’t remember which one. Lindy pushed past Al, followed by Chloe.

  “Lindy insisted on bringing the dress,” Chloe said once she got past her husband. She had on a dressy maternity outfit in pink, with plenty of extra room that she might need eventually, but certainly not today. “I tried to tell her you wouldn’t wear one of the old dresses, but she wouldn’t listen.” Chloe looked hopeful. “You do have something better, don’t you?”

  Marley reached for the green dress. “I think this should go well with my bone sandals.” She turned to Chloe. “I’m sorry. I know I promised Al I’d support you but—”

  “Out. Everybody out,” Al said, pushing everyone but his wife and Marley from the room. He turned to Chloe. “I brought several choices. I figured Marley might change her mind.” He started for the door. “I’ll be right back.”

  * * *

  “IT’S A WEDDING DRESS,” Lindy squealed when they joined her at IHOP for breakfast. “Your wedding dress? Brant showed us while you were getting dressed.”

  The group consisted of Chloe and Lindy, their husbands and little Michelle. They had gathered before heading to the eleven o’clock wedding. Michelle hadn’t changed into her flower-girl dress, yet, since she could spill syrup on it. However, everyone else had on their wedding attire. Brant wore a black tux in a Western style with his boots, something he intended to wear at their wedding.

  Marley extended her hand to show off the ring. “Brant gave me this. We’re getting married in Vegas, leaving right after Mom’s wedding.”

  “Vegas? But we want to be in your wedding.” Lindy’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she brushed them away. “We want to go to your wedding. How can you do this to us?”

  “You had your wedding the way you wanted. I’m entitled to have mine the way I want.”

  “But all the times we played with Ken and Barbie. We planned to be in each other’s weddings.” Lindy looked to her sister for support. “Right, Chloe?”

  “I can relate,” Brant said, joining in the conversation before Chloe had a chance to speak. “I have three sisters and got dragged into playing with them and their dolls as I grew up. They let me be Ken while they all pretended to be Barbie, and everyone had a big wedding with Ken.”

  “See,” Lindy said, leaning across the table. “Even Brant wants a big wedding.”

  “I never said that.” He reached for Marley’s hand. “I want whatever my bride wants. It can be here or in Vegas. It’s up to her.” Brant kissed Marley near her ear and whispered, “But the honeymoon won’t be delayed.” He sat back. “What do you want, Marley?”

  “I want...” She looked around at her family and her future husband. “I want to be Mrs. Brant Westfield by tomorrow morning in Las Vegas. Just pretend today’s wedding is mine, as well. This is the last family wedding I plan to attend until Michelle gets married.” She picked up the menu. “Should we start with coffee? I didn’t get much sleep last night, and I can really use a pick-me-up.”

  “Oh, not much sleep.” Dennis chortled.

  Marley waved offhandedly at her niece. “I slept with this little girl, who used me as a punching bag all night long.”

  “And I,” Brant said, sighing and placing an arm around Marley, “slept by myself, hugging my pillow and wishing it were Marley. And it’s the last time I plan to do that.”

  “Get used to it,” Al said. “Unless you don’t want kids, because once the little ones come, having them in bed with you is your life.”

  Brant moved his head so that his lips brushed the side of Marley’s forehead. “Can we adjust?”

  She snuggled closer. “We’ll have to.”

  * * *

  “IT’S TIME
TO GET READY,” Chloe said when they had finished eating. “I’ll dress Michelle.” She took the skipping little girl to the ladies’ room, carrying an outfit suitable for tossing rose petals. When Michelle emerged in layers of pink, she went right up to Dennis, took his hand and tugged.

  “Oh, what have we got here? Don’t you look pretty.” He bent over, adjusting his height to Michelle’s, when Lindy grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

  Michelle looked crushed.

  “Your sister...” Brant didn’t bother to finish. Instead, he went over to Michelle and picked her up. “Okay if I take this beautiful princess out to the truck?”

  Marley expected Michelle to protest, considering how she’d acted earlier, but the little girl contained her tears and held on to Brant. However, the look she sent in Dennis and Lindy’s direction showed that they were now both toast. Oblivious to the hurt feelings they had created, the two took off in their car, leaving everyone else to crowd into the truck.

  “It’s still so early,” Chloe said once they were on their way. “Have you packed everything at the motel, Marley?”

  “No. And we have to be out of there before the wedding.”

  Once Al stopped at the motel, Brant said, “Why don’t you three go watch TV. I need to talk to Marley.”

  “Yeah, right. I’m monitoring you, buddy.” Al glanced at his watch.

  Brant placed a hand on Marley’s back and aimed her toward the room she had shared with Michelle. “Are you all packed?” she asked.

  “It can wait. You want to check out that gown. See if it fits?”

  For a moment, Marley hesitated. “Right. That’s a wonderful idea. I’d really like to show Chloe.” She faced him. “But you can’t look.”

  “I’ll get your sister.”

  Before he was out the door, Marley slipped into the bathroom with the dress. It weighed several pounds, an old-fashioned style that really appealed to her, with grosgrain ribbons following the pattern of lace along a bodice encrusted with pearls. The lace from her waist to the floor had swirls of pearls scattered throughout. Lovely, exactly what she would have chosen.

  The little buttons at the wrists were difficult to do up, but the back was worse, making it impossible for her to get into the dress by herself. When the outer door closed in the other room, Marley called out, “Chloe, could you help me? I can’t get the back buttoned.”

  She stood leaning over the sink, in front of the mirror, when the bathroom door opened. And Brant walked in...wearing a black tie wrapped around his eyes.

  Marley gasped and turned to him.

  “I can’t see. Honest.” He took several steps toward her, holding his hands out, giving a believable performance of a blind man searching for her. Another acting routine, for sure. Definitely. How else could he place his arms around her and clasp the buttons on her back?

  She grabbed hold of his arms and pushed them away, all the while attempting not to laugh at his antics. “Get Chloe.”

  “No. I can do this.” He slipped out of her hold, turned her around and began buttoning the back of the dress. When that was done, he started on the openings from her wrist to her elbows, and easily flipped over the tiny pieces of fabric covering the pearl buttons.

  “You can see, Brant.”

  He didn’t bother to deny it. “Are you really superstitious?”

  “No.”

  “Good, because I’m not, either, and I want to get a good look.” Brant pulled off his blindfold and sucked in his breath. “My bride. So beautiful.” Stepping away, he held her hand and turned her around. When he was through, Brant wrapped his arms around her, kissed her neck and gazed at her in the mirror. “Why can’t you wear this to your mother’s wedding?”

  Marley moved out of his embrace, only to have him capture her again. “That’s way beyond superstition. Competing with the bride on her day is totally rude.”

  He sighed. “You’re right. Completely unfair.” Moving over to the door, Brant gave her his special smile. “I’ll get Chloe.”

  * * *

  THEY ARRIVED AT the church with fifteen minutes to spare. Marley saw Dede waiting outside with Richard and went over to greet them, holding on to Brant’s hand so he couldn’t sneak away. The two women hugged, while Brant and Richard looked uneasy and didn’t say anything to each other.

  “So you’re in the wedding?” Dede asked. She clasped Marley’s arm and drew her away from the men. “Meet me Monday after work. I’ve lots to tell you.”

  “Can’t.” She showed Dede the ring. “We’re getting married this weekend.”

  Dede squealed and pulled Marley into an embrace. She whispered something endearing in Spanish and then turned back to the men. Richard looked perplexed as Dede took his arm and led him into the church, but Brant had a contented expression. At least he kept his thoughts to himself and didn’t gloat.

  Marley entered the room where the bridesmaids waited. Her mother wasn’t with them, so Marley assumed she was behind the closed door in the cloakroom. Memories of Lindy’s wedding flashed, and Marley forced herself to concentrate on the now.

  “Is she here?” Nora called from the cloakroom. “I want Marley.”

  Marley walked over to the door and knocked lightly. It was opened immediately by Aunt Effie, who yanked her into the room.

  Nora wore a suit in cream, with a full-length narrow skirt and Chanel-style jacket. The attire was chic, without the frivolity of previous weddings. “You look lovely, Mom.”

  Nora smiled at Marley. “Thank you.”

  Marley went to her mother and hugged her. Yes, she had made the right decision. She’d never have to look back with regret for missing this precious time with her family.

  * * *

  AS MENDELSSOHN’S WEDDING March began, everyone stood. Michelle walked toward the altar on the white cotton carpet that had been placed in the aisle. She tossed rose petals here and there. Some actually landed where they were supposed to. The moment she saw Aunt Effie, Michelle dropped the basket of petals, ran over to her and demanded to be picked up.

  The rest of Marley’s sisters followed, each wearing a different gown. Lindy was the last one before the maid of honor.

  And then it was Marley’s turn. She walked down the aisle, concentrating on the cowboy standing next to her father. When she reached the altar, Brant stepped down to help her up the two steps.

  Brant whispered by Marley’s ear, “I’ve seen this movie before. It’s called 27 Dresses.”

  Marley elbowed him in the ribs and tried her best to keep from laughing just as her mother came down the aisle with Poppy.

  Marley focused on Brant while Pastor Williams went through the service. It wasn’t until the recessional started that she turned to look at her parents, married again, walking to the front of the church.

  * * *

  BRANT GAVE THE garment bag containing the wedding dress to the flight attendant to hang for him, while Marley continued toward the back of the plane. “Where are you going?” Brant caught up with her and led her to their seats in first class.

  Marley’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she took a comfortable leather chair next to the window. Once seated, Brant leaned over her and reached for her seat belt. “I can afford it.” He kissed her on the cheek before sitting back and buckling her safely into her seat.

  With a sigh and a nod, Marley reluctantly forced herself to relax in the luxurious seat way beyond anything she’d ever experienced.

  “Will there be any more surprises?” she asked.

  “Like?”

  “I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve ever been a bride.”

  “And last.”

  “And I don’t know what to expect. I’ve handled most of the planning or been involved in the past five...no, six weddings in my family, and I haven’t
arranged anything for my own. Have you planned everything?”

  Brant shook his head. “Elaina and my other sisters set it up, because everything’s new to me, as well. I’m hoping to avoid any publicity, so it’ll be pretty low-key. We’re staying at a discreet hotel that will provide absolute privacy.”

  “With a heart-shaped bed and a Jacuzzi tub?”

  Brant laughed. “If that’s what you want, I’ll arrange it.”

  “Don’t you dare. I was only kidding.”

  Marley shook her head and looked away. The plane had started down the runway, and she felt a little panicky. Flying into the unknown this way with a man she’d known for such a short time.

  “I wish we could have brought the guitars,” Marley said. They had played them at her mother’s wedding reception.

  “I myself think we’ll have enough to do without them, but if you feel a guitar is necessary, I’ll buy one for you.”

  She turned to him ready to object, only to encounter his smile, the one that gave her goose bumps and heart palpitations at the same time. “I’ll manage without.” She leaned against his shoulder, their hands joined and she lost her fear of the unfamiliar.

  She wanted this man with his “I want to make love to you” smile. And she had every intention of finding out what that smile promised.

  * * * * *

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  ISBN-13: 9781460337608