That's Amore (Weddings by Bella Book #4): A Novel

by Janice Thompson

  “Bella?” D.J. stirred next to me.

  I ran my hand across the sheets and landed on my husband’s backside. “Sorry, D.J. Go back to sleep.” In spite of his nearness, something about all of this felt very wrong, like I’d been picked up and transported to a place I didn’t belong.

  He dozed off again, his breathing now steady.

  As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, as I took in the eerie presence of the dead deer head fastened to the wall above my head, I realized the truth—I was in an unfamiliar place. Splendora. Where folks ate Bambi for dinner and celebrated the onset of summer with events like the Mosquito Festival. A place where small-town mayors used intimidation factors and plus-sized women came out swinging.

  In that moment the tears came. I didn’t mean for them to, but there they were. My emotional outburst stirred the dog to action. Precious propelled herself into my lap, licking the tears from my cheeks. D.J. woke up once again. He seemed a little discombobulated.

  “What’s happened, Bella? Are you okay?”

  “N-no!”

  “What is it?” He pulled me into his arms.

  “I. Miss. Home!” At this point I fell apart. The tears ran down my face like a little river.

  “Galveston?”

  I nodded, but of course he couldn’t see me in the dark. So I said the first thing that came to mind. “I miss pizza!”

  “You miss pizza?”

  “Y-yes. I haven’t had a good slice of pizza in ages.”

  “But we ordered pizza last week, remember?”

  “I know, but it’s not the same. I want the Mambo Italiano Special. I want to listen to Dean Martin sing over me as I eat it. I want to hear my brothers arguing in the background. I want . . . to go home!”

  “Bella-bambina.” He paused and I could sense his concern. “Then I’ll take you home. This wasn’t a good idea. I’m so sorry.” D.J. kissed my tears away and held me tight. “I wanted this to be easier on you, not harder.” His words came out a bit gravelly. Apparently my guy was still half asleep. “We’ll pack up first thing in the morning and go back. I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to make this work, baby. So rest easy.”

  “I-I don’t know what to do, D.J.” And I didn’t. Going home seemed like too much work. But staying for any length of time seemed impossible too.

  “No worries, Bella-bambina.” He gave me another kiss and then leaned back on his pillow. I attempted to do the same, but even after hearing his gentle snores next to me, I couldn’t fall back asleep. As much as I wanted to go back home to Galveston, I needed to make this easier on my husband. He had enough on his plate already without factoring an emotional wife into the mix.

  I spent a good half hour praying about all of this and finally—Thank you, God—dozed off. Seemed like just a few minutes later I awoke to the sound of children’s voices as Rosie and Tres leaped into bed on top of us. Judging from the time on the digital clock—7:43—I’d slept more than a few minutes. And judging from the sunlight streaming through the window, a new day had dawned. Surely I could begin again. Start fresh. Today I would lift my chin, pray for wisdom, and forge ahead, as if last night’s tearful tirade had never taken place.

  D.J. took the kids into the kitchen for their breakfast, shushing them all the way. “Stay put, Bella,” he said. “You need your rest.”

  I nodded and then pulled the covers over my head and listened. Nothing. No horns honking. No neighbors yakking. No kids on bikes passing by. Absolutely nothing. The peaceful stillness of the Splendora morning felt like a gift, one I needed to unwrap and take advantage of.

  So that’s just what I attempted to do. Well, until I got a phone call from Sophia with a list of questions about an upcoming ceremony at Club Wed. When I offered to head back to the island to help her out, she stopped me cold. “No way, Bella. I’m enjoying this. You just do whatever it is that people do in Splendora.”

  Alrighty then. I would focus on the facility here.

  Later, as I served up scrambled eggs and bacon, I made my apologies to D.J. “I’m sorry about last night.” A little sigh escaped before I could stop it. “I don’t really want to go back home yet, D.J.”

  “You sure? Sounded like it a few hours ago.”

  “I think I was just . . . vulnerable. Knowing that everyone is coming here for the party has made me a little misty.”

  “And the pizza comment?” He pulled me into his arms and planted kisses in my hair. “What about that?”

  I sighed again. “I do miss pizza. But we’re going to Galveston for my OB visit in a couple of weeks and we can go to Parma John’s then.”

  “Great idea. I miss the food too,” he said. “And while we’re on the Strand, let’s stop at Super-Gyros and pick up some sandwiches to bring back. They’ll last a couple of days in the fridge.”

  “Sounds yummy. I miss my friends too.”

  “I know you do, Bella. And you should visit Hannah and Scarlet and Gabi and Cassia—all of your friends—while you’re on the island. Make a day of it.”

  “You think we’ll have time to stay that long?”

  “We’ll make the time. You need it, babe.”

  I’d never loved D.J. Neeley more than I did in that very moment. He made me feel like such a princess.

  I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with my family, then we all headed out to see Bubba and Jenna’s new restaurant, just a few miles away off of Highway 59. I liked the place right away. The log cabin style suited a barbecue place, no doubt about that. D.J. took off with Bubba, deep in conversation about heating ducts. Jenna pulled Rosie into her arms, and Tres and Bubba Jr. played nearby, with little Weston buzzing around the place like a Texas tumbleweed. Every minute or so Jenna scolded her youngest son. He didn’t seem to get the memo that he shouldn’t be touching things, especially in the kitchen.

  “Weston, baby, you come here to Mommy. Don’t you touch that.” She clucked her tongue at him, then looked my way and sighed. “Is it always this hard with toddlers?”

  “Always.” I nodded. “But it gets better.” Of course, at that very moment Tres would have to pull out his sword and use it to knock down a rack of pots and pans, which clattered all over the floor.

  I knelt down to fetch them and Jenna joined me. “I don’t know how you’re going to do it with four children,” she said. “I really don’t. I can barely keep up with these two.”

  “Boys are rambunctious. Girls are . . .”

  I hesitated as I heard little Rosie let out a cry and then holler, “Tres is touching me!”

  “You were saying?” Jenna chuckled.

  “Yeah, they’re hard, no matter if they’re boys or girls. But they’re so worth it. And they do grow up . . . too fast.” Tears dribbled down my cheeks. “Seems like just yesterday Tres was born, and now he’s about to start school. School.” I emphasized the word partly to convince myself. How could my baby be starting school? I stood up and stretched my back.

  “I’m looking forward to the day when these little guys are in school.” Jenna groaned as she reached for the handle on the stove. “I honestly don’t know how I’m going to handle watching them and working here at the same time. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You need help. Have you asked around to see if someone could watch the kids for you while you work?” I regretted the words the moment I said them. If she asked me, what would I do? Nah, surely she wouldn’t go down that road. Jenna, of all people, knew what I was up against.

  She shrugged. “I don’t really know anyone. But I’m not worried about it, Bella. God’s got this. What’s the point in fretting when I know he’s already got it all figured out? I just have to be patient and let him show me who . . . and where.”

  Okay then. I had a lot to learn from my BFF. If only I could just relax and take things easy, like she did.

  Jenna continued to show me around the place as the kids played at our feet. She talked me through the various changes they planned to make.

  “It’s been Bubba’s dream f
or years,” she said. “And who am I to stop a fella from dreaming, especially someone as sweet as my Bubba?” Jenna released a happy little sigh. “I figured it wouldn’t kill me to let him try, anyway. And what’s the difference? I was already working in a restaurant. Running the register here won’t be that much different from running a register at Parma John’s.”

  “The clientele might be a little different,” I said. “Not so many tourists.”

  “True. More locals, for sure. But I like that. I like the steadiness of it. It’ll be nice to have that sort of consistency, I think.”

  “This place is great, Jenna,” I said after seeing the work they’d done in the kitchen. “I’m a little jealous.”

  “Why?”

  “Because this building doesn’t need any renovating. It’s ready to go.”

  “Ah. We were really blessed. This used to be a Mexican restaurant, obviously.” She pointed at the painting of a matador on the wall. “We’ll have to change the décor.”

  “But the building itself is great. Perfect. I can see it now. You guys will have it looking like a down-home Texas barbecue joint in no time.”

  “Yep. I think you’re right. Basically, we just have to westernize the place. Add wagon wheels. Put up some rustic-looking wood paneling.”

  “Funny. We just pulled down some wood paneling.” I laughed. “Not that you would’ve wanted it, trust me. It’s not at all what you’re talking about, I’m sure.”

  “Oh, I’ve given a lot of thought to our décor,” she said. “I’ve been researching online and have come up with the coolest ideas. Did you know you can use free wood pallets on the walls? Very rustic looking. The light fixtures are going to be a craft project using antlers.”

  “Antlers?”

  “Bubba has a ton of them. Oh, but not all of the lights are made of antlers. Some are old chandeliers—none of them matching—with mason jars for the light fixtures. I saw it on—”

  “Pinterest.” I said the word with her and laughed. “How did I know?”

  Knowing Jenna, she probably had the fabric for the curtains purchased already. I had to give it to her. My BFF was really in her element here.

  I understood this sort of excitement. I felt the same way about decorating the new wedding facility. Not that I would be doing the work myself, of course. Not while carrying two babies. But designing it all would be a blast. If I could ever slow down long enough to do so.

  Speaking of the facility, we needed to get on the road. Blossom would be there soon to meet with me. I could hardly wait to hear her ideas. Surely she would be loaded with thoughts about our décor that would get me just as jazzed.

  D.J. wrapped up his conversation with Bubba, and we got back into the truck to drive to the wedding facility. In the backseat, Tres and Rosie bickered. I wondered how they would make it through the next couple of hours without a nap. I should’ve brought some toys with me to keep them entertained. A quick glance at the clock told me I didn’t have time to stop now. Oh well.

  My thoughts were still on the children as D.J. pulled the truck into the parking lot of the wedding facility. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a brand-new swing set on the property in an area that had been cleared.

  What in the world?

  D.J. turned to me with a grin as he parked the truck. “I know you won’t believe it, but Cecil did this. Last night after I went home. I guess he had some free time on his hands.”

  “No way.”

  “It’s just temporary, obviously. He knows it won’t stay. But he suggested moving it to my parents’ place when we’re done with it here. In the meantime, it’s a place for the kids to safely play while you’re here working.”

  “Oh, D.J. . . .” I felt my eyes grow misty. “This is a sign, isn’t it? Will you forgive me for last night?”

  “Last night?” He looked perplexed. “There’s nothing to forgive, babe.”

  “I woke you up,” I argued.

  “Some people are worth waking up for.” He gave me a little kiss that sent my heart soaring heavenward.

  The kids went tearing to the new playground area, and I headed inside to thank Cecil, who seemed a little embarrassed as I gushed over him.

  “Just thought the kids needed something to do,” he said. “And it didn’t take long to put the swing set together. Enjoyed it.”

  “Well, thank you.” I offered him a smile. “You’ve made my day. You have no idea how much your gesture of kindness means to me.”

  His cheeks turned red, and he grabbed his hammer, offered me a nod, and went straight back to work. D.J. left in the truck to pick up more supplies at a hardware store in Humble, about twenty minutes south of here. No doubt he would be gone quite some time, judging from his list.

  I headed outside to check on the kids and wait on the Rigas girls, who arrived just a few moments later. The three sisters got out of their car and headed my way. I liked Blossom at once, though I wouldn’t have guessed her to be a sister to the twins. She didn’t resemble them at all, in part because she’d cut her hair short and ran a bit on the chubbier side. But from the way the three girls argued, they were definitely siblings.

  I led them from room to room in the wedding facility, explaining my plans for the place. Blossom made sketches in an art pad and shared so many wonderful ideas, all of them exactly what I had in mind.

  “You’re so good at this, Blossom,” I said. “Did you study interior decorating?”

  The young woman’s face turned pink. “No, I wish. I help my parents with the rose business. But I did help Mama with designing the new house.”

  “So I’ve heard. You did a gorgeous job there, and I’m sure your work here will be lovely too. I know you haven’t seen Club Wed, but it’s beautiful. Crystal chandeliers. Marble floors.”

  “Well, that sounds great,” she said. “But I’m guessing you’re going a different direction with this place?”

  “Absolutely. Much simpler, more rustic. Still beautiful, though.”

  “I figured.”

  “Ooh, I’ll have to introduce you to my best friend, Jenna. She and her husband Bubba have moved into a rental house just down the street from us. They’re in the middle of renovating a barbecue restaurant on Highway 59, and it’s gorgeous. The perfect amount of Texas flair.”

  Blossom smiled. “I’ve heard all about the new restaurant from Mama. She’s so excited.” Her smile faded a bit. “But she’s a little worried that the mayor might try to throw some kind of kink into the plans.”

  “Kink?” I shook my head. “I’m sure she’s misunderstood something. From what I gathered when we were there just now, everything is peachy.”

  “That’s wonderful.” She nodded. “Great news.” She turned her attention to the décor plans once again. “I suggest we go with a plan that makes people feel completely at home when they come in the door. Comfortable, not stiff. Charming, not pretentious. Does that make sense?”

  “Definitely.” I relaxed as I realized I’d chosen exactly the right person for this. “Blossom, I’m so grateful for your ideas. A good designer is worth her weight in gold.”

  “Thank you so much,” she said. “I just love doing this sort of thing.”

  I had it on good authority—Twila—that Blossom and her husband Darrell needed the additional income. His job washing eighteen-wheelers at a local truck stop barely brought in the money they needed to pay their bills, from what I’d been told. Still, maybe it would be better to talk financial matters without the other sisters around. And perhaps I could bless Blossom another way—by helping her set up a new interior design business?

  Like I had time to do that.

  When we got to the chapel area, I found Cecil up on his usual perch atop the scaffolding with several of the other guys working hard nearby.

  “Hey, Cecil. Sorry to disturb you guys.”

  “No problem, Mrs. Neeley.” He glanced down and his eyes widened. The poor guy took one look at Lily and almost fell straight off the scaffolding. Litera
lly. He had to grab hold to keep from tumbling.

  I’d seen my share of fellas who’d gone gaga over a gal. Gauging from the expression on Cecil’s face, it was love at first sight.

  Lily seemed clueless. Then again, the poor girl was still in love with her sister’s fiancé, Fred, so she probably hadn’t noticed the handsome carpenter at all. Still, I couldn’t help but ponder the possibilities of a Cecil-Lily relationship. Hmm.

  We continued our trek through the facility, finally working our way back outside, where I described my plans for the parking lot.

  Off in the distance an unfamiliar car crawled up the street. Strange to see someone driving so slowly.

  “Hey, isn’t that Clayton Deets’s car?” Blossom squinted. “I don’t know anyone else with a Prius that color.”

  Clayton Deets? Ugh. “What do you think he’s up to?”

  Lily sighed. “I feel sorry for him. You’re all so quick to jump to conclusions.”

  “Lily Rigas!” Jasmine put her hands on her hips. “Did you read that last article he wrote? It was a declaration of war against Bella and D.J.”

  “Well, I guess I just see it differently.” Lily took a couple of steps away from us, her gaze never leaving the car, which approached at turtle-like speed. “I know that everyone’s mad at him about his articles, but the way I look at it, it’s not really his fault. He’s just doing what his uncle tells him.”

  “Which tells me he’s got no backbone,” Jasmine countered. “A boy with no backbone is, well . . .”

  “Spineless.” Blossom shifted her purse to the opposite shoulder. “And a spineless boy is, well . . .”

  “Wobbly?” Jasmine said.

  We all laughed at that one. Well, all but Lily, who gave us a sour look.

  “I just think he’s misunderstood.” She shrugged and kept her gaze on his vehicle as it drew near. “People haven’t given him a chance.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” Blossom said. “I remember what he was like when we were in high school together. Of course, he was a couple of grades ahead of me, so I didn’t know him well, but he seemed nice enough back then.”

  “He’s really talented,” Lily added. “Have you read his older articles, the nature ones? They’re well written. He’s always been so good at describing the foliage in our area, don’t you think? Lovely choice of adjectives.”