The Wedding Gift

by Judy Kentrus

  “You know this guy, Cindi?” Jessie had full knowledge of his identity, but couldn’t show any recognition. She had the strongest instinct to punch the bastard who had ruined their party, but she had something more important to do—make arrangements for the ladies to get back to Spring Meadow. And she knew just who to call.

  “We were acquainted in high school.”

  “Cindi, Cindi, how could you say we were just acquainted.” He grinned, showing his perfect white teeth. “It was a great deal more. We were in love.”

  “Were, as in past tense, and the only person you ever loved was yourself.” Cindi recalled what Preston had told her about Leland’s illegal activities, and she realized his luster had tarnished. What had she ever seen in him?

  Despite the support of the cane, Bertie had been standing much too long. Cindi turned her back on the scum and put a supportive arm around her friend’s slender waist to guide her back to the table. “Let’s sit down.” Once Bertie was settled next to Muriel and Sadie, Cindi squatted down next to Bertie’s chair and linked their fingers together. Bertie’s hands were cold. “I sense Thom isn’t one of your favorite people. Don’t worry. Jessie and I are going to handle this problem.”

  The older woman patted Cindi’s cheek with long, narrow fingers. “You are a good girl. I never had children, but if I ever had a granddaughter, I hope she would have been like you.”

  The compliment warmed Cindi’s heart, and she kissed Bertie’s soft cheek, brushed with a swipe of rose blush. “You can consider me your unofficial granddaughter any time. Can I get you anything before I straighten out your nephew?”

  “I prefer to call him an asshole.” Bertie directed her next statement to Margaret, who was sitting directly across the table. “I don’t trust lawyers, but since you are Cindi’s friend and the mayor, you’re okay. Come Monday, I plan to make changes in my will. Can you help me out?”

  “I’d be glad to. Have the social worker at the center call my office.”

  “In case you were wondering, Mr. Abbott was my first husband and I loved him the best—that is why I never took the other’s name.” Bertie pursed her lips at Cindi. “I’m getting too old for this nonsense. Sure could use some chocolate.”

  “How did I know you were going to say that?” Cindi opened Bertie’s purse and withdrew one of the chocolates stashed below an assortment of lace-edged hankies. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?” She winked.

  Thomas observed the close interaction between Cindi Pearl and the feisty old bat. He was totally unaware of the friendship they shared. Bertie had a sharp mind, and it had taken some doing to persuade her to go into assisted living, stressing her age and precarious health. Five years ago, he’d convinced her to give him power of attorney and put him in charge of her finances. He had purposely moved her to different facilities so she wouldn’t be able to form close relationships. He didn’t want anyone asking questions. Her fondness for Cindi put a different slant on his reason for coming to Laurel Heights, and posed a threat to the sweet operation he had going. He wanted to ruin Reynolds’ relationship with Cindi, but now there were more important things to consider, like losing access to a great deal of money. It was time to move Bertie out of Spring Meadow into something more permanent.

  He surveyed the party room and his snooty brow lifted in surprise. The women had wrapped the ribbons from the penis balloons around the necks of the empty champagne bottles and lined them up like soldiers at attention. A cardboard sign hung from the first bottle. Penis Brigade.

  His eyes lowered to the front of Cindi’s shirt as she approached him. “I’d say everyone has done a bit of drinking. I’d like to get to know Naughty Cindi.”

  Hotness swept her cheeks, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “In your dreams.”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt this reunion,” Officer Lynch said. “There is a matter of a complaint against everyone at this party.”

  Jessie quietly filled the judge in on the situation, before reaching for her cell phone. Transportation was on the way. Now it was time to be a cop and set Leland straight. “Thank you, Officer Lynch. I’ll take it from here. You may resume patrol.” The smile that she offered her patrolman disappeared when she faced the lawyer.

  “Your complaint is unfounded.”

  Leland raised a dark blond blow. “And you would be?”

  “Lieutenant Adams.”

  His expression registered distaste. “Nice uniform. Did you know my aunt stole the vehicle and was driving without a license?”

  Jessie was taken aback by the direct question, but held her ground. “Yes, but the center has already dropped the stolen vehicle complaint.”

  “At the time of my aunt’s arrival, you failed to contact your department about the stolen vehicle and report the operator was driving without a license. I was able to coordinate the time of her arrival on her GPS tracking device. I’d say that is dereliction of duty.”

  This guy really is an asshole, Jessie decided. “Counselor, this isn’t the time or place for an interrogation that is completely asinine.”

  “I beg to differ. Monday morning my office will follow through on my initial complaint, and I’ll insist it be signed by the judge before end of day.”

  Margaret had listened to the entire exchange and preferred Jessie keep it in the hands of the police, but this Leland character needed a firmer hand. No one told her what to do or accused her daughter of dereliction of duty. She may not have been in her judge’s robe, but she moved to the doorway and took a formidable stance in front of Thomas Leland. She didn’t give him the courtesy of acknowledging his status as an attorney-at-law.

  “Your complaint will not be signed because it is totally unfounded. The center was duly notified of the missing van and residents. They’ve cancelled the stolen vehicle alert. In my opinion, they lack proper security and put the health and welfare of their residents at risk. If anyone deserves a complaint, it’s the center. If you insist on following through to the letter of the law, Officer Lynch will issue your ninety-year-old aunt a summons for driving without a license.”

  When Margaret finished, the women started clapping, and Jennie whistled through her teeth.

  Leland’s back stiffened. He didn’t appreciate being chastised in front of a group of tipsy women. “And who the hell are you?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Judge Margaret Taylor. I’m also the mayor of Laurel Heights. If I were you, counselor, I’d get the hell out of my town.” Margaret returned to the ladies and helped herself to a watermelon pop.

  He wasn’t done, not by a long shot, and had unfinished business with Cindi. “I believe I can clear up this entire situation, but I’d like to have a private moment with you.”

  Jessie lightly touched Cindi’s arm. “You don’t have to do this.”

  A sick feeling settled in Cindi’s stomach, and it wasn’t from food or drink. There was still the complaint against all of the women in the room. Would he use cunning to make the charge stick? Her personal motto flashed in her mind and she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  Let’s hear what the man has to say.

  Cindi swept a hand in the direction of the main dining room. “We’ll have more privacy in here.” She didn’t bother to sit in one of the padded red booths. She crossed her arms over her chest and wished she had her pitchfork full of smelly hay and manure. “Okay, talk.”

  “That shirt fits you. The more I see of the sexy side of Cindi Pearl, the more I like.”

  “We didn’t come out here to talk about my shirt. You mentioned clearing up this situation. The judge is very smart and can see right through a pile of bullshit.”

  “See, that’s what I mean—bold and sassy.”

  “Say what you have to say. My guests are waiting.”

  “I really want to spend time with you. Have dinner with me.” Little did she know his invitation would put her in a very compromising situation.

  “You are truly demented. If I didn’t ac
cept any of your other invitations, what makes you think I will accept your latest offer?” He looked too smug, and the sick feeling in her stomach intensified, as she waited for the other shoe to drop.

  “Did you think I could be defeated by a hick judge? I didn’t pass the bar yesterday. It wouldn’t look good if it got out a judge, who just happens to be the mayor, a police lieutenant, and other guests had a drunken orgy and harbored three felons.”

  “With penis balloons! I’ve refused you over and over again, and now you’re resorting to blackmail.”

  “Not really. What happened to your personal motto about helping a friend in need?”

  No one, absolutely no one, had to remind her of the rule she’d always lived by, but there were times it did more harm than good. Just ask her fiancée. It was a good thing he loved her. It was time to put this sleaze in his place. Cindi unfolded her arms and curled her fingers into a fist. Her face was filled with a Cheshire Cat grin. “You’re not the only one who has access to the media. I’d have one of those cheesy commercials made for cable television. ‘Senior partner of the prestigious law firm Leland, Roberts, and Harrison insists his frail, delicate, ninety-year-old aunt be arrested as a felon and ticketed for driving without a license.’”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “You really don’t know me. By the way, I have a new favorite movie, Miss Congeniality. Have you ever seen it?”

  “I’m not into chick flicks.”

  “Well then, you’ll be surprised when I do this.” Cindi pronounced each letter before she followed through with lightning-swift moves. “S”—elbow in the stomach!—“I”—heel to the instep!—“N”—elbow to the nose!—“G”—fist to the groin!

  A loud moan echoed throughout the café when Thomas doubled over and thrust his hands between his legs. “Don’t you ever threaten me or my friends again! If a slanderous word gets out about my party, you better change your name, your face, and run and hide. I did mention that I work for one of the top security companies in the country, and they can find anyone.”

  “Bitch!” he gasped.

  “Your momma should have taught you better manners.” His tanned complexion had turned ashen, and he was breathing heavily. “If you need a bandage for your bruised nuts, we’ll deflate a penis balloon.”

  “I’ll get you and that crippled Reynolds if it’s the last thing I do.” His words came out in a rasp, but he got his point across.

  Cindi closed her eyes and counted to ten as her temper shot into overdrive. Her hands automatically re-formed into fists. “That was the wrong thing to say. No one insults my fiancée, who just happens to be a hero!” Leland was still doubled over, and in the perfect position for her next move. Cindi put her hands together, forming a solid rock, and pistoned her arms upward, ramming him under the chin. She thought she heard something crack when his body flew backward and he sprawled on his back.

  “Now I’m done, and I’m taking back the offer of a bandage for your balls. You don’t have any.”

  Cindi was still shaking when she returned to the private dining room. Her hands hurt and her arms and shoulders ached, but in a good way. Leland had gotten what he deserved, especially for insulting Preston.

  Samantha rushed over as soon as she entered the room. “What happened? We heard a loud bang, like something hitting the floor.”

  “That was Leland’s hard head after I pulled a SING defensive move. He insulted Preston by calling him a cripple, so I followed up with a double-fisted uppercut to his chin while he was still moaning from my first attack.” Cindi brought the knuckle above her pointer finger to her mouth. “Any ice left?”

  “Sit down,” the judge urged when Sallie Mae passed Cindi a Ziploc bag of ice. “What prompted you to attack him? Better yet, will he be calling the police and having you arrested for assault?”

  “Shit, I didn’t think of that.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll all swear he slipped on a piece of ice,” Julie said. “So why did you go after him?”

  “He offered to drop the charges against everyone in the room if I went out to dinner with him.”

  “That doesn’t tell us why you attacked him,” Jessie said.

  “Okay, I’ll tell you, but don’t go ape shit. There will be enough of an explosion when the men find out what he threatened. Leland called Margaret a hick judge and said it wouldn’t look good if it got out a judge, who just happens to be the mayor, a police lieutenant, and other guests had a drunken orgy in a popular café and harbored three felons.”

  A chorus of “what” filled the room, followed by uncomplimentary descriptions of his personal being that should have been censored.

  “Where is that son of a bitch?” Jessie stormed out, muttering, “No one calls my mother a hick judge.” She came back a few moments later. “He’s gone. If he’d still been there, more than his nuts would be hurting.”

  “That’s okay.” Cindi sighed in a subdued tone. “I offered the use of a penis balloon as a bandage, but took it back when he referred to Preston as a cripple. That’s when I clocked him under the chin and told him that he didn’t have any balls.”

  Maybe it was the way Cindi said it, but the women looked at one another, eyed the manly swaying balloons, and burst out laughing.

  “Right now we’re having a good laugh, but our guys aren’t going to think it’s funny when they find out about Leland,” Alexis said.

  “I think we should wait until they are home before we break the news.” Lisa Kay shifted in the chair when one of her sons kicked her in the hip. “Let’s send out a group text once you’ve told your man.”

  “Sounds good, but we need a code word,” Suzie Q said.

  “How about tallywacker?” Bertie suggested.

  Once again the room erupted into laughter.

  Before they called it a night, Margaret asked to make a toast to Cindi. Since they’d finished all of the champagne and eggnog, each of the women held up a vodka-soaked watermelon pop.

  “As you all know, I lost my husband several years ago. He was my first and only love, and I have no intention of replacing him. I’ve a hole in my heart that can never be filled by another man, but it’s overflowing with loving memories. Everyone has offered words of wisdom, some funny, philosophical, and heartwarming. My advice to Cindi is, never go to bed angry, no matter how bad the argument. ‘I’m sorry’ are two small words that should be followed by kisses and a good romp in bed.” Margaret held up the watermelon. “We all want to wish you a very long and happy marriage.”

  The toast was met with happy tears from everyone, including the bride-to-be.

  A soft knock jolted everyone out of their melancholy, but it was a welcome sight.

  Clyde Thornton gripped his battered red cap in his hand, not sure he was supposed to enter a room full of women shedding tears. “Someone call for a ride?”

  “Perfect timing,” Jessie said with a welcoming mile. “We really appreciate your help. I’ll take Sadie, Muriel, and Bertie in my SUV, and you can drive the Spring Meadow van.

  “And who is that handsome young man?” Muriel fluttered her mascara-darkened eyelashes and fluffed her Marilyn Monroe blond hair.

  “He’s too young for you,” Sadie snarled, putting on her coat.

  “Hush your mouth. If I can’t have him, I’m taking a centerpiece. At least I can dream.”

  Cindi thanked everyone for a wonderful evening and helped the paroled felons into Jessie’s SUV. It took some doing, since they each wanted a centerpiece to put in their rooms.

  It was after two in the morning when they got back to the farm. Cindi thanked Samantha for all her hard work and volunteered to take care of the animals in the morning.

  The bed was cold and lonely without her love, and Cindi recalled Bertie’s comment. “No, money can’t replace love to keep your feet warm on cold winter nights.” Before falling asleep, she checked her messages on her cell phone. Preston’s text filled her heart with warmth.

  One hundred fifty-six hours till you
are mine.

  Chapter 11

  The sun was high in an almost cloudless sky Monday morning, but a storm of male testosterone was brewing in Adams Security and Investigations. The dark clouds had drifted in when the men returned from Preston’s bachelor party. Cindi sat at her desk and set her second cup of coffee aside, as the events of yesterday filled her mind. She was prepared to tell Preston straight off, but her future husband was eager to show her how much he’d missed her. With her body still tingling and her fuzzed brain, she didn’t interrupt him when he told her about his great bachelor party. The Rangers had won and they had dinner at Keens, his favorite steakhouse. She took the cowardly way out and remained silent, knowing Preston was going to get crazy when she told him about the fiasco at her shower.

  They’d gone over to their newly furnished house to put away the last of the shower gifts slated for the kitchen. She was about to tell him, when Preston’s cell phone rang with a 911 call from Lincoln. Cindi tried to concentrate on putting stainless forks, knives, and spoons in the special draw built into the custom-designed table. His escalating temper was obvious, and he put her in mind of a dragon preparing to breathe fire. As anticipated, her cell phone signaled the expected messages. The word “tallywacker” hit the screen five times. When his fist slammed on the hard oak tabletop, she’d jumped, and had never seen Preston angrier. He’d ended the call and stared, just stared with a rise of fire in his eyes. It had only been a few moments, but to Cindi, it had felt like a millennium, until he spoke in a calm voice that was much too scary.

  “Did he touch you?”

  She’d already decided not to hold anything back. “No, it was the other way around. He threatened to blackmail me into having dinner with him, so I pulled a SING maneuver. I clocked him under the chin when the asshole referred to you as a cripple.”

  His lips quivered from contained laugher at her colorful explanation, but he was humbled by her unforeseen actions. His future wife had a tendency to act on expediency, rather than giving a situation a little more thought. “That’s a switch, you defending my honor. I wish I had been there to see you in action. Thank you.”