The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series

by Patrice Wilton

  “Yes, you’re probably right,” I muttered. “What if all their ballrooms are booked, and they can’t find adequate space for such a large wedding? Her wedding is scheduled for outdoors. What about all the food and decorations? This is such a nightmare.”

  “I’m not sure how they’ll handle it, Fran. I feel so bad for Susie and her family, not to mention all those out-of-town guests. She’s invited three hundred people and now most of them won’t be able to come. Not in this weather.”

  “Oh, God. That is horrible. How will we get there? We were supposed to have a limo service picking us up but I can’t see that happening now.”

  “I know.” Lydia sighed. “Jed said only emergency vehicles will be allowed on the streets. He’s sure the wedding will be postponed.”

  “I think so too.” My face crumpled and my shoulders shook. “This is so awful for Susie.” I bit back my own tears, just imagining her keen disappointment.

  “I know, sweetie. Just stay in and keep safe. We will have to sit tight and see.”

  We hung up, and I wandered around the apartment all amped up. John called and told me to stay inside, and he agreed with Jed, it was extremely doubtful the wedding would take place.

  I talked to Susie and as expected, the girl was half-hysterical, crying so hard I could barely make out a word. Leanne took the phone and said they were in limbo, the party planner and the entire hotel wedding team were in meetings, and that she’d call us when a decision was made.

  Satisfied that I could do nothing but worry, I sat on the couch with a blanket, and a very frightened Milo crawled under, attaching himself to me. We watched the news all morning, and the howling winds and punishing rain continued to beat down, not letting up.

  At one o’clock, I heard a large boom, and my TV went black. I checked all the circuit breakers but nothing I did made the slightest difference. Everything electrical was dead.

  I wasn’t a girl scout but I’d lived in Florida long enough to know I needed to prepare for a night without power. I gathered all the lanterns I had stored and placed them on the kitchen counter. I checked the batteries in an old radio and turned it on, aware it could be my only source of information for a while. I remembered losing power during Wilma and it hadn’t been restored for six long days and nights.

  I kept my cell phone next to me, but it remained eerily silent.

  John called me at half past two, saying that Key Biscayne was in the thick of the storm and they suffered a massive power outage. “To make matters worse, there’s been an accident on the Causeway and now it’s shut down too.”

  “Will it reopen tonight?” I asked, thinking of Brett and how he must be worried sick about Susie.

  “Not likely. Brett’s there now. He’s trying to figure a way to get across so he can be with Susie, but the police and emergency vehicles are holding people back. He’s not sure what the problem is—an accident, or some people are saying there is damage to the Rickenbacker which makes it unsurpassable.”

  “Holy shit.”

  “My thinking exactly.”

  “Do you want me to call people and tell them it’s officially off, or should the bride’s family be doing that?” I figured Leanne probably had her hands full, and at least I could start with my friends and the word would circulate.

  “Probably is best if you can call around. I’m sure everyone has already assumed this, but you never know.” John said quietly. “Hellova thing, isn’t it? I feel really bad for the two of them. They’re fine people and deserve happiness and a special wedding day.”

  “They do, and I’m sure they’ll get one. But where and when?”

  “Knowing Brett, he’ll probably want to go through with it as soon as he can. Maybe tomorrow. You never know—it might be an afternoon wedding. I bet they can keep the food and the flowers good until then.”

  “Yes, I hope it won’t go to waste.” Mumbled thoughts rambled through my head. “I’m without power and most people will be too. It’s going to be hard to communicate and make sure everyone can get there. Then we have the simpler problem of cold showers and hair dryers that won’t work.”

  “I’m sure the wedding party won’t be thinking of that.”

  “Won’t make for pretty photos,” I said. “Especially the beautiful grounds and oceanfront property.” I thought hard. “Susie wouldn’t want this for memories of her wedding day. This would be too awful.”

  “Brett’s in contact with her. They’ll have to make the call.”

  I said goodbye to John and clicked over to Candy. She’d been trying to get through, and suddenly, I had an idea.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  FRAN

  The entire weekend was ruined. When Brett finally got to Susie on Monday morning, they were married by the Justice of the Peace. It was a disaster, and my heart ached for my good friend. She had suffered a lot in her life, being born the ugly duckling amongst a family of swans. Her words, not mine.

  We didn’t have power for nearly a week, and several traffic lights were out, other areas had severe flooding, and trees were uprooted, blocking roadways, taking down power lines, hitting homes and cars, wiping out mobile homes, and several deaths were reported.

  For the next few weeks, people were busy cleaning up, restoring their businesses or homes to something that resembled normal. Shutters came down, there was yard work to be done, roofs to repair, damaged pool enclosures to tear down, the unsightly debris safely removed. The only people smiling were in the scrap metal business.

  Susie wouldn’t speak of the weekend. She holed herself away, turning to her painting for comfort. All of us, Candy, Lydia, and me, tried to console her and told her to buck up, things would get better. She had a wonderful man who loved her, and they were married now. Nothing we said would bring a smile to her face or a sparkle to her eye. The storm not only ruined her wedding day, it crushed her deep inside. Of the four of us, Susie had to be the most sensitive, the one who felt most deeply.

  Meanwhile, behind her back, we schemed and plotted, planning a picture perfect wedding for her and Brett, at our expense. We refused to tell her, wanting it to be a surprise, but Brett knew and approved our idea.

  Candy was closing her bar on a Sunday, two weeks from now. Brett and Susie would have a candlelit wedding and we had a lot of planning to do. Meanwhile, I went to work everyday and listened to the office girls bitch and complain because Ellen would come in, and take twice as long as anyone else to do her work, so the attorneys would pile more on the girls who got their work done on time. It was a never-ending cycle.

  I bugged management about it until they agreed to pay the office staff overtime, and this helped the grumbling, but in the past ten years, I’ve never seen so many sick days used. Well, we’d get through this rough spell as we did all the others, and hopefully Ellen will decide to stay home with her twins.

  I’m as ready as I’ll ever be for the America Loves Country audition, and Jay, John, Candy, Lydia and Jed will be there. With that much support, how can I fail?

  The big night arrived and I was as excited and nervous as a kid at prom. I wore a slinky black dress that hugged my generous curves and high pointy heels—fuck me heels, Candy called them.

  I didn’t want anyone messing with me, but I sure needed something to boost my confidence, and if fuck-me-heels could make me feel younger and prettier, then I was all for it. John had been right. The competition was for young people. I don’t think I saw more than one or two people near my age. The girls looked to be in their early twenties with big boobs and tiny little waists. I hadn’t heard them sing, but they certainly had the outside package taken care of. Young men too. They came in all shapes and sizes, a few sporting tats and weird hair-do’s, others as clean-cut as Timberlake and Beiber.

  From my position backstage, I couldn’t see, but I clearly heard the acts before me. Some were very good, but I expected that, and knew I could wail out a song too. My palms were damp and I ran them down my dress. I stood and began to pace, unable to sit
a minute longer. My insides were screaming, and I breathed deeply to release the pent-up nerves.

  After what seemed like forever, I heard the announcement. “Please welcome, Frannie Mae.”

  With my heart hammering, I stepped onstage and was instantly blinded. I knew my friends were there, but all I could see was a myriad of lights and a blur of people.

  Panic seized me then I remembered Jay and how he would put me at ease, tell me to pretend I was singing for my own pleasure, or to a group of friends. That’s all it was. It was only music and music was in me.

  I opened my mouth and let it soar.

  Stomping, cheering, and huge applause greeted me as I lingered on the last note. It had been good, I knew it, the crowd knew it, but I wasn’t “the package” and perhaps not marketable. I understood that the music industry was a business, and if I wasn’t a valuable commodity, they’d find someone more suitable.

  Whomever they voted as tonight’s big winner no longer mattered. I performed, and damn, I’d been good.

  I left the bright lights of the stage and went behind the curtain to wait. John was there, and without a word, he wrapped his big arms around me. We clung for several minutes and I was comforted by his embrace.

  Tears were in his eyes when we pulled apart. “You were great, Fran. I am so proud of you.”

  “You were right. I don’t belong here with all these young people. I’m not going to win.”

  “You were the best, and I don’t care what the judges say.” He smiled at me. “You’ve got talent, Frannie Mae, and you’ll get a recording contract, and sell millions.”

  His confidence in me warmed my soul and brought tears to my eyes. “You think so?” My voice trembled. “Really? Me—a recording artist?”

  “I know so.” He lifted my chin. “Please forgive me for doubting you and saying those cruel things. I was a complete jerk, and I need you to forgive me.”

  “You were a jerk, and you hurt me deeply.” I sniffed.

  “I know I did, and I promise to make it up to you, every day and every night for as long as I live.”

  I pushed away from him so I could see him better. “What? Is that a proposal?”

  “It is if you want it to be.” His eyes glittered with bright tears. “I love you, and I want to make you happy.”

  “I’m not sure if I want marriage, but I do want you.” I put my hands around the back of his neck, kissing him lightly. “I love you too.”

  “Whatever you decide is fine by me. And that fishing business, well, I don’t see why I can’t do that right here or anywhere else you want to live.”

  “Nashville?” I asked with a giggle.

  “Not sure they do much fishing there, but I want to be with you no matter what.”

  “This is my home, John, and I like it here very much. Where else would I have these wonderful friends?”

  Candy and Jay, Lydia and Jed, and Susie and Brett stood in the wings, waiting to congratulate me.

  I gave John another long, lingering kiss, heard my friends hooting in the background, then everyone rushed forward and surrounded me. Win or lose it was the happiest day of my life.

  EPILOGUE

  FRAN

  It was a fairy-tale night, a bright moon hung low over the Candy Bar, and the place was lit by a thousand white candles. There was no aisle to walk down, but the small stage had a white wicker, flowered arch where Susie and Brett would repeat their vows.

  It had taken a little planning to put this wedding together, and Susie hadn’t known a thing until I picked her up. I wore my bridesmaid dress and ordered her to put on her wedding gown. She had looked confused, then she’d burst into tears.

  Once she was dressed, and her makeup refreshed, we dashed to the Candy Bar where Brett and the guests waited. Everyone important in Susie’s life had been invited—her family, her friends, and all of Brett’s too.

  We parked the car in a “reserved” spot in front of the bar, where Leanne, Candy, Lydia, and Susie’s father gathered. Leanne, as maid-of-honor, entered first, followed by Candy, Lydia, and myself. A young man played the wedding march on a grand piano. Hearing the notes, Dr. Levine escorted his daughter into the dark cavern, following the lit candles to the rose-woven arch.

  Brett stood there, his best men at his side.

  Susie shook visibly when her father stepped aside and Brett took her hand. She kissed Brett then slowly turned her head to look at us—her friends. The radiance of her smile brought a tightness to my chest, and I sniffed and wiped at a tear.

  The minister kept his message short and sweet, and Brett and Susie, arms entwined, repeated their vows. It was the most beautiful wedding I’d ever seen. John stood in his tux across from me, and not once during the brief ceremony did he take his eyes off me. His smile was warm and tender, sending me messages that my head and heart couldn’t deny. I had somehow found a man who loved me, who wanted me as much as I did him. Besides Susie, I had to be the luckiest girl in the world.

  And all my dreams came true.

  THE END

  For the Love of Candy

  Patrice Wilton

  Dedication

  I want to thank Traci Hall, my good friend and wonderful editor for her feedback and tireless energy in helping me create the magic for this book. I also want to thank my readers who have loved the Candy Bar series and have asked for Candy’s story, and gave me the final push to write the ending to this fun, fabulous series that launched my career.

  It is with sadness that I say goodbye to Candy and her friends, but I have so many stories in my head that need to be written. My Serendipity Falls will hopefully give you, my readers, a good laugh and a warm feeling in your heart. The third book will be out at the end of the year, and a brand new series will begin.

  Love to my extended family, Ralph’s and my children and grandchildren. We are truly blessed.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Sunshine filtered through the stained-glass windows as I opened the door to the Candy Bar, but the cavernous interior remained dark and gloomy. It was always this way until the room filled with people, then the sound of laughter and bubbly good times turned this old Mission Inn into something magical.

  I maneuvered through the clusters of tables and chairs, then dumped my keys and handbag on the mahogany bar, turning the lights on dim.

  For the past ten years the Candy Bar has been my home, bringing pride, joy and a comfort of living that I never expected. Still, nothing remains static. The rivers of life keep flowing and a girl has to adapt to the sudden change of current, or drown.

  One thing for sure—I’m great at adapting. I took the lemons life tossed at me and created a profitable lemonade stand. Kicked out of my house with a baby on the way, I’d had to scrape out a living. It hadn’t always been easy and it hadn’t been pretty, but I’d done what I needed to do. Successfully, on my terms.

  And so I would again.

  I’d tell my friends, sisters of the heart, that it was a business decision and we all needed to keep our emotions out of it. Right? As if that would happen.

  I stepped behind the bar and wiped my damp palms with a dry cloth. Perspiration dotted my upper lip and my brow, but I knew it wasn’t the Miami humidity. A nervous stomach was the culprit.

  I lifted my chin and glanced in the mirror. “Buck up, Candy Thompson,” I told myself. “This isn’t your first rodeo and it isn’t your last. The girls will understand.”

  My eyes told me differently. I sucked in a breath. Okay, telling them I was going to sell would break their hearts. I knew that. It was also breaking mine. There was nothing to do about it; the decision was made and it was final.

  I expected them to arrive any minute, but I couldn’t sit down to wait. Instead I grabbed the cloth and began to polish the already perfectly polished bar. Once that was done, I played with the liquor bottles in front of the brick wall, rearranging them attractively so they lined up in a row.

  I was still puttering when the door opened. Momentarily blinded by sunlight,
I blinked and made out a tall, svelte body topped with fiery red hair.

  I gripped the edge of the slick wood. “Hey, Lydia,” I greeted her as though I didn’t have a care in the world. “You’re the first to arrive.” A lawyer, a mother, a wonderful friend—who still made time in her busy schedule to see me in the middle of the day.

  I closed my eyes against the onslaught of memories and walked around the bar, into her hug. My smile was as big as it was false.

  “Candy,” she cried, searching my face for clues. “What’s up? You’re scaring the heck out of us, calling this emergency meeting.”

  “I’ll tell you as soon as the others get here.” I laughed weakly. “Middle-aged drama. Nothing life threatening.”

  Lydia sniffed. “Middle-aged? Hardly. You’re younger than Fran and me, although outside of this room, I’d deny it.” She stepped back and crossed her arms to study me, knowing there was more to it. “The rest of us have drama, but you always handle things in stride.”

  “Guess I’m due for a meltdown, then.” I hoped the others arrived soon so I could explain my decision just once.

  As if on cue, Fran and Susie entered together and I breathed a sigh of relief. After warm hugs, I gestured them to their barstools. For years they’d each parked their butts in the same order along the bar. Lydia, Fran, Susie.

  I looked at their beautiful faces and choked up, my airway clogged with emotion but no way would I cry. How could I tell my dear friends that it was time for me to move on? I knew they’d do anything, say anything to rope me down and keep me here.

  I returned to my spot behind the bar, my source of comfort. I sucked in a couple of deep breaths and then straightened my shoulders, determined to say what had to be said. My stomach rolled with nerves.

  “As you all know, the Candy Bar hasn’t been doing so well lately. Business has slowed to a trickle during the week, and is about half of what we used to bring in on the weekends.”