Amy Lynn, The Lady Of Castle Dunn

by Jack July

  Bogus patted him on the back, looked at the second man then said, “Now I know your name is Bobby, and you down on the end?”

  “Frank.”

  “Very well. Barkeep, drinks for my new friends.”

  The Corvette slid up to the entrance and came to a stop, Amy got out, jacked a round into the AK and put it on full auto. As she walked up a couple of bikers passing a joint backed away cautiously, one looked at the other and said, “That right there is one pissed off woman.”

  Amy kicked the door open. Stepped in and sprayed the upper wall on the other side of the bar with automatic fire. She saved a few for the juke box that sparked, smoked and went silent. She swapped magazines while everyone in the bar dove for the deck. The only noise heard was brass rolling off a table and clinking on the floor. Then Amy shouted, “BOGUSLAW ZIELINSKI!”

  From the other side of the room she heard, “Over here, my love.”

  She began to walk towards the corner. Scanning the crowd, she saw a hand go into a jacket, so she lifted the AK with one arm, holding the pistol grip, aimed it and said, “Don’t.” The man’s hand came out, and he held up both his empty hands. She looked over at the back corner of the room where Kirk sat with two women. She gave him a nod and said “Kirk.”

  Kirk sent back a little wave and said, “Amy.”

  Everyone’s eyes shot back to Kirk, who made a motion with his hands to just stay down. Amy walked around the end of the bar to Bogus, the only person still left standing. She approached him, and caressed the right side of his face with her left hand, while the right hand still held the AK. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, my love, just fine.”

  “What have you been doing?”

  “Well, just having drinks with my future in laws, and I made a few friends,” He looked over to the floor and said, “That’s Bubba Johns, Bobby, and on the end is, ah, oh my,”

  “Frank,” said the other man.

  “Yes, Frank.”

  “But you’re okay?”

  “Yes, dear, just fine.”

  She turned to look at Leon, Jack and Joseph as they stood up. She wasn’t as nice to them. She growled, “Okay, which one of you geniuses thought it was a good idea to bring him here?”

  Joseph and Jack pointed at Leon. Leon looked over at Jack and said, “Judas.”

  Carla Jo was standing behind Amy pointing at Jack mouthing, “You are in trouble.”

  Then Amy blew up and shoved her finger in Leon’s chest, “What is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind? I’m marrying that man in twelve hours. Don’t you understand that? You think it’s a good idea to drag him down to the local cut and shoot? Really? Are you insane?”

  “Amy, I’m—” Leon tried to talk, but Amy didn’t want to hear it.

  “NOTHING, I DON’T WANT TO HEAR A WORD,” she yelled. “Here’s what you’re going to do. You are going to take him home, put him to bed and tuck him in. Then you are gonna make sure he’s standing at that altar tomorrow. ‘Cause if he isn’t, I will show you a world of pissed off you ain’t never seen before.” She looked at Jack and Joseph then said, “Same goes for both ya’ll, got it?”

  They nodded.

  Then Amy turned to Bogus, gave him a kiss and said, “I love you, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yes, you will, and I love you too.”

  “Good. Come on Aunt Carla Jo.”

  Carla Jo shook her finger at the three of them and said, “Shame on all of you.”

  Amy started to walk out, looked back gave a little wave and said, “Kirk.”

  Kirk waved back and said “Amy, ah, what about my juke box?”

  Amy looked back and said, “Bill my Daddy.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The men watched them walk out the door. Bogus turned to Leon and said, “I’m responsible for her now, I’ll pay for it.”

  “Thanks,” said Leon.

  Bubba Johns elbowed Bogus and said, “Are you really marrying her?”

  “Yes, yes I am.”

  “Damn boy, you gonna have yo hands full.”

  Bogus laughed and said, “You have no idea.”

  Chapter 19

  Amy stood in front of the mirror and gazed with approval at the completed wedding dress of Carolina Herrera and perfect hair courtesy of Jean Paul, as Jean Paul’s assistant Max applied the makeup. She was quite sure she would never look this way again. The four women in the back room with her wore adoring smiles. As she looked at these women, something occurred to her. Not one of them was blood, and yet blood would not make them any closer.

  Granny Patches, her grandfather’s best friend’s wife, was brought to live on the hill after her husband and Amy’s grandfather were both killed in a mining accident She was the granny Amy never had, but she was also way more than that. She was a confidant and a teacher, a purveyor of old school southern wisdom passed down through the ages.

  Then there was Kelly, her best friend, whose assertive feistiness ensconced her in Amy’s life when Amy was struggling as a confused teenager.

  Carol was the woman her father chose to marry years after the death of Amy’s mother. She was a good, strong, Christian woman with a big enough personality to keep Amy’s father in line and an even bigger heart.

  However, the strongest presence in her life was her Aunt Carla Jo, who really wasn’t even her aunt. Jack Brown was Leon’s cousin. She had called him Uncle Jack since she could speak. Carla Jo freely took on the challenging tasks of friend, aunt, sister and mother to a then twelve year old Amy. She gave Amy freely of all she had—mentally, emotionally, financially—and never asked for anything in return, which was why Carla Jo would be standing next to her when she married.

  Her best friend Kelly said out loud what everyone was thinking, “Amy, you don’t even look real. You look like a doll, an angel from another world.” The women nodded in agreement.

  Granny spoke up and said, “Well, I reckon it’s time for a little tradition. I’ll start with something old.” Granny took from the Bible she carried a picture inside folded wax paper, and handed it to Amy. “I figured you’d wanna take ’em down the aisle with ya.” The picture was of Amy’s mother, beaming while holding her first newborn son, Kerry, Amy’s deceased older brother, who had drowned when he was sixteen. Amy had never worshipped anyone like she’d worshipped Kerry.

  Amy’s chin began to quiver, and Kelly started tearing tissues out of the box saying, “Don’t cry, don’t. You’ll ruin your makeup.” Kelly dabbed gently at her eyes.

  “One more thing, you’ll be married with your great granny’s wedding band. That little ring your mother wore, looked no thicker than wire? That’s what it was. Your momma asked me to save it for you.”

  Amy bent down, hugged her Granny and sobbed out, “Thank you.”

  Aunt Carla Jo walked to the corner and picked up a large box. “Something new. Kelly would you give me a hand with this?” They opened the box and pulled out a two-tiered, embroidered lace, cathedral length veil intricately imbedded with Swarovski crystal.

  “Dang,” Kelly said under her breath, “this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

  Amy shook her head and said, “Wow, it’s gorgeous.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s time for something borrowed,” said Carol as she opened the door and motioned someone in. “This is from Bogus’ sister’s family,”

  An older man in a suit walked in carrying a polished mahogany box that was 12” x 12” x 10”. He was not smiling. He looked at Amy and in an English accent asked, “Are you Amy Lynn Braxton?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am Charles Dunworthy, curator and guardian of the Crown Jewels of Monaco. It is with great trepidation that I inform you that you have been granted permission to wear this.” He sat the box down and donned a pair of white cotton gloves. He opened the lid and pulled out a diamond tiara. �
��This tiara belonged to Princess Grace Kelly. It has occasionally been worn by Princess Caroline and Princess Charlene, and is priceless. I will place it on your head and attach it. If at any time it begins to slip, you will grasp it gently and call my name. I will be there to secure it. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” said a shocked Amy.

  “What is my name?”

  “Charles.”

  “Very well.” Charles worked to secure the Tiara and then the veil. He finished and stepped back. “Yes, I think that will do.” He looked at Amy a little longer, tilted his head and said, “You are a very stunning woman. You even look a bit like the princess.” Then he smiled and said, “Good luck.”

  Charles left the room and they all stood gazing with amazement. Finally Kelly broke the tension when she said, “Holy shit, you’re like, queen of the rednecks.”

  That made them all laugh, and then there came a knock at the door. Carol answered it. “Am I too late for something blue?”

  Amy stammered, “Oh, oh this is, oh, Tatiana, you’re here! Thank God you’re here.”

  “Yeah, like I’m gonna miss this.”

  Amy waved her over and gave her a big hug. “Ya know, married life agrees with you, you’re looking a little chub...oh wait, no.”

  “Yes.”

  “YOU’RE PREGNANT!”

  “Yes, about four months.”

  Amy’s chin began to quiver again, Kelly responded with more tissues. “Oh my, I am sooo happy for you.”

  There was a knock on the door as the minister announced, “Five minutes.”

  Tatiana reached into her pocket and pulled out a small blue stone. “This is Lapis from the Maldives. My husband Brandon has a little hobby. He’s been carving these and selling them to the tourist shops. This one has the happy couple’s initials.”

  “Thank you, thank you so much.”

  “Nice tiara.”

  “Belonged to Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco.”

  “Imagine that,” she said with a smile.

  Amy had barely introduced Tatiana when the minister knocked on the door and said, “Time.”

  The women left except for Carla Jo. Amy called her back in and said, “This woman you see would not be here without you. Thank you.”

  Carla Jo took her finger and moved a stray hair from her face and said, “And you continue to amaze me. Good luck.”

  She walked out the door into the foyer where her daddy was waiting. He had to look up at her; in heels she was 6’3. With misty eyes he said, “Your mother would have been so proud of you.”

  The music began, and the double doors were opened to the sanctuary. The sound of breath being sucked in resonated, as Amy slowly walked down the long aisle of the largest Baptist church in that part of Alabama. The dress itself was classic and spectacular, a dropped waist gown, silk pleated skirt with lace overlay and full shear lace overlaid sleeves and back. Crystal buttons started at the back below the neck and continued to the top of the skirt. Thousands of sewn-in crystals and beads made the lace overlay sparkle. The cathedral length veil was draped neatly over the train giving it that much greater an effect. As they took the slow walk, she could see Bogus in the distance beaming. Then her daddy whispered, “I’m sorry about last night.”

  “I know.”

  “I still don’t like him that much.”

  She chuckled under her breath and said, “I know that, too. But you will, give it time.”

  He gently squeezed her hand and said, “When your mother and your brother died, you were my strength. You worked so hard to keep it all together. I knew I could never give up.”

  “Hmm, and here I always thought you were my strength.”

  The both gave each other a knowing glance, and he said, “I’m very proud of the woman you have become.”

  “Well, the acorn don’t fall far from the tree now does it?”

  “I reckon not.”

  They stopped next to Bogus. Leon took her hand then his and put them together. With one lone tear rolling down his cheek he said, “This is my everything. Take care of her.”

  Bogus nodded and smiled. They turned to face Brother Taylor and said their vows.

  Chapter 20

  Restless Heart harmonized beautifully as the bride and groom danced their first dance as husband and wife. About halfway through the song, Sam darted onto the dance floor and grabbed Amy’s leg. She and Bogus laughed as she picked him up and they all danced together. “You look good holding one of those,” whispered Bogus. Amy smiled, pulled him a little closer and kissed him.

  They finished the dance and the tempo picked up a bit. Bogus and Amy danced with their family and friends. Afterwards they sat at the head table to rest. The bar opened, drinks flowed and everyone seemed to be having fun. However, there were a few serious conversations taking place. Tatiana sat at the bar nursing a cranberry juice, when Jack walked over and stood beside her. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and said, “Hello, T.”

  Tatiana looked up at him, smiled and said, “My name is Tatiana.”

  “Hmm. I blame you for what she’s become.”

  “Really? And ah, what exactly is that?”

  “Don’t. Masters told me all about you. You do know she’s doing wet work, right?”

  “I know of no such thing. What I do know is she has followed her instincts.”Jack reached for the mason jar and took a little sip. He set the jar back on the bar and turned to look out on the crowd.

  “That mission in Afghanistan that nearly got her killed, that was you, wasn’t it?”

  Tatiana shook her head. “Mr. Brown, I don’t know anything about anything that happened anywhere. You know better than to even ask. Know this: anything she has done, she volunteered for. Those are the rules. If you are looking for someone to blame, the mirror would be a good start. You trained her.”

  Jack took a deep breath and said, “I taught her to defend herself.”

  Tatiana smiled and said, “Well, Hatchet, you did a fine job.”

  “Damn you,” Jack grumbled under his breath. He felt himself tighten and thought it would be a good time to walk away.

  “Damn me? Really? Look at her. Does she look happy to you?”

  Jack took a deep breath and another drink.

  “An hour ago she became one of the richest women in the world. Your family will never want for anything. Her children will be world leaders in whatever field they choose. Damn me? Every woman in the world wanted that man, and he wanted her. That you can take credit for, because you see, Mr. Brown, I knew you before we met. She is you.”

  He stared across the room watching Amy and Bogus. Jack saw how he looked at her, a beaming love and adoration that could only be rivaled by a mother’s first look at her newborn child. It was because of the world she traveled in that she met that man. It was because of her relationship with Tatiana she entered that world. Maybe it was fate, the way it was supposed to be. Jack unconsciously shook his head and thought, Maybe I should be thanking this woman.

  “You know, Mr. Brown—”

  Jack interrupted her, “Jack, call me Jack.”

  “Okay, Jack, I have great respect for you and your career accomplishments. Believe me, when I stumbled upon Amy, I looked at you first. Your exploits are legendary. That’s when I knew we had something. The way she walked, talked and moved. She’s a natural. Things she does on instinct would take years to learn. I would think you would be proud. She sits at the right hand of the most powerful people in the world. The sharp tip of the President’s foreign policy, if you will.”

  “I would rather she live to see middle age,” said Jack.

  “That has nothing to do with us. That’s fate. You know that.”

  Jack took another sip from the jar and nodded. Tatiana continued, “You want assurance she’s not going to die on some mission? You can’t get that. Bu
t I will give you something else. That man she’s married to? He’s one of the best operatives, well, ever. That little innocent careless act he puts on belies a man who, when motivated, is one of the most intelligent and crafty assassins the world has ever known. He thinks the sun rises and sets on her golden head of hair. I’ve known him a long time, and I have never seen him the way he is when he’s around her. He will protect her, I promise you that.”

  Jack nodded. Well hell, maybe things are how they are supposed to be. She’s right: I trained her. I just never thought it would go this far. After a little more introspection, Jack turned toward Tatiana and said, “Thank you. Thank you for that. She’s um, well, I never had children, so she’s it, the closest thing I will ever have.” Jack stopped to take another sip, chuckled to himself and said, “I have hated you for so long. But now? You are nothing like I thought you would be.” Tatiana reached over and gave his hand a squeeze, “Well, I’ve always liked you, just so you know.” Carla Jo approached, not thrilled to see another woman’s hands on Jack. “Jack, who’s your friend?”

  “This is Tatiana, she’s Amy’s ah, well…”

  “Yes, I know, we have already met,” said a curious Carla Jo

  Tatiana interrupted, saying, “You know, when Amy and I were in the Navy together. Ah, you know, that dress you bought her while we were in Afghanistan for the Marine Corp birthday ball? Wow, do you have taste.”

  “Well, thank you,” said Carla Jo as Jack backed away gracefully and left the women to talk.

  On the other side of the room, Kelly was sitting beside Amy. She had already enjoyed a few gin and tonics, which made her natural feistiness that much more feisty. Kelly noticed Joseph at the bar talking to Sky. Her eyebrows arched and she said, “I know she ain’t runnin’ up on my man. I will kick that skinny bitch’s ass.”

  Amy laughed and shook her head and said, “Look, little miss drunkypants, don’t be startin’ nothin’ at my reception. Joseph has loved you since he was twelve. I don’t see her changing that. Besides, she has a boyfriend, and he should be here anytime now.”