First Love - [Bridesmaid's Chronicles 04]

by Julie Kenner

  She thought they looked like tacky tourists and that they were going to embarrass her mightily. But she couldn't say that. Something in her mom's expression told her they were trying. And so she conjured a smile. "Y'all look great," she said, trying for a Texas accent. "Where are you going?"

  "Shopping," her mother said. "When Marv sent you down here, I had no idea how many high-class stores there were."

  Julia nodded. She'd managed to do significant damage to her own bank account in the time she lived here. The boutiques rivaled some of the best in metropolitan areas, only with better pricesif a more limited selection.

  "Since you're so dead set on staying here," Marv said gruffly, "we thought we ought to get to know the place."

  "Oh." Julia blinked, not entirely sure what to read into that comment. Were they coming around to the idea of the wedding? Or just to the idea that she was staying in Texas?

  She decided it was better not to ask, and instead just wished them a good evening and waved them out the door. They passed two women coming in, both of whom were rolling their eyes and snickering. They looked up and saw Julia, their faces immediately going red. They mumbled apologies and hurried down the hall.

  Julia sighed. She knew both girlsAlice and Maryand she also knew that they hadn't been giggling about the weather or the scenes in The Fiery Cross that they were about to discuss.

  She closed her eyes, imagining all her hard work fitting in being flushed down the toilet. Her parents were out wandering the town, about to make fools of themselves. And, by association, making a fool out of her.

  The Fredericksburg book club had been meeting every Wednesday afternoon for the last five years, ever since Ann Marie Tolliver had read and loved Outlander and foisted it on all her friends. The group wasn't closed to men, but for some reason the male of the species tended not to ask to join. Also, Ann Marie had decided early on to limit the group to twelve. That way, over the course of the year, each participant in the club could pick a book.

  This month had been her turn, and the group had read The Fiery Cross . It had been out for a while, but the next book in the series was about to be released, and Ann Marie had wanted a refresher. Besides, it was out in paperback, and the club tried to stay away from hardback books, since they were more of an expense for the members, and two of the ladies were retired and living on social security.

  Ann Marie herself was only thirty-two and her bank account was doing fine. But she ran her own business and knew the value of the dollar. She also knew the value of networking and goodwill. So when

  Julia Spinelli had come to her asking if she'd like to host the club in the Inn's newly refurbished conference room, Ann Marie had put her personal feelings aside and said yes. After all, the bottom line was that there was going to be a wedding, and Julia's and Sydney's New York friends were sure to come. If Syd and Jules felt all warm and fuzzy toward Ann Marie, then maybe they'd steer their friends to her shop. After all, didn't New York girls crave funky fashions and handcrafted jewelry?

  So here she was this Wednesday evening, their little group totaling fourteen with the addition of Julia, who'd asked Carter to watch the desk, and Syd, who apparently had come just to see what it was all about.

  "I still say Jamie is a hottie," Amelia Graham said, referring to the hero of the book. She was pushing eighty, and Ann Marie had to hide her smile at the idea of Amelia thinking anyone was a hottie.

  "Not as hot as some of the men in our town," Corinne said. The other women shot her a warning look. Corinne was J.B. Anglin's ex-wife, and she still carried a torchwhich would be fine, except that J.B. had fallen head over heels for Julia's best friend, Vivien. Fortunately, Vivien wasn't in the room at the moment.

  "You know," Syd said, "I'll second that. I'll take a man with access to indoor plumbing over an ancient Scotsman any day."

  The other women laughed, all except Julia. Ann Marie didn't want to be concerned. After all, she'd been carrying a torch for Roman all these years. But she liked Juliashe couldn't help it. The girl was just so damn bubbly and friendly.

  She sucked in a breath, then leaned forward. "Julia, hon, you okay?"

  Immediately, Julia's face shifted into a mask of perfection, the worry lines that had been marring her perfect forehead disappearing. "Oh, sure. I'm fine. Everything's great."

  Ann Marie knew she should let it go at that. After all, she'd never wanted to like Julia. In fact, she'd fought it all the way. Julia had rolled into town with her designer clothes and personal-trainer-approved body, and Ann Marie had just about gagged. It had gotten worse, of course, when Julia had started dating Roman. Roman had been Ann Marie's property through much of their time at the University of Texas. And even though she wasn't in love with him anymoredidn't even have a crush on him, for that matterthat didn't stop her from feeling completely possessive of him. And protective, too.

  So when some little East Coast bitch had honed in, Ann Marie had seen red. But then the red had faded and she'd seen a sweet, charming, smart girl who was trying to make a go of the hideous motel her father had dumped on the town. And a girl who made Roman Sonntag very, very happy.

  And on top of that, Julia had spent a small fortune on clothes in her store.

  So, yeah, Ann Marie liked her. "Come on, Jules. We're your friends."

  To her horror, she saw the girl's eyes fill with tears.

  "It's the wedding! All the details are falling apart, and I so want it to be perfect and" She clapped her hand over her mouth, clearly mortified. "Oh, gosh. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have had those three mimosas before we got started."

  "Is something wrong between you and Roman?" Ann Marie asked, and to her surprise, she genuinely hoped there wasn't a problem.

  Julia shook her head, almost too vehemently. "No, no. Everything is fine there. It's just" And then she spilled her guts, telling them about her dress horrors, and how the welcome baskets weren't done, and the little packets of birdseed to throw after the wedding, and the flowers, and, " well, just everything." She shot a glance toward Alice and Mary. "And on top of everything, my parents are, well, they're acting kinda silly."

  Ann Marie had no idea what that comment was about. She knew Marv Spinellifrom what she could tell, he was a first-rate assholebut that hardly affected Julia. Alice and Mary seemed to understand, though, because both girls blushed as red as she'd ever seen them.

  "Oh, Jules," Alice finally said. "We didn't mean anything. We think it's sweet. Really. They're trying to fit in. They just you know they just kinda look like a New Yorker's view of a Texan. You know?"

  "I know," Julia said miserably. Her lips thinned. "You really think it's sweet?"

  Alice and Mary exchanged glances and shrugged. "Well, you know. Everyone in town knows about your dad and Robert Sonntag. So, I mean, we were all set not to like him. Or you, for that matter."

  "Alice!" Ann Marie sent her a cold look.

  "No, that's okay," Julia said. "I want to hear."

  "Well, that's just it," Mary continued, speaking for her friend. "We do like you. A lot. And, yeah, your father's a little um"

  "Brusque and freakish?" Syd supplied.

  Mary's face lit up. "Yeah. Exactly. But I don't think he was making fun of us or anything. I mean, I think he's trying to fit in. Really trying. And, well, that's nice, you know. He must really love you."

  Julia flashed a watery smile, and Ann Marie lunged for the box of tissues, afraid the girl would start up with the tears again. "You okay?"

  Julia nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

  She looked around at the other women, saw the concern on all their faces, and made her decision. "I suggest we table the book discussion this meeting and see what we can do to help Julia out."

  "Agreed," said Amelia, and the others chimed in their agreement as well.

  Julia blinked as she stared at Ann Marie. "Really? You guys would do that?"

  "Of course." She smiled. "You're one of us now, and that means you're family. So tell us. What exactly do you need?"
<
br />   Roman hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. A knot had formed in his stomach, reminding him that he wasn't certain he'd done the right thing.

  Right or wrong, though, it was the only thing he could dobecause his only other option was to accept Julia's offer and use her money to purchase Sonntag House.

  He couldn't agree to that, though. It just didn't sit right.

  And so he'd made this decision, and he hoped it didn't come back to haunt him.

  With a sigh, he looked down at his notesa page of scribbles that outlined the deal with the Barrington Group. There were still a few points to be hashed out, but it should be final within a week. The winery would be solvent again. And that, at least, would solve some of his problems.

  How he felt about Julia's revelation, though well, that was a problem he still had to face. And one that he feared couldn't be as efficiently handled.

  "You're sure about this, honey bear?"

  Marv nodded as he waited for Earle to step out and open the door to the limo. The back end was filled with packages from their evening of shopping, and beside him, his wife smelled like a flower shop, after having discovered some locally made perfume.

  He was glad she'd had a good time, but right now, he had other things on his mind. His little princess. And something he needed to take care of. Right then. Right there.

  Earle opened the door, then helped Myrna out. Marv followed, and the two stood there, staring at the limestone and wood house with the simple landscaping. Boring, he thought. Nothing like his place with the Grecian columns and the grape arbor and the fountain. Still, there was no accounting for taste

  He moved to the front door, his wife at his side. He rang the bell, waited, then rang again.

  He expected a butler to answer the door and was surprised when Sarah Sonntag herself appeared.

  "Oh." Surprise, shock and disapproval registered on her face before she got herself under control. Marv told himself he didn't mind. He'd expected her reaction. "Mr. and Mrs. Spinelli. How can I help you?"

  He sucked in a breath, and took off the cowboy hat, felt his hair stuck to his head like plaster from the sweat generated by being under that damn fool thing. "I'd like to talk to your husband." He held out the bottle of wine he'd bought. "If that's okay."

  She hesitated for a moment, then stepped back from the door, ushering them in. "Robert's in his study. If you'll follow me." She moved through the entrance hallvery muted and nothing like the palace Marv called hometo a thick wooden door. "Are you both" She trailed off, looking curiously at Myrna.

  "I'd love to see your kitchen," Myrna said.

  Sarah licked her lips, but nodded. Then she opened the door, told Robert who was visiting, and left Marv on his own.

  Marv Spinelli was a man who'd fought countless business battles. Never once, though, had he fought one for his daughter, and he sure as hell had never come to another man with his tail between his legs.

  If it would make his little girl happy, though

  Damn it all . He was becoming a softie.

  Robert stood and came around the desk. "Come to break my nose, too?"

  Marv bit back a smart-ass reply. "No, I come with a peace offering." He held out the bottle of wine. Gallo. White Zinfandel. His favorite.

  Robert took it, then read the label. His eyes narrowed. "Is this a joke?"

  "Like I said, it's a peace offering." Was the man dense?

  Robert stared at him a minute, as if he wasn't sure what to believe. Then he shook his head, chuckling slightly.

  "What?" Marv demanded.

  "You know I own a winery, right?"

  Well, shit . Marv hadn't even thought of that. "No point in me bringing your own wine," he said. "You can get that for free."

  Robert smiled a little, and Marv had the feeling the other man knew he was spewing a load of bullshit. Marv shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded toward a chair.

  "Help yourself," Robert said. "What can I do for you?"

  "You can reconsider your crazy-ass decision to fuck over my daughter," Marv said. Then he scowled. "I just mean, she's all messed up, that girl, what with no place to hold the wedding."

  "I see." Robert went back behind his desk and started drumming his ringers on the leather blotter. "I was under the impression that you didn't approve of the wedding."

  "Yeah, well, maybe I've changed my mind."

  "Really?"

  "I ain't saying I like what you did back then. Or what your whole family did, either. I'm just saying that maybe it's time to end this thing." He nodded toward the door. "Hell, even she's happy I didn't get Sonntag House."

  "Your wife?" Robert sounded genuinely surprised.

  "Says the place has character. That it'll make a good home for Julia. And I guess she's right." He thought about the place he'd seen last night, could picture his princess walking through the rooms, her modern flair contrasted by the historic lines of the house.

  "I see," Robert said, though from the tone of his voice, Marv could tell he didn't really see at all.

  He shifted in the chair. This wasn't what he was good at. This relationship stuff. But he was here for his princess, and he kept that firmly in mind. "Look," he said, "I know maybe you don't believe me. Think I'm just playing an angle. But I'm not. I checked the place out last night. Your boy's doing a good job of it. It looks good, ya know? And it's kinda like full circle. I mean, I wanted the place, but now my baby girl's gonna be living there, so maybe it's time for me to just fuhgeddaboudit."

  Robert squinted. "Oh. Forget about it."

  "That's what I said." Marv leaned forward. "Look. You love your boy, right? I love my girl. And I don't want to be stupid about this thing. I don't want her thinking her pop went and fucked up her wedding."

  "You probably should have thought of that before you broke Herman's nose."

  Another of those snappy comebacks popped to mind. Marv shoved it away. "Yeah. Probably. I gots a temper."

  "I've noticed."

  "So?"

  Robert sighed. "So I'm pleased that you're not going to cause a scene at the wedding. I've been here through their courtship, you know. Roman really does love Julia. And she really does love him."

  "Yeah. I'm getting that."

  "All right, then." He stood up. "I guess I should say welcome to the family."

  Marv kept his seat. "We ain't done here. What about the wedding?"

  Robert drew in a long breath, then exhaled. Marv waited, afraid that he really had fucked it up beyond repair for his little girl.

  But then Robert nodded, that patriarchal smile once again spreading across his face. "The wedding can take place here," he said, holding out his hand. "We'll be honored to open our home."

  Julia was just a little drunk. Well, okay, maybe more than a little. But what did she expect after fiveseven?mimosas during the book club meeting? And then a few more in her room with Syd afterward to celebrate. And, yeah, one by herself after Syd had stumbled home because, well, she was get-ting married soon and that meant she had to finish off the champagne.

  She still couldn't quite believe how everyone had pitched in, and now she had a huge box filled with little net packets containing birdseed, neatly tied with pale pink ribbons. MoreBreckin had come by and after Julia had spewed out another apology, he'd pitched in, too. Plus, Syd had made some phone calls during the meeting and lined up a band for the weddingTwo Tons of Steel. It was a real coup, and Julia was thrilled to have the popular Texas band.

  What had really astounded her was when Ann Marie had volunteered to help with the welcome gifts. Julia had planned one for every seat at the re ception, and Ann Marie had promised they'd be done in time: little tin buckets filled with Emulsion body cream, spicy sauces from Rustlin' Rob's, wildflower seeds, and other goodies that Ann Marie promised from her store "at cost."

  Julia had been amazed and humbled at how eagerly the girls had offered to help. She loved this town, she'd thought. Almost as much as she loved Roman.

  Of cours
e, the real kicker had been when Alice and Mary had said such nice things about Marv, totally easing her fears that everyone in town thought he was a freak and that she was the spawn of a freak.

  She knew she shouldn't care what anyone else thought, but she did. She wasn't sure if that made her stupid or human, but it did make her honest.

  And now that she knew they weren't all sniggering at Marv, she felt a trillion percent better.

  Still, though

  She still wanted him in a real tux at her wedding not the royal blue velvet monstrosity he always wore to formal occasions. It wasn't a question of folks staring and snickering, either. She just wanted her black-tie wedding to be truly black tie.

  With a firm nod, she stood up, stumbling only a little as the room tilted to one side. The one errand she had managed to accomplish on this morning's trip to Austin was acquiring a new Armani tux for her father. And she'd spent a lot of time thinking about how she could convince him to wear it.

  Finally, she'd decided that she couldn't convince him. If the velvet tux was an option, her dad would be in itwhich meant she had to eliminate the option.

  And she was just drunk enough to do that.

  Actually, though, she might be a little too drunk. She should probably get some help.

  She reached for her cell phone to call Roman, then stopped. Did she really want to shine a big, bright spotlight on her angst? No, she didn't.

  Syd was a natural choice, but she was probably curled up in bed with Alex by now. Julia could just wait until tomorrow

  But no. She had the solution. And, she thought, it was perfect.

  * * *

  Chapter Fifteen

  Did he get you a winner of a ring or a loser? If you want to determine the stone's quality, you need to know the four C's (and we make no representations as to the groom's quality!) .

  Cut. Carat. Color. Clarity.

  Those, ladies, are your code words for bling.

  from The Elegant Bride