Three Belles sat with their nails under a fan as they chatted. “Happy Birthday,” they sang out simultaneously to the Rose sisters.
Aniyah took a peek at their nails. “Oooh, I like that color,” she said, looking at the hot pink. “When I get back, can you do that color on me?”
“You’re leaving?” Miss Lily asked, still suspicious.
“Let it go, Lil. Nothing is going on,” Daisy harrumphed.
“Yeah, Aniyah told us the other day she was going to run some errands and then come back for us.” Violet turned away from her sister and picked up a lilac-colored nail polish. “Can you make my hair this color?”
Nora smiled widely. “This is going to be so much fun. Come on, ladies, let’s pick out your new look.”
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be back in a little while.” Aniyah waved goodbye and headed out the door. She drove out of sight before calling Kenna. “It’s a go.”
As Aniyah made her way out to the farm, a steady stream of vehicles filled in around her. She parked in the back of Desert Sun Farm and saw a few of the football players from the day before driving passenger ATVs with room for six people on them.
“Aniyah!”
Aniyah turned around as she closed her door and saw Layne, Reagan, Piper, and Carter walking toward her with their hands filled with various items.
“Do y’all need any help?”
“Nope,” Carter replied. “We’ve got it. Our parents called and sent us to get more stuff. Everyone is arriving now to help out while some of us will drive through downtown every now and then so it doesn’t appear empty.”
Aniyah slid into the seat next to Reagan. “Hey, girl. I haven’t seen you around much.”
Reagan smiled, making the freckles across her nose scrunch slightly. “Yeah, you get stuck with the bad twin.”
Aniyah laughed. “Riley isn’t so bad now that no one is trying to kill her. But can you believe the Capitol Police took my gun away? Shoot one little toe . . .”
“Somehow I don’t think that stops you,” Carter said from the back bench of the ATV.
Aniyah didn’t bother replying since he was right. Instead, she just winked as they drove through a gate connecting the two farms. As they drove over the gently rolling hills of the large pastures, the back of William and Betsy’s house came into view. A giant white tent covered the backyard. Betsy’s flower garden lined the front of the tent, creating pops of reds, oranges, yellows, and purples.
The ATV pulled to a stop and Aniyah watched in awe as Kenna stood like a conductor moving people as if they were music notes in the air. The ATV emptied out and soon enough another appeared with Matt and Riley, Zain and Mila, and Deacon and Sydney all holding mountains of items.
* * *
Sydney blinked her eyes open. She’d been up for too many hours straight to even count. But in her hands were three gorgeous dresses with a little country and a lot of glam. “Are Ryan and Sienna here?” Sydney asked the couples in the ATV with her.
“Nope. They’re on downtown duty,” Zain answered as he kept one hand on Mila and the other on the stack of five crates of drinks that reached almost to the roof of the ATV.
Deacon hopped out as people swarmed them to help unload. For just a minute, Zain finally left Mila’s side and Sydney approached her. “Are you okay? Zain is hovering more than usual.”
The area under Mila’s eyes was so dark even the heavy amount of concealer she used couldn’t hide it. The lines around her eyes and mouth were strained as well and the smile she was giving was anything but real.
“Fine. Just haven’t been sleeping well.”
Sydney reached out and took her friend’s hand. “Deacon’s investigative skills are wearing off on me. I know it’s more than that, but if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. Just know I’m always here to distract you if you want or to talk if you want.”
“Thank you,” Mila said, squeezing her hand. “I don’t want to talk about it now, but soon. Zain and I are going away for a couple of weeks to relax. We’ll leave tomorrow if not sooner.”
“How nice. Deacon and I should do that.”
“Do what?” Deacon asked after having set down the massive box of plastic cups.
“Go on vacation,” Sydney told him. “Zain and Mila leave tomorrow for a couple weeks.”
“That does sound like a good idea. As soon as you finish with the launch we can start planning.”
Deacon took the dresses from her and headed into the house to the room Betsy had put aside for the Rose sisters to change into, and Sydney headed into the tent.
Taylor had three massive chandeliers dripping with crystals hanging from the top of the tent. Streamers entwined with strands of white lights hung from the middle of the tent to the side along the entire length of it. Bouquets of gold, silver, and black balloons bracketed the food tables and the raised table where the Rose sisters would sit near the back of the tent. It was as beautiful as the guests of honor themselves.
* * *
“Grandma, Grandpa!” Carter called out happily as he set down his items. William and Betsy Ashton sat happily at a table surrounded by friends and family.
“There’s my boy,” Grandma Betsy said with a twinkle in her eye. Carter leaned down so she could kiss his cheek—something she’d done every time she’d seen him since he was born.
“Are you ready for one last party before you leave for Florida?” Carter asked, kneeling before his elderly grandparents. His grandfather had been just like Carter’s father, but over the last couple of years he suddenly appeared old. It was hard for both Carter and Will to see since Grandpa William had always seemed invincible.
“We sure are, dear,” Betsy said, taking her husband’s hand. “Is there a special young lady you’re bringing tonight, Carter?”
“Betsy, leave the young man alone,” William chuckled.
“Young? He’s thirty years old!”
“I’m practically ancient,” Carter teased.
“Ah, there’re my dear friends. Hello, Carter. How’s the farm?” Marcy Davies asked as she walked to the table. Jake held out the chair next to Betsy for her and then moved to sit next to William.
“It’s good. Thank you, Mrs. Davies. I have some two-year-olds I’m hoping to take to the Derby next year.” Carter leaned forward and kissed his grandparents’ cheeks. “I’ll let y’all talk. Don’t get into trouble. I’ve heard stories of what happens when the four of you get together.”
* * *
Betsy watched her grandson walk off and shook her head. “He needs a wife.”
“Don’t they all?” Marcy laughed to her best friend.
“And children. We need great-grandchildren.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, Betsy,” Marcy said, taking in her children and grandchildren working around the tent.
Betsy watched Kenna hand off a clipboard to Veronica Pritchard, Zain’s right-hand gal for diplomatic issues. There was probably nothing the blonde knockout couldn’t handle. She was in a sheath sundress and flats, which was a casual look for her. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but her lips were still bright red.
“Too bad she’s a lesbian,” Betsy muttered. “She and Carter would look amazing together.”
“Isn’t that always the case?” Marcy asked. “Remember that man we met when our husbands were overseas?”
“Oh, the Spanish man?” Betsy giggled as if she were twenty again.
“Hola. I hope you don’t mind I’m not wearing a shirt,” Marcy tried to imitate the deep, accented voice.
“And we just stared at all those muscles,” Betsy said as she and Marcy had to start fanning themselves even after so many decades.
“And then we met his boyfriend,” Marcy said as they both broke out in laughter.
“What are you two laughing about?” William asked, causing the women to laugh even harder.
“Just an old memory, dear,” Betsy answered as they broke into a fresh round of giggles.
Betsy looked up as the volume in the tent rose. A young man in white T-shirt, jeans, and a dark brown cowboy hat had just arrived holding a guitar case. “Holt is here from Nashville! It will be a treat to hear him play. I hear he’s making quite the name for himself down there.”
“Taylor said he’s starting his junior year at college there, too. I don’t know how he has time to do both.”
“Oh my,” Betsy said, fanning herself again. “I swear, that man just gets better with age.” She watched as Ahmed walked in. His muscles still strained against his black T-shirt and the few silver strands of hair that dared peek out of his temples only made him more sinfully handsome.
The women giggled again as the men next to them chuckled at whatever they were talking about. These were the happy memories Betsy was going to take with her. The friendship, the love, and her family. She was very blessed indeed.
* * *
It was perfect. Kenna and Will had driven around Keeneston and even walked past the window of the Fluff and Buff. But now it was five and a steady stream of people were arriving.
The food tables were all laid out. The tables were decorated. The lights twinkled as much as the sequins on the women’s Gatsby-inspired dresses. It was the crucial time to get everyone gathered. Aniyah had left to delay the Rose sisters, who had to be nearing the completion of their hair styling. She would text as soon as they were on their way.
Paige would be going down now with a beach hat that needed to be delivered to Betsy before they left for Florida. She had enough practice convincing her brothers to do things by making them think it was their idea to get the Rose sisters to suggest that they take it to Betsy. And ten minutes later when Aniyah texted that the game was in play, Kenna knew the Rose sisters had taken the bait.
“Thirty minutes to go!” Kenna said into Holt’s microphone. The full tent cheered, and Kenna looked down at a fully checked list. She had done it.
11
Miss Lily stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was pink. Not a bright neon pink that made you laugh out loud, but a pretty whisper of a pink that made someone do a double take to make sure they weren’t hallucinating.
“Oh, Lil. That looks beautiful on you.”
Lily turned to see her sisters standing to the side of the mirror. Tall, stiff Daisy was vibrant as a yellow blonde. Mischievous and slightly wild Violet looked cool and edgy with her light purple hair.
“It’s amethyst. Isn’t it pretty?” Violet asked, doing a slow spin.
“It’s you,” Miss Lily whispered, reaching her hands out to her sisters. “It’s us.”
She felt silly getting misty-eyed. They’d been through heartbreak, losing their parents, running businesses, playing matchmaker, granting wishes, and then finding love again together. And now they were turning . . . well, a year older. And at their age, every year was one that should be celebrated.
“We might look like Easter eggs when we’re all standing together,” Daisy teased as they stepped to Lily’s side and looked into the mirror.
Aniyah clasped her freshly polished hands together. “You ladies are a vision. It makes my heart smile just seeing you.”
Lily looked at the hatbox and then back at Aniyah. “Maybe we should run home to show the men before we deliver the hat?”
Aniyah shrugged. “Whatever you want. I’m at your driving disposal for the next hour, but then me and my Sugarbear have special plans.” Aniyah winked and Lily knew exactly what Aniyah meant. After all, she’d seen DeAndre without his shirt on when he was helping rehang a couple of shutters at the breakfast for them. Lily might be old, but she wasn’t dead.
With a sigh, Lily had to admit she’d been wrong. John would tease her for it, but Lily really thought the town was up to something for their birthday. “No, that’s all right. I want to make sure I see Betsy and William before they leave.”
“Right this way, ladies.”
Lily followed Aniyah out to her car and sat in the back with Violet as Daisy took the front passenger seat. The ride out to the Ashton Farm was always beautiful. The grass was green, the weather warm, and the horses frisky. It was what made Keeneston so special.
Lily watched the large white-brick house of William and Betsy’s draw nearer as they drove up the long driveway lined on both sides with pastures full of horses. Aniyah stopped at the front door and Lily pushed the door open. It was hard to think about this great house without William and Betsy in it. Will and Kenna would make it their own, but it would always be Betsy’s house. At least in her mind.
Aniyah retrieved the hatbox from the trunk before they slowly made their way up the stairs to the large rectangular brick patio. Aniyah rang the bell for them and chatted on about something. Lily had to admit she had tuned out after leaving the salon. For some reason, her mind was on the past—all those decades ago when William and Betsy were just high schoolers along with Jake and Marcy. In Lily’s mind, that was just a few years ago. Her mind hadn’t caught up with the fact that her body was as old as it was. She wouldn’t even think the actual number.
The door opened and William smiled out to them. Lily shook off her melancholy and smiled warmly up at him. “We have a delivery for your wife.”
William looked down at the hatbox Aniyah was holding and nodded. “Apparently Betsy must have a beach hat and none would do except for one made by Paige. A little bit of home to take with us on our new adventure. Come on in. Betsy is on the back patio.”
Lily and her sisters followed William through the old house filled with generations of memories and the promise of generations of memories yet to come. The French doors leading to the back patio were wide open and the gentle breeze teased the gauzy curtains they had drawn over the open doorway.
Lily didn’t know why, but this felt like a goodbye. One she wasn’t ready for. She reached for her sisters only to find Daisy’s hand reaching for hers as Violet moved to Lily’s other side and slipped her hand into hers. William moved to the curtains and drew them open for the sisters to walk through. Lily squeezed her sisters’ hands and together they moved to say goodbye to a dear friend.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Lily and her sisters froze. She was sure her mouth was open with shock. For standing on the patio was Betsy, along with their husbands. Beyond the patio was the entire population of Keeneston.
Violet was sniffling next to her. Daisy’s hand covered her heart as her lower lip trembled. And when her dear husband walked to her and handed her a handkerchief, Lily realized tears were streaming down her cheeks. Lily’s mind jumped for joy at the beautiful sight. Chandeliers, colorful lights, balloons, and dresses . . . oh, the beautiful dresses! Her mind wanted to dance, wanted to drink, and wanted to party. Her heart, however, was so full it was overflowing.
Charles took Daisy’s hand, John took Lily’s, and Anton took Violet’s. Together they walked with William and Betsy toward their friends. Kenna, Dani, and Paige stood clasping hands just as Lily, Daisy, and Violet had when they walked through the doors. “Do we have you to thank for this?” Lily asked as she dabbed at her eyes.
They nodded, and in seconds Lily and her sisters were enveloped in hugs, tears, and more love than three childless women could ever imagine. For these were their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren. This was their town. This was their family.
* * *
“Oh, dear. They’re beautiful,” Miss Lily whispered to Sydney as she and her sisters ran their hands softly over the three dresses hanging in the guest room.
Miss Lily’s dress was a soft pink, just like her hair. It was in a flapper style with sequins and beaded fringe. Daisy’s was a gentle yellow, and Violet’s was a light purple. The three dresses were identical except for the color and the beaded embroidery over their heart. Lily’s had a lily, Daisy’s a daisy, and Violet’s a violet.
The three sisters wrapped Sydney in a hug. “You’re so talented, and we’re so proud of you,” Violet told her as they pulled away.
“Thank y
ou. I’m so glad you like them. Do you need any help getting ready?” Sydney asked them.
Lily shook her head. “You go have fun with that husband of yours. We’ll be out in just a minute.”
They waited for Sydney to leave before squealing their pleasure at their dresses. Violet stopped them, though. “I couldn’t get a good feel.”
Daisy shook her head. “Me neither. She was as wriggly as a worm on a hook. Lily, were you able to feel Syd’s stomach?”
“No, she kept moving. We can’t cross her off the list of who’s pregnant.”
Violet harrumphed with displeasure. “It’s our birthday. Whoever is pregnant should tell us. It’s the right thing to do.”
The Rose sisters agreed as they helped each other into the outfits. Attached to each hanger was a matching headpiece. Lily’s was a headband four inches wide made entirely of crystals. Daisy’s was a sequined snug-fitting cloche hat, and Violet’s was a flowing headscarf decorated with silver thread and violets.
Lily looked into the mirror above the chest at the three of them. Finally. She looked exactly as she felt inside. Young, beautiful, and full of life.
“I have to see myself in a full-length mirror,” Violet mumbled as she turned to try to get a good view of herself.
“Yes! I can’t wait to see what this fringe looks like at the bottom of the dress,” Daisy agreed.
“There’s that mirror in the formal sitting room.” Lily remembered it from their previous times here.
With a giggle, the three sisters set off for the room on the far side of the house. The soulful sound of Holt Everett singing and people enjoying a party echoed through the empty house.
They pushed the door to the formal sitting room open and flipped on the light. As one, they gasped. Moving slowly toward the object on the floor, Lily nudged it with her toe. “Panties,” she whispered.
Forever Surprised Page 7