Robin's Reward (Bonita Creek Trilogy Book 1)

by McCrary Jacobs, June

  “Oh, my goodness, Penny! This is the most stunning piece of clothing I’ve ever seen in my life. Jeff isn’t going to believe this. I look amazing. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll hug you when I get out of this outfit.”

  Penny felt tears gathering in her eyes. Robin did look beautiful. Thank you God for your guidance and wisdom. I couldn’t have created this ensemble without Your presence.

  “I almost forgot—let’s try on your headpiece, too. Then you can take it with you to the hairdresser for your hair trial later today.”

  Penny carefully unwrapped the handmade headband she’d made to coordinate with the wedding ensemble, and placed it gingerly on the Robin’s head. Thinking a bridal veil might make Robin feel uncomfortable at her second wedding, she’d crafted a unique headband. The two-inch wide band was made from the same fabric as the wedding dress and jacket. Penny made silk ribbon roses in various sizes and applied them to the headband along with a generous sprinkling of crystal beads. The headband was literally the crowning touch to Robin’s wedding ensemble.

  As the cousins gazed at the bride’s reflection in the mirrors all four eyes glistened with unshed tears of joy and love.

  “You’ll be the most beautiful, radiant, treasured bride ever . . . When Jeff sees you coming toward him in the sanctuary, he’ll be spellbound.”

  “All thanks to you, Penny. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your God-given creative talents to make this remarkable outfit for my wedding day.”

  “You’re welcome. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You do realize that, don’t you?”

  Robin turned to face her cousin, “Yes, and I feel the same way about you. Anything, ever and always.”

  The two women embraced each other loosely so as not to damage the special wedding outfit.

  “This outfit isn’t so fragile Jeff won’t be able to touch me, is it?”

  “Now why in the world would he want to touch you while you’re wearing this outfit?” Penny joked with a twinkle in her eye.

  “No special reason, I guess.”

  “Don’t worry about fragility. I individually knotted each bead when I sewed it to the garments and headband. Now let’s get these carefully packed away until the big day,” directed Penny patiently.

  Robin spent a few moments examining all of the surprises Penny had hidden on the inner lining of the jacket. When Penny turned the jacket around to show her the dahlia gracing the jacket’s back, Robin giggled.

  “You thought of everything, Penny.”

  “We can store the dress and jacket here until your big day if you want. Mr. Jeff won’t sneak a peek if it’s stored here.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Ten minutes later Robin was on her way out Penny’s door to attend to myriad errands and details for the wedding and honeymoon trip. Penny covered the jacket and dress and carefully placed them on the iron clothing rack she had mounted to the wall of her studio. As she stepped back, the satisfied designer sighed and locked the outside door to her studio.

  Chapter Thirty Six

  The wedding weekend arrived at last. Jeff picked up his parents, sister, and cousin Doug at the airport in Santa Rosa and brought them to Robin’s cottage for dinner. She’d been buzzing around all afternoon cooking, washing dishes, and setting the table with her grandmother’s best china and crystal. She was taking a breather when the doorbell rang. She untied her apron and checked her face and hair in the hall mirror before opening the door.

  A smiling Jeff was standing with man who looked like an older version of himself, an attractive middle-aged woman, a cute college-aged young woman, and a man about his age who was wearing a grin.

  “Welcome to my home, everyone,” Robin said. She held the door open wide to allow everyone to enter. Jeff snagged a kiss from Robin on his way into the cottage. Once everyone was inside Jeff stepped forward to make the introductions.

  “Mom and Dad, I’d like you to meet the future Mrs. Clarke, Robin.”

  Robin shook hands with the elder Clarkes and found herself lassoed into a bear hug by her future father-in-law. “Good to finally meet my new daughter-in-law.”

  “Thank you, Jerry.”

  “Now it’s my turn,” said Jeff’s mom as she hugged Robin. “You’ve made us all very happy, Robin.”

  “Thank you, Candace.”

  Jeff slid over to the young woman whose smile resembled his own. “This is my sister, Pamela. You can call her Squirt if you want.”

  Pamela slapped Jeff’s sleeve as she stepped forward to hug Robin. “I’m so glad we’re going to be sisters.”

  “Me, too,” Robin replied.

  “And this guy is my cousin and best friend, Doug.”

  Doug moved forward to shake hands with Robin. “Glad to meet you, Robin. Later on I’ll share the dirt on your future husband if you want.” Doug and Jeff chuckled.

  “Oh, no you won’t. I don’t want her backing out at this late date,” Jeff teased.

  “Everything’s ready if you want to eat now. Otherwise, we can chat first and eat in a little while.” Robin looked at her guests for their input.

  Jeff’s father spoke first. “I don’t know about everyone else, but we’ve been traveling all day and I’m hungry for a home-cooked meal. That airplane food hasn’t gotten any tastier in the forty-five years I’ve been flying.” The other guests and Jeff nodded in agreement.

  “Sounds good. The dining room is right this way.” Robin led the way into the elegant dining room featuring built-ins with glass doors and brass handles.

  “Your home is beautiful, Robin,” Candace said.

  “Thank you. I was fortunate to receive it from my grandparents. You all have a seat, and I’ll be right out with dinner.”

  “May I help you with anything in the kitchen, dear?” Candace asked.

  “Sure. You can pour the drinks. We have iced tea, hot tea, and lemonade. Oh, and I have some sodas in the fridge, too.”

  “I’ll handle all that for you then,” Candace replied before she began taking drink orders from the others.

  Jeff followed Robin into the kitchen. “Everything looks great.” He nuzzled her neck with a kiss or two.

  “Thanks. Will you fill the ice bucket for your mom?”

  “Sure.”

  “Your family seems glad to be here.”

  “Oh, they are. They’re glad to finally be getting rid of me permanently.”

  “You big tease,” Robin laughed as she stood on her toes to kiss him.

  “Enough monkey business, you two.” They broke apart as Candace walked into the kitchen.

  “Busted again,” Jeff said with an exaggerated eye roll. “I’ll leave you two ladies to do your magic while I go entertain the other guests.”

  “I got the drink orders, Robin.”

  “Thanks. Help yourself to the fridge. Jeff filled the ice bucket for you.”

  “Robin, can we talk for a moment, please?”

  “Sure, Candace.” Robin stopped removing food from the refrigerator and faced her future mother-in-law.

  “I just wanted to tell you personally how happy we are that our Jeff found a woman like you to marry. You’re intelligent, sweet, kind, and you want to be a mother. The perfect package.”

  “Well, I don’t know about being perfect, but I do love your son with all my heart and I’m looking forward to a lifetime of showing him how I feel.”

  “Robin, I know I said it on the phone earlier, but if there’s ever anything I can do to help you in any way I hope you’ll let me know.” The older woman placed her hand in Robin’s and smiled.

  “That’s very generous of you, Candace. I hope we can become close even though we’ll be living almost two thousand miles apart.”

  “We will. You’ll see. Now, where are the glasses for the drinks?”

  As the two women got busy with the last minute touches for the dinner, they chatted about the wedding plans and Robin’s wedding dress.

  ~*~

  The pl
anning for the big occasion was falling into place perfectly until the evening of the wedding rehearsal. Not only would Pastor White officiate the wedding ceremony, Robin had asked him to escort her down the aisle. Since his counsel and kindness had buoyed Robin after her difficult divorce, she wanted him to be involved as she transitioned into her new marriage.

  Everyone except Jeff had been told the pastor would escort the bride to the altar. At the rehearsal, Pastor White managed to avoid revealing his double-duty as the bride’s escort.

  “Since her escort is unavailable at this time, the bride can walk up to the altar on her own this evening.” He added, “I’ll discuss the escort’s duties privately with him at a more opportune time.”

  The wedding party withheld their laughter as the minister deftly evaded admitting he was the bride’s escort. Jeff was so nervous about doing and saying everything correctly he didn’t pay much attention to the mystery surrounding the escort’s identity.

  ~*~

  Robin waited impatiently behind the closed doors of the narthex for Penny to summon her after Jorie’s first solo. It seemed like things were taking a lot longer than expected. What are they doing in there? Curious, she opened the sanctuary door and poked her head through.

  “Is it my turn yet? I thought maybe you forgot me,” she laughed lightly.

  “I could never forget you, Robin,” said a familiar male voice.

  Robin noticed Pastor White’s frown and Jeff’s anxious scowl. Penny and Jorie were huddled together near the altar while the organist was hitting some unusually sour notes.

  Wedding rehearsal forgotten, Robin stomped over to the man wearing a frown. “Why are you here?” Her voice was tight as her hands moved to her hips in a defensive stance.

  “Hi, Robin. I realized I made a big mistake when I left you. Can we talk somewhere, privately, before you make a bigger mistake and marry this guy?”

  Even though no one had spoken the man’s name, Robin could tell the exact moment realization slammed into Jeff. He rushed toward Robin. Tension settled heavily on the sanctuary.

  “Thomas?” Jeff’s deep voice echoed through the silence.

  “Who are you?”

  “Jeff Clarke, the groom.”

  “This doesn’t concern you, groom, so back off.”

  Jeff took a step forward before Robin grasped his arm firmly and shook her head slowly. Pastor White had joined the group and suggested they move to his office to finish the conversation in privacy.

  “This is between Robin and me,” Thomas said.

  “Whatever you have to say to me, Thomas Bennett, will be said in front of Pastor White and Jeff.”

  “As long as I get to talk to you before you jump into a new marriage, I don’t care who hears me.”

  Thomas hasn’t changed in the least. He’s still arrogant and demanding. Robin’s thoughts and feelings about her former husband were clear. Lord, please guide us through this conversation, and bless us all with patience and understanding.

  The four sat in Pastor White’s study and studied each other for a couple of uncomfortable minutes before Thomas spoke. Robin noticed the years had dulled Thomas’s teen idol looks. Dark circles accented his eyes, and he was gaunt and pale. Robin wondered if he was ill.

  “Robin, I made a terrible mistake leaving you a few years ago. I’m asking for your forgiveness. Will you give me another chance?”

  “Really? You’re serious?”

  “Yes, I’m dead serious.”

  “You’re unbelievable, Thomas. You’ve got some nerve to come in here on the eve of my marriage to another man and ask me to take you back. Just how stupid do you think I am?” She shook her head in disgust. “It took years, but I am so over you.”

  “Come on, Robin. What about Christian charity and forgiveness?”

  “Don’t preach to me, Thomas. What happened to your second wife?”

  “Uh, well, it didn’t work out like I hoped. I caught her fooling around with my agent, so I kicked her out.”

  Pastor White cleared his throat and spoke up. “Thomas, what makes you think Robin wants to take you back? She’s obviously moved on in her life.”

  “It’s not any of your business, Pastor, but I think Robin and I had a good, loving marriage. I’ve matured. I realize now I was foolish to dump her like I did.”

  Robin shook her head in disbelief as Jeff seethed in anger. She took a deep breath.

  “Thomas, our relationship is over—completely and eternally. I don’t love you, and I certainly don’t want to renew our relationship. My future will be with Jeff. I have no doubts about his love and devotion.”

  “But, can’t we talk before you make a final decision? It’ll be like old times. Remember how we used to laugh and cuddle and—”

  “Enough, Thomas! Show some decency, please, and have some respect for Robin’s feelings,” Pastor White said firmly.

  “Don’t you have anything to add, mister groom?” Thomas taunted Jeff.

  “I’m thankful each and every day you set Robin free. She’s an amazing woman, and I’m blessed and grateful she’s agreed to be my wife.”

  “Rub it in, why don’t you? You’re just as high and mighty as she is. You two deserve each other,” Thomas sneered.

  “This conversation is officially over,” Pastor White said as he stood and motioned Thomas toward the exit door leading to the parking lot.

  “Thomas, I do have one question. How did you know I was getting remarried?” Robin asked.

  “Suzie Stinson. She keeps me posted on everything going on around here, especially anything involving you. She thrives on gossiping and stirring up trouble. She loathes you. Haven’t you figured it out by now?”

  Just before he exited, Thomas turned around and said, “My condolences on your cat’s demise.”

  Pastor White rushed Thomas outside and slammed his door. The usual genteel church leader spoke in a raised voice to Thomas for a few minutes before returning to his office and closing the door quietly.

  “Anything we should worry about, Pastor White?” Jeff asked.

  “Nothing I can’t handle, if necessary. I told Thomas if I see his face remotely near the church grounds tomorrow I will call the sheriff and ask him to be arrested for stalking, trespassing, and harassment.”

  Robin inhaled a ragged breath. “Oh no, you don’t suppose he’ll try to crash the wedding or reception, do you?”

  The pastor smiled mischievously.

  “I may have mentioned I was aware of at least two outstanding warrants for his arrest for things he did before he moved away. Things he hasn’t answered for yet. He decided rather quickly he’d better leave town as soon as he can pack and check out of the motel. I’m just glad Susan Stinson is back in a locked facility or else we’d have to deal with her shenanigans, too.”

  Pushing out of his chair the pastor smiled at them.

  “Now, let’s go practice a wedding, shall we?”

  “I didn’t know Thomas was in trouble with the law,” Robin was visibly upset.

  “I didn’t want to trouble you with his criminal activities when you returned to Bonita Creek after college. He had some trouble with vandalism and under-aged drinking shortly before you two married and moved to the Midwest.”

  “I’m sorry, but I need a few minutes to gather my composure before we go back to the rehearsal.”

  Robin sank back into her chair while Jeff rubbed her shoulders.

  As Pastor White closed the door to the sanctuary, Robin leaned into Jeff’s embrace. Tears soon followed as the shock of what had taken place hit her.

  “You’re all right. I’m here. Thomas is never going to hurt you again, Robin. Pastor White and the sheriff will handle the situation if he tries to cause any more trouble, but I think he’ll leave town like he told the pastor.”

  Robin looked into Jeff’s eyes for reassurance.

  “How can you be so sure he won’t crash our wedding or reception?”

  “Because, Thomas is a bully and bullies always sl
ink away when someone stands up to them.”

  Jeff kissed away her tears and dried her cheeks with his handkerchief.

  “I hadn’t looked at it in that way before. I feel better now.”

  “Good, because you are going to be a beautiful bride, and I won’t let anyone ruin our happy day. Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then let Pastor White, the sheriff, and God handle Thomas Bennett for us. Are you ready to return to the rehearsal? I’m getting hungry.”

  “I guess I’d better get used to your stomach setting the schedule for the rest of our lives.”

  “I’m worth it,” Jeff chuckled.

  A brief time later, the couple rejoined the rehearsal in the sanctuary, and not another word was spoken of Thomas Bennett or Susan Stinson the rest of the evening.

  ~*~

  Mrs. White and the church auxiliary team had prepared a hearty meal of spaghetti smothered with meatballs in marinara sauce, home-baked bread, tossed green salad, with spumoni for dessert for the wedding party and Jeff’s family. The rehearsal dinner was the Whites’ gift to the wedding couple. The Fireside Room had been transformed. There were round tables with white tablecloths and lilac pillar candles on small round mirrors for centerpieces.

  After everyone had been served, Pastor White shared a blessing. Chatter broke out as people became acquainted with one another. Matthew’s wife, Sarah, asked Robin if she was nervous about the wedding.

  “No. I believe it’s God’s plan for me to be Mrs. Jeffrey Clarke for the next fifty or sixty years.”

  Jeff’s clasped her hand firmly in his under the table. When she turned to look at her groom, love and adoration filled his eyes.

  “I believe it, too,” Jeff blurted out.

  “Knock it off, you two lovebirds. There’ll be time for goo-goo eyes tomorrow. Right now, we need to devour this fine dinner prepared by my amazing wife and her talented friends.” Pastor White winked at Robin as he spoke.