“Nice?”
“Really nice,” she said with a smile.
“I can do better.” He leaned in and kissed her neck.
“No!” She spun away from him. “Not today. This is Jill and Garrett’s day, and we need to really think about this.”
“Why do you always have to be so practical? What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“Well, we could start this thing and figure out that we’re not a good couple.”
“So?”
“So, it would make work really awkward.”
“OK, so if that happens, we’ll just dissolve the partnership, and you can work from another building. That’s easy. What else could happen?”
“You could break my heart,” she said.
He looked into her eyes and swept her bangs from her face. “Carolanne, I’ll never hurt you.”
“What if you do? What if I go crazy like my dad?”
He pulled her into a hug. “Is that what has you so afraid?”
She nodded into his chest, unable to even utter a word.
“We won’t get you a straitjacket and put you away, and I promise if I break your heart and you go crazy, we’ll find an answer. But that’s not going to happen. I know it.” He tapped his heart. “In here.”
“But it could.”
“It’s highly unlikely. Besides, Jill and Garrett would kill me if I did that.”
“True, and that is somewhat comforting.”
He swatted her butt. “Come on. We have celebrating to do. Relax and have a good time.” He kissed her shoulder. “OK?”
His touch sent a charge through her, unexpected, but not bad. “This might be a long day.”
He winked and led her back to where Jill and Garrett were greeting the last stragglers.
Gifts were piled high on long tables near the entryway, and people gathered in clusters sharing stories and catching up, feeling extra relaxed and appreciative on this special day.
Connor stepped to the microphone. “May I have everyone’s attention?”
The loud chatter dropped to just a hum.
“Let’s invite Garrett and Jill to the dance floor for their first dance together as husband and wife. Friends, family, let’s give them a round of applause.”
Garrett led Jill to the dance floor.
“I asked the band to play a song that I think is pretty special and appropriate, seeing how long we’ve waited for these two to finally make it all official.”
The band started playing the first chorus of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”
Carolanne shot him a warning look.
The crowd laughed and nodded. Someone in the back of the room let out a loud whoop.
Connor raised his hand, and the band stopped. “OK, OK. I thought that was a good pick, but it seems the couple had a different tune in mind.” The band regrouped and started playing “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” by Bryan Adams. “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Malloy.”
The music filled the room, and Connor stepped away from the microphone and joined Carolanne alongside the open space where Jill and Garrett shared their first dance.
“It’s so romantic.” Carolanne swallowed back tears. Between the wedding, the stress of the previous week, and Connor being so doggone sweet, she didn’t know if she was coming or going. She spotted her dad across the room. He nodded and waved. She smiled and wiggled her fingers in a wave back. Baby steps, but we’re taking them.
“Are you crying?” Connor asked.
“No.” Why do you notice everything? I thought men were supposed to be so oblivious to our feelings.
“You are. I didn’t know you were such a softy.”
“I’m not. But I’m happy for Jill. And Garrett. I’m just happy.”
He put his arm around her and tugged her to him, hip to hip. “Come on. We can join in now.”
On the dance or the happy?
He led her to the dance floor.
“Come on, folks,” Connor called out to the guests, “the dance floor is now open.”
The dancing continued, and folks lined up to help themselves to the food that sprawled on long tables down the entire walkway through the building. Benches and café table toppers had been placed from one end to the other, making it feel like a river of people floating in with the tide.
Waiters in formal attire swept through with trays of appetizers and noshes, keeping everyone well fed between buffet visits.
Carolanne checked her watch and then gathered Jill and Garrett to cut the cake.
Jill leaned toward Carolanne. “Have you seen Mac? I wanted to thank him and get a picture of him with the cake before I cut into it.”
“No, he’s not here. He must have had another event after yours.”
The cake was huge, and all five layers of the white fondant cake shimmered under the light. Mac must have spent hours placing each of the tiny translucent pearls. Delicate pink rosebuds looked so real that, for a moment, Carolanne thought maybe Mac had gotten them from Teddy, like the ones in Jill’s hair, but upon closer inspection, she could see they were indeed edible creations.
Garrett picked up the champagne flute with the little black tuxedo on it and tapped it with a fork. “Folks are coming around with champagne, or whatever beverage of your choice. Please join us in a toast and the cake cutting.”
Everyone moved in closer to the cake table, and Carolanne took that opportunity to go grab some quiet time. She needed just a moment to catch her breath. So much was happening, and that made her feel a little out of control. Not something she was accustomed to or sure that she liked.
She knew she should be happy for Jill, but in a way it made her feel lonely. Surely there wouldn’t be the dozens of sleepovers and girl weekends that they’d become spoiled with.
Carolanne saw Garrett stand on a chair, and everyone began cheering.
What is he doing? She walked back over. This wasn’t part of the plan, and she knew how important Jill’s plan was to her.
Garrett had everyone’s attention. “So, for everyone who agrees this is the most beautiful wedding ever, you can give all that credit to Jill. The only thing I had anything to do with was the groom’s cake, and I think it’s pretty fan-tabulous.”
Mr. Malloy wheeled a cart with a huge box on top of it into the room.
Garrett stepped down from the chair, and he and his dad started to lift the box to unveil the groom’s cake. “Wait a second,” Garrett said. “Jill, you might want to close your eyes. This doesn’t match the wedding colors.”
Jill pretended to fan herself.
Garrett and his dad lifted the box and set it to the side.
A huge cake in the shape of a bulldozer rose from a chocolate cake with a ganache pedestal that had The Malloys in cursive on each side. The bright-yellow cake was so realistic that, at first, some folks thought it was a toy. Then Mr. Malloy did the honors of pushing a button on the platform, and the bulldozer chugged and blew steam from an exhaust pipe. Then slowly, ever so slowly, the bucket rose, and when the bucket tipped forward, a flag with Congratulations, Garrett and Jill unfurled from it.
Everyone cheered.
“Now, that’s man stuff!” Connor hollered and reached over to high-five his best friend.
Carolanne laughed as she watched Connor and Garrett enjoy the moment over the truck cake.
“And chocolate, to boot.” Garrett smiled and accepted the pats on the back from the guys.
Jill stood to the side with her arms crossed. Carolanne knew that only true love could make Jill OK with someone veering from her plan, and her smile told just how much she loved the surprise.
Garrett walked over and led Jill to the cake table with a kiss.
The band started playing Tim McGraw’s “My Best Friend.” Garrett and Jill made the first cuts and fed each other a piece of cake in the most peaceful demonstration there’d ever been. Not a hint of frosting out of place.
Carolanne made sure the ladies had the cake distribu
tion under control, then went back over to sit at the table with Milly.
Connor walked up to the table with two pieces of cake. “Here you go, ladies.”
“No cake for you?” Milly took a piece and picked up her fork, seeming less than interested in waiting for his answer.
Connor raised his drink. “I’ll get one to go. I’m too full from the buffet to eat cake now.”
“Beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” Ben said as he walked up to the table.
They all nodded.
Connor asked, “Was it the battery?”
“Yes.” Ben turned to Carolanne and Milly. “My car was broken down this morning.” He turned the conversation back to Connor. “AAA gave me a jump, then I went and bought a new battery from Graham’s Garage. Guy there said that it was the original one. I’d say I got my money’s worth out of it.”
“You sure did,” Carolanne said. “Did you get some cake?”
“No. Thanks. I’m going to head out,” Ben said.
“Already?” He looks uncomfortable. Maybe he doesn’t like weddings, either.
“I just wanted to let y’all know I was leaving. It was a lovely day, and you looked beautiful, Carolanne.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She stood up and hugged him.
Jill walked up and grabbed Connor by the hands, then called over to Carolanne. “Time for your help.”
“Maid of honor duty calls,” Carolanne said as she let Jill drag her away. She waved good-bye to her dad. He lifted his chin in that way he did right before he smiled. Funny, she hadn’t thought about that in years. Connor set his glass down on a table as he followed right behind them.
Garrett had a wicked grin on his face. “Time for the garter and flower toss. The two of you need to be front and center.”
Nervous laughter filled the space in response to the exaggerated glance between Connor and Carolanne.
Once Garrett got the garter off Jill’s leg, it wasn’t even a contest to get the garter. It was as if it were planned because every other guy stepped back, and Connor was the only one trying to catch it.
Carolanne dropped her head back. “Y’all are killin’ me with all this.”
“Come on. It’s my day. You have to do what I say.” Jill rushed over to the open part of the room and grabbed the microphone. “Everyone gather around. Single gals, I need you over here. It’s time for the bouquet toss!”
Giggles, claps, and protests filled the space.
I’m going to kill you for this. Carolanne glared at Jill and kept to the middle of the crowd.
Just as the bouquet left Jill’s hands and flew through the air, there was a commotion at the back entrance to the gardens.
A little boy in a muddy black suit ran into the crowd. “Where’s my dad?” he screamed to no one in particular as the bouquet beelined right into Carolanne’s chest.
Chapter Thirteen
Carolanne grappled as the flowers accosted her like a drunken bird flying on a kamikaze mission. “I wasn’t trying…”
Jill cheered, jumping up and down in her heavy beaded gown.
Carolanne shook the flowers and glared in Jill’s direction.
Connor wished he could have seen an instant replay of that. Carolanne had done her best to avoid the bouquet, but it was like that bunch of flowers was on autopilot. She couldn’t avoid it. Connor glanced back down at the muddy boy at his side.
The boy couldn’t have been more than six or seven. He was huffing an almost silent pant, standing there wide-eyed, frozen in his spot.
“Whoa there, buddy.” Connor scooped up the young boy into his arms. “What’s the matter there?”
“There’s a”—his blue eyes were wide and his cheeks flush—“a dead body!”
Connor headed toward the back door with the boy in his arms. “No. No. It’s OK.” He patted his back and tried to calm him down. Looked like one of the Johnson boys, only they had like six of them and he could never keep them straight.
Connor waved off the attention of the guests who were standing nearby. “Boys will be boys. What can you do? I got this. Y’all go on.” Connor grabbed Scott by the arm to bring him outside with the boy.
Tina Johnson’s maternal radar must’ve gone on alert, because she rushed toward Connor and Scott just as they slipped outside.
“What did he do now?” she said as she marched toward them.
Connor carried the boy to the edge of the courtyard, but when he tried to set him down, the boy clung to his neck like a clip-on monkey. “All right, then. You can stay there.” The boy barely wobbled from his position. “Tell Sheriff Calvin what you just told me.”
“There’s a skinny, scary ghost lady floating in the pond.” He sniffled. “Turtles are eating her. It’s so gross!”
Tina sighed and reached for her son. “I’m sorry. His brothers are always torturing him. Why can’t they behave for just one day?” Her head lolled back, and her whole demeanor drooped like someone had thrown a wet blanket over her.
Connor gladly handed the kid over.
“Mom! I saw it this time. For real. There’s a dead lady, and they’re poking a giant turtle with a stick. I told them it’s not nice.”
“JD. That’s crazy. I asked you boys to behave today. Look at you—you’re filthy.” She turned to Scott. “I’m sorry. His brothers are always putting crazy stuff in his head.”
The little boy shook his head and tugged on his mom’s collar. “Mom! It’s real. I saw it. Come on. We have to go. Quick!”
“I’ll settle this.” Scott said. “He obviously saw something. Let me take him down there, and we’ll put this to rest. You go back in and have fun. With six boys, you need a little!”
“You don’t mind?”
“Heck no. Go on. Enjoy the festivities. We’ll be right back.”
“Thanks, Scott. Tell my boys to get their butts up here.”
He gave her a wink. “I’ll even flash my badge.”
“Good. That ought to cure them for at least a week or two.” She urged her son in Sheriff Calvin’s direction.
“My pleasure. I’ll let this little guy lead the way.”
Carolanne stepped outside. “Hey, guys. Is everything OK?”
“Yeah, I think so. We’re just going to go squash some rumors,” Connor said.
“Good. Can you squash the one that I’m going to be the next to get married while you’re at it?” Carolanne lifted the bunch of flowers. Most women would have thought it was a bonus.
“I caught the garter. That means you’re all mine, baby.” Connor laughed at how flummoxed she seemed by the whole idea, and he wondered if she might throw the flowers at him.
“I have a say in it.” But she looked worried.
He jogged to catch up with Scott as he called back over his shoulder, “Sure you do. We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
The little boy grabbed Scott and Connor’s hands and dragged them down the grade toward the pond, his face red and sweaty with determination.
It wasn’t hard to see where the source of the excitement was. Even from fifty yards, Connor could make out five rear ends in a half circle around something at the pond’s edge.
“What ya got there, boys?” Scott yelled in his scare-the-kids-straight tone.
The boys snapped to attention.
“I brought the sheriff to check out the crime scene. Sorry it took us so long. He was just locking up some boys for filing a false report. That’s a crime, isn’t it, Sheriff?”
“Oh yeah. They’ll do hard time for that. Nothing but bread and water for those boys. No TV, and no computer games, either.” Scott could barely hold back the laugh. But as the boys stepped back, the humor in Scott’s voice disappeared. “Boys, you need to come over here beside Mr. Buckham.”
“Holy sh—” Connor caught himself. “Sure is a dead girl.”
All five boys stood and took a giant step backward.
“It’s the biggest snappin’ turtle ever!” the oldest boy said.
“He was walking right on to
p of that girl.”
“He’s going to eat her. Good thing we found her, or there wouldn’t be anything but bones left by tomorrow.”
“Maybe not even bones! Maybe just her clothes!”
“Eww.”
“See,” JD said, looking proud to prove his case to Connor and Scott.
“I see,” Connor said.
The turtle didn’t seem to even notice he was balancing on a dead girl’s thigh. He seemed more intent on sunning. One of the boys splashed a stick in the water, hoping to egg the turtle on to whatever it was going to do.
“Come on, guys. Back it up and quit tormenting the turtle.” Scott pulled his phone out of his pocket.
Connor edged closer. “Couldn’t have been here long. Doesn’t even stink.” Other than the fact that the girl wasn’t moving and had a snapping turtle balanced on her knee, the body wasn’t in half-bad shape. “Come on, boys. Let’s step back over here.”
Scott tugged his phone off his hip. “Connor, take the boys back to their mother. Then grab Deputy Taylor and get him to give you some crime scene tape and stakes from the trunk of his car to bring back. He’ll secure the building. No one leaves.”
Connor rallied the boys and led them up the slope to the main building. He stopped at one of the garden spigots and made the boys get the mud off their shoes. No sense in them getting in trouble on top of finding a dead body. That’s probably enough punishment for one day.
When he got back to the building with all six boys in tow, Carolanne was waiting for him.
Connor wasn’t quite sure how to tell her that Jill’s big day had just veered into the ditch—or the pond, in this case. “Can you deliver these boys back to Mrs. Johnson?”
“Sure. What’s wrong?”
One of the boys piped in. “There’s a dead girl gettin’ eaten by a giant snapping turtle down there.”
Carolanne laughed and gave Connor a What’s the real scoop? look.
“He’s right. Well, the turtle isn’t a snapper, and it’s not eating her, but there is a dead girl down there.”
The color from Carolanne’s face drained. “Oh. My. God.”
“Yeah. I know. Have you seen Deputy Taylor?” He stepped past her.
She ran to catch up with him. “He was over there eating cake a minute ago.”
Adams Grove 03-Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes Page 10