by Regina Duke
Ashley’s compassion moved her to hold out a hand. “I’m sorry we met under circumstances that were so unpleasant for you.”
Britney Beth stared at Ashley’s hand. At last, she took it between cold fingers and gave a half-hearted shake. “Me, too. I have to go home with my mother. It’s for the best.”
Ashley was certain she was reciting exactly what her mother had been telling her. “Yes, I’m sure it is. And it’s the right thing to do, because she came all this way to be with you.”
Britney Beth nodded. “I want to wish you and Thor all the best. I look forward to visiting with you when you come to Texas.”
“Me, too,” said Ashley gently, realizing that Britney Beth must be on some medication. All her sharp edges had been smoothed over. “Thor’s father says we’ll have a big ceremony down there when he gets back from Kuwait. I do hope you’ll come.”
“Yes, of course. I have to go back to the car now.” She turned and left.
Ashley followed her out of the shop and returned to the office, just in time to see Thor escorting Darlene to the car as well. Polly and Rudy were hugging her and wishing her well and promising to check in on her when Polly got home.
Ashley followed Thor inside. “Is Darlene okay? She looks distraught.”
“She’s dealt with these problems before. She’s a strong woman. The news about the babies I rescued from the fire was quite a shock. She’s planning to start the ball rolling on adopting them. I hope she forgives me for keeping Britney Beth’s secret.”
Ashley put her arms around him and hugged him tight. “Of course, she will. You saved their lives. And you were only trying to please her daughter and save her from more mental distress.”
“Thanks, darlin’. How is Mina?”
Ashley smiled. “Full of ideas. Let me fill you in. Oh, but first, how does Rocky feel about kittens?”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Friday
Reese McAvoy was delighted to provide Ashley and Wilhelmina with a private room for final preparations with her hair and makeup. And Ashley was pleased that Mina was eager to help. She’d liked the woman from the first, but after Lulamae’s vision of her importance in Ashley’s future, she was even more intrigued.
Thor and Rudy Garrison knocked hesitantly on the door, then opened it an inch.
“You decent?” asked Rudy.
Ashley laughed. “Yes. Come in.”
Reese was on his way out, but stopped at the door. “You’re not afraid to have the groom see you in your dress before the ceremony?”
Ashley shook her head. “I will not give this dress any power over how my future turns out,” she said. “Call me crazy, but I think Thor is more vital to the outcome than a few yards of satin and brocade.”
Thor stepped in past Reese. “Thank goodness for that.” He clapped Reese on the back. “I peeked in at the room you set up. It’s amazing. And people are already showing up. So I guess I better not back out now.”
Reese laughed good-naturedly. “You kids make a handsome couple. I’m going to check on the kitchen.”
Thor and Ashley shared a brief kiss. Ashley could have melted in his arms right then, but Mina tugged at her sleeve.
“So sorry, dear, but I’m not done yet. Over here, please.” She winked. “Plenty of time for that later.”
Rudy chuckled.
Thor’s phone rang.
“I hope you plan to turn that off during the ceremony,” said Ashley gently.
“Don’t worry, darlin’. This call is the last one, I swear.” He stepped outside.
Ashley used the moment to ask a question she’d been trying to ask for two days. “Mr. Garrison—”
“Rudy,” he corrected gently, with a twinkle in his eye.
Ashley smiled. “Rudy. I was wondering why some people call you Rooster?”
“Good question. Ask my wife, she’ll tell you it’s because I strut around like a banty rooster. You have chickens up there in Boulder?”
Mina grinned as she worked, placing one hair pin after another to hold the veil in place.
“I’m sure chickens exist in Boulder,” said Ashley, playfully, but they don’t allow them in my apartment.”
Rudy rumbled an acknowledgment. “The plain truth is, when I was a boy, I loved watching John Wayne movies. Anything with John Wayne I wanted to see over and over. Back then we couldn’t just hit record on the TV, you know. Had to go to the movie theater. I spent every allowance on John Wayne movies. But Rooster Cogburn, that was my all time favorite. I loved that movie. So my friends at school started calling me Rooster. Didn’t have nothing to do with the way I walk.” He strutted around the room in an exaggeration of a cocky little rooster.
Ashley laughed.
Rudy grinned, obviously appreciating a new audience for his old jokes.
At that moment, Thor reentered the room. “That phone call was Uly’s old college roommate. He’s a Texas Ranger now. He used some inter-agency connections to ask questions about your mother.”
Ashley’s eyes filled with hope. “What did he say? Is she all right?”
“She’s fine. She really is in witness protection, but they aren’t allowed to tell him where. He did get confirmation that the news of your father’s death was relayed to her. He was also told that U.S. Marshal’s were watching her house. You don’t have to worry about the man in the black hat. He’s one of theirs. Same with the fellow in the Vegas casino. Says you had them worried when they learned our jet was going to Vegas. That was your mother’s interim destination, before they were permanently relocated.”
“So Lulamae was right,” said Ashley. “Even if she was there, she was already using a new identity. My plan to spot her amidst thousands of tourists was pretty lame, I guess.”
“But sweet as the dickens,” said Thor. “The Marshals started keeping tabs on you right away, from that first visit to her house. They wanted to make sure none of Agnew Spinoza’s enemies tried anything.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” said Ashley. “No more looking over my shoulder.”
Thor let his father fix his tie.
“There’s more,” he said, pointing his chin at the ceiling.
Rudy drawled, “Part of it better be Uly getting his butt here in time for this wedding.”
“Oh, Uly texted me. He’s just pulling into the parking lot.”
Ashley said, “Don’t keep me in suspense. What else did the Ranger say?”
“They know you took the two shoeboxes. Because they’re your father’s letters and have nothing to do with your mother’s situation, they said it’s okay.”
“The Marshals must have surveillance cameras at the house. Remember? You suggested that yourself that day in the kitchen. You said whoever was watching the house probably had cameras set up. I’ve been studying some of your product lines, and I was amazed at how tiny and hidden those things can be.”
Thor’s features softened. “You studied my product lines?”
Rudy chuckled and found himself a chair to straddle. “She’s a keeper.”
Thor smiled, then shook off his distraction to focus on the matter at hand. “I think you may have nailed it,” he said.
“But in that case, why did they search the house and toss everything in the basement?”
Rudy made a noise that dismissed that mystery “The criminal element you mentioned may have been in and out of there as well. The Marshals wouldn’t see a need to tell you about that.”
Thor straddled the chair next to his father. They looked like bookends separated by thirty years.
Rudy said, “Where are these mystery boxes?”
“At the office,” said Thor.
“No, in the car,” said Ashley. Then hesitantly, “I know it sounds silly, but I sort of felt like having those boxes nearby was like having dad at the wedding.”
Rudy’s eyes glistened. He coughed to cover his show of feeling, then stood up. “Give me your keys, son. Ashley’s old man deserves to sit with the wedding party.”
Mina trailed patiently after her, making sure the veil remained pristine. After Rudy left to fetch the shoeboxes, she patted Ashley’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to sound cold, dear, but smearing your makeup with tears before the ceremony is unwise. Plenty of time for crying later.”
Thor laughed. “Mina, those aren’t exactly the words a couple wants to hear before walking down the aisle.” He found a tissue for Ashley.
She wiped her eyes carefully. “Your dad is such a sweet man.”
“Mama would argue that point, I think, but he has mellowed a lot in the last few years.”
“Speaking of your mother, where is she?”
“Entertaining the guests, I think. There’s quite a group out there.”
“I’m going to owe her a kidney before this is over.”
A woman shrieked outside the dressing room.
Thor rushed to check on the problem. As soon as he opened the door, a wiry, red-faced man shoved him hard and barged into the dressing room. He had a steak knife in one hand and sliced through the air with it. When he saw Ashley, he snarled, “You bitch! I knew you were seeing someone else.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
“Wayne!” Ashley backed away so fast, she bumped into Mina. “Are you out of your mind?”
Thor recovered quickly and stepped between Wayne and Ashley. “Put that down.”
Wayne reeked of alcohol. Whatever he had been drinking wasn’t helping his verbal skills.
“Scoor you!”
Thor rolled his eyes. “You have got to be kidding me. You can barely stand up. You can’t even curse properly. Put down the knife before you hurt yourself.”
“I thought I scared you off when I painted your names on those graves. But you took my girl. She was s’posed to marry me.”
Ashley shook her head. “Wayne, we barely dated.” She inched toward the table where her purse sat and dipped her hand inside.
Wayne swayed to and fro, brandishing the knife. “What are you doing?”
“Getting my lipstick,” said Ashley as her hand closed on her true objective. “Two movies and a dinner out is not a promise to spend my life with you. Besides, I explained about my dad when I told you I couldn’t see you anymore.”
While she talked, Rudy slipped quietly into the room and set her shoeboxes on a chair by the door.
Ashley pulled Mr. Hissy out of her bag and flung it toward Wayne. Startled, he jumped backward.
Thor grabbed the wrist holding the steak knife and twisted it free.
Rudy came up behind Wayne and wrapped his arms tightly around him.
Wayne yelped in surprise.
Mina scurried for the door. “I’ll go get security.”
“Who is this yahoo, son?”
“He’s a stalker. I’m about to call the sheriff’s office.”
Wayne sobered noticeably at the mention of the sheriff. “Now, now. No need to get the law involved. I guess Ashley thinks you’re the better man.” His bitterness was still evident. “You can let go of me. I won’t cause any trouble.”
Thor could feel Ashley right behind him, pressing against his back and peering around his shoulder to speak.
“No trouble? Is that what you call your parking lot stunt? Trashing my car?”
Thor nodded. “I think we should press charges.”
Wayne tried to pull away from Rudy. “Let me go, old man!”
Rudy laughed, a short, harsh sound filled with determination. “Listen to me, you piece of crap. If you show up around Ashley again, I’m going to teach you what a real man’s knife can do.” He leaned sideways to hitch up his dress slacks and pulled a Bowie knife from the sheath strapped to his boot. It’s nine-inch blade glinted in the light.
Ashley exclaimed, “Mr. Garrison!”
“Rooster,” he corrected gently. Then to Wayne, he growled, “As of today, Ashley becomes my little girl. She’s marrying my boy. You would be very unwise to ever show your face around her again. Do I make myself clear?”
Wayne’s eyes were big as silver dollars. He nodded rapidly.
Thor rumbled, “That goes double for me, you hear?”
Wayne’s head bobbled in understanding.
Mina returned with Reese McAvoy and a security guard in tow. “Is everything okay? Mina said there was a man with a knife in here.” He stopped short when he saw Rudy’s Bowie knife.
“Not him,” said Thor. He held the steak knife out, handle first. “This fellow seems to have swiped a steak knife from your dining room. I think he’s had too much to drink. Could your security people make sure he doesn’t hang around for the ceremony?”
Reese was all business. “Yes, sir.” He stepped aside to let a second security guard enter the room. “You guys take him in charge. Put him in my office for now and stay with him.” Back to Thor. “Everyone all right in here?” He took the steak knife from Thor. “Oh, Miss Ashley, you look so beautiful. All right, then, I’ll let you get back to getting ready. The room is filling up.” He offered a beaming smile for Ashley, then frowned at the recalcitrant Wayne. His bushy eyebrows met in the middle and looked like an angry hedgehog. “Get him out of here.”
Once Wayne was gone, a calm descended on the room. For a few moments, no one moved. Finally, Ashley spoke.
“Thanks, guys.”
Mina stood back to look at her handiwork with Ashley’s veil. “You look perfect, my dear. I should get out there and let everyone know you’re almost ready.”
Thor said, “Even your parents will be here. These letters represent them both, and they’ll be sitting in the front row next to my parents.”
Ulysses Garrison blustered into the room. “Parents? What about your big brother? Hey, is this gorgeous girl your bride? How about a hug for the brother-in-law?”
Uly was taller, blonder, and thicker than Thor. He was also louder, brasher, and spoke with a thick Texas accent.
Rudy held up a hand. “Give the girl some room, boy. Don’t swoop in. She doesn’t know you yet.”
Ashley couldn’t help but smile at Uly. She took his hand and stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I’m so glad to meet you.”
Polly trailed behind Uly. “Come on. Reese is ready, and the pastor has arrived. Turns out he’s related to a local rancher. His name is Vernon Mully. He’s semi-retired, but Reese says he’s the best pastor around. And his wife is going to play the organ. By the way, Reese invited the rest of your client list,” said Polly. “I told him it was a great idea, but the room is full, so don’t look surprised when you come in.”
Rudy took Ashley’s hand. “I’m standing in for your dad,” he said.
Thor carried the letter boxes. “I’ll give these a really good seat,” he said. “See you in a few minutes.”
Mina made a thumbs up gesture. “You look terrific.” She exited behind Thor.
Ashley twined her arm with Rudy’s.
He patted her hand.
“You ready to join this crazy family?”
Ashley said softly, “I spent my life running from crazy. It never occurred to me that there was a good kind.” She smiled at Rudy. “I am definitely ready.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
New Year’s Eve, 10:00 p.m.
The eight-foot Christmas tree blinked on and off in the corner. Outside, a soft snow was falling steadily. Thor and Ashley were happy to be home in the Colorado cabin. Rocky was stretched out on a rug in front of the sofa where they quietly celebrated the New Year. A seal point Siamese kitten bounced around him, tapping him on the nose, the shoulder, the flank, trying to get him to play. Rocky ignored it. On the coffee table sat the remains of a take-out meal from Il Vaccaro. They had feasted on beef stroganoff and Ashley’s favorite sourdough French bread.
“I think I like your brother’s Christmas gift the best,” said Ashley, snuggling in her husband’s arms. “We’ll fina
lly get away to Hawaii, even if it is a couple of months late for a honeymoon.”
“I like dad’s wedding gift a lot, too. We can take a private jet to Uly’s house on Oahu. Not a bad way to travel.”
“I know your business is really picking up now that the Fineman Wakes are on your client list. If you need to, we can postpone until March.”
“I think we should go next week,” said Thor. “Otherwise we’ll keep putting it off and it’ll never happen.”
“True. And your mother said she wants to come up and go skiing, so she’ll take care of Rocky. January is great for skiing.”
“Perfect timing on her part. I wonder if she’s bringing the Beales?”
Ashley shook her head sadly. “Poor Britney Beth.”
Thor nodded. “She’s having a rough time of it. Come to think of it, I doubt her parents are going anywhere for a while. They’ll want to stay close to home, what with the boys’ adoption pending and all.”
“Do you think that contributed to Britney Beth’s collapse?”
“Yes, but only because it meant she had to deal with those years of deception. I’m hoping that getting to know her nephews will make her recovery a bit easier. She can let go of some of her guilt.”
“I hope so,” said Ashley. “I really feel sorry for her, now that she’s not competing for you anymore.”
Thor reached for the FedEx box on the coffee table.
“This came to the office today. Shall we open it?”
“Who’s it from?”
Thor tilted the package toward the lamp light. “Tex and Lulamae.”
“After presenting us with gold wedding bands, how could they possibly feel the need to send us a Christmas gift?”
Thor smiled. “They’re generous people. Shall I open it?”
“Definitely. I like them so much. I hope we get to see them soon.”
“I’m sure we will,” said Thor. “Dad told Tex about the property here, and he invited Tex and Lulamae to come up and look around. He’s thinking of doing some development nearby. Ulysses said all he could talk about in Kuwait was getting back home and working on his Colorado real estate deal.” Thor used a pocket knife to cut through packing tape.