“Like a surprise?” Willow asked skeptically, furrowing her brows and narrowing her eyes.
“Yes, why? Do you think that’s too presumptuous of me? Am I butting in too much?” Betty asked, sipping on her tea to hide her small smile and looking as though she didn’t care what the answer to that question would be.
“Well, I don’t know,” Bobby said, sitting back down next to Piper and resting his hands behind his head. “You’d be coining the phrase surprise wedding. That should be telling you something right there. If no one has done it, there is probably a good reason why.”
Slapping her hands together and jumping to her feet Betty hooted, “You’re right. We’d be pioneers. Fantastic! Now let’s split the tasks up here so that we can pull this off. I think next weekend would be better, but it’s awful close to her due date. If we did it this weekend we’d only have three days to plan. But on the bright side, we’d have better luck of keeping it a secret that way. Okay, it’s settled. We’re throwing Michael and Jules a surprise wedding this Sunday.”
Willow tipped yet another glassful of wine into her mouth. “So this is a thing?” she asked, looking around at everyone. “You’re really doing this?” The slur of a wine-buzz was heavy on her red-stained lips and Jedda wondered if she did this often. If the warm sensation of wine was how she escaped.
“We’re doing this sweetie,” Betty said as she pulled a notebook from the table next to her. “Now, I’m going to put you down as the wedding singer. Do you know any good love songs?”
“Ha,” Willow chuckled, then became serious as she seemed to realize Betty was not making an attempt at humor. “You want me to sing love songs at your surprise wedding for two people who just said they didn’t want to get married?”
“I’ll put you down for the bride and groom’s dance,” Betty decided, scratching down some notes.
“But—” Willow started, before Piper waved her off.
“It’s like quicksand, Willow, don’t fight it or it gets worse. Take the song, and be happy you’re not leading the chicken dance or holding a limbo stick.”
“I can help with the food,” Jedda said, trying to pull the attention from his sister before she said something that might not be easily taken back. “I can cook and serve.”
“That would be great,” Clay said, patting Betty’s leg. “I’ll help with the food too, of course. I’ll drive out to Sandersville and pick up the equipment if the idiots here in Edenville don’t want to rent it to us.”
Crystal raised her hand timidly and caught Betty’s eye. “This ain’t no classroom, cookie, you can talk whenever the mood strikes you.”
“I can sew,” Crystal said, dropping her hand down quickly. “I’m a decent seamstress, so if you gave me her dress I could let it out without her even knowing.”
Jedda felt a twinge of pride rise inside him. Crystal was a good person. She was good just for the sake of being so, and it was nice to have her sitting beside him. She was his friend, his contribution to this group, and it made him happy to know she was fitting in so well. The way she’d hopped in the car and had driven here. The way she’d just volunteered to help a cause that she could have easily avoided. Crystal went the extra mile and always did it with an infectious exuberance. How could you not love that? That was the easy part he realized. Having feelings for her wasn’t difficult, figuring out if he was worthy of her feelings toward him was much more of a challenge. He wished the same could be said for Willow.
Piper and Bobby, cuddled together on the swing, exchanged a private look. “We’ll take care of the decorations and setting everything up, once you pick a place for it. Any suggestions?”
Crystal raised her hand again, and then dropped it quickly when Betty threw her a look. “Back behind the house, there’s this field. It’s loaded with wild flowers and this wishing well. If you put an arbor up, cleared the path to make it easier to get to, it would be the most beautiful backdrop for a wedding.”
“That’s a great idea,” Betty sang as she jotted down more notes. “I’ll take care of the invites. People are timid of what’s going on up here and only our real friends will turn out. That’s probably for the best, but I’ll try to sway anyone who might be on the fence about it.”
Bobby laughed as he spoke, “And I’ll start putting away some bail money. I’ve seen you sway people before.”
“No, no, I’ll be very diplomatic about it. If they need too much swaying then I don’t want them here anyway. And Michael’s parents and sister weren’t planning to come out until after the baby was born. They couldn’t make the trip twice with their schedules. So we won’t have to worry about any out-of-town guests.”
“My parents were hoping to come, too, but they won’t be able to make it on such short notice,” Bobby said, shrugging it off. “They’re so anxious to see you, Jedda, and to meet Willow. They’ll come down once the baby is born.”
Jedda smiled at the thought of the Wrights. They were his first real look into what life could be like outside the hell he’d grown up in. They’d visited him regularly in prison over the last year, but he was looking forward to being able to see them out here, where he was free. Normal people take for granted the ability to reach out and hug someone whenever they feel like it. To call them, just because you want to hear their voices. None of that exists in prison. He wanted to interact with them on his terms.
“Willow,” Betty said as she made another note, “I’m going to put you down for another song I used to love. Bobby can print the lyrics and such off the interweb.”
“The interweb?” Willow grinned, tipping the wine bottle over her glass for the third time. “My computer box doesn’t have a microwave signal up here, so that would be a big help.”
“Good to hear,” Betty smirked. “But just so you know, there is a difference between not knowing the latest tech terms and being too dumb to know when someone is being a smart ass.”
Willow’s lips pressed shut and her face burned bright red. “Sorry,” she whispered, hiding slightly behind her big wine glass.
“It’s okay, dear. But now I’m putting you down for two more songs too. Keep it up and you’ll have a full playlist to learn.”
* * * *
“I’m going back to my hotel,” Crystal said as the last embers of the fire began to dim.
“Are you sure?” Jedda asked as he stood and leaned against the rail of the porch. “I hate to have you driving back so late in the dark by yourself.”
“The house seems pretty full, and I’m not much of a camper. I don’t sleep under the stars.”
“There are two couches in the living room. You can have one,” Jedda said, looking up at the stars Crystal had just mentioned, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Crystal said, fishing her keys out of her purse. “I’m a bit of a werewolf, I think.”
“What does that mean?” Jedda asked, assuming it was some trendy phrase he didn’t know about yet.
“During the day, it’s easier to just be your supportive friend. I remind myself the transition you’re going through and how uncomplicated that needs to be. But I’m afraid with the moon out, us curled up on a couple couches, I might forget. I don’t want to lose focus on what’s important.”
“Are you saying you think you’d jump me?” Jedda laughed as he ran his hand over the stubble on his cheek.
“Yes,” Crystal said with a deadpan look. “And trust me, you wouldn’t be kicking me off your couch either.” Crystal ran her hand across his clenched stomach muscles as she moved down the steps of the porch toward her car. “It’s better if I go.”
“I have a feeling you’re right,” Jedda whispered in a raspy voice. “But I want you to stay anyway.”
Crystal stopped in her tracks and looked back at him like she’d just heard a ghost whispering in her ear. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t sleep. I mean, I don’t sleep. I know it’s a lot to ask, and you’d have to fight off those we
rewolf tendencies, but the night . . . it’s the hardest for me. I was wandering outside last night and a neighbor pulled a gun on me. It’s not fair of me to keep you here, to make you be my friend, and only my friend, but the thought of you leaving right now is killing me.”
Crystal bit nervously at her lip as she searched Jedda’s face for something more. “I was only kidding about coming onto your couch.” She smirked. “I have self control for God’s sake.” She walked back past him, this time not touching him at all and he felt as though he’d been robbed of something.
“Thanks. I’m not sure what I’d do without you.”
“Let’s hope you never have to find out then.” She smiled as she reached her hand out to him. It wasn’t the sensual lacing of fingers that two lovers might share, but instead just the encompassing warmth of a friend’s touch. Jedda felt equal parts of calm and guilt. Having Crystal with him made him feel like he could make it from sundown to sunup. But on the other hand, every ounce of strength she gave him felt like something he was stealing from her. If Crystal was what made him feel better, what would happen when she realized he wasn’t able to do anything for her in return?
They sat on the couches, talking for hours about the world. About all the things he’d missed while he’d been locked up. She tried to give him the short versions of all the advances in technology and all the political changes in the world. Then she turned to something more personal and Jedda felt his stomach drop slightly.
“Have you talked to Willow more about your parents? I wonder what she remembers of them, of that time in her life.”
“I’m not sure. She was younger than me, but old enough to remember I’d imagine.” Jedda shrugged. He’d talked to Crystal in more depth than he had with anyone else about what he remembered from his younger years. She made it easy, she asked all the right questions and never seemed to push too hard.
“You’d be amazed what people can push out of their mind when they experience trauma. The brain is capable of doing amazing things to protect itself. I think it would be good for you to talk to her, see where she is with all of it. I’d be happy to be there with you.”
“I don’t know. This isn’t at all the reunion I thought we’d have. Something ridiculous inside me just thought we wouldn’t skip a beat. We’d be best friends again and she’d tell me how great her life has been, how much I saved her.”
“You did, literally, save her life.”
“I know that, and I’m sure she knows that too, but there is something standing between us. Something she isn’t saying. I feel like sometimes she’s angry with me, other times she’s angry with herself. You women are impossible to figure out.”
“Hey, that’s painting with a bit of a broad brush. I’m sure she just needs more time. As strange as it is for you to be out in this new world, it’s probably strange for her to see you back in it. Just keep trying. I think talking about what happened, what you both remember and went through, will be important. I’d give it a try.”
“Thanks,” Jedda said, finally lying back on the couch and kicking his feet up, his eyes heavy with sleep. “Tell me again about this social media stuff. I still can’t understand why people need it. They just write what’s going on in their lives? Why? Who do they think is reading it? Who would care about such insignificant things?”
“That’s the question of the hour. Is the world really filled with such narcissists that we all believe people will be enthralled with what we ate for breakfast? Sadly the answer to that question so far, seems like a resounding yes.” Crystal lay back on her own couch and pulled the blanket up over her. “Good night, Jedda,” she whispered as she rolled away from him.
“Good night, Crystal,” he said, staring over at her crown of long blonde hair that hung over the side of the couch. “Stay on your own couch.” He smirked as he rolled away from her and faced the wall.
“I will,” she assured him.
“I was talking to myself.”
Chapter Nine
If there was such a thing as torture by socializing, surely Willow was in the midst of it. Following Betty around like an obedient puppy while she recruited wedding guests was like an orchestra of nails down the chalkboard. There were the blatant disparagements against her brother she had to listen to. Then the nosy bastards who wanted as much gossip as their little brains could hold. It was all a test of her thinly worn willpower and she was on the verge of losing it, until she realized where they were headed next. The office of Dr. Josh Nelson, the man who’d helped Jedda. Though she was trying hard to deny it, she was looking forward to making a stop that included a familiar face, and a good-looking one at that.
She sat in the cushioned leather chair next to Betty in Josh’s office as they waited for him to finish up with a patient.
“This practice belonged to Josh’s father before he retired. Some folks in town think he’s too young to have his own office like this, but he’s very good at what he does.”
“After today I’m starting to realize people in this town have an opinion about everything.” Willow shrugged, thinking this conversation with Josh might go exactly as the last five had. Sorry Betty, we just can’t make it. We don’t feel right about it.
When Josh stepped into his office, Willow’s eyes were locked on him. She found herself reluctantly intrigued by his gentle smile. His white coat and hanging stethoscope gave him an air of responsibility and togetherness that reminded her how much a mess her life was.
“A surprise wedding?” Josh asked as he folded his hands and leaned forward on his desk. Willow realized she’d been so caught up in dissecting his features she missed the first half of the conversation. Betty and Josh were chatting and all she could do was check him out. He was not a broad-shouldered man, just average in build, but his face was almost painfully sweet. His half smile and the way he styled his hair, a form of messy that clearly took effort to accomplish, just added to his overall nice guy look. That was it, Willow determined. He looked like a perfectly nice guy. She had wrongly thought that about Brad when they met, but now as she compared the two she could see where she had gone wrong. Brad looked like a lot of things, but none would fall under that nice category. Brad looked polished. He looked confident and important, but now, looking back, it was a cleverly designed disguise. Josh, on the other hand, looked like he didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and though he was tall there was nothing intimidating about him.
“Do people do surprise weddings, or is this something you’ve come up with?” he continued, narrowing his eyes at Betty and drawing Willow’s attention away from the dimple at the corner of his mouth and back to the conversation.
“I’m the pioneer of such things,” Betty said with an air of pride.
“Yes,” Willow said, her exhaustion with the day outweighing her ability to shut her mouth. “She’s like the Christopher Columbus of crossing personal boundaries. I think there’s a chance they could write a book about it some day.”
Josh let out a loud chuckle, but quickly righted himself when he remembered who was the butt of that joke.
“Hmm,” Betty hummed as she jotted something down in her wedding notebook. “So looks like you’ll be learning the lyrics for another little ditty.”
Willow rolled her eyes and flopped back into her chair. “How many more songs do you plan to force me to perform?”
“Punishment by performance. I’ve always liked your style, Betty,” Josh chided, winking at Willow. His bright eyes were an odd mix of gold flecks and amber swirls, and when he flashed them her way it made her accidently bite her tongue.
“So can we expect you there on Sunday?” Betty asked, her pen hovering over her notebook.
“Why the campaign? You’re out recruiting wedding guests?” he asked, avoiding the question.
“You know how this town is. People aren’t too pleased with my latest houseguest and as a result, some friendships are being tested. I’m sure that’s not the case for you, right?” Betty raised an eyebrow at Josh, and Wil
low found herself silently praying he wasn’t that guy. Hoping he wasn’t the kind of guy who wouldn’t associate with someone who befriended her brother. Because if he was, his sweet smile and gentle mannerisms would be a complete waste.
“I’ve known Jules since we were in Sunday school together. I wouldn’t miss her wedding. But I’m worried that I won’t see her after that.”
“Why?” Betty asked with genuine concern.
“I’d imagine there’s a good chance when she shows up at her surprise wedding she might lose her mind and run for the mountains, never to be seen again. I also feel obligated to be there in case the stress induces labor and I have to deliver the baby in your backyard.”
Betty frowned, again finding herself at the receiving end of sarcasm. “Françoise will make a memorable entrance into this world, but she won’t do it that day. She’s a lady, with Grafton blood, and thus she’ll have impeccable timing.”
“Françoise huh?” Josh sat back and folded his arms. “I’ve already been warned about that. It’s literally written in Jules’s labor plans not to let you next to the birth certificate just in case.”
Willow let out a snicker. “I told you. There is a reason no one throws surprise weddings.”
Betty looked down at her notebook and scratched down a note. “And I’ve just added another song. And for you,” she eyed Josh, “you’re officially in charge of cleanup. You might want to bring a change of clothes, there will be loads of dishes.”
“Oh man,” Josh groaned as he banged his hand down on his desk lightly. “How many people are going to be there?”
“Not as many as I thought would come, but you know how people are here. Closed-minded about things they don’t understand. They are very uneasy about Willow and Jedda being in town.”
“Wait, why are they uneasy about me?” Willow asked, sitting forward and taking a clear interest in the conversation again.
Finding Freedom (Book 4) (Piper Anderson Series) Page 9