Ariel smiled through her tears, knowing Dolly’s eyes were as wet as her own.
“This is . . . ah . . . really . . . tasty,” Lex said.
“You’re lying, Lex. It’s awful. I never said I could cook. In fact, I made a point of telling you I couldn’t and you said, and this is a direct quote, we’ll live on love. It’s meatloaf. That was your next question, wasn’t it?”
“I’m not complaining. This is my second slice. What’s this green stuff?”
“Brussels sprouts. Dolly said I should cut up onion and celery, but we didn’t have any, so I substituted. She said that’s what makes a good cook. I don’t like to cook, so that means I’ll never be a good cook. I know the rice is sticky. Dolly said I was to put my finger in the water up to my knuckle. She didn’t say which knuckle. I guess it was the first one.” She was so agitated she started to cry when Snookie wouldn’t touch the meatloaf on her plate.
“Ariel, honey, it doesn’t matter. We can eat frozen food. It isn’t important to me. We can hire a cook. Now,” he said, moving his chair closer to hers. “Now, tell me what’s really wrong. It’s Dolly, isn’t it? Call her, Ariel.”
“I already called her seven times today. I can’t call her again. Am I so insecure I can’t get by without my friend? I want to be happy for her. Look at Snookie! She won’t eat, she doesn’t want to play. She misses Dolly, too.”
“Let’s face facts here, Ariel. Snookie isn’t eating because she doesn’t like your cooking. That will change someday. They have gourmet dog food. I’m sure she misses Dolly. And the reason she isn’t playing is because . . . she’s . . . I wasn’t going to tell you this until Frankie confirmed it, but your dog is in the family way.”
“No! How’d that happen?” Ariel gasped.
“In the usual way,” Lex drawled.
“Oh, my God, I have to call Dolly.”
“There you go! Now you have a reason to call her. Go for it, Ariel.”
She was off the chair like a shot, punching out Dolly’s number, a smile on her face from ear to ear.
Lex leaned back in his chair, his eyes misty with pain as he watched his animated lover talk to Dolly. He winced when he heard her say, “Of course you can be the godmother and yes, you get the pick of the litter. When can you come down? That’s wonderful. Bring some food. The meatloaf was awful, but Lex ate two slices. I’ll be here, Dolly.
“She’s coming down tomorrow. It’s a whole month since I’ve seen her. She said she’d stay overnight and then she’ll be back in time for our June wedding. Ohhhh, life is good, isn’t it, Lex?”
“The best,” he said quietly. “Let’s go for a walk. Snookie can use the exercise.”
Twenty minutes into the walk, Lex said, “Are you happy, Ariel?”
“Of course I’m happy. But I do miss Dolly. I don’t expect you to understand, but try. Please. It’s important to me.”
“If you had to make a choice, Ariel, could you do it?”
“Dolly asked me the same thing. I didn’t have an answer for her, either. If you absolutely must have an answer, the best I can come up with is, I’d walk away from both of you. You both mean so much to me, each in a different way. I just wish she was a little closer. You know, a neighbor. I never knew my neighbors. I guess it’s my fault—I never had the time to explore friendships. I have this feeling, Lex, that Dolly isn’t happy. She’ll never admit it. She liked Bonsall, she told me so, then she changed her mind. In the beginning, I had no time for her, and I think she took it as rejection. I know her so well. This was a way for all of us to save face, whatever the hell that means.”
“Let’s put our heads together and see if there isn’t a way to get her back here.”
“Really, Lex, do you think . . . is it possible?”
“Asa’s younger brother, recently widowed these past ten years—at least that’s the way Asa puts it—is coming to San Diego to help Asa out at the trucking company. Maggie doesn’t want any part of it so Pete said he’d pitch in. Asa says he’s a cranky curmudgeon, just what Dolly needs. Maybe we could sort of . . . you know . . . make her forget Max. How do you know she’s not happy?”
“I can hear it in her voice. She’s putting up a real good front. Don’t forget, I know Dolly better than anyone in the world. Besides, Carla called and said Dolly was miserable and she made me promise not to tell she called.”
“It has to look like it’s Dolly’s idea to come back,” Lex said.
“Lex, look at me. Do you . . . what I’m trying to say is . . . are you . . . were you . . . ?”
“Jealous? Hell, no. I love Dolly. I accepted from the gitgo that you were the banana and she was the peel. I never wanted to change that. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I know how important friends are. I just want you to be happy, Ariel. If you’re happy, I’m happy. Let’s go back and make a plan.” He kept smacking his hands together dramatically.
“I love you, Lex. I really do,” Ariel said, snuggling against him, Snookie at her side.
“I love you more.”
“That’s the right answer.”
“How many puppies do you think Snookie will have?”
“Probably around six.”
“Can I keep them all except for the one Dolly wants?”
“Absolutely. What’s five more dogs?”
“See, that’s why I love you,” Ariel beamed.
“Is that the only reason?”
“You’re good in bed,” she giggled.
“How good?”
She was still giggling. “Real good.”
“Let’s make love on the front porch. Like now.”
“On the swing?”
“Those who know me call me a swinging fool.” He had her in his arms a second later.
“Ooohhh, I like this, buck naked on a slatted swing,” Ariel laughed.
“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, lady.”
“Show me.”
He did.
On the day of Ariel and Lex’s wedding, Dolly arrived, bag and baggage. “Can I come back, Ariel? Is there still a place here for me? Will Lex let me stay? Will he care?”
“Lex!” Ariel shouted.
“My God, what’s wrong?” Lex roared as he literally tumbled down the steps, his hair on end.
“Dolly’s back. She wants to know if she can stay. She also wants to know if you mind.”
“Are you here for good?” Lex asked sternly.
“Forever and ever.” Dolly said.
A second later Lex was swinging her around the kitchen, whooping about eating like a normal person, having clothes that matched, and towels that didn’t slide off his body. “Name your price. Who cares? Whatever you want, it’s yours. When can you start?”
“Now! How about some blueberry pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, Kona coffee with real cream, and melon.”
“Thank you, God,” Lex said, raising his eyes upward. “Quick, Ariel, let’s take a shower before she changes her mind.”
“Dolly, did something happen?” Ariel called over her shoulder.
“Damn right something happened. Carla snatched Max right from under my nose. I didn’t really like him all that much—it was the way she did it. The principle of the whole thing. I made thirty gallons of spaghetti and left it on top of the stove. It was my going away present. All he eats is spaghetti and melon with salt on it. There was no challenge! None at all! Can you believe that Carla?” She banged the frying pan on top of the stove to make her point.
“Why are you laughing, Lex?” Ariel said as she stepped into the shower with him. “We’re getting married today—you aren’t supposed to see me. Now there aren’t going to be any surprises. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m trying to decide if I want to make love or eat Dolly’s breakfast.”
“No contest. Hurry up, wash my back and I’ll wash yours. Breakfast beckons. Tell the truth, why were you laughing? You had something to do with that, didn’t you? I get it—that’s where you went last week. You arranged all of this.
What’d you do, Lex?”
“I offered Carla ten grand to steal Max away from Dolly. In the end I had to pay her fifteen because she said he was an old coot and couldn’t get it up. Plus, she said she hates spaghetti. She told me Dolly was sorry the day she moved in and was so miserable all she did was cry and wait for your phone calls.”
“Oh, Lex, how wonderful of you to do that for me and Dolly.”
“I know. Now, don’t give it away.”
“Never in a million years.”
“Real, honest-to-God food. Hurry up, Ariel.”
“I can’t wait, either. The hell with the shoes,” she grumbled as she raced after Lex. They pulled up short when they saw guests in their kitchen.
“Asa, you’re early.”
“Yep. Came up early to help pitch the tents. This is my brother, Pete. Dolly invited us for breakfast. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course,” Ariel and Lex chorused.
The three of them watched as the grizzled Pete proceeded to tell Dolly how to improve her pancakes. “Homely as a mud fence,” Asa stage whispered. Lex nodded. Ariel just stared at her friend, who was fawning over the bearded Pete. Nobody ever told Dolly how to cook, but not only was she listening, she was following Pete’s instructions.
“I think you just created a damn monster,” Ariel whispered. “Where does he live?” she demanded of Asa.
“For now, with me. Who knows where he’ll light later on. Maybe hereabouts.”
“It better be hereabouts or I’m calling off our deal,” Ariel hissed.
“Yeah. We’re not giving her up, even to your brother, Asa,” Lex said, stuffing his mouth with pancakes. “God, these are good. You outdid yourself, Dolly. These are better than the ones you usually make.”
“Do you think so?” Dolly asked sweetly.
Pete cackled. “Told you so, Miss Dolly.”
Lex and Ariel both mouthed the words Miss Dolly to Asa, who merely shrugged.
“We have so much work to do. The wedding’s at four,” Ariel said.
“It looked like things were under control when I drove up,” Dolly said, her eyes on Pete as she handed him a plate piled high with sausage and bacon.
“He likes to eat,” Asa said. “He’s real good at cleaning up, too.”
“Is he housebroken?” Ariel demanded.
“That, too,” Asa drawled. “My Maggie said he knows how to treat a lady.”
“Speaking of Maggie, where is she?” Lex asked.
“Sorry to say, she won’t be here. She got a rush order for her jewelry and she had to go back to Hawaii yesterday. Sends her best. Present is on the dining room table.”
Lex rolled his eyes, as did Asa.
“Now what?” Ariel asked.
“Now we sit and watch as all those people out there get our wedding ready. The band will be here soon. The food is under control, thanks to Tiki and her relatives. I saw the flowers arriving as we were coming down the stairs. The padre will show up about three o’clock. The liquor arrived last night. The only thing left to do is set the tents up. As I said, it’s under control.”
“Then I’m going upstairs. When you see me next I’ll be in my wedding gear.”
“I can’t wait,” Lex said, leering at her. “Listen, I have something I have to do. I’ll be back in a little while, okay?”
“Sure.” Ariel stood on tiptoe and kissed him soundly. “I’m really going to like being Mrs. Sanders. The official version. Lex, thanks for . . . you know . . . getting Dolly back and all. What you did just makes me love you all the more.”
“Ariel, I’d do anything for you. Please believe that.”
“I do. God, we’re so lucky, so blessed. Go on, but make sure you get back on time.”
“Ah . . . excuse me. Dolly, I’m going upstairs. When you have time, no rush at all, come up and . . . help me.”
“Sure thing, Ariel. Just let me clean up here. Pete has been telling me that he used to be a rodeo rider, among other things. He’s going to teach me how to lasso. Maybe Snookie will let me practice on her. You go ahead, Ariel. I’ll fetch us some coffee when I get through here. I’m dying to see that wedding dress. All the way from Belgium. Lordy, Lordy, Ariel, when you do things you do them up right. Does it really have two thousand seed pearls?”
“They said it does. Maybe we can count them . . . together. I think I hear Asa calling you, Pete.”
“I think I hear him, too. Just hate to leave this little lady’s company is all. You call me for lunch, you hear?”
“We’re having lunch?” Ariel asked in surprise. “It’s eleven o’clock.”
“Pete has to eat lots of little meals, he has a . . . condition.”
“Oh,” Ariel heard herself saying.
An hour later Ariel held out her arms to Dolly. “We’re both so foolish. I was so miserable, Dolly. I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you, but I’m happy you’re back. I think you saw Lex’s reaction. Things happen for a reason. You always told me that, Dolly, so I believe it. You’re here, you met Pete, and if I’m any judge, he looks like he might be interested in you. Oh, Dolly, things are working out, for all of us.”
“Ariel, I don’t want your feelings toward Carla to change. Like you said, things happen for a reason. She needs someone. I brought her present. She really wanted to come, but the whole cast went to Vermont on location. I imagine she’ll call you sometime today.”
“No regrets about what’s-his-name.”
“Are you kidding? That man had two faces. I wanted somebody, Ariel. Do you understand that?”
“Of course. You can’t make it happen, though, Dolly. Take today as a perfect example. You met Pete. Who’s to say if he’s for you? Time will tell, and you’ll be the first to know. All I want is for you to be happy. Listen, if you promise not to let Lex know, I’ll show you something. Dolly, this man is so wonderful. I cannot tell you how good and kind he is. C’mon, we can sneak out the side door. We have plenty of time. I found it by accident. Actually, Snookie found it. By the way, where is she?”
“Under your bed. Too many people, too much noise. What are you going to show me?”
“You’ll see. I wasn’t supposed to see it. Lex wanted it to be a surprise. I couldn’t figure it out at first. You’re gonna love it.”
They ran around the side of the house, down and around the stable and garage to a newly landscaped area. “It’s behind those trees and bushes.”
“What is it? Oh, my gosh, it looks like a Hansel and Gretel cottage. Is it a guest house? It’s gorgeous. Look at all those flowers. And it has a front porch with two rocking chairs. Did Lex build this?”
“Every stick, every stone. He did it for me . . . for you, Dolly. It was his way of saying he understood our friendship. He didn’t build it so you wouldn’t live in our house. He heard you say one of the things you always regretted was that you never had a little house of your own. You should see the inside. He built a little potting shed in the back for all your gardening stuff. You even have your own wheelbarrow. It’s purple. And pink and yellow gardening tools and a pair of those high green leather boots. He thought of everything. Your kitchen is a dream. It’s got everything. Those super-duper pots and pans that cost a fortune. Two wall ovens, two stove tops, an oversize fridge. You have your own washer, dryer, and dishwasher. It’s as state-of-the-art as you can get. Get this—there’s a Jacuzzi and a sit-down shower. And a bidet! It washes your tush with warm water. You ready to see it?”
“God, yes. Are you sure it’s for me? I don’t believe this.”
“The deed is on the kitchen counter. You know I can’t keep a secret from you. Don’t tell Lex, okay?”
“I promise.”
“Oh, Dolly, I can just see you here with one of Snookie’s pups. Maybe even Pete. It’s big enough for a couple. Lex said he was going to put up a white picket fence, but he thought that might be stretching things. He said he’d put it up if you want it. Do you really like it, Dolly?”
“Ariel, I don’t know what t
o say,” Dolly gasped as she walked around her new house. “A coatrack. An umbrella stand. Would you look at that fireplace. Lordy, Lordy, I could crawl in there. A circular oak staircase! Lex did all this?” she asked in awe.
“He likes to work with his hands. It’s magnificent, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yes. Starched organdy curtains in the kitchen. I always wanted them. Pinch me, Ariel. Not so hard! How am I going to pretend I didn’t see this when Lex gets around to telling me about it?”
“Something will come to you. Are we lucky or what, Dolly?”
“Yes, we are. Thank you doesn’t quite cover this.”
“It’ll do, Dolly. Come on, we better get back. Did you see your name on the doorbell?”
“I sure did. Was he building this when I left?”
“Yeah. He said he started it the day he met us. He admitted he wasn’t sure why he was doing it. He was devastated when you left, but he always finishes what he starts. That man just never gives up. I think he knew you’d come back. I even think he missed you as much as I did. We talked about you all the time.”
Dolly wrapped her arms around Ariel. “Thank you for being my friend. C’mon, I want to see what two thousand seed pearls look like. Will you be able to walk? Won’t it be heavy?”
“Not really. At first I was just going to wear a white summer suit, but Lex wanted the whole nine yards. I did, too, but I was afraid I might look . . . you know, silly and foolish, at my age.”
“Who cares?”
“Yeah, who cares?” Ariel said as she linked arms with Dolly.
“It’s breathtaking,” Dolly said as she fingered the material of Ariel’s wedding gown. “It’s time for you to start thinking about getting ready. What kind of bubble bath do you want?”
“Gardenia.”
“I’ll get you a cup of black rum tea to drink while you’re soaking. Are you going to be able to manage your hair?”
“I’m piling it on top of my head. I got a manicure and pedicure yesterday. My garter is on the dresser, my shoes are in the closet. Yep, I’m ready to become Mrs. Lex Sanders for the second time. You know what I mean. You like that Pete guy?”
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