The Right Moment

by Heatherly Bell

  “Here we are again, Jo. I’m getting you through another breakup. This too shall pass.”

  “This is different. I’m done. Done with men. Done with love.”

  He quirked a brow. “Not you.”

  “Yes, me. Done, done, done, buddy.” She held up her fork, making a proclamation by sweeping it in the air like a wand. “Done.”

  “You don’t give up that easy. You own a bridal boutique, for crying out loud. Love will conquer all and all that crap.”

  “Not this time, Robert Frost.” She made a face. “That’s beautiful, by the way.”

  He grinned. “So I’m not a romantic. I never get any complaints.”

  “Have you looked in the mirror lately? Who would complain?”

  “Right. Because that’s me. Just another pretty face.”

  “Don’t forget the hot bod.”

  He chuckled. “As long as you don’t forget.”

  A moment passed between them, a microsecond in which neither one of them spoke. They simply locked gazes over her kitchen counter. The oxygen and tension lay like a coil, thick and heavy between them. It made her skin too tight and she was the first to look away.

  He said something under his breath that sounded like, “chicken,” but she ignored him and stood to carry her half-eaten plate of food to the sink. When she bumped elbows with him that was different, too. Instead of laughing and calling him a first-class klutz as she normally would, her stomach tightened in some kind of weird anticipation. Of what, she had no idea. But Hud didn’t come through with the usual suspects, either. No jokes about how she could quit accidentally rubbing against him and admit she wanted to sleep with him again. Find out if all the rumors about his prowess in the bedroom were true.

  But she’d decided long ago that she couldn’t be with him again in that sense. Ever. She didn’t want to add herself to his long line of women. At least she would always be able to say she’d been his first, if not his last.

  “I guess I’ve got some calls to make.”

  She hadn’t been looking forward to it, but when she looked, there were twenty missed calls. Not one of them from Chuck. The most recent was from poor Nora, who must have crawled out of here this morning.

  Hud hung back to give her privacy, she assumed. He started throwing the rest of the food away, food she was happy to see in the trash can.

  “Joanne,” Nora said as she picked up the phone, obviously recognizing caller ID. “Are you as hung-over as I am?”

  “Worse.” She whispered into the phone. “You couldn’t wake me before you left? I was wearing my panties when Hud came over.”

  “I tried to. You said, ‘if you touch me again, I’ll kill you.’”

  “Oh, no. I did?” She winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “I never knew you to be so hostile in the morning.”

  “What’s up?” Joanne asked, getting to the point.

  “Are you going to take the entire two weeks off anyway?”

  “Absolutely not. I’d come in today, but you know...hangover. I’m feeling good otherwise, and I’ll be in tomorrow morning first thing.”

  “I... I wasn’t going to say anything, but if the rumors are true, I thought you should know right away.”

  Joanne almost stopped Nora from telling her, because she just couldn’t take any more bad news. “I should know what?”

  “You’ve probably not been watching much sports TV lately, or ever, but apparently Chuck finally made the next round of the major leagues a few months ago. I think that’s what my brother said. He keeps up with that sort of stuff.”

  “Really. Why wouldn’t he tell me that?”

  Getting to the majors had been Chuck’s dream for years. At thirty-four, he was already old for the sport, but he wouldn’t give up. His minor-league team had been on the road, but they’d never made it to the play-offs, which made September a safe month to get married.

  At one time she’d admired that about him. She’d admired his assurance to know what he wanted and go after it relentlessly. In addition to that, he’d been saving for their future since early in their relationship. He’d been serious about forever.

  “And...also,” Nora continued, drawing her words out. “He’s...um, I heard that—”

  “Spit it out!”

  “Okay, okay. Now, this one is just a rumor mind you, but he’s got a girlfriend. Mandy Jewels, the country music singer.”

  “Mandy?”

  Chuck didn’t even like country music. Whenever Joanne had tried to get him out to the Silver Saddle in town, he’d get a migraine. But her first wild guess was that this wasn’t about the music at all. He’d stuff cotton in his ears if he had to. Mandy was a beautiful girl.

  And young.

  “I’m so sorry. I hated to have to tell you this. Remember, it might not even be true. You know how sometimes these industry professionals try to get publicity by dating someone in the public eye.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Joanne said, feeling her throat constrict. “I know I’m better off.”

  She’d have been better off with a man who had the guts to simply tell her the truth. Honesty. In such short supply when it came to the men in her life. Except for Hud, and she assumed that was simply because they had a different kind of relationship. A real and solid friendship. He wouldn’t lie to her because there was no reason to anymore.

  “I know you’re better off,” Nora said. “I didn’t want to say anything, but Chuck turned out to be a jerk. A major...a major doodlehead!”

  Joanne almost laughed. Almost. Unfortunately she wouldn’t be laughing for the next decade. Chuck might soon have money. Real money. The kind of money he’d never had while he’d been with her. She didn’t care about wealth, having done fine supporting her son and herself all these years. Still, the thought that he’d let her pay for this entire wedding and then not bothered to show up, or cancel in time to get their deposits back... What a dick he was.

  “Is there anything else you need right now?”

  She’d have thought Nora could wait to deliver this news unless she’d also called for another reason.

  “Yes,” she said, sounding miserable. “But I want to state right now for the record that I did everything I could.”

  Great. Now what? “Just tell me.”

  “It’s Tilly Jacobs again. This time she’s convinced that you being left—” Nora cleared her throat “—at the altar is bad luck for her wedding day so she wants her deposit back. The dress just needs a little tailoring. Should I give her the deposit back?”

  God, no. If they gave back a deposit once she’d already sewn the dress, she’d have been out of business a long time ago. “No. Listen, I’ll come down and talk to her.”

  “You will?”

  “Can you ask her to come in and talk to me tomorrow?”

  “She’s actually here waiting. With her mother.”

  “Oh.”

  “I really tried, but I need your help. She wants to see for herself that you’re still alive and breathing and not so devastated that you won’t show your face in public.”

  “How ridiculous. I’ll show her what a strong woman looks like.”

  Joanne hung up and turned to Hud. “I’m going over to the shop. Please be here when I get back.”

  She was for certain going to need another one of his hugs.

  Chapter Four

  “You look beautiful.” Joanne studied Tilly’s reflection in the oval-shaped mirror inside Joanne’s Boutique.

  She’d brought out the dress Tilly was afraid might be cursed now, had Tilly try it on, veil and all.

  “I do look beautiful.”

  “See? I told you,” said Tilly’s long-suffering mother, Alice.

  “Of course you’re going to say that, Mom,” twenty-year-old Tilly said, sounding fifteen. “But if Joanne says it, I kn
ow it must be true.”

  Now to set the stage.

  “Picture yourself almost sashaying down the aisle, this beautiful train following your every move like it’s a part of you. You’re poetry in motion. You. This beautiful dress. The veil. Like everything was made for you.”

  “Oh, I know what you mean.” Tilly fluffed her veil. “Just like Keith was made for me. I can just picture him waiting for me at the end of the aisle. He looks so handsome in his black tux. Like a movie star. How did I get so lucky? I can’t wait to be his wife.”

  There was a collective sigh from both Nora and Alice.

  “Yes, yes. Of course.” Joanne fought to recover. She’d lost her touch. How could she forget the groom? “This is a very special day for you and Hud—I mean, Keith!”

  Wow, what was that about?

  “You’re right,” Tilly said, turning to Joanne. “Just because you didn’t get your happily-ever-after doesn’t mean I won’t get mine.”

  “Tilly!” Alice scolded. “Please.”

  Tilly lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Joanne.”

  Joanne waved a hand. “It’s nothing. I’m fine now.”

  “Really? But if Keith left me at the altar I’d die.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic,” Alice said. “On the other hand, if Keith leaves you at the altar, your father will kill him. That isn’t drama, just the facts.”

  Nora chuckled but Tilly glared at her mother.

  “Well, you were the one who brought it up!” Alice said.

  “What are you going to do about your dress? The beautiful Valentino. What a waste. Are you going to burn it?” Tilly sounded as though that were the most logical thing to do.

  This gave new meaning to a “fire sale.” Dang, look at her making a joke. What was wrong with her? And why hadn’t she pictured Chuck at the end of the aisle, waiting?

  “Don’t burn it,” Nora said, wringing her hands.

  As if. “I won’t. The dress is gorgeous. Someday it will be worn.”

  Nora embraced Joanne in a hug, squeezing her tight. There was genuine sympathy and compassion in the embrace, and Joanne felt it down to her marrow. Still not as good as one of Hud’s. Even when he was tired.

  After Tilly and her mother finally left, satisfied, Joanne headed home. As she drove, it occurred to her that she’d face many more years of working with brides, but this time with a kind of jinx over her head. She had to turn this around because she’d already lost her touch with the proper words to set the stage for the bride on her wedding day. Just didn’t have it in her anymore. But surely she’d still love dressing brides after this haze finally cleared. One day, one epic fail, certainly couldn’t ruin both her life and her business.

  At home, Hud sat on the couch, arms spread out on either side watching TV, Rachel cuddled next to him on the couch. “Hey. Everything okay?”

  “I need a hug,” she said, sitting next to him. “On top of everything else, I think I’m going to be a pariah from now on. ‘Come see the sad jilted bride, owner of the only bridal boutique in town.’”

  Hud didn’t say anything, just simply pulled her into a sideways hug and squeezed her tight. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of his arms as it seeped into her skin, through her clothes and straight to her bones. Straight to her heart.

  “I’m still a little hung over.” She pulled away. “I’m going to take a nap.”

  * * *

  Hudson had half a mind to call the whole thing off.

  He’d come up with the idea on the fly. All the guys at the station helped, because every one of them thought of Jo as their little sister, or a daughter for the old-timers. Couldn’t that idiot Chuck see that she was perfect in every way? Beautiful. Smart. A good mother. Devoted to her family. They’d always been so impressed that he’d carried on a friendship with her all these years without ever wanting more.

  It would be even better if that were true.

  But what he had planned for today might backfire on him. It could make her sadder. He hoped not.

  Besides, he had some apologizing to do and he did best with actions. Even though he’d done his utmost to avert his gaze, he’d still had an eyeful of Jo’s long legs leading up to that delectable heart-shaped butt.

  Still, it was wrong.

  Sixteen-year-olds were not known for their wisdom and maturity. Upset and angry, Hud had driven too fast and crashed his father’s sweet classic Mustang when he’d heard the news that Jo was pregnant with Matt Connor’s baby. He’d spent three months in the hospital in traction for a broken leg and arm. Been lucky to be alive, his parents and the doctors all said. The paramedics who had pulled him out of the car had been the reason he’d later become an EMT, then a firefighter and paramedic.

  Jo had visited him in the hospital nearly every day, bringing him flowers and cards and holding his hand. Hud had still felt like a first-class idiot. Everything had happened because of his decision. Jo’s future had been determined. She’d have Matt’s baby and that was the end of it. She’d refused to marry Matt, and refused to marry at all. Then again, she was sixteen and would continue to live with her parents and finish school. Hud didn’t even offer to marry her, knowing she’d say no. Knowing he wasn’t good enough for her and probably never would be.

  While Jo napped, Rachel followed him around as he filled the small rubber wading pool with water and set it in the middle of her living room. He pushed back the couch and set up chaise lounges, bringing in the heat lamps she had outside in the patio area. He hung fairy lights to give the room an atmospheric touch. Then he started the lazy island music he’d downloaded. He changed into his board shorts and started blending drinks. Mojitos. Mai tais.

  When Jo came downstairs two hours later wearing her yoga pants and a T-shirt that read I Woke Up Like This, he was ready for her. Lying back on one of the chaise lounges, he held out his Mai Tai. “Join me.”

  She rubbed her eyes. “What...what’s all this?”

  “Brought the Bahamas to you.” He scanned the room and all he’d done to change it into an island paradise.

  She did the same and a tiny hint of a smile curved her lips and sparkled in her emerald eyes.

  She wandered to the kitchen and found the blender filled with Mai Tais. “Did you make me a mojito?”

  “What do you take me for? There’s a pitcher in the fridge.”

  “This is amazing.” She turned back to him, eyes wide. “You got a kiddie pool?”

  “Got to have some water nearby and this is the best I could do. Belongs to a two-year-old who knows how to share. Hey, we can dip our feet in at least.” He grinned. “Go put on your swimsuit. Might as well.”

  “I bought four of them, actually.”

  He took a big gulp of his drink and swallowed, worried he’d be treated to a fashion show from which he’d never recover. She sprinted up the steps with more energy than he’d seen in days.

  Hud fist-pumped with Rachel, another trick he’d taught her. “I’ve got this.”

  When Jo ran back down in a red two-piece bikini that left little to the imagination, he was surprised she wasn’t as self-conscious as she usually was around him. Instead, she allowed her breasts to jiggle as if she didn’t realize this was even happening. He wished he could tell her to stop bouncing but he wasn’t quite that noble.

  “This is so thrilling!” She’d brought a towel with her that she spread on the chaise lounge. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Bahamas.”

  I’ll take you. To the real place. Just say the word.

  Shut up, you idiot. She just got over a very bad breakup and your assignment, which you already accepted long ago, was to put her back together. Remind her how much she’s worth. Heal her heart.

  For what? So she can go meet some other loser who will break her heart? No one’s ever going to take care of her like I do.

  True, but not the
point. He rose to get her a mojito and brought it to her with a colorful straw and a parasol umbrella. She leaned back on the lounge, sunglasses on. My God, she was so adorable.

  “Thank you, cabana boy,” she said, accepting the drink. “Would you turn down the sun a little bit?”

  Hud adjusted the heat lamp and sat back down.

  “I ordered us a pizza. Take it easy with that drink because you don’t have a lot in your stomach.”

  “Pizza delivery to the beach? Awesome.”

  “You’ll eat, right?” He wasn’t convinced.

  “I’m pretty hungry.” She turned to him. “No sausage?”

  “Jo, I know how you take your pizza.”

  She sighed. “Not everyone does.”

  Yeah, he’d bet Chuck didn’t know her favorite flower either, or how she took her coffee. He’d bet he didn’t know her favorite movie was 3:10 to Yuma or that she cried every year on the anniversary of her father’s death.

  Jo went through that mojito pretty fast and the pizza hadn’t yet arrived. He glanced at his wristwatch. They claimed the delivery time was twenty minutes. Thirty minutes ago.

  “You know what we didn’t do?” Jo straightened. “Suntan lotion. We don’t want to get a burn.”

  “Sure, why not? Let’s go all in.” But he rose and headed to the kitchen. “I’ll make you a sandwich. Damn pizza is late.”

  “First, another mojito.” In the kitchen, she purposely bumped into his hip as she replenished her drink, then giggled. “I’m having so much fun. This is such a great idea.”

  She danced to the island music as she made her way to the bathroom, presumably for the lotion. He smiled, just watching her move. She often had that effect on him.