June Bride (A Year in Paradse Book 7)

by Hildred Billings

  Brandy took the hint. If I make her screw it up, I’m being charged to fix it. Brandelyn had already spent enough money on the dress and these minor alterations. What in the world made her think she had more to spare after all this was over? Thousands of dollars on her credit card. Boom. Done.

  She’d be paying it off longer than it took her to pay off her student loans.

  “I’m so jealous of Sunny right now,” Brandy muttered, hands on her pooching stomach. “It can’t be anywhere near as infuriating to bloat in a tux.” Not that Sunny ever bloated. She was a solid size eight all year round. Christmas cookies? Size eight. Easter candy? Eight. Summer barbecue? That size between six and ten. “I feel like I’m going to explode at any moment. You say there’s give back there? Not sure I believe you.”

  “Oh, Sunny will be so handsome in a tuxedo,” Cathy said with a romantic sigh. “She really has the cheekbones for it.”

  “Doesn’t she?” It warmed Brandy’s heart to hear it.

  “I’m so glad you’re having a traditional type wedding, dear. After that city hall mess of Lizzie’s, I was afraid neither of my children would have a proper wedding. When you said you were gay and getting married, I knew it was going to be… I dunno. Hippie dresses and period art on the walls.”

  Everyone turned their heads toward her. Even Apple, who had a pin trapped between her teeth.

  “What?” Cathy asked with a shrug. “It happens all the time. I’ve been to upstate New York, like the rest of you!”

  “I can’t say I’ve ever been to a wedding like that, Mom.” Brandy huffed. “Not in Eugene or Ashland.” Some might guess that Portland was the place for that kind of lesbian wedding. Not so. For the real crunchy-catering experience, one went much farther south. Even so, Brandelyn told the truth when she said she had been to lesbian weddings up and down the Willamette and Rogue River Valleys and never saw something like what her mother described. Yet Cathy Meyer was a shining example of ignorance when it came to sexualities not her own. She was willing to believe everything and anything she heard, especially if it came from a fellow heterosexual. Brandelyn had spent most of her adult life doing two things: medicine, and attempting to unlearn her mother in everything she misunderstood about LGBT issues.

  Slowly, but surely…

  “Sunny is such a down to Earth girl, though.” Cathy shrugged off any minor embarrassment she felt and continued to flip through a bridal magazine left on her chair. “Exactly the kind of person you need in your life, Brandy. Have you met her?” That was directed to the seamstress, still staring down a stitch near Brandelyn’s butt.

  “Yes, I have had the pleasure.”

  “I admit, I was really surprised when Brandy told me she was seeing any woman, let alone a country girl! Do you know how hard it is to find a genuine country girl where we’re from? I mean the ranch types. Not the ones from the hills or the Midwest. They’re a dime a dozen lining up for Broadway open-calls.”

  Brandelyn rolled her eyes. Here her mother went.

  “When she moved to Portland to go to medical school, I knew she was going to bring home some Californian beach bum and tell me she was dropping out to become his surfer wife.” Lizzie was the only one laughing at that. Everyone else checked their shock and went about their business. Especially Monica, who was glued to her phone. “Instead, she waited twenty years to bring home some sweet girl in boots and flannel. If I had to choose between the two, I would definitely take Sunny!”

  “She’s definitely something,” Lizzie muttered.

  “A younger woman, too,” Cathy said with a lowered voice, as if her daughter couldn’t hear. “Look at my Brandy, playing that male-dominated field like one of the boys.”

  “She’s thirty-seven!” Brandelyn barked with a sudden jerk of her hips. Apple hissed through clenched teeth as she almost lost her stitch and stabbed Brandy in the ass. “How does that make her a younger woman? We were both in our thirties when we started dating.” Brandy may be north of forty now, but there was nothing scandalous about the five-year gap between her and Sunny.

  “Let your mother have this, please,” Cathy drolly said. “She gets so little to be excited about. If I’m happy you’re a doctor with a younger spouse…”

  Lizzie interrupted, “It gives her something to brag about at the salon. You should hear her, Bran. ‘My daughter is such a successful, important doctor that she has a whole practice all to herself in Oregon. She has a thousand patients. She just got engaged to a local and we’re going out for the wedding next week! Can you believe her fiancé runs their own business? My daughter is soooo successful! Not like my loser daughter Lizzie! She’s a receptionist at a dentist’s office instead of being a dentist herself!”

  “That sounds nothing like me,” Cathy said with a sniff. “Besides, why shouldn’t I brag about my children? You should hear Maria when she goes on about that lawyer son of hers.”

  “Oh, but Aunt Cathy,” Monica said, her sly grin announcing she was about to bring down the mood more than it already was, “what do you say when they ask what his name is?”

  Brandelyn didn’t have to turn around to know that her mother was redder than Apple’s name. “Obviously I tell them the name is Sunny!”

  “Which they think is Sonny…”

  “Is it my fault they have preconceptions of west coast country people? Every other man around here is named Sonny, right? Either that or Dirk or Burt or whatever.”

  Brandy sighed. She didn’t expect her mother to be open to her friends about a certain daughter’s gayness. My job is to be the doctor she can brag about to anyone who will listen. Yet that had come with a small price as well. When Brandelyn announced her intentions to go to medical school, her mother kept calling it “nursing school.” Her expectations for Brandy’s future were so low that she didn’t think her daughter would amount to anything more than a nurse. Not that there’s anything wrong with nurses. God knows I’ve worked with a thousand of them over the years. She simply hated the association of women and nursing, as if it were unheard of to mix things up any other way. Don’t forget when I finally got her to understand I intended to become a doctor! “You’re not Asian!” That was it. That was her reaction. Never mind describing the existence of male nurses…

  Cathy smacked her lips and continued to flip through her magazine. Did she know that everyone in the room was judging her right now?

  “A few more stitches, dear,” Apple said to Brandy. “You’re doing wonderfully. Should be finished soon, and your dress will be all ready for your big day!”

  Brandelyn inhaled a deep breath for strength. Right. This was about her day. The big day she had been dreaming about since she was a little girl curled up in front of her father’s Manhattan TV. “Daddy, is that what most weddings look like?” “No, Peaches, most are a lot simpler than that one.” “Can I have a wedding like that, Daddy?” “If you find the perfect prince charming, I don’t see why not.”

  Prince charming. Yes. That’s what Brandelyn had found when she moved to Paradise Valley and first laid eyes on the lovely Sunny Croker in the nicest dive bar around. She may not have a title, or riches beyond measure, but she had a sweet smile and the kind of quiet kindness that Brandelyn had been searching for ever since she left New York. Easy enough to put that into perspective when her family wasn’t around. Now, though?

  They’ll see exactly what kind of prince charming she is on our wedding day. Brandelyn’s favorite way to calm her nerves was to imagine what she would see when she turned the corner on the aisle, arm in arm with her father who was due to arrive in another few days. I’ll turn. I’ll see her, my prince charming. Sunny knew how to clean up when she really put her mind to it. The tux, the hair. Maybe a little makeup, if Sunny felt frisky. Her friend Anita really knew how to style her. Wasn’t one of Anita’s jobs as Sunny’s Best Woman to make sure the bride-groom looked her absolute best for the bride-bride?

  I am Diana, she is Charles. I am Kate, she is William. It’s perfect. Brandelyn wasn’t con
cerned how such royal matches actually ended. She only cared about the picture-perfect scene. The flowers. The sunshine. The people lining up to see the bride and groom in all their glory. Brandy didn’t need to marry a man to have a groom. Realizing that her ideal wedding was still in her grasp even if she married a woman had been one of the happiest thoughts of her life. It was second only to meeting Sunny, falling in love, and having her proposal accepted.

  It would be the happiest day of Brandy’s life. She knew that it would be Sunny’s, too.

  That was part of the beauty, wasn’t it?

  Chapter 10

  SUNNY

  The only way Sunny would get some quality face-to-face time with her fiancée was if she found Brandelyn during working hours. Outside of them? Brandy’s time was commandeered by her family, and more and more of them showed up every day. Sunny had been cleaning the guest rooms at Waterlily House when she realized it was time to have a heart-to-heart with the woman she was about to marry. Soon, my extended family will be here as well. We really won’t have any time, then. Sunny knew that the last thing she should do was spring a giant surprise on her fiancée on their wedding day. They were adults. They were mature. Now was the time to step forward and clear this foggy air.

  Too bad Brandelyn had crammed in as many appointments as she could before she went on break.

  “Hey, Cici.” Sunny wrung her hands as she approached the receptionist’s desk in Brandy’s office. Cars roared by on Main Street outside the window. Shadows of pedestrians filtered through the blinds that offered a little privacy to those sitting in the waiting room. Decades ago, when this clinic was first founded, it had been convenient for it to be right on Main Street. Now, however, there were calls of concern that convenience had trumped privacy. All of it made Sunny grateful that she didn’t live in town. Privacy was a big enough concern between the guests at her B&B, but at least she didn’t have to worry about sensitive information breaking out into the open.

  Cici the receptionist looked up from her files with a smile. Her wiry silver-black hair and big reading glasses made her look more like a librarian than a receptionist, but she had the kindly demeanor patients requested. Unlike Paradise Valley’s only full-time librarian, who was known to make kids cry with one irate look. “Hi, Sunny. Are you looking for Dr. Meyer? She’s currently with a patient right now.”

  “Oh, I figured. I know how busy she is right now.”

  “Yes, yes, we’re totally booked with appointments until she goes off next week. I hear somebody’s getting married soon?” Her glossy pink lips expanded into a toothy grin. There was a smidge of that pink gloss on her two front teeth.

  “I hear somebody’s getting some much-deserved time off soon.”

  “Dr. Meyer’s giving me half-pay for it, too! Can you believe it? I didn’t have to ask for it off and she pays me. She must be in a really good mood.” That came with a wink.

  Sunny had to regain her composure before replying. “I can wait until she has a little time. I was running some errands around town and realized there was something I really need to talk to her about. We don’t have much time for private chats before the big day.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard alllll about the family taking over her house.” That was the sagest nod Sunny had seen all month, and she had wedding-types and high-brow guests alike up her butt. “I can let the doctor know you want to see her, but no guarantees. She’s booked until five, and I had to really wiggle that appointment in. Brandy will be staying in a little late tonight as it is.”

  “I only need ten minutes.” Sunny clasped her hands together. She didn’t want to say she was begging, but she was kinda begging. “It’s not life and death, but it’s pretty important. Tell her it has to do with the wedding.” Hey, it was the truth, although Sunny hated to play with her fiancée’s emotions like that.

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thank you.” Sunny pulled her phone out of her pocket sat in the waiting room. Nobody else was there, so she helped herself to some water from the cooler, perused the magazines, and finally sat next to the giant fake orchid arrangement Brandy insisted on having if she couldn’t allow real flowers into her clinic.

  She settled on her phone. Good thing, for there were some messages from Dahlia about their upcoming reservation at Waterlily House.

  It was the perfect distraction while Sunny waited. There was no obsessing over what she would say or how she should say it. No working herself up into a mental sweat as she anticipated her fiancée’s reactions. As long as Sunny stayed focus on her own work, let alone built up her confidence as she handled her business with professionalism, she was convinced that everything would work swimmingly with Brandelyn.

  The door to the back rooms opened. Out stepped an elderly man who briefly exchanged glances with Sunny before stopping to talk to Cici about upcoming appointments. Brandelyn, in her white coat, stethoscope, and hair pulled back, stepped out with a clipboard in her hand. She barely saw Sunny since she was so focused on her clipboard.

  “Be right with you,” she robotically said.

  “Brandy.” Sunny stood up, already in awe at the sight of her fiancée in such a professional get up. It kills me every time. Sunny wouldn’t say she was sexually attracted to the look of Dr. Meyer, but she definitely responded with the kind of awe and respect that affected a woman for the rest of her meager existence. First time I saw her like this… shit, she was my doctor! Sunny changed insurance and had to go elsewhere long before they started dating, but she could still remember thinking the woman with her dark, curly hair and no-nonsense attitude was one of the hottest women in town. I was shocked when she asked me out later. At a bar, no less! Who knew doctors went to bars?

  Brandelyn had to double-take in Sunny’s direction before she completely acknowledged her, however. “Oh, hey,” she said. “Give me a moment?”

  There was something she had to tell her patient, apparently. Sunny remained sitting, ready to leap up and follow her fiancée into her office at any moment. Great. Now I’m rehearsing shit in my head. She fidgeted with her phone. Could this be over with already?

  The man stepped outside. Brandelyn motioned for Sunny to follow her into the back. “I’ve got about ten minutes to spare before my next appointment needs me.”

  Sunny didn’t need more than ten minutes to break the news to Brandy. How am I going to do it, though? Gently? Beat around the bush? Be direct? Direct. Yes. Less time, and like ripping off a Band-Aid. She would have sighed if she thought it would give her any strength.

  “What’s up?” Brandelyn’s demeanor chilled as she shut the door to her office and motioned for Sunny to have a seat with her at the desk. Photos, files, and floral paintings adorned the room Brandy spent most of her working days inhabiting. She may have only worked three or four days a week, but she made the most of it. “If you’re here, it must be pretty serious.”

  “I couldn’t text you about it, that’s true.” Sunny sat down. “I would have normally dropped by after you were done with work, but with your family here…”

  “Ugh. Don’t remind me. I never thought of this room as my oasis, but it has been ever since Hurricane Meyer arrived from New York.” Brandelyn rolled her eyes as she sat down. “Although it hasn’t stopped my mother from trying to barge in on my appointments.”

  “Yeah, you told me about that.”

  Brandy waited a few seconds before clearing her throat. “So, what’s up?”

  Lord, here it came. The moment of truth. The one thing she had been holding back that whole year. “It’s about the wedding.”

  It must have been the way she said it. Perhaps Brandy sensed the panic in Sunny’s voice. Oh, my God! Look at her! She thinks I’m going to call off the wedding! That couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Sunny better rectify this right now before Brandelyn launched into a million words that had nothing to do with what was going on between them.

  “I’m not… I don’t…” Sunny squeezed her hands into fists and inhaled
a deep breath. “I don’t want to wear a tux to the wedding,” she said upon exhale.

  She kept her eyes closed as she awaited Brandelyn’s response. Yet all Sunny heard was the tapping of a pen against the desk. Or maybe that was Brandy’s foot tapping against the floor. Something tapped. Sunny’s sanity? Her heart, slowly losing its size and luster? I’m screwed. Why hadn’t Brandelyn said anything yet? Was she so aghast by her fiancée’s confession that she was gearing up for a giant explosion?

  Sunny finally opened her eyes. Brandelyn looked back at her, a frown accompanying her elbow digging into her desk. It certainly had been a pen smacking against the desk.

  “Very funny,” Brandy said.

  “Huh?”

  “I know you like to pull my leg, Sun, but now really isn’t the time. My sister had a meltdown at her dress fitting. You should’ve seen it. It was like she didn’t get the memo that cleavage and a plunging neckline is like advertising to all of small-town America that you’re a giant hussy. My mom called her a slut! God.” Brandy rubbed both of her temples. “Sorry. I’m not in the mood for shenanigans right now. I’ll get my sense of humor back for the honeymoon.”

  Sunny sank into her seat. “I’m not pulling your leg. I’m not joking.” She bit her lip. “I’ve been hanging onto a dress for a while now. I was… I was really hoping to wear it to the wedding, but I know how much you wanted me in a tux so I, uh… I haven’t mentioned it before now.”

  The silence in Brandy’s office almost cracked Sunny in half. Nor could she get a proper reading of her fiancée’s expression. Brandy had completely shut down, the words she chewed either made of pure arsenic or sweeter than the kind of sugared honey Sunny’s mother once added to sun tea. It was… not good. But it was meant to be good. God, help me. It’s that one, isn’t it? Brandy stewed in everything she wanted to say but didn’t have the guts to blurt.