by Amy Boyles
The voice came from the other side of the room. I glanced over to see a tall woman with long ebony hair striding over.
“Laney!” Axel rose and opened his arms.
The tall woman embraced him, kissed him on the cheek and then ran her fingers through his hair.
After the welcome he’d received from Drew, the kiss on the cheek and the playing with his hair seemed relatively mild.
“So,” Laney said, eyeing me, “is this Pepper, the woman who’s stolen you from me?”
My stomach knotted. Apparently she was part of the Axel Reign fan club.
Axel pointed to me. “Pepper, meet my cousin, Laney. Laney, meet Pepper.”
Laney studied me and smiled. “So you are her—the woman who’s taken Axel’s heart captive.”
I smiled. “That’s me.”
Axel grabbed a chair and placed it at the end of our booth. “Why don’t you join us? We were just having some breakfast.”
“Thank you.” Laney sat. She spied Axel’s plate and cooed. “Is this yours?”
“Yes, help yourself. Let me see if I can get someone to take your order. Be right back.”
With that, Axel disappeared.
Laney grabbed a fork and started eating Axel’s meal. She glanced at me and smiled. “You’re marrying a great guy. Really. Axel and I were really close growing up. Really close. We shared just about everything.”
“Oh?” I said, not sure how to respond to that.
She winked at me. “Yep. Absolutely everything. And now he’s getting married.” Laney smiled in a way that made a chill run down my back. “I can’t wait to share everything with you.”
I pushed a wedge of pancake around my plate. “Oh, is that right?”
Laney smiled. It reminded me of a snake. “That’s right.”
Chapter 5
Turned out, Laney wasn’t as terrifying as she first appeared. After a while, all that talk about sharing melted away and she seemed to be a genuine person, one who really cared about Axel.
Thank heavens, because I couldn’t deal with another jealous girlfriend.
As the day quickly progressed, I went to my store to check on the doves I’d purchased and to make sure the animals were doing okay.
I’d actually closed the store all week because, to be honest, I was too busy to keep the shop open and get ready for the wedding, but I did check on the animals daily.
When I entered, the doves looked so sad, y’all. They were in their cage, but their heads were hanging down and their wing tips sagged.
“What’s wrong?” I said.
We’re lonely, one of them answered.
No one to play with, said another.
“You’ll be free soon,” I said.
Can we play with you?
“Ah, well…” I wasn’t really into the idea of “playing” with the doves. They weren’t for playing with; they were for making the wedding beautiful.
Please, one chirped. We’ll be good.
We know how to be good, another said.
I considered their request. What do you have in mind?
Just take us out with you. Let us see people.
I studied the sweet little white doves. I mean, it wasn’t like they were asking a lot. All they wanted was to be out among folks.
Deciding, what the heck? I pointed to the cage. “Are y’all going to stay in the cage?”
No, out.
“But you’ll be around in case I call you.”
Yes!
I wagged my finger at them. “If any of y’all tries anything funny—and by that I mean y’all disappear or poop on someone’s head—you’ll be in trouble.”
We promise to be good, one replied.
Why was it these doves were sounding more like toddlers than birds? Deciding it would be okay, I opened the door to the cage.
The birds flew out and circled my head. Thank you!
“You’re welcome.”
When they continued circling my head, I said, “It that what y’all are going to do? Form a ring around me?”
Yes!
Okay, so I was now walking with my own personal fluttering halo. A large halo, at that. Really large—constructed of about twenty birds.
“Okay, then. If y’all promise to be good, we’ll get going.”
They cooed in answer, which I took to be their promise, and I left the store.
Did people stare. Boy, they sure did.
“Hey, Pepper!”
I glanced over to see Idie Claire Hawker waving at me. “I like your new accessory. You planning on looking like that tomorrow?”
“Um, no,” I called back. “This is just temporary.”
“Okay,” she yelled. “’Cause I’d hate for them to mess up your hair.”
“Don’t worry,” I called to her across the street. “They won’t be like this in the morning!”
At least I hoped not. I walked through downtown until I reached Betty’s. When we arrived at the cottage, I glanced up at the birds.
“Okay, y’all. You’re gonna have to roost in the trees for now. You can’t follow me inside.”
The birds made a noise that sounded like a coo of frustration. Not much I could do about that, but they did disperse from their halo and perch in the trees.
I didn’t see them again until it was time to leave for the rehearsal dinner.
“Pepper! It’s so wonderful to see you.” Axel’s mom, Karen Reign, wrapped me in a warm, wonderful hug. “You are a sight for these sore eyes.”
I hugged her back, inhaling the smell of gingerbread that seemed to waft from her hair. “Have you been baking?”
Her dark eyes twinkled. “How did you know?”
I laughed. “Just a feeling.”
We were outside in the park beside Bubbling Cauldron Road and were about to walk through the steps that we would take tomorrow.
Roger Reign, Axel’s father, approached. He looked like an older version of his son, though not as intense as Axel, if I had to pinpoint a difference between the two men.
He embraced me. “Welcome to the family, daughter.”
I had to hold back my tears of joy. I’d lost my mother and father, and to add more to my family made my heart buoy with love.
“Now, now”—Axel’s voice drifted up from behind me—“y’all aren’t trying to scare my bride-to-be, are you?”
Karen shook her head. “Of course not. The only one who could do that would be you.”
Axel scoffed. “I’ve only just found her, and I’m not planning on losing her.”
Karen’s eyes filled with love. “Oh, I just love y’all.”
We all hugged in a football-style huddle. When we parted, Axel pointed to the trees above us.
“Is there a reason why a flock of doves is so close by?”
I grimaced. I could feel heat rise in my chest. “Yes, well, they were bored and lonely, so I said they could hang out with me until the wedding.”
He stared at me with curiosity. “A flock of birds?”
I nodded. “Yep. They’re my flock, and I take full responsibility for anything that happens to them.”
He clicked his tongue. “I will hold you to that.”
I lightly punched his arm. “What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing, I’ve just never seen a flock of birds out so late or so interested in what we’re doing.”
I shot him a teasing smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything, Mr. Reign.”
A megaphone clicked on. “Is everyone here? We need to get this ball rolling. I cooked a meal big enough for fifty people, and I don’t want it getting cold.”
Betty stood at the outside altar. She glanced through the throng of people. “I’ll ask it again—are all of y’all here?”
I raised my hand. “I think so. We can start.”
“Good, ’cause I ain’t got all night. I’m old. I go to bed early.”
I whispered in Axel’s ear, “Sometimes seven thirty.”
“I heard that, Pepper,
” Betty scolded.
“Sorry,” I murmured.
“Come on, y’all! Get in your places and we’ll walk through this,” Betty commanded.
Yep, Betty was leading the service. She was a registered Justice of Magic in Magnolia Cove, which meant she could marry folks.
Lucky me, y’all.
I was very lucky to have such family support. A grandmother who would marry me off and two cousins who would be the best bridesmaids ever.
Axel took his spot by the altar, and I walked toward the start of the processional. My heart bubbled with joy and love. I couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Reign.
The walk-through only took about twenty minutes. After that we grabbed our seats at one of the long dinner tables that had been set up.
Betty had not been joking when she said she’d cooked for fifty people. There was more food laid out than if you combined every Thanksgiving meal I’d ever sat at.
We passed the dishes, and the dishes kept right on coming—from pinto beans and fried chicken to biscuits, chicken and dumplings, sugared carrots, collard greens, pitchers and pitchers of tea, to the desserts—chess and pecan pies, blackberry cobbler and even ice cream.
I only nibbled. After I’d eaten such a huge breakfast, I didn’t need to eat so much I wouldn’t fit into my wedding gown.
I sat catching up with Karen and Roger when the trees began swaying. They rustled like when Hugo was landing, but there was no need for Hugo to be here, at the rehearsal dinner. I’d seen him before leaving and I told the dragon that I would be back later, and to go exploring in the forest if he wanted to.
As I watched, I realized Hugo was indeed coming to the dinner, but he wasn’t alone.
Molly was riding him.
Anger bright and hot filled me. How dare she think she could ride my dragon. What was wrong with her? I didn’t give her permission.
I rose. Axel grabbed my arm. “Pepper,” he said.
“What?” I hissed.
He rose and whispered in my ear. “She’s only trying to get to you.”
“Well, she’s done it. She’s gotten to me.” I dropped my napkin on the table. “I’m going to talk to her.”
“Just wait.”
I glared at him. “No,” I said quietly. “I will not wait.”
As I moved to confront Molly, I heard Laney’s voice. “Aunt Karen, Uncle Roger, so great to see y’all! Axel, why don’t you stay here and catch up with us?”
I glanced back to see that Laney had taken my spot and was picking at my plate of food. I rolled my eyes. What was it with these women? Had they no shame?
I had to hand it to Laney; she was related to Axel, so she had a reason for being all up in his business. But Drew and Molly? No. They had no excuse for trying to ingratiate themselves to him.
Speaking of Drew, was she around somewhere? I mean, Betty had cooked a lot of food, and there were people hanging out at the rehearsal dinner whom I didn’t recognize.
I scanned the crowd quickly and was able to make her out at the far end of one of the tables.
I shook my head in disgust. See? Why was she even here?
I reached Molly just as she slid off Hugo’s back. She patted his shoulder exactly as I would after a ride.
“Good boy, Hugo.”
I stomped forward and crossed my arms hard over my chest. “Why are you on my dragon?”
Molly smiled at me innocently. “He looked so lonely in the backyard. He’d gone off after you left but came back soon after. I figured he needed a little company. Plus”—she glanced at the tables—“I’m starving. Dying for some supper. So I figured we’d mosey on over, grab some grub and then I’d take Hugo on a ride around town.”
“You will not take my dragon anywhere.”
Molly scoffed as she walked by me. “Get a grip, Pepper. No one wants your silly dragon or your man. You’re so insecure.”
My blood practically boiled in my veins. What gave her the right to speak to me that way? I wasn’t having it.
Using long stride, I cut her off. “Apologize.”
Her face twisted in disbelief. “What?”
“I said, apologize.”
“What’s going on?” Cordelia and Amelia had arrived. They stood beside me, glancing nervously from me to Molly and back.
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong. Molly makes lewd comments to my fiancé and then she rides my dragon without my permission.”
Amelia laughed nervously. “Oh, I’m sure Molly has a good excuse for taking Hugo without asking.”
“Yep,” I snapped, “because she wanted to. Well, you don’t have permission, and you’re not allowed to ride him back.”
Molly spoke to Cordelia. “Would you tell our spastic cousin to chill out?”
“She has a point, Molly,” Cordelia said. “You shouldn’t have taken Hugo.”
Molly lifted her hand and showed us her palm. “Whatever. I don’t remember any of y’all being so uptight. I guess that’s what’s happened since Pepper Dunn entered your lives.”
I could feel magic at the tips of my fingers begin to manifest. I was angry. So angry. All I wanted to do was fist Molly right in the face.
“Now, if y’all will leave me alone, I’m going to talk to everyone here I know”—she shot me a smug look—“especially my ex-boyfriend.”
That was when I raised my fist and slammed it right into Molly’s nose.
Chapter 6
Actually I didn’t. I only imagined I’d punched Molly square in the nose. If I had, it wouldn’t have been a mistake. After all, she had it coming to her.
“Are you okay?” Cordelia asked.
I shook my head. “No, but it’s not just Molly. It’s like suddenly all these women have arrived and are throwing themselves at Axel.” I gestured to where he sat. “See? He has a flock.”
Sure enough, Drew had snaked her way over to him and stood talking to him along with Laney and Molly.
For what it was worth, Axel looked like he needed an escape. I waved to him, and my darling fiancé untangled himself from the throng of women.
“I never thought I’d make it out of there alive,” he said.
“Neither did I.”
Axel glanced at Cordelia and Amelia. “Am I interrupting something?”
Amelia waved away his concern. “No, nothing.”
Just then Sherman Oaks, Amelia’s boyfriend, strode up. I’d seen Sherman but hadn’t had a chance to speak to him yet.
“Pepper, Axel, y’all look ready to get married,” Sherman said.
I smiled. “I am.”
Axel draped one arm over my shoulder. “I can’t wait.”
Sherman thumbed toward the gaggle of women. “Well, don’t let them hear that because I think they’d be very unhappy.”
Amelia elbowed Sherman in the gut. “Who cares if they’re unhappy?”
“They do,” Sherman joked.
Amelia fumed. “If you’re so worried about those women being lonely, why don’t you go over there and keep them company?”
Sherman blanched. “Oh no, that’s okay. I’m happy exactly where I am.”
“That’s what I thought.” Amelia sniffed. “Come on, Sherman. Why don’t you scoop me out some cobbler that we can share?”
Sherman offered his arm. His mouth tipped into a lopsided grin. “I don’t mind if I do.”
As they walked off, Cordelia turned to me. “I’m sorry about Molly. I don’t know why she’s being so awful.”
I shrugged. “It’s okay. She’ll be gone soon enough.”
Cordelia raked her fingers through her long, lustrous blonde hair. “True that.”
She walked away, leaving Axel and me alone. I opened my mouth to say something when he grimaced.
“You okay?”
He pinched the bride of his nose. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just my stomach cramped pretty bad.”
I squeezed his arm. “Oh no. I hope Betty didn’t give you food poisoning. Not before the wedding. Well, not at all, actually. But really no
t before tomorrow.”
A dark shadow zipped across his face before it smoothed away. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Really. I’m sure it’s not anything.”
“Let’s get you some water.”
We took two steps before Axel collapsed. His legs folded, and he fell, hitting the ground hand first and then rolling onto his back.
“Axel!”
He groaned in pain. Sweat sprinkled his brow. I glanced at the crowd, who hadn’t seemed to notice yet.
“Someone help!”
I grasped his hand. “Axel, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”
But he didn’t speak; he only moaned in agony. A moment later a tall shadow fell across my path. I glanced up to see Garrick kneeling down.
“What happened?”
I shrugged. “One moment he was saying he wasn’t feeling well and the next he collapsed.”
“Axel,” Garrick said, “can you hear me?”
Axel’s face contorted in pain. He continued to moan. When he did open his eyes, they were unfocused, as if he wasn’t really seeing what sat right in front of him.
“He’s not responding,” Garrick said tensely. The sheriff of Magnolia Cove didn’t panic, so I imagined the closest he ever actually came to that was this—being awfully tense.
“We need Betty,” he said. Garrick rose and waved toward the crowd. “Betty!”
By now people had stopped eating and were staring at us intently. Betty was already waddling over.
“Hurry,” I called.
A second later she stood beside us. “What happened?”
Panic fluttered in my chest. It filled every cell in my body. This couldn’t be happening. Axel couldn’t be hurt. Not now. Not ever. Maybe we needed to get him to a hospital. It would be okay. We could just get him out and postpone the wedding until he was better. Hopefully that would be in a few days. Then everything would be fine.
It would all be okay.
It would have to be because I loved Axel and he loved me. He was the love of my life, darn it. Nothing was going to take him away from me.
“He collapsed,” I said to Betty.
She rubbed her hands to warm them. “Garrick, take his arms. Pepper, take his feet.”
Karen and Roger rushed up. “What’s wrong with him?” Axel’s mother asked. Her voice was filled with the same fear that coursed through my veins.