Southern Sass and a Battered Bride Read online

  Betsy rejoined me as I finished arranging the final food station. The stations consisted of multiple buffets positioned throughout the wedding reception tent. It allowed wedding guests to mingle with others and sample a variety of menu items.

  “Hey, since you’re not exclusive with Paul, you should go out with Javier. He’s uber sexy, even if he doesn’t have a sense of humor. And the two of you have that sexual tension thing going on. That’s plain to anyone with eyes. You know he’s into you. He’s made that clear, and you totally have the hots for him.”

  I opened my mouth as my eyes went wide.

  Betsy waved her finger in my face, scolding, “Don’t even try to deny it. Plus, he knows about your little affliction.”

  I could argue, but her expression told me she wouldn’t be letting the subject of my love life go. Deputy Javier Reyes and I did have a magnetic attraction between us, but there were several problems right off the bat. The most important being he worked for my dad, the sheriff of Peach Cove, and with Alex, plus he was another alpha-male type. I wanted a partner, not a boss. And with the passing of my thirtieth birthday, I needed to make wiser decisions.

  “Maybe you should tell Paul about your affliction and see if he runs for the hills.” Betsy smirked as if to say, Gotcha.

  As to my affliction, a term Betsy had dubbed it, I was dealing with that better now. As ridiculous as it sounded, my mama, Clara Brown, had been tied to the island since the day she passed. She wasn’t what you’d call a pure heart in life, and now the powers-that-be forced her to remain in limbo on Peach Cove until she made amends. I wasn’t sure what qualified as amends, or what it would take to satisfy the requirement. For all I knew, she could be here my entire life span or be gone tomorrow. What I did understand was if a soul was forced to remain as an island spirit, it created an energy around the person they were communicating with. An aura, if you will. The deceased were drawn to said person, i.e., me. The possibility that I might be insane had lurked in the back of my mind often. Either way, I had to deal with Mama on a regular basis.

  “That is not going to happen.”

  “I know, I’m kidding. Just don’t settle. You can do way better.”

  I smiled at my friend. She meant well. “You have my word. No settling.” I glanced around one last time. Everything appeared as in order as it should at this point. “I guess we’re through here.”

  “Yeah. I promised Meemaw I’d go to the rehearsal dinner at the Beach Bum.” Betsy squinched up her face when the last word left her lips. She must have realized her faux pas by bringing up the restaurant where Alex was caught flirting with a tourist who turned out to be Lucy and making the off-again part of mine and Alex’s history permanent. “I’m sorry. I’m an idiot.”

  “Don’t be, and you’re not an idiot.” I waved her apology away. “It’s ancient history. I’ve moved on.”

  Alex and I had to make a point to stay out of each other’s way. We’d made a go of it and it hadn’t worked out. Before he’d proposed to Lucy, there were times he attempted to rekindle what we’d had. When we weren’t focused on real-life problems, neither one of us could see why we weren’t still together. Then the sensible side of me emerged and I reminded him of our history.

  CHAPTER 2

  I strolled down the beach near the water’s edge, a lone sandpiper running ahead of me. The foaming water lapped at my toes as the wind whipped my blond hair around my face. Soul-soothing Heaven. The spans of beach space utilized for beach weddings and receptions was a short drive from my house on the east side of the island on Laguna Beach, but today, I’d decided to walk. I glanced toward Aunt Vi’s Pelican Cottage, where she usually enjoyed a glass of wine. This evening the patio remained empty. She’d be attending the rehearsal dinner with Betsy and the rest of the wedding party. I was glad I didn’t have to attend. I could imagine the uncomfortable tension and awkward small talk.

  Next door to her cottage stood the newly renovated Sand Dollar, where Javier resided. It also appeared to be empty. He must be on patrol tonight.

  I let out a sigh and continued down the beach toward the first real home that belonged to me and only me, Beach Daze Cottage. It’d been love at first sight with the property’s exposed high beams and ample square footage. My friend Yvonne, our popular island designer, had come in and worked her magic, adding wall-to-wall windows with pocket doors that faced the ocean. I had my dream kitchen and just enough money left over to furnish the entire cottage with pieces from estate sales and discount furniture outlets.

  When I’d arrived back home a couple of years ago after my horrible marriage ended, I’d moved into my childhood home Mama had left me. Now my sister and her family of three filled the newly rebuilt home with love and laughter. It was as it should be. Jena Lynn had a wonderful husband and a beautiful baby I adored. She’d told me after they’d moved in that her life was everything she’d dreamt it to be. She lived in the perfect home with her little family, the Peach Diner’s business boomed, and we were all together on the island again. The joy I felt for my sister was immeasurable.

  When I thought of my own life, there were days I had to focus not to allow loneliness to seep into my bones. My life hadn’t exactly gone to plan. Though I’d grown a lot, I had a great deal more to work to do. I’d been blessed with a wonderful group of friends and, even though my family didn’t fit into the perfect mold, we loved each other and would move mountains for our tribe. Having Mama around complicated a lot of things. Whenever anything out of the ordinary transpired, I was on edge until it turned out not to involve me. On the other hand, the predicament had afforded us time to work through our troubles and have a healthier relationship. If having a relationship with a dead person could be healthy.

  Determined to shake this impending blue mood, I decided to open a bottle of wine and assemble the antipasto platter that awaited me in the refrigerator. I’d enjoy it on my lovely back deck and watch the sky go dark. I’d read somewhere that smiling for fifteen seconds, whether you were faking or not, immediately lifted your mood. I gave it a try as I started up the path through the dunes toward my cottage. The bright green herbs growing up from my planters on my deck came into sight. One, two, three . . . The space was lovely and just what I’d always wanted. I fumbled with my little cross-body bag in search of my house key as I climbed the steps. Ten, eleven, twelve . . .

  “Marygene.”

  I froze and my smile faltered. What is he doing here?

  Slowly I turned around and met Alex’s deep chocolate gaze as he took the steps two at a time.

  “You ruined my smile count.”

  “What?” He shook his head in a bemused fashion. “Never mind. I forgot who I was talking to.” He winked, his attempt at charming me. He’d failed.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at your rehearsal dinner?”

  His shoulders rose and fell. “I had to talk to you. May I?” He motioned toward the back door.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We can sit out here.” There was no way we were going inside. The last time he and I were alone, we’d had a heated discussion that ended in a passionate encounter. Not that I’d go down that road now that he was engaged, but still. In my current state, I didn’t want to take any chances. Wiser decisions, check.

  I opened the door and flipped on the outside lights, bathing us in a soft yellow glow.

  Alex moved toward the bench; the chives blooming behind him swayed in the breeze as he frowned. “Marygene, this turmoil between us is shredding me. I—”

  “Alex—”

  He sat and slapped the tops of his thighs in frustration. “Please, just hear me out.”

  I waved a hand for him to continue.

  “My family is in an uproar because they feel Lucy is the reason you and I didn’t end up together.”

  I fought an eye roll. The entire island believed she was the reason.

  Alex blew out a breath. “I was never unfaithful to you.”

  I narrowed my eyes.

 
“Yeah, I know you think my flirting was out of hand, but it never went farther than that.” His eyes pleaded with me. “I’m an honorable man, and if life hadn’t fast forwarded with Lucy the way it did”—he glanced off—“well, none of that matters now.”

  I studied his face, reading definite conflict in every muscle twitch. With the tiniest bit of encouragement, he’d divulge everything. After fifteen seconds of debate, I decided not to encourage. He’d be married tomorrow, and his confidences should only be shared with his wife. And I wasn’t nor would ever be accused of being the other woman. “I don’t want to be the reason you’re at odds with anyone, especially your family. I told Betsy something similar earlier today.”

  He shoved his hands through his thick, wavy black hair. “That girl has always been a handful, but lately she’s gone too far.”

  “She just worries about you. Betsy has a heart of gold. She’s loyal and will always have your back. You just have to be honest with her and hash this out.”

  He glanced upward before scowling. “We’re talking about Betsy here. She’s nuts!”

  I ignored his reference to Betsy’s sanity. “What do you want from me? I can’t force your family to accept Lucy.”

  “I know that,” he groused, sounding petulant. “But she’s a little scared of you and she’s terrified of Betsy.”

  I chuckled a little and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. Maybe he was beginning to see his overreaction. The woman clearly had nothing to fear from me and from Betsy—well, a little fear could be healthy. “Alex, this isn’t like you. You’ve never cared what people thought and you used to laugh at rumors. It’ll take time for everyone to adjust to you marrying Lucy. You know how folks are. Why are you really here?”

  He sat back against the backrest, but his shoulders were still rounded forward. “You’re right, of course. I was just venting to my friend. Because we promised to remain friends, and I don’t know how to exist if we aren’t. This wedding is driving me insane. Lucy is beside herself with worry that something will go wrong or that you and Betsy will sabotage the whole thing.”

  “Why would I sabotage an event my business is catering? It would be career suicide.” I sat on the built-in bench next to him.

  He moved a little closer and when I didn’t move away, he let out a little sigh of what I read to be relief. His tone softened. “When you say it aloud it does seem nuts.”

  The wind blew and a thick curl danced around his forehead.

  “You just don’t know how she is. For the last week she’s been nonstop going on about the way my family loves you. She thinks they care more about you than me and I should do something about it.”

  I patted his shoulder. “You know that isn’t true.”

  “At least Mom likes her.”

  Well, that isn’t a surprise. His mama was the queen of mean. If you ever got on her bad side, watch out. But, his mama’s meanness notwithstanding, we’d promised each other we’d remain friends. And I certainly hadn’t kept up my end of the deal lately. “Listen. I care about you and I always will. Our lives and memories are linked since childhood. I want you to be happy, and if Lucy does that, then I’ll try to get past our history.” I clasped my hands in my lap. “But let’s face facts. I’m not ever going to be her number-one fan and honestly, she doesn’t want me to be. I mean really, Alex, it’s absurd.”

  He had the decency to blush and glance away.

  “And while we’re on absurdities, for the life of me, I can’t fathom why she’d want us to cater her wedding, but I’ve been nothing but civil and accommodating. I won’t lie, she did her best to make our lives hell with the preparations. Jena Lynn is a saint, and even her patience was tested.”

  Alex’s face hardened. “It’s her wedding day.”

  I raised my hands in a defensive posture. “I get it. But changing the wedding cake design six times is excessive, and then four days before the wedding she insists I make her original choice. I wouldn’t have taken that from anyone else. Because of you, I did it.”

  Alex blew out a breath and ran both hands through his hair before letting them drop. “Yeah, that was pretty rotten. She can be difficult at times. She’s nothing like you.” His hot gaze bored deep into mine and he reached out and took my hand.

  Alarm bells sounded inside my head.

  “She’ll never be you.”

  “Alex.” I pulled my hand away and scrambled to my feet.

  “It isn’t like a switch I can turn off.” He tapped his chest. “You’re ingrained inside me. I’m not saying I don’t care for Lucy. I . . . do. We’re just . . . different.” His eyes darted around as if searching for the correct words. “I don’t know how to put it. You get what I’m saying, right?”

  Yeah, I did. “I suppose you’ll always have a place in my heart, too. In time, it’ll grow into something else. A fond memory. We were combustible, for sure.”

  He gave me a lopsided smile and sadness crept into his eyes.

  I thought back to when he was spinning Lucy around and the warmth in his face as he gazed up at his bride. They shared a connection for sure, and as their lives grew together, it’d deepen. I sat back down and stroked his arm. “Hey. Life turns out the way it’s supposed to. We learned a lot from each other, and you helped me through the most difficult time of my life. I will never forget that or cease to be grateful. Go into this next chapter of your life knowing you have my support and I’m genuinely happy for you. Lucy is pretty terrific, right? She must be if you decided to settle down after insisting for years it wasn’t for you.”

  He stiffened slightly. “Lucy can be mighty convincing.”

  Our gazes locked. “When we love someone, they have that power over us.”

  “Do you love Paul?”

  Surprise caused me to hesitate a second. “Too soon to tell. What does my relationship with Paul have to do with anything?”

  He hesitated. “Nothing, everything.”

  My heart rate sped.

  “There’s something I need to tell you—” His phone chirped, and he let out another long, ragged breath after he checked it. “I’ve got to go. I was expected at the Beach Bum twenty minutes ago.” He looked at the cell phone. “She wanted to host the rehearsal dinner there. It’s where we first met and all.”

  And there it was. A comment that meant nothing and everything all at the same time. I let out a small chuckle and stood. “Go. Your future wife is waiting.” I went inside, closed the door, and counted to ten.

  Mama stood there with her hands on her hips. Her face was drawn with concern.

  “What?” I gasped. Putting my hand over my heart.

  “Something is wrong. Dreadfully wrong. I’m feeling very uneasy about this catering job.”

  When Mama warned me of something, I’d learned to listen. I began to get a little light-headed. “Everything is ready to go. Can you be more specific? No one is going to die from food poisoning, or anything, are they? I could rid the menu of the item in question.” My stomach knotted.

  She shook her head and her brown curls bounced. “I can’t get a clear picture. I just know something dark and grim hovers over this union.”

  “You’re saying it has to do with Alex and Lucy? The tragedy?”

  Her brows furrowed. “Maybe. The puzzling part is the darkness surrounds you too.” She began to fade. “Be careful.”

  CHAPTER 3

  The reception tent buzzed with Sunshine workmen and the Peach employees.

  Jena Lynn rushed around the tent, her brown bob moving about her face while she doled out instructions to our staff. “You need any help?” She paused briefly at the cake table.

  Hannah, Jena Lynn’s sister-in-law, had become my right hand in the catering side of the business. She proved a proficient baker. Unfortunately, she’d gone out of town unexpectedly this week with a sudden death on her husband’s side of the family. We were all a little stressed to be shorthanded but were managing. The warning Mama had given me weighed heavily on my mind. I’d k
eep my eyes and ears open. I was hoping the darkness had to do with the controversy that surrounded this union. It could be.

  “I’m good. Don’t worry. It’s going to be fine. Trust me.” With steady hands, I carefully positioned the top tier of the wedding cake and gently pressed the rods into the tier below.

  Betsy signaled the tier was centered perfectly, and Jena Lynn moved on. I let out the breath I’d been holding. It was always precarious work assembling a cake on-site, especially when the outdoor elements had to be considered. I descended the stepladder and grabbed my piping bag from my kit and began piping little pearls around the layers we joined with clear dowel rods. It was a gorgeous cake, prosecco sponge with a delicate strawberry filling that I’d perfected over the summer. The kirsch liqueur made the flavors come alive and burst into a symphony on the taste buds. I couldn’t wait to see how it was received.

  “Oh, Marygene. It’s stunning.” Aunt Vi came up beside me and gave my arm a squeeze. The plus-sized woman in her fifties had the same fire-red hair as her niece—the shade now came from a bottle—and emerald-green eyes. She wore a white spandex dress with flamingoes on it and matching pink flamingo earrings. The dress matched her personality. She’d stand out in this crowd for sure. Not that she gave a flip what anyone thought, a trait that had her topping my most-favorite-people list.

  “Thank you. I must admit the flavors are to die for, and are even more impressive than the decorations.” I took in my confection creation and smiled. The four-tiered cake with brilliant Italian meringue buttercream frosting offset with champagne-dusted icing pearls and freshly cut Stargazer lilies from the florist would be the centerpiece of centerpieces.

  “I’m sorry we have to enjoy it at this clown show.” Aunt Vi flung her arms around.

  “Now, now, Aunt Vi, you promised not to make a scene.” Betsy smoothed out her floral green chiffon dress.

  “Me, make a scene? Girl, I have no idea what put that idea in your head. I’m a peaceable person. The bridezilla is who we have to worry about.”