Pennies From Heaven (The Bella Novella Collection Book 3) (7 page)

“Then God has given you a holy calling, for sure.” I threw my arms around her neck and gave her a tight squeeze.

After the hugging ceased, Lily clasped her hands together. “Oh! I forgot to tell you one more very important thing.”

“What’s that?”

“The trip to Gulfport, Mississippi that Cec’s parents were going to give us. . .”

“What about it?”

“His mom and dad are going in our place.”

“Really?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s perfect!”

“Yes, Moggie said they haven’t had a real get-away in years. She’s so excited.”

“It’s the perfect ending, isn’t it?”

Indeed, it was. God, in his infinite wisdom, had taken care of every detail so that no one felt left out or overlooked.

As we went back to work decorating the wedding facility, I saw the group of friends and family members through different eyes. There really was, as Lily said, room at the table. . .for everyone. And maybe, just maybe, I’d learned a lesson, too. From this point on I’d be on the lookout for people who felt out of place. I’d nudge them toward the table, slip an arm over their shoulder, and welcome them to the family.

CHAPTER NINE

C’est la fin des haricots

Translation: The end of the beans

(The last straw
;
that’s the end of it
)

Jenna showed up at two-fifteen with her little boys in tow. I’d never seen her look so frazzled. Her red hair was pulled back in a frizzy ponytail and the girl didn’t have on a stitch of makeup. She still wore her Bubba’s BBQ apron over her dirty jeans and wrinkled t-shirt.

“Sorry I had to bring Bubba Jr. and Weston, Bella,” she said as she ushered the rambunctious boys into the foyer. “Bubba’s too busy to watch them and Earline’s here with you guys.”

Bubba Jr. threw his arms around my thigh and let out a squeal.

“Don’t apologize,” I said, after regaining the feeling in my leg. “They can play on the swing-set with my kiddos. Sophia’s outside. I think she’d rather hang out with the kids than help with the decorating.”

“Thank God for Sophia.” Jenna looked down at her oldest son and waggled her finger in his direction. “Bubba Jr., what have I told you about sitting on your brother?”

I glanced down and, sure enough, Jenna’s oldest had squashed her youngest like a bug. Little Weston squirmed on the floor, but finally managed to get out from under his older brother. He sprang up and punched Bubba Jr. on the arm.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on ‘em, too, honey.” Earline took several steps in our direction. “So don’t fret.” She gave Jenna’s attire a pensive look.

“I know, I know.” Jenna pulled off her apron. “I look like something the cat dragged in.”

“Well, maybe not the cat.” Earline took the apron from her. “But don’t you worry about these kids. I’ll make sure they’re tended to so you can help Rosa and Laz with our dinner.” She walked off, muttering something about how Jenna would be better served taking a nap. I had to agree with that last assessment. My friend looked as if she needed some time off. Maybe I should suggest that to her hubby. Maybe, like D.J. had recently done for me, he could take her on a vacation. A get-away. Surely Earline would watch the boys for them. I hoped.

As my mother-in-law headed outside with Jenna and Bubba’s boys she was met by Jolene and Twila, who entered with great fanfare, dressed to the nines. I was happy to see the two of them together again. Hopefully they’d laid their squabbles to rest.

“Oh my. We’re a bit early for the rehearsal dinner, I see.” Jolene paused to look at her reflection in the foyer mirror. “But you must admit, I’m ready for a weekend of Paris-themed festivities.” She pointed to her large hat and colorful dress. “Do you recognize my gown, Bella? It’s straight out of
My Fair Lady.
Audrey Hepburn wore this Ascot race dress and hat.”

“Several sizes smaller,” Twila whispered in my ear. “But I’m pretty sure it’s the same size hat. None of the other wedding rehearsal guests will be able to see past it.”

I did my best not to snort aloud.

On and on Jolene went, bragging about her new dress.

“For your information, Jolene,
My Fair Lady
was a British film, not French.” Twila said at last.

Jolene rolled her eyes, and for the first time I noticed the over-abundance of eye makeup. “Well, yes, but Audrey’s gown was designed by the famed designer, Mr. Cecil Beaton, and he’s most assuredly French.”

“Did he design your gown, too?” Mrs. Rigas asked as she took a few steps in our direction.

“No Ma’am. I got this lovely lady here to make it for me.” Jolene pointed at Mrs. Davidson, whose cheeks blazed red at all of the attention. “She’s a whiz on the sewing machine. All I had to do was show her the pictures I found on the Internet and the rest fell into place.”

At this news, several of the ladies gathered around Moggie Davidson and placed their orders for new gowns for an upcoming fashion extravaganza the Splendora Women’s Society was hosting. The poor woman could hardly breathe, what with so much attention. Well, until I announced that we still had work to do, and lots of it.

The next couple of hours buzzed by. By mid-afternoon we’d almost finished the décor. We needed to get cleaned up for the rehearsal and dinner, both of which would take place right here, at the wedding facility. From the kitchen, the smell of yummy food emerged. Laz, Rosa and Jenna were cooking up a storm in preparation for tonight’s festivities. I kept a watchful eye on Earline, Jolene and Twila, who dressed the tables for tonight’s rehearsal dinner guests.

Yep. Everything was falling into place. I couldn’t have asked for a smoother day.

At five-fifteen
Bonnie Sue entered with two large poodles, perfectly groomed. Well, the dogs were perfectly groomed. Bonnie Sue looked as if she hadn’t seen a hair stylist in weeks.

“Please forgive the way I look.” She groaned and dragged her fingers through her messy hair. “I spent all afternoon getting these two bathed and groomed and they look a lot better than their owner. I’ll head home and take a quick shower, then come back.”

“Wait.” I put my hand up. “Who’s watching the dogs while you’re gone?”

“Watching them?” Her brow wrinkled. “My babies are beautifully behaved, Bella. They won’t require watching.” She gave the pair a nod and said, “To the corner,” and then pointed to the corner of the room. They trotted to the corner, laid down, and promptly fell asleep.

“See?” She laughed. “I’ve never had a moment’s trouble with these two. They’re my babies. Absolute dolls. Now don’t worry, Bella. I’ll be back in no time, I promise.”

She took off and I was left staring at two of the largest poodles I’d ever seen in my life. Now what?

I decided to get back to work, this time shifting my attention to a couple of missing light bulbs in the foyer chandelier. A short while later my mother dropped a large candelabra and it clattered to the floor. Guido let out a shriek. Coquette and Jacques sat straight up, their ears perking to attention. When Guido cried out, “Go to the mattresses!” the dogs leapt to their feet. They began to run in circles, as if looking for something.

“Leave the gun!” Guido called out. “Take the cannoli!” He then began random machine-gun-firing sounds, which caused the dogs to go into a barking fit. They took off running toward the bird.

Rosa let out a cry. “Bella! Stop them!” She grabbed a broom and started using it to shoo away the dogs. “Go away, you little monsters! Leave Guido alone.” When the dogs refused to stop barking, Rosa’s volume elevated. “Get away, I say! He’s not chicken fricassee! Guido was trained by the mob and could take you down in a New York minute!”

I wouldn’t bet my money on that. Guido looked pretty scared. The chubby bird tried to flap his wings and take to flight, but was unsuccessful. I tried to get between him and the dogs, but nearly got my arm taken off in the process. That, and I took a hard
swack
from Rosa’s broom.

“Out of my way, Bella-bambina!” Rosa called out. “I’ll guard the bird. You get those dogs out of here.”

Okay. I’d try, but where would I take them?

I rushed to the refrigerator and grabbed the tray of lunchmeats I’d left inside after today’s lunch break. Then I started running toward the foyer, meat in hand. The dogs turned their attention away from Guido and toward me, their tongues now hanging out.

Just about the time I got to the foyer the front door swung open and Twila entered. Coquette jumped her and nearly knocked her down. I tossed the piece of meat, hoping to distract the dog. Unfortunately, I tossed it straight into the open door. Coquette snapped up the meat and then took off running. Outside.

Oh. No.

At this very moment Earline approached. “Bella? Was that Bonnie Sue’s dog I saw running across the parking lot?”

“I. . .I. . .I. . .” I couldn’t seem to get out anything else.

“It’s Coquette, all right.” Rosa raced out of the door, broom in hand.

Seconds later the whole Rossi/Rigas crew was bounding down the street, chasing the dog. Coquette ran down into the ditch, her lovely white coat muddy and wet as she emerged from it moments later.

I raced as fast as my legs could carry me, but by the time we got to the third block, I was worn out and I’d pulled a muscle in my right calf. Thank goodness, D.J. pulled up next to me in the truck.

“Bella?” He gave me a pointed look.

I fought to catch my breath. “I—I—I know! It’s Coquette. She ran away. I almost caught up with her in a ditch.”

“I can see that.” He pointed to my gorgeous ivory dress, covered in imported lace and I gasped when I saw that the hem was covered in mud.

“Oh, no!”

“Get in the truck, Bella. We’ll find the dog.”

And find the dog we did. Hung up under a fence she’d been trying to dig her way under. I somehow managed to coax the terrified poodle out, and scooped the filthy thing into my arms. D.J. tried to take her from me, but I shook my head. “No, D.J. You’re spotless. I’m already a mess.”

“You can say that again.”

“I’m already a mess,” I mumbled under my breath as I tried to lift the heavy dog over the railing and into the back of the truck.

Seconds later D.J. took hold of the trembling pup and put her in place. He then did his best to wipe the mud from his hands and sleeves before climbing into the truck, but could not.

“Oh well. We can clean up at the wedding facility.”

Easy for him to say. He wasn’t covered in mud, head to toe.

The dog barked all the way back to the wedding facility. I did my best to assess the injury to my right calf. Oh, and my left foot. I could hardly move two of my toes without wanting to cry. Or, maybe the tears came as a result of the frustration.

We arrived back at the facility to find all of the family gathered outside. Mama took one look at me, eyes wide, then clamped a hand over her mouth.

“I know, I know.” I felt the sting of tears in my eyes.

D.J. tossed me the keys to the van and I made the fastest trip possible to my in-laws’ home, where I showered, changed into other dress, then zipped back to the wedding facility, just in the nick of time. I did my best to ignore the pain in my leg. Turned out that was easier than ignoring the throbbing toes on my left foot.

Sophia and Tony, God bless them, had taken all of the children back to Bubba’s BBQ for dinner. And Bonnie Sue had arrived in full-out French fashion, ready to handle the now-cleaned-up pooches. Looked like everything had fallen into place, after all. Now, to get this show on the road. I had a wedding rehearsal to run. And, if all went well, we’d sail right on in to a beautiful wedding day tomorrow.

With iPad in hand, I headed into the chapel, still limping. No rest for the injured. Not today, anyway. Nope. Today I far had more important things to do than nurse a wounded foot.

CHAPTER TEN

Ne pas être sorti de l’auberge

Translation: to not be out of the inn

(To face a complicated problem)

We spent the night at my in-laws’ place in D.J.’s childhood bedroom. The kids slept in Bubba’s old room. I tossed and turned all night, aches and pains consuming my dreams. The following morning of the wedding I awoke in so much pain I could barely manage to roll over in the bed. When my aching feet touched down on the floor I let out a groan that woke D.J.

“You okay over there?” he asked.

“I think I jogged too many miles trying to catch the dog. Hurt myself.”

“Bella the dog-catcher.” He laughed and then sat up in the bed, just in time to see me almost topple over. “Whoa. You weren’t kidding. You really are hurt.”

“Yeah, I think I pulled a muscle in my right calf and I’m pretty sure I broke a toe or two on my left foot when I tripped over a branch coming up out of the ditch.”

“Need me to rub those feet?” he asked.

I let out a cry, just thinking about it. “No! Don’t touch me!”

“Okay, okay!” He chuckled and then swung his legs over the side of the bed. He sprang to his feet. “I promise, I won’t touch you.”

“Unless I fall.” I turned to face him, my stiff neck making it difficult. “Then you can pick me up. Promise?”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that.”

He took a few steps in my direction and gave me a tender kiss. Afterwards, he gave me a boyish wink and said, “Touched you. Sue me.”

“I don’t have enough energy to sue anyone right now.”

“That’s good, because my assets are minimal.”

His assets were anything but, but I didn’t have the wherewithal to tell him so.

Off in the distance I could smell bacon frying. I also heard the voices of our children as they played in the living room. Looked like Earline was on the job, from the sound—and smell—of things. I’d have to remember to thank her later.

I somehow made my way into the living room. My sweet mother-in-law took one look at my hobbling self and clucked her tongue. “Bella Neeley! You just sit right here at my table and let me feed you a hearty breakfast.”

Should I tell her that my stomach was still full from all of the food I’d consumed at the rehearsal dinner? Nah, I’d let it ride.

By nine o’clock I’d gathered my wits about me. A hot shower partially soothed my aching joints. By nine-thirty I’d scrambled into my prettiest soft pink dress, the one with the ivory lace overlay. Perfect for a Parisian wedding.

When I walked into the living room at ten o’clock, my hair coiffed and my makeup done, D.J. let out a whistle.

“Well, now.” His eyebrows elevated mischievously. “You’ve gone and done it.”

“Done what?” I slipped my dangling earrings into my ears then gave myself a quick glance in the front hall mirror.

“Made this whole ‘Don’t touch me’ thing even harder.” He gave me a wink.

“Don’t touch me?” Earline asked. “Trouble in paradise, you two?”

“No. I’m just in
so
much pain.” I reached down to rub my calf. “Pulled a muscle last night while chasing the dog.”

Earline appeared to be thinking and then snapped her finger. “Wait. I have just the solution for that, Bella. I have some ibuprofen. It works wonders on my gout.”

“Oh, well I—”

“Just take one,” she said as she pressed the blue gel capsule into my hand. “You’ll thank me later.”

I shoved it into my bag and muttered, “Okay,” ready to get this show on the road.

“Now, don’t you fret over these kids, Bella,” Earline said. “You just get on back to that wedding facility and have the best day ever.”

“Will do.”

D.J. gave me a lift to the wedding facility and I went in search of the bride-to-be. I found her in the brides’ room, along with her bridesmaids. Wow. The hair and makeup job looked spectacular, like something out of a movie. When Lily saw my reflection in the mirror, she turned to face me.

“Bella, you’re not going to believe it. That little bit of rain yesterday caused the lilies to open up! And no, I’m not kidding. I woke up this morning and the lilies were in full bloom. Can you believe it?”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Completely. And the events team has already put up the tables and chairs. Mama and Moggie are adding the centerpieces now. It’s going to be fabulous, even better than I anticipated.”

“I’ll have D.J. swing me by in a few minutes. Right now I just wanted to check on you. How’s the bride doing?”

“Nervous.” She glanced back at her reflection in the mirror. “But happy. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.”

And ‘perfect’ was just how I would’ve described it, too.

The morning hours sailed by as I bounced from the wedding facility to the Rigas home and then back again. By the time the guests started arriving at one-fifteen, I’d somehow worked my way past the pain in my leg and foot to greet them with a strained smile.

At two o’clock on the dot, I stood at the back entrance of the chapel alongside the bride. Moments later she made her trek down the aisle. The ambience of the place was exactly like a Parisian village. We’d done it—all of us working as a team. And if the guests thought this was amazing, just wait till they saw the reception area in the Rigas rose garden. Cecil and his guys had pulled off an honest-to-goodness miracle with their set pieces, especially the replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Right now, though, Cec was a little busy saying his “I dos.” The tenderness in his eyes as he spoke the words to his bride brought a lump to my throat. My gaze traveled across the crowd to the row where D.J. was sitting with the kids and his parents. As if sensing my glance, he turned back to look at me and gave me a wink. My heart fluttered, just as it had done all those years ago when I’d given the first pieces of it to him.

I found myself transported to a sweet, sweet place as I watched the rest of the ceremony. Even the poodles cooperated, their pink bows shimmering in the sunlight that streamed in through the windows.

Then, as Pastor Higley announced Cec and Lily as husband and wife, I flew back into wedding planning gear once more. I swung wide the door to the foyer and ushered them through. And though I’d hoped to be the first to congratulate them, they were too busy kissing to pay any attention to me.

Minutes later the foyer was flooded with guests. They
oohed
and
aahed
over the new couple, then headed to their cars to drive to the reception area. I caught a ride with Mr. and Mrs. Rigas, who seemed anxious to get to their house before the guests arrived. We pulled up to the most glorious scene I’d ever witnessed—a Parisian wonderland, of sorts.

I didn’t have much time to take in the décor, what with the guests arriving so soon. Instead, I checked in with the caterers, gave Willy a thumbs-up over the Eiffel Tower wedding cake, and then went in search of D.J., who would be serving as the deejay for today’s event.

D.J. Deejay.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I realized the irony. Our first chance encounter had taken place because of that same little mix up. I was looking for a deejay for a wedding. I’d found a D.J.. . .for life.

My sweetie arrived and headed to a table on the far end of the reception area. With his rich country twang he welcomed the guests and then introduced Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Davidson, who came up the garden path, hand in hand, as the guests clapped with abandon.

At this point the party kicked into full gear. The guests were served a scrumptious meal that included all sorts of French fare, and then they cut the cake. Aunt Willy beamed with pride as everyone bragged on the yummy slices she served up. Of course, there were plenty of other sweets to be had, as well. Jasmine’s culinary confections wowed the crowd. By early evening, the guests were full and happy. They took to the dance floor, celebrating with abandon.

I watched, my leg now aching something fierce.

“Want to take a little spin around the floor?” I heard my sweetie’s voice to my left.

“D.J., I wish I could, but my leg. . .”

“Still hurting?”

“Yes!” In fact the pain in my calf made me want to sit down and never get up again. If only I could.

D.J. seemed perplexed by this. “Even after the ibuprofen?”

“Ack. I forgot to take it.”
I fished around in my purse for the ibuprofen gel cap Earline had given me. I popped it into my mouth and chased it down with a swig of punch. Surely I’d feel better in minutes. I hoped.

“You sure you’re okay, Bella?” he asked.

“Yeah. Just hurting. I’ve been on my feet too much.”

Just about the time the bride and groom headed to their limo, I started feeling really. . .wonky. For whatever reason, the roses all started to run together, one gigantic colorful blur. Weird. I took a seat at one of the tables and watched as Lily and Cecil waved their goodbyes to the crowd.

I did my best to smile as she shouted, “Thanks for everything, Bella!” but the edges of my lips didn’t seem to want to cooperate.

Very. Odd.

D.J. took the chair next to mine and sighed. “This was one doozie of a wedding, Bella-bambina. More work than most, but totally worth it. I think the guests would agree. And the bride and groom were sure grateful. Cec couldn’t stop thanking everyone for making their day perfect.”

“Mm-hmm.” I wanted to say more but couldn’t manage anything, what with my lips feeling so numb. And large. Very, very large.

“You okay over there?”

“I. . .” Nothing more came out. Seconds later, the whole place began to spin madly.”

“Bella? Bella?” D.J. spoke my name several times in a row. At least it sounded like several times in a row. Why was he echoing? And why were the lilies and roses now morphing into psychedelic colors?

“I. . .I. . .”

I couldn’t remember what happened next. I slumped over the table and everything faded from psychedelic colors to black.