Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Later, I told Brad the most recent development regarding Heather and Rita when he called for our late-night pillow talk. Our chats were typically romantic, but I felt the need to vent. “I’m not angry,” I assured him, “just confused.”
“I understand because you considered Heather your best friend.”
I interrupted. “No, you’re my best friend.” His husky laugh delighted me. “Still, I miss the Heather who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. I mean, she had a crystal or potion for any heartache or ailment, yet she’s so focused on her own problems… I don’t know what to think.”
His covers swished as he moved into a more comfortable position. “Okay, honey. Let’s explore options for getting Rita to our wedding. Would you like me to drive to New Jersey?”
I appreciated his offer, but knew he’d filled his fall cleanup schedule to the breaking point. “I can pick her up, though I’d love company for the trip.” With a sudden inspiration, I added, “Maybe your sister would go with me.”
“That’s a great idea! Could you manage it this week?”
“I have the time, but don’t know if Angela can get away for most of a day. I’ll call her in the morning, and check in with Rita, too.”
He hesitated a moment. “Where will Rita stay?”
“That’s another dilemma. I planned to put my parents in the guest room here, but I have a feeling Rita will also want to stay with us.”
“Well,” he said, “you can let her have your room.” He gave a sexy chuckle. “And I’ve reserved a spot for you right next to me in the bed here.”
I returned a giggle. “Tempting, but call me old fashioned.”
What was I thinking? That would be the easiest solution.
I went on to say, “I could probably let Rita use the guest room and put my parents in my room, then I’d sleep upstairs for the next week. We have a bathroom up there.”
He grunted. “But there are no beds. If you remember, the Lancaster guys brought air mattresses when they stayed there this summer.”
“Well, I can buy a bed for one of the rooms. That’s an easy problem to overcome.”
“Wait a minute,” he said. “Last year, I replaced my old bed with Bertha’s. Do you remember giving it to me? I eventually put it in a spare room here, but I could ask one of my guys to help me set it up over there.”
It made me smile to think we were always moving furniture to and from Aunt Bertha’s consignment shop. “That would work,” I agreed.
“What about Heather and her daughter? There’s room for them to stay upstairs over there, but they’d need beds.”
I sighed, thinking my wedding was becoming complicated. “Let’s take it one day at a time.”
He agreed with a tired chuckle. “I’m with you on that. Do you want to meet me for breakfast in the morning?”
“That’s tempting, but I’d like to sleep in before calling Rita and your sister.” I really needed time to snooze.
“Okay, but you don’t have to deal with this alone. Call me if you’d like to talk.”
I wanted him to enfold me in his arms and give me strength, but I knew he was tired. “Thanks, honey. Sweet dreams to you.”
He yawned. “You, too. I’ll see you at some point tomorrow.”
I heard none of the typical sounds of Brad’s workers exchanging vehicles in the driveway beyond my apartment the next morning, so I slept an extra half hour or so.
When I awoke, I thought about the conversation I’d had with Brad the night before, as well as the one with Heather, and figured I could deal with the glitches. We’d make everything work.
After showering and dressing, I prepared my pot of coffee and sat at the kitchen table to call Angela. I figured she’d be up by then, if not already out to feed her horses and muck their stalls.
I tried to sound cheery. “Good morning, Matron of Honor.”
She laughed. “Uh-oh. What’s up?”
“There’s been a development, as it relates to Heather.”
“What’s that mean?”
“She might not make it to my wedding and wants me to come get Rita.”
She gasped. “Are you kidding me? Heather’s a bridesmaid.”
“Right, but she’s dealing with a daughter who may be very sick, the possible loss of the one guy who ‘rocked her boat,’ and an elderly neighbor who needs a ride to Pennsylvania.”
“I’m sorry for Heather’s upheaval, but she needs to get her act together. Why would she dump all of that on you?”
I didn’t want to leave such an impression with Angela, so I tried to further explain the situation.
I ended with, “I don’t blame her, but she’s got a lot going on.
Would you be available to drive with me to Stone Harbor sometime this week?
I still need to confirm with Rita, but I’d like your company for the day trip. ”
“Let me see if I understand,” Angela remarked. “You need to drive to New Jersey, pick up Rita and transport her to your place so she can attend the wedding while your friend, Heather, who lives next door, is too busy to take her there?”
“Right,” I agreed. “How about Thursday?”
She paused, offering a grumble. “I guess I could.”
“You’re the best. I’ll owe you big-time, but we’ll make it an enjoyable adventure.” I thought that encouragement might cheer her, though it didn’t seem to do so.
“Have you thought about where she’ll stay for the week?” she asked.
“Yes, and I have a plan.” I hesitated to explain the need to move furniture and she didn’t ask for details, so we left it at that.
“I’ll call Rita after breakfast and see if she can be ready to leave on Thursday.
If not, I don’t know what I’ll do because my parents are coming on Friday and we’ll be working on wedding preparations all next week. ”
“Given what you’ve told me about her, Rita will be ready.”
I laughed. “She’s a character, yet I know you’ll like her. In fact, I can picture you becoming similar to Rita Bennet in your old age.”
“Well,” she said, “I’ll look forward to meeting her. Text me when you confirm our travel arrangements, then I’ll come to your apartment on Thursday morning.”
I’d felt certain she would, which reinforced that I’d selected the perfect Matron of Honor. She was dependable, and kind, and thoughtful, and the sister of the man I’d chosen to be my husband. He had all of those characteristics, and more. How had I become so lucky?
My later phone conversation with Rita made me grateful that I hadn’t become involved in the quibbling between Heather, Alicia, and Wyatt. It all seemed very dysfunctional.
Rita enthusiastically agreed to spend the week with me and my parents, and she’d be ready to leave when Angela and I picked her up on Thursday around noontime.
As inconvenient as it would be to drive to New Jersey, I felt good about having her stay with me and my parents. If anything, we’d have fun.