Chapter 1 #4
Molly’s laughter tinkled through the limo like crystal wind chimes on a summer breeze. Why indeed? Pushing the question out of her mind she concentrated on soothing Rebecca.
“No need to worry about anything, Rebecca. Everything is exactly as it should be,” she murmured, her voice as soft as angel wings.
“Somebody better tell me what the hell’s going on in the next two seconds,” Rory’s voice boomed, making both Rebecca and Tess jump. “Do I need to stop this car and call Mason? Rebecca, are you in pain? Don’t try to be brave, honey. Just tell us so we can get some help.”
“Only in my ears,” Rebecca shot back, her green eyes flashing. “They’re all Neanderthals, aren’t they?” she asked of no one in particular, shaking her head in wonder.
“Be still, Rory,” Molly instructed quietly. “Rebecca’s fine, the baby is fine. No need to call Mason at all. We’ll be there in a few minutes and Mason will take care of his wife.”
Rebecca shot Molly a suspicious look. Mason hadn’t spanked her since he found out she was pregnant, though Lord knows, he’d wanted too.
Correctly interpreting the concern in Rebecca’s eyes, Molly hurried to reassure her.
“No, of course not, sweetheart, don’t even fret about that,” Molly told her kindly. “But the other thing ...” she whispered, “the white board. That’s not going to work. He has a hard copy.”
Rebecca gasped again. She knew exactly what Molly was referring to.
Mason had a white board on the back of their closet door on which he kept track of what he considered "serious" infractions that Rebecca committed during her pregnancy.
The intention was to let her know they would deal with these later.
Rebecca had a habit of ‘accidentally’ brushing against the board and erasing several of them at a time.
“For crying out loud, how do you live with her?” Rory demanded of Patrick in frustration. “I would spend the majority of my time beating my head against the wall or pulling my hair out. No insult intended, Molly.”
Molly laughed. “None taken Rory.”
“I happen to love each and every fascinating inch of her,” Patrick replied grinning lecherously.
“Oh God,” Tess moaned, holding a hand to her head and collapsing back against the seat.
Rebecca was too busy chewing on a fingernail and wondering where the hard copy could possibly be to comment.
The minute the limo pulled up in front of the reception hall, Tess scooted out, entered the building and made a beeline for the bar. Rory and Patrick helped Rebecca gently out of the vehicle and turned her over to a grateful Mason. At the last minute, Rebecca turned to Molly and embraced her.
“I’ll find it,” she whispered. “Thank you.”Molly nodded and slipped her arm through Patrick’s as they headed into the building.
“Find what?” Mason asked, slightly bent over his wife, his arm securely around her waist as he guided her forward.
“Oh … a book Molly wants to borrow,” she answered, distracted. “Maybe it’s in the cellar, or even the attic. I could always check the garage,” she continued, thinking aloud.
“No, you will not go digging through boxes searching for a book,” Mason informed her firmly. “Tell me the title and author and I’ll order one for her online.”
“This is a special book, honey. Priceless really,” she continued, nibbling on her fingernail again. “I’m sure I can find it before the six weeks are up.”
Mason stopped and turned her towards him. Both of his large hands were on her shoulders as he peered into her eyes.
“What does six weeks have to do with it?”
“What? Six weeks?” Shit, did I say that out loud? “Nothing, not a thing really. I have to go to the ladies’ room. Could we please get inside?”
Mason let it go. It was obvious there was something she didn’t want him to know, but the way he figured it, he had at least six weeks to uncover it.
* * *
Tess was on her second straight shot of tequila by the time Rory found her and there was another one ready to go in front of her.
Leaning against the bar, Rory spoke in a deceptively calm voice. “Feeling better?”
“Not yet, but I imagine I will be soon,” Tess answered sarcastically as she reached for the next shot.
Rory picked it up before her hand could close around it and handed it back to the bartender.
“She’ll have a soda and I’ll have a scotch on the rocks,” he informed the young man who was taking in the entire scene with poorly-concealed interest.
“I’ll have tequila,” Tess informed him smartly. “I do believe this wedding is open bar.”
“Why, yes, it is,” Rory answered smiling. “But unless you want a repeat of this morning, I suggest you stop acting so childish before I am forced to embarrass us all.”
Tess stared up into his face and fumed. She had no doubt Rory would do exactly as he said and while she would like nothing more than to thwart his authority, she had no desire to repeat this morning’s experience.
“Fine!” she finally answered, picking up the coke the bartender placed before her and stomping toward the dining room with Rory’s throaty laughter ringing in her ears.
“She’s a fiery one,” the young man stated as Rory pulled off some bills and laid them on the bar.
“You have no idea,” he replied with a grin and followed her.