Chapter 25
After several days away from Vi, Blake was hungry to be together. “Hi,” he said, feasting his eyes on her.
Today her hair was loose and parted with a red flower clip securing one side. The same color as the tiny red flowers along the hem and short sleeves of her light blue dress. Her shoes were open at the toe, revealing scarlet toenails. He really liked that.
He pulled her into a hug and kissed her. When he let her go, she wore the dreamy look he so liked. “You look beautiful.”
She smiled. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”
In honor of the day, he’d worn a pressed shirt and dark pants. Mr. T sashayed over. “You’re expecting a treat, huh. Here you go.” He dropped a catnip ball at the tom’s feet.
“You spoil him rotten,” Vi said. “We should go. I filled his dish with cat food. Be a good boy, okay?”
The usual warmth and friendliness radiated from her, and it dawned on Blake that fatigue had been to blame for whatever had bothered her the other night. “You got some rest,” he said.
“I did. As it turned out, I didn’t have to work this morning and was able to sleep in. Do I look rested?”
“That and you seem more energetic. How’s the job going?”
“Pretty well. Not nearly as hectic as the last time I saw you.”
“That’s good news.” They buckled in and he headed out.
“Gran hasn’t said much about the wedding except that lots of their friends from the 709 are coming,” she told him on the drive. “I have no idea what to expect.”
“With our grandparents, you never know. Let’s hope they don’t get into a fight.”
Vi’s eyes widened. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“How long is this thing supposed to last?”
“Long enough to serve a buffet dinner. Why?”
“I told Whitney we’d stop by later this afternoon.”
“You mentioned that before, but I didn’t know you meant today.” Vi frowned. “I didn’t bring my bike clothes.”
“We’re not riding today—we’ll do that another time. My sister’s super impatient for us to get to her house and share the wedding details ASAP. I promised we’d come over as soon as we leave the 709. She’s looking forward to meeting you.”
Vi eyed him. “What’ve you told her besides my name?”
“That I like you.” He winked. “Are you interested in spending the evening together after we get our obligations out of the way?” he said, eager to be alone with her.
“I’m planning on it. This time at my house.”
He smiled. The day was getting better by the minute.
As soon as they parked at the 709, they headed toward the gardens. “Look,” Vi said and pointed ahead. “There are Rose and Peter.”
Blake studied the tall, silver-haired male at her side. “So that’s her husband. He looks quite a bit older than she is.”
“By fifteen years.” Vi spoke softly. “This is his third marriage.” In a louder voice, she called out to Rose.
Her sister turned toward her and waited for them to catch up. “Hello, you two. You look a lot different from the last time I saw you, Blake. Meet my husband, Peter.”
“You’re the guy wearing Vi’s happy coat,” Peter said.
“Rose told you?” Blake didn’t hide his pained expression, and the man chuckled.
Their small group headed along the path. “I wonder where the back garden is,” Vi said.
Blake pointed it out. “See the tall laurel hedge on your left? It’s behind there. The space is used for parties and celebrations.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind the ear without the flower, trailing his finger to the sensitive place below her earlobe. He welcomed her shiver and looked forward to making her wild again. But that would have to wait.
A uniformed man and woman stood guard at the entrance to the hedge. As soon as they checked the names off the guest list, the four of them were allowed entrance.
Vi glanced around the landscaped yard and gardens. “This is every bit as pretty as the regular grounds.”
A fair number of people had already gathered. All seniors from the 709, Blake guessed. No sign of Grandpop or Caroline.
“I don’t even know who’s marrying them,” Vi told them. “The only thing she said was not to dress up. I wonder where we’re supposed to sit?”
“As family members, I’d imagine up front,” Peter said.
He was right. Seats bearing their names had been reserved for them. Shortly after they sat down, two elderly women approached and introduced themselves as Karen and Suzanne.
“Friends of Caroline,” one of them said.
“Gran mentioned you two,” Vi commented. “It’s good to meet you.”
Holding a cordless microphone, a balding male named Karl, who Blake had met before, stepped in the front of the rows of chairs. “Welcome, all. The nuptials are about to begin. Our own Babette Smith has been certified online and will officiate today.” The gray-haired females standing next to Karl nodded and smiled. “After the ceremony, please join us for a buffet supper at the tables to your right.” As soon as Karl took his seat, a quartet consisting of retired musicians from the 709 struck up a classical piece.
Dressed in a suit and tie, a beaming Grandpop was first up the aisle. He took his place near Babette. Equally radiant and wearing a flowery dress, Caroline followed.
The ceremony was short and joyous. Without a thought, Blake reached for Vi’s hand. They smiled at each other. She no longer seemed worried that people would talk about them, or if she was she didn’t show it. Tears filled her eyes and the expression on her face was somber.
“You’re sad,” he said. “This is a happy occasion.”
“Just a little sentimental.” She wiped her eyes.
Rose gave her a fond smile. “She’s always been softhearted, even cries at weddings on TV shows and movies.”
A side of her he hadn’t known about.
A reception followed. Vi and Rose congratulated Caroline and Grandpop, then hugged them both. Blake did the same. Caroline’s knowing look clued him in that she’d noticed Vi and him holding hands. “What’d I tell you, Malcom? They’re together. I knew you two would be. You fell in love fast, like we did.”
“We’re not in love,” Blake and Vi stated at the same time.
Other guests crowded in, wanting to chat with the newlyweds. Not long after, the buffet opened and guests ate. When Caroline and Malcom rose and signaled they were finished, almost everyone stood.
Blake’s cue to leave with Vi. Eager to get going—the sooner they left and visited Whitney and James, the sooner they could be alone—he said goodbye to the grandparents and other people. “Whitney asked me to come over and tell her all about the wedding, as soon as possible,” he told them.
“Let her know we missed her and give her a kiss from us,” Caroline said. “Don’t be strangers, now. Malcom and I are spending two weeks in Palm Desert, but promise you’ll have dinner with us when we get back.”
With the second store opening in a mere four days, Blake was disappointed to hear that. “You’re not coming to the grand opening of the new store?”
“When we made our reservations, we weren’t thinking about that,” Grandpop said. “You know how proud I am of you. We’ll come see the store later.”
Vi hugged Rose, Blake shook hands with Peter, and they left.
“That was nice,” she said on the way to the car.
“I especially liked how short it was.”
“Blake!” She elbowed him. “Keep your voice down.”
“Just sayin’ what everyone else was thinking.”
“From what I saw, people enjoyed themselves.”
“The food helped.”
She rolled her eyes, then laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“One of the many reasons why you like me. Let’s go see Whitney.”
Then they could be alone.
The rideto Whitney’s house was stress-free, exactly what Vi needed. She and Blake talked about the wedding and the various people who’d come. He teased her about being sad and sentimental. Which she was, but there was more to the story. As emotional and beautiful as it was to witness the love between Gran and Malcom and listen to their deeply-felt vows, the whole thing had made her heart ache. She wanted that kind of love, wanted to make vows with a man who adored her and was committed to a lifetime together.
Unfortunately, Blake was the only man she was interested in. He’d made it more than clear that he wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment and might never be.
She wasn’t about to waste time wishing he’d fall in love with her someday. So no, unless she met someone as right for her as Blake there was no chance of a wedding for her. Imagining herself alone for the rest of her life made her sad all over again.
He glanced at her. “Twenty bucks for your thoughts.”
“Twenty?”
“For inflation.” He grinned.
“Are you upset that Gran and Malcom won’t be at your grand opening?”
“Not really. Grandpop has done so much for me. I know he’s pleased with my success.”
“I was also thinking about Gran and Malcom and how happy they seem.” Afraid she might break into tears again, she lightened up. This wasn’t the time for a self-pity party. “It’s nice they’re taking a honeymoon—as long as I don’t think about what they’ll be doing during it.” She made a face.
As she’d expected, Blake laughed. “We’re almost at Whitney and James’s place. I don’t know about you, but I’m peopled out. Let’s not stay long.”
“But she’s your sister, Blake.”
“And I see her often. Don’t worry, you’ll have time to chat.” He gave her a wicked grin. “I’m more interested in getting you all to myself.”