Wedding Belles

I watched her, smiling, and shut my door. Although I wasn’t looking forward to that part of being pregnant, for the first time in my life I started to wonder what it would be like to carry the baby of the man you loved.

Harry had never inspired such thoughts. Probably because my having his baby would have taken the spotlight off him, except if he needed us to make his campaign poster look better. But I wondered what it would be like with Sonny.

Vivi waddled over to my side of the car. “Did you see Lewis standing over there, shaking hands with everybody? He makes anything sexy. I gave him that crimson tie today, and he smiled so big, his dimples were deep enough to swim in.”

“Lewis looks fantastic,” I agreed. “And you, little momma, have never been more beautiful.”

I gave Vivi a hug, careful not to mess her updo, not sure that even Aqua Net was up to today’s soaring temperatures. I squeezed her hand for reassurance, and then we walked toward the gazebo where Lewis was standing with the mayor.

“Lewis surely is in his element today,” I noted.

“He has come such a long way, Blake. I love him so much my heart’s filled to bursting. I’m thrilled to be standing next to him, watching as all his dreams come true.”

“Can I use that?” Dallas appeared right behind us, following us like a snake in the grass. She was a long-legged bottle-blonde, wearing a hot-pink Calvin Klein skirt, sleeveless low-cut blouse and six-inch white stilettos that dug like pointy little daggers into the red dirt.

“Oh, my good God, Dallas, put a sock in it already!” Vivi, being pregnant in August in the Deep South, had even less patience than usual. “I wasn’t talking to you or your microphone, and no, you may not use that.”

The looks Dallas shot Vivi were a lot like pointy little daggers, too. She did not like being put off. The trouble with Dallas was that, even when she meant well, she came off pushy, demanding and downright rude. She had a lot to learn about class and manners, and she often didn’t care who she had to step on to get a good story. The career woman in me respected her obvious dedication and passion, but she needed to learn there were better—and kinder—ways to make your way to the top.

“Vivi isn’t feeling well right now,” I interjected. “Can you give her a minute or two? I’ll let you know when she can give you a blurb for your story.”

“Blake, it’s not a blurb,” Dallas said, taking offense. It was impossible to have a civil conversation with this woman.

“I don’t care what it is,” Vivi snapped. “You’re not getting it now. I am going over to see my Lewis. It’s his day, after all. If and when I am ever ready to talk to you, I will let you know. Thank you for backing off.”

Dallas fumed. “Fine. I’ll be right over there.” She gestured to her photographer, setting up the shot just outside the tents. Local newspaper reporters were also setting up their equipment, along with a couple of other news radio stations.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Vivi muttered as she picked up the pace and walked in a hasty beeline toward her fiancé. I raced after her, my heels spiking into the ground. Why are we all wearing high heels in red dirt?

“That woman gets on my last nerve,” Vivi growled. “She is, without a doubt, the most brazen person I have ever known. She was actually eavesdropping on us while we walked. We could have been sayin’ anything and she would have gotten it on tape. Low, low, low. She is just pure ol’ dee low.”

“I know,” I commiserated. “She is lurking everywhere these days. But that’s all the more reason to stay on her good side.”

I thought of last night, kissing Sonny on the porch, then making love in his big bed, while the stars shone in the window. What would she do with that kind of juicy tidbit? I shuddered. One of the last times I’d seen her, she’d been on my patio, giving my husband, Harry, a taste of her right breast—all in the name of getting information and some high-profile publicity. I had chased her out of my backyard like a homicidal maniac, and though we’d been playing nice, I was afraid she was out for revenge.

She wasn’t the type of woman who was a girlfriend. Even when she’d been my stepsister, years ago, she’d never had any close friends. My mother married her father when Dallas was only fourteen and I was sixteen. We were friends for about a day and then Dallas started her competition with me—for everyone’s attention. She backstabbed me at school and worked double time to steal my clothes and my boyfriends.

Kitty, my mother, and her father divorced about ten years later, but Dallas and I have never given up the battle. I’ve always wanted to see the good in her—and Meridee, for one, has always insisted it’s in there—but we’ve never been able to move past our teenage rivalries no matter how hard I’ve tried. And Vivi, it was clear, had given up trying.

In the crowd, I saw my man standing there with Bonita. My heart skipped. I wanted to run to him, but not with all the cameras around, and definitely not with Miss Dallas Dubois there. As long as I kept my cool, I knew I could talk to him without much attention since he was there with Bonita. Plus, we were now working on a case together. So we could at least have a conversation without Dallas thinking she had a story.

I caught his attention and waved at him and Bonita. They waved back as Vivi and I headed for Lewis and the mayor, Charlie Wynn. He was a former captain in the navy. He looked like Jeff Bridges, always had a cigar in his mouth and threw the best tailgating parties on the quad I had ever seen.

Everyone liked him—especially my mother, who’d started dating him a few weeks ago. So far, it seemed like a good match, though Kitty seemed to think most men matched her well enough. She had been married four times, last I counted, and if she had her way, the mayor would be number five.

Vivi and I made our way over to the men.

“Hey, you two,” I said, reaching out to hug Lewis first, then the mayor. “What an exciting day for you and all of Tuscaloosa.”

Lewis looked radiant. “Blake, so glad you could make it. Yes, it’s gonna be a big ol’ day. A new beginning. Opening my own station has been a dream of mine for a long time. This place is my baby, and today is kinda like a birth, you know?”

Mayor Charlie reached over and hugged Vivi. “Seems like there’s a lotta that goin’ around these days.”

“Speaking of new beginnings,” Vivi said, “with this heat today, I may have my ‘new beginning’ before I’m ready. I’m gonna have one of those iced teas they’re serving for the media before I melt away.”

We all followed Vivi to the media tent. We grabbed a couple of iced teas and then went to check out the grounds, which had been cleaned up considerably since Lewis took over the Brooks Mansion, though there was still a lot to do. Dr. Brooks himself had built the house in 1837 and it sat almost in the geographical center of Tuscaloosa.

The Brooks Mansion was an unusual mix of architecture, Italianate and Greek revival. Most of the property around it had been sold off over the years in an attempt to keep the house intact. The building looked a bit shaky, but the good, solid bones were there.

All that was left outside was the gazebo and the huge oak and magnolia trees shading the side yard. The stone sidewalk was still overgrown with weeds and the front porch was starting to fall in, but the beveled glass around the front door glistened in the hot summer sun, bending the light and creating rainbow prisms streaming down the old steps. The mansion’s magic was still there. It had potential and Lewis saw that. He and the old house were kindred spirits.

The dedication would happen momentarily, and people were drifting toward the seats and claiming spots in the nearly two-hundred-year-old rotunda. The four of us made our way to the front and took our seats.

Lewis slipped his arm around Vivi’s back and pulled her into him. I was filled with such joy for Vivi. They looked good together. Happy. Just genuinely happy. They had found what we all are really looking for—true love—the real thing. Vivi’s belief in Lewis, and her love for him, was all encompassing. She was proud of her man.

I looked at Vivi and she was just covered in Bellerina dust. A little invention from our Sassy Belle club days, Bellerina dust simply means us belles may look like pretty little powder puffs on the outside, but deep down that secret dust transforms us into bulldozers, able to be strong for our friends and families when they need us. Yes, underneath all that lipstick and Aqua Net, in her heart—where it matters, a Sassy Belle can handle anything. And we always have each other’s backs. Always. Today, Vivi was the perfect example of that for sure.

“Goodness, Lewis, this is amazing,” I said. “I am so proud for you.”

He grinned. He knew I meant it.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way things have gone,” he said, squeezing Vivi.

She kissed his cheek. “I always knew my Lewis was somethin’ else.”

“That’s the understatement of the year, Miss Vivi,” Mayor Charlie spoke up. “Lewis has done so much good in such a short amount of time, bringin’ this town’s attention to the importance of preservin’ one of its most beautiful antebellum mansions and makin’ plans for a great sports radio station. I’m fixin’ to see if I can adopt him myself. Ever’body oughtta have a Lewis Heart or two in their family.”

“Thank you, Mayor, I just wanted to do right by the town I love so much and make this woman proud to call me hers,” Lewis said, looking at Vivi.

“Okay, it’s time for the dedication,” Mayor Charlie said. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” He winked at Lewis and patted Vivi on the arm.

With determined, proud smiles, Lewis and the mayor made their way to the front steps of the Brooks Mansion, where a small entourage of local media had gathered. Dallas was there with her posse, plus some of the Birmingham TV stations and a few radio reporters. This was just the dedication, not the grand opening, but it would still make the evening news.

The mayor approached the crowd of reporters with his trademark swagger. He stepped up on the bottom step and faced the media, grinning.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank y’all so much for comin’ out today as we put to bed, once and for all, the fate of this grand old place. She has been on the Alabama Places in Peril list for so long, I can’t remember her any other way. Many options for her uncertain future have made headlines over the years. Threats to mow her down, rebuild her, replace her and build something else on these hallowed grounds have been the subject of years and years of debate and countless court battles. But I am here today proud to tell you all that this ol’ lady is tough like the stuff she comes from. She’s part of the very roots of this great town of Tuscaloosa, and she ain’t goin’ nowhere. My good friend has saved her from a near certain demise as a future shopping center.” He gestured toward Lewis. “Lewis, may I say from all of us here in Tuscaloosa, you have made us very proud.”

The mayor turned back to the crowd. “I give you the new owner of the Brooks Mansion, the CEO of the new radio station, WCTR, and the voice of your national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, Mr. Lewis Heart.”

The crowd erupted. Cheers and shouts of “Roll Tide,” the mantra for the Alabama Crimson Tide, were heard as others whistled. Vivi bounced and clapped, bursting with pride as Lewis approached the mic.

“Good afternoon, y’all. Enjoying this nice cool weather today?” Lewis was his usual charming, sarcastic self. The crowd laughed as Lewis grinned.

“I am happy to see so many of you on this sweltering day. It means the world to me to be able to save this fantastic piece of Tuscaloosa history and to make my dream come true right inside these doors—my own radio station broadcasting Crimson Tide sports twenty-four hours a day. Once we open in three short weeks, everyone is welcome to come inside for a visit. We’ll schedule tours, and maybe even have lunch on the grounds, to fully celebrate this magnificent thread in the fabric of the grand legacy of Tuscaloosa. I couldn’t be happier to give this mansion right back to the city that fought so hard to save her over the years.”

Lewis looked right over to me and winked. He included me in that fight and was proud of my part in the mansion’s preservation. I was overcome by this sweet gesture. I was fully aware, in that second, that he and I would always be on the same page. I was beginning to think Lewis and I had more in common than I had thought. We both loved Vivi and we both loved Tuscaloosa like no place else on earth. Maybe both of us had to get out from under Harry in order to shine.

“Well, my dream has finally come full circle,” Lewis continued. “The restoration of Brooks Mansion will begin at a rapid pace to be ready in time for the kickoff game. In fact, the pace will be unprecedented, with construction going on around the clock, along with a record number of people working on this project.

“Plans for the grand opening in three weeks are underway. The party will be right here and it will be a thing to remember. Look around you now ’cause, as my great-aunt used to say, ‘Y’all ain’t seen nothin’ yet.’ Thanks again for coming, and Roll Tide!”

Everyone was clapping and hollering.

“Isn’t he amazing?” Vivi whispered, joyful tears brimming in her eyes.

Lewis waved to the crowd, then reached his hand toward Vivi. A smile replaced her tears as she walked up toward the mic to be next to him. She waved to the people gathered, too, and everyone cheered. I swear they looked like the new first couple of Tuscaloosa.

I looked around the crowd of supporters and noticed Harry standing off to the side. I was sure he was jealous. I mean, Lewis was once the black sheep of the family, but he was quickly stepping into Harry’s spot on the throne. If I knew my old Harry, he wouldn’t take this turn of the tables for long. But just what he would do to get back in the spotlight, I didn’t know.

10

Harry Heart would not miss a media event for anything, and this dedication of the mansion was certainly no exception. Now that the speeches were over, he made his way over to the crowd of reporters to steal himself some camera time. He couldn’t help himself. The media might have gathered for Lewis today, but Harry couldn’t just let his brother have the spotlight. No, Harry Heart would go to hell and back to get on camera. He and Dallas shared that trait.

Dan “The Man,” Harry’s campaign manager, was right by Harry’s side, talking to reporters and making sure Harry said all the right things. He caught my attention and nodded his head toward Harry, standing in the middle of a small cluster of cameras, signaling that I was failing in my duties as a future senator’s wife. I knew I’d be stuck playing this role for a few more excruciating months, but I’d made a promise and I intended to keep it. I kissed Vivi on the cheek and whispered that I’d be right back. After shooting Sonny a look of apology, I reluctantly made my way over to Harry and Dan and took my requisite spot next to my husband, the candidate.

I had been an actress years ago, so now I acted happy and enthused. I hoped Sonny would understand. I had agreed to this farce, in large part, to protect him. People wouldn’t look kindly on the man who broke up the future senator’s marriage. The truth was, though he wasn’t exactly a model husband, he was exactly right for the role of senator. Our relationship issues aside, I trusted him to take care of the city that I love.

Harry was in full soapbox mode, sermonizing with quick one-liners and forced laughter. Cameras rolled and reporters threw him simple questions. I stood at his side, as obligated, smiling and looking approvingly at him—glancing every so often at Sonny, while inside I felt sick.

“Oh, yes, I am eager and ready for this challenge,” Harry said, wearing his starched white shirtsleeves rolled up to make himself look more like a man of the people. “I look forward to making your voices heard in our nation’s capital.”

He smiled his perfect megawatt smile, and it struck me as bittersweet that we were now so far apart. I had truly loved him once, and I’d been attracted to him from the moment I saw him. Even now, I could feel the shadow of the old familiar tug. He was still preppy gorgeous as he continued to wave and shake hands, but good looks and a few shared interests weren’t enough for me anymore. I wanted the fairy tale. The happily ever after. It’s hard when you’re painfully lonely, especially in the arms of the one you’re supposed to love.

“Fellow constituents,” Harry went on, “I know, with your help, we can make a difference in Washington and enhance the future for all in this great state of Alabama.”

Harry gestured to me. “Please say hello to my wife, attorney Blake O’Hara Heart. She will be an asset for you, as well.”

What? I couldn’t believe he could lie like that, knowing full well I would not be going to Washington with him. It struck me then how very different we were.

He pulled me forward and I waved as Harry continued to speak of our marriage and me. He was in full senator mode, not caring about anyone or anything but winning.

Sonny stood next to Bonita a few yards away, his hands in his pockets as he watched me, listening to Harry’s false laughter and small talk.

I hated this and with what I was feeling now, I was afraid I wouldn’t last in this role all the way to November. Sonny was precious to me. He fed my soul and it drove me crazy to hurt him. He was feeling it, too. I saw it in his eyes, even as he sent me a little grin. November felt like a lifetime away.

I went back to listening to Harry, then froze when I saw Dallas approach.

“So, Harry, tell me,” Dallas said with a slick smile. “If you win the senatorial election, will your devoted wife, Blake, be joining you in Washington?”

My heart just stopped. I did not like that woman. Have I said that already? Well, there, I said it again. Harry smiled nervously at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sonny stiffen, wanting to protect me, yet unable to jump to my rescue. I felt butterflies—no, make that bats—take flight in the pit of my stomach.

Dallas’s smile grew broader as the seconds passed by in awkward silence. “Well, come on, you two. It’s really not a trick question.” She shoved the microphone closer.

Harry seemed exasperated, too. “I am sure when the time comes, my wife will make that decision. I look for her to be by my side, like she always has been.”

Dan gave him a nod of approval. Dallas just smirked.

“Really?” She turned the mic toward me. “Anything you’d like to add to your husband’s comment, Blake? I mean, you have your law practice here and, of course, your family and special friends.” Dallas batted her lashes. “I’m sure they’d be so tough to leave behind.”

Her look said she knew I was spending time with Sonny, and she’d do anything for a juicy scoop. I didn’t know how she’d found out about us, but I did know there’d be no more smooching on the porch. This shark was circling for the kill.

“I will always support Harry,” I said strongly, utilizing every bit of acting talent I could muster. “Thank you for your interest in my welfare.”

She stepped closer. “One more question—”

I shot a quick glance at Dan, and he immediately stepped over to interrupt Dallas.

“Thank you, Miss Dubois, fellow news media and future constituents. That will be all the questions for now as Mr. Heart has another engagement to attend.”

Dallas smirked again and sent me a warning look as if to say, You got away this time, but soon heads will roll.

I shuddered.

Smiling to hide my nerves, I kissed Harry on the cheek for show and walked back toward Bonita and Sonny. My cop never took his eyes off me as I approached. I wanted to cry on his shoulder. I wanted him to fold me in his arms and cuddle me to him. I wanted to grab his hand and run far away from all this madness.

But, of course, I couldn’t do any of those things.

Dallas and half the state of Alabama were watching me.

“Hey, you two,” I greeted both Sonny and Bonita. “Glad y’all could make it.”

I leaned in and hugged Bonita, then Sonny, measuring my every move as I felt Dallas’s eyes searing like lasers into my back.

“Hey, beautiful,” Sonny whispered to me.

Just hearing those words made me relax all over. He wasn’t the least bit upset. Relief allowed me to finally inhale a full breath. Sonny understood what I had to do, and he wasn’t gonna stand in my way.

I smiled gratefully.

Bonita greeted someone passing by, and Sonny bent closer to whisper, “I could eat you alive right this second.”

“Why, sir, if you’re hungry, there are refreshments available with the caterers. I’m rather starving myself.” I smiled and squeezed his hand before quickly letting go.

“I’m ’bout to pure ol’ dee die out here in this heat. I’m headin’ over for some lemonade,” Bonita said, dabbing her neck with a tissue from her purse.

Vivi walked toward us. I saw Kitty and Meridee over her shoulder with the mayor and Lewis. Now that Kitty was openly dating the mayor, she looked as giddy as a fifth-grader with her first crush.

Meridee was congratulating Lewis and looking like a politician herself, talking to the media and laughing. It was her radio station, too, after all, since she’d made such a huge investment in it. But she preferred to be the silent partner and let Lewis have all the spotlight. That was her way.

Meanwhile, Dallas became more persistent to get that quote from Vivi.

“Oh, my Lord, I cannot get that dung fly Dallas off me,” Vivi said. “She is the most paparazzi-fied reporter in history. And have you seen her skirt? My God, you can just about see all the way up to the promised land.”

Sonny reached over and hugged Vivi. “Congrats on the ground breaking. Y’all got quite a future ahead. This is a great day,” Sonny said. “And, Vivi, I don’t think I have ever seen you glowing like you are today.”

“That’s ’cause I’m sweatin’ my ass off, Sonny. Now, if I could just have you put a restrainin’ order on the Mouth of the South, the day would be perfect. Dallas is driving me crazy for a statement.”

“Then give her one,” I said.

“Yes, a good one,” Bonita added as she rejoined the group with her sweet cold lemonade. “A shocker that’ll shut her up.”

Just then we saw Dallas heading our way, tiptoeing on the dirt with her stick-thin stilettos.

“Here we go again,” Vivi said. “While I do love all this attention, something about that woman’s attitude just rubs me wrong. I’d rather talk to a rattlesnake.”

“Vivi,” Dallas snapped, coming up beside us. “Are you ready to make a remark regarding today’s dedication yet? It is hot as hell out here and I have to prepare for my newscast. I can’t wait all day.”

“Why, Dallas,” Vivi cooed, in a falsely sweet voice, “I would be happy to give you a statement. I am just so proud of Lewis Heart and everything he has done for the city of Tuscaloosa that I could strip him naked and ride him like a bull, right this second.” Vivi smiled innocently. “How’s that, sugar? Will that work for you?”

All of us broke out in embarrassed shocked laughter.

“Oh, crap, I didn’t have my mic on,” Dallas said. She thrust the newly powered up mic into Vivi’s face. “Can you say that again?”

“Of course, sweetie. Anything for you. I love my Lewis and I am extremely proud of him.” She stopped and smiled.

“That’s not quite what you said before,” Dallas insisted. “Could we try that again?” She repositioned the mic under Vivi’s nose.

Vivi shook her head. “Sorry. Gotta go see my man now. He’s busy saving the day and I wanna be with him. Bye, y’all.” She winked at me and took off toward Lewis.

11

Later that afternoon, I was sitting in the cool of my office with Wanda Jo. Harry hardly ever came in anymore since the campaign had taken over his life. But I was okay with that. I liked working on things by myself, much more than I ever thought I would. I had several cases going, and I was glad to be so busy. Otherwise, I might find myself hanging over at the police station in a certain investigator’s office, which would simply not do.