Janet Evanovich - Full Bloom

"You're right about me sitting in my lawn chair. I sat in it until it was dark, then realized I was getting hungry. Before I could get up, I saw this woman pull up in her car and go into your house. The lights flashed on in your bedroom, and I could hear them arguing. The woman started yelling and carrying on something awful. Finally, I got enough of it and started for my back porch. Then I heard her scream, and she came tearing out of the house like the wrath of God was after her. I could hear her sobbing. She got into her car and left."

Once again Doc became quiet, as though he had slipped into another place. Annie sat quietly and waited. She heard a sound from the next room, saw a shadow. Saw Wes.

"I didn't go over right away," Doc finally said. "I thought of calling the police but decided against it. I came inside the house and cleaned up. Made myself a sandwich. When I went back out I noticed the back door was standing open, and I wondered why Charles had not closed it. So I walked on over.

"I found him lying at the bottom of the stairs. I knelt beside him, and he opened his eyes. I asked him if he was in pain. He said his neck was hurting him real bad, said he'd heard it snap and was afraid he'd broken it. I told him not to move." Doc paused and looked at Annie.

"See, I know about neck injuries and what they can do to a person. I had a friend who spent twenty years in a wheelchair begging to die. Twenty years is a long time to wait to die, Annie. I told Charles to rest, that I'd look after him. He closed his eyes, and I went into the next room for the pillow. I had no other choice but to put him down."

Wes stepped into the room and went to Annie. Doc didn't seem surprised; he didn't even look up. He just stared at the blank TV screen, the wrinkles more prominent on his tired face.

Wes slipped his arms around Annie's waist. "You okay?"

She nodded. "How did you know to come here?"

"Stuff just started falling into place in my head today," he said. "When I saw your number come up on my phone, I knew you needed me."

She leaned against him. "Thank you."

Wes held her for a moment longer before releasing her. "You look exhausted, and tomorrow is the big day. Go home and get some sleep. I'll stay with Doc."

Annie nodded. She could not remember ever feeling so tired, and she knew whatever Wes decided to do, it would be the right thing. She stood.

Doc looked up. "I want you to know something, Annie. I need you to know. I would never have allowed you to go to prison for something I'd done."

She nodded. "I know." She touched his shoulder on her way out.

* * * * *

Annie and Jamie both held their breath and watched Fleas amble up the aisle in the large meeting room that had been decorated and turned into a wedding chapel of sorts, complete with a festooned arbor. Fleas wore a special collar that was adorned with white tea roses and baby's breath. As Annie had suspected would happen, some of the wedding guests raised an eyebrow as others chuckled or laughed out loud. Fleas paused halfway, turned, and looked at Jamie, who prodded him on with a single nod. He made his way toward the altar and sat, and Jamie grinned. Max looked proud. The minister simply gazed down at the dog as though he didn't know quite what to make of the whole thing. In the front row, Vera shook her head sadly.

Annie turned to Dee Dee, stunning in a kelly green sheath of raw silk. Diamonds and emeralds adorned her ears and throat and flashed each time she moved. Annie was almost certain the guests would not notice Dee Dee's ballerina-style bedroom slippers. "Okay, Dee Dee, you're up," she said.

Dee Dee put on a bright smile and took two graceful steps before she jerked to a halt and clutched her stomach. "Uh-oh!" She turned, her eyes wide in disbelief, her mouth forming a giant O.

Annie and Jamie gaped at Dee Dee's stained bedroom slippers, then at each other.

Nearby, Beenie covered his face with his hands. "I knew she'd wait until the most inopportune moment."

Annie motioned for Lovelle, who grasped Dee Dee's hand. "Come with me, hon," she said.

"But who's going to be matron of honor?" Dee Dee asked.

Jamie looked at Annie. As if reading her mind, Annie shook her head. "I'm wearing a uniform." Her black skirt and starched white blouse matched the outfits her two assistants wore.

"You'll have to go," Dee Dee told Beenie, who wore a winter white tux.

"Me!" he cried. "I don't know anything about—"

Dee Dee shoved her bouquet at him and gave him a hard push through the double doors.

Beenie struck a pose and started up the aisle on his tiptoes, pausing and smiling at the guests as he literally floated toward the front like a swan.

Jamie did an eye roll. This could only happen at her wedding.

"I'm sorry," Dee Dee said to Jamie. "When you get a chance, please tell Frankie I need to go to the hospital." Lovelle quickly ushered her away.

"Time to go," Annie said, releasing her hold on Jamie's elbow as the guests stood and waited for the bride. Annie had never seen a lovelier bride. Beenie had outdone himself on Jamie's hair and makeup, tucking tiny sprigs of baby's breath at her crown. "Don't forget to smile."

* * * * *

Jamie took a deep breath and started down the aisle. Suddenly she wasn't so nervous. She remembered to walk slowly as Annie had taught her and smiled at the guests, nodding here and there at those she recognized. Her gaze sought and found Vera's; the woman stood proudly on the front row, tears streaming down her face. Jamie blew her a kiss and mouthed a silent, I love you. Beside Vera, Billie, Christie, and Joel were all smiles. Jamie winked at them. As she neared the front, her gaze sought out Max, and the tender and loving look on his face almost stole her breath. She wondered what she had ever done to deserve him.

The crowd reclaimed their seats as Jamie took her place next to Beenie, who was doing his best to catch Frankie's attention and cutting his eyes toward the back of the chapel. The minister cocked his head to one side as though trying to figure out what Beenie was doing there.

Sitting in the middle of the second row, Frankie arched his brows, and then, as though suddenly realizing something was amiss, the six-foot-six retired wrestler-turned-mayor stood and tried to make his way to the end of the row. "Excuse me," he said a little too loudly as one wedding guest after another was forced to stand in order to accommodate his exit. He stepped on a woman's foot, and she gave a yelp, even as he apologized profusely.

"Ohmigosh!" Beenie said, and nudged Jamie. "Dee Dee forgot to give me the ring." Before Jamie could respond, he stepped closer to the minister. "Could you hold off just a second? I'll be right back."

Jamie watched in amazement as Beenie hurried up the aisle, only a few feet behind Frankie.

Jamie could feel Max's eyes on her. She glanced his way and shook her head sadly as Frankie knocked loudly on the door to the bridal salon, right next to the crowded wedding chapel.

"Dee Dee, are you okay?" Frankie called out. "Open the door."

Jamie sighed and looked straight ahead.

The door opened. "My water broke, Frankie!" Dee Dee cried. "My dress is ruined, and it took the designer weeks to find the exact match for these earrings."

"I'm sure he wrote down the color, sweetheart," Frankie told her, "but I can always buy you different earrings."

"Beenie, what are you doing here?" Dee Dee demanded. "You're supposed to be up front with Jamie."

"You forgot to give me the ring!"

"Oh no!" she cried. "Here it is."

Dee Dee suddenly shrieked loudly. Inside the chapel, the guests craned their necks in order to see what was going on.

"I think I just had my first contraction," Dee Dee cried. "I don't like this, Frankie! I was told there would be no pain. I did not agree to pain."