Full Bloom (25 page)

Fleas turned his head, obviously recognizing Vera’s voice, and he bounded toward her. Vera shrieked as the hound jumped onto her lap.

Annie hurried toward the front. There was no use trying to be inconspicuous now. Peaches saw her coming and ran beneath a chair. Annie fell to her knees and crawled on all fours, even as Vera tried to push Fleas off her lap.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Tuttle said quickly.

A burst of applause rose from the crowd as Max pulled Jamie into his arms for a long kiss, and when they turned around, the guests bolted to their feet and cheered loudly. Max hurried over to Vera, swept Fleas from her lap, and planted a kiss squarely on her mouth. Vera became flustered and began patting her hair in place.

Annie managed to grab Peaches and scramble up the aisle and out of the room, where she found Lovelle waiting. She thrust the cat into the woman’s arms. “Torture her before you kill her.”

Lovelle smiled sweetly. “I’ll have her drawn and quartered, dear.” She grunted as she lugged the cat away. “Why don’t we grab a bite to eat, Peachums?” she said.

Jamie and Max joined Annie, and Jamie threw her arms around her. “I’m sorry we turned the wedding into a circus,” she said, “but we played before a great crowd, don’t you agree?”

Annie noted the guests spilling through the doorway, still cheering. “Is Fleas hurt?” She looked at the cowering dog, still in Max’s arms.

Max grinned. “Only his pride.” He winked and managed to pull an envelope from his pocket and hand it to her. “We have to go, Annie. Got to spring Frankie from the slammer.”

Jamie kissed Annie on the cheek, and the two left through the front door.

Annie was relieved to see the rest of the guests leave. Somehow, despite all that had occurred, they had enjoyed themselves immensely, and although everything else had turned out crazy, dinner had been perfect. Jamie had since called. Max had convinced Dee Dee’s doctor not to press charges against Frankie, but only after Frankie agreed not to sic Snakeman and his boa on the doctor as he’d threatened. Dee Dee was still in labor, but she was feeling no pain and having a grand time watching the Home Shopping Network on TV and placing orders as fast as she could.

Now, sitting in the swing on the piazza and enjoying the night air, Annie began to relax for the first time in weeks, even though she had concerns, some a result of what had occurred that day.

Erdle had still not delivered the ring.

Nunamaker, who had agreed to take Doc’s case, was fairly certain the man would not spend time in prison, not only because of his advanced age, but also because Doc had acted out of mercy when he’d ended Charles’s life.

Nunamaker had already discussed Erdle’s part in the case, and the DA was considering probation, on the grounds that Erdle agreed to enter a six-month alcohol treatment facility, attend daily AA meetings, and submit to random drug and alcohol tests.

Danny had surprised Annie with a call shortly after the food had been served and had given her a temporary number where he could be reached, and they’d teased each other and laughed together like old times.

Annie was thankful their friendship had survived, and it made her even more determined to visit Eve Fortenberry in a few days and try to make peace.

The screen door opened and Wes stepped out bearing a plate with wedding cake. She had been too anxious during the wedding to notice the prick marks were already beginning to fade.

“You’re missing all the goodies,” he said, sitting down beside her.

Annie groaned. “After all the cooking I’ve done, I don’t even want to look at food.”

“This is the best cake I’ve ever tasted. Erdle must be feeling better, because he ate three huge pieces.”

“He did?” Annie felt hopeful. Wes still didn’t know about the missing ring, and those “in the know” had agreed there were some things that simply weren’t worth sharing.

Wes finished his cake and set his empty plate on a nearby table. “So what do you think about serving this kind of cake at our wedding?”

“Assuming I’ll marry you, of course.”

“Assuming I won’t change my mind by May.”

“
May?
” She blinked. “Have you been talking to Destiny?”

He shook his head. “She left with that young senator. The one she said looked like Andy Garcia.”

“What about your company in Columbia?” Annie asked.

Wes shrugged. “I can move my office to Hilton Head. There are a lot of rich people there. Couples with money like to cheat on each other, and they can afford the best hotels. I hate sitting in the parking lots of dumpy motels, you know?”

Annie hesitated. “We probably should discuss Theenie and Lovelle.”

He grinned. “Hey, I love those two ladies. It wouldn’t be the same if they moved out. It’s bad enough Destiny chased off the ghost.”

Annie leaned against him and gazed at the peach tree, surprised that it was already in full bloom. Either it had blossomed overnight or she’d been too busy to notice. The man beside her was a different story; he’d managed to insinuate himself into her life, her bed, and all her waking thoughts despite all that had happened. Not only that, he’d stuck by her. Despite the evidence against her, he’d been convinced all along of her innocence. Heck, he was even willing to marry her, knowing she had a temper.

It had to be love.

Sometimes you
did
know when it was right, she thought. Maybe she had known it the first time she’d laid eyes on those ridiculous boxer shorts.

“May works for me,” Annie said.

“Great.” Wes smiled. “It just so happens I know of this bed-and-breakfast that puts together awesome weddings. Only we’re going to hire someone else to do the work.” He pulled her close and kissed her.

“I can’t think of a place I’d rather be married,” she said, leaning against him, enjoying his arms around her waist. Annie spied Peaches skulking about in the yard, darting looks her way, obviously aware that her owner was still furious over the debacle with Fleas. Probably wondering if she was going to miss a meal over it, Annie thought.

The cat walked over to the peach tree and climbed to the lowest branch, which was no easy feat for a twenty-two-pounder. All at once, Peaches went limp and fell to the ground with a loud thud. She rolled over several times and came to a dead halt on her back, all four legs pointing skyward, head lolling to one side, tongue hanging out.

“I think I’ll have a slice of that cake now,” Annie said.

“I’ll get it for you.” Wes stood and went inside the house.

Annie sat there for a moment, enjoying the quiet. Suddenly she shivered as a gust of cool air swept over her, raising goose bumps along her arms and sending tingles along her backbone. Something moved just outside her peripheral vision, and she turned quickly. Nothing there. She felt her gaze drawn to one of the ballroom windows. The drapes parted, and Annie could feel someone watching her intently, a sense of knowing that she had experienced many times before.

Only nobody was there.

EPILOGUE

“Stop running, dammit!” Annie shouted the next morning as Erdle dashed down the back steps.

“He sure runs fast for a no-good drunk,” Theenie said.

Erdle ducked behind one of the massive oaks. “You are
not
going to make me drink any more of that nasty stuff!” he yelled, pointing to the new bottle of castor oil in Theenie’s hand. “I’m calling Lamar to come take me to jail.”

Annie planted her hands on her hips. “You are
not
leaving this house with my ring in your, um, system. Don’t make me get my rolling pin.”

“You’re a crazy lady, you know that?” he shouted. “Mean
and
crazy. And you wonder why I drink.”

From the back door Destiny and Lovelle watched. “I can’t believe Dee Dee was able to deliver a nine-pound baby boy and Erdle can’t pass a one-karat ring,” Destiny said. “Men can be such wimps.”

“We’d better go out there and give the girls a hand,” Lovelle said. The two started down the steps.

“Oh, good, we’ve got backup,” Theenie said.

The four women circled Erdle, who clung to the tree as a drowning man would to a life raft. Theenie uncapped the bottle. “You three grab him, and I’ll pour it down his gullet.”

Suddenly Erdle’s eyes widened. He winced and grabbed his stomach. “Argh.” He doubled over and groaned.

Theenie put the cap on the bottle and patted his arm. “Follow me, dear,” she said. Erdle nodded and staggered across the yard, sweat beading his brow. “And don’t worry about a thing,” Theenie said, “because I’ll take good care of you. Did I tell you I was once a nurse’s aide?”

Destiny turned to Annie. “Looks like it’s just a matter of time.”