Pennies From Heaven (The Bella Novella Collection Book 3) (3 page)

“Oh, definitely.” Fine lines appeared around Lily’s eyes and her smile faded.

I gave her what I hoped would be a comforting look. “Just remember, Lily, that no matter what happens, it’ll still be your special day. Well, yours and Cecil’s.”

“Yes, don’t let anyone rain on your parade.” Mrs. Davidson clamped a hand over her mouth. “
Not
saying it’s going to rain. No, I’m not.” She backed away, muttering something about umbrellas.

“They have a point,” Mr. Rigas said. “And it’s good to be prepared. Maybe we’d better have some tents on standby. You think?”

Mrs. Rigas began to hum a little song and before long had taken to singing out loud.

“What is that, Mama?” Lily asked. “Sounds familiar.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Rigas’s cheeks flushed pink. “Just an old song.
Pennies from Heaven
.” Her melodic voice rang out, along with the words, “Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven.”

“Well, there you go,” Mr. Rigas said with a nod. “That’s the only kind of rain we’ll allow at my daughter’s wedding. Money, falling from the sky.” He chuckled. “After marrying off two daughters in one year I’d say I need some pennies to fall from heaven.”

This, for some bizarre reason, led to a discussion from Cecil’s dad about an article he’d read about a fella being killed by a penny tossed off of the Empire State Building. “Not sure we want money falling from the sky if it hits us on the way down,” he said with a knowing look in his eye.

Well, there was a cheerful thought.

As we walked toward Cecil’s truck I overheard his father say something about a special gift for the couple. This aroused my curiosity, of course. Not that it was any of my business. Still, his parents seemed like a fun pair, even though they looked a bit out of their element with the Rigas family. No worries, though. I had a feeling they’d get along just fine with the rest of Splendora’s residents, particularly Twila, Jolene and Bonnie Sue. For sure, the rest of the afternoon would give me plenty of opportunity to find out first-hand.

CHAPTER THREE

Chercher la petite bête

Translation: to look for the little beast

(To always look for something to complain about/splitting hairs)

Minutes after leaving the Rigas home we pulled up to Earline and Dwayne’s place to find the whole town of Splendora gathered on the lawn. Well, most of the townspeople, anyway. I’d rarely seen this many picnic tables in one place. If today’s turnout was any indicator of what Lily and Cecil’s wedding guest list would look like, I’d better plan for a crowd.

“Oh, look!” Lily’s voice radiated joy as we took several steps toward the group. “Everyone’s here.”

“And
then
some.” Cec looked a bit mesmerized by the sheer number of people who’d shown up to offer their congratulations.

“Well of course they’re here.” I turned back to face the happy couple. “You two are loved by all. What else did you expect?”

“I’m not sure. I just hope my parents can handle all of the hoopla.” Cecil gestured with his head toward an unfamiliar man and woman who were climbing out of an older model truck parked along the edge of the road. “They’re used to a pretty quiet life in Cut ‘n Shoot. You know?”

“This oughta wake ‘em up.” I bit back a chuckle. “Wide awake.”

“My mom and dad are definitely small town folks.” The expression on his face clued me in to the fact that the scene in front of him caused some degree of concern. But, why?

“Surely Cut ‘n Shoot isn’t smaller than Splendora?” I tried to picture it. Nope. Couldn’t imagine it.

“Yeah, it is.” Cecil raked his fingers through his hair. “They’re country folks, really. Not used to big city life.”

“Did someone just say that Splendora was the big city?” My good friend Twila approached, her bouffant hairdo blown about by the wind. I took in her blouse, kind of a hippie number from the 1970s with crazy colors. “Never thought I’d live to see the day that our little town would blossom like this. . .” She gave me a warm hug. “But I suppose it’s true. We’re growing like a dandelion weed and half the folks are just as wild.”

“That’s what worries me,” Cec muttered.

As the Davidsons approached, Twila gave them a thorough once-over. “Well, who do we have here?”

Cec’s smile seemed a bit strained. “Twila, meet my mama and my dad, Moggie and Herb Davidson.”

“Pleased to meet you. Name’s Twila. I’m the mayor of Splendora.” She stuck out her hand in their direction and Mr. Davidson shook it, albeit slowly.

“Oh, a female mayor.” Mrs. Davidson gave her a suspicious look. “That’s very interesting. Where we come from, over in Cut ‘n Shoot, we’ve never had a woman mayor before.” Her nose wrinkled. “We did have a gal run for City Council once, but she didn’t win. Between you and me, I think it was her drinking that made people think twice. Everyone knew what Lora-Mae was really sipping in that Sonic cup of hers and it wasn’t a green tea slushy.” Moggie gave Twila a curt nod. “Anyway, we’re happy to be here.”

“And on such a blessed occasion!” Bonnie Sue, Twila’s best friend, stepped into place alongside us. “An engagement party.”

“Did I hear you say you’re from Cut ‘n Shoot?” Twila put her hands on her ample hips. “Is that right?”

“Yes’m,” Mrs. Davidson responded. “Took us a good forty-five minutes to get here.”

“Well now, this is fun news.” Twila put two fingers in her mouth and blew the loudest whistle I’d ever heard, which she followed up with a piercing shout. “Jolene!” she hollered. “Get yerself over here right now. Got someone I need you to meet!”

Seconds later, Jolene, another of the Splendora ladies, joined us, beads of sweat trickling down her white blouse as she fought to catch her breath. “What is it, Twila?” she huffed, putting a hand on her chest. “I was right in the middle of pouring my sweet tea and nearly dropped it. You scared me to death, hollerin’ like that. I raced right over. Did someone die?”

“Not yet.” Twila put a hand on Jolene’s shoulder. “Just wanted you to meet Cec’s folks. They’re from Cut ‘n Shoot. Thought you might find that interesting, considering your. . .history.”

At once, Jolene’s eyes widened. “Are you, now? You wouldn’t happen to know a feller named Cotter Puckett, would you?”

“Cotter’s an old friend.” Mr. Davidson’s eyes lit up as he spoke. “Do you know him?”

“
Know
him?” Jolene snorted and brushed her hands on her broomstick skirt. “That old fool asked me to marry him. A’course, that was a dozen years ago, roughly. I broke his heart, I’m afraid, but I just couldn’t do it, him being a foreigner and all.”

“Foreigner?” Mrs. Davidson looked truly perplexed by this notion.

“Oh, he’s a foreigner, all right.” Jolene rolled her eyes. “The man has Roman eyes and Russian fingers, if you get my drift. Didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, and, well, if you know Cotter, you realize he’s a pretty big fella, so I couldn’t really throw him very far.”

Mrs. Davidson fanned herself with her hand. “Oh my.”

“You’ll be happy to know Cotter’s happily married now to my sister.” Mr. Davidson cleared his throat. “And he’s in church ever time the doors are open.”

“Well now, miracles still happen!” Jolene raised her hands in the air and hollered, “Praise Jesus!”

Cecil looked for a moment like he wanted to bolt, but Lily held tight to his arm.

Jolene turned to face Cecil. “Think about it, Cec. If things had gone a different way, I would’ve been your aunt.”

“No ma’am,” he corrected her. “Cotter’s my uncle, but only by marriage.”

“Yes, but if he’s your uncle and I’d have married him, I would’ve been your aunt. See what I mean?”

Cecil shook his head but didn’t say a word.

“I guess the good Lord just had other ideas. His ways are certainly higher than our own. And, of course, I’m happily married now, myself.” Jolene looked back and forth between Cecil and Lily “Speaking of marriage, you two are going to have a long, happy life together. I can just tell. I love the way you love each other.”

“I believe you’re right.” Mrs. Davidson released a little sigh. “Takes me back to when Herb and I met. There’s nothing like young love, is there?”

“Or old love.” Bonnie Sue gave her husband a wave as he approached. “When I first met this old coot we didn’t see eye to eye, but love won out in the end. There’s nothing sweeter.”

“Speaking of love and marriage, I need to put a bug in Lily’s ear at some point today.” Jolene clasped her hands together and a broad smile lit her face. “I had the best idea to make her wedding reception more French.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“A
mime!” Jolene went into full-out mime mode, pretending to be stuck inside a box. “He could entertain the kids. There are lots of mimes in Paris.”

Twila slapped herself on the forehead. “First of all, a mime is a dumb idea. Second, what makes you think that all mimes have to be men? You’re being politically incorrect, Jolene.”

“Oh, speaking of politics, did anyone watch the news last night?” Bonnie Sue fanned herself. “So much drama going on right now.”

Earline happened by and I put my finger over my lips and whispered the words: “No politics.”

“No politics?” Mrs. Davidson echoed. “Why not?”

“Trust me,” I whispered. “Just. Don’t. Go. There.”

She gave me a nod but I could read the confusion in her eyes.

At this point we were pretty much greeted by the whole group at one time. I could tell Mrs. Davidson was overwhelmed, but at least she seemed a bit more at home with the country folk from Splendora than she’d been with the Rigas family. That gave me some hope. Twila took her by the arm and led her off to the side lawn to meet Pastor Higley and his wife. For the first time all morning I breathed a sigh of relief.

“You okay over there?” D.J.’s voice roused me from my thoughts. I looked his way and nodded.

“Yeah. Just thinking.”

“Don’t wanna do too much of that. I’ve heard it can be kinda dangerous.” A little wink followed on his end.

His words made me laugh. They also reminded me of one more reason why I loved this man so much. He always had a way of keeping me calm.

As we settled in, reminiscent feelings swept over me, and all the more when Bubba and Jenna turned up with their little boys, Bubba, Jr. and Weston. They also brought the dogs. I still couldn’t believe I’d let my BFF keep my ornery canine, Precious, but the country life seemed to agree with the little yapper. She bounded my way, sniffed my ankles and then took off running across the yard. So much for loyalty.

I watched as the older kids bounded toward the large wooden swing set in the side yard while the rest of us got the food prepped. Aunt Rosa held Holly, and Uncle Laz kept a watchful eye on Ivy, who enjoyed watching the dogs chase the older kids.

This beautiful day reminded me of a 4
th
of July party I’d once attended at Earline and Dwayne’s place years ago. On that infamous day my family had come to Splendora for the first time. How out of place we’d felt—much like Moggie and Herb probably felt right now. Oh, how things had changed for the Rossis! These days, the Neeley property felt as comfortable as a pair of worn shoes. Maybe more so. There was something so welcoming about the majestic pines, the scent of BBQ on the grill, and the ever-present voices of loved ones as they shared their joys with one another.

A short time later we settled in around the picnic tables, which had been pushed together to make several lengthy places to gather for eating. The conversation was light and fun.

Until Uncle Laz brought up politics. From the moment he mentioned the various candidates running for office, I knew we were in trouble.

“Oh, no you don’t, Lazarro.” Aunt Rosa gave him a warning look. “You promised there would be none of that today.”

“But the election is underway, and the primaries are in full swing. How can I not bring it up? I’m running for president, after all.”

“What’s this?” Moggie took a seat on the picnic bench and set her plate on the table. “You’re running for office, Mr. Rossi?”

“Yes, President of the United States.” He took a bite of potato salad and gave a curt nod.

Moggie looked a bit flabbergasted by this news, as if she didn’t quite know how to absorb it.

My mother-in-law, never one to put up with political foolishness, joined us. “I’ve already voted in the primaries, Laz.” Earline rolled her eyes as she eased her ample frame onto the picnic bench near us. “And I do not recall seeing your name on the ballot, so what you’re saying can’t possibly be true.”

“Well, no, my name wasn’t on the ballot. Not officially. But you do realize you can write in a name, don’t you?” He gave her a thumbs-up.

“I do. Indeed. But, in my case, that was not necessary. As we have discussed on many occasions, I have strong political persuasions. I went to the primary fully prepared to vote for the men—and women—who most reflect my values.” She paused and then reached for a spoon. “Banana puddin’, anyone?”

“Please, friends. . .for the love of all that’s holy, don’t mention politics again.” Bonnie Sue’s voice rang out from the other end of the table. “My sweet husband gets wound up tighter than a spool of fishing wire. We are of opposite persuasions, politically-speaking.”

“Oh my.” My mother’s nose wrinkled as she reached for a slice of watermelon. “There’s nothing worse than a couple that cannot vote together.”

“True.” Jolene clucked her tongue. “I always say, the couple that votes together stays together.”

“
Prays
together, Jolene.” Twila’s voice took on a know-it-all tone. “The couple that
prays
together stays together.”

“Yes, but I tend to agree with Jolene on this one.” Bonnie Sue lowered her voice and leaned forward. “I guess I should have checked Tommy’s political leanings before marrying him. It never once occurred to me to ask the man if he swung to the right or the left.”

This last statement got an eyebrow raise out of D.J., who then started laughing so hard he nearly choked on a BBQ rib.

Thank goodness we didn’t have long to ponder Tommy’s political leanings. A male voice rang out across the yard.

“Could we have your attention, please?”

I looked up to discover Mr. Rigas, the patriarch of the Rigas family, tapping his glass with a spoon. Not terribly effective, since the glass was actually a plastic cup.

“I have an announcement to make.” The edges of his lips curled up in a smile.

“Hmm. Wonder what he’s up to?” My friend Cassia gave me a curious look. “You can never tell with my father-in-law. He’s sneaky, that one.”

Mr. Rigas gestured for Lily and Cecil to join him. “Lily, for as long as I can remember, you’ve worked hard. I think you get your work ethic from your mama. She’s the hardest working woman I know.”

D.J. nudged me and whispered, “Gee, I thought you won that prize.”

I did my best not to roll my eyes as I kept listening to Mr. Rigas. “Your mama and I have a little present for you two. I hope you don’t mind that we’re giving it to you now.” He reached into his pocket and came out with an envelope. “Happy honeymoon from Mama and me.”