The Game of Denial (14 page)

In a high voice, Joan said, looking horrified, "Oh, no, Mister Bill! It's the Tickle Monster!"

Ron brought his hands up and wiggled his fingers. Morgana squeezed her eyes shut and pressed tightly against Joan's body. "Run!" the girl squealed in delight.

Joan took off running, as fast as she could carrying a wiggling child, with Ron chasing them and threatening to tickle Morgana as soon as he got his hands on her.

Evey laughed at what had to be one of the cutest things she'd ever seen. Joan ducked behind a group and crouched down slightly to hide from the Tickle Monster while Ron searched for his imaginary prey, pretending not to see them.

He walked to the front steps and looked behind a bush. "Now where did that child get off to?" he puzzled as he rubbed his chin. Then he saw Anita on the porch behind Luella and crept toward her as she laughed and backed away, pleading for help to save her from the Tickle Monster.

"For God's sake, act your age, Byron," Luella snapped.

Ron caught Anita and planted a tender kiss on her lips. Joan lowered Morgana to the ground and stared at the old woman. "You know, Mother, you just suck all the joy out of life," Joan said, catching her breath.

Luella glared at her. "And you haven't changed one bit since you were a child," she shot back.

"Well, thank God for that," Joan responded dramatically.

Watching the exchange, Evey laughed. Joan turned her head to look at Evey and winked. "I need a cold drink after all that exercise," she said.

JOAN WAS FINALLY on the verge of relaxing and enjoying the company of her family and friends when a white limousine made its way down the curving drive toward the house and swung into a narrow strip of grass across the road from the other vehicles.

A low whistle escaped Ron's lips and he leaned closer to Joan, who was becoming better acquainted with Anita. "I didn't know there was anything like that available in the boonies. Who is that?"

Joan glanced at Evey, who was standing next to her. Evey shrugged. "I don't know anyone who could afford to fill the gas tank."

All heads seemed to turn simultaneously as the driver, dressed in a black and white chauffer's uniform, stepped out and quickly circled the front of the vehicle to open the back passenger door. A well-toned expanse of leg preceded a tall, statuesque woman in her mid-forties. Her medium-length auburn hair was styled and sparkled in the sunlight. The striking woman looked over the assembly admiring her through aviator-style sunglasses and smiled. Fran moved forward to stand next to Joan.

"Did you invite her?" Joan asked tightly.

"No," Fran answered and cocked her hip to one side. "She certainly knows how to make an entrance though."

"I invited her," Charmaine announced as she joined her mother and sister.

"It's not your wedding," Joan said. "Why the hell would you invite that walking, talking predator to your sister's wedding?"

Charmaine looked offended. "I did it for you, Mother. Now you won't have to spend the weekend alone among the straight and narrow." She attempted to push Joan forward. "Now go make nice with your biggest admirer."

"What were you thinking?" Fran asked in a low voice.

Joan shook her head. "Oh, no. You invited her, not me."

"She's beautiful," Evey breathed as Charmaine traipsed across the lawn and greeted the woman, exchanging air kisses. Charmaine entwined her arm in the other woman's and guided her up the small rise that led to the main yard.

"Who is that?" Evey asked, sounding almost in awe.

"You don't want to know," Joan muttered before pasting an ingenuous smile on her face. "Charmaine will pay dearly for this."

Charmaine stopped periodically to introduce the new arrival to other wedding guests and family members. Fran leaned closer to Evey and said, "Her name is Monica Ashford. She's one of mother's clients."

"She's very beautiful," Evey repeated in a hushed voice.

"And she knows it," Joan said.

"Monica has been blatantly pursuing Mother practically since Mama died," Fran added.

"She's a fortune hunter," Joan said while still managing a smile and prepared for the usual air kiss when Monica came to a halt in front of her. Before Joan could welcome her, Monica stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Joan's shoulders, and pulled her into a kiss on the lips, holding it longer than necessary.

When Joan finally managed to extricate herself from Monica's clutches, her face was deep red from embarrassment and the heat of her anger radiated from her body. She self-consciously cleared her throat and fisted her hand in front of her mouth to subtly wipe the remnants of the kiss away. She smiled again and clenched her teeth. "It's nice to see you, Monica. I wasn't aware Fran had invited you to her wedding."

Fran smacked her mother on the rear with the back of her hand and Joan flinched.

"Play nice, please," Fran muttered as she stepped forward.

"I'm so glad you were able to make it, Monica," Fran said.

"I wouldn't miss it, my dear," Monica said. She leaned slightly closer to Fran and glanced up at Joan. "Who knows? Perhaps one day you will be able to attend my wedding." Monica reached out and ran her finger down the front of Joan's blouse and smiled seductively.

Joan almost slapped Monica's hand away and stepped back. "Monica, allow me to introduce our hostess, Mrs. Evelyn Chase."

Monica held her hand out as if she expected Evey to kiss it. Evey stared at the well-manicured hand floating in front of her and broke into a fit of laughter. Joan glared at her and Evey flowed easily from laughing into a coughing fit that caused her face to turn red.

"I'll get you a glass of water," Joan said, relieved at the chance to get away from Monica and collect herself. She hurried up the porch steps and fought looking at Luella. She wasn't particularly surprised when her mother spoke.

"I see you've brought another tramp to embarrass us," Luella snorted.

"Well, what can I say, Mother. That's just what we perverts do." Joan threw the screen door open and didn't stop again until she reached the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to grab two bottles of cold water. When she stood and closed the refrigerator door, she was startled to see Evey.

"I'm sorry," Evey chuckled as she saw the surprised look on Joan's face. "You seemed surprised to see Ms. Ashford. It just struck me as comical."

"You have no idea," Joan exhaled. She set the bottles down and leaned against the counter. "What the hell was Charmaine thinking?" she uttered out loud.

"Ms. Ashford is obviously enamored with you," Evey said.

Joan eyes flashed. "She's delusional. Surely she doesn't believe she could ever replace Martine," she said. She looked at the two bottles and picked them up again. "I should get these out there before she barges in here." She paused to place her hand on Evey's arm. "I'm sorry about this, Evey. You're not seeing my family or me at our best."

"I think she's leaving soon. Apparently has a room at the hotel in town." Evey brought her hand up and placed it over Joan's, giving it a light squeeze.

"Probably the same one Luella is staying at."

"We only have one hotel. The rehearsal dinner will be in their dining room this evening."

Joan's shoulders slumped forward in defeat. "God, can this day possibly get any worse," she said, shaking her head as she left the kitchen.

THE SOUND OF another vehicle traveling toward the Chase home made Joan cringe. She tried to think of anyone else who might appear and turn her life back toward the gates of a personal hell. She held her breath as the vehicle pulled to a stop and the door opened. A man of medium height with deeply tanned skin stepped out and walked nonchalantly to the passenger side to offer his hand to the passenger. An attractive woman with a bright smile nodded to the man before taking his arm. Joan didn't know the woman, who appeared to be in her early fifties, but there was no mistaking the man, even though his hair was now shot through with silver. Joan excused herself and almost ran down the rise and into his arms. He swept her off her feet and held her. She encircled his neck with her arms, suddenly unable to stop the tears she had been holding at bay for what seemed like years. As he held her, he murmured to her in French and she managed to nod.

When Joan's feet were on the ground again, the man said something to his companion before he and Joan walked away with their arms around one another. They stopped beneath the spreading branches of a huge tree and Joan leaned against the rough trunk for a moment. Then she stepped forward and kissed his cheeks

"It's so good to see you again, Gerard," Joan said between sniffs.

"It has been much too long,
mon chou
," her brother-in-law replied as he handed her his handkerchief.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't think seeing you again after all these years would cause this reaction."

Gerard Lefebvre leaned forward and pressed his hand against the side of Joan's face. "You should not be so unhappy. It has been a long time since we lost Martine, but she would not want to see you this way."

"I know, I know, but--"

"No, no, no. No buts. You loved my sister with everything you were, but she is only a memory now. She is the past. You are still in the present with many years of life ahead of you and much love, here," he said patting above her heart, "to give to someone."

"I don't think I can love that much again, Gerard. I've used it all up." Joan sniffed again.

"It may not be the same, but it can be as great."

Joan smiled. "So, who is your friend?"

"Ah, lovely, isn't she?" Gerard smiled as he looked back toward his vehicle.

"Very, you old rooster."

He tapped Joan on the tip of her nose with his finger. "Maybe old, but still crowing.

Joan laughed and shook her head.

"Good. I make you laugh. A good sign you are still alive." He kissed her on the cheek. "You must visit us in France again soon." He leaned closer conspiratorially. "I know many interesting women you might find equally interesting."

"Where are you living now?" Joan asked as she pushed away from the tree.

"In the countryside outside Bordeaux. A lovely area. Quiet such as this." He took Joan's hand. "Come, let me introduce you to my companion."

The woman smiled when she saw Joan and Gerard approaching. Before they reached her, Gerard said, "Claudine, this is my sister-in-law, Joan Carmichael. Joan, let me introduce Claudine Rozier, a very close friend."

Joan and Claudine traded kisses in the European way and joked with Gerard as they made their way up the rise to join the others. As they reached the top of the rise, Meg popped out from behind a tree and threw her arms around Gerard.

"You look fabulous, Uncle Gerard," she said. "Positively continental and devilishly handsome, in a middle-aged sort of way."

Gerard opened his mouth in surprise and grasped Meg's wrists. "This cannot possibly be that skinny child with the untamed hair and missing front teeth!" he exclaimed. "I have been away much too long. My God, Megan, you have become a woman in my absence."

Tucker made his way through the crowd on the lawn and clasped Gerard close to him.

"My God, he looks just like you, Gerard," Claudine said.

"
Bon
, a very handsome man," Gerard agreed with a mischievous grin. "We did well Joan,
non
?" he asked, looking at Tucker and Meg.

Joan squeezed Tucker's arm. "We certainly did."

Gerard looked around. "And where is your delicious bride, Tucker?" he asked.

"Here, Uncle Gerard," Giselle said.

Gerard looked down and saw Mitchell and Morgana, gripping their mother's hands. He bent down and lifted Morgana with one arm while placing the other around Mitchell's shoulders. "You have a fine-looking family, Tucker," Gerard said. He glanced at Claudine. "I have only seen them in photographs until now. Martine would truly be in her element with these two little ones."

"Grammy said you would play soccer with us," Morgana announced.

"She did?" Gerard asked.

"But not today, Jitterbug. Maybe after they have a chance to visit a little," Joan said.

"Are you a good soccer player?" Gerard asked.

"I run real fast," Morgana said as she nodded vigorously.

"We will see." He looked at his wristwatch. "In one hour."

While the children ran to change into different clothing, Gerard looked at Joan. "And, of course, you will assist me."

Joan smiled and nodded. "Of course."

"So now where are my two beautiful nieces?" Gerard asked.

"Fran and her husband-to-be had an errand in town, but should be back soon," Joan said. "Charmaine is hiding someplace where I can't get my hands around her lovely, deceitful neck." She looked around until she spotted Evey standing alone near the steps to the front porch. "Come, Gerard, Claudine, let me introduce you to the groom's mother and the owner of this beautiful farm."

Gerard slipped an arm around Claudine's waist and took Joan's hand as they walked toward the porch. When Evey saw them approaching she flashed a smile at Joan. Joan returned the smile and held it. Evey looked beautiful.

"Gerard, this is the groom's mother, Evelyn Chase. Evey, this is my brother-in-law, Gerard Lefebvre, and his friend, Claudine Rozier."

"Welcome to Meadowbrook Farm," Evey said as she extended her hand. She laughed as Gerard pushed it away and kissed her soundly on both cheeks, as did Claudine.

"You have a beautiful farm, Mrs. Chase," Claudine said.

"Evey, please. It's still a work in progress."

"You might be interested in seeing the horses that are trained and boarded here," Joan said. "They're magnificent."

"What events do you train them for?" Gerard asked.

"Cross country, primarily," Evey answered. "One day I'd like to expand into other events though."

"In his misspent youth, Gerard was once a member of the French Equestrian Team," Joan explained. "Before he discovered women were more beautiful and exciting."

"Ah,
oui
, but also more stubborn and difficult to control," Gerard said with a wink at Claudine.