The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(42)

“I look a mess,” Sedona said.

“You’re entitled to be emotional when your baby sister is getting married. Just go with it for now,” Maggie said, then looked at Sully sternly. “I’m trusting you not to get things riled up while I’m making tea.”

“Me?” he protested. “I swear by God I get blamed for everything!”

“I’m warning you,” Maggie said. Then she fled.

After a long quiet moment, Sedona spoke. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“Old men and younger women are always getting in trouble one way or another,” he said. “I’m sorry to hear about your situation.”

“I’ll work it out somehow,” she said.

“I think it’s a good idea to talk with your big brother later,” Sully said. “After I’m gone.”

A tremulous smile broke over Sedona’s lips. “I’ve scared you half to death, haven’t I?”

“I’m gonna tell you the truth here, in spite of Maggie. I feel a real sadness that you have something to work out, and you will, I’m sure of it. I don’t want to minimize that. I been through separation and even divorce and at the time it was the darkest of days. But I got through it and I bet you’ll get through it even better than I did—you being so much smarter than I am. But here’s the thing. That little girl in there, Sierra, she’s like a daughter to me. She’s had a very hard time of it and she’s come a long way and she’s happy. I’d like it if tomorrow is one of her happiest days. Believe me when I say she’s earned it.

“One thing you’re going to learn when you’re older—life has plenty of troubles to fill the days. Sometimes it feels like there’s no hope, but just when it seems hopeless, some light will shine through. Now, you get a grip on yourself. We’ll get your little sister married and on her way, and once that’s done, we’ll focus on you. And you can trust me, we won’t go down without a fight. You believe me?”

She sat up straighter. “I’m a PhD in psychology and you know what? I think you just did as good a job as any therapist.” She sniffed back her tears.

“I didn’t say you can’t fall apart,” he said. “I just said you can’t fall apart right now.”

Maggie reappeared with tea. “Hmm,” she said, handing the tea to Sedona. “You look better.”

“I apologize,” Sedona said. “That really took me by surprise. I guess I’m a little emotional. We’re working through a couple of issues, like you find in any marriage. Bob is a wonderful, devoted husband. We just need a little time, that’s all. Everything will get back on track. Really, our family is known for ticking along perfectly. We don’t generally have these kind of issues.”

Maggie sat down. “Perfectly, huh?”

“I meant, smoothly.”

“We’ll talk later,” Maggie said.

*

The Jones siblings, Maggie, Sully and Connie had a great dinner together. Stories were told, laughter was loud, the food was outstanding. Connie and Sierra and Sully were all excused after dinner while the remaining group worked together to clean up.

But when it was time for Maggie and Cal to have a chat with Sedona about her problems at home, Sedona slipped away and went to bed.

“That was a little too obvious,” Maggie said.

So it was Maggie and Cal who had the talk. “Your sister is in trouble,” Maggie began.

*

Sierra woke up at dawn and jostled Connie. “When we go to bed tonight, you will be my husband,” she told him, the grin on her face as bright as the sun.

“You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”

“You can’t escape me now,” she said. “It’s only a matter of hours.”

Connie’s expression was serious. “Sierra, I’m going to be so good to you, you won’t know how you made it this long without me.”

She kissed him. “I already don’t know.”

They had a big breakfast and cleaned up the house, and while Connie went to Cal’s to see if there was anything he could do to help out there, Sierra took her time with her bath and prettifying herself. At about one o’clock Connie returned and his mother, Janie, and his younger brother, Beaner, arrived. After a brief visit everyone changed clothes and Sierra put on her dress.

She had driven to Colorado Springs to find the right dress and she was very proud of it. It was an off-white sateen that had a bit of a golden cast to it. It had an off-the-shoulder cowl neckline and was knee-length, and while it wasn’t tight, it fit snugly enough to show off her curvaceous figure. She wore her hair down, with a little baby’s breath in it.

“Oh my God,” Connie said in a whisper. “You’re so beautiful. I just want to undress you!”

“Don’t you dare touch this dress until we’re married! And then you’d better be so careful!” She turned in front of the mirror. “I love this dress,” she said.

“You hardly ever wear a dress,” he said. “You should. But then again, you in a pair of tight jeans kills me. In a T-shirt makes me weak, too.”

She smiled at him. “Connie, I’m a lucky girl,” she said.

They went to Cal’s in two cars. Janie and Beaner had been invited to stay over, but they declined, opting to leave the bridal couple alone. Cal and Maggie had extended the invitation to them to stay at their place but they declined that, as well. “We’re going to drive back tonight,” Janie said. “When this celebration is behind us, we’ll come back and stay awhile.”