A New Hope (Thunder Point #8)(38)

“Mikhail,” she said with a laugh. “Make it rain? Really?”

“You have trouble to understand meaning of this? I trust you know what to do.”

“I’m going to do it right here if you keep making me laugh,” she said.

“Please, no,” he said. “I am wearing the stocking feet.”

Winnie did all she could to comply, though a middle-of-the-night trip to the bathroom had never been so entertaining. She did as he suggested, holding the handicap rail beside the commode until he left. Then, adjusting her nightgown, lowered herself, made it rain—with a little laughter at the thought—and then stood. And flushed. Oh, how she wished she could whistle.

There was a little light tapping.

“Yes, come in. I’m waiting for you,” she said. “I’m going to get a whistle!”

“Shits of the gods,” he muttered. “Come, your highness,” he said, tucking her arm in his. “Is not good for your rest to have so much talking in the night. In bed you go. Come, come.”

He held the sheets back, lifted her feet to help her, took the slippers off and covered her up. Then he returned to the chair, pulled the throw over him and stretched his legs out. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“What are you doing?”

“Going again to sleep.”

“Go to bed! That’s uncomfortable!”

“Ach, is perfect. Is excellent. I never had better sleep. Stop with the talking.”

“You’ll never sleep!”

“You are correct! I will never sleep! Someone cannot shut her royal mouth! Enough!”

She looked at him for a long moment, then reluctantly turned off the light and lay down.

In the dark he said, “If I am right here, I’ll know if you’re dead,” he said.

“How will you know?” she asked.

“It will finally be quiet.”

* * *

Troy, his brother and dad, Cooper and Spencer, set up on the beach for the wedding. There were tables for the food, provided by Carrie. An arch that Iris and Ginger had covered with flowers had to be anchored. There was a stack of beach blankets that Cooper stored in the basement of the bar and a pile of canvas and aluminum beach chairs for people to use. There were a few picnic tables around, too heavy to move closer to the party but useful just the same.

The flower van was parked in the drive of Winnie’s house; the catering van would be parked on the beach as the time drew near. In addition to food and flowers, Cooper arranged for a couple of kegs and several large bottles of wine. Twenty or so people had been formally invited, another twenty-five had been informally invited, still another twenty-five would probably show up.

Troy was told to get ready downstairs in their little apartment while Grace would be on the main level with her mother. Because it was her mother’s event, too, a beautician had been called to do hair and makeup. Winnie could not have done it herself and God knew Grace couldn’t do it for her. Iris and Ginger came over early to bring flowers and help; Ginger brought the dress.

Several times during the week Grace had looked at her wedding gown, a work in progress. She’d tried it on a couple of times and been happy with it. It was so different now, less than an hour before the vows, Grace’s hair pulled back and caught up in curls that cascaded down in back, makeup finished. She stepped into the dress, Iris closed up the many small buttons in the back, and she turned toward the mirror on the inside of the closet door.

“Oh, my God,” Winnie said in a breath. “Stunning. Beyond stunning.”

“It’s beautiful, Ginger,” Iris said. “You’re amazing.”

“Thank you,” she said a bit shyly. “It was a joy.”

“It almost looks like Pippa Middleton’s dress,” Grace said. “Oh, Ginger, I’m never going to be able to thank you properly for all you’ve done for me.”

“Well, that goes both ways,” she said. “I came to this little town to get a break, a changed perspective, and look what I found. A job I love, good friends, a new lease on life. A lot of that is made possible by you, Grace.”

“You do love that little flower shop,” she said. “You treat it like your own.”

“I love it,” she said. “If you think I could stay on awhile, I’m willing.”

“There’s a place for you as long as you want it.”

“Thank you, I’ve been very happy there. When the wedding is done and things calm down a little I might look for a small apartment or something. I should give Ray Anne her life back.” She laughed conspiratorially. “Ray Anne and Al must really have to plot to have any time alone together.”

Grace’s eyes lit up. “I know what I can do,” she said. “When the wedding is over and Troy’s family leaves, he’s giving up his apartment. There’s no point in paying rent there while we’re living here. The first thing we’re going to do is bring his big leather sectional and TV over here for our downstairs.”

“I’m going to need to find something furnished.”

Grace raised one brow. “Does it have to be large? Could a studio do the trick?”

“Sure. Of course. I hope I’ll continue to spend lots of time with Ray Anne and some of my new friends. It’s just where I hang my hat...”