Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(42)
Nick’s mother had called her yesterday and they had talked for a long time. She was so different from her own mother. If Beth combined all of her phone conversations with her mother in the last ten years, they probably wouldn’t add up to the length of this one call with Nick’s mom. Vicky was so funny and excited about the baby, and she didn’t mention Beth’s relationship with Nick or ask if they were getting married at all. Vicky wanted to give her a baby shower when she was further along because, as she put it, “We have a lot of friends with money who love nothing better than to spend it.” Vicky also made it clear that she and Nick’s father were completely supportive and were there if she and Nick needed anything. Beth had promised that they would go to Charleston for a weekend soon to spend some time with his parents. She had a feeling that she was going to like them immensely.
Beth decided she should probably start lining up replacement parents anyway because her own weren’t likely to ever speak to her again. Vicky and John were going to be at Gray and Suzy’s this evening and Beth was looking forward to spending some time with them without her own parents ruining the evening.
Chapter Twenty-one
Suzy was nowhere to be seen when Beth and Nick arrived for the barbecue. Gray answered the door and ushered them into the living room. Due to a last-minute “meeting” with Nick on the sofa, they were the last ones to arrive. Nick’s mother and father hugged her warmly and then Nick and Beth walked over to talk with Jason, Declan, and Claire.
“Well, Declan and Ella are both here, but things look a bit tense,” Claire whispered.
Nick was talking to Jason and Declan and Beth motioned Ella over to where she was standing with Claire. “I love the dress we picked out. You look wonderful.”
Blushing with pleasure at the compliment, Ella said, “Thanks, but I don’t think anyone else has noticed.”
“Oh, I think he noticed all right. I just saw him checking you out,” Claire said. “Just play it casual and let him come to you. I’m betting that before the evening is over he won’t be able to resist at least talking to you. He might not drag you behind a bush, but conversation is a starting point, right?”
Beth looked around the room and asked, “Where is Suzy? We know she isn’t in the kitchen cooking.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Claire said, “I don’t know. She’s usually the center of attention. I asked Gray and he just said that she had a few calls to return.”
“That’s weird. I don’t know of anything major that we have going on at work so I can’t imagine what it could be,” Beth replied.
At the other side of the room Nick clapped his brother on the shoulder and asked, “So, are we eating tonight? If not, you might want to pass the drink tray around.”
Gray laughed. “Yeah, I’m just waiting for Suzy.”
Beth had to admit that Gray looked the best she had ever seen him. Contentment seemed to radiate from him. It was obvious that he was very happy with Suzy. All was right in their world, and Beth couldn’t think of anyone who deserved it more than her sister.
Suddenly, Gray looked at his watch and cleared his throat. “Okay, everyone, why don’t we head outside. We decided to do something a little different this evening, so we set up everything on the beach in back of the house. It’s a mild evening, so we might as well enjoy it. Suzy will meet us there when she’s ready.”
Does anyone else think this is weird? If I didn’t know Gray better, I’d be in the kitchen checking the freezer for Suzy’s body. What could possibly be keeping her from being here with everyone? Was she even at home? Maybe she’d had a fight with Gray before the party. But if that were so, surely Gray wouldn’t look so happy.
Beth was glad to know that it wasn’t just her when Claire leaned over and asked, “Does this seem a little strange to you?”
“Yeah, it sure does. But you know Suzy. It could be anything. Maybe her leather pants had a run and she’s in the bathroom cussing up a blue streak.”
Claire chuckled as they walked onto the patio and started down the stairs. When they turned the corner, and the beach came into sight, everyone froze. Beth heard Nick mutter, “Either someone’s getting baptized or married.”
“Oh, my,” Claire breathed. “They’re getting married! I can’t believe it. Hey, she picked out a dress without us.”
Everyone slowly made their way forward. Beth could see tears rolling down Gray’s mother’s cheeks as she clasped her husband’s hand tightly.
Suzy stood next to a white arbor with white tulle woven through it. She was simply breathtaking. Her long red hair was loose and the wind made it look like a halo around her. She was wearing a white lace gown with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. A long train flowed behind the fitted dress and the detailed beadwork glistened in the early evening sunset. Beth smiled as she saw Suzy’s bare feet peeping from beneath the hem of the dress. She had never seen her beautiful sister more radiant.
A man whom Beth didn’t recognize stood beside Suzy, smiling as they all came forward.
“Since Suzy and I have never done anything in our relationship in the normal way, why start now?” Gray said, and laughed. “You are our dearest friends and family and we want to share this moment with you and no one else. Suzy’s parents had a previous engagement and we regret that they couldn’t be here to round out the circle.”