Beauty Queen (46 page)

I am beginning to detest politics, Rebecca said, putting down her fork, her appetite gone.

You and me both, Matt grimly agreed.

Once this gala is over, Im through, she said resolutely.

And that, sweet cheeks, is just a week away. Is everything ready? Matt asked, picking at her plate from across the table.

I think so, she said, crossing her fingers. The entertainment is lined up, at last. The caterers are all set. We got the temporary liquor license through, but Tom had to make some calls for that to happen. And the site is finally, finally completed. The only thing I have left to worry about is what to wear, she said.

Matt laughed. Thats funny. Youre going to knock them dead, Miss Texas, even if you wear your overalls.

I wish I could believe it. There will be some people who would like to see me fall flat on my face.

Like who? Matt demanded, pausing in his scavenging of her dinner. Give me their names and Ill kick their ass!

She flashed him an appreciative smile and said, Like Bud. And some of our so-called friends from Dallas with lots of money. And then there are some who just make me really nervous, like Dad.

Dont worry about him. Hell be so proud, hell bust, Matt said confidently.

Not my dad. And I just thank my lucky stars your parents will be out of town.

My parents love you, girl, Matt said with an impatient frown. You couldnt do a thing wrong if you tried.

I just dont want to mess this up! I feel like my whole life has come down to this one event and everything I ever was or thought I could be is going to be proven by its success or failure!

Now Matt put down his fork. Thats just crazy. Its a damn party, Rebecca. Are you really that fragile?

She looked at her wineglass, then at Matt, and said hopelessly, Yeah, I think I am. Self-help books and transformation seminars notwithstanding, I am neither confident in my abilities nor prepared to pick myself up and dust myself off.

Matt reached across the table, gripped her hand in his. Well, Im confident in your abilities. Whatever you think is going to happen, and it wont, because I know you, and I know this will be a grand success. But if something happens, whatever the fallout, I want you to know you can fall on me and I will be there to pick you up and brush you off.

Rebecca felt a rush of warmth as his sincere sentiment swirled around her heart. Why, Matthew Parrish, she said, squeezing his hand, thats just about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

I mean it. Matt lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it, then asked, Are you going to eat that?

When Robin, Jake, and Cole arrived at the newly named Flying Pig Lakehouse (it said so above the gate) the night before the gala, Robin noticed immediately there was something different about Rebecca. Very different. What, exactly, she couldnt quite put her finger on. She was pretty sure it wasnt the dogs, although there were four or five (Robin couldnt be sure), all of them looking a little knocked around by life. And Rebeccas lack of makeup was highly unusual for her, being a former beauty queen and all, but Robin didnt think that was it, either.

She watched Rebecca closely as Jakes son, Cole (a few months shy of his seventeenth birthday and along to babysit Grayson, for big money, as he put it), handed Grayson a paper bag.

What is it? Grayson asked.

Well, open it up, goof, and check it out, Cole responded.

Very carefully, Grayson opened it, peeked inside, then gasped loudly as he turned to Rebecca. Its green slime!

he said in a reverent tone, and looked up at Cole with open adoration.

Ever seen a dog eat green slime? Cole asked, ushering Grayson out back, where the dogs were frantically awaiting any attention.

Something was different, all right Rebecca was not the sort to beam so broadly at green slime. Quite the opposite, really. And the house. Sure, it was clean, picked up, as would be expected. But it was not. . . perfect. That was it! It wasnt perfect! Rebecca wasnt perfect! Damn. Robin had figured it out, and gleefully went about the rest of the afternoon looking to see how many imperfections she could find, sort of like looking for Waldo.

There were plenty mismatched towels in the cupboard, one of Rebeccas old oil paintings hanging slightly askew, a TV remote tossed carelessly onto the floor. Some life-changing thing had happened to her sister, but Robin pretty much figured she knew what it was. After all, the same thing had happened to her not all that long ago.

Naturally, Robin wanted all the gory details, but she had some news of her own she was dying to share. So when Rebecca was preparing a sumptuous supper of pork tenderloin, and asked Robin to open a bottle of wine and taste it, Robin sighed.

You might as well tell her, Jake said, pausing in the repair of a door hinge to frown at Robin, also anxious to have the news out in the open. Its not like you can hide it, you know.

Im not trying to hide it! So thank you, Mr. Fixit! she said irritably.

Hide what? Rebecca asked. Youre on the wagon?

Very funny. Robin grinned. Broadly. But not exactly.

What? Rebecca demanded.

Shes pregnant, Jake announced matter-of-factly, and shrugged when Robin shrieked.

/ was going to tell her!

Not until you had tortured her.

Youre what? Rebecca cried, her expression belying her disbelief.

Pregnant! Robin exclaimed. Due in the spring, she added ... with a whimper, however, as Rebecca had flung her arms around her, and the next thing she knew, she and Rebecca were holding each others arms, jumping up and down, shrieking with glee.

Who knows? Rebecca asked breathlessly when they were forced to stop by the dogs barking excitedly. Does Mom know? Rachel?

I told Mom before she headed for Seattle. She was out of her mind excited. And I told Rachel on the way down yesterday, who said she knew, of course, because my horoscope said something about big changes. She laughed.

And Dad?

Robins grin faded a little. Umm ... not yet. I thought Id tell him this weekend.

Rob-bie! Rebecca cried. This weekend?

Well shit, Rebecca! Robin exclaimed. I thought it would be better to do it in person, because you know what he is going to say. When

are you getting married, Rebecca chimed in with Robin. So? Are you?

Yeah, Robin said, smiling softly at Jakes back.

Maybe, Jake corrected her, deadpan. Ill see how you conduct yourself this weekend and then decide.

Hed die without me, Robin said, shrugging at Mr. Comedians back. So what about you? she asked, hiding a smirk when Rebecca almost dropped the knife she had just picked up.

Me? What about me? Rebecca blustered loudly as she carefully avoided eye contact.

Come on, Rebecca! Its so obvious!

The blood drained from her sisters face, and she immediately began stirring a sauce for the pork with a vengeance. I am not pregnant, if thats

Thats not what I mean! Robin cried, laughing. I mean ... are you getting married?

Rebecca did not look up from her stirring of the sauce, refused to look at perhaps the one person on the face of the earth who would know if she was lying or not. How lucky for Robin, then, that the doorbell rang at that very moment. I knew it! Youre in love! she exclaimed as she whirled and started marching for the door. Rachel was right!

Robin, dont you dare answer that door! Rebecca shrieked, and Robin heard a clattering of utensils as she reached the door before Rebecca flung it open and stood, hand on hip, sizing up the new guy from the top of his head to the tips of his polished loafers, almost pitching right into him when Rebecca collided with her back.

The new guy handsome shit, wasnt he? clasped his hands behind his back and patiently waited for Robin to complete her inspection, at which point, he asked. So what do you think? Do I pass?

Oh Gawd Rebecca muttered helplessly behind her.

Oh, you pass, all right, Robin said, smiling brightly. I mean, dude

She means Rebecca said, elbowing her sister sharply, that shes pleased to meet you.

Robin could only nod violently in agreement that she was very pleased to meet who she was now firmly convinced was her future brother-in-law.

Hey, Jake said, stepping around and in front of Robin to extend his hand. Im Jake, this ones keeper. Come on in and Ill get you a beer, and if she gets out of hand, just give me the sign, and Ill handle it.

Thanks, Matt said, I might have to take you up on that. To Robin, he grinned as he shook her hand. Ive been anxious to meet you, he said, and paused briefly to kiss Rebecca, at which point Robin saw The Look, the very same look she often saw in Jakes eyes, the look of love, but hello, it was nothing compared to the look in Rebeccas eyes. Robin could not recall ever seeing Rebecca so... happy. Oh really? she said to Matt, batting her eyes. Youve heard about me?

Yes. And Ive been retained to represent Rebecca Lear

in a very old dispute. Does a certain pair of red, high-heeled shoes mean anything to you?

Robin screeched with laughter. Does a black eye mean anything to you? she shot back, just as Jake dragged her inside with an arm around her waist, rolling his eyes as he handed Matt a beer and Robin complained that certainly after twenty years, Rebecca should let bygones be bygones, and besides, the last she saw, the red shoes were still hanging from the high wire above River Oaks. They were.

It was one of the best dinners Rebecca had ever had Matt fit in so easily, and the four of them laughed and carried on until well after midnight, long after Grayson and Cole had turned in.

Matt was finally coaxed into telling a nosey Robin how they had met, which made Rebeccas face flame with idiot shame.

How could you? Robin cried, almost doubled over with laughter.

What, youve never made a boneheaded mistake before? Rebecca whined.

Not like that.

Ah ... beg your pardon, Robbie? Jake asked calmly. You havent? And proceeded to tell, above Robins objections, how their first face-to-face meeting occurred. In jail.

Long story, Rebecca said to Matts curious look.

You have no idea how long, Jake said, laughing.

When Matt finally said he had to leave, Rebecca followed him outside. I like your sister and Jake, he said, opening his car door. Theyre good people.

Yes, they are.

Matt chuckled a little, shook his head. I really like Robin a lot. Shes ... well, shes ...

I know, Rebecca assured him. Dont try and explain it. Youll never think of the right word, trust me.

Matt leaned over, kissed her good night. Time for you to get some sleep. I know you are in knots about this deal, but everythings going to be fine.

She watched him drive away, walked back into the house where Robin was waiting for her. Hes the one, her sister said flatly. And before you give me some song and dance, you better say yes, because hes perfect for you! I adore him! And hes smart, and funny, and hes so laid back

AH right! Rebecca exclaimed, laughing. Okay, hes definitely the top contender for the rest of my life. Theres just one little thing, she said, frowning.

What? Robin demanded. What in Gods name could you find wrong with him?

Not him, Rebecca said, pushing her sister toward the kitchen. Dad. He hasnt met Dad yet.

Oooh, Robin said, and sadly shook her head. Jesus, I hope he doesnt dump you. Where is Dad, anyway?

In town, Rebecca said with a roll of her eyes. He said he was getting in too late to come all the way out here, and said he wouldnt come out tomorrow, either, because he doesnt want to be stuck and have to stay all night. She sighed loudly. I think hes really looking forward to this! she said in a sarcastically sing-song voice.

Consider yourself lucky, Robin said. You wont have him in your hair all day.

It turned out that Robin was right; the next day was too wild to have tried to fit Dad inthere were so many last minute details to attend, so many sudden cancellations and sudden requests for tickets.

Rebecca made a run out to the ranch, went over everything one last time with Harold, who had proven to be the best stage manager in the western hemisphere. Efficiency is my middle name, he had once told her in all seriousness. Harold was also terribly excited to be part of the event, and when they began to set up tables, he told Rebecca to go home. Ive got it under control, Ms. Lear, he said firmly, turning her about and, hands on her shoulders, marching her toward the parking lot. You just come back as your divine self, and your stage will be ready.

Rebecca couldnt argueshe barely had time as it was to get home and change. It seemed like one moment she

was feeding the dogs in the early morning, and the next, she was getting dressed for the night and a stellar event for a man she couldnt vote for.

Rebecca dressed carefully; she chose a pale turquoise silk chiffon dress, with a deep, draping neckline and beaded shoulder straps. It hugged her figure, then flared at the hips into a full skirt that swung above her knees over an underskirt of magenta. She wore Stuart Weitzman pumps that were the exact match of turquoise and aquamarine and diamond drop earrings and matching pendant necklace that rested at her throat.

Robin helped her put up her hair in a chignon, which she held in place with two diamond-studded pins. Oh my ... you look gorgeous, Rebecca, Robin said as she stepped back to admire her, a look of awe on her face. God, you still piss me off after all these years!

How so?

Dont be coy, Robin said, smiling as she checked her reflection in the mirror. You were always so much prettier than me and Rachel, and all the boys drooled over you

Oh! That is so lame, Robbie! Like you didnt go through them by the dozens

Of course I did, because I found out all of them really wanted to be with my little sister. How humiliating is that?

As if! Rebecca cried, laughed heartily at that one. Anyway, you look fabulous, like you always do. Whered you get that dress? she asked, admiring Robins sleek black cocktail dress.