For Your Love (22 page)

“So you're representing her interests by being Tommy's lawyer.”

“Yes.”

Bernadine had a question. “Let's say Astrid is found guilty in Tommy's case against her. Will she do any time?”

“Probably not. More than likely it'll be a slap on the wrist and probation. However, the civil suit being brought against her by the family is another matter. Ms. Mabel has cut her out of the trust, which means she no longer has access to any of the town's funds—­which she was helping herself to illegally—­and she'll have to find somewhere else to stay. The house belongs to Ms. Mabel, and eviction proceedings have already begun. Astrid's going to need a lawyer to deal with all this. I hope she figures out a way to pay one.”

Bernadine thought about the nasty way she'd evicted the Acostas. Karma's only a bitch if you are.

“Are you going forward with your civil suit?” Tuller asked.

“I'll get with my legal ­people and see what they advise, but sounds to me like there won't be anything left but the bones once the family gets done with her.”

“Who knows, maybe she'll have to live in a trailer park. As a person who lived with my mother in a park as a child, I was pretty offended by her remarks in court today.”

“I didn't grow up in one, but I was offended with you.”

Tuller inclined his head. “Great doing business with you, Ms. Brown.”

“Same here.”

“Enjoy Key West.”

“Thanks.”

He made his exit, and she wondered if there was anyone on the planet that didn't know her plans for Key West. Oh, the joys of small-­town living.

 

W
hen Bobby came home from work, Kiki was on the phone. From the sound of her side of the conversation, she had to be talking to her mother.

“Mama, if you don't want to come to our wedding, then don't. I was just trying to see if you wanted the bus ticket so you'd have a way to get here if you did.” She glanced Bobby's way and rolled her eyes.

Bobby didn't like the judgmental, holier-­than-­thou Estelle Page, and the feeling was mutual. She'd never forgive him for what she termed “filling her daughter with the devil,” and she'd never forgiven Kiki for being with him. As far as he knew, she hadn't seen the twins since the day they were born. She'd pledged never to allow Kiki in her home again as long as she stayed with him. He hoped she was ready to remain on her high horse for the rest of her life.

“No, Mama, we're not living in the van. The babies are fine, and no, the ­people here aren't running a cult. Yes. I understand you want to see them, but you can see them when you come to the wedding. No, I'm not moving back to Dallas without Bobby. How many times—­ Mama?” Kiki looked at the phone. “She hung up on me!”

“Your mama is crazy.”

“She thinks we're living in a cult.”

“Crazy.”

Kiki dropped down onto the couch. “I really wish she'd lighten up. The twins are her grandbabies. She should be in their lives.”

Bobby thought his kids could do very well without someone who saw the devil everywhere, but he kept that thought to himself. Crazy or not, she was still Kiki's mom.

“The babies are penned up, watching a video.”

“I'm going to go say hi. Be right back.”

“Leave them in jail, Bobby. They wore me out today. Baby Bob has been throwing up all day. He's settled down now, and I just want to catch my breath.”

He found them inside the large playpen. At the sight of him they started chattering and crawled to the edge. Tiara pulled herself up along the side. Holding on with one hand, she raised the other one to be picked up. “You two been whipping on your mom today?”

He picked Tiara up and gave her a kiss. Bobby Jr. began crying, so he leaned down and picked him up, too. “I hear you're not feeling so hot, buddy.” He kissed him and then set them both down. Bobby Jr. began wailing instantly, and that set off his sister.

“Bobby!” Kiki yelled from the front room.

“I just picked them up to say hello,” he shot back.

She appeared in the doorway. “What part of leave them in jail did you not get?”

He turned, studied her, and stopped short at the sight of the tears in her eyes. Instead of snapping back in reply, he walked over and took her in his arms. “Rough day?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “They didn't want to eat, or take a nap. If Bobby Jr.'s got the crud, that means his sister will have it too, soon, and they'll both be throwing up and crying and cranky.”

He kissed her forehead. “Did you call Doc Reg?”

“Yes. He's on the road. He said he'd stop by this evening. I don't feel good, either. We're getting married in three days. My mama is Looney Tunes and thinks these wonderful ­people here are a cult.”

Behind him the babies were screaming. For the moment he did his best to ignore them.

“Tell you what,” he said softly. “What do you want to do this evening?”

“Run away.”

“Not on the menu.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Okay, then how about a nice long soak in the tub and then read for a ­couple of hours.”

“That's allowed. I'll take the evening shift with Monsters Inc., and you just chill.”

“I haven't had a chance to cook dinner.”

“I'll take care of dinner.”

“You can't cook, Bobby.”

“So me and the kids will eat Wheaties. Don't worry about that. Just go and get in the tub. Grab a book and consider yourself off duty.”

She raised her eyes to his. “I love you.”

“I love you too, my soon-­to-­be wifey. Now scat.” He kissed her, and once she was gone, he turned to his screaming children. “All right. Daddy's here. Who wants to play poker?”

As he'd promised, Reggie Garland came by later that evening and checked out Baby Bob, as he was now being called. Reg thought he had a touch of a twenty-­four-­hour stomach virus and offered the parents some suggestions on how to make their son comfortable while the bug ran its course. He agreed that Tiara would probably come down with the same thing shortly, so they should be ready. They thanked him, and when he left, Kiki said, “You have to love a town where your neighbor is also your pediatrician, and he makes house calls.”

Bobby cracked, “That's how cults roll.”

The Douglases were awakened by a pounding on their door. Bobby, who'd been up all night with his sick son, stumbled to the door and opened it to find Estelle Page standing on the steps.

“Where's my daughter?” she demanded.

“Good morning to you, too, Ms. Page. Do you want to come in?”

She pushed past him and, once inside, stopped and stared around at the place. Bobby cracked, “Nice place, huh? While you pick your mouth up off the floor, I'll get Kiki.”

He didn't need to, though. She came out of the back, carrying Tiara. “Mama! What are you doing here?”

“I came to try and talk some sense into you one last time.”

“How'd you get here?”

“Pastor Garner drove.”

Kiki sighed audibly. “Where's he now?”

“Out in the car.”

“Go get him, and you can join us for breakfast. Bobby has to leave for work in about an hour.”

Bobby could see Estelle eyeing the baby but pretending not to be interested. “I'm going to get washed up,” he said. “Will you be okay?”

“Yes. You go and get together. Breakfast will be up in a few.”

He raced through his morning routine so as not to leave Kiki alone too long. When he returned, a short older man wearing glasses was seated in the living room. “You must be Bobby,” he said.

“I am. And are you Pastor Garner?”

“I am.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Same here.”

Bobby thought the man seemed pleasant enough.

“Nice place you have here.”

“We like it.”

“How much is the rent?” asked Estelle.

Kiki said, “We have the place for free right now.”

Her mother stared. “Free?”

“Yes. Bobby, food's ready, baby. Pastor Garner, do you want to join us?”

“Yes. I'd like that. Thank you.” He sat and said, “Let's say grace.”

After the short prayer, Estelle said smugly, “I'll bet this is the first time that's been said here.”

Bobby raised his gaze to Kiki.

“No, Mama, it's not. Reverend Paula lives in one of the other trailers, and when she comes over to have lunch with me, we always say grace.”

“Who's Reverend Paula?” Estelle asked,

“The priest who baptized the kids on Christmas Eve.”

That appeared to catch both visitors by surprise, but only Pastor Garner said, “My congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

But Estelle was not to be denied. “So tell me about this cult.”

A knock on the door interrupted them. Bobby went to answer it. It was Tamar.

“Saw a strange car outside. Just wanted to stop by and make sure you kids were okay.”

“We are. Kiki's mom is here.”

“Wonderful. May I meet her?”

“Yes, ma'am.” Bobby was pretty sure Tamar would take care of the cult nonsense once and for all.

She entered the kitchen, and Kiki made the introductions.

“Welcome to Henry Adams,” Tamar said. “I'm Tamar July.”

Estelle looked her up and down disapprovingly. “I'm Estelle Page. Are you one of the cult members?”

Tamar stopped. She looked at Kiki, then at Bobby, and lastly at Pastor Garner. “I'm assuming you're her doctor, and she's under your care?”

Bobby snorted. Kiki kept her head down to hide her smile.

Garner was smiling as well as he stood. “I'm Pastor William Garner. I'm very pleased to meet you.”

“Same here. Did she really ask if I was a cult member, Bobby?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Olivia and I were on the way to the rec, but I think I need to take off my coat and sit for a few.”

“You know you're welcome, Tamar,” Kiki said. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Please.”

Kiki returned with a mug of the brew, black. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, doll. Now, Ms. Page, let's begin again. Explain the cult remark, please.”

“My daughter has obviously been brainwashed by the ­people who live here. She said she was given this place for free. No one does that without wanting something in return. Running drugs is my guess, since
he
knows all about that.”

Tamar glanced Bobby's way. “Is she talking about you?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

She offered him a pat on his hand before settling her fierce hawklike gaze on Estelle again. “How do you brainwash someone? Is there a special soap or detergent that you use?”

Garner was viewing the interplay with muted amusement. Bobby wondered just what role the man had come to play.

“How dare you patronize me.”

“Be glad that's all I'm doing. My shotgun's in the truck. My ancestors gave their lives to found this town. How dare you demean the blood they shed and the sacrifices they made with your narrow-­mindedness? Do you know anything about what the race endured to escape the butchery in the south after Reconstruction failed? Do you?”

Estelle jumped. She looked terrified, and Bobby wanted to cheer.

“There are no cults here. Just a town filled with ­people who heard how hard Bobby and Kelly were struggling and extended a hand. Yes, they live here, rent-­free. They have a nice car, too. When was the last time you went out of your way to help someone change their life?”

Estelle looked decidedly uncomfortable.

“How long has the town existed, Ms. July?” asked the pastor.

“Since its founding in 1879.”

He sat back with surprise. “My lord. That's remarkable. Where is it?”

Tamar supplied the answer.

“May Estelle and I accompany you into town, if it's not too much to ask?”

“I'd love to show you around.”

Bobby Jr.'s cries announced he was awake, so Bobby went to get him. After changing his diaper, he brought him out and gently handed him to Estelle. “Say good morning to your grandmother.”

Estelle's eyes rounded, and she looked up at him in shock. He ignored her and leaned down to place a kiss on Kiki's cheek. “Going to work. I'll call you later.”

Tiara threw her arms up. He lifted her and held her up over his head. Her giggles warmed his heart. He gave her a kiss, too. “Be nice to your mama today, missy, or we won't play poker tonight.”

Handing her back, he nodded at the visitors and at Tamar. “You all have a good day.”

A short while later, Estelle and Pastor Garner squeezed into Olivia with Tamar. When they returned two hours later, Estelle said to Kiki, “I need to ask your forgiveness.”

Kiki glanced at Tamar. Pastor Garner looked pleased.

Estelle continued, “Pastor Garner came with me because he said he knew God had blessed you via the ­people here, but I didn't believe him. In truth, I chose not to believe him because I didn't want to admit I was wrong. But I
was
wrong. Everyone I talked to spoke so highly of Bobby.”

“He's a good man, Mama. Yes, he got off track there for a while, but he's always had a good heart. Otherwise I wouldn't have had his babies, or still be with him.”

Estelle began to cry. “I so want to be in the lives of my grandchildren.”

“There's nothing stopping you. In fact, Tamar, can my mama stay with you until after the wedding?”

Estelle looked up, surprised.

“Sure,” Tamar replied.

“The whole town is invited, so do you want to be the mother of the bride and give me away?”

Estelle dropped onto the sofa and wept.

Kiki said to Baby Bob, “I think that's a yes.”

On New Year's Day, Bobby watched his mother-­in-­law escort his bride down the aisle while Roni played Mendelssohn's “Wedding March.” The church was packed. Much to his delight, his mother had come too, and was seated in the front pew, holding the nattily dressed twins on her lap. He doubted he and Estelle would ever be best buds, but she would always be welcome in his home. Beside him stood his best man and, yes, friend, Trent July. No other man meant as much as the mayor to him. With his guidance and support, Bobby was looking forward to having an awesome life. In the last month he'd gone from a lowly valet who mattered to no one to a well-­thought-­of and respected member of a community he hadn't even known existed until Crystal showed up at their door last fall. Crystal stood across from him with tears in her eyes while she waited on her BFF to reach them. She too had been changed by this place, and he couldn't wait to see what the future held.

When Kiki reached him, the love in her eyes made him weak. They joined hands, and Reverend Paula began reading the words that would bind them together until death did them part.

The next day, Trent, Lily, and their sons took his mother and her family back to the airport. They'd had a fabulous time, and now it was time to part. He shared a strong hug with Paul and Val and then his mother. He looked down into Rita Lynn's eyes. “Thank you again for your courage.”

She smiled. “We have a lot of years ahead of us, Trenton, Lord willing. You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”

“And you're stuck with me.”

She kissed Lily and then her grandsons. “Don't forget you're coming out for Easter.”