The Sweet By and By (33 page)

Unhooking the tailgate, Jade gazed at Max, Mama's taillights flashing red over his face. “Where have you been, cowboy? I tried to call you a hundred times.”

“Babe, I'm so sorry. The guys took my phone.”

“I see you had a mature, responsible weekend then.” She lifted the Dutch boy and girl porcelain set. “I thought something might have happened to you. But June hadn't called, so I didn't panic.”

He moaned, rubbing his hand over his head. “I told them, but they never listen. They like to play keep-away . . . the bachelor from his fiancée.” Max tried to draw her to him again.

“Want to help unload? Hey, Roscoe, buddy.” Jade bent to touch her nose to his. “Lillabeth, my hero, thank you for covering the shop all weekend. Are you getting closer to that eight hundred?”

“Well, if you give me a raise—” She hugged Jade and reached inside the truck bed. “I should get extra pay for dealing with your anxious fiancé. He's been hanging around all day waiting for you. I almost had to put him to work.”

“You should've.” Jade glanced at Max. A weekend-old beard darkened his jaw, deepening the shadows under his eyes.

“I tried to call you, Jade. All day.” He unloaded a box of frameless paintings from the truck.

“Irritating, isn't it.” Roscoe led the way inside. “My phone battery died. Lilla, put that stuff over there. Max, bring the paintings into the office.”

It was good to be home. Jade dropped her bag on top of the lime green stickies and collapsed in her chair. Max leaned against the edge of the desk, stiff and distracted.

“Vegas,” he blurted. “They hijacked me to Vegas.”

“Vegas? The bachelor party went to Vegas?”

“They blindfolded me, took my wallet and phone. Burl has a plane, so . . .” Max swooped his hand toward the ceiling. “Off we went. Bunch of goofballs.”

Jade regarded him a moment. His countenance seemed sad. Low. “It's okay, Max.”

“Is ‘What happened in Vegas stays in Vegas' pertinent here?” he asked.

“What happened in Vegas?” Her middle knotted.
Don't do this to me, Max.

“Relax, Jade.” He smiled. “Nothing, I'm just teasing. The only thing that happened in Vegas was I lost a bunch of money.”

“How much?” Tension eased out with her next exhale.

“Let's just say we'll need to keep the money from the dinner party.”

“Max, that's ridiculous.”

“Tell me, I know.” He started to pace. “Once you start at the tables, it's almost impossible to quit. Of course, it didn't help that the guys were tossing money down on my behalf.”

“You need new friends.”

Roscoe trotted in, burying his head between Max's knees, giving him a Roscoe hug. “Hey, old boy. Did you miss me?”

Lillabeth ran a continuous shop update, helping Jade and Max unload the rest of the truck. “We were swamped until closing on Saturday, then when I opened yesterday, there were people waiting.”

“Tell you what, take anything you want from the '70s rack, on me.”

“Now you're talking. Thanks, Jade.”

Letting Lillabeth close up, Jade ordered pizza and climbed up to the loft with Max. “I need to tell you something. More gunk from my past.”

“R-really. What happened with letting the past be the past?”

“I met Jesus, Max.”

“What do you mean you met Jesus? Was He hitchhiking?” He closed the door behind him, yuk-yukking, his humor fading when he peered at Jade.

“Max, when Dustin walked out on me, I was pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” The word hung in the air between them.

“I didn't know until after he'd walked out.”

“Okay, what happened to the baby?”

She expected to see his jaw tighten, but it didn't. Jade thumped her palms against her thighs. “Well, I'm not proud of this, but Mama took me to a clinic . . . I-I went to a clinic. In Des Moines.” She collapsed on the couch. Wasn't the week before a girl's wedding supposed to be stressed with wedding preparations, not heart-wrenching confessions?

“Oh.” Max sat on the couch and brushed her bangs aside with the tip of his finger. “Wow. I'm sorry, Jade.”

“Max, look, I thought a lot about this on the drive home. I've told you a lot of lies. If you don't want to marry—”

“Wait, Jade, please don't.” His tone was tender. “I wasn't expecting this news, but it doesn't change how I feel. Nothing can change how I feel. I love you. Just . . . are there any more surprises?”

She slipped her hand into his. “Last one, absolutely, I promise. Well, from my past anyway.”

“Look, Jade, the past can still be the past. In fact, we can start clean, right now, today. Five minutes ago, yesterday, last week—ancient history.”

“I need to tell you, to finish the story, because this is where Jesus comes in.”

“Then tell me.”

On the Bensons' enclosed patio, overlooking the fading gold-and-red valley, Jade sipped fresh-squeezed lemonade from a Baccarat crystal glass and reviewed the final wedding preparations.

She read the list the wedding planner, Betsy, handed her, but without focus. The first time Max came to her loft for dinner, she served him sweet tea in a mason jar, and he said it was the sweetest tea he'd ever tasted.

“Jade, I heard you were stranded with your mama in Beechgrove.” Betsy tapped on her iPhone, sticking out her tongue. “If that was me and my mom, someone would've died.”

June regarded Jade. “You don't seem any worse for the wear.”

“I took your advice.” Jade sipped her lemonade.

“Really?” June squared her shoulders, smiling. “You let go of the issue with your mother?”

“Yes, by letting go of an issue with me.” She wasn't all the way there yet, but the train was on the tracks. All aboard.

Who knew sending a ruby red invitation to Beryl Hill would result in her redemption and freedom? Jade
Freedom
Fitzgerald.

“We should have Max confirm the honeymoon details, flight, reservations.” Betsy's fingers flew over her iPhone keypad. “Max . . . confirm . . . hon-ey-moon . . .”

“Bridesmaids' gifts, Jade. Done?”

“Antique jewel boxes.”

“Check.” General Betsy. “The quartet for the wedding is confirmed, but we need to confirm with the reception band. They're coming over from Nashville, which makes me nervous. I've had bands not show before.” Betsy started another text. “I'll have my assistant confirm.”

“Final head count, two-ninety.” Betsy slid Jade the final list of names. “Your sister asked to invite a few of her friends.”

Jade reviewed the handwritten names, smiling. Willow. That girl.

Betsy moved on to bridesmaids' and groomsmen's arrival times, confirming rooms at the Magnolia Tree. June assured her the rehearsal dinner was all set at the club, with a local bluegrass band for entertainment.

“Jade, have you thought about your gift for Max?” Betsy jammed a baby carrot in her mouth.

“My heart isn't enough?”

Betsy peeked at Jade from under her brow, then laughed. “Cute. I thought you were serious for a moment.”

“I'm not?”

“No, Jade, it's okay. We get it. The gift is a private matter.” Betsy sent off another text. “Best to remind Max. He
is
a man.”

“He bought me a house, Betsy, and a diamond ring.”

“Can't wear a house around your neck, and I'd have killed him if he proposed without a ring. Let me see it again.” She leaned over the table. “Hm, the man did good.”

“Rebel is so good about birthdays and anniversaries. Even brings me gifts just because,” June said, reaching for the lemonade pitcher.

“Come on, June, Rebel is the biggest philan—” A pink hue crept across Betsy's face. “Flowers. We're set with calla lilies. Jade, remember, the boutique called and we can pick up all the dresses tomorrow. Yours I have, but I need to get your sister's and your mother's.”

“Rebel is the biggest what, Betsy?” June's voice cut like a razor.

“Philanthropist.” She gulped her lemonade. Ice slipped forward in the glass, spilling the drink on her blouse.

June handed her a napkin. “He is, and it's important to him that the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. Jade, you didn't know your father-in-law was so generous, did you?”

“No, June, I didn't. But I'm not surprised.” Her gaze met Betsy's. What was she hinting at?

“Speaking of generosity.” Betsy arched one brow. “Rebel arranged a surprise for you.”

“Really?” asked June. “For Jade?”

“What kind of surprise?” asked Jade.

“Now what kind of surprise would it be if I told you, hm?”

They concluded the review with tuxes and limos, and arrival of out-of-town guests.

“It's so good to have your brother walk you down the aisle. So sad about your dad passing.”

“Yeah.” Jade shoved away from the table, folding the copy of the list Betsy had handed her. She'd have to clear up that topic another day. “I need to run. I have an appointment.” She hugged Betsy, then June. “Thank you. For everything.”

“You're marrying my only son. Of course . . .” June walked her to the front door, the heels of her leather pumps echoing in the bright marble foyer. “About what Betsy said.”

“It's none of my business, June. Besides, I'm not one to judge.”

“Reb's a good man. You know that, don't you, Jade?”

“I do, from all I can see.”

“He's imperfect, as are all men, you know. Weak.”

“Aren't we all?” Jade twisted open the door. “June, this day wouldn't have been nearly as lovely and special if it weren't for you. From the parties, the gifts, and the organizing to hiring Betsy and taking care of so many wedding details I didn't think were important. But most of all, for challenging me to have a ceremony like this one, and to invite my mother.”

“What am I for if not for helping?”

Jade planted a soft kiss on her future mother-in-law's cheek.

The church sanctuary wasn't quiet when Jade entered; it was alive and buzzing with Thursday choir practice.

Reverend Girden called to say he was running late, but to wait for him in the sanctuary. Jade eased down on the front pew.

“Arthur, did you get a copy of the music?” The choir director held up copies in his hand.

After a response of “Yes” and “We're all good,” the director settled the choir down to rehearse the first number.

When the first chords from the piano and guitar filled the sanctuary, Jade's heart swelled. Granny loved this song.

In the sweet by and by . . .

Jade hummed, eyes closed, swaying from side to side.

. . . we will meet on that beautiful shore.

The peace Jade encountered the night in Beechgrove at Miss Linda's deepened. She'd started reading Granny's old Bible instead of clinging to it like a stuffed toy.

“Jade, thank you for waiting.” Reverend Girden crossed over to her, hand extended. Today, he was the soft, unassuming man. Not the mad dog with a bone. “I'm blessed today. First I had some time with Max, and now you.”

She stood. “Max was here?”

“He was. Just wanted to talk over some things.”

“About me?”

“Actually about him. He's about to get married, make a big commitment, and he wanted to make sure he's on the right course to be a stand-up guy and go the distance with you.” The reverend started for his office. “He really loves you, Jade.”

“I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I'll take it.”

“Good for you.” As before, the reverend sat behind his big oak desk, and Jade took the leather-and-wood chair opposite him. “What can I do for you, Jade?”

“I'm here because of your boss.”

“As in the board or the Lord Himself?” He folded his hands on top of the desk.

“Yes, the . . . the Lord.” Jade angled forward, smoothing her thumb over her fingernails. “I think something happened.”

Her news didn't seem to surprise him. “Can you tell me about it?”

“At first, I thought I might have been going crazy. But the more I think about it . . .” Jade shivered, remembering the burn of His fire. “I did something I'm not proud of, Reverend, and it has caused a lot of pain. For years I blamed my mom, but when I finally faced my part . . .” She made eye contact with Reverend Girden. “Do you think God would be with someone in their darkest hour? No matter what?”

“If not in their darkest hour, then when? God is always with us. Dark and light are the same to Him.”

“Even if the person doesn't believe?”

“Do you know the story of Paul, Jade? He was a passionate young man in his day, running around Jerusalem arresting and beating Christians in defense of the synagogue. One afternoon, right in the middle of his mission, God dropped by for a visit.”

“What happened to him?”

“He became a great lover of Christ. More passionate
for
Him than he had been
against
Him.”

“But this is a different day, a different era.”

“But He's the same God. He doesn't change. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. If they needed to know Him in Paul's day, we surely need to know Him now.”

“Does He love everyone?”

“You know that verse, Jade? ‘For God so loved the world . . .'”

“I do.” A few times, she woke up with the verse in her head. “I haven't forgotten every Sunday school lesson.”

“Did He visit you, Jade?”

“Yes, I think. Mama and I broke down in Beechgrove and stayed at this woman's home. She claims God visits her there often.”

“Sounds just like Him. He loves relationships. We make it about religion, rules, and regulation. But God, He loves to be in a relationship with people. So were you distressed at the time?”