Page 36 of Somebody To Love

Slipping her feet into her black ballet flats—the only dress shoes she had other than the terrifying sky-scraper heels she had to wear at tomorrow’s wedding—she did one last check in the mirror.

Frizzy hair tamed back into a sleek French twist, check. Light application of makeup to the best of her ability—thank you Internet makeup tutorials—check. Dress, shoes, light wrap, and purse, check. Satisfied she had everything in order not to make a fool of herself—or Cassie—she grabbed her keys and headed out.

The rehearsal was being held at the new restaurant. In the back, technically. The Jackson family had turned a portion of the cruddy, pothole ridden parking lot in back into a beautiful outdoor patio. When the restaurant opened in a few weeks, there would be seating. She’d heard Del mention something about trying to have live music occasionally. But right now, it would serve as the perfect venue for a small, intimate wedding.

She drove the few miles to Jacks, parking in the distillery lot and heading over. Loud peals of laughter and chatter reached her ears as she walked. It seemed most everyone had arrived. Shoot! She hated being late. Worried she was holding everyone up, she quickened her pace. A sigh of relief escaped her as she came into view of the back patio. People milled about, chatting, holding drinks in their hands. No one seemed in a rush to get things started.

“Penny! Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!”

She let out a surprising oaf as Charlie grabbed her in a fierce hug, the woman crushing her close as if they were long lost best friends. Her surprise turned to mirth as the bright cheery voice lowered, whispering in her ear with desperation.

“My aunt Karen is here, and the woman will not stop asking me when I’m going to finally settle down and start popping out babies. Cassie is glued to Del’s side, and I have no one to distract her. Save me!”

She laughed. Finding it oddly amusing to see someone the great and powerful Charlie seemed to be afraid of. Most of the time, Charlie told anyone who annoyed her to screw off. Guess that didn’t really work with relatives.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Oh thank you, you’re an angel. An absolute angel.”

Not really. She was just happy to have someone need her for more than computer issues.

“Charlene! Oh Charlene!”

Bright red painted lips peeled back with a groan. “It’s Charlie, Aunt Karen. My name is Charlie.”

A very tall woman came gliding up to them. Dark brown hair, dyed judging by the gray roots, hung in loose waves around the woman’s face. She smiled kindly, but shook her head, making a tsking sound through her teeth.

“I know. It’s just preposterous naming a girl Charlie. I cannot fathom why my sister let your father give you all such silly names.”

The Jackson children’s names were a well-known joke around Kismet. Lawrence Jackson had been a career military man. A Marine ‘til the day he died, which had sadly been too soon. Penny had only known him less than a year before he died, but she remembered him as a kind man. He loved his wife and children. He also had a strange sense of humor. Humor that extended to his children’s names: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta.

“Dad was a good man. Nothing wrong with a little silliness.”

Penny felt Charlie’s hand tighten on her arm. The woman’s jaw clenched. The Jacksons took family seriously, especially Charlie. She didn’t take anyone insulting her family. Even other family members.

Karen’s eyes filled with sympathy. She patted Charlie on the cheek. “Of course, sweetie. He was a wonderful man. Taken too soon, rest his soul.” The woman glanced around. “He would have loved to see this. Del so happy and getting married to such a lovely girl. I know he’s looking down on you all and probably eager to see the rest of you kids happily married and giving your mama some bouncing grandbabies. Speaking of babies—”

“Aunt Karen, have you met Penny?”

The hand holding her arm moved to her back and gave a forceful shove right between her shoulder blades. Penny faltered but didn’t fall on her face. Thank you, ballet flats. If she’d been wearing her wedding shoes, she’d have been toast.

“No. I don’t believe I have.”

The woman stuck out a large hand, enveloping Penny’s with a grip far stronger than she would have imagined.

“Are you a friend of Cassandra’s?”

There wasn’t a simple answer to that one. It would be rather embarrassing—for both parties—to admit she was only a bridesmaid because Cassie needed a body. And that she was so desperate for female friendship, she readily agreed. She could lie, but she’d always been a terrible liar. “Oh, um, I—”

“Aunt Karen,” a deep voice boomed. “Nice to see you. How’s Florida?”

She was saved from her bumbling by the one person who had always come to her rescue since she was fourteen. BJ.

The back of her neck tingled, body heat rising. He stood just behind her, not touching, but close enough for his presence to reach out and wrap around her. Holy crap! Had it always been like this with him? Had she ignored this intense fire burning low in her belly whenever he came near, or was this new? All since…the kiss?

“Wonderful. I just moved to a new condo. Right on the beach.”

“Sounds lovely.”

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