Page 9 of Theo
The wedding would be over soon, and George and I would start our new life together.Time to put the past in the past.I'd been spending too much time daydreaming about my life in Trayton.I'd worked hard in high school to get into a good college and start my career in law, somewhere else, somewhere more exciting than my hometown.Back then, I'd never put together the hard truth about me going off to college and starting a new life.It meant leaving behind Theo Stone.Theo was a Trayton boy, through and through.He had this big, incredible family, and all of them were tied to Trayton.They loved the town and rightly so.Stone was a well-known name in Trayton.Theo's dad, Slade, and his two brothers, Hunter and Colt, had lived a legendary life that sometimes crossed into dangerous territory.They were feared, loved and respected, but mostly respected.
A light knock on the door woke Oscar from his chorus of snores.He barked once.
"Come in," I said.Maria was the woman assigned to help me with whatever I needed.She would be by my side when I got ready for the wedding.She was a quilter in her spare time and had shown me photos of some incredible quilts she'd made for family members.Her father was dying of lung cancer, and she and her sisters were working extra jobs to help pay for medical necessities.
Maria had round cheeks and a wide smile that showed off a charming small gap in her front teeth.She was carrying a tray with coffee, a croissant and some strawberries."Mrs.Plunkett asked for the breakfast room to be cleared, so I grabbed you your favorites and some coffee."
"You're wonderful.Thank you.How is her mood this morning?"I asked.I didn't need to give a name.Maria knew exactly who I meant.
"She's tense and shouting lots of orders.We're all trying to avoid her."
"I don't blame you."I sipped the coffee."Hmm, delicious.Thank you so much for thinking of me, Maria."
"Your final fitting is today at one."
I groaned."I hate that kind of fuss.Have you seen George?"
Maria grew flustered at the question, which was an odd reaction.She started straightening the room and shrugged."Passed him once," she said hastily, still not making eye contact.
I put down the cup of coffee."Maria?Is something wrong?"
Maria shook her head a little fervently and finally looked at me."I think he was on his way to the pool area."She forced a smile.Her whole demeanor had changed.I didn't want to fluster her more so I dropped the subject.
"Anything else?"she asked."I've promised the kitchen staff I'd lend a hand.Mrs.Plunkett has them scurrying around like squirrels on caffeine.She planned so many events this weekend."
"Yes, she did.I'm fine, Maria, and thank you for bringing me breakfast."
She hurried out, and I stared at the door wondering what had just happened.I quickly replayed our interaction in my head to see if I'd said or done anything to upset her, but I'd only asked if she'd seen George.I pushed the strange interaction out of my mind and headed in to shower and dress.I was determined to march through the rest of this weekend with a polite smile and fortitude.It would be over soon and then George and I would get on with our lives.
* * *
A few relativeshad stayed the night, and it seemed almost everyone had gone out to the pool area.That was where I expected to find George.George Senior was sitting at a table under an umbrella chatting with his two brothers.All of the Plunketts had done incredibly well.George had mentioned they were all in investments and trade.I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded like something that would bring in gobs of cash.
The men were deep in conversation, so a friendly wave was all that was required of me.I walked over to the lounges where George's Aunt Roberta and cousin Michelle were sitting.Roberta was Joan's half-sister, and she was far more likable than Joan.Her daughter Michelle was very shy and was always with a book.This morning was no different.She looked up from her book just to say "morning."
"Lacey, come sit next to us.We missed you at breakfast."
"Yes, I'm sorry.I overslept.It's those darn blackout curtains."
Roberta shaded her eyes with her hand to look up at me.She was wearing a floral print bathing suit wrap that was so bright it was attracting bees."No one blames you for wanting to stay in bed, dear.Joan has overbooked the weekend, and you need your rest before the big day.Which is tomorrow!I can't believe little Georgie is getting married."
"Speaking of George, have you seen him?"
"Gosh no, I haven't."Roberta looked over at Michelle."Shelly, dear, did you see George?"Apparently, she was so lost in her book world she hadn't heard the conversation that was taking place directly over her.
Michelle looked up and considered the question as if she was trying to figure out who George was.
"Oh, for goodness' sake, Shelly."Roberta shook her head."Always glued to a book."
I smiled because it was far from a bad thing to always be reading a book.
"I did see George.I think he was going out to the tennis courts.They had their rackets."
"They?"Roberta asked.
Michelle smiled apologetically."I don't remember her name, but I think she works for Uncle Wendell.Gabe was with them, too."Gabe Netherland was the best man and George's best friend from medical school.The two were practically inseparable.I always figured Gabe would be around a lot and I didn't mind him.He was smart and charming and George was always in a better mood when he was around.
I had no idea who the woman was because I'd paid very little attention to the guests.They were all a blur of strangers tossing names at me, names that I would never, ever remember.
