Beach Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page B

are there going to be?” I ask. I should
know better than to be surprised by their latest projects.
    “Oh, at least twenty-two,” Bettina says, pouring a
liberal dash of something from a flask into her iced tea. “I’m
taking him through the ‘artist formally-known-as’ years,
through the squiggle era, and back.”
    “Sounds… ambitious. I’m sure it’ll be
great.”
    We head out to the back porch, and take a seat on the rickety wicker
furniture. I sit back, relaxing after the drive.
    “It’s so good to have you home, sweetheart.” Rae
leans over and squeezes my shoulder. “We’ve missed you.”
    “It’s good to see you both, too.” I smile at them.
“Coming back here, it’s like nothing even changed.”
    “Sure it has,” Rae protests. “Did you see that new
café on the square? People were lining up when it opened.”
    “Poor Gil down at the Quick-n-Pick can’t give his coffee
away.”
    “Serves him right,” Rae snorts. “Watered down
swill. Give me a non-fat mocha any day.”
    I laugh. “And there I was thinking Pelican Key Cove was back in
the dark ages.”
    Bettina smiles. “The more things change, the more they stay the
same. Did you hear that Wes Lansing is police chief now?”
    “Wes-from-high-school Wes?” I can’t believe it.
“He used to be the one getting in all kinds of trouble!”
    “Yep, he turned into quite the pillar of the community. He
married Becky Sheridan and they have two adorable little girls,”
Rae elaborates. “They come by to visit the goats sometime.”
    I try to stop myself, but I can’t help it. “What about
Luke?”
    My aunts share a not-so-subtle look.
    “What? You can tell me,” I promise. “Is he married
now? A congressman?”
    “None of the above, but I hear he’s doing just fine,”
Rae says. “We don’t see him in town too much.”
    I try to ignore the relief.
    My relief is cut short when I feel something slither over my feet. I
yelp. My aunts laugh. “It’s just Lancelot,” Rae
reassures me, as the old snake slithers past. “He’s
excited to see you again. Look at the way he’s sticking out his
tongue. He only does that when he’s happy.” Bettina
strokes the snake’s head as if he were a fuzzy Yorkshire
terrier and not a boa constrictor.
    I recover my breathing. I forgot that staying at the ranch means
things crawling, slithering, and waddling through the house at all
hours.
    “Do you know how long you’ll be staying?” Rae asks,
looking hopeful.
    “I’m not sure.” I take a sip of iced tea and
splutter.
    “Whoops, mine.” Bettina switches the glasses with a wink.
I laugh,
    “It all depends if they can get the permits to film. Then I
guess they’ll stay in Miami for a few weeks while we pull the
wedding together. I can’t imagine Pixie and Clyde setting up
shop here for long.”
    “We’re happy to have you for as long as you can stay,”
Rae says warmly. “Your room is more or less the same. There
might be a few more centaurs than you’re used to,” she
adds.
    “Thank you.” I smile, look around, and feel a warm glow.
“It’s good to be home.”
    My phone beeps with a text.
    “ Where r u??? meeting in 15.”
    “It’s Marcie,” I sigh. “I better get going,
before she manages to piss off the whole town.”
    Bettina and Rae get up. “Well, we’d best get going!”
    “Y’all are coming, too?” I hear myself say y’all
and shake my head. Old habits.
    “You know we never miss them, honey. Ooh, Betts, get the Chex
Mix, you just know this one is going to be a show!”

 

Chapter Five
     
    Rae insists on driving, so we all pile into the cab of her ancient
red pickup truck and head over to the Town Hall. The parking lot is
almost full by the time we arrive. I see Marcie up on the front
steps, gesturing furiously as she talks on her cell phone. I don’t
envy whoever’s on the other end of the line, so I slip past
with my aunts before she notices me.
    Inside, it looks like half the town has turned out.