Miss Emmaline wagged her finger. “Don’t you go telling secrets on me, miss. I have the goods on you.”
Grace’s eyes rounded. “Oh, please, tell a couple of them to me. I’d love to know some of my mother-in-law’s deep, dark secrets. Might come in handy one day.”
Kathleen smiled at her daughter-in-law, Grace, her soon to be daughter-in-law, Charlene. “I love both my son’s wives,” she said. “And I hope,” she tipped her head at Marla, “future wife.”
Heat rushed from Marla’s neck to her cheeks. She probably looked like a pickled beet. What had Dwayne said to his mother? She ducked her head and fussed with the gym bag carrying her and Amber’s shoes and sweaters. “Um…I…”
Grace came to her side and placed her hand on Marla’s shoulder. “That’s what we all want, Marla. You’re perfect for him, and Amber is crazy about you.”
Boots sounded along the hall. “You gals got your stuff ready?” Arturo called. “Me and the boys are ready to start loading up.”
Charlene squeaked with excitement and happiness. “We’re ready. Come in.” She hugged Marla. “Come on Maid, ha-ha, of Honor. You have to help me do this. I’m getting nervous.”
Marla smoothed her hands over Charlene’s lovely blond hair. “You will be the most beautiful bride in Wyoming today, sis.” Just when she’d begun to fully appreciate her sister, Char was about to be married and move to Hawaii. A sad lump settled in her chest. “I love you.” I didn’t know how much until now.
Tears sparkled in Charlene’s rusty brown eyes, identical to her own. “I know. I love you too. I wish Sil and Dadley and the twins were here.”
Marla knew that their parents and Harry and Barry, and John and Irene Dempsey were already in Buffalo waiting for the wedding party to arrive. They’d planned a wonderful surprise for the bride and groom. Charlene, who loved surprises, would have one today to remember all her life.
“They’ll be here in spirit, and we’ll take tons of pictures on our phones to send to them.” She kissed Charlene on the lips. “Ready?” She grinned and held the secret close to her heart. “Okay, then let’s get hitched!”
“Daddy, Auntie Charlene looks like a rill princess, doesn’t she?”
Dwayne smiled at his daughter and laughed at himself for being startled to hear her say, “Auntie Charlene.” Marla’s sister was her aunt now. Part of the Dempsey family. His sister-in-law. Did that fact complicate things further between the two families? He and his brothers knew Silvia Danaher and their father, John, had long ago been lovers, before he met their mother, Kathleen Burwell. Now here they were, all together, celebrating the marriage of the youngest Dempsey son to the eldest Danaher daughter.
“Yes, she does look like a real princess. And Uncle Donovan is a warrior prince. He’s the best looking of us three brothers.”
“Nuh uh, Daddy, not rilly.”
His chest warmed at her innocence. His little sweetheart thought her daddy was the best-looking. “Well, if it’s not Donovan, who is it?”
“Uncle Dylan.” That knocked him down a peg.
“Who told you that?”
“Uncle Dylan did.” She sighed. “It’s a fairytale, Daddy.” She pointed to Marla, dancing with one of her twin brothers. “Marla’s brothers are handsome princes. Barry is going to dance with me when the cowboy line dance music comes on.”
“How do you know it’s Barry? Those boys are identical. Maybe it’s Harry.”
“Nope.” She grinned a secret smile. “Marla telled me how to know them apart. But she said it was our secret, so I can’t tell you it.”
He pulled her onto his lap and growled into her neck. “Is that so? We’ll see about that, squirt.” She giggled and struggled.
“Stop, Daddy. Stop, I’ll tell you, but you have to promise to keep the secret, okay?”
“What secret?”
Dwayne and Amber hadn’t seen Marla leave the dance floor. Amber’s eyes got huge and she put her hands over her mouth.
“Hey, Danaher. Enjoying the party?” He tilted his chin. “Kiss me, beautiful.”
She kissed him and sat in the chair vacated by Amber. “Wow!” Eyes wide she wagged her chin at the far tables. “Do you believe that?” John Dempsey had just taken Kathleen Burwell’s hand and escorted her to the dance floor.
“Shit no.”
“Daddy!”
“Sorry, squirt. You can wash out my mouth with soap later. I really want to eat another piece of that wedding cake.” He gave her a quick squeeze.
“Then you better watch it, soldier!” She smacked his arm, and he and Marla exchanged eye smiles.
His gaze returned to his parents, and he found it hard to come to grips with the expressions on their faces. They smiled and talked like long-lost friends. “I worried how Mom would react when she learned Dad and Irene would be here today.”
“Looks like you worried for nothing. They have children and grandchildren together. Perhaps they felt it was time to bury old grudges. I think it’s great.” The sparkle in Marla’s eyes had the usual effect on him. He brushed his hand on her neck and imagined them climbing into his old bed together tonight.
Amber sang, “Here comes the bride.”
Charlene and Donovan joined them. Char kissed Dwayne on the cheek. “I know you don’t like to dance, shiny new brother-in-law, but there’s no rule that says you can’t hold me and sway to the music.”
He set Amber on her feet and stood. “What red-blooded Marine could pass up that offer?” He took her hand and led her away. When he embraced Charlene, he noticed Donovan offer his hand to Marla.
Donovan leaned close to him, his forked fingers pointing to his eyes. “I’ll be watching you, bro.” He winked and pulled Marla into a tight embrace.
“Goes both ways, baby brother. I still outrank you, don’t forget.”
Charlene whispered in his ear. “Let’s have some fun with this, Middle Dempsey.” She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder, lips close to his neck. “Isn’t this nice?” She reached to slide his hand lower on her back.
He
