All In The Game (Dearly Beloved) (3 page)

“No way. In my opinion there is something wrong with them. Plus I think there’s a bit of jealousy in play. I imagine you got the ‘why are you giving up your freedom’ lecture.”

He picked up a piece of calamari and fed it to her. She watched the smile fill his face when he felt the tip of her tongue lick his fingers.

“It wasn’t quite a lecture, but essentially that was the way it went. I wonder what their problem really is?”

She chewed slowly, savoring the spicy Cajun coating on the calamari. “Mmmm. That is so good. Like I said, I think they’re jealous that we’re so happy. My other guess would be that they’re afraid that they’re going to lose us as friends. After all you’ve been single for quite a few years. So have I and for that matter—so have they. Also to be considered is that they are our best pals. I think their comments are being made in our best interest.”

“I agree with you on that point but why in the world would they think we would stop being friends?”

“Because they’re afraid of change.”

He had said something similar to Sid this morning. He leaned in and ran his finger down the side of her jaw before tilting her chin with his thumb and planting a kiss on her generous mouth. “How did you get so wise?”

“I’m not wise. It’s simply knowing how people think. When Ralph left me you would’ve thought I had leprosy. All the couples we had been friends with over the years dropped me like a hot potato, with the exception of Rita. Of course, her husband had just left town with his new lady friend, so we were both in the same boat.”

“Why would they do that? When my wife died all of our friends were inviting me to dinner to meet people.”

“Not people, darling, single women.”

“Come to think of it, you’re absolutely right. Why wouldn’t they do the same for you?”

She leaned back in the chair, lifted the toothpick out of her drink and took a bite of the olive before answering. “I assume the women were afraid we’d try to steal their husbands.”

“Really?”

“That’s the only reason I could come up with. Anyway from that point, since Rita was single again, she and I went everywhere together. Honestly, the way those same friends acted around us, when we were together for a gathering of some sort, I’m sure they assumed that we were a couple,” she said, framing the word 'couple' in air quotes.

“I must be living in a fog because that thought would never have crossed my mind about the two of you.”

“That’s because you’re a kind person, love, and you know me more intimately than any of them ever has. Can’t speak for the men but a lot of women out there are vicious, especially if they feel threatened about their mates. What’s up with Sid?”

They stopped talking for a few minutes while their entrées were delivered. After the server left, Keith said, “It wasn’t just the question that he thought I was crazy for getting married, it was that he seemed so bitter about marriage. When I asked him why, he wouldn’t give me a reason.”

“My guess would be that whatever it was that happened to him had to be a life changing event. Has he ever been married?” She took a bite of her crab cake and sighed. “Chef Rolf has done it again. His
rémoulade
sauce is perfect with just the right amount of hot sauce. These are almost orgasmic!”

“Maybe we should get an order to go.”

“You don’t need help in that department, love.”

Keith grabbed the ketchup and squirted some by his fries. “That’s good to know. Back to Sid. To my knowledge, he’s never been married. He keeps stressing that variety is the spice of his existence. That he loves being free and having a different woman in his life every week.”

Amanda reached over and stole one of the plain fries and dipped it in the
rémoulade
. “That must be exhausting. How does he keep the names straight?” she asked, trying not to sound unsympathetic.

“Don’t have a clue. I’d be exhausted just trying to keep up.” He grinned at the expression of horror on her face. “Don’t look at me like that. I wasn’t searching for a wife. When I saw you that was it for me.”

“I’m still amazed that you think so. That was not exactly an auspicious meeting,” she said, and took another bite of crab. “This is my favorite restaurant. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad dish here. In addition to the service being fantastic, the food fresh, what I really like is that they use real lump crab. Besides that, they don’t serve broccoli. No wonder the place is always bustling.”

He leaned back in the rattan chair and chuckled. “Yes, I agree the food is great and you know I don’t like broccoli.”

“I do, but you should eat a better variety of vegetables.”

“Don’t try to change the subject. You have to admit how we met was different.” He held up his hands, thumbs touching, to make a picture frame. “I can still picture you sitting on your...ah, butt, in the center aisle of Wal-Mart after that wild kid knocked you over while he was trying to ride the cart like a skateboard. The expression on your face was priceless.”

“If I could’ve gotten up faster the expression on that kid’s face would’ve been priceless. Man, he was quick. He could’ve won a gold medal in the Olympics.”

“Yes, but the end result was that we met. It was probably fate that sent him our way. Whatever the reason, I count it as one of my lucky days.”

“Maybe if they’re lucky, fate will send our friends someone their way. In the meantime we have to let them know that we’ll always be their friends.”

“Agreed,” he said. “So, how are plans progressing for our big day?”

“So far, everything is going according to plan. I had the final fitting on my dress today.”

“Okay. Before I forget, I had a call from Rev. Moore. He wants to meet with us four times before the wedding to discuss some issues he feels could arise in the future. The first one we’ll do together, then we’ll each meet separately with him, the last one together. Did I make sense?”

Amanda scooped out the last of her baked potato. She pushed her plate aside then wiped her mouth with the napkin. “I understood every word. As for the schedule of meetings, I understand that’s pretty standard these days, especially with blended families, I think is the proper term.”

“That was the very one he used. Anything else we need to address?”

“I think it would be a very good idea if the four of us, Sid and Rita, you and I, get together. I mean, I’ve discussed plans with you and with Rita which must make Sid feel like he is on the outside looking in. Why don’t I fix dinner on Saturday night and we can talk about our plans with them?”

He was not about to tell her that he didn’t think Sid gave a rat’s ass about the plans. On the other hand, it might not be a bad idea for him to meet Rita before the rehearsal at the church. Moreover, once Sid got to know Amanda a bit better he would realize why they wanted to do the “death till us part” thing.

“Sounds like a good idea. I’ll give him a call in the morning. Are you sure that Rita can make it? Doesn’t she work nights at the hospital?”

“She usually does but it so happens she has this weekend off. It should be a hoot with those two. I’ve never seen two people so against remarriage. At least I assume Sid has been married before.”

“Like I said before, I don’t know.

“Well, I’m pretty sure we’re going to find out something come Saturday.”

Chapter 4

Amanda was not at all surprised when Rita was the first one to arrive on Saturday evening. Knowing her friend as she did Amanda would need to be working with a high level of awareness. She would have to keep her mental fingers crossed that Rita stayed on her best behavior.

“I thought I’d come over early and give you a hand. Did I tell you that I love the new highlights in your hair? Makes you look very chic.”

Oh, oh, the woman is working on me to let my guard down. It isn’t going to work.
“Only about ten times since I’ve had it done. As for dinner, I’ve got everything ready. Other than the chicken casserole, everything else is cold. It’ll be less formal that way.”

“I can always set the table. Are you going to eat in the kitchen or the dining room?”

“The kitchen is homier. We can discuss plans out on the lanai over drinks. I already have a platter of noshes prepared so we don’t get sloshed,” Amanda sang the ending phrase.

“You are too cute for words these days. When are the guys due to arrive?”

“Sid’s car is in the garage so Keith is picking him up. Stuart, over at Brady’ Garage, said it won’t be ready until Monday or Tuesday at the latest.”

Rita took four plates out of the cupboard and four cloth napkins from a drawer along with the cutlery and went to the table.

“I think most everybody in Calusa goes to Brady’s. Are you going to use a tablecloth or the placemats that are already on the table? What about the candles?”

“Leave them there. I’ll light them right before dinner. Use the placemats that are on the table,” Amanda called from the lanai where she was busy lighting a display of scented pillar candles. “I told you we’re not going to do anything fancy.”

“That’s why you’re going to light all these candles.”

“The sun will be setting in a while. I like the atmosphere candles create. You wouldn’t want to sit out here with the harsh overhead light on.” She walked back into the kitchen. “This is mainly to talk about the wedding plans. Speak of the devil, I do believe I hear a car door.”

“Woman, you have hearing like a bat. At least, I think it’s a bat that is supposed to hear so well.”

Amanda laughed and waved the comment aside. “Whatever.”

Keith came through the door followed by Sid. “Sure smells good in here,” he called as he walked through the house.

Amanda came out of the kitchen and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m glad you’re here. I was just getting ready to open a bottle of wine and you know I’m useless when it comes to corkscrews.”

He raised an eyebrow and shot her a quizzical look. She gave him a gentle shove on the chest with both hands and sniggered. “I can read your mind. Don’t go any further with that statement.”

“Aw, come on, babe,” he said, waggling his brows.

Sid cleared his throat. “I think I’ll head for the lanai and leave you two love birds to deal with your double meaning conversation.”

Amanda pointed to her friend sitting outside at the table, paging through a magazine, and obviously not reading because of the flickering candlelight. “That’s up to you. Rita’s out there. We’ll be there in a few.”

“I don’t think he’s ever been in love,” Keith said as Sid went outside. They watched as he introduced himself to Rita, before taking a seat across from her.

“Yes, I have been in love, several times, then I got over it,” Sid called back.

“Boy, Rita thought I had good hearing but I think Sid has me beat,” Amanda said.

Going directly to the refrigerator she took out the bottle of wine and handed it to Keith. As she did she raised her left hand to once again admire the beautiful pear shaped diamond engagement ring. The overhead light enhanced the sparkle. It was still hard to believe this whole scene of forging a life with Keith. Everything that was happening now was what she had expected to happen in her younger days. Lately she went to bed at night fearing she was living a dream and that it would all be gone when she woke up in the morning.

“You know, hon, I still can’t believe our big day is just around the corner,” she said. “Have you gotten cold feet yet? There’s still time to tell me that you’ve changed your mind.”

He put the bottle down and pulled her into his arms and rested his forehead against hers. “You’ve got to be putting me on. Stop asking that.”

“I’m sorry. It seems so unreal. I can’t believe it’s happening.” She couldn’t share the dream she’d had a couple of nights ago that he’d left her standing at the altar with a note saying he couldn’t go through with the wedding.

“Trust me; I’m the one counting the days. By the way, I spoke to Rev. Moore and he’s expecting us on Monday night at seven for our joint session, I’ll go solo on Wednesday and you on Friday. Then we’ll go together the Monday before the wedding.”

“It still seems strange that we’re going for counseling at our age. After all, we’ve both been there and done that.”

“I know but with the high divorce rate these days he just wants us to be sure.”

They heard a voice calling their names and turned to see Rita standing in the doorway. “A woman could die of thirst out here. Do you think you two could give it a rest with the huggy stuff and come out and join us?”

He kissed Amanda on the nose as he ran his hands up and down her back. “Those two are a royal pain in the ass.”

She took his face in her hands and gave him a deep, comforting kiss on the lips. “Indeed they are but they’re our pains. We had better get out there before it gets worse.”

“Yeah, they should be so lucky.” He picked up the bottle of wine along with the stone container to keep it cool. Amanda followed with a tray of fruit, cheese and crackers.

It was a perfect evening to be outdoors. The huge live oak tree in the backyard provided shade but didn’t block the spectacular Florida sunset that filled the sky with color. Large paddle fans kept the air moving so it was pleasant to be outdoors. The scent of night blooming jasmine filled the air with a delicate fragrance. Amanda was glad that she took the advice of the clerk at the local garden center and planted the jasmine at the far corner of the yard. Her neighbor had planted it all around her pool area and had to have it removed because having the scent that close to the house was overpowering.

Sid was slouched down in the chair, legs stretched out in front of him, feet crossed at the ankles. Rita went back to the chair closest to his where they resumed what appeared to be a serious conversation.

“What’s going on with y’all,” Amanda asked. “When I got to the doorway you two looked so serious, I thought you might be praying or meditating.”

Keith set the wine bottle on the table, poured four glasses then snorted, “Fat chance of Sid ever doing either of those things.”

“Now, now, don’t be so quick to judge,” Rita said, pushing back her chair to reveal a pad of paper on her lap. She twirled the pencil like the champion majorette she’d been in high school. “I picked up the one on the table that you used to keep score when you played SCRABBLE last night. You are so compulsive, you even date your games.”