Holly's Heart Collection One (56 page)

“Why not a white gown?” I argued. “And shouldn’t it be longer? You know, with a train?”

Mom rolled her eyes. “Darling, maybe we should talk.” She sat down, sinking deep into the soft armchair beside me. “I said before, second weddings usually aren’t too showy.” It was almost a whisper. “I haven’t changed my mind about that.”

“But you didn’t have a big wedding with Daddy; why not throw a big bash with Uncle Jack?” I insisted.

“Did it ever occur to you that Uncle Jack might want to have a say in the planning? This is his wedding, too.”

“Okay, we’ll let Uncle Jack decide a few things,” I said.

Mom looked at me sideways. “Maybe you’re getting too caught up in this,” she muttered, hoisting herself out of the chair.

As soon as she disappeared into the dressing room, I dashed to the bridal section. That’s when I spotted the perfect dress for a bride. I couldn’t wait to show Mom.

When she came out to model another dress—a pale green just-below-the-knee-length thing with ripples for a hem—I took her arm and escorted her to the dazzling white dress with a chapel-length train fit for a queen.

“Now
this
is you.” I stepped back, admiring the enchanting dress. “Please, Mom. Just try it on.”

Mom smiled. “It’s lovely, dear, but it’s
not
me.”

“Mo-o-m,” I whined.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she said, lowering her voice. “I’ll choose
my
wedding dress, and you choose yours. Okay?”

“That’s not funny,” I said. Then a fabulous idea popped into my head. “What if I choose the dresses for Carrie, Stephie, and me to wear for the wedding party. What do you think?”

“Sure, that’s okay with me, Holly-Heart.” She stroked my hair.

Things were looking up. Mom would say almost anything now to get me off her bridal train, er, out of her hair. So while she went off to try on another nonbridal look, I browsed through the Juniors section of the dress shop.

The trouble with weddings is, by the time you’re old enough to have one, you’re too old to know what’s cool and what’s not. With that thought, I reached for the gorgeous hot-pink dress with beaded silver accents that was calling out to me. The fabric shimmered all the way down to the striking beaded hem. I was holding in my hands the perfect choice for the coolest junior bridesmaids’ dresses in Dressel Hills, Colorado. Wouldn’t Mom be thrilled?

THE TROUBLE WITH WEDDINGS

Chapter 15

I waited with Mom as the cashier rang up her boring cream-colored dress. “I found the perfect dress in Juniors,” I told her. “You have to see it, Mom. We could order three of them exactly alike for Carrie, Stephie, and me.”

Her fingers were busy touching the brocade bodice of her wedding dress. Her mind was apparently a zillion miles away. “That’s nice,” she said, handing a credit card to the clerk.

Just then Andie’s mother showed up. “Shopping for your wedding, I see.” She eyed Mom’s purchase. “Your dress is lovely.”

Lovely? She hadn’t called it
fabulous
or
beautiful.
So I was right. The dress was definitely average—ho-hum. I couldn’t stand by and let Mom’s wedding day be average. It had to be extra special…even memorable. And I would see to it.

Mom showed off her dress, chattering with Mrs. Martinez. Then she signed the credit card purchase slip.

“Excuse me, Mom,” I said, interrupting her. “Can you come look at the dress I found in Juniors real quick before they close?”

But Mom was caught up with Andie’s mom and, of course, wedding talk. “Here, honey, go ahead and order the dresses if you’d like to,” she said offhandedly. “I’ll be across the street at the florist. Meet me there.” Then she handed her credit card to me.

Well, I instantly tore off in the direction of the glitzy hot-pink and silver dress. Just the thing to add pizzazz to a wedding that, so far, seemed to be headed in the direction of Dullsville.

Quickly, I found the dress on the rack again. My size. On the shelves against the wall, I discovered a pair of shoes to match, along with beaded hair accessories. I placed the order for two more dresses—in Carrie’s and Stephanie’s sizes—and hurried out of the store. I was glad the white plastic completely concealed the flashy dress I’d just purchased.

When we arrived home, I would surprise Mom and model it. She’d be so impressed with my choice. After all, weddings ought to be an occasion for celebration. Especially at Thanksgiving.

Back at home, Uncle Jack greeted us at the front door. His hair was messed up, probably from being playfully attacked by the kids. Stan was at the library doing homework again. He’d been hiding out there a lot lately. Maybe he thought if he hid from reality it would go away.

“Whatcha got there, Holly?” Uncle Jack asked, trying to peek under the plastic.

Mom intercepted. “No sneaking peeks. First look is on our wedding day.”

“That goes for the
bride’s
dress,” he teased. “Not for the daughter-of-the-bride’s dress.” He planted a kiss on my cheek.

“It’s our
new
tradition, right, Mom?”

Mom looked puzzled. “Traditions are repeated customs. I don’t know about Jack, but I intend this to be
my
last wedding.” Uncle Jack burst into laughter and kissed Mom. And not on the cheek, either.

With that, I dashed upstairs to hang up the dress. But my eye caught something taped to my bedroom door. Stopping to look more closely, I discovered a list of phone calls. Danny’s name was listed, followed by his phone number.

Uncle Jack called up from downstairs. “Holly, did you find your phone messages?”

I leaned over the banister. “Thanks, Uncle Jack.”

“Looks to me like you need a private secretary,” he teased.

Inside my bedroom, I carefully removed the plastic. Then I closed the door and slipped on the most fabulous bridesmaid dress ever.

Standing in front of the mirror, I posed like a model. Swinging my hair up off my shoulders, I held it there, admiring the color and style of the dress.

Suddenly I remembered last Easter. Carrie had found the most incredible dress, a silk one, complete with a silvery embroidered hem. But the colors weren’t right for Mom. And she absolutely refused to buy the
hot-pink
Easter dress. Carrie had complained and whined and nearly threw a fit, but none of that changed Mom’s mind.

I stared at the mirror, twirling myself around. I was determined to wear this dress to Mom’s wedding even though it had exactly the same colors as the dress that got away…from Carrie, anyway.

First look on the wedding day
…Mom had told that to Uncle Jack.

Well, that goes for this dress, too,
I thought, giggling. What a sensible idea. One that would spare me from having to return three perfectly gorgeous dresses. Even if Mom didn’t like it, everyone else would love the brilliant pink color and shimmering silver beading. I was so sure.

Pulling the plastic over the hanger, I hung my bridesmaid gown toward the back of the closet. With zillions of wedding plans on her mind, maybe Mom would forget about this purchase. I could only hope so.

It was time to return some phone calls, starting with Andie. I hurried to the hall phone.

“What’s up?” I said when she answered.

“Not much. Where’ve you been?”

“I went shopping with Mom to pick out her bride’s dress today…uh, sorta. She didn’t like the one that looked like a
real
bride, so we compromised. She got the dress she liked, and I picked out dresses for the girls in the family.”

“Matching dresses?”

“Uh-huh. The clerk said they’re one of a kind, the only dresses like them in Dressel Hills.”

“That’s cool, I guess.” She sounded glum.

“What’s wrong?”

“Stan. He’s weird.”

I wasn’t too surprised. Especially after what had happened today after school. “I warned you. My cousin can be positively maddening sometimes.”

“Well, he’s mad, at least. At his dad for getting married again.” She paused. I could hear her take a breath. “And at
you,
Holly.”

“At me? Again?”

“He said you’re spreading stuff around about him.”

I sat on the floor in the hallway. “Well, let him whine all he wants. The fact is, Jared and I were
not
talking about him, and that’s the truth.”

“Jared? How’s he fit into all this?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“You just lost me,” she said. “But speaking of Jared, I ran into him after school at the Soda Straw. Amy-Liz and I popped in for sodas, and there he was. Holly, he looked really awful. Like someone just died.”

“Really?” I felt guilty.

“Yeah, he looked miserable, so I went over to talk to him, and he wouldn’t even look at me. Then I got a bright idea. I bribed Amy-Liz to go and flirt with him. And she did. But he kept his face down the whole time. Then he said the weirdest thing, without looking up.”

“Like what?”

“He said, ‘Take your flirting somewhere else. I can’t talk to you now.’ Can you believe it? You and your test have turned Jared into some kind of
weirdo.
”

“How do
you
know what he said to Amy-Liz?”

“I have proof.”

I wasn’t sure what she was getting at. “Huh?”

“Proof,” she said again. “Will you be home tonight?”

“Sure, why?”

“I’ll be right over,” she said, hanging up without even a goodbye.

Now what?
I hung up the phone. Just as I did, it rang. “Got it,” I called to Mom. “Hello?”

“Well, hi there, Holly.” It was Daddy, calling from California. “How’s everything going?”

“Fine, thanks. How are you?”

“We’re fine here.” It bugged me when he said
we.
“How’s school?”

“Okay. Except for Stan.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“He’s causing trouble for me at school.”

“Your
cousin
Stan?”

“Uh-huh.”

“That’s hard to picture. He’s always been one of the best kids around.”

“Well, he’s changed.”

“I wonder…could it have something to do with his dad getting married again?”

I held my breath. How’d Daddy know? “Um, maybe” was all I could say.

“I think I understand your cousin’s motivation. Stan’s probably worried about having two more sisters in his family.” Dad chuckled.

“Did Grandma Meredith tell you the news about the wedding?”

“Yes, and she seems quite happy about your mother getting remarried.” He paused. “I’ve been wondering, Holly, how do
you
feel about Uncle Jack becoming your stepdad?”

I tried to swallow the rising lump in my throat. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
I mustn’t cry,
I thought.
Daddy will get the wrong idea.

“Holly, are you there?”

I coughed. “I’m okay.” But my eyes were clouding over with tears. “You know, Daddy, Uncle Jack will always be an uncle to me. Just because he’s marrying Mom doesn’t mean he’ll take your place. No one could ever do that.” Just saying that made me feel better.

“I didn’t intend to upset you, honey. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Uncle Jack’s lots of fun. Mom’s in love, and everything’s fine.” I wondered if Daddy believed me, the way my voice sounded so quivery.

“You’re crying, honey, aren’t you?”

“Not because I’m sad, Daddy. Honest.”

“Well,” he said, “I’m happy for your mother. And Uncle Jack, too. He’s getting a terrific wife.”

I couldn’t believe he’d say that. Why hadn’t
he
stayed married to Mom instead of leaving us and messing up our lives? I didn’t say what was on my mind, of course, just asked him if he wanted to talk to Carrie. When he said that he did, I ran to find her.

Carrie shyly took the receiver. She and Daddy still hadn’t talked much since he’d reentered our lives last winter. Meanwhile, I sat on my window seat thinking about Daddy’s question. What made him think Uncle Jack could replace him, now or ever? I squeezed Bearie-O hard. It was then I realized Daddy might’ve been upset with the news of Mom’s wedding. It must be lousy finding out your wife is marrying another man. Even though she’s not your wife anymore.

Just then a knock came at my door. “Holly, are you in there?” It was Andie.

I leaped off my window seat and met her. “Wow, that was fast.”

She pulled an MP3 player out of her backpack.

“What’s that for?” I asked.

“The proof I told you about. Just listen.”

She pressed the play button. “Take your flirting somewhere else.” The voice was unmistakably Jared’s. “I can’t talk to you now,” he was saying.

I stared at the recorder, astonished. “Play it back,” I told Andie.

Once again, we listened to Jared’s startling response.

“Well, this doesn’t sound like the Jared we once knew,” Andie remarked.

I nodded, stunned. “When did all this happen?”

“An hour after volleyball practice. Stan and I were studying at the library, then he took the bus home. I met up with Amy-Liz at the Soda Straw, which is where we ran into Jared.”

Curling up on my bed, I asked, “Does Jared know Amy-Liz was taping him?”

“No. I hid this in her bag. Clever, don’t you think?”

I inspected Andie’s detective equipment. The microphone was so tiny. “Very cool.”

She returned the MP3 player to its case. Then she sat on the floor, leaning her head on my bed.

“Looks like
I’m
keeping my end of our secret pact.”

I stared at the canopy overhead. “Well, to be honest, there’s no need for it now,” I told her.

Andie leaned up on her elbows, staring at me with her brown saucer eyes. “Why not?”

I was close to telling her that I’d called off Jared’s test, but the phone rang. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.” I darted to the hall phone.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hey, Holly. It’s Jared.”

I wondered why
he
was calling. “What’s up?” I asked.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“Yeah?”

“I wondered if you could clear up something for me.”

I sneaked down the hall to see if Andie was overhearing my end of the conversation. “Like what?”

“Like the reason you’re so mad at me for following all the rules on your list. It has to mean only one thing.”