An Act of Love

“I tripped,” the little girl said, burying her tear-streaked face in Marley’s neck. “I’m sorry.” Lindy came into the room, and Michelle tensed in Marley’s arms.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it.” Lindy turned to Marley. “Why is she here, anyway?”

“I’m...” What was the reason? “I wanted to see what it would be like taking care of children...now that I’m getting married.”

“Well, my solution is don’t have any!”

CHAPTER FOUR

THE NEXT TWO DAYS didn’t improve as tempers ran hot, especially the bride’s. At least the woman at the cleaners promised to do her best and return the dress by Saturday morning in time for the wedding.

Marley’s babysitting assignment turned into several days of dealing with Michelle while Chloe suffered through bouts of nausea. And her mother, who usually could be found in the kitchen when she wasn’t serving meals to clients in her catering business, had disappeared. Maybe she was dating someone.

Lindy avoided her and Michelle, and everyone else managed to disappear into their own activities. On Wednesday morning, Michelle again woke Marley by pulling her hair.

“We have to get ready.”

Marley opened one eye. “Why?”

“We’re going to Kenny.”

Instantly, Marley felt revived. Kennywood Park. Her sisters and their children had planned a day trip to the park, including Chloe, provided she was up to it. As much as Marley adored her niece and enjoyed the park, she wouldn’t have to go. And that meant she’d be free! After several days of watching the munchkin, she’d have some time to herself, even if it only meant catching up on her sleep.

Marley pawed through the girl’s clothes that she’d washed the night before. “Shorts?” Marley held up the red ones and saw a frown settle immediately on her niece’s face. “Great! I’ll put on my red shorts, and we’ll be twins.” Magically, Michelle’s expression brightened. Marley packed all the girl’s cleaned clothes into her Dora suitcase.

Was it only Wednesday? Four more days, not counting today, to go before she could take off for home. Home. She missed Phoenix and its low humidity. Marley forced a comb through her hair, endless curls that had assumed a life of their own. Her constant companion started to laugh and pointed at the uncontrollable bush on top of her aunt’s head.

“You look funny.” After some tickles, the giddy girl dropped the subject.

The rain had subsided for the present, and the dreaded daytime heat hadn’t started yet. Marley dressed in red shorts, a sleeveless T-shirt and her sandals, grabbed Michelle’s hand and headed for the kitchen staircase. They passed the assortment of gifts stacked in the playroom on the second floor while Michelle pulled her pink suitcase with Dora emblazoned on the side.

Buster, the family’s old mixed-breed dog, bounded over, and Marley leaned down to pet him, roughing his neck and ears the way he liked. Michelle went to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “He’s glad to see me.” After the watchdog wagged his tail and pulled out of the embrace, he rambled toward the stairs that led to the living room, where he usually stayed.

Michelle started after the dog, and Marley had to rush to reach her. “Come with me. We’ll get some breakfast.” She pulled the girl in the opposite direction and headed toward the stairs that led to the kitchen. Having two staircases had provided easy access and escape for her and her sisters but had often proved a bane to their parents and grandparents.

Michelle pulled back. “I don’t want to. I want to go to Kenny.”

“Your mother will take you later.” Marley sighed. This experience with her niece had been a wonderful revelation. Children were tolerable in small doses.

As they passed Lindy’s room, Marley had another idea. Should she risk waking her? Had Lindy finally forgiven her for the stained dress? Hesitantly, Marley knocked on the door. “Lindy, you decent?” They’d had little time to talk since her arrival thanks to the spilled juice.

“Marley? Sure, come in.”

Lindy sat in the middle of the bed, dressed in summer pajamas, rubbing sleep out of her eyes as Marley entered the room. Lavender violets covered the white walls as well as the curtains, bedspread and canopy bed. A menagerie of stuffed animals lay strewn around the purple rug and topped every available surface. Marley pushed several aside to sit on the edge of her sister’s bed, while Michelle warily glanced at her aunt. When Lindy didn’t appear ready to scold her, Michelle dived into a group of bears on the floor and began to play.

Although twenty-one, Lindy still looked like a child hardly old enough to take on married life. Her long blond hair was swept over her shoulder in loose abandon. Marley had always considered Lindy—the baby of the family—a little spoiled. But then hadn’t she contributed, always giving in to any demands made by her sister or the family.

After making a face at Michelle, Lindy leaned across the bed to greet her niece. “Hi, Shelley.”

“My name’s Michelle.”

“Oh.” Lindy straightened, suppressing her amusement. At least she wasn’t scolding any more. She turned to Marley. “You’re sure an early riser, all dressed and everything. Did the past few days make you decide to have kids?”

“This one has been way more active than any of you were.”

“As I recall, you always calmed us down with your guitar. Why didn’t you bring it this time?”

My fake fiancé made me forget it! “Too much luggage.” As the firstborn, Marley had received lessons in guitar and dance, an opportunity that dried up as more and more daughters joined the family. Lindy patted the mattress close to her. Marley moved over and was immediately entrapped in Lindy’s arms.

“Oh, I’m so excited for you,” Lindy said as she squeezed.

“Me? Why me?” Marley asked, returning the hug. She avoided entangling herself in the long blond hair. Memories flooded back of trying to brush out her sister’s snarls and listening to her scream. During their early years, they had been devoted to each other.

“Your engagement, silly.” Lindy pushed away, flipped her hair behind one ear and focused those blue eyes on her. “If only we could have made it a double wedding. When am I going to meet this Brant? He’s coming to my wedding, isn’t he? The best man can’t get leave from the army. I know it’s last-minute, and we’re devastated, but I was hoping maybe Brant could fill in.”

Marley choked on her own saliva and started to cough so hard, Lindy gave her a couple of whacks on the back until she was able to catch her breath again.

Michelle walked over carrying a large gray rabbit and attempted to climb onto the bed between her aunts. Marley quickly picked her up and placed her on her lap, relieved by the distraction. Lindy pulled the little girl away and handed her another stuffed toy before setting her back on the floor. “Your aunt Marley and I want to talk.” She turned to Marley. “So tell all. I want every detail. Can you get him here for the wedding?”

Marley smiled in an effort to match her sister’s gush of joy over Marley’s engagement, which every member of their family had duplicated. The struggle at false effervescence strained her cheeks, and she fought to remember what she’d spent hours rehearsing on the five-hour plane trip. The double wedding bit was something she hadn’t anticipated.

Marley cleared her throat. “Unfortunately, Brant has to work.” She tried to swallow without choking this time. “He really felt bad about not being able to attend.” Another lie. She’d nearly had to hog-tie him to keep him from joining her.

She had fabricated him to suit her family: a businessman and mechanic for Marley’s pragmatic grandfather; a traditionalist and financier for her conservative mother; an outdoorsman and athlete for her active brothers-in-law; and a cowboy for her romantic sisters. Only the cowboy part bore any semblance to the truth. That acting career? She’d never speak of it. Not to mention that Brant’s scruffy beard and worn-out cowboy attire would have sent her mother into a fit.

Lindy reached for Marley’s hand. “Where’s your ring?” Marley had placed it in her pocket, not feeling it necessary to always wear it, especially when she washed her hands or worked in the kitchen making meals.

Lindy watched as Marley slipped her ring back on. “Where did you meet him? At his ranch?”

“He...” Marley hesitated, not willing to continue the deception. Clearing her throat, she replied, “Enough of that. I’m here for your wedding, not mine. Give me the rundown on the future Mrs. Dennis Kellner.” Marley had met Dennis when she’d first arrived. She’d helped all her brothers-in-law before their weddings and, at Lindy’s insistence, taught Dennis some fundamentals in dance. Marley liked him, a nice man who obviously loved her sister.

Marley forced herself to relax as Lindy accepted the spotlight and elaborated on the details of the big event only a few days away. Most of the rest of the conversation blurred as Lindy made glowing statements about Dennis, the love of her life.

“Oh, and you’ll get to meet Denny’s older brother.” Lindy’s shoulders dropped, and she looked a forlorn heap in the middle of the bed. “I had planned to pair you off with him, but now that you’re engaged...”

In an attempt to avoid discussing her engagement again, Marley asked, “So what’s Denny’s brother like?”

Lindy leaned closer. “Looks to die for,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper. “He told Den he’d steal me away from him if I wasn’t a blonde.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a crush.”

“On him? No way. He’s too old. Besides he likes redheads. When Denny mentioned that you were a redhead, Rick sounded interested. Maybe you know him. He went to your college.”

“PITT?” Marley asked, referring to the University of Pittsburgh. “Sorry. It’s a pretty large campus, and I don’t remember any Rick Kellner.”

“His name’s not Kellner. His mother remarried after divorcing Rick’s father. His last name is Brewster and most people call him Richard, but I know him as Rick.”

“Richard Brewster,” Marley said, drawing the name out. It couldn’t be. Not her Richard.

Marley held her breath, waiting to hear more about Richard. Maybe getting engaged to Brant hadn’t been such a good idea after all. It would create a few obstacles if flames from her earlier romance with Richard fanned to life. Then again...their romance had been brief. Both had drifted away, and she hadn’t seen or heard from him since his college graduation.

Marley drew her fingers through her hair, only to get the ring caught in the curls, something her hairdresser back in Phoenix had managed to control. Walking over to the mirror, she concentrated on freeing her finger, wanting with all her might to find out more about Richard.

A knock on the door startled her.

“Time to get up, sleepyhead. Lots to do before the big day,” a man shouted through the closed door.

Michelle bolted for Marley and hid her face in her aunt’s lap.

Marley stiffened, then turned to face the door, enclosing her niece in a tight hug. Was that their father’s voice? Why was he here?

“Yeah, Daddy. See you later,” Lindy called.

Slowly turning around, Marley stared openmouthed at Lindy.

“Don’t be mad. He’s giving me away.” Lindy knelt in the middle of her bed, clutching a large panda bear. She added in a whisper, “Please don’t make a scene, Marley.”

“He’s back?”

Lindy nodded. “He moved his things in with Poppy last night, and I really want him to give me away instead of Poppy.”

Michelle glanced up at her aunt. Had the little girl picked up on Marley’s tension? Her niece’s face began to twitch.

Marley picked her up and cradled her in her arms. “It’s okay, honey.” She brushed kisses along the girl’s forehead to calm her down. A few moments later, Marley placed her on the floor and said, “See if you can find the baby kangaroo for me.” Distracted, Michelle went searching through the menagerie.

“Is he just here for your wedding?” Marley kept her voice cool for Michelle’s benefit and hoped the disapproval boiling inside her wouldn’t erupt.

Lindy jumped off the bed and deposited her bear on the crowded dresser. “I hope not. He and Mom have been talking, and who knows? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if after all these years Mom and Dad discover they’re still in love?”

Marley swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Was that what Poppy had meant when he said her mother might beat her to the altar? Were her parents getting back together?

She’d seen her father only occasionally since her parents’ divorce. When he’d returned the first time, she’d been in college. To her relief, he had left without getting involved in her life. As the eldest, she’d witnessed all the torment during her parents’ breakup. And she couldn’t conceive how they could ever get back together.

Marley picked up Michelle and her suitcase and backed out of the room. “I’ve got to get this one off to Kennywood Park. I’ll talk to you later.”

How could Mom put up with the man? Marley thought as she headed toward the front staircase. The trauma from his return and departure a dozen years ago had left her mother inconsolable, yet she continued to love Red and want him back? Marley hadn’t been able to stay and watch back then any more than she wanted to be around now.

Upon graduation from PITT, she had moved to Phoenix and accepted a position teaching math in a high school, even though the same opportunities were available in Pennsylvania. And then she began building her fences.

She would never love a man to the extent her mother loved her father.

No man would ever be allowed to hurt her that way.

CHAPTER FIVE

BRANT ARRIVED HOME after several days at the ranch visiting with his sisters and their families. His father, who had asked to speak with him, had taken off with Brant’s mother, so Brant never did have the opportunity. Now he was back in the Phoenix heat, dodging people who recognized him. Several actually asked for his autograph. He didn’t look forward to hiding in his condo until his gig in New York.

His answering machine had several messages, and, for a moment, Brant hoped one might be from Marley. Wishful thinking. She wouldn’t know his number. Plus their last meeting pretty much put the kibosh on anything neighborly between them. Tough, because she intrigued him, and he’d really like to know her better.

Three messages were from Gus, and he sounded stressed. Maybe he’d found another musical instrument Brant could add to his collection. Brant picked up his home phone and dialed Gus’s store.

“What is it, Gus? Another instrument? I liked that mandolin you showed me the last time, but I still feel it’s a little pricey.”

“No. This is something different. Could you come down to my shop?”

Brant checked his watch. It was nearly nine, and Gus rarely kept his store open this late. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“No. It’s important you see this tonight.”

“Okay. It’ll take me a few minutes.” Might as well see what he wants, Brant thought as he locked his door and headed for the elevator. In the few years he’d known Gus, the man had sold him several beautiful instruments, including a banjo and guitar. Gus opened the door when Brant arrived and led him to the back. A policeman stood at the counter where Marley had purchased her ring.

“There’s a problem,” Gus said, not making eye contact with Brant. “When your fiancée paid for that ring?”

Brant chuckled. “She’s not my real fiancée.”

“Let him finish,” the officer interjected.

Brant turned to him, aware that the usual relaxed atmosphere in the shop had disappeared. He looked back at Gus. “What about my fiancée’s ring?”

“She paid for this one.” Gus held out one that looked exactly like the ring Brant had pointed out to Marley. “It costs less than fifty dollars. She walked out with the one for five thousand.”

“How...?”

“I don’t know.” Gus held up a hand and glanced at the officer. “I’m not saying she stole it.” He swallowed. “But if you could pay for the ring, there won’t be any...problems.” He cleared his throat.

“And if I return it?”

“I’ll take it back. No questions asked.”

Brant stood there for several moments, his hands braced on the glass counter. Wow. Five thousand dollars. An okay price to pay for a real fiancée, but not for a possible thief. What did he know about Marley? For that matter, what did he know about Gus?

Swiftly coming to a decision, Brant pushed away from the counter, reached for his wallet and handed Gus his credit card. “Put it on this.” Gus had never cheated him in the past, and Marley owing Brant wouldn’t hurt one bit. She played a guitar better than most professional musicians he knew. If she wouldn’t return the ring, she could teach him a few things about playing the guitar—a good five thousand dollars’ worth of lessons.

But he had no intention of waiting until his “fiancée” returned to Phoenix to acquire that ring.

By the time he reached his condo, Brant had a plan. He’d follow Marley and trade the expensive ring for the one she actually bought. Besides, he wanted to get out of the city, and, as he’d told her, Pennsylvania was a lot closer to his New York gig. Well, it might be a plan if he knew where she had gone. Pennsylvania was a large state, and there had to be hundreds of people with the last name Roman. Still, there couldn’t be that many Romans marrying in Pennsylvania this coming weekend. He turned on his computer and began searching social media.

* * *

MICHELLE WAS NEARLY finished with her pancakes when her mother came into the local restaurant and gave her a quick kiss. “How was it?” Chloe joined them in the booth next to her daughter. Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, she in no way looked pregnant. “You ready to have a dozen kids?”

“Only if I can drop them off on someone else occasionally.”

Chloe reached over and gripped Marley’s hands. “Thank you, a thousand times over.” She leaned back and sighed. “I feel good today, and, hopefully, I’ll make it through to the wedding.”

“He’s at the house.”

Chloe turned, her forehead puckered. “Who?” Then in delight she blurted, “Brant!”

Startled, Marley immediately shook her head. “No. Red. Our father.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chloe glanced at her daughter. “Oh?” She leaned over and wiped some syrup off her daughter’s chin.

“He’s giving Lindy away. Did you know about this?”

Chloe studied her hands and swallowed. “Yes.” She looked up. “We all did.”

“I don’t believe this.” Marley shifted in her seat and glanced at her niece. Instead of having the screaming fit she felt entitled to, she controlled herself so as not to disturb the little girl with her outburst.

“When was anyone going to tell me?” Marley stood, choking back tears. She bent over and kissed her niece on top of her head. “You have fun, sweetheart. I’ll see you...” She turned to Chloe. “When will I see her? You dropping her off when you get back?”

“No. She’ll stay with us.”

Marley went for the door, ignoring all the pleading calls behind her.

* * *

MARLEY FUMED. How could she avoid her father during her stay? Why hadn’t anyone told her he’d be there? That question she could answer herself. Because you’d never have come. Well, the family was right on that score. She drove to the house and parked in the driveway. Easy access in case she wanted a quick escape.

Poppy sat in the living room with a newspaper when she entered. “Hi, Poppy. May I speak to you a moment? In my room?” She headed for the stairs after he nodded.

Marley took a seat on the bed and waited for him to take the rocking chair. “You heard?” he asked as he took the seat.

“Are you okay with this?”

Poppy sighed. “If there’s one thing my old age has taught me—you can’t force people to do what you think is right for them. You’re parents are grown and maybe they might even have developed a little maturity over the years.”

He looked past Marley and his expression neutralized. Poppy got out of the chair and started for the door, acknowledging the man standing there. “Hello, Red. I guess you and Marley may have some catching up to do. Well, see you around,” he said over his shoulder as he stepped through the doorway.

Basil Roman hesitated in the door frame. “Heard you had returned from Phoenix.”

For a split second, Marley could only stare. “Dad?”

“Have I changed that much?” he asked, moving into the room.

The puffy quality in his jowls and his additional girth hardly resembled the athletic man she remembered. “Red,” as family and friends called him, had provided the genes that gave her hair its distinctive color and curl. What little he had left no longer resembled its former brilliance. She wouldn’t have recognized him if she’d met him on the street.

When she didn’t answer, he said, “Lindy asked me to give her away.”

Marley cleared her throat. She moved over to the rocker and stood behind it, not only distancing herself but also providing a barrier between her father and herself. “She mentioned you were coming to the wedding.”

“I’m staying here with your grandfather until the wedding.” When Marley didn’t respond, he added, “He invited me.”

Marley couldn’t handle it. Not when painful memories impaired her ability to see straight. She gripped the back of the rocking chair so hard her knuckles turned white. Why Lindy? Marley’s thoughts screamed. Why had he chosen to give Lindy away, when he’d never bothered to even attend any of his other daughters’ weddings? Lindy was the youngest, the one he’d abandoned soon after her birth along with the rest of his family.

He must have honed in on her thoughts because he said, “I was hoping to give you away, as well. Sort of make up for lost time.”

Coldness slithered down her spine. No way would she ever allow that to happen. “Thanks for offering, but I don’t plan on marrying for quite a while.”

“No? I thought your mother said you’d just gotten engaged.”

Of all the stupid... Marley twirled the ring around her finger with her thumb. How had she forgotten that minor detail? “Right. I...I...” She looked down at her hand. The fake diamonds caught the sunlight and tossed rainbows around the room. Placing her hand in her pocket, she tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t jeopardize her engagement and still keep her father out of any future wedding. “We haven’t set a date.”

“I look forward to meeting your young man.” He nodded and walked toward the hall, only to retrace his steps. “I know you took all the problems between your mother and me hard. We pushed a lot of responsibility on you because you were the oldest, and I’m sorry for that. I hope you can forgive me and let me make it up to you.”

Like that’s ever going to happen. She remained silent until he left. Marley tried shaking off the unwanted thoughts. More than half her life had been spent despising her father for destroying their family and hurting her mother.

She paced her room, feeling drained emotionally by having to participate in yet another wedding. Just once she’d like to see a wedding from the front pew and not have to deal with all the backstage drama. Then to top everything, her father had to show up asking for her forgiveness? She couldn’t face it. Not now. Maybe never.

She took out her cell phone. A little after nine o’clock. The three hour difference from Arizona switching to Pacific Time when everyone else went on Daylight Saving Time meant Dede might still be at home before heading for work. “¡Hola!” Marley said. “I really need to talk.”

“You sound horrible. Didn’t the engagement thing go okay?”

“Yes and no.” Marley paused, hoping to control her voice. “Everyone’s happy about that, but my father’s here!” She ended on a high note, unable to contain her frustration.

“What?”

“He’s staying with Poppy and giving Lindy away.” Dede knew all the details of Marley’s past; she’d understand her friend’s dilemma.