Assault and Batter(23)
“No, I trust your judgment,” she said. “Can you at least give me a hint about what you’re considering?”
“I don’t want to spoil any surprises for you until I get all of the details worked out,” I said.
“I understand that,” she said, though she sounded a little disappointed. “I know there’s not much time, Suzanne, but if anybody can do it, you can.”
“I appreciate the show of faith in me,” I said.
“Emma told me that you were a genius with donuts, so who am I to contradict her?” Emily asked with a laugh, and then she hung up.
“Remind me to thank my assistant for raising the bride’s expectations beyond belief,” I muttered to myself.
I must have said it louder than I’d planned, because Grace asked, “What did Emma say?”
“That wasn’t Emma; it was Emily,” I said. “Evidently the bride is expecting a donut extravaganza for her wedding reception.”
“It’s kind of a quirky idea, isn’t it?” Grace asked me.
“Quirky is the nicest thing you can say about it,” I replied. “Change of plans. I need to start planning this donut display, and I mean right now.”
“Would you like some help? I’m not sure how much actual aid I can deliver, but I’m great at providing moral support.”
“I’ll take what I can get,” I said. “Let me call Momma and see what’s for dinner.”
“You know me. I’ll eat anything your mother makes,” Grace answered with a smile.
“I would to, but I have to make sure that she’s going to be there.”
I called Momma’s number, and she picked up on the fourth ring. “Suzanne, are you coming home soon? Dinner is nearly ready.”
“That sounds great. Is there room enough for one more?”
“Is Jake coming?” she asked hopefully.
“No, it’s just Grace,” I said as I glanced over at my best friend.
Grace looked more amused by the comment than anything else, and I mouthed, “Sorry” to her. She just shrugged, but she was smiling all the same.
“Grace would be lovely,” Momma said. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got plenty of food.”
“See you soon, then.”
“I’ll be here,” Momma said.
After I hung up, Grace asked, “Just Grace?”
“She thought that Jake might be coming,” I explained.
My friend’s smile softened. “I wonder why you haven’t heard from him yet?”
“No doubt he’s extremely busy,” I answered quickly. This was definitely not a subject I wanted to discuss, with Grace or anyone else. “By the way, you’re welcome to join us for dinner,” I said.
“I appreciate that. Should we start planning the wedding donuts now, or should we wait until we’ve got full stomachs?”
“I don’t think that there’s a second to lose,” I said as I headed back home. “I’ll get Momma’s advice, too, but we need to start brainstorming about this right now on the drive home.”
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to come up with anything that didn’t sound ridiculous by the time we pulled into the drive at the cottage. I parked my Jeep, and Grace and I walked up the steps together. Jake was constantly on my mind, but I knew that it would be foolish to try to get in touch with him now. Most likely he was too busy to talk to me.
At least that’s what I hoped was the reason that he hadn’t gotten back in touch with me yet.
The second I walked through the door, the aromas of barbequed chicken hit me full on. “Momma, you’ve outdone yourself.”
“I hope you like it,” she said. “The chicken was on sale at the supermarket, so I added some veggies, too. I know how much you love sizzling yams, tiny potatoes, and baby carrots.”
“Thanks for including me,” Grace said as she hugged my mother and kissed her cheek.
“Goodness, you should know that you are always welcome here. Wash up, ladies, and I’ll get a few last-minute things settled here.”
Grace went to wash her hands, and I called out to her, “I’ll be right there.”
I hugged my mother, and as I did, I whispered in her ear, “Thank you.”
“Of course,” she said as she hugged me tightly. “Why exactly are you thanking me, Suzanne? Not that I’m not appreciative.”
“For being here, and always taking my side, no matter what,” I said with a grin as I pulled away.
“Goodness, I can’t imagine being any other way,” she said as she returned my grin.
We’d had our share of issues over the years, but I loved where we were right now in our relationship. “Now, I’d better wash up, too.”