Roberta turned in a huff and stomped away, drawing the curious looks of many of the guests, before they went back to their conversations as the music continued on.
“She hates when you call her Prissy.” Amelia chuckled and said, “She deserved that nickname way back when and she still deserves it. That nasty Tabitha Lester has had too much influence within my family and I’m just about tired of her. The next time she calls to talk to your father in the guise of church business I may just tell her to kiss my lily-white ass and hang up on her.” She let go of Cody’s arm and looked behind him at Heath. “Young man, I think we need to get to know each other a little better, if we’re to be related.”
Heath winked at Maizy when she giggled and held out his crooked elbow to her mother. “Care to dance?”
“I would be delighted. Lucy told me you’re a charmer and I can see she was astute in her observation. Maizy, we’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
Cody raised an eyebrow and looked at Maizy. “Well, I suppose that explains where your father got his information the day he paid you a visit at the school.”
Maizy firmed her lips. “Mom is right. Tabitha seems to take delight in making trouble. She holds up her Bible and beats everyone over the head with it and I for one am sick of it. Roberta sounded just like her.”
Lucy hugged Maizy and said, “I know how you feel. I recall a similar recent confrontation with Roberta. Rhonda is coming around okay but Roberta seems to only get worse with time. Even your dad has eased up. He actually hugged me after the wedding.”
Cody watched Maizy as her gaze followed her sister across the yard and around the house and she said, “I’m sorry for disrupting your wedding like that, Lucy. If we hadn’t said anything she might not—”
Lucy held up a hand to cut her off. “Bullshit. She’s been building up a head of steam all afternoon. I’m thrilled with your news and I hope I get to help with planning your wedding. Oh, and it’s about time for us to leave anyway. Go say your good-byes and we’ll do the same.”
When Cody would’ve gone with Maizy, Lucy put out a hand on his arm and stopped him while Spencer went with her.
“Cody?” she said softly. He leaned close. “I can’t stand it but Roberta is right. The shit is seriously going to hit the fan.”
Cody nodded, melancholy filling him. He didn’t want that for Maizy. “I know.”
“Take good care of her and make it worth it?” Patrick said as he stroked Lucy’s shoulder.
Cody reached out to shake Patrick’s hand and said, “I swear to it.”
Lucy smiled and hugged him. “Congratulations, Cody. I’m so happy for all four of you. She needed you in her life. Don’t let Roberta’s drama ruin your celebration.”
Cody nodded and turned to go find Maizy and Spencer and wait for Heath, who was currently being taught the Funky Chicken by Mrs. Owen. He shook with laughter, thinking that for every negative aspect in this situation, there were so many more positives.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Did you find it?” Maizy called through the closed bathroom door as she adjusted the skirt of the belly dancing costume around her hips. She’d lost a few pounds since the last time she’d worn it, so it rode a tiny bit lower on her hips. She smiled to herself thinking the bears wouldn’t mind. They hadn’t seen her belly dance since the night they’d first laid eyes on her almost a year ago.
She gave the coin scarves tied around her hips a shake and giggled as Heath called through the door, “Damn, I think I love that sound. I found it.”
“Can you put it on in the bedroom for me?”
“Sure.”
“Will you lower the lights?” she called as she adjusted her cleavage in the bra-like sequined and beaded top.
“Done already, baby. Spencer even lit candles.”
“Aw, that’s so romantic!”
“Oh, did I say Spencer? I meant me. Totally me. Ow!”
Laughter bubbled from her as she lined her eyes with her black eyeliner pencil, giving them an exotic look. She removed the crystal hairpins and finger-combed her hair so it billowed in wild curls all around her. She had a feeling the fancy hairdo wouldn’t survive the aftermath of her belly dance.
She clasped her ankle bracelets on and slid the jeweled band with dangling crystals against her forehead and fixed it in place, then put on her bracelets. She figured she might as well give them the full effect as she smiled in the mirror almost not recognizing herself but oh-so happy to see that exotic girl again.
“Ready?” she called, bending over to fluff her hair out again.