A murder. A funeral. A wedding.
I smiled through tears as Mr. and Mrs. Cedric Patterson were announced. Family and friends clapped for the couple as they entered their wedding reception. I also let out another deep sigh of relief. The last few weeks were the most up and down I’d had in quite some time. I’m sure what I felt was no comparison to the happy couple’s feelings as they stood before family and friends sharing their vows an hour earlier. Cedric and Carmen shared a few arguments here and there, but their relationship had never gone through the test they’d experienced.
A week before the wedding, I hosted a dinner that included Carmen, Cedric, Amos and me. We all agreed there were some positives from Darius Randall showing up in town. Even Monique Sanders’ dramatic appearance on the scene presented a necessary challenge. Before they walked down the aisle as husband and wife, Cedric and Carmen needed to understand long after the wedding ceremony there would be many more challenges. Getting through the obstacles presented to them, spoke to the strength of their love.
Darius’s murderer was behind bars. The television networks had moved on from the story. As usual, there was too much competition in the news. And, I was grateful because it gave us all a chance to find some normalcy again.
At least normalcy for some of us.
Kendall Sanders passed away a week ago, and I attended the funeral. Monique stood with her aunts, her father’s sisters surrounding her. I was happy to see she had support. I couldn’t make myself go up to her and say anything. What could I say besides sorry? So, I prayed for her peace and comfort. I prayed God would heal her spirit and make her whole. I prayed that true love — a man that would not break her heart or spirit — would find her.
I don’t know why, but the entire day I’d helped plan was passing by fast. It surprised me to see Cedric and Carmen walk towards the dance floor to start the first dance. Soon, they’d be off on their honeymoon. Thank goodness, Cedric had the good sense to plan some much needed time away in the Bahamas.
Beside me, Amos placed his hands on my shoulder. I turned to smile at him.
“Are you happy?”
I nodded. “I’m overcome with joy.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You seem a little subdued.”
“This has been quite a journey for my nerves.”
“Yes, it has. I’m sure Cedric and Carmen are grateful. I daresay you won’t have the typical mother-in-law conflicts with Carmen.”
“No, I appreciate all my daughters. My Leesa and my sons’ wives.”
“Good. Are your legs feeling good enough for a dance?”
I smiled. “I think I can handle a little dancing, Mr. Jones.”
I stood and clasped Amos’s hand. As we moved towards the dance floor, I caught Cedric’s eye. He winked at me before twirling his bride. It was so good to see him happy. Carmen was beautiful. Her smile wide, eyes gazing up at the husband who truly loved and respected her.
The lights were low, and the melody was nice, though I didn’t recognize the song. Amos placed his hand on my waist, which moved my attention to focus on his eyes. We’d danced on very rare occasions.
Amos’s smile dazzled me despite the low lighting. “Have I mentioned we make a good team?”
“You have,” I nodded. “We do make a good team, Mr. Jones.”
“A few weeks ago, we spoke about becoming a married couple in that woman’s office. Tell me, is that an actual possibility?”
I stared into Amos’s eyes. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say, and I’m not one to be speechless. “Are you trying to ask me a question, Amos?”
“Yes. I’d like to know if you would marry me, Eugeena Patterson?”
In a flash, I thought about how important Amos had become in my life. How he didn’t stop me when I was determined to solve a crime. He stood beside me and, in many ways, protected me from my own foolishness. I thought of the one man I’d been with all my life, who for most of our lives together, we were more housemates than anything else. There was no such thing as adventure.
I smiled up at the dapper man who, I had to admit, had captured this old girl’s heart. “As long as someone else is planning the wedding. My days as a wedding planner ended tonight.”
He grinned. “Shall I take that as a yes?”
“Yes. I will marry you, Mr. Amos Jones.” I leaned my head against his shoulders and closed my eyes.