Sunday morning, while some of the Henry Adams parents headed to the Hays airport to send their kids on vacation, other residents spent the morning in church. Gemma, wearing shades, a white tee, and loose blue shorts, sat on a lounge chair by the new pool while Wyatt and the Herman kids swam. Lucas and Jasmine hadn’t been kidding about being able to swim. Both cut through the water, sleek as dolphins. Lucas even took a dive off the high board, under the watchful eyes of the lifeguard. Gemma tensed as he did so, but when he resurfaced smiling, she relaxed and went back to the book she’d brought along. She’d never learned to swim but encouraged Wyatt to take lessons at the local Chicago Boys and Girls Club, and he was at home in the water, too. There were several kids from Franklin in the pool and soon the air was filled with the calls of “Marco! Polo!” Gemma never knew the game’s origin or its connection to the famed explorer, but the kids were having a blast. She envied the small group of parents in the water laughing and playing with them, and wondered if she could possibly learn to swim at the ripe old age of forty-five. Her speculating came to a screeching halt when Sybil Martin came through the pool gate. Dressed in a frilly white cover-up over a very brief teal bikini, she was with a little boy wearing red trunks who Gemma assumed to be her son. Accompanying them and decked out in full, white jumpsuit Elvis regalia was Wilson Hughes. Behind her shades, Gemma sighed with irritation. Upon sighting Gemma, Sybil threw her nose in the air and chose a spot on the far side of the pool. Gemma hoped Wilson would do the same. Nope. Soon as he saw her he made a beeline straight for her, and she sighed again.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he said.
“Nothing fancy about it. I live here.” Everyone in and out of the water stopped what they were doing to stare. With the temperature hovering near ninety degrees, they were probably wondering how soon he’d succumb to heatstroke, she thought, taking in his attire.
“First time I’ve ever seen you in shorts.”
Gemma wanted him gone. Sybil was glaring and Gemma understood. That he would be so disrespectful to the woman he was supposed to be with by trying to hit on someone else summed up just what a jerk he was. “Go away.”
He grinned and left but called out to the people around, “I’m available for autographs. I sign The King’s name just like him.”
Jaws dropped.
Gemma’s didn’t.
Blessedly, her kids walked up, and Wyatt asked, “Can we go home now, then go eat at the Dog? We’re hungry.”
“Absolutely.” After waiting for them to dry off and gather their belongings, she led them back to the car.
At the diner, Lucas stood in the long line and peered around at all the people sitting and talking, heard the music pumping, and watched the waiters flying around. More accustomed to fast food places that had drive-throughs, he wasn’t sure what to make of the Dog and Cow.
Crystal, dressed like the waitstaff, walked up. “Hey there. Welcome to the Dog.”
Not knowing she worked there, he found that surprising, too.
Ms. Gemma and Wyatt said “hi” to her.
“It’ll be a few minutes before I can get you a seat,” she replied. “Sorry.”
“No problem,” Ms. Gemma said.
Crystal left them to seat some of the people ahead of them in line.
Lucas saw only a few kids eating but remembered Amari and the others had left for vacation. The kids he saw weren’t familiar so he assumed they lived elsewhere.
Wyatt came to stand beside him. “Kind of crazy in here, isn’t it?”
Lucas nodded. “Is it always like this?”
“Yeah, but the food’s awesome.”
That was good to know.
A very tall lady wearing lots of silver bracelets walked over to them and said to Ms. Gemma, “Hi, Gemma. Are these the new children?”
Ms. Gemma smiled. “Yes. Lucas and Jasmine Herman, this is our town’s matriarch, Tamar July.”
“Hello, ma’am,” Lucas said.
“Hi, ma’am,” Jaz echoed.
“Glad to meet you. Welcome to Henry Adams.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m hoping you’ll be with us long enough for us to know each other.”
Lucas wasn’t sure how to respond. He just kept seeing how tall she was and how silver her long hair was. Her face looked kind enough, but he’d heard some stories about her from Brain and the others that left him wary.
“I’m sure my great-grandson and his crew have told you I’m a dragon lady, but I’m not. Gemma and Wyatt, take care of them.”
They responded in unison, “We will.”
Lucas thought she must be important because she walked to the front of the line and was seated right away.
Jaz echoed his thoughts and whispered to Wyatt, “She doesn’t have to wait in line?”
“No. She’s Tamar,” he said as if that was explanation enough.
“Oh.”
A few minutes later, Crystal led them to a booth and a waitress came and brought them water and soft drinks. Lucas looked over the menu. The pictures made everything look really good. Ms. Gemma chose a salad and Lucas, Wyatt, and Jaz ordered burgers and fries. While they waited for their food, a lot of the adults came over to introduce themselves and to say hello. There was the OG the kids talked about liking so much, Bobby Douglas, a big tall dude with real cool tats on his arms; a lady named Ms. Genevieve, who was with Uncle T.C.; and two guys named Bing and Clay. They were all nice and welcomed them to the town, but Lucas was tired of smiling and just wanted to eat. When the food finally arrived, Wyatt was right. It was awesome. He was kind of liking Henry Adams, but he knew something would probably happen to mess up their stay, so he told himself not to think he’d be with Ms. Gemma and Wyatt for good.
“Wyatt, why do the kids call you Dubs and W.W.?”
Ms. Gemma grinned.
“Zoey and Devon have a band and I’m the manager. I call myself W. W. Dahl. Dubs is short for the letter W.”
Lucas chuckled and went back to his burger.
Later that afternoon, the town’s Ladies Auxiliary convened in Lily July’s Lady Cave for Rocky’s wedding shower. Trent built the addition for the space on the back of their home as a wedding gift for her, and it was where she retreated to escape all the testosterone exuded by a husband and two growing sons. It was also used by the Auxiliary for special occasions. The Cave had its own entrance so Rocky parked the Shadow and, carrying her helmet under her arm, turned the knob and went inside. The beautiful indigo-themed decorations stopped her cold. It was her favorite color and it was there in the balloons, tablecloth, napkins, cups, and in all the bags and presents stacked up by the big gray sectional. Her friends were wearing the color too in blouses, jeans, earrings, and bangles. Everywhere she looked the dark blue caught her eye. That they’d gone to so much trouble on her behalf made her eyes sting with tears.
“Don’t you dare start bawling now,” Lily admonished, ushering Rocky in. “There’ll be plenty of opportunities for that later.”
Rocky dashed away her tears. “I’m not crying.”
Laughter greeted that and the party began.
None of the attendees liked the dumb games played at wedding showers so they talked and ate and laughed instead. There were bottles of Bernadine-supplied champagne and wine, and soft drinks for those who didn’t imbibe.
“Have you decided what you’re wearing?” Bernadine asked.
“No.”
“Rock?” Marie cried. “The wedding is less than six weeks away. When are you going to decide?”
“When I come across something I like.”
“Please tell us you’ve been looking at least,” Sheila Payne said.
“Only if you want me to lie to you.”
“Rock!” Marie cried again.
Rocky chuckled and bit into the shrimp on her fork. “I’ll start looking soon. Promise.”
That was met with humorous groans.
“I will. I’m looking for the perfect leather ensemble,” she explained, employing a mock haughty tone for the last word. “Jack’s mother Stella wants me to wear her wedding dress. She said we could let it out up top, but no. Not wearing her dress.”
Bernadine said, “She’s still pressuring you?”
“All day and all night.”
Lily eyed her boss and cracked, “Sort of like the way you pressured me when Trent and I were planning our small, simple wedding.”
Bernadine had the decency to look embarrassed. “I admit to going a bit overboard.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Says the woman who called the White House to see if they rented the place out for wedding receptions.”
Laughter filled the room.
“Hush,” Bernadine said, grinning over her champagne flute.
Marie said, “And thank God you aren’t related to the Oklahoma Julys. They definitely made Trent and Lily’s wedding memorable.”
Tamar said, “They are not to be invited to anything here, ever again.”
Rocky was glad to have these ladies in this new life of hers. In her old one, she didn’t do females. The ones she knew outside of Tamar and Marie were barely tolerable. Because of her looks and figure many women went straight into threat mode, thinking she had designs on their boyfriends or husbands, which she didn’t of course. In those days, she had no true female friends. Now, however, she was a member of a group of women she loved and showed her love in return. Granted, she’d hated Lily in high school because Lily and Trent were a couple back then too and Rock’s crush on Trent rivaled the size of the universe. But she and Lily got along very well now, mostly because Rocky had grown up.
Sheila had volunteered to be her wedding planner. “Rocky, you and I need to get together to talk details.”
The only details Rocky enjoyed were on vehicles, which was why she was letting Sheila handle the wedding and had been putting off them getting together. “Okay.”
While the party continued, the recently married Genevieve sat glued to her tablet. Tamar cast a baleful eye her way and asked, “Gen? Are we going to have to confiscate your electronics like we do the kids?”
“I’m looking for a dress for Rocky.” And then she glanced up excitedly. “Rock! Come look at this.”
Holding her glass of wine, Rocky walked over and viewed the picture on the tablet. “Oh my!”
“You like?”
“I heart that!”
Everyone crowded around to view the statuesque model wearing a flowing cream-colored leather duster over a matching, tastefully designed leather bustier and pants. “I don’t suppose they have it in black?”
“No!” her friends cried.
Rocky laughed and sipped.
Lily said, “That’s hot, Rock. You may not make it out of the church if Jack sees you walking down the aisle in that.”
Sheila said, “I never thought leather was appropriate for a wedding but this is you, Rocky.”
Gen agreed. “I think so too and it only takes three weeks for it to be made and shipped.”
Rocky took out her phone and typed in the site’s URL. “I’ll check it out, asap. Thanks Gen.” And once again, she felt loved. “Can I open my presents now?”
Laughter greeted that, so she sat and waited for the unveiling.
And what an unveiling it was.
Anna, already on her way to Mexico, gifted her a beautiful wrought iron candelabra for the dining room table. Marie and Gen went halfsies on a gorgeous black leather jacket and an indigo-colored helmet. The silver flute from Lily and Trent made tears flow down her cheeks. Tamar’s badass set of socket wrenches made her wipe away the tears and want to try them out immediately. Paula gave her a book of affirmations, which Rocky knew she’d love. Sheila passed her a gift-wrapped box filled with sexy lingerie, and said, “Tell Jack, no need to thank me.”
Everyone howled.
Bernadine handed her an envelope that Rock viewed puzzledly.
“Just open it and read what it says.”
When she did, her eyes widened.
“What’s it say?” Gen asked eagerly.
“For Rocky and Jack. Use of my jet to anywhere in the continental US for their honeymoon.” Tears pooled in her eyes again. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Have you two picked out a place yet?”
“Yes. New York City.”
“When you’re ready to go, just let me know.”
Rocky was so moved all she could do was nod in reply.
Tamar presented the last gift. “Your godfathers, Mal, Clay, and Bing, asked me to give you this.”
It was another envelope. Inside were two season tickets to the Chiefs games for the upcoming NFL season. She pumped her fist. “Yes!”
Surrounded by her booty, Rocky took in all the smiles and the damp eyes and decided she might be the luckiest motorcycle chick on earth. Since she was a little girl, she’d dreamt about having a life as perfect as this one with its great job, fantastic love, and an amazing group of friends. “Thank you, everybody.”
“You’re welcome.”
Lily called out, “And now, cake!”
Cheers filled the air.
Walking on air after the shower, Rocky rode the short distance across the street to see if Jack was home. She wanted to tell him about the great gifts and see if he wanted to get together later. There was an unfamiliar car parked in his driveway. Not wanting to butt in on anything, she sent him a text saying she was going home, to not disturb him and his company. Her phone rang. Caller ID showed jack. “Hey, babe.”
“Hey,” he replied. “You aren’t interrupting anything. Come on in.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. Eva’s cousin is in town on business and I want her to meet you.”
“Eva’s cousin?”
“Yes. Please, Rock.”
“Is she giving you drama?”
He didn’t answer, which she took as a yes. “Be right there.” She walked to the door. Steeling herself for what she’d find on the other side, she turned the knob and went in.
The woman, a petite brunette, looked so stunned when Rocky walked in, Rock almost smiled.
Jack did the introductions. “Helen, my fiancée, Rochelle Dancer. Rock, Eva’s cousin Helen Simon.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Rocky said.
The woman appeared to shake herself out of her shock and said, “Same here. I wasn’t expecting—”
Rocky spoke into the breach. “Someone who rides motorcycles? I know.” She placed her helmet on a table. “Many folks are shocked that I do.” She sat down on the arm of the couch where Jack was sitting.
He looked up at her and smiled. “How was the shower?”
“A lot of fun. Got some pretty nice stuff, too.” She turned to the cousin, who continued her assessment. “Are you going to be in town for a while?” Rocky asked her.
“About two weeks. I’m doing some consulting work over in Franklin.”
“Ah.”
Jack said, “I thought she might like to have dinner with us later.”
Rocky had nothing but respect for Jack’s ties to his late wife, but the woman eyeing her with barely veiled, narrowed eyes didn’t impress her as a friendly dinner companion. “I just stuffed myself at the shower but if you don’t think I’ll be intruding on you two catching up, I’ll go.”
“You won’t be intruding,” Jack insisted.
Rocky looked to the visitor and asked, “Helen?” The woman seemed to be still sizing her up.
“Oh,” she replied, as if startled. “Sure. Please come along. I’d like for us to get to know each other.”
Rocky sensed the lie but if Jack wanted her to tag along, so be it.
They went to the Dog. Jukebox Gina was playing “If I Was Your Woman” by Gladys Knight. It was Sunday evening so the diner was crowded. Helen cast a critical eye around the place and voiced, “How quaint. Looks like a diner in Mayberry or American Graffiti.”
“We like it,” Jack said.
“Music is extremely loud, though.”
Rocky disagreed, but then she was accustomed to the sound levels of the jukebox.
In his role as shift host, Eli approached them and Helen squealed, “Eli!” and threw her arms wide for a hug.
His responding hug appeared more polite than heartfelt. “Hi, Cousin Helen. Dad said you were in town.” He then stepped back.
“Yes. How are you?”
“I’m good. You?”
“Good. You’re all grown up, and you look so much like Eva.”
Eli didn’t reply, just sort of nodded in response. “Booth or table?” he asked his dad.
Jack turned to Rocky. “Do you have a preference?”
“No, we’ll take whatever you have open, Eli.”
“Okay. Right this way.” He grabbed some menus and led them to a booth on the back wall. “I’ll send your server right over.”
As they settled in, Bing Shepard, sitting at a table with his housemate, Clay Dobbs, and a couple of local farmers, leaned over and said, “Rock. Spaghetti is excellent tonight. Just excellent.”
“Why thanks, Bing. I’ll let Siz and Randy know.”
Helen appeared puzzled by the interaction so Jack explained, “Rocky’s the co-owner here.”
“Ah, I see. So, is this the only place to eat in town?”
Rocky heard the dig in her voice but didn’t glance up from her menu.
Jack answered, “Yes. Best food in the county.”
“How long have you been co-owner, Rochelle?”
“A few years.” Had Helen’s tone held genuine interest, Rocky would’ve added that she’d worked as the lone cook for years before being offered partial ownership, but it didn’t, so she kept the expanded version to herself. A glance over the top of the menu showed Helen still assessing her coolly. Ignoring that, Rocky asked Jack, “What are you having, Professor?”
“The snapper and fingerling potatoes.”
Their server, a short redhead named Lisa, appeared at the table. “Oh hi, Ms. Dancer. I didn’t know you and Mr. James were here. So sorry for the delay. We’re really busy as you can see. What can I get you to drink?”
Rock and Jack asked for waters and colas. Helen turned the menu over and looked at the back. “Can I see a wine list?”
“We don’t serve alcohol.”
“Why on earth not?”
Rock said, “Because the principal owner’s continued sobriety is important to us.”
“Oh,” Helen replied sounding and looking displeased. “I’ll have water and a cola too, then.”
“Coming right up. Do you want to place your dinner orders now, or do you need a few more minutes?”
They were ready. Rock ordered the spaghetti. She’d eat a little of it and take the rest home.
Helen asked, “Is it really snapper or just a pretense for the menu?”
Rocky drew in a deep breath.
Lisa looked offended but kept her tone professional. “It’s real snapper, ma’am.”
Helen gave her a brittle smile. “I was just curious. I’ll have the snapper then.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” Lisa sent Rocky an angry look before she moved on.
Helen asked, “So, Jack, how in the world did you and Eli end up here?”
“The school superintendent made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Plus, Eli and I needed a change.”
“I understand. We were all devastated by Eva’s death. It had to be doubly hard for you and Eli since you loved her so much.” She then turned to Rocky. “I hope talking about my cousin Eva isn’t making you uncomfortable.”
“No. I’m fine.” Rocky met Jack’s eyes and lingered there for a moment before shifting her attention to the well-ordered chaos of the Dog.
Helen kept the conversation going about Eva, asking Jack if he remembered certain family vacations and how beautifully Eva played the harp. Jack kept his responses short and did his best to include Rocky in the conversation, but Helen plowed right over his attempts and brought the conversation back to Eva.
“I remember the time we went to the shore and she and I won the sandcastle-building contest. We must have been eight or nine. She and I were the same age and resembled each other so much people often mistook us for twins.” Her voice turned wistful. “I miss her so. You and Eli probably do, too.”
She threw Rocky a look which was met with no reaction.
Lisa returned with their food and set the plates down. Helen studied her order. “Not many people can prepare snapper correctly. I hope this tastes as good as it appears.”
Rocky chuckled to herself and started in on her spaghetti. The old Rocky would’ve already snatched Helen bald by now, but this was the new and improved Rochelle Dancer, and the last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself or Jack. At least publicly. But, as sure as she loved Jack and her motorcycle, Rock knew that before cousin Helen left town she’d be forced into finding out how she tasted with mustard. And truthfully, she was sort of looking forward to it.
“So, Rochelle. How long have you lived here?”
“All my life.”
“How interesting. You never wanted to leave?”
“I did. Went away to KU, got a job, then traveled around the world for a year before moving back.”
Her surprise showed. “Where’d you go?”
“Cambodia. Senegal. Rio. Mumbai. Tibet.”
“You didn’t see Paris or London?”
“No.”
“How on earth can you go abroad and pass them up?”
“Had no desire to see Europe.”
Her mouth dropped. Rocky twirled more spaghetti onto her fork and glanced up into Jack’s humor-filled dark eyes. “I’m pretty unconventional.”
“Which is how she stole my heart,” Jack added.
“But so soon after Eva’s death?”
Now we’re getting to the meat of the matter, Rocky thought.
“It’s been five years,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Eva wanted me to remarry. In fact, she made me promise I would.”
“I see,” came the doubtful response.
Rocky asked, “Are you married, Helen?”
“No.” And her eyes moved to Jack. “Unlike Eva I never found my soul mate.”
Rocky wondered how long Helen had been in love with Jack. Although the Professor was a boss in the classroom, he was not the most observant guy and there was a good chance he might not know how she felt. Then again, maybe he did. Had Eva known? In the end the questions didn’t much matter. Jack was her guy now and poaching by lovesick cousins would not be encouraged or allowed.
“So, Helen, what type of consulting are you doing in Franklin?” Jack asked.
“I’m working with the city’s governmental leaders on how to fine-tune their practices. The company I work for does this nationwide.”
“They have been having issues.”
Helen nodded. “Yes, the former mayor nearly bankrupted the place, so I’m here to help put them back on the right track.”
Rocky said, “I hear Mr. Proctor is doing a very good job.”
“He seems knowledgeable. More importantly, he listens. I often run into situations where the men in charge don’t want to take directions from a woman. It’s been refreshing.”
Rocky was admittedly impressed by that. On more than a few occasions, she’d had to fight the good fight on behalf of her gender, and her bank account was still smiling from the seven-figure settlement she’d won as a result a few years back. She was liking Helen a bit more.
“My Ivy League master’s degree in public administration has given me a good life,” Helen said and asked, “Do you have a degree, Rochelle?”
“Sure do. Graduated from Henry Adams High.” Helen was back in the mustard category. “And with over a million in the bank, my degree has served me well, too.”
Helen coughed and coughed some more.
Jack silently toasted Rocky with his glass of cola.
Rocky asked, “Are you okay, Helen?”
After wiping her mouth with her napkin, she replied, in a much less superior tone, “Yes. I’m fine.”
Smiling, Jack asked, “Who’s ready for dessert?”
After leaving the Dog, they rode back to Jack’s place and Helen walked to her car. “Thanks for dinner.”
Jack replied, “You’re welcome.”
“Nice meeting you, Rochelle.”
“Same here. Let us know if you want to have dinner again before you leave town, or if you need anything while you’re here.”
“I’ll do that.”
Rocky kept the plastic smile on her face and, like Jack, waved when Helen backed out of the driveway and drove off.
“Thanks for coming along,” Jack said as they climbed the steps to the porch.
“How long has she had the hots for you?”
“Since the day we were introduced.”
“Was wondering if you knew.”
He opened the door for her. “Oh, I do. Eva knew as well and wore the same fake smile you’re wearing now every time Helen came around.”
Rocky laughed. “I think Eva and I would’ve gotten along well.”
“I think so, too.” He took her in his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Thanks for putting up with her, I know that couldn’t’ve been much fun for you.”
“It wasn’t, but I knew she and her master’s degree in public administration would be going back to her hotel, and I was coming home with you, so that kept me from snatching her across the table.”
“You’re so wonderful.”
“Yes, I am.”
That night as Rocky lay in bed, she thought back on the encounter with cousin Helen. It was very apparent the woman thought Rocky not a good choice for Jack. In some ways, Rocky agreed, but she was becoming more comfortable with the idea that maybe she was. She wondered how pissed off Helen would be if they sent her an invitation to the wedding. Smiling, she turned off the lamp and snuggled in to sleep.