Wedding Belles

The mayor turned back to the crowd. “I give you the new owner of the Brooks Mansion, the CEO of the new radio station, WCTR, and the voice of your national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, Mr. Lewis Heart.”

The crowd erupted. Cheers and shouts of “Roll Tide,” the mantra for the Alabama Crimson Tide, were heard as others whistled. Vivi bounced and clapped, bursting with pride as Lewis approached the mic.

“Good afternoon, y’all. Enjoying this nice cool weather today?” Lewis was his usual charming, sarcastic self. The crowd laughed as Lewis grinned.

“I am happy to see so many of you on this sweltering day. It means the world to me to be able to save this fantastic piece of Tuscaloosa history and to make my dream come true right inside these doors—my own radio station broadcasting Crimson Tide sports twenty-four hours a day. Once we open in three short weeks, everyone is welcome to come inside for a visit. We’ll schedule tours, and maybe even have lunch on the grounds, to fully celebrate this magnificent thread in the fabric of the grand legacy of Tuscaloosa. I couldn’t be happier to give this mansion right back to the city that fought so hard to save her over the years.”

Lewis looked right over to me and winked. He included me in that fight and was proud of my part in the mansion’s preservation. I was overcome by this sweet gesture. I was fully aware, in that second, that he and I would always be on the same page. I was beginning to think Lewis and I had more in common than I had thought. We both loved Vivi and we both loved Tuscaloosa like no place else on earth. Maybe both of us had to get out from under Harry in order to shine.

“Well, my dream has finally come full circle,” Lewis continued. “The restoration of Brooks Mansion will begin at a rapid pace to be ready in time for the kickoff game. In fact, the pace will be unprecedented, with construction going on around the clock, along with a record number of people working on this project.

“Plans for the grand opening in three weeks are underway. The party will be right here and it will be a thing to remember. Look around you now ’cause, as my great-aunt used to say, ‘Y’all ain’t seen nothin’ yet.’ Thanks again for coming, and Roll Tide!”

Everyone was clapping and hollering.

“Isn’t he amazing?” Vivi whispered, joyful tears brimming in her eyes.

Lewis waved to the crowd, then reached his hand toward Vivi. A smile replaced her tears as she walked up toward the mic to be next to him. She waved to the people gathered, too, and everyone cheered. I swear they looked like the new first couple of Tuscaloosa.

I looked around the crowd of supporters and noticed Harry standing off to the side. I was sure he was jealous. I mean, Lewis was once the black sheep of the family, but he was quickly stepping into Harry’s spot on the throne. If I knew my old Harry, he wouldn’t take this turn of the tables for long. But just what he would do to get back in the spotlight, I didn’t know.

10

Harry Heart would not miss a media event for anything, and this dedication of the mansion was certainly no exception. Now that the speeches were over, he made his way over to the crowd of reporters to steal himself some camera time. He couldn’t help himself. The media might have gathered for Lewis today, but Harry couldn’t just let his brother have the spotlight. No, Harry Heart would go to hell and back to get on camera. He and Dallas shared that trait.

Dan “The Man,” Harry’s campaign manager, was right by Harry’s side, talking to reporters and making sure Harry said all the right things. He caught my attention and nodded his head toward Harry, standing in the middle of a small cluster of cameras, signaling that I was failing in my duties as a future senator’s wife. I knew I’d be stuck playing this role for a few more excruciating months, but I’d made a promise and I intended to keep it. I kissed Vivi on the cheek and whispered that I’d be right back. After shooting Sonny a look of apology, I reluctantly made my way over to Harry and Dan and took my requisite spot next to my husband, the candidate.

I had been an actress years ago, so now I acted happy and enthused. I hoped Sonny would understand. I had agreed to this farce, in large part, to protect him. People wouldn’t look kindly on the man who broke up the future senator’s marriage. The truth was, though he wasn’t exactly a model husband, he was exactly right for the role of senator. Our relationship issues aside, I trusted him to take care of the city that I love.

Harry was in full soapbox mode, sermonizing with quick one-liners and forced laughter. Cameras rolled and reporters threw him simple questions. I stood at his side, as obligated, smiling and looking approvingly at him—glancing every so often at Sonny, while inside I felt sick.

“Oh, yes, I am eager and ready for this challenge,” Harry said, wearing his starched white shirtsleeves rolled up to make himself look more like a man of the people. “I look forward to making your voices heard in our nation’s capital.”

He smiled his perfect megawatt smile, and it struck me as bittersweet that we were now so far apart. I had truly loved him once, and I’d been attracted to him from the moment I saw him. Even now, I could feel the shadow of the old familiar tug. He was still preppy gorgeous as he continued to wave and shake hands, but good looks and a few shared interests weren’t enough for me anymore. I wanted the fairy tale. The happily ever after. It’s hard when you’re painfully lonely, especially in the arms of the one you’re supposed to love.

“Fellow constituents,” Harry went on, “I know, with your help, we can make a difference in Washington and enhance the future for all in this great state of Alabama.”

Harry gestured to me. “Please say hello to my wife, attorney Blake O’Hara Heart. She will be an asset for you, as well.”

What? I couldn’t believe he could lie like that, knowing full well I would not be going to Washington with him. It struck me then how very different we were.

He pulled me forward and I waved as Harry continued to speak of our marriage and me. He was in full senator mode, not caring about anyone or anything but winning.

Sonny stood next to Bonita a few yards away, his hands in his pockets as he watched me, listening to Harry’s false laughter and small talk.

I hated this and with what I was feeling now, I was afraid I wouldn’t last in this role all the way to November. Sonny was precious to me. He fed my soul and it drove me crazy to hurt him. He was feeling it, too. I saw it in his eyes, even as he sent me a little grin. November felt like a lifetime away.

I went back to listening to Harry, then froze when I saw Dallas approach.

“So, Harry, tell me,” Dallas said with a slick smile. “If you win the senatorial election, will your devoted wife, Blake, be joining you in Washington?”

My heart just stopped. I did not like that woman. Have I said that already? Well, there, I said it again. Harry smiled nervously at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sonny stiffen, wanting to protect me, yet unable to jump to my rescue. I felt butterflies—no, make that bats—take flight in the pit of my stomach.

Dallas’s smile grew broader as the seconds passed by in awkward silence. “Well, come on, you two. It’s really not a trick question.” She shoved the microphone closer.

Harry seemed exasperated, too. “I am sure when the time comes, my wife will make that decision. I look for her to be by my side, like she always has been.”

Dan gave him a nod of approval. Dallas just smirked.

“Really?” She turned the mic toward me. “Anything you’d like to add to your husband’s comment, Blake? I mean, you have your law practice here and, of course, your family and special friends.” Dallas batted her lashes. “I’m sure they’d be so tough to leave behind.”

Her look said she knew I was spending time with Sonny, and she’d do anything for a juicy scoop. I didn’t know how she’d found out about us, but I did know there’d be no more smooching on the porch. This shark was circling for the kill.

“I will always support Harry,” I said strongly, utilizing every bit of acting talent I could muster. “Thank you for your interest in my welfare.”

She stepped closer. “One more question—”

I shot a quick glance at Dan, and he immediately stepped over to interrupt Dallas.

“Thank you, Miss Dubois, fellow news media and future constituents. That will be all the questions for now as Mr. Heart has another engagement to attend.”

Dallas smirked again and sent me a warning look as if to say, You got away this time, but soon heads will roll.

I shuddered.

Smiling to hide my nerves, I kissed Harry on the cheek for show and walked back toward Bonita and Sonny. My cop never took his eyes off me as I approached. I wanted to cry on his shoulder. I wanted him to fold me in his arms and cuddle me to him. I wanted to grab his hand and run far away from all this madness.

But, of course, I couldn’t do any of those things.

Dallas and half the state of Alabama were watching me.

“Hey, you two,” I greeted both Sonny and Bonita. “Glad y’all could make it.”

I leaned in and hugged Bonita, then Sonny, measuring my every move as I felt Dallas’s eyes searing like lasers into my back.

“Hey, beautiful,” Sonny whispered to me.

Just hearing those words made me relax all over. He wasn’t the least bit upset. Relief allowed me to finally inhale a full breath. Sonny understood what I had to do, and he wasn’t gonna stand in my way.

I smiled gratefully.

Bonita greeted someone passing by, and Sonny bent closer to whisper, “I could eat you alive right this second.”

“Why, sir, if you’re hungry, there are refreshments available with the caterers. I’m rather starving myself.” I smiled and squeezed his hand before quickly letting go.

“I’m ’bout to pure ol’ dee die out here in this heat. I’m headin’ over for some lemonade,” Bonita said, dabbing her neck with a tissue from her purse.

Vivi walked toward us. I saw Kitty and Meridee over her shoulder with the mayor and Lewis. Now that Kitty was openly dating the mayor, she looked as giddy as a fifth-grader with her first crush.