Listen to Your Heart - Fern Michaels [70]
“We are a family again?”
“Yes, we are a family again. God, I feel good,” Paul said thumping the table.
Marie thumped the table herself. “Not as good as I feel, son.”
“Come, mère, I’ll walk you to your room.”
“I used to walk you to your room. Imagine that.”
Paul smiled. “Yes, imagine that.”
Josie sat at her little dressing table, staring at her reflection. Her sister watched her from the bed. “Today’s the day, Kitty! Do you think Mom knows we’re getting married?”
“I hope so.” Kitty’s voice was so wistful-sounding, Josie rushed over to her and put her arms around her shoulders.
“Maybe we should cry now and get it out of our systems. Our mascara will run later on.”
“It’s not right, Josie. There’s supposed to be a mother of the bride. In our case, mother of the brides. Plural. We don’t have anyone on our side. Our side of the church is going to be totally empty. The first three pews are always reserved for family. Our friends will be there, but it’s not the same. It isn’t fair.”
“I know, Kitty, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Mom would tell us to pull up our socks and go on. I wrote her a letter last night. I stuffed it in with all the others.”
“I did, too. It’s in my sock drawer. Mom always said I had the messiest drawers. She said they were worse than yours. We’re going to be happy, aren’t we, Josie?”
“Yes, we are. We’ll visit often, and we’ll call every day. I’ll be your kids’ godmother and you’ll be my kids’ godmother. Harry and Paul get along wonderfully even though they only met recently. We’re a family. We’re smaller than Paul’s or Harry’s, but we’re still a family. I bought you a wedding present. It’s kind of special—you know, a sister-to-sister kind of present. It’s for Harry, too, but mostly for you. Do you want me to get it? It’s in the spare room.”
Kitty dabbed at her eyes and nodded. Josie was back within minutes, holding a small basket. A tiny, silky head peered over the top. She held the basket out to her sister. “Her name is Soho. She’s a Goldenray Yorkie. I bought her from Cher Hildebrand in Dayton, Ohio. I picked her up at the airport last night while you were out with Harry’s parents. Tell me I didn’t make a mistake. Please, Kitty, tell me you love that little dog. I thought you wouldn’t miss me so much if you had a dog to remind you of me.”
“God, Josie, what’s not to love? Would you look at this face. She’s beautiful. She’s gorgeous. I love her already. Harry is going to flip when he sees her. He just loves dogs. Thank you, Josie. I feel better now. I really do.”
“Good, that’s all that matters. You never did tell me what Harry gave you as a wedding present. Show me!”
“Swear you won’t laugh.”
“I swear,” Josie said. “Where is it?”
“In my room on the bed. Listen, his heart was in the right place, so remember that.”
“It’s a . . .”
“Chef’s coat with five stars and a high top hat.”
“It’s wonderful. Jewelry is such a drag,” Josie said.
“What did Paul give you?”
“He said he left it on the back porch, so I guess it isn’t jewelry either. I forgot to open it. Wait, I’ll go get it. It’s a big box, too. I have a feeling it’s going to be as romantic as your coat and hat.”
Kitty cuddled with the little dog until Josie, huffing and puffing, shoved a huge carton into her bedroom. “Wow! Maybe we should guess what it is before you open it. Anticipation and all that.”
Josie reached for her manicure scissors and slit the tape holding the box together. “Oh, Kitty, look at this.” Josie held up a dinner plate with a huge strawberry in the middle. “It’s just like Mom’s. Wait, wait, here’s a note.”
“Read it, read it. Hurry up. What’s it say?” Kitty squealed.
My darling Josie,
I wanted to give you something special for your wedding gift. I’m sorry to say I don’t have an original bone in my body. However, I saw the look on your face the day you served me a cup of coffee in your mother’s cup. It took me a while, but I finally found someone who said they could replicate it. There is a service for eight in this box, and I have the