Christmas Wedding: Cliffside Bay Page 6

  “She acted like it was a contest and they’d chosen me over her. It was bizarre. She spewed all these hateful things at me. Awful predictions about my life. She said eventually you’ll leave me. I’ll be a has-been by then, and the kids will all have grown up and moved away. I’ll be left all alone.”

  “Sweetheart, that’s like the classic case of projection. You are not your mother.”

  She twisted her neck to look up at him. “Promise me we’ll get help if we ever need to. Before it’s too late.”

  “I promise.”

  “I wish we were home and this whole thing was over.”

  “The wedding?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” she said softly. “Not the marrying you part but having to deal with my parents. Maybe I should’ve let her leave. I mean, how awkward will the rest of the weekend be for all of us?”

  His sweet girl. How dare her parents ruin this weekend for her? This was supposed to be one of the happiest events of her life. With their selfish behavior, they’d succeeded in ruining it for her. He’d like to shake them both silly.

  “It’ll be okay, baby. Maggie and Pepper and I will make sure.” He tightened his grip around her and kissed the top of her wet head. “I want you to put all this aside and focus on what we’re really doing here—declaring our love and commitment to each other in a church under God. Your parents’ lives have nothing to do with us. We’re going to get married and then go on an amazing honeymoon.”

  “And then we’ll come home and spend the rest of our lives together.”

  “That’s right. You and me forever.”

  “I have something to tell you.” Her voice lowered into the apologetic tone she so often had around her mother. “I might have offered to pay for Mom to go to Europe for a year. Or two. I told her I’d rent her an apartment in Paris. I should’ve asked you first.”

  “Why would you need to ask me?”

  “Because it’s our money now. You should have a right to weigh in on how we spend it.”

  “That’s sweet of you. Going forward, we should always talk about financial decisions. However, in this case, whatever it takes to get your mother out of the country is just fine with me.”

  She giggled. “That’s terrible.”

  “I know it is. But she hurts you, and I can’t stand it.”

  “You’re my hero, you know that?”

  “You don’t need one, but I’m happy to pretend.” He lowered his mouth to her shoulder and smiled against her silky skin.

  “What did I do before you came to me?” Lisa asked.

  “I can’t remember before you. And I don’t want to.” He kissed her neck. “Now, you have to get out of this tub. We have a rehearsal at the church to get to.”

  She swiveled around to face him, then kissed his mouth with her velvety lips. “Do we have to? I’d rather stay here and make out.”

  He laughed as she straddled him and splayed her hands through his hair. “I’ll make you a deal. The minute we’re back here tonight, you’re on.”

  “You’ve got yourself a date, Rafael Soto.” She smiled as she placed her hands on his chest. “Thank you for always being here for me.”

  “For better or worse, until death do us part.”

  Rafael hustled Lisa out of the cold and into the lobby of the lodge. They’d just come from the rehearsal at the church. The rest of their party had already arrived, but Rafael and Lisa had stayed behind to discuss a few details with Pastor Jordan.

  “Do I look okay?” she asked as they walked toward the bar and restaurant. After getting out of the tub, Lisa had fretted about her puffy red eyes. He’d fixed a cold compress by wrapping a hand towel around a pile of ice. She’d pressed it to her eyes for fifteen minutes before fixing her hair and makeup. The compress had worked. Lisa glowed, even if it was from the outside in, instead of the other way around.

  “You look perfect, albeit something’s missing.” He stopped her in front of the fireplace. “I have the perfect remedy for you.” He pulled out the velvet pouch he’d stashed in his trouser pocket. “This is your wedding gift from me.”

  She pulled open the pouch, and the delicate sapphire necklace he’d picked especially for his gorgeous bride spilled into her hand. Under the lights, the tiny stones sparkled. “Rafael, it’s…it’s so pretty.”

  “The stones match your eyes,” he said. “There are fifty of them. One for every year we’re married.”

  “Only fifty?” She looked up at him with raised eyebrows.

  “If we live to be in our mideighties, I’ll get you a new one.”

  She smiled. “We’re definitely living until our mideighties. Put it on me?” She turned around and lifted her fair hair from her bare shoulders.

  “Do you remember the first time I helped you with a necklace?” he asked as he connected the ends and secured the fastener.

  “How could I forget?”

  “Your skin will always be the best thing I’ve ever felt.”

  She turned, lifting her arms and wrapping them around his neck. “Will you still love me when I’m wrinkled and gray? When my skin’s no longer smooth?”

  “You’ll always be the most beautiful woman in the world to me. Years won’t change that.” He leaned down and kissed her gently on the mouth. “Come on, let’s go enjoy our night.”

  The cocktail portion of their rehearsal dinner had started in the bar. Later, they would move to a closed-off room where a long table had been set for dinner.

  He wrapped his arm around Lisa’s shoulders as they entered the dim room. Dark wood and exposed beams paired with crystal chandeliers gave the bar a rustic elegance. Perfect for them. He was rough around the edges, and she sparkled like a thousand diamonds.

  “It’s so pretty,” she said.

  “Yes, you are.”

  She nudged him in the rib cage with her elbow and lifted her chin to give him a flirtatious smile. “You say the sweetest things, Rafael Soto. Would you like to get married?”

  “Sounds good. What’re you doing tomorrow?”

  It appeared everyone had arrived other than Stone and Pepper. David, Jackson, and Maggie were deep in conversation at one of the bistro tables. From the serious looks on their faces, he guessed David was sharing the details of his parents’ morning announcement.

  The Perrys were on opposite sides of the bar. Mr. Perry was perched on a barstool talking to Ria. Mrs. Perry was in the far corner with Nico and Trey.

  “Do you see Mama?” he asked Lisa.

  Just then, Mama appeared from behind a giant man.

  “There, with Uncle Dominic,” Lisa said.

  “Uncle Dominic? Why is he here?” He wasn’t in the wedding party. And he was standing way too close to Mama. She was gazing up at him with adoring eyes and laughing like a teenage girl. What was that expression on her face? He’d never seen it before now. His stomach dropped. She was looking at him like a woman in love. The way Lisa looked at him. The way Pepper looked at Stone. No. No, no, no. Not his mama.

  He straightened his tie. This bar was way too warm. “And why is he touching Mama?”

  Lisa wrapped her fingers around his wrist, almost like a warning. “I don’t know. Maybe my dad brought him for moral support?”

  Mama laughed again and patted Dominic’s chest with the tips of her fingers.

  “What the hell?” Rafael asked.

  “Or he’s Mama’s date.” Lisa’s words were drawn out, as though she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

  That made two of them.

  He swallowed as Stone and Pepper sidled up behind them. The ladies hugged and exclaimed over each other’s dresses. They did look beautiful. His soon-to-be bride was as angelic as ever in a blush-pink dress made of material that seemed to flow like water. Her hair was down and arranged in perfect, shiny waves down her bare back.

  Pepper clung to Stone’s arm, looking feminine in a winter-white dress that hung just right on her slender frame.

  “Is Lisa’s uncle hitting on Mama Soto?” Pepper
asked.

  Stone looked momentarily guilty. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I saw them all snuggled together on the couch when I came back from skiing. They were drinking wine.”

  “Mama doesn’t drink wine,” Rafael said.

  “She was today,” Stone said.

  Rafael looked up at him long enough to see if he was serious before he returned his gaze to Mama. Dominic was feeding her one of the appetizers. With his fingers. They were practically in her mouth. “Why is he feeding her?”

  “You know why. He’s flirting with her. The old ‘let me feed her’ technique.” Pepper’s eyes widened before she let out a giggle. “He’s going in again. This time it’s one of those baby quiches.”

  Rafael turned away, too disgusted to continue watching this gorilla with his mama.

  “Baby quiche?” Lisa asked. “Remember that night you stole all those from the party and then insisted they were mini pies?”

  His stomach turned. “I remember.” Quiches were their thing, not Mama’s and the white-haired gorilla. Why would they make those damn quiches small enough that a person could pop them in their mouths or be fed one of them with no trouble?

  “Is he a good guy?” Stone asked.

  “He is,” Lisa said. “The sweetest. He loved my aunt with all his heart.”

  “So he’s the marrying type,” Pepper said with a gleeful lilt at the end of the sentence. “Excellent.”

  “What are you talking about?” Rafael asked. “Mama is not getting married. She can’t. I just got her where I want her.”

  “She looks beautiful,” Lisa said, obviously not listening to him. “And young.”

  He narrowed his eyes to fully take in Mama. She’d done something to her hair. It was all smooth and arranged in a series of bumps on her head that reminded him of a golden-era movie actress. Her dress was a red sheath that flattered her petite figure, and tall shoes made her legs look long. In addition, she was wearing more makeup than usual. “What’s up with her hair and makeup?”

  “She had it done, remember?” Lisa said. “I’ve never seen her look better.”

  “It’s the sparkle in her eyes,” Pepper said.

  From across the room Mama laughed as Dominic dabbed something from her chin with his napkin.

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” Rafael said.

  “Same,” Stone said.

  “I think it’s sweet,” Lisa said. “And romantic.”

  Typical Lisa.

  Pepper bounced on her toes. “What if they fell in love?” She tugged on the lapel of Stone’s jacket. “Baby, it’s the Lake House doing its magic.”

  “Magic and Mama do not go together,” Rafael said. “Unless it’s dispelling an imaginary curse.”

  “Agree one hundred percent,” Stone said. “Mama Soto is too perfect for some charismatic old guy who will probably break her heart.”

  “He’s my uncle,” Lisa said. “And a wonderful guy.”

  “Rich, too,” Pepper said. “And so dreamy. I mean, for an older guy.”

  “More like a nightmare,” Rafael said. “It’s like King Kong shows up at my wedding and steals Mama.”

  Lisa and Pepper laughed. At him, not with him.

  “Rafael, you wouldn’t deny your mother a chance at happiness, would you?” Lisa asked. “What if she could have what we have?”

  “Clearly you think I’m a better person than I really am,” Rafael said. “Because I want Mama with us, where I can keep an eye on her.”

  “Maybe you two should have a baby right away,” Pepper said. “Rafael clearly needs someone to mother-hen over.”

  Despite the tightness in his chest, Rafael laughed. Leave it to Pepper to bring him down a notch.

  A server came by with a tray of champagne. They all took a glass. “I’m going to talk to Mama. I’ll be right back.” Before asking Lisa if she wanted to join him, he barreled across the bar to his mother.

  “Oh, there he is,” Mama said. “Rafael, you’ve met Dominic, right?”

  “Yeah. Yesterday.” Rafael held out his hand. “Nice to see you again.”

  “You as well.” Dominic shook his hand with the same vigor as the first time they’d met. “Your mother asked me to escort her this evening.”

  Escort? Like as in a date?

  “The invite said to bring a plus-one if I wanted,” Mama said with a mischievous grin.

  “It did, yes,” Rafael said. Knowing Mama would be disappointed if he displayed bad manners, he thanked Dominic for coming. “We’re glad you’re here. I hope you enjoy yourself.”

  “I’m enjoying myself immensely,” Dominic said.

  I bet you are. Feeding my mama with your King Kong hands.

  “Mama, can you come with me a moment? I have something I need to ask you.”

  “Yes, sure. I’ll be right back.” Mama waggled her fingers at Dominic, who bowed his head politely.

  “I’ll be waiting,” Dominic said.

  Rafael took his mother’s elbow and spoke softly through clenched teeth. “Mama, what’s going on here? Is this a date?”

  “I suppose it is. I haven’t had one in so long I’m not quite sure.”

  “Didn’t you just meet him yesterday?”

  “Yes, and I can’t seem to shake him. Wherever I go, there he is.”

  “So you just up and asked him to take you to my rehearsal dinner?”

  Mama’s eyebrows knit together, then she pursed her lips and glared up at him.

  “What?” he asked, even though he knew.

  “You’re behaving like a child,” Mama said. “I’m surprised at you. Does it really bother you that much that I seem to have attracted the attention of a virile man?”

  Virile. That was it. He might actually puke at his own party.

  “Mama, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “Lisa sang his praises. He’s a gentleman and quite smart.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, Mama was staring at him with a concerned expression. “Are you all right, son? You’re white as a ghost.”

  “I’m fine.” He sighed. “It’s just been a weird day that keeps getting weirder. Lisa’s parents told her and David they’re getting a divorce.”

  Mama brought both hands to her chest. “No. It can’t be.”

  “In the spirit of worst-ever times, they told them this morning.”

  “I wondered why they came here in separate cars,” Mama said. “Poor Lisa. Will it ruin the wedding for her?”

  “She cried all afternoon.”

  “The poor thing,” Mama said.

  Lisa approached, carrying two glasses of champagne. “Mama Soto, would you care for some bubbly?”

  Mama took the glass from her, obviously distracted. “Are you all right? Rafael just told me.”

  Lisa nodded, then ducked her head so that her hair covered her face. “It’s unexpected and terrible timing.”

  “Oh my goodness.” Mama gripped Lisa’s wrist. “I’m afraid this is my fault. What if I got rid of our curse and gave it to your parents?”

  Rafael had to clamp his eyes shut to keep from rolling them.

  “Here I was with my head in the clouds, not realizing that a curse has to go somewhere,” Mama said. “I’ve been so wrapped up in Mr. Handsome over there that I completely forgot about the curse.”

  A loud burst of laughter erupted from his bride. “Mama Soto, as much as you might believe in the curse, I can guarantee you didn’t give it to my parents. Their problems started long before now. As far as something or someone coming into your life—isn’t it about time? My uncle is a great man. You two obviously have a connection. Don’t let your fears about a curse or anything else get in the way.” Lisa turned to him and raised one eyebrow. “Or even your son poking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

  “I am an adult,” Mama said. “As much as you think of me as just your mama, there are other parts to me too. I’d forgotten that until this weekend.”

  Rafael hung hi
s head. Mama and Lisa were right. His beautiful, faultless Mama should have anything and everything she wanted. He’d just never thought she wanted a man. “Whatever you want is what I want.”

  “All I’ve wanted for so long was for you to have a good life,” Mama said. “I don’t need to worry about that any longer. Perhaps I should focus on my own life. Which may or may not include the handsome gentleman in the corner.”

  Lisa hugged Mama. “Life is short. Seize the moment.” She gestured toward the glass of champagne in Mama’s hand. “Have a drink. Flirt a little.”

  “One drink. Minimal flirting,” Rafael said.

  Once again, the women in his life were laughing at him.

  6

  Lisa

  * * *

  Lisa stared down at the rich chocolate cake in front of her. The rehearsal dinner of steak and lobster had filled her, and there was a wedding dress to wear tomorrow. She glanced over at her mother, who sat at the other end of the table next to Maggie and Jackson. A familiar unease caused her stomach to clench. As a chubby child, Lisa had always felt her mother’s eyes on her during mealtimes, judging and monitoring what she ate. The comments in the form of a question still haunted her. Do you really need that much butter on your toast? Didn’t I buy you a size larger pair of jeans last month? Other times, there were no words. Instead, her mouth had set in a thin, disapproving line as Lisa reached for a cookie.

  For years, other than with Pepper and Maggie, Lisa hadn’t been able to eat in front of other people. Until Rafael. She’d shared with him her destructive relationship with food and her mother’s hurtful words. Somehow, his love had changed her.

  She smoothed her hand down the front of her dress. Her stomach was not flat by any means, especially for an actress, but she was proud of the muscles that years of dancing had given her. She liked the feminine curve to her hips. Was it that she learned to love them through the touch of Rafael’s hands? Could a lover’s caress repair a lifetime of self-hatred? In her case, it seemed so. She’d come to terms with her curves and the roundness of her limbs. Most of the time. But in the presence of her mother, the old insecurities rushed back into her consciousness.