“Mama and I picked it out.” Damn, that was code for Mama picked it out and probably rammed her decision down Holly’s throat.
“I’m sure it will be amazing,” Daniel said, and Holly’s lips curled upward once again.
Holly took a deep breath before continuing. “We’re supposed to meet with the minister at one.” She pulled a face.
“What’s wrong with the minister?” Daniel asked as the server arrived with their drinks, and the conversation halted until she left. Mama shot Holly a stern look.
“He gives me the creeps,” Margot piped up, and Howard nodded his agreement.
“Reverend Peterson is a fine man,” Mama said more loudly than was necessary, to cut off any further dissent in the ranks. “He’s a real defender of the faith and he’s trying to make a difference in the community.”
Margot shivered, and Holly leaned closer. “I don’t like him either, but Mama insisted.” James got the feeling that he was going to hear more about this later. “Thursday night is also the bachelor and bachelorette party. I was able to find a dance instructor to work with Howard and me on Friday morning so we don’t make complete fools of ourselves for the first dance.”
“I have two left feet,” Howard explained.
“Dancing is fun,” James tried to reassure him.
“Not for me,” Howard whispered. “Would you come with us?”
James shifted his gaze to Daniel, who inclined his head slowly. “Of course. Whatever we can do to help make this special.” All James wanted was for Holly’s day to be the best it could possibly be and then to be able to go back to his life afterwards.
Holly bumped his shoulder. “Thank you,” she added softly, then cleared her throat. “Friday evening is the rehearsal and dinner. Saturday afternoon is the wedding and reception, and Sunday we all sleep it off.”
“Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Daniel asked.
“I don’t know. Howard says he wants to surprise me.” She leaned against Howard’s shoulder, and he put his arm around her. He obviously adored her, which was one less worry for James.
“Daniella,” Mama began, but thankfully the server arrived with their food, and Mama’s renewed third degree could take a break...for now.
* * *
“Jesus,” Daniel breathed once they were safe in the car. “I thought you were kidding about your mother.”
“Nope. Not for a second.” James started the engine and pulled out of the restaurant, heading toward his parents’ home.
“And this wedding. Is your mom getting married or your sister? It seems your mama either made a lot of the decisions or forced them.” Daniel fanned himself. “I sure hope all this comes together, because it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”
James sighed. “Why do you think I live two thousand miles away? I love my mama, but I can only take her in small doses.”
“But your sister’s wedding?” Daniel asked. “She’s the one getting married, not your mother, and yet apparently your mother picked out her dress.” Daniel seemed so shocked. It was hard for James to explain that things had always been this way.
“Sometimes it’s easier to just give in rather than fight her.” That was why he’d moved halfway across the country. It was better than dealing with her in his life on a daily basis.
“But it’s your sister’s wedding, and that’s the one day that should be all about her.”
James rolled his eyes. “Every day is about Mama and her expectations. She has these ideas of how things should be, and we all have to somehow live up to them. I swear Mama has been planning Holly’s wedding day since the moment she was born.” He paused when he heard how whiny he sounded. “I don’t want you to think I don’t love her, and I know Mama means well and wants the best for us. She was always there for our school programs and activities. She chaperoned field trips and volunteered for room mother. She cooked barbecue for hundreds to help raise money for Cub Scouts. It’s just that we’re adults now and her expectations feel like none of us can quite measure up.”
Daniel grew quiet, watching out the windows, biting his lower lip nervously. “I wish I could help.”
James patted Daniel’s knee gently. That was one of the kindest things James had heard in a long time. “I hate to say this, but I think all of us may be beyond help when it comes to Mama. At least Holly’s getting married and will have a life of her own with Howard.”
Daniel nodded as they continued driving to the house. Getting out a bag, he pulled down the mirror in the visor.
“Can you do that in the car? I can pull over if you want.”
“I’m fine. I just want to touch up my face and make sure I look okay.” Daniel pulled out some base and fixed his makeup. James wanted to watch, but he kept his eyes on the road. He would never have thought that someone putting on makeup would be so fascinating. Eye shadow followed the base, and then a fresh application of lipstick.
“Why that color? A lot of women wear red, but you use a lighter pink.”
“It’s a color that works for me, and I thought that something subtle would be better for the occasion. I didn’t want to draw too much attention to myself.” He finished and closed the makeup case, flipping up the mirror. “Do you want me to wear something different?”
“No. I think you look great.” James let his gaze flow over him before returning his attention to the familiar road ahead. “I really think this is going to work.” Maybe he could finally relax. His mama clearly bought that Daniel was Daniella, so all they had to do was get through the next six days.
He and Daniel talked lightly, with James answering questions about the scenery outside the windows. James had grown up with the mountains and rugged landscape around them. “Do you think we’ll have a chance to explore some of the area?”
“I’ll do my best. I know you’re doing me a real favor here, and I want you to have a good time.” He turned off the main road, and after winding through a residential area, they arrived at the ranch-style home he had grown up in. Pulling into the drive behind Holly’s Toyota, they got out, and James led Daniel up the walk.
The front door opened, and Holly motioned them inside. “Mama’s in the kitchen.”
James hugged Holly tightly, and she held on to him. “She’s got me wishing Howard and I had gone to Las Vegas and bypassed all this. But you know her...”
He nodded and held her tightly. “Mama’s commandments,” he said softly, Holly hugging him again before letting him go.
“At least I’m complying with the damned things. She should be thrilled.” Holly hugged Daniel as well. “Let’s get you both something to drink and then you can rest for a while.”
James nearly bumped into Daniel when he stopped on his way into Mama’s ultimate domain, following his gaze to the far kitchen wall. The damned needlepoint had hung on the wall there for as long as he could remember, and he hadn’t thought of it until this moment. He’d have thought she would have taken it down, but no... Daniel slowly turned around, a little paler under the makeup. Reaching slowly into his pocketbook, he pressed a twenty-dollar bill into James’s hand. This was one bet James wasn’t so happy to win.