I smiled and bobbed my head as if I were happy about all this, when in reality, I wanted to turn and flee. “You’ll do great,” Vicky promised, before hurrying off for a few last-second adjustments to one of the brides’ veils.
While my bride and I waited for our stage cue, my mind wandered back to my earlier quandary. If Dr. Meyers had brought the nail gun to the Arts Center, she must have known Chuck would be here at that precise time. How’d she know? Unless . . . was it possible that she’d sabotaged the kitchen refrigerator? Workmen had been in and out to set up the expo, using both entrances; it was plausible that she’d managed to sneak in at some point. But how’d she know Chuck would be called for the repair? Bentley could have called any other repairman in town. Something niggled at my mind, but before I could think it through, the music shifted and the announcer started the program.
“Okay, we’re on,” Vicky proclaimed, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Organizing and multitasking was Vicky’s strong point, and she was definitely in her element. It was good to see that her normal enthusiasm had returned, if only for one evening.
Ahead of me, ladies started shuffling forward, stepping up the back stairs, which led to the stage area. With every inch we moved forward, my heart beat faster. Soon, I felt my palms grow moist; my legs felt heavy. I tried to swallow down my nerves but my mouth was so dry, everything seemed to stick in my throat. Then, before I knew it, we were up. As our ensemble was announced, I tentatively stepped out from behind the curtain and moved toward center stage, my every step tracked by a blinding spotlight.
At first, my movements felt stiff, and probably looked stiff, but as I made my way down the catwalk something overcame me. My breathing eased and my grip suddenly loosened on the bouquet I was carrying. I began to imagine my own wedding, all eyes on me as I walked to the altar and Sean’s waiting arms. At the end, I stepped to the left and waited. When the bride and groom arrived at the end of the platform, we all effortlessly turned, receiving a large round of applause. How exhilarating!
Stepping off the stage, I started weaving my way through the crowd, turning this way and that, showing the dress to its best advantage. After I’d worked my way around the room a couple of times, Bentley waved me over to where she and the other agents were seated at the back of the room. Well, all except Zach, who I imagined was regretting his decision to watch over Olive. “Lovely,” Bentley commented as I approached. “Didn’t I say that color would suit you?”
“It sure does,” Jude chimed in with an appraising up and down.
“Our Lila always looks good,” Franklin offered.
I smiled at my friends, happy to notice that Flora was seated next to Franklin. “Flora, you made it! I’m so glad you’re feeling better.”
Touching a finger to her cheek, she replied, “Yes, but what a terrible virus. I heard it put Althea in the hospital. We’re all so very grateful to hear she’s doing better.”
The mention of Mama reminded me that Lynn was going to give her a call. “Where’s Lynn?” I asked, not seeing her seated with the others.
“I think she left,” Pam said. “I saw her just a short while ago. We were with her out in the hall when she . . .” She shrugged. “Actually, I’m not sure what happened. She might have gotten a call or something.”
My heart stopped. I leaned forward, palms on the table. “I’d loaned her my phone to make a call to my mother for me. But you think she got a call? Was it something about my mother? Is something wrong?”
“I don’t think so.” Pam furrowed her brow. “She didn’t actually talk to anyone. Now that I’m thinking about it, I believe she saw a text come in on the phone . . . something that upset her. But certainly if it was about your mother, she would have told you right away.”