Chapter 279: Wedding Plans
*Who the hell am I marrying? – Trigg*
After the women left the men to their meeting, the old ladies went to watch their movie. Alana took Michael from her son after the diaper change. He found her surrounded by other old ladies when he brought her a fresh bottle. He kissed his mom and sister on the top of their heads before joining the other Saints from Pop’s Place in the bar.
Nessie guided Rye to a small couch by itself. Nessie sat cross-legged facing Rye who sat in the corner with a foot tucked under her. She held a throw pillow in her lap. The last time that she had talked to the redhead, she had said things that scared Rye. She was afraid that the woman could see all of her deep buried secrets.
“Yeh don’t love him yet.”
Rye was surprised by the bluntness. “No. I don’t.”
“Yeh will.” She smiled and took Rye’s left hand in both of hers.
“I don’t know if I can.”
Nessie moved her fingers over the upturned palm without looking at it. The movement relaxed and soothed Rye, she suddenly felt comfortable with this woman. There was something about her that offered comfort.
“Yeh can. Yeh’ve gone to see Carly?”
“Yes.” Rye said amazed.
“Yeh have hay stuck to yer shoes.” Nessie smiled. “I’m not that good.”
Rye blushed in embarrassment.
“It’s been a long hard road for yeh. It’s going to be rough for a while longer. But yeh don’t hafta shoulder the burden yerself anymore. There are others to help. To lean on.”
Rye nodded. She looked away so that her tears wouldn’t be seen. For so long she had been on her own and now there were people everywhere wanting to help. People who really and truly want to help. And wanting nothing in return.
“Now, let’s plan yer wedding.” Nessie smiled and picked up the tablet she had tucked between the cushions. “What is yer favorite color?”
“I don’t know. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about something like that.” Rye said quietly.
When was the last time that she had thought about something so simple? Could life really be like that? Not a giant ball of stress of wondering where the next meal, roof, clean clothes would come from. How she would pay for them. What was expected in return.
“Most people don’t think about it until they’re asked.” Nessie smiled. “Me? I like purple. Heather purple reminds me of home. Think of a place or a memory that makes yeh happy.”
Instantly, the little restaurant next to the fish market came to mind and she smiled.
“Japan. While we were there, everything seemed like it was good.”
“Okay, now what color do you think of when you think of Japan?”
“Teal.” Rye smiled brightly. “There was a little place by the Okinawa fish market that dad, Leigh Anne and I really liked. The neon sign outside was teal.”
“See? Yeh do have a favorite color. What about flowers?”
Again, she smiled as she remembered walking into her classroom and finding a bouquet of carnations on her desk. It was in a whimsical vase shaped like a number two pencil. There was also a bag of apples and a little note from Chance. *An apple for the teacher, and flowers for my friend – Chance*
“Carnations. Chance gave me some carnations the other day. It was the first time anyone ever gave me flowers.” She said and there was sadness creeping into her smile. “Is that sad?”
“No. It makes them even more special.” Nessie tucked Rye’s gray hair behind her ear. “I think that we should go without a veil. He loves this.”
“I don’t.” She mumbled. “Kids always called me a skunk. My mother said that I was cursed. It was my witch patch.”
“If witches had a gray streak, I would have one. What it means, is that yeh have no color in yer hair. And yer man is obsessed with it.”
“I’ve read about them. It means I am evil.”
“And me red hair means I will steal yer soul.” Nessie shrugged. “I wash it in the blood of me enemies every night. It’s how I keep it so bright.”
Rye chuckled. “Always wondered about that.”
“Now, the wedding was set for mid-afternoon. Do yeh want to change it?” Nessie asked and Rye shook her head.
Chance sat on the arm of the couch and rested his hand on the back. He pressed a kiss to the top of Rye’s head.
“You ladies figure everything out?” Chance asked as Trigg approached with his wife, Sid.
“Enough for now.” Nessie smiled.
“Young lady,” Trigg said to Rye, “you have turned my clubhouse on its ear.”
“I’m sorry.” Rye mumbled looking down at her hands.
Trigg squatted down beside the couch. “Not in a bad way. None of us ever thought this one would settle down. I’m glad he’s found what makes him happy.”
Rye nodded, afraid to look at anyone. Would they know that she was a fraud? She didn’t love him. Didn’t even know if she could love him. And they all thought that she was perfect for him.
“Come on.” Nessie said standing up. “Something I need to speak to the groom about.”
After a promise to return, Chance followed Nessie to her office. She closed the door, and they sat on either side of her desk.
“Find some pictures of what yeh want for yer grooms’ cake.”
“That’s not why you had me come back here.”
“No.” Nessie agreed. “What I tell yeh, it’s as a friend. I’m not tryna anger yeh or tell yeh not to wed her. In fact, the opposite. And I’m not breaking the rules of the shadows but I’m gonna bend ‘em a bit for yeh.”
Her accent was thick showing him how serious she was. He nodded his understanding and for her to continue.
“She doesna love yeh. But she will. I don’t know when. What I do know is that the road ahead is hard. She must move past what is behind her and let go. It’s gonna be hard.”
“I get that. It’s one of the things Carly said. She has to learn to live with the memories and not have her ghosts ruling her.” Chance said remembering the brief meeting earlier that day.
“Yes. And yeh. Yer past is going to hurt her also. Yeh need to make sure that the bunnies at yer clubhouse know that yer off limits. Make sure that she knows that yeh’ve made it clear."
“One more thing.” Nessie said softly. “Be patient with her. She’s broken. But only she can put herself together.”
