Part 29 (1/2)

I turned to face Roch.e.l.le. ”So what does this mean? You and Jordan being here?”

”It means that we love you. Very much. Nothing more.”

”But where's his girlfriend? She wasn't at the church. I haven't seen her since-”

”They're getting married. Next spring.”

I gulped back a mouthful of stale airplane air. And a few tears, both of regret and relief. What a weird feeling. Not that I was too hot on the idea of Jordan marrying that woman, especially if she insisted on dressing like Elvira, but for some reason I was glad that Roch.e.l.le would be moving on. My face sobered. Or would she move on to another weirdo from the singles group? Even worse, would she move on from our family? From being my friend? ”How do you feel about all this?”

She stared over at Jericho, smiling in oblivion next at Shemika. ”I really don't know. I've got bigger things to worry about than your brother now. Shemika and Jericho will make it through the school year, but next year will be harder. Mother Holly can only do so much. Shemika may end up moving in and Jericho moving in with Jordan for a few months. I don't know.”

I nodded. This year, this trip, was a turning point for us all.

I laced my fingers between hers, trying to ignore the rising voices of Tracey and Ryan behind us. ”Well, whatever happens, know that I'm here for you. And I support you.”

”I really hope you mean that.” Roch.e.l.le smiled a tight smile. She eased back on her pillow and closed her eyes.

I stared out of the airplane window into the clouds, trying to interpret my friend's last words. Pineapple scent wafted back to me from the seat ahead. ”We'll have our time soon,” he mouthed when no one was looking. We planned to announce our wedding plans after my ceremony, but everyone, including our pastor, seemed confident that we wouldn't make it back to the States without being wed.

One of Adrian's wide, brown hands reached back and clutched mine. My mind ceased pondering Roch.e.l.le's puzzles. I had mysteries of my own to figure out.

Chapter Eighteen.

”Is it really that blue?”

My father stared doubtfully at the sequined gown of turquoise lapping against Negril's white sand.

Jordan walked in tandem with Roch.e.l.le and Jericho to the right of us. ”It's real, Dad.”

I was with my father. The view was incredible. Even the occasional gusts of wind felt good, though the sand s.h.i.+fting between my feet and the sandals Roch.e.l.le had made me was a little distracting at first. We marched silently, as the waves rushed to the sh.o.r.e, then eased back, like somebody getting up from a table after a good meal. Across the beach under a rose-covered arch, I could see the waiting minister, bent and brown with graying dreadlocks. Strains of the accompaniment band whispered in the mist of the ocean, so salty against my lips. I'd picked the right place and the coordinator had done an excellent job. Everything seemed too good to be true. Especially Adrian.

I smiled at our little crowd, made bigger by the surprise arrival of my aunt Cheryl and my two cousins last night. Only Renee, who'd been too deep in Fingerhut bills to attend, was missing. One never knew when people would come through for you. That's what I'd like to think anyway. In truth, they were here to go home and give a full report to the gossip mill, but hey, the more the merrier.

We ambled toward the ceremony location, taking time to appreciate the surroundings and G.o.d, who had created them. A few feet separated Adrian and me. He s.h.i.+elded his brow from the sun with one hand, taking in the view. ”You picked well, Dana. This place is unbelievable.”

We reached for each other's hands at the same time. Adrian's grip was sure. He was trying to be let my family have me, I could tell, but more and more, I wished we had this beautiful scene all to ourselves. ”Thanks for your help. It made all the difference.” Jamaica was nice, but it was Adrian who was unbelievable. More so every day since I'd told him I'd marry him. Walking on this beach, I couldn't remember exactly why I wasn't marrying him today.

Adrian kissed my hand. That dull ache that always gripped me when I picked the wrong answer on tests, hit my midsection. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to run to the makes.h.i.+ft altar across the sand, though it wouldn't do us a bit of good. My desire must have shown of my face.

”There'll be time for that,” he whispered. ”Though I have to admit, this is so beautiful, I've got honeymooning on my mind, too.”

Yes, there would be time. For now, all I had to do was enjoy this day with my family, my friends, my man and G.o.d. How hard could that be? Real hard, when a big fine man, smelling like pineapples and cherry wood-must be something from the hotel-is holding my hand. I can almost hear my mother's voice in my head, ”You should have married that boy last week!” And as always, she'd be right.

I flashed a look at Austin, who was snuggling with her husband a few paces ahead. As if she felt my glance, my new friend looked back and smiled. She knew what I was thinking, I could tell by the curl of her mouth and her wistful stare. ”Do it,” she whispered.

Do it? Do what? Marry Adrian? If only I could. The file with our marriage license and birth certificates was back on my desk in Illinois. Though it would have been nice to have a ceremony here and get married later, that wasn't going to work, not the way Adrian was looking in that suit. It was the gray one I'd spilled punch on at Tracey's wedding. I felt just as breathless seeing him in it today as then.

Tracey walked up and took my left hand, trying to gain balance for her bulging belly. Ryan lagged behind her, chatting with Trevor about his latest alb.u.m. She smiled, but sadness flashed in her eyes. ”This is so beautiful. I'm so proud of you. For waiting. For holding out.”

The underlying tone in Tracey's voice left me speechless. Was that...jealousy? ”Well, I've only been holding out for four years, but I'm thankful for G.o.d's grace to keep me. It was only Him.”

Tracey snorted, then looked back at her husband. ”Yeah, well, be thankful.” She hung her head a little. ”I'm ashamed to say it, but I envy you a little.”

So there it was. No need to wonder. I just nodded, understanding totally. Too bad I hadn't been woman enough to admit the same thing at her wedding. Tracey's hand dropped from mine, but her smile stayed fixed. ”It's okay. You know what? On your day, I envied you a little, too, Tracey. I was happy for you, but a little jealous. I didn't realize it then. So forget it. I understand.”

She nodded and let out a long breath. ”Yes, that's it. Happy and hurt at the same time. I feel like I'm losing you all over again.”

”She's not married yet,” Adrian whispered across us the way the waves played against the beach.

I winked at him, forgetting for a moment that Tracey was there.

Tracey patted my hand a final time then let go and waved toward her husband. ”Come on, Ryan. Walk with me.”

”Sure-sure babe.” My friend's husband bounded towards us with a reluctant grin, one he'd worn in my presence since their wedding day. He knew that Tracey and I discussed him often and didn't think I liked him anymore.

I flashed all thirty-two teeth to prove him wrong. ”Thanks for coming, Ryan.”

He forced a smile. ”Thanks for inviting me, Dana. And for-for being such a good friend to Tracey.”

As we closed in on our destination, the minister motioned for us to come closer. His eyes, though brown, sparkled like the bright blue water of Seven Mile Beach. The band, clad in ochre, crimson and a crisp, happy green moved little, but released a gentle thunder of steel drums and other instruments I couldn't identify. Dahlia, who'd been somber through most of the trip, broke out in a round of giggles, then stepped across the sand toward me.

I eyed the minister for a rebuke on how long we were taking, but he merely smiled. The band continued to play.

My sister moved tentatively at first, and then with purpose. ”I know there's not a lot of time but I feel like I really need to say this, I'm just going to say it.”

”Go ahead.” Even Dahlia couldn't dim this moment.

”I'm embarra.s.sed about how I've acted. I don't know why I try so hard to outdo you, Dana. Maybe because Mama always loved you better-”

”Now you're talking crazy, Dahlia,” my father spoke softly.

”Maybe, but that was how it seemed. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that whenever you and Adrian do get married, you don't have to worry about me.”

Adrian kissed my temple. I found my voice. ”I'll always be concerned about you, Dahlia. We both will. Thanks for coming.”

My father cleared his throat again, this time sounding like a radar siren. ”Yes, thank all of you for bringing me to this beautiful place. Just make sure the next time it's for a wedding. This marrying Jesus business is a good thing, but we could have done this at the Holiday Inn for what it cost.”

The truth of his words stung a little, but I kept silent. Adrian kissed my cheek.

Daddy smoothed his worn Stacey Adams shoes over the white sand. ”By the time y'all get around to getting married, I might not be anymore for this world-”

”Daddy, please.” I tried to make the words sound frivolous, but they choked in my throat. I hadn't expected my stroke or Mama's death. Though Daddy seemed healthy, he was getting older. And what about me? Just because I'd made a good recovery and some lifestyle changes, every day was a gift. An urgency washed through me. Adrian and I would marry as soon as the plane touched down in Illinois.

”Seriously, moppet. All our days are numbered. Who would have ever thought that your brother and sister would be here like this? That you and Adrian would end up together after all? Just don't be foolish and wait too long. That's all I'm saying.”