The Sugar Queen by Tess Thompson

17

Brandi

After breakfast,Crystal and I headed into town to the dress shop. “Something sweet,” she said. “So at least you have a photograph to show your children. And God knows I have nothing to wear, either.”

The upscale boutique catered mostly to our wealthy visitors who came in the winters to ski. I’d hardly ever shopped there, preferring the department stores in Louisville where you could get items on sale. The place was owned and run by Mallory Fox, an elegant woman in her sixties with silver hair and sharp eyes. She’d never come into my bakery, her thin frame evidence of her discipline.

She greeted Crystal the moment we entered. “Dear, I was so sorry to hear about your home. Please let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to order for you.”

“Thank you, Mallory,” Crystal said. “Today we’re looking for something pretty for Brandi. She’s getting married tomorrow. I also need a dress suitable for a wedding.”

Mallory didn’t blink an eye. “Are we thinking cocktail dress or something of a more romantic style?”

Crystal, clearly in charge, had walked over to a rack of dresses. “For Brandi, something on the sweeter side.”

“I am the Sugar Queen.” I smiled and resisted the urge to twirl about the store like a dancing fairy. I was getting married to Trapper Barnes. I didn’t care what I wore.

I tried on a few gowns, most of them too fussy for my small frame. The sixth dress was a white off-the-shoulder silk sheath with an asymmetrical skirt and a flounce sewn into the neckline. “I think this is it,” I said from inside the dressing room.

“Let’s see,” Crystal said.

I walked out. Crystal put her hands over her heart and beamed at me. “Yes, this is the one.”

Mallory nodded. “Yes, dear. That’s just right.”

Crystal chose a sleeveless sheath in a light green that draped over her slender frame.

“What about an understated tiara for your hair?” Mallory asked. “It’s not every day one gets married. Perfect excuse for a little bling.” She went to a glass display case. “We have several styles.”

I peered through the glass. A simple band with sparkles caught my eye. “How about that one?”

Next to me, Crystal nodded. “With your hair up it will look so pretty.”

Mallory sold us new sandals. A strappy low-heeled pair for Crystal and a three-inch one for me. “To show off those legs,” Crystal said.

“And give me a little height next to my giant groom,” I said.

“You’ll both be beautiful,” Mallory said as she rang us up. “Don’t hesitate to come back if you need anything else.”

We thanked her and took our packages out to the car. On the way home, we passed the newspaper office. Huck was sitting on the front steps holding an ice pack to his chin. One of the windows was shattered. I pointed them out to Crystal.

“You don’t think he and Trapper got into it?” I asked.

“Like a fistfight? No way.”

I didn’t say anything further, but I had a bad feeling they hadn’t worked out their disagreements. As stubborn as they were, who knew how long it would take?

By the timewe got back to Trapper’s, Garth had come home with the groceries and greeted us at the door with a worried furrow to his brow. “We’ve forgotten about a cake.”

Crystal gasped. “How could we forget a cake?”

“I could make one,” I said. “But it’ll have to be something simple.”

“No, no. You have enough to do,” Crystal said. “They’re not my expertise, but I can make one in a pinch.”

“I’ll help,” Garth said.

“Excellent. I’ll grab my laptop and we can pick out a recipe,” Crystal said. “What kind do you want?”

“A white cake,” I said. “With raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting.”

“Leave it to the baker to have a precise request,” Crystal said.

I left them to it and drove out to my parents’ house. It was inevitable. I had to tell them. If they didn’t want to come to the wedding, that was fine, but I had to give them the opportunity.

My parents lived in the same cottage that Lizzie and Jasper had built over a hundred years ago. Small for modern times, but charming. A white picket fence enclosed the yard. Hydrangeas with fat purple blossoms and white peonies contrasted with my father’s perfectly kept green lawn. The sweet scent of the climbing pink roses that clung to the trellis filled my nose as I let myself in through the gate.

I was surprised to see my dad’s car parked by the garage. He often traveled during the middle of the week.

I didn’t knock before stepping inside the house. The sound of angry voices coming from the kitchen greeted me.

I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Regardless, given the tone, there was no doubt that my parents were arguing. I froze, unsure of what to do. They would be embarrassed to have me overhear anything. I decided to open and shut the door, louder this time, to clue them in on my arrival. I did so. The voices stopped.

“Mom? Dad? Are you here?”

“Yes, in the kitchen,” my father called.

I scurried down the narrow hallway to the kitchen. Mom stood with her back to the kitchen sink. Her arms were folded over her chest. Dad was by the sliding glass doors with a red face.

“What’re you doing here in the middle of the day?” Mom asked. “Why aren’t you at work?”

“It’s my day off,” I said.

“Are you sick, honey?” Dad asked, moving toward me.

“No, not sick. I just had some things to do.” Rip the bandage off, I thought. Just tell them and get it over with. “I told Trapper about Ava. After talking it through, he understands why I did what I did and your part in it. We’re in love, and we’re getting married tomorrow.”

They both stared at me. My mother’s eyes blinked rapidly. Dad’s mouth hung slightly open.

“Please tell me this is a joke,” Mom said.

“It’s not a joke. We want to get married but not make a big fuss. With everything going on in our community, it doesn’t feel right to have a big wedding. We don’t want to wait any longer.”

“You’ve only been back with him a few days,” Dad said.

“This is insanity,” Mom said. “You can’t tell me it isn’t.”

“I’m a grown woman,” I said. “You don’t get to tell me what to do any longer. You’ve already done enough to keep us apart.”

“To keep you apart?” Mom asked. “He’s been gone for ten years. How’s that our fault?”

I simply looked at her. If she didn’t understand how she’d contributed to the demise of our relationship, I certainly couldn’t explain it to her.

“After what he did to you?” Mom asked. “Are you completely stupid? He showed who he was the first time around.”

“I’m going now,” I said. “The wedding will be at five tomorrow afternoon at our church. There’ll be food and drinks at Trapper’s afterward. I’d like you to be there.”

“This is a mistake,” Mom said. “You’ll regret this. I’m not going to stand and watch you marry the man who ruined your life.”

I glanced at my father. Dad shoved his hands in the pockets of his khakis and hung his head.

“For the record, my life was not ruined by Trapper. My heart was broken when I lost a child. If you’re asking me to choose between a relationship with you and marrying Trapper, then my choice is him. I’m sorry.”

When I got in my car and drove down the gravel driveway toward the road, I let the tears fall. I’d hoped their reaction would be different even though I knew better. Still, I’d wanted them to embrace my choices and to be a part of my life. I had a feeling they wouldn’t be after this. They couldn’t accept Trapper. Doing things for my mother’s approval had never gotten me far. From now on, I would live my life on my own terms. If she didn’t like it, then it was her loss.