“I have noticed trouble seems to follow her.”

  “Have you now? I don’t reckon you would be one of the troubles that are following her, are you?”

  “No sir. I don’t think so.”

  “I guess I’ll just have to ask her about that.”

  “Of course.” Bruce shifted uneasily. How had he gone from being everyone’s hero to being Elizabeth’s biggest problem?

  Elizabeth walked toward him, a grimace on her face and a woman on her arm. The woman was almost an exact replica of Elizabeth, only with gray streaks highlighting her dark brown hair. The lady’s arm was interlocked with Elizabeth as if she were afraid to let go. Her eyebrows were turned up in an expression of inquiry.

  When Elizabeth was close, she said, “Bruce, I would like you to meet my mother. June Smith.”

  Bruce extended his hand in greeting. June took it and squeezed with all her might. Was she testing him? Bruce didn’t act like anything was out of the ordinary. “It is wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Smith. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Humph. That’s good. But you see, Elizabeth hasn’t told us near enough about you. In fact that’s why we’re here. The girl won’t answer her phone. She isn’t home near enough. Her apartment has been ransacked and is still in the same mess. What are you going to do about that, Mr. Malone?”

  “Mother! Please. The trial just ended. I’m home to stay now. Give me some time, and I’ll clean it up.” Elizabeth blushed with embarrassment. He could feel her urging him to understand.

  “Did you win? I mean all this time away from home. You can’t even talk to your parents. I know you fancy this fellow, but if he isn’t a good provider, then your father and I won’t accept him into the family.”

  Bruce’s eyebrows rose and Elizabeth groaned. Paul shuffled his feet before stopping his wife. “June, please. The two kids just got home. We need to go check into a hotel and give them some time.”

  “I will not go to a hotel. Elizabeth has plenty of room in her townhouse. Besides she needs my help. I’m sure just because the trial is over doesn’t mean she gets tomorrow off work. Her boss is a slave driver.”

  Bruce thought Elizabeth was going to pass out. She teetered back and forth. And even though she rested partially on her mother, Bruce reached out to steady her. “Elizabeth, are you okay? I think perhaps you should let your parents take you inside so you can rest. I’ll get your bags and bring them in.”

  “Yes. I think you’re right.”

  Elizabeth didn’t wait on her parents. She dropped her arm from her mother’s and climbed the steps to her home. She opened the door and went inside without even looking back. Bruce walked to the trunk of his vehicle, grabbed her bags, and was heading for the front door when a hand restrained him.

  “I believe we can take it from here, young man,” said June.

  “Forgive me, Mrs. Smith, but I would prefer to take the bags in. First of all, they are heavy. And second of all, I would like to tell Elizabeth good-bye before I go home. These last couple of days have been stressful on her, and I would like to make sure she is okay. That is, if you don’t mind?”

  Paul covered his mouth with his hand and his look of mirth as June stammered out a reply. Bruce was allowed to go inside briefly and check on Elizabeth before he was shooed out the door. Elizabeth was already snoring away on the couch when he left.

  As Bruce bounded down her stairs, glancing over his shoulder one last time, his fingers nudged the gift in his pocket. Would he ever have time to give her the gift? Would he ever be allowed to express his love for her?

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  “I can’t believe she left this place in such a shape. Why look at this mess? Most of this stuff is broken. It’ll have to be hauled off. Too bad she can’t burn garbage here. Why does she want to live in this place anyway? All the traffic. All the rude people. Why does she have to be like my sister? Why can’t she just come home?”

  Elizabeth happened upon her parents as they discussed the mess left in her room by Tina and Talbert’s excursion. Her mother plopped down on the bed, her head held in her hands. Elizabeth sensed her frustration. But it couldn’t be helped. She loved her home. She loved her church. She loved Bruce. None of that was likely to change.

  Elizabeth came into the room and interrupted her mother’s tirade. June jumped to her feet, swiping her hand across her tear-stained face.

  “They did a number on your room.”

  “Yes, I’m afraid they did.”

  “I take it they didn’t find what they were looking for.”

  “No.”

  “Would you like help cleaning up this mess?”

  “All you want to give me,” Elizabeth answered.

  June and Elizabeth worked for a few hours cleaning. Her father was downstairs, busy making lunch. Bruce had given her the day off, much to her mother’s delight. Elizabeth tried to refuse his offer, except he wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted to be with him, away from her parents. Over the phone, with her family there, she was unable to explain it to him. All she could do was accept his offer and pretend to like it. Now as Elizabeth stood beside her mother cleaning the mess, she couldn’t get Bruce out of her head.

  “Do you miss him?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You’ve been staring at the wall for about ten minutes now, dear. I think I know when my child is lovesick.”

  “It’s that obvious?”

  “Yes. Does he know?”

  “I’m not sure. I haven’t told him.”

  “Does he believe in Christ? Is he saved?”

  Elizabeth threw down the towel she was holding and fell upon the bed. Sitting on the edge with her hands folded. “I don’t know. I just don’t know. Isn’t that sad? He was raised Catholic. Non-practicing, of course. And he’s gone to church with me a few times. He seems to have an open mind. I can tell he’s been studying his Bible. It’s just I don’t know if he’s saved.”

  The wistfulness in her voice was plain. Her mother sat down beside her and patted her hand. “You know, when I met your father, he wasn’t saved.”

  “He wasn’t?” Elizabeth couldn’t keep the surprise from her tone.

  “No. I was the dedicated one. It wasn’t until Matthew was born that he began his wrestle with God.

  “When I met him in high school, I just couldn’t get your father out of my mind. He was a somebody, and I was a nobody. My father was the only Baptist preacher in town, and I was his only child. My mother died when I was five, so it was just the two of us. I hung by myself a lot. Never had that many friends. Since my dad was the one buying my clothes, I didn’t have the pretty little things most girls had. One day I was coming home from school, and Paul was on the side of the road. His truck was stuck in the mud and he couldn’t get it out. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and his muscles were all bulging. Don’t you look at me like that, girl. Your dad has always been a fine fellow to look upon.

  “Anyway, there he was, stuck. I offered to help, but he laughed at me. Well, I showed him. I pushed on that truck, and miracle of miracles, it gave way. He offered me a ride home. Introduced himself. Of course, I already knew who he was. Who didn’t know who Paul Smith was? Star of the football team. Girls lined up to date him.

  “Then I told him my name. He cocked his eyebrow and said, ‘You’re a girl?’ I’ve never been so embarrassed in all my life. I punched him in the arm so hard he had tears in his eyes. Of course, that didn’t help prove I was much of a girl, but it made me feel better.”

  Elizabeth watched the play of emotions cross her mother’s face as she continued with her story.

  “That was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I don’t know how it happened, but the next morning your father came and picked me up for school. He said a lady didn’t need to be walking so far. He found some dresses his mother no longer wore and brought them to me. Before long we were courting. I never stopped to think about how he felt about the Lord. I was totally in love. Then one day he proposed. We got married. And your father, well, he wasn’t interested in going to church. I tried to browbeat him. Tried to say if you love me, you’ll go. I spent many a miserable night down on the floor in prayer. Then after Matthew was born, he looked at me one morning and said he was called to preach. You can imagine my surprise.

  “The point of all this, is not to give up. Pray for Bruce. I won’t tell you to marry a non-believer, because that’s not a good route to go. I’ll just say if it’s meant to be, then Bruce will find the Lord.”

  “Oh, Mom, do you think so?”

  “Ah, child. I do.”

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Cole and Julie’s wedding was fast approaching. June and Paul had decided to stay until the wedding was over. Because of that, Bruce and Elizabeth hadn’t spent any time together. Bruce was invited over several times to eat with the family, but never was he alone with Elizabeth for more than a few minutes.

  At work, Elizabeth and Bruce were restricted as well. Clients that had sued the Winterbottom Corporation in the past and lost were a mile long outside his door. By the time Elizabeth and Bruce left work each day, they were too exhausted to speak more than a few words to each other as they traveled home.

  Bruce carried the gift with him everywhere he went. He took it out and looked at it, trying to find a time to give it to Elizabeth. He considered asking her out on a date, except he feared hearing she couldn’t go out without her parents.

  As the wedding moved closer, the dinner parties for the couple began. Elizabeth, as the maid of honor, was required to attend, and Bruce right along with her. His mother, Lily, had yet to meet Elizabeth, and Bruce couldn’t help but be nervous.

  Bruce picked Elizabeth up for the first of many dinners. Her parents had declined to attend, and Bruce couldn’t have been happier. He was hoping to spend some time to with her tonight, even if he had to kidnap her and lock her in a closet.

  When they walked into the hotel ballroom, Cole and Julie were waiting.

  “My brother, how are you? Watch out, Mother is here, and she’s not happy this is the first time she’s meeting your girl.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  Elizabeth hugged Julie and fawned over her dress. Then she hugged Cole, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Lily sauntered over to the group. She reached out her bejeweled hand for Bruce to kiss. When he straightened, he noticed how her gaze seared Elizabeth. Was she finding fault already?

  “Mother, I would like for you to meet Elizabeth Smith. Elizabeth this our mother, Lily Malone.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Malone.”

  “Yes, of course. I’m delighted to finally meet you as well. Bruce has told me so little about you. Come. I have a table just for the two of us. We must talk. It won’t do to have someone new come into the family that I know nothing about.”

  Before Bruce could stop her, Lily grabbed Elizabeth and led her away. Bruce heard Cole whisper, “That can’t be good.”

  Julie said, “Bruce, don’t worry. Elizabeth can handle herself. She’ll be fine. Besides if she wants to be part of the family, she has to deal with your mother sooner or later. It might as well be now.”

  Bruce didn’t agree. Why couldn’t Elizabeth have met his mother after they were married? Then she couldn’t tell him no because of her.

  Bruce ran a hand through his hair. He was headed to the buffet table when he heard a familiar voice.

  “Well Bruce, dear boy. How are you?”

  “Dad. I’m fine. How are you?”

  “I see your mother has already taken your lady off your hands.”

  “Yes, she has.”

  “I feel sorry for her. Your mother can be quite a handful.”

  “Dad, could you help me?”

  Jeffery Malone laughed under his breath. “What could I do for you?”

  “Can you get Mom away from Elizabeth?”

  “You want me to stop your mother from interrogating your girl?”

  “Would you?”

  With a mischievous glint in his eye, Jeffery Malone answered, “Why, I would be delighted.”

  Jeffery Malone, a distinguished man of sixty-five, maneuvered toward his ex-wife and Elizabeth. Bruce noticed how the women in the room stared at his father. Even in his old age, he was a handsome man. His black hair held only the barest streaks of gray, his blue eyes shining with hidden secrets.

  Bruce knew how much his father loved to goad his mother. Asking his father to mess with her had been sheer genius. Bruce only wished he’d thought of it sooner.

  Bruce sipped at his drink and waited for Elizabeth’s release. When she didn’t leave the table where his mother sat, he began to worry. He walked toward Elizabeth and his parents and was shocked to find they were all smiling.

  “Oh, he was such a good baby. I never did use those disposable diapers. So he was all the time walking about with his drawers sagging to the ground. You’ll have to come by and look at his pictures some time.”

  “I would like that very much.”

  “Let me ask you. How is my son in the courtroom? I’ve heard he’s magnificent.”

  “Oh, he is. You should come and watch him some time.”

  “Oh, I just couldn’t come alone. A woman in a courtroom by herself. Think of the scandal.”

  “Oh, come on now, Mrs. Malone. I get the impression it would take a lot more than that to scandalize you.”

  Lily laughed behind her hand, her cheeks rosy. “Who have you been talking to? Jeffery, have you been spreading stuff about me?”

  “Why no, my dear.” Bruce’s eyes widened as his father kissed his mother’s hand. What was happening?

  “When are you two going to tell Cole and Bruce?”

  “When we get all the children together. Haley should be here for Cole’s wedding, so we thought we would tell them then.”

  “What brought all this about?” Bruce heard Elizabeth ask.

  “I have to say it was Cole and Julie. Imagine those two getting back together. Why it made me think about my own decisions to leave Lily. I’ve always loved her, you see. I just had a few selfish moments. I’m so glad she decided to forgive me.”

  “How could I do otherwise, my darling?”

  By now Bruce was next to the table. Paralyzed with uncertainty, he stood there with his mouth agape.

  “Boy, shut your mouth. You look ridiculous,” said his father, a smile lifting the corners of his eyes.

  “But—but I don’t understand.”

  His mother patted his hand. “Oh, I know you thought I was here to wreak havoc on your girl, but honestly I wanted to thank her. She has given me my whole family back.”

  Bruce stared at Elizabeth. She was a true wonder indeed.

  Chapter Fifty

  On the drive home, Elizabeth leaned her head back to rest. What a rough couple of weeks. The steam seemed to never run out of Bruce’s family. They reminded her of the Energizer Bunny. They just kept going and going and going. How did they do it?

  Bruce was quiet. Elizabeth wanted to tell him her feelings. So much had happened of late. During the trial, his hovering was obvious. But now he was distant. She had to admit, she was worried. Perhaps it was his character that kept him nearby. Was he just around because he had to be? Or did he want to be? There was never any time to discuss these things.

  Elizabeth opened her mouth to ask that question and then shut it just as quick. How had they arrived home so fast? There on the steps of her townhouse sat her mother. Tomorrow was the wedding. Her parents would leave, and maybe the two of them could move on.

  Elizabeth reached her hand for the door handle, and Bruce stopped her. He leaned over and grasped it.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Yes. We do.”

  “I have something for you.”

  “What?”

  “Here.”

  Bruce thrust a box into her hand. Her fingers went to grasp the lid right as a tap was heard on the glass.

  “Are you getting out, dear?”

  Elizabeth groaned. Could her mother just give her a moment of privacy?

  “Yes, Mother. I’m coming.” Looking over toward Bruce, “Do you want me to open it now?”

  He sighed. A sad smile played around his lips. “No. You can open it later. Just wear it tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  Elizabeth opened the door and slid out. She expected Bruce to follow, but instead he shifted the car into gear and sped off down the road. So he wasn’t going home?

  Elizabeth followed her mother inside, listening to her jabber a hundred miles a minute. She ignored her and walked straight to her room. She pulled off her stockings and lay back on the bed. Staring up she saw her gown for tomorrow. It was peach in color. The strapless bodice was sprinkled with cream-colored sparkling sequins, while the skirt flowered out with yards and yards of tulle. A matching set of three-inch pumps were close by.

  Lying there, Elizabeth could hear her mother humming downstairs. Her home had never been so clean. Elizabeth would probably spend months looking for all her stuff. Nothing seemed to be where she normally left it. Her mother had found each out-of-place item its own nook or cranny.

  The clock on the bedside table flashed ten o’clock. Groaning with effort, Elizabeth prepared for bed. Tomorrow would be a long day.

  ****

  Bruce paced. He didn’t trust himself to be at home right now. It was too close to Elizabeth. They needed distance.

  When he left the party the night before, Bruce knew there was no way he could sleep. He was wound as tight as a coiled spring. He wanted desperately to tell Elizabeth how he felt. The plan was to give her the gift and spill everything. Then her mother had interrupted them again.

  Bruce left Elizabeth on the sidewalk and sped away into the crystal clear night. He’d driven for what felt like hours before he returned home and collapsed into his bed. The tuxedo for tomorrow’s events, hung up in his room, mocked him. How many times would he wear a tux to someone else’s wedding? He felt like those old maids who also said, ‘Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.’