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“Okay, so we have the ceremony taken care of. What about the time? And the dress? And the reception, and the flowers?” Mimi pulled a notepad from her leather tote. “There’s a lot to take care of and we have less than four months.”
“We don’t want anything big,” Allie said. “Just family and close friends. Maybe we could get married around noon, and then do a simple lunch in the church hall?”
“A simple lunch?” Zeke said. “That sounds cheap.”
“Not necessarily,” Mimi said.
Allie glanced between the two of them. “Did you know Zeke is insisting on paying for the wedding?” she asked Mimi. “Which, by the way, is completely unnecessary. Tom and I are adults. We can take care of our own wedding.”
Zeke sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. Mimi knew that stance. It was the universal impossible male gesture he had probably perfected by the age of three. Translation: It was his way or the highway. In this case, however, Mimi had to agree with him.
“Zeke and I put aside some of the money your grandmother left us specifically for this occasion,” Mimi explained.
“But that money should go to Claire or Cameron’s education fund,” Allie protested.
“Already taken care of,” Zeke said.
“How? No offense, but you’re a small town cop and Mimi is a stay-at-home mom. Well, she used to be, but as the editor of the Whispering Bay Gazette I happen to know the mayor’s salary is more of an honorarium. It will barely keep Mimi in pantyhose.”
“How, is none of your business, squirt,” Zeke said playfully.
Mimi felt a pang of nostalgia. Zeke hadn’t called Allie squirt since she was in high school. She knew from experience that their back and forth sibling banter, while somewhat charming, was going nowhere. But Mimi couldn’t deny how much Zeke loved his sister.
“Allie, Zeke and I would be honored to pay for your wedding. I know you’re my sister-in-law and I’m only four years older, but in a lot of ways I feel like a second mom to you. Please, let us do this. It will make us happy. I promise.”
Zeke briefly caught Mimi’s eye before adding, “The money you and Tom were going to use for the wedding could be put into a down payment for a house.” Tom currently rented a house near the gulf. It was cute, but Mimi knew Zeke put a lot of stock into owning over renting.
Allie blew out a frustrated breath. “All right. Let me talk to Tom. I’m sure we can work something out.” Her voice suddenly turned pensive. “There’s just one more detail I need to get set today.” She smiled at Mimi. “Will you be my maid of honor? Or rather, matron of honor?”
Mimi leaned across the table to give Allie a tight hug. “Of course! I thought you’d never ask.”
Frida brought them their lunch. Zeke took his in a takeout bag and stood to leave. “Now that we’ve settled that, I need to get back to work.” His gaze rested on Mimi. “Cameron messaged me that you’re going to the shelter to pick out a dog this Saturday.”
Allie perked up. “You’re getting a dog? What kind?”
“A little one,” Mimi said. “One that doesn’t shed and is already house-broken.”
“We’ll see,” Zeke said. “The important thing is that he make a good watch dog.”
He? “Sure, right. A good watch dog.” Mimi expected him to take off, but he lingered, as if anticipating something more. Then she realized he was waiting for her to formally ask him to join them. “Want to come along? I thought Saturday would be a good day. You’re off work and…the kids are home from school so we can dedicate the entire day to easing her into our routine at home. I mean, if you want to go, that is.”
“The shelter opens up at nine. I’ll meet you at a quarter till in the parking lot.”
How weird was it that she was making a “date” to meet her husband?
Zeke’s police radio went off, causing several heads to turn their way. He looked at the radio, then clicked a few buttons. “Got to go. Cindy needs me back at the station.”
At the mention of Cindy’s name, the occupants at the next table blatantly turned to stare. It was Louise Brinkley and her daughter-in-law, Caitlin. Louise was a member of the Gray Flamingos and Caitlin’s daughter Becky went to school with Cameron.
Great. Two of Whispering Bay’s biggest nosey bodies. This would certainly add fuel to the Cindy rumors. But there was nothing she could do about that. Eventually, the whole Mimi and Zeke are separated story would run its course and Whispering Bay would find something else to gossip about. She just had to ride it out till then. Mimi smiled sweetly and waved at them. Both women looked taken aback, but waved in return.
Zeke picked up his bagged lunch and was about to leave when something at the table caught his attention. Mimi followed his gaze all the way to her left hand.
“You’re wearing your ring,” he blurted.
“And?”
“And you weren’t wearing it yesterday.”
