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Abigail didn't like humiliating Cal, but on the other hand, she took some pleasure in Matt's and John's cool demeanors and Jake's not-so-subtle jabs at the man who had dishonored their sister. She guessed Cal should be glad they lived in South Louisiana and not Iran. Protecting the family honor in some cultures would have resulted in Cal's being spoon-fed for the rest of his life. As it was, a little coldness and a well-placed zinger were to be expected.
Silence descended again before Cal said, "I played one show with Jackson Browne when one of his rhythm guys went down with the flu. That's the highlight. No, wait. I saw Cameron Diaz jogging on the beach once."
"In a bikini?" Jake looked interested.
"We're at the table, Jake," Dan said.
"So? Pretty girls in bikinis aren't bad language," Jake said, winking at Birdie, who still looked wan.
''Today is the Lord's day, son," her father said, his normally jolly blue eyes portraying his aggravation with Jake.
Typical Jake. He loved poking sticks at people... even his own parents.
Abigail felt about as comfortable as a bear in thorns, so she tried to shift the mood by looking at John and Shelby at the end of the table. "So is everything ready for this upcoming weekend?" She hummed a few bars of "Here Comes the Bride."
Shelby, who'd tucked into her food like a starving woman, looked up. John had remained quiet as usual, casting occasional worried glances at his wife to-be. "Well, that's something we wanted to talk to you all about. My parents can't come next weekend, so we're postponing for a few weeks."
John patted Shelby on the back when she looked a bit teary. "My mother's not the easiest to deal with. She runs a furniture company, and they're in the process of some business dealings. Uh, I'm hoping everyone can still make it on February twenty eighth. Fancy said we can have the wedding and reception here. It's the only weekend my parents are free. Sorry."
Fancy gave all the Beauchamp siblingsthatlook.
"Of course we'll all be here. Nothing more important than family. And we're sorry it won't happen on Valentine's Day, but that's okay. I think February twenty-eighth is a fine day to get married. My aunt Gracie's birthday, God rest her soul."
"Of course, we'll be there," Abigail echoed, noting Jake's frown.
"I can probably switch shifts with one of the guys," Jake said after a few seconds.
Matt wiped his mouth and nodded. "I'll make sure Mary Jane can get the boys here. I want them at the wedding."
John looked at Shelby. "See? No big deal."
Shelby's shoulders dropped and finally she smiled. "Thank you all so much. I didn't think I could eat I was so worried about y'all getting aggravated with me."
Everyone, including Shelby, looked at her empty plate.
John started laughing and the sound made every Beauchamp, including Birdie, smile. It had been a long time since John had been happy. That wedding could take place any day and they would all be okay with it.
Abigail glanced at her mother, who regarded the two lovers with an even sappier grin on her face. Jake mimicked sticking his finger down his throat, making Birdie laugh again.
Cal just watched, picking at his cornbread, a wrinkle on his forehead as though he wondered if he should speak up.
No. You shouldn't, jackass. You're not in this family.
Abigail was still baffled as to what had led her father to invite Cal. But after her father delivered a sermon entitled "Obeying God: Receiving Life's True Blessing," all through which Abigail had squirmed, she wished she'd taken a rain check on the family feast.
Yeah, she'd felt a little guilty about sitting in her father's congregation after getting naked with Leif. Teenage deja vu. At least this time she wasn't hung over. She'd call it Catholic guilt...except she was Presbyterian.
The shame of her transgression was bad enough. Then Cal had walked into the sanctuary in his Sunday best, big hometown-boy smile in place, shaking hands and looking damn near adorable the way he always had. He'd skipped his parents' pew and settled down right beside her and Birdie.
It made her twitchy because she'd spent many a Sunday the same way, sitting with him, Birdie tucked between them, her father delivering the word. As the rest of the congregation belted out "Onward, Christian Soldiers," she could hardly catch her breath.
And then she overheard her father inviting Cal to lunch.
Wasn't like she could shout "That bastard isn't invited" in the middle of the benediction. Besides, this wasn't her house.
After the strained lunch was over and dishes washed and put away, Abigail went to find her father. She found him in the den watching the Super Bowl with her brothers and Cal. Like little boys they were in the throes of arguing a call.
"Dad?" Abigail shouted over Matt being Matt insisting he was right about the in-bounds interception.
