“Will you come with me to my uncle’s wedding?” she asked. “The ceremony is actually on Valentine’s Day.”
“I would be honored,” he said Sunday evening as he drove her home. “The wedding party is on the weekend,ja?”
“Yes. But you already knew that because my uncle invited you.”
He grinned. “Yes, he did. But I had been hoping to come with you.” He gave her a big kiss. “Have a good day at work tomorrow,Häschen. Then we go to your place, okay?”
“Deal.”
Rena spent her Monday lost in a world of sheer joy, compounded when her mother called to break the good news that Dave had filed for divorce and that they were again talking, taking their relationship day by day.
When Rena shared the news with Axel later, he nodded. “I knew your mother would find happiness. She’s too strong not to make her own way.” He kissed her. “Like her daughter.”
The next week passed in a blur of perfection. Axel stopped giving her presents, thank goodness, instead swamped with work. They spent every spare moment together, usually at his place so they could watch over the cat and dog hestillsaid he didn’t have along with Queen’s adorable kittens.
By the time Valentine’s Day rolled around, Rena knew she’d never have a better day. The only thing marring her happiness was the slow process of getting her salon back on its feet. But she didn’t worry. Mike had said he’d get to it just as soon as his current project wrapped up, and the insurance company had agreed that she was due coverage, since the police report and Fletcher’s arrest attested to his guilt.
But what really drove Rena to bursts of happy laughter for no reason was her uncle’s pending wedding. He would finally be getting married to the woman he loved later that evening. Today was a day that felt even more special because she wanted to truly commit to Axel. And she planned to do it with a ring.
It went against all the romantic tropes she lived and breathed, but it felt right.
She only had one appointment scheduled, with a girl Tommie couldn’t fit in. She hadn’t planned to work, but Tommie had been such a trouper through it all. So that morning, she did her hair, put on makeup, and dressed in jeans and a cute top and ankle boots, prepared to go home and change into a gorgeous red wraparound dress and heels later. Fortunately, the weather looked dry and clear. The sun shone, like an omen signifying good times ahead.
She chatted with the girls in the salon as she waited for her client to show up.
“Man, it’s crowded today.”
Tommie nodded. “Totally.” She stood working on a friend’s cut. “Are you doing hair tonight for the wedding?”
“I would have, but Sophie and my uncle wanted me to relax. So no. Just mine and I’m done.”
She’d spruce it up a little before the wedding took place, but she’d opted for her natural look. And not just because Axel loved it so much.
A fire truck pulled next to the salon, lights flashing.
Everyone stopped and stared.
“Uh-oh. I wonder what’s going on,” she said, even as she recognized several of the men now walking toward the salon.
Brad wore dark-blue pants and a dark-blue Seattle Fire Department shirt. With him were Reggie, Mack, and Tex. Honestly, they looked like they’d just walked off a man-of-the-month calendar. That or they were headed in to strip for money.
“Hubba hubba,” Marla said with a sigh.
Chatter grew loud as the four hotties drew closer and entered the shop.
Rena smiled with welcome. “Hey guys. What are you doing here?”
Then she saw Del’s car pull in the front, and Del waddled out, taking pictures.
Confused, Rena didn’t know what to think.
Twenty-Two
“Ma’am, if you could please come with us,” Brad said.
Someone raised their hand. “No, take me!”
“Take me,” Tommie shouted.
