“He said that if you said yes to me, he had something to give you. He’s waiting for us at Chappell House.”
“Now?”
“You know John. He doesn’t exactly think ahead. He gets an idea in his mind and goes with it. So yes. Now. If you’re not in the mood, I can—”
She got to her feet, grabbing his hand to pull him up. “Let’s go.”
The whole way into town, she was smiling. He couldn’t stop watching her, the way she was admiring her new ring, turning her hand this way and that, and the way she kept looking at him, happiness shining in her eyes. That’s all he wanted, from this day forward.
It was still relatively early, the sun barely touching the westernhorizon. To Jerry, the voices in the street were light and merry, not an unpleasant thought in the whole town. How could there be? The most wonderful thing had just happened, and his life was only going to get better from here. He stepped out of the car and went around for her door, then he helped her get down. He held her hand as they walked to the door, and he kissed her again just before they stepped into the building.
“Surprise!”
They both jumped at the unexpected shouts. Right away, Charlie hobbled over, shaking Jerry’s hand and wishing Adele all the best. He was followed by the rest of the crowd. John stood in the middle of it all, arms folded, smiling with satisfaction as he watched everything going on.
“Aunt Judy!” Jerry cried as she came over. “Adele, this is my mother’s sister. They were twins, so you can almost see what Ma would have looked like. Aunt Judy, this is Adele,” he said, still shocked at how happy he felt, “the love of my life.”
“Wonderful to meet you,” Adele said, accepting his aunt’s embrace with a laugh.
“And Uncle Henry,” he warned her, watching her brace for the incoming hug.
“Maman!” she said, then Guillaume was there, shaking Jerry’s hand with a grip of iron.
While Adele’s mother gawked over her engagement ring, Jerry looked across the room for his brother.
“Did I surprise you?” John shouted over the crowd. “Nobody spilled the beans?”
“You amaze me,” Jerry replied.
“Let’s get some whisky pouring!” John yelled, and Bob Howard started pulling out bottles of Bailey Brothers’ Best, then sending them around to tables with glasses for all. Someone had brought a fiddle, and though it was difficult to hear it sometimes over the celebration, it brought a sweet, homey feel to the room. Over the next hour or so, the door kept opening, letting in more guests, surprising Jerry every time.
“Dutchie?” he exclaimed. “Why, I never expected to see you!”
“You should know that I never miss a party where the whisky’s flowing,” his rival said. He glanced appreciatively at Adele, who was busy speaking with Aunt Judy. “Congratulations, Bailey. I hope she knows what she’s signed up for. She’s much too good for you.”
“Don’t I know it,” Jerry agreed. “Did you get your drink yet? We’re serving BBB tonight, not your lousy hooch.”
Dutchie snorted. “On my way.”
Just then John’s expression changed, his smile hardening to a scowl. He was looking past Jerry, so Jerry turned and came face-to-face with Ernie Willoughby.
“Well,” Willoughby said. “This is quite a gathering.”
“I’m certain you weren’t invited,” Jerry said, heat surging into his face. “Brave of you to walk into this crowd of folks who won’t work with you, let alone speak to you. Probably the bravest thing you’ve ever done.”
But Willoughby wasn’t finding humour in anything. The look he gave Jerry was flat and expressionless.
Adele appeared at Jerry’s side almost immediately, her hands on his arm. “Hello, Ernie,” she said civilly. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
His gaze dropped to her ring finger, where the diamonds glittered despite Willoughby’s shadow, and he sucked in his cheeks. “I understand congratulations are in order, but this is such a waste of a beautiful woman.”
From behind them, Jerry felt the crowd giving way, then John barged through. Jerry put out a hand to stop him. He didn’t want any fighting tonight.
“Get the hell out,” John hissed. “Closed party.”
Then Dutchie was there, and to Jerry’s surprise, Guillaume stepped up beside him, the big Frenchman’s arms crossed over his barrel chest.
“You should leave now,” Jerry said.
