“If Mariah Carey was a dying squirrel,” Kacey said under her breath.
“Heard that,” Grandma snapped.
“You won’t be singing at the wedding.” Kacey grinned. “So it doesn’t matter anyway.”
Grandma took the microphone back, careful to put it in its case, which looked a heck of a lot like a caboodle and stuffed it under her arm. “What you and Travis are engaged in is mere child’s play. I dated a Kennedy.” She straightened her blouse. “Enough said. Now move along, I have things to plan. Tonight we celebrate!”
“What’s Grandma talking about?” Char asked, wondering why Travis and Kacey were staring after Grandma as if they could figure out the puzzle that was her life and behavior.
“Dinner party and cocktails for the guests,” Kacey said, still watching Grandma. “I don’t like her tone. What does she know that we don’t?”
Travis scratched his head. “She’s just trying to get in our heads.”
“Feeling left out here.” Char raised her hand. “You guys in some sort of war with Grandma?”
“No,” Kacey snapped and looked back at Char. “A battle of the minds, possibly… but we’ll win. Grandma thinks she’s knows what’s best but for once, she’s wrong. We’ll prove it and then she won’t be singing at the wedding.”
Chapter Thirty-one
Char watched with Travis and Kacey as Grandma moved to the middle of the room and pulled out a red whistle.
“Who the hell gave her a whistle?” Travis muttered an oath under his breath and groaned about how slight breezes were making him horny just as Grandma blew loud enough to cause deafness.
“Hello!” Grandma shouted and then blew on the whistle again.
Char hid a smile as she heard curses erupt from somewhere in the house. Jake clearly wasn’t a fan of the whistle, either.
“I need everyone’s attention.” Grandma pulled out a clipboard. “I’ve been nominated—”
“Volunteered,” Travis corrected. “And quite forcefully, might I add.”
Grandma ignored his outburst and continued talking. “As I was saying I’ve been nominated.” She glared at Travis. “To be the wedding planner for the duration of your stay here at Titus Abbey. Because most of the wedding party will be staying at the house we’ve decided to assign rooms.”
Char listened to Grandma’s voice drone on and on as she peered around the room for Jake’s return. What was she doing? It was only concern that he’d choked on his puke or ran into a door or something.
“And because we only have one suite and Travis has happily taken a vow of celibacy.”
Travis made a shooting motion with his hand and pointed at his head.
“The suite will be have to be shared.” She grinned. “Now the schedule is exact to the minute; try not to be late to any of the activities. We have a lot going on. I expect everyone to go back to their rooms so they can change before cocktail hour.”
Grandma proceeded to hand out laminated schedule sheets. “These cannot be changed so please don’t ask. If you have any questions…” Travis raised his hand. “That don’t have to do with sleeping arrangements…” Travis put his hand down. “Then please ask.”
Char took the schedule from Grandma and groaned. Jace walked up behind her. “Hey, you think Jake will be up to changing bed partners?”
Had Jake said something like that to her, she would have rolled her eyes and laughed, because it was such a Jake thing to say. But hearing Jace say it was like throwing cold water on her; in fact it made her cringe a bit. How was a hot guy flirting with her making her want to cringe?
She managed a small laugh and waved the schedule in his face. “Grandma’s rules are final, believe me, I’ve learned my lesson in that department.”
“Tell me,” Grandma spoke up behind her. “How were those fertility tests, Char?”
Jace’s eyes widened as Char’s mouth dropped open. Holy crap! What was she supposed to say? She stuttered for words. “Hah, very funny, Grandma, you mean the tests you got for Kacey and Travis?”
“Sure.” Grandma winked.
Char’s face heated in embarrassment as she turned to Jace. “She’s kidding. I swear.”
“I like kids.” He grinned and eyed her up and down. “Or let me put it this way, I would think any guy would be lucky to have kids with you.”