“Even though Eli preferred to dismiss the matter with your stepmother, ma’am,” he nodded in Angel’s direction, “I took it upon myself to follow up with the New York City Police Department.
“It seems when the attorney for your late father’s estate did the computations, he miscalculated and overlooked one of the depositors. When the police questioned him after the depositor contacted them, he said the matter had been closed, and all the remaining funds had been released to Mrs. Hardwick. Of course, he failed to mention to the police Mrs. Hardwick did not receive anywhere near the amount of money the depositor claimed. When they found she’d left the state, they issued the warrant for her arrest. All this nonsense could have been cleared up with proper communication. Tell Mrs. Hardwick the attorney offered his apologies for the trouble he caused.”
Angel blew out a deep breath. “I knew Sylvia didn’t know anything about missing money. I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear this. Thanks again, Damian.”
They shook hands once more, and gathering up his papers, Damian left the court. Nate and Angel led the children out of the courtroom.
“I think this calls for a celebration,” Nate said.
Beaming brightly, Angel agreed. “How about peppermint sticks from the mercantile?”
Their gazes met over the heads of their children, and smiled at the chorus of excited cheers.
Eli, Sylvia, and Lucy sat at the long dining room table. A crisp white tablecloth graced the length of the cherry wood table set with china, crystal and silver, glowing in the light of the candelabra on the table and the fireplace against the wall. The family chose from platters of ham, codfish, and several vegetables. Sylvia passed a silver basket of hot rolls, covered in a white linen napkin. Each of them had a goblet of water, and a smaller one of wine.
Lucy drained her glass of wine, and reached for the decanter.
“Lucy, it would be better if you ate your dinner, and drank less of the wine.” Eli frowned as he removed the decanter from her reach.
“I’m not particularly hungry, Papa.” The girl slurred her words as she reached again for the decanter.
Eli shook his head and continued to eat. Sylvia watched the play between father and daughter with dismay. Eli purposely avoided a confrontation with the girl, and she feared it wouldn’t end well. She glanced at Lucy to see her glaring hatefully in her direction.
“When are you and her,”—Lucy nodded in Sylvia’s direction—“getting hitched?”
“Our wedding is in two weeks.” Eli glowed. “Pastor Dunn will perform the ceremony, and I’ve arranged for a small reception to follow at the hotel.”
Sipping her wine, Lucy smirked at her father. “I’ll check my social calendar.”
Eli smiled brightly, obviously missing the sarcasm. “Yes, we want to make sure you’re there. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“Lucy,” Sylvia said, “can you give me a list of friends you may want to invite?”
“No thanks, Mrs. Hardwick, I don’t have any friends.”
“That’s not true.” Eli laid his fork down and addressed her. “You have plenty of friends. There were dozens at your party. I haven’t seen any of them around lately. You’re spending too much time by yourself for a young beautiful girl.”
“I’ve told you, everyone is so boring. And the people who came to my party would not be interested in your wedding.”
“What about some of the young men? You used to have so many of them underfoot.” Eli tried again.
“They’re too young. Much too immature.” She looked at Sylvia over her wine glass and smiled. “I prefer an older man.”
Chapter 21
Angel hurried Sylvia into the church. Even though her wedding day had dawned rainy and chilly, Sylvia looked beautiful as only she could. Angel fussed with her stepmother’s outfit, adjusting, and smoothing where necessary. “You look wonderful.” She bent and kissed Sylvia on the cheek.
Her beige silk and lace gown with matching hat, and a small bouquet of white roses made for a simple but elegant bride’s outfit. As she followed Angel down the aisle of the church on Nate’s arm, the bride looked serene and happy.
Eli stood at the front of the church, beaming. The pride and love, so evident on his face, brought tears to Angel’s eyes. She joined Sylvia, Nate and Eli in the Sanctuary as the pastor began the service. Throughout the service, Julia-Rose, settled in Mrs. Darby’s lap in the second pew, shouted over and over, “Mama, up please.” Nate and Angel grinned at each other.
Angel thought back to her wedding in this very church, performed by Pastor Dunn. Little did that scared, tired, and sick young woman realize she was about to begin the greatest adventure of her life. She glanced at Nate who studied her as if knowing her very thoughts. He winked, and gave her that heart-thumping smile. Perhaps he did know her thoughts. He certainly knew her heart.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom led the gathering to the wedding breakfast. The newly redecorated hotel looked as bright and fresh as the bride. The deep red carpet complemented the gold and red wallpaper shipped from San Francisco only a few weeks before the wedding.
Angel settled the boys at a table with a few other children. Tables set for the fifty-odd guests were adorned with gold tablecloths, white china plates with a gold rim, and more white roses. Crystal water and wine glasses, and heavy silver dining utensils completed the arrangements.
Angel smoothed Matt’s hair back from his forehead, and met the gaze of each boy. “Now you mind your manners, gentlemen. Remember what I told you.”