Mildred Krebs read the print out again before passing it to Daniel. "It's a real long shot, Daniel," she warned. "Not the first hunch I've played, my dear," Daniel assured her, glancing over the information. "Has Mr. Michaels come up with anything yet?" he asked, taking the paper from her. "Not that he's told me about. I tried to tell you that two days wasn't enough time," she reminded him. "Even dragging Murphy in on it - the chances that we would find-" "Good morning, Mildred," Laura said brightly, then stopped as she realized that Mildred and Daniel were huddled over the computer, and that both had extremely strange looks on their faces. "Something wrong?" Daniel folded the paper in his hand, placing it inside his coat pocket. "What could possibly be wrong, my dear?" he asked, coming forward. "I thought you were going to take today off, since tomorrow's the big day?" "I'm meeting Murphy for lunch," she explained. "A break from having to listen to my mother and Frances go on and on about flowers and caterers -" she shuddered. Moving toward the far door, she said, "Is Remington in?" "Yes," Mildred said as Daniel patted his coat pocket, clearing his throat. "Oh, Miss Holt-" Laura turned to look at her. "Yes, Mildred?" "Would it be all right if I took the rest of the day off?" "The rest of the day?" Laura asked. "Yeah. I have so much to do - the hairdresser- my dress for the wedding needs a final fitting- There's nothing on the calendar -" "I suppose it will be okay, Mildred," Laura said, smiling as she reached the door. "You two have fun." Mildred grabbed her jacket and purse. "We'd better get going if we're going to get back before the rehearsal," she told Daniel. Inside Remington's office, Laura moved to stand behind the man sitting at the desk as he spoke into the telephone. "That's right, Monroe." He laughed softly. "No. Really?. . ." Laura put her arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his ear. "What was that?. . .Sorry. Something distracted me," Remington explained. "I'll be looking for it. . .Thank you. See you tomorrow." He hung up the telephone, pulling Laura around to sit in his lap. "Monroe's sending a wedding present to the house later. Wouldn't tell me what it was." "Probably another big screen television," Laura guessed. The telephone rang, and when Remington ignored it in favor of kissing her, she told him, "You'd better get that." "Mildred-" "She's not here. I gave her the rest of the day off." "You did?" Remington questioned, eyeing Laura curiously as he picked up the telephone. "Steele here." A moment later, he held out the reciever. "It's for you." As she moved to take it, he finished, "Your mother." "Mother? Is something wrong?" "You might at least have had the common courtesy to tell us you were leaving, Laura," Abigail said. "Frances and I looked up and you were -gone." "You weren't listening to anything I had to say anyway, Mother," Laura told her. "So I didn't see any reason for me to be there." "What do you mean we weren't listening? Of course we were." "On one decision," Laura pointed out. "And that was the size of the guest list. Other than that, I might as well have phoned in my part." If she'd left it up to Abigail Holt, the guest list would have included most of Southern California, Laura thought to herself. She'd wanted a nice, simply little ceremony, mostly family and close friends. "Well, you never showed any interest in the rest of it," Abigail countered. "When I showed you the china pattern for the dinner, you told me to choose one I liked-" "Mother, I don't care if the guests eat off of paper plates," Laura said. "As long as we get tomorrow over and done, that's all that matters at the moment." Remington's hand was moving in slow circles over her back, and she sent him a grateful smile. "Listen, Mother, I really have to go. I'm meeting Murphy for lunch- and I'll be late if I don't go now." "I wanted to ask about -" "Later, Mother," Laura insisted. "Good bye." She hung up the telephone. "I swear that woman's going to be the death of me." "Chin up, love," Remington said softly, lifting her face. "Only twenty four more hours to go, and then we'll be jetting away to our own little romantic hideaway. Just the two of us." Laura settled against him again. "Sounds nice." There was a tap on the door, and they turned, Laura rising from Remington's lap in one graceful move. "Hope I'm not interrupting something," Murphy said, grinning, fully aware that he had. "Not at all Murphy," Steele assured him. "I didn't see Mildred out there -" "Laura gave her the rest of the day off, apparently." "You did, Laura?" Murphy asked. "Why does that surprise the both of you so much?" Laura wanted to know. "Mildred said she had lots of things to do before this evening- But I think some of it concerned Daniel." She turned to look at Remington. "Was Daniel here all morning?" "He came in with me. Come to think of it, he and Mildred have been huddled over that computer all morning. Almost as if they were up to something." "I don't think Mildred would help him on a con, Steele," Murphy said. "Daniel's retired, remember?" Remington reminded Murphy pointedly. "What if it's not a con?" Laura wondered aloud. "They were reading something when I came in, and Daniel stuffed it into his pocket before I could get my hands on it." She turned toward the door. "Where are you going?" Murphy asked. "To see if I can pull whatever she's been working on up on the computer," she explained. But Murphy grabbed her arm. "I have a better idea. Why don't we go on to lunch?" he suggested. "The three of us." "You're inviting me to lunch with you and Laura, Murphy?" Steele asked. "It won't take a minute," Laura insisted. "I made reservations for noon. If we're late, they won't hold the table." Glancing at his watch, he said, "We have to leave now." ********** Mildred sat at the long conference table as Daniel paced the narrow room. "Sit down, Daniel. You're going to wear a hole in the floor if you don't." "I'm sorry," Daniel apologized. "I don't like these places very much." He pulled out a chair, then stopped as the door opened to admit a dark brown and gray haired man. "Hello." Daniel stepped toward the man, noting the dark hospital issue robe he wore. "Daniel Chalmers," he said, holding out his hand. The man took it in a firm grip, shaking it. "And this is Mildred Krebs." "Miss Krebs," the man said, nodding in her direction. "What can I do for you, Mr. Chalmers?" he asked Daniel. ********** "We really have to get started, Miss Holt," the minister said again. "We're already half an hour behind schedule-" Laura looked past him to where Remington was standing by the door, watching outside. He glanced up, shaking his head. "I'll go speak to Remington," she told the man. "If they don't arrive in ten minutes, we'll just have to start the rehearsal without them." As she moved down the aisle toward Remington, Laura found herself accosted by her mother. "Where are Daniel and Mildred, Laura?" "I've no idea, Mother. But I don't want to start without them." "Surely Murphy could stand in as best man," Abigail suggested. "And all Mildred has to do is sit down." "There's more to it than that, Mother." She looked toward the door again. Murphy had taken Remington's place there to keep an eye out, and Remington was approaching. He put an arm around Laura. "Still no sign," he said, and Laura frowned. He was worried that something had happened to Daniel. "Mildred would have called if necessary," she reminded him. "You know that." "Yes. But I still worry." "They're here," Murphy announced, moving through the door to meet the late comers. "It's about time," Abigail fretted. "Come along, everyone. Let's get started." As Daniel and Mildred entered, Mildred was speaking quietly to Murphy, who was nodding thoughtfully. "It's a very interesting story," she was saying when Laura reached them. "I should hope so, Mildred," Laura said. "Considering that whatever it was caused the rehearsal to be delayed for almost an hour-" Mildred glanced up at Daniel in silent pleading. "It was my fault, Laura," Daniel insisted. "We went for a drive down the coast, and simply lost track of the time." "You're here now," she said, putting an arm through his. "But next time, let someone know, will you? Remington was worried." Daniel placed a hand over hers as they reached the front of the church where Abigail was already telling everyone what they were expected to do. "There you are, Daniel," she said. "You and Remington will wait behind that door until the Reverend Taylor tells you that we're ready to begin. Then you'll follow him out and stand -" She took Remington's arm and pulled him to the altar. "right here. And Daniel -" She crooked her finger in his direction. When he neared, she placed him beside his son. "There. Murphy?" He was busy talking to Donald Piper, and didn't hear the summons. Donald was paying rapt attention, his eyes wide. "Murphy?" Abigail tried again. Mildred, sitting nearby, kicked Laura's former partner. "Ow! Mildred-" He realized that everyone was looking at him, noticed Abigail's expectant expression. "Were you talking to me, Mrs. Holt?" She sighed. "Yes, I was. Come up here, please?" He smiled sheepishly, allowing her to position him beside Daniel. "There." She turned to the others. "Laura, Frances, Donald, Mindy, Laurie Beth and Danny to the back of the sanctuary, please." The named group headed in that direction- all except Donald, who was still sitting, staring into space. Abigail tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped, turning toward her. "You too, Donald," she told him. "Sorry," he said, getting up. "I was - " "We don't have time for wool gathering, Donald. We're running late as it is," Abigail said, pushing him ahead of her. Laura frowned as Donald met her eyes then looked away. He seemed nervous. Why would he be nervous? she wondered. All he had to do was walk her down the aisle to Remington's side, then sit beside Abigail - Her mother was talking again, shoving the satin, heart shaped pillow with two gold rings affixed into Danny Piper's hands, the basket for the rose petals into Laurie Beth's. She looked at the organist, nodding. The woman began to play the processional. Abigail pushed Danny down the aisle, then Laurie Beth. "Okay, Mindy. It's your turn, dear," she said to her older granddaughter. "Pretend you're carrying a bouquet of flowers and walk the way I showed you. Step, pause. Step, pause. That's it, dear." Frances waited until her mother signalled, then moved to follow Mindy. Donald held out his arm. "Ready?" "As I'll ever be," Laura told him. The processional changed to the "Wedding March", and Laura moved down the aisle at Donald's side - her eyes on Remington the entire time. Once at his side, Laura almost wished they could go ahead and have the minister recite the vows, to get it overwith. But Abigail went into motion again. "Okay. Once Rev. Taylor pronounces you man and wife, you'll start back down the aisle together, pausing to give- Mildred and me a rose from your bouquet, Laura." She indicated that they should move forward. They paused as Abigail told them to, between the first pews, Remington taking Mildred's hand, winking as he noticed that her eyes were damp. "Once they're out the doors," Abigail said pointedly - Daniel and Frances, --and Murphy and Mindy. Then Laurie Beth and Danny." "Do I hafta hold her hand, Grandma?" Danny asked, looking as if he were about to be required to take a long bath. "Yes, Danny Piper, you do. She won't bite," Abigail assured him. "Right, Laurie Beth?" Laurie Beth giggled. Danny gingerly took his sister's hand and they moved down the aisle after the others. "How was that?" Abigail asked everyone. She looked around. "Laura? Remington?" The happy couple had rounded a corner once out of the chapel and found themself in each others arms. "I think Mildred and Daniel are up to something," Laura whispered as she returned his kiss. "I think- you're right," Reminton agreed, kissing her again. "And Murphy's in on it." "Where are -" They turned as Abigail appeared, arms folded, a scolding look on her face. "Really, you two. The Rev. Taylor has to go soon." "I think everyone has the idea, Abigail," Remington assured his future mother in law. Opening his pocket watch, he checked the time. "And if we're going to make the amended reservations at Che Rive, we had better leave now." ********** "Where did you and Mildred go this afternoon, Daniel?" Remington asked over after dinner coffee. "Oh, nowhere in particular. Just- down the coast." He noticed Remington's gaze focusing on Donald and Murphy, and continued. "Found a most charming little spot . . " Reaching beneath the table, Remington took Laura's hand to get her attention from whatever Frances was saying. He nodded just slightly in the direction of her brother in law and Murphy. Suddenly Donald stood up. "We have to be going, Frances," he announced. Frances was surprised. "But it's still early, Donald-" "The - uh, the kids. They need to get their sleep before tomorrow. Wouldn't do to have them cranky because they didn't get enough rest, would it, Frannie?" Danny frowned. "I'm not a baby, Dad," he insisted. "I can stay up later-" "But your sisters can't. Laurie Beth's almost asleep in her dessert," Donald pointed out. He was right. The youngest Piper's eyes were nearly closed, her head drooping. "I guess you're right, Donald," Frances agreed upon seeing that. She rose. "Come on, Danny, Mindy. Tell everyone good bye." The departure of the Piper family was loud and boisterious, even Laurie Beth with half asleep in her father's arm. Once the table was again quiet, Laura glanced at Murphy. "So, Murphy, what were you and Donald discussing that was so - enthralling?" He shrugged. "I was just telling him about a dentist friend of mine back in Denver. He developed some kind of new procedure for drilling teeth-" As he began to ramble on, Remington reflected that Murphy had learned well how to cloud the waters. "Fascinating, Murphy," he said at last, bringing an abrupt halt to the man's recital. "I'd no idea you were so interested in - dentistry." "Just thought it would be interesting to Donald," Murphy said with another shrug. He glanced at his watch. "I'd better get moving. Can I drop you by the loft, Mrs. Holt?" Abigail looked at Laura, questioning. "I'll be along later, Mother," she assured the woman. "Very well. Good night, Remington. Mildred. Daniel." "See you all tomorrow," Murphy said as he and Abigail turned away. Alone with Daniel and Mildred, Remington and Laura glanced at each other. As he fingered his empty champagne glass, Remington asked, "Daniel, what are you and Mildred up to?" "Up to, my boy? "Why, what do you mean, Mr. Steele?" Mildred asked, here dark eyes wide with innocence. "And not just you," Laura pointed out. "What ever's going on involves Murphy *and* Donald as well." "I'm afraid I've no idea what you're talking about," Daniel insisted. "If you will both excuse us," he said, rising, pullling Mildred up as well, "I'm going to see Mildred home." "G'night, Miss Holt, Mr. Steele." "Later, Harry," Daniel said as they left. Remington picked up the champagne bottle and refilled his and Laura's glasses once more, emptying the magnum. "A final toast?" he suggested. Laura's eyes were still focused on the retreating forms of Daniel and Mildred. "Laura, love," he said, reaching out to touch her chin. "Whatever they're planning, it's obviously a surprise for us. Let them be. Now. What shall we drink to?" "Tomorrow?" Laura suggested, smiling at last. "Our wedding day," Remington agreed, touching his glass to hers. ********** In the Piper station wagon, Frances sat in her seat, frowning. "What on *earth* was going on between you and Murphy Michaels tonight, Donald?" "Nothing, Frannie. He was just telling me about something." "What? What was so important that it couldn't wait until after the rehearsal?" He took her hand. "Frannie, I promise I'll explain everything as soon as we get home and the kids are in bed, okay?" Frannie looked at him closely. "Donald? What's wrong?" "Nothing, honey. Nothing." ********** "Why don't we stop by the house for a nightcap?" Remington suggested. "I don't know. It's pretty late," Laura pointed out. "If I'm not home before midnight, Mother's liable to call out the guard. You know what a stickler mother is about tradition." "I promise to have you home long before midnight," he said. "Besides, there's something I want to show you." "A surprise?" "Hmm,." he nodded, sitting forward. "Malibu, Fred." "Yessir, Mr. Steele." Remington pulled Laura into the crook of his arm. "I love you." She smiled up at him. "For someone who couldn't say the words for so long, you say them a *lot* now." "Complaining, Miss Holt?" "Not at all, Mr. Steele. I could get spoiled to hearing those words." "I hope so," he said, lowering his lips to hers. ********** At the house, Remington frowned, as did Laura. "Isn't that Mildred's car?" she asked upon seeing the small Ford in the drive. "Yes, I think it is. Apparently Daniel drove it home -" he said, opening the door and getting out. "But then he'll have to go out and pick her up tomorrow. It doesn't make sense-" "No." He bent to the front window. "Wait here, Fred. Miss Holt will be leaving before too long." ********** Mildred and Daniel were sitting, talking to a third person as Laura and Remington entered. The man's back was to them as he sat in one of the overstuffed chairs. As soon as Mildred saw the couple, she smiled nervously. "Mr. Steele. Miss Holt." Remington gave Daniel a long look, but couldn't fathom the man's expression. "What's going on?" he asked. "There's someone here who wanted to say hello," Daniel said smoothly. The man seemed to sigh deeply, and beside him, Remington could feel Laura tense. He glanced down at her. Laura wasn't sure why she recognized the set of those shoulders. Certainly the hair was a lot grayer, but there was something about the way he sat - and when he rose and turned slowly to face her, she shook her head, struggling to get a breath, to think. "Daddy?" To Be Continued ----
