A Hidden Truth

Miss Congeniality

[Juniper]

Around five, I started getting nervous. I knew they would be there soon. When I’d seen Hank in the hospital, once I wasn’t half out of it, I’d been terrified. I was afraid he’d, somehow, convince the hospital staff I needed to go home with them. Until I saw Jaxon, I was worried. After Jaxon had come into my room, I knew I’d be safe.

When they arrived, Bobbi and Beau called Buck to the living room and they had a discussion about martial arts, behavior, and the combining of the two families. I wasn’t there. I was in back with Kendra and Camille. We were talking about the wedding.

Camille asked me to be a bridesmaid. She’d seen my prom dress and told me it was one of her colors and almost exactly the style for the bridesmaid gowns. I happily accepted her offer. The wedding was scheduled for the second week in June.

“We’re hopin’ for nice weather. It’s gonna be at the ranch. Uncle Red hosts all of the weddings in the family. So you can get married there when you marry Jaxon.” She grinned.

I was so surprised that I started laughing hysterically. My stomach hurt inside and out from it. Kenny was trying to calm me down so I didn’t rip any of my stitches, but nothing was working. Tears were streaming down my face.

“I didn’t realize it was funny.” Camille said in a confused tone which just made me laugh harder.

Unfortunately, we started drawing a crowd as everyone wanted to know what could be so funny. My laughter died down when Marie-Rose and Hank came out from the house with Bobbi and Beau. It was a relief; I didn’t think I’d be able to come down for a while.

There were whispers in the crowd. Apparently telling what had happened. Or at least, it became apparent to me when someone leaned over and whispered to Jaxon. He looked upset. A little angry and a little hurt. Jaxon turned and walked to the end of the yard. I couldn’t follow unless I got up and walked.

Teddy heard what happened and shook his head before following Jaxon with Carson and Garrett hot on his heels. I covered my face with my hands and prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Most of the women decided to ignore my outburst and got back on the subject of the wedding.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to marry Jaxon. I would love for our relationship to grow to that point, but I was too messed up. He might be okay with dating someone like me, but he’d never want to be stuck with me for the rest of his life. I knew he was going to leave at some point. Things like this would build until he didn’t even want to try anymore. I’d enjoy all the time I had with him ‘til that happened.

“You’ll have to let me know when you plan to go shopping, Marie-Rose. I haven’t gotten a dress yet, either. We should shop together. Then we’d get an honest opinion instead of someone telling us we’re beautiful no matter what we wear.” Tamsin chuckled.

“We were always brutally honest with each other when we were young.” My mother smiled. “I’d love to have a shopping partner.”

“Wonderful. Let me get you my phone number.” Tamsin replied and they wandered further away.

I looked around once it seemed no one was paying attention to me anymore. The men had mostly grouped up around the grill. My brothers, Garrett, and Jaxon were still at the other end of the yard, seeming to be talking about something very heatedly. I tried to see if I could find Remy.

When I spotted him, he was following Mattie around talking to her nonstop. She would turn to him and talk for a bit, then move on. He would scamper after her. It was most definitely a crush. 

Buck was eventually able to tear him away from Mattie, and took him inside. Kenny wheeled me over to one of the folding tables on the back patio, she sat near me and moved herself until she was looking into my eyes.

“What the hell were you thinking? Now he thinks you aren’t serious.” She hissed.

“I didn’t mean to laugh. My nerves are high and she shocked me. He doesn’t want to marry me. I’m fine with it.” I responded quietly.

“What makes you think so? Has he told you that?” Kenny asked.

“No, he doesn’t need to. No one wants to marry a hot mess like me. My life plan doesn’t involve homemaking, anyway. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I’ll apologize once he’s some place I can actually go.” I told her.

“You better. Or I’m gonna kick your ass once you’re healed.” She growled.

“You should ask Camille if you can get in invite to the wedding. Clayton will be there. Shouldn’t you be warming up to his mom?” I asked.

“I already got invited. Camille likes me. Which one is his mom? I can’t keep them straight.”

“The one who’s talking with my mom over there. The one that looks most like Jaxon.” I pointed out.

“s**t. Women like her hate me. How do I get her to like me? She’d like you. What would you do if you were me?” Kenny asked urgently.

“Honestly? Go dye my hair a natural color and come back in a more respectable outfit.” I snorted. She was wearing tight shorts, a crop top, and high heeled sandals. “I’d speak to her politely, remember we always say ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’, ask after her hobbies, find common interests, and use every bit of etiquette training I could remember. No cursing, no slang, no s*x talk. And don’t introduce yourself to her like you introduced yourself to me. Actually, wheel me over and I’ll help. You’re going to screw this up somehow.” I winked.

“Thank you!” She cried and pushed me over to my mother’s side.

The two women were talking about their glory days as friendly rivals in the pageant circles. They’d been very popular. Madeline Shaw had hated their friendship, she wanted my mother for herself. 

My mother and Tamsin had believed a friendly competition was more fun than a bitter one. When one lost to the other, she would often end up as Miss Congeniality. They traded off titles from pageant to pageant.

“Hello, mama. This is Jaxon’s friend Kendra Lamont from Idaho. Kendra, this is my mother Marie-Rose Clements Fordyce-Merritt. Next to her is Jaxon’s eldest sister, Tamsin Reed.” I smiled politely.

“Nice to meet you ladies.” Kenny said, dipping her head a little.

“Isn’t that a lovely shade of pink, Tamsin.” My mother replied sweetly.

“Very… eye catching.” Tamsin said tightly.

“Kendra dyes her hair around exam time as a stress release.” I responded.

According to Jaxon, Kendra’d had pink hair since the day he’d met her. She told him it was how she expressed herself. That wouldn’t get her as much leeway with Tamsin, though. I thought it was pretty interesting. Not that I would do it…

“Oh, that sounds like fun. Maybe I should color my hair something crazy.” Marie-Rose smiled.

“Don’t you dare, Marie-Rose. Your hair is lovely. Though, I do see a little silver starting. We should get you an appointment with the salon I go to, they’ll get you right. We can take Kendra, I’m sure she’d like to get that color stripped and go back to her natural color. What’s your natural color, dear?” Tamsin asked.

“Dark blonde. I’d like that a lot. I was just thinking the other day how I’d like to go back to my natural color.” She blushed.

“We should go dress shopping that day! Maybe we could take Kendra and help her find some… more modest clothing.” Marie-Rose stated.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea. We can make a day of it. What do you think, Kendra?” Tamsin inquired.

“That sounds lovely, ma’am. Do you think you could help me find something to wear to Camille’s wedding? She invited me.” Kenny said.

“We’d love to. You have such a nice figure. We’ll help you find something that will show off your assets, but not imply you take an hourly rate.” Tamsin smirked.

It wasn’t perfect, but it would do. I could see Kendra straining to not say something. There was no doubt in my mind it probably had a few swear words. It took my mind off the earlier scene for a while.

“I’m going to have to steal Kendra from you for a bit, I want to go talk to Miley. She’s been asking after the book club and was hoping for some tutoring help.” I smiled and directed Kendra where to push me.