Part 31 (1/2)
Barbara didn't say a word. She was too stunned to speak. When did he get here? How much had he caught on film? G.o.d forbid she should wake up tomorrow morning to photos in the style section of the Was.h.i.+ngton Post or on the Internet of Bradford's mistress wrecking Rebecca's wedding reception tent.
Bradford walked briskly across the lawn to the patio and spoke to Peter for a minute. Barbara let out a sigh of relief as the photographer fiddled with his camera, then handed something over to Bradford. The photographer disappeared into the house, and Bradford turned toward Barbara. ”It's OK. I got the film from him.”
”This is your fault, Bradford,” Barbara snapped. ”What the devil was that all about?”
Bradford shook his head with regret, but he didn't say anything. There was no apology and Barbara didn't expect one. The women came and went so often that Bradford seemed to realize that apologizing when he got caught was getting stale.
”Never mind,” Barbara said. ”We don't have time to get into it now, anyway.”
”Where is Rebecca?” Bradford asked. ”Did she see any of this?”
”Of course she saw it,” Barbara snapped. How could she miss it? Not to mention Marilyn and Pearl and G.o.d knows who else. I'm sure we're the laughingstock of Silver Lake now.”
”Barbara, please,” Bradford said tiredly. ”Don't be so melodramatic. I'm going to go get into my tux.”
”Fine,” Barbara said crisply. ”We'll discuss it tomorrow.”
”There's nothing to discuss.”
”Nothing to discuss? Your mistress just drove up onto our property and . . . and practically ruined our daughter's wedding. Or didn't you notice?”
”You mean ex-mistress. The reason she was so upset was because I called it off.”
Barbara scoffed. ”You told me last month that you called it off.”
”Well, it's true. But she's having problems accepting it.”
This was why she tried to avoid these arguments with Bradford. It was impossible to win any of them. He had an excuse for everything. ”So that's why you ran over there first thing this morning, I suppose?” she said sarcastically.
”She called last night crying, so I-”
”Bradford, please,” Barbara said. ”Spare me.”
”Look, I didn't want to get into this, but you-”
”Daddy?”
They both turned to see Rebecca and Robin standing in the doorway leading to the patio with frustrated expressions on their faces.
”Yes?” Bradford smiled and moved toward them.
”Who was that woman?” Rebecca asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Bradford shoved his hands in his jacket pocket. ”n.o.body for you to worry about.”
Rebecca looked from Bradford to Barbara with doubt. ”She looked like plenty to worry about to me. Look at what she did to the tent.”
”Your father is right. And the tent will be repaired in plenty of time,” Barbara said. No doubt Rebecca and Robin had long ago come to realize their parents' marriage was a rocky one, but she never discussed Bradford's philandering with them, or anyone else for that matter. The dirt between her and Bradford would stay between her and Bradford.
”What on earth was she so upset about?” Robin asked.
Bradford shrugged. ”She works for a friend of mine, and, uh, she was mad because we didn't invite her to the wedding.”
”You've got to be kidding,” Robin said.
”What if she comes back?” Rebecca asked, a look of horror on her face.
Bradford smiled and put his arm around Rebecca's shoulder. ”She won't. I promise you that. And did I tell you you look stunning? Ralph is one lucky guy.”
Rebecca tried to smile. ”Thanks, Daddy. But you're not even dressed yet.”
”I will be, in fifteen minutes sharp. I've already shaved and showered.”
No doubt after you screwed your wh.o.r.e, Barbara thought. Because he certainly didn't shower here this morning. And all that talk about Sabrina losing control because he broke up with her was bull. Bradford could keep a hundred employees in check. He could manage millions of dollars. But he couldn't keep his mistress in her place? Mister Big Shot? Please.
”By the way,” Bradford said. ”The lieutenant governor called at the last minute and said she was accepting her invitation to the reception.”
Rebecca's eyes widened. ”You mean Kathleen Kennedy Townsend? Oh my gosh.”
”And you waited all this time to tell us, Bradford?” Barbara said. ”Honestly.”
Bradford shrugged. ”She called just this morning.”
”She probably sees the reception as an opportunity to line up votes in her campaign for governor,” Robin said.
Barbara sighed with impatience.
”What's the big deal?” Bradford asked. ”She and the governor have both been here before.”
”That was for political receptions, Bradford, not our daughter's wedding. She'll need special seating.”
”I'm sure you'll carry it off without a hitch,” Bradford said. He kissed Rebecca's forehead and walked into the house.
”I can't believe all this is happening,” Rebecca said.
”How could Daddy let that woman in here today of all days,” Robin said with annoyance.
”You can't blame him,” Barbara said. ”He tried to stop her.”
Robin shook her head with frustration. ”You always defend him.”
Barbara grimaced and touched her forehead. So much to do, so little time. She was going to have to get herself together. And fast. She put her arms around both her daughters and forced a smile. ”Come on, girls. Let's forget about this. We have a big day ahead of us. The lieutenant governor is coming, not to mention half of Silver Lake and our family and friends. We have to look and behave our best.”
Barbara held her head high and led her daughters back into the house.
My Heavenly Father.