in your hearts, and it’ll help you get through the tough times.” Trudy dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Now let’s have some refreshments. Instead of ordering a store-bought cake, we asked each of the hostesses to bring one. I hear that you’re partial to lemon, Alana, so I brought that kind. Miz Minnie brought chocolate, and I think Darlene brought her better-than-sex cake, but since we’re in church, we call it Hawaiian Delight,” Trudy giggled.
“Church or not, it lives up to its name,” Iris said. “You’ve gotten a good shower, kids, and most of your gifts are things you’ll use and cherish. Folks know that y’all already have a house full of necessary things so they tried to give you handmade things that would touch your hearts.”
“It really is pretty awesome.” Pax looked at his grandmother. “We’re so glad that you could be here, Mam.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for all the dirt in Texas,” she said. “Now I’m going for some of Darlene’s cake before it all gets served. It might not be better than sex for you two, but at my age, it damn sure is.” She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling and said, “Pardon me, Lord, for swearing in church.”
“Now y’all go sit down at the head table,” Trudy said. “We’ll bring a sampling of all the cakes for you to try.”
Pax slid Alana’s chair in for her and then took a seat in the one beside her. “Who’d have thought this would have gotten so out of hand.”
“Want to go back and change your mind?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Look at Matt and Mam. I don’t want to tell them that we’ve been lying to them.”
“Daddy won’t ever know, but you will have to tell Iris,” she whispered.
“I think, since I agreed to this as a favor to you, that you should tell her,” Pax told her.
“Oh, no, that’s your job. It’s in the agreement.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Remember when you proposed, you said that you’d do anything to make me happy.”
“Nope, I do not remember that.” He frowned.
She patted his hand. “You were tired, and you’d probably spent the night before with some bar bunny, so you don’t remember. Oh, look, darlin’, at all the cake.” She clapped her hands and squealed for the benefit of those watching.
Three of the hostesses had formed a parade and were coming right at them. One had a platter full of different cakes. Another had a tray that held two glasses and a pitcher of lemonade, and the last one had a platter of finger foods.
“This all looks amazing,” Alana said. “I’m sure the cake testing for the wedding cake won’t be nearly this good.”
Trudy beamed. “We loved putting it together for you and wanted you to have something special.”
“Well, you’ve all gone above and beyond,” Pax said. “I’m starting with a bite of that chocolate cake.”
“We’ve got to get back and serve all the folks. Y’all enjoy. I’m sure Matt and Iris and Bridget and Maverick will join y’all soon. I wish your whole wedding party could have been here, but we’ll get to see them at the brunch,” Trudy said.
“Yes, you will.” Alana put a bite of lemon cake into her mouth. “Trudy, could I get you to make a couple of these for the wedding?”
Trudy really beamed at that request. “Honey, you tell me how many you need, and I’ll deliver them the morning of the wedding?”
“Thank you.” Alana nodded. “I’m thinking maybe we’ll have a small wedding cake, something to cut for tradition, and then serve your cake to the people. It’s always been my favorite at get-togethers.”
Trudy laid a hand over her heart. “I would be honored, and I’ll save back a big square for you today.” She winked and hustled off to help serve.
“That was sweet of you,” Pax said.
“I really do like this cake that much, and besides”—she looked around to be sure no one was listening—“she’s going to blame me for the annulment. That means she damn sure won’t offer to make lemon cakes for my second wedding if I ever have one. And you can bet your sexy little cowboy butt there won’t be another shower, either.”
Pax picked up a chicken salad sandwich. “Well, darlin’, I’m right glad to get to be a part of your first wedding, and for the record, I don’t imagine Trudy’s going to lay all the blame on you. I bet I get my fair share.”
She leaned over and brushed