Free Courting Disaster by Joanne Pence Page B

her friend. “Is this a bribe?”
    â€œWhatever are you talking about?” Angie asked innocently. “I’m going to give my mother a present for all the hard work she’s doing.”
    â€œKeeping your engagement party a secret from you?” Connie put her hand on her hip. “The woman’s lucky you don’t give her poison. I know you, Angie Amalfi, and I know she’s driving you nuts.”
    â€œI wouldn’t put it quite that way.” Angie pickedup the Spode, pretending to study it. “She loves pretty cups and saucers like this one.”
    â€œFine.” Connie rang up the sale, then got out a box and gift wrap. “But don’t waste your time being coy. I have no idea where the party is.”
    â€œReally?” Angie asked, disappointed.
    â€œAnd if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you.”
    As Angie watched, she remembered the call about the cake. “Don’t use purple gift wrap, please. I’ve developed a sudden aversion to the color.”
    â€œPurple? You’re kidding.” Connie reached for pastel green.
    â€œOh, Connie!” Angie wailed, sudden tears in her eyes. “You don’t know what I’ve been going through. First some baker calls about a purple cake, then…then a stripper called about jumping out of it! What is my mother thinking? She’s gone crazy! I’ve got to stop her.”
    â€œDon’t cry, honey.” Connie walked around the counter to pat Angie’s back and hand her a wad of tissues. “That doesn’t sound like Serefina to me,” Connie continued. “It’s got to be a mistake or a joke.”
    Angie wiped her eyes. “Who would joke about such an important occasion?”
    â€œIt’s a mistake, then. Someone’s got your name mixed up with another Amalfi, that’s all. Someone who likes strippers and purple cakes.” Connie grinned. “Someone like your Cousin Richie, maybe.”
    Even Angie had to chuckle at that. Richie was one of those people who no longer surprised her with the crazy things he was up to. “Maybe you’re right.”
    â€œHave you ever mentioned to Serefina the type of party you hoped for?” Connie asked.
    â€œSure. The wedding will be serious and beautiful, so the engagement party should be a bit whimsical. Romantic, of course, but also fun. A time for me, Paavo, friends, and relatives to get together without stress. Weddings are always stressful, no matter what. I’d like to avoid that.”
    â€œWhimsical?” Connie asked skeptically.
    â€œYes. Good food, lovely clothes, but something a little different. I know it won’t happen. We’ll probably end up at a wonderful restaurant, but still…”
    â€œWhere would you like it to be?” Connie asked.
    â€œI don’t know anymore! Oh, well, why think about that? My mother will most likely come up with something very traditional and lovely, right?”
    â€œI didn’t have an engagement party before my first marriage. Next time, I’ll do it right,” Connie said dreamily. “An elegant restaurant with white linen tablecloths, crystal goblets, gold-rimmed white china…that’s what I’d like. If, that is, I marry a Rockefeller or some other tycoon. If not, my friends and I will probably gather at Pizza Hut. Beer and pizza on the house!”
    â€œAnd everyone would love it,” Angie said.
    Connie nodded. “Maybe someday…” She went back to the counter and began to tape the gift paper in place. “I take it you had no luck checking restaurants.”
    Angie shook her head. “It didn’t work, and now I’ve only got thirteen days to go. I’m at my wits’ end.”
    â€œWell, if I hear anything that might help, I’ll let you know,” Connie said as she unfurled a long length of green ribbon and then began to wrap it around the package. “Although I can’t