Choices and Compromise

Ben and Miss Peeg

By Atonia and Layne

Ben pulled up in front of Millie's early on Saturday morning. Miss Peeg was waiting for him by the door. Helping her into his black Range Rover, he started off for Coffs Harbour. "I really 'preciate you doin' this for me, Miss Peeg. Helpin' me pick out Liana's dress an' all. I know she will too."

"Oh Mr.Wade, you must realize what a treat this is for me...I've never actually set a foot inside a wedding salon before." She smiled over at him taking in his strong tanned hands on the wheel."Is this your first wedding Mr. Wade?"

He smiled broadly at her. "The first big weddin', yes ma'am. When Liana and I were first married, it was in front of a justice of the peace. Nobody there but me, her, an' him. That's why I wanna do this again. Do it right this time. See she gets the kinda weddin' a pretty girl like her oughta have."

"You'll pardon my ignorance Mr. Wade, but from what I've seen, remembering my sister's first wedding mind you, it was all planned by the bride's family. The groom had to but show up at the proper time suitably attired with the ring. I remember there was much to-do about the dress-- endless fittings, decisions to be made about lace appliques and such. There were consultations with the vicar. Yes, six months of constant turmoil.The house was in an uproar for two solid weeks before the wedding. I was ever so thankful to return to university." Miss Peeg smiled in her reminiscing.

Putting on a slightly sorrowful expression, Ben told her, "Well, ma'am, I am Liana's fam'ly. Her only fam'ly. That's why the plannin's up to me. As for fittin's, I know Liana's size. I know it only too well, ma'am." He gave Miss Peeg a knowing grin, and was amused to see the lady blush.

"Besides," he went on, in a more business-like tone of voice. "I never did see the fairness in one side 'a the fam'ly plannin' everythin'. It's the groom's weddin' too. He oughta have some say in the matter." Ben's face was set, his mind made up about the whole matter.

Looking sideways at Miss Peeg, his voice softened again. " An' 'sides, why should Liana have to go through all that turmoil an' uproar you was just talkin' about? This way, she gets all the fun and excitement and none 'a that stress to go along with it."

Miss Peeg watched his face. As he spoke, something sprang to life in the back of her mind. She let it float around for a moment and put it back in its proper place. It would, however, require further thought."I didn't realize Mr. Wade that Mrs. Wade did not have any family, how sad and she such a young woman. Of course I should have--you just told me a moment ago there were only three of you at the ceremony when you were married in the States. I quite agree with you about the turmoil preceding a wedding, I remember my sister in tears most of the time...dreadful...and yet there is the anticipation of a happy event. I quite enjoy anticipation myself. Often it is much more than the actual happening." she smiled. "One's imagination can fly."

"It's a sad thing not to have fam'ly at any age." Ben's voice was sorrowful, but he was thinking that, in some ways, it was for the best. Could save a man a lotta hurt and complications. He was also wondering if he truly believed that any more.

Ben went on. "I didn't have any fam'ly myself, before Liana." He gave Miss Peeg another smile. "Guess you might say we rescued each other."

"Did I show you the picture of the dress I picked out for her?" Ben indicated a picture on the seat.

"Why Mr. Wade this is beautiful. You have an eye. Yes, quite lovely--almost as if it were from another time. A more innocent time. I fear our innocence at The Glen has been lost with the murder. I suppose there is no place anymore where one can go and live in complete peace. Speaking of family, Mr. Wade, I only have my sister now and my niece Amanda. My sister has remarried and I think Amanda is about to fly the nest. I shall be on my own again...what a shame you never had a family...well you must have had at one time I'm sure...perhaps this is why this wedding is so important to you Mr. Wade. Aside from the lovely lady, it will give you roots." Miss Peeg said chattily.

Roots, Ben thought to himself. Was that possible? For him to feel as though he really belonged anywhere? He'd never thought so. As so often happened, the conversation was taking a turn with which he was uncomfortable. He changed the subject to one that he knew something about.

"Yeah, murder does have a way of killin' the innocence of a place, along with the person who dies. And this was such a useless killin'." Ben disapproved of killing for no reason. It was wasteful and drew attention. This killing in the Glen was such a useless action.

"But we should get back to somethin' more cheerful, ma'am." He smiled at Miss Peeg again. "Yeah, I love that dress. It does have an innocence about it. Same as my Liana does." He was unaware that he'd used the word "my" and sounded possessive.

Miss Peeg picked up on the possessiveness the man seemed have about Liana, the wedding, and even the dress. She was quiet a moment, letting that sink in and wondered what it said about the man. He was a man in control of everything around him, including the people. She wondered if he controlled Liana. "Mr. Wade do you think Liana has any idea you are planning the wedding? I know how hard it is to keep a secret, especially around those close to you."

Grinning at her, Ben replied, "Well, I think she knows somethin's up, but she don' have any idea what. I think, just in the few months we've known each other, she's done got used to me surprisin' her. I've done it a lot."

" 'Course, I've had my share of surprises from her too," he mused, thoughtfully. He was remembering several episodes, particularly the New Year's Eve party and the way she'd talked to the Sheriff and his deputy, with fire in her eyes and venom in her voice. Ben had loved that. Then, there was the picnic, the way she'd stopped him from killing Luke, but hadn't been afraid of him.

"Well, sir, I should think, if you've only known each other for a few months, there will be many surprises to come, and I do hope they will all be happy ones." She looked over at Ben and smiled...they would be if this man had anything to do with it.

Parking the SUV in front of the bridal shop, Ben flashed Miss Peeg another of his winning smiles. "They've all been good, so far. At least, on my side. I'll have to let Liana speak for herself." He was surprised to find that he felt comfortable with that idea. Comfortable that Liana would have only good things to say, and that she would not betray anything that should remain a secret.

Opening Miss Peeg's door and helping her out, he said, "Shall we go in, ma'am, and get this part of the weddin' plans done?"

"Oh my and here we are...I've never done this before you know...entered a bridal shop...always the bridesmaid and never the bride," she smiled tucking her purse under her arm. Her mind briefly traveled back to Kenya, but she shook her head and thus dismissed any thoughts that might have come.

Ben gallantly offered her his arm. "The men have no idea what they've missed out on, ma'am," he told Miss Peeg, with a grin. "But there are lots of new people in the Glen. Might be one of the men will come to his senses and realize yet what a catch a woman like you would be." He was thinking of one man in particular that he'd seen her speaking to at the Australia Day party. Toni Roberts' father, he thought it had been.

Miss Peeg took his proffered arm with a smile, "Ah Mr. Wade, but there are some of us that are not destined to the altar. I must say I've not missed it at all. I've enjoyed a rich and full life...and continue to enjoy life. Oh my," she said as they entered the shop.

Inside the shop, Ben asked for the owner. When the woman approached him, he explained his business, showed her the picture, which she had assured him she could duplicate in time for the wedding. When she named the price, he didn't even blink.

"An' this is the bride's aunt," he introduced Miss Peeg to the shop owner with a smile. "She'll be placin' the order and pickin' out some accessories--shoes an' jewelry an' such to go with the dress."

"Don' worry none 'bout the cost," he murmured to her. "Just pick out whatever you think will go well with the dress."

Miss Peeg blinked as the lie rolled off his tongue. Aunt indeed. While he talked with the owner, she browsed around the shop. It was quite pricey, she decided. She took her time picking out accessories, trying to match the dress and the period. The jewels were, of course, not real and since he'd said price was no object she walked over to him as he leaned against the counter.

"Mr. Wade, it is I believe, at least in my country, a tradition that the groom buys the bride's wedding jewelry. The jewels here are not...that is to say.. the real thing. There is a jewelry salon on this very street. I've passed by it several times and I know Mr. Roberts purchases things there. Would you like to have a look? And I thought these shoes and the veil... Mr. Wade will there be a veil or a headpiece...oh perhaps a headpiece!" She moved over to the things in the glass cabinet, not waiting for an answer. They were, after all, married already weren't they?

Ben had no idea about wedding traditions, other than what he'd read or seen in movies. He was grateful for Miss Peeg's advice. He appraised the shoes she'd chosen and asked for them in Liana's size. Then he moved over to the showcase she was looking in for a headpiece.

As he joined Miss Peeg in looking at what was offered, he said, "Maybe somethin' small. Liana's got such beautiful hair. I want her to show it off." Being controlling had always been a part of who Ben Wade was, and would continue to be. Sometimes, though, he could be unaware of just how much he always tried to be in charge of everything.

Miss Peeg looked up at him, "Mr. Wade I don't know when you expect to tell her about this surprise wedding, but I do know, being of the feminine sex, that when a woman is going to be on display- That is to say ,the center of attention, as a bride will on her wedding day, she want's everything to be perfect, and I do not believe sir, among your many talents, hair styling and nails will surface. She will want a professional to do her hair and place the headpiece so it will be secured and not fall out. She will also want to have her nails done. I suggest you ask Mrs. Roberts about that, as she was done up in her home. Now this one looks of the period and will compliment her dress perfectly. It's not as small as the one you're contemplating." She raised her brows and looked at him again.

Frowning slightly, Ben looked at the piece Miss Peeg was indicating. Ever since he'd found the dress, he'd had this picture in his mind of how Liana would look. Pretty and natural--and having her hair all done up by some stylist with a lot of hairspray and other gunk hadn't been in his mind at all.

He was getting ready to argue, when he remembered that he'd asked Miss Peeg here to help him choose, and that she'd been very gracious and helpful so far. "You sure?" he asked, doubtfully.

"I see you're not sure, but with her hair caught up in soft curls and waves it will be lovely Mr. Wade. I've seen Mrs. Roberts wedding pictures and her hair was done very soft about her face. It's my choice, sir, but then it is of course up to you," she smiled ,slightly moving away to see what he would do. It was if he'd seen a painting or a snapshot he was trying to replicate, she thought...he definitely knew what he wanted.

In the end, Ben took both of them. "When the time comes, I'll let Liana choose," he told Miss Peeg. "How's that?"

Miss Peeg smiled broadly. The first thing he was actually going to let Liana choose. "What an excellent idea Mr. Wade,"

"Now. How about we take a look at that jewelry store? Then, we can go for a nice lunch. Least I can do for the bride's aunt." Ben winked at her.

After the jewelry store and lunch, Ben drove Miss Peeg back to Millie's and dropped her off, saying goodbye politely. He still had to see Toni Roberts, as well as Mrs. Meridius about the flowers.

After he had dropped Miss Peeg off, he thought about the things she had said. He was very happy with the accessories she had chose and he had found jewelry that suited Liana to a tee, in his mind. He could tell that Miss Peeg disapproved of him planning this wedding himself, without telling Liana until the last minute.

Briefly, he wondered if the lady was right and he should tell Liana about this, let her help with plans. Then, he shook his head. He was letting that woman get to him. He knew what Liana liked. She'd love this wedding.