The wedding was wonderful. Heidi and Tim exchanged their vows under an ivy canopy in Heidi's big back yard. Her home had been extensively decorated with flowers and bunting for the occasion, and a whole lot of tables and chairs had been set up around the huge back yard, some of them under a canopy, others out in the open.
Since Heidi's parents were both dead, Mr. Williams, the principal of Jamestown High, gave the bride away. Tim's partner, Lex Dumont, served as best man, and Reverend Austin, the Jamestown Police Department chaplain, officiated. Tim and Heidi exchanged vows they'd written themselves.
Once the couple was officially pronounced man and wife, the reception began. The guests were circulating, moving in and out of the house, enjoying the reception.
Sheila Richardson wandered around, checking to make sure all of the food dishes and punch bowls were kept full. She received several compliments from the guests about the repast she'd prepared and was gratified by them. One or two people said they were planning events, too, and asked her for her business card.
A band set up in one corner of the huge the back yard, next to a portable dance floor. A few people began dancing. Sheila continued to circulate, making sure everything was going right. Even though she wasn't officially a guest at the party, she was enjoying herself. Being able to participate, even peripherally, in affairs like this was one of the fringe benefits of her catering business that she really enjoyed.
Bob Thomas was mingling, too. Or he was until he bumped into Nancy Jensen, a dark-skinned woman with a slim, girlish body. Her black hair was straight and hung almost to her buttocks. Her huge brown eyes were set in an exotically beautiful face. The clinging white dress she wore left no doubt as to the quality of her figure.
"So how do you know Tim and Heidi?" Bob asked.
"Heidi and I met at a nursing conference a few years ago," Nancy replied. She moved closer to him and her body brushed his. "She told me there was a job available here in the Jamestown Middle School and I took it. I've never been sorry."
They kept chatting, and Nancy kept rubbing herself against Bob. He had an idea, judging from the look in her eyes, that she was as interested in him as he was in her. Things had just gotten started, so he didn't think it would do to ask her if she wanted to leave the party. Then he had an idea.
"Have you seen Heidi's house?" he asked. Nancy looked puzzled. "You know," Bob continued, "Heidi and Tim spent a lot of money decorating for the party. If you think what she did out here is something, you ought to see the inside."
"Oh!" Nancy said and smiled warmly. "Are you offering to show me around?"
"Of course," Bob said. "It would be my pleasure." He took Nancy's arm and they headed for the house. There weren't many people inside the house.
Inside, Nancy grinned at Bob. "You didn't ask me in here because you wanted me to see the decorations, did you?" she asked.
"No, I didn't," he said. "I had a feeling we were both looking for the same thing and thought I should do something about helping us find it."
Nancy, her eyes hot, nodded.
"Want to see the upstairs?" Bob asked.
"Of course," Nancy whispered, licking her lips. "I'd love to."
