Fool's Gold Collection Part 1: Chasing Perfect / Almost Perfect / Sister of the Bride / Finding Perfect

A thin blonde stood and reached for Pia. “You sit by me,” she said. “I’ll take care of you.”

“Just for tonight,” Pia said, slumping down on a sofa. “Tomorrow I take care of you.”

“Tomorrow you’ll be puking your guts out.” The woman smiled at Charity. “Hi. I’m Crystal.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Charity was introduced to the other women and did her best to remember their names. Renee/Michelle was there and Charity was surprised to learn her name was actually Desiree. When the introductions were finished, Jo led Charity into the kitchen.

“You can see what’s open, what’s in the blender and what you can create on your own.”

The kitchen had been partially updated. The counters and sink appeared new, but the stove was from the forties and the cabinets looked like they might have been original.

“Great place,” Charity said.

“I like it. I know it’s big for just me, but I enjoy the space.” She pointed to the array of bottles on the counter. “Wine, both colors, margaritas in the blender, unless Pia drank them all. Mixers, vodka, Bailey’s. You name it, we have it.”

“I’ll go with a glass of wine,” Charity said.

“Playing it safe on your first night. Probably wise. Pick a color.”

“White.”

Jo got a glass and poured. After she handed it to Charity, she leaned against the counter. “So you’re our new city planner. How are you liking Fool’s Gold?”

“I love it here. All my small-town fantasies are coming true.”

Jo laughed. “I moved here about three years ago. From the east coast. It was quite a change, but a good one. The people are friendly. Pia invited me to join her and her friends. They made me feel very welcome.”

Charity glanced toward the living room. “I appreciate the invitation. I want to get to know people.”

“You will.”

A pretty blonde walked into the kitchen and sighed. “I need more. Pia’s drunker than me and I was supposed to be the drunkest one at the party.” She smiled at Charity. “Hi, I’m Katie and please don’t think badly of me.”

“I won’t.”

“I don’t usually drink very much.”

“Or at all,” Jo muttered. “Speaking as someone who owns a bar, you’re a real disappointment in that department.”

“I know.” Katie leaned against the counter. “But tonight’s different. My sister’s getting married.”

Charity felt confused. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“The groom and I were dating when they met. For nearly a year. He’d bought me an engagement ring. But before he gave it to me, he met my sister and they kicked me to the curb.”

“Ouch,” Charity said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He was a jerk,” Katie told her.

Charity had a feeling that was the alcohol talking more than her heart.

“The worst part is that the wedding is a four-day party up at the Lodge,” Jo added.

“I need a date and I don’t have one.” Katie hiccupped softly.

“There’s always Josh,” Jo offered.

Katie rolled her eyes. “I need a date with a guy people will believe I’m actually seeing. There’s no one. And now my mother is offering to set me up with her best friend’s son. Howie.”

Charity tried to muffle a laugh. “Okay, it’s not a traditionally romantic name, but he could be great.”

“I met him back when we were kids. He’s a total nerd, and not in a good way. We hated each other, and I get to spend four days with him. Someone just shoot me now.”

“How about another margarita?” Jo asked.

“That works, too.” Katie looked at Charity. “Are you happily married or dating? Because I’ll warn you—in this crowd, you’d be the only one.”

“Sorry, no. I have a string of bad breakups, as well.”

“Bummer,” Katie mumbled. “What’s wrong with us?”

“Nothing,” Jo said firmly. “You don’t need a man to be happy.”

“Try telling that to my whoo-whoo. It hasn’t seen action in nearly a year.”

Now Charity did laugh. Fortunately Katie didn’t seem to notice.

“There’s Crystal,” she said. “At least she was happy before.”

Jo poured another drink. “Crystal’s husband was killed in Iraq.” She glanced toward the doorway, then lowered her voice. “She’s sick. Cancer. So she doesn’t drink. Just so you don’t offer her anything.”

Charity thought about Pia’s friend. “She looks fine.”

“Right now things are good. We’re hoping the treatment can kill the cancer without taking her, too.”

“How awful. Does she have children?” Bad enough for them to lose their father, but now to be worried about their mother.

“Not exactly.”

Charity would have blamed her confusion on the wine, only she hadn’t yet taken a sip. “What do you mean?”

“They froze some embryos before her husband went off to Iraq. Just in case. She was planning to have them implanted, but the lymphoma was discovered during the routine physical. She wants to get better so she can have her babies.” Jo poured herself a glass of red. “Sometimes, life’s a bitch.”

Charity didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry.”

“We all are and there’s nothing any of us can do. That’s the worst part. Well, not for Crystal, obviously.” Jo shook her head. “I think I’ve had too much to drink. I don’t usually go on like this. Come on. Let’s get back to the girls.”