Mick Sinatra 2: Love, Lies, and Jericho Read online

  But if her mother’s absence was affecting her, Roz wasn’t showing it at all as she entered the church and began walking down the aisle. She looked as if this day was the happiest day of her life. Mick looked adoringly as she marched, with her father at her side, down the long aisle to the front. He kept wiping mist from the corner of his eye as he stared at his bride-to-be. It felt as if he was in an open field and was able to watch a sunset so brilliant, and so beautiful, that it startled his eyes. She wore all white, so gorgeous against her black skin, in a gown that cost Mick thirty grand. But he would have gladly paid more, much more, for Rosalind.

  Charles leaned against his brother as he watched Roz too. “You lucky dog,” he said, and Mick smiled.

  And then Cecil Graham arrived with Roz, and handed her over. Only he whispered in Mick’s ear at the exchange. “Mistreat her,” he whispered, “and I’ll pull one of your numbers on you. But it’ll be worse with me. Because I’ll put some stank on it.”

  Mick had no idea what the man meant, but he smiled anyway. Cecil backed away, back to the father of the bride’s seat, but not a muscle in his body was smiling. He meant every word.

  And then there were two. Mick and Roz. They looked at each other, grinned a knowing grin, and then looked at the minister. Dearly beloved, the preacher began.

  And that was it for both of them. Roz finally found her dearly beloved. She found the man of her dreams. Mick finally found his dearly beloved. He found his dream. A woman he never thought existed. A virtuous woman. They both felt ten feet tall, towering above the crowd, as they stood on lover’s shoulders and repeated their vows.

  And afterwards, at the reception, when it was time for their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Michello Sinatra, it was a given. The band stood down, a CD turned on, and they danced to their song. To Stevie Wonder’s For Once In My Life.

  For once I can say,

  This is mine, you can’t take it.

  Long as I know I have love I can make it.

  For once in my life,

  I have someone who needs me!

  And Mick dipped Roz low. So low that she thought he was going to drop her. But he lifted her back up with ease. Their families and friends applauded wildly at his coolness and skill. And Roz rejoiced. Because everybody knew, and she knew best, that Mick Sinatra wasn’t about to let her down. He had her. He had it all in control.

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