The Southern Bride

by Leonra Worth

  Check on that one.

  Another place wanted a hostess for a fancy restaurant. That could be fun, but a lot of long hours late at night.

  But one stood out.

  Art gallery. The Seagull Art Gallery where a lot of Brodie’s driftwood designs were showcased and sold. A gallery that also displayed and sold photography, too. Melissa had some good shots of the ocean and the beach, with both the sunrise and the sunsets. But some of her best since she’d been here had come from the little inland ranch.

  She’d captured the old barn in the soft evening sun and she’d taken shots of the woods and the fields in the light of day. Her favorite was one of Judson silhouetted like a shadow against the old fence, the evening sun coloring the whole scene in vivid, glowing oranges and burnished yellows. She could print some of them and frame them to be displayed. It wouldn’t hurt to go and talk to Betsy McQuire. Brodie had mentioned that Betsy was very eclectic and artistic. Melissa could appreciate that.

  She called Michelle.

  “Here, talk to Brodie,” Michelle said after they’d discussed the possibilities.

  Brodie got on the phone. “Betsy’s been needing someone who knows good art and photography. She frames photos to make extra income but the Seagull has a pretty good following with tourists, thanks to her online presence, and with locals because she throws great parties and showcases local artists like me, and she helps people decorate their homes. A lot of the artwork in our house came from the gallery.” He chuckled into the phone. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this myself. She’d be lucky to have you.”

  Brodie’s confidence in her made Melissa feel better.

  Michelle got back on the phone. “You’d be so good at this. You always did have a good decorating sense and your landscape photos are beautiful.”

  “What about you?” Melissa asked. “You’d be good at this, too. You taught me all about photography.”

  “I’m going to enjoy this baby for now,” Michelle said. “I’ll start back with my photography one day but, for now, I have the equity from selling my house back home and Brodie’s doing great with his art and his deep sea charters. We’re good.”

  “Okay,” Melissa said. “I’ll go and talk to her tomorrow. We’ll see what happens from there. I’ll have to give notice at the paper and the magazine but since I’m part-time and freelance at both, it’s more symbolic than official.”

  “Are you doing this for you?” Michelle asked. “Or for Judson?”

  Melissa stopped and stilled. “I think for both of us,” she admitted. “I needed something new and fresh and... Judson and I are working hard to repair our relationship.”

  “Okay,” her sister said. “I want you to be happy.”

  “I think this might work,” Melissa said, but her heart did an extra bump of anticipation and apprehension.

  She hoped this job opportunity was a good sign. And she prayed Judson would agree. She’d call Betsy McQuire first thing tomorrow morning.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mom and Dad sat in rockers on the porch, staring at the water.

  They’d had dinner and this was the last night they’d all be here together. Judson had declined having dinner with them, which concerned Melissa but he claimed he’d had a long day and just wanted to crash.

  She had to wonder what else was going on with him. She’d go by to see him when she left here. Her parents were still digesting the news that she might stay here and get a job. And she hadn’t even discussed it with Judson yet.

  “So you think you want to move here?” Roscoe asked again, his rocking chair creaking with each word. “Find a job and stay?”

  “Yes,” Melissa said, glancing between her parents. “I need a change and if I get this job, I’ll finally have a solid paycheck doing something I think I’ll enjoy.”

  “You don’t like your jobs back home?” Ruby asked, her painted nails tapping against the arms of her rocking chair.

  “I like working for the newspaper and magazine, yes, but it’s sporadic and freelance. I have no benefits. I’m still living at home with y’all. I work at Madeline’s Closet to make enough to pay y’all rent.”

  “We told you, you didn’t have to pay rent,” Roscoe said, a confused helplessness in his eyes.

  “And I want to pay rent because I’m a grown woman who needs to take care of herself.”

  “Admirable,” Ruby said with a nod. “Are you staying here because of Judson?”

  Was it so obvious that everyone had to ask her that question?

  “I’m staying here because of a lot of things,” Melissa replied. “But yes, he’s part of the reason. He likes it here and he’s done a good job working at the ranch. Not so much at the Surf Shack, but he’s trying hard there, too.”

  “We need to give that ranch a name,” Roscoe said. “Redneck Riviera, maybe?”

  “I think that name’s taken, honey,” Ruby said. “Most of the Gulf Coast is called that.”

  Brodie walked out onto the porch. “What’s up?”

  “Is Michelle asleep?” Ruby asked, getting up.

  “She’s in bed,” Brodie said. “I think she’s feeling better.”

  “I’ll go check on her,” Ruby said. Then she turned to Melissa. “We’ll talk more later.”

  “We’re trying to decide what to call your little farmstead,” Roscoe said, his gaze flickering over Melissa.

  Clearly, her parents were in denial about letting her get on with her life. Another pattern that seemed so obvious now. They’d sheltered her and guided her, but she’d rebelled, big time. Maybe at first, Judson had been part of that rebellion but now, things were different. He was a part of her life. A part of her.

  Now even her parents seemed ready to accept the inevitable. She wasn’t their baby anymore. She didn’t want to be anyone’s baby. But she did want a life of her own. She needed to decide how to go about making that happen.

  She needed to decide if Judson could be a part of that life or if it was time for her to go it alone.

  But the ranch still needed a name. A good distraction.

  “How about Driftwood Ranch?” she said, turning to Brodie. “Will Michelle like that?”

  Brodie sat down in the chair her mom had vacated. “I think she just might. I do plan to open up a studio there as soon as we can get the big cabin renovated. There’s a perfect spot right behind the cabin to build one. I’m using my old house now but we’d like to rent that one out eventually. I can work here, too, of course, but I don’t want to junk up the lower level.” He rocked and pondered. “Driftwood Ranch.”

  “Sounds good,” Roscoe said. “I’m going to bed.”

  Brodie and Melissa watched as he stomped into the house.

  “Did I miss something?” Brodie asked.

  “Well, they’re worried about Michelle,” Melissa replied. “And... they’re not thrilled that I might stay here... to be with Judson. Or not to be with Judson.”

  Brodie squinted over at her and then went into one of his deadpan stares. “I thought you were staying here to get a good job.”

  She could relax with Brodie. “Yes, and because I want to be with Judson.”

  “He’s gonna rent the little cabin at Driftwood Ranch,” Brodie said, a soft grin cresting on his bronzed face.

  “I know. Isn’t that great?”

  “For me, yes. But... I don’t want him to mess up that leg. He needs to stop pushing so hard. You know, Sam and I were just messing with him, offering him odd jobs.”

  “He took that offer very seriously.”

  “Yeah, surprised all of us.”

  “Surprised me, too,” she said. “I’m going to check on him.”

  “Okay.” Brodie stood and stretched. “I’m going to check on my wife.”

  “I hope she’s better.”

  “She is. I think she’s just scared.”

  “Understandable.”

  “I wish I could do more for her,” Brodie whispered.

  “You’re doing what you nee
d to do. You love her.”

  “Yeah.” He stared out at the dark, crashing waves. “I just wonder will that be enough if something bad happens.”

  His parting words left a sense of dread inside Melissa. Was love enough to cover a multitude of sins?

  She was about to test that theory.

  Judson heard a knock on the door of his room.

  Groggy, he got up and hobbled the short distance.

  Melissa stood there, doubt in her expression. “Hi. I... I was kind of worried when you didn’t show for dinner.”

  “I’m okay,” he said, not wanting her to see that his limp was even worse. Or that his leg was swollen. “Just tired.”

  “I shouldn’t have bothered you.” She moved to go but he reached out and snagged her by the wrist.

  “Don’t,” he said. “I’m sorry. C’mon in.”

  She entered and glanced around. “I’m sure you’ll be glad to get out of this place. It’s kind of cramped.”

  “It works for now. But I do like that little cabin.” He motioned to a chair by the bed and then moved to shove clothes off of it. “Have a seat. I have water and crackers.”

  “I’m not hungry,” she said. “I brought you some pie.”

  His stomach rumbled. “I’ll take it.”

  He dug into the apple pie and smiled. “Did your mama make this?”

  “No, I did,” she admitted. “We cooked up some stuff for Michelle and Brodie. Mom and Dad are leaving tomorrow.”

  He held his fork in midair. “And you?”

  “Actually... I’m going to check out a possible job.”

  His heart seemed to lift right out of his chest. “You’re considering staying?”

  “Yes,” she replied, her eyes a misty turquoise. “Did you think I’d up and leave without talking to you?”

  “I kind of figured that, yes. You didn’t jump at the chance to stay here when I mentioned it.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you,” she said, a guilty expression on her face.

  He set the half-eaten pie on the bedside table. “Are you seeing someone here? Is that why you can’t decide about us?”

  Shock brightened her eyes. “No! I took time off to come down and help with the wedding and to try and get my life back on track.”

  Relief seared a path through him. “Okay, so what’s going on?”

  She placed her hand over his. “I was already thinking about moving down here before you showed up. I’ve been in limbo since... we broke up. My sisters seem to think this place can change people.”

  “And you felt that way, too, until I came back into your life, right?”

  She lowered her head. “You’ve changed everything.”

  “So, now that I’m here, you want to leave?”

  “No, I don’t want to leave. But... I might need to leave.”

  “No, you were here first,” he said, anger making the sweet pie turn sour in his stomach. “I’ll go.”

  “I don’t want you to do that, Judson. I’m trying to be honest with you about everything. We’re here together and things have been pretty good over the last few days. Let me do this, my way.”

  “Fine, you do what you need to do.” He took a deep breath and willed the pain ricocheting through his body to go away.

  “I had to think it through,” she said. “And I still might have to go home and get some things in order.” She pushed at her hair and dropped her tote bag on the floor. “Is that why you didn’t come for dinner tonight? Because I didn’t readily agree to your terms?”

  “It’s not about that. I couldn’t handle it,” he said. “I don’t like saying goodbye. I reckoned you’d pile in and follow your parents back home. I don’t want you to go.”

  She stood and smiled. “Well, if I get this job I’ll be back and... you won’t have to tell me goodbye ever again.”

  Judson stood, too. “That would be nice, Missy. I mean it. We can stick to the plan and take this slow. Slow is becoming so good.”

  She rushed into his arms. “I’m sorry. This is all so new and different and it has to be right, Judson. I can’t chase you around Florida the way I followed you around the rodeo circuit.”

  “You won’t have to chase me,” he said. “I’m standing here in one spot. A fresh new start, on my own this time. Same as you.”

  “We named the ranch,” she said, changing the subject. “Driftwood Ranch.”

  “What an original idea.”

  “Yeah, a no-brainer. But... it fits. This is a special place and Brodie and Michelle kind of started this whole thing so it’s nice that they’ll have a hideaway that has a little bit of both of them in it.”

  “And the baby?”

  “The baby is good for now.”

  “I hope so,” he said. “I owe them a lot so I want them to be happy.”

  Melissa held him close. “Okay, I’m going to go to the cottage and get my resume polished up. I promised Michelle I’d visit Coco and take her for a ride tomorrow. So I’ll see you out at the ranch.”

  He hoped he could make it to the ranch but his leg was acting up more than ever. “Before you go, tell me about this job.”

  She told him about the Seagull Gallery and what she’d be doing if she took the position.

  “That sounds perfect for you. You’d be so great at that.”

  He didn’t dare hope that things might actually be working out for them.

  “So... you’d work for Brodie and I’d work at the gallery. It seems too good to be true.” She touched her hand to his arm. “Can you handle being around my family all the time?”

  “We won’t be around them all the time,” he said, a gleam in his eyes. “We’ll go home together. Alone.”

  He wondered where home would be. The little cabin or the Sonnier cottage. Maybe something completely new. So much to consider. She was right. This wasn’t their usual mode.

  “We’ll need to find our home,” she said, already reading his mind.

  And get married. Finally.

  “But we can have that fresh start—with a little bit of both us in it, same as Brodie and Michelle and Sam and Maddie.”

  “Beginning with Driftwood Ranch,” she said, kissing him. “I hope we can make it, Judson.”

  “Me, too,” he said even while doubt shadowed him like a dark sky over the water. He limped into her arms. “Me, too, baby.”

  But he pushed the doubt away by tugging her close and kissing her. He wanted more but, this time, they were going to take it slow and easy. This time, they had to be sure. He wouldn’t risk breaking her heart again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next morning, Melissa got up bright and early and dressed in a floral sheath with a lightweight sweater. Slipping on a pair of navy sandals, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Was she ready for this?

  As ready as she’d ever be.

  Her mom had called earlier to tell her goodbye. “Suga’, are you sure about this? It’s a big move and you and Judson have only been back around each other for a week or so.”

  “I’ll be fine, Mom. I’ll have family around me.”

  “All my girls, leaving me like this.”

  “You gave us wings.”

  “I should have clipped them.” Then Ruby let out a sigh. “I can’t stop you. Keep me posted. Call me, okay?”

  “I will. You and Daddy need to buy a place down here.”

  “Right. Your daddy will jump on that.”

  Melissa came back to the here and now, her mind whirling with possibilities. Was she making the right decision? Grabbing her purse and the folder of pictures she’d managed to pull together with Michelle’s printer and photo paper before dinner last night, she hurried out the door before she changed her mind.

  Then she drove the short distance to the Seagull Gallery.

  Brodie had warned her Betsy was quirky but meeting the redhead in person was kind of a shock. Betsy’s short, spiky hair glittered like fire in the midmorning sunshine, streaming through the gallery’s
tall windows. And her brightly colored earrings and sky blue sundress with floral sandals made her look like a blooming flower.

  “So, you’re Melissa,” Betsy said, shaking Melissa’s hand and then hugging her, too. “Michelle tells me all about her sisters. Y’all are so close. I have a brother but he lives in California and rarely gets back to Florida.”

  Betsy walked while she talked, her hands moving in rapid waves with each word. “Step into my office. I have espresso or I can make you a latte.” She showed Melissa a huge coffee machine.

  “A latte sounds good,” Melissa said, putting her tote on the massive industrial-style desk. “I love the gallery and this office is amazing.”

  Betsy laughed. “Yes, I had to have my own space. I live upstairs in a two bedroom apartment that’s so fun. I’ll give you the tour.”

  Melissa couldn’t wait to see the apartment, but right now she wanted to talk business. So, after Betsy made them both a latte and offered up some fresh biscotti from a bakery down the way, Melissa told Betsy about her experience and then showed her some of her landscape photography.

  Finally, Betsy sank back in her bright green leather office chair and stared into Melissa’s eyes. “You know, Michelle is very talented but she refuses to come and work for me. She seems to like taking portraits and family pictures. She’s done some beautiful wedding photos for some of my clients.”

  “Yes, she took most of the photos at Maddie’s wedding last weekend,” Melissa said, wondering if she was about to get a brush-off.

  Betsy leaned forward and put her elbows on the desk then lifted her hands so she could cup her chin on her fingers. “But you, my dear, have a gift. The one of this man—whoa.”

  “That’s Judson,” Melissa said, a blush heating her neck. “He and I are kind of—.”

  “Together?” Betsy asked, her slanted spikey bangs shimmying against her forehead.

  “It’s a long story,” Melissa said. “But... we’re working through some things.”