Weston Casey hadn’t shown his face since the news broke. Rob said he overheard Elsa on the phone saying Weston was going back to New York.
Well, good riddance, Mr. Tattoo.
It was real, it was fun…but it wasn’t real fun.
I poked my head in Elsa’s door. “Mrs. Casey? I was—”
“Please! Just Elsa. Or Miss Lawrence. No more Casey, for the love of God.” Elsa held her hand up to me, annoyed.
“I’m sorry, Elsa. I was heading out, and I wanted to say goodbye. Have a nice weekend.” I smiled, and turned to walk away.
“Wait! Riley…thank you. For being so kind to me. Everyone else has just been laughing behind my back, I know it. I was made to be a fool.”
I shook my head. “No. No one is talking about you. We’re all here to support you.”
Elsa half-smiled, shrugged, and then turned back down to the paperwork on her desk.
I closed the door, and left to head home. We were all going to get together tonight, to celebrate Jeremiah.
***
“We miss you, buddy. I wish you could be here with us, to see Chase, to see how amazing he his. But, we know you’re looking down and smiling. Love you, Jer…” Blaine raised his beer bottle to the sky, brought it back down and sipped it.
We lit tiny flames in paper lanterns and sent them up into the sky. Isaac wrote a little note to Jeremiah on his; he wouldn’t tell anyone what it said though. Scarlett and Seth scribbled on theirs, and Addison traced outlines of Chase’s hands on another.
Blaine and Alex hugged, slapped each other hard on the back, and then stepped away wiping tears, trying to laugh it off.
“Cry baby,” Blaine laughed.
“Dick,” Alex responded playfully while wiping his face.
After we stood and watched the lanterns flicker and get higher and higher into the night sky, we went inside to warm up. My mom made hot chocolate—homemade, complete with marshmallows—store bought. Sitting around the big table in the dining room, we ate ribs and between the five adults and four children, finish off four pumpkin pies.
A shiver ran through me. “Brr! I am not a fan of winter…and it’s not even really here yet.”
“I know, I’m not either,” Addison said, sipping her hot chocolate. “If you two are ever going to decide on a date, please don’t make it a winter wedding.”
Alex laughed. “Maybe we’ll just go to Vegas.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea!”
“Riley!” My mom said, surprising me. “Please tell me you’re joking. I don’t want my only child getting married by Elvis Presley.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be the real Elvis…” Alex started to murmur, but then realized he should probably just shut up. “You’re right. Riley deserves a real wedding.”
“I have a few freezing months ahead to plan for it, don’t worry.” I got up from my chair, and started to collect all the plates on the table.
Addison followed me out to the kitchen, with a stack of dishes in her arms, a few empty mugs hooked in her fingers. She gently set down the load, and placed the mugs in the sink. Stepping back, she stumbled a little.
“Whoa!” I reached out, and caught her. “Addy, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just a little dizzy. Sorry.”
I held her at arm’s length. “What’s wrong with you? I can tell there’s something up.”
She looked around, then her eyes set back on mine. A small grin hinted across her face. “I’m pregnant.”
“What!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her, almost knocking us both down. “When? Where? How?!”
“Well, when a boy likes a girl…” She hugged me tightly. “I found out last week. The doctor thinks my conception date was around the middle of last month.”
“I’m so happy for you! As if you didn’t call me right away…” I pretended to be hurt, but I couldn’t help but smile. I was elated. This news…couldn’t be more welcome. “Blaine Blackstock! Get that gorgeous country ass of yours in the kitchen, now!”
Blaine walked in, and leaned up against the island in the center of the room. “I guess we might as well tell everyone else, now that Riley knows.”
“Rude! But yes, you’re right. If I know, everyone will know. Mom! Come in here!”
My mom came in the room, followed by Alex.
“We didn’t want to say anything, just yet. It was on Jeremiah’s birthday when I found out I was pregnant with Seth. How weird is that?” Addison said, hugging Alex.
***
Addison was going to have three kids…a three year old, two year old, and baby. I laid in bed, still trying to wrap my mind around it. Before I fell asleep, I prayed not to forget my birth control pill in the morning.
I woke up before everyone, and remarkably, I felt great. I wasn’t tired, or groggy…I was ready to start the day. Which wasn’t going to be much of anything, aside from grocery shopping and tidying up the house.
“Good morning, mom,” I greeted my mother while peeking over my coffee mug. “How did you sleep?”
“Good! I’d love some coffee too, is there any left?”
“I’ll get it. Can you make a list for shopping today? You know I suck at it.” I made my mom a cup of coffee, and placed it down in front of her at the table.
She grabbed a small pad of paper from her purse, and clicked her pen to start writing. My mother had always been about notes, sticky tabs, pens, and stationary. Their fridge was always covered with notes, mainly for my dad to remember something.
I smiled thinking of him. How it has been less than three months, but it seemed like yesterday…and an eternity. I missed his smile, his hugs, his jokes, and even the melodic warmth of the notes on his piano. I watched my mom while she wrote. Her dark hair falling over her forehead, her hand steadily holding her pen. She looked exactly like me.
A twinge of emotion rushed through me. I looked away while I tried to push away my tears. She was married to the love of her life, for over thirty-five years, and now it’s gone.
“I love you,” I whispered, reaching over to stop her hand from writing to hold it.
She looked up and smiled at me. “I love you, too. Now, when do you want to go?”
Just to get out of Sheridan for a while, to let my mom see a little more of Wyoming, I drove to Buffalo and we planned on doing our grocery shopping there.
The grocery store we ended up at, was just like Lander’s. But bigger, and had an enormous meat section. We went up and down each aisle, making sure were not forgetting or missing anything. In the cereal aisle, Isaac talked me into buying some sugary stuff for him. I winced at the memory of the last time I had that in my cart—I was gazing on Weston Casey for the first time.
Pushing the thought out of him out of my head, I tossed another box of cereal in to the cart and winked at Isaac.
Scarlett and my mom wandered along the doors of frozen food, and we casually strolled behind them.
“Ugh, excuse me. Miss Harrison?” a voice called from behind us.
I turned, look around for who in Buffalo would be calling me. “Detective Campbell! Hi!” I waved.
He walked up to us and extended his hand. “Good to see you again, Miss Harrison. And, how are you doing Isaac? I’m very happy to see you, son.”
“Hi,” Isaac said, shaking his hand as well. “Nice to see you too!”
“What are you up to today in Buffalo?” the detective asked.
I blushed. “Grocery shopping, actually. We just wanted to go see what the competition is like…Mom!” I called over to my mom, she stopped and turned. “Come here for a sec!”
She walked back, hand in hand with Scarlett, and smiled quizzically when she arrived to where we were standing.
“Mom, this is Detective Campbell. He helped Isaac.” I smiled. “Detective, this is my mother, Ann.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” he said, gallantly, tipping his hat down to her. “Call me John.
“Very nice
to meet you, as well. Thank you for everything, by the way. We’re very grateful.” Mom shook his hand, and I think she actually blushed.
They stood for a few moments, conversing about the weather, and how it varied day to day as of late. How Detective Campbell—err, John, would like to visit Maine again, and actually see it next time.
Scarlett pulled on my hand, asking me to open the glass door and pick out a box of colorful popsicles.
“Well, y’all have a good day now. Take care. Good seeing you again.” John tipped his hat once more, and turned to walk away.
“Bye, John!” Isaac called to him.
“See you later, buddy.”
“What?” My mom asked when I turned and looked at her.
“Nothing.” I raised an eyebrow and smirked. “He’s cute…for an old guy, huh?”
“I didn’t notice.”
“Sure.” I winked and turned to the kids. “Ready to go? I think we got almost everything in the store.”
Isaac nodded, Scarlett tried to open the box of frozen treats and my mom ignored me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Mom! Are you ready yet?” Isaac cracked the door of the bedroom open and peeked in. “Everyone is here! You’re going to be late.”
“Come in here, handsome.”
Isaac walked in, and I carefully straightened his bow tie. He looked so grown up, I felt myself getting emotional just looking at him. My dark hair, and Dane’s green eyes…made one fetching little man.
“There! That’s better. Now, how do I look?” I twirled around.
Isaac whistled.
“I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you. Do you like the flower?” I asked, gently touching the petals on the single white dahlia in my hair.
“Mom, you’re beautiful.”
Today was the day that most little girl’s dream about their entire lives. They met their Prince Charming, probably in high school, lost their virginity to said Prince, married and moved into the house with the cliché picket fence. Then, after all that jazz, they would have kids.
The perfect vision complete.
Well, I did it back-asswards.
But, regardless of how, and when…I’m marrying my version of Prince Charming. He goes by one, Alex Cole.
Addison kissed my cheek before she walked out, ahead of me. “Love you, girl.”
“Right back atcha, babe.” I smiled. “Now go before I change my mind.”
The doors opened, the music cued…and out she went.
I tried to breathe, but I was currently incapable of anything except for trying to reign in my rampant heart. When it was my turn, I started to walk, slowly, like I practised when I was a little girl.
Then I saw Alex, and I lost all train of thought. He was standing at the end of the aisle, wearing a black suit, and all I could see was him. The ocean spanned in the background, and I couldn’t care less about it, his eyes were all I wanted to be swimming in.
I pushed down the lump in my throat, afraid I would choke on it when had to start talking. I smiled when I passed my mother and John. He finally made it to Maine, and actually got to see it, just like he wanted. They had become good friends, and as much as I tease her, she claims he’s only a comforting ear. I don’t care what he is; he makes her smile, and it’s been a long time since I saw her really do that.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” the preacher asked.
“Me!” Isaac said proudly, his arms hooked around mine.
“Thank you, baby. I love you,” I whispered in his ear before he went to sit with my mom, Scarlett and John.
Alex wiped his eyes on the cuffs of his jacket, and laughed softly while taking my hands in his. They held me tightly, and through each and every word spoken, I felt him squeeze.
I didn’t get the father-daughter dance at my wedding reception. Instead, I got a mommy-Isaac, Riley-Blaine, Riley-John, and Riley-everyone else, dance. I even twirled Scarlett around to a few numbers.
Alex’s parents—my new in-laws, proudly cradled Addison and Blaine’s new babies in their arms while we all line danced together.
That’s right babies.
Plural.
Last month Addison had two more boys; twins! Blue eyed blondes named Brett and Ben.
“Are you ready to go yet, wife?” Alex asked, growling into my ear so no one could hear him. “I just gotta get you out of that dress.”
We blew kisses, waved, and ducked from the rice being tossed at us. I hugged and kissed my babies before we left, and cried when my mom threw her arms around me. She will be staying at the resort for a few days, instead of going back to our old home; she’s just not ready yet. On the plus side, the kids will love spending extra time by the ocean.
***
“Welcome to the “Big Easy”, baby,” Alex said sweetly, holding my hand as the plane made its descent into Louisiana. It didn’t really hit me until we were in the taxi on our way to the bed & breakfast that I was really in New Orleans. It had always been a dream of mine to come here, and now that I was, I just wanted the driver to keep going so I could see everything right now.
We pulled up to the curb outside of the breathtaking B&B we booked for the duration of our stay. Even in the dark I could see the two-storey pillared mansion was surrounded by large majestic oak trees, with flowing and wispy branches, it had a balcony extending the front of the building, with white rocking chairs on it.
“Alex, this is amazing,” I whispered, feeling my heart race with the anticipation of staying in such an old and elegant piece of history.
Our suite was even more spectacular. A warm blue painted on the walls, trimmed in stark white, with dark and ornately carved antique furniture. A four-poster bed, a roll-top desk, and creamy chaises with dark wooden trim; it’s like something straight out of my dreams.
“Ry, check this out.” Alex stood, between two sliding doors and I stepped past him into the bathroom. A giant tub was filled to the brim with bubbles, and on either side of the bath sat vases overflowing with white dahlias.
I turned to him, and started to unzip my plain white dress. The one I changed into after the wedding so I was able to fly in comfort. “Can you?” I turned around, asking Alex to unzip the rest for me.
His hands traveled over my bare shoulders, down my back and once the dress was pooled at my feet on the floor, his mouth kissed and bite the back of my neck. He lifted my hair, making way for his soft lips.
Deep in the tub, surrounded by sweet fragrance and bubbles, I sit with my legs wrapped around Alex’s body. My fingers traced his jawline, appreciating his beautiful features, and when I leaned in to kiss his lips, those enchanting sparks flew between us and it ignited our passion even more.
“I love you, Alex,” I breathed into this mouth between kisses. “I’ve always loved you.”
He lifted me up, and the water splashed out from around us, petals float gently in the water. Alex Cole, my husband, my lover, my best friend…my everything, pulled me onto him, filling me like it was our very first time again.
This time it was softer, gentler, but more ardent than I had ever felt before. There was a new charge racing between us, like we were both running a marathon with no end in sight, no finish line. We scrambled out of the tub, keeping our lips locked while trying not to slip on the wooden floor.
Making our way to the bed, Alex pulled me up into his arms, taking my feet right off the floor and all the oxygen out of my body. I stared down at his face, and his magnificent eyes gazed up at me with hunger. He licked his bottom lip, and I knew I was done for.
***
The next morning, we’re greeted with an authentic Creole breakfast. Complete with bread pudding (only made perfect with the added Bourbon whiskey—oh, my), eggs, Bananas Foster atop French toast, and grits. As I stared down at the feast, I thought I may just have to take a nap after consuming this much food. But, oh did it taste heavenly.
While Alex sat across from me, eating and talking on the phone to Scarlett, I watched him. Se
eing how his eyes lit up when he listened to her talk, how his mouth moved with each word that escaped it, and even the few strands of hair that softly fell on his forehead when he leaned down to laugh at something she has said to him.
I felt tears prickle in my eyes. I loved him so much. I couldn’t believe I almost threw it away. How selfish was I? Not wanting to turn thirty, not wanting to live in Wyoming, not wanting to accept that this, indeed, was the life I was blessed with.
Now, that thirty had passed (and I made it through just fine...totally drunk, but fine), and I’m married to the love of my life, I’ve wondered why God had given me all of this, knowing I didn’t deserve it. Regardless, I am thankful, and forever will I give thanks for this man in front of me, and the two beautiful children that were waiting for us at home.
“Okay, Mommy wants to talk to you, baby,” Alex said, before saying goodbye and handing me the phone. I spoke to Scarlett, Isaac, and my mom before finishing my breakfast.
Our first outing as man and wife was a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi. We toured a historical park and preserve, the Chalmette Battlefield, and after almost three hours we departed the magnificent paddlewheel boat and made our way to the French Quarter.
“Is it possible for something to be this gorgeous? I mean, wow…” I marveled at our surroundings. Photos do this place no justice, you have to take in New Orleans with your own two eyes; it’s like nothing other. “And this is only the daytime. We have to see this at night.”
“Yes, but I’m starving. Let’s eat.” Alex pulled my hand and we found a local deli, with no tables or chairs as it was packed into a tiny space. We ordered two huge sandwiches and walked over to a nearby park to eat. It was right on the Mississippi, so we watched boats travel up and down the river.
“You know, there aren’t many people around,” Alex said, slyly. “I’m still hungry.”
“Oh, and what exactly are you in the mood for?”
“You,” he said, bluntly.
I managed to charm Alex out of the idea of mid-day sex in public. But, as soon as the sky darkened, and it got busier…I couldn’t even hold myself back any longer.
Breathless (Meadowlarks) Page 26
