by Vicky Dean
“Cassie,” her aunt trilled down the phone. “I couldn’t help but hear you’ve accepted Richard’s proposal. I am so excited…for you, of course.”
“I’m going to turn Primrose House into a boutique hotel.”
“What a wonderful idea and your mother and I can help with the catering. How exciting!”
“Yes, it’s good. I’ve made the right decision,” Cassie said.
“No regrets?” Aunt Maggie asked.
“No,” Cassie said. She wondered why she’d ask that question, out of all questions, at that moment. Because really, the only thing that worried Cassie about her decision was the undeniable attraction she felt towards Richard. If this was to work, she had to keep a check on those feelings and just treat it as the business contract that it was.
GOODBYE NEW YORK
Cassie and Richard were having lunch at a small steakhouse near the Royal Oak before he headed back to Avalon Bay. Today, she was feeling particularly excited and she was eager to meet him to talk some more. So, of course, there had to be a few major problems at work, which made her run late.
“Ah Cassie, I thought you’d stood me up,” he’d said as he rose to his feet.
“What kind of woman stands her fiancé up,” she said, laughing at her joke. “But I am sorry, last minute problems. That’s the nature of the hotel business.”
“So, I’d better get used to it, huh?” Richard said, smiling at her with that entirely too sexy look.
He knew how to smile and she saw that he realized the impact his smile had, too. “Well, I have the afternoon off so let’s have some fun, organize a few things, unless my mom and aunt have it all planned already.”
“You told them?”
“I did. I wasn’t even going to accept your offer until I talked to them again, but then…”
“What made you change your mind?”
She wasn’t about to confess that it was the words he’d said to her. Instead, she said, “It was just the right thing to do, for everyone.”
The waiter came over and Cassie smiled brightly at him, making him almost knock over a water glass. “What would you like to drink?” he asked.
Cassie looked at Richard. “I think champagne’s in order, what do you think?”
“Whatever the lady wants,” he said.
The waiter asked, “Celebrating something special?”
“Our engagement,” Richard said.
“Well, congratulations,” he said. Cassie noticed him look at her ring finger. Yes, a ring would be important, she guessed.
“When I told Philip last night he said he was going to drink a bottle of champagne to celebrate. He was really relieved,” Richard said as the waiter arrived with the champagne. “And Cassie, so am I. Although I am still in shock at my grandfather’s behavior.”
“Well, what’s done is done, and by giving me Primrose House, he’s helped me fulfill a dream and it will be great to spend more time with mom and Aunt Maggie. Cheers!” Cassie raised her glass and then tapped it against his.
“Now, Philip is drawing up a contract between us but says the sooner we marry the better. It’s nearly the end of May. When can you move back to Avalon Bay?”
“I’ve given my notice in and requested eighteen months leave of notice. And I’ve sublet my apartment from the 1st of July.”
“Wow, you have been busy. All that in a day?” he asked.
“Everything just sort of fell into place,” Cassie said.
“Destiny, maybe?” Richard asked.
Cassie sensed a playfulness in his voice. Business only, she thought.
“Maybe,” she said.
“So it looks like a July wedding. And to make it more authentic, a white wedding.”
“Sure,” Cassie said. “But Richard, I have a favor to ask. I want my best friend Teri to be my bridesmaid. I haven’t told her anything at all yet and she’s going to be shocked. And I know Philip said not to tell anyone about this crazy arrangement but I can’t keep it from Teri.”
“I think Richard is more concerned with people in California knowing. If you trust Teri, I’m sure that will be fine as long as she keeps it to herself.”
“Oh, I have no worries about that.”
“Now, Philip says that we must come up with a plausible story as to how we met up again. It will be the talk of Avalon Bay and the surrounding area that an untamable bachelor like me is getting hitched. And at such speed. They might think you’re…”
“Don’t even say pregnant,” Cassie said, pointing her finger at him.
“I won’t say it, but they might think it,” he said honestly. “But seriously, there may be a few upset ladies you have to deal with.”
Cassie hadn’t thought of that, or about Richard’s private life.
“Is there someone you’re seeing at the moment?”
“Not at the moment. I was seeing a woman, Victoria King, she’s the local realtor and sells most of the houses and apartments I build. I always made it clear I had no interest in marriage or children. I was never serious about her, she just happened to always be around. She wasn’t too happy when I finished it with her.”
“When did you finish with her?”
“When I heard about the conditions of my grandfather’s will.”
“She’s going to hate me then.”
“There is no reason for her to hate you. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“For a playboy, you don’t know women very well,” Cassie said. Her voice was lighthearted, but there was a serious warning in her words. “Did she ask you if there was someone else?”
“Yes,” he said, tilting his head and staring at Cassie curiously.
“And you don’t think I’ll look like that someone else?” Cassie asked.
“Okay, I got your point, but I’ll do the best I can to not make things worse,” he said.
It was ironic that a promise to not be a playboy once you got married had value, but it really did. Richard being affectionate toward Cassie, and no one else, was important.
At that moment the waiter set down their plates of steaks in front of them and they both began to cut into the succulent meat, quiet in their own thoughts.
“So how did we hook up again?” Cassie asked, breaking the silence.
“How about I was in New York on business a few months ago and my grandfather booked me into your hotel, and we recognized each other. Then I saw you again when you were visiting your mom in Avalon Bay, and we’ve been in touch ever since.”
Cassie frowned. What a dull romance story that was.
Richard quickly said, “At least there’s an element of truth there.”
“Doesn’t sound very romantic, though, not if you want to convince people that you love me enough to give up your bachelorhood, and at a break neck speed.”
“Okay, about four months ago I mentioned to your mom and Aunt Maggie that I was going to New York and told them I was staying in the Royal Oak. Your aunt then insisted on giving me your phone number and that I take you out for dinner.”
Cassie smiled. “Now that sounds like my aunt. But did you really travel anywhere four months ago?”
“Boston, so close enough, right?” Richard grinned, and Cassie felt her heart flutter.
“So I phoned you and we arranged to meet for dinner at the Trattoria we ate at last night. And as soon as I saw you again, I was smitten. I was expecting to see the tomboy from my youth and instead was greeted by a stunning, vibrant woman with long blonde flowing hair, drop-dead gorgeous blue eyes, and a beautiful smile. The only way I knew it was you for sure was the faint traces of those freckles that I remembered so well, and the slight gap in your teeth.
Beautiful, gorgeous? Cassie thought he was going a bit overboard.
“Good, but you want this to be believable.”
“But Cassie you are beautiful and gorgeous,” Richard looked so serious that Cassie was taken by surprise.
She had never thought of herself as been particularly attractive or unattract
ive, just average. “Okay, carry on,” she encouraged.
“So, I was taken aback by how well Cassie had grown up, and during dinner as we chatted I realized I was falling for her. I felt comfortable with her, as if I had known her forever. That’s how it began, and she felt the same way. We talked everyday on the phone and we met up a few times in Las Vegas, and we both realized how hard it was being apart. So I went to New York and proposed and much to my delight she said yes!”
“Okay, you just about convinced me,” she giggled. “I think they’ll believe you in Avalon Bay.”
“Let’s hope so,” he said smiling back at her. “I’ll tell Philip our story and you fill in your mom and aunt. Now let’s finish up here, I think we need to go and shop for that engagement ring.”
Shopping for the ring ended up being completely different than what they’d joked about the night before. She got the platinum, but there was nothing plain about it. She ended up with a two carat princess cut diamond that sparkled more brightly than the sun shining down on a clear blue ocean.
The last week of June arrived and Cassie and Teri were spending the entire weekend together, celebrating and also taking care of a few wedding details. They were going to Hogan’s first, their favorite pub in Brooklyn. Cassie walked in and saw Teri already seated in the corner.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and ordered a glass of your usual Cabernet for you,” Teri said.
“Perfect.” Cassie said as she slid into a seat at the table and glanced around the bar. It was packed, as it usually was on a Saturday. They were lucky to have gotten a table.
“We’ve been too busy lately, Cassie. It’s good to see you. But wow, I can’t believe you’re leaving for California—tomorrow,” Teri said, with a curious look on her face. As Cassie picked up her wine glass, she watched Teri’s eyes travel to the diamond engagement ring on her hand.
“That’s a nice ring, girl. So, tell me what’s really going on?”
Teri was the only person that Cassie could confide in. They’d been best friends since they’d met years ago, when they’d both attended the same high school in Staten Island. Teri had been born and brought up in Staten Island, and like Cassie, worked in Manhattan at a job she loved. She was a lawyer at a small firm that specialized in family law. “I’ve told you everything. I know it’s kind of weird.”
“Kind of? You’re leaving a career you love to go and marry a cowboy in California that you’ve barely talked to since you were fourteen. It’s a little strange, you must admit.”
“I know it’s an odd situation, but it’s strictly a business arrangement. I’ll be back in just over a year.”
“Will you though? I wonder.”
“Yes, Teri I will,” Cassie said looking her friend directly in the eye.
“But how do you benefit from doing this?” Teri sounded like the lawyer she was, and Cassie smiled. She knew she was just concerned for her and worried that her best friend was making a huge mistake.
“I do benefit in a couple of ways. I’ll be helping an old friend, which will also ensure that the men and women who work for him and their families will be taken care of. There won’t be any layoffs which there would be if Richard was forced to sell the business. Plus, I’m getting a valuable piece of property, which I’m going to turn into a boutique hotel. Teri I’ll have my dream of owning my own hotel!”
“Well, that certainly sounds great, but all the more reason why I doubt that you’ll be coming back any time soon. You’ll be busy running a hotel.”
“At first, yes. But I’ll train people to run it in my absence. That’s what I do here, remember? Manage and train people to do every job necessary to run a hotel.”
“It sounds like you’ve got it all figured out. Hope it works out the way you’ve planned.” Teri took a sip of wine, and then said, “What if you fall in love with Richard, have you thought about that?”
Cassie laughed and felt a flush begin to creep over her face.
“Absolutely not! He’s just an old friend, and has a reputation for being a playboy.”
She hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to confide in Teri about her growing attraction towards Richard, but decided against it. Talking about it would make it too real.
Cassie sensed that Teri still hesitated. When she’d first told her about it, she was certain that Teri thought she’d change her mind before it all really happened. Well, they were on the cusp of July and it was really happening.
“This whole thing is just his grandfather’s crazy scheme to attempt to get him to settle down. Richard has made it quite clear that he is not the marrying type. Plus, I don’t ever want to live anywhere permanently other than The Big Apple.”
“Okay then, so now that we’ve got that all settled, when are we going shopping for your wedding dress? I have to admit, I am curious to visit Avalon Bay and meet everyone and it’ll be great to see your mom and aunt again.”
Cassie’s last few days in Manhattan were a whirr of activity with dress shopping and everything else. Not having time to order a dress, she had to find the perfect one and buy it from the rack. It really wasn’t a big deal to her to do that, but finding the perfect one, that was a bit tougher. And, of course, there was Teri and her bridesmaid dress.
Given the circumstances, Cassie wanted something that was simple and was delighted to find a shop in Greenwich Village that had just that, in fact it had two dresses that she adored. As she walked out of the dressing room in the second dress, Teri caught her breath.
“You look absolutely divine, Cassie.”
Cassie looked in the mirror and felt goose bumps when she saw her image. The dress looked as if it had been made especially for her. It was of a timeless design both elegant and simple of pale cream chiffon and silk and fitted her like a glove. The enormity of what she was about to do hit her for the first time, as she stood staring at herself in a wedding dress, for a sham wedding.
Something in the forlorn expression that suddenly overcame her face must have alerted Teri.
“What’s up Cassie?”
“Oh, it’s nothing really. I was just thinking how nice it would be if it was a real wedding I was dressing for.”
“It’s not too late to change your mind, Cassie,” Teri said softly.
“I’ve committed myself now. It is only for a year and then I get my life back, plus my own hotel. It’s not a bad deal. And Richard’s a nice guy. It’ll be fine.”
Her mother informed her that Richard’s announcement about his upcoming wedding to her had sent shockwaves through the town.
“It seems to be all anyone talks about. I must get asked a dozen times a day how you two met. I’m so glad you’d told us the story that you two concocted, although I almost said the wrong thing—once. Maggie saved me.”
“Aunt Maggie is good, real good,” Cassie said.
“Too good sometimes,” her mother replied.
And again, her mother repeated the details, which she did every time they spoke. July 7 the wedding would take place at the chapel in town, the reception would be at a nearby country club and they were catering the event, too. Richard had hired a top band to play. Three hundred guests were expected to attend. The only detail that everyone seemed to be curious about was the honeymoon, and her mom reminded her, “I have no answer for that, darling. You and Richard better think of something, and quick.”
RETURN TO AVALON BAY
Cassie had a lot of luggage, and she’d sent many things via post. But as she struggled with her three suitcases, a strong hand reached up behind her and said, “Let me help you with those, Mrs.”
She turned around. “Richard, hi.” Again, she was taken in by how gorgeous he was. And he was going to be her husband soon…wow!
“Your mom told me that you might need some help, and she was right,” he said, smiling in a teasing manner.
“Well, I am planning on staying a while,” she teased back.
“Here, let me help you,” he said as he took over contr
ol of the luggage and wheeled it out to the parking lot and to his truck. Cassie watched in admiration as he easily tossed each huge bag she had struggled with earlier into the back of his blue truck before opening the passenger door for her to climb in.
It was only early evening so there was still a few hours of sunshine left in the California sky. During the one hour drive to Avalon Bay, Richard pointed out various things, including projects he’d worked on, and talked about how much the area had changed.
“How come Avalon Bay isn’t as touristy as all the other coves along the coast?”
“Mainly due to my grandfather. He didn’t want a load of surfers, beach bums, or wealthy people buying weekend homes to ruin the town, so he held onto his land and wouldn’t allow building. He was very much into preserving the sense of community of the town. When I got my architect’s license he allowed me to construct as long as it fitted into the landscape and was of decent quality. He also let me build a condominium, so the workers at the ranch could have affordable housing and not have to travel so far to work. I imagine that what he wanted to avoid was having a lot of workers from the Silicon Valley moving into the town and commuting but not really belonging to the town community. Because of his restrictions many of my construction sites are in other nearby towns.”
“So do you suppose having a hotel in the town will ruin it?”
“Not at all, we need one, badly. I assume if it’s of a good standard and attracts quality visitors it can only help the small businesses in the town like your mom’s café and many of the artists who have moved here attracted by the tranquility, and close neighborhood of the town.”
“And now your grandfather is dead, will you construct more housing in Avalon Bay?”
“No, I love the place as it is. Obviously, as the population increases more housing will be needed, but I wouldn’t just build for profit if it was a detriment to the character of the town, or with no regard to the environment. I respect what my grandfather achieved in keeping Avalon Bay unique.”
They entered town and passed the house that had a Gallagher Construction sign in front of it. “Your buildings are very attractive,” Cassie said as she looked at the housing that was solid yet light and airy looking, with plenty of windows and redwood features and natural stone.
