“I need to get this beautiful woman to bed,” I wink at her as I hold my hand out to her to help her stand. Patty hugs all of us.
“Cash can I talk to you real quick?” Patty motions for me to go up to the grill. “I think you, Max and Marshall need to go out for a couple of beers to talk.” I look back to Abby and then to the guys.
“Marshall can meet us at the bed and breakfast. It will make me feel better knowing she is laying down.”
“I’ll let him know.” She kisses my cheek then walks over to Marshall. We start walking back to the bed and breakfast; there’s a cold refreshing air tonight. I let Max know about us going out.
Did my parents know?” Sarah breaks the silence.
“Your mom knows because she was trying but couldn’t get my dad to realize that it was abuse and against the law. I couldn’t tell anyone because I was afraid of what he might do to those who knew about it.”
We arrive at the bed and breakfast. Max tells me that he’ll wait outside for me. I walk up with Abby. “I’m so proud of you. I know that wasn’t easy to do.”
“It’s hard, but like you said, I can’t keep living in the past.” I help Abby get out of her clothes and into her tank top and boxers that she likes to sleep in. I remember when she told me that when she is wearing that outfit, means no sex. I was disappointed but with her broken nose, I would hate to hurt her even more. I gave her the Kindle but knew that she wouldn’t be reading for long. I tell her about Patty asking me to take the boys out and she agrees with me.
“I need them to be okay with each other. Max and Marshall don’t realize how much I need them right now.”
“I will try to get them to understand that but get some rest. I love you.” I kiss her good night and walk out the room. I get to the bottom of the steps and take a big sigh, “I hope I don’t disappoint you, Abby.”
Max wasn’t happy that Marshall was tagging along, but I was using guilt telling them Abby would want this. We walk into the bar Chaos. Chaos was a dive bar that had a lot of women in it with few men; the waitress comes over to us.
“What can I get you, boys?” We order a pitcher of beer.
“I can’t fucking believe he was hitting her while we lived there. I can’t believe I didn’t see it.” Max says. He’s beating himself up over Abby’s revelation.
“If I didn’t get mad at her and slam the bathroom door, I don’t think I would have known either.”
“Why did you slam the door and yell at her?” Marshall puts his arms over his chest and stares at me.
“She keeps making these damn comments about her not being good enough, pretty enough, sexy enough, or deserving of me or my love. It pisses me off because every time I see her naked, I make a comment about how sexy she is or how I’m so unworthy of her. And then she tells me shit like that. I just had enough. I let my temper get the best of me.”
“Please don’t talk about my sister being naked again. She’s a virgin and will remain that way until the day she dies,” Max says with such a straight face that I laugh.
“I’m glad that I lost my temper. If it helps her deal with the past, I will keep doing it until she gets everything out in the open.” Marshall doesn’t seem to like that.
“I don’t think you need to scare her into telling us things. She’ll tell us when she’s good and ready to say us. We can’t force this shit on her.” I see where he was coming from, and I know he loves Abby but babying her isn’t going to get her to tell the truth.
“I hate to admit it, but I agree with Cash on this one. Abby would have never told us that she’d been abused if Cash didn’t force her hand. Hell, if she had a diary, I would be reading it right now to get to the truth.” Max takes a swig of his beer. The bartender looks over in our direction, and I hold up the pitcher letting him know that we needed a refill.
“My thing is, why did Mom let it go on?” Marshall asks, looking at Max.
“How do you know that Mom wasn’t getting abused herself?” Marshall asks.
“I can’t believe she would allow that or even Sarah’s parents.” Max was now thinking out loud. “I just want to call mom up and yell at her for doing this to Abby.” He heads off to the bathroom, and it’s just Marshall and me.
“I fucked up. I should have trusted my gut instead of my dad’s words.” Marshall looks defeated. “Max hates me, and I don’t know if I can forgive myself.”
“You need to forgive yourself and Max will get over it. He is just going through the emotions of all of this too. You two need to work this out before the wedding and be there for her and with her.”
“Are you done sulking?” Marshall asked Max as he was coming back and that just set him off.
“Fuck you man. This is your fault that she’s injured.” Max was in Marshall’s face.
“STOP! Do you hear yourselves? Grow up. My nieces and nephews act more mature than you two.” I was getting bored with this blame session they had going on.
“I don’t know if we can fix this in a ten-minute conversation,” Max said with such defeat in his voice.
“You can fix it because from what I understand, your dad hit Abby, and Marshall confronted him and believed him which by the way, you would have too if you were the one to confront him. Marshall, you have suffered enough.” He nodded his head as he rubbed his arms. He was a recovering drug user whose choice of poison was heroin. “Max, you just learned this information and needed to process it but do you think blaming the one person who wanted to help? Don’t waste your energy on Marshall.” The guys were looking at each other and shrugged.
We’re silent for a while then Max finally spoke up, “Why Abby? Why his flesh and blood, though?
I spoke up. “Abby was the easy target. She had no self-esteem. She wasn’t ‘pretty’ like her sisters. She was looking for approval.” The light seems to switch on for them because they nod in agreement. It was about fucking time. We decide to meet up at eleven a.m. to get the suits for the wedding. I know it’s going to be a busy time and we need to get some sleep, so we make it an early night. I paid the bar tab and say goodbye to Marshall, getting in the car to head back to the B and B.
I walk into the room and see Abby lying on the bed with her Kindle in her hand fast asleep. I stare at her for a minute. I want to wake her and make love to her but I know that she needs the rest. The bruising around her eyes made me frown. I brush my teeth and change out of my jeans and t -shirt. I climb in my side of the bed, removing her Kindle and reading glasses. I pull her close to me and kiss her temple. She stirs and opens her eyes briefly. “You’re back.”
“Yes. Go back to sleep.” I don’t think she hears me because she’s out again. Sleep is calling my name, and I give into it.
I awake to an empty bed. I groan and roll onto my side to check the time on my phone. Instead, I find a note from Abby.
Baby, I went to get breakfast downstairs with Emma and Ellen. You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I will bring you back something. I love you. Oh, your phone is on the charger, it was beeping and then died.
Love,
Abby
I stretch my body, in the mood for a morning jog. I take my phone off the charger, noting that it’s nine a.m. I dress in my running shorts and sneakers, grabbing my headphones before walking down the stairs.
“My, oh my!” Ellen fans herself and Emma whistles. I smile and make my way to Abby.
“Morning, beautiful.” I place a light kiss on her lips. Abby has an ice pack on her nose to help with the swelling. I take a look at it, and she frowns.
“Good morning to you too,” she says as we pull apart. I point to her nose, “It hurts but the ice is helping. Sarah went to buy me some concealer. I wasn’t feeling up to leaving just yet.”
“I’m going to head to the beach to get a run in before we go to the courthouse.” She tells me to have a good time, and I set off. I run for about twenty minutes before stopping to see where I was. The area I’d paused at is nothing but beach a
nd waves crashing on the rocks. It truly is a peaceful spot. There is no better scenery for a run. I sit down where I am and look out at the ocean. I think about Sally and our relationship. I get jealous watching Max and Abby together. I decide to get my phone out and text Sally.
Me: Abby loves mom’s ring.
Sally: Of course she would, the guy giving it to her is pretty special.
Me: I’m getting married in a couple of days.
My phone starts ringing. “You’re getting married?” I filled Sally in on everything over the past few days, and she’s crying on the other end of the phone.
“Can I come?”
“Sally, would you?”
“I’ll have Matt stay with the kids, and I’ll get a flight out. I just need the town name.” I gave her all the information and told her to text me when she gets in. We aren’t far from the airport so she tells me that she can book a taxi. We talk a few minutes, and I’m feeling better. I can’t wait to tell Abby about Sally coming.
I get up after a few minutes and head back to the B and B. I run up the stairs to our room where I find Abby and Sarah talking about the wedding and what needs to be done. They both say hello when I come in. Abby licks her lips and lets her gaze run over my body. Sarah notices the way Abby’s looking at me. “Down, girl. We’re on a schedule so no sex. You two can celebrate when Abby’s nose is better.” She scowls at me.
I put up my arms in defense. “I just walked in,” I remind her.
“I see the way you two are looking at each other.”
“Well that’s very true, but we can behave ourselves, can’t we, Cash?” Abby winks at me.
That simple gesture snaps my control. I walk over and kiss Abby. “Nope, so get out, Sarah.”
“No. Get your ass in the shower so we can go. We have too much to do today. We’re on a schedule.” Sarah argues, pushing me towards the bathroom. “Abby out of the room or we will never get our day started.”
Abby and Sarah were getting ready to head downstairs as I head into the shower. I’m stopped dead in my tracks the question Abby asks me.
“Are you sure you want to marry me? I know you love me, but we can wait and do it big back home.”
“Abby, I love you. I don’t want to spend another day without you.”
“You truly are the love of my life, my soulmate, but my life is in shambles. It’s going to be a struggle, but if you’re willing to help me and push me when I don’t want to do it, then let’s get the license and finalize the plan so we can celebrate.” Her honesty pleases me, and I kiss her, eager to get started on the next phase of our life together.
ABBY
It all seems like a dream, and I don’t want to wake up from it. I’m getting married in two days. The guys all go their separate ways, and I look for my dress.
“Did you hear me, Abby?” I look up at Sarah, who has her hand on her hip.
“Sorry, I was just thinking that I’m going to marry Cash. What were you saying, Sarah?”
“I was just asking if you want to eat before we went dress shopping or after?”
“Let’s shop now then eat. I don’t want to try on dresses after I eat and feel gross,” I say laughing and Sarah agrees. Patty has a meeting then she will meet up with us. We walk into the first store, and I know right away that I’ll find my dress here. The lady greets us as she helped another customer. Sarah loves to shop and immediately heads to the section with her size. I wander over to my section and fall in love with everything.
“Sarah, I think I’m buying one of everything.”
“I agree; my credit card is going to be in trouble!” Sarah comes over to me to help me look for a dress. “I’m jealous, Abby, you have a better selection of clothes than my size.” I laugh because that never happens and I can see that I will be broke before the week is over.
“I wonder if they have a website. If not, we’ll have to make a trip here once every couple of months. I can’t get these clothes back home.” The lady who spoke to us earlier comes over to help us as we enter the dress section.
“Hello, I’m Mimi. Is there anything I can assist you with?”
“My friend here is getting married on the beach. We’re looking for a beautiful dress for her but not the typical white dress. Abby and Cash are anything but typical.” Sarah explains.
“Well, congratulations on the engagement and wedding. How exciting!” Just then the bell chimes are letting us know that someone else has entered the store. A few seconds later, Patty comes into view.
“Mimi! How are you?” Patty hugs her.
“I see you met my future sister-in-law. This is Marshall’s sister and her best friend who is family too.”
“Marshall is a great guy. He helps me with a lot of the day-to-day things that I can’t do.”
I walk over to the clearance aisle, and a blue-green dress catches my eye. I take it off the rack and hold it to me. It reminds me of a hippy style free flowing skirt. The top is green, the sleeves sit just off the shoulders, complimented by a thin strap. The skirt ends at my ankles and knows without a doubt; this is the one.
“What do you think?” I ask as I hold it up for them to see.
“Try it on before they answer that question,” Mimi advises as she shoos me into the dressing room. While changing, I hear Max and Marshall talking. I know Cash must be there too. I paused, debating if I should go out with him there or wait. I grab my phone out of my purse to text Sarah.
Me: I hear the guys, and I’m done getting dressed. Cash can’t see me in the dress; he needs to leave.
I know she got my message because what I hear next makes me laugh. “Boys, get the hell out of here. The bride is ready to come out, and you can’t see her.”
“I can see my fiancé if I want to see her.”
“Not in the dress she’s going to marry you in, you can’t. We can do this two ways; one being you leave on your own and the second being a hell of a lot less nice than that.”
“Alright, we’ll leave, but I’m not happy about it. I love you, Abby!” Cash yells on his way out the door.
“It’s safe now. I made sure they’re not lurking around the windows. They went into the coffee shop next door.” Patty informs us. Hearing that the coast is clear, I come out of the dressing room.
“Well, what do you think?” I ask, spinning in a slow circle.
“I love it! This dress was made for you. I love how it brings out the green in your hazel eyes. The blue will match Cash’s eyes.” I smile and turn to look in the mirror.
“Even if you said that you hated it, I was still going to get it. I just love this dress. It’s perfect.”
“What about shoes?” Sarah asks me.
“I’m going barefoot for the ceremony and wearing flip flops when we go to the reception. Now we need to find you two a dress. You can pick whatever you like as long as I am the most beautiful one out there!” I joke, looking at Sarah who feigns a look of shock. We burst out laughing. I get changed and we keep shopping. Patty finds a beautiful green dress that is similar to mine but has long sleeves. Sarah picks out a blue tank top dress. I’m thrilled that our dresses are close in style and color. We continued shopping for another half hour before our phones start beeping. The guys are getting hungry and bored of shopping. They’d been waiting for us to eat. We paid for our purchases and left the shop. I spent more money than I should have but I couldn’t resist. Mimi’s store carries beautiful clothes, and in my size which is a change as I’m usually frustrated looking for things that aren’t covered in flowers or big fish. We say our goodbyes and Patty promises to stop back in the next week when the shipment comes in to help unpack it. The guys are waiting outside the store for us and Cash takes my packages. “Seems like a good day of shopping.”
“I may have spent more than I wanted to, but that store has amazing clothes.”
“Money is not a problem, my dear. I should have given you my card so you could have bought more to fill up my closet, I mean our closet with clothes. We can stop ther
e again on Sunday before we head home to face school and work.” I kiss him. We’ll be having a discussion about the money comment that he made. I’m not sure how I feel about that. We walk over to Max’s car and put our packages in the trunk so we could eat. We talk about the ceremony as the waiter takes our order.
I look around the restaurant and observe the families eating, talking, and laughing. The waitresses are in deep discussion about something, which if I had to guess, is the schedule. I remember when the waitresses in Mama’s Diner would try to switch things around because mom didn’t do it right yet again.
“So, Abby, did you decide who’s walking you down the aisle?” Patty asks.
“I’m torn on who I want it to be. I want my brothers to do it, but you two are also standing up for Cash. I thought Cash and I could just walk down together.”
“I think you should walk down by yourself. I think this whole trip has been finding you. You’re on your way to accomplishing that, and you’ve started to stand up for yourself. You can enter into the marriage as a strong, independent woman.” Sarah says sincerely.
“I like that idea. I never thought about it, in all honesty. We need to pick the spot.”
“Let’s do it after lunch. I could go for a walk.” We spend the rest of the afternoon telling stories, planning details, making lists and dividing them. Sarah and Patty are in charge of flowers. Marshall and Max would take care of the little details. We decide to do a party this summer at the hotel with everyone. We feel sorry that not all of our friends and family are here. Marshall promises that he and Patty will be there. They have to leave because they need to get to work, but promise to talk to us later tonight. We’d arranged to meet with Samuel, who was going to marry us. We all say goodbye as we stay to finish up lunch.
Love Me Like You Do (Love Me Book 1) Page 30
