by Mari Carr
“Does this mean we have to dress up again?” Bryant, Sterling’s little brother, griped.
“Damn straight,” Liam teased him. “If I have to wear a tux, so do you.”
“Well, that may be true for the other girls, but we’re planning to take our time.” Sterling couldn’t help the smile that returned to her face. “So we’ll stretch out the partying.”
Her mother didn’t wait another instant to squeeze her in a hug while her father slapped Viho on the back. Then he looked to Jake, “It looks like you and I are officially going to be family after all.”
Jake’s eyes widened and then he grinned. “I suppose you’re right. Woohoo!”
Meanwhile, Cindi rotated Sterling’s hand this way and that, admiring the pretty stone. “Jake, this looks just like…”
“It is.” He nodded. “Haiwee’s ring.”
Sterling’s mom left her side then to hug Jake tight.
“Something Vicky said to me today rang true,” he told her. “It’s time for me to let go of the past and live the rest of my life without regrets. I’m looking forward to all these new beginnings.”
“Did someone get engaged?” Vicky asked from the living room and Sterling was shuffled in to show off her rock once again. It didn’t really get old. Even better was reintroducing Vivi to Viho, lavishing him with all of the love she held for him.
“This calls for a celebration.” She smiled. “Who’s going to help me make a cake to go with dinner? JD’s favorite is chocolate, if you don’t mind indulging me for his sake.”
“That sounds great,” Sterling said, and she realized it was true. Jake was right. This was how it should be. Spending time together, enjoying the last days they had in each other’s company without fear, or pain, or anger.
And though Vivi really only supervised, each ingredient they added ensured her love was baked into the cake, which they would eat together as a family.
Of course the Compass Girls started a flour battle, which demolished the entire kitchen once their little brothers joined the fray and escalated the good-natured confrontation to a war.
Everyone pitched in after that, making a meal that they could share as they listened to Vivi tell stories of the olden days as if they were fresh and new. They learned things long forgotten by all as if they’d been there themselves.
And when the dishes piled high and pants buttons were unfastened to make more room, the cake was brought into the middle of the crowd. Viho chuckled as he plucked a glob of chocolate from Sterling’s hair as they not-so-patiently waited for the treat to be sliced and handed around.
Before they took their first bites, though, Silas Compton stood from his place at the head of the table and addressed them all. Even the most rambunctious of the Compass Boys went still and quiet when he spoke.
“I want to say thank you to everyone gathered here today for making what could have been a terrible day one I will remember for the rest of my life and smile as I think back on it. So enjoy the dessert and good luck at getting seconds in this crowd. Together, let’s celebrate lives lived fully. And pledge that each of us will carry on with that, the most important Compass family tradition of all.”
“Let’s eat!” yelled Sam.
And no more talking could be heard over the clink of forks on plates.
Epilogue
“Gramp Jake!” Lomasi squealed as she skipped to her most favorite person in the whole world. Except for Mommy and Daddy, of course. Gram Cin and Pop Sam too. Plus her cousins. All the lots and lots of them. “Imma flower girl!”
“Yes, you are, sweetheart.” He laughed as he picked her up and twirled her around. “In many ways. Did you know that your pretty name means good flower?”
“Nope. What’s that?”
“It’s a blossom that’s perfect and gorgeous. Like you. But if you’re not careful, you’re going to be a messy, dirt-covered flower girl before you’ve done your job. And then your mommy will be mad at me. Remember we talked about that?”
“Yep.” She held out her hand and ticked off her fingers, like Gramp Jake and Mommy had done to her lots of times lately. “Gonna smile. Throw petals in the air. Not get dirty. And be quiet during the booooooring parts.”
“Right.” Gramp Jake smiled down at her. “Not too much longer now until we get started. Then there will be dancing and music. You can get as messy as you want.”
“Promise?”
“Yup.” He laughed. “Guess what?”
She perked up, since that always meant something fun. “Hmm?
“There’s even going to be a cake. The biggest one you’ve ever seen.” He waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh.
“Chocolate or vanilla?” Lomasi tapped her chin, not sure which she liked better.
“Both.”
“Yippee!” This really was the best day ever. “Can we eat some now?”
“No, only after you do your flower girling. Here, let me show you some of the nicest flowers in Vivi’s garden, okay?” It was a distraction, but she didn’t mind.
“Uh-huh. Did Daddy really plant these all by himself?” She tickled a floppy purple petal. It dropped off and fell in her basket like the oodles of others she’d collected.
“He did.” Gramp Jake swooped her up and carried her, not letting her squish her shiny shoes in the muddy patch she’d been aiming for.
“So why they call it Vivi’s garden?” She tipped her head and clung to Gramp Jake’s neck, so high above the ground. Almost as tall as when Daddy carried her. “It should be Daddy Garden.”
“It’s named after a special lady.”
“Is she coming to the wedding?” Lomasi sure would like to meet her if she got all the flowers named after her.
“No, baby.” Gramp Jake sighed, making her go up and down on his chest.
“Why not?” She pouted, sticking her lower lip out like she did when she wanted candy. Sometimes her daddy got meanie and made her eat stinky vegetables first, but the lip usually worked.
“She’s in heaven.” Gramp Jake took a red flower, the one they called rose, she thought, and poked it into her hair so it stuck. She patted it, liking how it felt.
“With Gram Haiwee.” She nodded. “Maybe they’re having their own party and wearing pretty, no-dirts-allowed dresses together. Fancy hats too. And long white gloves.”
Mommy had a black-and-white picture like that of a lady on top of the fireplace.
“You know, I bet they are. They would be very happy today.” Gramp Jake stopped talking for a while. He rubbed his eye like it had something in it.
Then he hugged her so tight he kind of squished her, but she didn’t complain.
“Here.” Gramp Jake set her down, then took her to a bench beneath the big tree. At the bottom of it was a square stone with squiggly lines and a picture. “This is Vivi and her husband, JD.”
“He looks at her like Daddy looks at Mommy.” She tapped the nice man on the head.
“You’re right, he does.”
For a little bit, they were quiet as she studied the nice man and lady. Until she spotted her daddy crossing the lawn in funny black clothes. “Daddy!”
She squirmed until Gramp Jake let go of her hand so she could meet Daddy, loving the way her skirt flounced as she skipped.
“Hi, Peanut.” He planted lots of extra-loud kisses on her cheeks as she squealed. “You look so pretty. How’d you get out here?”
“I was bored,” she shrugged. “They’re taking too long. So I came outside to play with Gramp Jake.”
“Smart girl,” her Uncle Bryant said. She hadn’t seen him and his boyfriend following behind Daddy, but once she noticed them she stuck out her arms so they could hold her too. They were nice. And funny. And looked at each other like the people in the Vivi picture. She liked hopping from person to person, getting lots of hugs.
It seemed like
there was never a time when there weren’t lots of people around to give her some. When the novelty wore off, she skipped around Daddy’s long legs.
“When will Mommy be ready?” She twirled the basket, watching all the colorful petals zoom around inside.
“Probably by midnight,” her cousin Austin said, all grumpy.
“That long?” Her bottom lip wobbled as she felt like she might cry. “But that’s after my bedtime. I’m supposed to throw flowers.”
“Sorry, kiddo.” He picked her up and wooshed her around, making her laugh. “I was only teasing. Girls go crazy over all this wedding stuff. It’s so fancy schmancy.”
“Not Mommy.” Lomasi would have crossed her arms if she could have. “She didn’t even get the princess dress that I liked best.”
“No?” Daddy squatted down and traced one of the ringlets dangling by her face. “I’m not surprised. She’s not that kind of girl. I know she’s beautiful, though, whatever she’s wearing.”
“Well, when I get married, I’m going to have the biggest, poofiest, sparkliest dress ever. And a tiara. And I’ma ride a unicorn.” She twirled around for effect.
“Good to know, baby. I’ll start saving now.” Daddy groaned and his best mens—Uncle Wyatt and Uncle Clayton—laughed, slapping him on the back.
“Enjoy while you can, guys.” He grinned at them. “You could be in the same boat soon enough, now that you knocked Hope up. Maybe even double, since she’s having twins.”
“What’s that mean?” Lomasi’s ears perked up.
“Uh, nothing.” Daddy cursed under his breath. “Pretend you didn’t hear that.”
“Or the bad word you just said?”
“Yep, that too.” He shook his head. “Hey, I see you’ve got Mr. Turtle.”
“Uh huh.” She nodded. “Mommy made him into this necklace for me so that I don’t lose him and I can take him with me wherever I go from now on.”
“I bet he’ll like that.” Daddy smiled down at her. “I’m glad you have him today.”
“He didn’t want to miss the wedding.” Lomasi told him. “He’s the flower turtle, you know?”
“Uh, okay.” He sounded like he wasn’t paying attention anymore.
So she looked up to see what he was doing. And found him staring across the lawn to the main house where her mommy had just come outside. Finally.
“We’d better go get in place.” Gramp Jake took her hand and stood near the back while Daddy kissed her, then went to the front like they practiced. Except this time he was sniffling like he had a cold.
“What’s wrong with Daddy?” she asked Gramp Jake.
“Nothing, baby,” he promised. “He’s happy, that’s all.”
“Okie dokie.” Lomasi waited super extra quiet while everyone turned to look in their direction. But not at her. They stood as her cousins Sienna, Hope and Jade walked past with Daniel, Liam, Wyatt and Clayton. She wished she could play with them.
They were all more of her favorite people, even though they looked so different today with the purple dresses they wore instead of their jeans and T-shirts.
Pretty soon a lady with a violin played a song and everyone stood up.
“Okay, it’s your turn.” Gramp Jake set her on the end of the aisle so she could dance between the chairs and throw the petals everywhere. Maybe they’d said walk, but she felt like dancing. People clapped and giggled and took her picture, and soon she’d made it through with Gramp Jake scooping her up on the other end.
He held her as her mommy walked down the aisle with Pop Sam holding her arm. And Lomasi thought maybe her mommy had been right. That was the prettiest dress ever.
Although there were some boring parts, it was worth it once everyone cheered and they made their way to one of the barns on the ranch for the party. Fairy lights and lots of flowers had been strung up everywhere inside. She wished it could look like this every day, but then it wouldn’t be special.
Or at least that’s what Mommy told her when she asked if they could stay.
After lots of eating, and drinking and dancing and more eating of the yummy cake, Lomasi curled up on the blanket Gramp Jake had laid over a comfy pile of hay. The hanging lights sparkled in her eyes as they grew blurry.
The music and people dancing lulled the newest Compton to sleep, secure in the love of a vast and ever-growing family. Though some had gone before and others would leave after, there would always be people to take their places and keep Compton Pass, Wyoming alive in the hearts and spirits of all who’d been lucky enough to call it home.
About the Authors
Jayne Rylon and Mari Carr met at a writing conference in June 2009 and instantly became archenemies. Two authors couldn’t be more opposite. Mari, when free of her librarian-by-day alter ego, enjoys a drink or two or…more. Jayne, allergic to alcohol, lost huge sections of her financial-analyst mind to an epic explosion resulting from Mari gloating about her hatred of math. To top it off, they both had works in progress with similar titles and their heroes shared a name. One of them would have to go.
The battle between them for dominance was a bloody, but short one, when they realized they’d be better off combining their forces for good (or smut). With the ink dry on the peace treaty, they emerged as good friends, who have a remarkable amount in common despite their differences, and their writing partnership has flourished. Except for the time Mari attempted to poison Jayne with a bottle of Patrón. Accident or retaliation? You decide.
Jayne and Mari can be found troublemaking on Twitter and Facebook. Or you can send them a personal note at [email protected] or [email protected].
Look for these titles by Jayne Rylon
Now Available:
Nice and Naughty
Where There’s Smoke
Men in Blue
Night is Darkest
Razor’s Edge
Mistress’s Master
Spread Your Wings
Powertools
Kate’s Crew
Morgan’s Surprise
Kayla’s Gifts
Devon’s Pair
Nailed to the Wall
Hammer It Home
Play Doctor
Dream Machine
Healing Touch
Compass Brothers
(Written with Mari Carr)
Northern Exposure
Southern Comfort
Eastern Ambitions
Western Ties
Compass Girls
(Written with Mari Carr)
Winter’s Thaw
Hope Springs
Summer Fling
Hot Rods
King Cobra
Mustang Sally
Super Nova
Rebel on The Run
Swinger Style
Print Anthologies
Three’s Company
Love’s Compass
Powertools
Two to Tango
Love under Construction
Coming Soon:
Hot Rods
Barracuda’s Heart
Touch of Amber
Play Doctor
Developing Desire
Men in Blue
Wounded Hearts
Bound for You
Four to Score
Four-Ever Theirs
Look for these titles by Mari Carr
Now Available:
Because of You
Because You Love Me
Because It’s True
Black & White
Erotic Research
Tequila Truth
Rough Cut
Happy Hour
Power Play
Slam Dunk
Compass Brothers
(Written with Jayne Rylon)
Northern
Exposure
Southern Comfort
Eastern Ambitions
Western Ties
Second Chances
Fix You
Full Moon
Status Update
The Back-Up Plan
Never Been Kissed
Compass Girls
(Written with Jayne Rylon)
Winter’s Thaw
Hope Springs
Summer Fling
Print Collections
Learning Curves
Dangerous Curves
Love’s Compass
Wicked Curves
Just Because
Summertime and the lovin’ is easy...until it’s not.
Summer Fling
© 2014 Mari Carr & Jayne Rylon
Compass Girls, Book 3
Too much love and loss taught Jade Compton to protect her heart and her sanity by steering clear of all that romance nonsense. She’s doing just fine, working two jobs, hanging out with her cousins and her best friend, Liam.
But when a combination of unbearable heat wave and a case of the boredom blues knocks her down, she longs to do something spontaneous…maybe even a little bit reckless.
Liam Harrison met Jade when she was sixteen—in the local cemetery. If he’s learned anything after eight years of friendship, it’s that Jade has a wild streak a mile wide. And while he doesn’t want to tame the adventurous woman, he wouldn’t mind showing her a few sexy ways to channel some of her impulsiveness. With him. In the bedroom.
When he proposes a sexy, no-strings-attached summer fling, Jade jumps at the chance to spice things up and indulge some pretty kinky fantasies. Then summer ends…and Jade comes to the uncomfortable realization that there’s only one place she’s comfortable in her own skin—Liam’s arms.
Warning: Excessive heat in this story—in the bedroom, the barn, the kitchen, the bar. Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated!
Enjoy the following excerpt for Summer Fling:
“She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve been feeling edgy lately. Restless. I mean, look around, Liam. Is this all there is to life? Every single day is déjà vu and not in a good way. It’s like I’m trapped in the horror movie that is my life, forced to endure the same stupid things over and over and over again.”
