Cecily nodded. “I guess he was right– you two were destined for each other.” Laughing, she took her coffee to the break room to see if there were any donuts left.
“Ha, she could smell him … what kind of shit is that?”
Guinevere looked around her desk. Ti was still in place. What did he do? She looked closely and noticed her desk drawer was open. She slowly eased into her chair and pulled open the drawer.
There was a little note inside. “See you in two days…” Her pulse was racing. He had been here. He had intentionally marked everything in this office and it now smelled just like that frickin’ shirt. Her sister had returned and was standing in the doorway watching her.
“Cecily,” she asked, “what did say he wanted?”
“He wanted me to meet him, look in his eyes. He wanted to make sure I had a chance to see his face. Talk to him, shake his hand, that gallant knight kinda shit.” Guinevere grabbed her keys. “Cecily, I’m driving to Raleigh,” she said, and she sprinted out of the door.
“He’ll probably be gone by the time you get there,” Cecily called.
Guinevere stopped in her tracks. “You mean he’s heading down to see Mom and Dad? “
Cecily was loving this. “Yes, we all will get to see him before you do.” She paused. Knowing Cecily as she did, Guinevere knew there was something she was going to add. “He’s in his plane, so he’ll be there and gone, unless you charter one yourself.”
Turning back to her desk, she called the airfield. Why drive for five hours when she could be there in two?
Guinevere arrived in Raleigh that afternoon and his scent had permeated the house. “Dad, did you enjoy your visit with him?” She followed the scent of him through the house and it led right to her old room.
“Mom, was he in my room?” Her mother was drying a dinner dish. “Yes, dear, he wanted to see where you had grown up. I think he said he wanted to check out your space.”
Her mom seemed rather giddy, and Guinevere wanted to know the reason for her elation. “Our grandbabies are going to be beautiful geniuses. Jackpot, girlie, jackpot! I have a wedding to plan, and he said his count was about 25 with his immediate family.”
Her mother ran to the kitchen to call the reverend and check on the availability of the church. Guinevere was dog-tired and had an early morning interview and had to head on into Atlanta. Lying back on her pillow, his scent was all over her bed. That joker rolled in my bed and left his scent all over my pillow. How did he know? Right. I told him.
In two days, that scent would be attached to him and she would wake up with it for the rest of her life. He had actually gone out of his way to visit her lab, meet and introduce himself to her sister, and come to Raleigh to meet her parents and ask for her hand in marriage.
Who does that anymore?
God, she loved him – loved the smell of him, couldn’t wait to get her hands on him. Her hands went up under the pillow and felt a piece of paper.
She pulled out the note, “I smell good, don’t I? Good luck getting some sleep tonight!”
She started to laugh as she collected the mental ladder that she tossed out of the small window. No need for her knight to climb up in to her tower, she was going to shimmy her way down to him.
Life was going to be so good.
44
The Grail
The two days dragged on like tar drying on a hot summer day. She did not want to work in the bureaucracy of the CDC and her own lab seemed to have lost its appeal in the last few days. This afternoon her life was about to change and she was past ready for what the day held. She took off the jacket to the suit, slid into her rental car and entered the coordinates into the GPS, and drove to Centennial Park. She spotted fountain and saw the colors of her quilt.
Parking the car, she slowly got out and began to make her way towards the small crowd that had gathered around him. In the midst of a rag tag group, there he sat in a t-shirt, loose fitting jeans, and a pair of Nikes that had seen better days.
I can feel her.
Gawain’s heart thudded in his chest as he watched her walk towards him. It was a concerted effort to keep his cool as he got to his feet. He wanted to smile, but didn’t. He was too busy taking her all in and enjoying the view.
She is so beautiful.
My wife.
My love.
My partner.
Looking beyond him, she pointed to the motley group that had formed on the ground around the quilt. Shrugging her shoulders, she waved at the merry band of performers.
The distance between them had been closed as she and stood before him, he explained, “It was weird. I laid out the quilt and took out the book, and they just started to show up.”
She laughed aloud, mainly because of the comedy of the situation, but also to cover her nerves. He added, “For a minute there, I thought the dude with the pink tutu was going to say he was Guinevere.”
She looked into his dark eyes. She eyed the goatee and beautiful head of dark wavy hair that had been cut close. Her mother was right- their children were going to be gorgeous.
Gawain was a solid man standing at six-foot-two and his skin tone was a creamy caramel. He had to have been the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life, and when he smiled, there were actual dimples in those beautiful perfect cheeks. And he was all hers.
Her laughter was like music to his ears, and there she stood, his perfect lady. Her close-cut hair lay perfectly along her head, making the boyish hairstyle sexy as hell. He felt like the luckiest man in the world because he was about to marry the most splendid creature he had ever laid eyes on. She in mine from this day forward.
Guinevere stood about five-foot-eight, with dark, almost fudge-colored skin, pouty full lips, and soft doe-like eyes that took everything in around her and processed the sights. The intelligence that showed through her mother’s eyes and her father’s smile made him realize that at last he truly belonged somewhere and to someone. I belong to this woman and with this woman.
Gawain didn’t know whether to kiss her or shake her hand, or what to say, so he went with what was natural, “Hi, I’m David,” and he waited.
“Pleased to finally meet you, David. I’m Halley.”
He smiled. “Halley Devonshire, I love the sound of that.” He extended his arm, and asked, “Shall we?”
Halley placed her arm in his and he leaned over, placing a feathery light kiss on her forehead, and walked her over to gather his things.
She looked up at him with brown eyes so tender it stole his breath. “David James Devonshire, Jr. – can I call you DJ?” they both broke into hysterical laughter.
“In a few hours, you can call me husband, Halley Devonshire.”
“David,” she said looking up at him, “technically you have not officially asked for my hand in marriage. You asked my dad and told my sister, but you haven’t formally asked me.” She arched her brows, giving him a coy smile.
“Allow me to rectify that, milady …” the small crowd parted and he bowed chivalrously from the waist.
“… Here in front of your royal court …” he turned his head to gauge where the dude in the pink tutu had gotten off to, “… and one jester.” She threw her head back in laughter, pressing her hand to her chest allowing her fingertips to graze across the pearls he had given her.
He turned, got down on one knee, and heard the air leave the crowd. “Halley Marie Murphy, I love you with everything in me. I am on bended knee in hopes that will you make me the happiest man on the planet and consent to be my wife, my business partner and my best friend for the rest of our lives?”
She stood waiting, and he looked about to see why she had not responded. One of the musicians who had begun to play soft background music spoke, “Sir Knight, you must present the lady with a favor or a token of your undying love.”
David looked shocked. “Oh, my apologies, the ring!”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the first box he slowly opened. “These diamond
s and emeralds represent each month of our courtship.” He opened the second box. “The diamond represents the purity of my love.” He placed the engagement ring on her finger.
David was waiting for Halley to kiss him, but instead, from her back pocket she pulled out several sheets of rolled up paper. Tapping him on either shoulder, she knighted him and said, “Arise, Sir Knight.” David stood, moving closer to take his first kiss. But Halley held him off with her hand.
“After such a valiant quest, my knight, you have been victorious on your journey.” David cocked his head trying to listen closely to understand what she was getting at, but he remained quiet to allow her to finish.
“The lady does come with a dowry, so I present you my knight –your lands.” David’s hands were shaking as he removed the papers from her hands. On the top of the stack was the image of the winery in Napa that he had sent to her almost a year ago. It was the same image of the winery that came with the mock plane ticket from their first date, the same image that had adorned the front of her fridge, calling to her to meet him there and wallow in the nothingness of time and his undying love for her. It was an image that had taunted her for nearly a year.
He asked, his voice full of surprise, “You bought me a vineyard?”
She gave him a smile that promised delights beyond his imagination. “No David,” she said, “I bought you that vineyard!”
He was at a loss for words. His hands were still shaking and his eyes had started to tear as the crowd began to chant, “Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!”
He took her delicate chin into his hand while looking deeply into her eyes, he leaned forward, bringing his lips to hers, and the sparks began to fly. Guinevere felt her legs give way as the smell of him filled her senses. David’s strong arms held her close and she could feel the rapid beat of his heart through his t-shirt. Finally, a year in the waiting, the knight kissed his lady. He was reluctant to let go, but they had a plane to catch.
The crowd helped gather up their things and followed them to the car. The guy in the pink tutu had shaken the grass from the quilt, folded it, and placed it on the back seat. “Where’s your car?” she asked.
“I took a cab over so that we would be able to leave together,” he said as he closed her door. He ran around to the driver’s side of the car and slid into the seat. David had to adjust it back to accommodate his long legs but he tooted the horn to his newfound friends and pulled away from the curb with his lady at his side.
The journey had been worth the wait and worth the risk. He slid his hand into hers and smiled at his soon-to-be wife. She smiled back, and in that instant he saw the face of their daughter.
“Well, Halley, there is something very important that I must tell you before we start our life together.”
His face was so serious that she was momentarily afraid, “okay, what is it?”
The light turned green as he hit the gas, “I hate peas. All kinds of peas. I won’t eat them, don’t cook them, I will rake them in a napkin to hide them before I throw them away.” He started laughing like a madman.
“Okay, dully noted. In the interest of full disclosure, I hate honey,” she said as she still held his hands allowing the warmth to seep into her. I love this man.
David seemed satisfied with her response, “Halley, I have your packed suitcase, your passport, and a fueled plane. Where would you like to go after we leave Vegas?”
She looked at the papers to the vineyard and that stupid picture that had haunted her for twelve months. The answer was obvious. “Take me home, David.”
He leaned over and gave her a brief kiss on the lips, “As you wish, milady.”
45
Epilogue
Wilfred would have to forgive him, but he knew what he was about to do for his brother was for the best. Technically, he didn’t sell his shares of the publishing company. He just acquired another division.
The textbook and romance arenas were filling up quickly with new names and electronic downloads of instant love gratification. The YA market had been saturated and steam punk was on the rise but the steady money was in autobiographies and biopics. Davonshire House Publishing had a bestseller ready to roll out.
David knew the world was very curious about W.E. Devons and would also be shocked to find that not only was Devons a man, but the model on the cover of all the books.
The stipulations of the new contract he had drawn were that Wilfred was to select a ghostwriter to live with him at the ranch for a six-month period. At the end, there should be a fantastic book about his brother, the modeling years, undergrad, and finally the journey into print. He would resent the method of the transition, but life was meant to be lived and not as a word-hoarding hermit.
His marriage to Halley had changed everything in his world, including the way he viewed life, his family, and his free time. Since leaving Atlanta, he and Halley had spent a month and a half on the road and his family joked that the two had taken the honeymoon before the wedding. She wanted to see Paris, Rome, and Milan, and he even took her to Asia and Australia.
After the journey, all of their belongings had been shipped to the winery in Napa and the last items to come along were the horses. The winery was renamed The Twelve Knights and David created a wine of the month club that featured a Knight of the Round Table. Halley’s chemistry skills were coming in handy, as they would work side-by-side to create wonderful vintages of wines for every budget.
He smiled as he watched her wander through the vineyard, and he realized just a little less than a year ago, they had never touched and neither would have thought this day would come. The beauty of her profile brought a shimmer of tears to his eyes as he could see the outline of her rounded belly that indicated the children were growing inside of her. David had not been shocked when the doctor told them it would be twins, but Halley nearly fainted. He chuckled when he added, “Well, two down and two to go.” She swatted him and said it wasn’t funny.
What was funny was the wedding. His very poised and ultra-rigid family was wilting in June in a Southern Baptist church without air conditioning. The humidity was high, causing his mother’s hair to become plastered to her face and his father swore they had landed in Hell.
Halley’s family understood that Phoenix often hit 110 degrees, but David had started to count the number of times his family stressed and repeated, “But it’s a dry heat.” The ceremony itself was very tasteful with Cecily serving as the maid of honor. Halley’s overbearing cousin, Judy; David’s sister, Mina; and Khalea, who was Chuck’s sister, served as bridesmaids.
The groomsmen were debonair with David’s best friend, Joshua, holding the honor of the best man. Wilfred, Chuck, and Judy’s equally loud-mouthed brother, Rico, rounded out the troupe. Uncle Santo and Aunt Marisca had made it as well, along with his dad’s brothers, James and Earl.
The annual fishing trips along with Uncle Santo and Chuck had been extended to include Halley’s dad, who was happier than a pig in slop to have some “real fishing men” with whom to cast his line. During the reception, Frank Murphy talked David Senior’s ear off about fishing lures. David watched his father continuously replace Frank’s drink in an effort to quiet the man. After about the fourth drink, David Sr. perched his son’s new drunken father-in-law in a corner and made his escape.
David had chosen At Last by Etta James as the wedding song, and Halley was eager to show off her new dance steps. Halley was ultra-impressed when David took the floor with his Aunt Marisca in a very enchanting Argentine tango. She watched in awe as he danced with his mother, then his sister, and followed up with a scorching salsa with Khalea.
Wilfred watched his brother and was amazed at the transformation in him in the past months. Although both families were well aware that Halley was six weeks along with child, no one mentioned it. His big brother hung on to his new wife’s every word and danced the night away until it was obvious he was anxious to be alone with his new bride.
David was finally happy. Wilfred, on t
he other hand, was not. David had broken the news to him that he would not be returning as his COO, but would retain his shares and managerial interest in the company. Wilfred sulked for most to the evening but he watched on. He knew how David’s mind worked. There was no way for him to prepare for what was coming next in his life.
Wilfred knew that David had carefully plotted his revenge and a harsh life lesson in one fell swoop. He just didn’t want to wait for the fell and certainly didn’t want to be the victim of the swoop. His big brother would disguise his philanthropic efforts with a smile, but Wilfred knew better than to trust David’s loving words of encouragement.
-Fin-
Would you like to know what happens next?
Find out what David had in store for Wilfred.
The Davonshire Series – Book 2
Available for Pre-Order
Discussion Questions
What was the significance of the peas?
Do you feel that David used Shontae as a training ground?
Was Halley rally the one or was David tired of looking and she was going to be it?
Did your understand Halley’s misgivings?
Do you think that Halley’s parents were eager to marry her off, or did they have valid arguments?
Do women sometimes choose the man that has enough of what they need versus waiting on the man that has everything they need?
Do we make snap judgments on people based upon how they look? How does this apply to David?
About the Author
Olivia Gaines is the author of numerous bestselling novellas and books including Two Nights in Vegas, A Few More Nights, and has had several number one best sellers with The Blakemore Files including Being Mrs. Blakemore and Shopping with Mrs. Blakemore.
Courting Guinevere (The Davonshire Series Book 1) Page 22
