Breathless (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Pelican Bay Book 1)

by Belle Calhoune

  “Yes, He did, sweetheart. And I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure things stay right between us.”

  Cadence leaned over and placed a searing kiss on her husband’s lips. “I love you, Parker Donahue.”

  He looked deeply into her gray-blue eyes. “And I love you, Mrs. Donahue. And I always will. Forever and ever and ever.”

  EPILOGUE

  Cadence and Parker held hands as they walked through the Jardin de Tuileries, a famous Parisian park. Parker’s Parisian honeymoon surprise had been delightful. She was in awe every morning when she woke up in their luxurious hotel with a clear view of the Eiffel Tower. Life was grand. And, as always, God was good.

  The park was in full bloom with a profusion of summer flowers stretched out as far as the eye could see. A little boy no more than five-years-old sat by the pond with a sailboat in his hand. He gently dropped it in the water then pushed the sailboat, letting out a squeal of joy as it glided off. He ran around the pond, keeping his eye on his sailboat while letting out cries of triumph.

  “He reminds me of Logan. He’s older, but they share a similar spirit,” Parker said, the hint of a smile playing around his lips.

  She nodded her agreement. “Yes, you’re right. I think Logan will be chasing sailboats pretty soon. I can’t believe he’ll be three in a few months.”

  They missed Logan dearly, but knowing he was in such loving and capable hands allowed them to enjoy a romantic and blessed honeymoon. They’d skyped with him every day and checked in regularly with Parker’s parents. Penelope said being with Logan made her forget about her separation from Jude. And, in turn, Jude said being in Logan’s presence made him feel hopeful about the future.

  They were leaving tomorrow to head back to Pelican Bay. Although they were enjoying Paris, they were ready to go home and embrace their new life as Mr. and Mrs. Donahue. They would take back with them a treasure trove of wonderful memories of their Parisian adventure. Cadence would never forget traveling by train to Versailles, the magnificent palace and gardens, or walking down the Champs Elysees or their very first view of the Eiffel Tower.

  Every time Parker tried to speak French to the natives, Cadence cracked up. She’d taken French for ten years and she knew her way around the language. She knew Parker was deliberately trying to make her laugh at his poor accent and silly grammar mistakes. His antics were delightful. She felt incredibly blessed knowing her future was filled with such a fun-loving and warm man.

  Thank you, Lord. For a magnitude of blessings.

  How had she gotten here? For so long she’d prayed to turn her life around. She hadn’t really been living life to the fullest when she was married to Mason. She’d been like a bird stuck in a gilded cage. Now she was free. Free to love Parker. Free to raise their son with love and compassion and a love of the Lord. That was the very best gift of all.

  She’d made a lot of mistakes in the past, as well as errors in judgment. But God was a forgiving God. A mighty God. He’d shown her grace and the power of forgiveness. He had allowed her a chance to redeem herself. For so long she had felt broken. She had learned to accept her own human frailties. But the love she felt for her son and Parker had allowed her to crawl her way back toward the light. And now she was running toward it with both arms outstretched to receive all the goodness the world had to offer. She’d forgiven herself as well. It hadn’t been easy though. She was no longer hating herself for Mason’s duplicity. Being loved by Parker had freed her from the pain of the past. In turn, she’d set Parker free as well.

  Cadence had decided to live in love. Loving Parker and Logan would be at the forefront of her world. Surrounding herself with loved ones and treasured friends in Pelican Bay would soothe all of her wounds. She was a stronger woman now—one who had been through the fire and ash and survived. Although she had chosen not to hate Mason, she still intended to testify against him in Keith’s murder trial.

  The last place they wanted to visit in Paris was the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Cadence had a special prayer she wanted to offer up at the historic church. She held Parker’s hand as they stood in front of Notre Dame, marveling at the sheer beauty of the monument. The gothic architecture of the cathedral was stunningly beautiful. From the moment they walked in, Cadence felt she was in a sacred place. The stained glass windows were breathtaking and elegant. The candles being lit by visitors made the church glow with a spectacular light.

  They found a seat at the front of the church. After a few minutes they knelt down on the kneelers and began to pray. Cadence prayed for two people she loved with all of her heart and soul. Penelope and Jude.

  Dear Lord. Please help Penelope and Jude. They’re at a crossroads in their marriage. They’ve lost hope. They’ve let go of one another. They’ve stopped believing in each other. Please grant them the grace to be humble and to admit their mistakes with each other. Please show them that nothing is stronger than love—not pride or rejection or hurt feelings.

  Amen.

  Her heart was full with the beauty of Notre Dame and the love she and Parker shared. After lighting a candle for both of their families, Cadence and Parker left the church with their arms entwined.

  On their way back to their hotel they walked by the River Seine and watched the boats glide effortlessly along the water. It was a gorgeous night in Paris—one they would always remember. The moon shone down on them with a luminescent brilliance.

  Cadence looked up at her husband. “Thank you for making this wonderful honeymoon a reality.”

  Parker raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on it. “Merci ma femme. Thank you for being my wife and for making all of my dreams come true.”

  “Paris has been amazing, but I’m ready to go home, Parker. A honeymoon is a dream, but our life is already so incredibly special. I don’t need a dream. Our reality is just as good. All I’ll ever need is to have you by my side.”

  “You’re never getting rid of me, Mrs. Donahue. We’re bound for life,” Parker said, his voice infused with tenderness.

  She reached up and placed a tender, searing kiss on Parker’s lips. Love was in the air. They were reaching out and grabbing it like a brass ring. And they were never going to let go of it.

  THE END

  Coming Soon:

  ADORED –Book 2 in Seven Brides Seven Brothers (Pelican Bay)

  “When your best laid plans go astray, it’s time to dig down deep and get creative.”

  Jude Donahue

  Chapter One

  Caleb Donahue couldn’t remember a time in his life when he’d felt so alone. Growing up in a big, bustling family in Pelican Bay had afforded him the luxury of never being forced to endure that particular feeling. Ever since he’d been adopted by his forever family, loneliness hadn’t affected him. Until now. And it was messing with him big-time. It took him back to the time before—the darkness of his young life. The things he’d spent most of his life trying to forget. The memories weren’t always clear, but he remembered enough to make himself sick every time the memories cropped up.

  Focus, Caleb. He urged himself.

  His entire professional world was going up in flames. And he was sick about it. He’d worked so hard to get his bistro up and running. It was popular and received great reviews. He’d actually made a profit last year. Just last month there had been a write up about it in the Pelican Bay Gazette. He had finally found his footing. And then the bottom had fallen out of his world. In one fell swoop the rug had been pulled out from under him.

  Now he was faced with failure. His bistro was not entirely his own anymore. And it felt like a massive failure to have lost such control over his business.

  Sebastien Fontaine had called in his loan, and since Caleb couldn’t repay the entire amount of money, he now had a partner in the Blue Bayou. The beauty of opening his own business had been the autonomy to make his own decisions and chart a course for himself. He liked being the captain of his own ship. That was now a thing of the past!

  The sound
of the front door opening diverted his attention away from his melancholy thoughts. He felt as if his head might explode.

  “Excuse me. We’re not open yet,” he called out.

  A shuffling sound forced him to swing his gaze up.

  A woman dressed in a long peasant skirt and an over-sized blouse came walking slowly toward him. She was carrying an over-sized bag and held a folder in her hand.

  “I’m sorry miss, but we’re not open until noon today,” he called out, hoping to see her turn around and head toward the exit.

  She fiddled with her glasses. “I’m not a customer.”

  Caleb frowned. “I’m not buying anything today if you’re trying to sell me something.” He wasn’t in the mood to play games today. He hated when vendors just stopped by to interrupt his day. Perhaps he should put up a sign. No solicitations on the premises.

  She let out a laugh. It was rich and throaty. And Caleb wasn’t sure, but it sounded like someone who was slightly nervous. Her body language spoke volumes. She was fidgeting with her hands and looking around her in a nervous manner. Tension radiated off her in waves.

  He took a closer look at her. With her round, tortoise shell glasses, retro clothes and wild mane of long hair, she looked like an owl. He had no idea what she was doing here.

  “I’m not a salesperson, Mr. Donahue.”

  Caleb stood up straight. She knew his name. Why did she know his name?

  She took a step closer, reminding him of a kid who was building up their courage. “I’m Addie Fontaine. Sebastian Fontaine is my father.”

  Anger speared through Caleb. Why was Fontaine’s daughter showing up at the Blue Bayou? Perhaps she was trying to get free food now that her father was officially his partner. His thought was mean-spirited, but he was so annoyed that his professional life was being torpedoed by Sebastian Fontaine. He had absolutely no grace to offer his daughter.

  Caleb glared at her, hoping it might make her disappear. “Did he send you here? To make sure I understood the papers he sent me? You can tell him I understand everything. He made it quite clear. He’s asserting his right to step in to the business I built from the floor up and become my partner.”

  She cleared her throat. “No, Mr. Donahue. You’ve misunderstood. My father isn’t your partner. I am.”

  **

  Addie Fontaine’s heart was beating like a jack hammer inside her chest. Her palms were moist and she felt like she just might faint. She wasn’t equipped for confrontations, and this was beginning to feel tense and awkward. Addie wasn’t a person who enjoyed going head to head with anyone. Her father had led her to believe that this meeting would be congenial. Why had she ever believed him? Clearly, he’d done this in order to see her step out of her comfort zone.

  “Stop hiding, Addie.” Her father’s familiar refrain rang out in her ears.

  She wasn’t hiding. She just didn’t like the world very much. For Addie, it had never felt like a very safe place.

  “You’re my partner?” Caleb Donahue was gazing at her with a look of barely-contained anger.

  Why oh why had she allowed her father to bamboozle her into this situation?

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yes, according to my father I am. He’s asked me to partner with you since he has several projects in Asia that are going to consume his time.”

  “Unbelievable,” Caleb muttered. “Do you even know the first thing about running an eating establishment?”

  She bit her lip. “I-I studied food hospitality at school.”

  Caleb’s eyes bulged. “School? What about hands-on experience?”

  “I don’t have any,” she admitted.

  Caleb didn’t say a word. He sank down onto a stool and bowed his head.

  “Mr. Donahue. I assure you that I’m a quick learner. I was valedictorian of my high school class and Magna cum Laude at Columbia.”

  Caleb’s shoulders began to shake. Strange noises began to emanate from him. Addie was beginning to wonder if he needed medical attention.

  “Mr. Donahue. Are you all right?” she asked.

  He swung his head up. Tears were coursing down his cheeks and his face was contorted with mirth. His mouth was wide open and he was chuckling so hard he was gasping for air.

  He was laughing at her! Not just laughing but having a huge fit of merriment. At her expense. Addie felt her cheeks getting warm. Some things never changed. This is why she didn’t deal with people very much. When she did, nine times out of ten they made her a laughingstock. Caleb Donahue was no exception.

  She clutched her folder to her chest and counted to ten. If he didn’t stop chuckling by the time she reached ten, Addie was going to show him she wasn’t the type of woman who appreciated being laughed at. And she was certain he wouldn’t be laughing any longer.