Sweet Caroline

by Becky Lower

  Table of Contents

  Excerpt

  Praise for Becky Lower’s

  Sweet Caroline

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  A word about the author…

  Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  Abbey laughed as the other two bridesmaids

  stood at the window, giggling. “Come take a look at the groomsmen.” She hustled Caroline to the window.

  Four men stood outside, handsome in their dark gray, three-piece suits.

  “No tuxedos?” Caroline craned her neck to see the men.

  “As Penny said, nothing conventional here today.” Abbey pointed to one of the men. “Allow me to point out my Charlie, the one with the light brown hair.”

  “And whose fine backside am I staring at?” Caroline gestured to the man facing away and leaning over to straighten his pants leg.

  “I’m glad you approve. That’s your groomsman.” Abbey laughed.

  At that precise moment, the man straightened and glanced at the window.

  Mocha skin, piercing, unexpected blue eyes, and curly black hair. Caroline caught her breath and put a hand on her suddenly nervous stomach. “Grant? Please tell me he’s not Grant.”

  “I’m surprised you even remember him, Caro.” Abbey glanced at Caroline with widening eyes and gave her a playful swat on the arm. “Del picked his groomsmen, and Grant was the only one tall enough to pair with you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Caroline pivoted away from the window, her mind buzzing and her panic rising as she recalled the last time she’d seen Grant. “Yes, I do mind, but we’re too late to change things around. For Penny and Del’s sake, I’ll be cordial. But once today is over I hope never to see him again.”

  Praise for Becky Lower’s

  LOVE’S IN THE CARDS

  “Get this book for a hopeless romantic!”

  ~The Romance Reviews

  ~*~

  “It’s always nice to go home to Lobster Cove, Maine, especially at Christmas.”

  ~Nicci C.

  ~*~

  “Like seaside settings, greeting cards, healing hearts, Christmas, romance and true love? If so, then please go and pick up this great book!”

  ~The Reading Café (5 Stars)

  ~*~

  “This book was so charming, I’m still thinking of it days after finishing it.”

  ~Micah P.

  Sweet Caroline

  by

  Becky Lower

  The Lobster Cove Series

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Sweet Caroline

  COPYRIGHT © 2017 by Becky Lower

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: info@thewildrosepress.com

  Cover Art by Rae Monet, Inc. Design

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2017

  Print ISBN 978-1-5092-1827-1

  Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-1828-8

  The Lobster Cove Series

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my brother, John,

  or Buzz as he’s known to the family.

  He took time out of our family get-together to teach me

  some of the intricacies of the game of basketball,

  even to the point of creating the ‘Spin the Bottle’ play.

  Thank you, Buzz.

  Chapter One

  The slower-than-molasses taxi finally arrived in front of the ornate St. Joseph Catholic Church on First Street. Caroline Stuart handed over the fare and a generous tip, unbuckled her seatbelt, and hopped out of the backseat. While the geriatric driver undid his restraint with the speed of a three-toed sloth, Caroline glanced around.

  Lobster Cove hadn’t changed much over the years. The high school across the street from the church had expanded, and she spied Julie’s Coffee Shop around the corner from the church. She could use a cup of coffee right now but couldn’t spare the time. A crisp breeze blew in off the Atlantic, ruffling her hair. Caroline rubbed her forehead, blew out her breath through pursed lips, and drummed her fingers on the car fender. C’mon, c’mon. Open the darn trunk. I should have used the female taxi driver instead. Women have a better sense of urgency about weddings.

  At last, the driver muscled her weekender out of the trunk.

  She grabbed it and ran inside.

  “Thank goodness! You’re finally here.” Her cousin, Abbey, stood in the hallway, scanning the last-minute arrivals. “We’re all in the anteroom at the end of the hall. We need to get you dressed.” She grabbed hold of Caroline’s arm and hustled her toward the room. Then she stopped and wrapped her arms around Caroline. “I’m so sorry about what happened to Michael. And I’m so glad you’re here to share in Penny’s special day.”

  “I would have been here sooner if my boss had an ounce of humanity.” Caroline grinned at her cousin. “I sure hope the gown fits.” Her throat tightened, and her eyes burned as her grin slowly faded. “And thank you for your sentiment about Michael. He fought in a stupid war, which a year later is still without an end, and young men and women are shipped home in boxes daily.” She bounced a knuckle against her mouth and took a deep breath. “But this is a day for celebration, not gloom. How’s Penny holding up?”

  “She’s so happy she can’t keep the grin off her face. After all, she’s marrying Del, whom she’s known since forever.” Abbey wrapped an arm around Caroline’s waist and led her down the hall.

  Penny met her at the door, resplendent in her form-fitting gown, with its sweetheart neckline, tiny straps, and a bodice encrusted with seed pearls and crystals. Tight ruching from the bodice to the hips accentuated Penny’s form before the gown flared at the knee. “You do enjoy cutting it close, don’t you, Caro?” She grabbed her in a strong hug, standing on her tiptoes to encircle Caroline’s shoulders. “But you’re here now, which is all that matters. Let’s see if your bridesmaid dress fits.”

  “Your gown is gorgeous.” Caroline wrapped her arms around Penny gently, so as not to disturb the dress before she stepped back to get the full view. “Not at all suggestive, but yet suggestive just the same.”

  Penny’s smile grew even wider. “Ah, the sweet spot I had hoped for. Now, say hello to my other bridesmaids and Mom before you try on your dress and get your hair done.”

  She hugged the two bridesmaids she didn’t know before being enveloped by her Aunt Sylvia, Penny and Abbey’s mother, and her own mother’s sis
ter. Caroline got a hitch in her breathing as Aunt Sylvia embraced her.

  “So good to see you again, finally, Caro.” Aunt Sylvia blinked fast to control her tears. “You’ve been through so much in this last year, and I’ve thought about you every day, wishing you lived closer.”

  “I’m here now, at least, Aunt Sylvia. I’m so sorry I missed the rehearsal dinner, but I’ve been a bridesmaid several times already, so I won’t make a misstep. At least, I hope not.” Her gaze shifted back to Penny. “Let me see this rock I’ve been hearing about.”

  Grinning, Penny held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers.

  Caroline’s heart constricted. “It’s gorgeous.” She had only last week removed her own engagement ring, and each time her thumb grazed the underside of her finger she was reminded of the loss. The action had been subconscious when she wore the ring, but now that she’d finally taken it off, her naked finger taunted her each time she touched it. A dull ache emerged in her chest.

  Suppressing a sigh, Caroline went behind the screen in one corner of the room to change into her dress while Penny stood on the opposite side. “I’m so glad you chose a color other than pink for the wedding party, even though today’s Valentine’s Day.” She brushed her hand over the silver gown adorned with a white band around the waist, encrusted with seed pearls and crystals to match Penny’s gown.

  “Well, I am marrying an abstract artist, and he would have shot me if I’d been traditional. Today is all about giving him a good memory to replace the bad one he’s carried around for years about Valentine’s Day, thanks to me.” Penny poked her head around the screen to take a peek. “Oh, the dress fits you beautifully. Thankfully, we guessed the right length. You’re much taller than we are, so we gambled on the hemline.”

  Caroline straightened the gown and gazed in the mirror, surprised at the transformation from harried traveler to polished bridesmaid. “The dress is lovely, Penny. You do have great taste.”

  “I put myself in my bridesmaids’ shoes when I selected the dresses. I didn’t need my attendants grimacing when they wore their gowns. I want great pictures of the event, with smiles on everyone’s faces.” Penny beamed, her own smile lighting the room. “Now, we need to do something with your hair.” She brushed back Caroline’s hair from her face. “Such lovely hair. I’ve always been envious of your blondeness. You don’t even need to pay for the streaks; they just appear naturally.”

  Caroline laughed. “Soon enough, though, I’ll have to start coloring treatments, since I’m seeing a few gray strands.” She sat in the hairdresser’s chair, so her hair could be arranged.

  Twenty minutes later, Caroline’s tresses were swept up into a chignon and encased in a crocheted white snood embellished with more seed pearls. She glanced at the other two bridesmaids and at Abbey, guessing long hair had to be a requirement for being in this event. They made a very cohesive wedding party, even down to the scent they wore, compliments of the hairdresser, who had sprayed each hairdo with a modest flowery perfume. She gave a final pat to her hair and climbed out of the chair. “So, how much longer before we begin?”

  “Ten minutes. That’s what we meant by you cutting it close.” Aunt Sylvia gave Caroline a final hug. “I must get to my seat, but we’ll have plenty of time to catch up after the ceremony. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Abbey laughed as the other two bridesmaids stood at the window, giggling. “Come take a look at the groomsmen.” She hustled Caroline to the window.

  Four men stood outside, handsome in their dark gray, three-piece suits.

  “No tuxedos?” Caroline craned her neck to see the men.

  “As Penny said, nothing conventional here today.” Abbey pointed to one of the men. “Allow me to point out my Charlie, the one with the light brown hair.”

  “And whose fine backside am I staring at?” Caroline gestured to the man facing away and leaning over to straighten his pants leg.

  “I’m glad you approve. That’s your groomsman.” Abbey laughed.

  At that precise moment, the man straightened and glanced at the window.

  Mocha skin, piercing, unexpected blue eyes, and curly black hair. Caroline caught her breath and put a hand on her suddenly nervous stomach. “Grant? Please tell me he’s not Grant.”

  “I’m surprised you even remember him, Caro.” Abbey glanced at Caroline with widening eyes and gave her a playful swat on the arm. “Del picked his groomsmen, and Grant was the only one tall enough to pair with you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Caroline pivoted away from the window, her mind buzzing and her panic rising as she recalled the last time she’d seen Grant. “Yes, I do mind, but we’re too late to change things around. For Penny and Del’s sake, I’ll be cordial. But once today is over I hope never to see him again.”

  ****

  Grant’s heart rate sped as he straightened too fast, glanced at the window, and became lightheaded. He grimaced and slid his gaze from the window, wavering a bit on his feet.

  Frowning, Del grabbed his elbow. “Hey, Grant, I’m supposed to be the one quaking in my boots, not you.”

  “I’m okay. Just caught a glimpse of the ladies in the window. They are lovely.” Grant would prefer Del not figure out the real reason for his discontent. He’d known when he accepted Del’s request to be a groomsman that Caroline might well be part of the wedding party, but he couldn’t refuse one of his best friends. When he found out at the rehearsal dinner they would be paired together, he still thought he could manage things. They wouldn’t have to talk very much to each other. They’d get through the day, and she’d return home to Cleveland. Life would go on as it had been. Grant took a deep breath and reentered the church.

  “Places, everyone,” the wedding planner whispered loudly from the back of the church. The guests were in their seats, Del stood at the altar with the priest, and the four groomsmen were waiting for their partners.

  Being the tallest in the party, Grant stood at the back of the line.

  The women emerged from the room one at a time, holding their bouquets of white and red roses, interspersed with silver-tinted baby’s breath.

  Grant’s gaze followed Abbey, the matron of honor, then the first two women, and held his breath. Finally, Caroline emerged from the room and strode slowly toward him. He exhaled to release his anticipation.

  “Grant.” Her bouquet shook in her hands.

  Her nervousness made it very apparent she would prefer to be anywhere else, with anyone else. “Caro.” The ice in her tone froze in his throat the cordial greeting he had practiced. Today would prove to be a long one—for both of them, and for very different reasons.

  He led her down the aisle, her hand in the crook of his elbow sending warmth throughout his body. He registered the reaction to her touch, but his mind drifted far away, reliving the last time he’d seen her. They were teenagers, and he had been a jerk, but their teen years were a lifetime ago. His fifteen-year-old self had grown up. She couldn’t possibly still hold onto a grudge, could she? If her frostiness could be interpreted as an indication, he guessed she still did.

  While everyone else stared at the bride and groom, Grant focused on Caroline. He’d been smitten when they’d both been fifteen. Now, at thirty-one, she’d grown into her features, and her lanky frame had filled out. She had become not only tall, but striking with pale blonde hair and moss green eyes. What had she been up to all these years? Abbey and Penny had mentioned a boyfriend, a fiancé, who died in Afghanistan last year. Some other man must be on the hook by now, unless all eligible Ohio men were blind. Her cheeks grew pink while he stared, as if sensing his gaze, although she never once slid her glance in his direction.

  Her curt greeting and stiff posture were sure signs she still held on to the embarrassment from their last encounter. This ceremony signaled only the start of many hours together, posing for pictures, having lunch at the head table, dancing together, and eating cake. Grant could barely wait for the ceremony to end and the festivities to begin. De
spite Caroline’s obvious reluctance, he’d be beside her most of the day. He could touch her again when they danced. He’d pry from her the answers to his many questions. Or fall all over himself attempting to do so. Sixteen years was way too long to hold on to pain.

  Leave it to Del to pick one of the longest-winded priests to officiate. Grant’s fingers twitched as he thought about removing Caroline’s headdress and taking down her hair. He craved to have her hair unfurled, to run his fingers through the locks, and to draw her in for a kiss. A kiss he’d refused her years ago and thought about ever since. First, he had to get Caroline to talk.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The priest finally drew the ceremony to a close as the guests erupted into cheers.

  A beaming Del and Penny kissed for a long moment before they bounced down the aisle to an appreciative crowd, followed by Abbey and Charlie, and then the three bridesmaids and groomsmen.

  Grant stood patiently at the altar as the others marched down the aisle and to the room just outside the church’s nave. He and Caroline were last in line to depart the big room, just as they’d been the final ones to enter. Caroline flashed him a glance, speared him actually, and wrapped a hand around his arm as he led her to the outer area. Her touch sent waves of hot need through him, and he caught his breath. He was not a randy teen anymore. He could control his baser instincts. Find out first if she is even available before you go making an utter idiot of yourself, Grant.

  He took one more whiff of her flowery perfume before removing her hand from his arm. They stood side by side, not addressing each other, as they greeted the attendees to this festive day. Then, they relocated to the steps and the yard in front of the church, still covered with snow, to pose for some chilly pictures, returned inside the church for more group shots, and then made their way to the limos to head to the reception. The entire time they’d been together, Caroline had a lot of words for everyone else, but not one syllable for him. Grant had experienced discomfort before, but being totally ignored by his partner was excruciating.