by Lacey Silks
He was making our future sound so perfect; why was I having such a difficult time with his decision? Because what he was saying was way in the future. It meant that he had to complete a secret mission first, and I’d have no contact with him.
I leaned my head against his chest and he wrapped me into his body. We were standing knee deep in the water, and my tears mixed with the drops flowing down my hair.
“I just love you so much, Nick. It’s the danger of your mission that I’m worried about.”
“Would it help if I told you that I’m good at what I do?”
“I have no doubt about that.”
“There’s nothing that will keep me from coming back to you, Jo. Nothing.”
“Do you promise?” I looked up into his green eyes. They said the same thing that he was saying – that he’d be back.
“I promise.” He lowered his mouth to mine, sealing my lips with a passionate kiss. “Let’s get out of the water before you get sick.”
We drove back home in silence. Despite our hot sex, today was the first day since Nick’s return that I felt sad.
Chapter 19
The construction of the bakery was finally over, and this afternoon we were celebrating with a grand opening. The summer was in full swing, and my father had set up a tent at the front of the building for additional shade from the scorching sun. I’d spent the night before and all morning baking five hundred regular-sized cupcakes in five different flavors and another five hundred mini ones. The kids were stuffing their faces, drinking lemonade, jumping on a trampoline, and playing tag. A fun house at the side of the bakery, which included a bouncing castle, a dunk tank, and a face painting station, resounded with roars of laughter. The town’s mayor had closed off the road on one side, which gave everyone additional parking spots.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead, took another sip from my water bottle, and stacked another layer of cupcakes on the multi-platform tray. When I twisted to the right, I felt a twinge in my left leg muscle, and remembered how that leg had been over Nick’s shoulder last night. This morning I got up two hours earlier than usual to ensure that the decorations were prepped for the opening. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so tired just from the baking, but given that Nick had come to my room at one in the morning, we hadn’t gotten as much sleep as we were supposed to.
A woman’s voice called out my name, jolting my head up. When I saw Molly, I almost dropped the platter I was setting up and rushed toward my friend.
“Oh, my God! It’s so good to see you!” I hugged her. “I missed you. You look good.”
“Thanks! I’ve been working out at the campus gym before classes.”
“Well, I can definitely see the results. Holy shit, Molly! Now, please tell me that there’s a new man in your life.”
“Nope, still haven’t found the right one.”
I leaned in closer. “So you’re still a virgin?”
“Yes, and proud of it.”
I saw Carter look up from the side and wondered whether he’d heard us. If he had, he didn’t say anything, but he did come over to say hello. “Nice to see you, Molly. Those buns of yours are looking good.” He leaned back to get a better look at her behind, and I rolled my eyes.
“What buns?” she asked.
“He means your ass.”
Her cheeks covered with a rosy shade.
“Don’t worry. He calls my boobs cupcakes.”
Nick looked up from the porch where he was talking to the construction crew who would start the house renovation on Monday. I was afraid he’d heard me.
“Once Andrew gets here, we’ll have the whole gang back,” Carter said. “Well, almost whole.”
“Carter,” I touched his arm. “I’m sure Daisy’s looking over us from heaven. She’s with us in spirit now and always will be.”
“You’re right. I’m sure she is. So, which cupcake haven’t I tried yet?” he asked.
“Ahm, I think you’re the only one who’s tried them all. You know you’re my number one tester, don’t you?”
“Hell, yeah!”
“Yo, Carter! Stop hitting on my girl!” Nick jogged up to us.
Carter only laughed in response. “I will for now, but once you’re gone, all bets are off, buddy.”
While I knew that Carter was teasing, Nick didn’t seem to like that answer.
“You better cool it, Carter.” Andrew patted his back from behind. “I hear Nick’s got new killer skills, and I’m afraid he’d love to try them out on anyone who gets too close to his girl.”
“Hello, Mr. Firefighter.” I hugged Andrew.
“Hey, if I knew you’d greet me as Mr. Firefighter, I wouldn’t have waited so long to start my training.” Carter winked. He’d finally decided it was time to redo his six-month course to become a firefighter. Better late than never. The firehouse was still short a couple of guys to have a complete shift turnover without anyone working overtime, but when Carter was done, they’d all finally have regular working hours.
“What did I just say about hitting on my girl?” Nick asked.
“Don’t worry. He flirts with everyone, including the cattle at Mrs. Gladstone’s ranch.” I stepped up on my toes and planted a kiss of reassurance on his lips.
“Hey, that cow likes me, and you know it.” Carter’s normally humorous tone changed to serious whenever he mentioned Mrs. Gladstone’s cows, especially Betsy.
“The easier question is, which cow doesn’t like you?” Andrew chuckled before running off to greet one of the firefighters.
“Come on, Molly. Let me show you the best cupcakes before Nick over there rips off my balls.” Carter took her under his arm and picked up one of my favorite cupcakes: black forest.
As soon as they left, Nick was at my side. “Why does he call your boobs cupcakes?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him?”
“He shouldn’t be thinking about your boobs at all.”
“I don’t think he’s thinking. He’s just being Carter.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Are you jealous of your best friend?”
“I’m jealous of any man who hits on you.”
“No one’s hitting on me, and you’re being weird.”
“Just protecting what’s mine.”
“Well, then protect away.” I kissed him again. “Have you told your mom that you have to leave in three weeks?”
“This morning. She cried.”
“Are you surprised?”
“No. But I was hoping that someone would be happy for me.”
“Nick, I am happy for you. What you’re doing for this country is very honorable. I just wish it wasn’t that dangerous, and for so long. I mean, I won’t even know if you’re alive.”
“Of course you’ll know. The military would inform you if…” He stopped.
My hand flew to my mouth. “Don’t even say it, Nicholas.”
“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be safe. They only send out the best of the best, and I guess I’m the best.”
“That, you certainly are.”
“Hey, I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?”
“Yes, and I’d like to give it to you right now.”
I pulled him off to the side. “Does it have anything to do with you and me getting naked?”
“No, but I’d like to think we’ll get naked anyway.” He winked.
I saw my father step out of the bakery and wave to us, and I waved back. “Do you think they know that you sneak to my room in the middle of the night?”
“I don’t think so. There’s no way your father would allow it. In his eyes, you’re still that little girl who liked piggyback rides.”
“I guess you’re right. It was hard on him, you know, raising a daughter on his own. Thank God your mom was here.”
“Excuse me, can I have everyone’s attention, please?” My father clanked a fork against a vase full of field flowers, and the crowd quieted and turned his way. “Thank you for
joining us today. We’ve come a long way since last summer, and the destruction the tornado brought to our town will be felt for a long time. We’ve lost members of our community whom we will always remember, and we gathered together with strength and perseverance to overcome the new challenge in our lives. I have lived in this town my entire life, and I’ve always known that I could depend on the good folks who live here as well. I’d like to take this moment to thank you all for your continuous support of our bakeries, which have been merged, and to tell you how grateful and privileged our family is to bake for you every day. That’s why it’s so important to me to make this announcement in front of everyone gathered here.” He then turned toward Marge and reached for her hand. She had a somewhat confused look on her face. I got a funny feeling in my stomach, and I squeezed Nick’s hand, whispering, “Oh, my God.”
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Just watch.”
A few people gasped, the way I had, as my father’s intention dawned on them.
My father cleared his throat, and he knelt on one knee in front of Marge. She gasped and covered her mouth. The tears were streaming before he even reached inside his pocket. “We might not have started our journey together, the way our kids did, but I’ve loved you for so many years, my sweet, that it only makes sense for me to promise to love you for the remainder of the years I have left. I would be the happiest man on earth if you would do me the honor and agreed to be my wife. Marge Tuscan, will you marry me?”
“Well, isn’t that interesting,” Nick said to himself.
“What is?”
“Nothing. I’ll tell you later.”
Marge nodded feverishly, saying yes, and he slid the ring on her finger. Everyone cheered, and champagne bottles began popping up into the air. I wasn’t sure how and when my father had organized this, but it was one of the sweetest proposals I had ever seen. I wiped the tears off my cheeks and turned to Nick.
“They’re getting married!”
“Come on, let’s go congratulate them.”
Hand in hand, we rushed over to our parents, hugging them.
“I’m so happy for you two.” I squeezed my father.
“So we have your blessing?” he asked.
“Are you kidding?” I looked to Nick. “Of course you do.”
“Good, because we’d like to make this official in two weeks.”
“What?”
“Nothing big, just you two and a few of our closest friends.”
“But only if you’ll agree to be my maid of honor, Joelle,” Marge added.
“Yes! Oh, my God, of course, yes! This is so exciting. We have a wedding to plan. Nick, did you hear that?”
“What do you say, best man?” my father asked.
“Really? Me?”
“I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
“Yes, definitely. I’m not too sure what my duties are as best man, but I’ll do my best.”
“Well, one of them will be to walk me down the aisle.” Marge’s voice was shaking.
Nick squared his shoulders and held his head high. I thought I saw his eyes glisten, but he held the tears back.
“Just name the time and the place, Mom. Congratulations.” He reached for my father’s hand and gave him a firm shake. “Walter, can I speak with you privately for a moment?”
I wondered whether Nick wanted to have a man-to-man talk with my father before giving away his mother. Which may have sounded funny, but Nick had always been very protective of Marge.
As they stepped to the side, Marge took me under her arm, and we walked inside the bakery to get more cupcakes.
“You’re okay with this, Jo? Me and your father getting married?”
“I couldn’t be happier.”
“I know you haven’t had a mother in your life, and I’m sure that’s always been a big hole that could never be filled, but—”
I stopped her, “Marge, I never felt that hole because of you. You were the closest to a mother figure I’ve ever had, and I do think of you as my mother. I always have. I hope you’re okay with that.”
Her eyes welled up. “And I think of you as my daughter, honey. I want you to know that no matter what obstacles life throws at you, that you can always come to me.”
“I know, and I will.”
“Are you and Nick happy? I mean, he’s not staying as long as he was supposed to.”
“I’d rather we had longer too, but we’re very happy. Actually, I’m over the moon. It won’t be easy seeing him leave, though. How do you do it? How can you be so calm about it?”
“You’re forgetting that my husband used to be in the navy. This is nothing new to me, but you… you’re so young.”
“I know. I guess it just takes time getting used to.”
“You’ll get the hang of it. And I’m sure once this mission is done, Nick’s schedule will be more manageable, and he won’t need to leave for so long. At least that’s what he says.”
“I hope so. You think we can get the wedding ready in two weeks?”
“Well, we’d like it to be just us and a few close friends, nothing bigger than a picnic, maybe.”
“Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Joelle.”
Nick rushed back to us, a little flushed, and took my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here for a while.”
I waved to Marge and followed Nick’s lead. “Okay. Where are we going?”
“That’s the surprise.”
He gave me a quick kiss, took my hand and led me to the back of the house. “Can you jump the fence?” he asked.
“It will be hard with this dress on. But I can try.”
Nick gave me a boost up, and with a quick flip I was on the other side. I was secretly afraid that my dress would get stuck on the fence and I’d end up hanging upside down with my butt shining up. Thankfully, I didn’t. When I saw him fly over it himself, I did a double take at his shoes to see if he got the additional thrust from hidden rockets or propellers, like Astro, the boy from the comics.
I followed him through the back field that led to the old Camden barn. It had been for sale for years, and I wasn’t even sure who the owner was anymore, but the field around it was at least fifty acres of land or so, and the only other visible establishment from here was our bakery and our house.
Nick pushed the main barn door, opening a sliver of space to squeeze through. Inside, the now setting sun streamed between the wooden boards from the outside, creating ribbons of light that carried dust and particles. At the far end, old hay was stacked about fifteen feet high, and the smell of dried grass filled the air. Overhead, on the exposed upper level, some old tools and pitchforks were propped against the wall. The only way up was a ladder.
I sneezed.
“Bless you.”
“Thank you. So, where’s the surprise?” I asked.
“You’re standing in it.”
I looked around, wondering whether I was missing something.
“I’m going to turn this into a house,” Nick said. “Our house.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Jo, I’m not the kidding type when it comes to you and me.”
“I’m not sure if I want to live in a barn.” My nose wrinkled and I sneezed again. “Especially one filled with hay.”
“This” – he stretched his arms out wide – “is not just a barn. I mean, it would still look like a barn on the outside, but on the inside, it will be all wood. New wood. Clean exposed beams, open concept, stone fireplace, high ceilings, a chandelier made of deer antlers, dining table carved out of wood, and sheepskin rugs everywhere. Up there,” he said, pointing to where the ladder led to the half second floor, “will be our bedrooms and the nursery. It will be beautiful. Imagine that ladder’s a swirling wooden staircase. I’d paint the roof red, and build a greenhouse in the back and a garden at the front where you could plant your flowers. Can you see it? Because I can.”
The way he described it, I could see
it. Except for the sheepskin rugs. I preferred something more minimalistic.
“Oh, and I forgot to add that there will be a jukebox right there.” He pointed to an empty space. “So that I can dance with my wife to any one of her favorite songs.”
“Wife?”
And then he did the unthinkable and knelt down in front of me, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a square box.
“Nicholas…” I gasped.
“Joelle Kagen, I cannot live my life without you. You are my best friend, my only love, and my soulmate. I think it’s time to replace that promise ring with something more permanent. If you will wait for me while I’m gone and have me when I return, I would be honored if you would agree to be my wife.”
He took the oval-cut stone between his thumb and forefinger and slowly slid it on my ring finger, patiently waiting on his knees until I cried out, “Yes!”
I was in his arms, being spun around in the air until everything around us blended and his lips were once again on mine, kissing me so passionately, I thought I’d seen his soul.
“I love you, Nick. I love you so much.”
“So, wanna christen our future house?”
“Thought you’d never ask,” I laughed.
He spun me around in the air again, and then his hands didn’t leave my body again until I was spent.
Chapter 20
I stood at front of the aisle, opposite my father, as Nick walked Marge toward us. Watching him come forward was surreal, and I wondered whether I’d have all these emotions running through me when we got married ourselves. Probably. The town church was packed. Despite not having announced the official wedding and the lack of any invitations, everyone seemed to be present. To celebrate their nuptials, Marge and my father had organized a picnic by the lake for anyone who wanted to join them, and given that nobody wanted to miss this latest happening, I was pretty sure that everyone in town had shown up.
Marge wore a long white dress that shimmered with light pink when she moved. It fit snuggly against her body, a sexier outfit than I was used to seeing her in; way different from the flower-printed aprons she wore every day. Her hair was swept to the side, pinned back with a silver rose. Matching flower stud earrings with a small gemstone in the middle sparkled as she walked down the aisle. She looked breathtaking, and I saw my father wipe his cheek. When they arrived, I hugged her and kissed her before Nick passed her hand to my father and took the best man’s spot at his side.
