Secrets in Battle: Secrets of Savannah Series Book 3

by S. M. Donaldson

  I flip them the bird and climb into Chris’s car, saying goodbye to the vultures I’m leaving behind.

  Once I’m inside the car, I look at Chris. “Okay, tell me what you know.”

  Chapter 25

  Sitting on the swing with Beau, I see the car I’ve now come to realize is Chris’s. Princess gets out and speaks to him, then she waves goodbye.

  She walks my direction. I smile when she reaches me and sits down with us on the swing.

  She pets Beau. Without looking up she starts to speak. “It was a disaster. Luckily, I won’t have to deal with them ever again. What kind of father basically tries to make his daughter a business deal?”

  I put my hand up. “Wait. What?”

  “His company needs money, so I was supposed to marry Patrick Wilson.” She puts up her hand. “Wait, let’s go inside. I only want to explain this one time. Today was so fucking crazy they should do a Jerry Springer episode on it.”

  I laugh and follow her into the main house. Nana, Ryder and Scarlet are sitting in the kitchen.

  Scarlet jumps off the stool she’s sitting on. “How did today go?”

  I shake my head, signaling for them to wait a minute. “She’s gonna explain.”

  Nana stands up. “Did Winston put his hands on you again? I swear before everything that’s holy that I will go over there and that man will know pain.”

  She shakes her head. “Nana, I’m going to explain.” She makes the motion for her to sit down.

  I take a seat next to Ryder.

  Princess looks around. “Well, let’s see, lunch started out with my father telling us how we were failures to him. Then he got pissed and announced that Vic isn’t his son and that mom screwed around with his partner. Shane called me fat. They all said I looked like shit. Well, except Vic and Chris. We had to eat summer salad that tasted like shit. All I could think about was the lunch Nana would have fixed. They said I was turning into the hillbilly rednecks I was living with because I told them how fucked up our family was.”

  She was pacing the floor and speaking very fast. “Then when I got up to leave, my dad said I couldn’t take the car, which I wasn’t going to until he said that. I grabbed the keys and tore out of the garage. I tore up my mother’s neatly manicured lawn and crashed that damn car into the bird bath. Probably totaled the car. My dad went to slap me but Vic stopped him. Chris ratted out the fact that my dad wanted me to marry Patrick Wilson so that the companies could merge. I was part of a fucking business deal. My dad is going broke and they needed money so he was basically willing to sell me to the highest bidder. They accused me of acting like a hillbilly redneck, so I acted like one. I flipped them off and told them to fuck off. I also told my mom I’d see her in the welfare line since Dad’s business deal didn’t work out.”

  She collapses in a chair and lets out a huge sigh. “Holy shit! That was a lot.”

  Nana laughs. “So we are hillbilly rednecks, huh?”

  She laughs hugging Nana. “I told them they were jealous of y’all because you have more money than God.”

  We all burst out into hysterical laughter. “Shit, Princess, you really know how to tell a story.”

  Ryder looks over at her. “I guess you’ll be staying a little while longer?”

  Princess gets a serious look. “I’m sorry, Ryder. I can...I can find a place if I need to.”

  He laughs. “I’m just playing with you.” He puts his hand on her shoulder. “You’re family. You stay as long as you need to.”

  I laugh. “You just may not want to. Especially after y’all’s toy party last night.”

  Scarlet turns red. “You’re an ass, Judd.”

  Nana shakes her head and gets up. “Damn crazy people.” She kisses Princess on the head. “I gotta go, baby. I’m sorry your family is such a bunch of assholes. You’re always welcome to stay here as long as you can deal with those two.” She points to Ryder and Scarlet. “With all of their damn exhibitionism.” She walks out the back door.

  Scarlet speaks up, yelling to her. “We’re not that bad.”

  Ryder looks at me. “It’s his fault. He loaned me those damn books you women have been raving about.”

  Princess smiles at me. “You’ve read the books? Hmm. That explains a lot.”

  I smiled. “Hey, gotta get the advantage where I can.”

  Scarlet smiles and kisses my cheek. “Well, thanks.” Then she turns to Princess. “We’ll try to keep the exhibitionism to a minimum.”

  I shake my head and grab Princess’ hand. “Come on, let’s go take Beau for a walk. Scarlet is planning on getting him a girlfriend so he needs to get in shape.”

  Princess squeals to Scarlet. “Are you getting a puppy?”

  Scarlet jumps up and down. “Yes! I’m gonna name her Dixie!”

  Ryder rolls his eyes. “Jesus. Scarlet, I’m going to dig in those bags from last night.”

  Scarlet takes off running upstairs with Ryder on her heels. Then we hear a bunch of giggling.

  “We’d better go.” I tug on her hand to go out the back door before we see some shit we don’t want to.

  After we step outside, Beau comes running up to us and lets out a bark. I rub his head. “Hey, boy. Yep, Princess is here.”

  She reaches down, rubbing his head. “You’re a sweet boy. I heard you’re getting a girlfriend. Let’s go for a walk, we need you to get in shape.”

  I laugh and we start walking. “So lunch was a bust, huh?”

  She snorts. “You could say that. I’m done.”

  “I’m sorry it was so shitty. I’m sorry your family is a bunch of fuckheads.”

  She smiles. “Yeah, me, too.”

  “So Vic is only your half-brother?”

  “I guess so. We asked if Chris and I were his. My mother looked at us like we were accusing her of something. Like she wasn’t just admitting to having an affair that led to a child.” She starts laughing. “I know I sound like a crazy person this afternoon. I’m laughing at my family. All of the secrets, all of the lies. They are all certifiably crazy and they were making me crazy. All of their demands, trying to make me marry someone because of money, keeping my mom’s affair a secret. Hell, Vic stood up and basically told them this was the happiest day of his life to find out he wasn’t Winston Garrett’s son. I know this just doesn’t happen in regular families. The general population cannot be this damn nuts.”

  I pull her into my chest. “Hey, it’s okay. No, not every family is this way. We’ll get through this part.”

  She looks up at me and smiles. “You just said that we would get through this. Did you mean it?’

  “Yes Princess, I sure did.” I did and I meant every word of it.

  Chapter 26

  Scarlet motions to me. “Annabelle, do you have my something blue?”

  I run over to my dresser. “Yep, here you go.” I place the sapphire comb in her hair. “You look so pretty.”

  She smiles. “Thank you.” She looks at us both in the mirror. “You do, too.”

  I smile. “Thank you for not making me wear some hideous dress.” I look down at the yellow chiffon strapless, knee length dress and smile.

  Her mom comes in. “Awe, Scarlet, you look just beautiful. Have your brothers and Ivie seen you yet?”

  We both shake our heads and Scarlet speaks up. “No, ma’am.” She walks to her mom’s side. “Mom, are you still okay with Cade walking me down the aisle? I really just want you to be seated so you get to see everything.”

  Whisper, her mother, smiles. “Yes, sweetie. I want to see everything. I want the total mother experience. Especially since your brother ran off to Vegas to get married.”

  She hugs her mom. “Thanks, Mom. Now, will you go get them so they can see me? I need Cade here anyway.”

  Her mom leaves to go gather the people she wants to see. I sit down on the edge of the bed. “Scarlet, how crazy is all of this? A year ago, if you’d told me that you’d be marrying Ryder Abbott, I would have thought you’d been hit over the he
ad.”

  “I know, right? Especially since I hated him. I think during our first five minutes of conversation I called him a blue-blooded, conceited, spoiled rotten, selfish bastard.” She starts giggling. “Then he called me sugar tits.”

  I laugh. “After that, you had that boy by the balls. You know he set Judd up with me that night in the bar so that I’d be distracted from you?”

  She nods and laughs. “Yes. I had my suspicions that night. He confirmed it later, though”

  There is a knock at the door and I open it to see Ivie, Gable, Cade, his wife Daria and their two kids.

  I smile. “Hey, guys. You ready to see her?”

  Madison, Cade’s little girl, runs through first and stops in front of Scarlet. “You look like a princess, Aunt Scarlet. I saw Uncle Ryder, he looks like a prince.” She jumps up and down clapping.

  Scarlet smiles down at her. “Well you look like a princess, too. Mr. Judd calls Miss Annabelle princess all the time.”

  Everyone giggles.

  They walk in closer and Gable takes her up in his arms. “You look gorgeous, Scar.”

  She smiles. “Don’t make me cry.”

  Ivie hugs her. “Damn, you are hot. If I went that way I’d try to stop this wedding.”

  She giggles. “Thanks, you guys.” She winks at Ivie. “If I went that way, Ivie, I’d probably take you up on that offer.”

  They both laugh. Scarlet smiles, “So are you guys ready to sing your hearts out for me?”

  Ivie nods happily. “Yes. I’m so honored you’d let us do this.”

  Scarlet laughs. “You’re honored. Hell, I’m the one who should be honored that I have celebrities singing at my wedding.”

  Cade steps up. “Okay, my turn. I might have been later coming into your life, but I’m so happy to be here for you.”

  Daria smiles and hugs her. “You look great. I’m so happy for you and Ryder both. Now, I’m going to take Madison and her brother out to have a seat before you end up with little hand prints all over your dress.”

  We all laugh as she leaves with the kids in tow. Gable and Ivie excuse themselves a few minutes later to get ready for their song.

  I hold Scarlet’s hand. “You ready?’

  She smiles. “I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m ready to get it over with and go on my honeymoon.”

  I shake my head. “Like you two need any more time or places to have sex.”

  “Argh. My ears. Please don’t say things like that in front of me.” Cade says covering his ears.

  We both laugh. There is a soft knock at the door. Nana walks in. “Oh baby girl, you look just precious. Ryder is going to lose his mind when you walk out there.”

  She hugs Nana. “Thank you.”

  Nana takes Scarlet’s hand. “I hope that you and Ryder will be as happy as Grayton and I were. You two have an amazing life ahead of you. Take everything God gives you head on and face it together. Remember all you’ve been through to get you to this point in life. Now, this was my wedding ring from my Grayton. I’d love for you to wear it as your something old and borrowed.”

  Scarlet starts to cry. “Thank you, Nana. I love it. Yes, of course I’ll wear it. I was going to say my bra was old, but I like this, too.”

  We all giggle. “Okay, well I’m gonna go see if Daria will let me hold that handsome nephew of yours.” Nana stops and pats Cade’s face. “He’s as handsome as his daddy.” Then she makes her way out the door.

  I turn to Cade and laugh. “I think Nana’s got a little crush on you.”

  He laughs. “All the ladies have a crush on me.”

  There is a knock on the door. I poke my head out and Mrs. Parker tells us it’s time.

  I look at Scarlet. “You ready to become Mrs. Abbott?”

  Cade smiles at her. “If you’re not, I’ve got a car gassed up and ready to go. We’ll blow off this guy, the plantation, all of this. We’ll burn rubber getting out of here.”

  She laughs. “No. I’m good. I’m ready to go.”

  I pick up our flowers as Cade takes her hand. “Let’s go, little sister.”

  I grab the train of her dress as we make our way to the back doors. One of the ushers open the French doors that lead to the patio.

  I look to Scarlet. “Alright. I’ll see you in a minute.”

  I start down the aisle, making eye contact with Judd the entire way. The guys are wearing light weight suits with open collared shirts.

  Chapter 27

  “So man, you ready for this?”

  Ryder nods. “More than anything.”

  The music starts and I see Princess coming out the French doors. She takes my breath away every time I see her. I can only hope and imagine what it would be like for her to be in a wedding dress walking down this aisle to be my wife.

  She makes eye contact with me and smiles that angelic smile. I smile back, then the music picks up. Cade and Scarlet come through the back doors.

  I look over and I’m jealous of my best friend. Ryder has always had a privileged life and I’ve never been the least bit jealous, but to watch him seeing the love of his life walk to him so they can be joined as husband and wife, I want to be him.

  I know I sound like a big fat pussy. The thing is, when you’ve watched how short life can be, you know how important these moments are. Unfortunately, I’ve watched my share of loss up close and personal.

  Standing here watching my best friend since diapers say his vows is amazing. I look over at Princess and think back to the day before I left for my last deployment.

  “Hey, Princess, I’ve done this a few times now. I’m good, I promise. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  She looks over at me through her tears. “I know, it’s just I’ve never felt like I really had anything to lose. My life is all smoke and mirrors. Now I feel like I’m losing one of the only real things I’ve ever had.”

  “I promise I’m coming back. You are not losing me.”

  “I thought we said that we weren’t going put a label on what we have? But you’re promising me that you are coming back to me.”

  I pull her naked body on top of mine and kiss her. “Okay, I understand what you’re saying. We haven’t known each other that long so how about we put a pin in this? We are open to other people during this deployment. When I come back, we’ll reassess and decide where we stand. If I have anything to do with it, though, we’ll be right here in each other’s arms.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Ryder Abbott.” The preacher says breaking me from my daydream.

  As I take Princess’s arm, we follow our best friends down the aisle.

  ~*~*~

  Nana is dancing with me. “Judd, you are smooth on your feet, boy. A regular Fred Astaire.”

  I laugh. “I try, ma’am.”

  “So how are things going?”

  “Better. It was hot. I’m glad to be out of that jacket.”

  She looks at me crossly. “Judd. You know what I’m asking.”

  I nod. “I’m learning some signs of the attacks and how to control them. Beau helps with my nightmares. I’m a little scared, I still haven’t had a sleepover with Princess. I still haven’t explained it all.”

  She smiles. “You are doing so well. It takes a big man to take all these steps. You’ll be better for it and you two will be stronger for it. You’ll tell her when it’s time.”

  “You think so? Why would she willingly stick around for this craziness?”

  She looks at me like I’m crazy. “You heard her talk about her family the other day. You really think you’re that crazy? At least you have a reason.” We both laugh a little and she kisses my cheek. “Now, it’s time for you young people to drink and for old bitties like me to take our asses to bed.”

  I laugh. “Do you need a ride back to your house?”

  “Nah. Mr. Fitzgerald is going to drop me off. We’re going to have a nightcap.”

  I shake my head. Walking over to the bar, I meet up with my dad
and Ryder’s dad. “So Greer, how’s it going in Atlanta?”

  He sighs. “I miss my farm, but I’m happy living with Sarah. It’s great to have someone in my life again.”

  I nod. “I’m happy for you.”

  We make small talk for a little while. I look around and see all the happy couples on the dance floor.

  I can’t help but wonder where she is. I make my way into the house and check her room. I stop Ivie. “Have you seen Princess?”

  She shakes her head. “No. Here, take this shot. Gable’s trying to get me drunk so he can get me pregnant. He thinks he’s being sneaky.”

  I laugh and down the shot. “Happy to help. So why does Gable think he needs to get you drunk to get you pregnant?”

  “Because, I don’t know, it’s still not something we’ve really talked about. He’s been making hints.”

  I laugh. “Only freakin’ Gable would try to trick his own wife.” I shake my head. “Well if you see her, tell her I’m looking for her, please.”

  I ask random people and no one seems to know where she went off to.

  I’m offered a couple more drinks as I’m walking around. I shake my head, this is a typical southern wedding. Free flowing booze and an endless supply of food. Oh, and don’t forget the cocktail sausages. It’s not a wedding in the south without them.

  I see one of the lights on in the main barn. Making my way to the ajar door, I see Princess rubbing Beau’s head and talking to him.

  I enter. “Hey. Between the two of us, he’s going to start charging by the hour like my counselor.”

  She looks up and smiles. “Hey. There was just a lot of people out there. I needed a breather.”

  “That’s supposed to be my line.” Beau senses that his job is done and makes his way out of the barn.

  She laughs and I can tell she’s been crying. I sit down by her and pull her into my lap. “Hey baby, why are you crying?”

  “I ran into one of the men from my dad’s club out there. He said he was sorry to hear that things didn’t work out for Patrick and I. Maybe I would find someone soon.”