by Maggie Way
“I think the number will wind up being around five hundred,” Bonnie said.
Cassi tensed at the mention of the large number. It was not remotely what she or Austin wanted for their day. So much for feeling relaxed.
Jasmine glanced at her, then said, “I know the Keller family has a standing in the community, and there are certain expectations when the most eligible bachelor in the horse industry gets married. But we also must be respectful of the wishes of the bride and groom.”
Turning to Bonnie, she said, “You hired me because you heard about my reputation, right?”
“Yes,” Bonnie agreed.
“Then you have to trust that I know what I’m doing. If you want to have a wonderful wedding, everyone needs to feel comfortable, especially the bride and groom. They can’t be made to feel like they’re on display or are in a room full of strangers.”
Jasmine was smooth. She knew exactly how to phrase things that were quite logical, but at the same time, could sway Cassi’s mother-in-law from the idea of a huge anonymous reception. Jasmine had Cassi’s vote and Cassi was eager to hear the rest of Jasmine’s ideas.
“I’m sure you can reduce that number. Focus on your closest business associates, the people you interact with all the time. If you issue fewer invitations, it’ll become a more selective event. The people who receive them will know they were on a very short, select list. And they’ll remember that for a long time after the wedding is over.
“You don’t need to give me a new number now, but I’ll need it before I leave tonight.” Jasmine went to the other easel and flipped the paper over.
“Since all the desirable venues will likely be booked at such short notice, I propose the reception be held here at Keller Farms. A tent can be set up in the backyard. Your home and grounds are lovely, and you have plenty of room.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Bonnie said. “I really had my heart set on a more elegant setting. I’ll have to think about it.”
“And it will also add to the exclusivity of the wedding,” Jasmine added. “Is there a certain time you two want to get married, or are you flexible on that?”
Cassi and Austin both shook their heads.
“Well, I’d like to suggest that the wedding be held at 4:00, so that the reception can begin any time after 6:00. The lighting of the tent will look more romantic at dusk. And we could line luminaria along the drive up to the house, and extend your holiday decorating by draping garlands with red bows along the fencing, too.”
“I think that sounds wonderful,” Eleanor said, speaking up for the first time since they’d all sat down. “I’d love to see my only grandson celebrate his wedding at Keller Farms.”
“I agree,” Bonnie said.
“What do you think, Cassi?” Austin asked, shifting to look at her.
“If we can get the number of guests down to no more than two hundred...” Cassi said, looking hopefully in Bonnie’s direction.
“I think I can get it down to two hundred and fifty.” Bonnie said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Between your and Austin’s friends, and your family, that would be at least one-hundred, leaving me to be very selective with who I invite.” Bonnie smiled. “I want both of you to be very happy on your wedding day, and the rest of your lives.”
Austin rose from the sofa and went to his mother, giving her a kiss on top of her head. “We will be very happy.”
“That’s all I’ve wanted. The best for you,” she looked at Cassi, “The woman who will fulfill you.” Bonnie’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Cassi, for making my son so happy.”
Cassi felt tears prick her own eyes and tried hard not to burst into an all-out crying jag. “Your acceptance is all I’ve wanted.” She had been so anxious, and the relief she now felt was leaving her weak-kneed.
Jasmine piped up. “This is what every wedding is about. Love and family.”
Love was something Cassi and Austin had excelled at for some time now, but in the back of her mind, Cassi had still worried she would never be good enough to be a Keller. Finally, she felt like she belonged.
Chapter Eight
The same weekend, Cassi and Austin drove to a large luxury department store to select items for their wedding registry. Though they could have easily done it online, Austin had suggested it would be more fun to do it at the store. That way they could also see and feel the quality of the items they were selecting.
They held hands as they rode the escalator to their appointment. After providing a bridal registry consultant with their basic information, they were handed an electronic code reader and instructed to scan whatever items interested them.
“Maybe we should start at the kitchenware. We could use a new set of pots and pans,” Cassi said.
Austin grinned. “I was thinking we should start in the bedding section.”
It was Cassi’s turn to laugh. “Of course you were. Not that I’m complaining.” She gave his shoulder a playful nudge. “Maybe if you behave today, we can pick out new bedroom furniture before we go home.”
“Sounds like a good deal to me.” Austin draped his arm around her shoulders.
Once they reached the housewares section, they selected a modern-looking set of cookware—Austin’s choice—and then he struck a James Bond pose with the scan gun.
“All right, what’s next?”
Cassi grimaced and resisted giggling at his pose.
“You’re silly,” she said, giggling a little.
“I’m silly about you.”
“Me, too. I mean, I’m silly over you as well.”
Austin wrapped her in his arms and hugged her, placing a kiss on top of her head. “I’m enjoying this.”
“I’m glad.” Cassi smiled.
“I enjoy anything when I’m with you.”
Her heart did a flip-flop, and she encircled her hands around his arm and pulled him to the next section. They selected kitchen appliances, teasing each other about what they wanted. Austin wanted a fancy coffee maker that would foam milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Cassi had always wanted a waffle maker, so she scanned that with the agreement the first batch she made were to be served to Austin-in bed.
Next up was fine china. Cassi was in awe of all the finery glittering in the lights. The plates were so delicate looking, she was afraid to touch them. When she was growing up they’d never had china, just everyday dishes.
“I have strict orders for the china,” Austin said. “Mom gave me the name of the china they have.”
“Really?”
“It’s a special order that gets the initial ‘K’ monogrammed in the center.”
Wow, Cassi thought. She’d never had china in her life, and now she was supposed to get monogrammed plates? Some of the old insecurities came back, but they faded when Austin turned and grinned at her.
“Here they are,” Austin pointed. “Lenox with the navy border and gold trim.”
“You seem to know an awful lot about china,” she said, again nudging his shoulder.
“It was my parent’s pattern when they got married. My mom and dad fought about it.” He shrugged. “She wanted a bunch of frilly designs and he just wanted something that would stand the test of time. Something a man wouldn’t mind eating from. And he wanted the ‘K’ on the plates.”
Cassi’s eyes misted with emotion. Her heart ached for Austin. She could tell he missed his father. Her own father had left their family, but she could at least see him if she searched for him. She’d heard he was still around the area. But she wouldn’t look for him. He had left them high and dry, without so much as a goodbye or a phone call.
She picked up a plate and took a closer look. It was a simple design that didn’t offend her—except when she saw the price. It was only for one place setting, not an entire set, but it was obvious her friends and family wouldn’t be able to buy a single salad plate.
Now that she was marrying into the Keller family, expensive things like this china would become the norm. They would be exp
ected. Required.
Cassi still wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to spending money on seemingly inconsequential things. She’d grown up on a working farm, where the only value something had was in how useful it could be.
But she could tell this china pattern was important to Austin, and if it was important to him, it was important to her.
“So how many do we get?”
Austin kept scanning the gun. “Our dining room will sit at least eight, so I think we should get ten. In case you break any.”
He grinned at her, and the love and simple joy she saw on his face was the reminder she’d needed that this was right. They were right together. The rest was mere details.
“Do we get to pick the silver and crystal?”
“Sure can.”
After the china, they moved on to select the silver and crystal. Each price tag she saw gave her a jolt. Cassi couldn’t help but think that the cost of all the things they were picking out would probably pay for several years of her mortgage, if not more. She wondered if she would ever get used to such a lavish lifestyle.
She and Austin continued their march through the store and finally wound up in the bedding section.
“Well, I don’t think we can choose sheets or blankets until we pick out a new bedroom set.” Austin’s smile hinted at mischief.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“What kind of bed do you want?” Cassi asked.
“A really big one.” Austin continued to grin.
“Oh, of course you do,” Cassi said, playing along.
“It has to be a king size. Roomy. Comfortable. A love nest for two.”
“But wouldn’t such a big bed hinder us from being close together?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Not at all. It will give us a lot of room for when we’re not sleeping.”
“I see. Well, in that case, a king it will be.” Cassi led him into the furniture section. She liked a simple shaker style in white, but Austin wanted a massive carved wood bed with four posters and a padded leather headboard.
“Hmm,” Cassi said, “maybe we’ll have to consult with Jasmine on this.”
Austin laughed. “I think we can pick our furniture together without outside help.”
Cassi nodded. “But I am glad your mother hired her. It’s made everything so much easier, especially compromising with your mother on the number of guests.”
“It did. But you know what?”
Cassi shook her head.
“Our wedding day is going to be perfect, no matter what.”
“Okay, so are we going to do ‘rock, paper, scissors’ for the bed?”
He took her hand. “We’ll keep looking until we find something we both like.”
Chapter Nine
The week flew by in a whirlwind while she and Austin continued to work on the remodeling of her house, soon to be their home. The kitchen was finally completed and all the wood floors on the first level had been refinished. She loved that it was Austin’s gift to her for their wedding.
Her gift to him was adding him to the deed along with her and her brother. She was getting the mortgage for her family home, barn and land mortgage refinanced too. The bank had called to set the appointment to make it official. Once all the papers were signed, they would each own one-third of the farm. Then she and Austin could work together to build their dream training and breeding facility.
Cassi was considering another possible addition to their new business. She liked the idea of providing riding lessons for children or horse therapy for special needs kids. Spending time with horses, learning to bond with them and care for them, could help soothe any number of hurts. The stables had always been her refuge when family life was chaotic, especially when her father came home drunk.
Her brother Mikey met them at the bank. After the papers were signed, Austin opened the door to his Jaguar for Cassi. She never tired of the rich leather seats and the racy feel of how it handled. Not to mention sitting next to her sexy, gorgeous, soon-to-be husband. She rested her hand on his thigh as he drove toward their house.
Once buckled up, Austin leaned over and kissed her. “Thank you for the wedding gift.”
“You’re welcome,” she said.
“Since we’ve handled the papers for the farm today, Donnie is drawing up a pre-nup agreement.”
“What?!” Cassi removed her hand from his thigh and turned sideways in her seat to gape at him. “You’re joking, right?”
“No, I’m not.” Austin said, darting a quick glance at her. “Actually, we should have done it before we closed on your property. I think it’s needed to protect all of us. If for some reason we broke up, you’d still have the farm, and one of us could buy the other’s portion of the horse business.”
Cassi sat stunned. Her heart thudded in her chest and her ears rang. Tears stung her eyelids. “You’re already thinking we might not be forever?”
Why were they getting married if he wasn’t sure?
“Well, it’s a possibility,” Austin said. “My mom remarried, and look at how my step-dad’s running our family business into the red.”
“But your father died, Austin, that’s why your mother remarried. Not because their marriage failed.” She hated the way her voice was shaking, but she couldn’t do anything to stop it.
“Yeah, but anything’s possible.” It almost came out as a whisper.
“I can’t believe you think our marriage might fail.”
“It’s not that I think we’ll fail. I just want both of us to be protected.”
“I can’t believe you talked to Don about this before ever bringing it up to me.”
“I know this might seem unusual to you, but it’s a pretty common thing.” Austin said evenly.
“Pre-nups might be common in your circles, but in mine, you get married. That is the contract. There is no consideration of the possibility of failure.”
“Don’t you think that’s a pretty naïve viewpoint?” Austin asked, darting another quick look at her. “Plenty of people get divorced.”
“Yeah, they do. But they don’t go into the marriage thinking it might not work out.” Cassi folded her arms in front of her chest.
“Look, Cassi, I’m not saying that.”
“If you’re asking me to sign a pre-nup, then you are.”
“Cassi,” Austin said on a sigh.
“Let’s just get home. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Cassi turned her head and watched the beautiful Kentucky countryside whizz by, blurred by the tears threatening to fall.
“Cassi,” Austin settled his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.
“Really?” he asked incredulously. “You don’t even want to discuss it.”
“No, I don’t. Not right now.” Cassi said as tears began rolling down her cheeks. She kept her face averted so he wouldn’t see.
The rest of the drive home was spent in strained silence. Cassi hated conflict, hated emotional upheaval. It triggered so many bad memories and scars from her past.
Once home, she got out of the car and ran into the house and all the way up to their bedroom. She tossed a pillow and blanket into the hallway and closed the door.
Moments later, she heard Austin’s steps on the stairs.
“Cassi, open up.” He knocked on the door gently.
“Go away,” she said, her voice muffled in the pillow.
“Cassi, come on.”
She didn’t respond. She just wanted him to go away. He was breaking her heart before they were even married.
“When you want to talk, I’ll be downstairs, then.”
She heard him retreat and walk back downstairs.
Hot tears ran down her face into the pillow. She sobbed gently until there were no more tears. Lying there, she wished more than anything Austin was next to her to comfort her. But this time he was the one she was crying about, so he couldn’t.
She just couldn’t believe he wanted a pre-nup. She laid there, her mind running
in circles like a horse in a training field, until she fell asleep.
The next morning Cassi stayed upstairs listening to Austin move about in the bathroom. She still didn’t want to talk to him, but they’d have to settle things eventually. She was devastated by his request for a pre-nup, mostly because it meant he had considered the possibility they wouldn’t make it forever. Whereas she had never once considered that.
That’s what tore at her. That’s what was causing her heart to break. She loved him with all her heart, but maybe he didn’t feel the same way.
As soon as she heard Austin go back downstairs, she made her way to the bathroom to shower. But she had only just stepped under the spray when she heard the bathroom door open. Austin.
“Hey Cassi, I know I upset you by bringing up the pre-nup. I honestly didn’t think it would be a big deal. It’s not that I think we won’t last. I just like to be on the safe side and have things spelled out. Considering how things have been going with my family’s farm after my mom remarried, Don suggested it might be a good idea.”
“I don’t know what to say to that,” Cassi said.
“Well, you don’t have to say anything. I’m sorry it has upset you this much. But I do believe it’s a good idea considering the assets in question.
“Anyway, I’m heading over to my place. I just wanted to know if I should continue to bring things back over here,” he said in a worried tone.
Cassi didn’t say anything right away. She closed her eyes as the hot shower washed over her.“Yes.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you later.”
Normally he would have jumped in the shower with her or given her a friendly swat on her behind. She guessed he knew he should tread lightly this morning.
Cassi wished he had never brought up this whole pre-nup nonsense. But he had, and now she only had two choices. Refuse to sign it and possibly break up over it, or sign it knowing Austin had some reservations about their love.
Neither option really appealed to her.
Ultimately, the answer was easy. Despite how angry and hurt she was right now, the thought of not having Austin in her life was unimaginable.
