Love, Honor & Cherish: The On the Cape Trilogy: A Cape Van Buren Trilogy

by Meredith, MK

  Drawing in a shaky breath, she reached for him. “I’m so sorry, Jamie. I was scared about my da, and I had already hurt him before. I thought since there was no guarantee you and I would work a second time, that you wouldn’t leave again, that I had to go.”

  “But now you’re back? For what? How long?” Jamie looked caught in a tug-of-war.

  “For you and forever.”

  His gray eyes flared, and he took her hand. “We can’t keep separating our families from our family.”

  At his touch, a swift relief washed over her, and she went lightheaded. Grabbing him to steady herself, she nodded. “I agree. I—”

  Before she could finish, he placed a finger over her lips. Her initial instinct was to bite it, but that was the old Blayne rising up. Pushing that self down, she waited.

  “I proposed an expansion of Astor Enterprises into Ireland. We’re already a global business and it only makes sense when we have family there.”

  Surprise rocketed through her. “Expanding? So, you really were coming to get me?”

  He held her close. “That was never a question. I can’t lose you again, Bean. You’re it for me. You’ll forever and always be my everything.”

  Tears of disbelief, of fear, of complete elation filled her eyes. Every dream she ever had ended with this one man. “But your mom and dad are here. It’s not fair to make you leave. I…” She was prepared to stay and continue to build a life in the States. She’d already built a home here, she just hadn’t let herself believe it.

  He pressed a kiss to her lips. “You’re my family, Blayne. My most important family, the one I’ll grow with and raise children with.”

  Her heart stuttered at the thought. There was no helping the grin pushing at her cheeks.

  “I was an ass ten years ago. I was selfish and underestimated you based on something I had completely wrong all this time. I’m so sorry for hurting you, for wasting so much time. But I have to be selfish again. Because I’m never leaving your side. You are mine as much as I’ve always been yours.”

  Wasting time was something she understood all too well. “I’m sorry for turning around and doing the same thing to you. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t see any other way.” An awareness of understanding emerged, ticking up the corners of her lips. “And ten years ago, neither could you. Well, aren’t we a pair?”

  “Guys?” Larkin interrupted.

  But her friend would have to wait. Blayne was finally home where she belonged. In her town with the only man who truly understood who she really was. Happy ever afters were for believers.

  And she believed.

  “There’s no more sacrificing between us or our families,” she said.

  The kitchen buzzed with the excitement of the grand opening and seeing Blayne, but Jamie seemed to only have eyes for her. “If you think you’re up to it, we’ll work here for six months out of the year and then in Ireland. You have your store here and this place, but I’m sure you’ll find something to add to the colorful town of Glengarriff. We’ll figure out the exact logistics as we go along, but, Blayne…”

  He got down on one knee…

  Every hope and dream that she had ever dared to have flashed through her mind. Was this really happening? She’d have her family and the Astor family and Jamie? After everything was said and done, she knew her place was with him and the amazing, loving people of Cape Van Buren. Her family promised to love her no matter where she called home—and to visit often. Emma couldn’t wait.

  But now, they’d all get the best of everything.

  “I’ve loved you since the day I watched you throw back a whiskey at the Blue Loo…”

  Her giggle was thick with emotion as she blinked away tears.

  “Guys!” This time Larkin let loose a shriek.

  Ryker came barreling through the crowd, almost shoving Jamie on his ass.

  She grabbed Jamie, pulling him to his feet as she tried to figure out what was wrong. “What’s happening?”

  With Ryker wrapped around her, Larkin panted through her words. “I’m really sorry…whoo, whoo, whoo…and beyond thrilled that you two are working things out…Whoo, whoo—”

  “Larkin!” This time it was Ryker’s deep bellow that echoed through the room.

  “The baby is commmmmminggggg!” The last word ended on an awful scream that made Blayne swear for the second time in her life that she was never getting pregnant.

  Epilogue

  Three months later…

  “Remember when Archer was born, and you swore you’d never get pregnant?”

  A grinning Larkin settled into a gray tweed chair next to Blayne. The North Cove home she shared with Ryker had been renovated, resulting in a floor-to-ceiling window that opened up the back wall to the rear deck and provided a clear view of the lighthouse across the choppy waters. The glow of the lamp was like a beacon through the large picture window.

  Steadfast and consistent, the perfect symbol of love and strength and commitment that the center had for the town of Cape Van Buren.

  The Archer Conservation Park of Cape Van Buren was thriving and growing by the minute. They were also in the process of tweaking programs and adding more. Which explained why it seemed like the whole town was visiting at the same time.

  Larkin’s mother and father were in the kitchen with Jamie’s parents, as well as Maxine and Evette. The judge was still on the outs with his lady love, but they all secretly hoped they’d find their way back to one another soon. A grumpy Maxine was scary.

  Claire joined them, a big glass of wine for herself and Larkin, and made the new mother scoot over and share a small corner of the chair.

  Blayne scoffed. “Archer was child’s play. Now, this little nugget…” She glided a finger down the baby’s petal-soft cheek and Audrey Maxine Van Buren-aka Baby Max—turned her head toward the touch. “Well, she was a whole different ballgame. I think I’m cured of any threat of the infamous biological clock after hearing you scream.”

  Jamie grabbed each side of her chair, leaning toward her for a kiss. “You better get reacquainted because I know it shouldn’t turn me on to see you holding the baby, but I don’t know if you’ve ever looked sexier.”

  A rush of heat washed through her at his touch. She hoped the feeling never went away. Refusing to let his head grow any bigger, she simply narrowed her eyes at him, though there was no helping the upturn of her mouth. Damn the man. “Slow your roll there, Mr. Astor, we’re not even married yet.”

  Jamie rubbed his big palm gently over the dark fuzz on Baby Max’s head and promised, “Soon, if I have any say in the matter. We’ve waited long enough.”

  It was a wonderful feeling that he was so impatient to be her husband. She’d have to remind him of that in a month or two when he realized she was a pain in the ass to live with. “Let me see how soon my da and siblings can get here. After everything that’s happened, I can’t get married without them.”

  With a gentle touch, she smoothed the cotton onesie covered in lighthouses along the baby’s tummy.

  With a dip of his chin, he sighed, but the look in his eyes was happy and bright. “Of course.”

  Jamie perched on the arm of her chair, glancing out the window. “Is the Hide Away & Stay Inn still running?”

  Ryker strolled in from the kitchen with Mitch close behind and handed Jamie a beer. “For the time being. I’ve heard some talk about the threat of it closing down, but nothing’s confirmed.”

  “No! I love that place. Do you know how many times Blayne and I used to take Archer over there to hang out for the day? We’d grab a picnic from their little cafe and hike through the woods or play in the water along their little beach.”

  Larkin’s eyes turned bright with unshed tears, but she smiled, letting her gaze fall on the baby. “I remember like it was yesterday. He’d loved it there almost as much as the Cape. I hope Audrey Maxine does, too.”

  She smiled at Ryker and the room went quiet.

  Blayne cleared the lump from h
er throat. “Little Max is our girl, of course she’ll love it.”

  “I haven’t been out there in ages,” Claire said.

  “Well.” Larkin finished her wine. “You’ve got a bit on your plate now that you’re taking on the programming at the center. The art classes you proposed to Ryker and me will be amazing.”

  “Besides, you haven’t been ‘out there’ period. I’ve never seen a person hide behind a to-do list as much as you.” Mitch snorted, tipping his head back for a long swallow of beer.

  Claire grabbed the sandal off her foot and threw it at him, knocking him in the chest and making him choke on his drink.

  “Hey, what the hell?”

  With an innocent look, she shrugged. “Better than being the walking STD of Cape Van Buren.”

  “Oh!” Blayne laughed behind her fingers.

  Mitch’s face turned as red as Larkin’s chest was known to do. “What did I ever do to you?”

  Claire opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by a solid knock at the front door.

  “Who the hell is that? The whole damn town is already here.” Ryker frowned but his tone was good natured. Larkin’s love softened the man’s rough edges, but he sported a frown like no other.

  Jamie nudged Blayne. “About the wedding.”

  “Jamie!” She laughed. “You technically haven’t really asked me yet and you’ve had three months.”

  A throat cleared behind her, and her heart stopped. She knew that sound, that tone, that timbre.

  Turning her head, she shot up from the chair. “Da!” Her head spun trying to reconcile the vision of him before her.

  Ryker took baby Max from her arms as if afraid she’d drop the sweet thing.

  Blayne rushed forward and threw herself into her da’s arms.

  “Whoa now, Lass.” He steadied himself with a cane. “Just got my medical release.”

  She glanced down at his hip, then noticed someone over his shoulder. Ruby, Emma, and Dylan stood shyly just past the threshold in the front foyer.

  Her throat convulsed with emotion, and she tried to swallow beyond the questions and tears. “What are you doing here?”

  “I think yer bloke here might have some answers for ya.”

  Jamie shook her father’s hand. “Mr. MacCaffrey.”

  Noah dipped his white-whiskered chin.

  With an indrawn breath, Jamie glanced from father to daughter. “Sir, I brought you here to apologize in person.”

  “Wait, what?” She interrupted, trying to understand what was going on. Her family was here…in Cape Van Buren—her home.

  Jamie looked her father in the eye. “I’m sorry. We handled things so badly, so wrong when we were young, then I only made it worse when we got to the States, but I promise you, the only woman I’ve ever loved is your daughter.”

  Noah pressed his lips together. She could see the pain of the memories in her da’s deep blue eyes.

  “Thank ya, son.”

  Jamie cleared his throat. “Blayne had mentioned once that what we did lacked honor, and I’d like to make that right. I would like to ask for your blessing in marrying your daughter.” He shot a look at her. “That is, if she’ll have me.”

  Love rushed through her as appreciation for Jamie’s kindness swamped her.

  Noah MacCaffrey laughed. Outright laughed.

  She watched him. He must have gone daft. She looked to Emma for some help, but her little sister only shrugged.

  Her father grabbed Jamie’s hand and pumped it vigorously in a shake. “Lad, I appreciate the gesture, but three plane tickets is a very expensive price to pay to ask for my blessin’. Ya could have asked over the line.”

  Jamie shook his head. “No, I needed you here. Does that mean you’re okay with it?”

  “Have ya met my daughter? If I say no, she’d knock me over the head.”

  The whole room laughed, but all she could do was stare between her father and Jamie, her heart splayed open, vulnerable…accepting.

  This was love.

  “Then you see, I needed you here so I could do this right.” Jamie turned to Blayne and took her hand. “I’ve loved you since I was a boy, and it would be my greatest accomplishment if you would let me love you long past being an old man.”

  Her fingers fluttered to her lips. “Jamie,” she barely got out the whisper.

  “Blayne MacCaffrey, will you make an honorable man of me and be my wife? I promise I’ll never leave you and that I’ll get on your nerves more than once.”

  She choked on a giggle, swallowing hard as tears formed in her eyes.

  “I promise to keep you connected with your family and that you’ll get sick of mine.”

  Margaret Astor, leaning into her husband, gave a husky chuckle behind the handkerchief she used to dab her eyes.

  “But even more, I promise to make sure you feel at home wherever we lay our heads at night, and that mine will always be next to yours.”

  She’d never experienced such joy. There was a certain pain to so much pleasure that left her breathless and hopeful and overwhelmed. She glanced around the room at all the faces that loved her, that always had loved her.

  Ryker was right from the very beginning. She and Jamie made each other better.

  They renewed hope, forgiveness, and second chances at not only love but life.

  She grabbed his shirt and pulled him close. Tears now streaming down her face, she laughed and cried and nodded with a flurry of dark tendrils falling about her face. “Yes! I’ll marry you.” Then she poured every ounce of herself into that kiss. It was more than an answer. It was her promise to stand by him, side-by-side, wherever their future may lead. She wasn’t afraid anymore, she wasn’t searching for her place. She’d already known where it was long ago.

  But there was more. She’d always dreamed of love—even when she didn’t believe it would happen for her—but she’d never known to dream of honor…on the Cape.

  * * *

  Did you adore Honor on the Cape? Want to read Claire’s story in Cherish on the Cape? Then follow me on Amazon to receive an email on release day of Cherish on the Cape later this year!

  Feed your romance addiction with more books by MK Meredith!

  Cape Van Buren

  On the Cape Novels:

  Love on the Cape (Ryker and Larkin) bk 1

  Honor on the Cape (Blayne and Jamie) bk 2

  Cherish on the Cape (Claire and Mitch) bk 3

  Novellas:

  Draw You In (formerly Falling for You)

  International Temptation Series

  A strong dose of decadence along with a side of tall, dark,

  and sexy in your favorite travel destinations.

  Seducing the Tycoon (Drago and Chase) bk 1

  Playing the Spanish Billionaire (Meteu and London) bk 2

  Malibu Sights Series

  There's no place like paradise and the happy ever afters

  found in the film industry of Malibu, CA.

  Malibu Betrayals (Sam and Gage) bk 1

  Malibu Secrets (Addi and Roque) bk 2

  What Happens in Vegas Series

  multi author series)

  What happens when a romance convention descends upon Vegas?

  A whole lot of love!

  Seducing Seven (Seven and Blake) bk 9

  Sign up for MK’s monthly newsletter, The Heat Sheet, for new releases and lots of fun!

  Join the fun in MK’s fan group MK & CO !

  Connect with MK:

  Website: mkmeredith.com

  Twitter: twitter.com/MKMKMeredith

  Facebook: facebook.com/MKMKMeredith/

  Acknowledgments

  To my children and husband, otherwise known as my heart and soul, thank you for believing in me and always knowing I could do this even when I didn’t. I love you. To my big brothers, Tommy, Todd, and Billy—as goofy as I am, you’ve always held me up. To Paula, my sister of the heart, I’m forever in awe of you. And to my mom, who’s continued to mother me from the other
side, I hope I have a fraction of your grace. Thank you.

  Thank you to my editor KR Nadelson. Your insight and ability to really understand my story is truly a gift. Thank you. To my copy editor Jessica Snyder, you go above and beyond and are forever in my heart. Dawn Yacovetta, your eagle eye is priceless. Thank you all for being such an incredible team! Errors are inevitable but with your help my readers will be distracted by a lot less.

  Kerrie Legend, I am thrilled to be working with you, and your ability to translate me into graphics is amazing. Thank you.

  Thank you to Amy Ball for opening doors of opportunity for me and helping me be a more organized writer.

  Thank you to the Romantics, your love lifts me up, and to my fan group, MK & CO, for your friendship and for believing in me. I love everyone in this family, from the very first to the still-to-come.

  One more exuberant thank you to the readers of Cape Van Buren. I truly love this town. Experiencing life with you in this way is magical. I hope that at least one scene, one line, or simply one word resonates with each of you.

  And to my sisters and brothers in the fight against breast and all types of cancer. I know both sides, having lost my mom to breast cancer at a young age, and having survived breast cancer myself…twice. My writing is one of the things that carries me through. I have many more books to write.

  Thank you. Hugs, loves, and peanut butter,

  MK

  About the Author

  MK Meredith writes single title contemporary romance promising an emotional ride on heated sheets. She believes the best route to success is to never stop learning. Her lifelong love affair with peanut butter continues. Only two things come close in the battle for her affections: gorgeous heels and maybe Gerard Butler…or was it David Gandy? Who is she kidding? Her true loves are her husband and two children who have survived her SEAs (spontaneous explosions of affection) and live to tell the tale. The Merediths live in the D.C. area with their large fur baby…until the next adventure calls..