Stay

by B. A. Wolfe

“No, silly. You’re not a bear. You’re a ring bearer. Come on. Let’s go find the pillow,” Mel said, taking Jase’s hand in hers.

  “You look gorgeous, mama. I’ll see you at the altar.” She flashed me a wink and I blew her a kiss before she left the tent. She passed by Moose with her eyes to the ground. Not even a glance in his direction. It pained me to watch.

  A heavy breath expelled from Moose’s lips. “I can’t get over how gorgeous you look, Cass.”

  I flashed him a grateful smile and adjusted his tie for him. “You clean up pretty nice yourself.”

  He took my hand and wrapped it through his arm. “Thanks for letting me walk you down the aisle.” His voice struggled as he spoke. I squeezed his arm and smiled. If there was ever anyone I’d have walk me down, it was Moose. He was there for me in ways he’d never understand. He stood by me, looked out for me, kept me from losing myself; he was always there. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re one of my best friends, Moose.”

  “And I’ll never stop being there for you.”

  “Thank you for everything.”

  He smiled as if he knew the depth of my comment. “Let’s get you married.”

  Dan

  The musician tucked the violin under her chin, raised her arm, and set the bow to the instrument. The soft melody of Canon in D wafted through the air and everyone rose from their seats. All heads turned toward the end of the aisle. I’d been waiting for this moment—the one where I finally got to set my eyes on her.

  I gripped my hands together in front of me and forced myself to remain cool and collected on the outside. Inside, I was a damn mess. There was a light tap on my shoulder. I turned my neck to see my father—my best man—smiling.

  “I think you’re more nervous than the bride,” he chuckled under his breath.

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad.”

  His lips swept to the side. “I’m really proud of you, son.” His voice was calm and quiet, but his eyes began to well.

  He’d never know how much those words and him standing by my side meant to me. “Thanks, Dad,” I muttered under my breath. “For everything.” Things were finally okay between us—more than okay.

  Ooh’s and ah’s gushed from the audience and I knew she was there. My heart thudded against my chest, beating like it was the first time I ever saw her. Breathing hard through my nose, I fought the tears that threatened as I watched her step slowly down the aisle.

  She wore exactly what I imagined she would. How she knew was a mystery. There was no way she heard my pleas and cries that day in the chapel, when I divulged my most intimate feelings out loud to whoever could hear them.

  A toe of her white cowgirl boot peeked out from beneath her dress as she stepped forward. Her hand clasped around Moose’s arm—who I couldn’t thank enough for walking her down. I unlatched my hands and without caring who saw, wiped a single tear from the corner of my eye. I couldn’t get over how breathtaking she was. Every day she was gorgeous, but today she glowed. My lips curved as she made her way closer. She had everything I envisioned, down to the loose curls that swept across her shoulders. She was my living angel and she was walking toward her forever—me.

  Moose and Cassandra stopped a mere arm’s length away. “I’d tell you to love Cassie and take care of her with everything you have, Dan, but truth is, you already do. No two people are more meant for each other than you guys. I couldn’t be happier for you both.”

  Cassie wiped a tear from her eye as Moose placed her hand in mine. “Thanks, Moose,” I told him and shook his hand.

  He nodded, turned, and took a seat next to my mom and Jase.

  She was finally here, holding my hand as I intertwined our fingers. I mouthed the words ‘you look stunning.’ Her lips parted to say ‘thank you.’ She passed her bouquet to Mel behind her and within seconds her other hand was in mine. My stomach tightened at her touch. She’d never know the power she held over me. Hold it together, man.

  “Family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Cassandra and Aidan.” A breath of relief flowed from my lungs and out my lips. Our moment was here.

  The minister continued on with the ceremony. My heart beat rapidly as we said our I Do’s, and the minute I slipped her wedding band over her finger I was sure it would catapult from my chest. It wasn’t until her calm hand took mine in hers as she placed my wedding ring on my finger that all the nerves vanished. Seeing my ring for the first time eased every bit of anxiety I had. It showed the world that I was hers.

  “You may now kiss your bride.”

  It didn’t matter how many times I’d already kissed her, this one kiss was the ultimate. She was now mine in a way even she couldn’t understand. We shared vows, rings, a last name, and now this moment solidified it all. I’d be kissing her for the first time as her husband. The person she’d come to for everything. The one she’d count on for protection. Her soul mate, her best friend, her everything.

  I slid my fingers through her hair, gently cupping her face with one hand. Her eyes twinkled and her lips curved into a smile.

  There wasn’t anything that could describe this moment. I could only imagine it’d be as memorable as the day she’d tell me she was pregnant with our baby.

  My mouth hovered over hers. “This is it,” I whispered. One breath later and my lips claimed hers. Her hand moved to my neck as she deepened the kiss. Reluctantly I pulled away, pressing one last soft kiss to her lips.

  “I now pronounce you, husband and wife.”

  “We’re married,” I murmured.

  “I’m officially yours.”

  Truth be told, she was always mine. We missed our first chance, but fate so graciously gave us a second.

  With her hand in mine, we turned to face the guests. They stood and clapped. Mom wiped her eyes. Dad patted my shoulder.

  It was perfect, there was just one last thing. I pulled a pocketknife from my suit jacket. A warm smile played on Cassie’s lips as she flashed me a wink. Goddamn, I love this woman. Side by side, we made our way to the only single letter in the tree. It wouldn’t be alone for much longer.

  The knife slipped a little in my sweaty hand as I applied pressure to it. The sharp tip dug into the trunk and I carefully etched in an A next to her C. I finished the bottom of the letter then flipped the knife closed. My lungs released the air they’d been holding.

  Cassie’s fingers ghosted over the fresh carving. Her eyes welled as she traced each letter with a shaky finger.

  “It’s done,” I murmured.

  Cheers and whistles poured once more from the guests. To any person who didn’t live in Keaton, carving your initial into a tree didn’t mean anything. But to us, it meant everything. Call it ridiculous, childish—it didn’t matter. It was a big deal to everyone who lived here. It meant our love would be there for a lifetime and longer. A tradition our kids and grandkids would carry on.

  Cassie crashed her body into mine and hooked her arms around my neck.

  “Jase was right,” she muttered. “My guy was always close by.” She pressed her lips to mine and kissed me. What I wouldn’t give to have my brother here today. I smiled, holding her tight as I whispered into her ear. “We’re officially carved into the tree.”

  “Forever.”

  Cassandra

  “Can I take the blindfold off yet?” I sat not so patiently in the passenger seat as Aidan drove us to our ‘honeymoon’ destination. It was Aidan and his dad’s busy season and we both decided to only take a one-night trip and do something as a family with Jase later in the year. It still didn’t help that I was blind as he drove us to who knew where.

  “Patience,” he murmured.

  “You’re such a bossy husband.” Happiness bubbled inside me as I called him that. “At least tell me where are you taking me, please?”

  “You’re such a demanding wife.” Wife. Would I ever get tired of hearing that word? He took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. “It’s a sec
ret. That’s why you have a blindfold on.”

  I huffed in mock annoyance. “You’re not going to answer any of my questions, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Did you at least remember my overnight bag? Mel was supposed to give it to you.”

  “We’ve only been married for five hours and you’re already questioning everything I do. What am I going to do with you?”

  I giggled. “I have a few ideas.”

  “Oh, so do I.” He pressed his lips to my hand. I wished I could see his sexy face. I hated this blindfold. “And you’re in luck . . . we’re here.”

  That was a short drive. “Can I have a hint at least?” He chuckled and released my hand. His car door shut and seconds later mine opened. His hand reached to my hip, unlocked my seat belt and just when I thought he was going to help me step out of the car, his arms lifted me out. The door shut behind me as I rested against his chest. His lips were close to my ear, barely grazing the skin. “It was a first for us both,” he whispered.

  I gasped. I knew exactly where we were. “The barn.”

  “It’s away from the world and we only have one night. I’m not spending it driving hours in a car when I could be holding you instead. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Aidan, I’ve had fancy and all the things that go with it. What I haven’t had is you. You’re all I want. I don’t care where we are as long as we’re together.”

  “And that’s why you’re my wife. I love you so much, Cassie.”

  “I love you. I’d have picked the barn too.” I’d never tell him, but in that moment, I could feel the fast beating of his heart as my body rested against his chest. What he didn’t know was my heart was pounding just as hard. “Oh. Don’t forget my bag.” I had something for him in there.

  “Don’t worry, I have it, but you won’t need anything in there. I’m not even sure I want to take this dress off of you. You might stay in it all night. You’re so stunning. It’s like it was made just for you.”

  My cheeks heated and my pulse reacted heavily to his words.

  “You’re blushing.” His voice created a heat deep in my belly. If he didn’t walk faster, I wasn’t sure I could wait until we got inside the barn.

  I heard the heavy barn door close behind us. His fingers hooked around the blindfold and he gently pulled it off. Twinkle lights hung from the rafters. Several fluffy pillows rested on the blue quilt that lay out in the middle of the floor. Wine glasses sat next to a wicker basket atop a barrel of hay.

  “Aidan,” I said softly, returning my gaze to his eyes.

  His hands framed my face and slid back into my hair. “I still can’t believe you’re my wife,” he murmured. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath.

  “Say it again.”

  He opened his eyes, his pupils dilated as he gazed at me. “You’re. My. Wife.”

  I sighed in sweet happiness. I was his.

  A sexy grin swept across his face and before I could say anything his lips seized mine. Aidan scooped me in his arms, our mouths still touching as he padded across the floor to the blue quilt.

  We lay post-coital on the quilt together, Aidan’s arms wrapped around me, my legs tangled in his. I lifted my head from his chest and looked into his eyes, green swirls illuminated under the lights. I pressed a kiss against his cheek and whispered, “Stay right here.”

  His brows knit together as he watched me rise from the blanket. I slipped his dress shirt over my bare body and headed toward my bag. I pulled out my gift to Aidan and held it to my chest as I made my way back to him.

  “What are you up to?” Suspicion was apparent in his voice.

  “I have a surprise for you.” I knelt beside him and took a deep breath. “It’s your wedding gift.”

  He sat upright, tenderness crossing his features as he smiled. I pulled the book from my chest and handed it to him.

  His eyes searched the cover. “Stay,” he murmured.

  It was the title. A grin split my lips. I continued to stare at him. The minute he got to the part where it read my name, he lifted his gaze to mine.

  “What’s this?”

  “Our sequel.”

  His eyes widened. “It’s done?”

  I nodded with excitement. “Yeah.”

  “Cassie, it’s beautiful.” He palmed the cover and drew in a breath.

  “I signed it for you. Open it.” My heart pounded against my chest as he lifted the cover and began to scan my handwriting. I waited with bated breath . . .

  For my husband

  Thanks for the best sequel a girl could ask for

  Life’s been an amazing journey for us

  First love, then marriage, and now . . .

  Another baby to rock in a baby carriage

  Congrats, Daddy!

  Your X’s and O’s forever, Cassie

  His eyes beamed as they flickered between the first page and my stomach. “You’re pregnant? Are you sure?”

  “Three positive tests sure.”

  “We’re having a baby?”

  I nodded. “You’re already an incredible daddy to Jase, but I can’t even explain how amazing it is to know I have a piece of you growing inside of me. We’re having a baby, Aidan.”

  His eyes welled as he lowered the book to his side, keeping his focus trained on my belly. “I love her already.” His words were laced with awe.

  “Her?”

  He reached out and the minute his warm hand touched my stomach, tears pooled in my lower lids. “It’s our Maggie.” He spoke as if he was talking to our little seed and no one else.

  I wiped the wetness from my cheeks and knew I’d never forget this moment. “Maggie?”

  He lifted his gaze and nodded. He seemed so certain it was a girl. “I love the name. It’s beautiful.”

  His hand left my belly and cupped my cheek. “I want three more kids.”

  Whoa. I wasn’t expecting that. I chuckled under my breath. “Let’s just work on the toddler and baby we’re about to have first.”

  His other hand framed my face as his eyes locked on mine. “You don’t get it. I want our kids to be just like you and I want as many yous in the world as possible, making it a better place. You don’t understand how amazing you are.”

  “I love you so much.”

  “I love you.”

  I inhaled a soft breath. “So what happens next?”

  He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “We finally get our happily ever after. The one that someone knew we’d always have.”

  They say you never forget your first love. And I never would. I never wanted to forget Jase or the journey he took me on. If Jase hadn’t rescued me, I’d have never met him and been given the memories of a great first love.

  I feared deeply a love like that wouldn’t happen again; Jase knew better, though. The push he gave was exactly what I needed. It helped me let go, and let love in again. Without it, I’d have missed my second chance at love.

  Aidan wasn’t my first kiss, my first date, or my first love. But I knew I wanted him to be my last everything.

  FOR THOSE WHO KNOW ME, they know I’m an open book when it comes to my life. Therefore, I have to admit a truth of my own. You all know that Away was mostly written in secrecy and while Stay wasn’t written that way, it was stalled. BIG TIME.

  The fear of the unknown held me captive. I was afraid of the response I’d receive for Away. I was worried that no one would read it, enjoy it, and fall in love with Cassie and Jase as my betas and I did. Then, what? Would a sequel be necessary? No one would want the sequel would they? Question after question kept me restless, uneasy, and fearful.

  Well, I pushed through. I pushed through because:

  1) Aidan wouldn’t let me NOT tell his side of the story. He had so much to say and I had to let him! Who could tell him no? Certainly not me!

  2) I love to write. I love to sit at the computer, turn on my music, and let the words pour out of me (on a good writing day of course! LOL).

  3)
This one is huge . . . For ALL of the messages, emails, reviews and comments from everyone who has read and been touched by Away . . . THANK YOU so very much! I read every single one of them. They were, and still are a huge reminder to me that I did the right thing in publishing Away and that writing the sequel, Stay is exactly what I needed to do. So thank you for them! Truly!

  I must admit that the pressure of giving you another book that I wanted you to fall in love with kept me up more nights than I could count. I knew I had to give Stay my all and more. And honestly, it’s not in my nature to give it an ounce less. I also wanted to have this book out quickly, but thanks to my bundle of nerves and fear that didn’t happen. Stay was also a very emotional journey. This story, these characters, and their lives, it was too much some days. I couldn’t control the constant tears from some scenes. Their moments, their letters, their confessions . . . this book was pure emotion for me.

  For taking as long as I did to get Stay to you, I really am sorry, and I hope this gives you some sort of explanation as to why it so much time. But, I finally did it and Stay is here! And this one has me wrapped around its little finger. I’m so in love with Stay and this story!

  This book would NOT have been possible without my team of AMAZING betas, family, and friends behind me and the support of all of the readers and bloggers. You know the drill . . . pull up a chair and grab some popcorn; I’ve got a long list of people to thank!

  Danny . . . Mr. Wolfe—There are no words great enough to describe how much I love you or for how thankful I am that YOU ARE MY husband. You stood by me with the biggest smile on your face as I published my first novel. And now, you’re standing by me, holding my hand, being the rock I need day in and day out, not once letting me give up as I publish my second book. If there was ever a person who deserved a thank you the size of the moon it is you. From the laundry piled high, the countless fast food dinners you’ve had to consume, dealing with the mess that is our house, witnessing me a complete disaster because I’m writing, editing, proofing, and getting everything ready for Stay’s release . . . You, my love have handled everything with a smile on your gorgeous face. I don’t even have the words to express how thankful I am for your constant love and for all of your encouraging words on days that you had no clue how much I really needed to hear them. You constantly remind me how proud you are of me and not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate you or your words. I love you always and forever my husband. xoxo