MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3)

by Sabrina Sims McAfee

  Meaning every single word, Katherine strolled out of the room, her dress dragging on the floor behind her.

  Chapter Twenty

  Delbert pushed the dinner cart inside the formal dining room, parked it by the wall, and one by one he lowered a hot plate in front of each Balfour family member. As usual, Colton sat at one end, with Katherine at the other. Zeke, Taylor, Antonio, and Bane surrounded them. Feeling nauseated, Taylor spied her dish covered, with fried barbeque chicken, braised collards, and macaroni and cheese.

  Lately, Taylor hadn’t been feeling well. It seemed like every time she ate, she got sick. She didn’t know if she was pregnant or had the flu, or maybe Delbert’s cooking just didn’t agree with her.

  Sourness rolled inside Taylor’s stomach. Hot perspiration wet her forehead. After Colton blessed the food, Taylor stabbed the chicken with the fork, then sliced the tender meat in half.

  Holding the sweet smelling piece of meat to her mouth, Taylor’s stomach cramped. She just knew she’d puke any minute. I need some Tums antacid. I can’t eat this chicken. Wanting to excuse herself without alarming anyone, she lowered her fork to the side of her plate.

  Sitting to her right next to his father, Zeke rubbed circles on Taylor’s back. “Are you okay, my love?”

  Chewing on some collards, Katherine gave Taylor a strange look. Knowing Katherine, she was probably wondering if she’d told Zeke about their conversation a few days ago. Well, she’d decided not to. The last thing Taylor wanted or needed was to have Katherine mad at her while she was living under her roof. Some things were just better left unsaid.

  “I don’t feel too well,” Taylor drawled.

  Katherine’s face lightened. “You’re not pregnant, are you? It’d be so much fun to have a little Zeke running around here.”

  “Or a little Taylor.” Colton lowered his glass of lemonade to the table. “It’d really be something if y’all had twins.”

  “Or triplets,” Bane interjected.

  Antonio forked macaroni in his mouth, then snapped his eyes up. “They don’t need to have any kids yet. They just got married.” His tone was clipped.

  “What’s got you in a bad mood?” Bane asked.

  Antonio shrugged. “Who said I was in a bad mood?”

  Bane stated, “I know you, and something’s bothering you. I hope you’re not still upset about not being CEO. If you are, get over it.”

  Antonio dropped his fork to his plate with a clink. “I said,” much emphasis was on the word ‘said’, “there’s nothing bothering me.” Antonio scooted his chair back from the table, stood, and glared down at Bane. “Some people need to mind their own damn business around here.”

  I hope Antonio doesn’t start a fight. I’m not in the mood, Taylor thought, her stomach curdling.

  Bane stood to meet Antonio’s harsh stare. “Having a bad attitude about the situation is not going to solve anything. Dad made his decision about the CEO position, now just accept it.”

  Colton dragged his napkin over his mouth, then balled it in his hand. “All right, you two, that’s enough. Y’all are two grown men, now act like it.”

  Eyeballs to eyeballs, neither Antonio nor Bane moved.

  “You better be glad you’re my brother,” Antonio stated.

  Bane’s eyebrows dipped. “Or you’ll what?”

  “Trust me, little brother, you don’t want to know. You have no idea what I’m capable of, so if I were you, I’d keep my damn mouth shut from this day forward about who’s running the company. Everyone is on Zeke’s side except for Mama. She’s the only one that has my back.”

  Taylor’s stomach burned with pain. Bile rushed up her esophagus. What’s wrong with me?

  Finally having had enough of the bickering, Zeke ordered, “Both of you need to do as Dad said and stop arguing. Sit back down and enjoy this delicious dinner Delbert cooked.”

  “Everybody got my side except for Mama,” Bane whined, mocking Antonio.

  Antonio punched Bane in the face. Gripping his split cheek, Bane stumbled backwards. “Punk!” Bane lunged into Antonio. Antonio’s body slammed into the table. Plates of food went flying into the air. Bane rose his fist above his brother’s face. “I ought to bash your brains in!”

  Zeke clutched Bane’s shoulders and pulled him off Antonio. “Don’t stoop to his level. Be the bigger man, Bane.”

  Bane touched his red split cheek. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one that got punched in the face.” Furious, Bane stormed out of the room, then left.

  Afraid to speak, Taylor glanced up at Zeke. “Can we leave now?”

  Katherine exclaimed in a proper tone, “But you haven’t touched your food.”

  Taylor put her hand to the lower part of her stomach. “I don’t have an appetite.”

  “I’ll wrap up your food for you, and you can take it home.” Katherine’s kind offer made Taylor feel as if their relationship was headed in the right direction. Maybe the two of them could become good friends one day after all.

  “Thanks, Katherine. I’d like that—” Taylor hopped out of her seat, ran to the bathroom in the hallway, and purged in the toilet.

  Towering over her, Zeke patted her back. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Taylor rose from her knees. “No. Let’s go.”

  Zeke’s dark, worried eyes clung to her face. He put his flat palm to Taylor’s stomach. “Is it possible you’re pregnant?”

  “Yes. It’s possible. How would you feel if I am?”

  “Nothing would make me happier than for you to be pregnant with my child.” Zeke grabbed Taylor’s hand, and after she got her to-go box from Katherine, they returned home to their guest suite behind the main house.

  SEVERAL WEEKS later, Taylor’s hands curled around the steering wheel of the Audi Zeke had given her on their second wedding day. Not much into cars, she loved the Audi. Shiny black paint on the outside, orange-brown leather on the inside, the Audi RS was the finest and most luxurious car she’d ever owned.

  Turning the corner, Taylor headed down Ocean Drive. Passing Balfour Hotel & Resort, the ocean to her right glistened. Sunrays beamed down through the windshield onto her face. She reached into her console for her white Bvlgari designer sunglasses and slid them on her face.

  “You have reached your destination. Your destination is to your left,” the lady on the GPS announced.

  Taylor slowed her Audi and glanced at the building in front of her. SugarKanes. “This is a very nice building.” She drove into a vacant parking space, placed the gear in park, and cut the engine.

  Toting her clutch, the cool March air bristled Taylor’s face as she walked along the pavement across the street from the ocean. Hoping she wasn’t too dressed up in her red blazer, skinny jeans, and black Christian Louboutin shoes, Taylor pulled open the door and entered.

  Glad Kayla had invited her to her baby shower, a delicious caramel flavor sailed up Taylor’s nostrils upon entering SugarKanes. Mmm. Must be one of those caramel pecan pies everyone rants and raves about, she thought, admiring the beautiful decorations.

  Baby blue balloons floated in the air. A three-tier white cake encircled with blue rattles sat centered on the table in the corner.

  “Taylor!” Kayla hopped up from the table and wobbled over to Taylor. A pregnant Kayla threw her arms around Taylor and hugged her like they were already best friends. “I’m so glad you could come,” Kayla said, smiling, releasing her.

  Taylor smiled back. Kayla is so beautiful. “Thanks for inviting me.” Taylor waved at her mother sitting over there in the corner, talking her behind off. “Thanks for inviting my mother, too. Wow. You look so pretty, Kayla.”

  Kayla caressed her protruding belly. “I’m glad you and your mother Veronica could come. Thanks for the compliment. With this big old belly, big thighs, and heavy breasts, I sure don’t feel pretty.”

  Excited to be in the presence of such nice women, Taylor felt grateful. “But you are pret
ty. Wait until I tell you about the phone call I received. You’re not going to believe your ears.”

  Belly hard and round, Kayla put her hands to her hips. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense; tell me now.”

  Taylor shook her head. “Today is about you. So let’s just focus on you.”

  “Get over here, you two!” Sandella waved for them to come and sit.

  After Kayla introduced Taylor to Willa, Leslie, and the rest of the women, they played a few games and ate a delicious lunch prepared by one of Sandella’s chefs. As the women sat indulging in the sweet strawberry cake with cream cheese icing, Kayla opened her presents. Lord knows she had a lot of them, too.

  “So, Taylor,” an older woman by the name of Willa started, “how does it feel to be back in Hilton Head Island?”

  “Actually, it feels great. I’m happy to be here,” Taylor responded, meaning it.

  Leslie exclaimed, “I bet it’s a lot different from Paris, isn’t it?”

  Taylor nodded. “Paris and Hilton Head are in no way alike. They’re totally different.”

  Kayla tore the sparkling blue paper off the square package. “I’m glad to hear you’re adjusting, Taylor.”

  Crossing her legs at the knees, Leslie said, “With a man like Zeke for a husband, what woman wouldn’t adjust?”

  Willa high-fived Leslie. “Ain’t that the truth, Leslie! Zeke so fine, women would travel the world to and fro just to be with him. I did the same thing for my Drake when we first met. Shoot, good men are hard to find.”

  “Tell me about it. I wish I had a good man,” Leslie admitted.

  “Even at your age, you want to date?” one of the other women asked Leslie.

  Leslie said, “Hell yeah. I may be old, but I ain’t dead.” She looked down between her legs. “It’s still hot and jumping down there. Of course I want a man to date.” Clapping her hands, Leslie cracked up laughing, and so did the rest of the women.

  After the baby shower ended, Taylor, Willa, Leslie, and Veronica remained at SugarKanes to help Sandella clean up.

  Sweeping the floor, Taylor glanced over at Kayla as she sat in the chair, tucked in the corner by the glass display. Rubbing her belly, Kayla’s face wrinkled. The broom stilled in Taylor’s hands. “Are you okay?”

  Rubbing her belly, taking a deep breath, Kayla nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Oh yeah, before I forget, what did you have to tell me?” Kayla inquired.

  “Sandella, come here,” Taylor called her over to where she stood speaking with Kayla. Rounding the glass display, Sandella came and stood beside Taylor. “I have something I want to share with y’all. Before I say anything, just know that this idea is just food for thought.”

  “Okay,” Kayla and Sandella said in unison.

  “What are y’all over here talking about?” Willa stopped wiping the tables and joined the small circle of women. A moment later, Leslie and Veronica joined them as well.

  Gleeful, Taylor continued. “I got a phone call from a producer in Charleston, and he propositioned me with an idea concerning the three of us,” Taylor said, referring to her, Sandella, and Kayla.

  Sandella’s eyes smiled. “A producer contacted you regarding Kayla, me, and you?”

  Taylor nodded. “Yes. He’s interested in the three of us doing a reality television show called ‘The Brides of Hilton Head Island’.”

  “Oh my goodness. I’m too shy to do something like that,” Sandella said.

  “Because we all have different personalities, it’d be great.” Taylor waited for Kayla to respond. “What’s your take on it, Kayla?”

  Sitting in the chair, Kayla spread her thighs apart. “My life is too boring. No one would be interested in following me.”

  Laughing, Leslie shook her head in disagreement. “Like hell your life is boring, Kayla. Your father-in-law’s girlfriend tried to kill you! And don’t forget that stupid Russell paid your ex to pretend like he wanted you back. All that drama makes for an interesting television series, in my opinion.”

  “No, try movie.” Willa laughed.

  “I’ll think about it,” Sandella stated.

  Veronica exclaimed, “I’m single. I’d love to get married and be a bride of Hilton Head Island.”

  Kayla’s face contorted. “Ooouch! I think I’m in labor! Somebody call Richmond!”

  “Call me for what?” Richmond asked, pushing through the front door of the bakery.

  A second later, Zeke and Braylon entered behind Richmond. Braylon shouted, “We’re here to crash the party.”

  “Do y’all need any help cleaning up?” Zeke kindly questioned.

  Kayla’s eyes squeezed tight. “Ahhh! Richmond, it hurts. Help!”

  “Are you in labor?” Richmond’s voice echoed.

  Kayla nodded her head over and over. “Yes. Yes.”

  Like a strong warrior, Richmond scooped Taylor up in his arms. Gush. Water splattered from Kayla’s entrance, saturating her dress. Taylor’s body tensed as she watched the scene unfold. Kayla squirmed. “Put me down! I feel the head coming! The head is coming!”

  Richmond lowered Kayla to the floor on her back, hiked her dress to her hips, and spread her legs. “Oh God. I see the head!”

  Scared out of her mind, Taylor snatched her cell from her purse and dialed 911.

  Ten minutes later, the paramedics arrived and hurried inside.

  Taylor, Sandella, Zeke, Braylon, and Willa stood outside of the bakery, eagerly awaiting the birth of Richmond and Kayla’s baby. Upon Kayla’s request, she’d wanted her mother-in-law, Leslie, to remain inside the bakery with her.

  While waiting outside for Kayla to give birth, a part of Taylor hoped she and Katherine would become close like Leslie and Kayla someday. Over the past couple weeks, Katherine had been really nice to her, making her feel there was indeed hope for the two of them.

  Thinking she needed to go buy a pregnancy test today, Taylor prayed Kayla was doing okay inside the bakery. “What’s taking them so—”

  Richmond burst from the front door with a huge smile on his face. “It’s a boy!”

  Taylor, Zeke, and the rest of the crew cheered.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Bouncing the basketball in his hand inside the gym, Zeke longed to teach Jaheem and Evan a good lesson—although Zeke was older, he still could whip their little young behinds in basketball.

  Running down the court bouncing the basketball, Zeke juked past Jaheem, then Evan. Showing them who was boss, he shot the ball in the air. The ball plummeted through the net.

  In victory, Zeke punched the air. “Yes! You two can’t touch me!”

  Smiling handsomely, Jaheem fake coughed. “The only reason you scored was because I’m sick with a little something something.”

  Evan’s handsome little face smiled, melting Zeke’s heart. “Oh, I let you score. If I had some better shoes to play in, I would’ve beat you big time, mister.”

  Zeke’s gaze fell to Evan’s worn shoes. Torn and dirty, Evan needed some new shoes bad. “How about I take you to get some new shoes?”

  Evan’s brown eyes widened. “Mister, are you serious?”

  Zeke patted Evan’s back. “You should know by now that when I say something, I mean it. A real man always keeps his promises.”

  “What else does a real man do?” Jaheem queried.

  Zeke sat on the bleachers to tie his sneakers. Jaheem sat to his right, while Evan sat to his left. “Well, for starters, real men take care of their families. They also honor girls and treat them with the utmost respect. A real man puts God first, family second, and everything else thereafter.”

  “I want to be just like you when I grow up,” Jaheem said.

  Zeke’s heart warmed from the way Jaheem admired him. “Thanks for the compliment, Jaheem. But there’s nothing wrong with you being you. I see the good young man you are. I see your potential. It’s time for you to start seeing your own potential and believing in yourself.”

  Jaheem nodded. “I’m gon’ try to believe in myself.”
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  “Don’t try. Just do.” Zeke touched Jaheem’s forehead with his index finger. “As long as you have your mind and you work hard, you can do anything in life you want to. The ability to think for yourself gives you power. Don’t let anyone put negativity in your mind. Believe in yourself, and be your own man.”

  Jaheem nodded. Leaning forward, he then looked over at Evan. “You gon’ tell him, or what?”

  Concerned, Zeke looked at Evan. “Tell me what?”

  “I told you to keep your big mouth shut, Jaheem.” Frowning, Evan huffed. “I got my progress report today, and…”

  “How did you do?” Zeke questioned.

  Evan reached into his pocket, retrieved a folded sheet of paper, and handed it to Zeke. “I did horrible.”

  Zeke unfolded the paper. As his eyes scrolled over Evan’s progress report, he knew he had to do something to help this poor kid out. “All Fs. Tell me, how does someone make all Fs?”

  “Because…” Evan’s words trailed off.

  “Because what?” In order to help Evan, Zeke had to get to the root of the kid’s problems.

  Jaheem told Zeke, “Because he can’t read.”

  Zeke’s heart dropped. Whoa. “Evan. Is it true you can’t read?”

  Eyes getting watery, Evan nodded. “Yes, mister. It’s true.”

  “How does a child get in the fifth grade and can’t read?” Zeke wondered, looking at Evan.

  Evan shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  Zeke draped his arm around Evan’s shoulder. “Well, you may not be able to read today, but it won’t always be that way. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to teach you how to read.”

  Jaheem smiled. “I told you he’d help you, big head!”

  “Yo mama got a big head!” Evan retorted.

  Jaheem came back with, “Well, at least I know my mama and she come visit me.”

  “Yeah, but she look like a walking stick. A freaking crackhead. My mama don’t have a car, so she can’t come visit me,” Evan stated.