Callie Healy

by Jennifer Foor

  I’m astonished as the heart shaped middle stone with a band full of tiny diamonds is presented to me. “I’m giving you my heart tomorrow, if you still want it.”

  “I love it. Oh my god, it’s amazing.” He slips it on my finger as we both stare down at it. “You said I was getting a band.”

  “It came with one, and I got mine for half off. It’s just a dark band that I can wear every day. The matching ones seemed lame. I like to be different, plus I need you to be happy with it. We might be rushing into this, but it makes me feel better knowing we’ll do everything else right. I want you to walk around proud that you’re married.”

  “Can you afford this?” I ask.

  “My credit report said I could.”

  “I don’t know what to say. It’s perfect.”

  “That’s enough thanks for me. How does it fit?”

  “Like it was made for my finger,” I admit.

  “Good. Now all we have to do is pick up the flowers before the appointment. The jeweler gave me the number to the chapel. We have an appointment tomorrow at three in the afternoon.”

  “So this is really happening?”

  “Yep.”

  “How did you buy this so fast?”

  I went on the website while you were unpacking your clothes and filled out the credit application. Then I looked at everything they had and knew what I wanted as soon as I walked in. It was just a matter of filling out the paperwork.”

  I pull him close in order to kiss him passionately. “This feels right.”

  “I know. It’s almost scary.”

  Chapter 26

  Cob

  We don’t make it out of the room for the rest of the evening. We end up in bed, ordering room service for dinner. Callie’s sister manages to get off of work and is on her way to meet her boyfriend. We’ve given her the time and location of the ceremony so we know she’ll be in attendance. Even though I’m certain Callie is sad she isn’t getting a traditional wedding with all of her family present, I think she finds peace in knowing her sister will be at her side.

  The next morning my stomach is in knots. I have a text message waiting for me on my phone and notice it’s from my mother.

  Dad told me what you’re planning on doing. I promised him that I wouldn’t interfere. We love you. I’m excited to meet her. See you soon. – Mom

  I don’t write her back. This day is about Callie. She’s planning on meeting her sister at their hotel in order to get ready without me seeing her. Even though I was with her when we purchased the dress, I’ve yet to see her dolled up in it.

  We say our goodbyes, and I swear a part of me worries that she’s not going to show up for the appointment. If she wants to be a runaway bride there’s nothing I can do to change her mind. This is a huge decision. I have to accept it if she can’t go through with the plans we’ve made.

  At ten a.m. I’m in the bathroom throwing up. By eleven I’m standing in the shower hyperventilating.

  At eleven thirty my phone rings with an unfamiliar number. Thinking it’s work, I pick up. “Jacob Monroe.”

  “Just the man I need to talk to.” I recognize his voice immediately. It’s Callie’s father, Conner Healy.

  “Mr. Healy.”

  “Did I give you permission to marry my daughter?”

  My heart drops. I swear I feel like I’m going to puke again. I have to remind myself that we’re in Vegas and there isn’t a damn thing he can do to stop this from happening. “No, sir. You didn’t.”

  “I understand you’ve taken my daughter to Vegas in hopes of making her an honest woman. Am I correct?”

  “Listen, Mr. Healy. With all due respect, I love your daughter. We know about the history between our families. I get that there’s bad blood between you and my mother, but we’re different people. We shouldn’t be judged by what happened to you. So yes, I asked Callie to marry me because I knew it was the only way both of our families couldn’t come between us. I’m sorry that I’ve disrespected you. I wasn’t raised that way, but recent circumstances have led me to make a drastic decision. I won’t lose her, even if I have to spend forever moving us around to keep you from breaking my neck.”

  He chuckles.

  The man is laughing and I don’t know how to take it.

  “Son, you’re right about things being complicated.”

  “Are you calling to threaten me?” I need to know what I’m up against. Has he already talked to Callie? Is he calling to gloat because he knows the wedding won’t be happening? A million things are going through my head.

  “I’d like to.”

  “I can handle it,” I offer.

  “I had a long conversation with your parents this morning. The four of us sat down and talked about the situation.”

  “My mom told me she’d stay out of it.”

  “It was your father who made the call. He wanted to speak to me man to man.”

  “He’s trying to help me, I suppose. This has been tough on me. I thought if anyone could understand my predicament it was him.”

  “The thing is, neither you or Callie were born into this mess by choice. I can’t speak for my cousin Colt, because your issues with him are between the two of you, but from where I stand I’m willing to try to accept that maybe you and my daughter have something worth fighting for.”

  I finally get it. “You’re doing this to stop us from marrying each other? That’s it right?” I’m feeling defensive. “This is your last ditch effort.”

  He chuckles again. “I like you. You have balls, son.”

  “I’d do anything for Callie.”

  “Good. It’s what I need to hear.”

  “Then why are you calling?”

  “Call off the wedding, Cob. You know it’s the right thing to do.”

  “That’s just it, sir. Nothing has ever felt this right before. Regardless of how this came about, I’m not sorry. I want her to be my wife. I want to promise to love her forever and spend the rest of my life proving I can be who she needs me to be.”

  “Even if you’re taking her away from her family?”

  His question doesn’t come as a surprise. “I’d hate for it to come to that, but yes. No matter what. Oh and just so you know, I’m quitting my job for her. I don’t want any part of your family losing their land.”

  “Then I suppose we have nothing left to talk about. When we see each other I hope you’ll still be able to speak to me the same way. I’d expect nothing less from you.”

  He hangs up and I’m left wondering what the hell just happened. Since I’m a little freaked out, I call Callie, hoping to God we’re still getting married in a few short hours.

  She answers after the forth ring. “Hey, babe. Are you nervous?”

  “Are you?”

  “Not at all. I’m sitting here with my sister telling her all about your proposal. She’s so jealous of my beautiful ring.”

  “So you haven’t heard from anyone today? No calls from your family?”

  “No why?”

  “I’m freaking out a little bit, that’s all. I’m afraid you won’t be there when I arrive.” I can’t tell her about the call. She’d get upset and this is her special day. I’d do anything to make it perfect.

  “I’ll be there. We’re doing this.”

  “Promise?”

  “Of course. I love you, Jacob Monroe. This is right.”

  “Would you marry me even if none of this shit happened? If I asked you three days ago, what would you have said?”

  The line is quiet for about twenty seconds. I know because I’m counting to keep my cool. “Yes. I would have said yes, because never in my life have I ever felt love like I feel with you.”

  “That’s all I need to hear. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “A few more hours.”

  “I’m counting down the seconds.”

  “See you soon.”

  Chapter 27

  Callie

  “He sounded off. I feel like something is wrong,” I t
ell my sister. “I don’t know why.”

  “He’s a man. Do they really need a reason?”

  “Hey, I’m in the room, you two,” Logan, my sister’s fiancé states from the couch.

  “Sorry,” we both say at the same time.

  “You have nothing to worry about. Look at the rock on your finger. He adores you. This was his idea. He’s not going to back out.”

  “I hope not. I want this.”

  Cassie spins me around and finally lets me see the finished product. “What do you think?”

  “I think Cob is going to shit when he sees me.”

  A knock at the door startles me, and from the look on my sister’s face I can tell she’s up to something. “What did you do?”

  She holds up her hands. “Before you freak out let me explain.”

  I’m standing. “No. Please say you didn’t.”

  Logan is already at the door letting whoever it is into the room. Then I see him.

  My father, followed by my mother, and then Josh. This can’t be real.

  I’m standing in my wedding dress, fully prepared to walk down the aisle and marry Cob, and they’re here to stop me. This is an outrage. I’ll never forgive my sister for this for as long as I live, which might not be very long.

  Josh burst in front of them chanting like a little kid. “You’re in trouble.”

  I place my hands on my hips and stand my ground. “Don’t take another step closer, at least until I have a say.”

  My parents, both wide eyed, freeze in place. They’re shocked I’ve demanded this of them.

  “Nothing you can say or do will stop me from marrying Jacob Monroe.” My makeup is about to be smeared. I can feel the burning in my eyes as I continue. “I don’t care what I have to give up to be with him, even if it’s my place within the family. You’ve always taught me to be independent. You wanted me to be happy. I left because I was miserable. You can believe what you want, but I’ve found someone who fills my life with happiness. He’s done right by me. Look at my beautiful dress,” I say as I spin around. Then I hold out my ring finger. “Do you see this? He’s made sure this day would be perfect, down to the color of my flowers. You can’t barge in here and ruin it for me. I won’t let you. We came all this way. It’s my day. Please, don’t make me choose between you.”

  My mom takes a few steps forward. She’s in tears too. “Callie, my dear sweet girl, we don’t want to see you this way. You shouldn’t have to run off and elope to be happy. Don’t you see that?”

  “How else will we be able to stay together? You’re forcing our hand.”

  My dad chimes in. “What if we didn’t come here to ruin your life?”

  “You’re always interfering,” I argue. “You followed me here to stop me. You think I’m making a mistake, well guess what, I won’t let you do this to me, not today, not anymore.”

  I can tell I’ve hit a nerve. My father’s jaw is clenching and that usually means the shit is about to hit the fan. “Callie Healy, don’t you dare disrespect your mother and I this way.”

  “I want you to leave,” I demand.

  Now Cassie is pleading. “Callie, they aren’t here to hurt you.”

  I’m in shock. “What?”

  “We’re here because we couldn’t let you do this the wrong way,” my mom explains. “Your sister didn’t tell us what you were doing. Cob’s mother did. We talked to them last night. We knew you probably told one of your siblings what you were doing, and it wasn’t easy prying the truth from your sister.”

  “They knew I was lying, Cal. I only caved after they promised they weren’t going to do anything to hurt you.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “Why did you come all this way?”

  My father lets out a loud sigh. “It seems we’ve overreacted, especially your mom. Due to the circumstances around both of our families we’ve had to take some time to consider how this was affecting you and Jacob. After talking to the boy earlier I can tell his heart is in the right place. He wanted to do right by you, and I have to respect him for that. The truth is, if it wasn’t for his mother, none of you kids would be here. It’s time we started acting like adults. The past has nothing to do with either of you. It’s not fair for us to punish you for our mistakes.”

  “Honey, we’re sorry for lashing out when we discovered who his parents were. It was a gut reaction. It was devastating. It scared me to know the past was coming back to haunt us.”

  “Do you think we wanted to find out our families were linked the way they are? We had no idea.” I’m still defending our love, because if Cob was here he’s be doing the same thing.

  “We know,” my father admits.

  “Callie we came because we knew how important this is. We didn’t want you doing this for the wrong reasons. We couldn’t let you marry someone just because you feared you’d lose him if you didn’t.”

  I’m afraid what this means. “What are you saying?”

  “You don’t have to get married.”

  Her words run through my head, but I fight to comprehend them.

  “Callie, we won’t come between you and Cob. If you want to be together it should be your decision,” my father notes.

  I leave them all standing in the room while I walk out onto the balcony to think. A few minutes go by before my father comes outside to join me. I’m holding the railing while pretending to ignore him.

  “Heather says she hasn’t had the opportunity to meet you yet. It’s weird seeing her older, but I suppose she’s thinking the same thing about me and your mom.”

  “I guess it’s pretty weird to have to talk to someone from that long ago. Mom say you dated.”

  “It was more like I played with her head to get some answers. She was …” He stops. “Never mind. It’s doesn’t matter. We were involved for a short time, but it’s your uncle Ty who has the most history with her. She caused a lot of problems for him and your aunts, both of them. She was in love with him and he led her on for entirely too long. He couldn’t keep his dick in his pants in high school. I’m sure you don’t want the details.”

  “I really don’t.”

  “Sweetie, you know I’d do anything to make you happy, right?”

  I shrug. “I’d like to hope so.”

  “You really love this kid? You think he’s the one? I mean, you’re not jumping the gun because you want what your sister has?” He holds up his hand for me to hold on. “I don’t mean that in a bad way.”

  “Yes, I really love him, and I know that he’s the one.”

  He takes my hand and looks at the ring. “He put this on your finger?”

  “He did.”

  “You sure it’s real?” He teases.

  I jerk my hand back. “Yes, it’s real.”

  He tries to laugh. “I don’t want you jumping into marriage.”

  “I know.”

  “But I won’t stop you.”

  I lose it. All of a sudden I’m hysterical and he’s holding me to prevent me from falling to the concrete floor in my beautiful dress.

  “I didn’t want to do this without my family, Daddy, but you left me with no choice.”

  “I’m here now.”

  “But you don’t approve.”

  “I spoke with Cob earlier. He’s a pretty stand up guy. He holds his own, that’s for sure. There’s no way I’d stand up to a father like he did to me. I’ll give him that.”

  “What happened?” I worry the chat was in person and Cob is injured or worse.

  “I made my peace with the boy, that’s all. I’ve been reminded that you’re not my little girl anymore.”

  I back away from my father so I can look into his eyes. I wipe the burning makeup to keep it from running any more than it already is. “I’m marrying him today.”

  “Yeah, I reckoned you say that.”

  “I want you to promise you won’t stop me, even if you think it’s a mistake.”

  He nods. “I’ll let you live your life.”

  “Thank you.
That’s all I need to hear.”

  “Just do me a favor.”

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t let that little asshole move you too far away. I’ll be pissed if I have to drive more than four hours to see my girl. Oh and wait a little while to have kids. It makes things harder, and you need time to grow together first.”

  “Anything else?” I ask with sarcasm.

  “Yeah, tell him he has a job at the ranch, if he can’t find anything else.”

  I know Cob is too proud to take my dad’s offer, but it’s the thought that counts.

  Cassie bitches at me as she reapplies my makeup, while my mother touches up my hair. Logan, my dad, and Josh have gone down to the casino to wait until I’m ready to leave.

  It’s three p.m. and I’m standing in the doorway looking down the aisle at the man I’m about to marry. He’s wearing a dark gray tuxedo and I’ve never seen a more handsome man in my life. My waterproof mascara is no match for the tears I know are about to fall down my cheeks.

  The wedding music begins and I watch the group of people in the congregation turn to look at me. I see my mother, Cassie, Logan, and Josh on the one side, while an older couple stands on the opposing side. One look at the man and I know this is Cob’s father.

  My dad takes his arm and ties it into mine. “You ready, darlin’?”

  “I am.”

  “Let’s get this show on the road, before I put you over my shoulder and take you out of here.”

  I march toward Cob like it’s the last thing I’m ever going to do. His own tear filled eyes match mine as we come face to face for the first time. “My god you’re beautiful. I love you so much.” He leans forward and kisses me without permission.

  My brother speaks from behind us. “Wait your turn, idiot.”

  My dad leans over and whispers in my ear. “You can still back out.”

  When I give him a dirty look he winks at me before kissing me on the cheek. He extends his hand for Cob. “You better take care of her.”

  When he walks away I watch Cob shaking his hand like it aches. I quietly giggle about it.