All Out of Gratitude: Kismet Bay Book Seven

by Dawn Brower

  “It could be worse,” she said and shrugged. “When you find the man of your dreams and plan your wedding, you can stand your ground. It’s not that important to me.” Scarlett had never focused on material things. The people in her life were far more essential to her than any superficial items. If it made her mother happy to pick out her dress, then it made Scarlett happy too.

  “Come on,” Faith said and gestured toward the church. “You don’t want JD to see you before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”

  Faith wrapped her arm around Scarlett’s shoulders and they walked back into the church. They went right to the room that had been assigned to Scarlett to prepare for the wedding. The groom and the other men were to arrive later when it was closer to the time for the ceremony. She glanced at a nearby clock and frowned. Her gut tightened as fear started to fill her. Actually… They should be arriving soon. Was there something wrong? Should she be worried? “I really was out there longer than I should have been.”

  “I tried to tell you,” Faith chastised. “Let’s get you into this dress so your wedding starts on time.”

  “Where is Shayla?” She scanned the room. Shayla was Scarlett’s best friend and her maid of honor. “Why didn’t she come out to find me?”

  “She wasn’t in here when I arrived,” her sister said. “But you know Shayla. She probably found something more interesting to occupy her time.”

  That was her sister’s way of saying Shayla was flighty. Her best friend came through when it counted. She wasn’t worried. Her friend would be there to stand up with her while Scarlett married JD. “She’ll be here. Can you stand in for her and finish helping me?” She turned to meet Faith’s gaze. “Pretty please?”

  “Of course, I’ll help you. Isn’t that what I’ve been doing all along?” Faith went over to the other end of the room and picked up a garment bag. She carried the black bag over to Scarlett and hung it on a nearby hook, then unzipped it, revealing a magnificent textured white organza dress with a draped bodice and an asymmetrical skirt with a split-front overlay. Scarlett hoped it made her mother happy she’d agreed to wear it. The dress was a little too ostentatious in her opinion. “I suppose it is a little pretty,” Faith said, but her tone suggested she didn’t actually believe her words.

  “Some people will probably like it.” Scarlett stood and quickly hugged her sister. “Is Ashlyn going to come today?” She’d always been closer to Faith than Ashlyn. They had similar interests, and Ashlyn’s brain drove her to study and put all her energy into school. At the rate she was going, she’d graduate high school soon and then be in college before Scarlett decided what she wanted to do with her life. She’d mumbled something about an important exam and the wedding not really happening so why waste her time going. It had hurt Scarlett’s feelings, but she shrugged it off. That was Ashlyn…

  She also didn’t want to really believe her words. Ashlyn’s ability allowed her to see things others didn’t. Where Scarlett had clairaudient abilities that helped with her music, Ashlyn had minor premonitions and a photographic memory. Faith had a psychometric ability and could read auras. That made her not want to get close to many people. Their psychic abilities were passed down through her mother’s side of the family.

  Faith pulled the dress out and kept her back to Scarlett. “Ashlyn isn’t going to attend. She doesn’t believe that the wedding will take place.”

  Scarlett froze. “She’s still saying that?” Her earlier fear expanded into dread. She hadn’t wanted to listen to her sister’s premonitions. Scarlett wanted to believe that nothing would interrupt her special day. She still did…

  “She had one of her visions,” Faith said. “They don’t always come true.” The words spilled out of her mouth quickly. “You can’t let her make you doubt anything. JD loves you.”

  He did, and she wouldn’t let Ashlyn ruin her big day. She let out the breath she’d been holding. It might seem like she and JD were rushing into the wedding, but she believed they were making the right decision. They’d go off to college together, and then one day return to Sparkle City. They’d build an amazing life together. “I think it is time to get into my dress.” She undressed and stood in the room in her bra and panties, then turned to her sister. Scarlett wouldn’t dwell on Ashlyn’s absence either. Her sister was stubborn. They all were actually, but Scarlett would never have skipped her sister’s wedding. It hurt more than she would admit that Ashlyn had decided to stay home. Even if her vision had come true, which it wouldn’t, Ashlyn should have come to support her. She would need her sisters either way—good or bad. This was a special day for her.

  Faith smiled and held it out to her. Scarlett took it from her and stepped into it. Once it was pulled all the way up, Faith zipped it to the top. The dress fit her perfectly, and she even felt a little pretty wearing it. She turned to look at herself in the mirror. It was really happening. In less than an hour, she’d be standing in front of the pastor and would marry the man she loved.

  “The dress does look nice on you,” Faith said. “Perhaps Mother knows more than we give her credit for.”

  “Perhaps,” Scarlett said. “It’s not what I’d have picked for myself.” It was a lovely and expensive gown. “Let’s not tell Mother she has good taste though. It might give her ideas.” Their mother, Enid Oliver-Penn, could be…stubborn. Once she got an idea she refused to let it go without a fight.

  “It’ll be our secret,” Faith said softly. “Are you ready for this?”

  “I’ve never been more ready for anything.”

  A knock echoed through the room. “It must be time to start.” Faith walked over to the door and opened it. A man with chestnut hair and golden eyes wearing a dark suit stood on the other side. Harrison Thoreau—JD’s best friend. “I need to speak to Scarlett,” he said softly. What was he doing there? Shouldn’t he be with JD, preparing for the wedding?

  Faith frowned and then opened the door wider to allow Harrison to enter. Scarlett was dressed, so there was no reason to make him stand outside. He shoved his hands into his pockets and didn’t meet her gaze.

  “You came to talk to me,” Scarlett said. “What did you need to say?”

  She had a really bad feeling she wasn’t going to like it, but she also needed to hear it at the same time. Scarlett took a deep breath and prepared herself for his words. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and then reached inside of his jacket. He pulled out an envelope and presented it to her. “This is for you.”

  She lifted a brow. “What is it?”

  “Open it,” he said. Harrison averted his gaze. “It’s not for me to say…”

  Scarlett stepped closer to retrieve the envelope, but Faith stepped in front of her. She snatched the envelope from Harrison and inhaled sharply. “Don’t open this,” she told Scarlett. “You don’t want to read what is in there.”

  Damn Faith and her psychometric ability. It had to be horrible if she was telling her not to rip it open. Faith wouldn’t know what it said, but she’d know the feelings of the person who’d sent it. “Who is it from?” she asked. She wouldn’t listen to Faith. Reading it at this point was all she could do. Scarlett had to know what the envelope held inside of it. Good or bad she had to face it.

  Scarlett stepped closer to her sister and snatched the envelope from her. She had a feeling she knew what was inside. The warnings had all been there. She’d even heard a few whispers herself in the music around her, but had ignored them. She hadn’t wanted to believe the sorrow it had foretold. She tore it open and read the letter.

  Scarlett,

  Please forgive me…but I can’t do this. We’re too young, and I want to do so much with my life. I got recruited to play for the Triple A league for the Starlington Sparklers. I can’t pass up this opportunity, and I don’t want to drag you along with me. Maybe one day we can find our way back together again. I’ll understand if you never want to see me again. I don’t deserve you or your kind heart.

  Always,

  JD

&nb
sp; A tear slipped down her cheek. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Why would he wait this long to tell her? They had planned the wedding for weeks. Next week, college started… She let the letter drop to the floor. She had to get out of this dress. “Where is Shayla?” She needed her best friend. “Has she returned yet?” Shayla would know what to do next.

  Harrison froze and then slowly started to back out of the room. Something whistled in her ear. She spun and met his gaze. “What are you not telling me?”

  “I think you’ve had enough shocks for one day,” Harrison said. “I’ll leave you to sort all of this out. Unless you’d like me to make an announcement or something.”

  “Oh God,” Scarlett said. It hit her immediately what Harrison hadn’t said. There was no letter explaining where Shayla went. That would have been a little tacky to give her on her wedding day. Her best friend had run off with her fiancé. “Please say it isn’t true.”

  “I wish I could,” Harrison said. His voice was filled with remorse. “JD is making a mistake. He’ll regret this one day.”

  Scarlett remained immobile for several heartbeats. Nothing had gone as planned. Nothing would ever be the same. Why had she put so much into this day? Why had she relied so heavily on JD for happiness? Her heart beat heavily in her chest, and the room began to spin. She reached out to steady herself against the closest solid surface and fell against Harrison. He closed his arms around her, holding her upright. Scarlett would not cry. She would not fall apart. This heartache would not destroy her, and she would move on with her life. JD would not be the end of her. This was a beginning. Not the new one she had hoped for, but a different path all the same.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Scarlett said and stepped away from Harrison. She wouldn’t take any more comfort from him or anyone. She had to do everything for herself. Independence was the key to surviving… “None of it matters. Nothing will ever be the same, and I don’t want it to be.” It’s time she grew the hell up and lived her life for herself. She put too much into JD, and it was foolish of her. It’s good that she knew now, and not after they were married. She’d have regrets then. She turned to Faith and did her best to harden her heart. “Help me out of this dress. We have to go make an announcement.”

  “I can do that for you,” Harrison repeated his offer. “It’s the least I can do…”

  “Thank you,” Scarlett said with a monotone voice. She had lost all ability to feel anything. “But you’ve already done enough. Please leave now.”

  Harrison spun on his heels and exited the room. Faith slid the zipper down on the wedding dress. Scarlett slid out of it and tossed the dress to the side. Perhaps later she’d burn it. She never wanted to see the offensive dress again. Ashlyn had been right. There would be no wedding today, and it was time to face everyone. It grated on every one of her nerves that her sister had foreseen this very thing and she, herself, had chosen to ignore it. Why should she have believed Ashlyn? JD had never failed her before…

  There was a first time for everything though. Next time, she wouldn’t dismiss one of Ashlyn’s visions outright, but she still would never forgive her sister. Ashlyn should be here. Should have known she’d need her and she’d chosen to stay away. Scarlett held her head high and exited the room. This was a day she’d never forget. It would serve as a reminder that happy-ever-afters weren’t for everyone. She’d missed her chance, and she’d have to create an entirely different life for herself.

  Chapter 1

  Ten years later…

  Jensen “JD” Drake stared out the large, tenth-floor window of the office building he’d been standing in for over an hour. Sparkle City hadn’t changed in the years since he’d left. He had returned a few times beforehand, but that had been for the occasional away game. He’d never left the stadium or his assigned hotel room when he’d visited his hometown. JD was less likely to bump into someone he’d rather not see that way. He’d made a lot of mistakes that he feared he would never be able to make up for. One person in particular had every reason to hate him—Scarlett.

  Making amends wouldn’t be easy. He didn’t want to run into her before he had a chance to figure out how to accomplish that enormous feat. She was the one person he prayed would forgive him. He’d done her a great wrong. Being home again… It brought back a lot of guilt and regret. He’d hated even the short trips for away games because he’d been avoiding his inner demons. Now, though, he had no other choice but to explore the city. It was once again his home.

  Earlier that day, he’d agreed to a deal to move to the Sparkle City Suns, and he would be their new starting catcher. At one time he’d dreamed of playing baseball for the Suns. Being a part of the team and marrying Scarlett Oliver were the only two things he’d ever wanted, but he’d destroyed the latter and had no chance of ever having her in his life again. What would she do when she realized he’d returned? Would she even care? JD wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to see him again.

  He couldn’t let her monopolize his thoughts. It was crucial he paid attention to what his new manager had to tell him. Something about his new contracts…

  “Are you listening to me?” Calvin Rooney asked, a little irritation slipped into his voice as he spoke.

  JD turned to face him. The older man had a full head of salt and pepper hair and brown eyes almost as dark as a strong cup of coffee. If his previous manager hadn’t decided to up and retire, JD would not be in Calvin Rooney’s office. He still wasn’t certain he liked the guy. There was something almost…slimy about him. Other than the gut feeling he received in the man’s presence, JD didn’t have any reason to question his abilities. He had negotiated his contract better than he could have anticipated. So he’d set his feelings aside and continue to work with him. At least, until he gave him a reason not to… “My apologies,” JD said smoothly. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  The season had already started. In another month, they’d be off for the All-Star break. Voting for the primary voting round would end in a couple weeks. After that was the starter round. He hoped he still had a chance of making the team. Hell, he hoped for a hell of a lot more than that, but he’d start with advancing in his career. Scarlett… Well, she might punch him if they crossed paths, and he would deserve it. There was always a chance she wasn’t in town. She could be on tour or something. He hadn’t bothered to check because he was too afraid to know for sure.

  “Be that as it may,” Calvin started to say and effectively brought JD out of his inner musings again. “There is a lot we have to go over before you leave. I have the final contracts, and the provisions you asked for were added. All you need to do is initial the changes, then sign and date it.”

  With the flick of a pen across paper, he’d make some changes in his life. He had been a free agent before this contract. Once he signed it, he’d be playing with the Suns for the next five years. They couldn’t trade him unless he agreed to it. He liked the idea of consistency and not having to move around. He was already looking for a permanent place to live. He hated living in hotels and couldn’t wait to check out of his current one.

  “Show me where to sign,” JD said and waved his hand at the document on the table. “I want this done with.” He wanted to leave the office and drive around Sparkle City. Maybe go down memory lane and visit all his favorite spots. Yet, all of them would bring back what he’d lost—Scarlett. God, he’d been such a fool.

  Calvin pointed at a couple spots. “Here are the provisions you need to initial.”

  JD scanned them to make sure they were right, then jotted down his initials. “They look good.”

  His manager took the contract and flipped to the last page, then set it back down. “Sign here.”

  After he signed and dated it, JD tossed the pen on the table. “If that’s all…”

  “For now,” Calvin replied. “We can go over any endorsement deals that come in later.”

  “Sounds good,” JD said. “Then I’m off. Call me when or if you hear something.”

>   He didn’t wait to see if Calvin would respond to his last statement. As far as he was concerned, he was done, and he had much better things to do. JD strolled out of the office and headed to his motorcycle—a Harley Davidson Street 750 in “wicked red.” It was his latest purchase. Now that he lived in a city with beautiful weather all year, he fully intended to enjoy it.

  JD unstrapped his helmet from the back of his seat then slid it over his head, securing it in place. He sat on the bike and started the engine, then he took off toward the beach. A walk on the boardwalk sounded like a good idea. Something about the ocean had always calmed him, and his nerves could use a nice balm. He’d been a wreck since he agreed to come play for the Suns. After he had time to cool down and ease his frazzled anxiety, he’d do what he’d been avoiding since he rolled into town a week ago. JD would look up Scarlett and see what her tour schedule looked like. He wasn’t sure if he hoped she was home or would be gone for weeks. Either way, he had to know so he could prepare. He was proud of her and all she’d accomplished, but he also couldn’t help feeling a little empty inside. He should have been with her as she reached all of her goals. JD never should have deserted her and left her to figure it all out on her own. He was the biggest asshole that ever lived. God. She shouldn’t forgive him, but he wanted her desperately. He missed her…

  It was time to face Scarlett. He owed her an explanation and a huge apology. If he was lucky, she’d forgive him, but somehow, he doubted she’d be that generous. They had to have some semblance of peace though if they were going to live in the same town.

  Scarlett had been home for a whole two hours and felt the need to walk on the beach. The whispers that guided her wanted her to go, and they had never steered her wrong before. Those voices she heard delivered wonderful melodies for her to write her songs to and had helped her build a very successful career. Besides, she could use a few hours to herself and maybe even a little meditation. She was burning herself into the ground, and at the pace she was keeping, she’d end up hospitalized.