Cabin Fever

by Shani Greene-Dowdell et al.

  Her favorite drink sat before me on the hotel bar.

  “Would you like your drink refreshed, Mr. Daughtry?”

  “No, Mel. It’s fine. I’ll take a bourbon.”

  He slapped the bar. “Coming right up.”

  Kara was still at our condo. I sent Harry to check on her. Harry was the only man I trusted around my woman. He held a soft spot for Kara. Harry had no problem telling me I needed to get my shit together. He cursed me out. Told me I was a coward for allowing her to walk out of my life. Shit, he was right. Like I said before, I didn’t deserve a good woman like her. But the old life I had before Kara I didn’t want anymore. A few women winked at me tonight. Fuck them.

  Kara was the only woman I wanted to kiss and hold.

  Kara was the only woman I wanted cheering me on at my football or basketball games.

  Kara was the only woman I wanted to marry.

  If I didn’t want a baby with her, I would have asked her to take birth control. The second I laid eyes on Kara; I knew I’d do anything to prove to her we were perfect for each other.

  Pull yourself together, Collin, and fight for the only woman you’ve ever loved.

  ∞

  “Collin.”

  Knock, knock.

  “Hey, Collin opened the door or I’ll use my key to enter.”

  I turned on my side and my eyes popped open. “Yeah, hold on.”

  Yawning, I sat straight up on the leather sofa. My hands ran over my dress shirt, then I strolled across my office and swung open the door. “What do you want, Bryce?”

  I grabbed the wastepaper basket and returned to the sofa.

  “What the hell happened in here?”

  “I had a party, and you weren’t invited.”

  I threw soda cans and half empty chip bags into the bin.

  He sat in a chair near the sofa. “We need to clear the air.”

  “I don’t care to hear shit you have to say. You disrespected my woman. You called her a cabin slut, Bryce. We fucked sluts often. Kara isn’t that kind of woman. She doesn’t care about material things. She isn’t with me because I’m rich. Mail-order bride,” I chuckled, shaking my head.

  “You’re lucky I didn’t knock your teeth out. She’s a good woman, Bryson. Men like us don’t deserve smart, beautiful, adventurous women. We deserve the money hungry twigs we fucked.”

  He ran his hand over his hair. “I was wrong for disrespecting your girlfriend. Every word I spewed was driven from pure jealousy. You hit the fucking jackpot, brother. Collin, I knew our days of partying were coming to a close. The spark in your eyes was gone. I’m surprised you lasted as long as you did. You wanted more than the one-night stands. We whored around so long I doubt you knew where to look for love. The pictures you sent of you and Kara revealed what I already knew from the first text you sent, informing me you were extending your stay. You found happiness. She made you come alive, Collin. I didn’t know I wanted happiness with one woman until I saw how happy you were in the photos. She wasn’t wearing a skimpy dress. She wore a coat, snow pants, and boots. There was nothing superficial about her. I’m proud of you, Collin. I was a fucking idiot for disrespecting her. I hope one day I can make it up to her. You’re my best friend. If I lost you as a friend, I have no one to blame but myself.”

  Sitting on the sofa, resting my feet on the edge of the table, I pondered on Bryson’s words.

  “You’re right, I didn’t know I was searching for that kind of happiness until I laid eyes on her.”

  I smirked. “She’s a feisty little woman. Kara’s the kind of woman you know you want to marry after one conversation. She’s incredible.”

  His brow rose. “Why are you sleeping here?”

  “I sent her back to Alaska.” My jaw ticked.

  “All because I’m afraid of being my dad. Everyone doesn’t have a great dad like you.”

  “Collin, you're nothing like your dad. Your kid will be lucky to have you.”

  I choked back the tears. “I hope you’re right because Kara’s pregnant.”

  I sighed. “We’re expanding our business, Bryce.”

  His back straightened, and his blue eyes widened. “What? We are.”

  “Yup, we’re opening an office in Anchorage, Alaska. I need to be close to my child. Not sure Kara will take me back. I was a fucking jerk.”

  “Buddy you better try.” His heavy hand landed on my shoulder.

  “Don’t forget to tell her I’d really like the opportunity to apologize.”

  “I will.”

  We stood, and he embraced me. “You’re my best friend. If you love Kara, I know I will, too.”

  I stepped back and quirked a brow.

  “Like a brother loves a sister, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  We chuckled.

  “That’s better.”

  “You are rank.” His nose wrinkled.

  “And to the shower I go.”

  We laughed.

  ~

  I stood in a batting cage, slamming the bat into one ball after another.

  Harry called last night. He informed me Kara had locked herself in the guest bedroom and hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days. He said he took her out to dinner. Harry may work for me, but he was a good friend. He cared for me and Kara. Wanted us to work it out. He said we were both behaving stupidly. I told him I planned to sit down and talk to Kara this evening. He said as long as I did so before she boarded her commercial flight to Anchorage at eight at night.

  Stubborn woman wouldn’t take the jet. I swung the bat again, and I smacked the ball hard.

  “Someone clearly pissed you off,” I heard to my left.

  “Yup. Would you like to know what happened?”

  “Sure, why not?” Her fingers poked through the holes in the batting cage.

  “I arrived in Talkeetna, Alaska because I needed a break. Low and behold I met a fiery woman who wanted nothing to do with me, so I thought.”

  “What made you think she didn’t want anything to do with you?”

  “She wouldn’t shake my hand.”

  Glancing at her, the sun shined in my eyes, I squinted under the batting helmet.

  “Isn’t that rude?”

  “Hmm, no. What if this woman had a crush on you and any physical touch would spark something all too real to her?”

  “Good point, but I had no idea she had a thing for me. She was downright mean.”

  “Maybe she was guarding her heart.”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  I traced the end of the bat in the dirt.

  “Did she ever let her guard down?”

  “Yeah…I persuaded her to move to L.A. Every moment spent with her gave my life purpose.”

  A tear slid down her cheek. “Sounds like you two were a match made in heaven.”

  “I thought we were. Do you enjoy watching people release their frustration by smacking balls with bats?”

  She laughed. “Yup, gives me all the feels. I hadn’t had the best week either.”

  “What happened?”

  “My boyfriend showed me every day how much he loved me.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah. He wanted to marry me. I thought for sure he’d one day break my heart. The moment he called me on my shit, I pushed him away. He was the only man I ever loved. It wasn’t pretty being away from him. I barely ate. Not my finest hour. Our house is so empty. I feel so alone. Not sure if he’ll take me back,” she cried.

  I tossed the bat and helmet to the ground and almost ripped the door off the cage.

  “I bet he’s been sick without you.” My fingers curled around her neck.

  “I was afraid I’d be a shitty dad to our child. Thought maybe you’d be better without me. This was the roughest week of my life. I don’t want to go another day without you in my life.”

  Her fingers tugged at my T-shirt. “As long as you and I are together, we’ll be fine. I love you with all my heart, Collin.”

  My lips pulled hers into mi
ne. “We won’t ever break up again. We’ll face our fears together. Kara, you’re my heart. I love you so much.”

  She smiled and crushed my lips again.

  I gathered my equipment, then wrapped my arm around Kara. Harry leaned against the grill of the Yukon, wearing a huge grin under his aviator sunglasses. He threw his hand in the air.

  I saluted him. He hopped behind the steering wheel and drove off.

  “You’ll never guess what Bryson said yesterday.”

  I popped the trunk on the G-Wagon and tossed my equipment inside.

  “He was jealous of our relationship.”

  “Ah, ha, I told you,” she snickered.

  “He apologized to me and would love the chance to beg for your forgiveness.”

  “I guess I could hear him out.”

  “Well baby, he’ll have to travel to Alaska to give you that apology.”

  Her smile dropped, and she fell against the truck. “I don’t understand.”

  I cupped her face. “We’re moving to Alaska, sweetheart.”

  Her eyes fluttered and tears spilled down her cheeks. “Collin, you don’t have to do that.”

  “Someone told me recently they would be happy anywhere I am.”

  She sniffled. “I meant that, Collin.”

  “Kara, baby, I would be happy anywhere you are.” I kissed her forehead.

  “Collin, I think we should compromise. Can we live between Alaska and California?”

  “I hadn’t thought about that. We’ll have two offices so I don’t see why not.”

  “Winters in Alaska and summers in California.”

  “Now you’re talking.” I pulled her up into my arms.

  Her hands gripped my neck. “I’m ready for our next adventure.”

  “Me too. I look forward to being a dad to our child.”

  Her brown eyes stared into mine. “I told you, Collin, you’ll make the best dad.”

  Her stomach rumbled.

  “Someone’s hungry.”

  “Yeah, this baby loves to eat. Their favorite treat is apple pie.”

  “No, I never would have guessed.” I laughed.

  I opened the passenger door and placed her on the seat. “There’s a great little dessert spot in Santa Monica I think you’ll love.”

  She rubbed her belly. “Good because I think we can eat an entire pie.” Kara winked.

  I had no intentions of losing my woman again. Life was about compromises. Lucky for me, I was a rich man so my woman and I could enjoy the best of both worlds.

  For the first time in years, I experienced life. Kara and I toured Milan and Ireland.

  My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins adored Kara. They looked forward to our wedding in Talkeetna, Alaska.

  But first, I had to ask for my beautiful woman’s hand in marriage.

  ∞

  “Collin, are you sure it’s safe? What if there are still chemicals in the air?”

  I held her close, rubbing her belly. “Kara, the exterminator assured it would be safe to enter the condo after eight at night.”

  She sighed. “If I smell a hint of chemicals, I’m staying at the hotel down the street.”

  “Got it, babe.”

  The elevator doors opened.

  “Lights on,” Kara ordered, as she stepped into the living room.

  She glanced around the dark room. “Collin, the system is broken.”

  “I’ll check the app and see if I can get the lights to work. In the meantime, wait for me on the balcony. The solar lights should be on.”

  “Ok.” She walked through the open balcony doors.

  “Oh my god, Collin, what is this?”

  I blew out a breath and walked outside.

  My eyes fell over Kara’s curvy shape in the burnt orange flowy dress. My hands slid over the spaghetti straps and I kissed her shoulder.

  “You tricked me, Collin. It’s beautiful.” Her eyes dropped to the ground.

  “A heart shaped bed of roses.” She turned, swaying her hands across my black suit lapels. Kara stared into my eyes.

  “A surprise romantic dinner, Collin, it’s so sweet.”

  I dropped to one knee, holding her hand. Kara’s free hand flew over her mouth. Tears slipped down her beautiful face.

  Her gorgeous eyes hypnotized me. “Kara, our first day in each other’s presence was a little rocky.” I teetered my hand.

  “You were so cold. I had to warm you up,” I smirked.

  She laughed, brushing her fingers along my jawline.

  “Kara, my attraction to you was instant. I couldn’t stop pressing, flirting, touching you…”

  Her eyes rolled in the back of her head. “The touches, Collin, made me weak.”

  “My old life became obsolete. All I wanted was you. I had to have you in my life. I knew leaving you in Talkeetna wasn’t an option. I needed you by my side every day, Kara. We’ve had our share of difficulties, but we made it through. We’ll muscle through all the bad together.” I pressed my hand against her small growing belly.

  A huge smile crossed her lips. “We sure will, Collin.”

  I released her hand and slipped the navy ring box from my pocket.

  A chuckle rolled past my lips. “For a moment, I thought I’d be in Talkeetna longer than one month. The day I thought I lost you, I was beside myself. I was in a small snow-covered town, scouring the streets for my woman. There was no way I could rest until I found you.”

  A smile flashed across my lips. “After I found you sleeping peacefully in the office, I wanted to lie on the floor beside you and be there when you awoke.” My brows rose.

  “But your dad made me leave.”

  We laughed.

  I met her gaze as I flipped the box open. Her hands flew over her mouth again as she marveled the sparkling diamond ring.

  “You are the woman I was meant to find in Talkeetna, Alaska. You’re my heart and my soul. Kara Elle Riley, will you marry me?”

  I slid the ten-carat, radiant cut, square diamond ring onto her finger.

  Her wide eyes stared at the humongous diamond.

  Wasn’t giving her an out. If I had to drag her to the altar, she’d be mine.

  “Collin, yes. Of course, I’ll marry you.”

  I gripped my heart and exhaled.

  “Did you think I’d say no?”

  I scooped her up into my arms. “You were silent for a moment. Made me wonder if you didn’t want to marry me.”

  She gripped my face, staring into my eyes. “Babe, I was mesmerized by the huge diamond ring,”

  I laughed against her lips.

  “I can’t wait to become Kara Elle Daughtry.”

  “That makes two of us.” My lips crashed into hers as I lowered her to her feet.

  “Come on, I need to feed my two-favorite people.”

  I threaded our fingers as I led her to the table.

  “Good, because I’m starving. Lydia and I ate lunch, and she rationed snacks to me. She’s never done that…before.” Her eyes fell on me.

  “You told her not to feed me, Collin?”

  I pushed her chair closer to the small candle-lit table.

  “No, baby, I asked her to pull back on the snacks around five.”

  She shook her head.

  I removed the lids from our plates and placed them on the cart beside us.

  “Who cooked this delicious steak? She slid her knife and fork through the medium rare meat. It reminds me of the steak I love so much at Marks Bistro.” Her eyes crossed as she slid the succulent steak into her mouth.

  “Mark prepared the meal in our kitchen.”

  Her eyes grew in size. “Oh, my goodness. I have to thank him the next time I see him.”

  She scanned her surroundings. “Baby, the rooftop looks perfect. I love the string lights hanging around the balcony.”

  “I am pleased you love it.”

  She peered at the star lit sky. “Chrissy and Michelle will be pleased to help plan our summer wedding in Talkeetna.”


  “Good thing we’re visiting next week. I need to look at a few properties in Anchorage.”

  “It will be nice to see the beginning stages of our new home being built too. I can’t believe we’re building a monster home next to my tiny house.” She shook her head.

  “Are you sure you’re ok with building on your land?”

  She sipped her water. “Yes, I can show our little one the house mommy helped build.” Kara grabbed my hand.

  “Collin, every moment we’ve shared has been wonderful. I no longer worry about you breaking my heart. It’s like a weight has been lifted. I am a lucky woman; I get to share my life with the most gorgeous man who takes me everywhere he goes.”

  I kissed the back of her hand. “The closer we get to your due date, I won’t travel.”

  She grinned from ear to ear. “Sounds great.”

  ∞

  The build of our home was going as planned. Sitting at the bar in Talkeetna, I sipped a Guinness. Peter didn’t serve me, Shelly did. Guess he was still bitter. He stood at the end of the bar holding a conversation with a customer yet glaring at me. He was damn near foaming at the mouth.

  A heavy hand landed on my shoulder. I peeked to my left.

  “Collin, I guess congratulations is in order.” Eric sat on the bar stool beside me.

  “Thank you.”

  “Kara invited me to the wedding. Not sure I’ll make it.”

  “If you don’t show, it will crush her heart. She loves you. Eric, you’re one of her oldest friends. I understand you guys...” I glanced at Peter, then back at Eric.

  “…might not ever accept Kara and I being a couple. And that’s too bad. I won’t lose sleep over it. Soon she’ll be my wife and I will become a part-time resident of Talkeetna, Alaska. I’m not going anywhere,” I growled.

  He sighed, sliding his fingers through his short dark hair. “It will take getting used to. But I’m beginning to move on. I’ve started dating.”

  I grinned, then chugged my beer. “Good.” Yeah, stop the pining shit for my woman.

  He nodded at the TV. “Who’s winning?”

  “The Dodgers.” I smiled.

  Peter appeared. “Eric, you’re talking to this guy?”