by Ellie Hall
She was ready to chuck the cellphone against the wall, but the message was from Harmonie.
Your mother won’t stop texting me about your wedding. I was waiting to talk to you about it because I wasn’t sure how things were working out between you and Dallen. Now I feel responsible. I’m sorry if I added another complication to your life.
Kayla sniffed back her tears and called her cousin. She launched right into how everything had unfolded. “And there’s no need to apologize. I’m the one who won’t stand up to my mother and I let things get out of hand.”
“I heard you did stand up to Chloe though.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Kayla’s mouth. “Where’d you hear that?”
“The shrew herself. I think she respects you now or something.” Harmonie went on to report Chloe’s version of their encounter on the ranch and how she thought Dallen was the perfect guy for her sister.
“He was the perfect guy.” Kayla then told her cousin how everything had fallen apart. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Does he make you happy?”
“He did but that doesn’t last. At the beginning with Bradley, I was happy. Look how that turned out.”
“Bradley who?” Harmonie asked.
“My ex? You met him like a hundred times.” Had she misheard? Was Harmonie messing with her?
“I’ve never heard of the guy.”
“Are you kidding?”
“Although it’s important to learn from our past, especially the mistakes we make, we can’t live there,” Harmonie said sagely.
“That’s just it, I can’t help but obsess about the future.”
“And there’s the problem. You spend so much time with one foot in the past and the other trying to find footing where there isn’t any because it hasn’t happened yet, you’re missing out on the present.”
Dallen had tried to get Kayla to see this as well. “But if I don’t focus on the future, what if something bad happens?”
“It already has. You broke it off with Dallen before you gave it a chance because you were afraid that he might leave you—take off with another woman or whatever. You need to be able to trust each other no matter what happened in the past with someone else.”
“How do I do that?”
“You need to think about what brings joy into your life and do more of that. Did Dallen make you happy?”
“Yeah, while it lasted.”
“The only reason it ended is that—”
“I cut things off.”
“Exactly. Have you seen that show where people go through everything in their house and ask themselves if it brings joy? You could start right now by focusing on what does that for you.”
Kayla was silent as the suggestion sunk in. “I guess you’re right.”
“That’s nice to hear. Thanks.”
“No, thank you, Harmonie.”
After the cousins got off the phone, Kayla clicked to her playlist of CeCe Sparrow’s best songs and went into a house cleaning frenzy.
It was well known among her friends that she had a massive shoe collection so she took every single pair out and piled them up in the living room. She put on music and one-by-one asked herself if the shoes brought her happiness, pleasure, or were useful.
The moment she realized the donate pile was bigger than the keep pile, a knock came from the door.
Dallen stood in the doorway and tipped his hat at her. She pushed her glasses up her nose. They stood there, staring at each other for a long moment before she stepped aside.
“Sorry about the mess. I wasn’t expecting you to come by.”
“I’d say I was just in the neighborhood but…” He glanced around at the piles of shoes and the other cleaning projects she’d started, leaving the condo in disarray. “You could just hire someone to clean or I would if you want me to. Help you, I mean.”
She suddenly feared he was about to say he’d do anything for her. She heard Harmonie’s voice in her head, asking her why she was afraid of that.
Because she worried she’d give up her passions, her life, her friends, and everything else like her mother did—if Irene ever had any of that to begin with.
Because she feared his promises would be false, like Bradley’s.
Because she didn’t want to feel the pain that came from having a broken heart or the emptiness that followed.
Doubts crowded her mind, forming piles like the stuff surrounding them. Her chest felt tight and her mouth dry.
“Kayla, I thought we could talk. Try to fix things.”
“We didn’t really give things a chance—”
His eyes lit up and filled with hope as CeCe Sparrow sang about second chances in the background.
“Let me finish. We didn’t give things a chance to become something that could break so it’s better we just move on.” Each word spoken made her ache but it was what had to be done in order to spare them both future heartache.
He sunk back. “What about my birthday, when we kissed, the conversations we’ve had?”
Panic made her chest tight and her limbs light, like she was floating, disconnected.
He reached out for her and for a moment the intensity in his face made her hope he’d kiss her, to remind her of what they’d shared.
“I realized something. I’d do anything for you.”
That was the offer she feared most. It came with the highest stakes. She held her hand out between them. “You’d do anything? What if I asked you to leave and not come back?” It was like she’d turned on herself, on them, but she couldn’t stop it, didn’t know how, and was afraid if she did, shed’ lose him anyway.
Dallen straightened, nodded, and then taken aback said, “If that’s what you want.”
She nodded.
He walked away.
She stood there stunned, reeling from what she’d done. Once wasn’t Enough, easily CeCe Sparrow’s most heart-wrenching song, played in the background.
Tears trailed down Kayla’s face. She didn’t want to turn him away but she couldn’t lose herself, at least not until she found herself.
The song changed and Kayla’s tears dried as CeCe sang her girl power anthem, “Girl, pick yourself up again. You can be born again, each day is new, a new you. Wash your face, open the door, show them all there’s something more. The same mistakes aren’t your destiny. I won’t give them the best of me. I’ll do it my way and they’ll see how strong I can be.”
Kayla remembered when she fell at the café, the day she met Dallen, how he extended his hand but she helped herself to her feet. She knew then there was something she needed to do before she could accept him or anyone else in her life. It didn’t start with Bradley, but like CeCe said, that wasn’t her destiny. She gave away her power even before he came along and she was about to get it back.
Kayla picked up the phone and dialed her mother. Irene answered on the first ring.
“We have to talk.”
“Of course, I was thinking of going with a spring theme for the engagement party and—”
“Mom, these calls and incessant texts have to stop.”
“What do you mean? I’m just trying to make sure everything is perfect for your big day.”
The room spun then realization landed.
“I don’t want perfect. I want real.”
“Oh, you want real? Okay. How about I give and give and give to you but what do I get in return? Nothing. That seems pretty real.” Irene’s tone was ugly, accusatory.
“I never asked for anything other than your love and support after Gran died.”
Irene plowed on. “What about the horse lessons, the new clothes, the—”
“That was Chloe. I borrowed books from the library, used school supplies to draw, and babysat to earn money for cupcake baking supplies. But I’m going to ask for something right now. Stop trying to make everything perfect and go find a hobby. Or I could teach you to bake cupcakes, ski, or you could read a book for goodness sake. You’ve spent my entire life berating me an
d pressuring me because you don’t have something else to focus on. I’m not your project.”
Irene was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry you feel that way but have you set a date yet?”
Kayla felt like screaming. “No.” There was that word again. The one she was so used to saying. “Just. No.” She was about to hang up.
Her mother said, “Wait.” Her voice shook. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Irene exhaled. “I spoke to your brother the other day and he’s been getting help with some of his stress from the war. He, uh, thought I should see someone too. Not because of the war but, well, you know.”
“That sounds like a good idea, Mom.”
A beat passed.
“Kayla, I’m scared.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Of what?”
“Who I am without being a mother and wife.”
“Yeah, me too. Not of being that but to be that. But we can’t control everything no matter how hard we try to plan.” Kayla wasn’t sure where that bit of wisdom came from but as she looked around at the piles of shoes and other junk, she realized Harmonie didn’t mean for Kayla to clean her actual house but rather symbolically let go of her old beliefs. “I guess, we just have to figure out who and what makes us happy and try to do our best to pursue them despite the unknowns.”
“You know what used to make me happy?” Irene asked around a sniffle. “My mother, your Gran, and I used to make jewelry. She learned how because she couldn’t afford to buy her own so she taught herself beading techniques then moved on to working with semiprecious stones.” Irene lost herself in reverie as Kayla’s fingers found the necklace she always wore. Maybe her mother was jealous Gran had given it to her or because her mother felt she needed to sacrifice something she enjoyed so much to be a good mom.
“I’ll let you know about any future marriage plans but, in the meantime, why don’t you make an appointment with that therapist then go get some jewelry making supplies.”
“I like that idea. Thanks, Kayla.”
She didn’t expect her mother to help her but in a way she had. So had the piles of shoes. It was time for her to step foot onto a new path—one that made her happy in which she pursued her dreams even though their future success was unknown. Her dream was to have a cupcake shop.
Arriving early at the resort, Kayla asked to talk with her boss and put in her two-weeks’ notice. She’d keep her job at the Hawk and Whistle but needed to free up her mornings like a proper baker and start making magic in the kitchen. She wasn’t exactly sure of her plan but baking cupcakes made her happy, she had a good camera, took decent photos, and would figure it out without micromanaging every little thing like her mother or stalling because she was afraid.
At the end of her shift on the slopes, a snowball flew toward her. It broke apart against the evergreen tree beside her. She scowled and looked around but didn’t see Dallen or a Yeti suspiciously lurking about. Her phone beeped with a text. She reflexively cringed but checked anyway. It was from Dallen.
Would you rather have a hot dog or salad for lunch?
She was hungry and definitely not for a hot dog. When Harmonie revealed Bradley’s status update after he’d left and that it involved a girl from a hot dog stand, she’d lost her appetite for hot dogs forever. It was lunchtime though so she walked toward the lodge that sold salads. At the window, the server passed her a salad in a plastic container. Her phone beeped again.
Would you rather dine inside or eat al fresco?
She was overheated from wrangling the kids on the bunny slope and still needed to clear her mind. On the map to the property, there was a gazebo with a caption that said great for dining al fresco or watching the world go by. Little touches like that were what made the Hawk Ridge Hollow Resort special along with the lantern-lit paths, the attention to detail in the resort, and of course the slopes themselves.
She walked to the gazebo, wondering what Dallen was up to but the notes sparked something inside her. If she could find the courage to pursue her dream, could she open up to him?
She sat down and ate her lunch while watching the world go by. It was peaceful and gave her time to think about opening a cupcake shop. When she set her fork down the crunching of boots on snow made her look up.
Dallen approached carrying a paper cup. He had a long stride and the way he carried himself revealed his strength and power. Seeing him out of context sent a little shiver through Kayla. She’d kissed that man. He’d held her hand. They’d talked about having a life together. His lips had been on hers. Something had ignited between them.
When he reached her, he held out the cup. “Rule number three.”
Their fingers brushed and she melted a little.
“I’m sorry things went too fast. That we didn’t—”
Kayla held up her hand to stop him from saying more because she needed him to hear what was on her mind. “We could’ve done things differently. But all we have is right now.”
“In that case, will you take a walk with me?”
She glanced down at her boots, thinking of how she’d sorted through her old shoes and her old beliefs. “Sure.”
His hand caught hers and he said, “So we don’t fall.”
It was then she was sure that she’d already fallen. “What’s wrong with that?” she asked.
He smirked. “I suppose I’ve already fallen,” he said. “But I’m not sure where I’m going to land.”
“Maybe it’s okay if we don’t know. Well, there is one thing I’d like to know. Will you forgive me for saying I didn’t want you in my life because I do. Very much. You make me happy, Dallen.” It was like the weight of the entire sky and all the years she’d spent lamenting her breakup and what it meant for her future lifted.
He smiled. “We went along with the pretense of everything being fake between us because we were both afraid to admit we felt something real. I had to ask myself why. I suppose I was afraid if I let myself feel that it could all just disappear.”
“It could,” she agreed.
“Or it could turn out wonderfully.”
She smiled. “I suppose you’re right.”
They’d entered a wooded path lined with evergreens and were quiet for a few moments and then Kayla told Dallen about giving notice at work and the prospect of making a go at baking and opening a cupcake shop.
“I’ve been thinking too. Remember how I mentioned I wanted to open up the ranch to guests, have a café and everything. I’ve been meeting with lawyers and the board at the resort. We found a way I can move forward with updating the ranch. What would you think about starting there?”
“You mean for my cupcake shop?”
He nodded and stopped, turning to her. They’d reached a little clearing.
“But don’t you have to get married in order to make changes on the ranch?”
A gentle breeze gusted through the evergreen boughs. The birds chirped and the air smelled like spring even though there were patches of snow on the ground. In fact, there was a pile of snowballs stacked in a pyramid.
On the top, something shiny glinted. Dallen led Kayla over to it. Her eyes widened.
“You kind of chipped away at my frosty exterior—”
“I’d say you were gruff.”
He smirked. “You showed me what’s important and melted my heart.” His eyes sparkled. “We haven’t done anything conventional so far, but this time I’m asking you properly and for the right reasons.”
The words lit her up within. “I was afraid of the unknown, of my future, but then I realized whatever comes, I see you in it,” she said.
“We can take things as slow as you’d like, play would you rather day and night, and get to know each other. There’s no rush. I just know I want you in my life for as long as I live.”
Her lips blossomed with a smile but she held up her finger. “In that case, I have one rule.”
“Only one?” He flashed his flirtatious smile.
“We have to trust each other.”
<
br /> “I can get behind that. But so you know, I talked to your parents earlier. I had to ask them something important.” Then Dallen got down on one knee and plucked the glittering diamond ring from the topmost snowball. It was, in a word, a rock. A huge, shiny, sparkly gem. “Will you marry me, Kayla?”
Her hands flew to her mouth but she didn’t want to hold back anything she was going to say. “My answer has been no to a lot of things in my life. But this time I say yes. Yes, let’s take things slow. Yes, let’s play would you rather. Yes, let’s get to know each other. Yes, let’s bake cupcakes, ride horses, and dream big and be brave. Yes, Dallen. I will marry you.”
He slid the ring on her finger and rose to his feet, clasping her jaw in his hands and planting his lips softly on hers for a kiss.
She lifted onto her toes and kissed him back.
Book 3 in the Rich & Rugged Series, Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard, features Blake Hawkins and the famous singer Cece Sparrow.
She needs an escape, but will he be the one to rescue her? Read chapter one below.
Chapter 1
Cece
Cece Sparrow had always hit the right notes. As a famous singer and songwriter, it was her job to tap into emotion, translate it into words, and let the sound flow. Her smoky vocals dug deep on the verse then ranged to the upper octaves on the musical scale as she belted out the chorus.
Except for that day.
Except for that week.
If she was honest with herself, her energy and sound had started to flag six months previous and had only gotten worse as the glue that held her life together dissolved.
She tried to warm up her vocals in the car on the way over to the recording studio but she sounded flat, out of tune, like a bullfrog. “Ah, ee, ah, oh, croak.” She tried not to think about the driver who was probably laughing to herself.
She’d managed to wrap up her tour and the few smaller, more intimate venue slots her manager had scheduled. She’d shown up with a smile at all the press interviews, the signings, and the extra promotion. That’s what her fans loved about her. That she was always there, going above and beyond, posing for the hundredth selfie with near-hysterical fans, signing her name on all manner of things—from album covers to journals, to broken arm casts, to actual skin (the person wanted her signature as a tattoo).