Love Me Tender (Seven Brides, Seven Brothers)

by Calhoune, Belle

Nick's lips were twitching. “Something like that.”

  “Nick! When you said family, I assumed it was just your parents and the two of us.”

  “It was at first. Until Mom spilled the beans to Ryder about the dinner. Then one by one they all started inviting themselves.” Nick stopped right before the front walkway and turned to face Layla. “This was going to happen sooner or later. Plus, you've already met everyone back in the day.”

  She took a deep breath. For so long she'd been a bit sheltered. Grant hadn't allowed her to invite guests over for dinner or for social occasions. Any time they'd received an invitation to a get- together, she'd been forced to turn it down. Pretty soon, all the invitations had ceased.

  This Donahue gathering was an opportunity, she realized. It served as her chance to get connected with people in her new community. When she walked down Main Street she wanted people to recognize her and call her by name. She wanted to meet up with girlfriends for spa days and to catch up on gossip over coffee and scones. She wanted to be less lonely.

  With a deep breath, Layla, tightly holding Nick's hand, walked through the side gate and towards the backyard. The first thing she noticed was the delicious aroma of meat cooking on the grill. One of Nick's brothers was manning the grill. She recognized him immediately. Brandon, if she remembered correctly. He was tall and broad shouldered, with chocolate skin and handsome features. He'd been the brother Nick had always looked up to due to his academic success and Ivy League status. All the brothers had jokingly called him “Harvard.”

  Brandon left the grill to walk over toward them. He had a knowing look on his face and a welcoming smile. He held out his hand to her and exchanged a tight hug with Nick.

  “Hope you're both hungry.” He waved a spatula in the direction of the grill. “I've been grilling up a storm.”

  Nick held up the ceramic bowl. “You're in for a treat. Layla made some potato salad and she's a fantastic cook.”

  “Let me take that off your hands,” Brandon said. “I think the two of you are about to get Donahue'd.” With a wink in Layla's direction, Brandon brought the potato salad over to the backyard table.

  Within seconds everyone began trickling over to them. Some faces she remembered more than others. Ten years had brought a lot of changes to the Donahue men. There was one face she could never forget in a million years. She watched as Maggie moved her sons aside in order to get to her. Although Maggie had a touch of gray in her hair, she still looked the same, twinkling eyes and all.

  “Layla, it's so nice to see you after all these years.” Maggie wrapped her arms around her, smelling of roses and sunshine. She placed a kiss on her cheek.

  “It's so nice to see you too, Mrs. Donahue.”

  Maggie grinned. “I think you can call me Maggie after all these years.”

  Layla nodded in agreement. “Maggie it is.”

  Maggie turned her head and scanned the backyard. “Oh, where is Alec? He must have gone inside for a minute.” She turned back towards Layla. “I'm sure Nick has told you, but Alec had a stroke a few months ago. He's doing well but his speech is still slurred and he uses a cane for mobility.”

  “Nick did share that information with me. It's such a blessing he's doing so well.”

  “The Donahue family continues to receive blessings in abundance. I'm going to go look for him. I know he's excited about seeing you again.” With a smile, Maggie strode towards the patio doors.

  One after the other she reacquainted herself with Nick's brothers. Some gave her hearty handshakes while others enveloped her in great big bear hugs. On the spot the brothers organized a football scrimmage to take place in the front yard. The Donahue brothers seemed to be speaking their own special language. It was a treat just to be able to stand by and watch the dynamics unfold.

  Nick turned toward her. He seemed hesitant. “Will you be alright?”

  “I'll be fine. Go ahead and play. I'm going to get a cheeseburger,” she teased.

  Nick leaned down for a kiss. “Save some for me.”

  She playfully pushed him towards the front yard. When she turned back around, an exotic looking beauty was standing next to her with her hand outstretched in greeting.

  “Hi, Layla. I'm Gabrielle Turner. Nice to meet you.”

  Layla reached out and shook hands with Gabrielle. “Nice to meet you also.”

  Gabrielle, with her mocha complexion and auburn hair, was a stunner. And she had the sweetest smile.

  “You're Remy’s fiancee, right?”

  “That's me.” She leaned in and whispered. “I understand how it feels to be in the midst of all this hubbub. The first time I was around the whole family I had to put a brave face on since I'm a little shy.”

  Layla nodded her head in agreement. “It's a little overwhelming, but in a good way.”

  “Being a part of this family has been a true blessing. I thank God every day for allowing Remy and I to find one another.”

  The conviction in Gabrielle's voice caused goose bumps to pop up on Layla's arms. What a testament to the love she and Remy shared, as well as the devotion of the Donahue family.

  “We thought we'd join you over here.” The musical sounding voice flowed over her, immediately giving her good vibes. A striking woman with the auburn hair stuck her hand out and announced. “I'm Tess, Ryder's fiancee.” No sooner had she greeted Tess when a familiar face came into view.

  “It's been a long time, Layla.” Sarah, with her big blue eyes and angelic face, was standing there with a huge smile on her face.

  “Ten years, in fact,” Layla said.

  Layla reached out and hugged Sarah. As Delilah's sister, Sarah had hung out with them on occasion, such as trips to the movies or to Breezy Beach. Sarah had always been such a generous, sweet person. It was gratifying to discover she'd married Blue, despite a few hiccups along the way.

  “Lilah told me she ran into you and that the two of you had a chance to catch up.” She wagged her eyebrows. “She didn't spill the beans about you dating Nick.”

  Layla felt herself blushing. “That happened after Delilah and I met up. I've been so busy trying to get my dance studio up and running that I haven't even been able to meet up with her for lunch. That has to be corrected very soon.”

  “You have to tell us all about your dance studio,” Gabrielle said, a glimmer of excitement flashing in her eyes. “I heard you were adding on some zumba classes.”

  As Layla sat down with Gabrielle, Tess, and Sarah, she began to tell them all about Just Dance studio and her plans to make it the go-to place on the Cape for dance instruction. It felt nice, she realized, to be surrounded by such positive, good-hearted people. The three women were lively, fun and encouraging. They promised to spread the word on her behalf.

  The rest of the evening passed in a blur as Layla enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of the Donahue clan. They all held hands as they said the grace and blessed the food. Layla couldn't remember the last time she'd stuffed her face with so much mouth-watering food. Burgers. Ribs. Steak. Seafood. Corn on the cob. And her potato salad had been a big hit with everyone.

  Alec had been especially sweet to her. At one point in the evening he pulled her aside so they could chat.

  “I have to t-tell you...I t-think my boy has been w-waiting for y-you all thissss time.” The gentle smile gracing Alec's face was endearing.

  “I think maybe we were waiting for each other,” she admitted. She wasn't used to wearing her heart on her sleeve, but in the last few weeks she'd found herself changing. No longer was she the type of woman who would bury her feelings or hide in the shadows. Living a full, well-rounded life meant taking chances and being honest about your life.

  Alec reached for her hand and joined it with his. “I d-don't know about the past. Nick never s-s-shared with us what h-happened between you two. But I believe in s-second chances.”

  A warm and fuzzy feeling began spreading through her chest. “I do too, Alec. This time around we're older and wiser. I don't thi
nk either one of us will ever take this for granted again. And with God's grace, we'll make it this time.” She was putting it all out there, which was something she'd learned over time to avoid. Being completely honest with Alec about what she hoped for in the future between she and Nick meant being vulnerable. Being burned once before by putting all her faith in her relationship with Nick had left her a little jaded. But now, in order to fully embrace the future, she needed to peel back a few of her layers. She needed to be real.

  “He hasn't been t-this happy for years. I'm rooting for the t-two of you.”

  “That means the world to me.” She leaned forward and placed a kiss on Alec's cheek. He'd just given her his blessing to be with Nick. His stamp of approval. The weight of Alec's words landed with a thud right on her heart. And it made her happier than she ever could have imagined.

  *

  Nick slipped inside the patio doors of the house after playing four back to back scrimmages with his brothers. What he needed right now was a washcloth and a clean shirt to change into. His own shirt was covered in grass and dirt stains. It would only take him a few minutes to grab a shirt from his father's drawer and clean up a bit. Any other time he wouldn't bother, but with Layla at his side he wanted to look his best. He found himself grinning at the changes Layla had wrought in him over such a short period of time. He was lighter. He found himself much more grounded in the moment, rather than always having his head wrapped up in his restaurant.

  His mother was standing at the kitchen table putting the finishes touches on a fruit salad. He leaned in and reached his hand down into the bowl, only to have it slapped away.

  She made a face at him. “Not until you wash those dirty, football-playing hands.”

  Nick turned toward the sink and scrubbed his hands till they were spotless. He turned back towards the fruit salad and picked out some melon, strawberries and blueberries.

  “Your father and I are so happy that you brought Layla here tonight. Everybody just loves her.”

  “Hard not to love that girl,” he mused, earning him an all-knowing look from his mother.

  His mother slid her arm around his waist and drew him in close. “She makes you happy. And for that I am so thankful.”

  “She does. And hopefully, I'm bringing good things into her world as well.”

  “Of course you are,” his mother said, her voice insistent. “That woman out there is head over heels in love with you.”

  Nick grinned. He loved hearing that Layla's feelings for him were so transparent. Personally, he was having a hard time not shouting his own feelings from the rooftops for all to hear.

  “I'm in love with her too,” he admitted. It felt nice to tell someone other than Layla about his feelings. “Matter of fact, I don't think she ever left my heart. Not in ten long years. She was always there, in some way or another.”

  “That type of love....it's rare, son. Enduring love.” She shook her head. A rueful expression settled on her face. “So many people give up on love when the going gets tough. They throw love in the trash, forgetting that it's a gift to be treasured and valued. It makes me so sad.”

  He looked down, unsure of whether to broach this particular subject with his mother. “I've been thinking a lot about my birth mother coming back into my life so unexpectedly. I can't help but wonder if Loretta reaching out to me was a genuine attempt to make amends or motivated by something else.”

  She shrugged. “Hard to say. Who can ever know what truly lies in a person's heart? I can tell it's been weighing on you.”

  “How? How could you know that?”

  She reached out and ruffled his hair. “I'm your mother. I've watched you grow up from a mistrustful, angry little boy into a magnificent, giving man. You've always been very forgiving. Whenever you were angry at your brothers you would step away from the situation, then come back and offer your forgiveness. You were an exceptional child, Nick. Full of God's grace.”

  “I don't know what I'm going to do, but I want you to know...for now and always...I only have one mother. And that's you.” He choked the words out as memories crashed over him in waves. There was no question in his heart about who he belonged to. He was a Donahue, through and through. Until the day he took his last breath.

  “Oh, Nick. It's been a blessing to be your mother. How did I ever get so fortunate as to be able to raise seven sons? After so much sorrow, you saved us from despair.” She sniffed, clearly holding back the tears.

  Nick leaned down and kissed the top of her forehead. “And you know what you rescued your sons from. Lives of abuse and neglect and indifference. We could never in a million years repay that debt.”

  Before they'd adopted seven children, his parents had tried for years to have their own baby. Enduring numerous miscarriages had been devastating and emotionally draining. In the end, Maggie and Alec Donahue had built their family with children who weren't of their blood, but who were as much a part of them as the very air they breathed. And everything that had flowed from his parents—acceptance, compassion, truth, faith and a love of the Lord—had enriched his life and made him the man he was today.

  “We're even,” Maggie said with a wide grin. “We all got something great out of the deal. Didn't we?”

  “No question, We hit the lottery!” Nick said. He winked at his mother. “Donahue strong!”

  She waved her hands at him. “Go scoot and clean up while I bring this fruit salad outside. Your lady love is probably looking for you.”

  As his mother headed outside Nick cast a lingering glance in her direction. She'd made an excellent point about people not appreciating the value of love. Maggie Donahue had shown him how to be a man in this world. A man who walked in love. A man of grace and compassion. One who held fast to his faith and didn't judge those less fortunate. A man who stepped in to help rather than hurt. Everything she'd ever taught him would be the foundation for his life with Layla. Gratitude for his mother rose up inside him, threatening to knock him off balance. It was such a powerful, humbling feeling.

  Thank you, Lord. For granting me the gift of my mother. Wrap her in your protection in the same way she has always shielded me from harm.

  “I think it's most hard to forgive those who have wronged us. But if we do, the reward is ours.”

  Wyatt Donahue

  Chapter Twelve

  Nick sat back and smiled at the hordes of children who were running around Just Dance studio. He couldn't imagine a better way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Layla's open house event was turning out to be a huge success. She'd drawn people from all over the Cape, not just Breeze Point. He didn't think he'd ever seen so many little girls in his life. And as it turned out, there were a few boys who showed up wanting to attend a hip hop class. Sitting across the room and watching Layla bloom in her element was gratifying. Although he knew she was a little bit shy, no one would ever be the wiser based on her high energy and the way she was connecting with her customers.

  Her face was going to hurt later from smiling so much, he thought with a chuckle.

  The Donahue family had turned out in full force for the event. Delilah showed up too, offering her support and friendship to Layla. Sweet Treats bakery had provided all the refreshments for the event. Although Layla had resisted, feeling the offer was too generous, his parents had insisted. And it had worked out perfectly. Mini eclairs, truffles and apple tarts blended perfectly with Layla's pink, festive décor.

  Blue was in attendance, taking pictures for his Media company in the hopes of writing a feature on Layla and her studio. Nick also spotted photographers and journalists from Cape Cod Life magazine and the Cape Cod Times.

  When Nick spotted Layla nervously looking around with a distressed look etched on her face, he quickly made his way to her side. He knew something was wrong when she looked up at him with trembling lips and wide eyes.

  “What's wrong? Did something happen?”

  “There are media companies here,” she whispered.

  “I
know. Blue wants to do an article on you. Is that a problem?”

  “Nick, I can't run the risk of my photo getting out there in the media. The chances might be slim, but Grant...he might be able to find me that way.”

  Nick gently guided her by her elbow to her office at the back of the studio. Once they were inside he closed the door behind them to ensure their privacy.

  Annoyance at himself flooded him. How could he have not thought of the possibility of her ex finding her through media channels? He was supposed to be protecting the woman he loved, yet he was placing her at risk by asking Blue to get her some media attention. It had never dawned on him that her ex-husband might be able to track her down based on a newspaper photo.

  Layla reached out and tugged at his arm. “Don't look like that, Nick. It's not your fault. You didn't recruit the rest of the media people who showed up and are snapping my picture. They came here on their own. You were only trying to help me. So is Blue.”

  “I'll make sure Blue kills the story. Maybe he can call in some favors with the local photographers who were here today from the other outlets. He's pretty persuasive. It's worth a shot.”

  Layla chewed her lip. “Maybe it's not worth alerting them. It could raise a lot of questions if he tells them not to use my picture. They might get suspicious of me and start wondering why the new girl in town is so camera shy.”

  “I'll handle it. Don't waste another moment worrying about this.” He placed both of his hands on either side of her face. He tilted her chin upward. “Focus on this moment. Savor it. Take all these moments and store them away so you can revisit them whenever you need something to make you smile.”

  “But what if—”

  He gently placed a finger over her lips. “Shh. We're not going to live in what ifs. We're going to live in hope and faith and love. And you can't hide forever.”

  She buried her face in Nick's chest. “Oh, Nick. That's just what I needed to hear. I don't want to be afraid or looking over my shoulder. Sometimes the fear takes over and I can't think straight.”