Visions of Love (Arden's Glen Romance Book 3)

by C. M. Albert

  THEY ARRIVED TEN minutes late, and thankfully Dez wasn’t the slightest bit worried. She hugged Rosalie hard and whispered in her ear, “Are you ready?”

  Rosalie laughed. “Are you?”

  She pulled back and met her friend’s gaze. Her glacial blue eyes were as bright and happy as always, but her worried eyebrows gave her nerves away. “Mostly. I mean, how do you really know?”

  Rosalie shrugged. “You’re definitely asking the wrong person. This is more a conversation for Celeste. Speaking of which, have you told her?”

  “I kind of had to,” Dez said, pulling Rosalie from the crowd and back into the bedroom where Celeste and Kenya were waiting. When they stepped into the room and closed the door, it was a complete girly scream fest until the nerves were all shook out and the four doubled over in laughter.

  “You knew all along, didn’t you?” Celeste asked Rosalie.

  Rosalie grinned and curtsied. “But of course,” she teased. “I assume you’re officiating?”

  Celeste nodded, tears springing to her eyes. “Sorry,” she said, dabbing the corner of her eye with a tissue. “I promise I’ll be fine out there!”

  Dez laughed. “Good, because you’re on in five. I think everyone’s here, so Rosalie, Kenya, maybe you could go gather everyone in the backyard?”

  “We’re on it,” Kenya said, grabbing Rosalie’s hand. On their way to the living area, she noticed that all the drapes to the backyard were closed, and kraft paper had been secured over the windows that had none. No one could see into the backyard or know that it had been transformed into a simple, but magical, venue earlier that day. She couldn’t wait to see Zade’s face when he learned the truth.

  “Welcome, everyone!” Kenya said with authority as they entered the living room. It was a small crowd, but Dez’s parents had flown in for the “housewarming” party they were throwing as a cover. “We have a small surprise for you tonight!”

  When everyone quieted down and all eyes were on Kenya, she said, “Welcome to Dez and Mitch’s wedding!”

  Gasps rang out from the crowd, and guests started to clap. Rosalie looked over and saw Dez’s mother tearing up. Rosalie smiled warmly at her when their eyes met. Then she scanned the room for Zade and caught him leaning back against the stone fireplace, his arms crossed over his chiseled chest and his gaze intent on her. The corner of his mouth lifted and he winked, her tummy warming from the sweet, simple gesture.

  Things had changed so much between them. She was scared about what that meant when it came time to leave Arden’s Glen. But she wouldn’t worry about that tonight. Tonight was only for happy tears.

  There were rows of curved benches positioned in a semicircle in the backyard, and a beautiful arbor Egan had built for Celeste served as the backdrop. Connor’s flowers draped over the top of the arbor, making it into a romantic canopy. Rosalie and Kenya had spent hours earlier that afternoon stringing fairy lights along the fence and in the trees, and she had to admit, it looked like an enchanted garden now. Special enough to get married in.

  Rosalie had never once had visions of her wedding, and, in fact, could never even imagine herself getting married. But her heart constricted when she watched Dez enter the backyard looking like an angel with her dark brown hair braided around her face and swept into a soft, loose chignon at the nape of her neck. Her blush-colored gown was both daring and simple, its risqué front softened by the delicate color and the lace, floral overlay. Mitch’s eyes glistened as he watched Dez walk toward him and Celeste, the only ones at the arbor.

  It was a simple ceremony, but even Rosalie couldn’t help but get swept up in the romance of the “surprise” wedding. Zade squeezed her hand, and she leaned against him, letting him wrap his arm around her as they bared witness to their friends’ vows. Rosalie couldn’t help but be a little envious. Dez and Mitch had known each other for less than a year; and last winter Rosalie had brazenly pursued Mitch, much to her embarrassment.

  She wondered if Zade knew, or if it even mattered now. She decided it didn’t. They were all able to laugh it off, and clearly Mitch ended up with the person he was meant to be with. Rosalie glanced at Zade. His dark brown hair was a little unkempt as always, and his black glasses made him look like a deliciously sexy nerd. A nerd she wanted to drag back home and have her dirty way with. She couldn’t say they were meant to be together like Dez and Mitch, or Celeste and Egan, but she found herself softening to the charming doctor with every encounter.

  Before the night was through, and everyone departed, Dez and Mitch invited everyone into the living room for a toast. Dez wrapped her arm around Mitch’s waist, and Mitch lifted his champagne flute.

  “Thank you, everyone, for being here. It truly means the world to us to celebrate with the people we’re closest to. Mr. and Mrs. Wright, thank you for traveling to share this special night with us—even if you thought it was just for a housewarming party!” he said, and everyone chuckled. Dez’s mother waggled her finger at Mitch, but Rosalie could see the affection she clearly had for her new son-in-law.

  “We have some exciting news to share with you, too, since almost everyone we love is here tonight,” he said, glancing down at Dez with so much love Rosalie could hardly watch. She didn’t know what to do with all this emotion, or how to process it. Zade took her hand and rubbed the pad of his thumb over the back of it, calming her as they listened to the announcement.

  “We’re having a baby!” Dez gushed. “We’ll be giving Ti a little brother next Valentine’s day.”

  Congratulations rang out and everyone enveloped the happy couple to congratulate them. Rosalie was so happy for her friends, but she found herself wanting to distance herself from all the commotion. It was overwhelming, and she didn’t understand the tears that threatened to spill over. She watched as Mitch planted a passionate kiss on Dez’s mouth, sending the guests into a frenzy of hooting and hollering.

  Rosalie tugged Zade’s hand and mouthed, “Let’s get out of here.”

  The warm night’s air was perfect—no longer too hot to be outside, but not yet chilly. It had been perfect for the sexy cap sleeves on Dez’s wedding gown, and an early evening garden wedding.

  “Wow! That was a surprise,” said Zade as they left. He opened the door to his roadster for Rosalie.

  “For you maybe,” Rosalie said, chuckling as she buckled her seat belt.

  “What do you—oh! You knew without her having to tell you, didn’t you? That’s why it was so important that we go.”

  Rosalie nodded, smiling softly as she closed her eyes. “One of the perks of being a freak,” she said softly before dozing off. She didn’t even realize she had until she opened her eyes and they were sitting in her driveway.

  Zade gently brushed the long tendrils of her hair from her eyes. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, we’re home.”

  Rosalie sat up straighter, confused. “But my car’s at your place,” she said. “And I haven’t told you how to take care of Kismet.”

  “Rosalie,” he said, lifting her chin, “you’re adorable. I’m a doctor. I’m pretty sure if I can get through med school, I can figure out how to change some kitty litter and put some soft cat food on a plate.”

  Rosalie’s cheeks warmed from embarrassment. Of course he could.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. I just—”

  “I’ll take good care of Kismet, don’t worry. I’m her daddy, remember? We’ll be okay.”

  Rosalie nodded, reaching for the handle. She wanted so badly to kiss him goodnight, but she felt a little awkward now that they’d been intimate together. How was she supposed to act around him? They weren’t exactly boyfriend and girlfriend, but they felt like something more now. Did adults even call each other that anymore? Distinguished Dr. Zampogna, her boyfriend. Rosalie snickered.

  Zade caught her arm before she had a chance to step out of the car. “Rosalie,” he said softly, “tonight was magical. I had fun spending time with you.”

  “Me, too,” she said, glancing up at him
from under her lashes.

  “Do you happen to have a pencil in that cute little purse of yours?” he asked, glancing down at the yellow clutch in her hands.

  “No. Why?”

  “Because I want nothing more than to erase both of our pasts and write a new future together with you.”

  Though the line was cheesy and typical Zade, there was no humor in his eyes when he said it. Rosalie’s stomach flipped, then flopped, her mouth going dry.

  “Zade,” she breathed out—but he cut her short. He reached his hand up to her cheek and she closed her eyes, wishing it was that easy.

  “Shh,” he whispered, his breath brushing against her lips and sending goose bumps along her arms. “It’s okay,” he said, right before his mouth crashed down on hers, taking, giving, until they finally came up for air. He brushed her lips softly once more, and her insides sighed, grateful he hadn’t let her walk inside without a goodnight kiss.

  She felt empty when he pulled back, but he took one of her hands in his. “I hate to bring this up, but I assume you’re going to the Celebration of Life service tomorrow for Jerry and Andrew?”

  Rosalie nodded, tears already forming as she thought about the sweet twelve-year-old boy who had somehow cheated death and survived stage 4 cancer, only to die eight months later thanks to the reckless decision of Annalise’s dirtbag boyfriend. It wasn’t fair.

  “I’ll swing by and pick you up at ten, all right?”

  “That’s okay. I’m driving with Brecken. He’s closing the café tomorrow, which is almost unheard of. But he knew Jerry and her husband well. They became regulars after we met them last winter,” Rosalie said, looking out past her tiny house and into the darkness. “Breck and I have a lot to talk about tomorrow, and I haven’t been able to pin him down. I need this time with him in the morning. Maybe you could take me home after the service? So I can get my car?”

  Zade lifted her chin, staring intensely into her eyes. “Maybe you could stay the night instead?”

  “I would, but . . .”

  Rosalie didn’t quite know what to say. She had to pack the few belongings she was taking with her, make some arrangements in California, notify her last few clients, and do a lot of paperwork and planning for the first show. But when she looked up into his dreamy green orbs that were teetering on the edge of hope, she knew she’d do none of those things tomorrow. They would both need comforting after the service, and she could now count her number of days left on one hand. She knew she needed to make the most of them.

  “I would love to,” Rosalie answered, bridging the distance and taking his soft lower lip into her mouth. She nibbled it gently, loving the taste of him, the smell of his aftershave, and the way he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss in such a passionate way she felt like she was both falling and being caught at the same time.

  Despite the momentary pleasure, she couldn’t shake the knowing that tomorrow was going to suck all around.

  THE AIR WAS thick and heavy with gloom from the moment Rosalie stepped out of bed. She could feel the town mourning as clearly as if actual black clouds hung over them, saturated and ready to burst wide open. They were raw with their grief and pain.

  When Rosalie shook Brecken awake, she noticed the rich purple bags supporting his bloodshot eyes. He looked worse than she’d ever seen him.

  “Breck, what’s going on?” she asked over breakfast. She was cooking for him for once. Dez had taught her how to make French toast, and it was one of the few things Rosalie was competent at making other than boxed mac-n-cheese.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, draining his cup of orange juice in one swallow. He picked up the paper and scanned the sports section as he always did, then went on to read the lotto numbers. He bought one lotto ticket every week without fail, even though Rosalie could’ve told him he’d never build his empire that way.

  “You aren’t sleeping at home as often. You’re skipping out of work. You look exhausted. And you still never fully explained what happened to the house the other day. Are you in trouble?” she asked, setting down the spatula. She handed a plate of French toast and bacon over to her brother, watching his eyes as he debated the answer she knew wasn’t going to be truthful.

  “Look, Rosie,” he said, calling her by her childhood nickname, “I appreciate the concern, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

  “Will you though?” she asked. “I’ve tried to tell you this a dozen times, Breck, but I accepted that job offer for the TV show. The one in California.”

  “That’s great, sis!” he said, shoving a forkful of the tender bread into his mouth and grinning. “And, wow. This isn’t half bad either!”

  “Gee, thanks,” she said dryly. “Are we going to pretend you didn’t hear what I just said?”

  “Look, Rosie,” he said, setting down his fork, “I pretty much knew the minute you told me you talked to them that you’d be leaving eventually. I’ve been preparing myself for it.”

  “Have you hired someone to replace me yet?” she asked, skeptical that Brecken had everything as under control as he pretended.

  “Technically, you were the fill in when we were short staffed,” Brecken said, winking. “I’ll take care of it, Rosalie. Just go out there and kick some ass, okay?”

  Rosalie nodded, knowing this was about as good as she was going to get from her brother. “I’m going to miss you, Breck. Even if you are a pain in the butt sometimes.”

  He stood up, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of the chair and sliding into it. “I’m gonna miss you too, sis,” he said, bringing his dirty dishes to the dishwasher and loading them. “You about ready?”

  “Sure,” she said, wishing they had a little more time to talk this morning before the service. “Let me grab my bigger purse.” She darted to her room where her knock-off Coach tote bag waited for her with her toothbrush, sleep shorts, and a tank top packed discretely inside.

  She’d already warned Brecken that there was no way she was getting onto his Harley in a dress, so she slid into the ancient pickup truck that used to belong to their father. The red-and-white Ford should’ve been left in the eighties where it belonged. It rumbled to life, making Brecken grin as he put it into gear.

  She held on to the oh-shit handle for dear life as Brecken tore out of the driveway without even looking to see if anyone was coming from the other direction.

  “Is there a fire I don’t know about?” she teased. “Let’s arrive in one piece, please.”

  “Sorry,” he said, flashing her his signature smile, dimples included. “So, when do you leave?”

  Rosalie’s stomach dropped. It was all happening too fast. Sure, she was excited, and she loved the adrenaline from such a big adventure. But she’d never lived anywhere else other than Arden’s Glen. One minute she was so sure of her decision, and the next she was talking herself out of it, questioning whether the show would be well-received or fall flat with its American audience. She didn’t want to have to come back home with her tail between her legs, feeling like the failure she was sure they all expected her to be.

  “Next Friday,” she said. “Five days.”

  “Damn, Rosie. I’m really proud of you,” he said, glancing over at her. “Sorry I’ve been a bit distracted lately. I have a lot going on, and I’m trying to figure some things out. You aren’t the only one with dreams.”

  “I thought you were living yours,” she said, surprised.

  “I am. Mostly. But sometimes I wonder what it would be like to own a bigger restaurant somewhere else. Somewhere with more traffic. More customers. I don’t know,” he said, running his hand over his hair and messing it up. “It’s stupid.”

  Rosalie put her hand on her brother’s arm. “It isn’t stupid, Brecken. It’s admirable. Are you ever going to pursue it?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t have the liquidity for it, Squirt.”

  She wished Brecken could be like this more. The older brother who was always there for her. Who talked t
o her about everything and left nothing out—even if she did sometimes want to cover her ears and sing, “La, la, la . . . I can’t hear you,” just to avoid the more sordid parts.

  These days she was more likely to get secrets from a grilled cheese sandwich than her own brother.

  “Well, maybe when I make it big in Hollywood, I can send some money home and you can start saving for your dreams. You gave up so much for me when Mom and Dad died. I’d love to be able to help you out for once.”

  “Rosalie,” he said, getting choked up as he pulled into the church’s parking lot. It was overflowing, so they had to circle it twice before giving up and parking two streets over. They sat in silence for a few moments before Rosalie heard a small crack in Brecken’s breathing as it hitched. He was actually trying to hold back from crying.

  “Already feeling the feels for the service?” she asked. But she knew it was more. A quiet, surging river roared through Brecken’s chest, threatening to decimate everything in its path. She just couldn’t figure out why yet.

  “Yeah,” he said, wiping the corner of his eye. “Look, Rosalie, I promised Mom and Dad I would always look out for you. I did a shitty ass job when you were in high school, and I don’t want to repeat the same mistake again. I’m going to miss you, but I think the change will be good for you. I really don’t like the doctor snooping around you.”

  Rosalie laughed. Oh, if he only knew.

  “Breck, I really appreciate the concern. But my romantic choices are my own. I need you to back off this beef with Zade, okay? It’s not going to be a problem after tonight anyway. I need to focus on work, and there’s no room for a relationship to grow when I’m moving nearly twenty-three hundred miles away.”

  “If you need anything at all while you’re gone, I’m just a text away. I mean it, Rosie. I’d drop everything for you.”

  Now it was Rosalie’s turn to get emotional. They walked down the street arm in arm, quiet and lost in their own thoughts as they made their way to the Celebration of Life service. Rosalie knew the celebration was to honor the lives Andrew and his grandmother had lived, rather than focus on their loss. But loss was the only thing Rosalie could feel as they joined the crowd and headed into the dark confines of the church.