I smile. “It’s perfect.” I slip the band on his finger, and the preacher tells us to kiss. Deklan takes my face in his hands and tilts my head to where he wants it. We make out for a little bit. It’s by far the best kiss ever, but that may be because we’re married now. The preacher clears his throat, and we pull away to follow him so that we can sign the marriage certificate.
I sign my name shakily, and Deklan takes two seconds to sign his. He is an old hat at that. But this is one autograph we’re both glad to have. We walk with arms wrapped around each other back to our room. “I’m so sad we have to leave now!”
He squeezes my shoulder. “We aren’t. We have one more week. That’s been the plan for everybody but you this whole time.”
“Oh my God, you really pulled one over on me! I can’t believe no one at work told me.”
“They were sworn to secrecy, duh,” he says, mocking me for saying it earlier. Our smiling lips come together, Deklan bringing his hands to my face, and cupping my cheeks lovingly. Shortly after, there is no more talking. In fact, we hardly talk at all to anyone but each other for the whole last week we’re there.
Chapter 35
Nola picks us up from the airport. She hugs and gushes over us like she hasn’t seen us in months. She tells me I’ve grown—my stomach—and how we’re going to get sun cancer, we’re so dark. It takes her until Deklan grabs the first of our luggage and the light to hit the diamonds on his ring for her to notice we’re wearing them. She looks from his hand to his face over and over and then snatches my hand up. As soon as she sees my ring, she starts sobbing and rocking us both. “Oh my babies, my babies.” She rocks and cries.
“Mom, it’s okay. You’re causing a scene, and you’re going to get us recognized.” He chuckles to her.
“Oh my goodness, you’re right.” She pulls away and wipes her cheeks. “Oh, I’m so happy. I wish I could have been there.”
Deklan and I had talked about this the last week. “As soon as we have the baby, we’ll have a reception at the house,” I tell her.
“That’s perfect!”
“And we have pictures,” Deklan tells her.
I turn to him. “We do?”
“Yeah, you must have been so lost in my eyes to not hear him clicking away.”
I give him a droll look before saying, “I want to see the pictures!”
He laughs. “They’re already up at the house. He emailed them to Dean.”
We’re all excited to see what they look like. “You continue to surprise me, Dek. Your birthday is coming up you know,” I tell him slyly.
“No surprises. Don’t even think about it. I don’t need anything.”
I put my finger to my chin and tap. “This is true.” I let the subject drop because I have a plan.
When we get home, all of the lights are on in the house and outside. We park in the garage and walk around to the front, because Deklan is determined to throw his back out carrying me over the threshold. He picks me up, and doesn’t grunt or noticeably strain at all that I’m aware of. He smiles at me and carefully, angles my feet first, then my head and sets me down in the middle of the foyer.
I turn in a circle and look at our house. The walls are tan, and there’s white crown molding and baseboards. The floors are an espresso brown hardwood. The stairs are white with dark railings that match the floors. I can see in the kitchen. There’s a circular window and a huge archway leading into it. There’s a long black dining room table and chairs. Deklan turns me to right beside the front door where I thought a mirror and entry table were supposed to be.
There is no mirror. There are the letters in a dark brown spelling MR & MRS with matching frames, two on top and two on bottom. There’s one of the sunset behind us, holding hands. You can only see the black silhouette of us because the sun is blocked out by our heads, but still bright. There’s another of us kissing with the same lighting. There’s us walking toward the camera looking at each other, as the sun had just fallen below the horizon, and one with us walking hand in hand down the beach in the last light of the sunset.
I put my hand up to my mouth as my eyes fill with tears. Deklan puts his hands on my belly from behind and asks, “You okay, baby?”
“Yeah, it’s exactly right.”
I hear Nola sniff and look to see her rubbing under her eyes. She notices me and smiles. “It is perfect. I’m so happy for you. I’m going to go to my house. Or apartment, whatever we’re going to call it. You guys have a good night.” We give hugs and Deklan and I explore the house.
I’m completely happy with the kitchen. Everything is there that I wanted. Deklan tests out the pull drawer below the wine cooler and gives a fist pump and a loud “yes” when he sees beer already stocked. I laugh and open the fridge to see that someone had been to the farmer’s market. There was fresh squeezed orange juice and free range eggs with bacon and sausage.
“I love this place, look at how healthy all of this looks.”
Deklan doesn’t answer me, because he’s become sidetracked out on the patio. I walk out and there’s a fireplace on one end with couches and a huge ottoman. On the other side of the kitchen doors is the built-in grill and bar. Deklan fiddles with the dials for a second and turns to smile at me. “Guess what we’re doing for dinner tomorrow?”
I laugh, and we go upstairs. I can’t wait to see the nursery.
I slowly open the door that has a pale pink T hanging on it by a gray ribbon. I walk in slowly, taking it in. The hardwood floor is the same dark brown. The walls are a pale gray with a white crib, and a pink chair and ottoman are next to the window. The bedding is white, dark gray, and light pink chevron. A dark gray shag rug is on the floor. There are ornate, white framed mirrors and a few of the better belly pictures we’ve taken. All of her clothes are in the walk-in closet. The changing table and dresser are dark gray, and there’s a pink chenille cover on the changing table.
“This is so beautiful,” I whisper to Deklan.
He nods. “It really does look fit for a princess, doesn’t it?”
I give a watery laugh. “Yeah, it sure does.” We spend a quiet minute looking at all of the details, then Deklan goes downstairs to get our luggage, and I go into the bedroom.
The walls are chocolate brown with white crown molding at the top. There’s a huge ceiling fan over the sleigh bed that’s a deep cherry. Under the bed is a tan rug, and the duvet is bright white. I walk into the walk-in closet off of the bathroom and groan, putting my elbow on the island in the middle of the room and covering my mouth with my hand.
Deklan rushes in. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
“I think I just had an orgasm.”
He’s still waiting for me to be in labor or something. “What?”
I wave my hands around. “Look at this room!”
His face goes slack with shock. “Jesus Christ!” he shouts then turns around and walks out. I chuckle behind him and look at my heaven of a closet.
The carpet is a thick plush white, there are built-in cabinets everywhere with rails and racks for shoes and purses. In the middle is a glass-topped island with drawers on all sides for jewelry and accessories. The whole thing is locked automatically with a keypad.
I sigh over my room for a few more minutes, then go into the bathroom to take a much needed shower after the day of travel. We opted for two rainfall shower heads that are in the ceiling. Deklan and I take a shower side by side laughing at the oddity.
When we lie in bed an hour later, I whisper to him, “Goodnight, husband.”
He moves his mouth to mine and whispers into my mouth, “Goodnight wife.”
The next morning, Deklan and I do our yoga in the backyard on the grass. After that, we take showers and get ready for the day. Deklan is having the guys over to record in the basement studio to test out all of his new toys.
I have plans for the day. At the county fair. It’s the second week of the three week fair. I had originally planned to get there on the first day, but with staying an ext
ra week in Antigua, this is how it worked out. I put on a strapless, white, knee-length dress with a brown belt that goes above my stomach and brown cowboy boots.
When I get into the kitchen, Nola is making waffles in a brand new waffle maker that I didn’t know we had, and watching a talk show on the flat screen television that’s above the double ovens.
She smiles brightly when I walk in and tells me to sit down at the bar. Deklan is already halfway through his waffles and talking with his mouth full. “Guys are meeting me at the condo, and we’re moving all the clothes and shit this morning. Then messing with the basement for a bit. What are you doing today?”
I take a plate from Nola that she topped with fresh fruit and real maple syrup. “Eat up, darling.”
“Thanks Nola, but you don’t have to cook for us.”
“I know, dear. I just love this kitchen so much, and I know you have full days for the both of you today.”
Deklan looks at me and asks again, “What do you have planned for the day?”
I look at Nola and back at him. “Birthday shopping.”
His eyebrows raise. “What kind of birthday shopping?”
I shake my head. ”No way. I’m not telling you.”
He studies me for a second. “Okay. We’ll do it your way. But don’t spend a ton of money, I don’t need anything.”
I roll my eyes. He says, “Seriously. I don’t need watches or whatever else.”
“Yes, dear,” I tell him.
Deklan shovels the last monstrous bite in his mouth and gives me a sticky kiss on his way to the dishwasher. After loading his plate, he kisses his mom and waves. “Love you girls. Ali, text me when you get home so I know you’re all right.”
He leaves through the garage door and Nola and I look at each other. “It’s not gonna be that much money, I just want to get him a horse. That’s why he bought this house.”
“I know, baby girl. I think it’s sweet. Give him a few minutes to get out of the gate, then get to the fairgrounds.”
I nod and fill up a water bottle. It’s supposed to be really hot today. I already applied sunscreen earlier. I take my plate like Dek did and kiss Nola goodbye, before putting on my sunglasses and getting in my car.
~
I find a parking spot way the hell at the back of the field, and it takes me twenty minutes to walk to the main entrance. I’m already sweating and put my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head. I get a map and find the horse stables, then check the show times. Looking at my watch, I see that the Gypsy Vanner halter show started ten minutes ago.
Wanting to see Hettie and Mickey again, as well as Sean and Jonny, I quickly walk over to the arenas, searching for the right one. I find it ten minutes later and look in the stands for any of the four familiar faces. I see Sean and Jonny huddled together and holding hands. Rushing over I scoot my way into their isle and plop down. “Hey boys! Why do you look scared to death? And where are Hettie and Mickey?”
Jonny makes a stifled sob sound in his throat and Sean pats his hand. Neither look away from the arena that has their focus. “Ali girl... we’ve much to tell ya,” Sean says quietly.
I feel my brows come together in concern and look again for Hettie or Mickey. I don’t find them but I do see Sonny. I notice his handler is an older man with a terrible comb over of unnaturally black hair. You can see his bald scalp shining through under the lights of the arena. He’s also sweating profusely, his red and white striped button-down shirt has huge pit stains almost to his khaki pants.
“Who is that?” I ask them, appalled.
They just shake their heads, so I turn back to watch the judging. I watch the man with Sonny since that’s where Sean and Jonny seem to have fixed their anxiety, and notice that he keeps the lead on the halter pulled tight. Then I watch as Sonny shakes his head, trying to free himself, and step back. The man yanks the horse’s head around viciously. My breath catches and I flinch, but the boys don’t move a muscle.
When it’s Sonny’s turn to trot down the arena and back, he angles his body away from the man as much as possible and is almost walking sideways. The man gets mad and pulls the lead toward himself in a hard tug, and Sonny hops on his front legs like he’s getting ready to buck.
I grab Sean’s forearm and squeeze. That horse was gentle and sweet the last time I saw him. But then no one was treating him like this man was. Sonny continues to flick his head and try to pull away as the other horses take their turn, and then the judge places them in order of placement.
Sonny comes in last out of eighteen horses. As soon as the verdict is in, Sean and Jonny jump up and start pushing me down the aisle. They’re jogging to get to the stables while I try to keep up. “Sean! Jonny! I’m freaking pregnant!”
Jonny yells urgently over his shoulder, “Hurry lass, we can’t wait a second.”
We get to a stall, and I’m trying to catch my breath in the suffocating heat when I see the man and Sonny coming from the other direction. The man’s face is purple with rage, and his eyes are filled with hate.
“Fucking worthless piece of embarrassment. That’s all you are. I’m so sick of this shite,” he mutters. As soon as he gets close to the stall he snatches up a short crop that’s on a folding chair and rounds on Sonny. I gasp and cover my mouth as Sean and Jonny lunge for the lead that the guy dropped. They all but push the horse into the stall to get him away from the livid person in front of us.
He starts swinging and shouting at the same time. People stop to stare at the man abusing his animal. “Fucking. Worthless. Piece of shite! I’m going to make you into glue, you dumb motherfucker.”
Sonny lunges for the safety of the stall and Sean closes the door before the man can get inside. He got in a few good hits, and Sonny is breathing hard and throwing his head. His lead is still attached to the halter and lays limply down from his chin. His eyes are rolling to the whites, and he looks scared to death.
“What the fuck was that, and who are you?” I demand. I cannot believe he just hit a horse so maliciously in front of probably one hundred and fifty people.
He turns on me, and I belatedly realize he’s about six inches taller than me and a hundred pounds heavier, holding a horse whip.
“Who am I? I’m the owner, who the hell are you?” I also notice he’s got an Irish accent as well.
“My name is Ali. I met Hettie and Mickey a few months ago. They said if they were ever going to sell, they would call us.”
“More’s the pity they didn’t. Then I wouldn’t be saddled with this bullshite. They fucking died and left all this garbage to me.”
I gasp. Died? Both of them? I turn to Sean and Jonny who are both standing sentinel by the stall door. “Died?” Sean nods his head, his eyes filled with sorrow.
“Passed in their sleep round a month or so ago.” I think it’s immeasurably sweet that they passed together so peacefully, like in The Notebook, but the man is gesturing widely with his hands, spittle coming out of his mouth.
“I’m done with it. Everything. The only reason I did the stupid show is because I couldn’t get the entry fee back and wanted to sell this demon.” He points to Sonny. My back goes up because I know that horse is not a demon.
“How much do you want for him?” I ask.
He looks me over from head to toe, and I see him zero in on my wedding set. He looks back up and his eyes are hard. “You give me one hundred thousand dollars right now and you can have everything. I’m done. Washing my hands of this filth.”
Jonny steps forward and says quickly, “Sold.”
I turn to him in shock but he’s looking at the man. Sweaty pits squints his eyes at Jonny and asks him while he packs up his small cooler by the wall. “What are you wanting her to buy for? You’re out of a job when I don’t have these beasts.”
I make a fist and lightly hold it for Jonny to tap and whisper, “Hired,” out of the corner of my mouth.
The guy pulls out a damp card from his wallet and thrusts it at me saying, “This is my lawy
er, make it happen. If they aren’t gone by the time the realtor shows up, I’m calling the animal shelter.”
He stalks away and I turn to Jonny and ask him incredulously, “One hundred thousand dollars?!”
He turns to me and says quickly, “The truck alone is worth sixty, the horse trailer twenty-five. That’s not even including the horses. This is a fucking brilliant deal.” I turn back around and look down the aisle, watching the man slowly disappear while holding my head so it doesn’t explode.
“Does he know we get the truck?” I ask them. They both shrug, and I growl with frustration. I dig through my purse frantically and pull out the small spiral notebook I always keep in there and thrust it at them. “Write down a bill of sale, his full name, mine, detailing everything I just bought. I can’t just drive away with his truck. I’m going to bring him back. Write fast.”
I take off running again and panic when I can’t find the guy. I turn in two circles fast, then finally spot his shiny white head about to leave the grounds. “Sir,” I yell but he doesn’t hear me. I run faster. “Sir!” He’s heading for a line of taxis that only an L.A. county fair would have.
I try to remember what Hettie said their sons name was and yell out, “Donald!” He turns around sharply, and I sag in relief as I hurry toward him. “Sir, I need to get a bill of sale from you. I can’t just take your property.”
He rolls his eyes. “That’s why I left the card.”
I shake my head. “Sir, for all I know you can accuse me of stealing and sue me for a ton of money. I already have the boys writing it out, all you have to do is sign. It’ll take thirty seconds.”
He growls and slams the taxi door shut. He brushes past me purposefully hitting my shoulder and sending a wave of body odor over me. I swallow the saliva that pools in my mouth and hurry to catch up with him. I stay behind a few feet, and don’t try to talk to him. The man is a complete asshole.
Fan Girl Page 26