by LuAnn McLane
Easton nodded and fell silent for a moment. “I did too, but coming home to the beauty of this ridge was worth the extra drive.”
“No doubt.” Carrie Ann could feel that this was leading up to her moving in. It was to be expected. Made sense, really. But what about her home? Parting with her home felt as if she would lose something of herself. Lose the memories of her childhood before her father died. Lose the laughter held within the walls. No, she couldn’t.
“Carrie Ann?”
She nodded. “Easton, I—”
“Will you marry me?”
Her heart thudded and the jets turned back on. No, wait, that was the blood rushing in her ears. Before she could begin to form—what were they called again?—oh yes, words, Easton reached over and picked up a blue velvet box from the edge of the hot tub.
“I had a speech prepared. It had things like . . . I love you. I need you in my life forever. I want you to be my wife, Carrie Ann.”
Her mouth opened and then closed.
“Aw damn.” He shook his head. “The rehearsal was so much better.” He scooted up exposing more of his chest. “And this proposal was supposed to be in front of the fire, not in the hot tub, but I lost track of time and the ring is out here because I kept lookin’ at it and so . . . ?” He opened the box to reveal an exquisite white gold rose with a big diamond nestled within the petals. If she’d picked out a ring, she knew it would be this one. Emotion welled up in her throat. She looked at the ring and swallowed hard.
And then the jets came on.
Panic, much like the water, bubbled and churned in her stomach, in her throat, preventing her from answering.
Easton frowned. “Carrie Ann?”
“Easton . . . I . . .” Her voice sounded apologetic and unsure.
“The ring? If you don’t like it we can get another one because—”
“No, the ring is beautiful,” she assured him in a husky voice. “Perfect, in fact.”
“Then?” His frown made her heart constrict.
Carrie Ann looked into those blue eyes that were so sincere and full of love. Was she crazy? She should be over the moon. No, she wasn’t crazy. She was scared. “Easton . . .”
“Sweetheart, you know we can keep your house if that’s what you’re worried about. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I asked if you liked it up here, only that I want you with me every single night of my life. But I know it’s your family home and, darlin’, we can keep it. We can stay there too. I’ve not been fair . . .”
Carrie Ann put a fingertip to his lips. “Hush.” Tears—and she almost never allowed tears since her daddy died—leaked out of the corners of her eyes.
“Oh, baby . . .” Easton brushed at the tears with his thumbs. “I’ve bungled this . . . Damn, I—”
Carrie Ann laughed . . . Well, it was more of a gurgle. “No.” She shook her head hard. “No!”
“Wait—you’re saying no?”
“No, I mean you’re not bungling it.”
“No, as in yes?”
Carrie Ann nodded her head. “Yes, I will marry you, Easton Fisher.” She cupped his cheeks while tears streamed down her face. “I want to spend the rest of my days with you.”
“And nights?”
“Yes, I love those the best. Oh, wait . . . this might mean all of eternity, like in . . . forever. Are you still game? I can get pretty annoying.”
“You’re never annoying.” Easton laughed. And then he pulled her into his arms. “Yes. Hell . . . yes.”
“Well, are you gonna put that gorgeous ring on my finger?” Looking into his eyes, she put her left hand forward.
“Yes.”
Carrie Ann noted, with more tears, that Easton’s fingers shook just a bit. And so did hers, making sliding on the ring a bit comical and oh so tenderly sweet. But once it was on her finger she looked down, and exclaimed, “Oh my God . . . I’m . . . just . . . Easton, I didn’t know happiness existed like I’m feeling this very moment.” She laughed and looked up at the stars. “After my daddy”—she sniffed and then whispered—“died. I just knew he was one of those stars up there. I mean I know they are . . . stars, but—”
“Oh God, baby.” Easton pulled her closer and hugged her hard.
“I’m so afraid,” she admitted against his wet, warm chest. “Don’t you dare die on me.” Her shoulders shook and she let the emotion, the fear, flow out from her. Easton gently rubbed his hand over her head, patient and understanding. He didn’t utter a word, waiting for her to cry it out. Finally, she pulled back and kissed him. “Now would you just look at me? One hot tub mess with my mascara runnin’ everywhere . . .”
“You are and always will be the most beautiful woman in the world, even with raccoon eyes.” He reached over and rubbed the smudges away.
“I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, Carrie Ann. We’re gettin’ up there and I don’t have any guarantee except for one.” He held up his index finger. “If I live one more day . . . or to be a hundred, I will spend it loving you. And that’s a promise.”
“Oh, I love you so.” Carrie Ann became overwhelmed and leaned her forehead against his chest. Finally, she pulled back and grabbed his shoulders. “What more could a girl ask for?”
“A trip to Hawaii?”
“Really? Okay, then a trip to Hawaii!”
“Our honeymoon or vacation before we get married. I don’t care as long as you’re with me. That’s all that matters to me.”
Carrie Ann laughed and threw her arms around him making water slosh everywhere. “I love you, Easton.” She pulled back and pointed to the sky. “To the moon and back.”
“Aw, sweetie, me too.”
18
The Spice of Life
“Sophia, you need to stop worrying.” Carrie Ann brushed some product onto the foil before folding the silver square over Sophia’s hair. “Avery loves you. I see it on his handsome face every time he looks at you.”
Sophia met Carrie Ann’s eyes in the mirror. “I’m not worrying.”
“Right, so that’s not a frown but a unibrow above your eyes. Do I need to get the tweezers out?”
“Okay.” Sophia sighed. “I’m worried.”
“Tell me, sugar. What are you fretting over?”
Sophia licked her bottom lip and played with the edge of the cape.
“Come on, now. You know what you tell me goes nowhere.”
“He still hasn’t, you know, said it.” Sophia felt a little bit guilty talking about something so personal about her relationship with Avery.
“That he loves you?”
Sophia nodded.
“Sugar, perhaps you should tell him. I think someone gave me that advice once.”
“I know, but I don’t want to force him to say it back. I just need to hear it. And it makes me feel super needy saying that.”
“Oh, Sophia, no, I think you do, too. But Avery doesn’t strike me as a man who could be forced to say something he doesn’t believe or doesn’t want to say.” She put another foil in Sophia’s bangs. “He’s been hurt. I think he’s just afraid to fully admit how he feels. And men can be just plain stupid sometimes. Or maybe he thinks it’s too soon and that saying it will scare you off or something. You just never know with men.”
“I know.” Sophia nodded because she’d thought the same thing. “I should just be patient. It’s just hard for me to keep my feelings inside but I need to just chill, I guess. I tend to think way ahead of myself.”
“It’s understandable, Sophia. You also tend to be way too hard on yourself.”
“I guess I’m just nervous about going to dinner with Zoe and Max because Ashley’s going to be there. I asked Avery if she was bringing a date and he said that he didn’t think so. Maybe having me in the picture has made her double her efforts to get him back instead of giving up. Some people are like that.”
“Well, I do think that Ashley is one of those kinds of people who want what they can’t have even more.”
“I know Avery doesn’t want to go, but they’re discussing the bachelorette and bachelor party details and he has to be there.”
“Not a fun evening for you. Why don’t you tell him you’ll sit this one out?”
“Avery said he wouldn’t go without me.”
“See, Sophia, he’s at the point where going somewhere without you just won’t feel right to him.”
“I’m just worried that I’ll feel like odd man out.”
“If anyone is going to be odd man out, it will be Ashley. You know, I don’t know her all that well but whenever she would come in here to get her hair done she always had something to say about the way I cut or styled it. Liked to tell me how to do my job. She’s a royal pain in the rear if you ask me. You’ll be just fine. All you have to do is be yourself, Sophia.”
“I guess.” Sophia nodded, making the foils tinkle but she wasn’t really convinced. The four of them shared a long history and friendship. “It’s just going to be weird. I’ll be so glad when the wedding is over.”
“Well, just one more month. And you’re going to be so busy with White Lace and Promises that the time will fly by. After the grand opening this weekend, you’re going to be slammed. Have you hired another stylist from the list of candidates I sent to you? I know you were torn between a couple of them.”
“Oh, who knew that hiring people could be so stressful? I hate to disappoint anyone. I don’t know how I’d ever fire anybody,” Sophia admitted. She knew that Carrie Ann was changing the subject and she was glad to move on.
Carrie Ann chuckled. “So who did you finally choose?”
“Haley Hunter. Her updos were amazing. She has a knack for doing more trendy and unique creations while I like doing retro and classic, so she was a good choice.”
“Variety is the spice of life.”
“And I hired Callie Porter as a nail tech and Millie Cooper for the front desk.”
“You’re all set, sugar. I’ve known Millie for years. She’s just gone through a painful divorce and really needs the job so I’m glad that you chose her. She’ll be perfect.”
“I thought so. Such a sweet lady. I didn’t know about her personal life but I’m sure glad that I chose her now that you mentioned it.”
“So, what time is this dinner of yours?” Carrie Ann asked.
Sophia blew out a sigh that lifted the foils on her forehead. “Avery is picking me up at seven,” she answered in a glum tone.
Carrie Ann squeezed her shoulders. “You’ll be fine. Just have a couple of those potent ales.”
“Oh, trust me—I plan on it.”
“And I’m touching up your hair to make you even more beautiful than you already are, sweet pea.”
“Thank you, Carrie Ann.” Sophia smiled. “And so are you! You are going to make the prettiest bride in the world. Have you set a date yet?”
“Oh, heavens no. I have to get used to being engaged first, which still blows my mind. But my mother and sisters are already making enough plans for me.” Carrie Ann chuckled. “And they’re already arguing. If it wouldn’t break my mama’s heart, I’d head off to Vegas and get married by Elvis.”
“No! Don’t you dare!”
“Oh, I won’t, but maybe we can have the bachelorette party there and get all kinds of crazy.” She held up her hand, tilted her head, and looked at the ring. “I just can’t get over it.” She swallowed and Sophia saw just the barest hint of anxiety.
“You okay?”
Carrie Ann met Sophia’s eyes in the mirror. “Yeah, sweetie, but at our age blending two lives takes a bit of an adjustment, you know?”
“I know what you’re saying. Kind of like my mother and Jimmy. But listen, you don’t have to worry about planning a family or any of the stresses that come with being a younger couple. You can just enjoy each other. That’s all that’s required of you at this stage, right?”
“True enough.” Carrie Ann pressed her lips together and nodded. Sophia knew there was something else she wanted to say but was holding back. “So, what are you wearing tonight?” Carrie Ann asked, deftly changing the subject once more.
“Well, after trying on everything in my closet, I finally laid out a flowing paisley dress with a wide leather belt. I’ve got some cute ankle boots and a fringed retro purse. I bought all of it at Violet’s Vintage Clothing up on Main Street. What do you think about my choice?”
“Very bohemian. It suits you. I think you will look adorable, but then you always do.”
“Well, I thought it was a good combination of feminine but with my own sense of style. Being so short means I can’t carry off certain dresses and I didn’t want to appear as if I was trying too hard or showing off too much cleavage. I put way too much thought into it, I suppose.”
“Are you kiddin’ me? I’d be doing the same thing. You’ll look adorable no matter what you wear so don’t fret about that.”
“Thank you, Carrie Ann.” She didn’t add that she was feeling just a tad intimated by Ashley’s tall, willowy stature, which was pretty much the complete opposite of Sophia’s. She felt a bit angry at herself for the sudden lack of confidence or feeling the need to compete with Ashley on any level. Having grown up in a world of tall, beautiful people she’d learned to embrace being petite and to prove her confidence she should go with flats tonight but she’d put out boots with a heel taller than she normally wore. And here she was, having her highlights done, and earlier she’d had Callie give her a manicure.
“You’ve gone quiet, sugar. Speak to me.”
“I can’t help it. I’m just so nervous about tonight. Isn’t that just silly? My mother taught me to never be intimated by anyone or any situation. I’m stronger than this.”
“We can control certain things, Sophia, but not our emotions. I happen to think it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous going out to dinner with your beau’s ex-fiancée. But remember that she is his ex and you are his girl and there’s a reason for that. Avery belongs to you. And it’s well within your rights to let her know it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Sophia promised. While she no longer felt in danger of being the rebound girl, she wanted to be Avery’s first choice and not the runner-up.
“Good.”
Sophia smiled thinking that she was lucky to have someone like Carrie Ann in her life. She would have made such a great mom came into her head. Sophia had a close and wonderful relationship with her own mother but Carrie Ann was much more frank about things; Sophia’s English mother tended to be a bit more subtle and Carrie Ann’s hard-hitting advice was something she could cling to this evening when she felt even a little bit flustered. Judging by the encounter at River Row Pizza, Sophia was pretty sure that Ashley was going to try to get under her skin and she needed to do everything in her power to keep that from happening. And she didn’t want Avery to come to her rescue. No, she planned to hold her own if need be. “I’ll be fine.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Glad we got that settled.” Carrie Ann gave her a firm nod. “Good girl,” she added and went back to doing the highlights. As the conversation drifted back to grand opening plans for White Lace and Promises, Sophia pushed her worries from her mind.
After leaving A Cut Above, Sophia walked across the street and got a large coffee at Grammar’s Bakery. She steeled herself from caving in to the enticing aroma of doughnuts, cakes, and cookies. It worked.
Almost.
The cheerful yellow smiley-face cookies seemed to be winking at her so she ordered one, telling herself that she’d indulge in only one sweet, crunchy bite. Like, only one chocolate eyeball’s worth. Or maybe the smiley part. She could do that, right? With the giant coffee and little white bag in her hand she headed to her car a
nd drove the short distance to her apartment.
And so the intense preparation for the evening began. . . .
* * *
TWO HOURS AND THE ENTIRE COOKIE LATER, SHE was in Avery’s truck heading over to Broomstick Brewery. She tapped her toes to the latest Florida Georgia Line song and tried to remain calm.
“You’re being awfully quiet, Sophia.” Avery gave her a sideways glance. “We can blow this off if you want to. I can get together with Max later in the week.”
“No,” Sophia said with a determined smile. She’d decided that she would not let Ashley get to her at any cost. “I’m sorry I’m so quiet. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
“That’s understandable.” Avery nodded but didn’t appear totally convinced. “Soon all of this will be over and life can get back to normal. Will Grace and Mason be at the brewery tonight?”
“Grace will be bartending but she said that Mason is super busy in the brewery doing whatever magic he does to make his amazing beer,” she replied. “I think she said he’s doing some sort of thing where he’s aging ale in bourbon barrels.”
“Magic it is. Mason knows what he’s doing. And having a craft brewery in Cricket Creek is so sweet. This little town has grown so much over the past few years.” He glanced her way, making Sophia wonder if he needed reassurance that she liked living here rather than New York City.
“Cricket Creek has a lot to offer, especially the people,” Sophia said with a smile.
Avery reached over and took her hand. “You’re right.” He squeezed her fingers. “The people have always been the strength of this town, and they always will be.”
A moment later they turned into the Mayfield Marina entrance and headed down the lane to the brewery. The setting was lovely, with the main building right next to the water. The parking lot indicated that the crowd was light but Sophia supposed fairly normal for a Monday.
Avery came around to open her door and assist her down from the big step. Still a bit on the nervous side, her heart kicked it up a notch as she got out, but when Avery took her hand and brought it to his mouth for a quick kiss, she smiled. Tell me you love me, she thought, and then looked away before he could see the emotion in her eyes.