“What’s the plan for the next couple of days?” Max asks.
“I want to get my hair done, maybe get a manicure and pedicure.”
“Oh, I think that would be so much fun,” Sarah chimes in.
“We should find a golf course or something. I’m itching to do something instead of a spa day.” Max rolls his eyes, and Sarah swats him.
“Golf sounds great. Why don’t we ask Ellen or Emma where we can go when we get back?” Cash suggests to Max as we head back to the bed and breakfast.
CASH
Abby wasn’t feeling good so Sarah took her back to the B and B. Max and I decide to do some exploring. There was a pier that ran five feet out into the ocean. I notice there are men fishing, so I motion to Max about doing it. We rented some poles and bought some bait. Max and I stood there in silence. Max decides to speak first.
“I can’t believe Abby is getting married. Is she moving down now or when the school term is over?”
“I want it to be now, but she doesn’t know if she can just up and quit her job. I took another week off to figure things out.”
“I think she should move now and start enjoying her new life.”
“When are you going to come down to live?” Max chuckles at the question.
“If I can find work, before the summer gets here. It will be nice to get out of the area and away from the past to start fresh. I am sure Sarah will be there the same day Abby moves.”
We talk for a while about Florida and sports. Max wants to surprise Abby and Sarah with some food since they have been resting and planning the final details. Max drives by Applebee’s to order. I sit at the bar to grab a beer while I watch Max flirt with the bartender. Max reminds me so much of Shawn.
We get our food and head out to go to our women. Walking into the room, we freeze at the view. The girls are cuddled up together. They share a bond that no one can break. “I have food, who is hungry?” Sarah opens her eyes and raises her hand, and I laugh. Abby groans as she has to sneeze. “Are you okay, my love?”
“No.” She answers me in a child-like voice.
“Why don’t we go down to the dining room to eat?” I suggest, and she mumbles “sure,” under her breath as she walks into the bathroom.
“This smells incredible. I can’t wait to dig into my steak.” Abby sniffs the air then groans in pain. Everyone must be hungry because the room is silent as we eat.
“So what are we going to do tonight?” Marshall asks as he comes into the dining room hand in hand with Patty.
“Go to sleep. I’m exhausted from today. Tomorrow we have hair appointments and the spa day. You guys are going golfing. We need rest.” Sarah says with a yawn.
“Where am I staying tomorrow night since it’s the night before my wedding?”
“I was hoping you two could stay with me. I thought it would be nice if we could do something together just the three of us,” Marshall suggests.
“That would be awesome!” Abby exclaims and jumps up to go over to her brothers. “I would love to have that time with you guys.” I look at Sarah, who is quiet all of a sudden.
“Good for them. Sarah, Patty and I are going to party like it’s 1999. You guys are not invited.” I wink at Sarah, and she smiles.
“You don’t have to do that; I can curl up with a book to read for the fun of getting her dressed in time.”
“I know I don’t have to but they just kidnapped my fiancé, and I can’t be left alone for that long.” I said laughing and Abby starts to listen to the conversation.
“You going to party without me?” She pouts and sits on my lap.
“Yes, we are. You do the sibling thing, and Cash, Patty and I are going to do the outlaw thing.” Sarah reassures her.
We say goodnight to everyone and head to our rooms. “I can’t believe this is my last night with you in my arms as Abby Stephens. I can’t believe it is coming together. Oh, my God! Rings. We don’t have any.” Abby starts to panic as she gets undressed.
“I have rings. Do you want to see them?” She nods and comes over to me after she’s in her pajamas. I pull them out and she smiles. “They were my parent’s rings. I thought it was a great tribute to them since you’re wearing my Mom’s ring.” She kisses me and it’s full of all the love she has for me. We break apart and go to bed. She lays in my arms and falls asleep. I sigh with contentment, happy that this is going to be my life.
I’m awakened by my phone ringing the next morning. I reach for it and Sarah’s name flashes on the screen. “Hello?”
“Did I wake you?”
“Yeah but it’s okay. What’s up?”
“Abby and I have that appointment in an hour and it is a thirty minute drive. She wasn’t down here for breakfast so I wanted to call to make sure she was up. Your tee off time is in an hour too.” Sarah says.
“Thanks for calling. I’ll wake Abby up and we’ll be down there in twenty minutes.” I hang up the phone and gently shake her awake.
“I’m awake. Your phone woke me up.” She yawns and stretches. I can’t help but look at her chest. “Perv,” is all she says as she gets out of the bed.
“I can’t help it that you have a beautiful chest for me to gawk at especially in a tank top and no bra. Let’s shower; I promise to behave since we only have twenty minutes to get ready.” We get into the shower and wash each other, trying to keep it G rated. It was really hard for both of us. Abby is trying to decide where she wanted to go to dinner so we can have at least one last meal as an engaged couple. “Please be gentle with her. She has a bad headache.”
“I will take good care of her.” Sarah tells me as I kiss Abby goodbye and leave to find Max.
ABBY
Today is my wedding day! I’m no longer going to be Abby Stephens but Abby Hawthorne. Rolling over, I hear someone snoring next to me. It’s Max—he’s on his back with his arm over his face. I lay there, staring at him; taking him in. I’ve never watched him sleep before; he’s at peace like nothing can touch him. When his eyes finally open, his expression changes and he once again appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“You need to brush your teeth. Your breath stinks,” he says with a smile.
I punch him and push him out of the bed, laughing when he lands with a thump. I get out of bed and try to step on him, but he blocks me. He leaps to his feet, and we race to the bathroom; each determined to could get there first. It’s exactly like we used to do when we were younger. He used to take forever in the bathroom then, and I’m betting nothing’s changed.
I beat him there and turn to face him. “Victory is mine.” I stick my tongue out at him and duck into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. He comes in while I’m brushing my teeth.
“You’re mean when you wake up. I hope you’re nicer to Cash,” he says as he lifts the toilet seat.
“Seriously, Max? I don’t want to see that,” I say, annoyed with him.
“Then get out because I have to take a piss.” he tells me. I scoff at him and left the room. I slam the door and head downstairs.
“Uh-oh, is the bride not in a good mood?” Marshall asks, handing me a coffee.
“Max is a pain in my ass.” I tell him in a huff as I sit down at his table. All the dishes we used are scattered around us. We’d had several drinks and ate a ton of junk food. Marshall makes an amazing brownie cookie that is to die for. He laughs at me as Max joins us.
“Good morning, squirt.” He rustles my hair.
“Knock it off, asshat.” I swat his hand away.
“What do you want to do before it’s time to marry you off?”
“The wedding is in a few hours, so there isn’t much for us to do. I need to go back because Sarah has my dress.”
“I’ll make sure that Cash isn’t there so you two can’t see each other.” Max says around a mouthful of breakfast. We all tiptoe around the one subject none of us wants to bring up. I don’t want to cloud my day with talk of him, but I take a deep breath and say what’s on
my mind.
“I’m moving to Miami after the wedding. I don’t know if I can be around him knowing he tried to pay off my husband.” I tell them, and they both mumble their agreement. My phone dings letting me know that I have a message.
Sarah: Good morning almost Mrs. Hawthorne. Are you nervous?
Me: Yes!
Sarah: I just saw Cash and he’s a nervous wreck. It was kind of cute. He kept asking me if you had changed your mind about marrying him.
Me: LOL Reassure him that I will be walking to him, and nothing could stop me from marrying him.
Sarah: Will do. When are you coming over so we can get you dressed?
Me: Soon I believe.
Sarah: See you soon then.
“Was that Cash?” Marshall asks as he starts cleaning up.
“No, it was Sarah. I guess Cash is a nervous wreck.” I laugh. “I should head over there so I can shower, get my hair done and get to the beach.” Marshall shoos me upstairs to get dressed. I catch the tail end of a conversation Max is involved in when I come back down a short while later.
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have interfered with her life. I don’t care, Dad. You need to stop acting like this with her. You lost her, and you lost me too. You’re damn straight; I’m on her side. You crossed the line, old man. Right back at ya.” He throws his phone on the couch. He turns around as he runs his hand through his hair and sees me standing there. “How much did you hear?”
“Most of it. He told you to go to hell, and you’re no son of his?” I put my arms around him, and he holds me tight.
“He made me choose, my parents or my best friend. I’ll always choose you. You’re the reason I’m still alive and not dead in a gutter somewhere.” He’s crying in my arms and I couldn’t help but cry right along with him. I wish I could take away his past for him or better yet get rid of his guilt over it.
“Max, I love you. I know how important it is for you have parents, and they could never take me away from you.”
“It isn’t that I need to have parents, I need a family. I have that with you, and Sarah. Now I have it with Cash, and I’m reconnecting with Marshall. Everything else will fall into place for me.” He squeezes me once more before letting go. “I’m going to shower then we can head out.” I just nod. I can’t even speak.
“He’ll be okay. He has to work through his demons. I’m ready to go when you guys are.” Marshall says drinking a glass of orange juice.
“I just worry about him. I wonder if I can talk him into moving down to Miami with me. I don’t think I want to be away from him.” Marshall puts his arm around my shoulder.
“I think he needs to start fresh away from his past. It might do him some good; it did for me.” He smiles at me.
“Ready?” Max asks as he comes downstairs dressed in his basketball shorts and wife beater. Max sends a message to Cash letting him know that we’re on our way to the bed and breakfast. “Cash says he will wait for us to get him once you are secure in the room.”
“Can you give him this letter?” I reach into my purse to hand him a letter that I wrote for Cash. Max takes the letter from me and puts it in his back pocket.
I make my way to Sarah’s room.
“Knock, knock,” I say as I open the door and walk in. Sarah is standing there looking out the window, a sad expression on her face. “What’s the matter?” I put my arms around her.
“I just realized that you’re moving away from me. I’m not going to have my sister down the hall from me.” She has tears coming down her cheeks.
“Move with me then!” I squeeze her tight and let go of her.
“I would move in a heartbeat but what about Max? You know I could never leave him.”
“He might be moving. I overheard him and Dad talking. They had a fight, Dad forced him to choose, and he chose me.” I’m still in shock that my Dad did such a thing. Patty comes out of the bathroom, and she looks amazing in her dress. “Wow. You look beautiful. Marshall isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you.” She blushes and twirls.
“I do feel pretty sexy with this dress on. You two okay?”
“Yeah we just realized that I’m not going to be down the hall from her or even across the street. We’ve always lived near each other. I’m trying to talk her into moving to Florida.”
“I bet she’s already planning it.” Patty looks at me with a hint of a twinkle in her eye.
“Do you know something that I don’t know?” I ask her suspiciously.
“Maybe, maybe not.” She shrugs and we all laugh. “Well we have a wedding to get ready for, let’s get you dressed.” The three of us drink champagne and dance to the music on my play list while I prepare for the biggest moment of my life.
There was a light knock on the door, Sarah pushes me into the bathroom incase Cash decides to sneak a peek. “It’s all clear. Abby you have a visitor.”
“Sally!” I hug her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I didn’t want to miss this day. I’m happy that Cash text me the other day.” Sally was rummaging in her purse. She pulls out this box then hands it to me. “Here is your something old and borrowed. It my great grandmother’s wedding bracelet. Every generation has worn it on their big day. You are family now.” Sally slides the bracelet on me, wiping her tears away. “I’m sorry about how things were in Miami.” We embrace.
“Hey, we’re family, all is forgiven.” I scan the room looking at these three women who are a big part of my life, and I know that we share a bond that no one can break.
CASH
I wonder if I can go down just to get a peek at her. I open to the door to leave and am stopped by Max. “I don’t think so. Get your ass back in that room.” I turn around and flop on the bed.
“I just want to see her. Can’t I just have one quick look?” I beg him and he shakes his head making me groan. He pulls out a letter from his back pocket and hands it to me. It has Abby’s handwriting on it. I ripped open the envelope and start to read.
Cash,
Thank you for showing me how beautiful I am. I love you and I can’t wait to be your wife. I will be the girl walking to you with a smile on my face. Don’t be late, my love.
Love,
Abby Hawthorne.
“Looks like the letter was a good one.” Marshall has joined us in the room.
“Yeah it was and I can’t wait to see my future walking towards me. I’m going to get a shower so we can leave. We need to make sure things are set up like Abby wants it to be.” I leave them reading my note from Abby. When I re-emerge, the guys are dressed in their jeans and dress shirts. We’d decided to keep it comfortable but classy or that’s how Max described it. I’m dressed in my jeans and a white sweater with maroon markings on it. The boys start whistling at me and I flip them off. I put the wedding rings in my pocket so I don’t forget them. “Ready to go? We have an hour before the wedding.” They get up and head to the door.
“I texted Sarah to let her know that we’re leaving so she can keep Abby in the room.” Max mentions as we start down the steps. Sarah’s door opens at our voices. “Get back in that room before Abby hears us out here,”
“I just wanted to get a look at you guys. Can I take a picture?” Patty ask as she sneaks out and starts taking some pictures without waiting for a reply. I take the camera from her to get some pictures of her and Marshall. She thanks me but then pushes me to go downstairs so Abby doesn’t see me. I start a conversation with a man who is a guest there from Kansas. He’s thinking about moving to the east coast and I telling him how great the area is. Marshall and Max join me about ten minutes later.
“You guys ready? We’ve got forty-five minutes to get everything ready.” I’m kinda annoyed that they’re taking their sweet time when we’re on a time limit. Marshall heads out the door and Max motions for me to go ahead of him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, man. I’m just thinking about things.” Max didn’t often discuss his feelings with anyone other than Sarah
and Abby. I hope he realizes that I’m here for him too.
“You and Sarah moving to Miami next week with us?” I ask him when we head out the front door.
“I’m considering it. I don’t know what Sarah has planned but I’m sure she would.” We walk down to the beach area and see Samuel and Alison standing there talking to Marshall.
“You look like a happy man and how are the nerves?” We shake hands.
“I’m a bundle of nerves, but I’m a happy man. I just want to get married so we can start our life together.”
“How is Abby feeling?” Samuel asks.
“She’s good. There’s still some swelling.” Max says.
“Did you three patch things up?” Marshall nods as he fills Alison in on where people are going to be. We don’t have chairs since we only have a couple of guests. Alison loaned us a beautiful arch with ribbons and flowers. We have a beautiful setting with the sky being a breathtaking blue with big white fluffy clouds. The waves are crashing on the rocks in the background.
I’m standing there looking up at the beautiful bright blue sky when I feel someone slip their hand into mine. I smile when I see Sally standing there. I put my arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad that you could make it.”
“I am too. Thanks for having me. Things will be different from now on, I promise. We’re going to focus on us first then the business because I can’t lose both.”
“You’re never going to lose me.” Sally opens her right hand and tells me to show me my wrists. She is putting on the black cufflinks with the gold letter S on them. My grandfather bought these for my dad on his wedding. My heart starts to pound harder making me wish that my parents could meet Abby, be here to celebrate with us.
“They are always with you, don’t doubt that.” Sally kisses my cheek as she goes over to Max who introduces her to everyone.
Love Me Like You Do (Love Me Book 1) Page 31