“I don’t know how I survive without you. Maybe I’ll convince Ryder to …” Hannah began.
“He isn’t going to move to the ranch.” Kelsey said with a roll of her eyes, “but you can visit anytime.”
“Oh,” Hannah whimpered. “I’ve missed you.”
The two girls grabbed the final of Kelsey’s bags and then walked out toward the doors. “Why are you picking me up anyway?” Kelsey asked.
“Oh well… Ryder’s busy with football.” Kelsey could tell her friend was lying but she let it slip.
“Hmm… so, do you want to go get something to eat before we head back?” Kelsey asked.
“Oh, no… Ryder’s expecting us…” Hannah muttered as she got into Ryder’s corvette.
“So he’s letting you drive his car?”
“Don’t go there right now. We have to…” Hannah stopped herself and turned her head back to the road. “So how was the flight?”
Kelsey frowned. “Hannah what are you hiding?” Kelsey grumbled.
“Nothing, I just am so happy to see you.” Hannah lied again.
Kelsey shook her head and pressed herself back into the seat and closed her eyes. “Fine then, I’m taking a nap.”
That was okay with Hannah, she could get her friend to the destination without much fuss a lot easier that way. A half hour later and Hannah pulled up to a large iron gate. She rolled down the window and pressed the intercom button.
“Yes?” a man on the other side said.
“I’m here for Parker MacKay. It’s Hannah.” Hannah said as quietly as she could. She was trying not to wake Kelsey and cause her to panic but it was too late.
“What?” Kelsey sat up quickly. “Where are you taking me Hannah?” She snapped.
“Well, Parker and Ryder made plans for you to meet Parker’s family… you are staying here with him.” Hannah mumbled as she drove down the decorated drive.
“What!” Kelsey screamed as she reached over and slapped her friend’s arm. “Hannah I can’t believe you. Look at me…”
“Sorry babe. Oh look here he comes now.” Hannah chuckled as she looked out past Kelsey.
“Huh?” Kelsey said quickly snapping her head to the other direction. Sure enough, Parker was walking up toward the car. Without much thought Kelsey snapped her hand over the door lock. “No.” She mumbled.
Parker smiled. “Hey.” He mouthed through the window. “Open the door love.”
Kelsey’s eyes went wide as his hand hovered over the door handle. She shook her head like a mad woman. “OMG! Kelsey.” Hannah rolled her eyes as she quickly yanked her friend’s hands into her own, then pressed the unlock button.
Parker urgently yanked the door open and beamed in at Kelsey. “A little nervous to see me?” He asked with a cheeky grin. “Oh how I missed you. Come…”
“Parker, I can’t…” Kelsey groaned. “Look at me.”
“Pish posh.” Parker smirked “I’ll take you up to my room and you can get fixed up however you like there.”
Kelsey looked past Parker and gasped. It was the same massive mansion from their pre-cabin trip. “This is your house?” Kelsey gasped.
“Yeah well, my parent’s home.” Parker shrugged. “Come on, quickly before my mom finds us.”
Parker grabbed Kelsey’s bags and thanked Hannah before she drove off. “Making friends with her was so useful.” He smirked as he pulled Kelsey along “This way.”
Chapter 41
“Here we are.” Parker said pressing his hand to Kelsey’s back “this is my room. The bathroom is over there if you’re interested in a shower.” He told her setting her bags onto the floor. The room was huge. The main area was like a living room, couch and chairs sitting before a massive television and video games sprawled beneath it. Parker had quite an arrangement for a movie collection lining the walls on either side of the television and behind the couch held an impressive selection of books as well.
“Wow…” Kelsey nodded. “This is amazing.” She said looking around. Of to the far side was a set of double doors leading out to a stunning balcony and to the right was a small staircase which lead to another level.
“Parker,” Kelsey began as she walked toward him slightly. “I know we left off on bad terms but…” Parker held his finger to her lips and half smiled half frowned.
“Kelsey, I’m sorry. I am sorry I made you feel self conscious and I’m sorry I didn’t reassure you when you needed it. I’ve missed you.” He told her as his hand trailed down to her upper arm.
Kelsey sighed. It felt so good having him so close to her. “No…” She dragged out. “I’m sorry. I should have never said those words.” Kelsey admitted.
Parker’s eyes trailed from hers to slightly licking his lips as he stared at her lips. “May I?” He questioned anxiously.
Kelsey simply nodded and watched almost in slow motion as Parker pulled her close and pressed his lips upon hers. The time they had spent apart felt like an eternity and Kelsey could feel tingles on her skin. She loved the way Parker’s lips molded with her lips and reveled in his delicious taste.
He pulled back slightly and smiled “Oh how I’ve missed you.” He murmured.
Kelsey couldn’t help it. It seemed so right, the words just burst from her lips “I love you,” as the words left her lips she collapsed a hand over them and tipped her head down, suddenly finding her feet very interesting.
“Don’t shy away.” Parker said quietly as he placed his hand on her chin and lifted her face to meet him. “I love you too. But if you don’t want to meet my mother like that…” He pointed to Kelsey’s hair “then I suggest you do what you wanted to do…” He smirked.
Parker had told her in a hushed whisper as they made their way to his room that his mother was going crazy waiting to meet the girl that had captured his heart. “Oh.” Kelsey replied quickly moving toward the bathroom.
She looked in the mirror and gasped. Her hair had lost its natural waves and beauty and was now left dull and flat from sleeping on it. She tugged a tie from her wrist and pulled her hair up into a messy bun then added a dash of lip gloss to her lips before returning to Parker’s room.
“My mom gave me something for you … I hope you don’t mind. I told her you were coming…” Parker grit his teeth and shrugged his shoulders. Almost like he was sorry “I really don’t know…”
“What?” Kelsey asked curiously. She was open to the idea and figured it was at least a wonderful surprise.
“I’m not quite sure.” Parker mused. He liked how Kelsey’s features lit up even if it was a gift from his mother. What he had to offer her would come later. “It’s in this.” He said holding up a bag from a very expensive store. “Don’t kill me if it’s something embarrassing.” Parker said through grit teeth again.
Kelsey smiled “I’m sure it’s not that bad, Parker.”
“Oh you never know with her…” He replied as Kelsey quickly pulled the bag open and lifted the tissue paper.
Kelsey gasped. She couldn’t really speak. The object inside was so amazingly beautiful. Slowly she sneaked her hand inside. “I’ll be back.” Kelsey giggled as she ran into the bathroom.
“Hey? Wait what is it?” Parker called after her nervously. Before he could reach the bathroom door, Kelsey closed it and locked it on him. He shook his head lightly. “Fine then, hope it’s not bad, she said she wanted us to go to dinner.” He sighed.
“It’s not!” Kelsey called back as she pulled the dress out. To her surprise beneath the beautiful dress was something embarrassing, a set of pink bra and underwear. Checking the size, it would fit her perfectly, how odd.
Quickly Kelsey dropped her clothing on the floor; she pulled on the new undergarments hesitantly grinning as they fit her perfectly. Then she pulled the dress up. Though she couldn’t secure the buttons on the back, she could tell it would fit her perfectly. She held it up while she tentatively opened the door. Parker stood transfixed staring at her.
The pink dress looked amazing on her
. It was a baby doll style dress with a sweetheart top. The stomach was covered in a wide crystal belt and the skirt was puffed out perfectly and fell to Kelsey’s upper thigh. In her grasp dangled lacy strapped heals.
“Wow” He breathed.
“Would you mind?” Kelsey asked as she slowly turned her back to him.
“Love too.” Parker grinned as he felt his hands along her back to the first button.
His touch was gentle and slow as he began to button up the many buttons. “There’s so many.” Kelsey mumbled.
“Yes, my mom has a thing for buttons.” Parker mused. When he finally fixed the last button his fingers lingered, slowly he wound his hands around Kelsey’s shoulders and pulled her back to his chest. His warm breath caressed Kelsey’s skin. “Beautiful.” He whispered.
“Thanks.” Kelsey said pulling away slightly so she could look at him. She pecked his cheek.
“Are you ready?” He asked softly.
Kelsey nodded. Parker took her hand in his and together they left his room.
Chapter 42
“Hey mom?” Parker called into the various rooms as he walked through the house. “Princess, you can wait here if you wish…”
Thinking for a moment Kelsey didn’t want to leave his side again. “No,” she said softly.
“Okay.” Parker smiled he grabbed hold of her hand and began to tow her with him through the large house. “She should be in here.” He finally said as they came to another room.
“Mom? Dad?” Parker asked as he finally pushed open large set of doors. The noise of a movie played above his voice. He reached to the side and flicked on the light switch to the dim room.
“Oh!” A woman’s voice chirped. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Parker, who is this lovely girl?” Parker’s father asked as he stepped forward.
“Dad, Mom, this is Kelsey. Kelsey these are my parents Grace and Carson.” Parker said gently pressing a hand to Kelsey’s back and pushing her forward.
Grace’s lips slipped out words which were unintelligible as she screeched and gathered Kelsey up in her arms. “She’s so beautiful! Parker you did well.” She cooed. “Oh! I’m sorry dear, you’re just so darling. I’ve heard so much about you!” She squealed. “And I see my dress fits you so well!”
“Your dress?” Kelsey questioned quietly.
“She’s a designer.” Parker told her with a grin. Kelsey looked up at Parker. “She pinned Hannah for the details…”
Kelsey shook her head. She should have guessed Hannah was in on it. Kelsey’s lips formed an ‘O’ as she turned her gaze back to the woman who was literally bobby up and down. Her husband, beside her shook his head and placed a hand on her shoulder tugging her back softly “Give the girl some space dear, your making her nervous.”
“It’s nice to finally meet the girl who stole my son’s heart.” Carson said holding out his hand.
“It nice to meet you too” Kelsey mumbled. “I’m sure he’s brought another girl home before.” Kelsey added under her breath.
Though she had said it in a hushed tone, Carson chuckled “No actually, he’s never brought a girl over. I don’t think, he’s ever even had a girlfriend that I know of.”
“Really?” Kelsey asked turning her gaze to Parker as he began to blush.
“Not really princess,” He said softly.
“Well she’s certainly more stunning than those skanks you’ve been seen with.” A man’s voice chuckled dryly from behind them. Whipping around Parker shook his head.
“Hey Collin.” Parker stepped toward the man and warped his arms around him in a manly hug.
“Hello, brother.” Collin replied. “So you are the girl I had to come back home to meet? Name’s Collin.”
“Kelsey.” She said nervously. The man looked like a younger version of Carson and an older version of Parker. There wasn’t much of Grace in the boy’s features but every bit of Carson.
“Well nice to meet you, you’re blushing.” He smirked.
“Don’t be nervous with him, princess” Parker said softly into Kelsey’s ear, “He’s a just messing with you.”
“You know, if my brother ever lets you down… I’m right here…” Collin chuckled. It was more than cute when Kelsey blushed profusely and curled herself into Parker’s side trying to shy away.
“Collin!” Parker and Carson both snapped at the same time before Carson added “leave the girl alone.”
“Are we ready to head to dinner? We’re supposed to be there at six.” Grace said, Kelsey took notice of her clothing and realized that the woman had been dressed in a fancy red cocktail dress which flowed down to her knees and Carson had been dressed in a suit outfit minus the coat, tie and all.
“Yeah, we are.” Parker smiled. “We’ll take my car and meet you there.”
“Okay baby.” Grace smiled.
“Don’t get to frisky on the way.” Collin chuckled. “Ouch!” He groaned as Carson’s hand collided with his son’s head.
Parker laughed at his brother’s expense. After Kelsey laced up the heels Parker pulled Kelsey into the hallway once again. “We’re meeting your brother, Hannah, and some friends at the restaurant. Celebrating both your birthdays with a dinner, you and I will celebrate tomorrow by ourselves.” He told her. They were walking through the massive house passing door after door until the finally came to the kitchen.
Kelsey’s father’s house didn’t compare to Parker’s parents’ home which was so much larger, the biggest she had ever seen. The kitchen rivaled her ranch’s kitchen which was designed to feed the masses at the ranch.
“Right this way.” Parker said pushing open a door. “This is the garage.” He told her. Sure enough, when he pushed open the door they walked into a massive garage which housed many cars. There was a lane to drive down and cars parked on either side.
“You guys have way too many cars…” Kelsey mused with a grin.
“I only have one. No need for more…” Parker shrugged as he walked toward a slick bright green muscle car. “Here you go…” Parker said lifting the door for Kelsey. They were lamo doors which suited the muscle car perfectly. It was obviously custom designed. Black leather seats and interior stitched in the same bright green as the paint. The car’s logo stitched into the center of the seats.
Kelsey slid inside then Parker walked around and slid into the driver’s seat. “Of all the cars you could have…” Kelsey grinned.
“Yeah my parents asked me what car I wanted and this is it. I custom designed it with Chevy and the best car designer in the world. His wife is friends with my mom. It makes a lot of people jealous.” Parker grinned as he turned the key and the car roared to life.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Parker walked around to Kelsey’s door and opened it for her. He held out his hand and escorted Kelsey toward the building. At the door a man at the entrance opened the door for them with a smile “Mister MacKay, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Thank you, it’s nice to see you too Maurice. We’re here to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday today. Expecting a large group.”
“Ah yes, the MacKay/ Lodge group. Your mother had called and reserved the Avery room.” Maurice nodded “let me escort you there.”
Kelsey stared at the two men. She had never been to such a fancy restaurant. The Avery room was beyond beautiful. Plants surrounded the room and large glass windows went from the floor to the ceiling. The tables held pristine purple table cloths, candles, and champagne bottles in ice.
“Oh my gosh Parker this is …” Kelsey hushed as she leaned into Parker’s side and whispered.
“Yes love my parents’ choice, don’t look so worried.” Parker whispered back.
They sat down and were quickly joined by Ryder and Hannah, Parker’s family which now also included his grandparents and his little sister who had stayed overnight with them, Kelsey and Ryder’s father, and a few friends from the school. Kelsey began to wonder why Parker’s family had been joining them but didn’t
voice her opinion.
When everyone had sat down and drinks had finally arrived Parker stood tapping a spoon on his cup. “Thank you everyone for coming tonight. There are multiple reasons for your presence here; one that you get to celebrate the wonderful birth of my friend Ryder and his sister, and for you all to be introduced to the love of my life and also this.”
Kelsey had been looking around at the people at the table who were smiling like maniacs at her especially when she heard gasps. She turned around curiously, her eyes falling on Parker.
He was down on one knee beside her holding out a small black velvet box opening it slowly Parker spoke again “Kelsey, I promise I will always stand up for you. I will always be the man you want and the man you need. I will complete you in every way possible without taking away from the amazing person you are. I will help you through your days and take on the stresses which are too much for you. Though we haven’t known each other for very long, I promise I will never wander. I have just one question for you. Will you marry me?”
With tears in her eyes Kelsey nodded her head whispering yes. Parker’s worried grin turned into a full blow smile as he stood up and pulled Kelsey into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers and pulled her close as everyone around them cheered. Parker pushed the large diamond ring onto Kelsey’s finger, it was a family heirloom.
The dinner went by with cheer and joy late into the evening. Afterward, Kelsey and Parker returned to his home for the night.
Chapter 43
Parker awoke to the sound of his little sister; she was in her usual spot waiting for Parker to wake. She was quiet but the sound of her game was making little clicking noises as she picked up coins. Parker looked down at the girl in his arms and smiled, he stretched slight as he turned and looked over toward his living room area.
He leaned forward and kissed Kelsey’s cheek then slowly pulled himself up. He leaned down and pulled on a pair of shorts then made his way to the couch. Sitting down he grinned “Morning Sage.” Parker said.
Love Begins with Fate Page 17