by Robyn Neeley
Just then, Betty popped out and whisked Carter away. “You’re next, sugar lips. We’re saving you for December.” She winked at Brandon and escorted Carter into the room.
Brandon bent over and buried his head in his hands, his thoughts racing. How crazy that he just met the guy that he’d thought was the father of Abby’s baby. He recalled Abby’s answer at the bakery when he asked her if the father knew.
He does now.
She hadn’t been talking about Carter. She’d been talking about him. His heart pulled finally realizing the enormous amount of guilt she must have been feeling over what she had done. He was beginning to see that it was his fault for pushing her to take such a drastic measure to end things.
He shut his binder. Carter was right. He was a lucky bastard, and he needed to make a big move to let Abby know that he knew it.
He whipped off his shirt and stormed into the room. “Betty, I’m sorry but there’s something I need to do that can’t wait. Let’s get this show on the road.”
* * *
Abby finished frosting the last of her chocolate mint cupcakes, swirling the flat knife along its dark, fluffy top. She’d been working all day by herself while Emma did some errands and decided she’d make some cupcakes for Batter Up night.
Emma had offered to close the bakery for the day if she wasn’t feeling up to coming in, but Abby insisted that she felt fine. Plus, she wanted to keep busy. It took her mind off the mess she’d created and all the damage she’d done.
It’d been three days since the Halloween party, and she still hadn’t heard from Brandon.
Could she blame him? Not wanting to push, she gave him some space to think through the several verbal bombs dropped that night, the least of which learning he was going to be a father.
Though she hadn’t talked to Brandon, Jason had told her that he was as good as could be expected and had spent most of the weekend doing some reading.
Reading? Okay. Maybe that’s how he was hardwired to handle difficult information. She’d wanted to stop by his cottage several times but had lost her nerve. His words on the dock still pierced her heart. She hated what he’d said, but he’d been absolutely right about her breaking his trust.
And she hadn’t a clue how to win it back.
“Hello. I can’t believe how long my errands took.” Emma rushed out from the kitchen and grabbed a coffee mug, filling it to the rim. “Those cupcakes look divine.”
“Thanks. I made them for tonight.” Abby sighed. “And thought maybe I could take some over to Brandon if I somehow get the nerve.”
Emma cocked an eyebrow. “You really thing that’s a good idea?”
She had a point. Abby probably shouldn’t offer Brandon a cupcake anytime soon. “You’re right. Bad idea. I just miss him and want to know what he’s thinking.” Her eyes teared up for the umpteenth time, a fresh batch ready to pour out. “Emma, is he ever going to speak to me again?”
“Yes.” She reached for Abby’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“When? At our kid’s wedding?”
“He just needs a little more time. Jason said he was working at the inn yesterday.”
Abby started placing the finished cupcakes in the counter carousel. “Well, that’s good to hear. Do you think he’ll still let us operate our business out of there?” She shook her head. “Will he even want to work with me?”
“I’m sure he will.”
Abby wasn’t convinced, not when her presence would be a constant reminder of how she’d hurt him. “I hope so.” She couldn’t stop thinking about his reaction to learning he was going to be a father. Would he want to be a part of their child’s life? She had to believe he wouldn’t take her deceit out on their baby.
Pushing through the heartache, she grabbed a rag and started wiping down the counter. “God, I knew it was only a matter of time before Caitlin would blab about my name appearing in Brandon’s batter. What if it turns out that we’re both carrying his babies?”
“She’s definitely not.”
“How do you know?” She stopped wiping. “Did Aunt Sheila have a premonition?”
Emma let out a deep sigh. “I know who the father is, and it’s not Brandon.”
Abby’s eyebrow shot up at that news. “Caitlin gave you a name? Is it Michael?” She was referring to Emma’s ex-boyfriend who had also dated Caitlin a long time ago. The two had been spotted hanging out together last summer.
“No.”
“Who is it then?”
Emma pulled out a stool. “You might want to sit down for this.”
Abby declined the suggestion to sit. “Okay, enough. You’re scaring me. Who in the world could it be that I’d be affected by the news?”
“It’s Josh.”
“What?” Abby’s hands slapped the counter. “Josh, as in my brother?”
“Yep.”
“When the hell did that happen?”
“Caitlin ran into him at the tavern the night she saw you and Brandon making out. Apparently, one thing led to another . . .”
Abby’s hand flew up. “Stop right there.” She thought back to her brother’s last visit and how she’d teased him about not needing her guest room. He’d downplayed it, saying he was just having a little fun with an old crush. Had he been shacking up with Caitlin that week?
And when did he have a crush on the she-devil? He’d hated her in high school.
“How could this happen?” Abby shook her head, not ready to believe it. “He’s never liked her.”
“Looks like he does now—or at least he did last summer.”
Abby pulled her purse out from under the counter and reached for her phone.
“What are you doing?” Emma asked.
“I’m calling Josh.”
Emma snatched the phone from her, holding it away from Abby. “You can’t do that.”
“Why the hell not?”
“He doesn’t know yet.”
“Oh.” Abby took her phone back and put it away. Obviously, she wasn’t one to judge when it came to sharing baby news with the father, but this was her brother. She turned back to Emma. “Wait, it can’t be his, she’s lying.”
“Why?”
“Because, did you get a good look at her? If we got pregnant around the same time, she shouldn’t be showing. I can’t take this. If it’s Brandon’s, she needs to confess and not drag Josh through her charade.”
“Well, I thought about that, too, but then I got to thinking about my mom’s premonition about Josh.”
“That he’d have three kids one day. So?”
“It’s going to be three at one time.”
“Oh . . . my . . . God. You’re not saying what I think you’re suggesting?”
“Yep. Triplets.” Emma took a sip of her coffee. “She confirmed it, and she’s scared how Josh is going to react.”
“He’s going to freakin’ flip.” Abby knew her brother well enough to know that babies were not part of his career plan—at least not now—and certainly not with Caitlin or any woman from Buttermilk Falls. He’d left his past behind and built his life in New York City.
And now he was going to be a father to triplets? And with Caitlin?
Emma sipped her coffee. “She seems to be really happy about the fact she’s going to be a mother.” She shook her head, adding, “She apologized for her outburst.”
“Wow, I just don’t even know. Wow . . .”
“It is something,” Emma agreed. “She even apologized to Jason and me for all her meddling in our relationship.”
“Did she say when she was going to tell Josh?”
“No, but she knows your parents are with him now. She hinted she’d visit him shortly after they leave. I told her we wouldn’t say anything.”
Abby covered her face. “Oh, God. I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt to Caitlin’s offspring. Our kids are going to grow up together. I could strangle Josh for this.”
“It is going to take some getting used to,” Emma agreed.
“She also told us that Brandon knows that Josh is the father.”
Abby released her hands. “Brandon knows?”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable.” She sighed. “Well, at least this tangled up mess is all out in the open. My days of stirring up spells are done. All I want to do now is focus on this little one,” she said, patting her stomach.
“And I’ll be here to help you.” Emma smiled. “Speaking of stirring up, do you think you could help me out tonight with Batter Up?”
“Of course.” Although she was hanging up her magical hat for the time being, she loved watching her cousin cast the spell. “I still can’t believe Mel’s tonight’s bachelor. How many years has he waited?”
Emma disappeared into the kitchen and then emerged with her pink apron. “He deserves a shot at true love.”
“Yeah, and he’s been shacking up with Betty for the last thirty years. You better hope her name appears in that batter. She might be old, but she’s quite strong.”
Emma giggled, reached down behind the counter, and pulled out the mixing bowl she’d use later.
“Don’t laugh. You know I’m right.”
“I think we’ll be okay. Why don’t you take a break? I’m going to stir up some hot apple cider and do some inventory before the guys get here.” Emma slipped on her apron and tied the back.
A break actually sounded nice since she’d been on her feet all day. “I think I’ll take you up on that. I’ll just lie down for a quick nap.”
“Take your time. I’ll call you when the guys arrive.”
Abby headed into Emma’s office and settled in on the couch, covering herself with a blue throw blanket. Her hands rubbed her stomach. While tonight would be a lot of laughs hanging out with all the men that would surely stop by to support Mel, she couldn’t help but wish she was spending her evening curled up on Brandon’s couch, watching a movie. His strong arms around her while he kissed her neck.
Would he ever give her a second chance?
“It’s going to be all right, Baby Swift,” she whispered. “Even if your daddy doesn’t forgive me, I know he’ll love you just as much as I do.”
Chapter 22
“Gentleman, we have an A.”
Abby shot up, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Batter Up must have started judging by the hollers. Why hadn’t Emma come to get her?
And did her cousin just say an A? Oh, God, Betty was going to be devastated. Abby pulled herself off the couch and flipped on the light. Glancing in the mirror, she fluffed her hair and pinched her cheeks to wake herself up.
Once presentable, she pushed through the double doors, her heart stopping at the scene in front of her. This wasn’t the usual Batter Up crowd. Sure, men surrounded the counter, but only four: Jason, Mitch, and Tom. In the center sat a grinning Brandon.
“What’s going on?” She approached, looking at Brandon and then Emma.
“Shh . . .” Emma tapped Brandon’s arm. “That’s two b’s.”
“You sure about that second one?” He laughed and motioned for Abby to come join him.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I needed to see the spell.”
Abby peered into the bowl at her name spelled out in pink cursive letters. Her cousin smiled down at the batter and set aside the enchanted pink spoon. “I think my work here is done.” She came around the counter and looped her arms around Jason.
“Good job, baby,” Jason said and kissed her.
“Brandon . . .” Abby started but stopped, her eyes filling up. She had so much she wanted to say to him but hadn’t a clue where to begin. “I don’t know—”
“Hey, guys,” Jason interrupted. “Why don’t we head over to the tavern. Drinks on Brandon when he gets there.”
Brandon nodded, not taking his eyes off Abby. “Drinks on me.”
A few minutes later, they were alone in the bakery. Brandon stayed seated on the bar stool, his hands resting on Abby’s waist. She wanted to throw her arms around him, but just having him touch her was good enough for now. It gave her the courage to finally say what she’d been wanting to say.
“I’m so sorry.”
“I know. I am, too.”
“But you didn’t do anything.”
“And that was the problem. I should have told you how much I liked you.” He reached up and brushed her bangs. “How I couldn’t stop thinking about you. How I planned on asking you out on a date that night before I ate the infamous cupcake.”
Abby’s eyes widened. “You were? Do you remember?”
“No. Jason filled in some gaps, and so did this.” He turned, grabbed a blue binder from off the counter, and handed it to Abby.
“What is this?” Abby peered down at the binder.
“My attempt to remember. Go on. Take a look.”
Opening it, she flipped through the pages and smiled for the first time in days. “Is this your book? Did you finish?”
“Yeah. It seems that it wasn’t you inspiring me to write it, it was my attempt to remember just how special you are to me that pushed me to get the words down. My hero’s journey to find himself. There’s a spunky redhead in there that turns his world upside down—she’s his soul mate.”
“Your book is about us?” Abby stood stunned.
“You may have tried to reverse my attraction to you, but what you didn’t know is how strong my feelings are. We’re meant to be, Abby Stevens, and I’m grateful I was able to break through your spell.” He brought her in and kissed her softly.
Her arms wrapped around him. “I was so scared of what I was feeling and that you’d never feel the same way about me. I never meant to hurt you, and I’m so grateful the spell didn’t entirely work.” She couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically. “Some witch I’ve turned out to be.”
He cupped her face. “You, Abby Stevens, have so many incredible talents. You may not excel yet at witchcraft, but you are going to make an amazing wife and mother.”
What did he say? She moved back and blinked. “Wife?”
“Well, if you say yes.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small diamond ring.
“But, Brandon, I lied to you and broke your trust . . .” She stared at the ring. Was this really happening?
“And I understand now why you did what you did. Abby, I love you. I should have said it way before you cast that spell, but I’m glad you did it because it gave us a second chance to get it right this time.” He paused, adding, “I want to spend my life with the woman that this batter says I’m to be with. Do we have a deal?”
Abby stared down one last time into the bowl. So much had happened since the first time her name appeared in his batter, leading up to this moment.
“Well, Emma does have a reputation to uphold and all.” She brought her lips to his, smilingly widely. “Deal, Brandon Swift.”
* * *
This was definitely happening again. Abby snuggled under Brandon’s warm flannel sheets. Their make-up sex last night had been off the charts.
Basking in that feeling, she couldn’t help but feel so incredibly lucky to get this second chance with the man she loved.
Brandon came into the room, a white towel on his hips. “Abby?”
“Hey, handsome, did you save me any hot water?”
“What are you doing in my bed?” He cocked his head to the side, pointing to her and then him. “We didn’t—”
Her hand flew to her mouth in horror, the rim of her engagement ring resting on her bottom lip. “Oh, my God. You don’t remember.” How could this be? Was their baby playing another magic trick?
“Oh, shit, and you’re engaged.” He shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed. “Just great. Who should I expect to stop by to kick my ass?”
“No one’s going to kick—”
Brandon’s lips turned up into a wide grin. “Gotcha.” He fell back into the bed beside her.
Reaching for a pillow, she swatted his head. “Jerk.” She tossed it to the side. “Okay,
maybe I deserved that.”
“I know what I deserve.” His eyebrows wiggled as mischief took over his expression.
She rolled over on her side and he looped her hair around his finger. “Brandon, I’m sorry I took your memories.”
“You don’t need to apologize anymore.” Bringing her in close, he kissed her on the nose. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to fill me in. So, we did this every night for six weeks?”
“Pretty much.” Her hands rested on the edge of his towel.
“Wow.” He arched an eyebrow. “And I never told you how much I liked you?”
She shook her head.
“Not even once?”
“In your defense, I didn’t tell you how I felt either. We kind of had an understanding.”
He cupped her face. “Well, understand this. I love you, Abby Stevens.”
“I love you, too, baby. And you know who else loves you?” She brought his hand to her stomach. “This little girl.”
Brandon eyes widened at that news. “We’re having a girl?”
Abby nodded. “Well, it’s not official. The doctor didn’t tell me, but Aunt Sheila predicted it over the weekend.”
“She’s going to be perfect.” His hands massaged her belly. “Just like her mother.”
“And apparently she’s going to have a few cousins to play with.” Abby filled Brandon in on her aunt’s other premonition and what Caitlin confirmed to Emma.
“Wow. Think your brother’s going to be able to handle it?”
“I hope so. I guess we’ll find out.” She wrapped her arms around Brandon’s middle, letting her fingers massage his back. Josh and Caitlin’s story would play out soon enough. Right now, she wanted to get back to her happily ever after. “Now, where were we?”
“Right here, Red.” As Brandon’s lips traveled down her body, Abby couldn’t help but smile. Oh, yeah, this was definitely happening again . . . and again . . . and again.
The End
The Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Series