by Rachel Hanna
Stop, he told himself.
“No biggie. I may have overreacted. Maybe. A little.”
She chuckled. “No. Really? You? Unbelievable.”
“So, tell me, Molly James… What was your life like back in Seattle?”
“Well, I didn’t actually live in the city. We lived in a small town just outside of Seattle, but I worked there.”
“At the veterinary clinic, right?”
“Yep.”
“Do you miss it?” he asked, taking a big bite of bread like a hungry dog.
“I do. I love dogs. As soon as I can find a job working with animals again, I’ll be so happy.”
“And your parents? Do you miss them?”
She paused and looked down for a moment. It was obvious he’d hit a nerve. Maybe her parents weren’t alive.
“Hard to say. I mean, I haven’t been gone all that long.” Her answer was short and almost sounded scripted. He wanted to know more, but he didn’t press. “What about you? You grew up in Atlanta, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you like it there?” she asked. He knew it was an innocent get-to-know-you type of question, but he hated talking about his upbringing. But for some reason, he was about to break one of his cardinal rules and he had no idea why.
“No. It wasn’t a good time in my life,” he said quietly.
“I’m sorry,” she said. No prying. No questions.
“Don’t you want to know why?”
“Only if you want me to know why,” she said. Her voice was sweet, and he could’ve talked to her all night. That alone was making him nervous.
“I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. There were three of us kids. I was the oldest, but I have a younger brother and sister. My mom was a drug addict, and one day when I had just turned fifteen, she just left. Never saw her again.”
She had stopped eating now. She was leaning across the small table, hanging on his every word.
“Oh, Austin. I know that must have been so hard on you…”
“We were split up,” he continued, “and we all ended up in foster care. My siblings were fraternal twins and still in that cute phase.” He smiled when he thought about them, all chubby faced and happy as babies. That hadn’t lasted long. “They were adopted almost immediately. I have no idea where they are now.”
“And you?”
“Foster care. Sent from place to place. Nobody wanted a punk teenage boy who was mad at the world. When I hit seventeen years old, I bolted. Ran away from the last place.”
“They didn’t care for you?”
“The mom was okay. The dad… well, let’s just say he liked to use me as a punching bag.”
Instinctively, she reached across the table and held his hand. He didn’t move.
“Thank God, my best friend’s Dad took me under his wing. He owns the development company I work for. So, the long answer to your question from before is that I’ve been so busy running from my past and trying to build a real life for myself that I’ve never had the chance to date much or look for a wife.”
“Austin, it was just a joke. Honest. You’re young with your whole life ahead of you.”
“I just feel very behind,” he said, standing up to get away from her hand touching his. It was just too much. The only problem was, she stood up too.
“Listen,” she said, touching his arm and looking up at him with those eyes, “you’ve got a bright future ahead of you. Anyone can see that. Your past doesn’t have to define you.”
“Thanks. And I’m sorry I’m ruining your old woman soup party,” he said, breaking the ever-growing tension with a laugh.
She dropped her hand back to her side. “Hey, I saw more pudding downstairs. Wanna eat it before they get home?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” he said, and he followed her out the door. And now his biggest problem was that he was pretty sure he’d follow her just about anywhere.
Chapter 8
It was a beautiful morning in January Cove, and Tessa knew it was about to be the most changing day in her life. Of course, she and Tyler had lived with Aaron for a long time now, and she was making a wonderful home for them at Adele’s old house, but this sealed the deal. They were officially, in the eyes of God and the law, going to become family today.
For what seemed like the hundredth time this morning, she dabbed a tissue over her eyes. She refused to have red, puffy eyes when she saw her groom standing at the altar in a couple of hours.
When she’d first shown up in January Cove, she had been terrified. On the run from her abusive ex, she and her two year old son at the time had been living in a crappy old camper in Crystal Cove Campground. And God knew way back then that Aaron Parker ran that campground and would save her from being scared ever again.
And he definitely had.
“Can I come in?” she heard her new mother-in-law call as she tapped on the door to the bridal room at the church. Tessa had gotten there super early hoping to calm her nerves and have some quiet time before walking down the aisle.
“Sure, come on in,” Tessa said.
“Oh, you’re such a beauty!” Adele said, grinning from ear to ear. It was funny, really, because she wasn’t even wearing her wedding gown yet. She was wearing a simple white dress and very little makeup. Her hair stylist and makeup artist - better known as Addison - wouldn’t be there for another thirty minutes.
“You’re too sweet,” Tessa said with a smile as she hugged Adele tightly. “I’m so glad you and Harrison made it here.”
“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world!” Adele said as she rubbed Tessa’s arms. “Nervous?”
“Exceedingly,” she said, being a little more verbose this morning than usual.
“Sweetie, Aaron is head over heels for you.”
“I know. I just don’t want to mess anything up. I want the service to be perfect.”
“Oh Lord. Jenna didn’t tell you her horror story, did she?” Adele asked with a pained look on her face.
“She did.” The two women laughed.
“Pay her no mind. She has a terrible gag reflex,” Adele said, waving her hand in front of her face. “You’ll do fine.”
“Adele, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, dear.”
“Well, you know that I didn’t exactly have the best life growing up. My mother passed away when I was just a little girl, and my father died in prison when I was just out of high school.”
“I know. Terrible. I’m sure your momma would be so proud of you today.” Adele always had reassuring words.
“I just wanted to ask… if it would be okay… to call you Mom?” Tessa had been wanting to ask Adele for months now because she was the only mother figure she’d had in so many years. She wanted that connection with another woman.
Adele’s eyes welled with tears as a smile formed on her face. “I was so hoping you’d ask me that! Of course, sweetheart. I already think of you as my daughter anyway.”
Addison was running around like a headless chicken. Having a baby and trying to get to Tessa’s wedding venue was proving to be a bit of a challenge this morning.
“Clay? Have you seen the diaper bag?”
“I put it in my truck,” he called back from upstairs.
“Good Lord! I’ve been looking everywhere for it!” she yelled up the stairs. She loved that man, but sometimes he tried to help without telling her what he was doing. Today was not the day for delays.
“Can I help with anything?” Molly said as she walked down the stairs and noticed Addison running around in a flurry of activity.
“Do you know how to do hair and makeup?”
“I’m pretty good with makeup. Why?”
“I think I need backup,” Addison said with a smile. “Or do you already have plans for today?”
“Nope. No plans. But I don’t want to intrude on the wedding…”
“Intrude? Honey, this is January Cove! Everyone is invited to everything.”
“Well, then I’d love to come!” Molly said. She ran upstairs, threw on her nicest dress and heels and was back downstairs in minutes. Clay kept the baby at home while the two women drove to the church.
“I just love weddings,” Addison said smiling as she drove. “So much hope and happiness in one room.”
“Me too. I’ve only been to a couple, though.”
“Well, you’re young. I’m sure yours will be coming soon,” Addison said.
“Not even close!”
“You never know. Miracles always happen when you least expect them. I never expected Clay to be my soulmate. I’d known him my whole life, but God sometimes has other plans.”
Molly had no idea what plan God had for her life, but she knew for sure it didn’t involve a guy named Blake.
By the time Addison and Molly arrived, Tessa was pacing the room.
“Finally!” she said to Addison. She looked at Molly for a moment with a confused face.
“Sorry. Clay didn’t tell me where the diaper bag was and then I had to give it back to him and Anna Grace is still getting over her ear infection and…”
“And you are?” Tessa said, ignoring Addison’s rambling as she reached her hand out to Molly.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is Molly. She’s staying at the B&B and is going to help me get your makeup perfect.”
“Nice to meet you, Molly. Sorry if I seemed abrupt. Today is just… hectic. Anxiety producing…”
“No problem. I totally understand. Your dress is stunning.” Molly stood in front of the long white gown that was hanging in the corner of the room. It was a real princess dress with jewels encrusted on the bodice and a long veil.
As a little girl, she used to dream of a real white knight coming to rescue her, only he was on a zebra. She was always an odd kid.
Her perfect dress had a hoop inside it to make it stick out just like the dresses that Scarlett O’Hara wore, but maybe that wasn’t quite in fashion these days.
“Thank you. It was way over my budget, but you only get married once, right? Actually, twice I guess. Oh well, who’s counting?” Tessa was obviously anxious, talking a mile a minute as she buzzed about the room doing absolutely nothing productive.
“Well, congratulations,” Molly said with a smile. Tessa was definitely a beautiful woman with her darker toned skin and blue eyes. She was going to look beautiful in her dress for sure.
“Thanks. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this day for my whole life,” she said. Addison put her arm around Tessa’s shoulders.
“And I know my brother has too.” Tessa grinned from ear to ear.
“I can’t wait to be Mrs. Tessa Parker. And I can’t wait to change Tyler’s name too.”
“Where is Tyler?”
“He’s with Adele now. I swear that kid has been passed around all day long!”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Addison said. “Now, let’s get started on making you even more beautiful!”
Molly took a seat in the back of the small white church. Both sides were filling up, although Addison had told her that Tessa didn’t have family coming. In fact, Jackson would be walking Tessa down the aisle as the eldest Parker brother.
Coming from such a judgmental family, Molly had never seen siblings so close. The whole town seemed that way, as if time stood still in January Cove.
She felt someone slide in beside her, the smell of cologne floating past her before she saw who it was.
“Hey,” Austin whispered, and she got a chill again. Not good.
“What’re you doing here?”
“Clay asked me to come. He’s going to need some help setting up for the reception later.”
“Oh.”
The service started seconds later, and Molly reached down to silence her phone. She noticed a text message.
You haven’t responded to my texts lately. I miss you. Did I do something to upset you?
It was “Fake Blake” as she’d come to call him. She’d successfully avoided his texts since getting the news that he wasn’t who he said he was, but mainly because she didn’t know what to say.
Austin reached for her phone and read the text.
“Um, excuse me. Nosy!” she whispered loudly into his ear.
“He’s seriously still texting you? Here, let me respond.”
“No!”
“Molly,” he whispered, “we don’t want to tip him off that we’re on to him. Come on. Let me…”
She handed him the phone and he quickly typed something in and handed it back.
I miss you too. Just a little busy with a big family issue. I’ll be in touch soon. Smooches!
The bridesmaids started filing in as music filled the church.
“Smooches? Really? I would never say that.”
“Oh? What would you say then?” he whispered.
“I don’t know. Maybe ‘kisses’?”
Austin chuckled. Someone shushed him as the Wedding March started playing.
The back doors of the church opened revealing Tessa in her gorgeous gown. She took Jackson’s arm and made her way down the aisle. Molly leaned over to see her train, the back of her hair blocking Austin’s view. She could’ve sworn he sniffed her hair, but there was no way to prove it.
She sat back, gave him a weird look and focused her attention on the front of the church.
“We are gathered together…” the pastor started. Molly tuned out as she looked around at all of the smiling January Cove residents. They were like a picture postcard of a place she’d wanted to visit all of her life. Happy people. Welcoming people. It already felt like a home, a place she actually belonged. A place where people just accepted her for who she was.
“Let us join hands and pray…” Suddenly, Austin was holding her hand, but then so was the woman next to her. All she could feel was his warm, strong hand. It was nice. He had his eyes closed and head bowed. Maybe she should do the same. At least that’s what she was thinking when he opened his eyes and caught her looking at him. She quickly closed her eyes and then the moment was over. He let go of her hand and a void was there now, which only confused her.
The wedding vows were the most beautiful part of the ceremony, at least to Molly. In fact, there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the place - well, except for Austin. Apparently, his tear ducts were made of steel and were under lock and key.
Molly could only hear parts and pieces of the vows, but it was enough to make her long for a love like that. Unconditional love from a man who accepted her, faults and all.
“You were the man who saved me and my son from a life spent hiding. When everyone else ran away, you ran toward us, arms open wide and ready to accept us. I can never thank you enough or say I love you enough for everything you do for us and everything you are as a person,” Tessa said, tears flowing down her cheeks.
“Every dream I ever had for my life is wrapped up in you, Tessa. There is no one on this Earth that I’d rather spend my life with, and I promise I will protect you and Tyler every day for the rest of my life,” she heard Aaron say.
It was wonderful, inspiring and utterly depressing.
When the wedding was over, Austin slipped out to help Clay and Molly was left there longing for a love like that. Longing to touch Austin’s hand again. She mentally slapped away the thought.
The reception was one big party at a large plantation house about a block away. It was a lovely home, bigger than the B&B, and it was packed. Many people who weren’t at the wedding - probably because they couldn’t fit in the tiny church - showed up for the reception, and the whole town seemed to be in attendance. Even the mayor was there.
“Having fun?” Austin asked as he walked up beside her. The music blared from the DJ booth, and people moved around the dance floor.
“Oh sure. Sta
nding alone in a room full of strangers is a total blast,” she said with a sarcastic smile.
“I’m not a stranger. I’ve eaten massive amounts of soup with you and now we’ve held hands.”
His dry humor was growing on her. “Yeah. We’re besties now!” she yelled over a particularly loud Taylor Swift song.
“Do you dance?” he yelled back.
“What?”
“Do you dance?” he repeated. She’d heard him the first time, but needed to buy herself a few moments before answering.
“Not usually!” she yelled back.
“Oh, come on!” He grabbed her hand yet again and pulled her to the dance floor. Being petite sucked when it came to fighting back in situations like this. They started to dance, but the song suddenly changed and it slowed way down. Oh no. Awkward….
“Um…” Molly said as she started to back off the dance floor.
Instead, inexplicably, Austin reached for her hand and pulled her close. He slid one hand around her waist and took her other hand in his. For a moment, he stood there and just stared deep into her eyes as if he was silently asking for permission to pull her closer.
She couldn’t speak. He smelled good. He was warm. He was hot. What was a girl to do?
Austin swayed to the music, struggling to understand his own thoughts. She was backing off the dance floor, and then he basically grabbed her? Smooth move, dummy. She probably thinks you’re a pervert now, grabbing her like that.
And why did he pull her back? They could have walked right off the floor, no harm no foul. But no, he had to show his cards right then and there.
He wanted to hold her in his arms. He almost hadn’t let go of her hand in the church, and he wondered if she noticed that he held hers a few seconds longer even after the preacher stopped praying?
And now he was in a sticky situation. He was holding this woman, this goddess-like creature who smelled like lavender and coffee mixed together, and he was struggling with every feeling, emotion and thought.