by Jez Strider
Tears filled my eyes and overflowed instantly, soaking my cheeks in a stream of water. “He killed my brother!” I screamed.
“What?” The shock of my words caused Gavyn to immediately lessen the harsh tone of his voice.
“I mean, it was both their faults. I can admit that now. Our parents’ are neighbors with huge estates. There’s a lake house. They were having a bachelor party. Like idiots they decided to take my car for a spin.” The truth spilled out of me in a cascade. I never thought I’d recount the story to anyone again. “My fiancé was driving. There was an accident. My… brother died.”
Standing there without a stitch of clothing, I dropped the towel. I’d never bared my soul or the pain like that before. Never had I been so naked, vulnerable, and exposed. Feeling weak, I slumped to my knees.
“I left. I wouldn’t say I ran away because I called my family a few hours later to say I was leaving, but that I was fine.” A sob choked me up. “My brother was my best friend and the man I loved played a part in his death. I had nothing left there.”
“Farrah…” Gavyn’s face held the only apology I needed. He came toward me and fell to his knees in front of me.
“I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I hide it from myself. Whenever we’re together, all the sadness is gone. It never seemed to be the right time. I didn’t want to ruin the mood. I’ve been happy.”
He wrapped his arms around me and held tightly. The floodgates were down and I bawled. Warm tears covered his bare chest. “It’s okay.” He stroked my hair. “I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“There’s more.” I sniffled and cleared my throat.
“Go on, whenever you’re ready.”
“My family wants me to come home. They said if I don’t return and marry my ex that they will go to the courts and petition for conservatorship. That means they control everything I do… what I eat, what I wear, and where I live.”
Gavyn scoffed. “That’s horrible, but you’re not crazy or disabled. They can’t do that.”
“Yes, they can. A psychiatrist signed off on some documents saying I’m a danger to myself and others.”
“I don’t understand why they would do that.”
“My father has a lot of influence. People owe him favors. He has money.”
“What does he do?”
I frowned deeply. “He’s the governor.”
Chapter 27
As if on cue, a legal document was delivered to my house when we were getting ready to leave. Gavyn had asked me to spend the weekend at his house after several rounds of profuse apologies. Neither of us wanted to be apart and he wanted to discuss things further.
“That bastard. They already set a court date. I have two and half weeks to get ready to fight this. I don’t have the kind of money to win, Gavyn.” I angrily ripped the envelope the notice had come in into several pieces.
“I don’t either.” He sighed deeply, rubbing his chin as he paced back and forth.
“Maybe I should return to their house until I can figure something out.” I choked up a little and had to fight to keep from breaking down again. Falling deeply in love made going home a last resort, but I had no idea what to do.
Gavyn suddenly stopped walking and lifted his head as if a light went on. “Let’s sell the ring.”
“I… suppose we could call it a loan and pay Brody back someday. What do we do when we get the cash?”
“We build a defense. We get a good lawyer. You see psychiatrists that will testify to your sanity.”
“It’s a long shot. That ring is pocket change compared to the money they have. Are you even sure you want to get involved in this?”
“I love you, Farrah. That’s all I need to know. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to be with you forever.”
I smiled as I rested my hand over my heart. He’d sent it aching. “Thank you.”
His eyes widened as if another genius idea hit him. “Marry me.”
For several seconds, I stood there staring at him and blinking in disbelief. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. It’ll help the case if you have a husband, a family, and stability.”
“I don’t want to get married for that reason alone.”
He shook his head as he walked up to me and took my hands in his. “Marry me because I love you. I think I would have married you the day we met if I had thought you’d say yes.”
“Gavyn… I want to. I do. Don’t you think an impromptu wedding will make me seem crazier?”
“Maybe.” He relented, bowing his head to touch foreheads with me again. “But as your husband, I will fight to the death for you.”
His words had caught me off guard and I worried that I was making a rash decision, but the one truth I knew was how I felt about him. “Let’s get married.”
Chapter 28
Later that day, after all the dramatics and further explanations, we had packed Gavyn’s car with my meager belongings and he’d driven us to his apartment where we’d decided I was staying indefinitely. My instincts told me my decision was right, but that didn’t stop my hand from shaking as I held the cup of steaming tea to my lips. The past twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
“Stressing is not doing you any good, Farrah.” He gave my upper thigh a light pat before resting his hand there.
“You’re right, but knowing that doesn’t make it go away.” I picked up a cookie from the plate he’d brought from the kitchen and nibbled on it anxiously.
“They should be here soon. Mum will think I forced you into the decision if you don’t calm down.” He smiled.
“You’re going to tell her?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Though, I’m not quite sure why I didn’t expect him to tell his family that we were getting hitched.
He laughed a little, pushing up on his glasses. The contacts had been ditched a few minutes after we’d walked into the apartment. “Should I not? Listen, if you’re having second thoughts I understand….”
“No, definitely not. I like the certainty of being yours forever… if we can win the case.”
“We will.” He touched my cheek and I nuzzled against his palm for comfort. A knock at the door came and I put my teacup down. Awkwardly, I stood there smoothing my blouse and trying to hide any cleavage so his mother wouldn’t think I was a floozy.
“Farrah!” Mac yelled, ran past Gavyn, and hugged me around the leg.
“Hey there, cool guy. I like the shades.” I ruffled his curls.
“Thanks!”
“You still have the toy I bought you.” I smiled.
“Yep!” He grinned.
Mrs. Valmore stepped further into the room. “How many times have I told you the proper way to address ladies when they ask you a question, Malcolm?”
Mac gave an exaggerated huff of a sigh and mumbled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“He’s a kid. I don’t think we need to be that formal,” Gavyn said.
She shook her head. “Did I let you run around without properly addressing people?”
The look on Gavyn’s face soured nearly as much as Mac’s had. “No, ma’am.”
“Well, now that we’re done with that lesson.” She walked over to me. “Nice to see you again, Ms. Caine. Gavyn has told me a lot about you.”
“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Valmore. Would you like me to pour you some tea?” I asked.
“No, thank you. My son acquired his taste for tea from his father. I despise it. Besides, I can’t stay.”
Gavyn nodded. “Mac, go to your room for just a few minutes while I talk to your grandmother.”
“Okay.” Malcolm waggled a finger at me. “Don’t run off this time, Farrah.”
“I won’t. I promise!”
When Mac was out of the room, Gavyn turned to his mother. “There’s something we need to tell you. Farrah and I are getting married.”
“Again, son? How far along is she?” Mrs. Valmore asked, eyeing my stomach. “I can understand getting a girl pregnant at eight
een, but you’re twenty-four. Surely you know how to use contraception by now. The directions are right there on the box.”
“I… I’m not pregnant.” I stuttered when I finally found my voice.
Gavyn sighed. “I think I learned my lesson after my first girlfriend. I did cause her to kill herself.”
Mrs. Valmore’s expression softened. “You didn’t get that poor girl killed. She had issues far beyond you.”
He crossed his arms. “Anyway, we’re getting this done next weekend. No big party, nothing. We can do that later. The only people I want there are you, Dad, and Malcolm.”
“Are you both sure about this? You haven’t known each other long.”
“You married father and moved off to England to be with him after you’d know each other three days! You’re still together.”
“That is true. It’s not my place to make your decisions, but be there to support them. So, congratulations.” She hugged Gavyn and then me. “Call me, Julie, by the way. Mrs. Valmore makes me sound old.” She winked at me. Despite the little lecture she gave the guys, I got the feeling she was a wild one beneath the surface.
“Thanks, Mum.” He kissed her cheek. “Can you make the arrangements? I’ll pay.”
She nodded. “No need. It’s my job as a parent to do anything I can to guarantee your happiness. I’ll make the arrangements for Saturday. I’ll have to be sure not to leave anyone off the guest list.” I heard her mumble as she headed for the door.
“I said no guests, mother!” Gavyn called out after her, but she closed the door behind her.
“Your mom is….” My sentence was cut off before I could finish it.
“Weird, I know.”
“No, she’s awesome. She stands by you.”
He smirked. “And she’s weird.”
Chapter 29
Monday morning, after Julie had dropped Mac off at school, she picked me up at the apartment. I strapped my seat belt across my chest and clicked it into place when I sat down in her convertible VW Beetle. She turned her head toward me, but I couldn’t see her eyes behind the huge, vintage sunglasses. The woman and the car matched with their big bug eyes.
“I think you’ll fit into my wedding dress. I want to get the alterations done ahead of time. Besides, we need a little girl time to get to know each other.” She smiled. Her cropped hair barely moved as we drove while my long locks were whipped all over the place.
“You’re kind. Thanks.” I tried to think of another conversation starter, but I couldn’t and we rode in silence for a while.
“Gavyn told me about your family,” Julie said.
I gulped. “He did?”
“I’m sorry they’re pushing you away like this, but I hope this isn’t the only reason you’re getting married.”
“No, ma’am,” I answered, remembering her scolding of the boys. “He’s a great guy. From the moment we met, he’s been incredible. I didn’t think I could fall for someone that fast.”
“It’s the accent.” She smiled knowingly. “They play it up just to make us swoon. He inherited his father’s charisma. My husband can say certain words and I just throw my panties at him without question.”
“I’m not going to lie, the accent helps.” I laughed. “How did you meet Mr. Valmore?”
“I owned a store back then called Threads by Julie. Warren stopped in to buy a gift for his mother before he returned to England. Something handmade and easy to pack.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t fit in the suitcase.”
Her smile widened. “No. His mother was none too pleased when he brought home a wife.”
“Is that why you’re nice to me? Because his mother wasn’t welcoming?”
“Partially.”
She turned into a suburban neighborhood with middle class homes of varying pastel colors and backyard pools. We pulled into the driveway of a yellow house that matched the color of her car.
Julie continued, “Gavyn has been through a lot. Mac is a wonderful kid, but it’s hard for a single dad. Let alone what happened with Kari. I have a good intuition about you, but do not hurt my son or my grandson. They both love you.”
“I love them, too. I belong with them. Somehow, I know I do.”
“How do you know you love them?” She used her right hand to pull off her sunglasses and hang them from the sun visor.
“Because I can’t imagine my life without them now. It’s like all the puzzle pieces click together and the world makes sense.” I unbuckled my seatbelt, embarrassed and not wanting to make eye contact.
“He basically says the same thing about you.” She pushed open the car door and stepped out, heading toward the front door.
I followed her into the home. The interior looked like I expected. Pictures of her family were on nearly every wall with the occasional sconce and mirror adding a bit of flair. The curtains stood out as handmade. Designs that beautiful couldn’t possibly have been made by a machine.
“So hot out there. How about a drink?”
“Sure, thank you.” I tagged along as she walked down a short hallway and into the kitchen.
Their breakfast nook had a small table with a newspaper still lying on it. I sat down and looked outside through the sliding glass door. Like many of the other houses, there was a pool in the back.
“You have an inviting home. I bet Mac loves the pool.” I accepted the glass of lemonade she handed me and sipped it.
“He’s like a fish.” She took a seat at the opposite side of the table and fanned herself. “Florida weather and hot flashes do not go together. Whew.”
I glanced around the room some more. The fridge was covered with magnets. They pinned Malcolm’s drawings and assignments that he’d been awarded good grades on to the surface. My parents had never done that. I remembered bringing home a magnet I’d bought on one of our trips and being told it made the stainless steel refrigerator look tacky. A frown crept onto my face without me realizing it.
“You know, a man is not going to make everything that’s wrong with life better. Trust me. They’re a pain.” She smiled.
“I know.” I nodded. “Hopefully everything Gavyn and I have been through will make us a stronger and patient couple.”
“It will. Do you plan on adopting Malcolm?”
“I… I don’t know. I’d like to, but I want to ask him how he feels about it. It’s strange. I never really had a maternal instinct until now.” I placed my glass on the coaster and leaned back in my chair.
Julie stood and gestured for me to join her. “Warren and I will continue to help out, of course.”
She led me past a bedroom, bathroom, and into her crafting room at the end of an upstairs hall. There were wreaths, clothing, quilts, and Christmas decorations everywhere. Everything appeared to be handcrafted for the most part. I busied myself by looking around when she disappeared into a walk-in closet. She returned with a white gown draped with plastic.
“This is the dress I wore when I married my husband. I made it… gosh, I must have been fifteen years old when I started working on it.”
“Mrs. Valmore….” I choked up. “I mean, Julie, it’s beautiful.” I extended my hands toward the clear plastic and looked up at her for permission.
“Go ahead, dear. It’s yours now.”
I ran my hands along the intricate stitching and lace. My fingertips gingerly touched the silk. The dress had held up with time, pure white and new. When I moved the fabric, it reflected the light and faintly sparkled. My voice left me and I closed my eyes.
Julie ushered me into the nearby bathroom before I could start crying. “Try it on so we can make adjustments.”
A few minutes later, I walked back into the room. I chewed on my index fingernail as I awaited her reaction. She didn’t say anything, but stood up and tugged on the dress in a few locations to see where it needed adjustments.
“The bodice is a little loose, but I think we can pad your chest to make up the difference without doing any major alterations. A little lo
ng, though. I’ll take it up some.” Her look of concentration finally faded and she grinned. “Gavyn’s breath will be taken away. We’ll get to work on this and then go out for a manicure. Your fingers look like little bald men.” She smacked at my hand lightly so I’d stopped biting my nail.
I laughed. “Yeah, bad habit I’ve picked up.”
“We all have them.”
“Julie?” I hesitated.
“Hmm?”
“I’m glad you’re going to be my mother-in-law. You’ve done an amazing job with your family.”
She scoffed. “Now stop that. I have to save my tears for the wedding. Unless I get drunk enough that I don’t cry, but then I might end up face down in the pool.”
“Ha… yeah.” I said uncomfortably, but tried to hide my unease. Apparently, Gavyn hadn’t told her the details of my brother’s untimely death when he gave her the rundown on my family situation.
Chapter 30
Returning home to Gavyn’s apartment, I found him stretched out on the couch with a book on his chest and his glasses pushed up on his forehead. He was dressed for work. I hadn’t realized I’d been gone so long. I closed the door quietly behind me before tiptoeing across the carpet toward him.
I’m not usually one to brag, but I was looking pretty good… especially compared to the lazy standards I’d picked up since moving out on my own. Julie had taken me for a manicure and a haircut at her favorite salon. Brand new highlights streaked my long locks. Afterward, we’d stopped by her favorite café for an afternoon cappuccino. The chocolate, caffeine, and sugar had me on a high.
I leaned down and blew lightly on Gavyn’s ear. He slapped at it once and rolled over. Once again, I did it and he grumbled. Feeling defeated, I sighed. When I did, he turned to me and had his arms wrapped around my waist before I knew what was happening. I screamed as he pulled me on top of him.
“Whoa, you look hot.” He purred out at me in a husky, sensual tone.
“As opposed to…?” I placed my hands on his chest and pushed myself up to sitting across him.
“You’re always hot. I didn’t mean that. Today something is different.” He reached up and touched my hair. “I like it.”