Following Your Heart (Love Conquers All)

by Persons, Cheryl

  Cassie stared at the sign for a moment, trying to process the information. “Cassie's Cafe?” She looked at Courtney and Courtney was smiling. “He named it after me?”

  “Cassie, he always has loved you. This just allowed him to always have a part of you in his life.”

  “I had no idea.” Cassie replied quietly, her heart feeling heavier now.

  “There isn't anything you could do that would change the way he feels about you.”

  “I don't know about that.” She proceeded to the front door and opened the door, with caution she walked inside. She looked around the foyer and noticed that besides a few pictures added; most of the decor was the same.

  “I'll be with you in a minute.” Even without seeing the woman that spoke, Cassie knew it was Megan. She looked at Courtney, she still wasn't sure it was a good idea. When Megan popped her head around the corner, she smiled at Cassie. “Cassie...” she ran over, nearly knocking her down as she hugged her. “I've missed you. I was afraid you weren't going to come.”

  Cassie swallowed, “I changed my mind. I've missed you too Megan.” She pulled away and looked over Seth's sister, her eyes stopped when she reached Megan's stomach, her mouth dropped open. “Megan...are you...”

  Megan laughed, “I hope so, or else I would need to go on a major diet. I'm having twins. Didn't Seth tell you?” Cassie shook her head slowly and Megan laughed. “Doesn't surprise me, just like a man. Let me get a good look at you.” She glanced at Cassie from head to toe, “I didn't think it was possible.”

  “What?” Cassie asked; she glanced down to see if she could figure out what Megan was talking about.

  “You're even prettier than when you were in high school.”

  Cassie blushed, “I don't know if I would say that.”

  Megan nodded, “I would. My brother was a fool for letting you go.”

  Cassie looked away, the awkward situation was growing worse and she didn't want Seth to walk in and overhear their conversation. “So, Megan...I think I'm going to take Cassie up and show her the room that the women will be dressing in for the wedding.” Cassie shot Courtney a grateful glance that she changed the subject.

  “Okay, Seth will be around soon.”

  “If you see him let him know we're here. Bradley will you go outside and get the guest list out of the car. We have to work on seating arrangements.”

  “Sure babe.”

  When he left, Courtney led the way up the stairs. “The men will get dressed down the hall and we'll get dressed in this room.”

  When they stopped outside the room that Seth and her had made love and broke up in, she started to chuckle. “Of course, why wouldn't it be this room?”

  “I'm not following.”

  “This room has a lot of memories some great and some not so great. It just is perfect that it comes down to this.” She shrugged, “It doesn't matter, just ironic.”

  “If you want a different room, I'm sure we can arrange it.”

  “No, it's fine. I'm just surprised, how's it going to fit 6 of us in there? I mean, to get dressed, won't it be cramped?”

  Courtney shook her head, “Actually, Megan and Seth have redone it to accommodate wedding parties. They have quite a few weddings going on in the summer and that's actually why we decided on the winter. Here, I'll show you.”

  When Courtney opened up the door, Cassie was hit with the thought of what that room meant. As she entered she saw that the bed was gone and in its place we're two partitions. Across from those were two more. “See, we can have 4 people dress in here and then someone can dress in the bathroom. I'm actually going to dress downstairs because my heels are too big for me to chance walking down the stairs.”

  Cassie nodded, “Okay...I stand corrected.”

  “Hey Courtney, can you come down here...I can't find that list.”

  Courtney rolled her eyes, “It's a good thing he's handsome. I'll be right back.”

  “I could go find it for him.” Cassie replied, but as she reached the door Courtney stopped her.

  “That's okay Cassie; it will only be a minute. You stay up here and look around. I'll only be a minute.”

  “Well...alright.”

  When Courtney left Cassie turned away and thought that Courtney was acting odd. It didn't matter, she was left there and she could run back downstairs or just accept what it was. She walked over to the window and looked outside. She smiled at the restaurant. It was sweet of Seth to name it after her and it made her realize that his feelings were real.

  As she was closing the curtain she heard the door open. “Did you find...” she turned around and saw Seth staring back at her. “Seth!”

  “Hello Cassie,” he looked around the room, appearing to be as anxious as she was. “Where is everyone?”

  “Downstairs finding the guest list. I better go help.” She went to rush past him, but he reached out to stop her. “Well, since we're alone...I would like to talk to you.”

  “I have nothing to say to you Seth.”

  She hurried past him and reached for the doorknob. “That's not exactly true, now is it?”

  She slowly turned and looked at him. “What do you mean?”

  “How's your relationship with Chad going?”

  “Fine, why?” She couldn't make eye contact as she lied.

  “Cassie, I know the truth.” She stared at him as she processed the words.

  “I don't know what you think you know, but...you're wrong.”

  “Why can't you just tell me the truth? Chad isn't here because you guys broke up.”

  “We didn't break up; I just needed some time to think.” Cassie corrected him quickly.

  “Okay, I stand corrected. The point is you guys aren't together right now. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “With you? No!” She paused for a moment and looked at the door, wishing Courtney and Brad would finally come back to save her. “How much do you know?”

  He cleared his throat and sat down on the chair adjacent to her. “Not much, just that you guys are separated right now.”

  “You don't know why?”

  He shook his head and she was going to keep it that way, but she saw the concern on his face. “Cassie, the bottom line is we both have some things going on in our lives. It happens; you don't have to tell me what happened. I just...”

  “He cheated on me.” The words were blurted out, but she felt a sense of relief that her lie was finally revealed.

  “Cassie, I am so sorry. You don't deserve that.”

  “I didn't tell you so that you would feel sorry for me, I told you because I am tired of lying about my life.”

  “Why didn't you tell me at the beginning?”

  “Probably the same reason you didn't tell me about Rebecca.”

  “Cassie, that's not fair. I did try to tell you and you know that.”

  Cassie nodded, “I know, but Seth it never seemed the right moment to tell you about Chad. I'm sorry, but I don't know what I'm going to do. There really wasn't anything to tell.”

  “Okay fine, whatever. I don't want to argue tonight.”

  “Neither do I.” Cassie agreed as she stood motionless in her spot.

  “There's something you do need to know Cass. First, there's something I need to do.” He stood up and walked over to the door. Cassie took in his scent as he reached over and locked the door.

  “Why did you do that?” Cassie asked nervously.

  “I can't afford to get interrupted until I get everything out in the open. Cassie just stared at him as he turned back to her. “Rebecca broke up with me because of you.”

  “What? Now, you're going to blame me for your relationship dissolving?”

  “No,” Seth grabbed Cassie's hand. “She knew that I would never love her the way that I love you.”

  Cassie pulled her hand away and stared into his pained eyes. “Seth...I...”

  He held up his hand and with his eyes begging her not to continue. “What I have been trying to tell you and haven
't gotten the opportunity is that I love you as much as I did the day we broke up. Nothing has ever changed the way that I feel about you.”

  Cassie lowered herself to the couch and looked away from him. “Seth, you can't...”

  He sat down beside her and she finally turned to look at him. “When you walked away from me back then I was confused and when I wrote you that letter, I won't lie I prayed that it would be enough to make you want me to go with you.”

  “I did want you to go with me, but I never in a million years would have considered that a possibility.”

  “Then, why didn't you ask me to go?”

  Cassie sighed heavily, “I never read the letter, until today.”

  “What?”

  “I thought you were going to ask me to stay and I probably would have, but I didn't want to miss my opportunity so I put the letter away and forgot about it. Today when I was packing, I found it.”

  “Oh, Cass...I figured you didn't want me to go and that's why you didn't come to find me. How do you feel about me?”

  Cassie smiled, “I want to forget you Seth. However, I have found that that's not an easy thing to do. I do still love you and as much as I have hoped that that wasn't so, I can't deny it. Not anymore. I do have a lot of questions.”

  He nodded, “Yeah...me too.”

  Cassie turned to the door and frowned. “I don't know what's keeping Bradley and Courtney.”

  Seth shrugged and got up to unlock the door, “Let's find out...we have plenty of time to get the answers we need.”

  Cassie nodded as she followed him to the door. “Seth, there's just one thing.”

  “Sure...any...” before he finished the statement she locked her lips on his.

  When she pulled away she smiled. “I'm sorry; I have wanted to do that since we kissed at the park.”

  He smiled, “No need to apologize.”

  Cassie smiled to herself as she led the way out of the room and down the stairs. She saw Megan at the desk in the lobby and turned to Seth and fidgeted. “Where could they be?”

  He shrugged, “Hey Megan,” she looked up and smiled. “Where are Courtney and Bradley?”

  Megan got a guilty look on her face, “They left.”

  “What do you mean they left?” Cassie asked as she inquisitively looked at Megan.

  “They went over the guest list with me and said they had to leave.” She shrugged, “sorry Cassie.”

  “This doesn't make sense. They're my ride back to Avery.”

  “I apologize. I have to go take care of these guests.” Megan rushed off and Cassie cocked her head as she left them alone. “I don't...that's just odd.” She looked at Seth and then a thought came to her. “Did you have something to do with this?”

  “What...no, Cassie. I'm just as surprised as you are.”

  “Are you? Frankly, it could have been your ploy to keep me here so we could talk.”

  “Cassie, I swear. I had nothing to do with this. I didn't even know if you were coming today. My inkling is that it's Megan's doing. I'm sorry. I can take you back and they knew that someone would get you home safely.”

  “Back to Avery...not home.” Cassie quickly corrected.

  “Whatever, the point is they knew you would be safe.”

  Cassie chuckled, she realized that it probably was Megan and Courtney trying to play cupid. “Okay, well I guess I should be thankful. I'm glad we are talking.”

  “So, you're not mad?” Seth asked as he moved closer to her and she shook her head.

  “We needed this.” She leaned up and brushed a kiss on his lips.

  “Yes we did.” Seth replied quietly as he pulled Cassie into a hug.

  When they parted, she nervously looked away. “I guess we can use this time to talk.” She looked at her watch. “I'm starved.”

  “It just so happens I know the manager at the cafe. We could probably get a table.”

  Cassie smiled, “Is that right?”

  “Let's go.” He reached out and grabbed Cassie's hand. She looked down at their hands connected and realized in that moment she wasn't thinking about anyone but Seth and her finally being in a good place. She just hoped that didn't change when she talked to him.

  Chapter 14

  Cassie looked around the restaurant as she took a bite of her chicken. “I can't believe you did this Seth.”

  He smiled as he took a drink of his water. “It was the only thing that made since once I bought this place. After all, the Bed and Breakfast wouldn't have been the same without you. So, you had to be a part of it.”

  Cassie could feel her face flush as she looked down at the table. “It's a sweet gesture Seth.”

  He looked pleased as they continued to make small talk and Cassie was worried about the rest of the evening. After they finished the food, Cassie put down her silverware and smiled. “The food was delicious.”

  “I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Are you ready to go back?”

  Cassie swallowed hard, “I suppose I am.” He waved the waitress over and whispered something to her and then they left the restaurant. “So, what did you say to her?”

  “You'll find out soon enough, he replied with a mischievous smile. She couldn't believe how learning about Seth and Rebecca breaking up and talking to him about Chad seemed to make things easier between them. Even though she wasn't sure what she truly wanted to do, it felt good being with Seth and she was certain she didn't want all relationships to cease with him, even if it was just friendship.

  ____________________

  Seth turned to Cassie as they approached the top of the stairs. He didn't want to make things more awkward than they already were, but he couldn't control the loud pounding of his chest. “So, do you want to stay the night?” The moment the words came out of his mouth he instantly could have kicked himself. “I mean, it could give us...”

  Cassie just smiled, “We do need to talk and so maybe being away from Avery would be a good idea. Plus, it's late and you shouldn't have to take me back there tonight.”

  He nodded, “Of course. Where do you...” he turned to the room they were earlier in the evening and then started back towards the stairs. “We could talk in the dining room.”

  Surprisingly she reached out and grabbed his hand, “Actually, maybe we should go somewhere a little more private.”

  A knot formed in his throat, “Okay, wherever you would like to go...that's fine with me.”

  He caught her looking at the room beside them, the one that no longer had the bed but still had all of the memories. “Yeah, not in there...too many...”

  “Memories?” He finished for them and then laughed nervously.

  “You said it. Which room do you stay in?”

  He nearly choked on her question and then slowly made his way to the end of the hallway, she followed close behind. When he entered his room, his eyes quickly fell to the table by his bed, the place where her picture was so conveniently placed. He hurried to the table and placed the picture in the drawer and then looked back at her. Her expression was one of confusion, but he didn't want her to see how much he truly was pining for her. “So, welcome to my home.”

  Cassie laughed, “It's very nicely decorated.” He watched as she walked around the room, stopping just shy of his bed.

  “I'm sure Chad has a beautiful home, being a lawyer and all.”

  Cassie shrugged, “I guess it doesn't matter. What matters is the kind of person you make yourself.”

  “Cassie, I...”

  She reached her hand up to his lips and he instantly was silenced. “Seth, when I came back the only thing I was sure of was that I needed to stay clear of you. I didn't realize how much connected we were going to be. When I saw you that day at the jewelry store, I was instantly brought back to the day that I left Texas and left you behind. I am sorry that I hurt you so much, but in my mind I truly felt that I had to do this.”

  “Cassie, I know you did and I am glad that you had the chance to make it out there. I wouldn't have wanted you t
o stay, if you were so unhappy.”

  Cassie smiled and brushed her hand against his cheek. Each time they touched over the past week, Seth couldn't get over how familiar her touch was. “I don't know where things are going to lead with us.”

  “Neither do I,” he whispered. “Maybe we should see where they can go.”

  Cassie nodded and then slowly she wrapped her arms around him and they kissed. Seth could feel the thumping of her heart as it was beating against his. “Hm...” she moaned softly.

  When their lips parted Seth ran his hands down the length of her arms. “I have never loved anyone the way that I have loved you Cassie.”

  Cassie smiled sweetly and he felt the urge to pull her close again and take her into his arms. As he was about to take action there was a knock on the door. “Room service.”

  “Room service?” Cassie asked with a gleam in her eye. “Didn't we just eat?”

  Seth smiled, “I have a surprise.” He quickly kissed her and then reluctantly headed to the door. When he opened the door he saw one of the waiter's standing there, chocolate cake in hand along with a long stemmed rose to add a personal touch. “Thank you; there will be a tip on your next check.”

  “Thank you Mr. Callahan.” Seth smiled and shut the door behind him.

  “I hope you're hungry for...” his eyes fell to Cassie, who was staring at the picture that he had thought was hidden away. “Cassie...” When she looked up, he swore he saw a hint of tears in her eyes. “Cassie, I can explain.” He laid the items in hand down on the table and moved closer to her.

  “You were there?” He looked down at the picture and slowly nodded. “I don't understand. I didn't see you.”

  He reached for the picture and stared at her, where she stood in her cap and gown and gave the acceptance speech for her college graduation. “I'm sorry. I couldn't bring myself to say something.”

  “I don't get it, why not? All you would have had to do was let me see you, so that I didn't feel you were completely disappointed in me. Yet, you stayed hidden?”

  “Cassie, I wasn't disappointed with you.” He placed the picture down next to the bed and then took a seat next to her. “Quite the contrary. I was so proud of you and I saw how happy you were. When I went to New York, I had every intention of taking you into my arms and asking you to forgive me for letting you get away.”