Stay with Me [Brook Hollow 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lee Rose

  “Those words sound like a vow to me. All we need is a preacher.” Mia gasped and turned around. Today was a day for surprise appearances it seemed. Abel stood there looking suspiciously teary-eyed. Mia forgot he had said he would be stopping by for coffee. She blushed that he overheard her words, but she stood by them. “I meant every word, Abel. You know that. You are my heart and soul.”

  Abel picked her up and hugged her, swinging her around. “God, I love you, Mia.”

  He set her down and looked at his mom. He kept Mia close to him. “Hi, Mom. I was meaning to come by and talk to you later today.”

  “No need, son. My eyes are open now. I was wrong and I apologize to you both.” Delores looked at Mia with sorrow and regret. “You have many supporters in this town, Mia. My children adore you. Even my oldest friend here let me know what a foolish old lady I was being.”

  “You forgot stubborn,” Becky added with a smile.

  Delores stepped closer to Mia. “I am overprotective even though all my children are grown. You are good for him. I am only sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Can you forgive a stubborn, foolish old lady like me? Can we start over and be friends?”

  Mia nodded and stepped away from Abel. She hugged Abel’s mom, blinking back tears. “I’d like nothing better to have you as my friend.”

  * * * *

  Mia sat with Becky at the next book club meeting. They were having it at the coffee shop and it had been interesting to say the least. The last two weeks had been quiet and calm. The rumors had stopped now that everyone knew Mia and Abel were engaged. Mia worried that Jane had not given up so easily, but as long as Jane stayed far away from her she was willing to ignore Jane.

  She just listened to the ladies talk about the book they had just read. Mia had promised to read the next one. It had taken place in the day of knights and castles. It had been very romantic from what Mia could tell.

  “I wish my Harold would come riding on his horse and rescue me,” Betty Harness gushed, putting the book down and grabbing a home-baked cookie.

  “From what, Betty?” another lady teased her good naturedly. “You have no enemies stalking you or trying to hold you for ransom. Your father is a roofer not a king.”

  “True.” Betty laughed without being offended. “He could rescue me from piles of laundry and a sink full of dirty dishes once in a while, instead of spending his weekends snoozing on the recliner.”

  Mia shook her head with amusement as the other ladies added their wishes.

  “They are a crazy bunch but so much fun,” Stacy whispered in Mia’s ear. “I heard congratulations are in order, Mia. When is the wedding date?”

  Mia showed off her ring proudly. She was still walking on air over how well things had worked out. She truly felt like part of the Ramirez family. “I’m not sure yet. I don’t want to waddle down the aisle, but it takes time to organize a wedding from what Jessy says. Abel is anxious and wants us to be married as soon as possible, definitely before the baby’s arrival.”

  Becky leaned forward having overheard and winked at Mia. “It doesn’t have to take long, Mia. Valentine’s Day is just a month away. Why not then?”

  Delores agreed happily getting on board with the idea. Mia saw a new side of Abel’s mother and she was grateful for it. Delores took her shopping outside of the town for maternity clothes. They had a wonderful time getting to know each other. “Betty’s husband owns the printing shop here in town. He can print out some simple invitations quickly.”

  Betty nodded, liking the idea. “Becky can make the cake. Delores can take care of the food. Ethel Kensington can rent out the church rec room.”

  Everyone was soon into it and had planned out the whole wedding just like that. Mia’s head was whirling with all the ideas they were discussing. Was it possible it could be arranged that quickly and easily? She didn’t want anything fancy. Abel already belonged to her in her heart.

  “What do you think, Mia?” Becky asked, her eyes glittering with excitement.

  “If Abel agrees to the date and my best friend Gwen can come then yes, sounds good to me,” Mia announced. “Jessy’s dress was amazing but I want something simple. A simple white lacy dress that doesn’t make me look like a snowball is fine with me.”

  “I have another daughter, ladies. I am blessed,” Delores announced happily.

  Mia couldn’t wait to call Abel and let him know. He had been trying to get her to move in with him at least, but she had been hesitating. So much had changed since the New Year and she felt like she was on a merry go round. She had tried to slow the merry go round down but maybe she should just go with it.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mia was humming as she closed for the night. Her head was still whirling with exhilaration of everything coming together for her wedding. It was like as if the universe approved and all was running smoothly. Abel would be here any minute. They were meeting Jessy and Lincoln for dinner. Their wedding was two weeks away and Mia couldn’t wait. Gwen, Mitch, and her parents were flying in from New York. Abel’s family accepted her and talked with excitement about the baby. Soon they would find out the sex of the baby. Mia didn’t care, she just wanted a healthy baby. Her stomach was rounder now and Abel was enchanted with her stomach. He seemed to let go of the past fully once and for all. He admitted he grieved over the baby that wasn’t his more than he did Lydia and she understood. His nature was circled around caring for others. That’s what made him such a good sheriff. He would be a great husband and father. Delores was patient when Mia asked so many questions about motherhood. She offered her help and guidance. She told Mia she had stopped talking to Jane since Abel suspected Jane was behind the vandalism of Becky’s Brew. He couldn’t prove it, but Jane had backed off and Mia was glad.

  Mia turned off the bright lights, leaving a few dim lights on. She grabbed her purse and headed for the front door when she heard a noise in Becky’s office. Shit. Was there an intruder? She set her purse down and walked over to the wall with the phone. She listened again and heard a definite noise. She tried not to panic as she dialed Abel’s cell number. He was on his way, but she didn’t want him stumbling into a robbery unaware.

  He answered quickly. “I’m close by, babe.”

  “There are noises coming from Becky’s office,” she whispered, hearing a louder thump. “I hadn’t had the chance to put the alarm on yet.”

  “Hide, Mia.” His voice turned dangerous and cold. “I’m calling it in.”

  He hung up and Mia stayed against the wall praying hard. Who the hell could be back there? What did they plan on stealing, Becky’s books? She never kept cash in the store. She made bank deposits all through the day and left minimal cash in the register. Why were they back there and not up here?

  Please hurry, Abel. Mia put a hand on her stomach. Was that smoke she smelled? Oh God no. She couldn’t let some psycho burn down Becky’s business. She headed for the back room and opened the door to Becky’s office. A shadowed figure was heading out the window, but Mia let them go. Flames were taking over Becky’s desk. She ran back to the front to where the fire extinguisher was and grabbed it. She headed back to try to stop the flames. Where was Abel?

  * * * *

  Abel saw the smoke coming out of Becky’s office window on the side of the building. “Oh God no. Mia.”

  He slammed the car into park and jumped out. Luckily the front door was still open. “Mia!” he yelled in a deep panic. “Mia!”

  He heard a weak cough and hurried to Becky’s office where he saw her trying to put the flames out, but they were out of control. The room was engulfed with smoke and fire. “Are you crazy, woman? You should’ve run out the moment you saw the smoke.”

  “I saw someone leave out the window. I thought I could stop it from spreading.” She coughed some more. Abel picked her up and ran out of the building with her and into the fresh air. His brother Lincoln pulled up and Abel put her in Lincoln’s truck. Abel’s heart was still thumping like a locomotive train.

&n
bsp; “I saw the smoke and called it in,” Lincoln told him with a shake of his head. “Who would do this?”

  “Jane,” Abel muttered angrily. “I heard from the mayor today he fired her. She has been missing work and he heard her talking shit about Mia. I called her father to ask him to keep an eye on her. This was her way of retaliating. I feel it in my gut, Lincoln.”

  “Damn.” Lincoln frowned as the firetrucks pulled up and took over. An ambulance arrived with them and Abel had them look Mia over. She was still coughing and trying hard to stifle it. They suggested she be seen at the hospital. Mia protested but he put her in the ambulance. He refrained from lecturing Mia right now but he was angry she had tried to stop the fire by herself. He wasn’t taking any chances with her health. Smoke inhalation was dangerous. He just found the perfect woman for him and he wasn’t taking any chances she was suffering in any way. Her or the baby. If something happened to one of them, he would kill Jane with his bare hands. She had gone too far this time. This was more serious than being a gossiping bitch.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Wow, Aunt Becky, your plans are amazing,” Gwen said as she looked at the professional architect plans Becky had bought. The papers were drawn across Becky’s kitchen table. “A bookstore connected to your coffee shop is ingenious. Books and coffee just go together.”

  “It is.” Louise Henderson, Gwen’s mother, smiled. She squeezed Becky’s hand. “From ashes to treasure. What a touching story.”

  The main part of the building had been saved thanks to the quick action of the firefighters. It would still need to be deep cleaned and repainted. Becky’s office had been a total loss. Mia was just grateful something good came out of it with an extended business for Becky.

  Mia was excited to have all of the Hendersons’ here in Brook Hollow for her wedding to Abel. They were as close as family as she had. Abel, Lincoln, Bill, and Mitch had gone to have a few beers at Kramer’s while Mia hung out with Gwen.

  “Abel’s mom Delores is going to run the bookstore and invest in to the business, too. She says it’s a perfect opportunity since all of her chicks have flown the coop,” Mia added happily.

  Tomorrow evening was the wedding. The book club ladies had taken care of every detail and told Mia to just show up. Mia had moved all of her personal belongings to Abel’s house. Gwen and Mitch were staying in her old cottage.

  “And Mia will be the bookkeeper. No more standing on her feet for hours,” Becky told them happily. Abel had been thrilled with the news. The fire scared him more than it had Mia. He had practically ordered the doctor to keep her overnight.

  “I still want to mingle up there once in a while, but I’m excited for all the changes. It’s going to be good for us here.” Mia felt like it had all worked out for the better. Frank was still in rehab and his parents assured Mia through a letter they sent with Gwen that he would never bother her again. She felt sad for him but he was getting help. Jane had broken down and confessed to setting the fire. She claimed she had no idea Mia was in there because the lights were off. Maybe it was true. Mia didn’t think Jane was a murderer. She just wanted Becky to blame Mia for the fire and kick Mia out of town. It was her last ditch effort to land Abel. Now she was in serious trouble, but Abel told Mia not to think about it. He removed himself from the case and let the state police handle it without him.

  “I’m mad you are not coming home.” Gwen moped, but her eyes sparkled with joy for her best friend. “But I understand it’s better for the baby here in Brook Hollow. Abel is much nicer than I gave him credit for, so I give my stamp of approval.”

  Louise laughed at her daughter’s words. “Honey, she has a baby coming soon. Too late for any stamps of approval.”

  “I still expect you to come down here often, Gwen. My baby needs to know his or her's crazy aunt as well as I do. You and Mitch are always welcome here.” Mia couldn’t help but feel some sadness. She would miss New York and Gwen, but Abel promised they would take vacations whenever she got homesick.

  Gwen wiped some tears from her eyes. “I plan on it. Name her after me, okay?”

  “I have no idea if it’s a girl. My peanut refused to cooperate the day of the ultrasound, but he or she is healthy so I am very grateful for that.” Mia placed a hand on her rounded stomach. This summer she would be a mother. It still boggled her mind. Although it scared the crap out of her she had a big support system of friends.

  Melanie and Lily helped her find the perfect dress for tomorrow’s ceremony. Mia felt like the official ceremony was for their families. In her heart she was bonded in every way to Abel. She came here to hide away from her miserable New York life and found real love. Abel was every dream, every fairytale she ever had as a young girl all rolled into one stubborn, sexy man.

  “I see a very happy future for you, dear.” Louise patted her hand as if reading Mia’s thoughts. “You deserve it.”

  “Thank you. If Gwen hadn’t insisted I come here none of this would have happened.” Mia looked at Gwen and blew her a kiss. “My own fairy godmother. Who knew?”

  Gwen looked smug and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “That’s me. I wave my wand around and make dreams come true.”

  They all laughed and talked about the wedding. Mia looked at the clock and couldn’t wait to snuggle with Abel tonight. She had no need to dream or cast wishes to the stars. His love and support was her every dream come true.

  THE END

  

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