Our Now and Forever (Ardent Springs #2)

by Terri Osburn

  Caleb’s phone vibrated on the nightstand, but he ignored it. Snow had been calling every couple of hours. He hadn’t brought himself to listen to the messages. Or read the texts. Now she knew what he’d gone through. How he’d worried and panicked, desperate to find her and clueless where to look. Only in his case, Caleb had a good reason for leaving.

  As he reached for the bag holding the change of clothes he’d bought the night before, his phone went off again. He was close enough to see the screen, and he was surprised to find his father was the caller.

  “Hello?” he said, curiosity getting the better of him. Jackson McGraw never called his son.

  “Where the hell are you?” his father clipped. No hello. No how are you.

  He should have known his mother would bring in reinforcements. She’d also called several times. And been ignored.

  “Nashville,” Caleb answered with annoyance. As if he needed to report in with his whereabouts like a kid out after curfew.

  “Is your mother with you?” his father asked, taking Caleb by surprise.

  “Why? Did you lose her?” Caleb wouldn’t expect his mother to pull this cluster of an intervention without telling her husband she was leaving.

  Sounding more tired than Caleb remembered, Jackson said, “I came home from work late last night to find out from the maid that she’d flown up there to see you. But Rosa didn’t know when she was coming back.”

  Caleb doubted that whatever kept his father out late the night before had anything to do with work.

  “She showed up without warning yesterday.” Curious if his father had also been keeping Snow’s secret all this time, he asked, “Mother claims that Snow left with another man on the night she disappeared. You know anything about that?”

  “I didn’t see anybody out there.”

  So both of his parents were holding out on him. Freaking amazing.

  “She didn’t meet some guy at the end of the driveway?”

  “Not that I saw.”

  “You saw Snow take off in the middle of the night and didn’t go after her?” Could his father not have mentioned this fact sooner? Like the next day when Caleb had been frantic.

  “If you recall, not long before she left, you told me the only reason you had to stay married to her was to save her from taking half of everything.” Pausing to speak to someone in the room with him, Jackson returned to the conversation, saying, “For all I knew, you’d come to your senses and sent her packing.”

  “Did you talk to her before she left?”

  “Why would I talk to her?” Frustration and impatience laced his father’s words. “I watched her go from the window in my study. And why does any of this matter? Your mother said you found her so we could serve the papers and get this over with.”

  His mother had lied. She’d pushed the one button she knew would get her what she wanted. Snow out of her son’s life.

  “I need to go.”

  “When are you coming home?” the older man asked.

  “Never,” Caleb said, ending the call and grabbing his keys.

  Just like the previous day, Snow spent Saturday driving around Nashville, visiting every spot to which Caleb had ever taken her. She even checked the locations he’d merely mentioned as places they should go. Asking at every hotel was impossible, but she checked several parking lots for his Jeep. She finally reached Deb, who’d pulled a double shift the night before and had no idea if Caleb was in town. Her former roommate had been surprised by the switch in roles, from hunted to hunter, but Snow was beyond thinking about her pride, nor was she up for explanations.

  She just wanted to find her husband.

  Around sundown, Snow was forced to admit the likelihood that Caleb was well on his way to Baton Rouge, if he hadn’t reached that destination already. She attempted to call Lorelei to let her know she was coming home, but her phone had died while she’d been trolling the Nashville streets. Thanks to a blown fuse that she’d meant to replace, she had no way to charge the phone without pulling over and finding an outlet.

  All Snow wanted at that moment was to curl up in her bed and cry. Caleb’s scent lingering on her sheets would rip her chest open even more than it already was, but at least she would have some tiny piece of him to hold on to.

  Squaring her shoulders, she drove north on I-65, assuring herself that this wasn’t over. What was twenty-four hours compared to eighteen months? If she had to fly down to Louisiana and beg at his doorstep, Snow would do it. She’d take a lie detector test, sell the store and move to be close to him. Whatever it took, giving up was not an option.

  She didn’t blame Caleb for believing his mother. The woman possessed ninja-like manipulation skills, and her son had been on the receiving end of them his entire life. There was no way for Snow to prove that she’d never cheated. As much as her heart wanted to scream that she shouldn’t have to prove anything, that if he loved her he’d believe her, Snow was realistic enough to know that life didn’t work that way.

  If put in the same position, she couldn’t say how she’d react. Except that everything she knew of Caleb said he’d never cheat.

  The tears remained in check until she reached the Ardent Springs exit. The store would have closed an hour before, which gave Snow the excuse she needed to go straight home. By the time she turned off Main Street, her cheeks were soaked and she’d used every napkin in her glove box to wipe her nose. Though she’d taken a quick shower before leaving her hotel that morning, she’d been wearing the same clothes since yesterday morning, with the one concession of a new package of underwear.

  If she’d been thinking straight on Friday afternoon, Snow would have packed a bag, but she’d driven out of town on panic and instinct, the practical incidentals not entering her mind. Tomorrow, she would come up with a plan. Maybe if Spencer or Lorelei called him, Caleb would answer. Or even Cooper.

  Miss Hattie’s porch light glowed in the distance as Snow swiped a hand across her cheek. A hot bath, a cup of tea, and her pillow would get her through the night ahead.

  And then she pulled into the driveway and her heart fell out of her chest.

  Caleb managed to keep his ass on the porch, but barely. Watching Snow walk his way, looking fragile enough to split into pieces any second, set his lungs on fire. But they had to deal with the mess between them before he could hold her again. No more secrets. No more doubts. The next time they touched, there would be nothing in the way.

  And there would be no going back.

  “Hi,” she said, wiping her eyes on her sleeve as she sniffled. “How long have you been here?”

  “A few hours,” Caleb answered, gripping the porch step to keep his hands off her. “I tried to call.”

  Snow lifted the phone in her hand. “It died,” she said. Two words that could apply to more than a phone in this situation.

  His jaw tight, Caleb said, “I need to know something.”

  “I swear, Caleb. There was no one else.”

  “I know that,” he said, watching her jerk back in surprise. He reached up to brush her cheek, but held back. “Are you still willing to marry me?”

  With little more than a whimper, she nodded her head yes.

  “No more running,” he said. “For either of us.”

  “I’ll never run again,” she said, “unless we run together. I’ll sell the store. I’ll move to Louisiana. Whatever it takes.”

  Caleb felt as if he could breathe again. Pulling her tight against his chest, he said, “We’re not moving anywhere but to that house on Green Street.” Leaning back to look her in the eye, he brushed a tear away with his thumb. “This is it, Snow. Now and forever. You and me.”

  Her face crumpled as she said, “I thought I’d lost you.”

  “Of course not,” he said, giving her a smile. “You can’t lose me, darling. No matter what.”

  “I love you
, Caleb McGraw,” she declared, squeezing his neck. “And I’m never letting you go.”

  Chapter 27

  The tension filled the room in an almost tangible miasma. Caleb hovered next to Snow on Miss Hattie’s bright orange settee, his jaw tight and his eyes on the cat painting on the opposite wall. Snow considered sharing her knowledge of the three furry subjects, but discussing how the home owner liked to immortalize her felines was a topic for another day.

  After a night spent making love as if it were their first time together, Snow woke to find a determined Caleb standing in their kitchen fully dressed and making waffles. Without having to ask, she knew that today was the day they would deal with his mother. The woman had spent the night at a hotel in Nashville, certain that she and Caleb would be flying out together by Monday.

  When Caleb made the call, he’d kept the details to a minimum. Snow had listened to the conversation, knowing the exact moments he’d dodged a direct question. Would Snow be present? Was he finally seeing the light?

  Though she knew that Vivien would not leave the meeting happy, Snow didn’t know for sure what Caleb intended to say. As much as they were a team, this was a battle he needed to handle for himself. She would be by his side for support, but she’d remain as silent as possible.

  “A long black sedan just pulled up,” Miss Hattie said, then disappeared from the room entrance. Ever since Caleb had paid her a visit that morning, the older woman had been a live wire. Snow assumed Caleb had simply asked her to provide some neutral ground where he could meet his mother, but Hattie acted as if she’d been granted a role in a Scorsese film.

  Caleb’s grip tightened on Snow’s knee. “You good?” he asked.

  She rubbed his arm. “I’m good. How about you?”

  “I feel like I’m about to fight a dragon.”

  Snow couldn’t help but chuckle. “The good news is that this one doesn’t really breathe fire. She tries, but it’s all for show.”

  They heard the front door open, and Caleb shot to his feet. Snow considered doing the same, but this wasn’t some royal call. She remained on the settee, ready to tag in if necessary.

  “They’re right in here.” Hattie’s voice carried from the entry hall, as did Vivien’s.

  “They? So she’s with him?”

  To her credit, Hattie maintained her sociable smile as she escorted the elder Mrs. McGraw into the room, ignoring the question and the tone with which it was posed.

  “Thank you for coming, Mother,” Caleb said. “Have a seat.”

  She held her ground near the doorway as if waiting for her son to come to her. “Aren’t you going to come hug your mother?”

  “Please,” he said, gesturing toward a wing-back chair opposite the settee. “Sit down.”

  A bit of the hoity went out of her toity at the brush-off. Snow held her grin in check. Barely.

  “I’d hoped we could have this visit alone,” Vivien said, glancing from Snow to Hattie, who stayed in the room, but kept a safe distance near the exit. “Surely you’ve had time to come to grips with the situation and what must be done.”

  “Yes, I have.” Caleb waited until Vivien settled in the chair before sitting. “I want you to know this will be the last time we see each other.”

  Cutting her eyes his way, she said, “Surely that line is intended for your wife.”

  Snow looked to Hattie for a reaction and caught a wink. Caleb must have confessed the truth during his earlier visit.

  As if she hadn’t spoken, Caleb continued. “You’ve done everything possible to destroy my marriage, including lie about Snow leaving with another man.”

  “But I saw—”

  “I spoke to Father yesterday,” Caleb interrupted. “He happened to be in his study the night that Snow left.” He hadn’t told her that part. Snow was clearly the worst sneaker-outer ever. “He watched her get into her car and leave. Alone.”

  Vivien didn’t have an answer for that one. She was searching for one, if the suffocating fish impersonation was any indication, but no defense came.

  Leaning back and dropping his arm around Snow’s shoulders, Caleb said, “Snow is my wife, and she’s going to remain so until death do us part. Soon, we’ll renew our vows here in Ardent Springs, with our new friends in attendance. You are not invited.”

  Her mother-in-law’s blue eyes reflected confusion that quickly turned to rage. Shifting her gaze to Snow, she said, “This is your doing.”

  “None of this had to happen,” Caleb said. “You made me choose, and I have. Now you get to live with it.” Rising to his feet, Caleb said, “Don’t expect a Christmas card.”

  “But . . .” Vivien stayed in her chair, her usual haughty glare replaced with panic and desperation. “Your father won’t allow this.”

  “My father has no say in what I do with my life.”

  Caleb’s face remained calm. Implacable. But Snow knew this was killing him. No matter what Vivien had done, she was still his mother. Snow supported Caleb in his decision, but she didn’t envy him having to make it.

  “He’ll cut you off,” Vivien said. “You’ll never get another penny. How do you like that, missy?” Vivien pointed a finger at Snow. “You won’t get your hands on our money.”

  “Enough,” Caleb said. “I haven’t taken a penny from Dad since I left college, and I don’t need his money now.”

  “He’ll . . . You . . . You won’t get the company.”

  “Caleb will have a company,” Hattie said, drawing everyone’s attention her way. “Don’t you worry about that.”

  Was Hattie going to give Caleb the newspaper? When did that happen? Snow wanted Vivien to leave so she could find out exactly what these two schemers had agreed on.

  “Who are you?” his mother asked.

  “I’m the woman who owns this house and half of this town. I’ve been dealing with your kind longer than you’ve been alive, my dear, so don’t turn that condescending look on me.” Waving one arm toward the front hall, Hattie added, “Now get your bony ass out of my house.”

  The dying fish act returned as Vivien looked to Caleb for support. He held his ground, arms crossed and face stern.

  Caleb, Snow, and Hattie followed Vivien out as she attempted to leave with the last bits of her dignity, ignoring them all until she reached the front door and said, “I don’t know who you are, but you are not my son. She’s changed you, and if you’re willing to be her fool, then you deserve each other.”

  Vivien stormed out without waiting for a response, leaving nothing but a cloud of perfume in her wake.

  Caleb took Snow’s hand and said, “She’s changed me all right. For the better.”

  “Well,” Hattie said, “I thought you might be exaggerating, but that woman is exactly how you described her.”

  Caleb wished his mother would have proved him wrong. Hoped that when faced with the real possibility of losing her son, she might admit her lies, apologize, and show some remorse. But no. Not Vivien McGraw. That wasn’t her style.

  “I’m really sorry, Caleb,” Snow said. “I never wanted things to go this far.”

  He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “None of this was your fault, darling. She made her bed.”

  “You really think this is the end of it?” Hattie asked. “She doesn’t seem like the type to give up this easy.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Caleb had made up his mind. Cutting the cord was something he should have done long ago. “It’s over for me.” Ignoring the pain in his chest, he said, “Now we can get on with our lives.”

  “Speaking of that,” Snow said, following Hattie back into the sitting room. “What did all that ‘He’ll have a company’ stuff mean?”

  That morning, Hattie had expressed an interest in eventually handing the paper over to Caleb. He’d been flattered, but hesitant. Interning with his father and selling ads for a few weeks a
t the Advocate didn’t exactly qualify him to run the entire ship. If, at a later date, he felt qualified, Caleb would consider it.

  “It’s only an idea for now,” Hattie said. “Your husband is being stubborn, but I’ll wear him down.”

  Snow returned to her seat on the colorful couch and said, “I’m sorry we lied to you about being married.”

  Hattie brushed off the apology. “You had your reasons. I’m just glad you kids worked it out, especially considering what you were up against.”

  Taking his hand and pulling Caleb down beside her, Snow said, “My husband gets the credit for that. When I think of what I almost lost, I want to kick myself.”

  “You were a bit annoying in the beginning,” he said, giving her a heartfelt smile. “It’s a good thing I don’t give up easy.”

  “I’d like to think I was worth the trouble.” Her amber eyes revealed she already knew the answer. “Wait,” she said, sitting up straight. “Your birthday is Monday. I almost forgot.”

  “I don’t blame you,” he said. “We’ve never technically been together on my birthday.”

  “Then I suggest you make this a good one, my dear.” Hattie leaned back in the chair Vivien had vacated. “It’s been a long time since this house hosted a party. You’re welcome to change that.”

  Twisting her lips, Snow looked to be considering the idea. Then she gave him a look that said this birthday was going to be a good one.

  “Thank you, Miss Hattie, but this year, I think we’ll keep it a quiet night for two.”

  With a knowing chuckle, the older woman said, “Smart woman.”

  By the time they’d finished eating Caleb’s birthday dinner of Granny’s fried chicken, which Snow proudly made all by herself, she had nearly talked herself out of giving Caleb his gift. When she’d come up with the idea and Spencer had generously agreed to help her out, Snow had been excited to see his face. Now she wasn’t so sure. What if he hated it? What if he expected something else?