Still the One

by Belle Calhoune

  “Grandchildren?” Ryder let out a loud chuckle and patted his pockets in search of his keys. He needed to find Tess and tell her everything that was resting on his heart. If need be he would get down on his hands and knees and beg her for forgiveness. He'd been stupid and blind and afraid. But not any longer.

  “I want loads of 'em,” Alec said with a dead-pan expression.

  “I've got to go find my woman,” Ryder said as he leaned down and kissed his father on the forehead. “And pray she hasn't given up on me, because from this point forward, I'm never going to give up on the two of us.”

  “And they both lived happily ever after.” An 11-year-old Tess Dailey, reading a fairy tale out loud.

  Chapter Eleven

  All Tess wanted to do was get under the covers and burrow into her mattress. At the moment facing the world seemed monumental. I need strength, Lord. Strength to continue on my path, with or without Ryder's love.

  The peal of her doorbell drew her out of her thoughts. Her pulse quickened at the idea of Ryder standing at her doorstep ready to make amends. Who was she kidding? He was probably heading for the hills at this very moment. She quickly made her way over to the door on her crutches, yanking the door open with one hand while balancing on one crutch.

  “Surprise!” The gleam in her mother's eyes bordered on maniacal. Panic raced through her. She'd seen this look before, dozens of times, and it didn't bode well.

  “Mother. What are you doing here?”

  “Aren't you going to invite me in?” She pushed past Tess, her shoulder barreling into her as she charged inside her house. It took a second for Tess to gather her senses. The shock of having her mother show up at her house was monumental.

  Her mother strolled into the house, her neck whipping in all directions as she took everything in. “Well, la de da. This place is pretty fancy. Miles away from where you came from.” She paused to finger a glass vase, leaving fingerprint smudges in the process.

  “W-Why are you here?” she spit out.

  Her mother glared at her. “Since when do I need a reason to come see my children?”

  “You've never once visited me. Not once.” Her voice sounded flat to her own ears.

  “I'm worried about my baby boy.” Her mother's features were pinched and tight. Her brow was furrowed and her eyes glinted dangerously. Warning bells began to ring loudly in her head, the same ones that had propelled her to run from Brimley and never look back.

  She frowned. “Worried about what? He's fine. He's in summer school and trying to get settled here in town. Breeze Point has been good for him.” There was so much more she wanted to say, but the words stuck in her throat. An uncomfortable feeling lodged in her belly. It was the same achy sensation she'd carried around with her for the duration of her childhood. And now it was back, courtesy of her mother.

  “I changed my mind about him staying with you. I am his mother, aren't I?” The words were thrown out there like a stick of dynamite. Tess knew a challenge when she heard one.

  Her throat went dry. She'd changed her mind, a fact that shouldn't surprise her one little bit. It was typical behavior coming from her mother. She was as chaotic as a tornado and as unpredictable as the tides. Tess wrapped her hands around her middle and rocked back on her heels.

  She licked her lips. “Mom,” she began, the word sounding unfamiliar on her lips. It had been a long time since she'd called her that. Letty. Her mother had insisted she be called by her first name, particularly since she'd been keen to impress the boyfriends who were in and out her life like a turn style. The last thing she'd wanted them to think about was the fact that she was a mother of two kids. “Seth doesn't want to go home. He wants to stay here.”

  “Seth is coming home with me. It's non-negotiable,” she barked, her New England accent sounding sharp and piercing.

  “Lower your voice. He's in his room sleeping. He has to get up in the morning.”

  “He needs to come back home before the state finds out he's not living under my roof. I've got bills to pay, you know.”

  Ding. The alarm went off in her head. The state. Bills to pay. The sudden urge to have Seth come home. Her mother only wanted Seth for the public assistance money associated with him. That, as always, was her focus. The cold, hard cash.

  She threw her hands in the air. “Tell the state whatever you want. I won't be claiming Seth on my taxes. Keep the money. I don't want it.”

  Letty advanced in her direction, closing the distance between them. Her features were set in harsh lines. “Don't tell me what to do, missy. I'm your mother, not the other way around.”

  Her throat felt as dry as sawdust. This was how it always went with Letty. Drama was her middle name. More than anything, she'd probably traveled all this way simply to make things difficult for her and Seth. And to make sure her money from the state wasn't in jeopardy.

  Please, Lord, show me your will. I thought Seth living with me was the best for him, but I don't know if I can win this battle.

  “Go get Seth. I don't care if you have to wake him up. I'm taking him back home, so he might as well get used to it.” Her mother's voice crackled like fireworks.

  “Is there a problem here?” The sound of Ryder's low, strong voice had Tess convinced she was imagining things. She swiveled around to find him standing in the doorway, his face a mask of harsh disapproval. Heat suffused Tess' face at the realization that Ryder had heard her arguing with her mother. Panic skittered down her back. Tiny beads of sweat gathered on her forehead. Embarrassment flooded her. She didn't want Ryder to meet her mother. She hated the thought of him seeing Letty and thinking she was anything like her mother.

  She shook her head in warning, trying to get Ryder to leave before he crossed paths with this hurricane who'd given birth to her. It was bad enough he didn't have any tender feelings for her. She at least wanted him to respect her.

  “I heard shouting from all the way down the driveway.” He cast a probing look in Tess' direction. She felt like a deer caught in the head lights. Her tongue felt heavy and incapable of uttering a single word.

  “I'm her mother. Letty Dailey. Who are you?” She puffed her chest out and drew herself up to her full height of five feet eight inches. “I don't remember hearing you knock,” Letty jeered.

  He quirked his mouth. “I'm Ryder Donahue, the man who loves your daughter.”

  Tess could feel her mouth opening. Her legs felt weak and she had a sensation of being dizzy. Had she heard Ryder correctly? Or was this some strange out-of-body experience?

  She locked gazes with Ryder. The expression on his face caused her heart to seize up. His face radiated self-confidence and calm.

  “Correction. The man who intends to marry your daughter, if she says yes.”

  *

  Allowing those words to flow from his lips caused a feeling of power to flow through him. This was his truth. Loving Tess beyond all reason. He wanted to shout it from the roof tops, to send a banner up in the sky proclaiming it for all to see and hear. This was his woman, his everything. He wasn't going to blow it, not ever again. And if he was fortunate enough to still have her love, he was never going to take it for granted again.

  “And as her future husband, I'm not going to stand by and watch you disrespect Tess.”

  “Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?” Letty spit out.

  “I'm the man who loves your daughter. Didn't you hear me say that a few seconds ago?”

  “Seth is my son and he'll do as I say or I'll call the cops.”

  Ryder fished around in his jacket pocket for a moment before withdrawing his cell phone. He held it out toward Letty and shrugged. “Go for it. The number's on auto-dial. Some of the best cops in town are my closest friends. And while you're at it, why don't you call child and family services. I'm sure they'd be mighty interested to know what's been going on in your household. According to Seth, there's a lot of questionable activities he's witnessed on a daily basis. I'd hate to have all that brough
t forward in a court of law.”

  “Why you—.” Letty raised her fist and reached out to strike him. Deftly, he grasped her wrist in his hand, effectively stopping her from unleashing her anger on him.

  “Enough!” Tess shouted. Advancing towards her mother, Tess got to within inches of her face. She jabbed her finger in her direction. “You don't want Seth. Not for the reasons you should. It's never been about wanting us or protecting us. If it had been, I wouldn't have taken off the moment I was able to get out of New Hampshire.”

  “You always thought you were better than me, didn't you? Just because you have your fancy college degree and your paramedic license. You wouldn't be nothin’ special if it hadn't been for me.”

  Ryder watched with clenched fists as Tess' face drained of all color. Her mouth hung open in an O formation. He wanted to reach out and clasp her hand in support, but he knew she had to tackle this moment head on without him stepping in to save the day.

  For a moment Tess just stared at her mother. Finally, in a soft voice she said, “The only thing I have to thank you for is the literal roof you put over my head and the food in my belly. As far as anything else is concerned, I was on my own. Always. On. My. Own.” Her eyes flashed with a rising anger. “Where were you when I was getting awards for winning the spelling bee? Or when I was valedictorian? You didn't even make it to my high school graduation. You were never there.”

  Letty pounded her fist against her chest. “I was working. Maybe I couldn't buy you nice clothes or take you on vacation, but I was there.”

  “No, you weren't,” Tess disputed. “You were physically present at times, but you weren't part of my life. Or Seth's. You were too busy chasing after men who only cared about one thing. And it was never about nice clothes or going on vacation for me. It was about being loved and taken care of and not subjected to inappropriate behavior from all the men who walked in our front door.”

  “Don't you start that up again!” Letty shouted. “Cry me a river. That's all you ever did. Whine. Complain. And no one ever laid a finger on you. That's for sure.”

  “You know what happened,” she seethed. “You know all about your so-called boyfriends and what they tried to do to me. It's a sad thing to pick a man over your only daughter. But guess what? I don't need your compassion anymore. I've moved on from it. It never broke me. I survived it...and most of all, I survived you.”

  Ryder held up his cell phone. “One word from you, Tess, and I'll have half the police force down here.”

  Letty's eyes popped wide open and she began to vigorously shake her head back and forth. “No, Tess. Don't call the cops. I have a bench warrant out for some silly incident up in Nashua. They'll lock me up,” she pleaded.

  Tess stared her mother down. Her gaze didn't waver. Years ago she might have felt sympathy for her. But not now. Too much water had flowed under that bridge. All she felt was a desire to get her out of her house and to never have her darken her door again.

  “On one condition. Seth stays with me. He'll finish up school here next year; maybe even go off to college. You'll do what's best for him. For once.”

  Letty's mouth was set in a firm, grim line. “Deal,” she snapped. “Just don't come crying to me when you can't handle this.”

  “Don't hold your breath,” Tess spit out. “Please leave. There's nothing here for you.”

  Her mother curled her lip upwards and snatched her purse up off the coffee table. As she walked towards the door she paused to pound her fist on the wall before leaving the house with a loud bang of the front door.

  Tess sagged against the living room couch. Relief flooded her. Ryder took two steps towards her, easily closing the gap between them. “Are you okay?”

  She let out a sigh, one she felt she'd been holding in for decades. “Yes, I'm fine. This moment has been a long time coming. I've always let her verbally abuse me and bulldoze right over me.”

  He reached out and touched her chin, tilting her face upwards in the process. “Not this time. You were decisive and brave and full of heart.”

  Tess gazed up at him, confusion emanating from her eyes. “Why did you say all that stuff to my mother?”

  “The stuff about loving you? And marrying you?”

  He watched as Tess swallowed, then searched for words. Her chin was trembling. “I-It doesn't make any sense why you would say those things.”

  “It makes perfect sense. Because they're all true. Every single word I said. I love you, Tess. And God willing, you will be my wife.” He smiled at her—a soft, gentle smile filled with everything he was feeling about Tess and his love for her.

  Instead of smiling back at him, she took two steps away from him. Her brow was furrowed. The sides of her eyes were pinched in appearance. Her brows were furrowed. “No. You don't.” The tone of her voice was emphatic. “You're just trying to save me like you save everyone else. The hero. Waltzing in to rescue me from my mother.” He reached for her and she swatted him away. “That's not the kind of love I want in my life. One based on pity.”

  A slow burn began to stoke within him. “Pity? You think I'd be willing to lay my heart on the line again for nothing more than pity?” He made a scoffing sound. “I loved my wife more than life itself.”

  Tess made a whimpering sound. “I know that. And I know she'll always be the great love of your life.”

  He reached out and tenderly grazed his fingers against her cheek. He wanted so badly to take away every ounce of her fear and insecurity. His actions had caused her to doubt that he could ever love her. She'd been so hopeful. Each and every time he'd backed away from the idea of the two of them being anything more than friends. He'd squashed her down every time she raised herself up to claim him and their love. And now, she doubted the very thing she'd been fighting for.

  “Shh. Just listen to me. I never wanted to love anyone else. Not ever. Losing her felt like the death of my soul. I didn't want to go down that road again. It hurt too much to lose her.” He gritted his teeth and let out an unintelligible sound. “How could I put my heart on the line when for the better part of my life I've been mourning the loss of the people I love most?”

  “Ryder.” Just the sound of his name as it trickled off her lips made him want to close the distance between them and place a sweet, reaffirming kiss on those luscious lips of hers. But it wasn't time. No, he had to be patient. Tess had to know without a shadow of a doubt that she held the key to his happiness. He had to make her see that there was no one else who could ever own his heart the way she did.

  “Losing Nana was devastating, but it led me to my family. Dad reminded me of why I came to be a part of this wonderful, crazy family. It was because of Nana. I can't imagine not being a part of the Donahue clan. I know God had a plan for me, and His plan has led me to be a part of something more wonderful than I ever could have imagined. Nana gave me that blessing. Because of the love she had for me, she made sure to find me a family, one who would care for me after she passed on. And my wife...my sweet Lena…even though her time was cut short on this earth, she taught me things about loving a woman that are timeless. She taught me about humility and grace and trust. And, most importantly, she told me before she passed away to find someone to love. Someone who would make me smile and laugh until our sides hurt after a fantastic joke. Someone who I could pray with and confide in. Someone who would walk through life with me as my best friend. That person is you, Tess.”

  Tears were flowing freely from Tess' eyes, and although her mouth was open and she was talking, he couldn't make out a single word she was saying. Moving towards her, he swept her into his arms and embraced her, giving her everything he had to give. “For now and for always,” he whispered as he rained kisses down upon her.

  Epilogue

  The engagement party at Sweet Treats Bakery was in full swing by the time all of the guests had arrived. The bakery had been transformed into a replica of a Parisian cafe, complete with a chocolate fountain, macarons, champagne, profiteroles, mini chandel
iers and a small replica of the Eiffel Tower by the entrance. Servers in black and white outfits served escargots, scallops wrapped in bacon, grilled shrimp and stuffed mushrooms. Tess was in heaven when she walked in and saw the French theme of her engagement party.

  Ever since she'd been unable to go to France on a high school exchange program, Tess had dreamed of traveling there. Ryder had already spilled the beans and told her he was planning their honeymoon in the South of France. Tess' reaction had been over the moon, effusive happiness. Being able to make his fiancée squeal with excitement and joy made Ryder feel like the luckiest man on Earth. For the rest of his days, all he wanted to do was make Tess a content woman who lived out her dreams.

  Being feted by his family and friends was a glorious thing, as far as Ryder was concerned. He still wasn't sure how he'd managed to find love a second time around, especially with a beautiful, spiritual woman like Tess. His best friend, no less. A woman who knew the best and the worst parts of him...and loved him nonetheless. The future was stretched out before them like a glorious paradise.

  God was good!

  Now, standing with his brothers at the chocolate fountain, he found himself wishing for the same bliss for each and every one of them. Blue had already found his other half in Sarah. Just five more to go, he thought. It amused him to consider which of his brothers would be the next to fall gloriously in love.

  “Éclair?” The lovely sounding voice barely registered over the din of the party guests. The woman holding the serving tray full of éclairs was gazing at him with a look of expectation. She seemed to be taking her serving duties very seriously. With dark brown hair scattered with auburn highlights, a mocha complexion and light-brown eyes, she was lovely to look at. And judging by the few times he'd been in her presence, she was a hard worker with a pleasant personality.

  “So Gabi, which one should I choose?” he asked, allowing his gaze to wander all over the tray.