The Ocean Between Us (Benton Creek Series Book 1)

by Delisa Lynn

  “Y’all, this isn’t funny. Where the hell are you taking me? I would much rather just go back home and have some drinks. I don’t want to see any strippers.”

  I have to contain my laughter. My woman is cute.

  Gemma removes the earplugs from Hend’s ears. “Sit down and I’ll take the blindfold off in a sec, okay?” She shoots me a wink and motions for me to come closer to them.

  I walk over and Gemma has seated Hendlee in a chair. She inserts the earplugs back in. “She’s going to kill me, but we knew y’all would rather be together tonight than apart. Just pretend to be a stripper so I can get a rise out of her.”

  “You’re evil, Gem,” I tell her, but I do like her plan. Clive turns on some music and they all walk over and sit on the couch.

  Hend’s sitting with her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. She looks nervous. She has no clue that I’m here or what I’m about to do. I look at the others and flash them my best smile. I pick Hendlee’s right leg up. She fidgets in her chair and sits taller. She takes the earplugs from her ears.

  “Gemma, who’s touching me?” Her body is trembling and she is breathing heavily.

  I remove her heels and trace my finger up her leg. She flinches her leg away. “Um, please don’t do that.” She wiggles a little.

  “Just enjoy it, Hendlee!” Gemma snickers from the corner. Everyone is holding in their own laughter.

  I look at her and mouth, “She’s going to kill you.” Gemma shrugs and motions for me to go on.

  I slide both my hands up Hendlee’s right leg, reaching for her stockings. She jumps and pushes my hand away, her chest heaving in and out. “Um, please don’t. I’m a very taken woman. My…er…husband to be wouldn’t be happy about this, and to be honest I’m not either. This is very uncomfortable. I do have a friend that’s single.” She lifts her hands and rips her blindfold off. “Oh my God! You ass! You were in on this?” She grabs me and kisses me. “I’m going to strangle you all.”

  “I didn’t know about it until you walked in. Aren’t you glad it was me and not some strange creeper? I don’t like the idea of someone touching you. It makes me happy that you don’t like it either. ”

  “Like I said, I’m going to strangle you, Gemma! You too, Clive Greer.” Hendlee glares at both of them in turn. “Don’t forget I know where the two of you lay your heads at night.”

  They all laugh and she takes a drink of my beer. “So is this Rea? It’s been quite some time since I saw you last.” I shake her hand.

  “Yes, I’ve been away. I’m thinking about moving back.” She looks at Hendlee and smiles.

  “You are? When?” Hendlee asks.

  “Um, all of my stuff is at your—I mean, Gemma’s house.” She hugs her. “I need a place to stay though.”

  “My old place is for rent if you want to move there,” Clive suggests.

  “Really? That would be great. I was also hoping I could work at the bakery part time.”

  “Heck yeah you can, we can use the extra help. We’re going to be doing some remodeling and this is the perfect time.”

  “You can also stay with me if you want,” Gemma offers. “I could use the company.”

  “I’m so sorry. You must be Sago.” Rea reaches for his hand.

  “Yes, nice to meet everyone.”

  “You’re in the Navy also?” Rea asks.

  “Yes, I am. That’s how I met farm boy here,” he teases.

  “Yeah, yeah, surfer boy,” I shoot back.

  “Let’s get this party started. I was thinking some poker, and dancing.” Gemma brings more drinks over to the table. “Clive, I love this place, by the way.”

  “Thanks. I found a good deal on it. I was tired of my old place, and I didn’t want to pass this up.”

  “I don’t blame you on that one,” I chime in, “I would’ve snagged it up too.”

  We all settle around the table. We talk and drink, play some cards. I enjoy having all my close friends in the same room, and tomorrow I’m going to marry the woman of my dreams. It’s going to be the best day ever.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The Day Has Arrived

  Hendlee

  My head is pounding and my body aches. I roll over and see that I am in bed with someone and it’s not Que. I move the pillow and see that it’s Gem. I nudge her to wake her up. She isn’t moving. I check her pulse and it’s faint.

  “Gem? Gemma, wake up please.” I push her, shake her, and get no response. I jump up, searching for my phone. I look around the room. Where the hell am I even at?

  Then I remember–Clive’s.

  I open the door and run into the living room where Clive and Sago are drinking coffee.

  At the look on my face, Clive rushes over to me. “Hend, what’s wrong?”

  “Gemma. She won’t wake up.” I look around frantically for my purse. “Call for help. She isn’t waking up!”

  Clive and Sago rush past me and into the bedroom. I follow behind and see that Clive has Gemma in his arms.

  “Get some cold water!” he shouts.

  I sprint into the kitchen and pull a few bottles of water from the fridge and run back to the bedroom where both men are trying to wake her. I hand the water to Clive, who opens it and dumps some over her head. Gemma doesn’t move.

  “Oh my God, she’s dead!” I wail. “Please! No, don’t die! I can’t lose you, Gemma!”

  Sago grips my shoulders. “She’s not dead, did she take anything?”

  “Yeah, she’s been taking some kind of pill to help cope with the death of her fiancé.” I snatch up her purse and look for the pills. I pull out an empty bottle of Ambien, then I see a bottle of Xanax, which looked pretty full.

  “The sleeping pills are empty.” I look at Clive. He’s pouring more water over her head and rubbing her back.

  “Wake up, Gemma. I need you to wake up for me, Gem Stone. Baby, please wake up.”

  Did he just call her baby? I look over and see that he’s crying.

  “Gemma, wake up goddamn it!” I smack her cheek. “You can’t do this. I need you!” I smack her again, harder.

  “Wh-what the fuck?” Gemma slurs.

  “Oh dear God, thank you! Gemma, are you okay? How many fingers am I holding up?” I say, holding up three fingers.

  “I need coffee. Why are you all staring at me?” She looks at Clive. “Damn, you look mouth-watering this early.” She giggles.

  “Gemma, what did you take?” I ask.

  “Just my meds. Oooh, you have surfer boy in here. You are soooo sexy.”

  Is she drunk? High? What is going on?

  “Everyone out,” Clive growls. “I’ll make sure she’s okay. Hend, you need to get ready. We have to head to your house to prep for the wedding.”

  I walk out of the bedroom and it dawns on me. Where the hell is Rea?

  I walk to the other bedroom, creak open the door, and see she is sound asleep. It’s the room Sago’s clothes are in.

  “You slut,” I hiss, pulling the covers down. She’s naked.

  “Stop, I’m cold,” she whines. My cousin fucked a guy she just met. I can’t believe her.

  “You banged Sago?”

  “Um, yeah. I wish I could remember it though. I drank way too much.” She places her head in her hands. “We better get ready for your wedding. Shit, where’s my clothes?”

  Sago leans into the room. “Hey, doll. Thanks for last night.”

  Rea blushes. “No, thank you.” She reaches for her clothes.

  “Okay, well this is awkward. I’ll leave you two alone.” I head back to check on Gemma. She’s in the shower now and Clive is sitting on the bed.

  “She’ll be okay,” he says to me. “She’s still hurting. I just wish I could help her.”

  “What was that ‘baby’ stuff you were saying?” I sit next to him on the bed.

  “You know, Hend,” he whispers. “You’ve always known.”

  “I’ve never heard you admit it though.” I lean into his shoulder. “You lo
ve her?” He nods. “Then fight for her. Make her see that she can move on, and that she is worthy of love again.”

  “That’s easier said than done, don’t you think? She was engaged to one of my friends. Isn’t it a bit creepy that I’m in love with her?”

  “No, because I know deep down she loves you too and that Bryan would want her happy again.”

  “I don’t know, I don’t want to push her. And I don’t want to fuck up our friendship.”

  “You won’t. Tell her—not today. Give it a few days. Today is my day,” I joke. “Tell her when the time is right. You’ll know.”

  “Thank you for everything. We need to get going. The wedding is in less than five hours. I bet Quaid is pacing the floor.”

  “When did he leave?”

  “About two hours ago. We wouldn’t let him wake you. You know the bad luck thing, you all sure don’t need that.”

  I gather my things and wait for Gemma to emerge from the bathroom. She looks one hundred percent better than she did earlier. We drink some coffee and Clive drives us all to the farm.

  Today is the day I become Mrs. Castings.

  ***

  “Stop moving, you look fine.”

  Gemma is helping me with my hair. We’re going for a curled up-do. My long, straight, blonde hair has been transformed into thick, bouncy curls.

  I look down. “Are you sure my dress isn’t too short?” My dress is white and hits right below my knees. “I thought it was longer.”

  “It’s fine. You look incredible and so does everything else. If I ever get hitched, I want to use your backyard too.” She smiles at me with tears in her eyes.

  “You will, and you sure can, as long as I’m your wing woman.” I laugh. We’re quiet for a moment, then I say, “You know Clive loves you…”

  “I know. I love him too. I always have, he just never showed any interest in me.” She sighs. “But I know if and when I move on, I will approach him. I just hope it’s not too late.”

  “Me too. Hell, look at me and Que. All these years later.” I grin. “Do you think we moved too fast?”

  “No, not at all. This should’ve happened years ago. My mom always says everything happens for a reason, and she’s right. There was a reason Jason lied, and there was a reason Bryan died. It brought you and Quaid back to each other.” She wipes her tears. “He always knew you two would find your way back to each other. He was on your team.”

  “I loved him, and I’m so sorry that he can’t be here.” I blot my face with a tissue. “Stop. I can’t mess up my make-up.”

  “I have something for you. Maw gave this to me a few years ago. She said that if you ever got married to give it to you. I’m sure we’re both going to cry.” I take the letter from her hand.

  Hendlee Ann,

  Today is your special day. If my connections up here worked, then you’re marrying Quaid. I gave this letter to Gemma and she wasn’t supposed to give it to you until this day came. I told you Quaid was your somebody. I know that your life never really went the way you planned it to. I was so heartbroken when I lost your dad, and then your Paw. But you, my sweet girl, you were the light in my life. I’d been sick for years, but I pushed on for you, and then you had Bristol, and I wanted to keep pushing to be a part of her life. She was such a blessing to the both of us. So many times I wanted to tell Elisha she was their grandchild, but that wasn’t my place. I hope that you have done the right thing. If you ever decide you’re leaving Benton Creek, please open another bakery wherever you relocate to. That was your Paw’s pride and he loved that place.

  Today you become Mrs. Castings, and we’re all up here cheering for you. We miss you so much and when you think you’re alone, you are far from it. Look up…we’re always shining down on you and Bristol. Go on, marry that handsome man. And if you are planning to marry someone other than Quaid, then you need to just run now. Cancel the wedding now. I’m serious.

  Remember Us Always.

  XoXo

  Maw

  “Shit, it’s a good thing it is Quaid, or else you would be a runaway bride.” Gemma chuckles.

  “She knew we would find our way back to each other. She knew it.” I smile and look up. The light above us starts blinking. She’s here, they all are.

  ***

  Quaid

  I stand with two of my best friends, looking out at my family and friends. The music starts and Rea walks down the aisle, smiling the entire time, at Sago. I know they hooked up last night. She stands off to the side and then I see Gemma. She is beaming from ear to ear, her long black hair flowing over her shoulders. Next comes my princess, Bristol, wearing a white dress with lots of ruffles. I look down at her feet and see she has on bright pink cowgirl boots. I have to laugh. I know Hendlee argued with her over wearing them. She stands in between me and Clive.

  “Daddy, you look handsome,” she whispers.

  I bend down and kiss her cheek, whispering in her ear, “Thank you, pumpkin. You look great yourself.”

  The music changes and everyone stands. When I look up and see Hendlee, I almost lose my balance. She is always beautiful, but seeing her in that dress, looking the way she does, has me ready to faint. I’ve dreamed of marrying her all my life, and never thought it would be possible. Though I never wanted to stay here in Benton Creek, being away for the five years showed me exactly where I was supposed to be and that’s here. In Benton Creek with my family and the love of my life. I try to hold back the tears that are ready to fall from my eyes.

  Hendlee steps closer, smiles, and I see tears streaming down her cheeks. “Hi,” she whispers.

  “Hi, sweetheart. You look beautiful.” She hands her bouquet to Gemma and takes my hands. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “You look so incredible, I can’t believe you’re all mine.”

  “Are you two ready?” our preacher asks, and we both nod. “Okay, let’s get you two married.

  ***

  Hendlee

  The wedding looks beautiful. There’s a gazebo, near the edge of the lake bank. Right under the trees. Chairs line down each side of the walkway. My white dress hits just below my knees, I opted for navy blue heels, as the other girls have navy blue dresses and cowgirl boots. Bristol is wearing a white dress trimmed in navy blue, with a pair of pink cowgirl boots. As I walk toward everyone, my eyes land on my soon to be husband. He’s in his Navy uniform, it’s snow white, his hat covering the longer part of his hair. All I can see is his perfect face. I grin from ear to ear as I walk closer to him. I look over and see Clive and Sago, standing tall and proud. To my left is Gemma, Rea, and my baby girl. All smiling at me.

  I stand here, in front of God and our closest family and friends. I’m finally marrying the only man I’ve truly loved. I look into his eyes, and know that although this was very fast, that he adores me and wants this as much as I do. My hands are shaky and he comforts me. When he speaks his vows, I hear nothing but the promise and words that he’s pouring from his heart. He takes his thumbs and swipes the tears that are streaming down my face. I swallow back the sob that’s ready to erupt.

  “If you would’ve asked me two years ago if this day would’ve come, I would have been in denial,” he says. “But you see, I knew deep down that someday, you’d be back in my arms. Although we’ve missed out on the last five years, I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for lost time. We lost that time, and we can’t get it back, but we can make new memories. Hendlee, I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life loving you and making you the happiest I can. I love you always.”

  “You’ve always been by my side,” I say. “You were always the one I went to, when I needed to vent, or needed help. You gave me hope when I didn’t have it. When you left for the Navy, you took a piece of me with you, but nine months later, my piece of you arrived. Looking into our daughter’s eyes, I could see you. Although you weren’t here, I never stopped loving you. I never gave up on the hopes of being in your arms again. Raising our daughter t
ogether. Quaid, I will love you forever, I’ll be the best wife I can be. I want to wake up in your arms every day, fall asleep on your chest every night. From this day forward, you’ll never be alone, I’ll always be by your side. I’ll be your best friend, your lover, and your sunshine. I know I’m not perfect, but I’ll give you all that I am.”

  I look over and see that Gemma is wiping her eyes. Bristol is standing in front of her, just looking up at everyone.

  ***

  “I can’t wait to have the first dance with my wife,” Que whispers in my ear. The lyrics of Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” start to play.

  “Say that again.” I lean my head into his chest.

  “What? My wife?” he teases. “You, my dear, are the sexiest bride I’ve ever seen. You look amazing, and your vows made my eyes well up.”

  “It’s true, I’ll be by your side forever. These next few months are going to be rough, but we will get through it. Once you’re back you aren’t leaving again.” We sway to the music.

  “We will have to go on our honeymoon. My parents will keep Bristol, or hell, we can take her and Gemma with us.”

  “Where would we go? I’ve never left Kentucky.”

  “Anywhere you wanna go. I personally would love to go to Italy. My parents said it’s beautiful.”

  “I’m sure it is. I guess I have time to think about it.” We spend the rest of the evening dancing and socializing with our family and friends. Although this wedding was last minute and thrown together, it was perfect in every way. The ceremony, the reception, and the food.