The Redemption (Charlotte Bloom Book 2)

by Richardson, Amanda

  I hugged her tightly, smiling.

  “I’m so happy. I hope we can see you more than four times a year,” I suggested, meeting Alec’s eyes with my very own mischievous glint.

  We all ate merrily as it snowed outside. I had two helpings of Nutella crepes, which Ennis had dusted with powdered sugar and fresh cut strawberries. It might’ve been the best thing I’d ever eaten. Afterwards, I helped Ennis clean up as Alec showered, and then we headed to the library to finish Atonement, as we hadn’t finished it at Giant’s Causeway.

  When we were done, we went up to Alec’s room for a quickie, and it was there that we took a two-hour nap. It had gotten darker out as we emerged from our blissful dreamland, and we cuddled underneath Alec’s blankets as the snow continued to fall outside.

  “So, what did you want to talk about earlier?” Alec asked, looking at me vulnerably, his eyes wide and curious.

  “Just… what we’re doing. Where will we live? Do I need a visa? Where will I work? Will we go back to L.A. soon? Do you need to go back to work soon?” I said, listing just the things I had continuously thought about over the past few days.

  “Let’s have a discussion, then,” he said matter-of-factly. “Do you want to move to Wales, or do you want me to move to L.A.?”

  “Wait, what? You would move to L.A.?”

  “Would you be there?”

  “Yes, obviously… that’s a stupid ques—”

  “OK then. Wherever you want to go, I will go.”

  “Oh,” I breathed. “I want to live in Wales.”

  I’d known this for some time. Swansea and the surrounding areas had begun to feel like home, and it was a no-brainer.

  “OK. So we’ll live in Wales,” he said. “I’ll keep an eye out for a place to live.”

  “I guess I can work at the Parc. I’m sure Helen and George will find something for me to do.”

  “And they can sponsor your visa,” he said, nodding as I smiled. “You can apply for the visa when you get back to the States. I’ll go with you. We’ll get your life sorted. I can meet your parents, your friends, see where you grew up... I took a month’s vacation. I was supposed to take one this summer but I didn’t want to leave the Parc, especially since this woman, this crazy, redheaded woman, swept me off of my feet.”

  I smiled, and breathed in his scent under the heavy covers. The air was thick with sweet, milky breath.

  “I think we should have all future serious conversations in bed, under the covers,” I said, laughing.

  “So, what else is there?”

  I thought about it for a minute.

  “Will you spend Christmas with me?”

  He laughed and grabbed my face gently, kissing it all over.

  “Charlotte, you are maddening. We’re talking about our future, moving in together, and starting a life here, and you ask me if we’re spending Christmas together?”

  “I want to spend it at the Parc,” I said honestly.

  My answer surprised me. I hadn’t been thinking it, but now that I said it out loud, it was perfect. I pictured Mary and me dancing around in our pajamas underneath a giant tree in the lobby, eating Helen’s beef stew or roast turkey, going horseback riding with Alec if the weather permitted, and drinking beer at Henry and Mary’s pub down the road. Yes. It was exactly what I wanted.

  “OK. Then we’ll go back tomorrow for the party, and stay a few days for Christmas. Then we’ll head back to L.A. and get you all sorted out.”

  “OK. Done and done.” I kissed his nose. “That was easy. Lunch?”

  “I think it’s time for dinner,” Alec muttered, peaking out of his covers at his clock. “Yep. Five. Let’s get ourselves decent and head down, yeah?” He kissed my forehead and uncovered us, sending a cool whoosh of air across my naked body. “Stephen and Fiona will be here soon.”

  “Are you and Stephen close?” I asked as I put my clothes back on.

  “Now we are. Growing up, we were pretty indifferent with each other, and after my dad died, it got worse. It’s only in the last year that we’ve… reconciled. I think Fiona helped a lot. She encouraged him to reach out to me. You of all people know how difficult I can be. Now we talk on the phone all the time.”

  “I like Fiona,” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed as I pulled on my socks. “You Baxter men sure do like American women,” I joked.

  “Coincidence. I preferred French women before you.”

  “No, you didn’t,” I said, shoving him playfully. “Really?”

  “Yes. And I’m sure you’ve shagged your share of weird men.”

  I guffawed. True.

  “Just how many French women have you ‘shagged’,” I asked, using air quotes.

  “Well, a few I guess. Do you want a number?”

  “Is it more than ten?”

  “Yes.”

  “Damn. Alec Baxter… you are a player.”

  “It’s under twenty, though.”

  “Oh, well, then that’s OK,” I sang sarcastically, cracking a smile. “My number is… six. Just six men. Ever. Including you.”

  “Good. That means I only need to kill five people then.”

  He slapped my ass as we walked out. I walked into my room and fixed my hair and makeup. I slipped on some boots as Alec watched me from the doorway.

  Adoration: that was what was shining from his eyes. It was the same look he had given me on my last morning at the Parc. For a split second, I thought that maybe Mary could’ve been right about the proposal. The way he was looking at me… I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d dropped down to one knee then and there. I sighed and walked over to him, which broke the spell he was casting with his eyes.

  “I love you, Alec.”

  “I love you more,” he echoed, holding my face tenderly in his hands.

  “Never,” I whispered, pulling his head down for a slow, sweet, lingering kiss.

  ***

  Breakfast the following morning was amazingly delightful. Ennis was sad to see us go, but I knew she was glad that Alec and I had worked things out. Stephen and Fiona had been excited that they would be seeing more of me, and I’d promised to keep all of them updated on what Alec and I were up to. They already felt like family.

  Ennis had packed us sandwiches and chips for the road, and the ten-hour drive was less daunting now that I had a handsome companion. Alec’s car was still in Wales, so we’d be driving my Mini Cooper. I hugged Ennis for a good five minutes before we headed off, thanking her for everything and promising updates and many more visits in the near future.

  We set out around eight in the morning, hoping to make it to the Parc by six, an hour before the party started. I hadn’t packed a proper party dress, but I was sure Mary could loan me something. I was so excited to see everyone. I kept grinning every time I thought of making a life at the place I loved more than anything in the world. We’d packed an audiotape to listen to, but instead we talked the entire drive to the ferry. Once we pulled into the floating parking lot, we headed upstairs to the bar for a pint. Guinness in hand, we continued talking.

  “So, was Natasha pissed when you asked for a divorce?”

  “Nah, she understood. What about Harry?”

  I thought back to those first few weeks back home and the divorce proceedings. It hadn't been pleasant. Splitting up your life of eight years was depressing. But I’d known that there was no way we could be together. We’d both changed so much in the six weeks that I’d been in Wales. Before that even, we’d changed in the five months before Amara’s wedding without realizing it. So much had happened in the past year. In a way, it was kind of shocking, but also comforting knowing that the universe was looking out for us. We would both be OK.

  “It was sad,” I said, honestly. “And I was constantly thinking about you, which didn’t make me look very good. But he gave me his blessing. He just wants me to be happy.”

  “Good bloke,” Alec muttered, sipping his dark beer.

  “I’m not sad to be leaving,” I said, hopi
ng I would assure him in some way that this was what I really wanted.

  “I’m glad. I’d hope not, at least,” he said, smiling his lopsided smile.

  “I just want you to know… that what you said about me, about wanting to be wherever I was… that applies to you as well. You make me happy. Wales makes me happy. I… I feel like I’m getting a second chance. So, thank you for that.”

  “Charlotte…” he looked down at the table. “You healed me, and I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for you.”

  “Probably sulking in the stables and yelling at female guests who show up to dinner late,” I suggested. He laughed.

  “But really… you keep saying things about how you’re lucky to have me, and how I changed your life. Do you ever realize that you did all of that and so much more, for me? You shook my world up, in the best way possible. I spent eight years wishing I’d died along with my father, wishing for a miracle to take me back to that day so that I could change it. I lived an empty life for a long time. That does weird things to a man. I was sure I’d never be happy again. But you… Charlotte, you brought me life. You became the sun in my darkened world. You gave me a reason to live.”

  I reached out for his hand, looking into his honest eyes. The eyes really were the windows to the soul. In Alec’s case, I knew beyond a doubt that this man loved me and, more than that, he adored and cherished me. I’d never felt that way before. It was easy with Alec. It was effortless, as if we’d known each other our entire lives. I’d only just found him, but I vowed that I would never lose him again. Life without Alec was bleak. Alec had it all wrong. He was my sun.

  “Alec…” I trailed off, my eyes getting misty. “I love you so much. But love doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about you. You’re a catalyst for my soul. I don’t need you, but you make me such a better me. You make my life worthwhile.”

  Now Alec was the one looking at me emotionally, and I felt my throat constrict. I might cry right here, right now. Everything with him was so intense, yet… simple. This man, this lovely, beautiful man, was looking at me so earnestly, so deeply. His facial hair had grown out now, and his dark brown hair was wildly sexy. How did I get so lucky? He took my hands in his, and began to speak.

  “Charlotte, there was one other reason that I came to L.A.”

  My heart stopped. I felt the tightening of my chest muscles, and my veins throbbed against my skin. The world had fallen away, leaving only Alec.

  “Ladies and Gentleman, we are now approaching the terminal. Please make your way to the car park,” the loudspeaker blared. Alec blew out a breath of air. I deflated.

  “We should go,” I said quietly, sipping the last of my beer and grabbing my purse. Alec looked disappointed—pained, almost. Was Mary right? The moment had ended, but I wondered… was Alec about to ask me to marry him?

  I wasn’t exactly eager to remarry, but I knew that marrying Alec would make the paperwork easier for us in the coming years. Living abroad was wonderful, but the paperwork involved was painfully tedious, or so I’d heard. It would mean we could avoid all of that, which would be ideal.

  And Alec was tremendously romantic. I pictured him in Los Angeles, waiting to surprise me with a ring. Yes, it was certainly plausible. I wouldn’t have thought it to be too soon. With Alec, it had happened so fast and yet it made sense. Sometimes in life you make one decision and suddenly your life seems to take on a more meaningful air. That’s how it felt with Alec all the time. Lainey said it was destiny, fate, soulmates… but I’d have never believed her before meeting Alec. But it was just right with him. I felt complete. Sometimes you meet people and then you get to know them. But sometimes you meet people and you realize you already know them. That’s what Alec was for me.

  We drove the rest of the way in silence. I didn’t want to think about what had almost happened. Instead, I stared out of the window, wondering about our future.

  We got to the Parc a little after six. I gave Alec a quick peck and headed inside without him. He muttered something about tending to the horses. In all honesty, I needed Mary and Katie right now. I needed girl time. This whole situation had to be analyzed by someone other than me. The grounds were covered in snow, and the common room had a massive, finely decorated tree. Christmas lights twinkled all over, and I stood there for a moment, completely in awe, before finding Mary talking to Katie in the kitchen. They squealed when they saw me.

  “Oh em Gee,” Mary yelled, colliding with me so hard that I fell back into the door as she hugged me. Katie came around and hugged me from the side, and I laughed as we jumped up and down together. God, I had missed this. I had missed them. Now if only there were a way to get Amara and Sam to move here. Then my life would be truly complete.

  “I brought some dresses over,” Mary said, pointing to a large canvas bag on the floor.

  I took a step back and surveyed her outfit. Of course she looked absolutely stunning. Her long, black hair was in a messy side braid and she was wearing a short, long-sleeved red dress, black tights, and green shoes. I looked over at Katie, who was wearing green trousers, black ankle boots, and a black turtleneck sweater.

  “You both look great.”

  “Mary helped me pick this out,” Katie said, motioning to her outfit. “I had no idea what to wear. So,” she whispered, looking around, “you have to tell us ev-er-ry-thing.”

  I grabbed the small canvas bag and my suitcase, and we all went into Alec’s room so that I could change. I guessed it was now my room too, and that thought kept a grin on my face the entire time I relayed the story of his maybe-proposal to them.

  “Yeah, he was totally going to propose,” Katie said casually, walking around Alec’s room and eyeing his books. “It makes sense.”

  She shrugged her shoulders and continued to pace around the room. Katie was like the older sister/friend—she gave me the hard facts, usually dripping in sarcasm. She was overtly blunt and honest. I had a feeling that “girl talk” and dressing up were not things she normally did.

  “I knew I was right,” Mary added, going through the items of clothing that she had brought.

  “I don’t know for sure. It could’ve been… anything.”

  “Yeah, but you guys were having a romantic conversation about love, and I’m sure the view was beautiful, and the future looks promising… why wouldn’t he do it?”

  “Because they’ve only known each other for six months?” Katie added incredulously. “Look, I have no doubt that Alec loves you, but I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

  “Too late,” I whispered. Even though I knew Katie was right, I couldn’t help but imagine a small, intimate wedding in Ireland, babies, a future together… in that moment I’d never wanted anything more. “You’re right though. This is stupid. I need to pull myself together. It’ll happen when it happens,” I agreed, getting undressed down to my underwear. I walked over to Mary’s pile of clothes on the bed.

  All of a sudden, the door swung open and Alec stood there, his eyes wide with surprise. He cocked his head and smiled.

  “I always knew women got naked in front of each other,” he mocked, eyeing me ravenously.

  “I’m just getting dressed. Sorry, we kind of took over your room,” I said, gesturing to the explosion of clothing on his bed and walking over to him. “Be done in a few minutes.”

  I gave him a quick kiss and a wink, and he closed the door behind him, his eyebrows never lowering.

  Men.

  I had Mary choose an outfit for me because I wasn’t sure of the formality. She said it was a holiday party, and looked shocked when I said I didn’t know how to dress for that. It was true. The only holiday parties I’d ever gone to in L.A. were Harry’s work parties, and those were dull and required equally dull clothing. She squawked when she pulled out a tight, gold-sequined dress. She handed me a pair of sheer black tights and black pumps.

  “Try these,” she muttered, holding the dress up to me. “I think the gold will bring out your eyes. Mayb
e Alec will see you and propose on the spot,” she said as I wiggled into the tights.

  “You two are insufferable,” Katie added, sitting languidly in Alec’s leather smoking chair. It looked like she should have a stiff cocktail in one hand and a cigarette in the other, but instead she was flicking through one of the many books strewn about.

  I pulled the dress over my head and slid it down. It fit perfectly. I had to hand it to Mary—the girl knew how to dress.

  “Perfect,” Mary cooed, adjusting the hem and zipping me up in back. It was short and tight, but the stretchy material made it comfortable and festive. I loved it already.

  As Mary, Katie and I talked about the plans for Christmas, which I found out was a big deal at Parc-Le-Bouveret, I threw my hair up into a fancy bun and did my makeup—a smoky eye and nude lips. The effect was lovely against the color of the dress. I pulled on the pumps and twirled. Mary whistled.

  “You look stunning, Charlotte,” she said.

  “Very chic,” Katie said, nodding her head in agreement. “Theo should be here any minute. We can all drive together.” I looked at Katie in confusion until she proceeded to answer my unasked question. “Oh, you know, just my boyfriend,” she said, standing and brushing herself off with a sly smile. “Your internet prowess worked, Charlotte. We met online.”

  I smiled, grabbing my purse and coat. I heard a soft knock.

  “Come in,” I yelled. Henry opened the door and smiled widely when he saw me.

  “Charlotte, you’re back!” He walked over and gave me a bear hug. “Where’s my mate Alec?”

  “I dunno, he walked in about thirty minutes ago but I haven’t seen him since.”

  “All’s well then, I presume?” He tilted his head and smiled knowingly.

  “All is very well, thank you,” I said, giggling.

  “I’m glad.” He hugged me again and then went over to Mary, putting his arm around her.

  “Me too,” she added. “Are you… are you staying? For good?”

  I could tell that she’d been waiting to ask me all night.

  “I sure hope so, because I think I just found us a house to live in,” Alec said, coming up behind me. “You look… wow,” he whispered in my ear so that no one else could hear. His breath sent shudders down my spine.