by Kaylee Song
“Then relax because I want to show you a good time tonight.
That was easier said than done.
Chapter Seventeen
I pulled every last string I had but I got it all done. I was ready for this.
This was going to be a night that she would remember for the rest of her life. Whether or not that was a good thing remained to be seen.
I pulled into the little parking lot and looked out over it. A string of twinkling lights lit up the stage and was wrapped around several small poles, lighting up the sky. The band was there too, and a small group of people.
I figured a little impromptu concert for the town was in order. I just had to get our parents to sit next to each other and everything would go as planned.
Since when does anything ever go as planned?
“What is going on? Rose asked as she stepped out of the truck and looked over the park amphitheater. It was packed. What was supposed to be a small group of people was a massive crowd.
What the hell? I swallowed as I walked towards the group. Hell, I wouldn’t be able to find my father in this. I contemplating bailing, but I couldn’t. I’d set this up just for us. Just for tonight. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that the town wanted to enjoy the entertainment.
It was my own for thinking that a town like this wouldn’t come down and see what was going on. The amphitheater was officially open this time, so it wasn’t restricted.
“Isn’t it great?” Suzie Reynolds said as she walked up to Rose. “I heard they were having the string quartet with a special violinist so I told the whole town. Didn’t have enough time to make a ton of fliers but I did manage to get some put up at Cherry’s.” She grinned at us both and I fought the urge to curse her. Suzy had always been a pain in the ass, and now she was a special one.
“Where is your dad?” Rose asked as Suzy walked away.
“What?” I asked. Oh, right. Him. The plan.
I grabbed my phone and dialed his number, and then I waited. He answered. “What in the hell is going on?” Ah, the first words out of his mouth and they were a lovely sound. Not.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I had to park all the way down at Cherry’s. The place is packed.”
“Yeah, I know. We got a spot up by the park. Meet us at my truck.”
“That old hunk of junk? That’s what you are carting her around in?” He asked. I didn’t answer him. I just hung up the phone.
Yes that old hunk of junk. It was my pride and joy. Well, besides my Chevelle.
“Well?” Rose asked.
“He’s coming.”
She was nervous. Antsy.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked.
“Just a little queasy,” she answered.
“Let me get you an ginger ale.” I said as I walked up to the vending machine and bought her a soda. I felt so helpless.
It was something I was going to have to get used to. I couldn’t just sweep in and save her. She was going to have to deal with the morning sickness and the aches and pains all on her own.
I looked around the crowd. I was surprised. It almost seemed like every single person in Laurel was there. All three-thousand of the small town. For a little concert.
“I take it you didn’t plan this?” I asked.
“No, I thought it would be like the other night. Vacant except for us,” he said.
But that was before the park officially opened. Before people realized what was going on. Word must have gotten out about the band and where there was free entertainment there were people. And a lot of them.
We all took our seats in the front and sat and waited. All of us except for Wyatt.
“You’ll need to give me a minute, I need to go ahead and speak to the band,” he said as he excused himself. I was left sitting next to my mother, who was sitting next to his father.
And neither of them were talking.
And then I saw Jess. I waved at her and prayed that she would come over and ease the tension between the two of them. I didn’t know details but I knew they were an item once upon a time. Before I was even thought of.
She didn’t come over, but she did wave me over. Even better.
“I’ll be right back, you guys. Go ahead and chat. I’m going to talk to Jess.” I stood up and smiled at the two of them. They just glanced awkwardly at each other. Right, like this was going to go well.
“You go ahead, honey. Leave me here, I’ll survive.” My mom knew exactly what she was saying and I could tell by the sweet smile that she expected some sympathy.
“I warned you, woman. You betrayed me, now it’s my turn. But it’s for your own good.”
“That was my excuse too,” she said as she smiled at me. She shielded her hand from Branch’s view and gave me what was a well-deserved middle finger.
I just laughed and walked away.
“I am so sorry, Rose,” Jess said as I got close, she wrapped her arms around me. “I was furious with Brandon. I didn’t know he was going to do that. I told him not to say a word, I swear.” She looked like she was about to cry, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.
“I totally expect you to tell your fiancé everything, Jess. I would do the same if I was engaged.” I wasn’t mad at her, not in the slightest. But I was pissed at Brandon. “You just might want to keep for boyfriend away from me for a while, he might not like me very much if he gets near me. Might end up with a bruise or two,” I admitted. I was only joking, but there may have been a grain of truth to it.
She chuckled. “I already tore him a new one, honestly. I can’t believe him.” She shook her head. “I’m so glad you aren’t pissed at me.”
“I’m not. I’m nervous, but he says he is sticking around,” I told her. Wyatt had committed to me.
“But he isn’t the runner. You are. You sure you are going to be able to stay here? Laurel is awfully small for someone like you.”
She was right. I was the one who ran. It was stupid then and it would be insane now. I didn’t want to be a single mother. I didn’t want to have to worry about any of that. And I loved him. I loved Wyatt.
“I’m done with the city. And I think I am exactly where I want to be, actually.” I had to admit Laurel had its charm. And that charm was in a tight pair of jeans, standing on the stage looking at me.
Right at me.
He stepped up to the microphone, and the lights on the stage dimmed twice, the signal for everyone to please be quiet.
“I have to admit, when I arranged this little band for tonight I thought it was just going to be a small group of people, me and my girlfriend and our parents. I didn’t expect the entire town to show up, but I’m glad you are all here,” he cleared his throat.
I was captivated by him. In that moment I realized what everyone else saw. A smooth, confident, kind man. He probably knew every single person in Laurel, probably knew their story too.
Most of them probably thought he was a hellion too, at least in his younger days. Because he was. He was exactly the kind of man now, though, that I’d always wanted to be with.
Kind, compassionate, strong willed. Strong hearted too.
I wasn’t going to bail, not this time. Last time I was looking for a reason. I wanted out of this town, I didn’t want to trust him.
But everything I had was relying on him now. I wouldn’t give that up. Not for anything.
“You all have been there for this town in so many ways. You’ve worked for this town, provided the crop necessary to live, or worked in the factories, making goods we need. You serve us too. And well, this concert here is for all of you too. And this park. Thank you, for giving me a town where I can sow my oats and then come back and settle down here. I love Laurel, and I love working with you all.” He said as he looked around.
Applause started in the far corner of the seating area and spread through out the crowd. He grinned and then motioned for the crowd to be silent.
“The real reason I brought this band here tonight was to provid
e a little entertainment to my father and Rose’s mother. They’ve been supportive parents, and, well, they are going to be grandparents.” He said.
I turned white. I knew that we were going to tell them, but I wasn’t expecting this. I could feel all eyes on me as my mom sucked in a deep breath. She stood and walked over towards me her arms outstretched.
She grabbed me in a hug and said, “I love you, honey.”
“You aren’t mad?” I asked as I looked her in the eyes.
She just shook her head. “Why would I be mad? I’m team Wyatt, remember?”
I just chuckled.
“I also wanted to ask my Rose if she would come up here on this stage,” he said.
I bit my lip and looked at my mom.
“Go, on honey. He isn’t going to wait forever,” she said as she smiled at me.
All these people, all this attention. A part of me wanted to turn and run, but I couldn’t. Not now. Not when I’d promised to stay, so I walked down the aisle and right up onto that little stage.
“Rose, I’ve loved you since I first met you. You were sweet and smart and to be perfectly honest a little too young,” he chuckled. “But I waited until you were eighteen and I set out to woo you. Things didn’t go the way I’d planned, and I’m not sorry for that. Because it brought you right back to me. And now that I have you, Rose, I don’t want to let you go.” He said.
I was sweating bullets. What was he trying to say?
“Rose,” he dropped to one knee. My heart flew right up into my throat. “I’d planned on doing this differently, but hell, if the whole town wants to show up, let ‘em see. I want to marry you. I don’t care about the rest of the world. I just want you. And I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?” he asked.
“Is this about the baby?” I whispered. I didn’t want to say it in front of all those people, but I couldn’t just let him marry me because I was pregnant. No, this had to be real.
“No, Rose. I was planning on it regardless,” he said. He wasn’t angry at me for asking. “I can see why you might think that, but I promise you it isn’t the case. I want to build you a house and fill it up with a dozen kids.”
I swallowed hard. This was my entire life, and it should’ve been a hard decision. It should’ve been one that I thought about and took time about. But instead I just nodded.
“Yes, yes. I’ll marry you.” Like I told him, I wasn’t going anywhere.
He slid the ring on my finger and then stood, swooping me up into his arms.
I swear I never heard the audience clap, but he told me later than they did. And there may have been some hollering. But in that moment with him, there was only us.
“Alright y’all. Now I intended this to be something we could dance too, so if you don’t mind, the gazebo is going to be reserved for dancing,” Wyatt said as he grabbed my hand and then pulled me off the stage.
It was all happening so fast. But I was his. And I knew I always would be.
Chapter Eighteen
I led her around the impromptu dance floor, the woman of my dreams in my arms.
“Do you think it’s working?” I asked her as I motioned with my head to our parents. They were dancing together, talking.
And they looked awfully flirty.
“I think something is going on,” she said as she smiled at me. She was so beautiful when she smiled. Like an angel sent here just for me.
This woman was everything I wanted, and I had her in my arms. It couldn’t get any better.
Except it could. When the song was over I led her off the dance floor and motioned for her mother to join us.
“Miranda, I think you should tell your daughter the good news,” I said as I smiled. She’d told me over the phone, but Rose deserved to hear it face to face.
“What’s going on?” she asked as she looked from me to her mother.
“I don’t have cancer!” she said as she smiled and embraced her daughter. “It came back as just a calcium deposit. It’s going to be okay.”
Relief flooded through me. I didn’t know what I was going to do if her mom had cancer. She’d told me over the phone, but it was another thing entirely to hear it in person. It was just the little bit of good news they needed. And I was glad for both of them. And for my father. Branch Graves might have a chance yet to win back Miranda’s heart.
“Really?” Rose asked.
“Yes, really.”
I heard her crying before I saw it. I had a feeling that was what her reaction was going to be. I gave them space, walking over and sitting down on a park bench. Everything was going to be all right.
“You’re a tricky bastard, you know that?” my father said as he came up and sat down next to me.
“I learned it from watching you, dad.” I admitted, grinning. “Got you to talk to her, and not just on the phone either.”
“She was something in her day. Hell, she still is,” he said as he winked at me.
“Don’t waste this,” I said. I was talking to him, but I was also talking to me. I wouldn’t waste this chance with Rose. Not ever.
“Do Graves men waste any opportunity they are handed?” he asked.
“Apparently I do,” I said as I looked over at the opportunity staring back at me. I was giving everything up for her. And I wasn’t sorry. Not for one second.
“No, you take the best of them,” he admitted. “I was wrong, son. She’s worth it.”
She was the best. The best thing I’d ever had in my entire life.
And she was all mine.
Epilogue
I looked down at my growing belly and smiled. I was going to have to get an empire waisted gown, but I didn’t care. I was happy.
“You look beautiful,” I said to Jess. She had her dress on and was staring in front of the mirror.
“Have I thanked you lately for not killing Brandon?” she asked.
“And cursed me for it. Several times.” I grinned at her and grabbed her veil helping it on her head.
“Yeah, well, you know how he is. He’s… Brandon.” She blushed.
“And you love him,” I grinned.
“I do.”
They were so in love.
And so was I. I stepped out of the little bedroom that we were getting ready in and walked down the stairs to find my handsome groom-to-be waiting for me.
“You’re beautiful,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me. Six months and I didn’t feel always feel beautiful. “Just got off the phone with the contractor.”
But when he was there with me I did.
“How is the house coming?” I asked. The little story book house was big enough for the two of us, but with a baby on the way we needed more space. He was getting the chance to use build his dream.
And he was my dream.
I loved him.
“It’s going to be perfect for us, and our family,” he said as he kissed the top of my head, his hand resting on my belly.
And that’s when the baby kicked.
“See, even she’s happy,” he said as gave it a little rub.
“She? I thought we agreed not to find out,” I said.
“It’s just an educated guess,” he said. “If she’s anything like her mom she’ll have me wrapped around her finger.”
Yeah, my life was pretty much perfect.
Afterword
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Wed to the Bad Boy
Chapter One
Joanna
The first time I saw him he was chained against a frame, his lip split and his eye black and blue. He stared at me through the swollen eyes and the broken nose, blood trickling down his brow. It was like he was looking right through me. Because he was.
He was still devastatingly handsome, but what I didn't know was that he was going to be my undoing. And I just stood there while they beat him with the buckle
of his belt.
The mob sent one of their best enforcers to do it.
I didn't dare say a word, not to him, not to the other man down there. I was just eye candy. My job was to serve the drinks and keep my head down. The daughter of a man who owed more than my life was worth.
"Scotch, on the rocks. Now." The deep rumble of Janson Mactavish got me moving.
I nodded and turned to the bar, dumping ice in and trying not to jump each time the metal of the belt connected with the skin of the man chained. He sucked in breath after breath, but he never screamed. Barely grunted.
"Nothing, you son of a bitch? Not even an apology?" Mactavish hit him again, reaching out for his Scotch with one hand and throwing the belt with the other. Janson was controlled the entire time; no anger rose in his voice as he did it, no bile. It was like he was conducting a routine.
I wondered what kind of violence that man was used to doling out.
It was probably best if I didn’t know.
I turned back towards them to find the victim staring me right in the eyes. His eyes never left mine.
"Can't apologize if I’m not sorry." The strung man spit onto the ground and then grinned.
It was the grin that got me. Those pearly whites were covered in blood, and he still looked completely dashing. It was sick.
"You’re lucky your dad ordered you beaten and not killed. Anyone else..." Janson struck him again. "Would you like a drink?"
He was actually asking the subject of his torture for a drink! I blinked, frozen in place.
"Gin Rickey, extra lime." He ordered an old classic, just the right amount of sweet and sour, one of my favorites. And he did it like he was perfectly calm and collected. So I tried to mimic him.
I nodded and turned back to the bar. Only the mob would have a full wet bar in their torture dungeon. I grabbed a lime, cut it in half, juiced it, and added the gin and club soda to the mix, shaking it. I tried not to let the sound of his groans throw me off balance.