by SJ McCoy
He sat back in his seat and gave Ted a sheepish grin. “So, there’s the honest answer. Please, Dad, come and be a bigger part of our lives. And on a more manly note … absolutely, I think it’s a great idea.”
Ted had to swallow before he could speak. “Thanks, Eddie.”
Eddie pulled the truck back onto the road. “If you tell April I cried, I’ll tell her that you did, too.”
Ted laughed. “Cried? I didn’t see anyone cry. I may have gotten something in my eye. I think you did, too, but nobody cried.”
Eddie laughed with him. “This is going to be awesome.”
“It is, but don’t think that I didn’t notice the way you ignored my question about if you want Ally to be your wedding planner.”
“Nah. I didn’t ignore the question. I was more curious about the reasoning behind it, that’s all. You need to talk to April about it. She’s holding out on me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Apparently, she’s had this thing about a big dream wedding since she was a little girl. Obviously, she didn’t get that when she married Guy. I want her to have everything she wants when we get married, but she’s holding back. I don’t know if she thinks it’d cost too much or what she thinks, but I just want us to get on with it, Dad. I want her to be my wife.”
Ted nodded. “Would you mind if I talk to her about it?”
“Hell, no! I’d love it.”
Ted smiled. “Then, I will. And you don’t mind if I help her get whatever it is she wants?”
“No! I want her to have it all! And if you can persuade her to let Ally plan it, that’d be great, too. April has enough on her plate as it is with the bakery and the women’s center and her studies.”
“She does a lot, doesn’t she?”
“I want to say too much, but it makes her happy.”
“And her parents won’t mind … they won’t think I’m overstepping on the wedding?”
“No. They’re not close. They’ll come. I think. But they won’t want to be involved, and there’s no way they’d pay for anything.”
Ted nodded sadly.
“Don’t look like that; she has you. She’s always bragging on you.” Eddie laughed. “At this rate, you’re going to end up with two sons and two daughters.”
“What?”
“April will be your daughter-in-law when we finally get married, and then Ally and Brayden …” He shrugged. “If you go down that route.”
Ted nodded. “I’ll be happy to become a part of their lives, but you’re my son, Eddie. You’re …” His voice wavered, and he had to stop.
Eddie glanced over at him. “Okay, let’s talk football or something before we both start bawling, huh? I know it, and you know it. There’s no need to say it.”
Ted chuckled. “You’re right. Who do you think will go first in the draft?”
~ ~ ~
Audrey gave Izzy a stern look. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Diego?”
“I’ve told you a dozen times—nothing!”
“It didn’t look like nothing this morning. Did you two … did he spend the night with you?”
“No! I want to be offended that you could suggest such a thing, but …” She laughed. “But no. He didn’t. I went down to get some breakfast, and we ran into each other, that’s all. We had something to eat while you and Ted were out for your walk on the beach.”
Audrey wasn’t convinced. “And what are your plans later?”
Izzy smirked. “I’ve already told you that, too. I’m going to go to the Boathouse and watch the band.”
“Okay. If you insist that there’s nothing going on between you, I’ll believe you. But we both know that there could be if you wanted it.”
“Are you encouraging me?”
Audrey smiled. “Why not, he’s a nice guy. And he’s Ted’s best friend. Call me childish—and it might be—but I think it would be really nice if we could all go out together … as two couples.”
Izzy nodded slowly. “It would. I’ll give you that. But you know he’s not my type.”
Audrey had to laugh. “Diego’s every woman’s type. You can just tell. He’s one of those guys. He’s good-looking, and he’s charming.”
Izzy held up a hand to stop her. “Enough already. I know it! But it’s not a good idea. You’re right, he’s Ted’s best friend, and I’m yours. The way I see it, Diego and I are going to run into each other all the time from now on because of you two. I think we should keep our distance.”
Audrey frowned. “How’s that going to work? We’re all going to want to go out together.”
“I mean physically!”
“Oh. Right. Okay. I’ll drop it, shall I?”
“Yeah. That’d be great.”
“Can I ask you one last thing?”
“What?”
“Don’t you find him attractive?”
“Phew!” Izzy laughed and fanned herself with her menu. “The man is hot! I’m not denying that.”
Audrey laughed. “Okay. Now, at least I know you’re being honest with me.”
“Would I lie?” Izzy made a face. “On second thought, don’t answer that. Instead, you can tell me what the plan is for the rest of the weekend.”
“Well, as you know, Ally’s over with Marianne, and Brayden’s meeting up with Dan Benson this afternoon. Ted called a little while ago and said that April wants to see Ally whenever she’s free.” She smiled. “I know that we’re all coming back here tonight, but other than that, I don’t think there is much of a plan. What do you want to do?”
“I’m happy hanging out here.” Izzy looked around. They were sitting out on the deck of the Boathouse. “Though we might want to give up our table now that we’ve eaten. It looks like they’re still busy.”
Audrey got to her feet. “You’re right. We should go.”
They walked through the restaurant on their way back out to the square.
“Hey, ladies!”
Audrey smiled at the girl behind the bar. The one they’d met on their first night here. “Kenzie! Hi.”
Kenzie grinned. “It’s good to see you again. Are you going to be regulars around here?”
Audrey smiled. “I don’t know about regulars.”
“I think she will be,” said Izzy. “I don’t know about me, though.”
“Why’s that?” asked Kenzie.
“She’s started seeing a guy who has family here.”
“Which guy?” asked Kenzie. “I know everyone around here.”
Audrey smiled, not sure that she wanted to say.
Of course, she didn’t get a choice in the matter. “Ted Rawlins.”
Kenzie grinned! “You and Ted? That’s awesome. So, are you Ally and Brayden’s mom?”
Audrey nodded. “That’s me.”
“Cool! So, you’re all moving up here? The whole family?”
Audrey wondered what had given her that idea.
Kenzie didn’t even wait for an answer. “I told Ally that she needs to talk to Angel over at the lodge. I’ll bet she could give her more work than she could handle. The lodge is a great venue for weddings … they’ve done a lot of them. I bet they’d love to have a wedding planner they could refer people to. She’ll be fine. And I’ll bet Dan will set Brayden up with something. And what about you?”
“What makes you think that I’m going to move here?”
Kenzie’s smile faded. “Sorry. I’m getting carried away. It’s just … I love Ted. We all do. Oh, I should explain, his son, Eddie, is my husband Chase’s best friend. Eddie and April and Chase and me, we all kind of think of ourselves as family because … well, it doesn’t matter. But then Eddie got his dad back. And Ted’s the best. I guess I’m just getting carried away. I thought with Ally and Brayden coming up here that maybe you and Ted were going to move here too.”
Audrey stared at her for a long moment. Her heart was racing. She certainly didn’t hate the idea—but it was Kenzie’s idea, not Ted’s. She made herself smile.
“We haven’t been seeing each other very long.”
Kenzie laughed. “That doesn’t necessarily make any difference. Chase and I spent one night together, and then I left here and never planned to come back. He flew to Nashville when he heard I was in some trouble, and he brought me back here.” She shrugged. “Sorry. I get carried away. I want everyone to have a love story like ours.”
Audrey couldn’t help smiling. She wouldn’t mind having a love story like that.
“So, you’re married to the other guy in the band?” asked Izzy.
“That’s right.”
Audrey laughed and looked at Izzy. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
Kenzie gave them a puzzled look.
“The night of Ally and Brayden’s party. You got up on stage and kissed him before they started to play,” Audrey explained. “Izzy thought you were his girlfriend; I bet that you two were married.”
Kenzie smiled. “I do that every time before they play.” She laughed. “A girl has to mark her territory, you know?”
“I do.” Audrey looked at Izzy. “I told you.”
Izzy blew out a sigh. “Okay. You were right. I guess I’ve just never known married folks who liked each other that much before.”
“Neither have I,” said Audrey, “but the difference between us is that I never stopped believing that marriage could be that way even though it wasn’t for me.”
Kenzie grinned at her. “If we’re taking bets, I’m going to bet that you and Ted end up married. You’re perfect for him; I can just tell.”
Audrey gave her a puzzled look, wondering how she could tell.
Izzy laughed. “Sorry, Kenzie, but I’m not taking you up on that one. My money’s with you, not against you.”
Audrey looked at her.
“In fact,” Izzy added, “I’d put money on it happening before the year is out.”
Audrey shook her head. It was more in wonder than in denial, though.
Kenzie grinned at her. “I guess we’ll all just have to watch this space, huh? Sorry, ladies, but I need to get back to it. I hope I’ll see you both soon.”
“You, too, Kenzie.”
They walked across the square in the sunshine, and Izzy slipped her arm through Audrey’s. “You don’t seem as shocked as I thought you’d be about Kenzie saying that you guys might get married.”
Audrey sucked in a deep breath. “Unlike some people, I won’t deny the way I feel. He’s wonderful, Iz. I know you think I’d be crazy to even think about it—and to be fair, we don’t even know if Ted would consider it. But … I know it’s way too early to even think about it, but I do like the idea.”
Izzy squeezed her arm. “Just because I’m a failure in the marriage department, I don’t have anything against it. In the right circumstances, for the right people, I think marriage is wonderful. I think you and Ted are the right people.”
Audrey squeezed her back. “Thanks. I thought you’d disapprove.”
“Nah. It’s not for me, but we’re different. You heard me tell Kenzie that I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys get married. Ted’s great. In fact, I’d say that he’s already in love with you.”
Audrey tried to hide her smile.
“Oh, my God! He is? He is, isn’t he? And you are, too! And you’ve already told each other?”
Audrey nodded happily. “We have.”
“Damn, girl!” She blew out a sigh. “I’m thrilled for you, but I’m going to lose you, aren’t I?”
“No! You’ll never lose me. We’ve been best friends forever, that’s not going to change.”
“I don’t mean like that. I mean, Kenzie’s right. You’re going to move up here.”
Audrey shook her head. “No. That’s not even on the table.”
“Yet. It’ll happen, though.” Izzy smiled brightly. “And it’ll be wonderful! It really will. This is a great place. And maybe we can still work together. I mean, I can work remotely if you still want me.”
Audrey stopped when they reached the rental car. “Will you stop? You’re getting way ahead of yourself.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But you know … I think I just hit on something whether you move here or not.”
“And what’s that?”
“Well, I just said I can work remotely. The others can, too—the ones we have left and anyone new you take on. Maybe it’s time to give up the office? The lease is coming up for renewal.”
Audrey stared at her. “Can we slow down a minute?”
“Sure. Sorry. But keep it in mind, okay?”
Audrey nodded and opened the car door and got in. She and Ted hadn’t talked about living together, let alone moving here together. This was all too premature. But as she started the car, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to get it out of her mind—and she was going to give Izzy’s suggestion some serious consideration—whether she was moving anywhere or not.
Chapter Nineteen
Ted sat at the head of one of the long tables in the bar. Audrey sat beside him. As he looked around at all the people who sat with them, he marveled at how much his life had changed in such a short time. Not so long ago, he hadn’t known half of them. Now, he considered them all his friends and many of them family.
Brayden smiled at him. “Thanks for bringing us up here this weekend. I was pretty bummed about losing my job, but after talking to Dan …” He let out a low whistle. “This has turned out better than I could have imagined.”
Ted reached across and grasped the kid’s shoulder. “That’s great. I’m happy it worked out for you. What’s it going to look like?”
“Well, I’m going to have to find myself a place here. There aren’t many apartments, but from what Dan said, I should be able to rent a little house for less than my place in Ventura.”
Ted glanced at Audrey. She was smiling, but he could see a touch of sadness in her eyes. For the first time, it occurred to him that he’d helped her children find jobs here but hadn’t actually talked to her about spending more time here herself. He’d hate for her to think that he was playing a part in her being able to see her kids less.
“When do you start?” she asked Brayden.
“Whenever I can get moved up here. Dan’s awesome. He works from home most of the time, but with this new project he’s setting up, he’s opening an office, and there’s going to be a few of us working there.”
“Well, I’ll help with getting you packed up if you like.”
Ally grinned at her. “You don’t need to do that, Mom. We can help each other out. I have to pack up my place too, and we decided that we might as well share a U-Haul and drive up here together.” She looked at Brayden. “Or at least, I’ll drive, since hop-along still has his cast on.”
“I see. And when do you plan to do that?”
“As soon as we get back. It’s not like either of us has a job to go to, thanks to Dad.”
Audrey nodded.
Ted put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you up here as often as you want to come.”
She smiled at him, but he could see that she was feeling down. Why hadn’t he thought to let her know his intentions first?
Eddie and April were sitting a little farther down the table, and Eddie grinned at him. “I’m going to have to get up on stage soon. Chase has done all the setup tonight so that I could hang with you guys for a while, but I just want you guys to know how happy I am that you’re moving up here. It’s going to be awesome having you all around.” He punched Brayden’s shoulder. “But I have to warn you, Marcus and his buddy Ethan are probably going to bug the life out of you.”
Brayden gave him a puzzled look.
“They’re both into computers.”
“Ah!” Brayden smiled. “That’s great. I’ll be happy to have them over and let them work with me on my stuff.”
Ally groaned. “He’s just going to create the same mess here as he has in Ventura, you know this, right, Mom?”
Audrey chuckled. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. We s
hould all be comfortable in our own space.”
“Yeah, but Brayden doesn’t have any space, he just has server racks everywhere and parts of dead computers and circuit boards all over the place.”
Eddie laughed. “Then we’ll know where to find Marcus and Ethan when we want them.”
“And what about you, Ally?” asked April.
“Well, I’ve got you guys and Marianne and Clay as my first couples. I’m so excited.”
“Me, too!” Ted loved seeing April look so happy. “Did you talk to Angel about working with the lodge as well?”
“I did. I love her. She said she’d be here tonight. She reckons they’d be able to put plenty of work my way and she’s setting up a meeting with the guy who owns the place on Monday to talk about it all—she’s happy to refer me to all their bookings, but she thinks this Ben guy might want to set up some kind of contract, too, which would be great. I hope he’s all right.”
Eddie laughed. “Ben’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. You have no worries there.”
As Ted watched them all chat, he thought about what Eddie had said—that soon he’d have two sons and two daughters. Eddie was his son—his one and only child—but he did love the idea of becoming a father figure in Brayden and Ally’s lives, too. And he’d managed to pull April aside this afternoon, too. Once he’d persuaded her to tell him about her dream wedding, he’d managed to convince her that it would make him happy if she’d let him arrange it for her. She was such a sweet soul, and she’d had such a hard life before she met Eddie. Ted already thought of her as family, and soon, she would be his daughter-in-law.
He turned to look at Audrey. She was watching the conversation the same way he was. Though, whereas he was enjoying it and envisioning their future as a family, she was no doubt feeling sad about her family moving away from her. He couldn’t believe he’d been such an idiot.
She turned and met his gaze with a smile.
“Would you like to get some fresh air?” he asked.
“I would. Eddie hasn’t gone up yet, and I’d like the fresh air after dinner.”
Ted started to get to his feet, but a hand came down on his shoulder and pushed him back into his seat.