The Marriage Pledge

by Jean Oram

  She paused, as though expecting him to acknowledge her words somehow.

  “Leaving was difficult, Moe. So incredibly difficult. And each time I saw you after I’d left…” Her voice cracked. “I thought I was strong enough to do it.” She shook her head. “But I wasn’t. None of us were. You were better off without me falling in and out of your life as my new work schedule allowed.” She dipped her head, letting out a breath so shaky he feared it was going to break her. Then suddenly she threw back her head, conviction and urgency ringing in her voice as she stated, “You might seize this opportunity to be the owner, but you might also make new mistakes. You might repeat your father’s, just in a new way.” Her voice was still trembling with emotion, but she was facing him, not backing down. He now knew where Lily got her strength.

  “I understand I haven’t earned the right to give you life advice. I just hope you listen to your gut. Really listen to it. Forget the reasons for and against your decisions, and listen to what will make you and Amy happy. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where things are never going to work out perfectly, and you have to choose the path where you and the ones you love will be the happiest. Even if you don’t end up where you thought you wanted to be.”

  Moe wanted to be angry at her. To hold on to the emotion like a shield, keep her words from being real and hitting that soft spot inside him that was filled with doubts.

  He remembered the fights she’d had with his father, and because of that, he understood why she’d left. He remembered the quiet peace of the house and how everyone could breathe once she’d gone. But he also remembered the heartbreak. The sadness when she didn’t come back, didn’t stay in touch as often as he’d have liked. The feeling of not being loved enough to matter in her world.

  Was what she’d done really the best for all? Had she taken the path that would give everyone more happiness?

  “According to Lily, you married a wonderful woman who’s been your best friend for nearly a decade,” Farrah said. “You’re already miles ahead of where your father and I ever were. Promise me you won’t take that for granted. There are a million ways to make money and to be there for your kids, if that’s what you’re seeking.”

  She glanced off screen for a moment, then said, “I have to run. But I just wanted to say, sometimes you have to let go of your goals and expectations, find happiness and put it first.”

  He’d always thought goals, expectations and happiness were one and the same. But maybe they weren’t, and that was what Amy had been trying to tell him.

  And maybe his new goal should be to put love first.

  Twenty minutes later Moe was still sitting in the brew room, trying to sort out his mother’s words, his feelings for Amy and whether there was any way he could ever win her back.

  His worst fears had come true. He’d fallen for Amy and she’d left him.

  And where was he? Sitting here letting it all happen. Letting her leave.

  He wasn’t even fighting for her.

  What was wrong with him?

  He and Amy weren’t like his parents. They didn’t fight. He was happy with her, not with the pub. He’d been overjoyed every time she returned to her waitressing job and miserable every time she left.

  He needed to be with her.

  “I’m worried about Kimi and her pub,” Roald said without any preamble as he joined Moe in the brew room. The man was like Kimi—just magically appearing in the middle of the workday and expecting to be able to talk. “I’m worried that she’s chasing after something that won’t ever turn a decent profit, and that if I let her inherit it, she’ll lose her shirt. Is there any hope of turning it around?”

  “Roald, not now.”

  “I’m in town. You can do whatever you were doing while we talk.”

  Moe’s insides roiled with anger. Roald wanted him to pass judgment on Kimi and her business abilities. He understood the concern, but Moe wasn’t the proper person to ask.

  “Did you have this same conversation with Kimi about me and this pub?”

  Roald’s mouth opened but nothing came out.

  “It’s fine. I understand. It’s all about the family.” Moe nodded to himself, thinking. “I actually really get that. And this place is my family. And it’s my wife you fired.” He stood. “So, I’m taking my vacation days.”

  “What? You can’t! Who will replace you?”

  “As the executor, you’re authorized to deal with staffing issues, I believe.”

  The man had cut down the woman he loved, riled her, then fired her.

  Holding on to this pub had never been the right thing to do. It had simply looked like the easy thing.

  They could move.

  They could find new jobs.

  Starting now.

  “I enjoyed watching this place grow, serving customers, and generally just being a bartender,” Moe said. “This pub has been great for the town, and for me. But I understand that you need to do what you need to do, but I sincerely hope you won’t act rashly.”

  “Are you quitting? Giving up your rights to this business?”

  Moe hadn’t quit something in a very long time, and he gave himself a moment to reflect on what exactly he was doing. “You know…I might be quitting. Yes, I think I am.” He handed his pub keys to the stunned man. “I’ll really miss this place.”

  Roald shook his shoulders as though his indignation couldn’t be wholly contained. “It won’t be here when you return.”

  “My honeymoon is more important, and I’d hate to miss it. Actually, let’s correct that first part. My wife is more important.” His wife. A woman who was creative, enterprising and always landed on her feet. It was time to take a lesson from her even if it scared him nearly witless. It was time to try running away. Well, maybe just walking away.

  “I’m not ready to liquidate,” Roald said, his tone formal.

  “It sounded as though you were the other night, while threatening me and my wife. But hey, I know how it goes.” He clapped the guy on the back, satisfied when he winced. “I’m sure you’ll find someone to fill in. Spencer thinks he’s quite capable of running the place. Maybe give him a shot.”

  Roald’s lips twisted.

  “I’m a fixer, Roald, my man, and it’s time I fixed something important.”

  Amy stared at the pregnancy test.

  She couldn’t blink. She couldn’t think.

  They’d done it.

  She was pregnant.

  She sagged onto the bed and quietly listened to her own breathing.

  A baby.

  Their baby.

  Snapping to, she took in the pink honeymoon cottage. Out the windows she could see the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Thousands of miles from Moe. From the father of this baby growing inside her.

  Thank goodness she hadn’t drunk that piña colada.

  She scrambled for her phone and checked the time. If she was quick she could catch the next airport shuttle.

  She’d come up with that plan to win back her husband during the flight.

  They were going to be parents. She had to figure out how to be that special someone for him, so love and friendship could weave its way into something spectacular that lasted a lifetime. That soul-level love that she’d found only with him.

  She picked up the cottage’s phone and hit zero, patching herself through to guest services.

  “Indigo Bay Cottages, Zoe speaking. How can I help you today?” said a friendly female voice.

  “I’d like to book a spot on the next shuttle to the airport.”

  “Sure thing. Is this Ms. Carrick in the honeymoon cottage?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry you won’t be staying with us longer. Is there anything I can do to help make things more enjoyable?”

  “Get my husband over here?” She laughed, the sound hollow even to her own ears.

  There was a pause on the other end of the line.

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Zoe said carefully.

/>   “I’m just kidding. The shuttle booking is all I need.”

  “I’ll send someone around to collect you and your luggage in twenty minutes.”

  “Thanks.”

  After Amy hung up, she began tossing items into her suitcase.

  All too soon there was a knock at the door.

  Seriously? That was not twenty minutes.

  Grumbling to herself, she yanked the zipper closed on her bag and hauled it to the door, while taking a quick visual sweep of the room. The couch had her book and phone charger on it, and she collected them as she went by.

  She opened the door and dropped her bag in surprise.

  “I thought maybe I could join you on our honeymoon?”

  It was Moe. Looking so handsome and sheepish and definitely hopeful.

  Amy didn’t know what to do. She didn’t plan for this. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and sob into his neck and never let go, but there were so many things to sort out. So many questions.

  But all she could think of was that he’d come here for her.

  “You’re here. For me?”

  “For you,” Moe said simply.

  She picked up her bag, shifting it in her grip. They should go home. Figure things out. Put one foot in front of the other and do lots of planning or talking or something smart, because she didn’t know how to do this. She just knew she was desperate to get over these awkward misunderstandings, all the hurt and confusion, and be where she’d been with him only days ago. Happy and sure of things. In love.

  She wanted a plan. A plan with Moe.

  “Although maybe I’m too late?” Moe asked, when she didn’t speak. He was shifting from foot to foot on the cottage’s small porch. His hair was in that stage between short and getting slightly shaggy. He looked perfect. He looked like that cavalier but steady man she’d always loved so dearly.

  Amy was unable to form sentences to express all the thoughts running through her mind. The word late stuck in her mind. “No, I’m late.”

  Moe’s face sagged with disappointment. “Maybe we can catch the same flight home and talk about things?”

  “I mean I’m late-late.” She clutched her book and charger against her chest.

  “Okay.” He reached for her bag.

  “But we fought and then you came here to be with me?” she asked stupidly. “You have work. The pub.”

  “I think I quit my job. No, I did,” he said firmly. “And right now I’m taking my vacation days.”

  “You quit?” She gasped, dread slipping into her, cold and unforgiving. Moe was the steady one. The planner. The one who made sure everything would work out and be okay. He looked to the future. “You quit your job on a whim?”

  “I thought it was time to take a page out of your book. Live a little. Let others stress out about stuff instead of me. We can find new jobs. Move somewhere else if we need to.”

  Amy felt the world swaying. “Moe, I’m pregnant.”

  “I just want to be with you...” He’d carried on with his little speech, his words fading as her sentence sank in. He blinked twice. Then he paled and gripped the doorframe. “I quit my job,” he breathed, bending over. Then he popped back up again. “I quit my job,” he repeated firmly. “Quit it. Gone.” He threw up his hands and laughed.

  She’d broken him.

  He bent over again and she heard his swift intake of air.

  “Moe…”

  “Maybe I should sit down. No, no. I’m okay.” He straightened yet again, a wan smile on his pale face. His eyes were happy even though he looked a tad freaked out. “I came here to enjoy the honeymoon, and to beg you to come back to me, as well as to try and figure out how to be the man you need. I’m here. I’m here and I’m yours if you haven’t already found someone new.”

  “Moe, shut it.” She yanked him inside. Then called out to the man who’d just driven up on the golf cart, to fetch her or Moe or her suitcase or heaven knew what. “We’re staying until the end of our reservation. Can you tell the airport shuttle people and the front desk, please?”

  The man grinned and gave her a salute before driving off.

  “I’m sorry,” Moe said, as soon as she shut the door.

  “No, don’t be. Just sit. We have to talk.”

  He closed his eyes and sank into the couch, hands clasped in front of him.

  Where to start?

  “I love that you’re here. That you came.” A warm feeling started like a flicker of light in her chest, expanding until it filled her as she thought of how he’d come to her. “Absolutely love it. But I need you to know that I don’t need Mr. Whimsy. I thought I did. I need Mr. Steady. I need you. That’s the man I need and love.”

  “I quit my job.”

  “I know. I love that. I do. I’m excited you’re here. But right now I need to tell you how I feel. I know I should have been a better wife. I love and admire that you’re my steady and planned, wonderful man. And I understand why you needed and wanted to stay in town.”

  He nodded, his head bobbing slightly.

  She grabbed his hand. “I should have trusted our love. I should have given you room to…” She struggled to put into words what she’d felt and expressed to Kelso at the Tiki Hut. “I love you and I’m scared.”

  Suddenly Moe moved and she was in his arms. She clung to him, savoring his tight hug. She felt safe, loved, protected.

  “It’s always only ever been you, Amy, and together we’ll figure things out.”

  He held her, his arms feeling like everything she’d ever wanted. He was home. He was kindness, security, and that calm and steady presence that she’d always wanted but been too afraid to take. With her exes she’d been willing to take a chance and see if anything happened, but all the while she had known they didn’t have the power to break her heart. It would have been impossible, since her heart had already been claimed by someone else.

  “It’s you,” she whispered.

  “It’s me.”

  “No, not like that.” His grip loosened and she hurried to say, “I thought I needed kids and family to feel as though I belonged, to feel sure inside. That things would quiet down if I had that. But it’s you. It’s always been you I truly needed. But I’ve been too scared to own my love—our love, because I was so worried I’d mess up. And I did.” She sniffed back tears. “You love me for who I am.”

  “I always have. And you can’t take all the blame, okay?”

  “It’s my fault. I put myself first.”

  “And I pulled back, Amy.” He loosened his grip to brush the tears from her cheeks. “I always pull back, because I’m too afraid I’ll lose you.”

  “You won’t.”

  He hugged her again, kissing her hair. “I want you in my life. Forever.”

  “Well, you’ve got me. Me and this baby.”

  She felt him inhale sharply against her. “We’re going to need jobs,” he stated.

  “They need a bartender at the Tiki Hut on the beach. It’s only short-term… But maybe Dallas could let us tent on the beach behind one of his cottages or something, for dirt cheap, and we could save up some money.”

  “Amy?”

  “Hmm?”

  “We have a house back in Blueberry Springs. We don’t need to sleep outdoors. We have a baby to think about. A baby!” She could feel his happiness spreading to her.

  “I know, but it would be cheap. We could rent out our house. And then when the baby comes I could be a babysitter or start a day care here at the resort.”

  “Amy?”

  “Hmm?” She was on a roll now. This planning thing was kind of fun. It was a lot like dreaming.

  He was smiling at her. “Don’t become a planner, okay?”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’ll stress me out. Plus, I love you just the way you are.”

  “All zany? Making us a perfectly balanced, nutty match?”

  “Yes, all zany and nutty.”

  Moe stood alone along the shore of the Atlantic, hands on his
hips, thinking. The ocean breeze was tangy with sea smells and refreshing after the muggy South Carolina heat closer to the cottage.

  They were going to be parents. He and Amy loved each other, but was it enough? Enough to break their old habits and go the distance with their relationship? But they were friends first. And by being friends he had the confidence that they could trust each other enough to move past their fears and own what they had. Love.

  He felt Amy’s presence before he heard her say hi. He turned, overriding his old habit of keeping his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t be tempted to touch her, caress her.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked, as she curled into his arms. She smelled like home, like his Amy.

  “I’m thinking about what we need to do to make this last.”

  “I told you, work for Dallas and all of this could be ours.” She was gazing out at the colorful reflections on the water, courtesy of the setting sun.

  “I was talking about us.”

  Her fingers slipped around the back of his waist and up toward his shoulder blades, holding him closer. He wanted to kiss her, lose himself. All too soon they’d be a family of three. A family depending upon him. A man with nothing more than a high school education and a whole lot of love and good intentions.

  Just like his father.

  Except he was going to be happy. He would find a job that allowed him to be close to them during waking hours, allowing him to have what truly mattered to him.

  “I should look up my dad while we’re out here.”

  “Tell him the news?” Amy said with a smile.

  “Yeah, tell him the news that Amy Carrick has finally admitted she loves me.”

  She laughed. “About time, right?”

  “Yeah, about time.”

  She reached up, lightly tapping his lips with her finger. “Quit thinking and kiss me.”

  He considered her for a long time, watching impatience, desire, longing flash through her amber-specked eyes. He tenderly brushed his thumb across her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair the ocean breeze was playing with behind her ear.