A TEMPORARY MARRIAGE: PART ONE (AVALON BAY ROMANCE SERIES Book 1) (7 page)

“It’s not too late to change your mind, Cassie,” Teri said softly.

“I’ve committed myself now. It is only for a year and then I get my life back, plus my own hotel. It’s not a bad deal. And Richard’s a nice guy. It’ll be fine.”

Her mother informed her that Richard’s announcement about his upcoming wedding to her had sent shockwaves through the town.

“It seems to be all anyone talks about. I must get asked a dozen times a day how you two met. I’m so glad you’d told us the story that you two concocted, although I almost said the wrong thing—once. Maggie saved me.”

“Aunt Maggie is good, real good,” Cassie said.

“Too good sometimes,” her mother replied.

And again, her mother repeated the details, which she did every time they spoke. July 7 the wedding would take place at the chapel in town, the reception would be at a nearby country club and they were catering the event, too. Richard had hired a top band to play. Three hundred guests were expected to attend. The only detail that everyone seemed to be curious about was the honeymoon, and her mom reminded her, “I have no answer for that, darling. You and Richard better think of something, and quick.”

Cassie had a lot of luggage, and she’d sent many things via post. But as she struggled with her three suitcases, a strong hand reached up behind her and said, “Let me help you with those, Mrs.”

She turned around. “Richard, hi.” Again, she was taken in by how gorgeous he was. And he was going to be her husband soon…wow!

“Your mom told me that you might need some help, and she was right,” he said, smiling in a teasing manner. 

“Well, I am planning on staying a while,” she teased back.

“Here, let me help you,” he said as he took over control of the luggage and wheeled it out to the parking lot and to his truck. Cassie watched in admiration as he easily tossed each huge bag she had struggled with earlier into the back of his blue truck before opening the passenger door for her to climb in.

It was only early evening so there was still a few hours of sunshine left in the California sky. During the one hour drive to Avalon Bay, Richard pointed out various things, including projects he’d worked on, and talked about how much the area had changed.

“How come Avalon Bay isn’t as touristy as all the other coves along the coast?”

“Mainly due to my grandfather. He didn’t want a load of surfers, beach bums, or wealthy people buying weekend homes to ruin the town, so he held onto his land and wouldn’t allow building. He was very much into preserving the sense of community of the town. When I got my architect’s license he allowed me to construct as long as it fitted into the landscape and was of decent quality. He also let me build a condominium, so the workers at the ranch could have affordable housing and not have to travel so far to work. I imagine that what he wanted to avoid was having a lot of workers from the Silicon Valley moving into the town and commuting but not really belonging to the town community. Because of his restrictions many of my construction sites are in other nearby towns.”  

“So do you suppose having a hotel in the town will ruin it?”

“Not at all, we need one, badly. I assume if it’s of a good standard and attracts quality visitors it can only help the small businesses in the town like your mom’s café and many of the artists who have moved here attracted by the tranquility, and close neighborhood of the town.”

“And now your grandfather is dead, will you construct more housing in Avalon Bay?”

“No, I love the place as it is. Obviously, as the population increases more housing will be needed, but I wouldn’t just build for profit if it was a detriment to the character of the town, or with no regard to the environment. I respect what my grandfather achieved in keeping Avalon Bay unique.”

They entered town and passed the house that had a Gallagher Construction sign in front of it. “Your buildings are very attractive,” Cassie said as she looked at the housing that was solid yet light and airy looking, with plenty of windows and redwood features and natural stone.

“Thanks,” Richard said, looking pleased at the compliment.

Cassie reflected at how little she knew about this man. She had a lot to learn about her soon to be husband.

Richard stopped the truck in front of her mom’s cottage and hopped out. “I’ll carry your bags up for you. Hopefully we can catch up soon, maybe tomorrow night. You look tired.”

“I am tired,” she admitted.

Richard carried the bags up to the front porch where her mom and aunt were eagerly waiting for her.

“Richard, let me show you where Cassie’s room is,” Aunt Maggie said gesturing for Richard to follow her into the house. As Richard carried her bags up to her room, Cassie sat down on a wicker chair, suddenly overcome by exhaustion.

“Are you okay, Cassie,” her mom said, unable to hide her concern.

“I’m fine Mom, Just exhausted from the last few weeks and all the traveling today.”

Then Richard was standing there with Aunt Maggie behind him.

“How about a nice glass of chilled Chardonnay for everyone?” Maggie asked.

“I’ll take a rain check, Maggie. Cassie is exhausted and I have a full day tomorrow and need to do accounts this evening,” Richard said in apology to her aunt.

He then turned to Cassie and handed her an envelope from his back pocket. She took it from him, a puzzled expression creeping onto her face.

“We obviously must have a honeymoon; otherwise people will find it odd. So this is what I have booked,” Richard said looking a trifle embarrassed. “Let me know your thoughts after you have looked through it.”  Turning to her mother, he said, “Obviously, I have booked separate rooms for us both.”

And before anyone had a chance to reply Richard had run down the steps to his truck. Cassie envied him for being able to run away like that. She was too tired to move a muscle.

“I’ll get the wine, and then we can look and see what Richard has planned for your honeymoon,” Maggie said as she beamed at Cassie.

Five minutes later, Cassie kept repeating, “France.” She stared at a glossy brochure with the title “Vive La France” on it.

“That is exciting,” Maggie said.

“Where in France?” asked her mother.

Cassie scanned the brochure’s list of tour itineraries and saw that one had been circled in red. It was a fourteen day tour of Paris, Loire valley, Dordogne, Provence, and the French Riviera, filled with incredible adventures and really seeing all the things that people went to France to see.

“This is absolutely mind-blowing, Mom. I can’t believe he’s done this. Here take a look,” she said as she handed her mother the brochure. As her mother took the information sheet Aunt Maggie moved up closer to her sister on the wicker sofa they were sitting on and scanned the circled itinerary together.

“Cassie, this is a vacation of a lifetime!” her mother exclaimed.

Cassie couldn’t help but be excited. “I’ve always wanted to go to Europe, especially France,” she said.

“You should get plenty of inspiration for refurbishing your hotel after a trip like this,” said her aunt.

“Do you suppose he’s booked it already? Or do you consider he’s waiting to see what I think?”

“Ask,” her mother said.

“Should I? I don’t want to bother him.”

“Cassie, he’s going to be your husband, you’re going to have to be comfortable bothering him and you need time to pack for a trip like this. The wedding is a week away, which means that France is, too.” Her mother patted her leg.

Cassie reached into her bag for her cell phone and called him.

“Cassie,” Richard said. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine. I’ve just looked at the brochure you gave me. Have you booked it already?”

“Yes, is that alright? I should probably have consulted you first, but there has just been so much to arrange in such a short time. And the flights were filling up fast, so I had to make a rapid decision. Do you not like the idea of France?” he asked in a worried tone of voice.

“Like it? I love it, love it, love it. It’s always been a dream of mine.”

“That’s a relief. Your aunt mentioned that you had never been to Europe, neither have I. So, I thought this would be a new experience for us both and we might get ideas for renovating Primrose House.”

“I’m so excited. I can’t believe I’m going to France. When do we leave?”

“The day after the wedding. I’ve booked two rooms for us in San Francisco on the night of our wedding and then we fly to Paris the following afternoon.”

“This is incredible, a lot to take in,” Cassie said.

“I know how you feel,” he said and chuckled.

Cassie sensed that they were both on the same page with this entire arrangement and each was trying to grow comfortable with it.

“Well, Cassie, I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll go to the ranch and you can check out your new home, then maybe we can have some steaks on the BBQ.”

Richard and Cassie made their way out to the ranch and she mused at how many people waved at his familiar truck as it went through town. He waved back and they all peered, trying to get a closer look at Cassie. It made her feel strange. Unlike New York, she didn’t blend in here. She stood out because she was the one who took a bachelor off the market.

“Here we are,” he said, jumping out of the truck.

A Golden Labrador came running toward Richard, wagging its tail and looking so excited. Cassie got out of the truck and the dog came to her next, sitting right at her feet until she petted it.

“Well, that’s a nice warm welcome,” Cassie said as she reached down to pet behind its ears.

“That’s Aly, don’t you remember her?  She seems to remember you.”

“Is this Aly? Why, she must be, what fifteen, sixteen? I remember when you brought her home as a tiny puppy.”

“Let’s go inside; I’ll give you a tour,” Richard said.

Once in the house, Cassie was surprised by what she saw. “It’s changed so much from what I remember,” she said. She walked over to a picture window and stared out at the ocean below. The house was in the perfect position on that cliff, one that allowed someone an incredible view of everything.

“Yes. I completely refurbished it.  It was my first project after finishing college. My grandfather financed it.”

As Cassie followed Richard around the house she noted that it had been beautifully decorated. She touched one of the curtains and sighed at the softness of the material.

“I hired a local interior designer,” Richard said as he noticed her admiring the furnishings.

“Well, whoever it was has done an excellent job.”

“It was Philip’s sister, Melisa. Maybe we can get some advice from her for Primrose, if you like? I know it’s your project, but I get kind of excited about these things. Don’t want to step on your toes.”

“That’s a great idea, and all advice is welcome. It is the largest endeavor I’ve ever undertaken, or maybe not,” Cassie said, referring to the wedding. That was likely to be the toughest, strangest thing she’d ever encountered—hard to top.

Cassie’s mood changed as she thought about the wedding. She was beginning to be aware of increasing nervousness. The thought of all the wedding guests, most of whom she’d never met, terrified her. She sighed heavily, quite involuntarily.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No, I’m honoring my commitment, but I do feel quite nervous.”

“Well, every time you feel nervous just think of France,” he said with a smile.

“An expensive plan to calm my nerves,” Cassie said, but she couldn’t help but smile back. He did make her feel relaxed despite all of this, which was rare and refreshing.

“Do you want to see your bedroom?” he asked. “You’ll be able to change it up any way you like, of course.”

Cassie walked into the room and saw a bedroom that she would have created for herself. “This is perfect, actually.”

“I thought it might be,” he said.

She looked at him. “Aunt Maggie, right?”

“You got it, Cassie.”

She laughed, thinking of Aunt Maggie and how excited she was by the entire shenanigans of the situation.

“Are you hungry yet? I can throw the steaks on the grill.”

“I am actually,” she said.

“Let’s go to the kitchen and get things set. Do you know how to cook?”

“I cook well enough, but not as good as my mom and aunt,” Cassie confessed.

“Darn—deal breaker,” Richard said, then laughed out loud. “Just kidding, of course, I’d eat burnt toast for a year without complaining out of gratitude to you.”

“Well, we’ll make sure it doesn’t come down to that, then,” Cassie replied. She liked how comfortable their banter was. It was as good of a start as she could hope for.

“Agreed,” Richard said.

“Can I do anything to help?” Cassie offered, walking into a beautiful gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops.

“Well, if you want to make the salad that would be great. And I’ll open a bottle of Cabernet if you’d like a glass.”

“I would.”

Cassie watched as Richard opened a door and walked in. Her jaw dropped, a wine cellar. It was amazing, and full.

He came back out with a bottle of wine in hand and set it on the counter and then went to the fridge to get out the salad ingredients, then opened the wine and offered a glass.

“This is your place now, too, so I want you to make yourself at home,” Richard said. “I mean that.”

“Thanks, I’ll try,” Cassie said. Just business, just business, she thought.

Out by the BBQ, Cassie and Richard talked while potatoes baked on the grill, waiting for the right time to put the beautiful t-bone steaks on.

“So, how many cows do you have on the farm?”

“About a thousand, mainly Holsteins and Jerseys.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Holstein cows are black and white and Jersey cows are brown. Holstein’s produce more milk but the Jersey’s milk is higher in fat content. We also have about fifty bulls for natural breeding.”

“Bulls scare me,” Cassie confessed. “I feel quite certain that if one was loose, I’d be the freak victim of it impaling me.”