A TEMPORARY MARRIAGE: PART ONE (AVALON BAY ROMANCE SERIES Book 1) (8 page)

She watched Richard assess her to see if she was serious. He must have thought she was, but he laughed. “Bulls are surprisingly safe to be around as long as they are happy and surrounded by cows.”

“And apart from milk, do you produce anything else?”

“We maximize the ranch’s potential by producing and processing a full array of fresh branded and private label dairy products. Let’s see…we have milk, flavored milk, buttermilk, egg nog, half & half, whipping cream, cottage cheese, butter, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream and ice cream novelties.”

“That takes a lot of work, and people,” Cassie said.

“Indeed, which is why you are a savior, although no one aside from us will ever know it.”

“I’m still in shock that your grandfather was prepared to take that risk.”

“You and I both, but just like always, his risks seem to pay off,” Richard said.

“I bet you’ve seen some things in your lifetime,” Cassie commented.

“Indeed, but nothing quite like this,” Richard said. “To this, whatever it is.” He lifted his wine glass and they toasted.

It made Cassie already feel better to know that they were in this entire thing together, and there was definitely relief that Richard was a nice guy. Regardless of the consequences, she never would have agreed to it if he wasn’t.

Nearly three hours passed by and it was time for Cassie to head back home. There had been no awkward silent moments or anything other than pleasant conversation. And tension—the kind that made your mind drift off to intimate moments with someone you were attracted to.

When Richard dropped Cassie off, he reached into the center console of his truck and handed her two sets of keys. “For the ranch, and Primrose House.”

“Thanks, I guess I will need these, huh,” Cassie said.

“You should go to Primrose and take a look tomorrow. See what you think,” Richard said.

“Thanks, I’m really looking forward to looking it over. It’ll be so exciting.”

“I’d take you myself, but with everything going on, I have too much work to do. Hopefully you understand,” Richard apologized.

“I do, and don’t worry. I’m fairly independent,” Cassie said.

He smiled and nodded, and she got out of the truck, shaking his hand because she didn’t know what else to do. If any nosy person was watching, they probably wondered what the heck was going on.

“Call you tomorrow,” Richard said as she shut the door.

She waved and walked up the steps slowly, surprised at what a good evening she’d had and how much she’d enjoyed Richard’s company. But she would also enjoy her bed and a good night’s sleep—one with dreams of Paris from an Eiffel Tower view.

Cassie woke up feeling quite strange. She had nothing to do aside from whatever she wanted. This was something she wasn’t used to so she decided to dive into the Internet and explore the various places listed out in the brochure about France. As she checked things out, including the climate, she felt compelled to go shopping for some new clothes for the “honeymoon.” However, then she thought that it might be fun to buy clothes in France. How strange that it was her largest decision that morning—crazy, actually.

She pulled out her phone and texted her mom to see if she wanted to meet for lunch, to which she replied with an enthusiastic, all capital lettered, yes.

Waiting at the restaurant, Cassie wrote out her to-do list for the wedding. There was a lot to do. Tomorrow she was meeting with Philip to go over the contract. She felt like she could trust him and not have it reviewed by another attorney, but wondered if that was more emotionally vested than she should be. This was business, after all and she thought she should email it to Teri for her approval to be on the safe side. Her thoughts were scattered and she robotically drank her water, thinking about venturing to Primrose House after lunch. When she glanced at her clock, she saw that her mother was late. Not really a surprise, as she could imagine it would be difficult for her mother to get away from the café at lunchtime.

At one of the tables her eyes became drawn to an extremely attractive woman about her own age with long loose dark brown curls and eyes so green they barely looked real. She was wearing a cream colored sweater dress that hugged her curves and flattered her olive complexion. She sat opposite a youngish couple and was showing them what looked like photos on her tablet which she held in long graceful hands with perfectly manicured red nails. How funny that she looked so big city when Cassie had always thought she was that big city girl.

“Cassie, sorry I’m so late,” her mother said, rushing up to her and plopping down. “Maggie’s set to roll at the café, and I’m ready for our afternoon.”

“No worries, Mom. Plenty to think about and sort through,” she said.

“What are you going to have today?”

“Something light, maybe a quiche and salad.”

“Good choice. I’ll have the same.”

As her mother gave the waitress their order, Cassie noticed that the green eyed woman was staring at her with a malevolent stare. As Cassie’s eyes met hers, the woman and her companions rose from their table. As they made their way through the restaurant, the woman nodded a greeting to her mother and with another contemptuous glance at Cassie exited the restaurant.

“Who is that?”

“That’s Victoria King, Richard’s ex-girlfriend.”

“That would explain the looks.”

“I can imagine she’s not too happy to hear he’s getting married.”

“Were they together long?” Cassie asked.

“On and off for about a year, I guess. I don’t really follow that stuff, but Maggie does. She’s a real life information network about the irrelevant.” Her mother laughed. Maggie’s nosy nature was mostly endearing, but once in a while it was a bit much to take.

“Well, perhaps they’ll get back together when this charade is over,” Cassie said.

As Cassie drove up to Primrose House and went to open the gate, she was instantly enchanted by it. It was perfect, amazing and everything she could have ever hoped for to work with in creating a boutique hotel with her signature on it.

“It’s going to make such a fantastic hotel, Mom. I can’t wait to get started on it.”

“It will,” she agreed. “This dream would have come true regardless of Douglas Gallagher. I just know it.”

“Well, we’ll never know for certain now, but that’s okay,” Cassie replied, smiling softly. “Besides, how do I know you didn’t talk him into it to get me to move back to Avalon Bay,” she teased.

“That would be elaborate beyond my capacity,” her mother replied, shaking her head.

By the time they left Primrose House, Cassie had pages of notes filled with ideas, observations, and questions that she had to ask people. She was so excited.

Before she knew it, two days passed by and Teri was arriving from New York. She couldn’t wait to see her! The two were going shopping to Santa Maria to find some new clothes for France, and just going to hang out and enjoy the beautiful weather. It would be perfect.

Hanging out with Teri was so fun and relaxing—just what Cassie needed. The only suspicious thing was that Richard still hadn’t met her, which had her in inquisition mode, something challenging for Cassie to handle. He was just so busy and Cassie understood that, but Teri, not so much.

Sitting at Scarlett’s, a bar opposite the pier that often put on live entertainment, the two laughed and talked, enjoying the acoustic music of two guys on the guitar, playing songs from the seventies.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow,” Teri said as the bartender set down a Pina Colada in front of her.

“Me either,” Cassie said as she raised her Daiquiri and tapped it against Teri’s drink.

“Cheers.”

“So tell me more about this man you’re about to marry. Will I like him?”

Cassie laughed, “Yes, you’ll like him, he’s a good guy.”

“Is he good looking?”

Cassie could feel her face beginning to flush. “Yes, he is. Almost too good looking.”

“No such thing,” Teri said with a laugh.

“Well, before all of this, he was imprinted in my mind as a spotty teenager. Now he’s about 6’2”, and very good looking. He’s also in excellent shape I guess from working outside so much.”

“You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

“No,” Cassie said quickly. “That would not be a good idea. Plus, he’s not the marrying kind.”

“Why?” Teri asked.

Cassie sipped her drink slowly to buy herself some time before answering. “I don’t know why, really. Possibly because he lost his parents and siblings in a car accident when he was fifteen. It happened after my mom and I’d moved to Staten Island. Perhaps he’s scared that if he gets close to someone he’ll lose them.”

***

Over at the ranch, Philip joined Richard for some steaks and scotch—a “playboy off the market” celebration.

“I’ve been saving this for a special occasion. I suppose this is as good as any,” Philip said, showing the scotch bottle.

“Good, I’m tense as hell, Philip. I’ll gladly take anything to take the edge off.”

“The wedding, or something else?”

“The wedding, but also organizing everything for this week. I haven’t seen Cassie for two days. People have been asking so many questions about her and I was caught off guard at first. It’s details that are likely to trip me up.”

“Well, once you’re married and she’s also living here, it’ll be a lot easier,” Philip said with complete confidence.

“I hope so,” Richard said.

“So, you don’t feel good about the wedding?” Philip asked.

“Not great. I like living on my own and the thought of sharing my home for a year is not something I’m looking forward to.”

“Is it about being off the market, or just having to keep up with the rouse for a year?” Philip asked. “Because, in the whole scheme of things, a year isn’t that long.”

“Oddly enough, I haven’t even thought about the woman factor, aside from the one I’m marrying.”

“Sure picked a romantic honeymoon spot; any particular reason?”

“Well, I didn’t want to do the Caribbean or a cruise. And I always wanted to go to Europe. Heard that Cassie did, too, so I thought we might as well knock something off our bucket list as the kick-off to our marriage.”

Philip smiled mischievously and asked, “What about sleeping arrangements?”

“What about them?”

“Cassie’s a beautiful girl.”

“To get involved with her in that way would just complicate things. I have booked separate rooms for us. This is just a business arrangement, remember,” Richard said slightly irritated. 

“How is Victoria?”

“I haven’t talked to her since we split up, passed her on the street in the truck once. She didn’t even return my wave.”

“What about your business relationship?” Philip asked.

“Well, I do need to talk to her about various things, but she must still be burnt, because she hasn’t reached out to me. And there are those five old fishermen cottages she bought that she wants me to renovate for her. It’s not like her—she loves money more than just about anything else.”

“Miss her?” Philip asked, swigging down the rest of his scotch.

Richard thought for a while before answering. “Actually, no. I guess there’s been so much else going on I haven’t had time to think about her. And you know me, I don’t do long term relationships. It was likely time to break up anyway, with or without Gramp’s encouragement from the grave.”

“That’s why this wedding is the talk of the area. Everyone wants to know who the woman who’s finally tamed you down is.”

“If they only knew the truth,” Richard said grimly.

“Well, let’s hope they never do. Remember your grandfather stipulated that the whole town must believe this wedding is for real. Or you don’t inherit,” Philip warned. “Maybe you’ll like being married. Could fall in love and even want to have kids.”

Richard’s jaw line tensed. “That’s so not going to happen. Love only ever leads to pain and loss. And I hope you will do your job and make sure everyone thinks this is a marriage made in heaven.”

***

A horse drawn carriage pulled up in front of the cottage and Cassie walked out of the house, along with Teri, her mother, and her aunt. It was time…oh my gosh, it was time. Thanks to Teri’s help, Cassie felt like a princess, ready to face her court with her beautiful cream chiffon dress, and her hair twisted up in an eloquent style with a few tendrils loosely dangling around her face, dancing slightly in the breeze that was present that beautiful day.

“You just look so beautiful,” said her mother.

“Like a beautiful princess,” said her aunt.

Teri was just glassy eyed and when Cassie noticed it, she knew that she’d be quiet, less she risked starting to cry and ruining her mascara. Tough attorney by day, softy by night.

Just like a fairytale, the carriage pulled up to the chapel and the driver stepped down and came around to open the small door and extended his hand to help Cassie out.

Waiting on the sidewalk was her Uncle William who was going to walk her down the aisle. He looked so much like her father—the way she remembered him fourteen years ago—that she couldn’t help but smile and imagine what he’d be thinking as he watched his daughter getting married. Thankfully, Uncle William felt this was the real deal, just like everyone else did. Everyone else was in the church and she looked at him and smiled, then looped her arm through his.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“I am,” Cassie said. Hopefully her voice sounded more confident than her heart at that moment. It suddenly seemed really deceitful, which did not make her feel as great as she should.

Her mother and aunt went inside and she remained out there with her uncle. As she stood there she shook slightly, but was ready for the day. Then the music started to play from inside the chapel, a beautiful compilation on the violin.

Slowly and steadily, Cassie walked in, feeling like she was in a dream. As she entered into the main part of the chapel, she couldn’t help but focus on Teri up ahead of her, looking so graceful in her simple, pale blue sheath. Then as she walked up the aisle she spotted Richard standing by the altar with Philip behind him.

He was gorgeous and the way he looked at her made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. It made everything seem so real and she decided to savor the moment and let her imagination run wild. This was her one and only first wedding, after all.

As she got closer, Richard smiled at her and his eyes lit up, which made her smile. Then her uncle handed her away to Richard, her husband for better or  worse, but only for a year.

The vows were said and then the ring was slipped onto her finger, making her hand tremble, but it was his kiss upon her lips after the minister announced that “you may kiss the bride” that shot her to the moon. Her stomach had twisted as he drew her close and she’d felt the heat of his breath as his lips hesitated over hers. Then his lips met hers, moist, firm, and completely intoxicating. Although, not a long kiss, it felt too real, and addictive. She instantly knew she wanted to feel that kiss again, for better or for worse.

Then they walked down the aisle, greeted by claps and cheers, and with her arm looped through her husband’s, Cassie and he stepped into the awaiting black limousine that would take them to the Santa Maria Country Club for the reception. Teri, her mother, Aunt Maggie, Uncle William, and Philip all followed behind them in another limousine.

Richard held Cassie’s hand when they’d entered the limousine, but once the doors were closed, he pulled it away softly, maybe even hesitantly. Then he smiled, acting more casual. “How are you doing?”

“Good? You?”

“It wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be,” he said. She looked and saw he meant it. She should have been offended, but she couldn’t be because she understood exactly what he meant.