“I guess I didn’t think about it like that.”
“No, you didn’t. I need to be alone for a bit to get my thoughts together. Please, will you take me home?”
Sophie came running out, calling my name. When I turned to look over my shoulder, Emmit, Adaline, and Autumn were all standing on the porch.
Shit. How much of that did they all just hear?
“Here’s your water,” Sophie said as she forced it into my hand. Lifting it up to my lips, I took a drink and handed it back to her. Adaline was looking at me like she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure what she should say.
“Congratulations on the engagement!” Autumn called out as she bolted down the stairs and pulled me into her arms.
“I’ve never seen Malcolm as happy as he has been with you,” she whispered into my ear. When Adaline and Emmit stood before me, Adaline gave me a sympathetic smile. “It took a little while for me to get used to the idea as well. Would you like to tour the whole house so you can see how the two separate living areas are laid out?”
Oh. My. God. I’m the last person to even see the whole house.
I shook my head and barely said, “Not right now. I really need to get back to the house. I’m not feeling well.”
With that I turned away from everyone and forced myself not to run but to walk.
By the time I got to the truck, I jumped in and tried to get my breathing under control. It felt as if I was having a panic attack.
Malcolm got in the truck and silently we drove back to his house. Not saying a word, I made my way to the guest bedroom I had stayed in a few months back. Malcolm didn’t even follow me.
Shutting the door, I leaned against it and slid to the ground as I dropped my forehead onto my knees and cried.
The different emotions running through my mind were confusing. The idea of being married to Malcolm thrilled me, yet at the same time I knew my life would be so different. Mansions, vineyards, assistants, cooks, and whatever else Malcolm decided to throw into the mix. The one thing I would not allow him to do to me is let me lose my independence or my voice. I wasn’t sure how long I sat there on the floor before I finally got up and hit Elizabeth’s number.
After she answered, I launched into a full on explanation of everything that just happened.
“So, what exactly are you confused about, Paislie?”
My eyes widened in shock. “Elizabeth, he planned all of this without talking to me!”
“Okay, so I get that the idea of the bed and breakfast thing makes you angry because it wasn’t originally your idea, but have you not talked for years about doing something like that?”
I chewed the corner of my lips. “Well, yeah but that’s beside the point.”
“Why? Do you like Adaline?”
My heart jumped to my throat. “Yes. Very much.”
“Do you not think Malcolm saw that and took that into consideration before he made this move?”
I shrugged even though she couldn’t see me. “I guess so.”
“Paislie, I get you’re feeling like Malcolm made some serious decisions without consulting you, but stop for a few moments and ask yourself this. If he had asked you to marry him, then asked you about buying the house and vineyards with Emmit and his family, then mentioned the possibility of the bed and breakfast, what would you have said?”
I thought for a moment. “I would have said yes to all of it. I love that he and Emmit are reaching outside the box and trying something totally different, but it’s also a little scary for me to think he’s doing this with someone else. What if they have a fight? I mean they bought a damn house together!”
Elizabeth chuckled. “I see your point, but I also don’t think of Malcolm as someone who would make such a decision without really thinking it through.”
I nodded as I sat down on the bed. “I honestly think I’m more upset by the fact that I was the last to know any of this. Did he not tell me because he was worried I would say no to his proposal?”
“Maybe, or maybe he really thought he was surprising you.”
My lip tingled as I realized I was biting it. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I asked, “Do you think I overreacted?”
“Yes and no. I would probably have a talk with him about future decisions and that you want to be a part of them.”
“Totally,” I barely said as I stood back up and paced the floor. “It all just seems so fast, Elizabeth.”
“And there we are to the root of the issue.”
My head dropped back. I knew she was right. One second I was engaged and the next, I discovered I had a house bigger than the one I was currently in, another family living there with us, a vineyard, olive trees, and possibly going into business with a person I hardly knew. Plus add in a wedding, my own career and the idea that as each day went on, I longed for a child more and more.
“Ugh! I want to scream!”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Then scream.”
I followed her advice as I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.
“Feel better?”
“Some,” I said with a giggle. “I’m scared I’m going to wake up and this is going to be a dream and I’ll be standing on the steps again looking up at St. Patrick’s.”
“Oh, Paislie, it’s not a dream and if anyone deserves to find happiness it’s you.”
“It feels like a dream,” I whispered.
The soft knock at the door had me spinning around and rushing over to open it. Malcolm stood on the other side holding a Diet Coke and a small tub of Ben and Jerry’s. With a smile, I motioned for him to come in.
“Elizabeth, thank you for listening to me. I’m going to run now.”
“He showed up, didn’t he?”
Grinning, I replied, “Yes.”
“I’ll talk to you soon, Paislie. Remember, fall to your knees and seek guidance. He’ll always be there for you.”
“Thank you, I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Soon! Tell Malcolm I said hello.”
“Will do.”
I hit End and stared into his beautiful blue eyes.
“You brought me soda and ice cream?”
He gave me a small shrug and said, “Emmit’s suggestion.”
I took the spoon and the ice cream and sat on the end of the bed as Malcolm sat next to me. One bite and I felt like I was in heaven.
“I’m sorry I got so upset. It’s just everything hit me all at once and I got a bit scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Malcolm, imagine dreaming of a life someday that you never thought possible. Then you meet your prince charming, he offers you the world, but he offers it to you all in one sitting. You’d be a little scared.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I know I should have talked to you about it, even Adaline told me I needed to tell you, but I honestly was just trying to surprise you. If this is something you’re not interested in doing, we’ll figure it out.”
I took his hands in mine. “Malcolm, I really am excited for this new adventure you’re going on, but I’m not going to lie and tell you it doesn’t make me nervous. It does, especially with you not talking to me about any of it. One thing you have to do is talk to me about something before you go off and do it. We’re a team now, Malcolm, and we need to decide on our future together.”
He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. I knew deep in my heart everything would work out, and a part of me was excited but I wouldn’t let myself jump ahead.
“I agree with everything you said. I’m not used to sharing my decisions with someone else, and I’ve always kind of left everything up to everyone around me. I know that all needs to change and it will, I promise you. It may take me time adjusting to it, but I swear to you I’ll never put you in a situation like I did today.” With a smile that had my knees wobbling, he whispered, “It’s you and me now.”
The smile on my face grew as his words settled into my mind. “You and me always.”
When he slowly lowe
red me to the bed, I let every worry slip away. “I’m going to make love to you, Paislie.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. There was nothing better than being lost in Malcolm.
“ARE YOU NERVOUS?”
Glancing over to Paislie, I smiled. “No. Should I be?”
She gave me a sweet grin in return. “I don’t think so. Even though Elizabeth is like my mother, and father, and sister, and best friend all rolled into one.”
My heart sank. “Okay, now I’m nervous. Do I earn any extra points for being raised Catholic?”
She chuckled and squeezed my hand. “Nope, but I’m sure she is pleased about that.”
“She’s not going to ask me to recite anything, is she? Paislie, I haven’t stepped foot in a catholic church in a number of years. Even then I always had headphones on.”
Shaking her head, she looked forward. “There, pull over and park in front of that store. The restaurant isn’t too far from here.”
I did as she said and parked her car. We got out and walked hand in hand down the busy street. I’d already been by St. Patrick’s and talked to the bishop. The wedding date was set for six months out and he had insisted Paislie have a wedding with a mass. Memories of my cousin Jenn’s wedding flashed through my mind. I’d never tell Paislie, but I got up thirty minutes into the ceremony and left.
When she stopped walking and took both my hands in hers, I knew she was nervous. “Are you sure you want a catholic wedding?”
It was as if she had been reading my mind. “What would you like, babe?”
Her eyes fell to the ground as she kicked at a pretend rock. “I’ve always wanted a traditional wedding, but if you want something simple, we can do that too.”
Pulling her to me, I gently kissed her on the lips. “I want what you want, baby. I’m in this for the long haul.”
Her eyes lit up and I knew there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
“Paislie, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you to make you happy.”
“I love you so much,” she whispered. “You ready?”
Taking in a deep breath, I nodded. “Ready.”
The moment we walked into the restaurant, I searched for a nun. When Paislie said, “There she is!” I looked in the direction she was facing.
“Where?” I asked as I followed her. A slightly older woman stood and smiled warmly at us. “Is that her?”
“Yep!” she said as she wrapped the woman in her arms. “Elizabeth, I’ve missed you so.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. The woman standing before me was beautiful. She was dressed in a simple black dress with a belt that wrapped around her waist, showing her figure. Her blue eyes took in Paislie with so much happiness, I could practically feel the love she had pouring out of her. Her hair was in a sleek ponytail and she wore very little if any makeup.
“Elizabeth, I’d like for you to meet Malcolm. Malcolm, this is Sister Elizabeth, but you can call her Elizabeth.”
“Sister, I mean, Elizabeth. I um . . . well you’re not what I expected.”
Her brows rose as she tilted her head. “Pray tell what were you expecting?”
I motioned with my hands to look at her. “Not this. A habit, an older woman who was grumpy looking.”
Paislie playfully hit my chest as she motioned for us to all sit down.
“Mr. Wallace, how long has it been since you have been to the church or spoken with a nun?”
My face burned as I sat. “Please, call me Malcolm. To be honest I couldn’t tell you the last time I actually talked to a nun. Probably while taking my catechism classes. Sister Margret was old and grumpy. Had I had a teacher such as you, I might have kept going to church.”
“Malcolm!” Paislie said with a look of horror on her face. Elizabeth laughed and told Paislie to loosen up some.
“It’s okay, I’m rather flattered, Mr . . . I mean . . . Malcolm.”
“So, when did you become a nun?”
“I was about sixteen when I felt the calling.”
I about choked on my own spit. “Wow.”
“I get that response a lot.”
Paislie cleared her throat and said, “We just met with Bishop Mark. I requested Father Tim for the wedding.
Elizabeth forced a smile and moved about in her seat. “I’m sure he would be honored to perform the sacrament.”
Paislie grinned from ear to ear. “He is very happy to do so; he said so himself when we asked him.”
“He was there? I thought he was on his trip.”
Something moved across Elizabeth’s face, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say Elizabeth had feelings for Father Tim.
No way.
“He must have come back early because he was in the bishop’s office,” Paislie said. I could tell by the look on her face, she had the same thoughts I had.
Clearing her throat, Elizabeth picked up the menu and looked over it. “This is my favorite place to eat, Malcolm. They have the best lasagna in all of Dallas.”
That was a fast change of subject if I’d ever seen one.
Peeking over to Paislie, our eyes met and I made a mental note to ask more about the relationship between the sister and the father.
Wait. That sounded weird.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. It didn’t take long for both women to fall into an easy conversation. I even got to hear about when Paislie was younger.
Sitting back, I watched the two of them as they talked about everything from the wedding to a movie they both wanted to see together. It was clear Paislie loved this woman very much.
“Thank you for dinner, Malcolm. I really enjoyed meeting you. Everything Paislie has told me about you is so very true.”
With a smile, I nodded. “All good I hope.”
She let out a girlish giggle and said, “Yes! Of course it was.”
As both of them locked arms and walked, I heard someone call out Paislie’s name. Turning, I saw an older man come walking up quickly. He gave me a once over and stopped to look at me before turning to Paislie.
Both women had a look of horror on their faces as Elizabeth seemed to stand a little in front of Paislie, almost as if sheltering her.
“Paislie, my little girl. Look at you still hanging with sisters, huh?”
Elizabeth smiled but I knew it wasn’t genuine.
“What do you want, Dad?”
Dad?
My head snapped back to look at the guy. Paislie hardly ever mentioned her father. On occasion he would contact her to ask for something, usually money. Seeing him standing there made him all too real.
“Now, why do you think I want something? I saw my daughter walking down the street and I wanted to say hello to her.” He turned his attention on me. “And who are you?”
I went to answer when Paislie jumped between us. “None of your business.”
He let out a whistle and reached down for her hand. “Holy shit, look at that fucking rock on your hand.”
“Dad!” Paislie exclaimed as he looked over to Elizabeth.
“Forgive me, sister, I’ll go to confession on Saturday.”
I was stunned to see the look Elizabeth gave him. When Paislie pulled her hand from his, I wrapped my arm around her. “You’re getting married. I think I have the right to know who the man is who is marrying ya.”
With a forced laugh, Paislie shook her head as she said, “You gave up that right when you left me on the steps of the orphanage.”
“Malcolm, I’d like to leave now.”
Gripping my hand tighter on her waist, I led her away when my name was called out.
“Malcolm Wallace. I thought that was you.” Looking at Paislie, he smirked. “Looks like you done good for yourself, Paislie.”
“Let’s go, please, Malcolm.”
Doing as she asked, we walked away from her father. Taking one last look over my shoulder, I saw him watching us. I had the feeling that now he knew Paislie was getting married, and to someone
with money, he wasn’t going to just let her walk away so easy.
Next time he came sniffing around, I’d be ready.
“Elizabeth, where are you parked?” Paislie asked in a shaky voice. I hated the affect that asshole had on her.
“Around the corner. You’re more than welcome to walk me to the car if you’d like.”
“Please. I don’t want him seeing my license plates. He’ll know where I’m living.”
My heart was pounding in my chest and when we rounded the corner, I pulled her to a stop. “Would he do something to you if he knew where you lived?”
Her expression was blank. “No. He’d just start sending me letters asking for money. I doubt he would show up if he knew you would be there. He’s a coward, so most of the time he sends me a letter or text message.”
Asshole.
We walked Elizabeth to her car and chatted with her a bit more before we headed back to the car. I could feel Paislie’s body relax the moment we rounded the corner and she didn’t see her father anywhere.
“I’ll never let him bother you again, baby. I swear.”
Giving me a weak smile, she looked straight ahead, lost in her own thoughts.
Once we got to her car, I opened the door while she got in. Pressing a number on my phone, I waited for Kathleen to answer.
“Hello?”
“I’ve got some work for you in the Dallas area if you get your guy on it.”
She rustled some papers and finally said, “Send it over to me by tomorrow and I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks,” I said as I hit End.
“Who was that?” Paislie asked.
Tossing my phone on the console, I replied, “An old friend who is doing some work for me.”
I reached for her hand and held it gently. “Did you want to talk about it?”
“No, not really. I’d just rather focus on planning the wedding and him not finding out about it.”
I let her words sink in as we drove almost the entire way back to Waco in silence while I tried to think of a way to keep the lowlife asshole who called himself Paislie’s father, away from her.
STANDING ON THE PLATFORM, I stared at myself in my wedding gown while the seamstress made her marks.