Chapter Five
Sabrina
I ROLLED DOWN THE BACK passenger seat window of Cash’s rental—the nicest rental ever—as soon as we turned down the road leading directly to the Belle Resort. I was home. No matter where I roamed, even beautiful Park City nestled in the majestic Wasatch mountain range, the grace and elegance of the Smoky Mountains surpassed it all. In my mind’s eye I pictured a much younger Mia and me running through the forest, playing hide and seek. As we got older, there were bonfires and dances by the lake, first kisses on canoes, and broken hearts that learned how to mend.
I breathed in the crisp fall air and took in the sugar maples, scarlet oaks, and sweet gums showing off their vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. The symphony of colors filled me with warmth despite having experienced the most uncomfortable day of my life. And not just because Mia could be considered an erratic driver.
Mia had whipped us through the windy, narrow roads of the Smokies like she was auditioning to be a Formula 1 driver. But her relentless line of questioning was unfortunately worse than her driving, making me feel even queasier than her sharp turns. She’d grilled Cash on everything from why he’d ghosted me to why a man of his age had never been married. He was supposedly forty, but again, everything he said was subject to scrutiny. Believe me, though: I planned on pulling up his resort reservation as soon as I had the opportunity to verify everything I could about him. Not that I should care, considering his previous treatment of me and his evasive answers. He only revealed to Mia that he’d never been married because of his demanding career and travel schedule—any questions regarding our relationship would be discussed privately with me.
There would be nothing private between us again. Ever. Like never, ever.
I still couldn’t believe he was here and that I’d had to spend the day with him. Not like we’d had a lot of interaction, aside from being subjected to his let me possess your body and soul good looks and smell. But even though I spent the time mainly ignoring him, something just felt off about it. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but Cash seemed to invite the strangest things into my life. First, losing all my photos of him, then his mysterious disappearance, followed by his flat owner denying any knowledge of Cash. Then today he showed up out of nowhere, I was unexpectedly upgraded to first class, and my car reservation mysteriously vanished. These kinds of things never happened to me.
Don’t even get me going on my coincidental seatmate and his just-by-happenstance reservation at the resort where I would be for Lexi’s wedding. It didn’t feel real. I couldn’t even chalk it up to hallucinations, unless Mia and I were having the same one.
Maybe I was overthinking things, but something was telling me I hadn’t thought things through thoroughly enough three years ago. I’d been so enamored by him in France and then devastated by his disappearance that I’d taken everything at face value. Now, I wasn’t taking anything for granted. While I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him, I had the feeling the entire drive up here that I needed to get to the bottom of the mystery that was Cash Denton—as quietly and drama-free as possible, of course.
Honestly, the only reason I’d gotten in his car was because Lexi would have killed me if I hadn’t made it in time for her bridal shower, so it was a lose-lose kind of proposition anyway. I had to choose between spending time with my ex—who, for all I knew, was a psycho at this point—or being murdered by my sister. But when Mia kneed Cash in the groin and stole his key fob and he didn’t go ballistic, I figured he probably wasn’t a psycho and we had a pretty good chance of surviving the drive. Besides, he’d been nothing but a gentleman while we were in France. You know, except for when he tore my heart out.
The first step was to take another photo of him to see what happened, and then to use the information from his reservation to dig up everything I could about him online. Not sure what I thought I’d find, but something was rotten in the state of Denmark. Or maybe I was just bitter. In any case, I would never allow myself to be deceived by him again.
I closed my eyes and let the cool breeze dance across my cheeks, soaking in the peaceful moment before wedding chaos rained down on me. Lexi had already texted me a dozen times on the drive to make sure we’d be on time, and to see what clothes I’d brought in case she wanted to borrow something while I was home. It wasn’t as if she didn’t own a department store’s worth of clothes already. And she’d mentioned several times how her fiancé bought her anything she wanted—he was clearly wealthier than our parents.
Well ... parents, meaning our daddy’s side of the family. Mama had also married into money—it had been a big scandal back in the day. Daddy’s family’s holding company out of North Carolina had purchased the land for the resort several years earlier, and Daddy was the one to oversee it all. It was then that he fell in love with Mama, despite the fifteen-year age gap and his recent divorce. Mama’s daddy, Pops, was none too happy about it, and neither was Aunt Vivian. It’s why she and Mama didn’t get along. I think she’s jealous of Mama’s lifestyle. Aunt Vivian didn’t even want my daddy to give Mia and me a loan to start our catering business, but we both promised we would pay it back, so it didn’t feel like a gift or a handout. It’s sad, because Uncle Finch is such a great man, and I think Aunt Vivian sometimes made him feel like less of a person because she was dissatisfied with their life. But no one is kinder or as hardworking as Uncle Finch. He’s the plant manager for a baked bean company in a neighboring town, and everyone loves him.
“We’re home,” Mia interrupted my thoughts.
I opened my eyes to see Belle Lodge, the heart and soul of the property. The structure stood proudly, like a timber-and-stone castle with a wraparound second-story balcony. Inside was a world-class spa and restaurant, where I had learned to love the art of baking. It was the perfect venue for a wedding, with its breathtaking views of the lake and nearby mountains. Our guests stayed in cabins and cottages dotting the property.
Mia and I would stay in my favorite cottage, the Evergreen Cottage, allowing me a place to escape from the drama at my childhood home just off the lake. Lexi still lived at home, as she worked as a massage therapist at the lodge’s spa. I’d heard that Soren was staying there as well. Once they were married, they would move to Emerald Isle, an island off the North Carolina coast, where Soren would continue to be a hedge fund manager. Regardless, I knew I would need a breather from Lexi and Mama from time to time—though I think Daddy hoped I’d stay with them to balance out the crazy. He would never say it out loud, but he probably wished he could move out for a couple of weeks until the wedding chaos was over.
“It’s beautiful. Just like you described it,” Cash chimed in, reminding me of his unwelcome presence in the passenger seat. I ignored him like I’d done each time he’d tried to engage me in conversation. I wished I’d never gushed about the place most special to me on earth. Or worse, that I hadn’t subtly hinted he should visit Belle Resort with me someday. For his information, I hadn’t meant over three years later, after he’d dumped me in the rudest manner possible.
As soon as Mia parked in the semicircular drive in front of the lodge, I hopped out of the car as quickly as possible, anxious to get away from Cash. And ... desperately hoping my family didn’t come rushing out to meet us. Mama was already way too interested in the man who was, as she put it, a knight in shining armor for saving the day and driving us to the resort. She was all sorts of nosy about how I’d met him, and she’d already asked me via text if he was married. I’d done everything I could, short of lying, to make it clear that he was nothing more than an acquaintance—granted, an acquaintance who could make my toes curl when he kissed me, but Mama would never know that.
Cash was a nimble sort of fellow, so he was out of the car just as quickly as I’d made my exit and was way too close for comfort. “I’ll get your luggage,” he offered.
“Why are you even here?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Seriously, out of all the places in the world you could vacation, why here?”
He stepped closer, his deep-blue eyes boring right into mine, keeping me in place and making me feel things I shouldn’t. It was as if he were holding me without even touching me, as if his powerful aura enveloped my person.
“Sabrina,” he breathed out. “You don’t know how often I’ve thought about you.”
I held up my hand, shocked and even hurt. “You don’t get to say things like that. I’m sorry I asked.” I turned to walk away.
The dang man had the audacity to grab my hand, reminding me of how he would hold both my hands to my sides or above my head, gripping them tightly while kissing me in the most thorough manner. The memory of those kisses and how he’d made me feel so wanted left me paralyzed in place and unable to breathe.
“Sabrina, please, let me explain.”
Oh, there would be some explaining to do, because my family walked out at the exact wrong moment and witnessed Cash holding on to me as if I actually meant something to him.
Mama ran toward the car, forgetting the propriety she loved to preach about. Dressed to the nines in a cream pantsuit with just the right amount of gold jewelry, she barreled toward us with eyes zeroed in on Cash’s and my clasped hands. This reminded me to breathe and pull away from him.
Unfortunately, the damage had been done—I saw all the possibilities swirling in Mama’s brown eyes. Callie Belle had just found her new mission in life, and I was afraid. Very afraid.
Mama didn’t bother saying a word to me; she went straight to Cash. “Hello, I’m Callie, Sabrina’s mother.” She held out her elegant, manicured hand and I noticed it was now sprinkled with a few age spots. I would never tell her that, though. Aging scared Mama like nothing else—she’d kept her long brown hair well touched up, and she exercised like no one’s business. Honestly, it was the first time it had really hit me that Mama was getting older. She never seemed to age. Perhaps it was because she was so much younger than Daddy, or maybe it was that I still saw her as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Cash took Mama’s hand and shook it. “I’m Cash Denton. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Belle.”
“A man with manners. I like it. You can call me Callie, just as soon as you tell me how you know my daughter.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing this wasn’t going to a good place.
Cash gave me an abashed smile before adding mounds of drama to my life. “I had the pleasure of getting to know Sabrina in Bordeaux.”
Mama’s eyes lit up like someone just told her that chocolate was calorie-free, which would have been fabulous news. Sadly, chocolate still contained a lot of calories, and now I had a four-alarm Mama fire on my hands.
“Is that so?” Mama sang. “Sabrina, you never mentioned meeting anyone in France.” Her tone told me we’d discuss this grave injustice later. I had a feeling she would have grounded me over this if she were able.
What game was he playing? Whatever it was, I refused to engage. “I never mentioned him because it was just an incidental meeting. Inconsequential, really. We meant nothing to each other. Isn’t that right, Cash?” I glared at him, daring him to contradict me.
Cash rubbed the back of his neck, looking between Mama and me, not sure what to say. I didn’t know why this was so hard for him—the proof was in the pudding. His silence over the last three years spoke louder than words: I meant absolutely nothing to him.
The jerk finally let out a heavy exhale, and with it came a fiasco in the making the size of the Pacific Ocean. In a reckless move, Cash gazed at me like he used to in Bourdeaux. His look reminded me of carefree days at the park, lying on a blanket and talking about everything and nothing. I would peek my head up to catch him looking at me with the most tender expression on his face, making me feel as if I could be his everything and he could be mine. That same look now sent a shock wave of confusion and pain through me. He had no right to look at me that way, or worse, declare, “Sabrina, I know it seems that way, but meeting you was one of the most significant events of my life.”
I clenched my hands, so badly wanting to call him out for his lie, but everything around us stilled as Cash’s words seemed to reverberate across the property for everyone to hear.
Thankfully, Bridezilla, I mean my sister, clued into what was happening. She wouldn’t stand for anyone or anything outshining her moment. And believe me, Cash was shiny to Mama, like a newly minted gold coin.
Lexi marched over, pulling her fiancé behind her, to remind everyone that she was the star of the show. She had tresses of deep brown cascading over her shoulders and wore a floral-embroidered, lacy maxi skirt with a matching cropped blouse that showed off her toned abs. As always, she was stunning.
“Sabrina, you need to hurry and get ready. You can’t wear that to my bridal shower.” She pointed at my sweater and jeans. “But first, you need to finally meet Soren.” She made it sound as if it were my fault we hadn’t met yet. She’d only been dating him since June, and they were engaged by August, so it’s not like I’d had a lot of time to meet the guy. I had a business to run, and if it were that important for me to meet him, they could have flown out to see me. I’d even suggested it, seeing as Soren apparently had plenty of money to throw around.
Lexi yanked Soren front and center, reminding Mama that Soren was shiny too. He certainly was pretty. His golden hair falling in a curtain cut was abnormally bright, as if he’d left the bleach on for too long. His facial features were so sharply cut, they looked manufactured. Sure, I’d seen the thousands of pictures my sister had sent to me in the last few months, gushing about him. But Mia and I thought he was a little fake looking, and being up close and personal really drove it home.
“This is Soren,” she bubbled over with effervescence. Okay, she gloated.
Soren stepped forward to shake my hand. “Sabrina,” he said in his Norwegian accent. Well, kind of. He didn’t pronounce the r like I expected him to, given my exposure to a few Norwegians during my time in France. “It’s so lovely to meet you.” He didn’t darken the i like most Norwegians. Huh.
Regardless, I took his hand. As soon as we touched, a chill went through me—not the good kind. Not that my sister’s fiancé should give me the good chills—that would be plain wrong—but he also shouldn’t make me want to crawl out of my skin either. Up close, I could see right into his eyes, and behind the unusual blue, which I’m pretty sure were contacts, lurked something dark and seedy. Also, the crinkles around his eyes didn’t match his overly smooth face and his age of thirty-five. Or maybe I was just tired and on edge from the strangest day ever.
Soren kept hold of my hand, waiting for me to respond, but my brain didn’t know how to react. Part of it begged me to say something appropriate, but the other part screamed for me to run away as fast as I could. In the midst of my warring brain signals, Cash slid right next to me in a protective stance. As much as I hated him for it—I knew how my mama would interpret it—a comfort washed over me, allowing me to speak. “It’s nice to meet you too,” I stuttered out my lie.
Soren dropped my hand, eyeing Cash carefully. “Lexi didn’t mention you were bringing a date to our wedding.”
I stepped away from Cash. “I didn’t. We’re not together,” I fumbled.
“That can change,” Mama chimed in.
Lexi narrowed her eyes at me, silently warning me not to rain on her parade. She didn’t need to fear on that front. But ... I got this icky feeling that maybe she should fear Soren. Maybe I was losing it. Surely my parents would have noticed something off, right? This had to be my exhaustion talking. Surely, after a good night’s sleep I wouldn’t see my soon-to-be brother-in-law as anything but an upstanding guy. Except now that I thought about it, he didn’t spell Soren the Norwegian way with a slash through the o. He probably wanted to sound more American, right? There was nothing fishy about it. Or was there?
Mia caught my eye, squinting and cringing, wondering what she could do to defuse the awkward situation. Thankfully, my daddy, who had been standing back like a smart man, stepped forward. “Hi, honey.”
“Hi, Daddy.” I mustered a smile for the greatest man on earth, Mercer Belle. Something about his tall frame, thick silver hair, and soft voice lent to his calm and regal demeanor. It was a balm to my soul.
“I’m sure you’re tired after your long day. Let’s get you settled,” Daddy offered.
I nodded, so thankful for him. I was just about ready to run into his arms when he said, “I’m sure your friend here wouldn’t mind helping you with your luggage.”
“Not at all, sir,” Cash was quick to say.
What was this? This wasn’t Daddy’s style at all. I made to protest, but Lexi clucked her tongue and tsked like a pro before grabbing Soren and blowing out of there, barking orders. “Just hurry, and don’t forget to wear something in my colors.” Yes, my sister was color coordinating every bridal event, from the shower to the bachelorette party—something about wanting all the photos to be Instagram worthy. She’d gone so far as sending Mia and me a color palette she’d designed on Pinterest titled “Earthy Wedding Colors,” which included shades of cream, terra-cotta, and hunter green.
Oddly, Soren kept looking back at Cash as Lexi dragged him away. Something about Cash seemed to have him disconcerted. Hmm. Cash disconcerted me as well, but I didn’t believe it was for the same reasons as Soren.
Cash didn’t seem at all bothered by Soren’s behavior. His blank stare said, Feel free to look. I know I’m all that and a bag of chips.
Mama thwarted my next attempt at sanity when she strung her arm through Mia’s. “Mia, darlin’, Drew is eager to see you.” Oh, Mama was good. Too good. Drew Charleston was Mia’s kryptonite. He managed the horse ranch on the property and ran excursions for our guests. As much as she had tried to deny her feelings for him over the years, somehow whenever Mia visited, she and Drew ended up spending a lot of time together. It always ended with her telling him she wanted something more than our hometown, and him telling her he couldn’t love her more than this place. That was a lie—they were just too stubborn to compromise. Who knows, maybe this would be the time one of them budged. Selfishly, I hoped it was Drew who would be willing to move out West. Our little business was just starting to really take off, and we had a loan to pay off.
Mia waved at me and mouthed, Sorry, as Mama led her inside.
That left me with Cash.
“Why did you lie to my mama?” I demanded to know as soon as everyone was out of earshot.
“I don’t think I’m the one who lied.” He smirked.
“Are you kidding me? You disappear without even a goodbye and then show up out of nowhere, and I’m the liar? It’s obvious I meant nothing to you, so pardon me if I don’t want to own up to knowing you.”
“Sabrina,” he sighed. “If you’d just let me apologize and explain what happened.”
I shook my head, knowing this was my moment to give him the speech I’d practiced for three years, in the calmest manner possible. Then I could let him go forever. I steadied myself before saying, “Cash, you are a coward, and that’s the last quality I want in a man. I’m just ashamed I worried so much about you after you disappeared, thinking you’d died or gotten injured because the man I thought I knew wouldn’t have hurt me the way you did. But you’re not the man I thought you were. You made me question for days, and sadly even for the last few years, what I’d done wrong to make you leave without even a goodbye—”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. It was ...,” he interrupted.
I held up my hand to silence him. I didn’t want to hear his excuses or lies. “You can’t say anything to make this right or to change my mind about you. I just want to thank you for showing me who you truly are—a ghost. And guess what? I don’t believe in ghosts. So, enjoy your vacation and stay away from me.” I let out a huge breath, feeling better after getting that off my chest.
Cash’s jaw tightened while the breaths he took in and out of his nose got louder and angrier.
Seriously? He was upset? How could he assume I would want anything to do with him after all this time, and after what he’d done to me? It only proved he really had done me a favor, even though it had hurt—like, the biggest ouch of my life. The truth was, I’d fallen in love with him. And even though I never got to say those words to him, he knew it and he ran from me.
When he did nothing other than stare, huffing like a raging bull, I simply said, “Goodbye.” Well, it wasn’t that simple, and the crack in my voice betrayed that. Yet I had to walk away, so that’s what I did, not caring about my luggage.
As I stepped onto the curb, Cash said, “Sabrina, you can think what you want about me, but be careful around Soren. I have a bad feeling about him.”
I stopped in my tracks, my back to him, another chill running through me. Cash might be a liar, but I had a sneaking suspicion he was telling the truth here. The thing about the truth was that it could be a double-edged sword. While it was a beautiful thing for some, others found it to be terrible. Others meaning Lexi.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have any solid proof that Soren wasn’t a good person, other than my sixth sense. But let’s be real—my sixth sense was obviously faulty, considering I’d once believed Cash to be a good guy. Yet I couldn’t shake the impression that there was something off about Soren. How could I prove that, though, before my sister married him?
I had a feeling this wedding was going to be way more than I bargained for.