Bonus Scene
BONUS SCENE
Tyler
I find her in the kitchen staring into the open silverware drawer. Hugging her from behind, I rest my chin on her shoulder, closing my eyes for a moment to breathe in the light cherry scent of her perfume. She relaxes back against me, but I sensed the anxiousness in her before she did.
I brush my lips across her ear. “What’s going on with the forks and spoons, Sugar?”
Her chest rises and falls with a deep breath. “We only have four of each.”
My eyes scan the drawer as I nod. “Yeah, that’s how the set comes.”
“But when we have company, there won’t be enough. When your mother and my gram come… and if my parents come, we won’t have enough, and then—”
I turn her in my arms and brush her hair from her face. Worry fills her beautiful eyes.
“We’ll get another set.” My version of soft voice still comes out raspy. “I’ll go online and order the exact ones we have, so they’ll all match.”
She swallows. “But what if my parents don’t come, then we’ll have too many.”
Ah, the real problem—the real worry is etched in her words.
She’s afraid her parents aren’t going to come to the little housewarming party my mother arranged. It was Mom’s idea to have a small private dinner—just her, Holly’s grandmother, and parents. A new start, she called it. I agreed it was time for me to be part of my family again, and I agreed even more that Holly’s parents needed to get their heads out of their asses and start treating her like a daughter and not a stranger.
But it’s been over a week since my mother emailed, then called, Mrs. Daniels and all messages have gone ignored.
A lone tear slides down my fiancée’s face, and I capture it with my thumb, cupping her cheek and pulling her to me for a kiss.
“Don’t worry,” I whisper. “They’ll be here, and we’ll have more than enough knives and forks.”
Nodding, she gives me a sad little smile that cracks my heart before she winds her arms around me and rests her cheek against my chest.
My soul starts to rage.
Fuck those douchebags.
I promised Holly I’d never let anyone hurt her again, and her asshole parents are about to find out I meant it.
It’s just after noon when my motorcycle rumbles onto the black asphalt of the parking lot. I pull into a spot defined by perfect yellow stripes, kill the engine, and step off my bike.
Staring up at the six-story, mostly glass building, I light up a smoke. I wonder how many poor birds fly into this monstrosity.
The chains on my motorcycle boots clank on the stone walkway as I approach the—you guessed it—double glass doors. I snuff out my cigarette on the bottom of my shoe and shove it in my pocket before entering the building. Classical piano music is playing from hidden speakers in the marble-floored reception area. Two men in suits are sitting in black leather chairs, engrossed in a talk about file transfers. The walls are stark white, decorated with abstract paintings in grays, blacks, and glimpses of red. It’s cold and sterile. I’d lose whatever’s left of my mind if I had to work in a place like this all day.
I saunter to the reception desk, where a young woman who matches the decor leers at me suspiciously. Porcelain skin. Jet-black bobbed hair. Red lipstick. A thin silver headset sits on her head like some kind of administrative tiara.
“Deliveries are at the back of the building, you’ll see the loading dock,” she says.
“I’m not delivering, I’m visiting.”
My raspy voice grabs her attention. “Who are you visiting?”
I lean against the curved partition she’s perched behind like some rare animal. “I’m here to see Cynthia Daniels.”
One of her eyebrows arches up. “Do you have an appointment?”
I shake my hair out of my eyes. “Don’t need one.”
Her dark eyes flash over the scars on my face. “Actually, you do.”
“Actually, I don’t. Press whatever little buttons you have to, and tell her she has a visitor.”
“And who shall I say is visiting?”
Smirking, I say, “Tell her that her son is here.”
Her throat bobs as she swallows and presses numbers on a keypad.
“Your son is here to see you,” she says softly into her headset. “Yes, your son. Okay. I’ll let him know.” Her eyes shift back to me. “She says she’ll be right down.”
“Good.”
I stroll around the lobby, ignoring glances from the two men in the leather chairs, and pop a stick of gum into my mouth.
When the elevator dings, I turn to see the silver doors slide open. Cynthia scans the room, forehead creased, until her gaze lands on me.
The expression on her face is priceless.
Her eyes widen. The smile on her lips drops to a thin line. Her complexion pales to almost the same stark white as the walls.
Grinning, I meet her at the center of the lobby under a large chandelier, which, from the look on her face, she’s hoping will fall on my head.
“What are you doing here?” she seethes.
“Apparently you didn’t get the invitation to your daughter’s housewarming party, so I thought I’d deliver it in person.”
Her nostrils flare. “I don’t have time for this right now. I have meetings—”
“No problem. I can wait.” I pull off my old leather jacket. Wearing only a faded black T-shirt, my muscular but very scarred, tattooed arms are on full display. Cynthia watches in horror as I flop onto a small leather couch and put my boots up on the glass table.
“Get your filthy feet off that table and get the hell out of here,” she practically growls.
The receptionist’s mouth falls open as she peeks at us from behind her computer screen.
“Careful, Cynthia,” I say, chewing my gum. “Your mask is slipping.”
Straightening, she plasters a fake smile on her face. “Why don’t you come up to my office where we can speak privately?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” I stand and follow her to the elevator.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve coming to my office,” she says after the doors have closed.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve ignoring my mother’s calls and emails. And treating your beautiful daughter like shit.” I step closer to her, and she backs up until her spine hits the wall. “Let’s get something straight, Cynthia. Nobody treats the people I love like dirt. I’ll train you like a fucking feral dog until you start acting right.”
Fear flashes in her blue eyes.
“Like it or not, I’m here to stay. I’m marrying Holly. You can make this easy, or you can make it hard.” I pop my gum in her face. “And guess what? Hard is gonna be a helluva lot of fun for me and pure torture for you.”
The doors slide open on the fifth floor and I follow her down a long hallway, ignoring the curious faces peeking at me from gray cubicles. How can people sit in little boxes all day?
“What exactly do you want, Mr. Grace?” Cynthia asks as she leads me into her office, featuring a wall of windows. She closes the door behind us, then walks around her large desk and sits, gesturing to one of the two chairs on the opposite side like we’re in a job interview.
Sitting, I say, “Come on, Cynthia, I’m gonna be your son-in-law. Call me Tyler.”
Not looking at me, she begins typing on her keyboard, eyes riveted on the slim monitor in front of her. “I’m losing patience with you, Tyler. In case you haven’t noticed, this is a place of business, and I have a lot of important work to do—”
I grab the power cord from her monitor and yank it out.
Her shocked gaze flies to me. “Put that back,” she demands through clenched teeth.
“I’m going to shove it up your ass if you don’t pay attention to me. You have a really hard time treating people you think are below you like humans, don’t you?”
The quiver of her bottom lip tells me I struck a nerve.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask her. “Your daughter is beautiful. Smart. Sweet. Caring. Classy. She wakes up happy every day. She’s a true survivor. Which is a miracle considering what she went through. But you treat her like she’s damaged goods, or like she’s a derelict stranger.”
“She is a stranger to me. She’s not my little girl—”
I shake my head in disbelief. “She is. Why can’t you see that? Isn’t she everything you’d want her to grow up to be?”
Her eyes water. “What that man did to her, it’s…” She shakes her head. “It’s disgusting. Unthinkable and deprived—”
“Exactly. What he did to her . To a defenseless child. He’s the fucking pig, not her.”
“You don’t understand. It’s all I see when I look at her.”
Blood boiling, I lean forward. “Then look a-fucking-gain. Holly isn’t what he did to her. Holly is a loving, innocent woman. She put her life back together. She put all that behind her. She’s taking writing classes, she has a beautiful home, she’s getting married—”
She scoffs. “To you .”
“Damn fucking right to me. The one who saved her life and killed that asshole who took her. The one who loves her unconditionally, treats her like a queen, and gives her anything and everything to make her feel safe and happy. Including trying to talk some sense into her cunt of a mother.”
Her head snaps back, her lip curling in revulsion. “I want no part of my daughter marrying a vulgar animal like you.”
“And I want no part of having a judgmental bitch for a mother-in-law, but here we are.”
“I think it’s time for you to go.”
I bark out a laugh. “I’ll decide when this meeting is over. You might want to clear your calendar for the day.”
“What’s it going to take to get you to leave?”
“I want you to reply to my mother’s email and tell her you’ll be delighted to come to our housewarming party. Tell her you’ll bring something yummy, like cream puffs. Then I want you and that spineless dick you call your husband to come to your daughter’s beautiful home and act like you’re happy for her.” I let my gaze settle on her. “You look like a woman who’s used to faking it, so that shouldn’t be a problem for you.”
A muscle in her cheek spasms. “Anything else?”
I rise from the chair. “Yeah, you can plan on coming to our wedding because for some crazy reason, your daughter wants you celebrating with her. If I have to shove you two assholes bound and gagged into the back of my truck to get you there, I will. I’ll stop at nothing to give Holly what she needs to be happy.”
Her expression softens slightly. “I’m beginning to see that.”
“She deserves it.” I spit my gum into her trashcan. “Thanks for the chitchat. I’ll see you Saturday. Don’t worry about Grandma, I’ll be picking her up the day before so she can spend the night. She and Holly love spending time together.”
I head for the door and pause with my hand on the knob. “Ya know what’s really twisted, Cynthia? Holly is more hurt by how you and your husband treat her than she is about what that scumbag did to her. Maybe you should think about that.”
She’s sitting on the swing on the front porch when I pull into the driveway. Boomer and Poppy are lying together on the top step, tails wagging. My heart aches seeing my little world, wondering how the hell I got so lucky.
Even though our horrible pasts brought us together, I thank the universe every day for putting Holly in my life.
She meets me on the walkway, eyes sparkling, blond hair blowing, a wool shawl wrapped around her shoulders. The beauty to my beast.
“How’s my sunshine?” I ask, leaning down to kiss her.
“Great.” She smiles up at me and grabs my hand. “Where did you go?”
“I had to take care of a little problem.”
She glances up at me as we climb the porch stairs. “A lost dog?”
“Yeah. I don’t think it’s lost anymore.”
“Good. Are you hungry? I made us vegetable soup.”
Kicking the kitchen door shut behind us, I pull her into my arms.
“Starving…” I dip down to kiss her neck, my mouth traveling over her warm skin to her collarbone. “But soup can wait.”
“It definitely can,” she whispers, caressing my cheek.
Smiling, I effortlessly pick her up and carry her to our bedroom.
Holly
From the living room window I see their car slowly coming down our long gravel driveway.
My heart immediately kicks into rapid beats.
“They’re here.” My voice is soft, but filled with surprise. “I can’t believe they actually came.”
Tyler comes up behind me, peering over my shoulder. He rests his hand gently on my waist. “I can.”
I feel like my feet are rooted to the floor as we watch them park in front of the house, climb out of the car, and approach the front porch. I know I’m supposed to greet them at the door but anxiety has me frozen. What if their faces are filled with fake smiles and judgment over our little house? What if they cringe away from adorable Poppy and Boomer, who expect everyone to pet them? What if they’re rude to Tyler? It’s one thing for them to act a certain way in their own home, but I can’t allow them to be rude in our home—a place Tyler and I have vowed to never allow negativity. This is our sanctuary.
Tyler guides me to the front door with his arm around my waist and swings it open. My parents are on the doorstep—smiling nervously but without a trace of cringe. My mother is holding two white boxes that are tied closed with red-and-white-striped string that doesn’t stop the scent of bakery goods from escaping.
“Come on in,” Tyler says, closing the door behind them before extending his hand to my father to shake. I realize I can’t remember if they’ve ever met in person before. “We’re glad you came.”
“Thanks for having us,” my father replies. “This property is beautiful. How many acres do you have?”
“Ten,” Tyler answers.
My father’s brows rise with what I first think is surprise, but is actually praise. “Wow.”
I still haven’t uttered a word. I’ve leaned into their hello kisses, but I’m not sure of the right thing to say.
“This is my mother, Tammy Grace,” Tyler says as Tammy joins us in the foyer. “Mom, this is Cynthia and Steve Daniels.”
“We’re so happy you were able to come,” Tammy says.
“We are too,” my mother says, glancing at Ty. “Tyler made sure we got the messages you sent me. I apologize for not responding.”
“Let’s go into the living room where it’s comfortable,” I finally say. “Gram is waiting for us in there.”
Ty hugs me and presses a reassuring kiss to my temple as we all move into the other room. “I’ll get us some drinks and snacks,” I offer.
“I’ll help.” My mother follows me into the kitchen, where I start putting cheese and crackers on a wooden board Ty ordered when he bought more silverware.
“Holly, your house is beautiful,” my mother says as she puts the bakery boxes in the refrigerator. “Everything is so unique and cozy.”
The compliment is so unexpected that words catch in my throat for a few moments. “Thank you. Ty made most of the wood furniture… like the dining room table, the coffee table, the corner shelving unit… if I show him a picture of something I like, he just magically makes it for me.”
“I had no idea he was so talented. You’re lucky. I can’t even get your father to fix the loose door on our closet.” She laughs a little, and I do, too. I’m wary of this new, friendlier version of her, but it seems sincere. “I can tell how much he loves you.”
Hesitantly, I ask, “Do you want to see the rest of the house? I have an office.”
“I’d love to.”
Poppy and Boomer follow us excitedly as we head down the hall. “I can’t believe you have a fox living in your house. He doesn’t make a mess, or get into things?” she asks with curiosity.
I smile down at Boomer, who’s circling our feet. “Sometimes he has accidents in the house, and if we’re not careful, he’ll steal our food, but he’s usually well-behaved. Ty’s had him since he was just a little baby. Unfortunately, he got so used to being a pet that he couldn’t be released. Tyler tried, but he just kept coming back. He’s free to run around outside and in the woods, but he always stays right with us.”
“That’s fascinating. Lizzie would love him, and the little white dog, too. She’s such an animal lover.”
We enter my office, which is my favorite room after the bedroom, as it has lots of windows overlooking the flower garden, and I can see the barn—Ty’s workshop—from the windows as well.
I lick my lips nervously. “Maybe, if it’s okay, you could bring Lizzie here for lunch one day? I’d love to see her. She can play with the pets. They’re very gentle; they won’t hurt her. And I promise not to scare her. I won’t mention anything about my past.”
Her face falls, and she lets out a long sigh that carries a slight waver. “Holly, I’m so sorry for how I’ve acted. I know it’s no excuse, but I had such a hard time getting over everything that happened. I realize it made me act like a horrible person and mother. I’ve made so many mistakes, but I’d like to start over, if you’re willing to give me a chance?”
I blink at her. Even not knowing her very well, I know how hard that was for her to say. “Of course I am,” I say with a hopeful smile. “I don’t dwell on the past. I only believe in now, and the future.”
She returns the smile. “I’d love to bring Lizzie here to visit you. She always asks about you.”
“I’d really like that. You can come any time. We’re home every day. This is where I work,” I say, pointing to my desk where a stack of notebooks sits next to my computer. “But I do sit outside and write a lot, too.”
Gazing out the window, she says, “I don’t blame you. Your yard is just as beautiful as your house.”
“We have a lot of birds and butterflies. And rabbits, deer, and squirrels. They inspire my stories.”
“It’s nice to see you so happy. Your father and I were initially worried about you moving way up here in the woods, being so secluded, but just being here… I can feel it myself. It has a kind of magical, peaceful quality to it, doesn’t it?”
“It does. We really are happy here. We go for walks. We sit outside and watch the wildlife. And the stars at night are so bright. We cuddle and talk under my favorite blankets. It’s like living in a postcard.” Ty knew exactly what I needed to feel safe and happy, and he found the perfect space and home for us to build a forever together. We vowed to leave our horrible pasts behind us that day he asked me to marry him. Filled with love, faith, and hope, I happily got on the back of his motorcycle to come here, and I’ve never wanted to leave.
After dinner, Gram disappears into the guest room for a few minutes and then returns, beckoning for Ty and I to join her on the love seat. Glancing curiously at each other, we sit with her.
“I have something special I’d like you two to have. Let’s call it a wedding gift.”
My stomach flutters at the word wedding . Our small ceremony is planned for just two months from today, right here in our yard. Every morning, Ty wakes me with a kiss and tells me how many days are left until I’ll be his wife.
Gram hands me a tiny green velvet box. It’s soft and worn in places, as if it’s been touched often.
“Open it,” she urges.
I do, and a small gasp escapes me when I see the two wedding bands inside, each engraved with an antique filigree design. The smaller, thinner ring has embedded tiny diamonds.
“These were mine and your grandfather’s wedding bands. I’d love for you to have them and wear them with as much love and devotion as your grandfather and I did.”
Tears well up in my eyes. “Oh, Gram… they’re so beautiful.” I touch the beautiful rings, remembering them on their hands. It still amazes me that sometimes my very young childhood memories unexpectedly sift back into my mind. I always consider them little gifts.
“We’d be honored to wear them,” Ty says, his voice low and scratchy with emotion. “You’re sure? These are special—”
The light in her eyes when she smiles makes my heart feel like it’s bursting. “That’s exactly why I want you two to have them.”
“I love them, Gramma,” I say tearfully. “You have no idea how much this means to me—to us. I promise we’ll wear them every day with love and will never take them off.” I hug her, gentle but tight. I can’t wait to wear her wedding band nestled against the engagement ring Ty made for me, and to see my grandfather’s ring on my husband’s finger.
Later, Ty and I stand on the front porch together and wave as my parents and Gram drive off. When their car has disappeared into the night, he pulls me into his arms and encircles my waist.
“You okay, baby?” he asks softly.
I nod. “Today went so much better than I thought it would. My parents were so nice, like I remember them from before.”
His lips twitch into a small smile. “I noticed. I think they finally let go of the past.”
“It seems like it. My mom is going to bring Lizzie over for lunch. I can’t wait to see her.”
He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m glad.”
“I really like your mom. When you were showing her your workshop, she was beaming. She loves you so much, Ty. I think we should spend more time with her, and the rest of your family.”
Hugging me tighter, he says, “We will. And with yours, too. I like the idea of your Gram spending a weekend a month here with us.”
“I do, too. She was excited when we suggested it. She’s going to teach me how to cook something every time she comes.”
He releases my waist to cup my face in his hands. “I love seeing you happy, and being loved the way you deserve to be loved. Nothing makes me happier.”
I cover his hands with mine and stare up into his eyes. “I feel the same way. I want everyone to see you and love you the way I do.”
“I only care about how you see me and love me.”
My chest aches a little with love for him. “That’s sweet… but I still want everyone to see how amazing you are.”
We go inside and share the last of the cream puffs that my mother brought with her. Laughing, we kiss powdered sugar off each other’s lips. We walk through the house with Poppy and Boomer chasing us, joining us for our nightly ritual of turning off the lights and drawing the blinds. Upstairs, we silently undress each other, and crawl under our soft magic blanket. The pets settle at our feet. I curl into Ty’s arms with my face pressed against his chest, as close to his heart as I can get. He gently weaves his fingers through my hair, making my scalp tingle, until we drift off to sleep, completely content.
I used to sleep on a concrete floor, shivering in the cold. I used to eat stale bread. I used to fear the opening of a door and human touch. I used to think that smiles, family, and love were things I’d never have. But I never stopped wishing for them.
Believe in the fairy tale you see in your heart, no matter how out of reach it might seem.