Chapter 41
Tuesday
It wasn’t where tall grasses grew near the ocean but where the olive trees bloomed. That’s where I discovered my happy place wasn’t a place at all. It was a person.
I turn back to see Loch on the deck overlooking the ocean, watching over me. He waves, so I wave back. Though he can’t see it, I smile because of him. For him.
Taking one last look, I appreciate what this tiny state means to me. Its natural beauty, the water that glistens under the late spring sun, and my childhood. I liked growing up in Rhode Island, but it’s no longer my home. He is.
Traipsing through the marram grass blown by the shifting ocean winds, I graze my fingers across the tops of the blades along the sandy path leading me back to the house. To him.
My love.
My heart.
My everything.
He says, “ETA is twenty minutes.”
It’s just us alone for a short time, so I slide my hands around this incredible man and rest my cheek against him. “We can do a lot in twenty minutes.” His laughter rocks his body. I look up just to take in the glorious sight of him.
He taps my nose. “A woman after my own heart.”
“I’m after your heart, all right.” Lowering my hand, I run my fingers over his growing erection. “And other parts.”
“You’re so naughty these days.” I never get enough of him.
I shrug with a smile on my face that feels permanent. “What can I say? No one ever impassioned me like you do.”
He checks his watch again. Tossing me over his shoulder, he says, “Eighteen minutes.”
I smack his ass in pure delight. “Let’s get to it, babe.”
Making love to him is equally the sexiest and the most beautifully aching thing I’ve ever experienced. To feel so full, so complete, only to have the physical connection ripped away is torture. I could lie with him all day, and it wouldn’t be long enough.
Unfortunately, it has to be.
At least for today.
He’s already returning from the bathroom and pulling his pants back on. “I’ll take care of everyone so you can take your time.” He kisses me before slipping out of the bedroom of the rental where we’ve been staying for a long weekend.
Staring out the window, I let my mind trace over the past year of my life. From the wedding to Carter, which should have never gotten that far, to seeing Loch at the coffee shop the first time we met.
Handsome.
Irritable.
Despite the obvious bad mood he was wearing like a suit, the kindheartedness in his eyes had me feeling flustered.
I can’t say I’ve ever felt intimidated .
. . no, that’s not the right word for it.
Captivated works better. Tongue-tied even fits.
I made a fool of myself to try to relate to him. But I read him all wrong.
The mood was bad, but the element of humanity that had never been present in Carter’s eyes prior was shining brightly in Loch’s. It was as if a bad day didn’t taint his compassionate heart.
It was a dizzying combination for any woman to witness.
That day, I was blindsided not just by his looks, though he’s still the most gorgeous human I’ve ever laid eyes on, but the soul that made it known he was worth making a fool for.
Of course, I screwed it up and fell into a train of griping that no one would find attractive.
I was rude.
I apologized to not only Loch but also the barista who helped me before the attack.
I may have been engulfed in a series of traumatic events that day, but I’m not that person anymore, and I felt bad.
Loch told me not to be so hard on myself.
It all worked out how it was supposed to.
I agree, but the Tuesday side of me just wanted to make it right.
That act of purposeful change, selling the house in Rhode Island and putting my designer wardrobe I wore as Céline up for auction, gave me the fresh start I wanted. The money raised from the clothes, shoes, and handbags all went to the shelter I stood before when I thought I had nothing.
I had the profit from the house invested in the olive oil company.
My parents gave it to me, but after a settled deal to pay the taxes with interest, just as Loch had suggested, I didn’t want the company to go under.
The Rhode Island house saved it. It was unoccupied these days anyway.
They called it an investment in our family for generations to come.
That I could turn tragedy into something good means the world to me.
The day I turned over the keys, I found the Christmas present from Carter still there—a blank check to my own account. How thoughtful of him . . .
The door opens, and Allison peeks in. “Get out of bed, you sex fiend. Everyone’s almost here.”
I’m fisting the sheet at my neck. “Aren’t we past knocking at this point in our relationship?”
“Yeah, we stopped doing that around age six.” Her fire-orange curls bounce as she flops onto the end of the bed. Looking at me, she adds, “Do you guys ever get tired of doing it all the time?”
I smirk. “No.”
“I figured that would be your answer. I broke up with Matt.”
“What?” The shock spins my head. “Why?”
“It took Matt years to see me as someone worthy of his love, but that’s when I only had you and Carter as role models. You and Loch made me realize I deserve better than to be treated as a last option simply because I’m still hanging around.”
Sitting up, I rub her shoulder. “I’m sorry. You deserve better, though.”
She slides off the bed and stands at the foot of it.
Dusting down the wrinkles of her dress, she adds, “It’s for the best. It feels good to make a fresh start.
” Two peas in a pod, like always. “I’m a New York girl now, so let the dating begin.
” Heading for the door, she opens it, then turns back and whispers, “Just a heads-up, Loch’s mom and sister are already here. ”
“Thanks.”
As soon as the door closes, I get up. It was fun while it lasted and much needed, but no more lounging allowed. I’m ready to see everyone. I take a quick shower and get ready before heading into the living room.
“Hi,” I say as soon as I see Delta.
She immediately cuts from her conversation with Marina and Allison to hug me. “It’s so good to see you, Tuesday. Oh, do you want me to call you Céline?”
“I’m good with either, but I’m quite fond of Tuesday. It’s like I’ve been given a do-over. This time, I’m going to get my life right.”
Stepping back, she nods. “We’ve got to take those second chances when the opportunity arises. How are you feeling?”
“Honestly, never better. I give the mugging, concussions, and amnesia zero stars. But the life thereafter has been nothing short of spectacular.”
We laugh together as she wraps her arm around mine, including me in the conversation the group was having.
Marina and I do a quick hug before she says, “If I’m an adult—and by every standard of society, except in my parents’ and brothers’ eyes, I am at twenty-one—age doesn’t matter when it comes to dating. ”
I slowly back away from that conversation. Talk about a hot-button issue for not only her parents but her three older brothers. I think I’ll leave that one for them to weigh in on. I overhear Allison say, “I don’t see the issue.”
Quickstepping to the bar we set up earlier on the far end of the island, I pour a glass of champagne my parents sent over for not being able to fly back for the weekend.
They’ve come so many other times over the past few months that I have no right to be upset.
They’re just missed, is all. The Westcotts will keep me busy, though.
The day gets more boisterous as the rest of the family arrives from different places—Lark and Harbor from Manhattan.
Noah, Port, and Lark’s dad arrive from Beacon.
The grill is going on the deck, the drinks are flowing, and the laughter fills the air.
I love this big, beautiful family. Although mine was more intimate with just the three of us, they make me feel like one of their own.
As the sun sets, Loch taps a spatula against his beer bottle. “Hey, hey. We have an announcement to make.”
My heart stops along with my breath. His eyes find me in the crowd, and he smiles, but then it falters, and he says, “Harbor?”
Loch comes to me, taking my hand, and leans down to my ear. “I’m sorry. I should have warned you.”
“What’s going on?”
As Harbor rushes from inside the house to the outside deck where we’re all waiting, Loch turns and caresses my neck.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I want to marry you, but I should have given you a heads-up about my brother’s announcement.
It was arranged five minutes ago. I understand how you could think I was making one of my own. ”
Latching onto his wrist, I smile. “It’s no big deal.
Really. Don’t worry about it.” It’s ironic that I ran from my last wedding, and now I’m running toward this one with him as fast as I can.
I need to learn patience. I continue, and say, “I’m just feeling the love being with you and your family.
My heart just got away from me. It’s all good, though. ”
“I love you.” He turns so my back is to his chest. His arms hold me as Harbor calls Lark to join him.
“My beautiful wife,” Harbor introduces her with a smile that’s a mile wide like we all don’t already know who she is. Lark curtsies under a laugh and a roll of her eyes. She waves.
We clap, always the supporters when it comes to family.
He takes her hand and turns to her. “You are the love of my life, so I feel honored to not only be called your husband but the father of your child.”
Lark melts against him, her head tucked against the man who stole her heart.
Throwing her arm in the air, Lark says, “We’re having a baby.”
While her dad and the family circle them, I turn to Loch. “They’re having a baby.” I laugh at myself as happiness for them washes away any awkwardness I felt about this not being an engagement. “Did you know?”
“Yeah. I should have told you.”
“No, you’re right. This isn’t the time. This is their moment.” I hug him. “You’re going to be an uncle for the first time.”
Kissing me, he then says, “And you an aunt.”
I roll my eyes just like Lark. “Charmer.”
“It’s not the title I’m going for,” he replies, reminiscent of a conversation we once had.
While he brushes flyaway strands away from my face, I ask, “What title are you after, then?”
Loch once replied with such confidence that he wanted to be my boyfriend. Even then, the title didn’t feel enough for what he had already become in my life. “Husband and father of your children.”
It takes me a second and a few blinks to see the determination in his eyes to realize what’s happening. But it’s spying my parents coming out the large sliding glass door that has me covering my nose and mouth with my hands. Tears spring to my eyes. “You are not . . .”
“I am.” Loch lowers to one knee as I hear the oohs and aahs behind me.
“You had this planned all along?”
He laughs, wiping his hairline with the back of his hand. “You going to let me do this?”
Tears spring to my eyes as I drop my hands, cupping them around his and the box. “I’m nervous. I don’t know what to do.”
The light roll of laughter behind me has me laughing as well. Loch asks, “How about this? I’ll say what comes from my heart and then pop a certain question. You can answer from your heart, we kiss, and then live happily ever after.”
Although it’s all in jest, he comforts me like he always does, protecting me from the unknown because he knows I’m not that big on surprises anymore. He gets me like no other. “That sounds like a good plan.” My nerves have calmed, and I clasp my hands in front of me. “I’m ready.”
“Good girl.” Damn, he knows how to get my attention.
He holds his hand out for me, and I happily take it without hesitation.
“I wasn’t looking for love that random Tuesday in October, but it found me anyway.
From that day on, I was a changed man for the better.
” He looks down, seeming to get as choked as I am.
When his eyes return to mine, he says, “If I’ve learned anything from what we’ve been through, it’s that we shouldn’t wait to start our lives when we know how we feel.
We must act in the moment, make the most of every day, and love to our fullest capacity.
That’s what you are to me, Tuesday. You’re love.
You’re life. And I’d be honored if you’d grant me the privilege of being your husband and you, my wife.
I promise to spend my life and after loving you forever.
Will you marry me, Tuesday Céline Vivienne Schroder, and make me the happiest man alive?
” He nods and peeks to the right. “No offense to my brother.”
I nod, the words not coming. He pulls me to sit on his bent leg and then opens the blue box that makes every girl’s heart skip a beat. “Loch,” I gasp again.
To pretend I don’t know anything about the four C’s—color, cut, clarity, and carats—would be a lie. I love diamonds, and this amazing one does not disappoint. Of course, he never did. He whispers, “Is that a yes?”
“Oh my God, yes. Yes. Yes. I love you so much. You didn’t need a ring to get me to agree. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” I throw my arms around him and hug him so tight, not willing to ever let him go again.
His arms are around me, holding me just as tight when he gets to his feet with me still hanging around him. When my toes touch the ground again, he slips the ring on my finger. I say, “I can’t wait to wife you up.”
He chuckles. “Is that the same as taking me off the market?”
I kiss him. “You’re most definitely off the market.”
As we celebrate all the good news of the day, he steals his fiancée away to take a walk on the beach in the moonlight.
As we hold hands, our feet leaving prints in the sand, I no longer dwell on my past. Loch and I may have met under unusual circumstances, but we sure did turn that tragedy into something amazing.
“I’m no longer Loch Westcott’s unfinished business. Loose ends all tied up.”
Scratching the back of his neck, he chuckles, knowing exactly what I’m referencing. “About that.” He stops in front of me, still holding my hand. “Can I plead the Fifth since I’m a different person now?”
“No pleading necessary. I’m just teasing anyway, but I did want to tell you something.”
“What is it?” he asks, the moonlight shining over us and reflecting in his eyes.
My heart squeezes, and my throat thickens with emotion. “I can’t imagine my life if you’d chosen to return to the office instead of stopping for coffee that day. Thank you for saving me.”
Caressing my cheek, he kisses me, and then says, “You got it all wrong, baby. You saved me.”