My Sweetest Sasha: Cole's Story (Meadows Shore Book 2) (20 page)

“Christian.”

“Things don’t normally get that bad, but there are plenty of casualties.” Cole kicked his feet up on the coffee table.

“When Dad married mom, his parents cut them off—that was it—done. He only saw them from a distance after that, and he never got to be a part of Deidre’s life. It was the one regret he had in life.”

“He told you that?”

“Yeah. On the day I told him I preferred medicine to politics. I asked him if he had any regrets about his life—”

His brothers were all grinning at one another, and a couple of them were actually snickering.

“What?”

“The image of you wandering the hallowed halls of Congress is hilarious. We’d probably be embroiled in another civil war by now.”

Cole whipped a green peanut M & M at Mark. “Oh, like you're the great statesman of the family.”

“Hey. I spend my days helping opposing sides reach an agreement. And I’m damn good at it.”

“Prime Minister Churchill, do you think you might shut-up and let him finish,” Drew said pelting Mark with yet another M&M.

“Dad told me it was painful not being able to watch his sister grow up. She’d been ripped from his life before he could explain his side of the story. It was his only real regret.”

“Are you saying he regretted marrying Mom?” asked Jake.

Cole glowered. “
No
. He said every day was better than he deserved because she was in his life. That if he had it to do over, he would marry her again without hesitation, even if it meant being estranged from Deidre. But I could see how much he missed his sister. How hurt he was. You’re all a huge pain in the ass, but it would kill me not to have you in my life.”

It was a sentiment echoed throughout the room.

Their father had braved the pain because he found the one person who completed him. It was quiet while they remembered the love between their parents. The way they always kissed every time either of them left the house or returned home. The way she looked at him when he brought her the dumbest little thing—something with no significant value—the same look she gave him when he brought her a piece of expensive jewelry. All that mattered to her was that it was from him.

Then there was the way their dad looked at her—like she was the most important person in the room. It didn’t matter if the room was filled with presidents or princesses. It was always her.

It had been almost impossible for Cole to understand their love, especially when he got old enough to be interested in women, because no woman had ever captured his heart. Not until now.

“Alexa’s brother is almost eight, about the same age Deidre was the last time dad saw her. I’ll never forget the sadness on his face the day he talked to me about her. I won’t do it—it’s not fair—one person shouldn’t have to give up everything. I refuse to come between Alexa and her family. I have to find another way.”

“What about her mom?”

“I thought about it, but it doesn’t feel right to go behind her father’s back.”

“No. It would be like a slap in the face,” agreed Will.

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. Keep going back there until he’s sick of seeing my ugly mug.”

“Does Alexa know about this?”

“No. And don’t say anything to the girls, either. You know how they are. They wouldn’t be able to resist butting in. I need to do this in my own way.”

“Boy, that sucks.”

“Touchdown!”

“Did you see that play?”

And with that the conversation lightened up—well, maybe it wasn’t exactly light, because they shared an unparalleled intensity for the game, but it certainly was less heavy.

“Cole, it’s so nice to see you again. I was surprised when you called to say you were in town,” Jane Petersen said while Cole knocked the snow off his boots.

“It’s good to see you too. Owen around?”

“He’s spending the night with a friend. He’ll be sorry he missed you.”

“I was hoping to talk with your husband, if he’s around.”

“Yes, he’s home, in the barn. I’ll call him.” She started toward the kitchen and then changed her mind. “Cole, is everything okay with Alexa? She’s not sick, is she?”

“Alexa is fine. She’s spending the day at an art exhibit with my cousins Helena and Ella,” he assured her.

Jane phoned her husband from the kitchen. “Cole’s here. Are you ready to tell me why that young man is here all the way from Boston to talk to you again? Are you sure Lexie’s not sick?”

“I have no idea why he’s back. I have nothing new to say to him. Nothing,” he huffed.

Jane led Cole back to the heated barn where her husband was repairing a tractor. “I’ll leave you two in peace,” she said before walking away.

But when she got half way to the house, something drew her back to the barn. She couldn’t help but worry that something was wrong with Alexa, something terribly wrong. This was the third trip Cole had made to see Henry in less than two months. He’d used the excuse that he was in Minnesota meeting with doctors at the Mayo Clinic, but she didn’t really believe him.

And she was right not to.

“Mr. Petersen, I love your daughter and I plan to spend the rest of my life trying to make every day perfect for her.”

“What do you want from me?”

“The same thing I’ve wanted every time. Your permission to ask Alexa to marry me.”

“Lexie’s a big girl. She makes her own decisions.”

“Yes, she does, but I know she’d like your blessing.”

“What does someone like you want with her? What happens when you wake up in five years with the stars out of your eyes and decide you don’t want to be married to a farmer’s daughter?”

“Alexa is the best thing that’s ever come into my life. I’m a grown man … this isn’t puppy love.”

“She can do what she wants. You can do what you want, but I won’t give you my blessing.”

“Why not? What do I need to do to convince you that I’ll be a good husband to her?”

“Look around here. You have brothers who are senators, professional athletes, lawyers, and you’re some fancy surgeon.”

“Trust me, there’s nothing fancy about what I do. As for my brothers, they’re good men—the best, but they put their pants on one leg at a time, just like everybody else. Alexa and I love each other. I know you love her too, so I don’t understand how you can keep us apart just because you won’t accept my family. You don’t even know them.”

“I’m not keeping you apart, I’m just not giving you my blessing, that’s all. Do whatever you want, just not here. And don’t expect me to go along with it.”

“I can’t do that, sir. I can’t ask Alexa to marry me against your wishes, I’ve seen that tear families apart. It tore my family apart, and I won’t do it to her. I love her too much. But I’ll be back, and I’ll keep asking, because my life won’t be whole without her in it.”

Cole couldn’t untangle the feelings of rage from those of sorrow when he drove away from the Petersens’ empty-handed, again.

* * *

Jane Petersen was a meek, not a weak, woman. The two weren’t to be confused. And in her entire time on earth, she’d rarely spoken out of turn, preferring a stern look to a stern word, especially when dealing with her husband. She’d gone directly from being the dutiful daughter to being the dutiful wife. And had dedicated the better part of her life trying to make her husband feel like he was up to par, trying to erase all the hurts he’d experienced over his lifetime, all the pain. She loved him, and she’d loved him since second grade when he punched Billy Jorgenson after he’d yanked her pigtails and made her cry.

But she’d always taken a backseat to Henry, stood silently shielding his battered ego, even when it had almost cost them their home. But this was too much. There was no way she’d let him stand in the way of Alexa’s happiness to assuage his own poor self-worth.

“You withheld your permission for him to marry our daughter because you’re too damn proud? You’re ashamed to hold a wedding here, because you think we don’t have enough, is that why? Did that young man ever give you any reason to think that he looked down on us—down on her?” She was on a tear the likes of which Henry had never experienced before.

“She loves him,” she fumed. “Who are you to get in the way of that? You’ll give him your blessing because it seems to be important. And you’ll do it with a smile on your face—you hear me, Henry Petersen?” she said poking her slender finger into his chest.

He marched out and slammed the door behind him, and she went up to bed.

Several hours later she heard him come up the stairs and fumble around in the dark. The mattress gave when he climbed into bed beside her, but she pretended to be asleep with her back turned toward him.

“I never knew you to be such a wild woman,” he said quietly. But she didn’t respond.

“I heard every word you said, Jane. It made me seem childish, petty. So selfish. And you were right,” he whispered.

Her heart clenched, because old habits die hard. “When Alexa left to go out East, you took it as a rejection, of you, of the way we live. She was just following her heart. It had nothing to do with you, with any of us. And now this. You need to stop feeling like you’re not good enough, like we’re not good enough.”

“I never doubted that you and Alexa and Owen were good enough for anybody.”

“But you doubted yourself,” she whispered.

“I almost lost the farm. Generations of Petersens farmed this land, and I almost lost it to a bad deal because I was too proud to tell anyone I couldn’t read the contract. Lexie’s been paying the debt.”

She rolled onto her back. “How do you know?”

“I may not be able to read much, but I’m not a stupid man. You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’ve known about it for several months. Cole’s cousin, Max, has been helping us. Jefferies tricked you into signing those papers. He fooled a lot of people, even some who can read real good. Alexa got her money back, every cent. I should’ve told you, but I couldn’t stand to see the shame, the hurt in your eyes, like you’d failed us. Lexie couldn’t bear it either.”

“How can I have a wedding here, face those people? My own wife and daughter don’t think I’m man enough to come to me with a problem. They tiptoe around trying to protect me from everything, even from myself. What kind of man will they think I am?”

“A good man, to have raised a daughter willing to sacrifice to take care of her family.”

“I’ll never forget the venom your father spewed when I told him we were getting married. He insisted I wasn’t good enough for you, but I didn’t listen. Some marriages aren’t meant to be.”

“Are you saying you’re sorry you married me?”

“I’ve never spent one second sorry that I married you. It was the best decision I ever made. But your father was right, you could’ve married better.”

“I loved my father, but he was a drunk. If he’d had his way, I would never have married. I’d have stayed home and taken care of him until the booze killed him. No one would ever have been good enough, he’d of chased every one away. Not because he thought I was so special, but because he needed a housekeeper. I loved you then, I love you now, and I’ve loved you every day in between, Henry Petersen.”

She reached for a tissue from the bedside table. “But you need to make this right for Lexie. Put your damn pride away. You’re not a stupid man, but today, listening at the barn door while that nice kid begged for your blessing, I was sure you didn’t have one shred of common sense.”

“I already spoke with Cole. It seems we’re going to have a wedding around here, if she’ll have him.”

“Did you put a smile on your face when you talked to him?”

“A small smile, but I’m pretty sure he was grinning like a fool.”

She laughed and jostled his arm. “A wedding. Our little girl’s getting married.”

“I love you, Jane Petersen. And I’ve never seen you so feisty, with such wild blue eyes. Now I know who Lexie takes after. You know, I think I could get used to feisty, might even decide I like it,” he said turning off his bedside lamp and reaching for her.

“Cole! How are you?”

He smiled, “Lainey, Lainey, Lainey—how’s my favorite interior designer-slash-psychologist?”

“Do you know more than one?”

He laughed.

“So what’s going on in your life?”

“First I want to know what’s going on with you?”

“Not much. Providence is a sleepy city, perfect for me. Small airport can take me most anywhere I need to go. Next to Meadows Shore, it’s home.”

“Behaving yourself?” he asked.

“Always.”

“You don’t always need to be an angel. I do rest a little easier because you’re not like your risk-loving sisters, but it’s probably not much fun.”

“Are you telling me to go out and be a bad girl?”

“Only because it’s you. I’d never have this conversation with Ella or Juliana, just so you know.”

She burst out laughing.

“It’s the middle of the workday, why are you calling?”

Long silence. “I’m getting married.”

With a wide grin, he ducked and held the phone far away from his ear until the screeching stopped.

“Oh, my God! I’m so happy for you! Alexa is a wonderful woman, and she’s perfect for you.”

“Listen, I haven’t told anyone else yet, not even my brothers, no one. You’re the first person I called. Please don’t say … ”

“Don’t worry I would never break your confidence, and tell Alexa not to worry, either.”

“Uh … I haven’t talked to Alexa yet.”

There was silence on the other end. “Are you marrying someone else?” she asked, barely audible.

“No, Alexa’s the person I want to wake up next to every day.”

He smiled at the loud sigh of relief on the other end of the line.

“I haven’t asked her yet, because I need to figure out a few things before I talk to her, and I’m hoping you’ll help me.”

“Of course, with anything.”

“It took some effort to get her dad’s blessing. I think a lot of it had to do with pride, and with being able to afford a wedding. He’s got it in his head that I have a bunch of hoity-toity relatives.”

“I guess he hasn’t spent any time around your beer-guzzling, chicken-wing-eating brothers with their stinky gym socks.”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with beer, and wings, especially if they’re soaked in good hot sauce … I can pay for the wedding, Lainey, but that would be too easy. Her father would feel insulted, and we’d start our life together with a black cloud hanging over the day. I don’t want that. And I don’t want to take anything away from them—she’s their only daughter. But most important of all, I want it to be perfect for Alexa. I want the day to be special for her, and I want the wedding to be something that everyone’s comfortable with. Am I completely nuts?”

“I need more details, but I can’t imagine why we couldn’t work this out in a way that makes everyone happy. But don’t you think you should ask her before you make too many plans?”

“I’m going to ask her tonight, but first I wanted to get a reality check from you. I’m hoping to give her some assurances. I guess there’s a possibility that she’ll tell me to take a hike.” His stomach knotted at the thought.

“Not a chance. I’ve been around you two. One of the reasons I was so excited is because she’s perfect for you—she loves you with all her heart, just like you deserve.”

He blew out a breath. “Thanks, Lainey.”

“No, thank you. I’m so touched you shared your secret with me before telling anyone else. Have Alexa call me tomorrow, and we can talk through the logistics.”

“I love you, Lainey.”

“Cole?”

“Yeah?”

“She’s one lucky woman.”

* * *

Cole hung up with Lainey and called to confirm with Alexa. He wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

“Hey, beautiful. You still want to have dinner with me tonight?”

“Only if your offer includes a sleepover,” said Alexa.

“It sounds like you’re renegotiating the terms, but I could be persuaded to include one. How about if I pick you up at three?”

“At three?”

“Yeah. Cash in on some of that comp time the hospital owes you. And dress warmly, we’re having a picnic.”

“A picnic? It’s a little cold for that, don’t you think?”

“I thought you were a hearty girl from Minnesota?”

“That sleepover better include a bubble bath.”

* * *

Cole was at her door a few minutes before three. But no amount of pestering convinced him to tell her where they were going. It seemed like they were headed to Meadows Shore, but he pulled off on a different exit. When they passed the giant blue water tower, she remembered the clam shack and the small beach where they’d had lunch stretched out on the rocks like seals, basking in the warmth of the sun.

“Fried clams on the beach?”

He shook his head. “Close, but no cigar. Just keep your panties on for another five minutes so you don’t spoil the surprise.”

“Maybe the surprise is that I’m not wearing any panties.”

“Don’t tempt me. If I stop to check, we’ll never get to where we’re going.”

They pulled into the beach parking lot and Cole grabbed a basket from the backseat. “Let’s go, it’s freezing out here.” He led her toward the lighthouse, where a man with a weathered face and kind eyes let them inside.

“Mr. Rezendes, this is my girlfriend, Alexa.”

The older man studied Alexa, probably gauging if he could safely leave the lighthouse in their care.

“We’ll be careful,” Cole promised him.

“Do you remember everything I told you?”

“Everything.”

“An hour,” he said, patting Cole on the back.

“Come on, we don’t have much time.” They climbed the narrow spiral staircase to the lantern room where the lens was housed. The view from the top was at once magnificent and terrifying. The ferocious sea slammed against the hapless rocks below, over and over, its whitecaps bobbing furiously in the dark, icy water. The ocean would show no mercy for those without refuge tonight.

Cole set out mini baguettes piled with roast beef, watercress, and Boursin, along with a fat thermos of tomato soup. With unsteady hands, he popped the cork on a bottle of pink champagne, her favorite. She peeked inside the basket to find bite-sized chocolate brownies and miniature lemon squares.

“This is so romantic, thank you for planning it.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said brushing his lips over hers.

“How do you know Mr. Rezendes?”

“He’s a friend of Antonio’s.”

She looked at him closely, frowning slightly. He was actually fidgeting. Was something wrong?

He straightened his shoulders and inhaled deeply. “There’s something I want to say—to ask you. I’d planned on waiting until after we ate, but I’m tired of waiting.”

He took both of her hands in his. “Alexa, from the day we met, you’ve been my beacon. You light my path when it’s dark, and illuminate the bleakest corners of my soul. You’ve brightened my life every day that you’ve been in it. You’re what stops me from drifting off course, what helps me right my ship.

“I can’t promise you every minute of our life together will be blessed with fair winds, but I can promise you my undying love, even during the fiercest storm. You have my heart, and I hope you’ll share my life.”

He froze when the tears began streaming down her cheeks. “Please tell me those are happy tears, baby.”

“The happiest,” she choked. “I love you more than anything, more than everything. The best moments of every day are falling asleep against the beat of your heart. It’s a precious gift, one I promise never to take for granted.”

He pulled a small box from his jacket pocket and slipped the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen on her finger while the beacon in the tiny room began to shine brighter, lighting the tumultuous sea, guiding mariners to their own true loves.