Soul (11 page)

“Famished,” I say while people watching.

Chase leads me to a place uniquely named Box of Frogs. It is a coffee house and bakery right under a bright sunflower orange building. The rich smells of cinnamon, sugar, and coffee make me salivate. We enter the warm space and I instantly brighten at the wide variety of perfectly dressed cupcakes. “Chase, we have to get some of these for the house!” I waggle my eyebrows. “You know, dessert for later.”

He grins one of those panty-melting grins. “Absolutely, my sweet.” I roll my eyes. My sweet is the newest endearment he’s been trying on for size. I don’t mind. When he said it, his intent was clear…to remind me of exactly how sweet he thinks I taste. So that makes it worth it.

“Babe, they also have a ton of cookies! You love cookies.” I point to the glass in front.

He hugs me around the waist. “I do indeed. We’ll need to get a few dozen.”

“A few?”

He shrugs and I shake my head. We are greeted by a woman in a red apron and a hat that I usually attribute to old men who golf. I glance at the few men and women hustling around the bakery. They all seem to be wearing them. “I like your hat,” I said.

“Oh, it’s day-cent,” the woman said. “You look like one of us, but you’re American.” She smiles, her Irish accent very thick.

“We’re here for our wedding and our honeymoon. We actually bought a home up the way.”

“Ah, big, faces the ocean?”

I nod happily. “That’s the one.” She whistles and Chase puts an arm around my chest from behind and nuzzles my neck.

“Making friends with the locals, baby?” He kisses my neck.

“I am.”

“What can I get ya two lovebirds,” she asks. I find that I want to find ways to make her speak. Her accent is adorable.

“I’ll have one of those scones,” I point to the item.

“It comes with jam and whipped cream.” She hits a few buttons on the register.

“Um, why?”

Her eyebrows scrunch together and Chase laughs. “Baby, that’s how the Irish eat a scone.”

“Really?”

“When in Rome.” I giggle. “I mean, when in Ireland.” The attendant waits patiently, likely having dealt with American’s before. “Okay, and my guy here with a sweet tooth would like to have a variety of your cookies.”

“Biscuits.”

This time I’m confused. “No,” I point to the case of cookies. “Cookies. Say three dozen?”

“Make it four, Baby. You know how much I like them.”

“You mean biscuits,” the overly perky, now annoying, Irish woman says.

Just when I’m about to correct her again, Chase puts a hand on my shoulder. “Honey, biscuits are cookies to them.”

“Then what do they call a biscuit?”

“A scone.”

I snap my head back. “But that’s absurd.”

This time he shrugs. “Were not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.”

“Obviously not. I hope I can get the hang of this.” I cringe.

He places our coffee order then leads me to a small table.

The first bite into my scone makes it very clear why it needs the jam and whipped crème. It has absolutely no sugar in it. But with the jam and whipped crème, it’s heavenly. My vanilla latte on the other hand comes with a perfect amount of tasty, white foam that was made into a lovely leaf. I sip the liquid and moan around the cup. “I’m going to need another one of these.” I suck back some more of God’s sweet nectar.

Chase laughs and leans back, then slips on his shades. He has a blue polo on, a sweater over his shoulders and a pair of aviator sunglasses. Me, I’m wearing a long, army-green skirt, knee-high, brown leather boots and a crème, cable-knit sweater, compliments of my new wardrobe. Chase didn’t pack any clothing. He called Chloe, who was already in Europe, and had her stylist buy and ship over clothing. The house assistant removed tags and placed everything in the closest and dressers. So, technically, she knows where we are, but since she’s in Europe, and hasn’t been part of everything that’s happened, she has no reason to share. And Chase assures me that she’s not going to interfere.

“You look handsome,” I say pulling out my phone again. “Smile for me. I need a new background on my phone, and I want to remember you, right now.” He appeases me then decides he wants one of his own.

One of the café busboys walks up to us. “Would you like a photo together?”

I smile at him and move my chair closer to Chase’s. He pushes his glasses onto his head and gets closer to me. We lean toward one another, and the boy takes a photo then hands me back my phone. I look at the picture and notice how happy and relaxed we both are. I show him the photo. “That’s a keeper,” he shares.

“It is,” I agree. Once we finish breakfast, we continue our journey through the town of Bantry. Chase sees a camera shop at the same time that I see an antique shop. “I want to go in there,” I point over to the quaint looking store and start to pull away.

“You sure?” Chase’s eyes hold concern and maybe something else.

I caress his brow pushing aside the uncertainty that’s showing there. “You get us a camera so we can capture all this.” I point to the beautiful streets and vistas. “And I’ll check out the antique store. Perhaps I’ll see something we can add to our new home away from home?”

Chase cups my cheek. “I really like the sound of that.” Chase looks up and gestures with a hand. Out of nowhere Jack is by our side.

“Sir?”

He looks at me and tilts his head. “Gillian wants to go to that antique store while I get us a camera. Can you escort her please?”

“Of course.” He mumbles into his wrist, and then again, like a magic trick, the two men, who were apparently closer than I thought they were, appeared by our side. He directed one to stay on the street, and the other to go with Chase.

“Shouldn’t take long. I’ll meet you over there in fifteen or twenty minutes. Okay?” He leans in and kisses me softly.

“’Kay,” I look at him, the most handsome man I’ve ever known, and I’m going to marry him this week. In a few days really.

Without any concern or worry, I cross the street, Jack is quick on my heels as I enter the little shop. The smell of dust and flowers permeates the air. An old woman, with white hair piled up on her head in a bun, is sitting in a rocking chair knitting a sweater, one much like the one I’m wearing now.

“Go on ahead and look around, dearie. Maybe you’ll find something from the past that will enrich your future.”

I like that thought but didn’t tell her that. As I scope out the furniture and knick-knacks, I find a tapestry hidden half behind a large, scrollwork mirror. “Jack, can you help me pull this mirror back?” I ask. He lifts the mirror with little problem and shifts it aside. Staring me in the face is a seven by ten foot tapestry of the Celtic trinity knot. It’s blue and green just like my tattoo. “Oh my! “ I whisper and the woman looks up.

“Yep, will look really lovely in the master bedroom of that house you just bought.”

I turn around on a heel. “How do you know that we just bought a place here?”

The old woman looks up at me over her glasses. “Honey, there isn’t much in Bantry that I don’t know about. ‘Sides, the home was expensive, knew a classy woman and man probably bought it since no one around here could afford it. It’s been empty for a couple years now. And the population is only thirty two hundred. I’ve been in Bantry all my life and will die here. I know everyone.”

I smile and nod. “Well, I definitely agree. How much?”

“Two thousand,” she says and I suck in a breath. Jack looks at me with hard eyes. “You can put the mirror back.”

“Not before you get that tapestry,” he rumbles.

I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. It’s really beautiful though,” I say it loud enough for the woman to hear.

“Excuse me Ms. Callahan, but you’re about to become Mrs. Davis. He will be very pleased if you purchase something to add to your new home.” Jack’s dark gaze holds mine. For the first time, I can see real unguarded sincerity there.

“It’s expensive.”

“It isn’t. He will think that is a pittance. She’ll take the tapestry, and I’ll purchase it on behalf of her fiancé,” Jack tells the old woman.

“I have money.” I narrow my eyes at him and place my hands on my hips.

Jack scowls. “Yes of course, but if someone is tracking your credit card and bank account, there will be problems. We will use the card I have.”

“Good point.” I breathe in slowly.

The old woman stands. “I believe I have something else that might be of interest to you my dear.” I turn around and follow her. Jack stays close which is annoying and comforting at the same time.

She leads me to a tall armoire. “Oh, I’m sorry, the furniture we have is all new and looks great.”

“It’s not the furniture you’ll be interested in, precious.” She opens the armoire doors and hanging within is a gown. A lace wedding gown.

The woman smiles as I hold my hand over my mouth and my eyes tear up. “I married my Henry in this gown, sixty years ago, made by my mother’s own hand. I’ve held onto this as Henry and I were not blessed with children. He passed almost ten years ago now, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss him.”

“And you’re willing to sell it to me,” a tear slips down my cheek as I look at the most perfect dress in the world. Absolutely ideal for a tiny wedding in a small church in Ireland.

The dress has a lace cap sleeve, a sweetheart neckline, and fits close to the body until you hit the knee where the lace flares out enough to give it some body. There’s a nude colored underlay because the lace is a wide pattern. The shape reminds me of fans that flare out meeting with a flower shape in the center of each fan. It’s incredibly intricate. The back has a one-inch wide, scalloped, lace piece to hold up the top, and then is cut out and open to the lower back. Showing just enough of my bare back that Chase will lose his mind.

“No precious,” the woman says, and my heart sinks. I know, I just know this is the dress I must marry the man of my dreams in. And then she blows me away with her next words. “I’m going to give it to you.”

“
H
ey
, Baby,” I pull my woman back against my body as a little old woman in front of her zips up a garment bag. “Buy something?”

Jack hands the woman a credit card and she looks up to me. “So, this your young man?” She looks at me over her glasses. Gillian snuggles back into me and puts an arm around my middle.

“It is.”

“Strapping young fella. Big.” Her eyes widen as she takes in my appearance.

“Making new friends again?” She shakes her head. “What did you get?” I point at the garment bag.

Gillian sighs and looks up at me. “Only the best things ever.” I tip her chin back and look into her face. Her pale skin is pink at the cheeks and her eyes a forest green. I’ll never tire of looking at her face. “Which is what?”

“A tapestry for one. It’s the trinity! Can you believe it?” She points a finger behind us and I see the symbol. The design is beautiful and the craftsmanship perfection.

“It’s lovely. I’m sure it will go great in our home, and I know how much you love the trinity.”

She nods happily and pulls out her phone and takes a picture of it. “I can’t wait to show the girls. They are going to die!” Then her face scrunches up into a frown, as if she just grasped what she said. I pull her back into my arms and tip her chin up.

“Hey, it’s okay. I know what you meant.” I slide my thumb across her cheek then pet her plump lower lip. She kisses my thumb.

“Here you go sweetheart. I’ll have one of the young fellas I have working for me deliver the tapestry to your place tomorrow. They can hang it for you too.”

Gillian claps her hands together. “Fantastic!”

“What’s in the bag?” the woman hands the garment to Jack. He treats it as if it’s precious cargo.

She shakes her head. “It’s my wedding gown.” I open my eyes wide and she nods. “You’ll never believe this, but Mrs. McMann here gave me her wedding dress. The one she wore to her wedding when she married her husband over sixty years ago, and Chase…it’s just, well,” she looks down then back up to me, moisture in her eyes. “It’s perfect.”

I turn my head to the old woman. “Mrs. McMann, thank you. Thank you for putting this smile on my bride’s face. You can’t know this, but we’ve had a very rough year and what you’re doing for her, this means a lot. If ever you need anything, anything at all, consider it done.” I pull out one of my business cards and lay it on the antique table she uses.

“Chase Davis.” The old woman studies the card. “Well, I’ve got no use for business related things, but sometimes I don’t mind eating a meal out with some new friends.”

“Absolutely. Gillian and I have just bought a home here. After our wedding we’ll be visiting as often as possible. We’ll make time to spend with you on our next visit.”

“Much obliged,” she says then turns to Gillian. “Now come on over and give your new granny a hug, precious.”

Gillian wraps her arms around the old woman. She’s the happiest I’ve seen in her in months. I’d go a long way to keep that smile on her face and if this little woman and her shop can give her that, well, I’ll make certain we give some time to her.

“We’ll be back. And thank you for taking such good care of my girl here.”

“You make her happy, now young lad.”

“With everything I am.” I wink at her and she winks back.

I lead Gillian out of the store, and she’s practically skipping with excitement. “Can you believe I walked into that store, found an amazing tapestry, met a lovely woman who gave me one of the most special gifts of my life?”

“Knowing you, how big your heart is, yes, yes, I can.”

T
oday’s the day
. Gillian is arriving an hour after me in a separate limo to the Gougane Barra Church in the city of Macroom. It’s about a thirty-minute drive from our home in Bantry. The church is remote, and sits alongside a lake. The chapel is small, planted out in the open greenery with the backdrop of a pristine sky and lovely lake. Swans swim in the waters peacefully and the trees sway in the breeze. The church is made up of multicolored greyish blocks that prove its age around the 1700’s. The entire building goes up and into a point, making it seem very much like a triangle. Two large red doors sit at the mouth of the building. A priest exits down the small stairs and holds out a hand.

“You must be Mr. Davis.”

“I am.”

“I wanted to thank you myself for the considerable donation we’ve received. The town will do much good work with such a sizable contribution.”

I smile at the older gentleman. “I’m pleased that I could help. Obviously, it wasn’t entirely selfless as you are presiding over my wedding today.”

“Indeed. And how many should we expect in attendance. I have several parishioners and townsfolk at the touch of a button to assist in the activities.”

Putting my hands in the pocket of my tux I look out over the lake thinking how picturesque this will be, wishing I could see Gillian’s face when she sees the location. “It will just be me, my bride, and our three bodyguards. Two of them can serve as our witnesses, one will walk the premises.”

The man of God looks nonplussed. “I assure you, Mr. Davis, the town of Macroom and our church is very safe. You won’t need guards.”

“I’m sure you’re correct, Father. However, I’ve learned recently one can never be too careful. You see, my bride, was kidnapped at our wedding almost four weeks ago. Today is our second chance, which is why there will be no friends or family attending the nuptials. Just she and I. Though, I would appreciate your assistance with one thing if possible.”

The father places a hand on my shoulder. “Anything, my son.”

“If you happen to know a photographer who could come out, I’d be happy to pay him or her handsomely to capture our ceremony and take some photos of us by the church and this stunning lake. I believe my bride and our future children would love a memento of this day.”

The priest puffs out his chest. “My brother is such a man. He will take fine images of this day. I shall call him now.”

“Thank you,” I nod to him as he turns on a heel and enters the church. Mentally, I go over the vows I want to say to her when I take her forever. In my pocket, I rub my thumb over the velvet box then take it out. I open the small square and within lays a diamond band. The sun glints off the many diamonds that make an entire circle. It’s just how I see Gillian…simple and elegant.

The wind blows my hair as Jack helps me out of the limo. The view is unlike anything I expected. Chase has outdone himself. He’s giving me a dream church wedding, the kind you see in fairy tales, and he’s the handsome prince who will be waiting at the end of the aisle to take my hand. Clouds slowly creep by as I take in the lake with its charming ducks and swans swimming dreamily along the surface. The trees surrounding the lake, hills, and this quaint church give off a storybook quality. The church is pointed, and old, very much so. It has two red doors with those big black brackets running at the top and bottom to hold their heavy weight.

Jack crooks his arm, and I slide my hand onto his. “Shall we get you married?” He smiles. Jack Porter, Mr. Linebacker, Mr. Grumpy, Mr. I-Don’t-Like-You-Gillian gave me a smile. A real one, too.

“That smile looks good on you, Jack.”

He purses his lips holding back a grin. A grin! “I’ll have to remember that.” Before we get to the step Jack turns to me stopping our progress up the stairs. “Look, Gillian, I’ve only ever wanted what’s best for Chase. He’s more than my charge; he’s like a son to me.”

I place an arm on Jack’s forearm. “I’m not ever going to hurt him, I promise you that. I love him.”

Jack tightens his jaw. “I know that, now.” His dark gaze holds mine for a second more then he puts out his arm again. “I think someone is very ready to make you his wife.” We take the few steps and enter the church. One of our bodyguards is standing to the side of the entrance. The church’s ceiling is a peachy hue with wide sweeping white columns curved into a half moon shape. Several empty rows of wooden pews sit in lines ready for guests who aren’t going to be in attendance. For a brief moment it saddens me that the girls aren’t here, and Chase’s family but all of that disappears the moment I look up.

Chase.

He’s there at the end of the aisle, hands clasped in front of him waiting for me to walk to him. Jack lets me go, walks up the aisle, and stands at Chase’s side. What I didn’t see before is the little old woman who stands at the very front. It’s Mrs. McMann, the woman I met two days ago, the woman whose dress fits like it was tailored for just me. Having someone standing on my side, even someone I don’t know very well brings tears to my eyes. Her wrinkled hands come up to her face, a handkerchief is clenched tight in one gnarled fist.

I hold tight to the bushel of daisies I wrapped in a single white ribbon. I’m wearing the dress, and a blue sapphire ring that belonged to Chase’s mother on my right hand. It’s something old, something borrowed, and something blue all in one, he reminded me early this morning. I think it’s perfect.

Taking a deep breath, I look into Chase’s eyes and hold them as I walk slowly down the aisle. There isn’t any music, but I don’t need anything. The music is our love, and it’s leading the way.

When I get to him, he takes my hand and kisses it. “You have never looked more beautiful than you do in this moment. I’ll remember it always.”

The priest says a few words skipping over some of the parts that would matter to a church full of people, or to a Catholic couple, but neither of those things matter, not to the two of us.

“Chase, Gillian, I believe you have your own vows.”

I turn and hand Mrs. McMann my flowers. “Would you?”

“Of course I’ll hold them, dearie. It will be an honor,” the old woman says, and I smile.

Chase clasps both my hands and brings them up to his mouth where he places a kiss on the knuckles of each hand.

“Gillian Grace Callahan, I promise to love, cherish, and worship the ground you walk on every day of my life. I’ll strive every day to be the man who’s good enough for a woman like you.” Tears fill my eyes and slip down my cheeks. He cups both of them, and I rest my hands on his hips. “When you cry,” he moves forward and kisses each cheek, “I’ll kiss away your tears. When you love,” I look deep into his blue eyes and see they’re a startling shade of aqua. “I’ll love you in return. I will never forsake you, and will always make you priority number one. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives as one whole. I feel as though I’ve spent the last decade trying to find my other half and I’ve found you. You’re it for me, baby. Through infinity.”

He once again kisses the tears off my cheeks and then my lips. “I love the taste of your joy.”

And more tears.

Finally, I get it together taking a long slow breath. “Chase William Davis, I promise to love, cherish, and allow you to worship the ground I walk on.” He chuckles. I hold onto his hands and kiss his knuckles the same way he did mine. “I’ll never put another man higher than I hold you and your love. I want to be the woman you believe in, the one you come home to at night, the woman who bears your children. Today we become a family. A real family. There is nothing more important to me than the sanctity of that binding. Every day, I will do my best to make you proud you chose to spend the rest of your life with me. Today I give you me. My body, my mind, and my soul. Please take care of it,” I whisper as the tears fall again. This time as I look into Chase’s eyes I see they, too, are wet.

One tear falls down his cheek. “I will, Gillian, I promise I will,” Chase says.

“I believe you both have your rings.” Jack hands Chase’s ring to me and mine to him.

The priest speaks, “Bless, O Lord, these rings that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor, unto their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Both Chase and I respond with, “Amen.”

The priest continues with the ceremony. We exchange rings, repeat after him and wait while he says the Lord’s Prayer and then finishes. Finally, he finishes with, “Amen.”

“You may now kiss your bride,” he announces. Chase cups both my cheeks and brings me in. His mouth covers mine and the entire church, the priest, Mrs. McMann, Jack, and the world disappears. It is just the two of us. His kiss is slow, thorough, and filled with enough happiness and energy to light up a small town. I kiss him back with everything that I am, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on for dear life. Because that’s what being married to Chase is going to be like, me holding on for dear life. And no matter what I know, he’ll always keep me close. Cherished. Loved.

Finally we pull back and both Jack and Ms. McMann clap and offer their congratulations.

Chase tunnels his hands into my loose locks of hair. I left it down because I know he prefers it that way. “You’re my wife,” he whispers, his forehead planted along mine.

“You’re my husband,” I whisper back.

“I’ve never been happier than this moment. You give me that, baby. Life. A life worth living.”