Page 63 of Sweet Love at Bayside
“Hi.” Her voice cracked.
His heart raced as he took her in his arms. “Baby? What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t eat cereal,” she said through tears and kisses. “I love the Cape, and I love Violet, but nothing compares to my love for you. I don’t want to be all those hours away.”
“You’ll never have to again. I was just calling to tell you I was coming back.”
“Back?” Her face clouded with confusion.
“Toyou, baby. To the Cape, where we both belong.”
Chapter Twenty-One
FALL SWEPT THROUGH the Cape at breakneck speed, bringing colorful foliage and brisk air. But in the span of a few short weeks, winter bullied its way in, leaving a blanket of white over the quiet, small town. Rick and Desiree had moved in to one of the cottages on her property so she could be on site once the inn opened early next year. Rick loved having all their belongings in one place, their family photographs intermingled, her favorite candles in every room. He’d even built a special bed for Cosmos, which they keptbesidetheir bed, but the little pool hopper still found his way onto theirs after they fell asleep. Rick didn’t mind. He was truly blessed. He’d been given a second chance with the family he’d spent too long away from, and he went to sleep every night with the woman he adored and woke up loving her even more than he had the night before.
It was Christmas Eve, and everyone had gathered at the inn to exchange presents, except Mira and her family. They were off exploring castles for the next few weeks. Desiree’s father had a business meeting out of the country, but he’d Skyped with them yesterday, which had made Desiree’s day. Excited about the surprise he’d planned for Desiree, Rick pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Serena, setting his plan into motion.
“Got a date?” Violet smirked as she sidled up to him with Cosmos trailing beside her. “I’m pretty sure everything you need is right here in this room.”
She was as snarky as ever, in a pair of leather leggings and a short black sweater. But Rick really liked her, just as he had from the moment they’d met. She might be brash, and overprotective of Desiree, but he couldn’t blame her. They’d gone far too long without each other.
“You’ve got that right,” he said. “I was just checking to see if her present had been delayed.”
He watched his beautiful girlfriend busily taping a picture Hagen had made to the window behind the Christmas tree, alongside several other pictures from the students in her children’s art class, which she held on Wednesday afternoons. She’d been painting more often, and like her mother, all the paintings stuck to one theme. Although Lizza’s theme was women, Desiree’s was family. She’d painted memories of her and Violet, and pictures of her father, Rick, Mira, Hagen, and the rest of their close friends and family. She’d even painted a picture of Lizza wearing a long orange dress and standing on the front porch of the inn.
“I don’t think she’ll care if her gift arrives late, orat all. Look at her, with that goofy smile and all dressed up in that fancy little black dress. That’s a woman who wants for nothing.”
But Rick knew Violet was wrong. There were things Desiree wanted, and he was determined to give her all of them.
“Vi!” Serena called from across the room, waving her over.
Rick caught Desiree’s eye as she peered around the Christmas tree. A shy smile curved her lips. She looked like she belonged on a holiday card, with her beautiful blond hair tumbling over her shoulders, the lights of the tree sparkling beside her, and the gold and red ribbons lining the windows, candles sparkling on the sills. Her eyes darted to Violet and Serena, then to Drake and Dean, standing by the fireplace talking. Drake’s eyes had been locked on Serena in her little red dress all evening. Desiree’s eyes found Rick’s again, the air between them igniting. She lifted the hem of her dress, flashing thigh-high stockings and a black garter belt. She was going to be the death of him, with furtive glances one minute and bold sensuality the next. And what a perfect death it would be. How was he going to make it through the evening knowing she was all sexed up under that little black dress?
Serena called Desiree over to help her get something from the kitchen, and Desiree smoothed her dress over her thighs and walked gracefully across the room as if she hadn’t just set his body on fire.
DESIREE POURED CHAMPAGNE into glasses and set them on a tray, looking around their gorgeous new kitchen. She and Violet had learned to compromise. She’d gotten the stainless-steel appliances she’d wanted, and the countertops—black granite with flecks of gold and amber—were all Violet. The maple cabinets tied it all together beautifully, the same way the Cape had bound the sisters together. She had a full new life, but she missed Emery terribly. Saying goodbye had been the hardest thing she’d done in forever. They kept in touch with FaceTime and texts, but it wasn’t the same as having her best friend barge through the front door demanding breakfast or ranting about this date or that one. She had plenty of new friends, but they’d never replace Emery.
Desiree, Violet, and Serena had spent the afternoon baking cookies and making an elaborate lamb dinner while the guys had decorated. She wished Emery and her mother could have been there for the party, but Emery was spending the holidays with her brothers. She’d sent an email to Lizza, and wasn’t surprised by her response.Miss you, too, lovey. I’m always with you in spirit!
When Violet and Serena finished arranging the hors d’oeuvres on trays, Serena said, “I think we’re ready.”
“I can’t wait to give Rick his present.” She’d painted a picture of Rick and his father on the boat, and hoped they could hang it above the fireplace in their cottage.
“Let me carry the champagne.” Violet took the tray from Desiree. “Wouldn’t want you to drop it when you get all googly-eyed over your Savage.”
“I wouldn’t.” Desiree laughed, but it wasn’t so far-fetched. Rick made her weak in the knees with his thoughtfulness and their late-night talks as they walked along the shore. Even now, when it was too cold to sit on the beach, they spent time around the fire pit at the resort, with Drake and the others. Rick was playing guitar more often, and Desiree would never tire of hearing him sing.
She followed the girls out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of cookies.
“Surprise!” everyone yelled, and the tray fell from her hands, crashing to the floor, and sending cookie pieces flying.
Tears flooded Desiree’s eyes at the sight of Emery and Lizza standing before the tree with big red ribbons across their bodies like they had won a beauty pageant. She barreled into both of them, hugging them so tight, she thought they might break.
“You’re here!” Crying and laughing, she looked over their shoulders at Rick, who was grinning so wide, she knew he’d orchestrated the whole thing. He mouthed,Merry Christmas. I love you, which made her cry harder.
“Violet!” Desiree waved her over.
“Go for it, hugaboom,” Violet said as she picked up the tray from the floor. “I said my hellos when they got in last night.”
