Chapter 20

Abe couldn�t believe where she was. Were it not her best friend�s rehearsal dinner, she wouldn�t be there at all. However, no one, not even Bear�s mother would keep her way. So now, she found herself sitting besides Bear in his parents� summer home. It was conveniently located three doors from his place.

Michele could not refuse Mrs. Ralston�s offer to host the rehearsal dinner and Abe would never ask her to, but it did make for a much longer evening.

Her bothers were participating in the wedding and were there for the dinner. Both had a hard time swallowing their laughter, when Bear�s mother blanched upon seeing him being so attentive to their sister.

Alva�s dislike of �that dreadful Cavett girl� was well known among their circle of friends. She knew the girl was trouble the moment she laid eyes on her, which happen to be about ten minutes after her son broke his arm while playing with Abe. Bear had persisted in his friendship with the Cavetts and she had taken some comfort in the fact Anna Cavett was not someone her son would be attracted to, in the least. The girl was not of a quality befitting her son.

The best man was giving his rehearsal dinner toast. Looking down the table, Ava�s eyes lighted on a girl worthy of Ralston in every way. Joan Peters came from the right family with the right credentials. Her honey-colored hair hung straight and thick down her back and a black band, complete with tasteful bow held it back of her face. She had a light touch with her make-up, which accentuated her delicate bone structure and azure eyes. She had already grace the pages of Town & Country, participating in their photo story, �Deb�s with Degrees & Class�. Tonight she wore the perfect little black dress. Tonight was the night she was to meet Ava�s son. To capture his attention. Unfortunately, his attention was already captured and her eyes now focused on what had captured his attention.

�I guess it�s my turn,� stated Abe, standing up with glass in hand. �Tim, what can I say buddy, except welcome to the bunch. You treat my best friend the way she deserves to be treated and that�s why you are a keeper. You�re a saint, because you get to put up with me for the rest of your life.�

�Uh�I didn�t,� he teased.

�Yes, you did so be quiet,� corrected Chele.

�Yes dear.�

�See folks, that�s what I mean,� continued Abe. �The boy has figured out the secret. Chele by virtue of being the wife is always right. Lesson well learned! Seriously Tim, you have a good heart and she�s lucky to have found you.�

�Luck had nothing to do with it,� countered her best friend.

�I know. I know. It was destiny. Well bestest friend, you�re doing it. You�re going to file joint tax returns from here on out. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.�

�No. You don�t,� laughed Michele, unshed tears sparkling in her eyes.

�Yeah. You�re right. I have too much gypsy in me to be a homebody. What I do wish is that you stay my bestest friend for the rest of my life and some of your qualities rub off on me along the way. Now, I command you two not to worry about anyone else tomorrow, because frankly they don�t matter. This about you and the life you have already begun. It is about enjoying this moment when you celebrate the commitment you�ve made. Here�s to ya.�

Everyone cheered and drank to the couple. Abe hugged them both then returned to her seat by Bear. He gently kissed her temple. Ava seethed and Joan watched.

********

�Is it horrible of us to sneak out and spend time together?�

�Completely.�

Michele swatted her best friends arm. �Abe!�

�It�s fine as long as you two are separated before midnight.�

�We will be. It�s just��

�I know. Go on, before they catch you.�

They exchanged a quick hug and the couple slipped out the back door.

�So, they left without saying goodbye.�

Abe turned to see Bear�s mother standing in the kitchen doorway. �They�ve had so little time together the last two weeks. I know they really appreciate you hosting the rehearsal dinner.� �Oh, I know they do. They both thanked me.�

Abe remained quiet and watched the older woman check her manicure, which was perfect like everything else. Her hair, dress, accessories were perfect, like always.

�I guess I should get back.�

�Not just yet,� said Ava.

�Okay.�

�Anna, did you meet Joan this evening?�

�Yes,� replied Abe, a frown knitting her eyebrows.

�She�s a very nice young lady. Her parents have been become good friends. They belong to the same country club.�

Abe�s eyes narrowed, because she wasn�t sure where this was going.

�She was away at boarding school when they moved here, then she attended Sarah Lawrence College.� Ava picked up a dishtowel the caterer had used when preparing the food. She concentrated on folding it and did not look at the young woman standing across from her. �I have tried introducing Joan to Ralston for the longest time, but they never home at the same time. Did you see them standing beside each other when I introduced them earlier this evening? They make a stunning couple.�

Abe felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. �Mrs. Ralston, I�m not sure why are you sharing this with me.�

Her eyes focused on the young woman. Moving closer, the volume of her voice dropped to just above a whisper. "I�m telling you this Anna, because you are in the way.�

�In the way,� questioned Abe.

�I will say this; you have made some positive changes in yourself. However, it isn�t enough.�

�What.� Her breathing sped up and her stomach began to churn.

�Ralston is going places. He�s only just begun his climb in Hollywood and he needs someone at his side, who can help him. Joan can help him. She is use to the spotlight. She�s been groomed for someone like my son. You, my dear, will never measure up. You will never been thin enough or rich enough to be his equal. You don�t have the qualities necessary. Do yourself a favor and end this now.�

�Well�it was good to chat with you, Mrs. Ralston. I�ll head back to the living room.�

Her mind was reeling as she left Bear's mother in the kitchen and walked down the hall to the living room. She was stopped as she turned to enter the living room.

�She�s right, you know.�

Abe turned to find Joan standing in the dinning room. The other woman folded her arms across her chest, her face a mask of superiority.

�Ava is right. Ralston is going to be big and deserves a wife who understands what he needs.�

Placing her hands on her hips, Abe said, �I assume you think you are that person.�

�More than you are.�

�There you are.� Abe felt Bear�s arms slid around her waist as he walked up behind her.

�Ralston, I was just getting to know your friend, Anna.�

�Good,� he replied.

�Excuse me.� Abe pulled free of his arms and fixed Joan with an icy stare. �Someone wanting to be the wife would know I�m Abe and would call him Bear.�

Joan gasped.

�Huh,� asked Bear, following Abe across the hall.

�Everyone, Tim and Michele snuck out for some alone time. I am going to call it a night and check on mom and dad.�

�You are,� asked her brother Andrew, completely shocked.

�Yes.�

�Abe.�

Turning to Bear, she said, �You all stay as long as you want.�

She left before anyone could stop her. Bear�s mother prevented him from following.

Walking home slowly, she saw a new car parked in front of Bear�s place. Movement on the porch caught her eye. She pulled up short and watched the person. He stared at the door for a moment then spun around as if to leave, but stopped. The moon highlighted his features. It was Nick.

Running her hands through her hair, Abe sighed, �this night just keeps getting better.�

Chapter 21

Chicken! How long had he been staring at the door? Could have been an hour or a minute. Didn�t matter, because he couldn�t bring himself to knock. Yeah, he was chicken shit. He turned around and looked at the car. Running his fingers through his hair, he debated getting back in the rental and taking off. Movement at the corner of the yard caught his attention.

Standing on the sidewalk was Abe. He felt his breath catch at the sight of her. The moonlight illuminated her like it had that night in New Orleans when he first kissed her. It felt like a lifetime since that night, but in fact it hadn�t been a year yet.

He moved as if on a tether line, her presence reeling him in. He crossed the yard to stand in front of her. Only a whisper of an inch separated them.

�Did you knock,� she asked.

�Why?� He cocked his head to the side and looking wary.

�You�d be meeting my parents.�

�Shit!�

�Is that shit yes or shit no?�

�No.�

She looked past him and saw the rental car. �Good. Now get your butt back in your car and leave without any problems.�

�I�m not leaving,� he said, confusion clouding his features.

�Yes, you are. Come on,� she stated, taking him by the arm and steering him toward his car.

Pulling free, he firmly planted his feet and folded his arms across his chest. �I�m stayin�.�

�Why are you even here?�

�I was invited.�

�That was before, Nick.�

�So?�

�Don�t do this.�

�Do what?�

Rubbing her hands over her face, Abe attempted to remain calm.

Changing the subject, he said, �I finished the album.�

�You did?�

He smiled when he saw a spark of interest in her eyes. �Yeah and I burned you a copy of all the songs I did. Here��

He jogged off toward the car. She followed and watched him fish around in the big duffel bag in the back seat. She felt a pang in her heart. She hadn�t even realized she had been missing him lately, but watching him fish out the CD and seeing the goof grin spread across his face, made her realize it had never gone away.

�Here. I wanna know what you think of it.�

�Why?�

�Cause I do.�

�I don�t think this is a good idea.�

�Why?�

�Because�I don�t.�

He pushed, �afraid of what you�ll hear?�

Glaring, she swiped the CD from his hand. He grinned.

�Good night, Nick.�

�Good night?�

�Yes. What did you think I�d do?�

�What are you doing here?�

They both turned to see Bear. His fists were clenched along with his jaw.

�I�m here for the wedding.�

Bear stepped closer, successfully wedging Abe between them. They were attempting to stare each other down. Abe was getting pissed.

�Bear, go inside.�

The two men looked down her.

�You heard me, Bear. Go inside�please.�

�You comin� with me?�

�No. I need to talk with Nick.�

�Yeah, we need to talk,� interjected Nick.

Pinching his side, she said, �you be quiet.�

�Oww!�

With scowl firmly in place, Bear marched into the house. As Abe watched him shut the door, she felt Nick gently drag his fingers through her hair. Spinning around, she watched his cheeks darken in color.

�How�s Bridget?�

�She�s okay,� he replied, not looking at her. �You and Bear seem to be doing okay.� She smiled and shook her head. �What?�

�Subtle Carter. If you want to know something, just ask me.�

�I don�t have to. I already know you bought a house with him in Nashville.�

�Says who,� she asked, her eyes registering her surprise.

�Bridget.�

�Well, Bridget is wrong.�

�She is?�

�Yes. Bear may or may not buy a house in Nashville. Either way, I won�t be living with him.� Nick bit his bottom lip in an attempt to hide a smile. �I see that smile. Does it make you that happy to know I�m alone, while you moved on and have a girlfriend?�

�No,� he said, face instantly falling. He had momentarily forgotten about Bridget.

�Fine,� she sighed. �I�m tired and tomorrow is going to be busy. Goodnight Nick.�

�Night.�

He watched her walk across the yard and enter the house, before walking over to the rental. He surveyed his sleeping options. They were limited, because they only thing they had available at the rental place was a Ford Focus. Checking the backseat, he ruled it out. Climbing into the driver�s seat, he let it back and attempt to get comfortable.

*********

Abe exhaled as she leaned back against the door. She fought the tears trying to escape down her cheeks. She wished he was there as her date. She wished his arms were around her right now. Most importantly, she wished he�d never left her life.

Pushing away from the door, she mutter, �wishes are useless.�

She took a final look outside and discovered Nick fidgeting in the car. When he reclined the seat, his plan became clear. In the time it took her to sigh, she made up her mind and was out the door.

Tapping the driver�s side window, she saw him jump. He lowered the window.

�This where you�re sleepin�?�

�Yeah. Didn�t think about a room.�

�Of course not.�

�Hey!�

�Sorry.� She tried the door and found it unlocked. �Come on.�

Stepping out of the car, he asked, �Where?�

�The house.�

�What about Bear?�

�What about him? Do you want to sleep with him? Cause I was thinking the couch��

�The couch!�

�Good. Now, be quiet.�

�Seriously Bella. Bear will be pissed.�

�You let me deal with Bear. Now hush!�

Chapter 22

Barbara was a whirlwind of activity. Biscuits were in the oven, orange juice squeezed, coffee perked, bacon beginning to sizzle, while she pulled out the eggs and other breakfast fixin�s, as they say in the South. She figured if the coffee brewing didn�t wake up everyone, the bacon would. She was right.

Nick�s stomach was growling when he woke up. Pulling his jeans on he shuffled into the kitchen. Stepping through the door, he startled the person already there. As soon as their eyes locked, he knew it was Abe�s mother. He felt himself flush as she took a quick mental inventory of him.

Extending her hand, she said, �I�m Barbara Cavett, Abe�s mother.�

�I�m Nick Carter,� he replied, nervously wiping his hand on his bare stomach, before clasping her hand.

�I didn�t know you were attending the wedding.�

�They invited me when�um�a long time ago.�

�Does Abe know you�re here?�

�Yes.�

�Want some juice?�

�Uh�thanks.� Nick took a seat and began to relax.

Barbara place a glass of orange juice in front of him and asked, �Are you here to cause a scene?�

�No.� His face again turned red. He wondered much Abe had told her about him.

�Are you going to anything to hurt my little girl again?�

�No.� Apparently, a lot.

�Really?� She turned the �mother� eyes on him.

�I don�t ever want to hurt her.�

�See that you don�t. How do you like your eggs?�

�Scrambled, but you don�t have to.�

�Drink your juice.�

Nick did as he was told.

�Dude! What are you doing here?�

Nick turned to see Allen walking into the room. �Hey man. I came for the wedding.�

�That all?�

�Yes.�

Allen studied him for a moment. �Yeah sure.�

�He�s promised to behave,� interjected his mother.

�Ah, I see she put the fear of dad into you.�

�No. The fear of me, which you could do with a little more of.�

�Mom, I�m the baby. Gotta love me!�

�So it would seem,� she chuckled, sitting a glass of orange juice in front of him and mussing his hair.

Three remained quiet, while Barbara finished up breakfast. Abe quickly ran into the room and pulled up short when she saw who was there. Allen choked on a forkful of eggs, when he saw Abe. His mother reached over and lifted his arms then patted him on the back.

�Mom,� wailed Allen.

�Take a drink. Morning Anna. Do you want eggs?�

�Morning. I�m good.�

�Morning.�

�Morning Nick. What are you wearing to the wedding,� asked Abe.

�I brought a suit.�

�Does it need ironing?� Nick�s sheepish grin was her answer. �Go get it and I will take care of it, before I meet Michele.�

�Thanks.�

As soon as they heard the front door close, Barbara said, �interesting tattoos.�

�Mother.�

�Observation.�

�Look he�s here. I don�t have to deal with drama. Allen will keep an eye on him?�

�Sure. Bear know he�s here?�

�Yes. Don�t let them kill each other.�

�Anna.�

�What mom?�

�Are you okay?�

Sighing, she said, �I�ll be okay. He won�t pull anything.�

They changed the subject when they heard the front door open again.

Barbara watched her daughter interact with the young man. She could see the spark. When Bear appeared she saw the tension between the three. As soon as Abe left to meet Michele, Barbara put all the boys to work helping set up everything the wedding later that day.

********

�Who could that be? Is anyone here,� asked a jitterery Michele. She and her bridal party were sequestered in the master bedroom finishing preparations for the service. �Why doesn�t someone get it?�

�Chill, I�ll get it and check on everything. Okay?�

�Okay.�

Abe started down the hall when she saw Bear going for the door. Looking around Bear, she saw first Bridget then the paparazzi.

�Nick,� she yelled.

Bridget stepped inside.

�What,� asked Nick, coming from the kitchen.

�Deal with this.�

�Hey baby,� cooed Bridget.

�What are you doing here?�

�I wanted to be with you.�

�Nick,� stated Abe, her eyes flashing fire.

�Hi Bear. Abe.�

�Abe, why are their photographers sneaking around the front of the house,� asked Michele from the bedroom.

�I�m sorry they are here for me,� explained Bridget.

�What?�

�It�s the guys who always follow me. Hey your friend�s wedding will make most major magazines next week.�

�What,� exclaimed Michele, who was now walking down the hall in her wedding dress. �Chele go back and finish getting ready. I�ll take care of this.�

�But,� started Michelle, tears threatening.

�No buts. Girls take her back and help her finish getting ready. Tim is waiting for you. Go.�

After the bridesmaids hurried the bride back into the bedroom and shut the door.

�Bear, call the police or��

With cell phone to his ear, he interrupted, �They are on their way.�

�What�s the big deal,� asked Bridget.

�Jet, you shouldn�t of brought them,� stated Nick.

�Is it my fault they follow me everywhere?�

�They picked the wrong time to do it,� stated Abe seething.

�Bridget, the police will only detain them until after the reception,� explained Bear.

Sighing dramatically, she said, �Whatever.�

They heard some commotion and looked out to see the police cuffing the two photographers. The bedroom door opened.

�Abe!�

�Chele it�s all taken care of. Don�t worry. I�ll be there in a minute.�

�Okay.�

After the door closed again, Bridget said, �I don�t know why she�s all freaked. I�m not.�

Abe leveled her gaze on Nick, who looked away. Growling, she walked up to Bridget.

�Follow me.�