Page 115 of The Reason I Married Him
“What pain?” I ask even though I know exactly what she’s talking about.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Wyatt. You can’t tell me that this new plan, this going off and playing farm and trying to make the town love you, isn’t a distraction from what’s really going on inside you.”
“Haven’t really thought about it.”
“You haven’t?” she asks in disbelief. “How come I don’t believe that?”
“Because apparently, you like to think you know everything about me.”
“I do,” she counters as she points out a ring on the right that catches my eye. “And even though you don’t like to admit it, I believe there is still some hurt inside you from how Cadance ended your relationship. That’s not something you get over easily. I want you to move on and get better, but I don’t want youto mask what’s going on in your heart with a project, that project being a new wife.”
I turn toward her and look her in the eyes. “I promise, I’m not masking anything.”
“Okay, then did you tell her about Cadance?”
How did I know she was going to ask that? Oh because she’s my nosy best friend who thinks she knows everything about me.
Which she does.
“I haven’t,” I answer. “And not because I’m hiding something, but because I just don’t think it’s necessary or it hasn’t been the right time. Aubree is dealing with her own problems and doesn’t like emotions, so she won’t want to sit down with me and hear about how my fiancée broke up with me the night before our wedding.”
“Maybe she does.”
“Trust me,” I say with conviction. “She doesn’t.” I then clear my throat and say, “Gerald, I think I found something I like.”
“Lovely,” he says, walking up to us. The entire time, I can feel Laurel’s gaze on me. I know she wants to talk about this more, but thankfully, as Gerald pulls out the ring she pointed out, she drops the conversation, which is perfect because I was done talking about it.
“Ethel, can I talk to you?”I ask as I find her rocking on the porch of the inn. I’m meeting Aubree for dinner in a few minutes, but I need to tackle something first.
I ended up getting the ring Laurel pointed out because it was perfect. A cluster of diamonds set on the top, while petals of diamonds are scattered down the sides of the ring, making it look like a cascade of flowers. It’s earthy, natural, and none ofthe diamonds are so big that Aubree would be embarrassed by the size, something I feel like she’d think about. I stole a ring from her dresser top, and luckily, the ring we purchased was the right size. Laurel joked about it being a sign, and I just waved her off.
“Of course, dear. What can I help you with?”
“Well, it requires some discretion,” I say.
She lifts from her rocking chair and says, “Say no more. Come to my office.”
Her brown-and-gold kaftan blows in the breeze as she weaves me through the front doors of the inn and to the left, past registration and to an office in the back that overlooks the yard scattered in Adirondack chairs, yard games, and picnic tables.
“Shut the door behind you,” she says as she takes a seat at her desk and folds her hands together, looking all sorts of business. I shut the door and take a seat across from her. “How can I help you, Wyatt?”
“I need this to stay between us. Think you can do that?” I ask, knowing full well it won’t stay between us, but I’m okay with that.
“Of course,” she says, her hand over her heart. “You have my full discretion.”
“Thank you.” I cross my ankle over my knee and say, “I plan on proposing to Aubree and need your help.”
Her eyes light up as she sits back in her chair, a satisfied smile spreading across her cheeks. “Well, isn’t that just wonderful news!”
“It is. We’ve been talking about the idea of marriage, and well, I think it’s time to ask. I know it might seem soon to some people, but when you know, you know.”
“I could not agree more.” She clutches her heart. “And if anyone needs this love, it’s our dear Aubree. She has been through so much. Those Rowley kids are survivors. As youprobably know, Ryland took most of their father’s mistreatment, Cassidy was there to hold everyone together, and Hattie was protected from a lot of the abuse in that family, but Aubree, she’s a different story. She received a combination of everything. The abuse, the neglect, the lack of love. She fell to the wayside and didn’t get to live the kind of childhood she should have. None of them did, but I always thought Aubree was the one who suffered the most. It’s one thing to have a purpose during a time of struggle. It’s another to be forgotten.”
Jesus.
She was abused? I know things were hard for them, but . . . to hear that her father actually struck her, that . . . that creates a beast inside me that wants nothing more than to protect her.
“And then Matt treated her so poorly and left town without blinking an eye. Amanda was no better to her. A best friend doesnotmarry one’s best friend’s ex. Not to mention, broadcasting that illicit decision.” She sighs.Nothing gets past Ethel.“I didn’t think she’d allow anyone else close to her heart.” Ethel looks at me with beaming eyes. “Then you come along. I just couldn’t be happier.”
