Page 49 of It Happened Duo
“What about Marlena?”
“Gone.” Mom confirmed. “Once I explained to her father what she was trying to do, well, who cares how hehandles it? They are out of our lives. Poof. No more wedding. Merry Christmas,”
I blinked several times, coming to terms with my pardon, my life sentence revoked.
“He’s still standing here,” Pearl whispered to Mom.
“Perhaps we need a deeper explanation?” She whispered back. “Rex, I offered Pearl the position of interim CEO until the board figures out who will be the next CEO of Buchanan.”
“Miriam and I talked about how things have been around the office and the company since you took over, and she was open to the idea,” Pearl said.
“Yes, I was. In fact, I’m rather enthused to see what a woman can do with this company for once.”
“Why thank you, Miriam. I won’t let you down.”
“What the fu—” Mom stopped me with her finger. “—am I supposed to do now?”
“Ugh. Rex, don’t worry about the company anymore. Worry aboutyou.Take some time off and figure yourself out. Get back into real estate. Travel. In fact, I hear Holly Creek is lovely this time of year,” Mom said.
“Holly Creek? Why would I want to go?—”
“Oh my. He’s a little slow sometimes in the romance department, isn’t he?” Mom shook her head as an aside to Pearl, who crossed her arms and nodded.
I scoffed at them both. “What do you want me to do, go after Chelsea?”
“Now he’s getting it,” Pearl said, and Mom nodded.
“She won’t want to see me. I broke her heart.”
“But you want her, don’t you?” Mom shook her head. “And when did Buchanans ever let anything stop us from getting what we want?”
Slowly, it all sunk in. Everything she and Pearl did for me, the opportunity they were giving me, to start over. To fly away. I just needed to take the chance and try, no matter if Chelsea would take me back or not. “Actually, Mom, she’s not only what I want, she’s what I need.” I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door.
“Stop, Rex. You can’t go empty-handed.” Mom hustled up to me, twisting a ring off her finger. “Take this ring. It’s the one your father gave to me the night he proposed. It’s a simple princess cut emerald ring surrounded by small diamonds. May it bring you luck and love.”
I gaped at not only the size and clarity of the gems, but the color, too. The green shining in the light reminded me of Chelsea’s eyes.
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Mom.” I hugged her for the first time in forever, and I grabbed Pearl, too. “I don’t know what I would do without you two.”
“You’re free to fly. Now get out of here and bring Chelsea to dinner soon.”
“You’re assuming she’ll take me back and try again?”
Mom cupped my cheek. “Rex, you have the Buchanan charm and looks and smarts. And now, maybe a little humility. She won’t be able to resist you.”
I ran out through the empty chapel and parking lot to Pearl’s car, grateful I didn’t have to face Marlena again.
Once I figured out how to get to HollyCreek, my mind raced there ahead of me in the car. What I would say to Chelsea when I arrived?
“How about I’m a dumbass, for starters?”
I ached to feel my arms around her. To kiss her…to make love with her.
Flooded with thoughts about what was ahead, the worries intensified as nightfall and snow started falling. The roads turned slick, and I hoped to hell the Mercedes would get me back to her arms safely.
26
HOLLY CREEK OR BUST
