Chapter 14

 

Bex led the way and Chase followed, his hand on her lower back as she made her way into The Happy Apple. Just as she stepped in the door she stopped, eyes wide as she looked around the restaurant.

“That is a lot of apples,” she said. She remembered Chase mentioning it but to see it was an entirely different experience. It was even more over the top than she’d imagined.

“I just started, and I can’t seem to stop,” Terry said, coming up next to them.

“Why apples?” Bex asked.

“You know, sweetie, I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that.”

“I assumed you liked apples,” Chase said, and Bex laughed. She imagined that would be a typical guy’s response.

“I do like apples. Obviously,” Terry said, holding her hands palm up toward the decor. “But not nearly as much as I like my leopard print.”

“I can attest to that,” Chase said. “She even has a leopard print bike.”

“No… Really?” Bex said.

“Sure do. Custom made by Caleb James. If you ever need a bike you go over to The Chain and Spoke and you tell Caleb I sent you.”

Bex had no need for a bike. She had car service that took her everywhere, but the thought of riding around the streets of Red Maple Falls, no paparazzi shoving cameras in her face and blinding her with their flashes, was more appealing than she expected.

“Maybe I will,” she said. “But first I want to know about the apples.”

“My husband Walt, he’s in the kitchen right now, big pain in my you know what but man I love the big old teddy bear. Anyway, our first date was at an ice cream shop. They had a special of apple pie ala mode and even though it was the most expensive thing on the menu I ordered it.”

Chase laughed and Bex had a feeling that was because it was totally Terry’s style.

“I wanted to make sure I was worth it. If he hemmed and hawed over it then I knew he wasn’t the right man for me, but he didn’t even bat an eye. Even asked if I wanted to add whipped cream.”

“So that’s why you started collecting all these apples?” Chase asked.

Terry’s bright red lips tilted upward and then a flash of sorrow past across her features. “Not exactly,” she said. “You see our road wasn’t an easy one. He wasn’t in town for long. War took him away from me, and I thought I’d never see him again. But by some miracle I tracked him down here.”

Chase crossed his arms over his chest, his dark gray eyes focused on Terry. “How did I not know any of this?”

“You never asked.” Terry patted his hand. “But that’s okay, sweetie. You had your own set of problems to deal with.”

“What happened?” Bex asked, desperate to know. She assumed it was a happy ending since Walt was in the kitchen, but she still wanted confirmation.

“War didn’t treat him kindly. The man I shared an apple pie ala mode with in that ice cream shop wasn’t the man I found. But I was a determined little thing, refusing to give up on his grumpy ass.”

“I’m guessing it paid off,” Bex said.

“It did. He gave me this.” Terry teetered over to a shelf above the register and took down a ceramic canister with painted apples going around it. “I looked at him like he was crazy. ‘What in the world am I going to do with that?’ I asked him. I thought it was the dumbest gift. I was a piece of work back then.” She shrugged. “But then he told me he saw it and thought of our first date. Told me when times got really bad in Vietnam he would close his eyes and remember my face while I ate that apple pie. The big oaf made me cry.”

The story warmed Bex’s heart. “That is so sweet.”

“Who knew Walt was a romantic,” Chase said.

“That’s why I always say his bark is stronger than his bite. Always has been. On that date I had told him I was going to open my own restaurant one day. He told me to use this canister to save my money, and one day I’d have enough and this would be my first decoration.”

Bex placed her hand on her heart. “And all these years later you still have it.”

“Sure do. Forty-six-years later.”

Bex wondered if in four decades, she’d have a story to share about her husband. She thought about her and Chase’s first encounter, and that was definitely one for the storybooks, but she didn’t know if their story would end with a happily ever after.

She was in hiding right now, away from her crazy life, and while it was great, and she honestly never wanted to leave, it was only a matter of time before she had to get back to work and her obligations.

“Now enough of me blathering on. You two go find a seat, and I’ll bring you out something delicious.”

Terry shooed them away, and Bex chose the table by the window so she could look out to Main Street.

“Give me that spatula!” Terry’s voice echoed through the restaurant. “I don’t care. Get out of my kitchen.”

Chase laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Here we go.”

“Your kitchen! You’re crazy if you think this is your kitchen.”

There was some more yelling, but Bex couldn’t make out the words. “Who is she yelling at?” she asked.

“Walt, the romantic,” he said.

Just then an intimidating older gentleman stepped out from the kitchen. He was a large man, with big red cheeks and bright blue eyes. A scowl sat on his face as he mumbled his way across the dining room.

“Hey Walt,” Chase said with a wave.

Walt’s scowl turned into a smile, transforming him from a frightening man whose path you wouldn’t want to cross to a warm and friendly face.

“Chase, it’s good to see you,” he said. “And who might this pretty young woman be?”

“Walt, this is Rebecca. Rebecca this is Walt, Terry’s husband.”

“I’m her better half.”

“I heard that!” Terry called from the kitchen.

Walt waved his massive hand in her direction then turned back to them. “One of these days she’s going to drive me into a looney bin.”

Though his words conveyed one thing, the twinkle in his eyes said something completely different. He wouldn’t change a single thing because he loved her dearly. It was sweet and that look was something actors spent their lives trying to recreate. Bex was grateful that she got to witness the real thing.

“Where in the world is my cinnamon?”

“Her cinnamon,” Walt mumbled.

“Hello?”

“I’m coming you, old bitty!” Walt stormed toward the kitchen, and Bex laughed as Terry greeted him, spatula in one hand and the other hand planted firmly on her ample hip.

“I love them,” Bex said.

“Me too,” Chase said. “They’re like the grandparents I never had. After my mom died, Terry really looked out for us.”

Bex remembered that night when he brought over a bag of food from The Happy Apple. He had said Terry would bring them leftovers, but she never put two and two together until now.

“That’s why she brings you the leftovers.”

Chase nodded. “We don’t need her to anymore, but I guess old habits die hard. She still comes every few days. It’s nice though, since Layla and I both work a lot. It’s something we don’t have to really think about. And Walt.” Chase shook his head. “I had a crap pickup that belonged in a junkyard, but it was all I had. I saved for months to buy it. I was proud of it even though it would breakdown on me daily. Walt used to help me get it back up and running. He’s really good at rigging things to make them work.”

“You’re lucky to have them and I’m grateful that you did.”

Chase gave her a half-hearted smile. “If I couldn’t have my mom they were the next best thing.”

She couldn’t imagine what his life was like, losing his mother at such a young age wasn’t something he could just get over. She imagined he had a hole in his heart that would always be there because no one could fill that void, but she wanted to find a way to make that hole smaller.

She reached across the table and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. He looked up at her, his dark gray eyes softening. They didn’t say anything to each other, and that’s what she loved about Chase. When it came to him words simply weren’t needed.

Bex looked over her shoulder toward the kitchen and back to Chase. “Do they have kids? Terry and Walt.”

Chase shook his head. “No, but they’ve adopted quite a few in this town as their own.”

“Including you and your sisters.” Bex smiled.

“We’re just one of the many. I’m actually surprised they never had kids of their own. Terry is very maternal.”

“I’m sure they have their reasons.”

“What about you?” Chase asked. “Do you want kids someday?”

“I think so. I was an only child, and it got lonely so I wouldn’t want just one.” The image of a boy and girl popped into her head. The girl with dark hair and gray eyes like Chase and the boy with her green eyes and Chase’s smirk. Startled by the vivid image she cleared her throat and focused on the mug in front of her. “What about you?” she asked before looking up and meeting his gaze. “Do you want kids?”

“I never thought I did,” he said. A distant look formed in his irises as he glanced out the window. A deep-seated sorrow that tugged at her heart. “After everything I’ve been through, the thought of bringing a kid into the world with the possibility of enduring half of what I did just seemed wrong.” The corner of his lip quirked slightly as he brought those gray eyes back to her. “Now I’m not so sure.”

His words reached inside of her, warming her blood and causing her stomach to flutter. Was he saying, he could imagine having kids now because of her?

“What changed your mind?” she asked.

“My life was rough, and I would never wish it on anyone, but for as rough as it was, there was also some really bright spots.” He ran a hand over his face as he glanced out the window. “If I’m being totally honest, I’m terrified I’ll be a terrible dad like my own father, but I think what I endured because of him would actually make me an okay dad.”

“I think that’s going to make you a great dad.”

“I hope so.”

Bex’s heart skipped a beat as the conversation morphed from the hypothetical to real time. She was thrilled that Chase was open to children and not just for herself. In all honesty, they lived on different coasts and their career choices couldn’t be further apart, but it warmed her heart to know that children were more than a possibility for him. They could be a reality. Chase was turning out to be the best man she’d ever known, and he deserved the happiness of a family.

They’d been overly careful so she knew there was no possible way they could have an unexpected pregnancy, however, if they ever slipped up, and she were to be pregnant with Chase’s child, she wouldn’t be upset over it. She’d actually be happy and that scared her a little.

She had been career focused for so long to think she’d be willing to put it on the back burner to start a family was unexpected but also exhilarating.

People would tell her that her career was over. The baby would ruin her body, and while that was once the most important thing to her, it wasn’t anymore. She’d be willing to lose out on roles to be a mother especially if it meant her and Chase would be bringing a baby into the world together.

What was she even thinking?

The thought was ludicrous really. She and Chase barely knew each other…but that wasn’t exactly true.

She knew he ran a hand over his face when a conversation took a turn he wasn’t prepared for. And that he preferred to go for a walk rather than watch TV or a movie. He smiled in his sleep and it was different from the smile he showed when he was awake. It was a content smile that came with peace and relaxation.

They may have only known each other for a short time, but she felt this strong connection with him. He was open and honest with her and because of that she did know him, better than anyone she ever had a relationship with. Most of all she knew that he’d come into her life unexpectedly and now she was finding it hard to imagine her life without him.

But she couldn’t stay here forever. She had a film scheduled to shoot next month. The contracts were already signed and there was no way she could back out now. Not that she would. The idea of staying here with Chase, starting a family was alluring but this wasn’t one of her movies. A happy ending wasn’t already written for them and she had no idea what to expect. Which was why she had to stop living in a fantasy before she wound up back in Los Angeles, broken hearted and alone.

Terry hand delivered their meal, interrupting Bex’s thoughts.

“Here we are, fresh off the griddle!” she exclaimed as she placed the plates on the table. “I’d say enjoy but that’s already a given.” She gave them a sassy wink then turned on her high heel and headed back to the kitchen.

“This looks insane.”

“Wait till you taste it,” Chase said, holding his fork up. “You ready.”

“I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life,” she said.

“Then let’s dig in.”

Bex cut a good size piece of pancake and brought it to her mouth. Her eyes instantly fell shut as a moan escaped from her lips. Just as Terry had said it would be, it was delicious.

Once they were finished, Bex insisted on paying even though Terry all but refused to let her. She finally convinced her with a promise she’d come back again.

Hand in hand she and Chase headed over to Serenity Glass Blowing Studio, and when they stepped inside Bex was taken aback by all the beautiful pieces of hand blown glass on display. She had seen it from the window outside, but up close she could see the exquisite detail.

“I’ll be right there,” a woman’s voice travelled from the back of the shop.

“Take your time, Kate, it’s just us,” Chase called back to her.

Bex took her time looking around while Chase stood back and watched her. She was just about to study the detail of a vase when Kate came to the front. Her strawberry blonde hair was tossed up in a messy bun. She was in a white t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans that looked loose enough to be comfortable yet still flattered her curvy figure.

“You came!” she exclaimed.

“I sure did,” Bex said as she shook her hand. Bex admired a hand-blown vase filled with a variety of multi-colored glass flowers. “Your pieces belong in museums.”

“You’re too kind,” Kate said. “But please continue.”

Bex laughed as she took in the detail of each flower. “This is great. I have no way of killing it,” Bex said.

“Not a plant person?” Chase asked, an amused gleam in his eye.

“Not in the least. I once killed a cactus.”

“Isn’t that impossible?” Kate said.

“Tell that to the cactus.”

She went back to browsing and admiring each piece. Bex loved everything in Kate’s shop. She had the money to buy her entire inventory and plenty of space to put it, but while the temptation was there, she didn’t want to look like some big shot who was throwing her money around. Not to mention, while she loved everything, she really didn’t need every single piece even if she did want them.

“How are you?” Chase asked Kate.

She looked down at her stomach and smiled. “Couldn’t be better.”

“That’s good to hear. You look great. How far along are you now?”

“Only three months, but you know, it took so long to get here it feels like much longer,” Kate said and there was a sparkle in her blue eyes that spoke of not only joy but triumph.

Bex knew that Kate had trouble conceiving. Sarah had asked her if she knew of any specialists when Kate had been struggling to get pregnant. By the time Bex got her a number, Kate had gotten pregnant.

Bex didn’t know Kate but she remembered when Sarah had told her the news, she had been ecstatic as if it was her own family.

Instead of buying the whole shop like she wanted to, Bex picked a few of her very favorites, and spoke with Kate about a custom piece for her foyer.

The craftsmanship of her pieces was so remarkable and Bex was in awe of Kate’s talent. She had no doubt she’d be able to create her something truly magical.

“I’m going to sketch a few things out for you. Will you be here in a couple days so we can go over the finer details?”

Chase’s attention suddenly snapped to her. It had always been known that she would eventually leave, but it wasn’t something they discussed, and she didn’t want to discuss it. The minute they did she’d have no choice but to accept it, and she wasn’t quite ready for that yet.

“I’ll be here,” she said.

“Perfect!”

“I’ll see you then.”

She gave Kate a wave and followed Chase out. He held the door for her then took her hand as they made their way down the stairs and toward his car.

A familiar sound grabbed her attention, and she forced herself to keep walking as she slipped her sunglasses on.

“Bex! Bex!” she heard, and she knew it wasn’t an eager fan. “What do you have to say about those pictures? The accident? Were you drinking?”

“What the hell?” Chase said and spun toward the sole paparazzi. Bex tried to stop him but her attempt was futile. “Who the hell are you?” Chase demanded.

“Chase just ignore him.”

Bex pulled on his hand, a pleading look in her eye. He finally started to walk with her and his truck was so close. She ignored the flashing light that followed them, the ridiculous questions that she wouldn’t answer in a million years.

“Is this your boyfriend?” the photographer asked. “Or just someone to pass the time?”

The question caused the blood inside her to go molten hot. She looked up at Chase whose usual calm reserve was lost to a fiery anger. He spun before she could stop him, grabbing the guys camera and shoving him back.

“Leave us alone before I shove that camera up your ass!”

He might feel like he was doing the right thing, but Bex knew how easily stories got manipulated. Next thing you know this guy is calling foul and trying to sue Chase. Chase didn’t need that kind of problem in his life.

“Chase!” Bex cried out. “Stop!”

Her voice broke through his anger, and he turned to her. She silently begged him to walk away and let the guy go. Finally, with his hands clasped tightly into fists, he stepped back.

“Let’s go,” he gritted through clenched teeth.

She hurried toward his truck and got in. The photographer caught up to them, shouting questions at the window while continuing to take their picture. Chase grabbed a hoodie and tossed it at her. She quickly hid beneath it even though she already knew the damage was done.

Chase pulled away and the photographer yelled one final question.

“When are you coming home?”