Beautiful Elixir

  “A bad memory.” She winces. “Which, of course, is all my twisted fault to begin with. Thank you.” Her lashes lower as she sinks in my arms. “It’s really over.” She takes in a full, cleansing breath, her cool feet stepping softly over mine. “I guess we can start up the rest of our lives. No more worrying, no more hiding out and praying she’s not lurking outside the window. Our future children can breathe easy.” She gives me the side eye, her lips tugging seductively.

  “I like the sound of that. You know what else I like the sound of?”

  “Your name when I scream it in the dark?” Her head cocks as she tries to keep a straight face.

  Truthfully, nothing sounds better.

  “That in addition to McCarthy and McCarthy.”

  “Oh? Oh.” Her features soften as she leans against me. “I absolutely love the sound of that.” She gives a single nod, her eyes never straying from mine. “I can’t wait for the proposal.”

  “I wouldn’t let you miss it.”

  I scoop her into my arms and carry her back to bed. Kennedy and I practice for our honeymoon with a renewed vigor. This is what we have to look forward to. Our time has come, and we have seized the day with both hands.

  Dear God, I love this woman.

  And thank God this woman loves me.

  * * *

  On Tuesday, Kennedy has us drive down to South Lux to ambush my mother for a lunch date. Kennedy is up to something, and I’m not entirely sure what. That’s the best thing about Kennedy—she’s a surprise waiting to happen. A lifetime of loving her will never be enough. She’ll keep me on the edge of my seat, and I hope to keep her right there with me. There is nothing better than being with someone who has the genuine capability to challenge you.

  “So I’ve been thinking.” She leans over her salad as if she has no intention of taking a bite.

  We’ve come right back to the same dive we took my mother to the first time. I think Kennedy appreciates the fact my mother needs a certain amount of consistency in her life.

  “I think it’s time we help you clean up a little.” She dips her chin. Her entire demeanor tries to lure my mother out of the clutter-filled cave she’s trapped in.

  Perhaps Kennedy doesn’t quite appreciate the fact my mother demands a certain level of consistency in her life after all. I give a warm smile at the woman I couldn’t live without. Kennedy has a heart the size of this entire damn state.

  “I don’t know about this.” My mother raises both hands in protest as if she’s about to get combative.

  “Hear me out,” Kennedy pleads. “Your son did a very wonderful thing for me. He helped me clean up my life, and I want to return the favor by helping you clean up yours. It’s the least I can do. He won’t let me pay him. He’s stubborn that way.”

  Kennedy makes it a point to let me know she’s paying me with her body, each and every night, but I’m too much of a gentleman to call her on it. Instead, I offer a tiny wink, my silent thank you for her grand gesture.

  “I have an army of friends who are willing to help out. And all of the things you’re ready to part with, we’ll simply sell.”

  “No way, no how!” Mom’s face ignites like a bulb, and I’m half afraid a major meltdown is on the way. “Nobody is touching my stuff!”

  “All of the proceeds can go to your favorite charity,” Kennedy offers.

  A few stunted moments of silence drift by. Easily this can go south very quickly.

  “The veterinary hospital!” Mom beams. “They’ve helped Boonsborough more than I can tell you. If I didn’t have the money for all of those expensive surgeries, I would have been forced to put him down ages ago.”

  Kennedy points with her fork. “You can allocate funds for people who can’t afford lifesaving surgeries.”

  My mother claps at the brilliance—but, best of all, my mother smiles. It’s the first ear-to-ear grin she’s shed in almost eleven years.

  She and Kennedy talk for hours as if they were old friends. My mother has gone from fastidious hoarder to willing to part with her entire clutter collection just to help the unfortunate mutts of the universe. I do believe Kennedy has a gift for negotiations.

  And the next day, Kennedy makes good on her word. An army of her sorority sisters show up in South Lux and help haul and organize, trash and stash a mountain of sundries, clothes, overall general crap until you cannot only walk freely into the living room, but you can spin in circles with your arms set wide. That’s exactly what I do with Kennedy. I spin her, twirl her in the air like a ballerina with her arms spread wide.

  At the end of the day, two dumpsters and eighty exhausted sorority girls later, it’s done, and my mother collapses in my arms and sobs.

  “You found a keeper.”

  “Don’t I know it. Are you going to be okay here tonight?” I’m not exactly sure what happens to a person when you shovel out a lifetime worth of chaos.

  “Are you kidding? I’m going to be great. I’m heading into town tomorrow to pick up a couple of new things. I’ve been wearing the same three outfits for years because I couldn’t get to the closet—and I gave most of it away.” She holds her hand up like a Girl Scout. “And I promise to put everything in its place. Heck—now that this house has been spit-shined, I think it might be time to spit-shine myself! I might even find me a man.”

  “Whoa.” I pull Kennedy into our huddle. “Now look what we’ve done.”

  “We’ve done a good thing.” Kennedy tugs at my chin, her doe eyes looking lovingly up at me. “Love is the best gift you can give someone.

  * * *

  Kennedy and I hit my father’s office before we head back to Loveless.

  My father comes at us like a brick wall, tall, on the heavier side, with a jaw and heart set in granite.

  “Come here, boy.” He’s all southern charm and harm. He pulls me in. “You ever get tired of working on that mountain, come right back. I’ve got a desk opening up in about five minutes.” He walks us over to Abel’s office to find my brother staring numbly at the stapler in his hand.

  “What the hell?” I step in and try to figure out what that box on his desk means.

  My father is a rough ride of a man, a hardline bastard from another era, but I can’t imagine him canning my brother. Especially not after all the pomp and circumstance that went into making him partner. A ten thousand dollar gala was held in his honor. It was dripping with crass sensibilities, the very thing my father’s new wife, Cookie, specializes in.

  “I think I just need a break.” He stands and nods at Kennedy. “You guys okay?”

  “We’re fine.” Kennedy eyes the stack of personal effects amassing at the foot of his desk. “So what’s next for you?”

  “I’m taking a little time off—maybe hitting the keyboard again, seeing if anything decent comes out.”

  “You ready to pen the great American novel?” A part of me is cheering him on. After all, I chased my dream, and here I am with Kennedy by my side, my new reality. I think everyone should get a shot at what they really want in this world—especially if he’s my brother.

  “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m headed up to the boathouse. I talked to Uncle Warren—he says it’s mine as long as I need it. I think I need it.” He gives a wearied look out the window. “I think I’ve needed it for some time. This was never me. I was just trying to fit into something that both you and Dad seemed so passionate about. I think I’ll explore my own passions for a while.”

  “I guess we’ll see you at the top of the hill.” I offer to shake his hand, and he pulls me in, pats my back. It feels good. For so long Abel and I were on a disconnect. Maybe his trip to Loveless will do us both some good.

  “I’ll need some time to tie up a few loose ends, but I’ll knock on your door when I get there.”

  Kennedy and I step out of his office, and it feels as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Slowly, carefully the nails are popping out of the McCarthy casket, and one by one we’re coming back to li
fe as a family.

  Kennedy and I speak with my father about taking on the Williamsburg case, and he reluctantly agrees to take a look at it.

  “I wouldn’t have done it for you.” My father says it to me without a smile before turning to Kennedy. “But I’ll do it for you all day long.” He offers a kindhearted pat to the back. “You did something right when you found this one, son.”

  At last, a shred of praise from my father that actually manages to warm my heart.

  He leans to Ken. “You sure you want this, sweetheart?”

  “I do. I believe everyone should be given a second chance.” She gives my hand a squeeze as we head on out.

  We take off into the brisk air, the country pines looming over us like guardians.

  “I’m glad you gave us a second chance.” I warm the words into her ear.

  “I’m glad you did, too.”

  * * *

  A couple of blissful weeks drift by. Reese insists on throwing Kennedy and me a party for no good reason, so I give her one—a very good reason. I orchestrate a wild surprise for the woman that surprises me in new ways every day. It’s no easy feat, and if the weather decides not to cooperate, I’m mostly fucked.

  “Reesie!” Kennedy holds her arms open wide as she gives her stepsister a hug.

  Reese has her father’s house lit up with a thousand twinkle lights. Everyone is home for winter break, so the mood feels festive. Reese has opted for an intimate gathering, and for that I’m glad. Their parents are out of town, so we have the entire oversized cabin to ourselves. Demi and Gavin are here along with Zoey in her hot to trot, cut down to there, hiked up to here dress. Gavin looks mystified by his sister’s choice of accouterments or lack thereof in the dead of winter. I’m guessing he wishes he could instate a dress code for her, too. Warren and Keith both show up along with a couple of girls Brylee invited, Charlie being one of them. Neva and her eternally dark presence actually sheds a smile at something Warren says to her. It’s a good-natured crowd. It feels like comfortable shoes as if I’ve always belonged here, always been a part of this, and, in a small way, I have. A part of me wishes Abel were already in Loveless, but he won’t make it up until well after the New Year. I’m feeling serendipitous, and having at least one of my brothers around would have been nice. Solomon is back at home with my mother for the time being, so, at least, I sleep better knowing she’s not alone.

  Reese has set up quite the spread, but my eyes and stomach gravitate to the rib eye begging to be ingested. She and Ace hit the barbeque themselves. We eat amazing food, drink expensive wine, and enjoy the company of good friends.

  Kennedy relaxes into me as soft conversation buzzes all around us. It’s nice, peaceful.

  “This night couldn’t get any better,” she purrs, and I glance to Reese for a moment.

  It’s supposed to get better—a lot better in a life-changing sort of way. And, in about five minutes, I’m hoping she’ll think so too. Reese and Ace are the only two in on my plan.

  “How about we play a game?” Reese claps us all to attention. “Truth or dare?”

  Kennedy groans beneath me. “Gee, a bunch of young people in a cabin on the lake playing a game of truth or dare? Sounds like the perfect setup for a horror movie. That kind of talk practically forces a psychopath to hunt us down with a chainsaw.”

  A horrible boom goes off outside, and I cringe at the timing.

  Kennedy jumps in my arms. Her heart thumps like a motor.

  “Gee”— Reese mocks her stepsister—“I wonder who that could be?”

  “Let’s check it out.” Ace slaps Gavin over the shoulder, and I shoot him a half-smile in a lame attempt to warn him.

  We head out, following Ace in a thick crowd until we hit the lake. Exactly where I asked him to lead us.

  Another gunshot blast goes off overhead, and this time we see it as the earth trembles beneath our feet. A brilliant explosion lights up the sky as, one by one, the residents of Loveless emerge from their dwellings.

  “Fireworks? In December?” Demi’s mouth falls open in awe as she tips her head to the sky.

  Kennedy dives her arms into my jacket. “Who would be insane enough to do that?”

  At least she didn’t use the word foolish. I kind of like insane. It fits just a little.

  The fireworks display goes off, filling the night sky with purples and blues, reds and greens—an entire spectacular shower of sparkling white. It’s as if the stars are dripping to the earth—as if all of creation is requested to pay attention to what comes next. Then it happens, slowly the letters emerge, and the crowd begins to read aloud the message that transpires before us.

  “Will you”—Kennedy whispers the words as they appear in the sky—“marry me” She pauses to sigh. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”

  My heart thumps because there’s more, and I’m not seeing it.

  Then in a quick burst, a fit of nuclear energy much like the woman I love, the remaining word appears.

  “Kennedy?” She takes in a sharp breath. “Oh my, God. Is that me? That’s me!”

  The crowd cheers and turns toward us as I drop to my knee on the frozen ground.

  I hold up the ring I’ve been warming with my fingers all night, a solitaire, cushion cut, clear, flawless just like the woman I’m presenting it to.

  “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” I look straight into Kennedy’s eyes as they outshine the stone in my hand.

  “Yes!” She breaks down into tears and falls over me. “A million times yes.”

  Music kicks in from a live band on the terrace of my uncle’s home.

  “How about we dance?” I pull her to her feet and hold her body close to mine.

  Kennedy bows her head, looking up at me from over a forest of lashes.

  “I believe you asked me that in this exact same spot not too long ago.”

  “You remember?” Those were the first words I said to her a few months back. “I’m hoping you’ll have a different answer.”

  “I do have a different answer.” She takes up my hand as our bodies adhere to one another. “The answer is”—her steely gaze bears hard into mine—“you may have every dance from here until I take my very last breath.”

  “And then we’ll be dancing in eternity because that’s where I’ll be waiting for you.”

  Tears stream down her face, slow, long tracks that I gently wipe away.

  “I love you.” I pull back and drink down her beauty. The spray of stars, the glistening lake, none of it compares to Kennedy.

  “I love you, Caleb McCarthy.” She offers a white-hot kiss that stings right down to my soul. “And that’s no lie.”

  I hold her right there, warming her to me, loving her with my mouth over hers.

  We made it. We swam through hell and came up on the other side. There is nothing we can’t do together. I’m sure that for the rest of our lives new surprises, new adventures lie just beyond the horizon, and I can’t wait to experience each and every one with this amazing woman. I’m up for this wild ride called life with Kennedy by my side.

  She grazes my cheek with her teeth. “How about in a little while we head in, and I show you how grateful I am for all you’ve done for me—all you’re about to do to me.” She bats her lashes. “It’s your call tonight. Against the door? On the sofa? In the kitchen? Wet and wild? Tying me to the four-poster upstairs? What’s it going to be, counselor? Any way you want it—all night long, I’m game.”

  “How about we charter new territory?”

  “You got any ideas in that pretty head of yours?” She bites back a smile.

  “Did you just call me pretty?” I try to look genuinely affronted by this, but it’s taking all I’ve got not to laugh.

  “You’re all about the facts aren’t you?”

  “I’ve got a fact for you.” I press into her with that rock hard protrusion in my jeans.

  Kennedy gives a heated laugh over my neck. “That’s what I like about you, Caleb, you have a very determined,
very brilliant one-track mind.”

  “That’s because you’re all I think about—you’re all I see.”

  We have a love that can withstand the test of time.

  It already has.

  And that is no lie, either.

  A Note from the Author

  Thank you for reading Beautiful Elixir (Beautiful Oblivion 3). If you enjoyed this book please consider leaving a review at your point of purchase. Even a sentence or two makes a difference to an author. Thank you so very much in advance! Your effort is very much appreciated.

  *Look for Beautiful Submission (Beautiful Oblivion 4) Zoey and Abel’s story coming soon!

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