23

Caleb

November

Herman Blackstone and Ellen Casterley were married in a small, elegant ceremony at Stone Church with the autumn sun shining in an arc over Blackstone Island where it merged with the sea. It appeared that Mother Nature had been clued in that the day was a celebration. As I held hands with Brooke and witnessed their vows, the irony wasn’t lost on me that a Blackstone and a Casterley were being joined in holy matrimony.

And if I had to guess, I was pretty certain the same thought was crossing more than a few minds in this ancient stone chapel right along with me.

Only Wyatt was missing from my siblings, which wasn’t a huge surprise given he kept his life a mystery and could be in another country at the moment for all I knew. Herman’s children were there to support their dad, obviously. Reese, Jason, and Jordyn had been blessed with the temperament of their father rather than their mother—thank God—or I doubt we would have ended up so close to our cousins. Aunt Cynthia’s death fifteen years ago had loosened her hold on her children, but her marriage to Herman had been long over when she’d died. My mother had pseudo filled the role of mother to Cynthia’s children, even if in her own particularly detached method of parenting, for the intervening years.

My mother and Herman had an understanding over his three kids, and neither overstepped each other’s roles. They both adhered to the cardinal rule that blood family took precedence over all else—even when you couldn’t stand to be around said family member. Personal feelings were the last thing to matter in our world. Instead, wealth and status were next in line, right below blood connections.

Which was the very reason she had to grace us with her presence today. Madelaine Blackstone was showing support for her brother-in-law at his wedding. The key word was show. We all knew she’d rather chew glass. The whole thing was just another example of ignoring the pink elephant in the room. My family had a whole zoo full of elephants we ignored. Fucking experts—every last one of us.

My mother had managed to behave herself thus far, but I didn’t trust her to continue with the celebratory charade for very much longer. She would grow weary of faking it after a while. It took exceptional energy to swallow the bitter pill of knowing her former housekeeper was now her sister-in-law. That part was legitimately weird, though. Brooke’s grandmother was now my aunt. My uncle was now Brooke’s step-grandfather. We were definitely connected by family, and as much as I tried to set the thoughts aside for the time being, it was impossible for me to deny my truth.

It was very simple really. I was going to marry Brooke. Someday, it would be the two of us in front of a priest. Another Blackstone and Casterley would be joined in holy matrimony. I knew she wasn’t ready yet and probably wouldn’t be for a long time, but I would wait until she was. We had plenty of time to get there.

The few weeks since I’d been back from Abu Dhabi had been the best of my adult life because of her. Every simple and mundane task was interesting and fun when doing it with Brooke. She liked cooking for me and said it was healthier than eating out all the time. In fact, she didn’t want to go out very often because clubs and parties did not interest her. When I could convince her to stay overnight at the penthouse with me, we did simple things like shop for the ingredients to make dinner and watch cable TV. More likely we were making love in front of the fireplace while the TV was on because I don’t remember much of anything about the shows we “watched.”

Even right now in the middle of a wedding ceremony, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She had on a pale-gold, lacy dress that only served to make her eyes . . . shine in contrast. My golden girl looked beautiful, of course, but today she didn’t have one trace of the usual present sadness. Today she was joyful. Joyful for her grandmother—and it showed.

Seeing Brooke this way gave me a goal. My plan was something only I needed to know as I worked out a way to achieve it. But achieve it I would.

My goal was to give her more reasons to be joyful than opportunities for remembering the sadness of the past. I couldn’t delete it or take it away. The fucker who nearly killed her was gone. But I could ensure happiness for her future.

When we filtered out of the chapel after the ceremony, Brooke and I were the last ones out because we’d been the first ones in after the bride and groom. She was quiet beside me as we waited for the people ahead of us to move aside so she could go to her grandmother and Herman. “It was perfect, Brooke. You did a wonderful job of planning and making everything come together.”

“Thank you. I am so happy right now.” She squeezed my hand and leaned into my chest.

Supporting her body against mine, I propped one shoulder in the doorway while we continued to wait. I kissed the top of her head and breathed in the flowery scent of her hair. “I know you are. I can see it as clear as day, and happiness is a very good look on you, baby.”

“You’re a big part of it, Caleb.” She said it softly as we paused in the entryway of Stone Church.

I heard every word.

Yeah, I’m marrying this girl.

“SO, Brooke tells me Herman is taking you on a cruise around Europe. Are you looking forward to being on a boat for all of that time?”

Brooke’s grandmother gave me a leveled look. “I am thrilled to be free again after so many weeks of therapy, quite honestly. I feel like I’ve been let out of prison, albeit my guards were very helpful during my incarceration,” she joked with me as we took a moment to chat together during the reception. “Herman feels the confinement of the ship will keep me from overdoing it with the new knees. We can take a leisurely pace with touring at ports, or stay on the ship if it becomes overtaxing for me. I’m not too worried because I feel strong, and I’ll be busy looking after Herman.” She winked mischievously.

“Mrs. Caster—ah—I mean, Mrs. Blackstone, you reminded me so much of Brooke just now. I could hear her saying the same witty comebacks.”

She smiled warmly. “Now, Caleb, I think calling me Mrs. Blackstone is a bit too formal, don’t you?”

It was awkward, because I really didn’t know what to call her. She was still just as approachable as I remembered her to be, but she’d married into my family now, and I sure as hell couldn’t call her Mrs. Casterley anymore. “Well, probably yes,” I answered honestly.

“I think Aunt Ellen would be appropriate if you feel comfortable with that. Technically, I am your aunt now that I’ve married your uncle.”

“I will surely make the mistake of calling you Mrs. Casterley regularly. In fact, I know I will, but I’ll be honored to call you Aunt Ellen as often as my poor brain can remember to say it.”

She laughed and agreed to still answer to Mrs. Casterley for me. “Caleb, I’m so glad we are getting this chance to talk, because there is something I’ve been wanting to discuss with you. I feel as if I don’t have a choice in the matter, because I am the only advocate she has.”

“Brooke?”

“Yes, I mean Brooke.”

“How can I put you at ease, Mrs. Caster—shit, I mean—sorry for the language . . . er . . . Aunt Ellen . . .” Not the best start, but I was curious about what she wanted to discuss.

She patted my hand in reassurance. “Don’t worry, Caleb, I come in peace, truly I do. I am just a concerned grandmother looking out for my precious Brooke. You see, I just want to make sure you understand how her past has shaped her.”

“She’s told me about her husband and about losing her baby. I know her life with Marcus was terrorizing for her. Brooke has shared everything with me.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I know she has shared with you. She told me. And, Caleb, I feel, or rather—I can see you care for Brooke. I can see she cares for you. That part is for the two of you to figure out, although I don’t imagine you’ll have much of a problem with it.” She winked at me again.

“Aunt Ellen, you are going to make a grown man blush.”

“Well, good then. It only further supports my observations about you two, but this is not what I want you to take away from our conversation, Caleb.” She patted the back of my hand two times with firm taps. “It is about Brooke and how her whole life has been impacted by a lack of choice.”

“How do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, her illegitimate birth was out of her control—just something she had to accept. Limited time and access to her father, being his little secret was her reality, and something over which she had no control. The death of her parents was a horrifying shock, of course. Being ripped away from her home to come to live in a completely different country was suddenly mandatory. Having to live with me became her only option, regardless if we did end up making a wonderful life together. Just at the moment when her life seemed to finally be on track with the path she was choosing for herself, Marcus came along and ruined everything she’d worked toward. Becoming pregnant, marrying Marcus—neither are things she’d ever have chosen for herself at such a young age. He stalked and trapped her deliberately. Add in the terror she endured the whole time she was imprisoned in her marriage, and you can see how most of her life has been forced down her throat. The ability to choose has been taken from Brooke time and time again, and nearly ended her life in the process.”

“I think I understand where you’re going with this.”

“Do you, Caleb, because you cannot assume she is healed from all of that pain. In fact, she isn’t healed yet. I’m telling you, that in order for things to work out with you and Brooke in the long term, it will require you to let her take some control over her life. If you try to force her into a corner, she will run from you as far and as fast as she can, and she won’t look back, either. This is my darling granddaughter I am speaking of. I know her. I know what she needs in order to keep the demons at bay.”

“I do understand, and honestly, I’ve sensed the same need in her. I can be patient with her, and I plan to, Mrs. Casterley—goddamn it—I mean, Aunt Ellen!” Her lecture frustrated me because I heard her, I really did. “I hear you. Sorry for the language, again, too.”

She laughed at my obvious distress, but it wasn’t in a mean way. “You always were very respectful when addressing your elders, Caleb. I think your father raised some fine sons and daughters.”

“Thank you for bringing him up. I know he would have been very happy for the two of you. He would have been thrilled to celebrate with everyone today.” I noticed she only referred to my father and not my mother. I wondered how their relationship had gone down over the years. It couldn’t have been sparkling because my mother didn’t pal around with the staff—ever. Madelaine Blackstone liked to keep the lines of status well partitioned at all times. Which is what made this wedding celebration all the more uncomfortable for her, by forcing her to blur those lines while bearing a fake smile upon her face.

“I feel the same way about your father,” she said with a nod, “but now, Caleb, I want to know how you reallyfeel about my Brooke. Do you love her or is she just a distraction for you after the loss of your beloved father?”

Whoa. Talk about going straight for the jugular and digging in with a twist of the blade. Mrs. Casterley—fuck—Aunt Ellen . . . didn’t beat around the bush; she jabbed a fuckin’ spear into it instead. My hesitation to answer spurred her to say more.

“I do apologize for my direct approach, but you must understand I am her only family, Caleb, so think of the question I’ve just asked you as coming from a very concerned parent.” She tilted her head with emphasis. “It is reasonable for me to ask, considering where Brooke has been and what she has endured. She cannot be hurt again.” Ellen delivered her final statement with steeled intent to hurt me if she didn’t like my answer.

I liked the fact she was bulldogging me, actually. She was entitled to be protective of her only granddaughter who she had raised for the most part. She’d taken on the role of a parent to Brooke. I put myself in her place and could guarantee I wouldn’t be so accommodating to the guy “sleeping” with my daughter. I’d want his balls on a platter if he harmed a single hair on her head—if he ever got close enough to her in the first place, would be debatable.

“I love her. She’s not a distraction.” The truth was very easy for me.

“I thought so, but I just wanted to hear it from you, Caleb.” She now gave me a true smile.

“I am going to marry her,” I blurted. She raised an eyebrow at me. “I know she’s not ready yet, and I will wait until she is totally ready,” I assured her. “And then I’ll come to you and ask properly.”

Ellen’s expression softened again, and then we went right back to generic conversation topics as if the one we’d just finished had never even happened. Strong, gentle, determined, kind. Four words that definitely suited both Casterley women. Well, soon to be two Blackstone women when I get my wish.

“What were you and Nan talking about? It looked fairly intense from across the room,” Brooke asked a few minutes later when she made her way back to me after being dragged away by my sisters earlier.

I picked up her hand and planted my lips to the back of it. “We were talking about how precious you are.”

“Oh, Caleb—”

Her eyes grew watery as she stared up at me. I got the feeling she had to struggle a bit to accept my answer, but now I understood how her emotions worked, and the tears pretty much confirmed she did, indeed, believe me.

“It’s all good, baby. It’s all good between your grandmother and me. She just needed some reassurance that I was more than happy to give to her. She also insisted I call her Aunt Ellen from now on.”

She took in a deep breath and gave me one of her half-sad smiles—the kind I recognized already as her signature Brooke-is-okay-now smile.

“I have something to tell you later on tonight when we are alone together,” she said, still smiling.

“Oh? Is it something I will like to hear?” I really fuckin’ pray it’s something I want to hear.

My heart sped up. I didn’t want to hope, but my mind went right to the words I most wanted to hear from her more than anything.

Just three words.

Three words that would confirm what I was feeling went both ways. That it wasn’t just my dick talking because the sex was so fucking hot. Sex with Brooke was incredibly hot, but I knew I couldn’t allow sex to be the main reason behind my ever-growing feelings for her. There had to be some other justification for why I’d felt so strongly about her right from the beginning.

She brought her hand to my cheek and caressed with her thumb, soothing me in an instant. “I think you will like hearing it, Caleb.”