Salt Water Wounds (Oyster Cove #1) (22 page)

“You’re sick in the head. I’m warning you, stay away from Perry, because if you don’t you won’t just be dealing with me. You’ll have to deal with all of us.”

“You think ganging up on me will get me to leave? You want your second hand slut, go on and keep her. She’s damaged. Her daddy took care of that. By the time I got with her, she was begging for the abuse. ”

Perry’s almost running in my direction. My eyes light up, signaling to the boys to stop her. Brant holds her back from ripping into Peter. At the same time Nick approaches. “That’s how you feel? You told me you wanted our family back. You said you would never hurt Mom.”

He laughs. “Grow up kid. I said whatever I needed to.”

Nick cocks his arm back and punches his father in the face. Peter goes down quick, while Nick retracts and holds onto his fist. Caleb and Cooper go to his side. Dane accesses that situation while I go to Perry. She’s crying and embarrassed. Everyone is watching this. Camera phones are recording it.

I’m holding her, giving her a second to calm down when someone attacks me from the side. The three of us tumble onto the floor. Next thing I know I’m watching Peter take his fist and swing at Perry, while yelling at the top of his lungs. “You stupid bitch!”

He catches the side of her ear and I lose my shit. I’m on him and there’s no where for the coward to go. I get a few blows in before I’m being lifted off him.

Several people separate us, just as a police officer arrives. He’d been outside directing traffic. I recognize him as he takes in the situation.

Perry hurries toward him. “Toby, I want this man arrested. He’s got a record for assaulting another cop.”

Toby sees Perry holding the side of her face. He points to Peter, who is still being apprehended by Weston and Brant. “This man hit you?”

She nods. “Yes, and it’s not the first time. Take him and throw away the key. Make sure his cell mate knows he likes to beat on women.”

“Don’t do this, Alice,” Peter pleads.

“No. I’m done. This is over. I want you gone for good. I won’t let you hurt me or my son again. I’ll make sure I’m at every single parole hearing this time.”

He looks to Nick for help. “Son.”

Nick throws his middle finger in the air. “Don’t look at me. We’re done here. You laid your hands on my mom.”

He grits his teeth, while Officer Toby Miller puts him in cuffs. Everyone watches as he’s led off the school premises. Nick rushes to his mom and holds her tight, Perry never letting go of my hand.

Bristol and her boyfriend Jody arrive when it’s calming down. “I can’t leave this family alone for a second,” she teases. I watch my daughter reach out to Perry. She smiles at Nick, which is a start, and then hugs my girlfriend. “Are you okay?”

“I am now, sweetie.” Perry doesn’t let go. They share a moment where their bond is undeniable. That’s when I know without a doubt that what I’m feeling is real. I never thought it was possible, yet it’s happening, and I refuse to fight it.

Brant walks over and pats me on the arm. “We still going out to eat?”

“Yeah, we are.” I put my hand on Nick’s shoulder. “All of us, as a family.”

We’re out to the car before Perry asks me an important question. “Where are we supposed to put Nick?”

“In your room. It’s time, sweetness. You belong with me.”

“Are you sure, Buck? We can always move your stuff in my room if it’s easier.”

“If Layla is watching, she’s probably used to the idea by now. We’ve been screwing all over the house. We’ll buy a new mattress if it makes it easier.”

“Are you sure we aren’t rushing it?”

“We aren’t getting any younger. Pretty soon I’ll need Viagra and a cane.”

She shoves me with an appreciative smile. “I just want you to be sure.”

I run my fingers through her hair as I speak. “I’m sure about one thing right now. I love you. Don’t question it, just know it’s there.”

After the family dinner, we help Nick gather his things from his father’s house he was renting. We spent the rest of the night rearranging furniture in order to make him comfortable. It’s a big change for all of us, but I think we’ll make it work. Bristol doesn’t have to like it, but I think she’ll be nicer toward him for Perry’s sake.

It’s after midnight when we’re both standing at the foot on my bed that I used to share with Layla. I take Perry’s hand and wink. “You’re making me nervous, woman.”

“It’s strange. I’m scared.”

“Of what? She’s not going to come through the sheets and get ya.”

“I’d never want to replace her.”

I run my hands through her dark waves and bring my lips to hers. “I know. If it were anyone else I wouldn’t believe it, but I trust that you mean it. I’m not asking you to replace Layla. I’m asking to be with me, to be my friend and my partner. I want you with me, in my bed. This house has history, but we can make our own memories.”

Perry takes one knee and puts it on the bed. She takes my hand again and I follow. Neither of us know what will happen in the future. We’re going to fight. We’ll probably hate each other at times. What family doesn’t? All I know for sure is that she gets me. She loves me for my flaws. She accepts the parts of me she can’t change, and I feel the same way about her. At the end of the day neither of us has to be alone.

It’s pretty damn great.

Epilogue

About 1 year later

It’s the official grand opening of the new family restaurant.
We’ve spent months preparing, remodeling, and getting the staff familiar with the new menu and layout.

There’s been a lot of changes in our lives, starting with the conviction of Peter. Because of his prior criminal record, and the fact that he attacked me in public on school property, the judge didn’t hold back, especially when they discovered he’d left the state without permission from his parole officer. Apparently you need to submit a request and get it approved. When they ran his fingerprints the system came up with a warrant for his arrest, and that was the end of Peter Hawkins. He was sentenced to sixteen years, in which I hope he finally comes to understand we want nothing else to do with him.

I don’t know how many times Nick has come to me apologizing, not that I ever expected it. It wasn’t his fault his father told him lies. Since the altercation, Nick has been focusing on a new interest. He wants to get into law enforcement, but since he isn’t twenty-one he’s made a bigger decision. I still don’t know how I feel about it, but my son is going into the Army. He’s already signed up and gone through the first stage of physicals. I’m worried, but confident it’s the right choice for him. College wasn’t his cup of tea, and I refuse to complain about not having to pay for it. I know firsthand how much Buck foots out having three kids at a university at the same time. If it wasn’t for the new business we’d be broke.

On top of keeping the old employees, I’ve hired two new people to cover my shifts at the bar, so I could be downstairs to focus on the new restaurant and helping Buck so he doesn’t have a stroke. He’s taken this new venture to heart, and every little hiccup has him freaking out.

He’s a fast learner, but he likes things perfect. With that being said, he’s adamant about tasting every dish, making sure the customers get the right portions, and supplying the perfect amount of ambience. We’ve been open for a few months, but today marks the official grand opening of Layla’s Restaurant. Most people think the name was Buck’s doing, but yours truly had the idea for it. After running it by the family, everyone was on board. A piece of her stays with us, and I can only hope that one day I’ll be able to thank her for allowing me to be included in such a beautiful family.

The place has a line out the door. We’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner year round. We have a play area for children in case there is wait, and a menu to suit finicky eaters. We offer gluten free choices, as well as vegetarian, and Dane has done his research providing each menu item with a caloric detail.

We replaced the flooring, and lights, and tore down a wall so that the water can be seen from all sides of the building. The town approved us to put an outside porch for more seating, and we had the whole property repaved.

We’ve sunk a lot of cash into the place, but it’s nice. I’m proud of it, and I know he is too. We made the grand opening the first real weekend tourists start coming on the island, and I’m glad we did. We’re packed. As I look around, seeing Bristol and Nick taking orders, while Buck’s oldest are helping with kitchen for free, I finally find Buck. He’s talking to a local couple who have already dined with us a few times. I make my way toward him, finding his hand before he realizes I’m there. He waves to the people as they take their seats and gives me all of his attention. “Everything okay, sweetness?”

“Of course.”

“Now that I have you here, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, and it kind of affects this place, as well as at home.”

“What is it?” I wonder.

Buck puts his hands up and whistles. Everyone in the restaurant stops what they’re doing and looks in our direction. “How’s everyone liking the new place?”

It’s too loud to make out what they’re saying. Buck motions for them to quiet down for a second time. “Thank you all for coming here tonight to celebrate with us. We hope you like the changes, and come back again soon.” Buck gets down on his knee and faces me. I already know what’s happening and start to feel dizzy as he begins to speak. “Alice Perry, I’m ridiculously in love with you. I already know you’re never going to leave, but it’s only fair if I ask you to marry me anyway. Let’s make it official. What do you say?”

I’m nodding my head, but words won’t come out. He’s slipping his mother’s engagement ring on my finger, a piece of jewelry he once said was going to go to Bristol. When I realize it, I look to see her coming my way. She hugs me first, even before her father and I can embrace. “I told Dad to give you the ring, because I’d rather have my mothers instead. It’s more your style anyway. I love you, Ally. Thank you for everything you do for us. We’d be lost without you.”

The crowd is clapping, but my eyes are only focused on one person. He’s smiling, because he already knew how this would play out. “I can’t believe you did this tonight.”

“It’s been killing me to wait. I swore the ring was going to burn a hole in my pocket.”

I kiss him with appreciation for all the happiness he’s brought me. “I love you, Buck Wallace.”

“And I love you right back. Now, lets not keep our guest waiting. Good service means great reviews.”

I pull him back into my arms. Some folks are still watching us. “You know this means you can’t call me Perry anymore.”

“Sweetness, I’ll call you whatever you want, just as long as it means you’re mine.”

THE END of BOOK ONE