Page 86 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“But of course.” Sebastian beamed. “So it’s settled. You’re coming back with me, right?”

Cheri’s mind raced from one bad scenario to another.I can’t believe this.She fixated on a crumb.

Sebastian waited five seconds before saying, “Earth to Cheri.”

Shaking her head, she said, “I can’t. I’ve got to stop dragging out the inevitable.”

His tone changed. “Are you honestly going to disappoint your parents?Embarrassyour parents? The society pages will have a heyday with this. Think about your family name. Are you going to humiliate the Van Burens? Are you going to destroy their legacy in one fell swoop?”

He knew her soft spot. She couldn’t let her parents down. “Dammit.”

Sebastian reached across the table and softened his tone. “Listen to me. We’ll work through this. You’ll love me again. You did once, right?”

Dammit to hell, she finally had the chance to break it off with Sebastian face to face, and now her freaking parents were in the mix.

“When was the last time you saw your parents?”

A tear snaked down her cheek. He knew that would get to her.

“Well, how long has it been?” he asked.

“I saw Mom briefly last spring in Paris, but Dad? Forever. It has been forever,” she whispered.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”

Voice wobbling, she splayed both hands on the table. “Okay. Okay. I’ll go back with you.”

“Good girl. I thought you might.”

Chapter 77

After thinking about her perfect day with Cole and having to go to New York with Sebastian, Cheri felt nauseous.I know I’m making one of the biggest mistakes of my life.Her mind wandered.But my parents, Mom’s planning, and the press. Oh, God.

While Sebastian rambled and drove, she turned her phone back on. Eyes widening, Cheri counted ten texts from her head chef at Fifth Avenue Catering in New York. Scrolling quickly, her mouth went dry as she read the last text from Chef O’Leary which simply read: I QUIT.

Crap.I’ve got to check on my business. That’s another reason to go with Sebastian. Dammit.

~ ~ ~

After arriving at her Branson home, Cheri found her house key. “Good night, Sebastian. There are plenty of hotels in Branson.”

His mouth fell open. “What are you talking about? We’re engaged. We haven’t seen each other in two years.”

Shaking her head, Cheri put both hands on her hips. “You aren’t sleeping here. I’ll see you in the morning. Remember, I’m only going back for my parents and to check on my business. I want to make sure you’re clear about that.” She gave Sebastian a steely gaze, closed the door in his face, and leaned against it.It’s about time I cleared up this fiasco. Surely my happiness is more important to Mom and Dad than our family name. If it’s not, too bad.

Chapter 78

While Gage worked, Alex decided to take a train to Ground Zero. Studying the subway map, she bought a Metro card, and hopped on, hoping she wouldn’t be lost forever in Manhattan. Holding on to a rail while passengers stood, read, or stared at their phones in the hot train, she gazed out the tiny windows as the train raced past.

Once she exited, she joined step with the masses and immediately recognized the sobering memorial. Taking time to study the heartfelt condolences including handmade quilts, cards, teddy bears, and photos from every state and country, she visited the museum. Purchasing a single white rose at a gift shop, Alex’s eyes filled with tears as she stepped back outside, knelt down with the flower, and wrote a note:You’ll never be forgotten.

Alex said a silent prayer for the victims and first responders then put her arm around a young girl who was overcome by the weight of the monument. After an hour, she had to leave.I’m glad I paid my respects, but I’ve got to end my trip on a happier note.

Traipsing through the crowd, she braved several intersections where passersby taunted traffic lights and were barely missed by rushing cars. Googling the location of Bloomingdales, she decided she could walk fifteen more blocks.I’ve never walked so much in my life. New Yorkers seem to do this daily.

Eventually, her feet hurt and she hailed a cab. Once inside the shopping mecca, she was spritzed with perfume and overcome by the enormous amount of people and merchandise. As she strolled the designer purse section, then jewelry, she was enticed to the makeup counter by an aggressive woman wearing leopard print from head to toe.

The makeup artist told Alex to sit atop a furry stool. Glancing at the scene, Alex noticed every makeup artist was dressed the same, music blared, and there seemed to be some sort of competition to makeover the patrons as quickly as possible. Leaving the “free” makeup session thirty minutes later, with much darker, thicker eyebrows than normal, plus two hundred dollars of makeup she didn’t need, Alex hoped Gage would be ready to meet soon.

---