Following Your Heart (Love Conquers All) (13 page)

Seth moaned as he put the car into park.  “Cassie, I said that out of pain.  I don't mean that.  I know that you are caring, loving, and a wonderful person.  As for Rebecca and
me, it isn't like that.  It just didn't work out.  Rebecca had valid reasons for ending the engagement, but that doesn't change how I feel about you.  How I have always felt about you.  I sense you feel it too.  Why isn't that enough?”

When Cassie turned back to him he noticed the tear on her cheek and he fought the urge to brush it away.  “I'm leaving at the end of the week Seth, so any stupid ideas I had about what could happen...it doesn't matter.  I think that it's best to say our goodbyes now.”

“What?  We'll still see each other Wednesday when everyone comes to the Bed and Breakfast.”

Cassie shook her head, “I'm not going to come.  It isn't my wedding and any final details that I can help with, they can be done here.  So, bye Seth.”  Seth reached for the handle to the door as she jumped out, but the look she gave him caused him to stop.  “It's best you just go.”  With that she ran away from him and was inside the house before he could let out a breath.  He didn't understand what had instantly changed between them.  He thought the day was going to go so smoothly.  His heart broke that he was once again out of Cassie's life.

Over the next few days Cassie attempted to put thoughts of Seth out of her head.   Courtney and Bradley made up and Cassie felt their love was even stronger.  When Cassie told Courtney about her fight with Seth, she could feel Courtney's disappointment.  Courtney tried to tell Cassie she was crazy, but Cassie didn't need to be told that because she was well aware.  She could not explain why she pushed Seth away, everything was going as she had planned...only better.  When she learned he was no longer going to marry Rebecca she should have been the happiest person in the world, yet something was wrong.  She figured it was her anxiety that he was only attempting to reconnect with her because he was feeling sorry for himself.  Yet, she couldn't get past how she felt when he was near and how she was certain, at times, that he was feeling it too.

Also, she could not get involved with Seth when her feelings were unresolved for Chad.  It was a mixture of happiness, pain, sorrow, and disbelief.  So staying away from Seth was the only chance she had to get her thoughts in order.  Seth repeatedly tried calling her, but it was just like Chad...she didn't want to talk to him.  Courtney had one more line of business she was going to take care of that week and Cassie was going to stay away from that part of her wedding planning.

Cassie knew after Courtney got back from Dallas, it was time to head back to New York.  It was a few days earlier than she planned, but it would be for the best.  It was going to be hard enough to face Seth at Courtney's wedding, let alone before then.  She pulled her clothes out of her dresser and began to pack, by that time the next day she would be heading home.  It was bittersweet; she enjoyed her time with her family.  At times she found herself forgetting it was only temporary.  When she emptied the closet of her clothes, her gaze landed on a box that was stuffed on the top shelf.  She closed up her suitcase and went back to the closet.  She did not remember leaving anything behind when she moved.  When she pulled down the wooden box, she couldn't help but smile.  She traced the heart that was engraved on the top, inside the heart was the words
Seth & Cassie. 
With hesitation, she slowly opened the box.  Inside she found everything that Seth had given her.  She removed the ticket stub from their first movie as a couple.  She saw their smiling faces in the pictures they had taken at the mall in Dallas.  Then her focus was brought to an envelope with her name on it.  She recognized the writing as being Seth's, but she didn't recall a letter.  “It's not open,” she whispered to herself as she slid her finger under the flap and opened the envelope.  The envelope fell to the ground as she read the letter.

My Dearest Cassie

I have given thought to what has transpired and I have come to the conclusion that I am a stubborn man.  I want you to be happy and I know that if you follow your dream you will go to bigger and better things.  I should have told you how proud I am of what you are about to do, not let you walk out of my life.  I want us to work out and if that means going with you, then I would be honored to move to New York with you.  I need to know what you want, because as I am writing this I know that the only thing I want and need is for you to be by my side.  Say the word and I will be there for you, it's up to you.  Do you want to be with me?

Love always,

Seth

As the letter fell to the ground, she thought back to the days following her trip to Dallas.  When the truth dawned on her, she closed her eyes.  She remembered being in her room and seeing the letter fly under her door.  When she noticed it was from Seth, she chose not to open it.  She was afraid of its contents.  She put it in the box and pushed it out of her mind.  She didn't even know who had put it under the door, but she always suspected Courtney had something to do with it. “Cassie, can I come in?”  She heard Courtney at her door and she quickly picked up the letter.

“Sure, come in.” 

As the door opened she brushed a tear off of her cheek.  “Cassie, I'm going to...” she looked at Cassie's hands and then back at Cassie.  “What's that?”

Cassie looked down at the letter and then put it back in the box.  “A letter...from Seth.”

“Oh, did you get it in the mail?”

“Not from Seth, just recently.  He wrote it 10 years ago.”  Courtney's face turned a shade of red and Cassie knew that her instinct was correct.  “I'm right, aren't I?”

“What do you mean?”

“Court...the letter, you were the culprit that put it under my door.”

“Cassie, he wanted you to know what you meant to him.  I felt sorry for him and yes when he came to me and asked me to give you a letter, I jumped at the chance.  I thought maybe it would change your mind and that you would choose to stay here and marry him.  I didn't want you to leave.  When you didn't even mention the letter, I figured it didn't do the trick.  So, I came to the realization that you were leaving and that nothing was going to be the same.  Why didn't you even acknowledge that he was trying?”

“I never read the note.”

“Really?”  The surprised look on Courtney's face would have been laughable, except Cassie was dying inside.  She could not believe that she did not realize how much Seth's love for her really was.

Cassie shook her head, “I didn't want him to change my mind, so I put it in the box and put the box back up in my closet.  That way I could leave without knowing what he wanted to say.”

“I had no idea.  If you didn't want to read it...why did you keep it?”

Cassie laughed, “Good question.  Maybe a part of me knew that one day I would come back here and want to know what he had to say.  Now that I read it, I'm not so sure that I did.  The truth is it was a game changer.”

“Really?  So...if you would have read it, then we might not be at this point?”

Cassie stuffed the note back in the box.  “Well if we weren't at this point, you might never have met Bradley.”  Courtney was quiet for a moment and then she leaned over and surprised Cassie by hugging her.  “What was that for?”

“I think you needed it.”

Cassie smiled, Courtney was right about that.  “Well, it's too late to go back.  So, it is what it is.”

“I suppose so.”  Courtney tried to smile, but Cassie could see she was unsure about it.  “I'm getting ready to leave for Dallas.  Bradley will be picking me up soon.  Won't you change your mind and come with us?”

“I don't know that I can see him.  I'm sorry Courtney; it just isn't the best idea.”

“Cassie, you're leaving tomorrow.  This is the last time we can do something with each other before I get married.  It shouldn't be about you and Seth, I don't want to be selfish but...it's my wedding and I want you to come with us.”

Cassie knew she was right, this wasn't about Seth...it was about Courtney.  “I might not be the best company.”

“I don't care.  At least you'll be there.”

Cassie reluctantly nodded, “Fine!  I'll go.”

Courtney smiled, “Thank you Cassie.  Bradley should be here in a few minutes.”

Cassie put the wooden box back in the closet and took a deep breath before closing it up.  “Then, let's go and wait for him.”  It was going to be an awkward evening, but Cassie had to put her feelings aside and look past Seth.  It was Courtney's big day they were planning and everything needed to be perfect.

____________________

“Will you stop moping little brother?”  Seth looked up as his sister joined him on the couch in the dining room.

“I'm not moping.”  Seth argued, even though he obviously was.

“Whatever,” Megan replied quietly.  “They'll be here soon.”

“So.” 

“So...don't you think you should change?”

Seth looked down at his jeans and t-shirt.  “I look presentable, why bother?”

“Seth Callahan, you look like a bum.  You don't have to put on a tie, but ever since coming back to Dallas you are letting your looks go.  You haven't shaved in 3 days.”

Seth reached up and felt the slight stubble beginning to form and shrugged.  “I have no one to impress.”

“We still have guests and they're beginning to complain about the smell.”  Seth looked at his sister and could tell she was teasing, but she was getting her point across.

“I was thinking that maybe you could handle meeting with the Jamison's?  I'm really not feeling up to it.”

Megan gave him a curious look and then shook her head.  “Nice try, but you're the one they have made the arrangements with.  So, you should be the one to deal with.”

Seth was discouraged, after talking to Megan she was caught up with everything that happened between Cassie and him and he would have expected a little compassion.  “I don't know that I can.”

“Seth, you have never been afraid of anything.  Why start now?”

“I'm not afraid, I just have had enough arguments and I really don't want to argue with Cassie anymore.”

“I don't think she's coming, so you haven't anything to worry about.”

Seth frowned;
he knew she had said that she wouldn't come.  He just hoped she had changed her mind.  “You really don't think she'll be here?”

“I don't know.  The last time I talked to Courtney, she said that it wasn't looking good.”  Megan smiled, “If she was here, you should really make her aware of the whole truth.  Not just what you want to tell her.  She deserves to know exactly why your relationship broke up.”

Seth knew that Megan was right.  He looked at his watch, “Well, if I have to get changed.  I better get going.”

Before he got out of the room, she stopped him.  “You should wear that blue jacket with the pinstripes.”

“Why?'

“I don't know; it brings out your eyes.”

He rolled his eyes; “You're crazy.  You know that right?”

She laughed, “Just do it.”

He didn't know what she was trying to prove, but in less than a half an hour the Courtney and Brad would be there.  He had to at least put on a good front with them.  Even if it was Cassie he wished he could see.

____________________

As Bradley's car pulled down the road of the Bed and Breakfast, Cassie could feel her stomach turning in knots.  “Cassie, you act like you're going to the electric chair.”  Courtney startled her by speaking.  Cassie looked at Courtney who was staring at her form the front seat.  “It's just Seth.”

“Sure,
” Cassie mumbled under her breath.  When they pulled along the side of the road, she looked up at the building. It hadn't changed any on the outside, but it looked bigger than she had recalled.  She got out of the car and walked up front steps.  She smiled when she saw the old familiar sign and her heart tugged at the fact that so much time was gone. 

“They bought the restaurant next door a few years ago.”  Courtney pointed to the small cafe that used to be next door.

Cassie stared at the sign for a moment, trying to process the information.  “
Cassie's Cafe?”
  She looked at Courtney and Courtney was smiling.  “He named it after me?”

“Cassie, he always has loved you.  This just allowed him to always have a part of you in his life.”

“I had no idea.”  Cassie replied quietly, her heart feeling heavier now.

“There isn't anything you could do that would change the way he feels about you.”

“I don't know about that.”  She proceeded to the front door and opened the door, with caution she walked inside.  She looked around the foyer and noticed that besides a few pictures added; most of the decor was the same. 

“I'll be with you in a minute.”  Even without seeing the woman that spoke, Cassie knew it was Megan.  She looked at Courtney, she still wasn't sure it was a good idea.  When Megan popped her head around the corner, she smiled at Cassie.  “Cassie...” she ran over, nearly knocking her down as she hugged her.  “I've missed you.  I was afraid you weren't going to come.”

Cassie swallowed, “I changed my mind.  I've missed you too Megan.”  She pulled away and looked over Seth's sister, her eyes stopped when she reached Megan's stomach, her mouth dropped open.  “Megan...are you...”

Megan laughed, “I hope so, or else I would need to go on a major diet.  I'm having twins.  Didn't Seth tell you?”  Cassie shook her head slowly and Megan laughed.  “Doesn't surprise me, just like a man.  Let me get a good look at you.”  She glanced at Cassie from head to toe, “I didn't think it was possible.”

“What?”  Cassie asked; she glanced down to see if she could figure out what Megan was talking about.

“You're even prettier than when you were in high school.”

Cassie blushed, “I don't know if I would say that.”

Megan nodded, “I would.  My brother was a fool for letting you go.”

Cassie looked away, the awkward situation was growing worse and she didn't want Seth to walk in and overhear their conversation.  “So, Megan...I think I'm going to take Cassie up and show her the room that the women will be dressing in for the wedding.”  Cassie shot Courtney a grateful glance that she changed the subject.

“Okay, Seth will be around soon.”

“If you see him let him know we're here.  Bradley will you go outside and get the guest list out of the car.  We have to work on seating arrangements.”