It All Started With a Lima Bean (44 page)

He could see his sweet girl right behind Leah, dropping pedals of flowers, smiling to the crowed as she went. She was such a ham, but adorable at the same time. She was so excited to show off her flower girl dress. He’d caught her several times wearing it in her room practicing dropping pedals. Close behind her came Abby’s friend, Melissa’s son. He was carrying a sign but had it facing the seated guests. Caleb couldn’t read the words until the little boy stood right in front of him and held it up. It said:

The music changed to the only song he was interested in hearing today, The Wedding March. His eyes immediately located her. Even though he couldn’t see her face through the sheer material of the veil, it did not keep his heart from stopping. Her mom, Kathleen accompanied her. It was completely appropriate for her mother to be the one to give her away. It had been the two of them for most of Abby’s life and Caleb was so thankful to the woman who brought her up to be the incredible woman he’d fallen so hard for. It seemed to take an eternity for them to reach him. He could see her face just a little bit through the veil now. She was breathtaking as usual, but there was an added radiance to her today. Not wanting to be conceited about it, but he prayed that glimmer had something to do with him.

The ceremony began with Kathleen giving Abby’s hand to him once the minister asked who would, and then they turned to each other. Unable to concentrate on the words pastor spoke, Caleb decided to keep his focus on Abby. She was tearing up, so he reached under the veil and tenderly wiped under her eyes.

The time came to exchange vows and rings. They’d agreed to keep theirs fairly short so neither started to sob in front of their guests. Caleb began. “Abby Rose, you showed me what true, mature love could be like. You are selfless, generous, and genuine, and you pulled me out of my dark existence back into the light. I will work the rest of my life to make sure that you experience the joy you deserve. I love you, Baby.”

Accepting the wedding ring from Stefen, he placed it on her finger.

It was Abby’s turn. With a shaky voice, she spoke. “Caleb, I never knew a man like you could ever exist. You took the broken woman that I was and helped put me back together. I will be forever grateful for your kindness and love. Without you, I am empty. I can’t wait to start our forever together, as husband and wife. I love you with all of my heart and soul.”

Once she placed the ring on his finger. The minister said a few more words before announcing what Caleb had waited for months to hear. “You may now kiss your bride.”

He hadn’t thought about what kind of kiss he would give her but now that the time had come, he was going for it. Flipping her veil over her head, he smiled before dipping her and kissing her like nobody else was around. Unable to help himself, he breathed into her ear. “I can’t wait to get you alone, Abby Rose.” Her body reacted his favorite way, besides blushing. She shivered. Pulling her back up to her feet, hoots and hollers sounded from the crowd and Abby granted him a wicked smile. Good, she had the same thing in mind as he did. This reception couldn’t end quickly enough. He was ready to take his bride to places neither had ever experienced.

Abby couldn’t believe it, she was officially a married woman. Not just a married woman, but also Caleb Hunter’s wife. She still wasn’t positive she was not dreaming.

They’d gone through the ceremony, taken all the pictures she could bare to take, and for their first dance, as husband and wife, they’d swayed back and forth to “Beseme Mucho”. After eating and mingling with all of their guests, she was exhausted and extremely thirsty. All of her drinks were brought to her throughout the night so that she hadn’t visited the refreshment table yet. Stepping up to the table, her heart stopped. Sitting in the center of the fabric-covered table was the beautiful ceramic pink, green, and white lemonade jar she’d seen last year when she went antiquing with Grace and Leah. Next to it was another jar of a similar style, bronze spout and all, except it was cream with brown trim and had the words ‘Sweat Tea’ inscribed in brown.

Picking her head up, she searched the crowd and found her. Grace must have been watching Abby because a smirk took over her face when they made eye contact. Her new mom blew her a kiss and turned to talk to someone beside her. Abby got it. She didn’t want her to make a big deal about this, but it was a big deal. She’d gone back and not only purchased the ridiculously expensive antique for her but also found a match to it.

About to start crying for the millionth time today, she felt herself being whirled around and collided with Caleb’s chest. “There you are. I was in need of a kiss my from wife and you disappeared on me.” He didn’t waste any time, his lips were on her before she had a chance to respond with words, so instead she reacted with actions. He didn’t break away as he normally did. This was really nice; she could get used to these kinds of kisses.

She heard Stefen walk beside them and say, “Get a room you two.” Pulling away they both belly laughed until something occurred to her. They had a room. Just up the stairs. Drawn into his eyes she could tell that he undeniably had the same thing in mind. The fire in his eyes gave away every thought he had. That intense stare sent a million tiny shivers down her spine resulting in a full-blown body quiver. He loved her involuntary response to his presence.

As the song playing was coming to an end, Caleb said, “Come here, I have a little special something for you.” He pulled her to the dance floor where they met up with Dave and her mom. Both men looked at each other and smiled while Abby and her mom looked at each other confused. Caleb grabbed her hand and gave it a quick kiss then leaned in. “Dance with your mom, Love.” Her husband walked away as she looked at her mom who was receiving a quick peck on her lips before Dave left her.

Then she understood why, the sound of a woman and her daughter speaking came through the speakers. The song that Abby’s mom had sung to her every night before bed when she was a little girl began to play. You and Me Against the World by Helen Reddy crooned throughout the area embracing the two women before they’d even had a chance to hold each other. Her mom wrapped her arms around Abby, and they danced, the only two on the dance floor for the entire party to witness. “I love you so much baby girl, and I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.” That was it. Any chance of Abby not losing it was long gone.

“I love you too mom.” Raw emotions spilled out as she ugly cried while swaying and hanging on to her mom for dear life until the end of the song. Unknowingly, they’d drawn a crowd. There were just as many cheers as there were tears.

Abby was wiping at her eyes when Madison approached. “Mama, why are you crying?”

“I’m just happy sweetie, that’s all.” Needing to use the back of her hand now because her fingers and palms were covered in makeup and yuck, she noticed Madison trying to process what she’d said. Apparently, she didn’t quite get it. “Remember how happy you were when Daddy asked me to marry him, and you had happy tears?” Madison nodded. “Well, I have the same feelings, so I’m crying happy tears, not sad tears.”

A smile broke out. “Okay, that makes senses now.” This girl and her cute words killed her.

“Mama, can I show you and Daddy something?”

“Of course Sweetheart, he’s right there, let’s go get him.” They walked past Caleb, and all Abby had to do was gesture with her head for him to join them, and he followed.

He caught up and questioned, “What’s up?”

“Madison wants to show us something.” They joined hands and followed their little girl over to the large plant she had been tending to for months.

Madison squatted down. “Look right here. Do you see that both of my beans grew because we all gave them love?”

“Yes, it did. It’s a beautiful plant Madison. All the love you’ve shown to it has made it grow into a strong plant.” Abby was so proud of the lesson this plant had taught her little girl about love.

“No, look closer, there are two plants.” She pointed to where the stems came out of the ground. Two stalks originated from the dirt, but as if they could not survive without each other, they joined, embraced, and intertwined all the way up to their tops making them appear to be one plant. Madison was not the only one who learned a lesson in love from these seeds. Abby and Caleb’s eyes met just as they had when these beans were originally planted, and they had their second, ‘Ah Ha’ moment while standing in this same spot. This time however, just like the plants, they were joined together as one.

Scooping down to pick Madison up, the three embraced making their family one entity. Switching her eyes from one of them to the other, she said, “I love you Daddy and Mama.”

“We love you too Pumpkin.” Both parents said at the same time.

“Now, when can I get a baby brother or sister?”

How does a person who has lived a life with careless regard for others prove that he is worthy of redemption?

Stefen Hunter is accustomed to getting whatever he wants whenever he desires it. The world is at his fingertips and with seemingly no effort on his part, women flock to him. As a successful lawyer at his family’s law firm in Chicago, he has a social standing he must protect. He wouldn’t dare harm his image by doing something as reckless as falling for someone ‘
beneath
’ him, including the woman he met in California the week of his cousin’s wedding. The woman he cannot stop thinking about. For the first time in his life Stefen finds himself wishing he was worthy to be someone’s partner. After the way he has conducted himself though, is it already too late? How many times can one forgive before reaching their limit?
 

Leah Valdez has fulfilled her dream of owning a flower shop in Santa Barbara. To be able to share beautiful flowers with others and bring a smile to their face causes her tremendous joy. Being a fairly modest person, her little shop and living close to her best friend Abby is all Leah desires.
 

When assuming the task of entertaining Stefen during his stay in California, her generous and loving nature is put to the ultimate test. The rejection, anguish, and humiliation of being unacceptable in Stefen’s social circle, causes her heart to become guarded.
Only able to take so much pain, Leah willingly encourages a reconnection with a man from her past, hoping to forget the man who caused her heartache. The man who invades her thoughts and dreams. After all, repeat kindness and consideration only extend so far.