AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Destiny saw the way he looked at Abbi just then and could only hope that one day she would find a man that did the same to her. The least she could do was suck it up and give them the wedding meal they wanted.
“To answer your question, no I’m not scared. A little shocked, as my display minutes ago proves, but not scared. It would be a pleasure to cook your wedding meal.”
The second the words were out of her mouth, Desi saw the instant change in Abbi, she was more relaxed than Desi had ever seen her.
“Just so you know, all food costs will be paid by us.” Abbi reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Thank you so much for this. We really appreciate it.” She then leaned back in her chair and flipped a page over in the notebook to where there was a piece of paper held by a paperclip. Removing it, she sat it on the table and slid it across to Destiny. “And to show you how much, this is for you.”
Desi looked at it and saw that it was a cheque with her name on it, for five thousand dollars. She started shaking her head. “I can’t accept that.”
“That’s only half, you get the other half after the wedding,” Ben explained.
Destiny just sat there, shaking her head in disbelief.
Abbi smacked him on the chest lightly with the back of her hand. “I told you it wasn’t enough. Name your price Destiny.”
Desi laughed.Were these people for read?“Ah...” She dabbed the corner of her eye as if wiping sleep from it, but in reality, it was a tear. “The amount is fine, more than fine. It’s too much. I can’t accept that from you.”
Ava came into the room and went over to Lane who was removing the tablecloths from the tables. “I’ll take over for you. Dean and Mark want you in the kitchen. They want to look over your bike again.”
Desi watched as he left the room. Lost in her own thoughts for a minute, she didn’t see Kim join them at the table until she heard, “Look chickee, you might as well take it.” Desi jerked her head around and looked at Kim. “Believe me, they won’t take no for an answer. And besides, I hate to do this, but we will need to find a place soon for you to stay. The inn is booked up with Ben’s family coming from England... unless you want to stay up in the old servant’s quarters?”
“God no!” She hated it up there as much as she did the basement. “Thanks for the offer though. I’m sure something will come up.”
She knew that day was fast approaching, another reason she was going to bounce out of there without a word. But where to go? It’s not like there were many rental homes and there certainly was no apartment building in the village. The cabins along the shore, way past Ben and Abbi’s house, were not fit for winter weather and as far as she knew this was the only motel in the village.
Ava came to stand beside them, folding a tablecloth and looked at her. “You can stay above the spa if you like Desi. It’s fully furnished, the only thing is, you will have to use the kitchen downstairs.”
Thinking of her current finances and still not willing to take that cheque, she was hesitant but gazed at Ava and asked, “How much do you want for rent?”
Ava waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s not like I’m renting it on a regular basis. It’s just another floor that I have no use for.”
“I have to pay something, I can’t just freeload,” Desi protested.
Ava tossed the tablecloth onto the pile of folded ones and smiled. “Come by tomorrow and have a look at it. We’ll talk then.”
Ben looked at his watch and said, “Well ladies it’s been a pleasure. Abbi, we should be heading back home now. Anna is probably giving Jasmine a tough time right about now.”
“You’re right,” she said, standing up. “It’s been a lovely evening and thank you again for everything.” She pointed to the table, “Make sure you cash that check Desi, or I’ll be paying you in cash if you don’t,” she laughed. “Night Ava, I’ll see you tomorrow. Kim, walk us out?”
Kim nodded and got up from the table too and the three of them walked out the side door to the courtyard.
“Desi, it looks like you could use a friend,” Ava said, sitting at the table. “I can tell something is bothering you. If you ever need to talk, about anything, I’m here.”
Was she so transparent or were these people all just psychics or something? “Thank you, Ava. It means a lot.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, I forgot to mention at the spa, there’s a hot tub and a heated saltwater pool that you can use whenever you want, and the washer and dryer are down in the basement.”
Desi couldn’t help but think if Lane hadn’t stopped her from leaving what she would be doing at this very moment instead of sitting at the table in shock. In the span of a half hour, she went from being almost homeless, and broke to feeling like she just won the lottery. Now if only her luck would hold out and she could find her cat as easily she would be the happiest person in the world. And she had it all, thanks to him. She really should be thanking him.
“If you’ll excuse me Ava,” Desi stood up. “I need to find Lane before he leaves. I never did thank him for saving me and I really should.”
“Of course! I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As Desi walked out the same door that Abbi, Ben, and Kim did, she scanned the yard searching for him, but only saw Mark, Kim and Dean headed towards her.
“Hey Desi, stepping out for some fresh air?” Mark asked.
“I was looking for Lane. I wanted to thank him.”
