A woman with red springy hair came over and smiled, hugging her immediately.
“I’m Dixie and this is my shop,” she volunteered. “Romeo is my husband, and I wanted to let you know that when you two are ready to get away? I’ll box up the top of the cake and you can pick it up tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Mary smiled, knowing the custom was to freeze it, save it, and thaw it out on your first anniversary.
“Reaper said congratulations – and it’s straight up the stairs, second door on the right. There is bubbly chilling for you both,” Sophie volunteered, pressing a key into Jax’s hand.
“Reaper and Romeo both brag about their incredible wives – and I see it’s true,” Jax smiled, hugging Mary. “Thank you both for everything.”
“Of course,” Dixie grinned. “Now why are you still here?”
“Big house at the corner of Main and Walnut – address is on the key chain. That key opens the front door and your room,” Sophie grinned, hugging Mary. “Welcome to our weird little family, Mary. I’ll see you for dinner soon.”
“Go… or you’ll be doing karaoke with these knuckleheads,” Dixie urged. “One drink down and Armadillo starts belting out Toby Keith songs.”
Mary couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her as the duo urged them out the front door moments later.
This was such a whirlwind day – not only had she had breakfast by the ocean, but she’d also gotten married, had a small reception, and now was heading off to a mini-honeymoon before her new husband flew out to return to the base he was stationed at.
As they pulled in front of the house that said, ‘Merrick Bed and Breakfast’, she felt a twinge of nervousness inside as Jax unlocked the front door.
He immediately scooped her up, making her eyes widen as she clung to his shoulders nervously, before he sat her down on her feet just inside the house.
“Pilots are superstitious… and I was definitely carrying my bride over the threshold, even if it’s a bed and breakfast.” Her heart hammered, realizing just how strong he was and how much this meant to him.
The warm smell of vanilla hung in the air, making it feel warm and inviting. There was a small basket of diapers, a container of baby wipes, and a burpcloth on one of the sofas, reminding her of the baby Sophie held in her arms.
“Do you want to get a shower?” Jax offered politely. “I was going to take a quick one to get the salt off of me and…”
“Yes, I think that is best. My hair feels awful.”
“You look incredibly beautiful.”
“You’re completely biased,” she quipped, rolling her eyes and smiling.
“Maybe,” he replied quickly, grinning, and pulling a robe off the hook that was there for guests. “Here you are. Why don’t you go first and take your time? I saw Sophie had some towels in the bathroom when we came up the stairs.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all,” he smiled. “Get comfortable.”
Mary hesitated… and he looked up at her.
“Is everything okay?”
“You could come with me,” she invited nervously, and saw his warm smile.
“I could, but I think you might need a few moments alone so you can breathe. This has been a lot today, and while I appreciate the offer – and it’s incredibly tempting? I want this to be perfect for you.”
“Jax…”
“Mary,” he smiled, looking bashful and not meeting her gaze. “To be completely honest with you? I might need a moment, too. I’m nervous that I might do something wrong or make you upset. I was just trying not to admit it to my new wife.”
“I’ll be back,” she murmured softly and turned to leave the room, padding down the landing towards the bathroom in the distance. Stepping inside, she saw the slipper tub and the curtain on the frame, realizing that this shower would feel so incredibly good and make her feel better.
Turning on the water, she heard the pipes give a little groan and quickly stripped, stepping inside and sighing happily. Washing her hair several times, she got out and gently picked at it with a comb that was in a plastic sleeve for guests, to be disposed of after use. It took several minutes, much wincing, a few muttered curse words, but she finally got all the snarls out of her hair… and slipped her robe on bravely.
She heard the television on in the distance and saw the door was open. Folding up her things, she padded barefoot towards the room and took a deep breath before walking in. Jax was sitting there – and there were two glasses of bubbly poured… waiting.