Page 3 of Can’t Let You Go (Ivy Ridge #3)

FALLON

THREE YEARS LATER

September

“ F allon, do you have a copy of the schedule? I seem to have lost mine,” Isaac says, running his hand through his hair.

I laugh softly. “Yes, but remember, you aren’t supposed to be working. That’s what I’m for. It’s your best friend's wedding. You’re off duty.”

Isaac narrows his eyes, but it’s not malicious, more like he knows I’m right. “Fine,” he says.

I shoo him away, glancing down at the clipboard in my hands. Things are going according to schedule, and I’m grateful. I’m still new and getting the hang of things here at Meadow Grove Winery, and I’m anxious to make a good impression.

Isaac took over the winery as the general manager a few years ago after his parents retired, and hired me on as the event planner.

After Brad left, it took a long time for me to work through the stress and exhaustion as I figured out how to be a single mom.

But we made it through, and finally I can say things are good.

Brad didn’t just leave me. He left Presley too.

We haven’t seen him since the day he left, sending waived custody the day he sent the divorce papers.

Moving to Ivy Ridge three years ago made all the difference.

We stayed with my mom for just under two years until we got back on our feet and moved into a townhome about three months ago.

I’m happy here, especially being so close to my Mom and best friend.

Presley loves her new school and has made so many new friends.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I pull it out. My mom’s name is on the screen which is a little weird. She’s watching Presley overnight, something she will do on the weekends I work a wedding or another late night event.

“Mom? Everything okay?” I answer.

My mom’s voice is weak and scratchy. “I hate to do this, but I need to drop Presley off. Maybe she can hang out in your office or something. I’ve got some sort of stomach bug.”

“Oh no,” I murmur, my eyes frantically searching the room as if that will bring me some sort of answer to this new predicament. “Are you sure you can drive?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll be careful. I’ll text you when we leave.”

I frown as we say our goodbyes.

The winery is about thirty minutes outside of town, and I don’t want my mom to be sick and trying to drive. My other babysitter is out of town this weekend, and everyone I would trust with Pres is here. Megan must catch my worried gaze from across the room, flitting to my side.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, rubbing a hand up my arm.

“My mom called. She’s got a stomach bug and can’t watch Presley anymore. I don’t want her to drive, but I might not have a choice. I can’t leave, and anyone I trust is here.” I gesture at her and then to Isaac across the room now in a small circle of guys, drinking a glass of wine.

“Let me check with Josie,” Megan says, gesturing to the bride.

Megan is one of Josie’s bridesmaids and sings her praises.

I’ve met Josie a few times, and even though she’s the nicest woman, I’d feel bad about imposing.

“I can meet your mom halfway or go pick her up. I still have her booster seat in my car.”

“No, I can’t ask you to do that. What if they need you?” I bite my fingernails, glancing down at the clipboard. In all honesty, there really isn’t much left on the schedule tonight. The rehearsal is finished, and now dinner is being prepped, so everyone is mingling.

“They don’t. Unless you need me here for something, I’ll go get her. I’ll call your mom.” Without giving me another chance to fight her on it—not that I have much of a reason to—Megan gets Josie’s attention, waving her over. Josie smiles, rushing to our side.

“What’s up?” she asks. Her red hair is curled loosely, hanging in waves around her round face.

“Fallon’s mom is sick, and she’s watching her daughter. Do you mind if I run into town to pick her up, and she hangs out here tonight, and probably tomorrow?” Megan asks.

Fuck, I didn’t even think about tomorrow. I’ll have to be here from dawn till almost midnight. Between set up, the ceremony, and the reception it was going to be a long day anyway, and now, I have to throw Presley into the mix.

“I’m so sorry,” I interject.

Josie waves me off. “Nothing to be sorry about. The more the merrier. I’m sure Lennie, Jason’s daughter, would love to have someone to play with. It’s no problem at all. ”

“Are you sure?” A weight lifts off my chest at how relaxed Josie is. Some brides would lose their mind if something like this happened, and I, for one, am grateful it happened tonight when Josie is the bride.

“Don’t even think twice about it,” Josie says. She reaches out, clasping her hand on my arm. “We might not be close yet, but whether you like it or not, we’re friends. Friends help each other, so yes. Megan, go get Presley, and we will be fine here for an hour.”

I nod, a prick of tears stinging my eyes.

Megan pulls out her phone. “I’ll call your mom.”

She walks away, leaving me alone with Josie. I take a deep breath, and settle my eyes back down on the clipboard in my hand, looking at what I need to do next.

In the time I’ve worked and lived here, I’ve barely made time for anyone outside of Meg and my mom.

Meg has been begging me to meet up with her and “the girls” more, but I haven’t had it in me.

I don’t want to let anyone down, so it’s easier to keep to myself.

I’ve been prioritizing my little girl for years now, and setting all my own needs to the side.

Maybe I should start getting together with them more.

Especially after the kindness they’ve both shown me today.

Presley hides behind my leg as we make our way back into the reception hall. There are tables scattered with decor and other odds and ends, the finishing touches for the reception decorations.

Megan leads me toward a table where a young girl sits with a few coloring pages in front of her.

Her long dark hair is hanging down her back, with a large ribbon tied into a bow on top of her head.

She’s beautiful, with deep chocolate brown eyes.

She’s dressed in a white tulle dress with a deep maroon bow around her waist.

“Hey, Lennie,” Megan says. “This is Fallon and her daughter, Presley. We were wondering if you two wanted to play together. You’re pretty close in age, and both really like princesses. Is that okay?”

Lennie looks us over, glancing behind my legs where Presley is being uncharacteristically shy. When the two meet each other’s eyes, they both light up in the most adorable smiles. Presley lets go of my leg, stepping out from behind me.

“I love to color. Do you?” Presley asks.

“Do you want to pick one?” Lennie asks, offering up her thick coloring book to my daughter. “I have lots of different ones you can choose from.” She has a subtle lisp, but one that is more than likely due to her age and not a speech impediment.

“Do you have one with a cat?” Presley asks.

“Yes!”

A sigh of relief falls past my lips. Now, I have one less thing to worry about. Nikki, Lennie’s grandma, and the Mother of the Groom, smiles at me from the small table she sits at with the girls.

“I’ll take care of her,” she tells me. Weirdly, I trust her instantly though I don’t know her all that well.

I’m usually hesitant with who I trust around Pres, but with Nikki, I don’t have that hesitation.

She has such a kind heart, and though I’ve only met her for the first time today, I can tell she would do anything to take care of my daughter.

“Thank you,” I gush. “You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I can pay you.” I reach into my back pocket for my phone where I have some cash in my case, but she stops me.

“Nonsense. I doubt they will need me for nothing more than to appreciate their drawings and help choose what color to use. I can bring her up to the room, and you can pick her up when you’re ready.

” Nikki stands, stepping in to give me a quick hug.

Thankfully, the hotel is connected to the winery, making it easy for weddings and events.

We exchange phone numbers, and I lean down, pressing a kiss to the top of Presley’s head. She barely pays any attention to me, fully focused on the coloring page in front of her.

I straighten and glance around the room.

A small circle of people have gathered, and I recognize Megan’s friend, Marley, along with three men I don’t recognize.

One of whom is clearly standing protectively next to Marley, whether she realizes it or not.

The other two men stand in a semi-circle, their hands in their pockets.

I was busy running around during the rehearsal, so I didn’t get to meet any of the other groomsmen or bridesmaids.

One has a full head of blonde hair, and when he smiles I can barely catch a glimpse of a gap in his front teeth, and a set of prominent dimples.

The other is taller than the two other men, dressed in a crisp button up like the others, but the top three buttons are undone, revealing a white undershirt and the subtlest hint of dark chest hair peeking out from the collar.

When my gaze lifts to his face, I’m slammed with a sudden hit of recognition.

Holy shit.

Cunningham. The groom has a brother named Jason.

Jason Cunningham. I can’t believe I didn’t put it together until now, but the more I look at him, the more I realize my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me.

It is him. It’s been at least thirteen years since I’ve seen him, and while he looks so eerily similar to the last time, I can see the hints of aging and time in his features.

A memory flares through me, and before I can stop myself, I turn my eyes from him, and head down the hall to my office to give myself a moment to breathe, remembering that time in my life.

“Oh, come on, you can’t be serious,” Jason says with a laugh.