Page 28

Chapter

Fifteen

A fter West took a quick shower, Kelby continued her cleaning spree, scrubbing the tub, toilet, and sink until everything sparkled.

She had already swept and mopped the floors, telling him that she wanted the place to be in perfect shape for the next tenant.

She was also eager to get back her two-hundred-dollar deposit.

He couldn’t help but think that she was marrying a man sitting on millions of dollars, and yet Kelby was thinking of others, as well as excited to reclaim her deposit in full.

He loved her all the more for it.

The movers arrived at eight on the dot, and Kelby surprised West when she said, “If you would take all the boxes down to the truck first, I’ve decided not to take my furniture with me to Hawthorne.

” She flashed a shy smile at him. “My circumstances have changed, and I’m not going to be needing any of it.

I’d like you to drop it off at a donation center in Dallas before we hit the road. Do you know of a good one?”

One of the movers spoke up. “Miss Blackstone, my sister is going through a rough time. She just left her husband and took her kids to a homeless shelter. They pretty much have just the clothes on their backs and two backpacks of their possessions. That’s it.

The rest of my family is trying to pool money to help her rent an apartment.

She’s got a decent job as an assistant manager at a grocery store, but she left with no money to her name and doesn’t have much hope. ”

Kelby smiled gently at the man, whose eyes had grown watery as he spoke.

“Then I would be happy to give her everything here, from the sofa to the dinette to the bed. I’ve got other things that she could have, too.

The bedding. Linens. Frankly, all I need now are my clothes and the boxes marked personal. ”

West interjected, “Does your sister already have an apartment in mind to go to?”

“No, sir,” the mover said. “Close to here would be convenient, though, since her store is only about two miles from this location. They had a joint account, and Mary Alice’s check always went into it.

Her husband pretty much cleans out the account every month.

She had to beg him for grocery money or school supplies for her girls.

” His jaw tightened. “He’s been abusive.

We didn’t know that until she left with the kids two nights ago. ”

He thought a moment. “What if your sister moved into this apartment?”

The mover looked startled, as did his co-worker. “Mary Alice doesn’t have money for a deposit. That’s why we’re trying to help her, but things are tight for all of us.”

“I’ll pay the deposit,” West said. “Along with some money to help her get back on her feet.” He looked to Kelby.

“Let’s go and see if this apartment has been rented.

If it hasn’t, I’ll make sure it’s reserved for Mary Alice,” he told the mover.

“If it has been, we’ll find somewhere else for her to go.

Today. And you can take the furniture there before heading to Hawthorne. ”

The mover’s tears began flowing freely. “I’ve heard about the kindness of strangers before, but this is more than I could ever have expected. It’s an answered prayer.”

“Come along with us to see the manager,” Kelby told him. “Let’s see what we can work out.”

The manager told them the apartment had yet to be rented, and West handed over his credit card, saying, “I’ll cover the deposit and one year’s rent.”

“That’s too generous,” the mover protested.

West shook his head, telling the man, “Your sister and her daughters need a fresh start. This will help get them on their feet.”

The man provided his sister’s name and that of his nieces, and the manager said he would handle the paperwork and have it ready once she arrived.

He charged everything to West’s credit card, and they returned upstairs.

Kelby began going through the boxes she had meticulously labeled, pointing out the ones containing her clothing and personal items, and those were the ones the movers took down to the van while West helped her unpack boxes.

They placed dishes back in the cupboards.

Towels were returned to the linen closet.

Even cleaning items were stored under the sink again.

By the time her items had been placed in the van, the apartment looked ready to greet its new tenants.

West slipped Mary Alice’s brother some cash, telling him to give it to his sister so that she could stock the pantry and fridge. The mover profusely thanked them both.

“Your sister needs a clean slate. We’re happy to give that to her,” he said.

“You are both angels,” the mover said. “Today is a happy day.”

“We’ll see you in Hawthorne,” Kelby said. “Instead of going to the stables, please stop at the main house. The boxes can be taken up to my room and the bedroom across from it. I’ll be there by the time you arrive.”

“Now, go call your sister and tell her she has a place to live,” West said as he and Kelby went down to his truck.

Once inside, she said, “That felt really good. Thank you, West, for being so generous. You’ve made a real difference in the lives of Mary Alice and her girls.”

“It feels good to do good with the money I have. When my agent would negotiate my contract, the numbers never really seemed real to me. I would’ve played football for free, but Jace certainly made certain I was taken care of on the financial end.

I’ve made some great investments over the years and am set for life.

I want to do something with my life, though, and that includes the money.

While I’ve done some charity work in the past with various organizations, it may be time to set up a foundation, similar to the one Van has created. ”

He slipped his hand around hers. “I’d like that to be something we do together, as a married couple.”

“I do want to marry you, West. I’m just afraid what people are going to say. That it’s too soon. Let’s face it. We’ve barely been dating.”

Immediately, he whipped into a parking lot and guided his vehicle into a parking spot, cutting the engine.

Facing her, he said, “Do you really care about what others think? Sure, there’s going to be gossip, simply because I’m West Sutherland.

I’m used to that. I don’t pay any attention to it, and you shouldn’t either, Kelby.

No one but us is in this relationship. There are people who’ve dated one week and gotten married.

Others who stay seven years in a relationship before they take the plunge.

I don’t judge either way. All I know is that I love you and I’m happy with you.

That I’m ready to build a life with you. ”

He paused. “If you think I’ve moved too fast, that’s one thing.

I’ll bide my time, and we can wait as long as you wish for us to get married.

What I don’t want influencing you is how others view you.

Or us. You have to live for yourself, honey.

Not for others. The only opinion that counts is yours.

And mine. I know you’ve gone through rough times and been judged for staying in a marriage with Bax.

But I’m not Bax. We are who we are. It doesn’t matter how long we wait.

Gossip will happen about us. That’s just a part of you being married to me.

There’ll be the judgers. The haters. We can’t let them touch what we have, though. ”

Her eyes welled with tears. “You’re right. I don’t doubt us. I suppose there’s still a part inside of me who’s that good girl, wanting to please others. I need to let go of her for good and learn to please myself.”

She leaned toward him, and West’s lips met hers. The kiss was tender, one filled with the promises they would fulfill over the years to come.

Kelby was the one who broke the kiss. “Thank you for talking me off the ledge. I still think I’m going to wake up from the fairy tale. Everything between us has happened so fast. I guess I’m afraid I’ll blink, and it will all have vanished.”

He cupped her cheek. “We’re in this for the long haul.

Together. And think about it. It’s not as if we were strangers and only met three weeks ago.

Hell, we were practically in diapers together.

I know exactly what I’m getting with you, Kelby Blackstone.

A beautiful, intelligent woman who’s a hard worker.

You’re creative and passionate. You’re the one I’ve been waiting for my entire life.

I’m going to be proud to call you my wife. ”

She smiled. “You’re the one I’ll always want, West. Even if you didn’t have a dime to your name, I would love you just as much.”

“We’ll work together to find a way for all that money to go to good causes,” he promised. “To help others in need, like Mary Alice and her children.”

“I think I’m going to enjoy spending your money to help others.”

His thumb caressed her check. “It’s not my money, honey. It’s ours.”

They drove to Hawthorne, stopping at the main house and going inside. Tammy greeted him enthusiastically.

“It’s good to see you again, West. Did you help get our girl all packed up?”

“She has plenty of boxes coming, Tammy,” he replied easily. “She’ll be able to tell the movers where to put everything.” He turned to Kelby. “Go ahead and set up the zoom we talked about for nine tonight. I’ve got a few things to do now.”

On the way to Hawthorne, they had decided they would do a zoom call with those closest to them.

They would tell their parents in person about their upcoming marriage and zoom with her brother, his sisters, and Sawyer and Darby.

They would check and see what might be a convenient time for everyone to come to Hawthorne for their wedding.