Broken Vows

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“OK sweetie, give me some love.  Mommy won’t see you for two weeks!” Erin instructed, stooping down to hug her daughter.

It was barely six a.m. on a Saturday morning and she should have been still asleep at her Dad’s house, but Alyssa had insisted on accompanying her Mom and grandparents to the hospital where Erin was meeting everyone for their trek to the Outer Banks.  Erin buried her face in Alyssa’s blond curls, breathing in the smell of her strawberry soap from a tubby the night before.  Alyssa hugged back, her little arms squeezing Erin’s neck.

“I’ll miss you Mommy.  But I promise to take good care of Nana and Papa.”

“I’m sure you will.  You always do.  I’ll call you often, okay?”

Alyssa nodded.  “And don’t forget to bring me some sea shells.”

“I promise.  I’ll find the prettiest ones just for you.”

Alyssa smiled and leaned in to give Erin a kiss.  Erin stood and gathered her few bags, then gave one more thankful look to her parents.  “I really appreciate this you guys.  I need this vacation.”

Jane stepped up to rest her hands on Alyssa’s shoulders and smile.  “We know sweetie, that’s why we wanted you to go. Don’t worry about anything.  We’ve got it all down to a science by now, right Alyssa?”

“Right Nana.”

“Enjoy yourself honey.” Erin’s father, Tom, instructed before leaning in to give Erin a farewell kiss.

“I plan to.  See you in two weeks!”  Erin waved as she walked away, pulling her suitcase to the van that Brad had rented for the trip. She juggled her coffee in the other hand.

Kelly and Jamie stood at the rear doors, helping Brad pack the luggage into the back of the van.  Kelly turned to wave to Alyssa and Erin’s parents before they left. 

“Where’s Tobey?”  Erin asked, adding her luggage to the pile.

“On his way.  He was up late last night packing. He put in longer hours yesterday making sure the business was good to go while he was away.”

Erin nodded. Tobey Fletcher had served in the army, doing two tours of three years before he was injured and honorably discharged.  He now owned and operated a very successful landscaping business: Fletcher’s Flora.  He had met Kelly in High School and they kept in touch while he was in the military.  After he was discharged he came here to pursue her.

“And Brody?  He didn’t back out on us did he?” Erin asked, turning to Brad.

Brad grunted as he hefted a suitcase onto the pile.  “Not that I know of.  He seemed to be looking forward to this trip as much as we were.”

As if on cue two motorcycles roared into the parking lot, pulling up next to the van.  One was Tobey, who Erin recognized immediately.  He gave them a wave before powering down the bike.  The other one had to be Brody, though Erin didn’t remember him driving a motorcycle.  Sure enough when he removed his helmet and gave them a grin it was Brody.  His hair was longer now than when he worked at the hospital and she remembered him telling her that at one time in college he’d sported dreads.  She couldn’t picture that.  But the longer hair looked good on him.  He exchanged the helmet for a ball cap and then hefted a couple of bags from where they had been strapped to the back of the bike.  He followed Tobey over to the crowd at the van.

“Good morning!” Tobey called.

“Morning!” Brad greeted.  “Jamie, Tobey, this is Brody Morgan.  Brody, this is my wife Jamie and Kelly’s boyfriend Tobey.”