Chapter 1 Our New Life
I can’t believe this is happening! I met Braden three months ago, and to say we had a whirlwind romance in an understatement. I don’t know anyone who has done what we did, but I like being adventurous. I’ve never been scared to step out of my comfort zone. I may be somewhat shy, but that doesn’t stop me from going at life with my full force! And this was something I needed!
We met at a coffee shop one night, after I’d finished working at the little art gallery my friend James owns. He told me I was beautiful and he felt a spark, and then we started seeing each other every day and spent as much time with one another as possible. Then he surprised me by taking me to Vegas last week. I had no idea he was so serious until we showed up at a little white chapel! Now I’m married.
I am now officially Brandi Scott! This is more than I could’ve ever imagined! My heart is so full, and my mind is so dizzy with everything. I almost feel like I’m spinning out of control. Everything seems to be going very fast, but I am always up for an adventure! Mom has told me more than once I really should learn to slow down and just live in the present, but where's the fun in that?
I am so happy, I never thought this would happen to me! I didn’t expect to be married until I was closer to thirty. Who would’ve thought I’d be hitched at twenty? Jenny has been sending up red flags, but I know she’s just worried about me. I don’t think she likes Braden very much. I asked her about it, but she’s very vague and says there is just something off about him.
Since she can’t give me a definite answer, I decided to just push her concerns to the side and enjoy my life with my new husband.
Yes, I don’t know him very well, but that will come with time and communication. Once we settle in together, we will find out more about each other’s likes and dislikes. I know his goal is to make enough money so that he can build our dream house… Whichever will take a few years, but it will be worth it!
He was just finishing college when we met, and now he has a bachelors degree in architecture. He told me he didn’t have any other relationships during school because he was focused on getting his degree and he didn’t have time for women until he finished school, and now he is ready to commit! I found his devotion to his future admirable and understood what he was telling me.
But once again, my best friend Jenny said something about it didn’t seem right, and that I should probably get to know him first before taking any big steps, seeing as I really have never been in a relationship before. I understood her concern, but I told her that we were so in love that this couldn’t possibly be wrong. She just hugged me and said she hoped I was right.
Of course I’m right! All of this feels right, just like when last week after we got married, he told me he accepted a new job in Alabama. He will be working on fixing up a small town I’d never heard of, and it is a huge opportunity for him.
It’s true he didn’t give me a lot of heads-up and I had to tell James that I was now married and that I had to leave for Alabama. James was upset, but he gave me a hug and said he understood. He also told me if I ever need anything to call him up. He was very supportive of me and my love of art since I was in middle school. He did say he would miss me, and he mentioned that this was a big step and seemed to be going really fast (and yeah, I’ve heard that before, but this is true love). He wished me good luck, and then I went to pack up my stuff.
And just like a good girl- wife- I was more than happy to pack up my paintings and move across the country to help my new husband in his ambitions. (I do wish he had consulted me about it first, but there is nothing I can do about it now! It’s done!)
My family’s in shock, and they were completely surprised that I would ever leave Arizona! (Not that I blame them. It has been my home for my entire life! But like I said, I’m always up for a new adventure.) Once I put my parents and Stacy (my little sister) at ease, they were all happy for me. Mom and dad both told me, just like Jenny and James, that our relationship did seem to be going a bit fast, but I convinced them how much Braden meant to me, and how in love we are; and when I introduced them to him, they seemed to finally believe me.
So now, I’m sitting in a Silverado with my few belongings and most of Braden’s stuff stuffed in the truck bed. Braden said we’d have the rest of my stuff shipped in a couple of weeks. I can deal with that. I mostly only have a few of my paint supplies and a few pairs of clothes. I can live without the rest of my things for a couple weeks.
He told me he bought us a small house in our price range. (I really wasn’t aware we had a price range or that he was even looking for a house for that matter.) He mentioned it was a “fixer-upper” and he spent all our savings on it. But he promised it would be perfect for us, and once we have money, we can add on and expand. But since it’s just the two of us, and he said he really didn’t want any kids for a few more years, this will be just our size!
I can’t wait to see it! He didn’t have any pictures to show me or anything. He said he found it online but forgot to download the pictures. That’s okay. I like surprises, and I will see it very soon!
Braden has been talking about our new home and his new job for basically the whole drive. He also mentioned how he will be super busy for the next month or so. He told me he would have a few late nights so he could get a handle on his new project, and we probably wouldn’t be able to afford going on any dates anytime soon. But he promised it would all be worth it one day!
I understand! He just spent all our money getting a new home! I will miss him during his late nights, but this is what being married is, isn’t it? Making sacrifices for each other to build each other’s dreams until they can come true? I can’t wait for all Braden’s dreams to come true… Once they do, then I can start working on mine.
We finally pulled up to a little house (that definitely could use some work) in the late afternoon. It seems to be a two story little shack… but it could be considered cute… With a lot of work!
A man seems to be waiting for us, leaning against the railing of our dilapidated porch. It’s a surprise the railing doesn’t buckle under his weight. Not that he was overweight by any means. Quite the opposite!
He is handsome, with dark brown hair and hazel green eyes. He looks like he could wrestle an ox! But his smile seemed genuine as we pulled up to our new home.
When I exit the truck, the first thing that hits me like a punch to the gut is the humidity. I’m not used to any place this muggy, but I suppose I will just have to get used to it.
The man walks up to us with a lazy gate and a soft, lopsided smile, extending his hand out.
“Braden, good to see ya again. I’m glad y’all made it safely,” the man's gentle, deep southern drawl puts me at ease.
“Thanks, Lee. This is my wife, Brandi,” Braden says, shaking Lee’s hand and making a vague gesture toward me with his head.
“Brandi, it’s good to meet ya. I’m Lee, your new neighbor,” he smiles at me, holding his hand out to me. His hard, calloused hands make me feel safe for some reason. I guess you can tell a lot about a man by the strength of his hands. He seems like a hard worker! (Or he could be a serial killer, but I doubt it.)
“It’s nice to meet you too, Lee. Is your wife at home?” I am curious because I would love to have a new friend to chat with. Especially if it sounds like Braden will be spending many hours away from me, and all I’ll have to keep myself busy is my painting.
However, the question brings a sad smile to his lips. Did I say something wrong?
“I wish I could’ve introduced you to Dani, but she died last year,” he whispers, and the words cut through me like a knife.
My jaw drops, and my face burns in shame! Oh, this poor man! And me and my big mouth…
“OH! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean-” I panic at how insensitive I’m being. The poor man lost his wife, and here I am bringing up such a painful memory… Of course, I didn’t do it on purpose, but that doesn’t make it any less painful for Lee!
“I know ya didn’t mean nothin’ by it, Brandi. You’re not one of those cruel souls who says things just to bring pain. It’s okay,” he says gently, placing his hand on my shoulder. I see understanding in his eyes, but I still feel horrible!
“I really am sorry, Lee. I just thought it would’ve been fun to make a new friend,” I whisper, almost in tears. I need to learn when to keep my big mouth shut!
“I bet she would’ve loved you. But I’d love a new friend too,” he gives a small smile.
And just like that, my guilt seems to ease.
I smile up at Lee. I really think he seems like a good guy, and he probably is really lonely… I wonder if he’s dating or is it too soon for him to move on? I hope someday he can find peace and happiness-
“Hey baby, can you give us a minute? Go grab my stuff and put it up in the second floor room,” he says, pulling me back into his body, snaking his arm around my waist a little more forcefully than was necessary, but kisses me on the temple, before patting me on the butt sending me to do his will.
Why do I all of a sudden feel like a little puppy trying to please her master?
“I’ll be happy to help,” Lee offers, making his way to the truck.
“Naw, she’s got it,” Braden assures him as I open the back door, dragging out his heavy suitcase. “So, can you tell me…”
The rest of his words get gobbled up as I heave the heavy luggage through the front door. I’m too exhausted to look around my new home (I’ll do it after I take a break) as I drag Braden’s bag across the entryway and up the stairs. (What the hell does he have in here, rocks?) My arms are about to give out as I make it to the middle of the staircase. I swear I’m not normally this weak!
“Hey, I got it,” Lee says, before I can drop my cumbersome burden. (Amazingly, this guy has fast reflexes and grabs it before all my hard work tumbles down the stairs!)
I’m so startled I end up falling up the stairs! Yes, I’m that talented! I get bumps and bruises all over my body. I never know where they come from.
“Oh! Thank you,” I puff, slightly embarrassed by my state.
Lee chuckles and winks at me. “Your man should’a never made you carry this thing all by yourself. What’s the guy thinkin’? It’s twice as big as you!”
I quickly move out of Lee’s way so he can finish carrying Braden’s things up into the only room on this floor. It’s a large room and has a desk and a nice chair, with a large window letting in the setting sun’s light.
“Wow…” I whisper. Is this the reason he wanted the house? I could’ve done so much with this room, but it seems that Braden has the house all planned out the way he wants it… Well, at least his office.
“Yeah, I was surprised he used the master bedroom as an office, but it’s what he wanted…” Lee shrugs, seeming just as confused as I am. If this is the master bedroom, how big is our bedroom?
Wait a minute!
“You met Braden recently?” I ask. Why did this just register now? Lee seemed to already know Braden as soon as we made it up the drive…
“Yeah. A few weeks ago, he flew out here to buy the house, and he came 'round and asked me about furniture and about a guy for some repairs for downstairs,” he responds. “He told me he’d be back later with his wife,” he says with a smile.
“Oh!” I am surprised. Where did Braden get the money to fly? I thought we were broke!
I know Braden left three weeks ago for about a week, but he told me he was visiting his mother, whom I’m yet to meet. Does she live around here? Is that why he got the job down here instead of staying in Arizona?
Did he lie to me? I’m so confused right now. I don’t understand why he didn’t just tell me he was leaving to buy a house for us.
But that doesn’t even make sense to me. Three weeks ago we were not married yet… Well, I guess it could make sense… If he had been planning on marrying me back then and decided to buy a house way out here… But wouldn’t he have asked me somewhere along the way if this is what I wanted?
I have no reason to doubt Lee. He seems like a nice guy, and he’s just out to help a neighbor.
But Braden… I’m so confused…
“Hey, babe. Can you go make us some sandwiches?” Braden asks, sneaking up behind me, snaking his arm around my waist once again.
“Uh- sure. Lee, did you want one?” I ask since he was kind enough to help me with Braden’s luggage.
“Thanks, Brandi, but I’m all good. I’m gonna leave ya to it. Hope y’all have a good night,” he says with a friendly smile before taking off down the stairs.
I’m a little disappointed, I’d like to get to know our new neighbor, but the look on Braden’s face says he’s glad he left us to ourselves. I guess you can’t have a romantic dinner with another person sitting with us. Maybe we can have him over for dinner later in the week. He seemed so lonely…
I sigh as I make my way downstairs, grabbing the bags of food that are still sitting in the truck. But before I can start on anything, I take a look around me.
The counter tops don’t look clean, so I grab out a scrub brush and some bleach and clean the counter and the kitchen sink. It takes me 15 minutes before I’m satisfied. I sigh in relief, it looks so pretty now!
Finally, I wash my hands and grab out some paper plates before pulling out the groceries. I grab the bread and shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, sliced ham, mayo, and mustard and create something resembling a dinner for us to share on our first in our new home.
Then I put all the leftovers in the fridge, which (thank heaven’s) is clean, then clean up my mess I made preparing our food, before I call Braden down.
I also open up a grape juice and pour it into two solo cups. I wish we had wine to celebrate, but right now our bank account is hovering near zero, so grape juice it is.
Finally Braden is sitting across from me on our little dining table and raises a glass to me.
“To the start of our new life,” he smiles at me.
“Cheers,” I raise my cup, giggling in happiness. This was indeed the start of our new life!
