I'm Still Here

No Choice Given: Part I

Stephanie's POV

I clenched my jaw hearing the muffled conversation near the register. I was about to yank my cousin by the hair of her head all the way from Maysville to Nashville if that is what it took to get her out of her funk. Putting my hands on my hips, I pushed the swinging door open while Susanna brushed by me. I pretended for what felt like the millionth time that I didn't see the tears in her eyes. Swear that man brought out the stubbornness in her.

I rounded the counter catching up with Sadie. Between her and Tiffany someone had to have a plan of what we could do. I got even with her as we reached the door. I glanced behind me then pointed out to the sidewalk with Sadie falling in step with me. I took a quick glance around noting we seemed to be alone so there was no chance of the gossip chain hearing this.

"She's fucking miserable," I grumbled shaking my head as Sadie sighed nodding in agreement. If I wasn't so worried about Susanna I would probably call Sadie out on being miserable without Luke even though she was hiding it better. I threw my hands up in frustration. "Please tell me you got some ideas of what we can do. I could have sworn right before Easter something was changing when I came in to wake Susanna up because she was crashing here." Sadie let out a huff of annoyance. I knew exactly how she felt. "Found BG sneaking out the back to his truck. I couldn't even yell at him for toying with her because I knew she had finally gotten some sleep. He looked just a miserable as she is."

"Hmmm..." Sadie said pursing her lips then it was like a lightbulb went off behind her blue eyes. She gave me a wink. "Let me make a few calls. I may have an idea."

A few days later my phone lit up with a text from Sadie. Susanna notices the name but is so zoned out from her thoughts that it doesn't register for her. I grin doing a bit of a happy dance at what Sadie has up her sleeve. I answer her back before following Susanna into the kitchen. Bypassing her, I walk into the office grabbing her purse then turned to thread my arm through hers. Blazing amber eyes glare at me as I drag her towards the door. Literally could hear her feet digging into the floor.

"What the hell Steph?" Susanna snarled as I manhandled her out the back door pointing at her Jeep. I grinned batting my eyes at her. I swear if she wasn't so tired I would be getting a fist to the face. She tried to sidestep me going back inside but I flung myself against the door shaking my head. "Move! I've got a cake to finish!"

"Nope," I chuckled barring her way as she tried to dodge around me. She let out frustrated growl glaring at me stomping her foot. Well wasn't that cute. "Get out of here for a little while. This place will not fall in if you aren't here. I made you an appointment at Janie's to get your nails done. Maybe let her get ahold of your hair while you are there. Pamper yourself woman! You work hard. I will hold down the fort. Love you!"

Susanna let out a defeated sigh before giving in. I made sure she had gotten out of eyesight before I darted back inside running to the front to lock the door flipping the sign stating be back soon. I ran out the back shutting the door up heading to my car flying over to Susanna's. It's a good thing I knew most of the deputy's were on the other side of town or I would be baking extra cupcakes to bribe my way out of a ticket as I turn into Susanna's driveway on two wheels. Just to be an ass, I waved at the preacher's wife who was watching me curiously. This is why I live out in the country. No one around to keep up with the comings and goings from my house. I blushed thinking about the recent visitor knowing Susanna would give me hell for it. Why I had kept it quiet from her.

Glancing at my watch, I hurry through Susanna's house to her room. Flinging open her closet, I stand on tiptoe grabbing the first duffle bag I see with an evil chuckle. Oh if she just knew what we were up to. I grab the shorts I am looking for along with a few other random outfits. These were a must because they were cut off just right and showed off her tan legs. Don't need too many clothes though. Won't need it if all goes to plan. And I have absolute faith all it's going to take is this little, teeny, tiny push. I'm skipping out of the bathroom whistling when I stop in my tracks at Sadie leaning in the doorway laughing. I throw the packed bag at her with a snicker.

"Jesus Steph," she said with a gasp. If I didn't know better, I think she was a little excited for this trip too. "Did you pack her anything at all?" Sadie shook the bag making my grin widen. "Was expecting heavier."

"Meh," I said with an evil grin grabbing Susanna's charger off her nightstand. I noted the black hat draped from the lamp making my grin widen. Mhmmm wonder why she kept that close. "Not like she is gonna be in need of too much more than a toothbrush, deodorant, and a smile."

"She needs this so damn bad," Sadie sighed as we made our way to the door. "Afraid she is gonna bake herself to death. Even with the adding of the new location. She told me the chief baker there was amazing with cupcakes. But getting out of town is what she needs."

"She does," I agreed locking the house back up. "I've never seen her like this. So, any issues with getting the stuff? Know it had to be tough talking to Luke."

"We've been talking some," Sadie said slipping her sunglasses on with a blush. Talking huh. Wonder what the boyfriend thought about that. She needed to kick that dick face to the curb. He would show his true colors in time no doubt. "But I have all we need for this road trip."

"My question is," I drawled shaking my head. "what does Ryan say about this little trip?"

"Not a damn thing," Sadie snapped back shaking her finger at me. Ah, so it was like that huh. "He knows that Ryleigh is at my parents for the weekend. Told him I was getting Susanna out of town to cheer her up. He is on a need to know basis and that is all he needs to know!"

"Well yes mam," I grinned shaking my head. "Well let's head back. Susanna will be done with her manicure before we know it. Kicked her out earlier saying she needed some pampering. There will be only so long that Janie will be able to hold her captive for me."

An hour later, I was helping a customer when I heard the back door close. I motioned at Sadie, who was sitting a table sipping her coffee that Susanna was back. She jumped up following me to the back. Susanna absently humming to herself looking for an apron. If I didn't know better the tune was "If You Want A Bad Boy". Oh, if she only knew what I knew that a little birdie had told me about some of the songs on this newest album that dropped a few weeks ago. Her auburn hair was down with what looked like a fresh trim and newly manicured nails. Hearing the door close, her head jerked up seeing Sadie and I facing her.

"Hey," she said forcing a smile on her face. "I'm back Steph if you want to go relax for the day." I shook my head no making her pause mid tie of her apron frowning. "Seriously I've got this. You go hang out. Sadie, wanna see if Ryleigh wants to come chill with me and bake while you do something with Ryan. I'd be happy with her company."

"She's at Mama and Daddy's," Sadie said with an evil smile as we both flanked Susanna. "You and I have plans actually."

"Umm...." Susanna said confusion washing over her features. "I don't...."

"That's because it's a surprise," I chuckled when we both grabbed an arm. Heels immediately dug in on us. But no way she could fight both of us. What she didn't know was I had Kolby on standby just in case we needed a man to forcefully load her in Sadie's car. "You two are taking a road trip. I have the bakeries in hand. Aunt Connie is working for me in the morning. We got you covered Suz. Please go have some fun."

"I can't!" she yelped with a tinge of fear at having to leave the one thing that had kept her busy over the last few months. "I have..."

"Two seconds to get in the damn car so we can get on the road," Sadie growled pointing her finger. Even I winced because the mom voice had come out. "Your bag is packed. If you don't fight me I may fill you in on what the plans for the weekend are for. Fight me and I will ear tug you to the car kicking and screaming. It's your choice."

"Fine," Susanna hissed yanking her arms free throwing the apron back at me as I laughed. "I'll go. But dammit when I am behind next week and y'all are bitching about me overworking again y'all only have yourselves to blame!"

"Have fun Suzie Q!" I teased as she climbed in slamming the door. I gave Sadie a wink. "Keep me posted on how things go."

"Of course," Sadie laughed walking to her car with a sway of her hips and swinging ponytail. I had a feeling that woman had an agenda of her own while they were in Nashville. Bet she came back smiling bigger too.

Well, well, well. They've done some scheming. Sadie made some calls to a certain ass shaker that is covered in learod16 Crash My Party. Wonder what Susanna while say once she finds out there destination????? Stay tuned....