Against the Odds: A Love Story (9 page)

I sighed and shook my head. Six months ago I would have jumped at the chance. Even four months ago. Anything to make me feel more beautiful, more desired.

But I don't need that anymore,
I thought with a smile.
I don't need the praises of the 'beautiful
people' of the world to make me feel beautiful, or desired. I have all those things with one beautiful person. The only one that counts
.

My thoughts shifted to my conversation with Caroline about Hayden's fear of me leaving. I couldn't believe he felt that way. There was no way I would ever leave him. I couldn't. It hurt to even think about being away from him. I mean, good grief, I could barely get through a whole day without seeing him as it was. He had become my whole life, my whole world. And he would always be.

The ringing of my cell phone startled me from my thoughts. I hesitantly took it from my purse and looked at the caller ID.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I muttered as I stared at Jerome's office number. “This is really all I need.”

“Hello.”

“What's up, girl?” came Jerome's irritating voice.

What's up? What do you mean what's up?
I couldn't believe he was calling me. Sure, our marriage hadn't ended on the worst of terms, but we weren't on the best either. “What do you want, Jerome?” I was in no mood to be cordial.

“Can't I just call to say hello?”

“No.”

He laughed. “That's cold.” When I heaved an irritated sigh, he went on. “Well, I heard it through the grapevine you got offered some serious
bling
money by Ebersole.”

“And just how did you come by that info?” I asked, angry at him for intruding in my life.

“You know me, Raine. I pay well to stay informed.”

The familiar arrogance in his voice made me fume. “Listen, Jerome. We're not married anymore, so stay out of my business and keep to your own, all right?”

“But your business
is
my business.”

“Not anymore it isn't.”

“I'm always going to care about you, Raine. You know you've been offered the chance of a lifetime, so come on back here, girl and take care of business.”

I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning my head back against the seat. “Did Andrea put you up to this?”

“No, but the walls of Zuri have ears and I pay for those ears.”

I pressed my head in my hand. “Stay out of my life, Jerome. Don't call me again.”

He chuckled. “Something tells me you've found something warm and new out there, and I don't mean the scenery either. You're changing up on me girl, aren't you? Taking a little jaunt on the light side, huh? Well, that's okay because it's all good.”

“Get a life,” I muttered, sick to death of his 'stick to your own kind' mentality.

He laughed. “Well, just remember, girl, vanilla ice-cream gets boring pretty quick. I give you a year before chocolate is calling your name. That vanilla craving will never last.”

“You are seriously screwed up, Jerome.”

“You know I've always been a betting man,” he continued, “so here is my prediction. A hundred to one odds, Raine. A hundred to one odds that you'll soon miss the life and the people you left. You're too different from the people out there in that hick town. You're a high maintenance woman, and without the glamor and big-city conveniences, your life will definitely be miserable.”

I had heard enough. “Goodbye, Jerome,” I said abruptly and hung up.

The nerve of him!
I pushed a hand back through my hair, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
Okay, no more phone calls. And no more of that life. Everything I need is right here. All I want is right here.

I opened my eyes and looked up just as Hayden turned and saw me, and my heart immediately leaped with joy. As he tossed his gloves aside and began walking in my direction, all my other thoughts completely faded into oblivion. I immediately jumped out and ran to him. As soon I entered the haven of his strong, protective and loving arms, I felt like I had come home. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he lifted me off the ground. I couldn't stop the tears  burning my eyes as I pressed my face against his neck and molded to him.

“I've missed you, baby,” he breathed against my cheek.

With that softly spoken phrase, the tears came. I gently took his handsome face in my hands and looked into his eyes.

“Are you all right?” he asked, apparently puzzled by my tears.

I nodded, not able to speak at the moment, unable to express to him everything that was in my heart. I finally pressed my lips lightly to his. “I love you so much,” I whispered.

He continued to hold me, his eyes roaming over my face. When more tears began to spill down my cheeks, he lowered his head and immediately wove a spell over me with a warm, driven kiss. A kiss that completely gave to me, sinking into my every sense and making me long for the day when I would be completely his.

When his mouth finally released mine, he smiled and said, “I love you, woman.” He put me down, took off his hat, and wiped an arm across his forehead. Then he flashed that adorable grin of his. “I was about ready to come and get you, you know.”

Forcing myself not to feel guilty about my reason for being late, namely the phone call from the agency, I grinned back. “Impatient today, aren't we?” I said playfully.

“Dang straight, woman. Ain't you learned yet that you don't keep a man in love waiting?”

“I'm sorry,” I said, smiling coyly. “I promise I'll make it up to you.”

“Yeah, you will,” he agreed, slipping an arm around me as we walked back toward the fence. “Just as soon as you become Mrs. McKade.”

I nudged him in the ribs and he laughed. I slipped my hand in the back pocket of his worn jeans as we walked. “So, how much longer?”

“Probably another hour, maybe less.”

“Need any help?”

“The only way you can help me, darlin', is by just standing there and giving me something beautiful to look at from time to time.”

I was speechless. He had no idea how deeply his words had affected me. I quickly brushed a sudden tear away, hoping he wouldn't notice, but he did.

“Hey,” he said, stopping and taking my chin in his hand. “What is it?”

I quickly smiled. “Nothing. I'm just looking forward to being your wife.”

“And I'm looking forward to being your husband,” he drawled, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. He looked at me for another moment, and I could almost feel him trying to read my thoughts, like he knew there was something wrong, only he didn't know what.

“Come on,” I said, brightening and shoved him. “Quit slacking on the job and get going.”

“I'll show you who's slacking.” I took off running, but with his long stride, I didn't even make it a couple of yards before he caught me. He quickly picked me up, slinging me over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” I yelled, laughing.

“I can't, darlin'. Not enough straw around here.”

“You!” I growled and he chuckled. Oh, how I loved him!

Sometimes claiming a new life can be as painful as it was joyful leaving the old one behind.

Twelve

A
fter Hayden went home and showered and changed, we packed a picnic dinner, hopped into his truck, and headed to
Lea Lake
at the
Bottomless Lakes State Park
. The first time Hayden took me there, I completely fell in love with the place, so we went back as often as we could.
Lea
 
Lake
was my favorite of the lakes because the water was crystal clear. I always imagined a whole enchanted underworld when I gazed into its depths. A world of mermaids and water nymphs with flowing hair spilling behind them as they swam through magical crevices, over mountainous crests, and through glittering stone arches. I could sit by the water for hours and let my imagination carry me away. It truly was a beautiful lake.

Hayden had told me the lakes weren't really bottomless. They just looked that way because of the greenish blue color that came from algae and other plants at the bottom. He said the lakes really were no more than ninety feet deep. I told him that to me, especially since I couldn't swim well, that
was
bottomless. In any case, I was anxious to be there again with him.

I sat in the middle of the seat close to Hayden as we enjoyed the scenic drive. We filled the time with talk of our wedding and everything we still needed to do to get ready.

“So, when is your mama flying in?”

“Friday at two in the afternoon, which gives me a day to help get her room ready at Caroline's.”

He squeezed my hand and pressed it to his lips. “You pretty excited to see her?”

“I am.” I couldn't help smiling as I thought of Mama's reaction to my announcement that I was getting married again. She didn't lecture me or drill me with a thousand questions. She only asked three. Did I love Hayden? Did he love me? Would he make me happy? I answered yes to all three, and that was that.

“Well, at least you'll reach your goal of getting her out here.”

“That's true. And all I had to do is get engaged.”

“Is that all?” he said, putting his arm around me.

I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I can't think of a better reason.”

“Neither can I. But I
can
think of a better announcement, only we have to get married before we can make that happen.”

I smiled, instantly warmed. “I look forward to having your babies, Hayden.”

“They'll be beautiful, that's for sure.”

Nodding, I pressed my head against his shoulder and thought about how much I longed to be the mother of his children. I had always wanted children, but the intense and deep love I felt for Hayden made my desire to be a mother even greater. I had no doubt he would be a wonderful father. I sighed deeply and let my thoughts continue as we settled into a comfortable silence.

After a few moments, my cell phone rang. I reached into my purse and mentally swore when the agency's number appeared on the ID screen. To say I was hesitant to answer was an understatement.

“You gonna answer that?” Hayden asked when it rang a third time.

I did my best to smile nonchalantly and pressed the button. My voice sounded strained when I answered, despite my best efforts.

“Sorry to call you back so soon, Raine,” Andrea said quickly, “but Ebersole is waiting for an answer . . . like right now. They are anxious to get going on this. I know you haven't had much time to think about it, but we really need an answer. And please let it be yes.”

I sighed and glanced over at Hayden who seemed to be looking at me more than the road.

“I can't, Andrea,” I finally said. “I've made my decision and I'm set on it. My life is here.” When I said the last, Hayden moved his arm from around me and rested his hand on his thigh. I looked at him as he stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable.

“I'm sorry, Andrea, but I have to go.” I could tell she was annoyed with me, but at the moment I didn't care. One day I would try to help her understand my decision, but for now, I owed Hayden an explanation before he jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“So,” he finally said after a minute, “you wanna to tell me what that was about?”

I looked at him and nodded. “Could we wait until we get there?”

“Fine,” was his solitary reply.

Except for the country music station Hayden turned on to fill the silence, nothing else was said until we reached the lake.

A hurt of the heart is as indescribable as verbally painting a picture of a sunset for a person who has never seen color.

Thirteen

W
e were sitting on a blanket, each of us holding a cup of lemonade, when I began to tell Hayden about the call. I told him about the offer and what my decision had been. Through my whole explanation, he hadn't said a word. He just continued to stare out over the lake. When I finally finished, he surprised me by turning to look at me. My own eyes had never left his face the entire time.