Catch Me (The Winters Family Series: Book 1) (12 page)

She leaned back and looked into his eyes, "I keep telling myself it will get better... easier.  I am not sure I fully believe myself though.  You have definitely helped with making the days better."

She leaned up and kissed him, with their arms around each other they walked side-by-side into the house.

CHAPTER 8

The week started off crazy for Isabel.  This was starting to be pattern with her.  Since Drew was at the station all week, she stayed at her cottage.  On Thursday she walked into her cottage at 11:30 PM and plopped down on the side of her bed.  She was thinking, "One more day and then the weekend... finally."

She was just putting on one of Drew's t-shirts and a pair of cotton shorts, when the phone rang.  "Hi, Baby!"

Drew loved hearing her voice, "Hi, Sweet Izzy!  You sound tired."

"This week was crazier than last week.  I am so excited it's almost the weekend.  Do we have plans?"

Drew loved how she said that, do 'WE' have plans.  "Plans to be with you, in my bed, all weekend long."

Isabel just smiled, "That sounds like a perfect weekend to me."

Drew laughed, "I had a feeling you wouldn't argue.  Would you like to meet my family on Sunday for dinner?"

Isabel was immediately excited, "Of course, that sounds great.  Will your brothers be there too?"

"Normally just Alex is unable to attend, but he will be in town this weekend.  My Mom is so excited to meet you."

Isabel yawned, "Awwww, she is so sweet.  It sounds like a date."

"Okay. It sounds like you may fall asleep talking to me.  Get some rest, Gorgeous."

Isabel just sighed, "Night love!"

At around 4:00 PM on Friday, after Isabel had been at work for just two hours.  She was called into her News Director's office.  She had no idea what it was all about, and she was feeling a bit nervous.

Tom, the News Director, was sitting at his desk when she knocked on his open door.  "Come on in, Isabel, and take a seat."

"Yes, sir."  She immediately had butterflies in her stomach.

"I got a call from your old station in Philly."

Isabel looked a bit shocked, "You did?  Is everything okay?"

Tom just smiled, "They're making some changes to their morning show, and would love to have you as one of the main morning anchors."

Isabel was speechless, she just looked at Tom.  When she finally found her voice, "um, really?"

"I thought you would be excited.  You have mentioned you miss Philly. I would hate to lose you, but this is a great opportunity for you."

Trying to find the right words, she said, "I do miss home.  I'm really happy here, too.  Can I think about it, Sir?"

"Of course.  They would like to fly you up there next Wednesday, and talk to you personally."

Isabel had no idea what to do.  How she would tell Drew?  This was a great opportunity, but what about Drew?  Shit, shit, shit.  With her head down, then looking back up, "That sounds fine."

Isabel was walking back to her desk, her head spinning.  How could this be happening now? Why not two months ago, before I met Drew?

Shawna saw her, "Isabel are you okay?  You look like you just saw a ghost."

Isabel had to talk to someone, "Tom just called me into his office."

Before Isabel could continue, Shawna freaked out, "Did you lose your job?  Oh my God, Isabel, did you?"

Isabel just stared at her blankly, "Goodness, calm down.  No, nothing like that."

Shawna had to sit down, "Isabel, don't freak me out like that."

Isabel for the first time since talking to Tom, just smiled.  "Oh I'm sorry I worried YOU.  You crack me up.  No, the station I worked at in Philly, they're making changes to the morning show.  They want me to be one of the main anchors.  They're flying me there to talk to them next Wednesday."

Shawna was momentarily speechless.  "Um... what?  That's incredible! BUT... you can't leave yet?"

Isabel sat beside her friend, "Sweetie, I have no idea what to do right now.  Things are amazing with Drew, but this is a pretty fantastic opportunity."  Sounding frustrated, "I have no freaking idea what to do right now."

This was the first time all week she could finally take a break and relax.  Instead she was on edge, stressed, and freaking out.  The conversation with her News Director kept replaying over and over in her head.  Trying to sleep was out of the question.  This was going to be a long night.  A perfect night to bake and release some of her stress.

She pulled out some bread flour, and decided homemade sweet rolls sounded perfect.  First she prepped the dough, so that it could rise properly.  While she was waiting for the dough to rise, she poured herself a glass of wine and sat on her porch.  It was 1:00 AM and she was wide awake and making sweet rolls.  She mumbled to herself, "This is just crazy!"

A vibration startled her out of her reverie and made her jump.  Her phone was ringing.  She ran back in the house to grab her phone and saw that it was Drew calling.  "Hi, Sweetie!"

Drew loved the sound of her voice, "Hi, Baby!  Did I wake you?"

"No, I couldn't sleep, so I am baking."

A pause while that sunk into Drew's head. "It's one AM. Everything okay, Izzy?"

"Oh yeah, everything is fine I promise.  Just had a long week, and a lot on my mind.  How are you doing?  Will you be home tomorrow or Sunday?"  Isabel was trying to sound calm and cool.  But her voice was wanting to deceive her, and her heart rate was slowly starting to increase.

"Isabel, what is it?  Your voice sounds shaky?"

"I promise I'm fine.  I bet I'm just tired.  I'm almost done with what I am baking, then I will finally crash." Isabel was saying a mantra over and over in her head.  You got this, Izzy, you can do this, just sound happy, Izzy.

"I'm scheduled to work till 6:00 PM today, since it is already Saturday.  Can I see you later?"

You got this, Izzy, you can do this, just sound happy, Izzy.  "Of course.  I have no plans except to throw you on my bed and have my way with you."

Drew let out a laugh, "Oh! I was thinking the couch, but the bed is so much better."

Isabel felt herself calm.  It was Drew having that effect on her.  He knew what to say to make her feel good.  "We could try out both the couch and then the bed?  If we are not satisfied, we can try out your couch and bed?"

Drew took in a deep breath, "What you do to me, Izzy.  I think we have a date then.  What are you baking?"

"How does melt-in-your-mouth sweet rolls sound?"

Drew smiled, "My mouth is watering just thinking about them.  You sure you are okay, Love?"

You got this, Izzy, you can do this, just sound happy, Izzy.  "Yes, I'm fine!  Now let me finish these sweet rolls, and get some rest.  It sounds like it will be a long night."

Drew laughed again, "Yes, it will be.  See you soon, Baby!"

At about 6:00 PM on Saturday, Isabel knew Drew would be home any minute.  She had spent the day in a daze.  Her sweet rolls were perfect, thank goodness.  Somehow even with fatigue, and a foggy mind, she was able to make melt-in-your-mouth sweet rolls.  She was resting on the porch when she saw Drew's Jeep.  Still reciting her mantra, she stood and started walking towards him.  All she wanted was to be held by him, and now.

Drew was parking the Jeep when he saw Isabel start to head his way.  There was something wrong, but he had no idea what it could be.  Last night she just did not sound herself, but he did not want to push her.  Now, he could tell by the look in her eyes something was seriously bothering her.

He hopped out of the Jeep and held his arms open.  Isabel leaped into his embrace, and wrapped her legs around his waist.  Drew just held her tight, "A guy could definitely get used to a greeting like this!"

Isabel was starting to forget her mantra.  She buried her head into the side of his neck.  "Isabel, what is it?  I knew something had to be wrong, now I am sure there is something going on."

Drew walked to his cabin with Isabel in his arms.  She was holding on so tight, he almost struggled walking up his steps to his cottage.  She never made a sound, just stayed snuggled into his embrace.  He finally had the door open, and walked to his couch to sit down.

"Hey, look at me."  Drew was trying to carefully get her to look at him.  Then he heard a sniffle.  "Baby, please tell me what it is that has you so sad?"