Crain's Landing (12 page)

Martin rose from his chair, and I stood along with him. “I have no doubt you two will have an interesting conversation, to say the least.” We shook hands and he turned to walk to my door, stopping as he opened it.

“One last thing, Natalie...my wife, Carolyn, and my daughter-in-law, Lily, were just like you. They wanted nothing to do with myself or my son. Both adamantly refused to, as you just stated, be a one-time fling. However, I must warn you that I chased after my beautiful wife for three years and Morgan took over a year to get Lily's attention. Grant was a cross country runner, still runs everyday to stay in shape. He has always chased after everything he had wanted, Natalie, especially if what he’s pursuing is worth the effort.”

I had just picked up Peyton when I called my dad’s house. Peggy answered the phone, and after having to interrupt her three times, I finally got to ask her and Dad over for dinner. She told me the best place in town for steaks was Foster’s Meat Market and said to ask for Drew, to tell him she sent me.

I pulled up to the white, one-story building, and helped Peyton out of her car seat, then entered the shop. The bell over the door announced my arrival. Conversations going on when I walked in abruptly hushed, and you could hear my shoes on the tile floor.

I walked around several men who were standing together; all were wearing the same style of clothes and hats. The walls were lined with posters announcing deer processing and instructions on how to order a whole cow or pig. A large marquee spelled out the prices of every cut of meat, announcing special prices if purchased in bulk. I excused myself as I passed and every single one of them tipped their hats and called me “Ma’am.”

At the counter, I was greeted by an older gentleman. He was dressed in a white coat with a red ball cap on his head, adorned with the business logo. His silver hair and ample chin admitted his age and experience. His big brown eyes were colored with kindness.

“Can I help you?” His accent was the thickest I had heard since my arrival.

“Yes, Sir, I was told to request a gentleman by the name of Drew. Are you he by any chance?”

“No, darlin’, that’s my boy. Let me get him for you.” I looked around the store while I waited. The men who stood behind me had resumed their conversations. I looked down on a wide-eyed Peyton, her puppy clenched in her arms.

“Can I help you, Miss?” Slightly started, I turned back around to find a tall, muscular man with large, kind, brown eyes. His brown, curly hair was covered by his ball cap, but several small pieces curved around the edges. His face was clean-shaven and his skin free of blemishes. I could see why Ashley liked him; he was very attractive.

“Um, yes, are you Drew?” He averted his eyes and then adjusted his cap.

“Yes, Ma’am. Ms. Peggy must have sent you.”

I nodded my head. “Yes, she did.”

He raised his hand for me to shake. “Good to finally meet you, Ms. Reid. Folks say you’re giving the library a good cleaning up. ‘Bout time someone did.”

His words surprised me. Not that he knew who I was, I was quite used to that. He thought my efforts were a needed thing.

“What can I help you with today, Ma’am?”

“Well, Drew, I’m having my father and Ms. Peggy over for dinner and my dad is a true meat and potatoes man. I’m told you’re the best when it comes to a good steak.”

He again adjusted his cap and he smiled. “I’ll have some cut special for you. Why don’t you come around to my office while you wait for those?”

I was a little taken aback. I had not expected him to invite me to sit in his office. I took the opportunity as I really didn’t want to just stand around. Drew came from behind the counter and motioned for me to follow him. He led me, with Peyton in tow, to a stark hallway. The walls were white and the floor a polished concrete with the overwhelming smell of bleach and processed meat and the sound of a saw blade screeching rhythmically in the next room. His office was at the end of the short hallway. He opened the door and stood back, allowing me to enter first.

The office was nothing special. There was a desk sitting in the corner, papers covered it and the two walls it sat against. However, what did stand out for me was the framed picture that sat on the lone windowsill. It was of Ashley. The sun was high, lightening her hair. Her smile was genuine and she appeared to be sitting by a lake or pond.

“Have a seat,” Drew’s voice startled me as I was looking intently at Ashley’s photo.

“She’s very pretty,” I said as I took a seat on the leather couch, placing Peyton on my lap.

“No, she’s beautiful. I’ve loved that girl since we were in second grade.” I knew about his time with Brittney and the reason Ashley would have nothing to do with him.

“How is she, Ms. Reid?”

I looked at him, his face now drawn and sad. Something wasn’t right in this situation. “Why do you ask, Drew, haven’t you hurt her enough?”

He rested his body against the back of his chair and again adjusted his cap. This was an obvious nervous habit.

“When I went to Ashley’s daddy and asked him for permission to date her, I was happy as a pig in mud when he’d said yes. What I didn’t know at the time was he was also having counseling sessions with Trixie, Brittney’s mother. She just happened to be sitting outside his office at the time.”

I noticed he didn’t call Trixie or Brittney “Miss,” as I found was the norm around here. Clearly, something was up.

“I took Ashley to see a movie that first week. I kept my hands to myself and had her home on time. For two years, I treated her with respect and honor. Trust me, I wanted to do more than hold her hand or kiss her cheek, but Ms. Ashley is a lady, much as yourself, and my Ma would’ve beat me good if I’d acted on those urges.”

My heart clenched as his story unfolded. I could feel the heartache he held inside his massive chest.

“My friend, Dustin, was getting married and he wanted me to come to his bachelor party. I didn’t want to go, but Ashley said it was important. So I went and we were just sitting around the bar watching the game when this...girl came into the bar. I didn’t recognize her at first because she had sunglasses and a wig on. Once I figured out why she was there and who she was, I threw money on the bar and left.”

His story seemed very innocent and I couldn’t understand why there was an issue.

“Trixie tried to stop me before I could get to my car. She said she’d had her eye on me for a while now. I politely excused myself and got in my car and left.” He turned and looked at Ashley’s picture. “I went to Ashley’s house the next morning, only to have her dad meet me at the front door, telling me I was no longer welcome at his house. I asked him why and he told me he was aware of my affair with Brittney.”

My hand pressed to my open and shocked mouth.

“I’d bought her a ring. I still have it at home. Right after I took over this shop for my dad, I began to work hard so she could stay home with our youngins.” He was now tracing his thumb over Ashley’s face in the picture. Reliving the memory as if it was yesterday. Maybe it was, I had never asked Ashley how long ago this happened.

“You didn’t sleep with Brittney, did you?” Every fiber in my being knew the answer; he didn’t have to say it. How could people be so cruel?

“I wish I could take some kind of test to show her I’m still waiting for her. You know, like ladies have their hymens to show they’re still pure. I wish guys had one, too, because I’d still have mine.”

I nearly lost my breath. “Drew, are you…?”

“Yes, Ms. Reid, I saved myself and I’m still saving myself for her. There’s no one else and the minute she finds someone else, I’ll sell this place and move to some deserted island. I won’t be able to see her with another guy. I still love her, even after all this time.”

This was beyond anything I had ever seen. I had a fire in my belly and would do everything in my power to get them back together. “Drew, have your guy put two more steaks in my order. I want you to be at my house on Saturday night for dinner. I’m going to fix this.”

Drew’s face rose, the look of amazement and hope reflecting in his big brown eyes. “Miss Natalie, if you can get my Ashley back for me, I’ll give you free meat for life.”

I joined in his excitement. “That’s a long time, Drew.”

His face emotional as he confidently replied, “Not if you get my Ashley back.”

The next day was Friday and I dragged my body out of bed. I arrived at the office to find the smell of coffee and donuts hanging in the air. Contemporary Coffee was in full swing, getting their little area in order. Brittney was again dressed in clothes similar to mine and Ashley’s.

“Brittney, I’ll need a word with you this morning.”

The look on her face was of confusion. Ashley also looked worried. I gestured to my office then instructed Ashley to hold all visitors and calls. I walked calmly behind my desk and took my seat. Brittney was playing with her fingers and visibly uncomfortable.

“Please explain to me why you and your mother chose to ruin the relationship of a perfectly happy couple?” Her eyes became huge and she started to speak, but I held up my hand to stop her. “Don’t think for one second you can lie to me. I hate liars and I already know the truth, I just want to hear it from you.”

She continued to look like she had no idea what I was talking about. I gave her the bitch brow and crossed my arms over my chest. I watched as the realization finally came to her. Her chest rose with her deep intake of breath as her eyes lowered to her lap.

“It was while my mom was finishing nursing school. Things were really tight because she could only work at night.”

I interrupted her. “By working, you mean stripping.” She nodded her head. “Continue.” I rolled my hand in her direction.

“Drew owns one of the most successful businesses in town and Momma decided that if I could land him we’d be financially set. But he’s in love with Ashley.”

I held my hand up, stopping her. “Wait, you knew he was in love with Ashley and yet you let her believe a lie?”

“You don’t get it, Natalie. Men don’t say no to the women in my family. When we want something from them, we get it.” Her face changed from fear to determination.

“But Drew didn’t give you what you wanted, did he?”

“No, and neither did Dr. Crain. My mother and Aunt Janice have tried everything to get into his bed, but it hasn’t worked. Trust me, they’re pissed at you because you have his attention and haven’t even wanted it.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “So why haven’t you told her the truth?”

Brittney fidgeted in her chair, then took in a deep breath, relaxing her body with a large exhale. “Aunt Janice thought he’d cave after a while, but he still won’t even look at any other girl in town.”

I crossed my legs, as her story unfolded. Was there no limit to the deceitfulness these women would go to get what they want? “Brittney, do you like working here?” She nodded her head, yes. “Well, then I think it’s time for the truth to be told, don’t you?” She didn’t respond. “Listen, Brittney, I can’t make you be honest with Ashley, but it’s the decent thing to do. I mean, how would you feel if Ashley was going after the guy you liked? You’d want to know the truth, wouldn’t you?” She nodded her head yes, her bottom lip trembling.

“Go ask Ashley to join us.” I stood from my chair and made my way around the desk. I leaned against the front of it and crossed my arms. Ashley was wide-eyed when she and Brittney came back into the room. “Close the door, Brittney.”

Once Brittney and Ashley were both seated, I began to clean-up the mess that Brittney and her mother, Trixie, had created. “Ladies, as employees of this library, I expect you to work well together. In order to do that, I feel it’s important that if one of you has something to say to the other that may be of importance, now is the time.”

Brittney blew out a big breath, then turned her entire body to face Ashley. “Okay, so remember when you and Drew were getting serious and he went to that party of Dustin’s?”

Ashley’s face turned to anger as Brittney spoke. “How could I forget? You bragged to the entire town how you...you...” Her voice rose several octaves, her arms emphasizing the emotions brewing inside her.

“It’s all right, Ashley. You don’t have to say it.” I knew exactly how she felt. The moment I found out about Holden and my mother, my insides turned to razor blades, slicing against my heart and lungs. No woman should ever have to feel that type of pain. The kind of pain that destroys you and leaves you damaged and broken.

“The truth is...nothing happened. We made the whole thing up to break you two apart.”

The sound of Ashley’s sudden intake of breath was the only noise in the room. “But you said he had this birthmark and when...”

Brittney cut her off. “Did you ever talk to Drew about the birthmark?”

Ashley shook her head. “But that would be something...” She was lost in her own world, a place she had found nothing but loss and unnecessary heartache. I could see her eyes about to lose the battle with her unshed tears.

“Oh, God, Ashley, we lied about the whole thing. Do yourself a favor and ask him.”

I was lost in the conversation. A birthmark? “Wait…what damn birthmark?” I interjected.