Crain's Landing (13 page)

Brittney rolled her eyes as she turned to me. “My sister, Kate, saw this guy come into the supermarket where she works who had this really gross birthmark on his face. We told Ashley that Drew has a birthmark on the inside of his thigh, in the shape of a star.”

Learning of Brittany’s sister had me wondering if Kate could have been the idiot who ignored me my first full day here. I looked to Ashley, who was clearly reliving the conversation. This had to end and now.

“Well, ladies, there’s only one way to solve this.” I rounded my desk and hit the button for speaker phone. I dialed the number on my receipt from the steaks I had purchased last night. “Foster’s,” a husky voice answered the phone.

“Good morning, this is Natalie Reid. May I please speak with Drew Foster?”

“Oh, yes, Ma’am. Your steaks are all right ain’t they, Ma’am?”

“Yes, Sir, the steaks are just fine. I have a personal matter to discuss with him and it’s rather urgent.”

“Yes, Ma’am, I’ll get him right now.”

You could hear him calling out Drew’s name in the background and then the sound that seemed to be a hand over the receiver.

“This is Drew, Miss Reid. Everything all right?”

“Drew, are you in your office? You need to be, because I have a \ personal question to ask of you.”

“Yes, Ma’am, I’m in my office and I’m happy to answer any question you have.”

I looked to Ashley, who had huge tears rolling down her pretty face. She truly loved Drew as much as he loved her. My eagerness to reunite them grew tenfold. “Drew, this is going to sound like a strange question but, do you have any birthmarks anywhere on your body?” Drew answered very quickly, not a single ounce of hesitation.

“No, Ma’am. If you don’t believe me, Doc Crain just did my physical for my new life insurance this mornin’. I can grab him if you want to hear it from him.”

I smiled; I didn’t need anything other than Drew’s word. “No, Drew, that won’t be necessary, I completely believe you.”

It was Brittney who now had a smile of contentment on her face. She had done the right thing and I had to give her credit.

“How is she today?” Drew’s gentle question surprised me.

“Ashley’s fine. But I have a feeling she’s going to be so much better very soon.” I looked into Ashley’s eyes as I spoke to Drew.

“You’re my last hope, Miss Natalie. I love that girl. It’s been too long since I've told her that. Given the chance, I’ll tell her every second of every day for the rest of my life.”

Ashley mouthed the words back to him, wiping fresh tears away. The battle to hold them in was lost with the first sound of Drew’s voice.

I lifted the receiver and placed it back on the cradle, effectively ending the phone call. The room was now silent as both women were deep in thought.

“Natalie, I need the rest of the day off.” Ashley’s voice finally broke the silence. She rose from her chair, her destination clear.

“Oh, my God...you so have to do it,” Brittney added.

I looked to both ladies in bewilderment.

“I’m sorry, Natalie, I feel like such a fool. I believed the words of a viper and refused to hear the truth from the man who loves me. I have to go to him and make this right. I can’t let him think for one more second that I don’t love him right back, now that I know the truth.” I watched Ashley rise from her chair, her mission clearly etched across her face.

“Brittney, you’ll take over Ashley’s cleaning duty this afternoon.” She tried to open her mouth to argue, but a quick bitch brow from me silenced her. “Ashley, I do expect to see you at my house for dinner on Saturday night.”

She turned back as she opened the door and looked at me. “Have you forgotten that tonight is the game? You’ll see me there; Drew never misses a single home game.”

Oh hell, I’d forgotten about that damn game. Maybe Grant wasn’t into high school football.

One could only hope...

AS I STOOD IN LINE
to go inside the football stadium, I was bombarded by parent after parent telling me how excited they were to have the library modernized. One older gentleman inquired about the coffee shop, making certain they would offer a cup of coffee under a dollar like the diner. I told him I would try my best. Mr. Jamison, as he introduced himself, would be pleasantly surprised, as the manager had assured me they would have a fifty cent cup of plain black coffee on the menu.

As I got closer to the ticket booth, the young girl behind the counter noticed me, her smile was electric. “Welcome, Miss Reid, so glad to see you and this little princess here tonight.”

Peyton had buried her face into my neck. With a little encouragement from the ticket girl, she looked around the crowd with big eyes.

“Thank you so much, I can’t wait to watch the team.”

She handed me my tickets, but refused to take any money. “Mrs. Carolyn said your money was no good here tonight.”

I thanked her and then followed the line to the stadium bleachers. The stadium was a sea of black and red, Dad had been right when he said the entire town came out in support. It seemed the only people who weren’t at this game, were the tourists staying in the local motels.

My understanding was that tonight was the Homecoming game. Several young ladies were in evening dresses getting pictures taken on the field. I thought back to my own high school days; Holden had been crowned Homecoming King our senior year. I should have known he was a creep when he kissed the Homecoming Queen a little too long.

“Miss Natalie!” I heard my name being yelled from the corner of the bleachers. A very excited Autumn stood on one of the seats, trying to get my attention. I waved back only to wait my turn in the long line before me. It took several minutes to get to her and the rest of the Crain clan. Once Lily and Autumn were in Peyton’s view, she started to get excited and demanded to go to Lily the second I was within arm’s reach of her.

“Hello, darlin’, I’m so glad to see the both of you.” Carolyn’s words were again genuine and warm. She pulled me into a heartfelt hug. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to just enjoy it.

“I’m actually experiencing a little nostalgia over memories of attending my own high school football games.” I hoped the smile I was wearing was believable. Carolyn had the entire row covered in thick blankets and several thermoses of delightful beverages, I was certain, were lined up and sitting near her feet. She, too, was dressed head to toe in red and black.

“Oh, I’ll bet you were such a beauty. Your poor daddy must’ve kept his shotgun at the ready.”

I shook my head as I dipped my chin down in regret. “I’ve only ever had one relationship and the only good thing to come out of it was my little girl.”

Carolyn patted my knee gently—tenderness and compassion in abundance in her touch. “Sometimes the sweetest jams come from the most bruised fruit.” She was so right in this instance.

Looking over Carolyn’s shoulder, I noticed two people walking close together in this direction. As they got nearer, I couldn’t help but smile and stand to greet them. Ashley and Drew were so close together you couldn’t tell where one of them started and the other ended. Drew was busy kissing Ashley’s head as he led her this way, his entire upper body wrapped around her tiny frame.

“Well, I guess your afternoon off went well.”

Ashley had a look of relief and complete and utter love on her entire being. “It went very well, and thanks, Natalie.” She snuggled farther into Drew's embrace, if that was even possible.

“Don’t thank me, it was Brittney being honest.”

Autumn and Lily suddenly stopped playing with Peyton and leaned over to listen to the conversation. Peyton climbed her way into my arms.

“Wait...you guys are together again?” Lily asked with exuberance.

“We sure are. She came running into the store this morning, threw herself into my arms, and kissed me for all she was worth.” Drew's eyes never left a smiling Ashley's face. “She told me she was sorry she’d wasted so much time. Dad told me to take her to lunch and work it all out.” The love was pouring off the pair in waves; one could use a bucket to collect it, save it for a rainy day.

“Momma, girls!” Peyton yelled, pointing at the cheerleaders who were getting ready on the field.

“Yes, love, they’re going to cheer for the boys to win.” Peyton was so excited she made enough noise the young cheerleaders turned and waved at her.

It was then I noticed Martin talking with some men on the field. Grant was about six feet ahead of him, shaking hands with the older people who had lawn chairs along the fence. One woman in particular kissed his cheek and I watched as his face turned red. Standing next to Grant was an equally tall man. His dark brown hair styled in what I would consider a preppy fashion, with the part on the side and bangs combed to the opposite direction. He had a certain air about him, professional yet with a good ole boy living deep within. He was handsome and by the ring on his left hand, married. I watched Grant offer the lady he’d been speaking with a wave in parting. I silently hoped he would get a page from his office. So much for hoping he wouldn’t be here tonight.

“Miss Natalie.” Drew’s voice caught my attention.

“Yes?” I turned my head, yet not my eyes in his direction, Grant still in my sights.

“I just wanted you to know I didn’t charge you for those two additional steaks I gave you. Also to say thank you for the invite, but I have a date with my fiancée tomorrow night.”

Drew’s words had barely left his lips when Autumn and Lily attacked. I circled my arms around Peyton; afraid they would knock us over. My eyes again landed on Grant as he continued to talk to nearly everyone he walked past. His black dress pants were neatly pressed and form fitting, with a shiny belt holding them up. His shirt was red with black accents, the school name and mascot on the left pocket, tucked neatly inside his pants. As he walked and spoke with every single person, his mannerisms indicated he was genuinely interested in everything they had to say. No wonder everyone loved him. His smile was big and I could faintly hear him laugh over the shrill squeals Autumn and Lily were now giving over Ashley’s ring.

“I decided there’d been just too much wasted time so I took her over to her parents’ house and after her daddy listened to the entire story, he gave me his blessin’. I didn’t waste a second, dropped to one knee and asked for her hand.”

The look Ashley and Drew had for one another, I had only read about it in trashy romance novels, but this was a real-life dream come true. Some people were destined to be happy with the love of their life. Others were destined to be alone. I was definitely in the latter category.

“What did I miss?” A sultry voice questioned in my ear. For a fleeting moment, I dropped my defenses and closed my eyes, letting it ripple down my body, filling me with warmth and desire.

“Oh, my God, Grant! Drew and Ashley are back together!” Carolyn’s pleased voice echoed in my right ear as Grant stood from his seat to my left. He shook Drew’s hand as he congratulated him and then kissed Ashley’s cheek.

“Thanks, Grant. We have Natalie to thank for it,” Ashley told him. “She opened our eyes to the truth.”

“Maybe Natalie should take some of her own advice.” Grant looked at me pointedly.

Autumn turned to me with an attractive man at her side. “Natalie, allow me to introduce my husband, Wyatt Cooper. Wyatt this is—“

Grant's voice was deep and sexy, yet held nothing over the voice of Mr. Cooper. “—Natalie Elizabeth Reid. Valedictorian of her graduation class from high school, honor society member since freshman year. Top three percent from Cornell and our newest tax paying citizen.”

Creepy—having your resume seemingly memorized by a complete stranger then reviewed like a common book report. Yep, creepy about sums up how he made me feel.

“Forgive me, Ms. Reid. I’m the city attorney, it was my job to review the information you submitted to the city council. I have a photographic memory, which is a blessing and a curse.” Wyatt extended his hand, which was softer than any man's hand I had ever touched. This man had never used his digits for anything other than to use a pen or keyboard.

“Pleasure to meet you, but your memory has a glitch tonight. I graduated from Cornell in the top one percent.” Wyatt’s face showed shock as he eyes grew wide and his head jerked slightly. Grant let out a loud whistle as he elbowed Wyatt.

It was in that moment the band began playing what I determined must have been the fight song. I watched a very excited Peyton dance in her seat as the cheerleaders began to shake their pompoms and shout for the players who were now taking the field. Grant was still standing beside me and it was as if the universe was against me, as he brushed his arm along mine. I could feel the almost, chill-like sensation, his skin left in its wake. Peyton chose that very moment to decide she would rather have Grant hold her than her own mother. She wiggled and tugged at his arm until he smiled down at her and then, without pause, took her into his arms. “Come here, princess.”

He took her from me and sat her on his shoulders where she began to cheer along with the crowd.

“Grant, let me take her. She may get excited and pee on you by accident.” I leaned into him so he could hear me over the crowd. His shoulder was solid and his cheek smelled so good. I had to bite my bottom lip to get myself together.