House Divided (22 page)

When we finished, we received a standing
ovation, and we stood up to receive it. “We need to bow,” I instructed her.

“That’s silly,” she said.

“That’s how all great pianists do it,” I
explained.

We dramatically bowed, and our small
audience clapped louder. Brady beamed at me, and I winked at him. My aunt
turned and looked at Brady. I think she was trying to figure him out, wondering
how this man would fit into our family.

Brady joined me at the piano, and Caroline
took his place near my aunt. My aunt enjoyed her more than the previous occupant.
I chose “Breath of Heaven” to perform next. I loved the lyrics, and the accompaniment
worked well with my range. Most importantly, my aunt loved it.

“Can I sit on your lap?” Brady asked
quietly before I began.

“No, but I’ll sit on yours later,” I said
for his ears only.

He grinned seductively. “Much better
plan.”

“Ok lovebirds, knock it off and start the
show,” Benjamin called out. Brady and I both chuckled, but I quickly started
the song. I had forgotten how much I missed performing, and this was far and
away my favorite crowd.

Brady kissed me on the cheek when I was
done. I looked over to my aunt; she looked like the proud momma, as always. She
would always blow me a kiss after I performed, and tonight was no exception. I
loved it. Caroline clapped loudly, as did her parents. Brady and I stood up
together, and he pulled me tight to him. I couldn’t have been happier.

We were on the countdown to Christmas. Ten
days away. I still didn’t know what to get Brady. I knew what he wanted, but we
had come up empty handed again during our Sunday dinner. My aunt still refused
to call him Brady. At least she hadn’t referred to him as that Jackson boy. Her new route seemed to be not to call him any name, but expect that he would
just know who she was talking to. I guess it was progress.

My aunt was more than happy to be home,
but she didn’t like me fussing over her. She wanted to be independent, and I
think she still wanted to feel like she took care of me, not the other way
around. So, I basically just let Doris wait on her. That seemed to be ok with
her, and it didn’t impinge on her dignity. She and I enjoyed working on our
puzzle and writing Christmas cards. She also helped me with my fan mail that I
was now having sent to her house. I think it gave her great pleasure to read my
treasured notes and to help me respond to them. She signed her letters, Aunt
Calliope.

Tuesday was show and tell. Brady was
meeting me at Caroline’s school, which was our old grade school. Afterward, I
was meeting Kendra for lunch. Brady and I met in the parking lot and walked in
together, but not before we snuck in a kiss or two. On the way in, we reminisced
about our own days there, the days when we weren’t allowed to speak to each
other or be in the same class; it sounded so ridiculous, and it was. We checked
in at the front office, and the same receptionist, Mrs. Rhodes, was still there.
She gave us an interesting look. I wasn’t sure if it was disapproval or
confusion. Either way, we just smiled. I was still trying to follow Brady’s
lead and not be annoyed at the never-ending stares and whispers. I guaranteed
we were going to be the talk of the teacher’s lounge later that day.

Regardless, we got our name tags and
walked hand-in-hand to Caroline’s classroom. As soon as we entered, Caroline
excitedly jumped out of her seat and made her way to us. Her teacher, Miss
Ferrell, came over as well and greeted us. Caroline wrapped herself around me.
I looked up at Brady and winked. He didn’t seem bothered that she came to me
first, in fact he looked pleased by her response. It reminded me about his Aunt
Ellie comment. I wanted more than anything to make that a reality, but after
the past weekend, his momma was out for blood, mine to be exact.

Miss Ferrell gathered the class together
in a semi-circle on the carpet. Caroline still stood with us as she was
introducing us. Some already recognized me, which was fun. I heard little
murmurings about me being the lady on the back of their books. Some even shyly
waved at me, and of course I smiled and waved back. Once the class was situated
and as still as five-year-olds can be, she turned it over to Caroline.

Caroline proudly stood in front of her
class. “This is Miss Ellie, she writes the
Jane and Miss Calliope
books.
She even read them to me one night, and I got to slide on her floor.” She
pointed to Brady. “This is my Uncle Brady, he loves Miss Ellie, and they’re
going to get married.” Then she just sat down like she hadn’t said anything out
of the ordinary at all, even though her classmates were giggling and smiling
about what she had said. Brady squeezed my hand and gave me a knowing smile.
What we were going to do with that girl?

Miss Ferrell got the class to settle down
again after Caroline’s introduction, and then Brady and I sat in front of them
and I began to read. Brady provided the actions, which proved to be the most
entertaining. He got a huge round of applause at the end. He was such a natural
with children. We let the kids ask me questions about my book. Afterward we
surprised them all with copies of my book. The look on their faces is why I
loved my job so much, but the look on Brady’s face was why I loved my life so
much, and why I loved him.

“Will you come to Atlanta with me on
Friday?” Brady asked before we went our separate ways in the parking lot.

“Sure.” I smiled. “What’s the occasion?”

“Benjamin put some feelers out for me, and
a bank there is interested in me for the position of VP of Lending.”

I was so touched by his willingness to
move away from Kaysville, and a job that I think he really liked, and his house
that he loved. I put my hand over my heart. “Brady Jackson, I love you.”

He smiled. “So is it a date?”

“I think Doris can spend the day with my
aunt, so yes.”

He kissed me goodbye quickly. “Have a
great time with Kendra. I’ll see you tonight. I have feeling tonight’s the
night your aunt is calling me Brady.”

I shook my head at him. I wasn’t sure I
could agree with his assessment. He had tried almost desperately the night
before to no avail. I loved Brady’s optimism, and I inwardly hoped she would
too, but I knew her, and I had a feeling she knew about our little bargain.

I met Kendra at Macie’s. I figured I might
as well give the town more to talk about. If I had been thinking more
deviously, I would have told Kendra to wear an Auburn shirt and I would have
too. I could only imagine the looks that would have garnered. I guess we got
enough attention as it was. Sunday had stirred up a hornet’s nest. It wasn’t
all bad, in fact some of it was good, but for many it was unsettling. Change is
hard, and this town had been set in its ways for a long time. Those taking it
the hardest were Mrs. Jackson’s faithful followers. There were a couple of
those dears having lunch, and boy did we get some vile looks. Kendra was like
Brady and just found amusement in it. She let it roll off her back. I tried to
follow her lead, but it was hard. This was one of the reasons I never came back
to Kaysville, I didn’t want to deal with this behavior. Those women made me
think maybe we really should move to Atlanta; hopefully Brady’s interview would
go well. It wasn’t like he needed to have a job for us to move there, but I
knew it would never sit well with him to not be a bread winner, and I would
never even suggest it to him.

Kendra and I got a table as far away from
the main area as we could. I had a feeling she had some juicy details to spill
about her mother-in-law. I wondered if I could just marry Brady and pretend I
didn’t have in-laws. We ordered our food, and then Kendra smiled slyly. “The
big guns have been called in. Beau and Booker, along with their families, will
now be here for Christmas thanks to you.”

I shook my head. “Wouldn’t they come for
Christmas anyway?”

Her eyes danced with delight. “Oh no, this
was their year for Thanksgiving, so they were just here, but under the
circumstances, they’ve changed their plans.”

“What circumstances?”

“Oh, honey, I’ve never seen Elizabeth this out of sorts. She’s beside herself about the impending nuptials and the
possibility of Brady moving away. And Isaac refuses to talk Brady out of it,
which is adding to her craziness.”

I took a deep breath and pinched the
bridge of my nose. Why did she care so much? She had been married to Isaac
forever, and it wasn’t like I was making Brady choose between me and his
family, she was doing that.

“Does Brady know?” I asked.

She smiled kindly. “Yes,” she said quietly,
“Brady told us about Saturday night and about his suspicions. As much as it
pains Benjamin, he agrees with Brady. They’ve both surmised over the years that
their parents had a loveless marriage, but what kid wants to admit that?”

“Kendra, I would hate to think that’s the
case, but if it’s true, why did they ever get married, I mean besides the fact
she was pregnant?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.
Benjamin said they weren’t a real touchy-feely sort of family and their daddy
was especially careful with his thoughts and feelings. I think it was just a
different time and place.”

“So what does she hope to accomplish by
having Beau and Booker here?”

“I think she’s hoping that they’ll do what
they did last time, convince Brady that he’s making a mistake and blood is
thicker than water.”

I think the blood drained from my face.

She reached for my hands. “Don’t worry,
Ellie, Brady’s not going anywhere, and Benjamin has been trying to talk some
sense into his older brothers and his momma.”

“Any luck?” I asked hopefully.

She half-heartedly smiled.

“I knew it was too much to hope for.”

“Ellie, who cares what they think? And
besides, Benjamin feels like they just need to get to know you. All they know
is what their momma’s told them.”

I laughed quietly. “Yeah, I don’t really
see them having me over for tea while they’re all here.”  I paused. “Well,
unless they think they can get away with poisoning me.”

“Oh come on, Ellie, you know wicked
witches use apples.”

We both ended up laughing hysterically. I
had a feeling Kendra and I would be the best of friends.

I left the restaurant in quite a mood. On
one hand, I felt great. Kendra was hilarious and there’s nothing like girl talk
over lunch to brighten your day, but her news about Brady’s family had me
worried and more than annoyed. Why couldn’t they just leave us alone? What did
they think I was going to do to them? I was in such a tizzy, I drove straight
to the bank instead of home. I needed to see Brady.

Of course, as I walked back to Brady’s
office, I attracted plenty of looks. I couldn’t help but smirk at Margaret, the
Teller Manager who had been so rude to me. Her look of dislike was the last
straw. I was in no mood to deal with anyone in the anti-Eaton camp.

Brady’s secretary was at least sweet to me
as I asked to see if I could see him. She showed me right in. Brady was
surprised, but delighted to see me, but his delight turned to concern as he
noticed I wasn’t happy.

As soon as he shut the door, he embraced
me. “Darlin’, what’s wrong?”

“Brady, why didn’t you tell me about your
brothers coming into town?”

He led me over to his large leather office
chair. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. He looked at me with his best
country boy charm and he tugged on my hair. “Ellie, I didn’t tell you because,
in the end, it doesn’t matter. You and I are going to be together. End of
story.”

I leaned my head against his shoulder.
“Why does this have to be so difficult?”

He brought his hand up and caressed my
cheek. “Ellie, there’s no difficulty.”

“How can you say that?”

“Darlin’, look at me.”

I sat up and looked into those beautiful
blue eyes that I loved so much.

“Ellie, I love you. Do you love me?”

I smiled. “You know I love you.”

He grinned. “Was that so difficult?”

“Brady …”

He kissed me sweetly. “Ellie, it’s only
difficult if we make it that way, and I have no intention of doing so.” He
paused for a moment and then smiled. “You know, I think I could get used to
this. You should come by every day and distract me.”

I rolled my eyes. “I can only imagine the
talk
that
would create.”

“Let them talk.”

I walked out of the bank feeling more
settled and little warm and fuzzy (Brady had that effect on me), but still
bothered. I couldn’t believe his momma was so crazy.

When Brady got to my house that evening,
he had his hands full. In one hand he held pink roses, and in the other hand he
held a large box of chocolates. And he wore a big grin.

I shook my head. “What’s all this?”

He stepped in. “It’s the middle of the
month, right?”

His thoughtfulness and memory gave me a much
needed laugh. Could he be any better? I took the flowers and candy and set them
on the hall table. I grabbed his tie and pulled him to me and kissed him and
thanked him in my own way. He wrapped his arms around me, and we enjoyed
several minutes of saying hello until Doris called us for dinner.

We walked back to find my aunt still
sitting on the couch in the family room. She was looking better, but still not
a hundred percent. She looked less annoyed at Brady than she had the night
before, so that was something. Brady was so determined to win her over. At
least he had a chance. I knew I would never have any chance with his momma.

Brady went straight to her. “Luanne, you’re
looking very well today.”

“Thank you,” she replied straight faced.

He offered her his hand to help her up for
dinner. She thought about it for a moment, but Brady just gave her that
charming smile of his. She had no choice but to fall subject to his persistent
kindness. She reluctantly took it. Brady grinned wide, and I couldn’t help but
smile too. He helped her sit down and then came over and held my chair out too.
I noticed my aunt noticing. I could tell she couldn’t help, but be impressed
with his manners.

We enjoyed a nice dinner and then spent
the rest of the evening playing poker. Yes, my aunt loved five card draw, and
she was ruthless at it. She wiped the floor with us, and she took great
satisfaction in it. Brady tried his best to engage her in a conversation that
would require the use of his name, but she never went for it. I was becoming
more convinced she knew. It was quite entertaining.