Momentous Kisses: Love in Sandy Beach (11 page)

Russell came to Sandy Beach for the weekend and it was a magical time for both of them. They walked along the beach, swam, and made plans for the future.

“I quit my clinic,” he told her Saturday afternoon as they walked along the shoreline holding hands.

“You did? That’s terrific.”

“Yes. I’m looking for something else right now, but don’t worry about money. I have plenty of that to spare.”

“I wasn’t worried,” she said. After a while she added, “I don’t want to pressure you, but isn’t that a wonderful opportunity to move to Sandy Beach? You could get a new job somewhere around here as well.”

Russell shrugged his shoulders. “I have already thought about it, but I didn’t want to take rash decisions. You might not want to have me around all the time.”

She boxed his biceps, but his grin told her he was teasing her. “I want to have you around, and you know how much I’d hate to move to Chicago.”

“I’m not sure Sandy Beach is big enough…”

“It isn’t, but Milwaukee is only twenty miles away, and I happen to know the hospital there is looking for a chief surgeon.”

“And how would you know that?”

“Russell. This is Sandy Beach. I know everyone here, and it just so happens the hospital administrator lives on the other end of town.”

“That’s convenient.”

“Isn’t it? Anyway, the commute is fairly non-crowded and you could easily drive it in under half an hour.”

“It takes me longer than that to get from my apartment to the little community hospital I volunteer at, and it’s in the same city.”

“See, you should really give it some consideration.”

“I don’t know. Chief surgeon?”

“Yes. And think about the added benefits.”

“Benefits…?”

She now openly grinned at him; it was time to use her strongest weapon. “If you live in Sandy Beach, I’ll promise to cook breakfast and dinner for you. Every single day.”

He hugged her tight. “Hmm, that sounds like a true benefit to me. Taking about dinner…what are we going to eat tonight?”

“You are incorrigible, Dr. Barkin.”

They stopped for dinner at one of her favorite little diners and then he bought her ice cream along the Promenade. The small gazebo had a live band playing and on a whim, he twirled her into a dance and they spent several minutes swaying together under the stars as the moon came out and the sun dipped below the horizon.

Life was simply perfect.

Later, as they arrived at her small apartment, she saw her brother Terrence coming out of the small storage unit she used to store her paintings and supplies. He held a painting in his hand and she immediately knew which one it was.

Terrence walked towards her and held the painting up. “Who’s this…?” His voice trailed off as Russell walked up behind her.

Her brother obviously recognized Russell from the portrait he held in his hands and stared at him with hostility. Now she had to deal with a severe case of brotherly protectiveness.

Russell saw his image painted across the canvas and paled. She took a deep breath and then introduced the two men, even though she knew they’d already met.

“Terrence, this is Russell. He’s Toni’s brother. You might have met him at Grant’s party?

“Russell, this is my brother Terrence.”

The two men nodded but kept their distance, assessing each other like boxers before a match. They wouldn’t start a fight, would they? Allison stepped from one foot to the other until her brother finally took a step aside.

Terrence pointed his chin at the painting and said, “Something you need to tell me, sis?”

“Well, yes. But we’re going to tell everyone tomorrow at lunch. Please don’t say anything. We want it to be a surprise.”

Terrence looked from her to Russell and then grinned devilishly. That infernal brother. Allison knew she was in for it. “So what’s it worth to you?’

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you want?”

“Dessert,” was his immediate and familiar reply. Terrence could live exclusively on sweets, and he’d take every opportunity to have her cook for him.

Allison sighed dramatically. “Fine. You win. But I’m not making it this weekend. You’ll  have to wait until later in the week.”

Terrence shook his head. “I can’t wait that long, unless...you make it two desserts.”

She almost choked. Her brother was beyond shameless. “Okay. But if you say as much as a single word, I’ll prepare you a dessert you’ll never forget in your life.”

“My lips are sealed.” He licked his lips and handed her the painting before he insinuated a bow in Russell’s direction and took off. “Nice to meet you again. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Allison turned to Russell, who had kept quiet during the interaction with her brother. Finally, he spoke up: “Boy, am I glad I only have one sister to deal with.”

She laughed. “You are one lucky guy.”

He looked at the painting. “May I?”

She handed it to him, nervous about his response.

“When did you do this?”

“The day after the party. I think some part of me knew I loved you, even then.”

Russell locked eyes with her. “I love it. And I love you. Sweet Ally.”

***

As Sunday afternoon approached, Allison grew more nervous by the minute. Russell noticed her state of mind and took her into his strong arms, running his fingers through her hair.

She tried a small smile, but anxiety and tension knotted inside her.

“This is very important to you, isn’t it?” Russell said.

“Yes. What if my family doesn’t like you?” That was a rather irrational fear, because her family had met Russell at Grant and Sam’s party and they’d all liked him back then.

He cocked her his crooked grin. “What’s not to like about me?”

She boxed him playfully on the chest. “Don’t take this lightly. My brothers can be overprotective at times. They still think I’m ten years old and need them to watch out for me.”

He hugged her tighter and soothed her anxiety. “Ally, Sunshine, everything will be fine. Stop worrying, okay?”

A few hours later they arrived at her parents’ home, Allison holding onto Russell’s hand as if it were a life belt. Their entrance drew raised eyebrows from everyone, and a dark stare from Grant.

Grant moved his lips soundlessly in her direction and Allison could decipher something similar to “So this was the reason.” Saying he wasn’t pleased at her hide-and-seek with him would be an understatement. She just hoped he’d come around soon enough.

Thankfully her mother stopped any further animosity. Much to Allison’s surprise, Mom opened up her arms to hug Russell effusively. “Welcome to our family, Russell, this is such a wonderful surprise.”

Russell looked a bit uncomfortable but hugged her back and said, “Thank you, Mrs. Paxton.”

“Bridget. Please call me Bridget.”

“Bridget. Thanks for the warm welcome.” He turned towards the others again and added, “Allison and I have decided to live together here in Sandy Beach.”

While everyone applauded, Allison almost fell backwards.
What did he just say?

Her mother exclaimed, “That is wonderful! Let me hug you, Ally, darling. I knew it from the very beginning. You two look so good together.”

Russell came back to Allison’s side and whispered into her ear, “Your offer to cook for me every day convinced me.”

She could only nod and he added, “Happy?”

“Yes!” and she smacked him on his lips.

Terrence showed up besides her to congratulate them and said, “So you hooked him with your cooking?”

Allison threw up her hands and rolled her eyes, “Why am I punished with a brother like you?”

The banter and teasing continued and Allison started to relax. Apparently her family had accepted Russell as boyfriend of the baby in the family. Speaking of baby...

They had one more announcement to make, and she wasn’t so sure her mother would be as thrilled this time.

She and Russell waited until after dinner.  He patted her arm before she stood up to say, “Uhm…before everyone takes off, Russell and I have one more piece of news to share with you all.”

All heads turned, question marks in their eyes. Only Reese gave her an encouraging smile and Russell took her hand, standing up beside her.  She inhaled deeply a few times and looked at everyone present. Reese and Terrence, Grant and Sam, her father, and her mother. Sheer black fright swept through her and had her shivering. If it weren’t for Russell holding her hand, she’d have rushed off. But then, she’d have to tell them sooner or later anyways.

“Well, Mom, you know how you were complaining that you didn’t have any grandkids yet? That’s not quite true.”

Her mother paled and Allison watched the different emotions quarrel on her face. She knew her mother desperately wanted grandkids, but Mom also was a traditionalist, and would have preferred those grandkids came from someone other than her youngest unwed daughter.

Dad opened his mouth, but no words came out and he sunk back against his chair, exchanging helpless glances with his wife.

At least she had an ally in Reese, who came to her help, breaking the silence: “Oh, Allison. Congratulations! This is such wonderful news. I’m so happy for you both.” Reese rushed over and gave Allison and Russell a hug.  Allison could count on her sister. No words about past troubles, just unconditional support.

Reese’s exclamation spurred everyone else into action, hugging and congratulating.

At last her mother approached her with a stern face. “Allison Paxton. I can’t say I’m not shocked. It’s a very unexpected development, and I sure would have preferred you and Russell waited until you were married.

“You’ve known each other for such a short time. But your father and I love you above all things and though I may not approve of your timing, we will nevertheless support you with everything we can.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Allison had to swallow back her tears while she hugged her mother. Russell had been right. Everything would be fine.

Her father Mitch, Terrence, and Grant all slapped Russell on the back, and Sam hugged her neck, whispering in her ear, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Allison whispered back.

“Now Bridget won’t bother Grant and me as much.”

Later that night, Allison and Russell took another walk along the beach, holding hands. But something was off. Russell had grown increasingly quiet after they left her parents’ house and she didn’t know why. She chalked it up to the fact he had to leave for Chicago early tomorrow morning.

They reached her favorite spot by the lighthouse and sat down on the flat rock where she’d spent so many days and nights watching the lake. She leaned back against him to watch the full moon rising high in the sky and sensed the unfamiliar tension in his body.

“Russell, what’s wrong?”

He paused to inhale before he said, “There’s something I haven’t told you.”

“What?”

He sighed. “After you left, I was desolated. Dex and I had agreed I’d leave the clinic and I wanted to do some good with my life. I have a friend who manages the Doctors Without Borders program out of New York.”

“Doctors Without Borders? Isn’t that the organization that goes to all of those war-torn countries to offer free medical assistance?”

“Yep. Anyway, I wanted to get away. I was afraid I might run into you, and when Cole offered me a contract I signed it. I’ll be leaving for Angola next month.”

“Angola?!” she asked. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? I mean, we’ve spent the entire weekend talking about the future, but you’ve never mentioned this little detail?”

Allison moved out of his encircling arms, and walked away. She needed time to think.
How could he not tell me? What else is there I don’t know about?

“Ally. Wait. Don’t run away. Please.” He came after her and reached out a hand to stop her, but she shrugged him off.

She wasn’t going to let him get away with this type of behavior. Her mom had told her numerous times that what you didn’t clear up in the beginning of your relationship would come back to haunt you later. Allison wasn’t willing to let that happen. It was time to set the ground rules.

Russell stood besides her looking crestfallen. “I need to walk,” she said. He joined her and they walked alongside each other in silence for a while.

Finally, she voiced her thoughts. “Russell, if this is going to work, we have to be honest with each other.  Your going to Angola isn’t a little thing, and I’m hurt that you didn’t tell me earlier.  You cannot keep important stuff like this from me. Ever.”

“Ally, I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid of your reaction. And yesterday was so perfect, I didn’t want to spoil it. It was stupid. You’re right, we have to be honest with each other if this is to work out.”

“I can’t tell you I’m happy about you going off to some foreign country for…just how long will you be gone?”

“Three months.”

Three months?
“Wow! All right, well, that’s a long time.”

“It is.”

“Okay, we’ll see what we can do, but I absolutely need to know something like this won’t happen again. That you won’t hide important things from me. Ever again.”

She waited for him to remind her she’d done the same thing by not telling him about her pregnancy, but he didn’t.

“I promise.”

He kissed her deeply and when she looked up into his wonderful blue eyes, she almost lost herself in the deepness of them.

“I love you, Ally.”

They continued walking back along the beach and she asked, “Have you considered backing out of that contract?”

“I did ask, but they wouldn’t let me. Everything has already been arranged. I hate to leave you alone while you’re pregnant, even though I’m sure your family will take good care of you.”

“Maybe I could come with you,” she suggested.

Russell pulled her into his arms. “While I would love nothing better than to have you come with me, as a doctor I have to refuse.”

“Why? I’m not a doctor, but surely there’s something I could do to help.”

“Ally, you don’t understand. It’s too dangerous. For you and for the baby. You could get sick, and I can’t let that happen.”

“Sick? With what?”

“Malaria, for starters.”

Allison waved his concern away. “So I take those pills that prevent you from getting malaria. Quinine, right?”

“No, they don’t use that medication any longer. But the ones in use are not recommended for pregnant women and should only be taken if absolutely necessary. Like, if you live there and have no other choice. You don’t fall into that category. You have a choice and need to think about the well-being of the baby.”

Allison listened to him and reluctantly agreed: “Fine, but I’ll be worried to death with you being away for such a long time. Especially in such a dangerous place.”

“Three months isn’t that long. And you’ll be fine here with your family. As soon as this mission is over, I’ll come back to your side.”

They returned to her apartment, and Russell said, “We really need a bigger place. There’s barely room enough for two persons, and with the baby coming, we need more space. Perhaps you could start asking around to see what’s available.”

Allison kissed him. So he was serious about moving in with her. With them.