Quiet Angel (23 page)

She patted his head. “Then everyone else is stupid.”

“That’s a bad word,” Connor said.

“I know.”

Gage watched the way Layla held Connor and stroked his hair. The two had some connection, no doubt forged out of imaginary things. To them, Aria and Petey were as real as the Savannah heat and as necessary to life as sweet tea. Gage poked Connor in the side. “I’m sorry, buddy. I know Petey is your friend. I should’ve believed in him before. Sometimes I can be stupid, too—but not anymore. Maybe we can all play together later.”

“That would be the most awesome, best thing ever!” Connor jumped up and ran towards the front door. “Uncle G wants to play with Petey! Ava and Jacob are stupid!”

Gage wrinkled his nose. “Emerson is going to be pissed. We taught him a bad word and bought into his delusion.”

“I think it was sweet what you did,” Layla said and pecked his cheek. Gage leaned in for more, his eyes fixated on her mouth, and she placed her hand on his chest. “Not in your mother’s front yard. I’m nervous enough.” He took her around the side of the house, and they came upon a little arbor covered in vines. He pinned her against the house and kissed her hard, pressing his body against her. “Gage, what are you doing?”

“You said not in the front yard.”

“I meant the whole area,” she said, kissing his neck.

He grabbed her hips and locked eyes with her. He bit his bottom lip, and his eyes fell to her lips again. His hand ran to the back of her neck, and he pulled her to his mouth, running a hand to her breast, caressing her. Layla gave a little moan then saw two eyes staring from behind an oak tree. She pushed Gage away so hard he lost his balance and stumbled backwards. Gage steadied himself and saw Jacob peering from behind the tree, his young nephew’s mouth wide open.

“You had your hand on her. . . .”

“Jacob!” Gage yelled, holding up his finger. “Stay right there.” He turned back to Layla, who was beyond red. “No need to worry.”

“What?” she cried. “This was like a porno for him.”

“I suspect he’s seen worse,” Gage said. “Go on ahead, and I’ll make sure Jacob doesn’t say anything.”

“You want me to go into your mother’s house alone? I haven’t seen her in 12 years.”

“Would you rather stay here and have Jacob stare at your rack?”

“Oh my God!” Layla nudged him towards the boy. “Go make sure we didn’t scar him for life. I’ll wait here.”

Gage headed over to Jacob, still behind the tree. “You shouldn’t spy on people.”

Jacob smirked at him. “Well, you shouldn’t grope your girlfriend in Grandma’s yard.”

“Good point. But I thought we were alone.”

“Outside? And I thought you were only supposed to do that stuff when you’re married!”

“That’s right!” Gage said through gritted teeth. “Now what’s this going to cost me?”

Jacob looked around his uncle at Layla leaning against the house. “Tell me how you got her to let you do that?”

Gage thumped Jacob in the head. “Eyes on me.” Jacob turned them back to Gage. “Girls your age don’t even have boobs, so don’t worry about it.”

“Older girls do.”

Gage rolled his eyes. “$50, and we don’t discuss this again.”

“100!”

“$75.”

“100!”

Gage pulled out his wallet and shoved a crisp $100 bill in his nephew’s hand. “Gage, are you giving him money?” Layla called out.

Gage didn’t respond. “Hush money,” he whispered to his nephew and pushed the boy in her direction. “Now go tell her how sorry you are for sneaking up on us.”

Jacob stuffed the bill in his sock and walked towards Layla, his eyes straight ahead. “Miss Layla, I’m sorry. . . .” Gage smacked his head before he got out another word. “Hey, what was that for?”

“Keep your eyes on her feet or her face!”

Jacob quickly looked down. “I’m sorry I snuck up on you, Miss Layla.”

“Now scram!” Gage said.

Jacob darted towards the backyard, a huge grin on his face. “Keep your hands to yourself, Uncle G!”

“How much did you give him?” Layla asked.

“Enough to keep him quiet.”

“You can’t just pay off children!”

“Gage?” a sweet old melody called out from the backyard. “Are you here, Darlin’?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Gage kissed the top of Layla’s head and intertwined their fingers. He led Layla towards the back of the house, seeing his mother come around the side.

His mother’s face brightened. “There’s my baby boy.” She cupped his cheeks in her hands. It didn’t matter how old her son got, or what he did—piloting planes, military, running Southern Wings—he’d forever be the baby and be treated accordingly.

“Good to see you, Mom.”

Layla smiled seeing Gage blush. His mother had the same petite frame Layla remembered, and the same kind and loving face. Though her once long brown hair was now gray and cut in a bob, she looked far too young to be a widow.

His mother lightly slapped his face. “I haven’t seen you in over a month.”

“Sorry, Mom, I’ve been a little busy.” He squeezed Layla’s hand.

“Nice to see you, Mrs. Montgomery,” Layla said.

His mother frowned and began to look around. “Don’t tell me my mother-in-law is haunting me from the grave. I wouldn’t put it past that crazy old loon! She’s the only Mrs. Montgomery I know. I’m Helen.”

“Mom, you remember Layla.”

“Well, I guess I better since she’s going to be my daughter.” She pulled Layla into a huge hug. “I guess you should call me ‘Mom,’ not Helen.” She stepped back and grabbed Layla’s hand. “The ring is beautiful.”

Layla smiled. “Gage has good taste.”

“I’d hope so! I raised him!” Helen put her arm around Layla and led her to the backyard. “So I hear we only have a month to get this wedding put together.”

“Damn!” Gage said. “Emerson has a big mouth.”

“Language,” his mother scolded. “The kids are around here somewhere.”

Layla looked over at Gage, his head hanging low like a school boy. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

A brick walkway led to a grassy area in the backyard, with the focal point a large white square gazebo trellised in budding rose bushes. Actually, the entire yard was outlined in rose bushes. Helen walked them to the back porch and a circular table holding a pitcher of iced tea.

“So, Layla, what are you thinking about colors, food, venue?” his mother asked, pouring a couple glasses. “I can tell Emerson is stressing out already. She has a portfolio together for you and Gage to look at today.”

“Already?”

“Of course, we have to get crackin’.”

“Right,” Layla said, her eyes wide to Gage. “Something small, I think.” He gave her an approving nod. “Quaint.”

“Lavender,” he said, both women turning to him. “Lavender in the flowers.”

Helen smiled. “I look fabulous in purple, so that works. Layla, Emerson’s been raving about your store, the book bundles, the wedding, how beautiful your dress was last night.”

“Don’t forget about the singing!” Emerson said, coming out of the house.

“Singing?” his mother asked.

Emerson pulled out her phone. “You have to see this, Mom. You’re going to flip. Gage sang to Layla. It was so sweet. Every woman in the place was crying, and every man in the place was jealous.”

Gage reached for the phone. “We don’t need to watch that.”

His mother swatted his hand and took the phone. She turned her back to watch. When she turned around, her eyes were misty. “Gage, you haven’t sung in front of anyone since before college.”

It didn’t take Layla long to figure out why. She hated Gage gave up something he loved because she hurt him. She felt her own eyes water. “Restroom?”

“Down the hall, third door on the left,” Emerson said.

Layla headed inside and found the hallway. She began to count the doors and reached the third one when Connor popped out of the bathroom, wiping his hands on his shirt. “Let’s hide from Petey,” he said and pulled Layla into the living room. They crouched behind a chair together.

“Do you think Petey can see me?” Layla asked. “I think my arm is showing.”

“No, he’s not looking for you. He’s looking for me.” Relieved, Layla sat down cross-legged. Connor giggled and flopped in her lap, his blond curls bouncing. “Mommy says you will be my aunt soon.”

“Is that OK with you?”

“It’s the best. But do I call you Aunt, or Layla, or Aunt Layla, or Aunt L?”

“Whatever you want.” They heard some laughing, and Layla stuck her head out, finding Gage grinning.

Connor hopped up. “You gave away our spot, Uncle G.” Gage held up his hands in surrender. “Auntie Layla, when you marry Uncle G, will you be able to punish him?”

“Absolutely,” Layla said. “Since it’s so close to the wedding, I can start punishing him now. What’d you have in mind?”

“A spanking! He’s been really bad.”

Gage laughed so hard he fell on the sofa. Connor launched himself on top of his uncle, his knee striking Gage in the balls. “Shit!”

Connor’s blue eyes got huge. “That’s worse than stupid.”

Layla picked up the boy. “I think you just took care of the punishment.”

“Jacob says that’s crackin’ nuts!” Connor said.

Helen walked into the living room. “What’s so funny?”

“I cracked Uncle. . . .”

Gage put his hand over the boy’s mouth. “Nothing, Mom.”

“Connor,” Layla said, “Uncle G and I need to ask you something really important.”

“Hey, buddy,” Gage said, “when I marry Layla, we are going to need some help at the wedding.”

“I want to help!”

“Good. Because we have a special job for you—the most important job. We need you to carry our wedding rings for us. Do you think you can do that?”

“Wow, I can do that.”

“Thanks, little man. You’ll walk down the aisle carrying a little pillow. . . .”

Connor stuck out his tongue. “That’s girly. That’s what Cinderella’s slipper was on.”

“That’s the way it’s done, dude,” Gage said.

“Maybe Connor has a better idea?” Layla wondered.

“I could attach them to my remote control airplane and parachute them in. That would be cool.”

Layla tapped her fingers on her leg. “What if the rings miss their target?”

“Hmm,” Connor said. “I know!” He ran to a pile of toys and came back with a pilot figurine. He lifted the pilot’s arms in the air. “I can put a ring on each of his arms and carry him down the aisle.”

Layla took off her ring and handed it to the boy. “Go to the other side of the room, and show me how you’ll do it.”

Emerson came in the living room, finding her son marching with his pilot man, Layla’s diamond ring hanging from its arm. “It works!” Connor said and started jumping up and down.

Emerson grabbed the ring before it flew off and handed it to Layla. “What’s going on?”

“Mom, I’m going to carry the rings for Uncle G and Auntie Layla!” Connor said. “The pillow is girly. The remote airplane is tricky. So I’m using my pilot guy. I have the hardest job!” Emerson raised an eyebrow. “I’m going to tell Ava and Jacob.”

Gage swooped up his nephew. “Have Ava and Jacob come see us. We need to give them jobs, too.” Connor scurried out of the room as Emerson sat down.

“I can work with him about the pillow,” Emerson said.

“Don’t you dare,” Layla said. “He’s precious. Pilot man will work just fine.”

Emerson pulled out a binder and placed her glasses on her nose. “Let’s get started. Layla, are you thinking of having the wedding in Atlanta, Savannah, or back with your family in Houston?”

“Atlanta or Savannah would be easier,” Gage said, rescuing Layla from having to answer.

Helen chimed in, “The cathedral in Atlanta where your father and I got married is beautiful.”

“We really want something small,” Gage said.

“You have to be married in the church,” his mother said. “Layla, I remember you’re Catholic, right?”

“I was raised Catholic.”

“Well, there’s that little church down on. . . .” Helen tapped her head. “What’s the name of that street?”

“Actually, Mom, I was thinking it might be nice to get married outside somewhere.”

“You must be married in a church,” Helen said.

“Oh shit!” Emerson mouthed to Gage.

Gage cleared his throat. “Actually, Mom, I talked to the bishop this morning. He said that if he gives his blessing, then a priest can marry you outside at an appropriate venue.”

Layla looked up at him. “You called the bishop?”

Ava and Jacob barged in the living room, slapping each other. “Stop it!”

“You stop it!”

“Guys!” Gage called out. “Both of you stop it!” He took Ava’s hand and sat her down.

Ava saw Layla’s ring. “Wow, is that real? Can I try it on?” Layla handed it to Ava. The girl put it on and held her hand to the light.

“Ava, I was hoping you’d be a bridesmaid,” Layla said.

“I’d love to!” Ava threw her arms around Layla and shrieked so loud her whole family covered their ears. “Mom, can I wear a strapless dress? Can I wear high heels and makeup, too?”

“We’ll see,” Emerson said. “Maybe low heels and a little makeup.”

“Yes!” Ava said. “Uncle G, does this mean I’m going to finally get a cousin—hopefully a girl?”

“Eventually,” Gage said taking the ring off Ava and slipping it back on Layla.

Jacob snickered from the floor, “Uncle G, you have to wait until
after
the wedding for that, right?”

“Jacob!” his grandmother cried.

“Sorry, Grandma.” Layla turned bright red, and Gage thumped him in the head. “I’m happy for you, Uncle G, but I don’t want to be in the wedding.”

“Jacob,” Emerson said.

“Mom, are you going to make me?” Jacob asked. “Ground me again?”

“I’m not going to make you,” Emerson said.

Gage sat on the floor beside him. “Why are you grounded this time?”

“Got an F on a book report in English,” Jacob said.

“He can do a makeup report,” Emerson said, “but he won’t do it.”

“Because I’m stupid. Because I can’t read. Connor can read better than I can!”

Ava got up. “I’m sick of this. I’m going to look up dresses on the computer.”

“You are not stupid,” Helen said. “You are very bright.”

Jacob held in tears. “Please don’t make me try to read another book.”