Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) (20 page)

I
closed my eyes and took several deep breaths in and out, trying to process,
trying to figure out what I should do, but the overwhelming feeling that kept
coming over me was
I want you, too.

“We
slept together,” I admitted to Taylor over the phone upon our return to
Merryton.

“That
escalated quickly.”

“Not
like that. I mean we fell asleep on the couch together, and I almost kissed
him.”

“Wow,
that was some Thanksgiving. What happened?”

I
thought back to earlier that morning, when I’d awakened snuggled up to Andrew
under a blanket on his mother’s couch. Could anything feel better? He was
already awake and smiling at me. He kept stroking every inch of my face and
hair. I felt adored in a way I never had before. His warm, strong hand rested
on my cheek. “Good morning, gorgeous.” He said it like he meant every word of
it. “I know we shouldn’t, yet,” he whispered, and then leaned in to cover my
lips with his own. But we were saved by our son. “Mom,” Drew had called in the
nick of time.

“I’m
not exactly sure what happened, but we decided we can’t explore a romantic
relationship until this election is over and Drew knows the truth,” I explained
to Taylor.

“You
really like this man, don’t you?”

“Is
it wrong that I do?”

“Why
would it be?”

“I
know my parents won’t like it, and you have to admit that the way he came to be
in our lives isn’t the greatest. And he’s going to be a politician. I hate
politicians more than baseball.”

She
laughed on the other end of the line. “So you’ve fallen for an ex-baseball
player turned politician who, let’s say, rendezvoused with your twin.”

“Yes!
Do you know how terrible that sounds?”

“Oh,
I don’t know. About as terrible as me ending up with my ex-husband who married
his nurse.”

“Okay,
fine, but at least the nurse wasn’t your sister.”

“I’ll
give you that one, but does he love Drew?”

“Yes.”

“Does
he respect you and treat you well?”

“Yes,
he’s very considerate.”

“So
what’s the problem?”

“I
don’t want to hurt Drew.”

“I
was afraid when Easton and I reconciled what it would do to the girls if it
didn’t work out, but Easton was worth the risk. And now look at me; I’m
forty-three and pregnant.”

I
laughed at her. “So are you saying I should, or shouldn’t, pursue this?”

“I’m
saying you have to decide if Andrew is worth it. And if he is, then the rest of
it will take care of itself.”

“Okay,
pregnant lady. I’ll see you at church.”

No
sooner had I hung up with Taylor, my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“I’ve
missed you,” Andrew said.

I
looked at my clock—10:05 p.m. “We saw each other seven hours ago.” We left his
mom’s house around 3:00 p.m. The roads had been plowed by then and the sun had
worked its magic. It had been slow going, but passable.

“Has
it been that long already?”

“You’re
in a mood tonight.”

“I
was thinking about last night and wishing you were in my arms right now.”

I
smiled. “Me, too.”

“I
like it when we agree. Almost as much as when we disagree.”

“You
like it when we disagree?”

“Yes,
there’s this fire in your eyes that drives me crazy.”

“Then
I’ll do my best to disagree with you often.”

“Perfect,
but I hope you’ll agree to the following proposal.”

“What’s
that?”

“Since
we can’t technically be a couple yet, I was thinking we should at least agree
not to see anyone else in this interim period.”

“Since
I don’t date, I don’t see that being a problem for me.”

“Are
you implying it will be for me?”

“Hmm.
That’s a good question. Will it be difficult for you?”

“No.
I’m a one woman at a time kind of guy.”

“Even
if you aren’t technically with that woman?”

“Rachel,
you are all I can think about. Everyone else pales in comparison.”

“You
really can be sweet.”

“I
mean every word of it.”

“Thank
you. Tell me how your dinner meeting went.”

“Paul
still refuses to resign, despite the mounting pressure and lawsuits, but they
almost have enough signatures to force his recall.”

“What’s
his motivation?” I asked, perplexed.

“At
this point, I would say pride. He’s damaged himself too much to ever be able to
hold office again. I’m not even sure he will be able to go back to practicing
law.”

“So
are you definitely going to be the nominee?”

“More
than likely. There is one of the party powers that be that I have yet to win
over. She isn’t too keen on the fact that I’m single and make more money than
most.”

“You
can say you’re rich. I’ve been to your second home. I can’t even imagine what
your first home looks like.”

He
laughed some. “Someday soon you’ll see. I hope you will spend a lot of time
here in the near future.”

“Well,
first you need to win over this woman. Is she older or younger?”

“Are
you trying to help me?”

I
think I shocked him, and myself. “This is what you want, and couples support
each other, even if they don’t entirely agree with one another.”

It
was quiet on his end for a moment.

“Andrew?”

“You
amaze me,” he responded. “My mother’s right; you are too good for me.”

“Be
that as it may, tell me about this obstacle.”

“She’s
around my mother’s age, but cranky. Very staunch. She sees things in black and
white.”

“Okay.
Does she have any favorite causes? What about family?”

“She’s
the matriarch of a prominent family. They are huge supporters of the arts and
education.”

“Hmmm.”
I thought for a moment. “If she’s from a prominent family, what’s her problem
with your wealth?”

“She
doesn’t have a problem with being wealthy. Only how it looks to voters.”

Have
I mentioned how messed up I thought politics were? I thought some more about
this hypocritical woman. “Is that boys’ home your dad opened still running?”

“Yes,
why?”

“Are
you involved in it?”

“I
sit on the board and I volunteer there from time to time.”

“Does
the home offer any type of art programs or educational opportunities?”

“Yeah,
it provides tutoring, but it doesn’t really offer anything in the fine arts.”

“Maybe
you could give her a tour of the facility, show her not only the good you do
there, but get her involved as well. Make her an ally in your cause.”

“Did
I mention how amazing you are?”

“I’m
not amazing, just a business woman.”

“Maybe
I should hire you as my campaign manager.”

“You
couldn’t afford me, and I hate politics.”

“How
about politicians?”

“I’m
not fond of them, either.”

He
laughed. “I guess I’ll have to see what I can do to change that.”

“Good
luck.”

“Goodnight,
Rachel. I’ll be thinking about you.”

“I
hope not about me in my underwear.”

“You’ll
never know.”

I
laughed. “Goodnight, Andrew.”

What
was I going to do with that man? I decided to walk myself upstairs and watch my
little man sleep. I paused by our Christmas tree, the one Drew insisted we put up
even though we got home a lot later from Thanksgiving than I intended to. I
admired all the homemade ornaments Drew had made over the years, from stars
with his picture on them to candy canes made out of beads. It wasn’t the prettiest
tree ever, but it was beautiful because it was all about Drew.

I
tiptoed up the stairs to find Drew and Jake in the same position they were in
every night. I looked around the room at all the mismatched décor, thanks to
Andrew. I needed to figure out a way to make it all mesh. As I was looking
around, something caught my eye on Drew’s desk. I walked over to it to find his
letter to Santa, written in marker, no less. I picked it up and began to read
it:

Dear
Santa,

I
have been a good man all year.

I
laughed to myself. Andrew was rubbing off on him. It continued:

For
Christmas this year I want a Millennium Falcon Lego set and a new bike and as
many video games as I can get.

Love,
Drew

P.S.
I promise to make you the best cookies ever and I’ll quit feeding my broccoli
to Jake.

I
had been wondering why he liked broccoli all of a sudden. Now I knew the truth.
I watched him sleep a little bit longer. I wondered what the next few months
were going to bring to our small little family of two. Did we have room for
three?

“Are
you sure you don’t want to manage my campaign?”

I
zipped up my boots while juggling the phone against my ear. I was heading to
Taylor’s baby shower. “Why?”

“I
took Karen, the holdout, to the boys’ home today and she practically wrote me a
check to start up an art program there.”

“So
you impressed her?”

“At
least the facility did.”

“I’m
sure you charmed her.”

“You
do know me well.”

“I’m
glad to see you’re still eating your arrogance bran.”

He
laughed out loud. “I remember the first time you said that to me. I knew, then
and there, I was attracted to you.”

“I
remember someone telling me not to take it the wrong way. And I’m pretty sure
you threw in there that you weren’t attracted to me.”

“Did
I say that?”

“Repeatedly.”

“Only
because I didn’t want you to think I was more of a jerk, or like I was coming
on to you.”

“Uh-huh.
Anyway, I need to go. Can I call you when I get back home? It will be late.”

“You
can call me anytime. I miss you. I can’t believe I haven’t seen you in a week.”

“Only
eighteen more weeks to go.”

He
groaned. “I can’t wait that long to see you guys.”

I
didn’t say anything. He had chosen his path.

“I
know,” he said to my silence. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

“It’s
not me you have to make it up to.”

“After
I make it up to our son, how about we do some serious making up?”

I
felt those heat-producing tingles. “Are you trying to come on to me now?”

“Definitely.
I miss you, Rachel.”

“I
miss you, too. I’ll call you later.” I set the phone down and breathed. I had
never felt this way before, which was sad considering I had been engaged. But
Brody was never as affectionate or as sweet as Andrew. Brody had been nice, but
much more reserved with his feelings. Andrew didn’t hold back. He wasn’t leaving
me guessing how he felt. If anything, it was me leaving him guessing. This all
felt so new to me. It had been so long since I had been in a relationship.
Although I did miss seeing Andrew, I enjoyed that our relationship actually
consisted of talking to each other and really getting to know one another
without the physical aspect getting in the way first.

“Hey,
bud,” I called up to Drew. “Let’s get going.” I was dropping him off to play
with Gage at the Coles’ house, and picking up Taylor and her daughters at the
same time. We would head over to Jessie’s house together, where we were
throwing the shower. I grabbed my gifts and the baby shower games.

Drew
came flying down the stairs with his favorite board game in hand.

“Are
you ready, honey?”

“Yep.
Gage’s dad is ordering pizza and root beer.”

I
bet Taylor wasn’t thrilled with that, but I thought she was so ready to have
that baby that Easton could eat lard and she wouldn’t notice.

“That
sounds like fun.”

“Gage
thinks he can burp louder than me, so we’re having a contest.”

I
shook my head and smiled at him. “Try to use some manners tonight.”

“I
will,” he said reluctantly. “You know Andrew can burp really loud and long?”

“Oh,
yeah?”

“Yep,
he taught me how to make them last longer.”

I
would have to thank him for that later.

I
walked Drew up to the Coles’ door and was met by Easton and Gage. Drew ran
right in with Gage.

“Thanks
for watching him tonight.”

“I’m
looking forward to it,” Easton replied.

Out
came all the Cole women, Taylor, Ashley, and Emmy.

Easton
looked adoringly at them all, especially his pregnant wife, who looked fabulous
but exhausted. The yoga she had been doing throughout her pregnancy had really
paid off.

While
Easton kissed his wife goodbye, I admired the twenty-foot Christmas tree they
had in their two-story foyer. It was catalog worthy. It was also piled high
with presents already. Taylor was hoping for an early delivery and wanted to
make sure Christmas was taken care of. I was envious of her drive and organization.
It got me thinking about what I should get Andrew for Christmas. I had already
ordered all Drew’s gifts and had them shipped to my parents, but I supposed I
should get something for Andrew and Evelyn as well. I would have to ask Taylor
what she was giving Easton.

I
gave Emmy a quick hug on our way out. “I can’t believe how grown up you’re
looking. And, Ashley, I forgot to mention how beautiful the homecoming picture
of you in the paper was.”

“Thank
you, Miss Rachel,” she replied.

I
loved her Southern manners.

“I
hope someone is bringing me something to kick start labor tonight—that would be
the best baby shower gift ever,” Taylor commented on our way out to my SUV.

I
laughed at her. “Darn it, and here I bought clothes.” Which I loved. There was
nothing cuter than baby girl clothes. I’m pretty sure I bought half of the
store before it was all said and done. It made my biological clock tick a
little louder. With Andrew in the picture now, I wondered if that would be a
possibility in the future. I knew it was silly to think that way since we
hadn’t even really begun to date, but it gave me some hope where there hadn’t really
been any before.

She
laughed, too. “Clothes are perfect; it’s just I’ve never been so uncomfortable.
This little one is either sitting on my bladder or jabbing her feet into my
ribs. I don’t think I’ve slept a full night in weeks.”

“It
won’t be long now. Then you will be up all night with the baby.”

“Bring
it on. At least Easton can get up with her, too.”

“True.”

“I’ll
help, too,” Emmy volunteered.

Taylor
hugged her daughter and kissed her head. Emmy was so lucky to have Taylor for a
stepmother after her own wreck of a mother abandoned her.

It
took us about fifteen minutes to get to Jessie’s. She and Blake lived on the
other side of town from us.

“What
are you getting Easton for Christmas?” I asked on the drive over.

Taylor’s
look let me know she knew what I was asking. “My sister-in-law, Nicole, and I
got our husbands a brothers’ getaway to Alaska next summer.”

“Wow.
That’s some gift.”

“I
can’t wait to see his face. He thinks I got him a fishing pole and a new tackle
box; which I did, but I hid the trip information in the tackle box.”

“Very
nice.” I knew Andrew loved to camp, but I wasn’t sure about fishing. And I was
definitely not buying him a trip to Alaska. Maybe I could find out what Jessie
was getting Blake, or what Abby was buying Shane. Or I could ask Evelyn. In
fact, I thought she would like it if I did.

We
walked into Jessie’s home and it looked like it had been showered in pink. Even
the food was color coordinated, except for the fruits and vegetables we had for
our guest of honor and resident clinical nutritionist. The rest of us were
planning on eating unhealthy for the night, right down to the pink sparkle
cupcakes Jessie made.

While
everyone flocked to the guest of honor, I scooted over to the gift table. It was
overflowing. I deposited my wrapped gifts before heading to the kitchen to grab
some food. I was starving.

I
took some of everything. Jessie was the best cook I knew, until I met Andrew,
though I would never tell Jessie. His ex-fiancée had been an excellent teacher.
I wondered what else she had taught him. I knew her clientele were among the
rich and famous. Much different than mine. Though I wouldn’t trade my farmers,
ranchers, and everyday regular people for any of that. But it made me wonder if
Andrew would find my life boring. And I wondered how involved he would want me
to be in his crazy, high-profile life. He talked like he wanted me to be
involved in every aspect, but I preferred the quiet life in our sleepy town of
Merryton. I supposed we would have to compromise.

The
pastor’s wife, Kristen Bates, greeted me by the food table. “Rachel Laine.”

“Hello,
Kristen. How are you?” The pastor and his wife were the cutest couple. They
were both in their early fifties, but they were as energetic as any young
couple I had ever known. They served our community well.

“Wonderful,”
she responded. “This is such a happy occasion.”

I
glanced Taylor’s direction and agreed. I was happy for my friend and occasional
sounding board.

Kristen
stepped closer to me and lowered her voice. “I was wondering,” she said before
hesitating. “Well, my brother-in-law, Aidan …”

I
knew this was going to get awkward before she finished her thought.

“You’ve
met him, right?”

I
nodded.

Her
nervousness showed in her strained smile. “He’s a great guy. Hard worker,
musically talented. He plays the guitar and the piano, and oh, he sings
beautifully.”

I
took a bite of my chicken salad sandwich and swallowed slowly. I was hungry and
she was taking forever to get to the uncomfortable part. “That’s nice.”

Her
green eyes sparkled. “He’s had a bit of a hard time. He moved here for a fresh
start.”

I
gave her some more of my attention. Aidan was mysterious to all of us. Extremely
attractive, but probably the most reserved person I had ever met. There was
pain and emptiness in his eyes. You never saw him with anyone except his
brother and sister-in-law. There was a rumor he was divorced and had children,
but no one knew for sure. He wasn’t the kind of man that invited confidences.
He gave off the “leave me alone” vibe. Don’t get me wrong, he was never unkind,
but you could tell he wanted to be left alone.

“I
hope he’s settling in,” I said.

She
grinned wide. “We were hoping … that is my husband and I were thinking, maybe
you and Aidan could get to know one another better.”

I
dropped my sandwich on my plate and cursed Andrew in my head. “Well, here’s the
thing …”

“You
aren’t seeing anyone, are you?” She said that way too loud.

All
the ladies at the shower turned our way and waited for me to answer.

My
eyes went directly to Taylor, like she could help, but all she could do was
give me a sympathetic smile. I’ll tell you this, I have never been so thankful
for Cheyenne and her loud mouth in my life.

“Are
you kidding me? She doesn’t date,” Cheyenne practically yelled. I don’t know
how many men in this town she’s turned down.”

Kristen
turned to me for confirmation.

I
shrugged my shoulders, took my food, and fled to the safety of the group.
Technically, I could have answered that I wasn’t dating anyone, but that felt
like a lie. I had feelings for Andrew that I wanted to explore. He was usually
the first person I talked to in the morning and the last person I spoke to
before I went to sleep at night. I frequently thought about how much I wanted
to be in his arms, for his lips and mine to finally get acquainted. Maybe we
couldn’t physically see each other right now, but our relationship was real.

I
sat next to my savior, Cheyenne.

She
leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You’re welcome, but don’t think I don’t
know something is going on with you. The question is, who is it going on with?”

I
looked at her in amazement.

She
smirked beautifully.

All
I could do was mouth, “Thank you.” Occasionally, Cheyenne surprised me. Despite
her crass behavior at times, she was a loyal friend.

She
gave me a look that indicated I owed her, and that she wanted details. Details would
come, and I had no doubt they were going to send this town into a tizzy. Andrew
worried about what his political opponents would do with the news, but they had
nothing on the people of Merryton. Once word got out that Andrew Turner was
Drew’s father, my life was going to become a fishbowl. Not to mention the heads
that were going to turn when they found out we were romantically involved. I
wondered how Cheyenne was going to feel about it.

I
had done my best over the years to fly below the radar of Merryton’s grapevine.
The only thing I had ever done worthy of being on it was adopting Drew, but
everyone in this town saw that as honorable. How noble was everyone going to
think it was for me to get involved with the man that slept with my sister? And
was Sydney’s name going to get dragged through the mud again? Unlike me, she
was the star of the grapevine back in the day. Whether it was for underage
drinking, a brief fling with our current mayor when she wasn’t legal, or all of
her minor run-ins with the law, she kept the gossip alive and well in this
town. But surely in light of her tragic death, people wouldn’t disparage her,
would they? Would they vilify me?