Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) (32 page)

I
pushed him away. “We better get you out of here before the auditor arrives.”

“I
love it when you talk professional.”

I
loved that he could make me smile no matter the circumstances. I think I was
beginning to love him.

I
finished tying the bow on my gift for Andrew as my mom walked in the door. I asked
her to arrive a little before Evelyn. Drew came running down and into her arms.
She seemed to take comfort in it as she held him close. I could feel her pain.
I knew what it was like to have to share. It wasn’t always easy, but Andrew did
his best to include me in all of their activities, even baseball practice. I
never thought I would enjoy the sport, but the men in my life loved it, and
watching them take such pleasure in it made me happy. And Andrew was the best
coach ever; every parent in town was trying to get their kid moved onto his
team. Since that wasn’t possible, Andrew asked some of his retired teammates to
come up and help the other teams. He was a class act.

I
walked toward the hugging pair in my entryway. “Hi, Mom.”

She
looked up at me with her soulful eyes. “Hi, honey.” Her tone was light and
warm.

I
was glad. My dad hadn’t talked to me in a few days and I was worried about my
mom’s reaction. I think my mom’s attitude was she felt like she and my dad had
pushed one daughter away, and she wasn’t going to let that happen again. I
hated that my dad wasn’t talking to me, but mom said he would come around. He
just needed time to cool off. I hoped so.

“You
look beautiful.”

I
didn’t really look any different. Andrew suggested that I wear something casual
and warm. That’s all the hint I got about our plans for the night, that and
lots of lip balm. “Thanks, Mom.”

She
gave Drew one more squeeze. “You’re getting so big.”

“My
dad said I’m going to be taller than him someday.”

I
watched Mom’s reaction. She had a great game face. “I bet he’s right.”

Drew
ran off. “I’m going to practice my pitches in the backyard.” He had become
obsessed.

“Okay,
but Grandma Eve will be here soon.”

“I
hope she brings me a present.”

I
shook my head at my lovable son.

“Does
she usually bring him something?” That didn’t sound like good news to my mom.

“Sometimes.
This is new to her; she feels like she has a lot of time to make up for.” I
tried to appease my mother. “Let’s sit down for a minute.”

We
sat close to one another on the couch. I took my mom’s soft hand and held it
tight. I tried to convey with my eyes how much she meant to me. “You and Evelyn
are going to get along great. She really wants you to be friends, and she is as
sweet as can be. And remember what you told me about sharing.”

Mom
grinned. “Honey, I’m going to be fine. Go enjoy yourself.”

I
planned on it.

After
I made introductions and felt comfortable that the two women would indeed get
along, I drove myself out to Lake Merryton. I still couldn’t believe I was
dating someone that could afford the pricey real estate tag. Andrew’s rental
policy was the biggest one I had ever written. His personal possessions alone
carried a sky-high price. He loved his toys, as did our son. I was still
waiting for Drew to ask to move in with him, but he hadn’t even asked to spend
the night yet. I think Andrew was working his way up to asking me if he could.

I
pulled up to the beautiful lakeside property. I had a feeling soon, with summer
coming, this would be our main hang out. I wasn’t going to complain. I loved
the house, the grounds, and anything to do with water in the summertime. Andrew
owned jet skis and a boat. Drew couldn’t wait to give those a go.

I
walked up the lit pathway to the mini log mansion, as I referred to it. Yellow
tulips lined my way. Andrew thought they were unmanly, but they were planted by
the owners, so unless he decided to purchase the property, they were there to
stay. I told him not to worry about it. We still had a good spring snow ahead
of us, I was sure. That would kill off the pretty flowers that had sprung too
soon. We’d had several abnormally higher than average temperature days this
spring.

I
let myself in; we had dispensed with knocking. “Hello,” I called out into the
vaulted ceiling.

Andrew
came out of his kitchen in the middle of removing his apron. “Don’t move.”

I
stood as still as could be. “Something smells fabulous.” I had hoped part of
his plans included him cooking.

He
was to me in a flash, and before I knew it, I was in his arms being kissed
thoroughly. I almost dropped his gift. I could taste chocolate as his mouth
explored mine. I was good with dessert first. I didn’t know why I bothered to
do my hair when I was with him. He loved nothing more than to run his fingers
through it.

“Happy
Valentine’s Day,” he groaned against my ear.

“This
may become my favorite holiday.”

“You
haven’t seen anything yet.”

That
thought sent shivers down the course of my body.

He
pulled a blindfold from his pocket. “Close your eyes.”

I
arched my eyebrow.

His
smile had sexy written all over it. “Trust me.”

I
closed my eyes and waited while he covered them in the black cloth. “My life is
in your hands now.”

“Right
where I like it.”

He
carefully navigated me through his house that still needed to be unpacked. Our
plans were to help him unpack the following week, during Drew’s spring break. I
could tell he was moving me around boxes and toward the kitchen. The delicious
smell only intensified. I could hear him open a door and we walked through it.
The temperature dropped. I knew we were outside. If I had to guess, I would say
his veranda overlooking the lake.

He
took the gift I had in my hand and set it aside before he undid the blindfold.
I’m sure he did that so when he made the big reveal I was free to jump into his
arms unhindered. And that’s exactly what I did after I admired his handiwork.
Thousands of twinkle lights hung in the air, strung across the veranda. Add in
hundreds—and I mean
hundreds
—of pale pink roses strategically placed
around the whole area. I felt like we were in a rose garden. Then there was the
romantic table set for two on a flowing, white tablecloth with several candles
lit to add to the ambience. To keep us warm, he had a fire blazing in his
outdoor hearth. The table was placed in front of it. I felt like I was in a
movie, but this was a hundred times better.

I
turned to an expectant Andrew, who was obviously pleased with himself. I flew
into his arms and he pulled me as close as I could get.

“I
wondered what you meant by romancing the hell out of me. Now I get it.”

He
laughed low in my ear. “This is only the beginning.”

I
swallowed hard.
This was just the beginning? Oh my.

Andrew
helped me into my seat and poured me a glass of white wine, because all I
needed was more intoxication. I was falling fast and hard. And I wasn’t even
going to stand in my own way. I wanted the man who was grinning across the
table from me.

Andrew
lifted the lids off our plates to reveal the chicken risotto with spring
vegetables he had whipped up. He was a prince among men.

“This
looks fabulous. Thank you.”

He
watched me take my first bite. It tasted sinful.

“It
tastes even better.”

He
was pleased with my reaction.

We
ate in silence, but spoke with our eyes. I knew he wanted me, and more
importantly I could see how happy it made him to make me happy. I had never
been with someone that was more concerned about my happiness.

“I
forgot to ask you how it went with our mothers.”

“Better
than expected. And Drew thought it was great, except he wanted to come here
with us.”

“I
don’t think he would like how much my lips plan to land on yours.”

I
took a sip of my wine and breathed out slowly. He was good. “I’m ready whenever
you are.”

“I
think we might need to put a rush on that application process of yours.”

“Patience,”
I whispered. I wasn’t ready for a marriage proposal … yet.

“I’ll
wait for as long as I have to.”

When
he talked like that, I almost found myself confessing mad love for him.

After
dinner, we exchanged gifts. Andrew, in his quest to love me in “my language” swallowed
his ego and made me a homemade gift. I adored it. It was a deck of cards. Each
of the fifty-two cards had a date written on it. I was going to have an amazing
upcoming year filled with trips to my favorite shows, candle-lit dinners,
horseback riding, etc.

“This
is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received. Where did you come up with it?”

“Pinterest.”
He said it like it was obvious.

I’m
not sure I had ever smiled so much. I handed him my gift, though he already
knew what it was. I only added the finishing touches and frame to it.

He
eagerly unwrapped his picture. Once it was out of the paper, he lightly touched
the glass frame, admiring it and maybe reminiscing. “You’re so amazing.”

“I’m
glad you think so.”

He
looked up from the picture of him and his son. “I do. I feel so unworthy of you
at times.”

Tears
welled up in my eyes. No one ever saw me the way he did, not even myself.

He
carefully rested the picture on the table before getting up and taking the
small trip around the table to me. He held out his hand and I placed mine in
his. He helped me up before drawing me close. Besides Drew, I had never felt
more like I belonged with someone.

“Are
you ready for dancing lessons?”

“If
it means I get to be in your arms for the rest of the night, then yes.”

“I
don’t ever plan on letting you go.”

I
was entirely on board with that plan.

Andrew
may have known how to romance a woman, but it was how he loved our son and me
that won me over. As Cheyenne predicted, we had turned into “one of those
couples.” Where Drew and I were, he was there, and vice versa. We cooked
together, worked, and played together. I cheered my boys on during little
league games, and Andrew helped me with the spring carnival. Or should I say he
helped the PTA committee. If there was one thing he didn’t excel at, it was
art.

The
week before the spring carnival, I felt like I lived at the school in the
evenings. I was trying to finish up the paper mural. It had been a hectic month
between little league games and the adult league practices that had started up.
And the end of the school year was always crazy, with field day and what felt
like several class activities, and of course, award ceremonies. Even with
Andrew helping out, it was chaotic. But I thought the school was ready to crown
him king for all his help with field day. It seemed like it was his goal to
turn every child at the school into a professional athlete, or at least make
them think it was possible.

If
only his charms could work on my dad. My mom was coming around, but my dad and
I were hardly speaking even though we saw each other every day at work. He kept
mostly to himself in his own office. It kind of put a damper on things. But at
least he was still willing to come to Drew’s games. And he never spoke ill
about Andrew in front of our son.

There
I was, Thursday night at the school, coloring like a mad woman, doing my best
to finish the mural so it could be hung the next day when setup occurred. The
carnival itself was that Saturday. Drew and Andrew had practice, so they were
doing their thing until they came to my rescue.

In
they came, dirty, but with smiles on. Andrew was always just as filthy as Drew.
He took coaching to a new level. I think he may have more fun than the kids. He
loved to show them how to slide into bases, and at the end of each practice, he
let them all run around while he tried to tag as many of them out as he could. Then
he let them try and do the same to him. No one had tagged him out yet, but Drew
was determined.

I
loved watching the two walk side by side. It was a reminder of how much they
were alike. They even swung their arms at the same pace. It was made better
when both of their faces lit up when they saw me.

Drew
ran to me. “Mom, guess what happened at practice?” A story usually accompanied
each practice.

I
set down my colored pencil and gave him my full attention. “What?”

“Dad
hit the ball so hard it went over the fence and broke a car window.”

I
looked up at a grinning Andrew. “That doesn’t sound good.”

Andrew
joined me on the hardwood floor of the gym and shrugged it off. “It was
Landon’s car.”

I
did my best not to laugh. I didn’t want to be a bad example to Drew. “I bet he
wasn’t happy about that.” He was still throwing a hissy fit that they were
allowing Andrew to play in the adult league.

“He
was totally yelling at dad.”

I
cringed. “In front of the kids?”

Andrew
nodded. “He’s threatening to sue me, too.”

“Are
you kidding me?”

“I
hope he does. I have a team of lawyers that love this sort of thing.”

I
rolled my eyes. “Is everything a competition to you?”

He
leaned in close and barely pecked my lips. Drew wasn’t a fan of our affection.
“It makes it so much more fun.”

“You’re
too much.”

He
laughed at me.

“So
how was the rest of practice? Are you ready for your game tomorrow night?”

“We’re
going to beat the Pirates.” Drew hit his fist into his hand.

I
had no doubt. They were undefeated so far.

“Can
we help you?” Andrew offered.

“That
would be great. Grab a colored pencil and try to stay in the lines.”

I
looked between my little man and my big man as we all lay there, flat on our
stomachs, coloring. I was hit with such emotion; I had to hold back the tears.
I never thought I could love anyone with the same intensity I loved my son, but
Andrew always surprised me. I wanted to tell him then and there how I felt, but
instead, I kept the moment in my heart and let it sink in.

My
heart swelled again the next evening as I watched the two loves of my life together
on the ball field. There was something about seeing the man you love, love your
child. I knew he did his best not to show favoritism on the field, but his eyes
didn’t shine as bright as they did when Drew came across the plate, or when
they high-fived. Andrew couldn’t hide his love for Drew, and that’s the way it
should be.

Taylor
and I sat in the stands together. My parents had to miss the game for a
friend’s retirement party. Easton was on the field helping out. They still had
Gage and were hoping to make it a permanent situation, but it was a long, drawn
out process. Tessa sat in her mom’s lap looking as adorable as could be. She
was babbling and eating her fist.

“Looks
like she’s teething.”

“Yes,
it’s making nursing painful.”

Yikes.
I’d never had to deal with that. Maybe someday.

“Andrew
is great with the kids. Gage raves about him.”

“So
does Drew.”

“How
about you?”

“I
think he’s all right.”

She
nudged me. “You aren’t fooling anyone.”

I
supposed I wasn’t. “How are the graduation plans coming?”

Taylor
sighed. “They’re coming. I can’t believe my baby is graduating.” She held on to
Tessa a little bit tighter. “At least she’s going to CU.”

I
was happy for my friend that Ashley chose the closer option. “Where are your
girls, by the way?”

“Spencer.”

“Oh.
Are Ashley and he back together?”

Taylor
tensed up. “I don’t know. She took Emmy with her to meet him for ice cream.”

“Is
he going to CU?”

“No.
He got a scholarship to play football for a small college in Iowa.”

“That’s
a good thing, right?”

“Easton
and I like Spencer, but he’s been a little wishy-washy with Ash, and they are
so young.”

“Ashley
has a good head on her shoulders.”

“She
does. I’m just still hormonal from pregnancy, nursing, and getting old.”

 I
touched her knee. “Like I’d said before, if this is old, please sign me up.”

“You’re
a good friend, but I think the dopamine is getting to you.”

We
both laughed. It was probably true, but Andrew was definitely getting to me.

Carnival
day arrived. I was glad my part was over and we could enjoy it as a family. The
PTA committee had done a fantastic job; the gym was unrecognizable. Games and
booths outlined the walls, all with a different cultural twist. Drew ran to the
American-themed football toss first. We followed after, holding hands. I loved
the feel of my hand in his. We watched Drew make shot after shot.

Andrew
beamed with pride. “Look at that kid’s arm,” he kept repeating.

“I
think he gets it from me.”

Andrew
arched his eyebrow. “Prove it.”

I
kissed his lips once. “Watch and learn.” I met Drew at the game. “Toss me the
ball. I’m going to show your dad a thing or two.”

Andrew
got up close and personal near my side.

I
threw the ball up in the air and caught it with ease before I threw it through
the hoop, with a nice spiral, if I do say so myself.

“All
right, Mom!” Drew shouted to my left.

Andrew
grinned to my right.

Two
more throws both made it through. I high-fived Drew before turning toward Andrew,
who looked like he was hopelessly in love. He leaned in and kissed me, G-rated
of course, but the words he whispered in my ear were for an adult-only audience.
Who knew knowing how to throw a football would be such a big turn on?

“Where
do you think Drew learned how to throw a ball?”

Smitten,
Andrew didn’t get to answer. Drew was pulling on my hand. “I want to show you
something. My essay made it on the Wall of Fame this week.”

Andrew
and I followed Drew out of the gym. I loved being sandwiched between those two.
It was a perfect fit.

Drew
was excited and couldn’t seem to walk fast enough. It must have been some
essay. We landed in front of his classroom. The outside wall was called the
“Hall of Fame.” I spotted Drew’s paper right away. The guys gathered around me
as I began to read.

My
hero is my mom.

I
was a goner from there. Tears flooded my eyes.

My
mom adopted me all by herself when I was a baby. She taught me how to ride a
bike and play football. She comes to all my games and cheers the loudest. When
I’m sick she takes care of me and she makes me bacon.

I
had to laugh at his bacon reference.

She
plays video games with me even though I always win. And when I’m scared, she
sings to me. She is the best mom ever.

I
pulled Drew to me and hugged the air out of him. “I love you infinity.”

“I
love you infinity plus one. Don’t kiss me in school, okay?”

I
laughed.

“Can
I go back to the carnival now?”

“Yes.
Your mom and I will be right there,” Andrew answered.

Drew
took off without another word.

Andrew
took me into his arms and kissed away my tears.

“Did
you help him write that paper?”

“No.
That was all him, but I couldn’t agree more. You are our hero. We love you.” He
ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “I love you.”

I
reached up and wound my hands around his neck. “I love you, too.”

His
lips set mine on fire. For a second, I found myself pushed against the wall and
his body pressed against mine. His lips were warm and urgent. I never felt more
wanted, but we both realized we were in our son’s school and we broke apart
before it got out of hand.

His
sexy grin said it all. “Keep kissing me like that and I’m going to get
detention.”

I
bit my lip and smiled. “I’m thinking of putting the stamp of approval on your
application.”

Andrew
was right back, his body pressed against mine. “You know what? Detention never
hurt anyone.”

I
ran my fingers up through his hair and pulled his head toward me. Our lips were
on the cusp of connecting. “I couldn’t agree more.”