Goodbye Secrets (The Lost & Found Series book #2) (22 page)

“Your days have been filled with one catastrophe after another since I’ve been in your life.” I only tease because I’m the one who is now overwhelmed. By his words.

“Yes, sweetheart, you do know how to keep life interesting.” He chuckles.

“Oh, the other girls in your life didn’t come with explosions, murder mysteries, love triangles, assault and battery, or kidnappings?” I look up toward the ceiling as I ramble off the list of intriguing things I’ve brought to the table.

“Oh! Of course they did! Who doesn’t?” He waves his hand. “You’re just so much better at it, sweetheart!” There’s that full-blown Grayson James smile.
Becca Campbell is weak in the knees. Why am I thinking in third person?
“Thank you, Becca.” He holds my face and stares into my eyes. “For all of this ... for everything you do to show me you love me. I’m one lucky bloke, and I’d do well to remember that more often.” He kisses me again, swiftly this time. “I’ll tell the girls to come back now. I love you.” A kiss on my forehead and he’s off to get them. I decide to hold the wall up for another minute or two. Geez ... all this over his mother’s shortbread cookies and evergreens. Wait until he sees what I do tomorrow!

Hazel and the girls rush back in.

“Becca, you okay?” Hazel asks as she studies my face.

“We done good, Mum!” I smile, and she breathes a sigh of relief. We spend the next three hours baking and cleaning as we go.

“Sandwiches or pizza tonight, girls?” I ask as we put the last few things away. Grayson comes in through the kitchen’s swinging door.

“Sweetheart, where are your ornaments?” he asks. “Well, look at all of this! My, you girls have been busy!” Grayson stretches his arms out, taking in all we’ve accomplished in one day. “I’ll tell you, you have this whole place smelling fantastic!” He ruffles Morgan’s and Annie’s hair.

“We have been working hard, Daddy!” Morgan smiles up at him. She runs to the counter to get a shortbread cookie, then brings it to him. “Did you try Nanny’s cookies? Are they as good as when she made them?” Grayson takes in a sharp breath. I follow suit.

“Let’s see, Morgy.” His voice shakes. He takes a bite and closes his eyes. I wait. “Nope. No, I’m sorry. It’s not as good.” He shakes his head, disappointed.

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” Morgan says quietly and looks down, seemingly disappointed with his answer.

“Why, little sweetheart?” He takes another bite.

“That it’s not good.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I thought I said it was even better. I didn’t say that out loud?” he asks, acting shocked.

“No!” She playfully pushes him.

“Oh. Of course it tastes even better! It has your TLC in it! That’s the main ingredient, you know.” He hugs her. “Thank you, Morgy ... for being you. I love you, sweetheart, and my mother would’ve adored you.” He holds her for another few moments before standing up.

“Hey, what do you want for dinner?” I come up behind him and rub his back.

“Why don’t you make steak tonight, love?” He looks at me as he pops the rest of the cookie in his mouth.

“Uh, I can make a phone call to a restaurant to get you steak. Kitchen’s closed, baby!” I pat his back.

“C’mon, Becca! Look at this amazing new kitchen I gave you! How many hours did I save you with it? I think you can cook up a few steaks, sweetheart.” He pats my bum and I catch him winking at Hazel.

“As I said, where should we order from?“ I open the junk drawer and pull out a ton of menus.

“Pizza!” the girls yell.

“Pizza it is.” Grayson shrugs. “Auntie, can you order? I’d like Becca to show me where the ornaments are.” When Hazel nods, I grab his outstretched hand and lead him into the stockroom.

“Unless everything was moved, they should be back here in this corner.” I look around. “There they are!” I point up.

“Did you tell her to do that, Becca?” Grayson asks. I feel his hands at my hips.

“Who? Do what?” I try to turn to him, but he’s holding me tightly. I only manage to crook my neck enough to look back at him.

“No, no. I’m enjoying the view here!” He smirks. “Did you tell Morgan to call my mother ‘Nanny’?”

“No, not at all, Gray. Why would I do that? We are talking about Morgan here. She started calling you ‘Daddy’ right away without anyone telling her to. Gray ... oh, Gray, please stop.” I close my eyes and lose focus as his hands caress my bottom and work their way up my shirt.

“What is it with this room?” he mutters against my ear. I turn my face to him and give in to his touch.

“Mom, Grammy Hazel said Aunt Stacey needs you!” Morgan yells into the stockroom. Grayson and I jump.

“Ugh!” He groans. “Go see what she wants. I’ll get these down, love.”

“Okay, baby.” I try to regroup. I free myself and head out of the stockroom.

“Ms. Campbell!” Grayson yells before I’m out the door. I turn around. “Shag you later?” He smiles.

“As always, Mr. James.” I return the expression. I’ve decided that we are a very cute couple!

“Hey, way to get out of baking today, you hermit!” I tease Stacey as I head into her room.

“Sorry, I’ve been on the phone with Ray. We need to talk.” She sighs.

“You know what, Stacey? I’m not doing this! I’m having a wonderful evening with my family, and I’m not going to ruin it by discussing Ray with you! You know what you can do, though? You can sit back and think about where your fucking loyalty lies! I have been your best friend for twenty-three years! If that means nothing to you anymore and your friendship with Ray is more important, then maybe you should go and recoup at his house! I’m done trying to figure you out, Stacey! I don’t know what the hell is going on with you, but I’m done!” I yell like a crazy lady and storm out of her room, slamming the door.

“Sweetheart, what the hell is going on?” Grayson grabs me in the hall.

“I can’t do this anymore, Gray!” I yell at him without meaning to and start crying.

“What? Wait ... what did I do, sweetheart?” He grabs my arms and searches my eyes.

“Huh?” I look at him with complete confusion.

“What did I do?” He asks me again.
What the hell is he talking about?
“Becca, you said you couldn’t do this anymore. What did I do wrong, love?”

“Oh. No, baby, not you. I’m sorry.” I touch his face and kiss him. He visibly relaxes. “It’s Stacey. She avoids us all day, and then the moment she shows signs of life, she wants to talk to me about Ray!” I let my emotions win.

“Go out there with the others, love. I’m going to have a chat with your friend.” His words are calm, but there’s all kinds of flaring and twitching going on.

“No, I’ll handle this, Gray. You can’t take care of everything for me.” I bring his face back to mine.

“Yes I can, and I most certainly intend to, doll. So, unless you want to argue with me as well, I suggest you follow my orders.” He’s terse.

“Your orders?” I snap, but quietly.
Women’s-Lib Sybecca is burning her bra in protest. All of the other Sybeccas sneak up behind her and hit her over the head with their rolling pins. She’s rendered unconscious.

“Yes! My
orders
!” he says again through gritted teeth.
Cautionary Sybecca stands with the red ticker board. “Go now!” runs across it.

“Okay ... sir.” I quickly grasp his lips with mine before I follow his orders. He swats my ass as I leave. It’s not the playful type. It’s more the painful, full-of-promise type. I should’ve known it was coming. Ever since he read my books, whenever I call him
sir
it’s like a gateway drug for him. He’s gotta push the envelope.
Hmm ... love the envelope-pushing around here!

GRAYSON

“Stacey, it’s Grayson. Are you decent?” I ask before I stroll in.

“Depends on your definition, gorgeous!” she replies. Always fucking flirting, this one!

“I’m coming in,” I state.

“Oh, Grayson, I wish you would, honey.”

Christ!

“Just what are you playing at, lady?” I lay right into her. She’s taken aback.

“What do you mean, Grayson?”

“Becca flew three thousand miles to be by your side! She spent countless hours at the hospital and hotel, never mind the weeks she spent away from Morgan! I want to know what you are playing at. You two have been best friends more than half of your lives, but I only see one of you fulfilling that role! Now, what say you?” I could choke her for the pain she has caused Becca.

Stacey is sitting upright in her bed in her pink robe and matching turban.

“I say, I guess I haven’t been a very good friend.” She looks down at her hands. “Becca’s always been the strong one, Gray. I’ve always been the flirty and fun one. That usually worked for me, until the guys I dated realized I was actually smarter than them. Then I was all wrong. No problem, I always had a backup—until Steve. Steve was the first guy who was fascinated by the whole package.”

I try waiting for her to reveal her big aha moment, but I’m not known for my patience.

“Stacey! What the hell does that have to do with anything I’ve just said?”

“I don’t know, Gray! I’m trying to figure it out myself!” she snaps back, sounding frustrated. “I guess I’m jealous. The only guy who appreciated the whole package no longer appreciates it! I come here and here’s Becca—sweet, doe-eyed Becca—with two incredible guys fighting over her like she’s Bridget Jones and this is her fucking diary! I just don’t get it! Becca and I are very similar in every way. Well, except for our looks, and the fact that I’m flirty and she’s not. But both of us are outgoing, funny, and smart. We’re so much alike it’s ridiculous, and yet half the fucking men around here have it bad for her! Why, because she’s the
mysterious
Becca Campbell? Well, mystery solved—there is no mystery! She’s just fucking oblivious, and all you fucking morons romanticize it into being
mysterious
! What a fucking joke!” she yells through her tears.

“Well, she is oblivious, I’ll give you that. But, Stace, maybe you should take this time for you. You were with Steve for so long. Maybe your needs and wants are different now. I bet if you take this time to just concentrate on yourself and where you are in life, the other stuff with fall into place. From what Becca’s told me—and even what you just said yourself—maybe you need to figure out who
Stacey
is without being on the arm of a gentleman. You know, the whole
mystery
of Becca is not just her being oblivious, it’s that she was not looking for any of this. She just wanted to raise her daughter right. She wanted to be a positive part of the community and to be a good person. She’s a challenge to men—that’s why we all want her. She doesn’t need us. We
want
her to need us.” I’m amazed this is all coming out of my mouth, because I haven’t put much thought into it. I just knew she was going to be mine.

“Everybody thought she would end up with Ray. He’s been in her life pretty steadily for the past five years. So how did you win her over so quickly, Gray?” She crosses her arms, waiting.

“Chemistry ... moth to flame ... love at first sight. Whatever you want to call it, we have it. And I’m selfish and persistent. I wanted her. I gave her no chance to think about it—that’s all.” I shrug.

“Speaking of selfish, Ray told me what happened today. Grayson, he really is beside himself for so many different reasons. I can’t believe he did what he did, but I can see why, as inexcusable as it is. He’s worried about Annie.” She grabs a tissue and dabs her eyes.

“Why is he worried about Annie?” I’m puzzled.

“Well, if he’s arrested for what he did, it will destroy her. He’s also worried that with his parents away, Annie will have to go to Child Protective Services. That’s why I wanted to talk to Becca to see if she would wait at least until after Christmas. He wants Annie to have a good Christmas and his parents will be back by then.” Hmm ... Becca and I haven’t even talked about what she is going to do, although I’d be very surprised if she pressed charges.

“I think that is something Ray and Becca should discuss together. Speaking of Ray, why were you trying to help him break us up?” I’m not leaving here without getting some old questions finally answered.

“I wanted Ray. I’ve always had a crush on him. So I pushed Becca toward you. Honestly, she made it easy—it was so obvious that she’s in love with you. Then I finally realized he just wanted her, so I thought I could win you over if I helped him break you guys up. How am I doing by the way—winning yet?” She smirks. I pat her knee and smile. “I’m sorry, Grayson. I do feel terrible about it all.” Her chin quivers.

“Well, tomorrow’s a new day! Start over. Just be her friend. She needs you. Why don’t you come out and join us for carols, pizza, and ornaments?” I offer. She nods.

“Okay. I’ll be out in a bit.”

“All right, then, I’ll see you out there.” I get up and head out.

Becca, Morgan, and Annie are sitting in front of the Christmas tree I had some of the detail get.

“Hey, what do you girls think?” I ask cheerfully. I think they chose a magnificent tree! I turn to them, only to have the smile fall off my face. Becca’s expression is flat. Morgan looks like she’s on the verge of tears, and Annie’s more interested in playing with the zipper on her sweater. “What’s the matter? What’s wrong with it?” I look back to the tree.