Out of the Wreckage (8 page)

Nate and Ruthie are yelling and cursing from the doorway, as
‘Drea pushes Phillip away.  “Phillip, I’m not in love with you.  My Grandparents had love, passion and...magic.  God Phillip that is what I want... I want to love, I want to ache for the man I love... and that’s-“

Phillip sighs, “
That’s not me.” ‘Drea nods smiling sweetly. “So it is the handy man then.  You are in love with him?”

‘
Drea nods, “Yes, Nate...his name is Nate and yes Phillip I love him.”

Phillip sighs,
“I guess that’s that then.  I can’t fight for your heart when you already gave it away, Pet. I am so sorry for the way I treated you Andrea, I took you for granted.  I didn’t value you for the amazing person you are and that is my loss.  I am so glad you didn’t let my mistakes damage you. I will always love you Andrea and just know that if he better be good to you Andrea.”

“
Phillip, I forgive you.  You were no happier than I and well I have let it all go.” She says and he smiles at her fondly, kisses her again and gets into his car and leaves.

Nate stands in bewilderment...
He kissed her twice...Twice... She nodded and smiled at him sweetly.  What the hell?  Was she going back with him? 
Shaking it off he goes back to hauling the boxes and stocking shelves.  The store was opening and there were already people looking around.  He would deal with his broken heart later. 

T
here was not a second to spare, between serving customers, boxing up items and carrying to the cars, they were all busy.  It seemed like the whole town maybe the whole county had showed up to see the Orchard back and thriving.  Nate caught gazes of ‘Drea, she looked blissfully happy.  He couldn’t help but be a little sad at that.  He gave this woman his heart and she didn’t even know it yet.  She could leave without knowing it.  Would it change her mind if she did know? 

By noon, the entire store is cleared out, Nate switches the sign to closed and
‘Drea sinks to the floor. “We did it Grams!”

“
Oh Sugar, your Grand-dad would be so proud of you.” Ruthie says as she sits in a chair. 

“
Of us, Grams.” ‘Drea says as she stands dusting off her jeans. “Grams, can you get back up to the house alright?  There is something I want to do...”

“
Even an old woman can take a hint.  I will see you both for supper?”

“
Yes, Ma’am.” They reply in unison. 

Part Seven:

Finality.

Nate sits in the passenger seat of ‘Drea’s car as they wind up the old mountain road.  What was he thinking?  After Grams had left, ‘Drea had said they needed to talk and that needed to drive so he all but agreed.  He knew what was coming, bracing for the heartache he blows out a breath. “Where are we going?  You haven’t left the orchard since you have been home.”

“
That’s right.” ‘Drea says glancing at him with a smile, “We are going somewhere special, Nate.”

‘
Drea drives up the old road methodically, her head spinning.  It hadn’t taken so long for her to realize that she had fallen in love with Nate.  Phillip’s visit just made her sure.  She wanted to desperately to tell him before, last night in fact.  Nate had secrets though, deep secrets that haunted him just as hers did.  Now that they were all out in the open, she wouldn’t run anymore.  ‘Drea had to tell him, had to know for sure and if he ran ‘Drea might crumble.

Pulling up on a shoulder, Nate’s eyes grow wide; there is nothing but a broken guard rail.  ‘Drea shuts off the engine, walks over and sits on the edge of the broken rail.  As Nate sits next to her, she leans on his shoulder. “After ten years, you would think they would just fix the damn rail.” She says shaking her head in disbelief.

“
Jesus, ‘Drea this is where—“

She nods as he pulls her into his arms.
“I wanted a new beginning; I had to come here to close this chapter first.” She says, tears filling her voice.  Nate’s heart breaks for her as he runs a hand up and down her back. “I miss her so much Nate, damn it I miss her so much.”

“
Oh Baby.” Nate whispers, kissing her hair.

“
I didn’t let myself remember.  It hurt too much.  This whole time it was holding me back.  I’m ready to move on now Nate.”

A
ll of a sudden his gut tightened.  She is leaving.  Nate feels sick, oh after all he had hoped for she was moving on.  Without him.  ‘Drea kisses him, stopping his thoughts.

“
Yeah.” He says shaking his head to clear his thoughts.  “Well, I guess now that the orchard is making money again you will be—“

‘
Drea looks up at him wide-eyed, “You think I am leaving?” Nate’s eyes widen to match hers and she continues, “Nate, I brought you here because this is where my world stopped ten years ago.  It is time to let it start turning again.  Today, was the best day of my life.  This is what I was meant to do.”

Nate shakes his head...confused,
“What about Phillip?”

‘
Drea laughs, “Oh Nate, Grams and you should learn to eavesdrop better.  We talked and there is nothing there.  We said our goodbyes and that is that.  I am not in love with him I told him that.  The orchard is magical Nate, I have always thought so.  It may sound dumb...”

“
No it doesn’t ‘Drea.  There is so much love there.” Nate says stroking her hair away from her face.

“
I found myself again Nate.  For ten years I ran from who I was.  I am a Westwood.  I am bossy, determined, I dream, believe in magical orchard, that dessert can solve all problems, and in anger I lose my ‘gs’.” Nate smiles.  Taking a deep breath, she blurts “And, I love you Nate.”

Nate
’s eyes fly open wide. “What was that?”

‘
Drea giggles, “I love you Nathan Kyle.  I never expected to find all the missing pieces of my heart, but you put them all back in place.”

Nate takes in all she has said and smiles,
“Oh Sugar, you surprise me every day.  I need you ‘Drea, I love you.  You push the darkness back with your beauty Andrea.  From the moment I saw you lying in the grass looking up at the clouds, hell I may have loved you even then.” He stands pulling her into his arms, spinning her. “You know we will have it all, don’t you Sugar?  We can marry in the orchard, walk there every night, raise a family, and keep Ms. Ruthie on her toes.”

Eyes teary,
‘Drea smiles at him. “Yes Nate we will.” ‘Drea says as she kisses Nate, knowing in her heart that she found her magic.