Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) (24 page)

“Then
put it in an account for him.”

His
strong hands drew my face to his. “You don’t know how lucky I feel to have you
by my side,” he spoke against my lips. “Thank for being such a good mother to
my son.”

“Thank
you for making me a mother.”

I
could get used to sleeping in his arms, or even not sleeping. There was something
about laying in the arms of your man and talking for hours that was more
intimate than any other physical form of affection.

Andrew
was curious to know everything about me, it seemed. “Tell me your greatest fear.”

“Easy,
losing Drew.”

“Greatest
hope?”

“That
Drew is happy and healthy.”

“First
love?”

I
made circle motions with my fingers across his chest as I thought back to high
school. “Jeremy Bennett,” I sighed.

“There’s
a story there.”

I
hadn’t thought about him in a long time, even though from time to time we ran
into each other when he visited his parents in Merryton. “I dated Jeremy my
senior year in high school. We had plans to attend CU together, but when summer
started after we graduated, something changed between us.”

“What
happened?” Andrew asked.

I
thought for a second about the sting of a first love lost. “It seems so silly
talking about it now—I was barely eighteen when it all happened. Jeremy decided
he wanted to live life before he went to school. He decided traveling Europe
would be a better use of his time. And he decided my sister, Sydney, would be
more fun on such an adventure.”

I
felt Andrew stiffen.

“I
was the boring twin.”

“Your
sister stole your boyfriend?”

“No.
We always promised each other that we would never go after the same guy, but I still
lost a few boyfriends to her. It never seemed to fail—even if a guy liked me
first, he usually ended up going after Sydney. In Sydney’s defense, she was
loyal to me and would never give them the time of day when it happened, but it
still hurt, even though I understood the appeal.”

“What
do you mean, the appeal?”

“Sydney
was the fun one, the life of the party. She had no inhibitions and she was
beautiful. Maybe that’s why I ended up engaged to Brody, because he disliked
her laissez-faire attitude and way of life. I thought, at least this way I
wouldn’t have to worry about him chasing after her like everyone else eventually
did.”

Andrew
turned and maneuvered me so we were lying down facing each other. His eyes were
warm, but filled with concern. “They were idiots, all of them, especially Brody,
for letting you go.”

“Really?
Even you saw the appeal of Sydney. She would have fit in your world much better
than I do,” I confessed my insecurities.

He
shook his head. “You see yourself so unclearly. I see a beautiful, intelligent,
capable, and loving woman. Someone that I would be honored to have by my side
and introduce to my friends and associates. I see a woman who runs a successful
business and is raising a terrific kid all on her own. Someone who knows her
own mind and voices her opinion. A person I could be a partner with, even
though I could never claim to be her equal.”

I
ran my fingers across his cheek. No one had ever said anything like that to me
before. I couldn’t even express how much that meant to me. I hoped I conveyed
with my eyes how I felt. I leaned in and rested my lips on his with gentle
pressure. He read my mood perfectly and kept the kiss sweet and innocent.

That
was, until he ran his hand down the length of my body and silky bare legs. “And
did I mention sexy? You’re killing me.”

I
snuggled my way back against his chest again and rested my head. “We should try
and get at least a few hours of sleep. Drew will be up before we know it.”

He
kissed the top of my head. “You and I are going to make this work out.
Goodnight, gorgeous.”

I
believed every word he said as I listened to the steady beat of his heart. It
was the perfect lullaby to fall asleep to. Even so, sleep was hard to come by
as I lay against his bare chest, thinking about us and where this was all
going. I still couldn’t believe he drove down here. He had tried to get a last
minute flight, but couldn’t. And he figured driving was probably better anyway
in case anyone recognized him.

His
breaths were deep and relaxed. They hummed against my ear. How did I find
myself in this enviable position? How did I find myself falling for my son’s
father?

I
maybe slept two hours. I was on edge, thinking Drew would wake up and find us
together. Around five, I untangled myself from Andrew.

It
didn’t go unnoticed. He reached out for me and pulled me right back to him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was gravelly and deep this early
in the morning. I found I enjoyed it, along with a hundred other things that
made him who he was.

For
a moment, I breathed him in and reveled in the comfort of his arms. “Drew could
be up at any moment.”

“Then
I guess I better kiss his mother before I can’t.”

“I
think she’d like that.”

His
warms lips found mine. His kiss was slow and tender, like he was savoring every
moment. Several times his lips left mine, only to find their way right back.

“We’re
going to get caught at this rate.”

“It
would be worth it.” He skimmed my lips with his.

“Are
you really ready to open that door?”

He
barely lifted his lips off of mine. I could see in his eyes he was actually
considering turning the knob. “I can’t tell him and then ask him to keep it a secret.
I want him to know how proud I am to be his dad. We’re almost there.” He
released me and together we found ourselves in upright positions. He put on his
t-shirt.

I
leaned against him and closed my eyes. I was exhausted, though my blood was
pumping pretty well. I wouldn’t mind a wake-up call like that every day.

He
took my hand and held it tight. “If I win, will you come to my swearing-in
ceremony?”

I
thought about it for a second or two, about what that would mean and how dating
Andrew was going to change my life. How I was going to find myself in
situations I never had before. I had to think about whether he was worth the
discomfort they might cause from time to time. “Yes,” I agreed.

“You
will? I thought I was going to have to convince you.”

“It
makes me nervous, but I want to support you.” I wanted to be with him.

I
think I was about to get another kiss, but we heard a door open and my favorite
kid—and his trusty sidekick, Jake—came running down the hall. Andrew and I
separated. I ran my fingers through my hair to try and straighten it out some.
I wasn’t sure what state it was in after Andrew had had his hands in it all
night.

Andrew
stood up, ready to greet his son. He didn’t look too disheveled.

Drew
rounded the corner. His eyes first went to the tree. He smiled, but when he
turned and caught a glimpse of Andrew, his smile engulfed his face. He ran to
his father. “Andrew!”

Andrew
caught him up and fiercely hugged him.

It
was a beautiful scene. I should have thought to record it. Then I could watch
it later when my eyes weren’t so blurry.

But
as happy as Drew was that Andrew was there, he was still eight years old, and
Santa had come. “Did you see my new bike?”

Andrew
let go of him, disappointed he was playing second string to the gleaming new
bike. How did he think I felt? Drew didn’t even acknowledge me. Maybe that was
a good thing. He didn’t think twice that we were both there together.

Andrew
stood back near me as we watched our son admire his new ride. I could tell he
was having a hard time not touching me. He kept reaching out to me, only to
pull back. We kept grinning at each other, the way only new couples do. I hated
that we had to hide it, but it was for the best. Drew came first, last, and
always.

I
left Andrew’s side and sat down next to my son in front of the tree. I pulled
him to me and got my own hug out of him. He took up my whole lap. “Merry
Christmas, little man.” I kissed his head.

“Mom.
You’re kissing me again.”

I
squeezed him tighter. “Get used to it.”

Andrew
joined me, but not too close. I could still feel his warmth, though, and smell a
lingering clean scent from his soap.

Drew
was a good distraction. “Can I ride my new bike now?”

“It’s
only five thirty in the morning. Let’s at least wait until the sun is up. Why
don’t you check out your stocking?” I grabbed my phone to snap some pictures.

Andrew
leaned in close to my ear for a second while Drew was preoccupied with his
stocking. “You know, you can kiss me anytime. I won’t complain.”

I
pushed him away.

I
enjoyed the scene in front of me. I always loved Christmas, but this year was
better with Andrew. I could never have imagined feeling that way when he first
burst onto the scene, but as I watched Drew and him interact, I almost forgot
why I was ever worried about him. When I saw the tears in his eyes when he
opened his son’s small but heartfelt gift, it was like I was getting a glimpse
of what our lives could be like. A peek into what a life with Andrew would be
like.

I
found myself wanting to make room for three, even if that third person did buy
my son a bow and arrow set.

The
post-holiday blues were worse this year. Andrew’s brief visit accentuated how
much Drew and I both missed him. That one day was like an oasis in the middle
of our separation. I thought of Christmas Day and of Andrew and Drew napping
together on the couch amidst the torn, brightly colored paper. I longed for the
day I could be in the middle of it. When we could tell Drew who Andrew was, and
when Andrew and I could profess our feelings out in the open.

Those
feelings
. Two nights in a row of laying in the comfort of his
arms had me wishing for a lifetime. The thought frightened me. Like I’d told
him, I never expected him. I never suspected that my emotions for him would run
so deep, unless you counted hate, but that was long gone. Now I was wishing
that the next two and a half months would breeze by. Andrew said he would try
and work it out so we could see each other in the interim, but I wasn’t
hopeful. He had a crazy campaign schedule. And the more I watched the press
surround him, the more I didn’t want to involve Drew or myself in it.

The
candidate for the other party was already lobbing barbs Andrew’s way. He was
trying to paint Andrew as a wealthy playboy who knew nothing about politics or
what the people of his district really needed. Andrew, so far, was taking the track
of showing what he did know versus lambasting Kirk Anderson, his opponent. All
of Andrew’s current television spots showed him doing service in the community
and attending planning meetings and political functions. Andrew really seemed
to be involved and love his hometown and district.

Maybe,
though, his mom and I took a little too much pleasure in the negative ad
against him that showed a clip of him kissing those two women at the World
Series. He knew then he was going to run for office; he should have been more
discreet. But it did get old watching him kiss other women. I had to keep Drew
from watching any live television. I hated to admit it, but maybe Andrew was
right to keep Drew’s parentage a secret for the time being. I could only imagine
the political ad about that. It made me sick to my stomach to think about it.

I
was doing my best to keep busy and to keep Andrew’s run for office off my mind.
That, and the fact that I was missing him. On New Year’s Eve, when one should
be with their … I wasn’t sure what to call him. Was he my boyfriend? Partner?
Love interest? Well, whatever he was, it seemed like that particular holiday
warranted being with the person you wanted to spend your time with in the New
Year. Not to mention kiss at the stroke of midnight. And boy, did I miss his
kisses. He obviously had a lot of experience. Just thinking about it had me
feeling like turning on the air conditioner in the dead of winter. But instead
of cozying up with Andrew on New Year’s Eve, I was going to visit Taylor and then
bring Gage back home with us for a sleepover.

Emmy
and Ashley were both going to be gone, too, so Taylor and Easton would have an
evening alone with their newborn. Probably not super romantic, but at least if
they wanted to make out, the baby wouldn’t know the difference.

Drew
and I decided it would be fun to walk to the Cole’s house. I’m not sure why.
There were a few inches of snow on the ground and it was thirty degrees and
dark outside at five p.m. We trudged over in our warm winter coats and boots.
The snow crunched beneath us as we walked down the paved path to our neighbors
that technically lived two doors down, which in this subdivision, was a quarter
of a mile away.

Drew
walked ahead of me. He was looking forward to a night of junk food, playing
games, and maybe staying up until midnight. He was desperate to make it until
the ball dropped. He wasn’t very good at staying up late, so I wasn’t betting
on it. “Tomorrow, can Gage and I use my bow and arrow set in the back yard?”

I
still wasn’t thrilled with that gift. He hadn’t used it at home yet, since we
just got back yesterday, but he and Andrew used it plenty on Christmas. The
tips of the arrows were at least non puncture, but it still wouldn’t feel good
to get hit by one. His pocket knife, which was adored, was now safely locked up
in my closet. We decided that was something he could use while camping, or when
Andrew was around. Andrew and Drew were already talking about what they were
going to do this coming summer. It looked like I had some days and nights
without Drew in my near future. I was still getting used to the idea.

“Let’s
see how the weather is before we decide,” I answered him.

That
wasn’t what he was hoping for. “All right.”

Easton
greeted us at the door. The heat of the home was welcome. We removed our layers
before Drew ran to Gage’s room and I walked back to the family room where
Taylor and her darling baby were. Their house was still decorated to the hilt.
The twenty-foot tree glistened in the entryway. The house was spotless, too.
Taylor was ever the perfectionist. I only hoped she wasn’t the one cleaning.
She needed to be resting and recovering. I was happy to find her propped up on
her couch, doing just that—baby in hand—but looking far too good for someone who
had recently given birth. She had perfect hair and makeup, but as I edged
closer, I could see she was at least human. Her eyes looked tired.

“Rachel,
you’re home,” she greeted me. “Come sit next to me.” She moved slow and
uncomfortably.

I
felt bad to see her make room for me, but she was already in motion. I sat
close to her on the couch. I was hit with a rush of baby mania. Newborn scent
is intoxicating.

Taylor
handed over her bundle of joy, who was sleeping soundly. “If only she slept
this well in the middle of the night.”

“I
take it you’re not getting much sleep.”

She
yawned. “I got a full three hours last night.”

Easton
popped in. “Do you need anything, honey?”

Taylor
shook her head and smiled.

“How
about you, Rachel?” he asked.

I
looked down at Tessa. “I’m all set.” I was in baby heaven. I snuggled her
closer to me.

“You
ladies let me know if you change your mind.” He disappeared.

 “Easton
is attentive,” I remarked.

“Oh,
yes. Unfortunately, this little one won’t take a bottle, even if I pump. She
insists on being nursed and held for a good portion of the night.”

“Are
you able to nap at all during the day?”

“Easton
makes sure that I do. He’s completely in love with her, and takes any time he
can get with her. I’m surprised he isn’t in here holding her now.”

“That’s
sweet.”

“It
is. Between him and the kids, I have to fight to hold her when she doesn’t need
to nurse.”

I
stroked Tessa’s soft blonde hair. “I can see why. She’s perfect.”

Taylor
reached out and touched her cheek. “Yes, she is. So tell me how your trip was?”

“It
was great to see my parents.”

“Uh-huh.
What about your Christmas visitor?”

I
focused on the angel in my arms. Boy, did I ever miss a baby to hold and cuddle
with. “It was short, but nice.”

“Don’t
play coy with me. I can see the red in your cheeks.”

I
shifted my attention toward my friend. “I don’t know, I feel like a smitten
teenager and it’s ridiculous.”

Her
eyes lit up along with her smile. “It’s not a bad thing, but as a warning, it
can lead to,” she pointed to her darling daughter, “exhibit A.”

I
laughed quietly to not disturb the product of overrun hormones I was holding.
“So is that what Easton and you are calling her?”

“No,
but I’ve made sure that we don’t add exhibit B.”

We
both laughed, and the little one in my arms startled. I soothed her back to
sleep. I still had the touch. “We’re far from adding anything new to showcase.
We haven’t even been on a real date. In fact, he’s at the Governor’s Gala
tonight and I’ll be home in my PJs.”

“Ooh,
swanky.”

“Yeah,
probably too much for my taste, but that’s his life.”

She
reached out and touched my knee. “That worries you?”

“It
does, but for him, I’m willing to try it out. He seems to want me by his side,
but what if I don’t fit in?”

She
gave me that look of mother wisdom that she was so good at. “He would be a fool
not to want you by his side. And you don’t have to fit in with his ‘crowd’, you
only need to worry about how the two, or I should say, three of you fit
together.”

“That’s
basically what his mom and my mom both said. I never saw myself with someone
like him. I always shied away from the limelight. That was always Sydney’s place.”

“Well,
it sounds like your sister should have been more like you. And I have a feeling
the limelight will look good on you.”

I
held Tessa close to me one more time. I breathed in that baby scent. “I should
probably get going. I’m sure the boys are ready. Try to get some rest.” I
handed the sleeping beauty back to her mom. I loved watching Taylor’s face
radiate as she looked upon her daughter. I also wished for one of my own. Boy
or girl would do.

I
gathered together the exuberant boys and we headed back to my place to close
out this strange, strange year. I could only imagine what the coming year was
going to look like.

I
caught a glimpse of the possibility after the boys conked out around eleven.
They were so close to making it, but not even all the sugar in the world helped
their cause. One of the local media channels was live streaming the Governor’s
Gala, and guess who was one of the main attractions? Father of my son, my pseudo
boyfriend, my couch sleeping and make-out partner. Take your pick. There he was,
looking beyond handsome in his black tuxedo, dancing with Miss Colorado. Twenty-four-year-old
Melanie Walsh, gorgeous as can be brunette, wearing a dress with a slit that
went almost to her hip. I wasn’t sure how her underwear, or anything else for
that matter, wasn’t showing. She was stunning, and they looked good together.

I
looked down at my plaid flannel pajamas and fuzzy socks and put a chip in my
mouth.

The
female reporter covering the event was obviously taken with him. She turned to
her co-host, or whatever she was called. “Andrew Turner, former Colorado Bears
pitcher and most eligible bachelor, now running for the state representative
seat, looks well doesn’t he?”

I
swore they both sighed. There were some definite dreamy looks. “Well, maybe he
won’t be a bachelor for too long after this.”

“He
has certainly been working the crowd tonight. He was dancing with the
governor’s lovely wife earlier. And I think I recognized some of the Stallion’s
cheerleaders, too.” The camera panned over to the governor’s wife—their
description was an understatement; she was beautiful and carried herself with
poise and charisma.

I
dropped the bag of chips and grabbed my phone to text Andrew.
The brunettes
are a definite upgrade from the blondes. Still, maybe a little young or too
married, but you look great together.

I
turned off the television in my room and grabbed the historical fiction book my
mom bought me for Christmas. I opened it, but couldn’t concentrate. All I could
see was the way Miss Colorado beamed at Andrew, and how he looked at her. He
was attracted to her. Who wouldn’t be? She probably didn’t have an ounce of fat
on her shapely body, with her flawless hair and skin. And his hand had rested
on her side, where she had a cutout on her dress.

I
rubbed my face. This was so stupid. I was dumb to think I could fit into that world.
I was going to need a trainer, a makeup artist, and stylist, to even try. I
hated feeling this way. I don’t think I had ever felt this jealous. Even when
my sister would steal the attention of my dates and boyfriends, I never felt
like this. And why was I suddenly loathing my body and the way I looked? That
wasn’t me. But I also wasn’t someone who attended parties where the press was
involved.

I
sank into my thick comforter and turned off my lights. Tomorrow would be a new year.
And, more than ever, I had no idea what to expect.