Renewed (The Fractured Series Book 3) (8 page)

He tossed the redhead off him and chased me across the lawn. But I didn’t stop until I ran into another person. I looked at my captor, his arms around me. Jimmy.

Rapid breaths weren’t enough to stop me from screaming out. I sat up in the darkness of my room, comforted it was only a dream, yet disturbed I would doubt Rob enough to have it in the first place.

***

“Sorry to call in the morning, Gina.”

“That’s okay, Mandy. What’s up?”

“I’ve been having a lot of bad dreams lately.”

“Do they have to do with Jimmy?”

“Well, a lot of them, yeah. But now, I’m dreaming of losing Rob to this girl he’s known since they were kids. She’s got this thing for him. She’s Eric’s cousin from the other half of the family. She’s visiting for the summer.”

“And you’re threatened, why?” Gina asked.

“She practically throws herself at him and flirts with him.”

“Mandy, is he flirting back?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then don’t worry about it. Tell Rob how you feel and I’m sure he’ll reassure you that you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“I guess I knew that, but I needed to hear it from someone else. Jennifer would have said the same thing, but I haven’t asked her. She has enough on her plate. Thanks, Gina.”

“No problem, Mandy.”

**
*

“Good morning, Sunshine,” he said kissing my nose and then my lips. He held the car door open, but I hesitated to get in.

I tried to get lost in him, but the thread of truth of my dream nagged at me, despite what Gina said.

“What’s wrong?” His question made me feel silly for even entertaining the thought of my overactive mind.

“Nothing.” I looked away. He would think I’m being immature if I told him.

“Tell me. I don’t like it when you’re upset.” The tranquil blue of his eyes eased my defenses.

I told him about my dream. Instead of laughing, he pulled me into his arms and assured me I was the only one he wanted.

“It was only one kiss, one I didn’t ask for. It never went any further, although she’s tried. I told you the day I first kissed you, everything shifted. I know who I belong with. The only first kiss that matters is the one I had with you.”

After drying my tears, his soft, warm lips convinced me. Then we drove to school.

In the ten minutes it took to get to school, we didn’t mention Chelsea even once. When I was over my insecurity about her, at least for the moment, Rob took my books from the back seat of the car, and walked me to class.

“So what did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, keeping my mind
off Chelsea.

“I n
eed your help,” he said.

“Sure. Anything for you.” I smiled and snuggled under the protection of his arm around me.

“I have to draw a portrait for my final grade in art. I was thinking you could be my model.”

“
Mmm. Can it be a nude portrait?”

“I like the sound of that, but I don’t want Mr.
Kingston or the rest of the school, to know how incredibly beautiful you look without any clothes on. That’s only for my knowledge.” He kissed my nose

“You have a point. I’d
be happy to pose. When and where?”

“I have to figure out what I want to do and then I’ll let you know, okay?”

“Okay.”

“So, how’s this Saturday? You don’t have to work at your Dad’s shop, do you?” I shook my head. “And I don’t have to be at work until nine. I’m doing the after-hours shift, so we can do the portrait
, and then I can take you out for dinner as payment for being such a great model.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Good.”

***

He was at my house at eleven on Saturday. After our usual half hour hello, which had nothing to do with words, he handed me a black garment bag. “This is what I want you to wear when I draw you.”

I opened the bag and saw the Grecian style dress he had Mrs.
MacIntyre, the seamstress, make for me for Halloween. “You want me to wear this?”

He nodded. I went upstairs to change, while he joined my mother in the kitchen.

When I came back down, Mom gushed over how pretty I looked. “Sorry it took so long. The curling iron took forever to get hot. I tried to put my hair up the way I had it for Halloween, but it doesn’t want to stay, so I just clipped up the sides. Is this okay?”

“You look perfect,” he said kissing me.

“Okay, we’ll be back later.” Rob smiled at my mother.

“Have fun,” she said.

He led me out of the house and up the block.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m going to draw you in the most beautiful place on earth.” I knew he meant by the creek.

When we got there
, it was even more special than ever being in such a beautiful place, in a beautiful dress, with a beautiful man.

“Where do you want me?” I asked.

He pointed. I climbed up onto the rocks that I had posed on during one of the first times I brought him to the creek. I leaned back on my arms and waited for him to correct my position. Gentle hands moved my arms and legs. It took all I had not to react to the sparks I felt when he touched me. He brushed my hair forward so some of my reddish-blonde banana curls rested on my shoulder.

“Are you comfortable?” he asked. I nodded. He was no
-nonsense. “Okay, then stay like that.”

Rob sat on the ground a few feet from me. He leaned against a small boulder and crossed his legs out in front of him. I wished it was
me drawing him. I watched him on the ground in his jeans and tight tee shirt. A serious look washed over his face as he picked up the charcoal pencil and began to draw. Each time I tried to talk to him, he’d say, “Shhh. I’m working.”

After what seemed like years, but was really only thirty-five minutes, I had to interrupt. “Ah, excuse me
DaVinci, but I’m getting stiff over here. I have to move.”

He put the sketchpad down, but didn’t face it toward me. “Okay. You have a two minute break.”

“Can I see?” I shifted from side to side, hoping for a glance at the sketchpad.

“Not until I’m done.”

I got off the rock and stretched my arms into the air. Breathing in deeply, I rolled my head to stretch my neck. Then I walked up and down the side of the creek to get the kinks out of my leg muscles. I sauntered up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. But he was not in a playful mood. I pulled away.

“Man, you’re serious.”

“I want a good grade in this class.”

“Why? You’ll pass.”

“Because I want to impress you.”

“Rob, you don’t have to impress me with art. You impress me with everything else, especially with how you make me feel. I don’t need anything else
, as long as I have you. I couldn’t care less if you failed art, or any of your classes. In fact, I wouldn’t even care if you dropped out of school.” I replaced my arms around his neck and kissed him. This time he kissed back.

“Okay, I need you back on the rock before I lose my light.”

What happened to my break?
“Yes, Sir,” I said and jumped up on the rock.

Rob studied his drawing to see how I was positioned before. He walked over to me and moved my arms to get the correct position, the way I had been before my break. His pencil dropped to the floor. He bent down to retrieve it. When he looked back up
, he said, “There’s one thing I have to add to your pose – a prop.”

“I’m not putting a wreath of flowers in my hair, so don’t get any wild ideas.”

He looked at me with a straight stare – still serious. The blue of his eyes was deep. He rested on one knee and moved his hand in front of me. Instead of the pencil, as I expected, he held a small, black velvet box. He moved it closer. It was opened, and inside sat the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. A two-carat, emerald cut, white diamond sparkled in a platinum setting as the sunlight streamed through the trees and bounced off it.

Everything disappeared. I only saw Rob. “Oh my, that’s the most beautiful
—”

His mouth opened and my heart raced. “Amanda Stewart, you mean the whole world to me. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you. I’d probably still be miserable. Since I’ve met you, I’ve known beauty on so many levels: intellectual, emotional, physical. I know I can’t live without you, and I don’t want to try. I’d like to ask if you would honor me in being my wife.”

My brain screamed, YESSSSSSSS! But nothing came out of my mouth. Instead, I grabbed him and pulled him up on the rock with me. My mouth found his.

When I finally let go, he asked, “Does that mean yes?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I screamed it out loud. Yes, I would love to be your wife.”

He smiled. Both of his dimples were present. He slipped the ring on my finger to make it official
, and we kissed again. We didn’t stop for a long time.

Wiggling my fingers to watch the sunlight dance off the sparkly diamond, my concentration had shifted. I jumped off the rock and followed him to the sketchpad.

“Did you really have to do a portrait for Mr. Kingston?”

“Yeah. It’s due on Thursday.”

“I want to see what you’ve drawn.”

“Remember, I’m an amateur,” he said.

“You’re more than just an amateur.”

He hesitated
, and then turned the pad around. My eyes widened; my mouth dropped open. The drawing had perfect shadowing. I was sitting on the rocks in my goddess regalia. The left hand was back, supporting my weight. The fingers gripped the rock. On the fourth finger sat the beautiful ring he had just placed on my real finger.

Now I truly felt like the luckiest girl in the whole world.

Chapter
Thirteen

When we got back to my house, the
Bowmans and Bryan and Jennifer were there. Chelsea was there, too. Rob had planned the whole thing, including having a long talk with my father beforehand, asking for his permission for my hand. He was such a romantic.

Everyone congratulated me
– everyone except Chelsea. The only one Chelsea offered her best wishes to was Rob. She managed to aim her kiss on his lips, the ones that belonged to me.

When Chelsea stepped away, I saw Rob’s cheeks flush red. He didn’t look at me. I guess he knew what my reaction was.

Mom had ordered in tons of Chinese take-out, and we all celebrated our new engagement. For the next few hours, everyone showered Rob and me with attention. Chelsea receded into the woodwork.

“I’ll throw the trash out for you, Mrs. Stewart,” I heard Rob say. He went out the back door with the bulging garbage bag. Chelsea followed him. I made some excuse to go into the kitchen so I could look out the window to keep my eye on her.

Rob placed the trash in the bin and then walked back to the house. Chelsea walked up to him. I could barely make out what they were saying.

“Chelsea,” Rob said with surprise. “Did I forget some garbage?”

“Ah, no. I just came out to get some air. It’s awkward for me. I don’t really know the Stewarts.”

“Oh, they’re great. You should get to know them.” Rob’s unprovoked assessment of my family made me smile.

“Well, I’d rather get to know the other side of my own family.”

Rob’s face twisted with confusion.

“I’d like to get to know you better, Rob.” Her well-manicured index finger traced Rob’s shoulder. I grabbed the edge of the sink and clenched my teeth.

Rob smiled. “Chelsea, when are you going to give up? I’ll never fall for your games.”
Woo-hoo! That’s my fiancé!

“Rob, you haven’t even given me a chance. And now you’ll be off the market forever. At least let me have you one time before you get married. It’ll be good for you, too. This way you’ll know if you’re making the right choice.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “You know,
your parents always liked me.”

Mentioning his parents was a cheap shot. One nail broke as I squeezed the sink. My finger started to bleed, but I didn’t dare run the water, because then I wouldn’t be able to hear Rob’s answer.

He reached up and put his hand on hers. My heart sank to my stomach.
Please don’t… don’t…

“Chelsea, I’m flattered,” his voice was sweet. “I’m sure there are hundreds of guys
who would love to take you up on this offer, and maybe I’m crazy for not being one of them, but I love Mandy. She’s everything to me. I’m not interested in anyone else. She’s all I need.”

I released the death-grip I had on the sink and let out the breath I had been holding. Rob walked in through the backdoor and saw me standing with my hand in the sink.

“What happened?”

I stared at him blankly.

“Your finger is bleeding.” He turned the water on, then took my hand in his and held it under the cold water. I looked at his face and melted. All of my silly insecurities ran down the drain with the bloody water. He loved me.

Rob stayed by my side the rest of the evening, until he had to leave for work.

“Now I really don’t want to be away from you,” I said as I walked him out to his car.

“You won’t be for long. Think about a summer wedding.”

“What? So soon?”

“There’s no reason to wait
, is there?”

“College in the fall,” I reminded him.

He traced my mouth with his index finger. “You can still do all of that; we just have to change your status to ‘married’, and your last name to ‘Cooper,’ unless you’re going to be one of those women that hyphenates their maiden name.”

“No. I want your name. I want everything of yours.”

He smiled.

“Okay, so think about it.” He gave me the kind of kiss a man gives the woman who just accepted his marriage proposal
. How could I think about a wedding when all I could think of was that kiss?

When everyone left, Mom came into the kitchen. She sat at the table, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

“My babies are grown up. Bryan is married with a baby on the way, and now you’re engaged. This happened so fast. I missed so much of your lives
, and now, it’s speeding by me.”

I took a paper towel and dabbed at her tears. I moved her brown curls away from her face. “No one is going away. We’re all still here. So we’re a bit older, but we’ll always need you.
Bryan more than me, I think, but I’ll always need you, Mom.”

She smiled and hugged me.

“Go upstairs and take a nice, long, hot shower. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to need your help planning a wedding.” She laughed and kissed me on my forehead.

***

Finally, it was the last day of school. Rob had to work, as usual. I waited a half an hour after he left me before I walked to the supermarket. My destination: the deli counter.

“Can I help you?” the skinny, pimple-faced boy asked from behind rows of meats and cheeses.

“Yes. Can you page Rob Cooper?”

“Sure,” his voice crackled.

When he disappeared from the counter, I kept myself occupied by looking at the items in the deli case. From the corner of my eye, I saw someone with blond stringy hair next to me. My body stiffened and I held my breath. Only my eyes moved as I glanced over. I released my breath with a whoosh. It was a teenage boy grabbing a package of rolls from the rack next to me. He couldn’t have been older than fourteen. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Get a grip, Mandy
. I shrugged it off.

When I looked up, Rob was standing behind the counter.

“I want to order some of that tan goop.” I pointed to the humus I had accidentally ordered a year ago, when I first laid my eyes on Rob.

He looked at me with furled eyebrows. It took a moment
, but then he realized why I had ordered it. “A half a pound?” he asked.

“Um, yeah,” I said.

“A half-pound each of potato salad and coleslaw, too?”

“Uh-huh.”

“How about some whipped cream?”

“Like the whipped cream, do
ya?”

“Oh yes,” he said with sultry enthusiasm.

“Well, I’ll make sure I get some more of that.”

The skinny, pimpled-faced kid stood at the counter, his eyebrows high on his head in surprise as he followed the conversation between Rob and
me.

Rob walked around the counter to where I was standing. Several older ladies and moms with small children were waiting
in line for someone to take their orders. Rob grabbed me around the waist and placed his wonderful, soft lips on mine. I was lost in the torrent that took over my body.

“Will I see you later?” he whispered.

“Without a doubt,” I confirmed between heavy gasps.

“Good.”

Matt, his boss, was standing on the other side of the aisle. He looked at us and rolled his eyes. Then he continued his task. Rob kissed me again. “I’ll see you later.”

When he walked away, Old Mrs.
Mandelburg asked if she could order the same thing as I just did. I laughed, as did most of the other customers.

I ran home to get my car keys. Mom was sitting in the backyard. Dillon was playing in his blow up pool, in the same clothes he wore to school.

“Mom, I’m going to Rob’s. It’s a year since we met, and we’re going to celebrate.”

“Okay, Sweetie.”

“Mom, why is Dillon in the pool with his clothes on?”

“He said he wanted to go swimming, so I let him.”

“You should have made him change into a bathing suit. Now he’s going to expect to do this every time.”

Mom shrugged.

“Mom, just because you’ve missed some things, doesn’t mean you should let him do whatever he wants. It’ll just make it worse when you have to tell him no.”

Mom smiled and caressed my cheek with her hand. “You’re right, Sweetie. Next time
, I’ll make him change.” I started to walk back into the house. “Oh, Mandy, you got mail. It’s on the kitchen table.”

Suffolk County Jail. I didn’t even open it. With a gentle toss, it landed in the
trashcan.