Taylor Lynne: The Women of Merryton - Book Two (4 page)

BOOK: Taylor Lynne: The Women of Merryton - Book Two
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“Cole? As in Easton
Cole?” the blonde asked brashly.

Did I mention I hated
this town? I held out my hand. “Easton is my ex-husband.”

The blonde’s eyes bugged
out of her head. “Did we know that Easton had another ex-wife?”

Jessie and the cute
brunette smacked her. “Cheyenne!” they both exclaimed.

I couldn’t help but
laugh. I was happy not everyone in this town was alerted to me moving back.
Ashley and Emmy had perfect timing as they made their way up the bleachers. I
pointed to my girl. “Ashley is our daughter.”

“Whoa!” Cheyenne shouted.
“How did I not know he was married before the wicked witch? And holy cow, you
guys don’t look old enough to have a teenager! There has been a serious
breakdown in the grapevine in this town.”

“You must be the new
clinical nutritionist at the hospital,” Abby said.

“Guilty as charged,” I
replied.

She pointed to the
catcher on the team. “My husband, Shane, is the attending physician there.”

I didn’t get to respond,
because Cheyenne interrupted. “So you’re the new woman in Dr. Cole’s life.”

“Cheyenne!” Jessie
smacked her again. “Weren’t you listening?”

Jessie looked at me.
“Sorry.”

I grinned and laughed
some. Especially at their reaction to Cheyenne’s lack of tact. They were both
smacking her and apologizing to me profusely. I also found the wicked witch
comment interesting, but I was staying away from it like the plague even if I
agreed with the assessment. “Really, it’s all right. We’ve been divorced for a
long time.”

“So, are you guys getting
back together?” Cheyenne had the gall to ask.

I clenched my jaw. “No.”

She grinned at me like I
was lying, but she obviously hoped I wasn’t. “So, you’re saying he’s still
available?”

She got smacked again by
her friends.

“I wouldn’t know,” I
answered. Though I prayed he wasn’t thinking about getting involved with anyone
right now. Not because I was jealous; I didn’t want anything interfering with
his relationship with our daughter.

She looked hopeful. I on
the other hand hoped if Easton decided he needed to be involved with someone
that he would be smart enough not to get involved with someone like her. Sure,
she was a blonde beauty, and she looked like the perfect trophy wife, but I
couldn’t see her being a good stepmother to either of the girls. I reminded
myself that it wasn’t my concern. Easton was free to date whomever he wanted.

“Anyway,” Jessie said,
“welcome home.”

“Yes,” Abby said, “we
hope you like it here.”

“Thank you.” But I knew I
wouldn’t.

I was so glad the girls
had returned. I hoped it would eliminate any more need to talk about my
ex-husband. The girls had loaded up on all the things I tell my clients not to
eat. Ashley smiled and handed me a bottle of water and the change. “It’s the
only thing you would find appropriate at the snack stand,” she informed me. I
was glad she thought of it. The air was too dry here.

“Are you settling in?”
Jessie asked.

“Working on it.”

Cheyenne was touchy and
took to feeling my hair and Ashley’s. Ashley and I looked at each other.

“You guys have to come
into my salon and let me get my hands on your hair.”

“Cheyenne, how many times
do we have to tell you to keep your hands to yourself?” Abby asked.

Everyone laughed.

“So, you’re a
hairstylist?”

“The best in town.”

I liked her spunk, as
long as it didn’t ever become related to my daughter. I eyed Emmy’s hair and
thought perhaps I could make her an appointment. Then I reminded myself I
wasn’t getting involved.

Emmy seemed to know
everyone. I remembered Jessie mentioning that she had watched Emmy on occasion.
I had always tried not to talk about Easton or his “family,” but this past year
as I tried to decide on what to do, I asked Jessie a lot of questions about my
ex-husband. She was unfortunately a fan of Easton, as was her husband. I had to
admit, it had helped me feel easier about moving back to hell. Well, as easy as
I would ever feel.

I noticed Emmy talk to
Abby’s daughter. I think they said her name was Avery. She looked like her
mother, right down to her kind green eyes. I was glad to see that Emmy had a
friend. Not my place, I reminded myself.

I was grateful when the
game started. Well that was until …

“Dang. Easton does those
baseball pants justice. His butt is going on my all-star team,” Cheyenne
commented.

The girls and I craned
our necks to stare at the woman without a filter. We saw her get smacked again.
I was beginning to think this was a common occurrence. She at least looked a
little ashamed as she looked at my Emmy and my daughter.

“Sorry,” Jessie said to
the three of us.

Ashley and I laughed
while Emmy ducked in near Ashley. She was a shy little thing.

I was silently kicking
myself for coming. It didn’t help when Easton looked up and waved at us. Our
eyes locked and I looked down immediately. Unfortunately, Cheyenne was right
about Easton. It made me wonder how many women were throwing themselves at the
newly eligible doctor. I wondered if he had been faithful to Kathryn. Did he
mourn her loss? I shook my head. I needed to quit thinking about him. He was
making it hard as he kept looking at us and I looked down at Emmy who sat
between Ashley and me. She had kind of snuggled up next to me. All I wanted was
a quiet night at home with my daughter, and now look at me.

When the game started and
I watched with interest. I had never seen Easton play baseball before. When we
were together, he was more of a basketball kind of guy. He played on a three-on-three
league for a short while. Tonight he was playing third base, which meant he
didn’t see a ton of action, but he seemed like he knew what he was doing. He
caught every ball that was thrown to him and tagged a few guys out. When it was
his turn up to bat, he did well there too. He hit a hard line drive and made it
to second base his first time up.

Jessie Belle’s team
handily beat Bob’s Automotive. I was just glad someone won and the game was
over so I could stop watching and thinking about Easton. It was times like
these when I could understand why people took up drinking to deal with life. I
never would—I knew what that road led to, and the damage it not only does to
you, but your family—but I could understand it. Besides, I had found other ways
to avoid dealing with life, like removing myself from the situation. But I
promised myself I would deal with this. I had to.

It seemed like the stands
cleared in an instant, even Ashley and Emmy ran down to the field to
congratulate their dad. I took my time; I was neither wife nor girlfriend. And
it seemed like every other player had one. Even Cheyenne greeted a very
attractive, though I would say younger, man. That didn’t stop her from eyeing
Easton while her boyfriend, or whatever he was, held on to her tight. He better
grip harder.

I was happy to see that
Easton didn’t seem to notice her. I knew it wasn’t any of my business, but I
didn’t want another woman coming between Ashley and Easton.

“Taylor,” Jessie called
up, “come by the café or call me.”

I nodded and smiled.
Jessie was one bright spot in all of this.

I turned my attention
back to … well, I wasn’t sure what to call it other than a mess. I used to
refer to our life together as a beautiful mess, but there was nothing beautiful
about divorce. At least not in my situation.

Father and daughters
approached as my feet hit the field.

“Congratulations,” I managed.
I could be gracious although I felt anything but.

“Thanks.” He grinned.
“Let’s go get ice cream and celebrate.”

Was he talking to me,
too? I acted as if he wasn’t. “Well, you guys have fun.”

His face dropped, as did
the girls’. “I meant all of us.”

Why?
“It’s
been a really long day; I’m going to head home.” I stepped toward my
disappointed daughter and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later, love.” I looked
down at a sullen Emmy. “Bye darlin’.”

She brought up her little
hand and waved at me.

I didn’t have the courage
to look at Easton, so I walked off.

He apparently was more courageous.
I hadn’t gotten twenty yards when I heard him call my name and make his way
toward me.

“Taylor, wait up.”

I paused, but I didn’t
turn around, I didn’t need to.

He stood in front of me.
“Please come.” He smiled. “You don’t have to eat ice cream.”

I had forgotten how kind
Easton could be and how persuasive his smile was, but I hadn’t forgotten that
he tore my heart out. Oh, how I wish I could. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” he
pleaded.

“Goodnight, Easton.”

His shoulders dropped and
what was left of his smile faded.

Chapter Four

 

I didn’t go back to the
house right away. I needed to clear my head. I needed to talk to someone, so I
headed to the only place I could think of, the cemetery, but first I stopped at
the store and bought some yellow roses. They were my mother’s favorite. I drove
up the hill to the cemetery that overlooked Merryton. It was a beautiful place.
Not only could you admire the lights of the town below, but during the day, the
view of the surrounding mountains was breathtaking. Tonight I would have to settle
for the lights and a glimpse of the outlined mountains, as the sun had said
goodbye for the day.

I hadn’t been to visit
her grave since the day I left this godforsaken town fourteen years ago with my
two-year-old in tow. That morning I had sat at her grave with Ashley in my lap
and cried and cried. I had begged God to give me a sign if he wanted me to
stay, but it never came, so I left.

I walked reverently to
her headstone. Even in the dark, and after so many years, I knew exactly where
to go. Her headstone was small, but I knew she wouldn’t want anything outlandish.
That wasn’t her. Despite its size, it was beautiful, just like her. It was all
white with gray lettering that read, “Tessa Lynne Roberts” with her date of
birth and the day she left me. Easton made me put “Wife of Frank Roberts” on it
above “Beloved Mother of Taylor Lynne.” Easton would only see the good in
Frank. Easton had tried to push me to reconcile with my dad. He told me it
would be good for me and that people change. Unfortunately, he was one of them.

I leaned the dozen roses
against the white stone and stood back. I stared at the lovely, almost fully
bloomed flowers for a moment. My memory was drawn to our old rickety home that
was in shambles, physically and figuratively. The only thing of beauty that it
possessed was a single yellow rose bush in the front yard. My mother loved that
bush. Back home in Birmingham I had instructed the gardener I hired to take
care of my landscaping to take extra special care of my yellow rose bushes I had
planted in her honor.

I wrapped my arms around
myself and rubbed. I needed to start remembering to carry a jacket with me.

“Mom,” I said aloud.
“What am I going to do? Why did I come back here?”

I sat down on the cool
grass and, like a child, picked the blades around me one by one. I pulled my
knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs and held them tight.
“Oh, Mom. How can I be around a man that I hate? How can I be around him when I
still love him?” The tears silently fell on my legs. It was true, I loved him. I’d
tried not to. I couldn’t be friends with a man that I hated yet loved. A man
that I’d never forgiven. I waited several minutes for an answer. Again, I was
disappointed. I knew I couldn’t stay very long, so I reluctantly got up. I
didn’t even have time to talk to her about the other man in my life I felt
nothing for. I needed to get home before Ashley did.

I carefully made my way
back to my car and wound my way back down to town. It was too pretty of a town
to hold so many ugly memories. I wiped my eyes and tried not to think of it. I
made it back to my cute rented house on Main Street in Merryton’s downtown district
with just enough time to freshen up my tear-stained face before Ashley arrived
home.

I was in the kitchen
drinking what was at least my tenth glass of water of the day when she came in
through the door.

“Momma, I’m home.”

“In the kitchen, love.”

When she entered the
kitchen, I met her and hugged her tight. “Did you have fun?”

She pulled back and
looked down at me. She was now taller, not by a lot, but enough. “It would have
been more fun if you would’ve come.”

I touched her soft cheek.
“I love you.”

“I love you, Momma, but
why won’t you try? Dad’s trying.”

I smiled sadly. “I’m
doing the best I can.”

I crawled into bed and
curled up into a ball. I wanted my grams. I wanted someone to make it all
better, but I knew no one could. I was the only one that could, and I wasn’t
sure if I was strong enough. I didn’t think pretending was going to work this
time.

I was up early to get
ready for church. The southern girl in me—and my grams—wouldn’t let me miss
church, even if I didn’t really want to go. I was sure the Coles had lit up the
lines of the town grapevine last night. I guess it was inevitable. It was also
inevitable that my ex-husband would show up at my door. Why couldn’t he stay
away? We didn’t need daily contact.

I opened the door as I finished
slipping on my champagne colored heels. “Easton, Emmy,” I sighed. “What are you
doing here this morning?”

Easton didn’t answer
right away, but encouraged Emmy to run in and find Ashley. He was obviously
getting way too comfortable. He waited to speak until Emmy was out of earshot.
“I was hoping you could help with Emmy’s hair before church. Maybe you’ve
noticed I’m not really good at that sort of thing.”

I put my hands to my
face. I wanted to stay uninvolved. The brochure definitely did not mention
this.

“Please, Taylor,” he
begged when I didn’t answer.

I lowered my hands and
looked at him.
Why was he so handsome?

“Emmy has difficulties
warming up to people, but she really likes you.”

“She barely knows me.”

He smiled. “You have that
effect on people.”

I threw my hands up in
the air in resignation. “I give up.” I walked back to find Emmy with Ashley in
the family room. “Emmy darlin’, come with me.”

She quickly obeyed and we
walked back to my bathroom. I sat her down on my vanity chair. I stroked her
wet hair and looked at her through the mirror. “So what should we do with your
hair this morning?”

She shrugged her
shoulders.

I smiled at her. “Well,
pretty girl, why don’t we dry it first?”

She gave me a tiny smile
and nod.

I placed a small amount
of product in her hair, blew it dry, and smoothed it out. She really was a
pretty girl, but so sad. I took my time and curled her long hair, pulling half
of it back and placing a flower in it to match her white eyelet dress that she
had almost outgrown. She looked pleased with herself as she surveyed herself in
the mirror.

I squeezed her shoulders.
“You look perfect.”

“Thanks.” She hardly ever
spoke above a whisper.

“You’re welcome, darlin’.
We better get going.”

She hopped down and
followed me out. We found Ashley and Easton waiting for us on the couch in the
family room. I pulled Emmy in front of me to show her off.

“You look so pretty,”
Ashley said.

Easton took a moment to
look her over, smiling the entire time. “You’re beautiful,” he complimented
her.

Our eyes met and his
smile turned into something else. Something that made my heart skip a beat or
two while my body tensed up.

“We should probably get
going,” I said.

“Do you want to drive
over together?” Easton asked.

I shook my head no. The
last thing we needed to do was show up at church all together like some happy
family. To be honest, I had hoped Easton didn’t go to church anymore. Our last
year together he’d hardly made the time for it.

“I guess we’ll meet you
there.” My reaction disappointed him again.  

Both of the girls looked
at me. Why did I suddenly feel like the bad guy?

The drive over to church
was a quiet affair. When we arrived, Easton parked next to us. He and Emmy
waited for us to get out, so we could all walk in together. We might as well
have driven together. And guess who sat next to us, too? There we were, me on
one end, and Easton on the other, with the girls in between, his by him and
ours by me. I could hear the gossip now.

I sighed silently, crossed
my legs, laid my hands on my tiffany-blue dress, and prayed this would get over
as soon as possible.

Emmy had to go to the
bathroom and Ashley volunteered to take her before the service began. Easton
took the opportunity and slid next to me.

I turned toward him and
narrowed my eyes. “You are going to have this whole town talking,” I whispered.

He grinned, but it didn’t
quite reach his eyes. “This whole town has been talking about me for months
now.”

“So you want to add fuel
to the fire?”

“Taylor, I couldn’t care
less what people say about me.”

He was lucky that way, I
suppose.

“I wanted to thank you
again for helping Emmy, it means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome, but I’m
not sure her mother would approve.”

“Her mother,” he said in
low icy tones, “is not involved her in life right now, and as far as I’m
concerned, it can stay that way.” His eyes burned with anger.

“I’m sorry.” I didn’t
know what else to say. I knew how much it hurt not to have your ex-spouse
involved in your child’s life. Part of me thought it was good for him to have a
taste of his own medicine, but I couldn’t think that way. No child deserved
that.

“Don’t be. It’s for the
best. Anyway, thank you.”

I kind of smiled at him.

“And by the way, you look
gorgeous.” And without another word, he moved back down the pew, leaving me
stunned by his compliment

I looked forward toward
the pulpit. I could feel my cheeks pink up. I was grateful when Abby Parker and
her family sat in front of us. She introduced me to her husband, Shane. Shane proceeded
to engage Easton in conversation. I was glad—it took the pressure off me. I was
also introduced to the Whitney family. I had talked to Douglas Whitney on the
phone since he was my new insurance guy. Easton had recommended the Whitney
Agency over the Riley Agency, where we used to have our insurance. I didn’t ask
why he switched. Douglas had his wife, Claire, with him and his daughter,
Rachel, and her seven-year-old son, Drew, who was as handsome as he could be.
The Pastor also decided he should meet me as well. He was pretty new to this
congregation, for which I was thankful. The fewer people that knew me
previously, the better.

But the good Pastor Bates
knew my father and brought him up. “Please let us know if there is any way we
can help your family through this difficult time,” he said.

I looked over at Easton
when the Pastor mentioned my father. I’m not sure why, but I did. He looked back
at me with concern in his brown eyes. Maybe I looked at him because he knew
that I had no relationship with my father. He knew, at least partially, how
difficult it was going to be for me to even see the man.

I answered him the only
way I could. “Thank you.” I sat down in haste and tried to keep my emotions
under control. The girls arrived back and Ashley had a gleam in her eye. I
could tell she was bursting to tell me something.

She pulled me close to
her. “I met some cute guys in the hall that are seniors this year,” she
whispered in my year.

I smiled at her. “Is that
so?”

“Yes,” she said. “Don’t
look now, but one of them, Raphe, sat in the pew across from us.”

“Maybe I should go
introduce myself,” I teased.

“Momma, don’t you dare.”

I laughed softly. “Calm
down, love.” With extreme caution I covertly snuck a peek at the boy that had
my girl all in a tizzy. I had to admit she had good taste. He was clean-cut and
cute for a teenage boy. I also noticed he had good taste as he stared at my
daughter. I had been waiting for this to happen—she was beautiful and new in
town. I had a feeling I would soon be seeing even less of her. I was happy for
her. I wanted her to make friends before school started in the fall. This was a
huge sacrifice for her to move here in her junior year.

The sermon was nice.
Pastor Bates talked about serving our fellow man. That was always a timely
message. I was sorry to hear it end, because it meant Sunday school was next. I
wasn’t sure how I was going to manage not going with or sitting by Easton in
class since the girls had their own classes to attend. Ashley was whisked away
by her new friends and I noticed her dad took interest in that.

He looked at me with a raised
eyebrow and joined me at the end of the pew. “Do we allow her to date?”

“Only since she’s turned
sixteen.”

He watched her walk away.
“Do you think we could make that thirty?”

“I wish.”

He laughed briefly “So,
shall we go to Sunday school?”

I stiffened at the
thought, but figured he would follow me one way or the other. “I guess.”

“Come on, Taylor, I’m not
all that bad. Besides, the women’s group will need something to talk about when
they meet on Wednesday.”

“Fine, lead the way.” Who
was I to deprive the women’s group of juicy gossip?

“Have you been to see
Frank yet?” he asked hesitantly on our walk to the other side of the church.

“No,” I answered without
apology or regret.

BOOK: Taylor Lynne: The Women of Merryton - Book Two
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