When Love Calls (32 page)

“Why is that? You already have a job.”

“Not anymore, I quit last Monday just after this mess started.”

“Why, if you don’t mind my asking?” Louise said. “When we talked at lunch, you seemed to love what you were doing.”

“I did. But now I realize that I can’t be what they want me to be.”

“And what is that?”

“A lobbyist. I got promoted, but the cost was too high. It’s funny, I always thought I wanted to be a lobbyist. But now all that seems so insignificant. Being a lobbyist meant that I could go out and really connect with lawmakers and politicians and make the case for the foundation. I would actually be making a difference and helping people who really need it.”

“And you don’t want to do that now?”

“Yes, I do, but not at that price. They wanted me to use my influence with Randolph to further the foundation’s agenda. He would never do that, but he might consider it if I asked him to and I would never ask that of him.”

“Of course not,” Louise said softly.

“So I quit,” she said. “Good thing I moved back in with Grandma,” she added, lightening the mood.

“But you moved in before all this happened, right?”

“Yes, I moved back in to help care for her, but also because I needed to fill the void.”

“Fill what void?” Louise questioned.

“The one my mother left,” Alyssa said.

“What do you mean?”

“It broke Grandma’s heart when Mom married my dad, and then when she died they were both inconsolable. I guess it was guilt maybe, because of all the time she wasted being angry with her about Dad.”

“Your filling a void, as you say, doesn’t make anyone happy. Your grandmother is a lot more resilient than you give her credit for.”

“It sounds childish and silly, but she was there for me when I needed her, so I need to be there for her now that she needs me. I need to stand in for my mother.” Alyssa looked at Louise.

“Baby, your grandmother would be heartbroken to hear this. She never wanted you to replace Katherine. Yes, she wanted so much for Katherine, but most of all, she wanted her to be happy and loved, and she was. Your dad loved her, really loved her very much.”

“Yes, I know he did. He still does.”

“And you deserve to be loved just like that. You and Randolph together—”

“Mamma Lou, that’s over,” she said. “I thought you knew, I broke it off. It’s over.”

“Do you still love him?”

“Yes, too much,” she said.

“Then it’s never over.”

“It has to be. I can’t be the one who destroys his career. He’d hate me eventually and I couldn’t bear that.”

“Trust me, he could never hate you,” Louise said.

“Of course not.”

Alyssa turned quickly, hearing the voice she knew so well. Randolph was standing there, looking down at her. She stood slowly, speechless at the sight of him. He smiled. She just stared at him.

“Well, you two talk. I better get back up to the house and see about dinner,” Louise said as she stood and walked back to the house.

“What are you doing here?” Alyssa whispered.

“I was invited.”

“Mamma Lou invited you, too…” she asked, seeing Louise walking back toward the house.

“I’m not the only one hurting here, am I? You’re hurting, too. I heard it in your voice and I can see it in your eyes,” he said. She looked away. “You love me, Alyssa, and I love you. This is too strong to just let go and walk away. You know that.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Yes, you do, love me,” he said as he walked to her.

“I do love you but—”

He reached out and took her in his arms and kissed her long and hard. Moments later, breathless, she stepped back. “This is wrong, I can’t. Mamma Lou may have told you I was here but—”

“She didn’t tell me.”

“Then who?” she asked as the answer came to her.

“Yeah, that’s right, Allie Granger told me.”

“What? When? How?” Alyssa said, totally confused. “My grandmother told you I was here?”

He nodded and smiled. “Yes, she came by my office early this afternoon. We had a very interesting chat.”

“She did?” she asked. He nodded. “What did she say?”

“In essence that I’d be a fool if I didn’t come here.”

“She said that?”

“I thought you left because you couldn’t stand up to your grandmother.”

“I know. It was easier to let you to believe that.”

“Why?”

“Because you might have tried to talk me out of doing what I knew I needed to do. Randolph, your career is too important to too many people. They believe in you, they trust you. You do so much good. I can’t be the one—”

“Adia, I have room in my life for my career and the woman I love. Never doubt that,” he said softly as he gently stroked the side of her face with his thumb. “Allowing you to walk away from me was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. You know we were meant to be together. I can’t go another second without you in my life. Marry me, be my wife, now.”

Alyssa smiled. This was like a dream come true. She’d turned him down before, but there was no way she was going to do that again. She smiled brightly. “Yes, yes. Oh yes.”

Allie and Louise sat out on the terrace trying not to eavesdrop. They glanced toward the shoreline a few times but then always looked away. Their polite conversation was less heartfelt as they waited impatiently for some sign that everything would be all right.

Then hearing Alyssa’s voice carry was all they needed. They looked at each other and smiled. It was done.

Epilogue

T
he wedding celebration of Senator Randolph Kingsley to Alyssa Adia Wingate was sheer perfection. Just after sunset, beneath the canopy of a glorious moonlit sky sprinkled with early twinkling stars and the radiance of the heavens above, Randolph and Alyssa took their vows in the vineyard surrounded by family and friends and a host of well-wishers.

It was simple and divine.

Afterward, the reception was the ultimate gathering. Beneath a canopy of green decorated and scented with fresh flowers, the large newly joined families and host of friends enjoyed the ultimate celebration. Food, wine and champagne flowed as music played and laughter echoed beneath the stars.

Everyone ate leisurely, then toasted and danced as a local band played, sending music flowing through the neatly lined rows of grapes.

Just before harvest, the vineyard was at its peak. The scent of ripened grapes wafted through the air, making their dream wedding even more sensational.

“Are you having a good time, Grandma?” Alyssa asked her grandmother as she sat down beside her in her flowing lace wedding gown.

Allie smiled happily. “I’m having a wonderful time, and you look absolutely beautiful in that dress. Henry would be so delighted to see you right now. Thank you for wearing this.”

“Thank you for lending it to me. I love it.”

Allie smiled. “He bought this so long ago for me but then we eloped and then when your mother, eloped I thought I’d never see anyone wear it.” She reached up and gently touched her granddaughter’s face. “You look absolutely lovely.”

“Thank you, Grandma, for everything,” Alyssa said.

“She’s right, you look beautiful,” Benjamin said as he leaned down to kiss his daughter on the cheek. “Your mother would have been so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Sure,” Alyssa said, making room beside her.

“So, how do you like your new home?” Benjamin asked as he looked around at the beautiful Napa Valley landscape.

Alyssa looked around. “It’s a different world out here, but I love it. Of course, I’ll be going back and forth with Randolph at times. What about you, Dad? Selling the business after all these years must have been difficult.”

Benjamin looked around, smiling. “I think I can get used to retirement. And of course, working here might not be too bad, either.”

“I think you’ll fit right in.”

“I think so, too, and, since my new son-in-law is looking into adding a small brewery, I might just come in handy. And what about you, Allie? Can you handle living at the Esprit Clinic?”

“It’s beautiful there. I’m think I’m gonna like it.”

“I’m glad,” Alyssa said, overjoyed.

This was her day and everything was perfect. Mrs. Watts walked over and sat on the other side of her grandmother. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do with those two,” she said of Oliver and Nina playing on the swings like kids.

“Wish them the best,” Allie said happily.

Alyssa nodded, then turned her attention to Ursula and Pete as they chatted eagerly with Senator Andre Hart and a few other politicians. They were all in their glory, making contacts and exchanging business cards.

She glanced across at her new husband laughing and talking with his friends and family. She couldn’t believe the family she married into. They were all so wonderful and were overjoyed to have her in the family.

“He’s a lucky man,” Benjamin said, seeing the direction she was looking.

“And I’m a lucky woman,” Alyssa said.

“I have to give him credit. He did the right thing, walked in, introduced himself, then asked my permission to marry you.”

“I still can’t believe he did that.”

“It showed respect. I appreciated that. Shall we discuss my grandchildren yet?”

“No, Dad. Not yet. Give me a few months.”

They laughed happily as she stood and walked over to her husband surrounded by her new family and friends.

“Wait, wait let me get this straight,” Trey said, still staggered by the preposterous idea. “You actually went willingly to Mamma Lou.” Randolph smiled and nodded. “No deception, no trickery, no coercion, no one forced you?”

“That’s right,” Randolph said as Tony and J.T. chuckled at Trey’s stunned expression.

“And you actually asked her to help you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Willingly?”

“Yes.”

“Are you being blackmailed?”

“Trey,” Randolph said, joining with Tony’s and J.T.’s laughter, “I met Alyssa and told Mamma Lou about her. She helped me and I will forever be grateful to her. And, no, I am not being blackmailed.”

“You actually went to her and asked for her help.”

“That’s right,” Randolph said, smiling as he watched Alyssa across the terrace talking to her grandmother and father.

Trey shook his head. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve never seen a man walk directly into a lion’s den with a T-bone steak hanging around his neck, purposely get eaten, then come out looking so happy.”

The guys laughed. “You’ll see,” Randolph said.

“What do you mean, I’ll see? What have you heard, is Mamma Lou planning something? Do you know what it is, who it is, when she’s gonna do it?” Trey continued as the idea of being next on the list was suddenly a very real concern. He turned and glanced at Mamma Lou across the terrace. She smiled and nodded. He panicked all over again.

Randolph walked away laughing, meeting his bride midway. They stood face-to-face smiling into each other’s eyes. “So, Mrs. Kingsley, are you happy?” he asked.

“I am deliriously happy, Senator Kingsley,” she said. They kissed beneath the arbor under the stars, sealing their love forever.

“So, are you ever going to take on the ultimate matchmaker challenge?” Colonel Wheeler asked, standing beside Louise as she basked in the happiness of another perfect pair.

Louise looked across the room at Trey Evans as he happily joined in the celebration, standing and talking with Randolph, Tony and J.T. She watched as he turned to her. His worried expression was exactly what she had expected. She nodded and smiled, having already begun working on him without him even knowing it. “Trey is already hooked, he just doesn’t know it yet,” she said slyly.

“I’m not talking about Trey,” Otis said.

Louise looked at Otis questioningly, then glanced around the outdoor terrace at the other guests. It was a beautiful sight. Knowing that she’d had a hand in joining together in happiness several of the couples there filled her with joy. Having eloped a few weeks earlier, Dennis and Faith sat with Jace and Taylor talking about their impromptu elopement and their honeymoon in Africa.

Madison, with her two little ones, sat with a very pregnant Juliet and now-pregnant Kennedy and Hope by her side. Word spread quickly about Kennedy and Hope having the same due date, and bets as to who would deliver first sparked a renewed round of excitement.

Yes, the next generation was very promising. Louise was proud of her accomplishments but even prouder of the love she was able to share. Matchmaking was all about love.

She spotted both her two sons standing across the way, talking with several politicians. “Yes, I agree, you’re absolutely right, both my sons have been widowers for long enough. Maybe it’s time I do something to rectify that situation.”

“I’m not talking about Matthew or Raymond,” Otis said.

Louise looked at him oddly, having no idea who he was talking about. “Then who are you talking about?” she asked.

“I’m talking about us. Don’t you think it’s our turn?”

Louise’s mouth opened. She was speechless.

WHEN LOVE CALLS

An Arabesque novel

ISBN: 978-1-4268-1398-6

Copyright © 2008 by Celeste O. Norfleet

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