Vivian moved to the couch and Clayton walked to the kitchen. He figured it was a good that they hadn’t been in the house for the past few days. The dishes were still clean. Dorothy would never say a word about how their house was kept, but he’d want her to be proud of him. It was important.
As he filled the teapot with water, he heard Dorothy laugh and then Vivian laugh. Yes, that was what he’d expected.
When he finally had three cups of tea made, and balanced in his hands, he walked back to the living room.
Both girls had climbed up on Dorothy and fallen asleep. Vivian jumped up and helped him with the mugs. She set two of them on the table and he set the last one down as well.
“Let me get them to bed,” he said moving to pick up Charlotte.
“I’ll get Stephanie,” Vivian moved toward her.
Dorothy kissed them both on the head as they were carried to their room.
They had laid Vivian’s girls on Stephanie’s bed, so they laid his girls on Charlotte’s.
“This is when I’m glad they both can sleep in normal sized beds.” He laughed quietly.
“Twin beds are not normal.”
“We’re going to have to figure out what to do when you move in here.”
She’d bitten her bottom lip, but she didn’t say anything. They still needed to talk. He knew that was coming.
Clayton pulled the door behind him as he walked to the living room, leaving it open just a crack.
“I’ll bet your girls all get along beautifully,” Dorothy said from the couch as she sipped her tea.
Vivian picked up her mug and sat down in the chair. Clayton picked up his and sat next to Dorothy on the couch.
“They do,” he said smiling. “They want to be sisters.”
“Hmm,” Dorothy smiled from behind her mug. “Wouldn’t that be precious?”
“We haven’t made any plans,” Vivian was quick to add, her eyes darting from Dorothy to him.
“Oh, don’t be nervous about me,” Dorothy laughed. “I could tell there was something going on the moment you pulled up. I’m happy for Clayton. I really am.”
He gave her a knowing grin before turning his attention back to Dorothy. “How long are you visiting?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. At least a few days,” she said. “I’m missing my girl. I’m missing my granddaughters. I sometimes think I should have come with you.”
“You would miss your water.”
“I would.” She grinned. “I love my rain.”
“I should let you two catch up,” Vivian said setting her mug on the table and standing. “I’ll go pull up some floor in the girls’ room.”
Dorothy shook her head. “Oh, I’m no prude. Don’t you sleep together?”
Clayton could feel his cheeks heat and he assumed they matched the red in Vivian’s.
“We haven’t gotten to that stage in our relationship yet,” he said. “I’ve been staying with her because of her mother-in-law. She’s a little unstable.”
Dorothy nodded. “She told me about that.”
He figured they’d hit it off in those five minutes of him in the kitchen. They’d discussed everything.
“Well, I’ll take this couch. It always was comfortable,” she laughed. “Tonight would be a good night for the two of you to figure out who steals the sheets.”
Vivian’s eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. Clayton couldn’t say he’d ever seen her at a loss for words.
“Let me get her settled then and I’ll bring out bedding for you.”
He stood and reached for Vivian. She gazed up at him. “Can I have just a moment?”
“Yes.” He kissed her cheek and headed to his bedroom.
“My mother-in-law seems to have tried to ruin my life. We were never close. She never really cared for me much. I just wanted to say that you are delightful,” he heard her say from the hallway. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. And to be gracious to me when I’m here with Clayton…well…”
He could see Dorothy stand from her seat. “I know a good person when I see one. You’re a good person. I don’t want Clayton alone forever. Linda wouldn’t have wanted it either. I can tell, you make him happy.”
“I haven’t known him long.”
“How long do you really need to know someone to love them?”
He thought his heart might explode. Quickly he stepped into his bedroom and waited for Vivian.
She was wiping her eyes as she walked toward him. “She’s lovely,” Vivian said.
“I know.”
“This still seems awkward. Me sleeping here with you.”
“You’re only sleeping. And if you want me to I can…”
“You can sleep in here with me.” She moved to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I watched Amelia and Sam fall in love and thought they were moving too fast. But it worked. I watched Penelope and Brock fall in love in a few weeks and thought this doesn’t really happen.”
“And now?”
She rested her head against his chest. “I’ve been so lonely for so long I’m afraid I’m doing the same thing, but now I wonder if it’s real.”
Clayton pushed back from her to look at her. “Honey, it’s real.” He moved his hand to her cheek. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I’m not used to things feeling right. This feels right.”
He chuckled softly. “What could possibly be wrong with that?”
Vivian shrugged. “Amelia and Penelope ran off and married Adam on a whim. They just took a chance. And then they each took another. I’ve never taken a chance in my life.”
He pulled her in again. “Maybe you should.”
“Maybe I should.”
Chapter Fourteen
Clayton settled Vivian into his room and closed the door as he walked back to the living room with sheets and a pillow in hand.
“I hope I didn’t put you out,” Dorothy said as she stood from the couch.
“I promise, you’ll never put me out. I’ll always open my door to you—anytime.” He set the sheets on the couch. “My tea is cold. Can I offer you another cup?”
“Oh, I’ll be up using the bathroom all night, but you know, I’d really appreciate another cup. I’ll come in with you.”
She followed him to the kitchen and made herself at home at the kitchen table.
“She’s lovely, Clayton.”
He smiled to himself as he filled the teapot. “She is, isn’t she?”
“Very strong willed I think.”
Now he chuckled. “Very.”
“You’re going to marry her, aren’t you?”
He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do with that question. Her voice was solid, but how did he tell this woman that yes, in fact, he’d thought about it a lot.
He set the teapot on the stove and turned to face her.
“I don’t know what to do with the thoughts I have on that. Linda has been gone for two years. Her husband has only been gone for four months.”
Dorothy nodded. “She told me her husband had married three women.”
“You two got a lot of talking in earlier.”
“I don’t beat around the bush. I never have.”
He smiled. No, Dorothy had always been straight forward.
“Yes. He married two other women. They both have already become engaged to other men.”
She rubbed her hands together. “So quickly?”
The teapot behind him whistled and he removed it from the heat. Pouring himself a mug full and filling Dorothy’s, he said, “Lots of circumstances.”
“Tell me.”
He set the pot back on the stove, grabbed tea bags, and sat down with her at the table.
“Vivian hadn’t really seen him since Ava was born.”
“She has to be two years old.”
“She is.” He dipped his tea bag into the water. “And in fairness, because of this stuff going on with her mother-in-law, he’d asked for a divo
rce to marry Amelia.”
“She didn’t give him one?”
He shook his head. “She didn’t know he’d asked.” He went on to explain about the box of letters they’d found in the attic of the old house. “He assumed she’d given up on him.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Anyway, he married Amelia and two years later she found out about Vivian and she asked for a divorce.”
“Good for her.”
“So really, Amelia had moved on a long time ago.”
“And the other?”
“Penelope. She married Adam in April and then he was deployed. She’s due to have a baby in December.”
Dorothy reached her hand to Clayton’s. “That’s very sad.”
“It is, but Adam had only met her. They dated two weeks before they ran off and married.”
“He was a stranger to her.”
“He was. Then when he was dying he asked the soldier who was holding him to find her. Well, he did and they’ve fallen in love.”
Dorothy placed her hand on her chest. “That is very sweet.”
“He had a lot of respect for Adam and he wants the baby to know all about him. They’ve already decided the baby will carry on his name in some way.”
“I’m moved.”
He could see she was. Her eyes were misting.
Clayton sipped his tea to test the strength before pulling the bag out and setting it on a napkin.
“When you consider that Adam and Vivian haven’t seen each other since Ava was born, and only then when they conceived her…” He lifted his mug to his lips and swallowed his tea hard enough he coughed. “Well, he’s been gone from her for a long time.”
Dorothy reached her hand out to him and placed it on his arm. “Are you afraid you’re being unfaithful to Linda or to Adam?”
Clayton clenched his jaw. “Yes. How could I not feel that way, especially with you here?”
She nodded as if she understood he’d feel that way. “I miss her more than anything. There are days I can’t breathe.”
He knew that feeling well enough.
“Clayton, you have a second chance. Do you know how happy I am for you? If it could be Linda all over again, I’d wish for Linda. But we both have to keep living and keep her memory alive for those girls. And those girls will be better off if you’re happy and can keep her memory a happy one.”
Clayton wasn’t such a man he wouldn’t cry. He could feel the tears sting and catch in his throat. “I love her Dorothy. I love Vivian.”
“I know you do. And what the hell does it matter if you’ve only known her a short while? You could know her forever and still never be sure.” She smiled and it calmed him.
“I want to take her away from here for a few nights. She’s never left this town in years. I want to feel it out—see what happens.”
Dorothy stood from her seat and rested her hands on both sides of his head as she lowered a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll stay as long as you’d like me to. I’ll be here for the girls. I have a feeling all four of them are going to be equally as important to me.”
Clayton was going to pay for yet another late night. It was nearly midnight when he and Dorothy had stopped talking. Third graders might be the death of him in the morning.
He pushed open his bedroom door and the moonlight from the window fell over his bed. Vivian lay on his pillow breathing softly.
His heart beat hard in his chest. She was a lovely sight.
Her dark hair fanned out over the pillow. Her bare shoulder shimmered in the moonlight. How was it he’d fallen into this job and into her life?
Things couldn’t be more crazy and messed up for them than they already were. But he never wanted to walk into that room again without knowing she’d be there.
Clayton toed off his shoes and tossed his socks into the laundry basket. He unbuttoned his shirt as he watched her sleep. He tossed his shirt into the laundry as well and then slid down his pants. He looked around and wondered if he had another pair of pajama pants. He’d packed them for her house, but usually he slept in his boxers. Well, this was going to have to be one of those normal nights.
He walked to the bed, slid back the sheets, and climbed in next to her. She moaned and opened her eyes.
“I didn’t know what side you slept on,” she said with a sleepy haze in her voice.
“Whatever side you’re not on.”
“Hmmm,” she moaned and rolled so that her back was to him.
He wanted to touch her. There was so much about an intimate relationship that he missed.
“Clayton, hold me,” she whispered in the dark.
He moved in behind her and draped his arm over her as he pressed a kiss to her ear.
“I love you,” she said softly as she drifted back to sleep.
Clayton lay there for a long time thinking about the conversations he’d had with Dorothy. How had he been so lucky to fall into that family? He’d wished Vivian had similar luck. Then again, if either of them had any luck at all, they wouldn’t be where they were.
Vivian woke to the smell of coffee and she stirred. When her senses came to her fully, she sat upright in the bed and looked around. For a moment, she’d forgotten where she was. The room was sans of décor. A chair in the corner held Clayton’s pile of clean clothes and a basket near the door held his dirty ones. There was a TV on a small stand against the wall, but that was nearly the extent of it.
She smiled when she thought of the girls’ room with the pink walls and Barbie decorations on the walls. He’d done everything to make them comfortable in their home.
Panic rushed through her when she thought of the time. It must be nearly seven o’clock. She hadn’t even checked in with Amelia or Penelope. There were obligations to the families that had hired them. Even if they moved their daycare, they had obligations.
And what about her girls? They needed to get up. And what would they think when she rolled out of Clayton’s bed?
She pulled herself from the sheets and nearly fell on the floor when they tangled around her legs as she tried to stand.
Just then the door opened and Clayton walked through with a cup of coffee.
“You wake up rough, don’t you?”
“The girls. Where are the girls? I have to get going.”
He shushed her and anger began to zip through her, but he reached out a hand to touch her before she could let that anger fly.
“The girls are with Grandma Dorothy watching TV until I leave for work. Amelia called and the other two families have transferred to the rec center until you can open again.” He handed her a cup of coffee. “Sam would like to see you in his office at ten.”
She stood there with the cup of coffee clenched in her hands. “Are you always chipper in the morning?”
“No.” He moved in closer to her. “However, my girls will tell you different. I never want them to see me wake up dreading the day. You never know how a day will end.”
Her stomach clenched when he said those words. “I’m so sorry.”
Clayton reached for her cheek and rubbed his thumb across it. “Don’t ever be sorry. We are both here for the same reason. I don’t suppose there will ever be a day when we don’t stumble over each other’s feelings.”
“I don’t think I loved Adam like you loved Linda. I don’t suppose I’ll ever miss him the same.”
“Your mourning came before his death.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss on her lips. “And I think in time you will realize just how much you loved him. And I’ll be here to help you through that. Just as you’ve been here for me.”
Vivian bit down on her bottom lip. “I don’t think I’ve done anything to help you.”
He smiled. “You have no idea.”
He kissed her again. “I have to go. Grandma Dorothy has offered to keep the girls today if you’re okay with that. She knows you have things to do.”
“I don’t know.”
“You discuss it with her. She’s a beautiful woman, Vi
vian. The girls will do great with her.” He picked up his jacket from the chair in the corner. “She’s keeping my girls today. Actually for a while. I think she wants to stay as long as she can.”
“That’s nice.”
He moved to her again. “She’s also going to keep my girls so I can take you away for a few nights.”
Her breath caught in her lungs. “Just us alone?”
He brushed his fingers into her hair. “Alone.” He moved in closer. “I miss the perks of a real relationship.”
Vivian swallowed hard. “It’s been a very long time.”
“For me too.” He pulled her close, minding the mug in her hand. “I’ll never push you. But I’d give anything to be with you.”
This time he gave her a harder kiss on the lips, though since she was very conscious of morning breath and she didn’t deepen the kiss.
“I’ll see you after school. I love you.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest. “I love you too.”
Chapter Fifteen
Vivian strolled into Sam’s office at ten o’clock. The weight of the world seemed to be lifted from her shoulders for a while and it felt good.
The girls had begged to stay with Grandma Dorothy and she’d assured her that she’d take very good care of them. Though a little hesitant, Vivian finally had given into Dorothy’s charm—and the girls’ begging.
Brock sat at the reception desk taking a phone call. He gave her a wave and pointed to Sam’s office.
Vivian smiled and headed back to the room where she could hear Sam and Amelia talking.
When she walked through the door both heads turned toward her.
“Good morning,” she chirped. “I was thinking, where should we have Thanksgiving? It’s a week away and we haven’t planned anything.”
Vivian walked toward the couch in Sam’s office and sat down. “I know we can’t run business out of the old house, but it should be big enough for everyone.” She thought for a moment. “I wonder if Brock’s family will be here. She’s too close to having the baby to travel.”
When she looked up, Amelia’s eyes were wide on her.
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