Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3)

by Peel, Jennifer

  “Us?”

  He ran his fingers down my arm and clasped my hand with his. “Yes, us. I don’t know if I can hide my feelings for you any longer.”

  I held my breath. This was getting real. “And what kind of feelings are those?”

  “The kind that have me contemplating kissing you until we’re both out of breath.”

  My heartrate soared. “Oh. Those kind.”

  “There’s more.”

  “More?”

  “I want to have a relationship with you besides you being the mother of my son.”

  “Like a romantic relationship?”

  “Yes, but more.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Rachel, I don’t know if this makes sense, but my feelings for you go beyond romantic. Don’t get me wrong, I want to romance the hell out of you.”

  “How do you romance the hell out of someone?” I asked with a smile.

  He pulled me closer and kissed my head. “I plan to show you, but I know we need to wait before we can take that step, that is, if you are willing to.”

  Oh, wow. What should I say? Part of me, the part of me that was cozied up in his arms, was screaming at me to say yes. The other part of me was reminding me of all the reasons we shouldn’t. “Andrew, what about Drew?”

  “I know I need to tell Drew who I am first.”

  “There’s that, but I don’t ever want him to think you only wanted him because of me. And what happens if we try and fail? We still have a son we need to co-parent. It could get really uncomfortable.”

  He leaned his head down and breathed against my neck. “Are you comfortable now?”

  His breath against my skin was making me want to say yes. “In your arms, or with the way things are?”

  “Both.”

  “Andrew,” I sighed. “Yes and no and no and yes. I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “I wasn’t expecting you, either, but here you are in my arms, like this is where you’ve always belonged.”

  “Did you feel that way when you held Sydney?” I couldn’t help but ask. The doubts were still in the back of my mind.

  He groaned. “I wish you would quit comparing what happened between me and Sydney with what’s happening between us. The answer is always no. I never felt for Sydney the way I feel for you. I never had any intention of having a relationship with your sister. I know it wasn’t right, and even how disappointed that may make you. I’m sorry for how things happened with Sydney, but I’m not sorry that it’s you raising my son and that it’s you that I want. You and Sydney are two entirely different people. When I hold you, all I can think about is how honored I am that you let me. And how much I want you.”

  I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths in and out, trying to process, trying to figure out what I should do, but the overwhelming feeling that kept coming over me was I want you, too.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “We slept together,” I admitted to Taylor over the phone upon our return to Merryton.

  “That escalated quickly.”

  “Not like that. I mean we fell asleep on the couch together, and I almost kissed him.”

  “Wow, that was some Thanksgiving. What happened?”

  I thought back to earlier that morning, when I’d awakened snuggled up to Andrew under a blanket on his mother’s couch. Could anything feel better? He was already awake and smiling at me. He kept stroking every inch of my face and hair. I felt adored in a way I never had before. His warm, strong hand rested on my cheek. “Good morning, gorgeous.” He said it like he meant every word of it. “I know we shouldn’t, yet,” he whispered, and then leaned in to cover my lips with his own. But we were saved by our son. “Mom,” Drew had called in the nick of time.

  “I’m not exactly sure what happened, but we decided we can’t explore a romantic relationship until this election is over and Drew knows the truth,” I explained to Taylor.

  “You really like this man, don’t you?”

  “Is it wrong that I do?”

  “Why would it be?”

  “I know my parents won’t like it, and you have to admit that the way he came to be in our lives isn’t the greatest. And he’s going to be a politician. I hate politicians more than baseball.”

  She laughed on the other end of the line. “So you’ve fallen for an ex-baseball player turned politician who, let’s say, rendezvoused with your twin.”

  “Yes! Do you know how terrible that sounds?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. About as terrible as me ending up with my ex-husband who married his nurse.”

  “Okay, fine, but at least the nurse wasn’t your sister.”

  “I’ll give you that one, but does he love Drew?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does he respect you and treat you well?”

  “Yes, he’s very considerate.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “I don’t want to hurt Drew.”

  “I was afraid when Easton and I reconciled what it would do to the girls if it didn’t work out, but Easton was worth the risk. And now look at me; I’m forty-three and pregnant.”

  I laughed at her. “So are you saying I should, or shouldn’t, pursue this?”

  “I’m saying you have to decide if Andrew is worth it. And if he is, then the rest of it will take care of itself.”

  “Okay, pregnant lady. I’ll see you at church.”

  No sooner had I hung up with Taylor, my phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “I’ve missed you,” Andrew said.

  I looked at my clock—10:05 p.m. “We saw each other seven hours ago.” We left his mom’s house around 3:00 p.m. The roads had been plowed by then and the sun had worked its magic. It had been slow going, but passable.

  “Has it been that long already?”

  “You’re in a mood tonight.”

  “I was thinking about last night and wishing you were in my arms right now.”

  I smiled. “Me, too.”

  “I like it when we agree. Almost as much as when we disagree.”

  “You like it when we disagree?”

  “Yes, there’s this fire in your eyes that drives me crazy.”

  “Then I’ll do my best to disagree with you often.”

  “Perfect, but I hope you’ll agree to the following proposal.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Since we can’t technically be a couple yet, I was thinking we should at least agree not to see anyone else in this interim period.”

  “Since I don’t date, I don’t see that being a problem for me.”

  “Are you implying it will be for me?”

  “Hmm. That’s a good question. Will it be difficult for you?”

  “No. I’m a one woman at a time kind of guy.”

  “Even if you aren’t technically with that woman?”

  “Rachel, you are all I can think about. Everyone else pales in comparison.”

  “You really can be sweet.”

  “I mean every word of it.”

  “Thank you. Tell me how your dinner meeting went.”

  “Paul still refuses to resign, despite the mounting pressure and lawsuits, but they almost have enough signatures to force his recall.”

  “What’s his motivation?” I asked, perplexed.

  “At this point, I would say pride. He’s damaged himself too much to ever be able to hold office again. I’m not even sure he will be able to go back to practicing law.”

  “So are you definitely going to be the nominee?”

  “More than likely. There is one of the party powers that be that I have yet to win over. She isn’t too keen on the fact that I’m single and make more money than most.”

  “You can say you’re rich. I’ve been to your second home. I can’t even imagine what your first home looks like.”

  He laughed some. “Someday soon you’ll see. I hope you will spend a lot of time here in the near future.”

  “Well, first you need to win
over this woman. Is she older or younger?”

  “Are you trying to help me?”

  I think I shocked him, and myself. “This is what you want, and couples support each other, even if they don’t entirely agree with one another.”

  It was quiet on his end for a moment.

  “Andrew?”

  “You amaze me,” he responded. “My mother’s right; you are too good for me.”

  “Be that as it may, tell me about this obstacle.”

  “She’s around my mother’s age, but cranky. Very staunch. She sees things in black and white.”

  “Okay. Does she have any favorite causes? What about family?”

  “She’s the matriarch of a prominent family. They are huge supporters of the arts and education.”

  “Hmmm.” I thought for a moment. “If she’s from a prominent family, what’s her problem with your wealth?”

  “She doesn’t have a problem with being wealthy. Only how it looks to voters.”

  Have I mentioned how messed up I thought politics were? I thought some more about this hypocritical woman. “Is that boys’ home your dad opened still running?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Are you involved in it?”

  “I sit on the board and I volunteer there from time to time.”

  “Does the home offer any type of art programs or educational opportunities?”

  “Yeah, it provides tutoring, but it doesn’t really offer anything in the fine arts.”

  “Maybe you could give her a tour of the facility, show her not only the good you do there, but get her involved as well. Make her an ally in your cause.”

  “Did I mention how amazing you are?”

  “I’m not amazing, just a business woman.”

  “Maybe I should hire you as my campaign manager.”

  “You couldn’t afford me, and I hate politics.”

  “How about politicians?”

  “I’m not fond of them, either.”

  He laughed. “I guess I’ll have to see what I can do to change that.”

  “Good luck.”

  “Goodnight, Rachel. I’ll be thinking about you.”

  “I hope not about me in my underwear.”

  “You’ll never know.”

  I laughed. “Goodnight, Andrew.”

  What was I going to do with that man? I decided to walk myself upstairs and watch my little man sleep. I paused by our Christmas tree, the one Drew insisted we put up even though we got home a lot later from Thanksgiving than I intended to. I admired all the homemade ornaments Drew had made over the years, from stars with his picture on them to candy canes made out of beads. It wasn’t the prettiest tree ever, but it was beautiful because it was all about Drew.

  I tiptoed up the stairs to find Drew and Jake in the same position they were in every night. I looked around the room at all the mismatched décor, thanks to Andrew. I needed to figure out a way to make it all mesh. As I was looking around, something caught my eye on Drew’s desk. I walked over to it to find his letter to Santa, written in marker, no less. I picked it up and began to read it:

  Dear Santa,

  I have been a good man all year.

  I laughed to myself. Andrew was rubbing off on him. It continued:

  For Christmas this year I want a Millennium Falcon Lego set and a new bike and as many video games as I can get.

  Love, Drew

  P.S. I promise to make you the best cookies ever and I’ll quit feeding my broccoli to Jake.

  I had been wondering why he liked broccoli all of a sudden. Now I knew the truth. I watched him sleep a little bit longer. I wondered what the next few months were going to bring to our small little family of two. Did we have room for three?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Are you sure you don’t want to manage my campaign?”

  I zipped up my boots while juggling the phone against my ear. I was heading to Taylor’s baby shower. “Why?”

  “I took Karen, the holdout, to the boys’ home today and she practically wrote me a check to start up an art program there.”

  “So you impressed her?”

  “At least the facility did.”

  “I’m sure you charmed her.”

  “You do know me well.”

  “I’m glad to see you’re still eating your arrogance bran.”

  He laughed out loud. “I remember the first time you said that to me. I knew, then and there, I was attracted to you.”

  “I remember someone telling me not to take it the wrong way. And I’m pretty sure you threw in there that you weren’t attracted to me.”

  “Did I say that?”

  “Repeatedly.”

  “Only because I didn’t want you to think I was more of a jerk, or like I was coming on to you.”

  “Uh-huh. Anyway, I need to go. Can I call you when I get back home? It will be late.”

  “You can call me anytime. I miss you. I can’t believe I haven’t seen you in a week.”

  “Only eighteen more weeks to go.”

  He groaned. “I can’t wait that long to see you guys.”

  I didn’t say anything. He had chosen his path.

  “I know,” he said to my silence. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

  “It’s not me you have to make it up to.”

  “After I make it up to our son, how about we do some serious making up?”

  I felt those heat-producing tingles. “Are you trying to come on to me now?”

  “Definitely. I miss you, Rachel.”

  “I miss you, too. I’ll call you later.” I set the phone down and breathed. I had never felt this way before, which was sad considering I had been engaged. But Brody was never as affectionate or as sweet as Andrew. Brody had been nice, but much more reserved with his feelings. Andrew didn’t hold back. He wasn’t leaving me guessing how he felt. If anything, it was me leaving him guessing. This all felt so new to me. It had been so long since I had been in a relationship. Although I did miss seeing Andrew, I enjoyed that our relationship actually consisted of talking to each other and really getting to know one another without the physical aspect getting in the way first.

  “Hey, bud,” I called up to Drew. “Let’s get going.” I was dropping him off to play with Gage at the Coles’ house, and picking up Taylor and her daughters at the same time. We would head over to Jessie’s house together, where we were throwing the shower. I grabbed my gifts and the baby shower games.

  Drew came flying down the stairs with his favorite board game in hand.

  “Are you ready, honey?”

  “Yep. Gage’s dad is ordering pizza and root beer.”

  I bet Taylor wasn’t thrilled with that, but I thought she was so ready to have that baby that Easton could eat lard and she wouldn’t notice.

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “Gage thinks he can burp louder than me, so we’re having a contest.”

  I shook my head and smiled at him. “Try to use some manners tonight.”

  “I will,” he said reluctantly. “You know Andrew can burp really loud and long?”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yep, he taught me how to make them last longer.”

  I would have to thank him for that later.

  I walked Drew up to the Coles’ door and was met by Easton and Gage. Drew ran right in with Gage.

  “Thanks for watching him tonight.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Easton replied.

  Out came all the Cole women, Taylor, Ashley, and Emmy.

  Easton looked adoringly at them all, especially his pregnant wife, who looked fabulous but exhausted. The yoga she had been doing throughout her pregnancy had really paid off.

  While Easton kissed his wife goodbye, I admired the twenty-foot Christmas tree they had in their two-story foyer. It was catalog worthy. It was also piled high with presents already. Taylor was hoping for an early delivery and wanted to make sure Christmas was taken care of. I was envious of her drive and organization.
It got me thinking about what I should get Andrew for Christmas. I had already ordered all Drew’s gifts and had them shipped to my parents, but I supposed I should get something for Andrew and Evelyn as well. I would have to ask Taylor what she was giving Easton.

  I gave Emmy a quick hug on our way out. “I can’t believe how grown up you’re looking. And, Ashley, I forgot to mention how beautiful the homecoming picture of you in the paper was.”

  “Thank you, Miss Rachel,” she replied.

  I loved her Southern manners.

  “I hope someone is bringing me something to kick start labor tonight—that would be the best baby shower gift ever,” Taylor commented on our way out to my SUV.

  I laughed at her. “Darn it, and here I bought clothes.” Which I loved. There was nothing cuter than baby girl clothes. I’m pretty sure I bought half of the store before it was all said and done. It made my biological clock tick a little louder. With Andrew in the picture now, I wondered if that would be a possibility in the future. I knew it was silly to think that way since we hadn’t even really begun to date, but it gave me some hope where there hadn’t really been any before.

  She laughed, too. “Clothes are perfect; it’s just I’ve never been so uncomfortable. This little one is either sitting on my bladder or jabbing her feet into my ribs. I don’t think I’ve slept a full night in weeks.”

  “It won’t be long now. Then you will be up all night with the baby.”

  “Bring it on. At least Easton can get up with her, too.”

  “True.”

  “I’ll help, too,” Emmy volunteered.

  Taylor hugged her daughter and kissed her head. Emmy was so lucky to have Taylor for a stepmother after her own wreck of a mother abandoned her.

  It took us about fifteen minutes to get to Jessie’s. She and Blake lived on the other side of town from us.

  “What are you getting Easton for Christmas?” I asked on the drive over.

  Taylor’s look let me know she knew what I was asking. “My sister-in-law, Nicole, and I got our husbands a brothers’ getaway to Alaska next summer.”

  “Wow. That’s some gift.”

  “I can’t wait to see his face. He thinks I got him a fishing pole and a new tackle box; which I did, but I hid the trip information in the tackle box.”