I found myself wanting to make room for three, even if that third person did buy my son a bow and arrow set.
Chapter Twenty- Nine
The post-holiday blues were worse this year. Andrew’s brief visit accentuated how much Drew and I both missed him. That one day was like an oasis in the middle of our separation. I thought of Christmas Day and of Andrew and Drew napping together on the couch amidst the torn, brightly colored paper. I longed for the day I could be in the middle of it. When we could tell Drew who Andrew was, and when Andrew and I could profess our feelings out in the open.
Those feelings. Two nights in a row of laying in the comfort of his arms had me wishing for a lifetime. The thought frightened me. Like I’d told him, I never expected him. I never suspected that my emotions for him would run so deep, unless you counted hate, but that was long gone. Now I was wishing that the next two and a half months would breeze by. Andrew said he would try and work it out so we could see each other in the interim, but I wasn’t hopeful. He had a crazy campaign schedule. And the more I watched the press surround him, the more I didn’t want to involve Drew or myself in it.
The candidate for the other party was already lobbing barbs Andrew’s way. He was trying to paint Andrew as a wealthy playboy who knew nothing about politics or what the people of his district really needed. Andrew, so far, was taking the track of showing what he did know versus lambasting Kirk Anderson, his opponent. All of Andrew’s current television spots showed him doing service in the community and attending planning meetings and political functions. Andrew really seemed to be involved and love his hometown and district.
Maybe, though, his mom and I took a little too much pleasure in the negative ad against him that showed a clip of him kissing those two women at the World Series. He knew then he was going to run for office; he should have been more discreet. But it did get old watching him kiss other women. I had to keep Drew from watching any live television. I hated to admit it, but maybe Andrew was right to keep Drew’s parentage a secret for the time being. I could only imagine the political ad about that. It made me sick to my stomach to think about it.
I was doing my best to keep busy and to keep Andrew’s run for office off my mind. That, and the fact that I was missing him. On New Year’s Eve, when one should be with their … I wasn’t sure what to call him. Was he my boyfriend? Partner? Love interest? Well, whatever he was, it seemed like that particular holiday warranted being with the person you wanted to spend your time with in the New Year. Not to mention kiss at the stroke of midnight. And boy, did I miss his kisses. He obviously had a lot of experience. Just thinking about it had me feeling like turning on the air conditioner in the dead of winter. But instead of cozying up with Andrew on New Year’s Eve, I was going to visit Taylor and then bring Gage back home with us for a sleepover.
Emmy and Ashley were both going to be gone, too, so Taylor and Easton would have an evening alone with their newborn. Probably not super romantic, but at least if they wanted to make out, the baby wouldn’t know the difference.
Drew and I decided it would be fun to walk to the Cole’s house. I’m not sure why. There were a few inches of snow on the ground and it was thirty degrees and dark outside at five p.m. We trudged over in our warm winter coats and boots. The snow crunched beneath us as we walked down the paved path to our neighbors that technically lived two doors down, which in this subdivision, was a quarter of a mile away.
Drew walked ahead of me. He was looking forward to a night of junk food, playing games, and maybe staying up until midnight. He was desperate to make it until the ball dropped. He wasn’t very good at staying up late, so I wasn’t betting on it. “Tomorrow, can Gage and I use my bow and arrow set in the back yard?”
I still wasn’t thrilled with that gift. He hadn’t used it at home yet, since we just got back yesterday, but he and Andrew used it plenty on Christmas. The tips of the arrows were at least non puncture, but it still wouldn’t feel good to get hit by one. His pocket knife, which was adored, was now safely locked up in my closet. We decided that was something he could use while camping, or when Andrew was around. Andrew and Drew were already talking about what they were going to do this coming summer. It looked like I had some days and nights without Drew in my near future. I was still getting used to the idea.
“Let’s see how the weather is before we decide,” I answered him.
That wasn’t what he was hoping for. “All right.”
Easton greeted us at the door. The heat of the home was welcome. We removed our layers before Drew ran to Gage’s room and I walked back to the family room where Taylor and her darling baby were. Their house was still decorated to the hilt. The twenty-foot tree glistened in the entryway. The house was spotless, too. Taylor was ever the perfectionist. I only hoped she wasn’t the one cleaning. She needed to be resting and recovering. I was happy to find her propped up on her couch, doing just that—baby in hand—but looking far too good for someone who had recently given birth. She had perfect hair and makeup, but as I edged closer, I could see she was at least human. Her eyes looked tired.
“Rachel, you’re home,” she greeted me. “Come sit next to me.” She moved slow and uncomfortably.
I felt bad to see her make room for me, but she was already in motion. I sat close to her on the couch. I was hit with a rush of baby mania. Newborn scent is intoxicating.
Taylor handed over her bundle of joy, who was sleeping soundly. “If only she slept this well in the middle of the night.”
“I take it you’re not getting much sleep.”
She yawned. “I got a full three hours last night.”
Easton popped in. “Do you need anything, honey?”
Taylor shook her head and smiled.
“How about you, Rachel?” he asked.
I looked down at Tessa. “I’m all set.” I was in baby heaven. I snuggled her closer to me.
“You ladies let me know if you change your mind.” He disappeared.
“Easton is attentive,” I remarked.
“Oh, yes. Unfortunately, this little one won’t take a bottle, even if I pump. She insists on being nursed and held for a good portion of the night.”
“Are you able to nap at all during the day?”
“Easton makes sure that I do. He’s completely in love with her, and takes any time he can get with her. I’m surprised he isn’t in here holding her now.”
“That’s sweet.”
“It is. Between him and the kids, I have to fight to hold her when she doesn’t need to nurse.”
I stroked Tessa’s soft blonde hair. “I can see why. She’s perfect.”
Taylor reached out and touched her cheek. “Yes, she is. So tell me how your trip was?”
“It was great to see my parents.”
“Uh-huh. What about your Christmas visitor?”
I focused on the angel in my arms. Boy, did I ever miss a baby to hold and cuddle with. “It was short, but nice.”
“Don’t play coy with me. I can see the red in your cheeks.”
I shifted my attention toward my friend. “I don’t know, I feel like a smitten teenager and it’s ridiculous.”
Her eyes lit up along with her smile. “It’s not a bad thing, but as a warning, it can lead to,” she pointed to her darling daughter, “exhibit A.”
I laughed quietly to not disturb the product of overrun hormones I was holding. “So is that what Easton and you are calling her?”
“No, but I’ve made sure that we don’t add exhibit B.”
We both laughed, and the little one in my arms startled. I soothed her back to sleep. I still had the touch. “We’re far from adding anything new to showcase. We haven’t even been on a real date. In fact, he’s at the Governor’s Gala tonight and I’ll be home in my PJs.”
“Ooh, swanky.”
“Yeah, probably too much for my taste, but that’s his life.”
She reached out and touched my knee. “That worries you?”
“It does, but for
him, I’m willing to try it out. He seems to want me by his side, but what if I don’t fit in?”
She gave me that look of mother wisdom that she was so good at. “He would be a fool not to want you by his side. And you don’t have to fit in with his ‘crowd’, you only need to worry about how the two, or I should say, three of you fit together.”
“That’s basically what his mom and my mom both said. I never saw myself with someone like him. I always shied away from the limelight. That was always Sydney’s place.”
“Well, it sounds like your sister should have been more like you. And I have a feeling the limelight will look good on you.”
I held Tessa close to me one more time. I breathed in that baby scent. “I should probably get going. I’m sure the boys are ready. Try to get some rest.” I handed the sleeping beauty back to her mom. I loved watching Taylor’s face radiate as she looked upon her daughter. I also wished for one of my own. Boy or girl would do.
I gathered together the exuberant boys and we headed back to my place to close out this strange, strange year. I could only imagine what the coming year was going to look like.
I caught a glimpse of the possibility after the boys conked out around eleven. They were so close to making it, but not even all the sugar in the world helped their cause. One of the local media channels was live streaming the Governor’s Gala, and guess who was one of the main attractions? Father of my son, my pseudo boyfriend, my couch sleeping and make-out partner. Take your pick. There he was, looking beyond handsome in his black tuxedo, dancing with Miss Colorado. Twenty-four-year-old Melanie Walsh, gorgeous as can be brunette, wearing a dress with a slit that went almost to her hip. I wasn’t sure how her underwear, or anything else for that matter, wasn’t showing. She was stunning, and they looked good together.
I looked down at my plaid flannel pajamas and fuzzy socks and put a chip in my mouth.
The female reporter covering the event was obviously taken with him. She turned to her co-host, or whatever she was called. “Andrew Turner, former Colorado Bears pitcher and most eligible bachelor, now running for the state representative seat, looks well doesn’t he?”
I swore they both sighed. There were some definite dreamy looks. “Well, maybe he won’t be a bachelor for too long after this.”
“He has certainly been working the crowd tonight. He was dancing with the governor’s lovely wife earlier. And I think I recognized some of the Stallion’s cheerleaders, too.” The camera panned over to the governor’s wife—their description was an understatement; she was beautiful and carried herself with poise and charisma.
I dropped the bag of chips and grabbed my phone to text Andrew. The brunettes are a definite upgrade from the blondes. Still, maybe a little young or too married, but you look great together.
I turned off the television in my room and grabbed the historical fiction book my mom bought me for Christmas. I opened it, but couldn’t concentrate. All I could see was the way Miss Colorado beamed at Andrew, and how he looked at her. He was attracted to her. Who wouldn’t be? She probably didn’t have an ounce of fat on her shapely body, with her flawless hair and skin. And his hand had rested on her side, where she had a cutout on her dress.
I rubbed my face. This was so stupid. I was dumb to think I could fit into that world. I was going to need a trainer, a makeup artist, and stylist, to even try. I hated feeling this way. I don’t think I had ever felt this jealous. Even when my sister would steal the attention of my dates and boyfriends, I never felt like this. And why was I suddenly loathing my body and the way I looked? That wasn’t me. But I also wasn’t someone who attended parties where the press was involved.
I sank into my thick comforter and turned off my lights. Tomorrow would be a new year. And, more than ever, I had no idea what to expect.
Chapter Thirty
“Rachel Laine.”
I was barely cognizant that I had answered the phone. My bedside clock read 1:06. “It’s late, or early, depending on how you look at it,” I grumbled.
“I’m sorry for calling so late, but after your text message, I thought I should call you as soon as I could.” He sounded worried.
I could tell he was driving, and on his Bluetooth. I wasn’t sure if I was annoyed or touched that he called me as soon as the gala was over. “Why?”
“Because apparently there’s been a misunderstanding between us.”
I sat up and ran my fingers through my hair. I needed to be more awake for this conversation. “And what’s that?”
“How could you think I was interested in anyone but you?”
“You were doing a good job of studying Miss Colorado, and the reporters seemed to think you were ready to hang up your bachelor ways,” I scoffed.
“That may be true, but not with anyone at the gala. Don’t you think I wanted you there with me tonight?”
“I don’t know.” Insecurity laced my response. “You spent the night in fancy clothes, dancing with insanely gorgeous women. I stayed at home, judging a burping contest and eating chips and dip in my sweats.”
His tired laugh echoed in his car. “Who won?”
“Your son. You’ve taught him well.”
“I wish I could have been there with you tonight, or had you in my arms on the dance floor.”
“I don’t know how to dance.”
“Then we’ll take dancing lessons.”
“I don’t own any evening gowns.”
“So, we’ll go shopping. I know a great designer.”
“I don’t want, nor can I afford, designer clothing.”
“I suppose you won’t let me pay for it, either.”
“You are correct.”
“I love how independent you are, but allowing me to buy you something isn’t going to kill you.”
“Maybe we should go on a date first.”
“I can’t wait. You know what else I can’t wait for?”
“What?”
“Holding you in my arms, sweats or no sweats. It’s your choice.”
“You need to stop it.”
“That’s the thing. I can’t stop the way I feel about you. No one can. Certainly not Miss Colorado, who only spoke about the pageant circuit and how she’s voting for my opponent.”
I was glad he couldn’t see me smile. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t sound that sorry.”
“Will it make you feel better if I tell I would vote for you if I could?”
“Would you really?”
“Yes. As much as I hate politicians, I think you will do a lot of good if elected.”
“That means a lot coming from you. I’ll try not to let you or Drew down.”
I sighed. “Are you sure about us?”
“As sure as I’ve ever been about anything.”
“I’m worried about what happens when our worlds actually do collide,” I admitted
“That sounds like fun.”
“I’m being serious.”
“I am too.”
“Andrew?”
“You’re overthinking this. Being a politician isn’t the glamorous life you’re making it out to be. Events like tonight are few and far between.”
“You get invited to those things not because of your run for office, but because of who you are. Our circles are very different.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“How do you figure?”
“Because I could do with some downtime and you need to get out.”
I probably did, but I was thinking more along the lines of dinner and a movie. I was pretty sure I was the most boring woman in America. “I’m not like those women you were dancing with tonight.”
“You don’t have to be. You just be you.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Happy New Year, beautiful.”
“You, too.”
“This is going to be a great year together.”
“Once we can actually be together.”
“I know. I keep thinking of ways for
us to sneak off together, but my campaign manager doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He also …” He hesitated. “He doesn’t want us talking on my personal cell anymore. He thinks we should run any communication through his.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was, but it’s probably for the best. The other side is already digging for any dirt they can find. They’ve already contacted my ex-fiancée hoping she would give them a story they could spin.”
“Did she?”
“No. Despite how things ended with us, we’re still friends and she’s not that kind of person.”
I wasn’t sure how to process this new layer, but it didn’t sit well with me. “What about Drew?”
“I’ll do my best to keep up regular contact with him and you. I don’t like this any more than you do, but I don’t want to risk pulling you into the middle of this. Kirk Anderson’s campaign is willing to hit below the belt. If they find out about Drew, it will get ugly.”
I didn’t respond for a moment. I was trying to process this and him. He wasn’t acting like the guy over Christmas who seemed determined to make sure we saw each other before March, or the man that talked to me for several hours as he drove home. I had gotten the impression over Christmas that maybe he was regretting his choice. He didn’t want to leave us that day, he kept staying and staying until I made him go. I was afraid he would fall asleep at the wheel. I had a small glimmer of hope he was going to drop out. But now he sounded more determined than ever.
“Rachel?”
“Yeah.”
“I know it’s not ideal, but I want to protect both of you.”
“And your campaign.”
“That, too.”
“Okay.” What else could I say?
“I’ll have Bryant, my campaign manager, call you later today with the numbers you can reach me at. You can call me anytime you need anything.”
Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) Page 23
