"She's changed, my boy. But maybe she hasn't." He was quiet for a moment. "When I think back, there were hints of this. Things she would do or say. How she would treat people who didn't conform to her ways. Maybe she's simply being more of herself now."
"Did she tell you the good news?"
"That you got married? Yes. And I would've called, but I wanted to congratulate you in person. Unfortunately time passes too quickly." He was quiet for a moment. "As you can imagine, your mother had nothing to say about your wife. Well, except that you're going to lose everything you’ve worked so hard for to her."
"She's right about that, but not because of Ashley."
"I'd love to meet her. Wait, what do you mean your mother's right?"
"My assets have been frozen. I'm under investigation because of one of my early investors."
"Why didn't you call me sooner? I realize that you pulled away a long time ago and want nothing to do with my business, but I know a lot of people. I'm sure I could've handled this before it got so bad."
"About that, Dad. I'm sorry. I never realized until now why you worked so much when I was younger. I resented you not being around."
"I went about it wrong, son. I kept focusing on earning the money to give you a good life, not realizing that it was keeping me away from the small things that are so important. Learn from my mistakes." He was quiet again, and the line filled with static. "Then again, I wouldn't have been able to buy A Penny Earned if it wasn't for all that work," he said then laughed.
"I am learning from you. And that's why I reached out. I can't believe Mother didn't tell you."
"In her defense, I'm never home."
"Yes, but still. I would think she'd tell you you're going to be a grandfather." The phone filled with clicks and static again.
"What?? The damned connection! It sounded like you said I'm going to be a grandpa?"
"Yes, Dad. Ashley is due in a couple of months. We're having a boy."
"Wahoo!" The sound of the yacht horn ripped through the phone line and caused the speaker to squelch. "I'm coming home. I'm turning this thing around right now! Oh, and Xander, I know just the guy who can help you out. I'll give him a call. He's a bit old school, but a smart fella and as stand up as they come."
"Thanks Dad."
As I hung up the phone, I heard my dad celebrating and blowing the yacht horn again. I shook my head and laughed as I wondered why I had let so much time pass.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Ashley
Standing in the middle of the nursery, I felt like something was missing. I did stencils of jungle animals and trees on the walls that matched the ones on the wall hanging. I had the crib, sheets, drawers filled with onesies and sleepers, but it still felt like something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Excuse me Mrs. Boone, there's a delivery for you. It's a brown recliner?" Gina, one of the housekeepers, said.
"Thank you, Gina. Can you ask them to bring it in here?"
"Right away, ma'am."
I doubted I would ever get used to hearing people call me ma'am like that. Gina was only a few years younger than me. The fact that I had staff who would do what I asked wasn't something I could wrap my head around. Maybe Xander was right to remind me that I married a billionaire.
Two delivery men dressed in jeans and t-shirts entered the nursery carrying the chair wrapped in plastic. I looked around the room trying to figure out where it should go when I caught a glimpse of Tara out the window riding one of the horses.
The view was still as impressive as my first time at Jefferson Manor. The stables with the fields leading up to the backdrop of tall trees looked like a painting come to life. I turned to the delivery men.
"Right here in this corner would be perfect," I said.
They put the chair down and unwrapped it. Once they left, I sat and swiveled to look around the room again. It was finally perfect.
I heard the door to Xander's office open and voices approaching the nursery. I knew Xander was meeting with his father's friend, but I had no idea I would be meeting him.
Suddenly wishing I was dressed a little nicer than my grey cargo pants and a lavender cotton t-shirt, I quickly ran my fingers over my hair and adjusted the tummy panel of my pants as it hugged my belly.
The two men entered the room, and I immediately noticed that the man with Xander wore a pair of black cowboy boots with his grey suit. He was an attractive man, tall with a slightly weathered yet handsome face that made me think he was outdoors a lot.
"Ashley, I want to introduce you to a friend of my father's, Mason Abernathy," Xander said.
"Hi! Wait, did you say Abernathy? As in the horses?" I asked. Surprised, my eyes immediately looked for a wedding ring. There wasn't one.
"Why yes, Miss. It's a pleasure to meet you. Xander didn't tell me you were so fond of horses. Despite there being a stable full here," he drawled in a thick Southern accent.
"Well Mr. Abernathy, you've got to see our horses. Right now. Come, I'll show you," I said as I headed towards the door.
"Ashley, I don't think he has the time right now," Xander said.
"Please, Mr. Abernathy? It would mean a lot to me."
Mason laughed, making dimples appear on his cheeks. There was a calm gentleness to him that seemed very comforting, and I liked him immediately. If my guess was right, I knew someone who would be happy about this happy coincidence.
"Please, call me Mason. I'd love to see your horses. It brings me back to days gone by."
As I led Mason back into the hall, Xander shot me a questioning look, but I just smiled. The three of us left the mansion and walked in the gravel towards the stables. The sun already began to set, giving the sky pink streaks.
As we entered the large red building that housed the horses, the smell of hay was almost too much for me. I pushed through the smell and continued walking with Mason as he greeted the horses, scratching each one on its nose before taking a better look.
"You've got some fine horses here. I can see they're well taken care of," he said.
Tara entered the stables through the open barn-styled doors that led to the fields. She stopped, her arms filled with loose hay, and stared in our direction. With the sun at her back it was hard to see more than her silhouette, but I could tell she was surprised,
Mason patted a colt on the neck as he stepped out of the stall. Facing Tara, he squinted hard towards the setting sun, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.
"Am I seeing an angel?" he half whispered.
"I knew I recognized that voice," Tara said. "I didn't even need to see you."
As Tara came closer, I noticed her occasional mannish gait was missing. Mason met her halfway but seemed awkward and confused. Tara suddenly seemed girlish, like a part of her she locked away suddenly burst forth.
"Your hair. It's lighter," Mason said.
"And your face is older," she said then laughed. "It's been a long time, Mason."
"Too long."
"Whose fault is that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind. It's not something I care to relive right now."
"Let me take you to dinner. Let’s catch up and talk about old times. Or not. Whatever you want. Just give me a little of your time," he said.
"I think I can manage that. Come get me in an hour. I'm a busy woman, you know."
As Mason walked back to Xander and me, Tara shot me an excited look and I smiled back at her. She left the stables and even though I didn't know for sure, I was positive she planned to look her best for her date and would take every second of that hour to get ready. It's what I would do.
"What a small world it is," Mason said as he approached Xander and I. "You two are lucky. Trust me, years of dreaming about the girl who got away isn't a life I'd recommend to anyone," he said, smiling at both of us. "Xander, consider your investor problem solved. I know a few people. They'll handle this quicker than you can blink. Consider your fortune yours again.
Just remember what is the most important. I lost sight of that once. I refuse to let that happen again."
"Don't worry, Mason," Xander replied. "I'm well aware of what my true fortune is."
Xander slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he kissed the top of my head and held me. Inhaling, I breathed in his familiar musk and smiled, feeling loved.
Part Six
New Beginnings
Chapter Fifty-Four
Samantha
It was a beautiful day. Blue skies, warm breeze, the kind of day that made me wish I was an outdoorsy kind of person. But only briefly.
I had just arrived at the Boone's mansion. It was an hour before the baby shower was going to start and I knew I had a lot of work to do, but I found it hard to care. When Jackie told me she was planning the party, I had a hard time saying yes to her despite how desperate I was for the gig.
Not that I needed the job. After the Wainwright party, it seemed everyone wanted me to cater their parties. I was in awe by all the requests. But being pregnant, I knew my time was limited.
I was just beginning to show, and I felt great. No morning sickness or anything so far, but I had to assume that towards the end I'd find all the lifting and moving I needed to do at a party wouldn't happen. I also knew I'd have to take some time off from catering once the baby was born. Because of that, I needed to make as much money as I could before I started waddling like a duck.
If it meant risking running into Drake here or anywhere else, then so be it. I needed to grow the hell up and deal with him eventually. I was going to be someone's mother. Time I stopped acting like a stupid kid.
As I pulled the last of my stuff from the trunk, I heard a car pull up near me on the gravel driveway. Xander Boone must be a cheapskate. Why else wouldn't he pave his damn driveway? Ignoring the car, I giggled to myself as I carried my tools into the mansion.
"Samantha, let me help you with that. I never thought you would ever be late for an event."
My heart stopped before leaping into my chest as it always did whenever I heard Drake's voice. I stood still for a second before I continued climbing the stone steps into the house.
"What are you talking about? The party doesn't start for an hour."
"I was told…damn that Ashley," he said softly before chuckling. "Seems someone wanted us to have a little time together. Let me help you carry some of that stuff."
"No, I'm fine."
"Your arms are full. Stop being so stubborn and let me help."
He grabbed the long black bag from my arm that held all my knives, revealing my midsection. I already had my chef's coat buttoned up, and somehow the double-breasted front seemed to make my stomach look even bigger. There was no way for me to hide it.
"Are you??" he asked, looking shocked.
"Pregnant? No. I just had way too much for breakfast," I snarked as I continued towards the kitchen.
"Sam. Were you ever planning to tell me?"
"What for? It's not like we planned this. We're not even dating. Hell, we've never even been on a date. I can handle all of this myself."
"You don't have to do this alone. For months now I've been telling you you're the one. Maybe this is fate's way of telling us to stop playing around and just be together."
"Funny, I never pictured you as the sentimental type."
I stood at the prep table and kept my back towards him. While I thought I might run into him, I wasn't prepared for this. I was a mess of emotions and didn't want to deal with it. I wanted to bury my head and pretend for once that my life was normal.
"Samantha, can you be serious for once?"
"I am serious. I don't want your help. And I definitely don't want your pity. If you want to see the baby then fine, whatever, but I don't need your charity."
"It's not pity," he growled. "Why are you so stubborn?"
"It's better this way, Drake. Go back to your bimbos. Don't worry about us. I got this. You don't need to feel guilty or whatever you might feel, okay? I'm fine really. Now please leave. I have work to do."
"You're impossible! Why won't you listen to me? I care about you. I've wanted us to be an us for a long time. You're always pushing me away. What do you want from me?"
"That's just it, Drake. You think everyone wants something from you. I don't. I never have and I never will. Go now, please? I have less than an hour to get everything ready."
I bit my lip to keep myself from sobbing loudly. Tears were streaming down my cheeks, but I'd be damned if I let him see so I kept my back towards him. As I listened to the sound of his footsteps leaving the kitchen, I thought it was funny how I knew him well enough to recognize anger in his stride.
Hearing a car start, I looked out a window facing the driveway and watched as Drake left. How rude! He's not even staying for the party? My heart sank as I reminded myself that I pushed him away yet again.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Ashley
It was still early, and I was ready on time for once. I bought a cute outfit, a long white and tan layered skirt with a brown print top. It was a very boho look that I found fun and I matched it with a chunky pair of brown strappy sandals.
Xander was casual in a pair of khakis and a blue polo just a few shades darker than his eyes. We never talked about it, but I really hoped our baby would have his eyes. I entered Xander's office where he was catching up on some last minute email.
"I thought you were going to start taking time off," I said.
"I will. I just need to reply to these real quick. Besides, at your appointment two days ago, he wasn't even close to ready. He likes being all nice and tucked in there," he said as he gently stroked my belly.
"Anything can happen though. You know I keep having those nightmares. I know my due date is two weeks away, but I know I'm not going to make it that far."
"Please relax. I read pregnant women have crazy dreams all the time."
"Of them dying during birth? I refuse to believe that's a normal dream."
He quickly glanced over at me, then stopped and looked at me again. His brow wrinkled. Standing up, he cupped my cheeks and pressed his lips to my forehead.
"Are you feeling okay, Ash?"
"Yes. I mean other than that weird back pain I told you about."
"The one from last night? Where is it? It's not sciatica again?"
"No, this isn't at my spine. It's over more to the right and up higher than the sciatica pain I get. It's not bad though, more annoying than anything. I'm sure it'll go away."
"You look pale. I think you should call the doctor."
"What for? I don't have anything to say."
"Just do it, please."
Using the phone on his desk, I dialed my doctor's office number. I made myself memorize it when I first found out I was pregnant just in case. After briefly talking to the doctor on duty, I hung up.
"Well?" Xander asked.
"Please don't freak out, but he wants me to go to the ER. He said it’s better to just check."
"Let’s go then. Good thing you packed your bag the other day. I'll grab it."
"What? We can't. My dad’s on his way. He’ll be here soon.
"Call him. Find out where he is and tell him we're going."
"But I don't want him to worry. And don't worry about bringing the bag. I'm sure this is a false alarm."
"Ashley. Call your dad now. Tell him we're going."
I gave in. He had a point. My dad could be five minutes away, he could be five hours away. I really had no idea. I dialed his cell phone, and my stepmother answered.
"Hi Paula. Please don't worry, but I just got off the phone with my doctor and he wants me to go to the ER."
I heard her repeat what I said to my dad. In the background, I heard him say something but I couldn't make out his words.
"Can you wait for us?" she asked. "We're in that old village by your house. No more than ten minutes away."
"You're going to have the baby! I k
new it! I made it on time," my dad said loudly. "Please wait for us. We're going to the hospital with you."
"Umm okay. We'll wait."
Things were happening too fast. I felt overwhelmed even though I was sure this was just a false alarm. Xander seemed perfectly calm, but for some reason it only made me more anxious.
Xander brought my SUV around front and as he got out, I saw my dad's car coming up the drive. We had offered to pay for their flights, but my dad wouldn't hear of it. I sometimes wondered if he understood how rich Xander really was. Maybe he needed to hear Xander's billionaire speech, too.
"Good thing I installed the car seat last week," Xander said, looking proud of himself.
I smiled and nodded. I didn't feel like I could speak. My heart thumped nervously and I began thinking of my nightmares. In each one of them, I was induced and died from hemorrhaging they couldn't see. I couldn't shake the feeling.
My dad and stepmom hopped out of their car and ran over to hug me and ogle my large round belly. I smiled again, unsure I could say anything meaningful. I was still convinced I'd be sent home and told them that.
The car ride was lively with my parents excited to see me. The last time I saw them, I didn't know I was pregnant. So not only were they seeing me, but they were sure they would meet their grandson, too.
I remained quiet. I didn't want anyone to know how nervous I was or how my mind raced with possibilities.
"Thankfully this hospital has valet for their maternity patients," Xander said as we pulled up to the emergency room entrance.
I managed to whisper my name to the nurse who greeted us, and she immediately pulled a wheelchair around for me to sit in. The hospital walls floated by as they pushed my chair to the elevator and up to maternity.
"I'm sure I'll be back in an hour, Dad," I said as normally as possible as he hugged me tight.
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