by R. T. Wolfe
"I think it's only fair to let you know Dr. Piper and I have been in our share of scuffles. Look. There. She's making a plan with her assistant." He let out an exaggerated shiver.
Brady looked around at the crowd. "Free damned country all right."
"And sometimes that freedom comes back to bite us. I've got a list here of business owners and developers Dr. Piper there has placed on her hit list and it looks like you're the new addition. Like I said, nasty. She knows the law, sir. Works around it. Digs in until she wins. This is just a sample of her followers."
Brady frowned. "Get to the point, boy."
Andy pulled out the first contract he'd drawn up on out-of-date carbonless paper in triplicate. "This is my offer. It's nearly double what you paid. The rent from the mall's a gamble. We both know that." The next set of papers was full of graphs and stats. "These." He placed them in Brady's hand. "These are hundred-year rain reports, hurricane data. You can get rid of a weather gamble, tree huggers and a swamp, and make a profit in one swipe of your signature."
Brady scratched the back of his ear as he watched Rose start to make her way over to him. "Boy, I've got all these equipment operators out here. Your deal's tempting, no doubt..."
Andy pulled out the second contract he had prepared. He held up his empty hand, palm forward. "I get it. I get it. Let me add this to the deal so we can pay these fine men for their time and trouble." He forced back a smile at the look on Brady's face from the offer. "All you have to do is sign; let me take care of the mob and Queen Mob on her way over here, sir. You keep your good name in these parts. I'll take the fall."
He hadn't anticipated the sincere satisfaction from helping the... whatever the hell animal it was he was helping. He smiled, not only for the developer's handshake, but for the benefit of Rose who looked sexy as hell as she reached them.
The contract was already in review with Brady's lawyer and the check practically passing between them. He felt pretty damned smug. Smug until Rose gave him an earful.
"You selfish, money hungry, heartless son of a bitch." Her chin seemed to arrive three steps before the rest of her. Elbows locked, fists bundled. "You think all these people are going to just stand by here while you outbid a species into extinction just to fill your damned pockets?"
He could swear he heard her growl. It was a good thing he knew her like he did, because she spun around like lightning, aiming her heel right at the side of his head. Her foot came to a screeching halt in his hand. She nearly lost her balance, panting like she'd just run a marathon and juggling to stand on one leg.
From behind Rose, he spotted who he figured was her assistant with one hand on the side of her head and the other outstretched as if she could somehow stop what was going on from a hundred yards away.
The crowd silenced as he held Rose's foot near the side of his face. His smile dropped. He waited a beat. "I know that move," he said quietly to only her before releasing her leg. She looked more shocked at her outburst than he was. He turned from her and faced Brady who was clearly glad to be rid of the mess. The old man held Andy's copy of the signed contract out awkwardly.
"All rights to the property become mine." Andy knew you could say almost anything with a smile on your face. "Take your time getting the equipment moved. I'm in no hurry."
Without acknowledging Rose, he picked up Mr. Brady's bullhorn and headed closer to the crowd that was now standing and booing him. He lit his best killer smile and humbly raised his hands. "If I could have your attention, please. Just for a moment, please." He knew they could hear him. Knew that Rose was standing, full of herself, behind him. "If I don't buy this land, how long do you think you can hold back the bulldozers? If I don't buy this land, how long before someone else does?" He dipped his head slightly in humility as the crowd quieted. He could feel Rose's glare pierce holes in the back of his head. "The perimeter of this land will be sold in two-acre lots to buyers who are willing to pay substantially more per acre in order to preserve the territory and keep it a haven for the..." He looked to Rose as her mouth gaped open.
She shut her eyes in disgust and answered him with two words, "Whooping cranes."
"...haven for the Whooping cranes. The back of the lots will stop no closer to the habitats than can be reached with a powerful set of binoculars. As an incentive to preserve the land, the owners will have their names embossed on a special plaque under a solid marble carving of a life-size Whooping crane. I've already got over a half-dozen enthusiastic..." He looked back at Rose pleadingly.
With her eyes still half closed, she answered, "Craniacs."
"...half-dozen craniacs interested in building."
The crowd looked at Rose, at each other, then back at Rose before erupting in applause. He handed out copies of sample agreements as both a way to please the crowd and to get the word out to any potential buyers. I am good, he thought. However, the clock was ticking, the helicopter was paid by the hour and not part of his uncle's favor. He turned to give himself one last look at her before leaving. She stood a few feet away. Squinting. Arms crossed. Smirking? What the hell?
"You promised a life-sized carving of a Whooping crane? With room for engraving?"
"That's right. More incentive to look good and keep their promise to give the birds their protection." He smiled wide.
She smiled back. "How much are you making on this, Andy? Because you just promised to carve a bird that tops five feet tall out of solid marble. With room for engraving."
He leaned his head in, close to her ear as he neared her. "Two hundred-fifty grand."
He could sense her mouth drop, even as he walked past.
"Per lot." He winked at Grace and headed back for his helicopter.
* * *
Charcoal nuzzled his nose to Amanda's ear as she lay on her yoga mat working on stretches and strength training. "Go on now. Can't you see I'm busy?" She smiled and felt a bit of serenity. Rolling on her side, she propped up on her elbow and gave in to scratching his ears.
Looking around, she sighed. She would never get used to the quiet. Pulling herself up, she walked over to take a photo album from the entertainment center shelf. Crossing her legs on her couch, she gave the command for Charcoal to stand down and flipped through pages. She was grateful Jessica and Rose faithfully emailed her pictures.
From her AA classes she learned to accept the consequences of her actions and she felt peace from it. Jessica was right to move in with her dad. It took Amanda nearly five years after that to get herself clean. As she turned pages, she watched her girls grow before her eyes. Watched the love of her life age. Why was it that men look so incredibly better as they got older, she wondered.
When she reached the pages that displayed the public part of Rose's growing career, her heart sunk. Her girl was no longer hidden. In the spring through the summer months, Rose was often on the local stations. Banding those eagles she loved so much or working to raise money for the action center. Like mother like daughter, she thought. And that ruined everything.
She hugged her arms close. He would come. He always came. This time she would be ready.
* * *
Rose rode coach in the center section of an eleven-across seated plane. On one side of her sat a young woman downing small glasses of wine, and wondered how much she could spend on a two-hour flight. Although wine might be helpful right about now, Rose thought.
How could she have let him get to her like that? After all this time. And why the hell was he there? He could give a rat's ass about the Whooping cranes. Was it to mess with her head? She had to admit, as much as she didn't want any part of Andrew Reed, it wasn't in him to play games like that.
"You've been quiet ever since we got on the plane. What's up?" Grace sat on the other side of her, eating peanuts and sipping on her miniature can of soda.
Rose shook her head and forced a smile for her friend.
Grace wasn't finished. "The only thing missing was the white horse. The man came literally flying out of the sky to sav
e the day for every-freaking-one. Oh, yeah, did I mention the incredibly hot, built, sexy man part?" Grace squinted at her and ate a peanut. "You know him."
Rose shook her head slightly. "Old friend of the family's."
"It was really genius, you have to admit. He's making a killing while saving a species. Everyone wins. If I were you, I'd be giving Mr. Hot, Built and Sexy a very personal, very lengthy thank you." Grace ran her tongue over her top lip.
"He's all yours." She glanced at Grace through the corner of her eyes. "You could bring him to the wedding." She leaned her seat back the half inch it allowed and closed her eyes.
"I've got a date for the wedding."
Rose rotated her head. "Who? When? Why didn't you tell me?"
Grace chewed on her straw. Shrugging, she answered, "Wes. I asked him just last week and I didn't tell you because of that look you're giving me right now. Don't be hard on him. I like him."
"Wesley McGee? Are you kidding? You're opposites. Complete opposites. Boisterous, confident Grace with insecure, boring Wes? How old is he anyway?"
"He's not boring. He's adorable. He's just scared to death of you." Grace pointed a finger at her. "And he's our age. Well, almost our age. What does that matter?"
Rose turned her head slightly but kept her eyes on Grace. "It doesn't." Leaning back against the seat, she added, "I scare him?" She closed her eyes and smiled.
* * *
Jessica Nolan and Pete Matthews weren't the first couple to marry under the oak arbor in his aunt and uncle's expansive backyard. Nathan and Brie had exchanged vows there themselves. Andy understood they didn't lend out their property to just anyone, but Jessica was practically another cousin.
Brie and Amanda were downright self-righteous about the lush green and multicolored landscaping plots dotting the corners of the property and scattered around the home. The two of them had pruned and weeded, edged and pampered every inch of the property to prepare for the day.
Andy sat with his date among the other guests in white, cloth-covered chairs lined in rows on the soft, thick grass. On cue, silence waved through the crowd when the young bride trailed behind her attendants to the end of the white runner. It led from the back of the house, through the middle of the lines of chairs, to a platform standing in front of the arbor covered in hundreds of deep, red roses. The only sound was that of the whispering music from the string quartet and the trickle of the waterfall that lay beneath the corner of the home he grew up in.
Rose stood as Jessica's maid of honor with his cousin, Hannah, as her bride's maid. They wore simple dresses. Strapless, tea-length satin in blue so bold it could compete only with the blood red of the complex bouquet resting in Jessica's hands. The dresses mimicked the bridal gown somewhat as they dipped into a revealing V along the tight-fitting front and back.
The bridal gown, however similar, stood alone. Intricate trails of shimmering pearls followed the natural lines of the dress and Jessica's hourglass shape. The skirt blossomed outward from her tiny waist with a modest train boasting the same complicated twists of pearls. Jessica's auburn hair stood elegantly at the crown of her head, woven and dripping with curls.
Andy politely worked to keep his face expressionless as he watched the ceremony, as he watched Rose. With her arms and shoulders exposed, he could tell, over the years, she'd put on weight. It looked good on her, too good. Her milky skin glowed against the bold color of the tight-fitting dress with her darkened strawberry blond hair smoothed and pinned with glittery stones. He'd never seen her like this and wished he never had. It had taken him enough time to accept he would never completely get over her. He had moved on. Business was better than planned and headed in the direction he'd always wanted. Life was fulfilling, even with the noose strangling his heart. But this—the look of her smile as her sister walked reverently down the aisle—wasn't going away anytime soon.
Reminding himself Rose was happy, he looked over the wedding party as the blue June sky dribbled with small tufts of clouds. He thought of how Rose was living her lifelong dreams to their fullest extent. Surely this was more than she could have expected by this stage of her life.
She despised him, he knew. Probably for the best. And she was always... engaged. He moved his gaze to Dave and Amanda.
Unlike many divorced parents, they stood next to each other after Dave kissed Jessica's forehead and gave her to the groom. Andy was sure they did this not only for their daughter, but for each other. Amanda was healthy again with full, chipmunk cheeks and bright color in her brown eyes. Yet, both she and Dave carried worn rings of dark beneath.
Even through whispers from adults saying she and Pete were too young to be married, Jessica floated on a cloud. Andy was definitely no judge for that. The ceremony went without a hitch.
The wedding crew seemed invisible. Impressed, Andy realized the groom's parents must have bucked tradition and paid for much of it. As soon as the receiving line ended, the wedding party gathered for pictures. White tapestries were pulled aside, exposing tables covered with appetizers and dotted with floral bouquets. Waiters in black ties carried flutes of champagne as the open bar readied for guests. Tables sat on large sheets of firm tiles that would change to a dance floor later in the evening.
He tucked his date's arm through his as he and his brother caught up from the last few months. Andy knew to maneuver conversation around Duncan's deployment in the Middle East. Living in Vegas, Duncan played the odds and made a killing painting the rich and famous. "Not saying you're not good, Duncan. I just think you're lucky as shit. Not at the cards. You've got that crazy memory. I'm talking the paintings. Sophia Cleau? She really had you paint her?"
Duncan lifted a brow. "She had me do more than paint her."
Andy shook his head dramatically. "Shit."
* * *
"Hot, built and sexy is here." Grace popped a canapé in her mouth. Her dress was a russet that accented the color of her bronze skin and showed just enough cleavage, Rose figured, to drive Wes crazy and still leave some for the imagination.
"I told you; he's all yours." She shrugged slightly, watching Andy laugh with his brother from her peripheral vision.
"Tempting, but I have a date." Grace gestured to the snack table as Wes tipped over a bowl of dipped chocolates onto the white linen tablecloth. Grace pulled her along and headed for him. "I don't know what it is about him, but I could just eat him up."
"Still very confusing."
Rose noticed Andy and his date as they walked toward a table holding the shrimp and sushi samples.
Grace elbowed her playfully in the ribs. "It's the knight. Don't kick him in the face this time. He saved the cranes."
"I didn't... kick him the face." She wasn't sure what was more humiliating, striking out at him right after she told the crowd not to touch anyone, or missing. "And if you call him that one more time, I'll kick you in the face."
Grace laughed and threw her head back along with the rest of her flute, then headed for Wes.
Feeling petty, Rose made her way to Andy and rolled her eyes behind his back at the, of course, drop-dead gorgeous blonde that was with him. She put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Stupid move.
His face was tight as he turned to look at the hand on his jacket, then softened instantly when he followed it up to lock eyes with her. They stood there for just a moment. But, it was enough. And it hurt. Damn it, Rose. Sheer determination had her primly lifting her chin before she spoke, "Hello, Duncan, Andy. I... suppose I owe you gratitude. And... an apology."
One of the many waiters who carried flutes of champagne ventured close to them. She rarely drank but looked longingly at the sweet, calming bubbles. Andy took two and handed one to his date.
"Apology?"
So predictable.
Tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear, she played along. "For, you know. The other day, or week or whatever."
"No. I don't know." He took the glass and lifted it to his lips, obviously hiding a grin.
Andy held out his flute. She forced herself to look at him, then absently took the champagne from his hand and tilted back a long drink.
"Anything else?" he added.
She looked at his date. Her eyes were darting between them. Rose took another drink. "And for trying to kick you in the face."
He placed his hand on her exposed shoulder and squeezed. "Try a new move next time." And walked away.
She sighed and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she looked down at the empty flute in her hand. "Son of a bitch."
Chapter 16
Andy wasn't in the mood for dancing. He shouldn't have touched Rose, but her bare shoulder was right there. He looked down at his hand. What was he looking for? Was it going to show some sign of her skin? He rubbed his fingers together thinking of the silky feel, of the toned, soft muscle.
Discovering his date was the dancing type, it suited him that she spent the better part of the evening doing just that. Purposely, he caught up with his cousin, Hannah. She would soon return to college. He missed her sassy tomboy attitude. Of course, how else would she turn out growing up with four boys? He found James and Jonathon, too. In a few months, they would start their freshman years of college. Small talk with family was just the ticket. Yet, he didn't and couldn't let Rose out of his sight. He found himself maneuvering around friends and family as they reminisced in order to keep her in view.
He knew the minute she walked down and stood at the bridge over Black Creek. Looking around he found Otto? Otis? Hell if he could remember. Andy spotted him with his nose inches from his smart phone.
