Alice chuckled.
“You don’t know crazy until you’ve had a chance to hang out with me. With all the drama I’ve been through lately, forget it. As for you all, I can’t think of any other family I’d rather join forces with. I certainly couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law than Payton.”
“Aww, Alice, that’s so sweet.” I blew Alice a kiss.
“You know I love you, dear. We all do.”
“I love you, too. But, is everything okay with you? This is the first time I’m hearing you mention drama.”
“Everything will be fine. Just working out a few kinks in my life, that’s all.”
“Wait, is this about the two guys you were telling us about?”
Alice nodded her head.
“Two men? Whoo hooo, go Alice! Must be nice to have options.” Rebecca pretended like she was waving a lasso around.
“Rebecca, will you hush. It’s not like that,” I said.
“Actually, that’s exactly what it’s like. Both Stanley and Carl have expressed an interest in pursuing a relationship. I have to decide which one I want to be with. Or decide to remain alone. Either way there’s a decision to be made.”
Alice had our full attention.
“Okay, clearly I’m out of the loop. What did I miss?” Abby lowered her sunglasses.
“Yeah, that makes two of us. Who’s Stanley and Carl?” Rebecca added.
“You haven’t missed much. When we went shopping for a wedding dress with Payton I filled them in on my not so interesting love life. The short version is that my long time friend, Stanley found out that I was seeing someone. This upset him because he had hopes of us being together. I didn’t know how he felt because he’s more of the quiet type. His actions speak louder than words is the way he described it. The sad part is I’ve always received his actions as friendly gestures. I just thought he was being nice. Carl on the other hand is…”
“Romantic, he makes her feel alive, and he causes her to blush when she talks about him.” Mom filled in the blanks.
“Well, if that’s the case, then you have your answer. Case closed,” Rebecca said.
“I wish it was that simple.”
“Why isn’t it?”
“I’ve been asking myself the same question for the last several weeks. I told them both I needed a little time and haven’t really addressed it since. Carl is really good about doing all the things that make me feel like a teenager in love. He brings me roses and plans romantic evenings for two. But you and I both know that doesn’t last forever. My level of distraction started becoming really obvious on our last date. He brought over a nice meal but I couldn’t even stay focused long enough to enjoy it. All I remember thinking about is how Stanley has always been there for me as a friend, how he takes care of my needs without me even asking, and how he pays attention to all of my favorite things.”
“You mean like the Chamomile tea and pound cake?” I asked.
“That’s exactly what I mean. How could I possibly choose Carl and overlook the one who’s been there for me all along?”
“Alice, it’s not your fault. Stanley could’ve said something long before Carl showed up.”
“You know, Payton, I thought the same thing at first. But as he mentioned, that’s just not his way. Have you ever met the kind of man that may not be the most expressive or affectionate but you know they care for you by the little things they do? Stanley fixes things that I don’t even know are broken. He routinely brings my favorite treats every Thursday…”
“I don’t know, Alice. Routines can get old very quickly.” Mom grumbled as if it was personal.
“Helen, you’ve been married longer than any of us. Wouldn’t you rather live life with your best friend rather than someone who gives you a passing thrill?”
“I guess you’re right, Alice. Will has always been my best friend.”
“Well, it sounds like this love triangle has officially come to an end. All you have to do is kick Carl to the curb and pass Stanley the toolbox. There, problem solved. Next?” Rebecca kicked her feet up and pulled her sun hat forward.
“You make it sound so easy. I should’ve consulted with you weeks ago.” Alice teased.
“Alice, if you don’t mind me asking, if this happened weeks ago, why haven’t you mentioned your feelings to Stanley?”Abby asked as she sat up to apply more sunscreen.
“This seems a little silly but I don’t know why. A part of me is worried that I ruined everything after he saw me kissing Carl on the front porch. Even though he did come to see me at the house afterward. Then there’s the other concern… what if we pursue something more but find out we were better off as friends?”
“Whoa whoa whoa…. hold your horses. No one mentioned a word about any kissing.” Rebecca began to make a scene but Mom shut her down really quick.
“Rebecca!” she scolded.
Abby thought it was hysterical and so did Alice.
“Mom, why are you so surprised? You know Rebecca doesn’t have a filter.”
“Okay, in my defense, I must’ve missed that part of the story. Alice, I apologize but I’m notorious for being the outspoken one in the family. If most are thinking it, I’ll say it!”
Rebecca wasn’t lying but thankfully Alice didn’t seem to care.
“There’s no need to apologize, dear. I love your candor. And, to answer your question, we did exchange our first kiss. However, I’d take it all back if I could. Look at all the hurt it’s caused.”
“Alice, I don’t have nearly as much experience with love as you and mom. But, if I could offer my two cents…” I felt like the writing was on the wall but didn’t want to overstep my boundaries.
“Please do.”
“Go talk to Stanley. He sounds like a diamond in the rough and it’s obvious that you care for him. I’d much rather see you with your best friend than caught up in a magical fairy tale that will quickly fade away.”
“You know, Payton, I think you’re right. Perhaps this Thursday I can pay him a visit and bring him his favorite meal as a peace offering. At least it’s a start.”
“Whoo hoo, that’s what I’m talking about. Bring your man a home cooked meal!” With all the hooting you would’ve thought Rebecca was at a baseball game.
“Rebecca, I think you need to get out more,” I said.
“Honestly, I’m so excited to have a little free time I don’t know what to do with myself. I love Ethan and John William, but if I didn’t get out of the house soon, I was about to lose my mind.”
“Well, why didn’t you say something? You know I’d be happy to spend more time with my grandson if you need a break.” Mom always thought the more the merrier when it came to having the grandkids around.
“You already watch him once a week. I didn’t want to be overbearing.”
“There’s no such thing when it comes to my grandkids. Anytime you need a break just let me know. I need a change in pace every once in a while.”
“I bet we all could benefit from a change in pace. Maybe next year we should plan a family vacation,” I suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea,” mom said.
Abby pulled a soda out of the cooler. “Yeah, I can just see it now. All of the moms will need another vacation just from trying to keep up with all the kids… and the husbands for that matter!”
We continued to lay under the canopy and have girl talk for as long as our schedules would allow. After grabbing lunch, everyone left to tend to their afternoon plans.
I decided to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon at the store catching up on paperwork.
The first item on my agenda was to go through all of my voicemails. I pulled out a sketchpad to take notes.
‘Hi Payton, this is Cindy from Cindy’s Florals. I have a suggestion to make regarding your order for the wedding. Just a couple of adjustments that will help to enhance your table arrangements. When you get a chance give me a call. Thanks.’
I skipped on to the next message.
‘Payton, hi. Th
is is Natalie. I tried to reach you on your cell but thought I should call the store as well. When you get a chance please call me back. Talk to you soon.”
I hope she had good news. I was starting to fall behind on a few things and really needed her help at the store.
I pressed the button to play the final message but was interrupted by the bells ringing on the front door.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed on Sundays.”
I turned around and started to explain further but froze in my tracks at the sight before me.
“Payton, it’s me, Jack.”
“What are you doing here? I thought we asked you to leave.”
He took a step toward me but I backed away.
“Please, Payton, I hate it when you back away from me like that. You don’t have to be afraid. I just came back so we could talk alone.”
“How did you know I’d be here? The store is normally closed on Sundays.”
“I didn’t know. I extended my trip a few days and decided to drive by and take a chance to see if you were here. That’s all. Honest to God, Payton. I’m here with good intentions. Look at me. I cleaned myself up. I haven’t had anything to drink within the last couple of days. I’m taking your advice and working on getting myself together. It’s not going to happen overnight but I started, and that’s what matters most, right?”
“Yeah, I guess. I just don’t understand why you felt the need to come back here. You’re putting me in a very awkward position. I’m an engaged woman, Jack. You can’t just show up whenever you want and expect me to be here for you.”
Jack wasn’t intimidating but he did catch me by surprise. He was cleaned up with a fresh out of the shower smell and dressed nice in his golf clothes… similar to the way he looked when we first met.
“I promise to walk right back out the door if you want me to. All you have to do is say the word, Payton. I only came back because I could hear the sound of hesitation in your voice when we spoke yesterday. You would’ve talked with me further if we hadn’t been interrupted. We haven’t been apart so long that I can’t recognize that sound in my wife’s voice. Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll leave.”
“I’m not your wife anymore, Jack.”
“You may not be but the love is still there and the bond is still there. You can’t just turn it off like a switch.”
“You did.”
“I admit I was wrong. Dead wrong for how I treated you. I’ll admit it a thousand times if you want me to, but there’s no denying that we still have a connection, Payton. I felt it when we were talking. Yesterday you did something that no one has done in a long time. You listened to me. You heard what I had to say. Yeah, you were mad at me but you cared. You can’t deny that you still care, Payton. I can see it in your eyes.”
I relaxed my body against the counter feeling rather defeated because Jack was right.
“I guess you got me.”
“What?”
“You figured me out. You’re calling my bluff. I do care but that doesn’t mean that I think we should be together.”
He took a few steps closer and lowered his voice to a soft whisper. I could feel my heart racing.
“Payton, underneath that protective shell that you created against me is a woman who still loves me. I can feel it.”
Jack’s lips softly touched mine. I was lost in a momentary state of shock, but not for long before I hauled off and smacked him across his face.
“Jack… you have approximately sixty seconds to get out of my store.”
He held his hand up to his cheek.
“Payton.”
“Fifty-nine.”
“Payton, please.”
“Fifty-eight.”
He took a few steps backward and proceeded to leave.
“Jack, one more thing before you go. If you ever set foot around me again you will be arrested.”
“I didn’t hurt you.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’ll be in violation of the restraining order that I’m about to file. Consider this to be your last warning.”
As soon as he left I ran to lock the door. I watched him get in his car across the street and glance back at me before closing the door. Every encounter with Jack felt like one tumultuous experience after the other. This time I hoped would be the last.
Alice
“Stanley, can we talk?”
He slowly backed away from the threshold of the front door to let me in. Stanley usually didn’t say much unless he was speaking about his military days or making his case for why something needed to be fixed.
“Come on in.”
“I brought your favorite roasted chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. I made sure to include the baby carrots that you like.”
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
He moved a few papers off the kitchen counter to make room for the food.
“Here, uh, I guess we can set the plate over here. If I would’ve known you were coming I could’ve made arrangements for you to have your usual. I just assumed you weren’t interested.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it, Stanley. I know your heart.”
“Do you?”
I paused in awkward silence.
“I would say so. I know your heart now better than I ever have before.”
He placed his hands in his pockets and started making his way back to the living room.
“Stanley, that’s actually why I came over today. I’d like to pick up where we left off in conversation if it’s alright with you.”
He took a seat in his corner rocking chair and folded his hands.
“I suppose there’s no harm in talking. Of course, you already know how I feel.”
“Yes, about that. A lot has changed since we last spoke. I guess I should start by saying that I’m no longer seeing Carl.”
I waited to see if I would get a rise out of Stanley, but he remained silent.
“Stanley, I don’t know where to begin. What can I say?”
“Just say what’s on your mind. I can handle it.”
“Okay.”
I took a deep breath.
“When you and I first met I viewed you as someone who would be nice to get to know. I figured we’d take our time and enjoy one another’s company, and see where it would lead.”
“Mm hmm,” he responded.
“Then we fell into a routine of coming over once or twice a week… and… I didn’t know what to make of it. The gestures of bringing tea and fixing things were sweet, but for me, it didn’t automatically equate to a relationship. So I just assumed that we were good friends who liked to keep each other company.”
“Mm hmm.”
“I guess I missed the cues. However, there’s one thing that’s become obvious to me during this time. You and I do have a special bond. You take good care of me and I know I can call on you for anything. Plus, I can’t think of anyone else that I’d rather spend my tea time with but you.”
“You mean you still want me to come around?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“And you’re sure I won’t catch old lover boy trying to kiss you on the front porch again?”
“Haha! That’s an interesting way to put it. No, you won’t see him anymore and neither will I.”
“I never could figure out what you saw in that guy in the first place. Who goes around wearing a sweater vest over your shirt in hot sunny Florida for goodness sake.”
It was nice to be able to break the ice and feel comfortable with each other again.
“All jokes aside, I have to take ownership of my part. My late wife used to get on my case for the same things that you mentioned. She used to say ‘Stan, it wouldn’t hurt for you to be a little romantic every once in a while.’ It’s not that I didn’t care to. Daddy and Papaw just weren’t overly affectionate men and I guess the trait wound up in my genes, whether I asked for it or not. But I’ll tell you one lesson I’ve learned. I’m not a
bout to let another wonderful lady pass me by without changing my ways.”
He came over to join me on the couch and took me by the hand.
“When I didn’t hear from you I thought I lost you, Alice. I guess technically you were never mine to begin with, but I’d like to change that. I promise to come out of my shell more if that will make you happy.”
“Oh, Stanley, that’s so sweet. Look at you. Your cheeks are turning red.”
“Hey, I’m as rusty as they come at this whole romance thing but I’ll tell you this. I know a good woman when I see one. You, Alice Miller, are a good woman, and I enjoy being with you and making you happy.”
“You, Stanley Baker, are a good man.”
“I try to be. You know a lot of things about me, Alice. But there’s one thing I’ve never shared with anyone that I think you should know.”
“What is it?”
He hesitated.
“Many marriages go through hard times. Some harder than others as I’m sure you probably experienced when you were married.”
“Of course.”
“Anne and me went through something that most probably would’ve gotten a divorce over. Around our twentieth wedding anniversary, we had been through one of the toughest times imaginable. I was retired from the Army by then and spent most of my days still taking on some government contract work. Anne stayed at home and… I guess you could say we had grown distant for a period of time. The kids were no longer kids and had their own lives, and I think all of it combined left Anne feeling rather lonely. A long time friend of ours used to check in and come to her aid at times when I couldn’t be there. He bailed us out of tight situations so many times. One time the car broke down. Another time a pipe burst and you name it, he was there. But, I’ll never forget the day I came home early to find him and Anne together. No man ever wants to see the woman he loves with someone else.”
I had a flashback to the moment with Carl on the porch. When I looked up Stanley looked so broken hearted. I felt awful.
“Stanley, I’m so sorry.”
“Alice, that was a long time ago. And, I’m not telling you this story for your sympathy. You didn’t do anything to be sorry about. Although it was a rough road ahead for a while to come, I eventually went on to forgive Anne. I knew deep down she had a good heart and that wasn’t to be confused with what she had done. Like I said, it took a while for me to come to that conclusion but I did. That should hopefully give you some insight into the kind of man I am. I may not win first prize for knowing how to sweep a woman off her feet but I’m loyal, I’m here for you when you need me. Hopefully, that’s what matters most to you.”
A Pelican Beach Affair (Pelican Beach Book 3) Page 7
