I was done with her hair, so I sat back down and held her hand. “So what went wrong?”
She closed her eyes again. She didn’t speak for several minutes. I think she was trying to gain her composure. When she reopened her eyes, she looked directly at me. “I’m not really sure. I was traveling a lot because of my Miss America duties. Communication wasn’t as easy as it is now. We mostly communicated by letters and postcards. Once in a while we could talk on the phone, but it was very costly and unreliable. When I came home for Christmas that year, everything seemed on track. We planned out our wedding right down to the honeymoon. He was happy and as adoring of me as ever, maybe even more so because we had missed each other so much. He never gave any hint he was interested in Elizabeth, in fact he seemed bothered by her presence. I think you know this, but she came back to Kaysville with me. She didn’t have the best home situation, and we had become quite close, so I wanted to help her. I was actually rooting for her to win Miss America; it would have meant more to her. She was devastated when she didn’t win. Like I said, she didn’t have much to go home to, so I helped her get a job as a teller at the bank Isaac’s daddy started. She even lived with my momma and daddy.”
“Did you have any hint then that something was going on between the two of them?”
“No, none at all. I’m not even sure if there was at that time. If there was, they did an excellent job of covering it up. Like I said, Isaac seemed not to like her much. I asked him why, but he could never articulate it. He would just say there was something about her that rubbed him the wrong way.” She clenched her fists. “Well, apparently she learned to rub him the right way.”
I saw her face redden, and that worried me. I didn’t want her to get worked up in her condition. I rubbed her hand. “Maybe we should discuss this later.”
“No, sugar, this is a one-time-only discussion. I don’t ever want to talk about that woman or that man again after this day.”
That may be difficult if I marry their son.
“Isaac went back to school, and I left to tour some more, unaware of how different life would be when I returned in April to visit.”
She looked out the window, off into the distance, and sighed. “I was anxious to get back. I hadn’t heard from Isaac in weeks. I figured he was busy with his last semester, and he never was the best letter writer, but I wrote to him faithfully every week. I was also corresponding with Elizabeth.” She said her name like it was manure in her mouth. “I would ask her if she had seen Isaac, and she repeatedly told me no. As soon as my plane touched down in Birmingham, I had my daddy drive me straight to Tuscaloosa instead of home. I couldn’t wait to see Isaac, and I wanted to surprise him. But it was me that was surprised.”
She continued to stare wistfully out the window. I squeezed her hand and she squeezed back in response. I felt terrible asking her to relive what was obviously a very painful moment for her.
She finally gained the courage she needed to continue. “When he opened the door to his apartment, I could tell something was wrong. His eyes were cold. I tried to embrace him, and he pushed me away. I begged him to tell me what was wrong, but all he would say was, ‘You know very well what’s wrong. Because of you everything is ruined.’ He slammed the door in my face. I don’t even know how long I pounded on his door and cried, but he never opened it. He sent back every letter and postcard I had ever written him and never talked to me again.” Her voice began to crack. “I never knew what I did. I went to his parents, and they didn’t know either. They were upset by it too, they tried to get Isaac to talk to them, but he refused. But then they were more upset when they found out Elizabeth was pregnant with Isaac’s child. There she was, living with my parents, and sleeping with my fiancé. She even had the gall to pretend to be happy when I came home, and she tried to comfort me, all while she was carrying his son.”
“I’m so sorry, Aunt Lu. What did you and your parents do?”
She looked at me with her hard-as-nails look. “Well, first we sent the little tramp packing. She didn’t have far to go. Isaac’s parents took her in. They weren’t happy about it; they loved me and I loved them almost as much as my own parents. I couldn’t stand to be in Kaysville, so I took some speaking engagements that I hadn’t originally planned on and left as soon as I could, even though I cursed the day I ever decided to run. My parents told me Isaac and Elizabeth married quickly and privately. I was devastated.”
We were both quiet for a moment.
“I don’t get it, why was he upset with you when he was so clearly in the wrong?”
She shook her head. “I just don’t know. I’ve asked myself that a million times.” She tipped my chin up with her manicured hands. “Sugar, just watch yourself around his momma.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice.
Chapter Fourteen
The rest of the conversation was a little more pleasant. She told me how George Reed was so in love with her that after they got married, they moved to Auburn so she could finish school. She was probably the wealthiest coed that school has ever had. She and George traveled the world, but they made home base in Kaysville. They built the mansion she now lives in, and they became the center of attention. They threw grand, lavish parties. The whole town, with the exception of the Isaac Jackson family, was invited. Even Isaac’s parents came, but that began to divide the town. The Jacksons began to throw their own events, and everyone was forced to make a choice, just like Alabama or Auburn. If you lived in Kaysville, you had to choose a side.
George died a year before I was born, making my aunt and me into the wealthy women we were now. I didn’t know this tidbit, but it was Isaac’s daddy that convinced my aunt to keep her money with Kaysville National. Apparently he was still quite fond of my aunt. He helped advise her after the passing of George. I could tell, as she talked about him, how much she admired him. I bet that didn’t sit well with Brady’s momma.
We also talked about me entering her life. She’d told me on many occasions that I was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She had always wanted children, but she and George were never able to have any. My aunt had suffered multiple miscarriages during their marriage. She had suffered so much loss in her life, but yet she never felt sorry for herself. Perhaps she was a little hardened by it, but she had been nothing but tender and loving to me my whole life. She was also very generous. Many in Kaysville owed their starts to her, and on our trips around the world, we had toured and volunteered in several orphanages and hospitals, and I knew she had donated millions over the years to various causes. She was my hero.
Now, yet again, she was trying to be selfless by putting aside her feelings about the Jackson family, so that Brady and I could have a second chance at love. I had no doubt she orchestrated that first meeting of ours at the bank.
By mid-afternoon, we were both exhausted. We both slept for a couple of hours. You know you’re tired when you can sleep soundly on a couch in a hospital room. When I woke up, my aunt told me to go home and get some real sleep and not to stay out all night again. I had to chuckle at her attempts to parent me still.
I had lots to think about on my drive home. My heart ached for my aunt. I knew how I had felt these last ten years with no answers and no Brady; at least I had never been friends with Amber.
As soon as I got home, my phone rang.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hi.”
“I’ve missed you today.”
“Then maybe you should come over.”
“I was hoping you would say that. I’ll see you in ten.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Doris was still there.
“Feel free to leave early,” I told her.
She gave me a knowing smile. “Dinner’s in the oven and there’s enough for two.” She winked.
I smiled and thanked her. On her way out, Brady pulled up. She beamed brightly at the both of us. “Mr. Brady, you better treat our girl right,” she said as she walked off.
&nb
sp; “Of course, ma’am,” he replied. .
As soon as she left and the door was closed, Brady wrapped me up in those arms of his and kissed me until I forgot I was an Eaton, and for a minute I forgot what my first name was too.
“How was your day, darlin’?”
“It was interesting.”
He gave me an inquiring look.
“I’ll tell you over dinner,” I said in response to his look. “How was work? Did you keep my money safe?”
He picked me up and swung me around. “Yes, my heiress.” When he set me down, he looked at me somewhat seriously. “Will it bother you that you have more money than me?”
“Brady Jackson, how could you think such a thing? You know I don’t care about things like that. I didn’t even want my aunt’s money in the first place. Does it bother you?”
He thought for a second. “No. I just want the woman I love to know that I can take care of her.”
I winked at him. “She knows that.”
He kissed me quick. “That reminds me. I’ll be right back.” He went out to his truck and brought back in a white box tied with a red bow.
We walked back to the kitchen together and then he handed it to me as we sat at the counter. I carefully slid the ribbon off. I don’t know why, but I always liked to keep the ribbons and bows intact if I could. I lifted the box lid and gently pulled back the tissue paper to find a gorgeous cream colored wool coat and matching fur-lined leather gloves.
I pulled Brady close and kissed him briefly. “I love them. Thank you.”
“As much as I love you wearing my coat, I figured you could use one of your own.”
He was so thoughtful. I modeled the coat for him. It fit perfectly.
Brady and I finished putting dinner together while he told me about his day. Doris had left us lemon chicken. I made a salad to go with it while Brady set the table and kissed me intermittently. It was pretty much perfect. I could picture us doing that every night for the rest of our lives. I knew all I had to do was say the word and Brady would make that happen, but I still needed a little time.
Over dinner, I told him about the conversation I had with my aunt. I obviously tried to be careful and not interject my feelings about what unkind liars I thought his parents were. I tried to keep it factual and not emotional or accusatory. It was difficult, but I felt I pulled it off well, and Brady didn’t seem upset at all. We continued discussing it as we cuddled on the family room couch together. “Did you know our parents used to be neighbors? And your grandparents loved my aunt, and they were the best of friends with my grandparents?” I asked him.
“I had no idea,” he said surprised. “My grandparents died when I was a toddler. I don’t even remember them. He pulled me closer. “Ellie, I know this sounds terrible, but I’m happy that our parents didn’t end up together.”
I had the same thought earlier too, but I felt so guilty about it. Isaac was my aunt’s Brady, and I knew she loved him like I loved Brady.
“I know, but to hear her talk about your daddy was heart wrenching. Has your daddy ever told you why?”
He kissed my head. “Darlin’, what’s all this about? Does it really matter what happened all those years ago?”
“I just want to know why your parents hate me so much.”
He turned so I could see his eyes and his beautiful face with its five o’clock shadow. “Ellie, I told you they have no bearing or sway about how I feel about you.”
“Brady, they’re your parents. Are you really ready to cut them out of your life for me?”
“If I have to, yes. Ellie, I love you. I want you to be my wife.”
I leaned my forehead against his. “Brady, I love you too, but I’m scared. I don’t want a repeat of the last ten years.”
He took my face in his hands and gently pulled my head back. I could see the love in his eyes. “Ellie, ten years from now, you and I will be covered in children, our children.” A sexy grin crossed his face. “And I’ll be trying to get them into their beds and fast asleep, so I can seduce their momma.”
“Brady Jackson.”
He kissed me once, lightly on the lips. “Ellie Eaton,” he whispered.
My name never sounded so good.
I leaned back against him and let the sleep my body so desperately craved take over. I awoke sometime late in the night to him leaving.
He kissed me gently on the lips and grinned. “As much as I want to stay, I think I better go home. I don’t want to start any rumors.”
“You don’t think people are already talking about us?” I said sleepily.
He brushed my hair back with his hand. “I’m sure they are darlin’, but I want to protect your reputation.”
Could he be any better? “I think I may love you.”
“That’s good, because I know I love you. And honestly, that’s the only thing that is making me leave you right now.”
He kissed me once on the lips. “Goodnight, Ellie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“I dare anyone to try and keep me away from you.”
With that, he got up and left. I sat on the couch for several more minutes, reveling in the fact that Brady loved me. I finally convinced myself I should sleep in my bed and maybe put on pajamas instead of sleeping in my clothes. As I walked up the stairs, I felt like I was floating above them. A week ago I couldn’t imagine that I would be back in Kaysville and just a word away from being engaged to Brady.
I spent the next day at the hospital. My aunt was looking better, but feeling restless. She wanted to be home. The plan was for her to come home Sunday. I was looking forward to it too. I felt like once she was home, I could really feel like it was the holidays. Even though the house was decorated, it just didn’t feel like Christmas without her there.
We spent the day working on story boards for my new book. We didn’t talk about the Jacksons at all. She didn’t even ask about Brady. I’m sure she knew how I was spending my evenings. I did hope that Brady could eventually charm her and that we could all be a happy family someday. I wasn’t as optimistic for his side. At least I would have Benjamin and Kendra, and of course little Miss Caroline. Brady and I planned on taking the little Miss to the movies the next night. I guess he and Caroline had a standing Friday night date for over a year now. Brady asked if I minded. I didn’t mind at all. If I had to share Brady with someone, she was my first choice. My only choice. Brady hadn’t told her yet that we were a couple, so I was anxious to see her reaction tomorrow night. I kept thinking about her sweet prayer on Sunday.
Brady came over again and we had another perfect, low key evening. It was nice to be with someone that you felt completely comfortable with and who was just as happy as you with the idea of just being at home with no pretense involved. He tried to help me wrap all the gifts we had purchased the previous weekend. I knew my Aunt would expect that business to all be settled by the time she got home. When I say he helped, I meant he watched me and kept me company and very distracted as we got tangled up in ribbon and wrapping paper. I’m sure it was the most fun I’ve ever had wrapping gifts, but it was more than just fun. There was a moment when we were sitting on the floor, surrounded by brightly colored paper, that I looked up at him as he tried his hand at making bows and had this overwhelming feeling of love come over me. He caught me staring at him, and I think he thought I was going to make fun of his pitiful bows, but I just said, “I love you.” The smile he gave me in return warmed my heart because I knew how happy that made him, and I knew he felt the same way.
I realized after we were done wrapping all the gifts, I still had to buy a gift for him and Benjamin. “What do you want for Christmas?” I asked.
“You know what I want.”
“A puppy it is then,” I teased.
He pulled me on his lap. “The only soft, warm creature I want on my lap is you.”
I snuggled in closer. “I don’t know. Just think how happy you would make Caroline if you had a puppy at your house.”
“I think she would be happier if I had an Aunt Ellie at my house.”
I liked the sound of being an aunt, especially to Caroline. I liked the sound of being Brady’s wife even better, but I still needed some time, and I needed to know for sure that my aunt could accept and even possibly love Brady.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I have a plan for how to win your aunt over.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate her.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate how serious I am about making you my wife.”
I didn’t, and I knew how charming and sweet Brady was, but I don’t think he realized the pain his parents had caused my aunt and how hard she was trying not to let that get in the way of my happiness, and even his.
Chapter Fifteen
Operation “Get Aunt Lu to Call Brady by his God-Given Name” started the next day. Brady was going to take a half-day off and meet me at the hospital. I got to the hospital early to make sure my aunt’s hair and make-up was just like she liked it. I knew he wouldn’t win any points if he showed up and she didn’t feel like she looked her best. I even brought her some new Auburn blue satin pajamas. I got her as dolled up as I could for being in the hospital. I thought she was beautiful, with or without cosmetics, but it’s what she thought that counted the most.
Brady came around noon. He knocked on her room door. I took a deep breath and answered it. My aunt had the curtain pulled around the bed so she couldn’t see who it was immediately. I opened the door to find my country boy looking like a world-class city boy in his dark business suit and tie. To say he was handsome was an understatement. He was also holding a beautiful gardenia plant. He had asked the previous night what my aunt’s favorite flowers were. He gave me that smile I loved so much, but I could tell he was nervous. I admit, I was too.
He kissed me on the cheek. “Darlin’.”
I took his free hand and squeezed it tight and led him into the unknown. I had him pause at the curtain. I peeked around. “You have a visitor.”
House Divided Page 15
