Miss Ferrell gathered the class together in a semi-circle on the carpet. Caroline still stood with us as she was introducing us. Some already recognized me, which was fun. I heard little murmurings about me being the lady on the back of their books. Some even shyly waved at me, and of course I smiled and waved back. Once the class was situated and as still as five-year-olds can be, she turned it over to Caroline.
Caroline proudly stood in front of her class. “This is Miss Ellie, she writes the Jane and Miss Calliope books. She even read them to me one night, and I got to slide on her floor.” She pointed to Brady. “This is my Uncle Brady, he loves Miss Ellie, and they’re going to get married.” Then she just sat down like she hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary at all, even though her classmates were giggling and smiling about what she had said. Brady squeezed my hand and gave me a knowing smile. What we were going to do with that girl?
Miss Ferrell got the class to settle down again after Caroline’s introduction, and then Brady and I sat in front of them and I began to read. Brady provided the actions, which proved to be the most entertaining. He got a huge round of applause at the end. He was such a natural with children. We let the kids ask me questions about my book. Afterward we surprised them all with copies of my book. The look on their faces is why I loved my job so much, but the look on Brady’s face was why I loved my life so much, and why I loved him.
“Will you come to Atlanta with me on Friday?” Brady asked before we went our separate ways in the parking lot.
“Sure.” I smiled. “What’s the occasion?”
“Benjamin put some feelers out for me, and a bank there is interested in me for the position of VP of Lending.”
I was so touched by his willingness to move away from Kaysville, and a job that I think he really liked, and his house that he loved. I put my hand over my heart. “Brady Jackson, I love you.”
He smiled. “So is it a date?”
“I think Doris can spend the day with my aunt, so yes.”
He kissed me goodbye quickly. “Have a great time with Kendra. I’ll see you tonight. I have feeling tonight’s the night your aunt is calling me Brady.”
I shook my head at him. I wasn’t sure I could agree with his assessment. He had tried almost desperately the night before to no avail. I loved Brady’s optimism, and I inwardly hoped she would too, but I knew her, and I had a feeling she knew about our little bargain.
I met Kendra at Macie’s. I figured I might as well give the town more to talk about. If I had been thinking more deviously, I would have told Kendra to wear an Auburn shirt and I would have too. I could only imagine the looks that would have garnered. I guess we got enough attention as it was. Sunday had stirred up a hornet’s nest. It wasn’t all bad, in fact some of it was good, but for many it was unsettling. Change is hard, and this town had been set in its ways for a long time. Those taking it the hardest were Mrs. Jackson’s faithful followers. There were a couple of those dears having lunch, and boy did we get some vile looks. Kendra was like Brady and just found amusement in it. She let it roll off her back. I tried to follow her lead, but it was hard. This was one of the reasons I never came back to Kaysville, I didn’t want to deal with this behavior. Those women made me think maybe we really should move to Atlanta; hopefully Brady’s interview would go well. It wasn’t like he needed to have a job for us to move there, but I knew it would never sit well with him to not be a bread winner, and I would never even suggest it to him.
Kendra and I got a table as far away from the main area as we could. I had a feeling she had some juicy details to spill about her mother-in-law. I wondered if I could just marry Brady and pretend I didn’t have in-laws. We ordered our food, and then Kendra smiled slyly. “The big guns have been called in. Beau and Booker, along with their families, will now be here for Christmas thanks to you.”
I shook my head. “Wouldn’t they come for Christmas anyway?”
Her eyes danced with delight. “Oh no, this was their year for Thanksgiving, so they were just here, but under the circumstances, they’ve changed their plans.”
“What circumstances?”
“Oh, honey, I’ve never seen Elizabeth this out of sorts. She’s beside herself about the impending nuptials and the possibility of Brady moving away. And Isaac refuses to talk Brady out of it, which is adding to her craziness.”
I took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of my nose. Why did she care so much? She had been married to Isaac forever, and it wasn’t like I was making Brady choose between me and his family, she was doing that.
“Does Brady know?” I asked.
She smiled kindly. “Yes,” she said quietly, “Brady told us about Saturday night and about his suspicions. As much as it pains Benjamin, he agrees with Brady. They’ve both surmised over the years that their parents had a loveless marriage, but what kid wants to admit that?”
“Kendra, I would hate to think that’s the case, but if it’s true, why did they ever get married, I mean besides the fact she was pregnant?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Benjamin said they weren’t a real touchy-feely sort of family and their daddy was especially careful with his thoughts and feelings. I think it was just a different time and place.”
“So what does she hope to accomplish by having Beau and Booker here?”
“I think she’s hoping that they’ll do what they did last time, convince Brady that he’s making a mistake and blood is thicker than water.”
I think the blood drained from my face.
She reached for my hands. “Don’t worry, Ellie, Brady’s not going anywhere, and Benjamin has been trying to talk some sense into his older brothers and his momma.”
“Any luck?” I asked hopefully.
She half-heartedly smiled.
“I knew it was too much to hope for.”
“Ellie, who cares what they think? And besides, Benjamin feels like they just need to get to know you. All they know is what their momma’s told them.”
I laughed quietly. “Yeah, I don’t really see them having me over for tea while they’re all here.” I paused. “Well, unless they think they can get away with poisoning me.”
“Oh come on, Ellie, you know wicked witches use apples.”
We both ended up laughing hysterically. I had a feeling Kendra and I would be the best of friends.
I left the restaurant in quite a mood. On one hand, I felt great. Kendra was hilarious and there’s nothing like girl talk over lunch to brighten your day, but her news about Brady’s family had me worried and more than annoyed. Why couldn’t they just leave us alone? What did they think I was going to do to them? I was in such a tizzy, I drove straight to the bank instead of home. I needed to see Brady.
Of course, as I walked back to Brady’s office, I attracted plenty of looks. I couldn’t help but smirk at Margaret, the Teller Manager who had been so rude to me. Her look of dislike was the last straw. I was in no mood to deal with anyone in the anti-Eaton camp.
Brady’s secretary was at least sweet to me as I asked to see if I could see him. She showed me right in. Brady was surprised, but delighted to see me, but his delight turned to concern as he noticed I wasn’t happy.
As soon as he shut the door, he embraced me. “Darlin’, what’s wrong?”
“Brady, why didn’t you tell me about your brothers coming into town?”
He led me over to his large leather office chair. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. He looked at me with his best country boy charm and he tugged on my hair. “Ellie, I didn’t tell you because, in the end, it doesn’t matter. You and I are going to be together. End of story.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Why does this have to be so difficult?”
He brought his hand up and caressed my cheek. “Ellie, there’s no difficulty.”
“How can you say that?”
“Darlin’, look at me.”
I sat up and looked into those beautiful blue eyes that I loved so much.
<
br /> “Ellie, I love you. Do you love me?”
I smiled. “You know I love you.”
He grinned. “Was that so difficult?”
“Brady …”
He kissed me sweetly. “Ellie, it’s only difficult if we make it that way, and I have no intention of doing so.” He paused for a moment and then smiled. “You know, I think I could get used to this. You should come by every day and distract me.”
I rolled my eyes. “I can only imagine the talk that would create.”
“Let them talk.”
I walked out of the bank feeling more settled and little warm and fuzzy (Brady had that effect on me), but still bothered. I couldn’t believe his momma was so crazy.
When Brady got to my house that evening, he had his hands full. In one hand he held pink roses, and in the other hand he held a large box of chocolates. And he wore a big grin.
I shook my head. “What’s all this?”
He stepped in. “It’s the middle of the month, right?”
His thoughtfulness and memory gave me a much needed laugh. Could he be any better? I took the flowers and candy and set them on the hall table. I grabbed his tie and pulled him to me and kissed him and thanked him in my own way. He wrapped his arms around me, and we enjoyed several minutes of saying hello until Doris called us for dinner.
We walked back to find my aunt still sitting on the couch in the family room. She was looking better, but still not a hundred percent. She looked less annoyed at Brady than she had the night before, so that was something. Brady was so determined to win her over. At least he had a chance. I knew I would never have any chance with his momma.
Brady went straight to her. “Luanne, you’re looking very well today.”
“Thank you,” she replied straight faced.
He offered her his hand to help her up for dinner. She thought about it for a moment, but Brady just gave her that charming smile of his. She had no choice but to fall subject to his persistent kindness. She reluctantly took it. Brady grinned wide, and I couldn’t help but smile too. He helped her sit down and then came over and held my chair out too. I noticed my aunt noticing. I could tell she couldn’t help, but be impressed with his manners.
We enjoyed a nice dinner and then spent the rest of the evening playing poker. Yes, my aunt loved five card draw, and she was ruthless at it. She wiped the floor with us, and she took great satisfaction in it. Brady tried his best to engage her in a conversation that would require the use of his name, but she never went for it. I was becoming more convinced she knew. It was quite entertaining.
The next two days were pretty much the same. Then Friday came, and we left very early to make it to Brady’s ten o’clock interview. Atlanta is on Eastern Time and Alabama on Central, so that made it extra early. I didn’t really mind, any time with Brady was time well spent, and I was looking forward to spending a whole day with Brady on my turf. I was going to get to show him my place and see what he thought.
Brady looked extremely handsome in his dark gray suit and blue tie. He gave up the cowboy boots for some classy black leather dress shoes. I wore my black Calvin Klein suit. It was the same one I had worn that first day at the bank. I could tell Brady liked it very much.
Doris was an angel and came early to make sure my aunt wouldn’t be alone during the day. I was still so nervous about her health, even though she would probably outlive us all, through sheer will power. Doris wished Brady luck and told us to enjoy our day. We looked at each other, and we knew that wasn’t going to be an issue.
The drive over, sitting right next to Brady, was great—until we hit Atlanta morning rush hour traffic. I disliked the traffic, Brady abhorred it. For an easy going guy, he was pretty uptight. I think he almost swore, and he rarely swears. In a way, it was almost comical, but he was so tense by the time we made it to the bank.
I rubbed his neck before he had to leave. “Just relax.”
He tried, but I think it was more than just the traffic that was bothering him.
“Brady, you don’t know what it means to me that you’re willing to move here. I love you.”
He took my face in his strong hands. “Ellie, I would do anything if it means we can be together.”
“I know.”
He kissed me quickly, and I wished him luck. As we departed, he walked toward the bank and I walked toward the Starbucks across the street. I was meeting my agent, Olivia, there. As soon as I walked in, she greeted me with a hug. I had missed her. She was more friend than agent, but she did her job more than well.
“Elle, you look fabulous.”
“Thanks, Olivia, you look great too.”
We ordered and then found a table. She was eager to hear about my time in Alabama and more than eager to hear about, and meet, Brady. “Elle, you really look great,” she kept saying. “I think Alabama, or should I say Brady, looks good on you.”
I just smiled and agreed. Brady was the perfect accessory. We talked about everything from the sales of my new book to my new ideas for the next book, and we talked about her husband, Darren, which reminded me that I had brought her Christmas gift and bonus. I reached into my purse and handed her a sealed green envelope.
She grinned while she took it. “I thought you had forgotten, my dear Elle.” She hastily opened it like I knew she would. There was a large bonus and two tickets to Hawaii. She jumped up and hugged me.
“Merry Christmas, Olivia.”
“You’re the best. Thank you, thank you!”
I winked. “You’re worth every penny.”
After an hour and a half, my very handsome country boy joined us. I could tell Olivia was very impressed. Who wouldn’t be? I thought I was going to have to tip her chin up and maybe wipe up her drool. It was a good thing I knew she loved her husband.
Brady was pleasant, but I could tell something was bothering him. I didn’t want to ask in front of Olivia. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait too long, Olivia had another appointment. When we made it back to his truck, I immediately asked him what was wrong.
He kissed my forehead. “Not a thing, Ellie, the interview went very well.”
I gave him a scrutinizing glance.
“Ellie, I’m serious, they said they would let me know after Christmas, but they practically offered me the job.”
“Well that’s great!”
He smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes. He wasn’t acting liking himself at all. He was even quiet on the drive over to my townhome, which wasn’t very far from the bank. I lived in a new posh section of the city in a three story brick townhome.
Brady pulled up my drive and parked. He looked out the window. “So this is home, huh?”
“You don’t like it.”
He looked over at me and smiled. “It’s nice.”
I raised my eyebrow at him.
“Are you going to be here when I come home from work?”
I touched his cheek. “That’s the plan.”
He reached up and took my hand and kissed the inside of it. “Then I love it.”
I knew he wasn’t telling the whole truth. I believed he would love being together, but it was becoming apparent living in Atlanta wasn’t going to be easy for him. He may look city, but in his heart, he was all country. I was beginning to feel very guilty.
The main area in my townhome was on the second floor.
This was weird to Brady. “It’s not very child friendly,” he commented.
“I didn’t buy this house with the thought of having children,” I gently reminded him.
At least he liked the way it was decorated. It had lots of deep browns and creams and accents of red. I watched him walk around and try and take it all in, probably seeing if he could fit in here. He walked through my office, which was off the great room, and looked at the many pictures I had on the wall; lots of them were of Aunt Lu and me on vacations around the world. I stood at the French doors and watched him look at each picture. He was so quiet. I had never seen him like this.
I f
inally walked over to him and put my arms around him. “Brady, what’s wrong?”
He embraced me tighter, but didn’t say anything.
“Brady, we don’t have to live here. We can buy a house outside the city. There are lots of nice family-friendly communities with great school districts around.”
“I’m sorry, Ellie, I love your house. It’s beautiful and I see you in it. I just pictured us at the lake with our kids running around. I’m just trying to adjust.”
“Brady, I know you love your house, and honestly I love it too. I just don’t know if I can live in Kaysville, especially so close to your parents after everything that has happened. We could keep the house and visit on some weekends, that way our kids could still enjoy it.”
He began to rub my back. “Darlin’, I love you. It really doesn’t matter where we live.” He grinned down at me. “You have a bedroom right?”
I laughed lightly. “Yes, and it’s even furnished.”
“Even better,” he replied.
“Brady, I want you to be happy.”
He took my face in his hands and stared directly in my eyes as we stood there in my office. “Ella Lu Eaton, you have made me happier these past few weeks than I’ve ever been.” He kissed me gently. “The only thing that would make me happier would be for us to be married.”
I winked at him. “We’re getting there, cowboy.”
He picked me up and swung me around. “Can we please hurry that up?”
“Hey, it’s not my fault you can’t seal the deal with my aunt.”
He looked at his watch. “Well, if we leave now, we can still spend the evening with her.”
Chapter Twenty
House Divided Page 21
