“Sign any autographs today?”
“No. I didn’t.”
“Does that mean your fame is drying up and you’re about to fade into obscurity?”
“I certainly hope so.”
“Come on. Didn’t you enjoy the adulation just a tiny bit?”
Normally, I would have wanted to crawl into a hole and die at all the attention that was thrown my way. The whispering that commenced every time I entered a room was pure agony. At the same time, I appreciated the genuine concern of the people in town. After all, I was a stranger for all intents and purposes. In the last week, I’d received free donuts at Daisy’s Nuthouse, a free oil change and tire rotation from the Winston brothers, and my dinner had been on the house at The Front Porch. That didn’t touch the surface of the goodies that had been brought by the house for me and the girls.
“Maybe,” I mused with a smile. “All joking aside, it’s GramBea and the girls who really deserve the attention. They took out my assailant.” As soon as the words left my lips, I winced. “I’m sorry. I feel really awful referring to your biological father as an assailant.”
“Don’t. He’s not deserving of your concern.”
“It’s you I’m worried about.”
“I’m not the one behind bars.”
“You know what I mean.”
Zeke sighed. In the last week, we’d danced around the fact that it had been his father who had tried to kidnap me. I knew sooner or later we would have to face facts and talk about it. “There are moments I tell myself Bart doesn’t matter. That Art and Sharon Masters are the ones who molded me into the man I am today. At the same time, I have to face facts I share DNA with a man who not only slept with my biological mother to check a box on a sex list, but also who tried to kidnap my girlfriend to extort money from me.”
“I’m so sorry, Zeke.” I reached out to tenderly rub his arm.
“It’s okay.” At my questioning glance, he shook his head. “I mean it. I’m really going to be okay.”
“I know you will. But whenever you want to talk about it, I’m here.”
“I appreciate that.”
After Zeke pulled away from bestowing a chaste kiss on my lips, I sensed we needed a subject change. “Did you have a reason for stopping by, or did you just want to tease me?”
Zeke chuckled. “I didn’t just come by to tease you—I wanted to see you.” He dipped his head to kiss me again. This time he added his tongue along with running his hands over the curves of my body. As usual, my stomach tingled with butterflies.
Although I would’ve loved a repeat of our first sexcapade, I certainly didn’t want any of the old folks walking in and having a heart attack. So, I reluctantly pulled myself away to which Zeke groaned.
“If we keep this up, we’re going to have an audience of oldsters.”
Wagging his brows, Zeke replied, “Let’s give them a thrill.”
“Or shock and horrify them.”
“Fine.” As I smoothed down my messed-up hair, Zeke grumbled, “Elderly cock-blockers.”
I giggled. “How about I give you a rain check later tonight?”
With a grin, Zeke replied, “You’re on.”
Motioning him closer, I said, “We can’t go out with you wearing my lipstick.”
As I worked my thumb across his lower lip, Zeke asked, “Want to grab some lunch?”
“I can’t. I’m teaching a class at the elementary school in thirty minutes.”
“No problem. Maybe after you’re done?”
“Sure. Why don’t you drive me over there? Maybe check on their computer systems while you’re there,” I suggested.
With a nod, Zeke replied, “Sounds good to me. It’s been kind of a slow week volunteering my computer skills.”
The mention of things being slow made me think about how our time together was coming to a close. After all, it was almost Labor Day. “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about slow weeks.”
“Why is that?”
“You know, when you go back home.”
Zeke cocked his brows. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Of course not. I’m just being a realist.”
“A realist as in you’re thinking about more than just my job back home.”
Nibbling on my lip, I replied, “Yes.”
Zeke brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “You’re thinking about what’s going to happen to us when I leave.”
Once again, I could only murmur, “Yes.”
“I’ve never done one, but I can imagine long distance relationships are tough.”
“I imagine that too.”
“Even though it’s only been a couple months, you’ve carved out a new life for yourself here with your job and the girls,” Zeke remarked.
“I have.”
“One you can’t imagine anywhere else. Say in the Pacific Northwest.”
My heart skipped a beat. “I don’t know. I mean, I could try.”
“But you really love your life here,” Zeke stated.
It was the first time I’d actually stopped to think about it. I’d been in survival mode since the moment I’d crossed the state line. Every minute had been consumed with putting the pieces of myself back together. Was it possible I’d reached completion of a new life in a short amount of time? After years in the city, I’d never imagined being satisfied with small-town living. Yet here I was: content to be a member of the Green Valley world.
“I suppose I can’t imagine life anywhere else.” The moment the words left my lips, tears clouded my eyes. “But I don’t want to lose you.”
“Hey now, who said anything about losing me?”
Sniffling, I replied, “Your life is in Washington, and mine is here. How can we possibly make it work?”
“My life was in Washington.”
I blinked at him. “Wait, what?”
“I came out here to find out who my biological parents were, but I’ve discovered a lot more about myself. I haven’t been happy in Washington for a long time. The longer I’ve been here, the more I realized I’ve just been going through the motions. Since I came to Green Valley, I’ve come alive in ways I never imagined.” He took my hands in his. “I don’t want to go back home. I want to make a new home here.”
I fought to catch my breath. “You’re serious?”
“Totally.”
“What about your parents?”
“They’re on board with it.”
“They are?”
Zeke nodded. “While they loathe the idea of me moving across the country, they realize how good it could be for the business.”
“You’re starting a business here?”
“Not in Green Valley, but yes, here in Tennessee. There’s a lot of opportunity to bring technology to the rural areas of the state. I pitched the idea to my parents of running somewhat of a philanthropic side of Masters Corp.”
Leave it to Zeke to find a noble reason to stay in the area. Although it wasn’t exactly the response I expected to have, I blurted, “I love you!” At the realization of what I’d said, I quickly tried covering up. “I mean, I love that idea.”
A cocky grin spread across Zeke’s face. “Pity it’s just the idea you’re in love with and not me. I was going to tell you I was in love with you too.”
My eyes widened. “You were? I mean, you are?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he countered, “Do you really think I would move across the country just for a job?” Tsking like GramBea, he replied, “I’m not that good-hearted.”
“It’s just we’ve not actually been dating.”
“What exactly would you call what we’ve been doing?”
“Friends with benefits?”
“Sounds like a good start to me.”
“I suppose it is.”
“Besides, why should it matter what label is attached to us? I was dating Alyssa, but I didn’t love her.”
While I could have done without the mention of his ex, laughter bubbl
ed from my lips. “We haven’t known each other that long.”
“You knew Grant, and look how that turned out,” he countered.
Smacking his arm playfully, I replied, “You really need to leave our exes out of this conversation.”
“Sorry. I was just trying to prove my point.”
“Maybe you should have said we could get to know each other.”
“Yes, that sounds much better.” He leaned in closer to me. “Or we could make it official and start dating exclusively.”
There went my heart again. The conversation had my emotions in such a tizzy I had to lean back against one of the tables since I felt lightheaded. “I like that idea a lot.”
“I think the first order of business after becoming a couple is for you to help me find somewhere to live.”
“I would be happy to do that.”
Zeke’s expression grew serious. “While you’re looking, I want you to find somewhere you think you could live too.”
“Okay, you seriously have to stop, or I’m going to slide into a puddle right here on the floor. Well, considering how I often lack grace, it’ll probably just be a big heap.”
“I’m sorry. Was that too big of a step?”
“Going from being a couple to cohabitating?” I pinched my fingers together. “Just a wee bit.”
“Once again, you’ll have to overlook me. Something about Bart trying to kidnap you just sent everything I was feeling into overdrive.”
Since my life had flashed before my eyes, I felt the exact same way. “I know what you mean.”
“I’m sure you do. Life is too short and too precious to dick around and not go after what you want.”
I snorted. “That should be embroidered on a throw pillow.”
“Do you think I could commission Beatrice to do it for me?”
“Not on your life.”
“Pity.” He winked at me. “At the same time, I don’t want to do anything to get on her bad side.”
“Heaven forbid you do that.”
Zeke held out his arm to me. “Ms. Granger, will you allow your beau to escort you to the elementary school?”
With a grin, I replied, “I would be honored, Mr. Masters.”
As we started out of the history room, I couldn’t help noting how much my life had changed for the better since I first walked through the door of the Green Valley library. I’d found a new professional purpose through my new career. I’d met some of the most amazing coworkers who had since become friends. I’d become an honorary member of a tribe of steel magnolias in the girls. And I’d met the man of my dreams.
But most of all, I’d found myself somewhere between the stacks.
Epilogue
One Year Later
With the soothing sound of a pan flute piping in through the stereo system, I stretched my arms over my head toward the ceiling. I tried ignoring the ache that rippled through my unused muscles. Instead, I tried relaxing my mind and body.
After the intense weekend packed with wedding celebrations, I was overdue for some relaxation. I hadn’t been as stressed or exhausted in a long time. Of course, it wasn’t every day you oversaw the details of your grandmother’s wedding. After a long road to the altar, GramBea and Floyd had finally tied the knot at The First Baptist Church. A backyard reception that rivaled my divorce party was held immediately following it.
Not only had I been overseeing and organizing a wedding, but I’d also been helping GramBea pack. Since she hadn’t been too keen at residing at Floyd’s, a compromise had been met. They would live part-time in both houses. Of course, it was going to be a learning experience for Dot and Estelle to get used to sharing a house with a man. More for Estelle for obvious reasons. I think it was what was needed to give her the push back into the dating world. For the last six months, she’d been dating a retired cop from Knoxville named Anne McCann. While it had taken me awhile to completely warm up to the idea of Floyd because of my love for my grandfather, I immediately liked Anne.
As for Dot, she seemed fully content staying out of the dating world and enjoying the company of her church friends. She was over-the-moon for both GramBea and Estelle, but their budding romances hadn’t pressured her to get back on the scene. It was going to take a very pious, very bland man to induce Dot into any form of dating.
Estelle’s instructions cut through my thoughts. “Good. Now exhale.”
The breath I’d been holding wheezed out of me. “Remember inhale the good and exhale the bad,” Estelle remarked.
Considering the mammoth lunch I’d inhaled at The Front Porch, it wasn’t a far stretch to exhale the bad. Ugh, my kingdom for a Tums. I’d been doing a tremendous amount of stress-eating the past two weeks. Not only had I overseen GramBea tying the knot, but the weekend before had seen the launch of the fruit of my labor aka my book: Among These Hills and Valleys: The Matriarchal Influence of Native American Women on Tennessee. Yeah, it was a hell of a mouthful.
We’d held a celebratory dinner at The Front Porch before heading over to the library for a signing. While I’d published with a small press and probably sold twenty-five copies tops, most of which the girls purchased, I felt like Stephen King or JK Rowling with all the love I’d been shown from the people in town, especially Zeke. He’d suffered right along with me through the bulk of the writing and editing. I’d also snuck one copy to send to Grant. Initially, I planned to just send it anonymously, but in the end, I’d decided that was too petty. I signed my name instead.
At the sound of the relaxation music ending, I opened my eyes to see Estelle smiling at the small group of women assembled in her studio. “Great job, everyone. I’ll see you next week.”
As the other women rose off their mats and gathered up their things, I waved Estelle over to me. “Um, could you help me?”
Estelle grinned before extending me a hand. With a grunt, my body lumbered off the yoga ball. Immediately, my hand went to the small of my back to rub the growing ache.
“Not much longer now,” Estelle mused.
Glancing down at my swollen belly, I nodded. “Two weeks.”
You know that old adage that when you’ve been told you can’t get pregnant, it happens when you’re not thinking about it? Yep. That’s exactly what had happened with Zeke and me. Having a baby had been the absolute last thing on our minds. Especially since I’d warned Zeke it might be hard for me to get pregnant because of my previous fertility issues. Apparently, none of that had mattered, and in the end, it might have been more about Grant than it had been about me. I also liked to imagine Zeke had some magic swimmers since they were able to escape a condom as well as overcome fertility issues.
If it had been an enormous shock to Zeke and me when I had gotten pregnant, it had positively obliterated the girls. It had been added to the list of my scandalous behaviors, started a year ago when I had moved in with Zeke. My wanton behavior had horrified both GramBea and Dot. I think my actions even landed me on The First Baptist’s prayer list. They couldn’t believe we were living together in sin rather than getting married. I tried explaining that at the moment, I was still soured on the idea of marriage. They didn’t appreciate the old adage of what’s a ring or marriage license when you’re truly committed to someone?
When I’d turned up pregnant three months later, they’d sat both Zeke and me down for a come-to-Jesus. GramBea’s heart just couldn’t take a great-grandchild born outside the bonds of marriage. Since Zeke was honorable in everything he did, he booked a flight to Vegas that evening, and Elvis walked me down the aisle. While they were relieved we were married, they were also horrified we hadn’t been married in a church. In the end, we’d let them throw us a reception at the house to smooth things over.
Now seven months later, Zeke and I were preparing for the birth of a son. A very large son according to my last ultrasound and how I was measuring. Considering his father’s build, it made sense our son would be a big boy. At the same time, his alleged size was the main reason why I’d turned do
wn Estelle’s offer to have a home birth. I wanted to be in a hospital with all the drugs possible.
When I continued rubbing my back, Estelle eyed me curiously. “How long has your back been hurting?”
“Um, the past three months.”
“I haven’t seen you rubbing it this intensely. When did it get worse?”
“I don’t know. Maybe late last night.”
Estelle’s mouth gaped open. “You’ve been experiencing back pain for twelve to fifteen hours?”
I shrugged. “Yeah. So?”
With a huff, Estelle replied, “Did you totally skip over that part in the childbirth book?”
A slight panic reverberated through me at both her expression and question. “I just thought it was the usual back pain stuff.” When Estelle still continued staring at me, I asked, “You don’t think I’m in labor, labor, do you?”
“Why don’t you give your doctor a call just to be on the safe side?”
I nodded. “Right. Let me get my phone.”
Just as I turned to get my purse, a gush of water erupted from me. I knew better than to think it was the usual wetting that occurred when I sneezed or coughed. “Oh shit,” I muttered.
“What is it?” Estelle asked.
“I’m pretty sure my water just broke.”
“Okay, then,” she murmured.
Something about those two words sent me over the edge. The room began to spin, and I fought to catch my breath. Oh God, I’m going to give birth in a yoga studio . . . without drugs.
Estelle got in front of me and placed her hands on my shoulders. “Finley, I need you to breathe. You’re no good to yourself or the baby if you let your anxiety overtake you.” Estelle squeezed my hand. “I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
Fighting the urge to cry, I nodded my head. “Okay.”
“Now call Zeke while I call Beatrice.”
Once again, I repeated, “Okay.”
I dug around in my purse and grabbed my phone. After hitting Zeke’s stored number, he answered on the third ring. “Hey babe, how was yoga?”
“My water broke, and I’m in labor.”
Silence reverberated back at me. “Zeke?”
Shelf Awareness: Green Valley Library Book #4 Page 22
