Crossroads of the Heart

by Savannah Maris

  I rock from side to side until I get my arms completely around her and roll us over. I hold her tight as she relaxes on top of me.

  “I was so stupid to ever think I could survive without you. You’re more than my soulmate, you’re a part of me.” She peppers kisses on my neck.

  “Tams, please don’t ever forget that again.”

  “I won’t, Noah.”

  The doorbell rings and startles us into action. I slip on a pair of pants while Tamryn goes to the shower. I open the door knowing I smell of sex, and there stands our parents.

  “Why aren’t you dressed? You need to look on top of this, son.”

  “Good morning to you, too, Ma.”

  I move aside to let them in. Kissing the cheeks of my mother and mother-in-law then shaking the hands of my father and father-in-law.

  “Where’s Tamryn?”

  “She’s in the shower. Do you want some coffee? I’m making us some.”

  “What time does this thing start?”

  “Two.”

  Earl hands me two takeout bags of food. “We figured y’all wouldn’t feel like cooking, so we stopped on our way in.”

  “Go ahead and start. I’ll get Tams.” I walk straight for our bathroom. She’s rinsing her hair when I step in the shower. “I wasn’t finished holding you yet.” I wrap my arms around her. “Our parents are here and brought food.”

  She tilts her head. “I don’t know if I can eat. My nerves are going to be too much.”

  “You need to eat something because I don’t want you passing out later, plus the adrenaline will have you shaking.”

  “Okay. I’m nervous though.”

  “Only because you haven’t ever been questioned before, but you’re used to the camera. It loves you.” A small grin curves my lips. “And you’ll have on more clothes in front of this one than you normally do.” I cup her ass. “You need to let our mothers see you before they freak completely out and come back here. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  39

  Tamryn

  We enjoy brunch with our parents before we dress for the press conference. We plan to arrive at Noah’s office building early. Butch and Manny drive Noah’s Range Rover with us in the back while Harold rides with our parents in an SUV.

  I wear a smart dress. Something that’s suited more for church than a dinner party, and Noah has on one of his three-piece suits that he normally wears for a such an event. A few cameras flash as Noah leads me from the car into the building with our parents following close behind. There’s a few shouts for me to look their way, but I keep my face forward. My stomach has butterflies flying around, but Noah’s firm grip on my hand secures me as best as possible.

  A woman from Noah’s office lets us in and directs us to a small conference room to wait. Carol is already there and wraps me in a hug as soon as we clear the door.

  “Tamryn, I’m so sorry this is happening to you, but you knew in this business it was going to happen eventually.”

  I squeeze Carol. “Not if I’d just talked to Noah and not run off like a fool but thank you.” I give Carol a tight smile.

  “He told me about the gifts. I’ve been trying to tell him that for a while, but he wouldn’t listen. He kept telling me that he needed you to know that he loves you.”

  “All I ever need is him. How could he think a piece of jewelry could replace him?”

  “He knows better now.” Noah kisses the side of my head.

  I look at him with love in my eyes and hug him tight. “I’m glad.”

  A few minutes later, a tap sounds on the door. The woman from earlier walks in and hands Noah a piece of paper. “They’re all assembled There are three news stations and a couple of magazines. Here are the people and in what order to let them ask questions. Their places and order are marked by the number on their spot.” The woman points to the card marked with X’s across the rows. “Tamryn, you and Noah will sit in the front with your parents behind you. The press knows not to ask your parents any questions and that they are only here to support their children.”

  I look up at Noah who squeezes my hand and kisses my cheek. “Tams, we’ve got this.” He faces me and holds both of my hands. He has my full attention. “As your lawyer, I’ll introduce you and won’t let you answer something you shouldn’t. If I think the question is too invasive, I’ll respond. If you’re not sure if you should answer it, look at me, okay?” I agree and Noah’s expression changes. “As your husband, I love you and won’t let anything happen to you. You’ve got your statement. Let’s go get this over with.”

  The woman precedes Butch. Noah leads the rest of us out of the room trying to shelter me as he’s done since the first day I started modeling. My smile can’t be hidden as it creeps across my face remembering Noah in high school after my first ad appeared in a local magazine and people at school started harassing me. He’s always told me that anyone would have to go through him to get to me, and his attitude today is much like that sixteen-year-old boy in high school.

  We walk behind the table set in front of a row of cameras and two rows of chairs filled with reporters. Noah steps to the chair on the far right then pulls my chair and slides me to the table. He slips his left hand under the table cloth and gently squeezes my thigh then brings it back to rest on the table. I sit with my hands in my lap. I hear our parents and Harold settling in behind us while Butch and Manny stand to the side keeping watch. I look out toward the people in front of me with a friendly smile. Noah pours a glass of water and sets it in front of me then does the same for himself.

  When the flashes subsided, Noah speaks first. “Thank you for interrupting your Sunday afternoon to meet with us today. I’m sorry there is a need for this, but Tamryn and I feel the accusations said about her need to be addressed. A statement was released through her agent, but her accuser seems to want his full fifteen minutes of fame. If everyone is ready, Tamryn has something she’d like to say.”

  I first look lovingly into Noah’s eyes before I clear my throat. “Thank you for coming today. Like Noah said, there are some things that need to be cleared up. Three weeks ago, I reacted poorly to a series of events. To be honest, Noah and I hadn’t seen each other much over the previous month due to work schedules. Even though I’m very confident in my marriage, I had a moment of weakness by letting things that were happening around me plant doubt into my head. I’m human just like all of you.” My hand sweeps across the room. “Instead of talking with my husband, I made an assumption that was wrong.” I look up at Noah and mouth, “I’m sorry.” Snap, snap. I look back toward the reporters with tears stinging my eyes. “I left town without telling him. Noah came looking for me and found me after I’d filed divorce papers.” Snap, snap. “You see, Noah and I had let our careers become more important than our marriage. We were on a roller coaster that was going so fast I didn’t know how to stop it, so again I took an extreme step. I’m so grateful that Noah came for me because I know I can’t live without him.” I place my hand in Noah’s. “We’re working on making us strong again.”

  I take a sip of water. “As far as Mr. Montgomery is concerned. I did meet him in a restaurant. He was kind and helped me find a car when I first got to Saluda. We became friends, or so I thought. I wasn’t aware until later that he knew who I was and had hoped we would be more than friends. The night I filed the papers, I acted in a way that I am embarrassed by. I had too much to drink and allowed Mr. Montgomery to see me to the house I had rented. He did stay under the same roof as me, but he did not, under any circumstances, stay in my room. He did sleep on the sofa in the living room and even complained that it was as lumpy as poorly made milk gravy.” A collective chuckle rises from the reporters. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I did not try to lead Mr. Montgomery into thinking there would ever be more than friendship between us. He, in fact, told Noah that even though he wanted more, I wasn’t willing. I apologized to Mr. Montgomery if I had done anything to make him think any differently, and I haven’t spoken with
him since.” I give a slight nod to confirm I’m done with all of this. “That’s all I have to say.”

  Flashes go off in the room as every photographer tries to grab a shot that another doesn’t get. Noah pulls me close and kisses my cheek. “You did great,” he whispers.

  Noah turns back toward the reporters for their questions. “We’ve agreed to answer five questions.” He looks at the chart the lady from earlier gave him and points to the first person.

  “Is it true that you’re leaving modeling over this incident?”

  I frowned. “No, that’s not true at all.” I look at Noah for confirmation that I can continue, and he gives a small nod. “Noah and I both want a family. I’m backing away from modeling to work on my marriage with hopes of starting a family, and my agent knows what assignments I will and won’t take, but by no means am I completely leaving modeling.”

  Snap, snap, snap.

  Noah points to the next reporter. “Why did you go to Saluda, South Carolina?”

  A bright smile stretches across my face. “Because that was where Noah and I first met when we were fourteen. I wanted to go back to where it all began for us.”

  Snap, snap.

  Noah smiles. “She was smart to go there because it gave us a chance to reconnect to who we were then and still are today.” He points to the next reporter.

  “Did you know Colt Montgomery before you went there?”

  “Apparently, we had met Mr. Montgomery several years ago at a rodeo. There’s a picture that hangs in a bar and grill where we met with the three of us in it, but neither Noah or I knew it existed. Had he not told me who he was and showed me that picture, I would never have known.”

  Snap, snap, snap.

  Noah acknowledges the next reporter. “Why did Mr. Montgomery think he had a future with you?”

  I look at Noah, and he whispers in my ear. I nod in understanding of what he tells me. “Because I told him he’d given me the strength to file the divorce papers even though I seconded guessed myself the moment I did it.”

  Flashes go off in record time to the point I think I’ll see spots for days. Several people start speaking at once. Finally, Noah indicates last question.

  “Did you tell Mr. Montgomery that he was your future?”

  Noah covers the microphone in front of us and shakes his head. “Tamryn will not answer that question.”

  “May I rephrase, Mr. Carmichael?”

  Noah’s face as well as his tone grows harsh. “You’ve got one shot.”

  “Did Mr. Montgomery indicate that he wanted to be in your future?”

  “Yes.” I take a deep breath in and slowly release it. “He told me he’d had a crush on me since the night we first met all those years ago, and that he would have given up all of his ribbons and trophies to Noah if he could have had me.” Tears well in my eyes as that particular memory came back to me.

  Noah squeezes my hand. “As you can see, it appears Mr. Montgomery took bits and pieces of conversations over a few days and weaved his story from things taken out of context or misquotes. Tamryn has repeatedly apologized to me and our families,” Noah indicates our parents behind us, “and we’re the only ones she needs to apologize to. We know her in a way no one else ever will, and we know that she wouldn’t do things to hurt us. Please give us the privacy to work on strengthening our marriage. Thank you for your concern and well wishes.”

  Noah stands and pulls out my chair. Butch positions himself to block anyone from getting too close as Noah put his hand at the small of my back and guides me back to the room where we were earlier.

  With that behind us, we’re ready to make our move to South Carolina.

  40

  Tamryn

  Three weeks later we wake in the Atlanta house for the last time. The movers are scheduled to be here in an hour, so I finish in the bathroom and am throwing away the last few items in the refrigerator when Noah comes out of our bedroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

  “Is there something you need to tell me?”

  “Hmm, I’m sorry, counselor, but I thought you were good at reading evidence.”

  Noah holds up the piece of plastic that’s slightly bigger than a pen. “Is this true, Tams? Are we pregnant?”

  “Yes, I’m a week late. I waited to make sure.”

  Noah picks me up and twirls us around. “Oh, God. Is that okay?”

  “If it makes me puke on you, then I’d say it may not be okay.”

  “Are you sick? Do you need anything?”

  “I’m good. I’m waiting to get set up with an OB in South Carolina. Maybe I’ll go back to my old doctor. It’ll all be fine.”

  Noah kisses me with everything in him. He breaks the kiss for us to catch their breath. “It’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. We’re having a baby, but it’ll be fine.”

  I laugh. “You better get some clothes on before the movers get here.”

  The doorbell rings, and I answer it to find Butch on the other side.

  “Mrs. Carmichael, do you need me to go with you to South Carolina?”

  “Come in, Butch. We can ask Noah, but I don’t think I’ll need anyone there. We sent my car back with my parents, so we’ll be in the same car. Don’t you have other clients to work with?”

  “I don’t at the moment because I’ve been on a long assignment with you, but you and Mr. Carmichael have been fun to work with.” He chuckles. “You’re genuinely nice people.”

  I look over my shoulder with the sound of approaching footsteps. “Butch? Is everything okay?”

  Butch stretches out his hand. “Hey, Mr. Carmichael. Yes, I came by to see if you needed anything here or in South Carolina.”

  “I see.” Noah cuts his eyes to me, and I have a warm smile on my face. With a straight face, he says, “I think it’d be a good idea for you to stay while the movers are here then follow us to South Carolina to make sure the paparazzi haven’t figured out where we’re going. Once news gets out that Tamryn’s pregnant, we may have a little chaos.”

  Butch’s eyes almost pop out of his head and a smile appears. “Mrs. Carmichael, you’re pregnant?” After his excitement dies down, he acts like the protective uncle. “Yes, we don’t want anyone bothering you during this time. I’ll be outside until the movers get here.”

  Noah chuckles. “Thank you, Butch.” Once Butch closes the door, Noah loosely wraps his arms around my waist and smiles. “You know I’m going to dote on you, but I’ll try not to suffocate you. Having said that, I can’t control our mothers. You’re going to have to stand up for yourself with them.”

  I sigh. “I know. Maybe we can move Butch with us to keep them at bay?” I giggle.

  “I think I’d like Butch to move with us. I’m sure we can make him an apartment in one of the barns.” Noah shrugs. “That way I don’t have to worry who’s coming through the front gates.” He kisses my nose.

  We’ve been in Aiken for about a month. Our house is being built between the two families just as we discussed, and it doesn’t take Noah long before he’s back into the routine he’d known as a kid. Breeding horses for both English and Western styles of riding and showing keeps him busy.I’m tending to the flower beds when a pickup truck drives into the driveway. Butch has stayed on full-time to keep an eye on me as well as security around the ranches, so before I get close to the truck, Butch is beside me. A man in his late-twenties jumps out of the driver’s side door.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Howdy, ma’am. I’m looking for Noah Carmichael. I’m Daniel Chavis, his new vet.”

  Noah calls from behind me as he walks up from the barn. “Daniel, I’m glad you made it. Did you remember to bring those references?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Noah takes the paper and looks over it. “How long did you work for Riverton Ranch?”

  “Started in high school. Mitchell and Evan let me work between semesters in college.”

  “What took you to Iowa?”

  Daniel’s face flushe
s. “Went to help an old friend of my mother’s who’d lost her husband.”

  Noah hands the paper to me. “Where’s your wife?”

  “Getting our apartment set up.”

  “Good. Let’s walk toward the barn. I’ll show you this set up, then take you down the road to the other one. You ready to get started?”

  “Yes sir.”

  Noah checks on me anytime he’s with me, so before he walks away with Daniel, he places a hand on my belly. “Tams, are you feeling okay? You aren’t pushing yourself too much, are you?”

  I roll my eyes. “No, babe. I was just working in the flower bed with Ma.” I quickly kiss him so he won’t worry.

  He nods and cuts his eyes to Butch. I almost giggle that Noah thinks Butch would stop me from doing anything. The man is no more than a huge teddy bear where I’m concerned.

  I smile as I watch Noah and Daniel walk toward the barn. Noah is more relaxed than I’ve seen him in the last couple of years. He’s kept a few clients so having Butch here is good when they’re in town. Even though I’ve done a photo shoot for the Chamber of Commerce to help bring more industry into the area, I haven’t accepted any long-term modeling assignments and don’t miss it one bit. I help Noah run the ranches and feel content. My heart is happy and so are we.

  Noah

  Tamryn is finally out of the first trimester, and the morning sickness has stopped. She has more energy which helps me focus on work because I’m not worrying that she’s okay. Now, if a smell doesn’t sit well she just dry heaves. It’s taken some getting used to, but it’s better than her throwing up for an hour every morning. When she’s through, I carry her back to bed and get her whatever she wants to settle her stomach. Orange Gatorade and saltines seem to do the trick. I’d take this part away if I could, but since I can’t, I endure it with her.

  Today, she feels like walking to our house. We walk up the front steps to the porch that she wanted large enough to fit a swing and four rocking chairs. It’s big and inviting. This house is one hundred percent Tamryn, and I love the way it feels like her. As long as she’s happy, I’m happy.