Taylor Lynne: The Women of Merryton - Book Two

by Jennifer Peel

  “Ashley, Taylor,” he said happily. He awkwardly gave Ashley a little squeeze. I guess he was trying. “Let me introduce you to some people.”

  What was I supposed to say, no? I knew it was going to be uncomfortable and it was. He ended up calling me Taylor, Ashley’s mom. I don’t know why he couldn’t or wouldn’t say ex-wife. That’s what I was to him, ex-wife number one. Maybe he was embarrassed because now he had two. As we sat in the bleachers, I really did feel like I was on display. I wondered if these people even knew he had an older daughter and a wife previous to Kathryn. I wondered if these people were friends with Kathryn, because they seemed to know Emmy.

  In an effort to hide my discomfort I decided I needed to do something. “Emmy, do you want me to fix your hair?” She was sitting between Ashley and me. She nodded her head in agreement so I had her sit in the empty space in front of me for a moment. I undid the braid and combed out her hair. I noticed it should probably be washed, but I didn’t say anything to her. I threw her hair up in a cute ponytail and called it good. She smiled sweetly at me when I was through. I couldn’t help it, I naturally put my arm around her and gave her a little squeeze. So much for not getting involved with her.

  Ashley looked at me and gave me a knowing grin. “Momma, I’m going to take Emmy to get some snacks and something to drink. And yes, they will be bad for us.”

  I rolled my eyes at her and she laughed. She took her sister and my money and left me alone to feel more awkward.

  I wasn’t alone for long. One of my favorite people showed up with a large crew. I recognized her husband, Blake, and her stepdaughter, Maddie, from their most recent Christmas card and social media. I was so happy my friend realized her dream of having a child in her home, even if the circumstances hadn’t been ideal. From the looks of it though, you would have never guessed that Jessie wasn’t Maddie’s mom. Jessie had her arm around her as they said goodbye to Blake. I had to smile as I noticed the grimace on Maddie’s face as Blake kissed Jessie before he departed for the field. On the other hand, I noticed how Jessie glowed.

  The others in their group looked familiar, but I couldn’t place names with faces. It had been a long time and I had done my best to forget about this godforsaken place. Jessie was the only person besides Easton I had kept in contact with. And Easton only because I had to.

  Jessie looked up and noticed me. “Taylor, I didn’t know you were here yet.”

  I stood up, met her in the aisle, and embraced her. “It’s so good to see you. You look amazing.”

  She looked me over. “Look who’s talking. You make forties look like twenties.”

  I waved her off.

  She smiled and pulled Maddie near. “Let me introduce you to our daughter, Maddie.”

  I loved how her eyes lit up when she said “our daughter.”

  “It’s nice to meet you in person. Jessie brags about you all the time.”

  Jessie pulled her closer to her. “We got her report card in the mail today and she made the honor roll again.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” she replied before she scooted off to sit by a handsome boy.

  I watched Jessie follow her every move. “Blake is not going to be happy about that,” she said almost to herself.

  “Boys,” I sighed.

  “You sound like you know a thing or two about that.”

  “Just wait, my friend.”

  “I’m so glad your home, Taylor.”

  “Not home, just visiting.”

  She grinned mischievously.

  “What?”

  “Oh, nothing. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

  We turned and made our way back into the bleachers. There sat the two women that she walked up with. First off I noticed the gorgeous blonde with a t-shirt that read, “Official Baseball Butt Inspector.” I had to smile. I would never wear such a shirt, but I liked her style. They all looked younger than me, like Jessie. It made me feel old.

  “Taylor, this is Cheyenne and Abby. Ladies, this is Taylor Cole.”

  “Cole? As in Easton Cole?” the blonde asked brashly.

  Did I mention I hated this town? I held out my hand. “Easton is my ex-husband.”

  The blonde’s eyes bugged out of her head. “Did we know that Easton had another ex-wife?”

  Jessie and the cute brunette smacked her. “Cheyenne!” they both exclaimed.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. I was happy not everyone in this town was alerted to me moving back. Ashley and Emmy had perfect timing as they made their way up the bleachers. I pointed to my girl. “Ashley is our daughter.”

  “Whoa!” Cheyenne shouted. “How did I not know he was married before the wicked witch? And holy cow, you guys don’t look old enough to have a teenager! There has been a serious breakdown in the grapevine in this town.”

  “You must be the new clinical nutritionist at the hospital,” Abby said.

  “Guilty as charged,” I replied.

  She pointed to the catcher on the team. “My husband, Shane, is the attending physician there.”

  I didn’t get to respond, because Cheyenne interrupted. “So you’re the new woman in Dr. Cole’s life.”

  “Cheyenne!” Jessie smacked her again. “Weren’t you listening?”

  Jessie looked at me. “Sorry.”

  I grinned and laughed some. Especially at their reaction to Cheyenne’s lack of tact. They were both smacking her and apologizing to me profusely. I also found the wicked witch comment interesting, but I was staying away from it like the plague even if I agreed with the assessment. “Really, it’s all right. We’ve been divorced for a long time.”

  “So, are you guys getting back together?” Cheyenne had the gall to ask.

  I clenched my jaw. “No.”

  She grinned at me like I was lying, but she obviously hoped I wasn’t. “So, you’re saying he’s still available?”

  She got smacked again by her friends.

  “I wouldn’t know,” I answered. Though I prayed he wasn’t thinking about getting involved with anyone right now. Not because I was jealous; I didn’t want anything interfering with his relationship with our daughter.

  She looked hopeful. I on the other hand hoped if Easton decided he needed to be involved with someone that he would be smart enough not to get involved with someone like her. Sure, she was a blonde beauty, and she looked like the perfect trophy wife, but I couldn’t see her being a good stepmother to either of the girls. I reminded myself that it wasn’t my concern. Easton was free to date whomever he wanted.

  “Anyway,” Jessie said, “welcome home.”

  “Yes,” Abby said, “we hope you like it here.”

  “Thank you.” But I knew I wouldn’t.

  I was so glad the girls had returned. I hoped it would eliminate any more need to talk about my ex-husband. The girls had loaded up on all the things I tell my clients not to eat. Ashley smiled and handed me a bottle of water and the change. “It’s the only thing you would find appropriate at the snack stand,” she informed me. I was glad she thought of it. The air was too dry here.

  “Are you settling in?” Jessie asked.

  “Working on it.”

  Cheyenne was touchy and took to feeling my hair and Ashley’s. Ashley and I looked at each other.

  “You guys have to come into my salon and let me get my hands on your hair.”

  “Cheyenne, how many times do we have to tell you to keep your hands to yourself?” Abby asked.

  Everyone laughed.

  “So, you’re a hairstylist?”

  “The best in town.”

  I liked her spunk, as long as it didn’t ever become related to my daughter. I eyed Emmy’s hair and thought perhaps I could make her an appointment. Then I reminded myself I wasn’t getting involved.

  Emmy seemed to know everyone. I remembered Jessie mentioning that she had watched Emmy on occasion. I had always tried not to talk about Easton or his “family,” but this past year as I tried to decide on wh
at to do, I asked Jessie a lot of questions about my ex-husband. She was unfortunately a fan of Easton, as was her husband. I had to admit, it had helped me feel easier about moving back to hell. Well, as easy as I would ever feel.

  I noticed Emmy talk to Abby’s daughter. I think they said her name was Avery. She looked like her mother, right down to her kind green eyes. I was glad to see that Emmy had a friend. Not my place, I reminded myself.

  I was grateful when the game started. Well that was until …

  “Dang. Easton does those baseball pants justice. His butt is going on my all-star team,” Cheyenne commented.

  The girls and I craned our necks to stare at the woman without a filter. We saw her get smacked again. I was beginning to think this was a common occurrence. She at least looked a little ashamed as she looked at my Emmy and my daughter.

  “Sorry,” Jessie said to the three of us.

  Ashley and I laughed while Emmy ducked in near Ashley. She was a shy little thing.

  I was silently kicking myself for coming. It didn’t help when Easton looked up and waved at us. Our eyes locked and I looked down immediately. Unfortunately, Cheyenne was right about Easton. It made me wonder how many women were throwing themselves at the newly eligible doctor. I wondered if he had been faithful to Kathryn. Did he mourn her loss? I shook my head. I needed to quit thinking about him. He was making it hard as he kept looking at us and I looked down at Emmy who sat between Ashley and me. She had kind of snuggled up next to me. All I wanted was a quiet night at home with my daughter, and now look at me.

  When the game started and I watched with interest. I had never seen Easton play baseball before. When we were together, he was more of a basketball kind of guy. He played on a three-on-three league for a short while. Tonight he was playing third base, which meant he didn’t see a ton of action, but he seemed like he knew what he was doing. He caught every ball that was thrown to him and tagged a few guys out. When it was his turn up to bat, he did well there too. He hit a hard line drive and made it to second base his first time up.

  Jessie Belle’s team handily beat Bob’s Automotive. I was just glad someone won and the game was over so I could stop watching and thinking about Easton. It was times like these when I could understand why people took up drinking to deal with life. I never would—I knew what that road led to, and the damage it not only does to you, but your family—but I could understand it. Besides, I had found other ways to avoid dealing with life, like removing myself from the situation. But I promised myself I would deal with this. I had to.

  It seemed like the stands cleared in an instant, even Ashley and Emmy ran down to the field to congratulate their dad. I took my time; I was neither wife nor girlfriend. And it seemed like every other player had one. Even Cheyenne greeted a very attractive, though I would say younger, man. That didn’t stop her from eyeing Easton while her boyfriend, or whatever he was, held on to her tight. He better grip harder.

  I was happy to see that Easton didn’t seem to notice her. I knew it wasn’t any of my business, but I didn’t want another woman coming between Ashley and Easton.

  “Taylor,” Jessie called up, “come by the café or call me.”

  I nodded and smiled. Jessie was one bright spot in all of this.

  I turned my attention back to … well, I wasn’t sure what to call it other than a mess. I used to refer to our life together as a beautiful mess, but there was nothing beautiful about divorce. At least not in my situation.

  Father and daughters approached as my feet hit the field.

  “Congratulations,” I managed. I could be gracious although I felt anything but.

  “Thanks.” He grinned. “Let’s go get ice cream and celebrate.”

  Was he talking to me, too? I acted as if he wasn’t. “Well, you guys have fun.”

  His face dropped, as did the girls’. “I meant all of us.”

  Why? “It’s been a really long day; I’m going to head home.” I stepped toward my disappointed daughter and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later, love.” I looked down at a sullen Emmy. “Bye darlin’.”

  She brought up her little hand and waved at me.

  I didn’t have the courage to look at Easton, so I walked off.

  He apparently was more courageous. I hadn’t gotten twenty yards when I heard him call my name and make his way toward me.

  “Taylor, wait up.”

  I paused, but I didn’t turn around, I didn’t need to.

  He stood in front of me. “Please come.” He smiled. “You don’t have to eat ice cream.”

  I had forgotten how kind Easton could be and how persuasive his smile was, but I hadn’t forgotten that he tore my heart out. Oh, how I wish I could. “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can,” he pleaded.

  “Goodnight, Easton.”

  His shoulders dropped and what was left of his smile faded.

  Chapter Four

  I didn’t go back to the house right away. I needed to clear my head. I needed to talk to someone, so I headed to the only place I could think of, the cemetery, but first I stopped at the store and bought some yellow roses. They were my mother’s favorite. I drove up the hill to the cemetery that overlooked Merryton. It was a beautiful place. Not only could you admire the lights of the town below, but during the day, the view of the surrounding mountains was breathtaking. Tonight I would have to settle for the lights and a glimpse of the outlined mountains, as the sun had said goodbye for the day.

  I hadn’t been to visit her grave since the day I left this godforsaken town fourteen years ago with my two-year-old in tow. That morning I had sat at her grave with Ashley in my lap and cried and cried. I had begged God to give me a sign if he wanted me to stay, but it never came, so I left.

  I walked reverently to her headstone. Even in the dark, and after so many years, I knew exactly where to go. Her headstone was small, but I knew she wouldn’t want anything outlandish. That wasn’t her. Despite its size, it was beautiful, just like her. It was all white with gray lettering that read, “Tessa Lynne Roberts” with her date of birth and the day she left me. Easton made me put “Wife of Frank Roberts” on it above “Beloved Mother of Taylor Lynne.” Easton would only see the good in Frank. Easton had tried to push me to reconcile with my dad. He told me it would be good for me and that people change. Unfortunately, he was one of them.

  I leaned the dozen roses against the white stone and stood back. I stared at the lovely, almost fully bloomed flowers for a moment. My memory was drawn to our old rickety home that was in shambles, physically and figuratively. The only thing of beauty that it possessed was a single yellow rose bush in the front yard. My mother loved that bush. Back home in Birmingham I had instructed the gardener I hired to take care of my landscaping to take extra special care of my yellow rose bushes I had planted in her honor.

  I wrapped my arms around myself and rubbed. I needed to start remembering to carry a jacket with me.

  “Mom,” I said aloud. “What am I going to do? Why did I come back here?”

  I sat down on the cool grass and, like a child, picked the blades around me one by one. I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs and held them tight. “Oh, Mom. How can I be around a man that I hate? How can I be around him when I still love him?” The tears silently fell on my legs. It was true, I loved him. I’d tried not to. I couldn’t be friends with a man that I hated yet loved. A man that I’d never forgiven. I waited several minutes for an answer. Again, I was disappointed. I knew I couldn’t stay very long, so I reluctantly got up. I didn’t even have time to talk to her about the other man in my life I felt nothing for. I needed to get home before Ashley did.

  I carefully made my way back to my car and wound my way back down to town. It was too pretty of a town to hold so many ugly memories. I wiped my eyes and tried not to think of it. I made it back to my cute rented house on Main Street in Merryton’s downtown district with just enough time to freshen up my tear-stained face before Ashley arrived h
ome.

  I was in the kitchen drinking what was at least my tenth glass of water of the day when she came in through the door.

  “Momma, I’m home.”

  “In the kitchen, love.”

  When she entered the kitchen, I met her and hugged her tight. “Did you have fun?”

  She pulled back and looked down at me. She was now taller, not by a lot, but enough. “It would have been more fun if you would’ve come.”

  I touched her soft cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you, Momma, but why won’t you try? Dad’s trying.”

  I smiled sadly. “I’m doing the best I can.”

  I crawled into bed and curled up into a ball. I wanted my grams. I wanted someone to make it all better, but I knew no one could. I was the only one that could, and I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough. I didn’t think pretending was going to work this time.

  I was up early to get ready for church. The southern girl in me—and my grams—wouldn’t let me miss church, even if I didn’t really want to go. I was sure the Coles had lit up the lines of the town grapevine last night. I guess it was inevitable. It was also inevitable that my ex-husband would show up at my door. Why couldn’t he stay away? We didn’t need daily contact.

  I opened the door as I finished slipping on my champagne colored heels. “Easton, Emmy,” I sighed. “What are you doing here this morning?”

  Easton didn’t answer right away, but encouraged Emmy to run in and find Ashley. He was obviously getting way too comfortable. He waited to speak until Emmy was out of earshot. “I was hoping you could help with Emmy’s hair before church. Maybe you’ve noticed I’m not really good at that sort of thing.”

  I put my hands to my face. I wanted to stay uninvolved. The brochure definitely did not mention this.

  “Please, Taylor,” he begged when I didn’t answer.

  I lowered my hands and looked at him. Why was he so handsome?

  “Emmy has difficulties warming up to people, but she really likes you.”

  “She barely knows me.”

  He smiled. “You have that effect on people.”