Taylor Lynne: The Women of Merryton - Book Two

by Jennifer Peel

  “Okay … fine,” I sighed.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Okay, so it wasn’t fine. I was nowhere near fine. The Friday we were supposed to leave for our camping trip I was kind of a wreck. I could barely concentrate at work. I decided I needed to call Grams or down some of Jessie’s orange rolls. I went with the less fattening option.

  “Grams, it’s me, Taylor.”

  “Yes, darlin’, I know who this is.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yes?”

  “What’s wrong? I thought you were leaving for your camping trip today?”

  “We are after work, but that’s the problem. I don’t want to go.”

  She laughed. “It will be good for you. A little nature is great for the soul.”

  “It’s not the nature I’m worried about.”

  “Attractive men are even better for the soul.”

  “Grams!”

  “I don’t know why you two don’t kiss and make up already. It’s obvious you both still care for each other.”

  “Be that as it may, it’s not a good idea.”

  “So you admit you have feelings for Easton?”

  “I’ve never denied it.”

  “That’s not the same as admitting it,” Grams said wisely.

  “Regardless, Easton and I aren’t getting back together. I shouldn’t have agreed to go on this trip, but the girls are sneaky.”

  “Sounds like they may be smarter than their parents.”

  “You know, I called so you would make me feel better, not worse.”

  “Sometimes the truth hurts, but I love you.”

  “Thanks for that. I’ll talk to you later,” I said irritated.

  “Bye, darlin’. Don’t be afraid to have fun this weekend. It won’t hurt. I promise.”

  I hung up feeling like I should have gone the fat-filled route.

  When I left the hospital several of my coworkers wished me a good weekend—implying I should make it a really good weekend with my ex-husband. It was already all over town that we were taking this little trip together, and the nurses in the women’s center were getting a lot of mileage out of it. I wasn’t sure how it got out, but there was no denying, this town had its evil ways. Easton wasn’t helping the situation, either. He kept dropping by my office whenever he was at the hospital. His patients really needed to stop getting sick. We never talked about Rachel again, but Jessie and Rachel had made sure to tease me about it for at least a couple of weeks. I still thought it was a good idea.

  I drove home as slow as possible, which wasn’t saying a lot. I lived three minutes away from the hospital. When I pulled up, Easton was already there. He said he would be there at six and it was barely fifteen minutes past five.

  Easton was walking out of the house carrying Ashley’s duffle bag when I walked back around after parking in the detached garage. We were all driving up together in Easton’s truck, not by my choice. Easton looked good in his faded blue jeans and Colorado Bears t-shirt. He was all smiles.

  “Tay, you’re home,” he said with too much pleasure.

  “Yep. And you’re early.”

  He grinned. “Excited to get the weekend started.”

  A little too excited. “I need to change.”

  “No rush. I’ll be here.”

  Yeah, that was the problem.

  I walked in to find a double dose of perfection. The girls were unloading grocery bags and packing a cooler, though I wasn’t sure why. The cabin had a refrigerator and it wasn’t that far away.

  Easton had promised me I wouldn’t have to lift a finger or worry about any preparations other than for myself. It looked like he enlisted the help of the girls.

  “Hi girls,” I said as I entered.

  They both looked up and beamed at me. I supposed they were worth going for, even if they were little schemers.

  “I need to change my clothes,” I informed both of them. “Don’t forget bug spray and sunscreen,” I reminded them as I walked back toward my room.

  “Dad already packed it,” Ashley called out.

  Sometimes I forgot I wasn’t the only responsible adult around. I had to admit it was nice to have backup.

  I changed into my own faded blue boyfriend style jeans. I put on a tank top, but wrapped a long-sleeved flannel shirt around my waist. I knew once we got up into the mountains and the sun went down, it was going to get cooler than I liked. I looked through my suitcase one more time to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. We were only going for a couple of nights, but the temperature fluctuated so much this time of year, I wanted to make sure I was prepared for anything. Besides, if I knew Easton, we could be doing anything from hiking and fishing to exploring caves. He loved these mountains.

  By the time I made it back out, Easton was reorganizing the cooler. I wasn’t sure where the girls had gone to.

  Easton looked up when he heard me approach. He tilted his head and grinned. “You look great.”

  “For my age, right?” That’s what everyone said now.

  “For any age. Even better than when we met.”

  “I already agreed to go. You don’t have to lie to me.”

  “I’m not lying. I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve only gotten more beautiful over the years.”

  I shook my head at him. “I think you may need to get your eyes checked, Dr. Cole.”

  He looked directly into my eyes. “No. I’ve never seen things more clearly in my life.”

  I didn’t get to ask him to elaborate because the girls walked in the front door, eager to leave.

  Why did I have a feeling this was going to be a weekend I would never forget?

  Easton’s truck had a dual cab, so the girls sat in the back and I was up front with Easton. If anyone were to look at us, we would look like a happy family. And maybe, in a weird way, that’s what we were becoming. I thought, for ex-spouses, we were doing an okay job co-parenting. I looked back at the smiling girls. They certainly seemed happy, even Emmy.

  “So here are the rules for this weekend,” Easton announced as we drove out of town.

  I raised my eyebrow at him. “Rules?”

  He glanced my way. “Yes, rules,” he replied lightheartedly. “First rule, no cell phones. We are unplugging. Not even my office or the hospital will be contacting me.”

  “What?” Ashley exclaimed. “I told Spencer I would text him.”

  “You can text him now and tell him you’re turning off your cell phone,” Easton replied without hesitation.

  I waited to see how Ashley reacted to that. I wasn’t planning on going against Easton’s wishes, only smoothing it over if I had to. This was kind of new territory for us.

  “Fine,” she said with an attitude that was unusual for her, but not unheard of.

  I saw Easton breathe a sigh of relief. I had a feeling he didn’t want to rock the boat with her, but he wanted her to listen to him.

  “Rule two,” he continued, “Have fun. That’s it.”

  “Wow, you’re really tough,” I teased him.

  He reached over to, I think, hold my hand, but at the last moment he came to his senses and pulled back. I watched him grip the steering wheel with both hands. I couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed, frustrated, or maybe some of both.

  “I don’t want any distractions,” he replied to my teasing.

  “I agree,” I said, in hopes of easing the mild tension.

  I saw his shoulders relax.

  “I still don’t think it’s fair,” Ashley commented from behind us.

  “Next week you’ll be in school and you can see Spencer every day. Two days without communication isn’t going to kill you,” I reminded her.

  “We’re going to have a great weekend,” Easton added. “I’m looking forward to taking you camping for the first time.” Or at least the first time she would remember.

  I could hear the regret and plea in his voice. It was almost heartbreaking. I turned back to look a
t Ashley. I was trying to convey with my eyes that she needed to give her dad this chance.

  Her features softened as she shut down her phone. “Me too,” she admitted.

  I winked at her and Emmy. Emmy didn’t care about the rule; she didn’t have a phone yet.

  Easton looked at his daughters in the rearview mirror. “I love you guys.”

  They both repeated back, “I love you.”

  “Now that that’s settled, let’s get this party started,” Easton said and cranked up the radio.

  Ashley’s favorite country music came blaring out of the speakers and she began to sing along. For not being around her much, Easton knew his daughter well.

  I turned toward the window and enjoyed the scenery as we wound our way up the mountain. Wildflowers dotted the two-lane road and the aspen leaves shook in the light breeze. I could see why Easton fell in love with this place. I never appreciated its full beauty because of the memories the place held. It had skewed my perception. It was as if I was seeing it with new eyes today. It was much different than living in the south—definitely not as green and lush—but the mountain landscape was majestic.

  “You’re quiet over there.” Easton pulled me out of my thoughts.

  “I’m enjoying the scenery is all.”

  This time he didn’t hesitate. He reached over and squeezed my hand before I could barely register that he had. “Thanks for coming.”

  I didn’t say anything in return. I still wasn’t sure this was the best idea, but I was trying to give the girls good memories they could hold on to. I tuned into what the sisters were chatting about in the back. Emmy was filling Ashley in about the silly campfire songs their dad sang and how he could make chocolate cake in an orange.

  “No way,” Ashley said to that piece of information. “Can you really, Dad?”

  I saw Easton smile, pleased with himself. “I sure can. We’ll do it tonight after dinner.” He glanced my way. “Don’t worry, I won’t be offended when you don’t try it.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Anyway, I brought your weakness.”

  I looked at him curiously. “What weakness?”

  “Oreos.”

  “Mom doesn’t like Oreos; she says they are the worst food on the planet,” Ashley said, joining the conversation.

  That was close to true.

  Easton smirked. “You’ve been keeping it a secret, I see.”

  I tried my best not to smile.

  “Is that true, Mom?”

  “Maybe I used to like them—a long time ago.”

  “I think it went beyond like,” Easton said.

  “It did not,” I countered.

  “Really? Because I remember a trip to Chicago where someone ate a whole package by herself on the way home.”

  “What!” Ashley yelled.

  “It’s true,” Easton said with way too much enjoyment.

  “Okay, first of all, it wasn’t a whole package—you ate some, too.” I eyed Easton. “And secondly, someone made us leave way too late and I had to eat them to stay awake.”

  Easton laughed. “Excuses, excuses.”

  “I feel deprived now, Momma. You never let us have those at home.”

  “It’s probably because she would have eaten them all,” Easton teased.

  “You know, I could still go home.”

  “No,” Emmy cried from the back. I think she thought I was serious.

  I turned and reached for her. “Honey, I was kidding. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She visibly relaxed.

  Ashley put her arm around Emmy to comfort her.

  I looked to Easton for guidance. He looked uncomfortably concerned as he glanced in the rearview mirror at his daughters. I could see the tone of his skin change from tan to red.

  This time it was me who reached for Easton. I rested my hand on his leg for a few seconds.

  He gave me a sort of half smile, but I could see the thank you in it.

  I worried about Emmy. She was better than when we first arrived, but something haunted her.

  I was glad when we arrived at our destination. Even more glad when I saw how gorgeous it was. The secluded cabin was off a small private lake with a bubbling brook nearby. The cabin itself was newer, but designed to look rustic. It resembled a barn with a sliding barn door for a front door and there was a beautiful square picture window above the door. Large slabs of stone acted as the steps that led up to the wood and stone porch that encompassed the front of the whole house. It was truly brilliant.

  “Where did you find this place?” I asked Easton as we unloaded our gear from the back of his truck.

  “My partner, Debbie, recommended it. Her family has stayed here.”

  “It’s breathtaking. I can’t wait to see the inside.”

  In a gentlemanly move, he took my suitcase from me. “I’m glad you like it.”

  I could tell his mood was still somewhat somber. I knew he was worried about Emmy.

  “Do you want me to make dinner tonight since it’s getting late?” I asked Easton as we walked toward the house. The girls had run down to the lake to check it out.

  “No. I want you to relax. I’ve got all the meals covered this weekend.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  He gazed down at me with those deep brown eyes that I had fallen in love with the first time I saw them up close. “You didn’t have to come, but you did.”

  “I was practically blackmailed. I had to,” I said with a smile.

  “Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here.”

  It was moments like those—when we were by ourselves and he was being who he was, one of the sincerest people I had ever met—that I had to remind myself that we weren’t married, or even a couple.

  “Easton—”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for asking me to come and for taking care of all the details.”

  He sighed, or maybe almost groaned.

  “There was some meaning behind that sigh.”

  He dropped the bags and reached into his pocket for the house key. He spoke to the door. “It means I am and was a fool.”

  “I can get on board with that.”

  “You’ll have to get in line,” he returned lightheartedly. He slid open the barn style doors and revealed an impressive sight.

  The home’s interior looked like a posh barn. I loved everything from the large great room with a circular stone fireplace in the middle, to the loft above with beamed ceilings and rustic wood furniture. Someone had obviously put a lot of time, thought, and money into the design.

  Easton looked at me to gauge my reaction. “What do you think now?”

  “It’s perfect. I may want to stay in all weekend.”

  “I hope not,” he said, more to himself than me.

  The master bedroom—the only room on the bottom floor—was to the left, and the kitchen was to the right. I wasn’t totally sold on the stainless steel kitchen, but for this house, it worked well. The master suite had me hook, line, and sinker—large cedar log bed, a view of the lake, and a private deck complete with hot tub. It looked like a honeymoon suite.

  Easton took my bags to the bedroom. “Do you mind if Emmy sleeps in here with you? The only other beds are in the loft and, well …”

  I rested my hand on his forearm. “I’d love to have a sleepover with Emmy,” I said to put his mind at ease.

  He covered my hand with his own. “Thank you.”

  We both looked at each other with regret and longing. If only we could turn back the clock.

  “I better get the tent set up before it gets too dark,” he said slow and steady.

  With reluctance I took my hand back. “That’s a good idea.”

  He retreated and I breathed out. I needed to work him out of my system. I thought I had, at least mostly.

  I didn’t bother unpacking. I headed back outside to see what the girls were up to and if I could help with anything. I knew Easton meant for me to have a carefree w
eekend, but I was starving and ready for dinner.

  Easton had enlisted the girls to help him set up his seven-man tent. I could see in Ashley’s face how excited she was to camp for the first time—or at least the first time she could remember, since we’d taken her camping when she wasn’t quite a toddler.

  While the girls rolled out the tent and organized the poles and stakes for it, Easton started a fire in the stone pit.

  “As soon as this gets going and there are plenty of coals, I’ll throw in the foil dinners I made for tonight,” Easton informed me. “You can always eat the Oreos if you’re hungry now.” There was a glimmer in his eye.

  I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed.

  “There are some peaches in the cooler if those are more to your liking,” he let me know.

  Perfect. I loved peaches, and my blood sugar needed a boost. “Thank you.”

  “We won’t think less of you if you go with the Oreos,” he yelled out as I walked to the cooler in the back of his truck.

  I ignored him, but unfortunately that idea was more tempting than he thought. Just like he was more tempting to me than he had been in a very long time. But giving into that temptation would be like going back to Oreos: it would feel amazing at first, but then the guilt would set in.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  I had to hand it to Easton, when it came to outdoor cooking he did a great job. I wondered why that had never translated to the kitchen when we were married. He made salmon and asparagus for the two of us; the girls got cheeseburgers and potatoes.

  It was a little awkward at first as we all sat around the blazing campfire. The girls were each between us, which meant that anytime I looked forward I was looking directly at Easton, who always seemed to be looking right back at me. It didn’t help that the firelight only added to his sex appeal. The fire and my flannel shirt weren’t the only things making me feel warm.

  I was grateful Ashley had the gift of gab—she had lots of things to say about her upcoming classes and their first volleyball game of the season, which would be the following weekend.

  “You’re going to be there, right Dad?” she asked Easton.