Taylor Lynne: The Women of Merryton - Book Two

by Jennifer Peel

  We swayed to the sexy tones of Marvin Gaye while we soaked each other in, but not too much. It was somewhat easy to behave when you knew at any moment your child could walk in, but that didn’t stop Easton from doing his best to make me sigh blissfully. He knew all the right spots to kiss on my neck, not to mention when he got a hold of my lips. Age had only refined him in every way.

  “So,” I breathed out contently as Easton nuzzled my neck, “are Jessie and Blake adopting a baby?”

  His lips froze against my neck. He stood up and eyed me uncomfortably. “What makes you say that?” His voice was a higher pitch than normal.

  “If you can’t tell me, it’s okay. I figured I would ask, though.”

  He visibly relaxed. “You can’t say anything, but yes.”

  I smiled wide at the news.

  “The birth mother went into labor tonight. Blake and Jessie wanted me to be there to examine the baby when he arrives, but I don’t have privileges at the hospital she is delivering at. And they wanted to keep it a secret so they didn’t want her to deliver at Merryton General.”

  “Did you say, he?”

  Easton nodded. “They’re both thrilled, but until the mother signs the final paperwork, it isn’t a done deal. They already lost one baby when the birth mother changed her mind.”

  “I hope this works out for them.” I was impressed they had kept it a secret in this town.

  “Me too. Now where was I?” Easton went right back to my favorite spot on my neck.

  “Speaking of babies,” I said between sighs of delight. “Did you ever want more children?”

  Easton kissed his way up to my ear. “Yes,” he whispered directly in it. “How about you?”

  “Yeah,” I admitted sadly.

  He ran his fingers up through my hair and looked lovingly in my eyes. “We could still have one.”

  I smacked his chest. “First of all we aren’t married, and maybe you haven’t noticed, but we’re too old to have a baby.”

  “Women much older than you have given birth, and you’re in great shape.”

  “You’re crazy. Do you really want to have a newborn at our age?”

  He picked me up off the ground and held me tight. “With you? Yes.”

  “I think the lack of sleep is getting to you. We should probably stop staying up so late.”

  “I’m completely lucid. And serious. I would love to have another baby or two with you.”

  “Two! We have a daughter going off to college soon.”

  “So what?”

  “It doesn’t matter anyway, because we aren’t married.”

  “A technicality,” he replied.

  “Let’s change the subject.”

  His lips landed on mine and I was back to being putty in his hands. Once he was done making me feel lightheaded, he spoke softly against my mouth, “Tell me how your presentation went today, my love.”

  I loved having someone to share my days with and I loved that he remembered to ask. “It went really well. I think they are not only going to extend the program, but they are going to expand it to include some of the other departments.”

  “I knew you were perfect for that position. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks. It will mean some extra work and probably hiring another nutritionist, but I’m excited about it.”

  “With the extra hours do you think you would be able to take some time off during Christmas?” he asked with more than normal interest.

  “I think so, why?”

  He moved back a tad so I could see his happy face more clearly. “I talked to Caden and Nicole today. They’re coming for Christmas.”

  “That’s terrific. I’ll work it out to get the time off. I can’t wait to see them. Are they bringing the boys?”

  Easton nodded. “I’m looking at renting a condo in either Vail or Beaver Creek so we can get some skiing in. Do you think Ashley would like that?”

  “I think so, but her mom may want to stay in by the fireplace.”

  He pulled me closer. “Then that’s where her dad will be, too.”

  “Is that so?”

  He groaned and pushed me against the counter.

  We heard the front door open and broke apart.

  “There’s a kid in the house,” Ashley called. I think she was more terrified to find her parents making out than we were to see her doing the same.

  Easton and I grinned at each other.

  “We’re in the kitchen, love,” I called back, while Easton turned off the mood music.

  Ashley went to Easton first and hugged him. I found that didn’t bother me at all. I enjoyed seeing them happy together.

  “How was your date?” he asked her.

  “Pretty much perfect,” she sighed.

  “Should I be talking to this kid some more?” Easton asked.

  “No, Dad.” I could tell she wanted to share more, but I think she wanted that to be a girl only conversation.

  She hugged me next. I held on for a second more. She was growing up way too fast.

  “I’m going to bed. Behave,” she said to us on her way out.

  “Goodnight, honey, we love you,” I said. I loved the word ‘we.’

  “Love you guys,” she called back.

  Easton took me right back in his arms as soon as she left. “So, what do you want to do this weekend?”

  “I promised Emmy I would help her make cupcakes for her class Halloween party on Monday and I need to put the finishing touches on her costume. She is going to be the cutest ninja warrior princess ever.”

  He stared at me adoringly. “You are the best mom ever.”

  “I don’t know about that, but thank you.”

  He brushed my cheek lightly with his hand. “No, thank you. You don’t know what you have done for Emmy. You are an amazing woman.”

  “Emmy makes it easy.”

  “I stand by my statement, you are amazing. Which reminds me, Frank mentioned you visited him during lunch today.”

  I shrugged my shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal. “I didn’t stay for very long and I still didn’t know what to say to him. I feel nothing for the man.”

  “Tay, no one expects you to, least of all Frank. He’s happy just to have your company. You’re making a dying man’s last days better.”

  “I don’t know why. When I was growing up, he barely paid attention to me, and to be honest, as I grew older, I preferred it that way. Whenever he did pay attention, he was vile and mean.”

  “Alcohol does that to a person,” Easton said gently.

  “Do you really think he’s in his final days?”

  “He’s proved me wrong before, but his body is winding down.” He paused and searched my eyes for a moment. “Do you think we could take Ashley to meet him?”

  My eyes widened.

  “Honey, you don’t have to say yes, but it would mean a lot to him.”

  I found stance weakening, but I didn’t want to give into it. Frank didn’t deserve to know her. “Let me think about it and talk to Ashley.”

  He yawned loudly. “I suppose I should get Emmy and myself home.”

  “I suppose.”

  “I’m going to sell my house,” he said out of the blue.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “I’m going to move into town, closer to you.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Maybe … someday we can look at building a home together?”

  I smiled at the thought. “Maybe.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Easton and I were suddenly old news, thank goodness. We had been upended by the most adorable baby boy I had ever seen, Tristan Ryan Summers. He had a full head of dark hair that stood up all over, and chubby cheeks that begged to be kissed. He was perfect, and his parents and sister were in heaven.

  Easton and I, along with the girls, dropped off a baby gift a couple of weeks after they brought him home. I had been dying to see him, but I knew they had been inundated with visitors. It was the biggest cou
p ever, keeping the baby a secret. The only people they had told were Jessie’s parents and Easton. I think Abby and Cheyenne were a little miffed they weren’t in on it, but they quickly got over it when they saw how happy their best friend was.

  I’ve never seen parents so enthralled with a baby. Neither Blake nor Jessie could keep their eyes or hands off him. They allowed me to hold him, but each of them sat near me, one touching his tiny foot and the other his tiny hand. After all they had been through, I couldn’t blame them. Their daughter Maddie was also pretty smitten. You could tell she loved being able to call herself a sister.

  I loved the feel of a baby in my arms. I missed it. “He’s perfect.” I held Tristan as close as I could and breathed him in.

  “Isn’t he?” Jessie sighed. “And he is such a good baby. He only fusses when he’s hungry or needs to be changed.”

  “Are you getting any sleep?” I asked.

  “A few hours here and there, but I don’t mind; I think I could watch him all day. And Blake gets up with him as much as I do in the middle of the night. We almost fight to see who can get him.”

  Blake affectionately kissed his wife’s head. He didn’t say much, but I could tell how much he loved his wife and family.

  “My turn, Mom,” Maddie said to Jessie when I handed back little Tristan.

  I stood up and let Maddie take my place. I watched as Jessie placed her son in her daughter’s arms. When Maddie securely held him, Jessie wrapped her arm around Maddie’s shoulders. She kissed Maddie’s cheek. “I love you, sweetie.”

  “Love you,” Maddie replied. She adoringly cooed at her brother.

  Maybe for the Summers’ sake Maddie would find being around her brother was better than hanging out with Connor. It was highly unlikely, but you never know.

  As we walked to the car, Ashley commented, “It must be weird for Maddie.”

  “Why?” Easton and I both asked.

  “Because her parents are … you know, kind of old to have a baby, and she’s in high school.”

  I glanced up to Easton as if to say I told you so.

  He looked over at Ashley. “I think you would be surprised by how many of your friends have much younger siblings.”

  She shrugged. “It’s still kind of weird.”

  “I wish I had a younger brother or sister,” Emmy said.

  It was Easton’s turn to look at me and grin mischievously. I think he was serious about having another baby. When he opened my car door, he whispered in my ear, “Can I tell you what a turn on it was to see you with a baby in your arms?”

  “Stop it,” I said playfully before I got into the passenger side of my car; Easton was driving. I enjoyed the levity, though, as our next stop for the day was going to be anything but light.

  I had been going to see Frank a couple of times each week, either during my lunch hour or after work. Most of the time I didn’t think he knew I was there. I think Easton was right; his time was almost gone. I spent most of my visits sitting by his bedside, praying and asking for God’s help to forgive him, to let go. During my last visit, he was coherent enough to ask me—to plead with me—to bring Ashley the next time I came. I talked it over with her and she agreed to go. I think she was more curious than anything.

  Easton and I agreed it wasn’t a good idea for Emmy to see Frank the way he was. She was still too fragile to deal with his appearance, so we dropped her off at the Parkers’ house so she could play with Avery. Besides, Emmy needed to be around kids her own age more. I had been encouraging her to invite some of her friends from school over, but she hadn’t worked up to it yet.

  I think we all tried to talk about anything besides what we were really doing on the drive over. The conversation mainly focused on what we would be making for Thanksgiving, which was coming up in a little less than two weeks. I was not only excited that we would all be together for the holiday, but Grams and Harry were coming, too. They would be here in a week.

  “As long as you make your homemade stuffing, that’s all I need,” Easton said. “I’ve missed it, among other things.” He grinned my way.

  “Okay,” Ashley chimed in from the backseat. “Your child is present.”

  We both laughed at her, but the laughter ceased when Easton turned into The Pines.

  I was suddenly filled with anxiety. It was getting better every time I came, but facing Frank was never easy. And this time around I wasn’t sure how to feel about letting him meet our daughter. I was conflicted. On one hand, I wanted to have compassion on him, he was in an unbelievably poor state and it seemed to be his dying wish. On the other hand, I wondered if it made me weak to give in to the man that gave me no love or tenderness for so many years as I grew up. He had probably told me a hundred times how sorry he was during my last few visits—even if he wasn’t fully awake, he would repeat the sentiment. When I talked to Easton about it, he responded, “I think erring on the side of compassion is always a good rule of thumb, if not for them, for you.”

  His words were wise. I knew I needed to forgive Frank, more for me than for him. I was trying my best.

  We checked in at the front desk. Dwayne wasn’t there today; instead we were greeted by a pleasant older woman named Rita. I held Ashley’s hand as we walked down the hall to room 149. She squeezed tight. I think she was more nervous than she was letting on.

  “What should I call him?” Ashley asked us before we entered.

  Easton looked at me to answer. My first instinct was to say Frank, or even nothing, but instead I said, “Whatever you feel most comfortable with.”

  Easton smiled warmly at me before kissing my head like he was proud of me.

  We entered the well-lit room to find Frank awake. He was mostly prostrate, but had his head propped up with several pillows. It looked like he had recently been bathed. When he noticed who we brought with us, his eyes began to water. “Ashley,” he said with great trembling.

  Easton moved our daughter forward while holding on to her.

  Frank looked between Ashley and myself. “Thank you,” he cried.

  And for the first time, I felt a twinge of mercy for him, maybe even sympathy.

  He reached out to touch Ashley, and she cautiously reached for his hand with her own. He said nothing as he held her hand, but you could tell the peace it brought him by the utter contentment on his face.

  Easton stood back and joined me. He put his arms around me and I gladly took refuge in them as I watched on.

  Ashley gently stroked Frank’s hand with her free one. She was naturally compassionate, like her dad.

  “Be better than me,” Frank struggled to say to Ashley. He could barely keep his eyes open.

  Ashley nodded.

  “I’m sorry,” he slurred. “Be good,” he mumbled, before he lost it. His hand dropped out of Ashley’s.

  She looked frightened, like perhaps he had died.

  Easton was first to her and hugged her tight. “It’s okay, honey. He can’t stay awake for very long. I’m so proud of you.”

  We left his room to the sound of his very weak heartbeat on the monitor. I felt like it wouldn’t be long now.

  And it wasn’t. We had barely made it back to my house after picking Emmy up and going out to dinner before Easton received a call informing him Frank had passed away.

  Easton held me tight in the kitchen.

  It was me comforting him. “I know you cared for him. I’m sorry,” I said while I stroked his hair. He was crying into my neck. I ached to see him hurting. “I love you,” I whispered.

  He looked up into my eyes and smiled. “You haven’t said those words to me in a long time.”

  “I mean them.”

  “I’ve wanted to say them for some time now, but I was afraid of scaring you,” he replied.

  “Well, now might be a good time.”

  He wrapped me up in his arms and pulled me as close as I could get. “I love you, Taylor,” he whispered against my ear.

  For a moment, as he held me close and kissed me,
all felt right in the world even though Frank passed away before I could verbally tell him I forgave him. I felt a peace knowing that I could take my time and really forgive. At least I was working on it. And a part of me was glad to know that he died happy, or at least knowing I tried to forgive him while he was still alive.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The holidays were approaching, which always made things hectic, but I didn’t notice so much this year because I was euphorically in love. It’s amazing the rose colored glasses you wear when oxytocin and dopamine are coursing through your body. But I knew it was more than a chemical reaction. I felt connected to Easton in a way I never had previously.

  He had taken care of all the arrangements for Frank. We decided cremation would be best and to hold no formal service. Frank had died practically friendless. Only Easton could be counted as such. We did purchase a small headstone, but I insisted it be placed in the cemetery in town, not by my mother’s grave. She couldn’t escape him in life, but I made sure she did in death.

  With Frank’s passing, the knot in my chest had become looser—it was almost non-existent—and I was even more comfortable talking to Easton about the future, our future.

  But life has a way of throwing you curve balls just when you think you can relax. I was finally feeling like maybe I had come full circle; that I had worked my way through my issues.

  It was the Friday before Thanksgiving and I was feeling more than content. Easton had met me for lunch in the hospital cafeteria where we ate lunches prepared by me. I figured if I was going to keep him for myself, I wanted him to live for a long time to come, which meant he needed to eat better. He was all for it. We sat there like two kids in love, not paying attention to anyone else around us. We were both excited for Grams and Harry to fly in Sunday night.

  “I hope you don’t have any emergencies over Thanksgiving,” I mentioned to him as we sat there. The only downer was he would be on call over the holiday. He and his partner switched off every year. But at least it meant he wouldn’t be on call for Christmas.

  “Just make sure to save some stuffing for me,” he teased.