Grey went out to finish the walk. Carrie walked with him then entered the dining room. The room was under construction with sanding equipment, a ladder, paint cans and various brushes spread out on a drop cloth. She deftly walked around everything to perch on the window seat where she could see quite a ways down the street. The kitchen faced the backyard with a peek at the lake through the trees.
Carrie pulled a small pad and pen out of the pocket of her apron and started a list. She had responsibilities for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner at the Andrews' family home. Sitting there enjoying the unbroken silence of the country road, the sound of tires on slush grabbed her attention. She moved to the living room window and watched Colin pull into the driveway next door, maneuvering his car next to his father's black Jeep. He walked slowly toward the front door, his shoulders seemed to slump a little. She sighed. Will he and Leah still be together at Christmas?
She thought back to her last email from Leah:
Email to Carrie
Jean Pierre and I are going to Florence. I'm going to get ideas from the art there.
He's been so helpful, I don't know what I'd do without him. Don't get to spend
much time with Mme. Jeanne. Planning a big trip to buy fabrics. Will be traveling
for a month. Not sure about Internet. So if you don't hear from me, don't panic.
Sending hugs.
Carrie hadn't received word from her in a month. Who is Jean Pierre? She's traveling with him. Are they lovers, too? Carrie shook her head to banish the thought. Grey finished up the walk and opened the front door.
"Brrr. It's damn cold out there."
"Come in, warm up. We've got work to do."
"I have a suggestion how you can warm me up." He snickered.
Carrie glanced at her watch then at him. She wiggled her eyebrows. "Well, what are you waiting for?" She turned and sprinted up the stairs with Grey close behind. His laughter made her smile.
****
The barking of Buster and Daisy greeted Colin as he turned up his collar and walked up the path to his parents' house. The door opened and the two pugs charged out, barking and jumping up on his legs. His father held the door opened, motioning him in.
"Shake a leg, boy, we're not heating the whole outdoors!"
Colin smiled to himself. Some things never change. He shook his head slightly as he crouched down to pet the dogs. Daisy leapt up to lick his face with Buster following suit. Colin laughed. When he looked up he noticed his father watching him.
"What?" His eyebrows knitted.
"Nothing, nothing, come in." John closed the door.
Mary appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She planted a kiss on her son's cheek.
"So happy to see you," she said, studying his face.
"What's everyone looking at?"
"Nothing, nothing," Mary said, trying to hide a smile.
"You're in Grey's old room," John said, preceding Colin up the stairs.
"I forgot. They're next door now. Convenient for the newlyweds, eh?" He smirked.
Colin dumped his bag on his bed then descended the stairs and joined his sister, Jenna, in the living room. She had her feet up on the coffee table while a pug snuggled up to her.
"Where's Bill?"
"Dad's got him stacking firewood. Now that Grey's got his own house to take care of, and you're living in Willow Falls, it seems Bill's next in line."
"What about Earl?"
"He and Barbara aren't here yet."
Mary carried a tray with cheese and crackers on it into the living room. John followed her.
"What ya drinkin'?"
"Beer?" Colin stood up.
"Sit, son. I'll get it. Then I want to hear how your wrestling season is going."
Jenna sipped a glass of white wine. "I want to hear all about your girlfriends at Kensington."
"What girlfriends?" He sat back against the sofa, Buster jumped up to curl up right next to him.
"Come on…there must be a ton of hot co-eds there?"
"There's no one."
"You? Winner of my Mover of the Year award?"
"Last year. Not this year?"
"What happened?" Jenna straightened herself on the sofa.
"Leah happened."
"Oh, the designer lady? The one in Paris."
"Yeah."
"What's up with you two? Been separated a long time. It's not like my horny younger brother to be celibate for so long."
"Jenna! None of your business."
She laughed. "I'm making it my business. Give."
"Nothing to tell. She's coming back at Christmas."
"And…?"
"We'll see…let it go."
"Touchy, aren't we?"
"Leave it!" He hollered, bounding up from the sofa and stalking out of the room.
Colin took the stairs two at a time, burst through the door of his room. He toed off his shoes, stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering what would happen at Christmas. Haven't heard from Leah in three weeks. She said she was traveling. Still. Phone couldn't make contact every time I tried to call. No text messages, no email. She's gone. Only a couple of weeks left to find out if I win or lose. Jean Pierre…I hate you.
Before he could keep brooding, there was a knock on the open door. He turned his head to see his father standing there.
"Since Grey's not here — he's busy as hell next door — I wondered if you'd mind chopping a little wood for us?"
"Sure, dad," Colin said, pushing up off the bed.
They shrugged on jackets before moving to the yard at the side of the house. John handed his son the axe.
"Go to it."
"How much do you want?"
"Stop whenever you feel like it."
Colin smiled at his dad. He gets it. John returned to the house. Colin grabbed the axe.
"This is for Jean."
Whack! Another piece of wood.
"This is for Pierre."
Whack! Another piece of wood
"This is for French men."
Whack!
After half an hour, Colin exhausted himself. He stacked up the wood, filled his arms with split logs then returned to the house.
****
Dinner was a quiet affair. During dessert, Barbara and Earl arrived. Barbara was glowing. Along with a blast of cold air, they blew in on a tide of good cheer. Barbara was so happy she was practically babbling.
"I'm pregnant! I'm pregnant!" She was jumping up and down.
Mary's face broke into a huge smile as she hugged her daughter. John shook Earl's hand. Bill and Colin shook Earl's hand.
"Celebration is called for. I'm opening champagne," John said.
"For everyone except Barbara," Mary admonished.
Barbara's face fell for a second but she regained her good cheer, laughing with the rest. The next few hours were spent discussing baby names, brands of strollers as well as colors for the nursery. Colin was closest to his sister Barbara but she was out of reach. He missed being able to talk to her about Leah but understood what this pregnancy meant. Barbara and Earl had been trying to get pregnant for two years. Colin didn't want to rain on her parade or bring her down in any way. However, after a while, he developed a headache then retired early.
Thanksgiving morning, he and his father were the first ones up.
"I'm on for breakfast, what should I make this morning, son?" John poured water in the coffee maker as Colin carefully measured out the grinds.
"I don't know. Doesn't much matter."
"No appetite? Didn't eat much last night for dinner, either. Must be love, eh?"
"Stop kidding, Dad. This is serious."
"They all say that. It'll work out, you'll see. You have no faith. That Leah's no fly-by-night. I bet she comes through."
"Wish I had your confidence."
"If she doesn't, good lookin' college professor like you shouldn't have any problem finding another girl. By the way. How is that new job coming?"
"Fine."
"Happy?"
"I love teaching college kids. That's the best part of my day."
"What about the new wrestling team? How's that going? Win any matches yet?"
"Considering we're a new team, we're not half bad. We've won three and lost four so far this season. I'm pretty happy. The school isn't upset because it's our first season. We will need to step it up next year, though."
"Seems like you've settled in nicely."
"Everything's great except for one thing…"
"Got my fingers crossed for you, son."
"You need any help, dad?"
"Why don't you start the bacon? Know anything about cooking…breakfast?"
"I've learned a lot from you. I've been cooking my own bacon for a long time now."
"Long time?"
"At least a year now."
"Oh, I see," John stifled a chuckle as he passed two packages of bacon to his son.
"Grey and Carrie coming for breakfast, too?"
"Don't know. Now they're at their own house, can't seem to get them out of the bedroom for very long." He laughed; Colin joined in.
****
After the Thanksgiving table was set, Mary directed every aspect of the meal except the carving of the turkey, which was John's job. Family members moved back and forth from the kitchen to the long dining room table, crafted by Gavin Dailey specifically for their large family. Vegetable casseroles, bowls of salad and cranberries in several forms accompanied a gravy boat and an empty platter to be filled with sliced, hot turkey. When the table couldn't hold anymore, everyone sat down. Carrie ended up next to Colin.
A prayer was said with everyone joining in. Colin mouthed a silent prayer of his own. Please bring Leah back to me. His thoughts were interrupted by Grey's cell phone. Colin shot his brother a dirty look for interrupting the family meal. Grey shrugged before leaving the table with silent nods of permission from his parents who shared a secret smile. Colin stared at them. What the hell? What's wrong with them? They should have yelled at Grey.
He turned his attention back to slicing off a bite-sized piece of turkey. A little hunger nagged at his stomach but nothing like his usual appetite at Thanksgiving. For the past few years, he'd won the rivalry with Grey over who could eat the most at Thanksgiving. Grey's going to win this year. No contest. Loneliness washed over Colin when he looked around the table at his siblings with their spouses, everyone so happy. There was room for one more place, next to him, for Leah. Maybe next Thanksgiving. The idea cheered him. Leah part of his family…with these people he loved so much. A sigh escaped his mouth.
Grey returned to the table and exchanged a look with his mother. Colin's attention returned to his food. Nothing seemed to taste good. He toyed with the cauliflower on his plate unable to eat more. Instead he sat silently listening to the chatter of his parents and siblings. Spirits were high, a first grandchild would come along in seven months, the oldest son had taken a wife. Lines and creases were smoothed as John and Mary radiated happiness.
Wish I could be happy for everyone. His chest tightened. Suddenly he seemed an outsider in his own family…the only one suffering from a broken heart. Emptiness swept through his heart. I need you, Leah. Come back to me. He sat back waiting until an appropriate time to excuse himself to retire to his room. They finally finished the meal. Jenna and Bill cleared the table.
"Grey, could you please go to the store for some milk. We don't have enough," Mary asked.
"I bought some this morning, Mary," John put in.
Mary shushed him, putting her hand on his arm. John gave a helpless shrug. Colin watched them without seeing.
"Sure, Mom," Grey said, getting up from the table to grab his coat before disappearing out the door.
"Colin, come help with the coffee, dear. You're so good with this machine."
He joined his mother in the kitchen. Counted the coffee drinkers then measured out the ingredients by rote. A heaviness surrounded his heart. Christmas is a long way away. He wished she could have been with them for Thanksgiving, an important Andrews family holiday. It was the one holiday reserved for family only. Next year. He tried to envision Leah there but the risk that she wouldn't be there blocked the vision.
When Grey returned, pies were loaded on the table. Jenna brought out dessert plates. Barbara passed out coffee cups.
"Oh my, what's wrong with me? I forgot my special pumpkin pie. Colin would you mind getting it? It's on the front hall table in our house…door's unlocked," Carrie aid.
She turned pleading eyes on him. He had nothing better to do, so he agreed without giving it any thought. He shrugged into his jacket and went out the front door. The cold air revived him as the bright light from the street lamps, appearing brighter against the blackness of the night, stabbed his eyes. A burst of energy propelled him quickly through the frigid air. Hurrying to get into the warmth of Grey and Carrie's house, Colin wrapped his fingers around the brass door jamb, opened it and slipped inside then spun around quickly to close the door. Behind him, he heard a throat being cleared. The sound stopped him while he was facing the door. Slowly he turned, there she was.
Leah.
****
Leah's pulse kicked up, her heart was beating out of her chest as the door opened to admit Colin. He turned so quickly to close the door, he didn't see her standing there in her fur coat, white wool beret and high-heeled black suede boots. She cleared her throat to alert him. He stopped dead, turning slowly to face her.
"Leah?" His voice was almost a croak.
She smiled, emotion swelling in her throat, preventing speech. Tears burned her eyelids. Rapid blinking kept them at bay. Her breath came in short rasps. God, he looks so good! Two deep breaths restored her voice.
"Colin?"
"It's really you!"
He closed the distance between them in two long strides arms open, but then he stopped abruptly.
"What are you doing here? Someone die?"
She shook her head, restraining her urge to jump into his arms.
"Explain?"
"I'm here to see you," she choked out.
"To tell me you're going to marry Jean Pierre?"
"What? No!" She chuckled.
"Why is that so funny?" He bristled.
"Jean Pierre is gay. I thought you knew."
Colin released a huge breath of air, a smile slowly spread across his face.
"What about you? That girl, Cathy? You went to football games with her?"
"She's just a friend."
"Really?" Leah cocked an eyebrow at him.
He chuckled. "You're jealous of Cathy? She's engaged. Her fiancé is getting his Ph.D. at Indiana University. We were catching a game or two together, two lonely souls. That's all."
"Good."
"What happened to your job?"
"I was too miserable, missing you… I…"
Before she could finish, he lunged across the space separating them, pulling her into his embrace. He closed his arms around her, burying his face in her hair.
"You've come back to me?"
"Yes."
His lips sought hers for the most tender of kisses that became passionate quickly. They kissed and kissed and kissed. Leah slipped her coat off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Colin pulled one arm then the other out of his coat, also leaving it on the floor. He grabbed her waist, forcing her right up against his chest. She sighed as they came together.
"So what happened?" Colin asked, plaiting his fingers through her hair, gazing into her eyes.
"Well, I was working hard, coming up with new designs. Madame Jeanne sold my first three designs right away. She had people waiting for more. I traveled…but my heart wasn't in it. She saw that my other designs were not as good, they were missing the heart…the romance she called it. She could tell I was unhappy, missing you. So we made a deal. I get to work from here for ten months out of the year and travel for her in Europe the other two. I jumped at the chance."
"You can be here an
d work for her?"
"Yes. As soon as she made me that offer, she said she saw a huge improvement in my designs. I must confess when I knew I was coming back to you, I captured the romance again and it showed in my work. But I didn't know if you were still single. Through my travels the last few weeks I haven't been able to be in touch with you and that Cathy…well, she had me worried."
"You're actually coming back but still designing for Madame Jeanne?"
"Weren't you listening?"
"Guess I didn't hear anything beyond you were coming back to me."
She smiled at him. "If you still want me."
Colin dropped to one knee and pulled out a small burgundy colored velvet box. He kept the box with him all the time because it was almost like having Leah at his side. Fingering the box reminded him he had a woman he wanted to marry, bringing a secret smile to his lips. He snapped it open to reveal a beautiful, shiny round cut diamond ring.
"Will you marry me, Leah?"
The tears she had held at bay burst forth, streaming down her face. Her pulse beat wildly.
"Well? Will you? Why are you crying?" He pushed to his feet.
"I will. I will marry you. I'm crying because I'm happy."
She flew into his arms, hugging his chest with all her might.
"I love you so much… I missed you, Colin," she breathed.
"I missed you, too, baby…Every day…I thought about you every day."
Again his mouth came down on hers hard. He demanded her surrender and she happily complied, melting against him, opening her lips to him. He took her mouth and his hand closed possessively over her breast, making her moan.
When he lifted his head, he stared into her eyes.
"I can't believe it's real. You'll be living here, with me, as my wife, designing for Lady Jeanne…"
"I guess I am lucky, I'm getting both my dreams at once."
"So am I."
He took her hand, leading her to the stairs.
"There's a guest room upstairs…"
"Won't your family miss you?"
"I have a feeling they already know all about this. Did Grey pick you up at the bus station?"
The Dating List Page 22
