Love, Alabama (Alabama Series Book 2)

by Susan Sands

  A tiny blip sounded and he looked down. “Got it. Thanks. See you there.”

  As Emma drove toward her mother’s house, she thought about Matthew. The guy was way more complicated than she’d imagined. And obviously carried a ton of baggage. Baggage was the very last thing she needed to complicate her own life. She had enough of her own.

  Hers wasn’t the big, nasty kind some people carried. She didn’t have a couple of ex-husbands and kids, or barely escaped an abusive situation. No, she’d all but sequestered herself at Tad’s behest after he’d broken up with her following the whole Miss Alabama debacle. She’d seen her incredible father perish while trying to save the life of another as a teen. That had affected her deeply. But it hadn’t broken her. Was she broken, really and truly broken?

  Emma wondered why this was all surfacing now. Probably because she’d finally opened the floodgates and allowed Matthew past her dam of chastity. It wasn’t like she’d been a virgin. No, but she’d been pretty damned close to it.

  She’d approached sex with Matthew without a lot of thinking, allowing her body’s overwhelming response to him to drive her actions. Never before had she behaved so wantonly or recklessly. She’d lost control with Matthew. But for some reason, it had felt safe to her. It wasn’t as if he was a complete stranger. After all, they’d spent some time getting to know one another. She didn’t know everything about him, that much was becoming more and more clear. But, Emma had an innate sense that he was a good man, even with the heavy baggage.

  As much as she’d like to think she was a modern, adult woman who could maintain a friend with benefits, Emma had the sinking feeling it wasn’t quite the way she was built. But Matthew wasn’t necessarily here long-term. He was here to produce Cammie’s show. He admitted that at anytime the network could call him to work on another project and send someone else in to take his place.

  *

  Matthew took a quick shower. He’d just tugged a shirt over his head when his phone rang. He checked the screen before answering.

  He scrubbed a hand over his face and sent up a quick plea for patience before saying, “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hey there, son. I’m not calling for money.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Well, not exactly. Your sister needs help.”

  This was a punch in the gut to Matthew. “What’s wrong?”

  “I really don’t want to say over the phone.”

  “What do you mean, Mom? If Lisa has a problem, she knows I’ll do what I can to help.”

  “Maybe you should just come home. Once you’re here, she’ll have to accept our help.”

  “What’s the problem? I’m not coming home until you tell me what’s going on.”

  “I can’t believe you won’t take my word that your sister needs your help.”

  He took deep breath, working to keep his cool with her. “Mom, I need to know you’re not manipulating me to get me to come home.”

  “I can’t believe you would think such a thing of me. Dub is cheating on Lisa.”

  He nearly punched the wall then, his anger rising so quickly it scared him. “That bastard! Are you sure? I need to call Lisa.”

  “No! You wait, now. She doesn’t know about it.”

  “Wait. What? What do you mean she doesn’t know?” He was angry and puzzled now.

  “Well, somebody in town told me he was having an affair. I haven’t told Lisa. She has no idea. I wanted to tell you first. We need to make sure before we tell her. I knew you would know what to do.”

  “Um, why don’t you just tell her someone is spreading rumors and let her handle her own business?” He asked. It made perfect sense. “Dub really doesn’t seem like the cheating type. At least, not that I recall.”

  “Exactly; you don’t know, do you? You’ve been gone for so long that you don’t know much about any of our lives around here anymore. I want you to take a weekend and come down here to help get to the bottom of this. And if Dub is doing wrong, then I want you to help with the situation. It’s the least you can do. You’re her only big brother, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  His mother really knew how to twist the knife. “Fine. But you need to get as much good information together before I get there. I’ll come next weekend.”

  “No, Dub will still be offshore then. Can you come the following week? I’d rather he was home, so we can talk to him about this. Lisa will need your support if the rumors are true.”

  “Fine. I’ll see you in two weeks.”

  “It’s about time you took an interest in your family. Let me know when your flight arrives and I’ll plan to pick you up at the airport in Birmingham.”

  His guilt kicked up again. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be driving.”

  “All the way from New York City?” His mother sounded shocked.

  “No, Mom. I’ve just been assigned closer to home.”

  “Really? How close?”

  There was no help for it. He couldn’t outright lie to his own mother. “I’m over in Ministry producing Cammie Laroux’s cooking show.”

  “I love that girl. So glad she’s got a show of her own now!” There was a pause. “Wait; you’ve been less than two hours from home and didn’t tell us? For how long now?”

  “Just about a month now. It’s been a busy time.”

  “We’ve spoken since then. You just decided to move back to Alabama and not say a word—to your own mother? I really don’t have anything to say to you. I’ll see you in two weeks, son.”

  Before Matthew could say goodbye, his mother hung up. He was a piece of shit. She was right. There was absolutely no excuse for the negligence toward his family. They certainly weren’t perfect, but they were the only family he had. Just because his mother’s recent behavior frustrated and embarrassed him wasn’t a good enough reason to stay away. His past issues back home were complicated, but he was an adult and it was time to get a grip and face his past.

  Good thing he’d established a dialogue with Sabine. She would be happy to address his issues surrounding his small-town Alabama personal history. He wasn’t sure he was ready though.

  He looked at his watch. “Shit!” He grabbed a bottle of wine as he headed out the door.

  No way would he let his dysfunctional family keep him from the opportunity to spend time with Emma—even if it was with her entire family. She’d finally given him a chance to get closer, and he wouldn’t squander it.

  He’d knocked, then rang the bell. One of the sisters answered, a wide smile lighting her face at the sight of him, her dark blue eyes twinkling.

  “Hi, I’m here as Emma’s guest. I’m Matthew.” He stuck out his hand.

  She reached up and gave him a quick hug. “Oh, hey. Of course, you are. Come on in, honey. I’m Maeve; it’s a pleasure.” She had the most stunning eyes. So different from Emma’s equally lovely light green ones.

  When he stepped inside the the Laroux family home, he was struck by several beautiful women, all different shades of blonde who all resembled each other moving about, laughing, drinking wine barefoot in gorgeous satin dresses. The Laroux sisters. Wow. He’d briefly met each of them and, individually, they were all knock-outs, but collectively, just wow.

  Emma was stunning, as usual, even more so tonight, as the fabric of the dress she wore hugged her curves in such a way that Matthew worked to control his physical response.

  “I thought you might have changed your mind and gotten scared,” she whispered into his ear.

  “Are you kidding? You threw down a challenge I couldn’t possibly pass up. So far, so good.” He looked around the room, nodding at Cammie’s husband, Grey, whom he’d gotten to know a little since working with Cammie. Grey wasn’t around much lately because he was in charge of substantial restoration projects of historical buildings throughout the South.

  Right now, his main project was near Atlanta, so Grey was gone days at a time before coming home.

  Emma officially introduced him to the rest of the clan.

>   Her brother, Ben, was Cammie’s twin. Ben eyeballed him just a little longer than was comfortable. They shook hands.

  “Good to meet you. I hope my little sister isn’t driving you batty.”

  “Who, Cammie? No way. She’s a real pro. I’ve never seen anybody keep their calm when something doesn’t work out like she does.”

  “Well, she’s had some practice. And I’m not referring to the stuff in her show. You’ve met my brother-in-law, Grey?” Grey had moved toward them and shook Matthew’s extended hand.

  “Yes, we’ve met,” Matthew said to Ben and the others at the same time.

  “Glad to see you somewhere besides the set,” Grey said.

  “Happy to be here and to meet everybody,” Matthew said.

  Jo Jo approached and said hello, her husband, Beau, in tow. Their daughter, Suzie, who couldn’t be more than five, stood in a more childish version of a bridesmaid dress in matching fabric. The child was stunning with her big, hazel eyes. She smiled sweetly at Matthew and his heart nearly fell on the floor.

  “Hi there.”

  “M’name’s Suzy,” she said shyly.

  “I’m Matthew; it’s very nice to meet you.”

  “Do you have a little girl, Mister Matthew?”

  “No, but I have a niece about your age.” The guilt hit him again at having been so absent from his own sister and her children. And of course, his mother.

  A longneck was shoved, none-too-gently, in the grip of one hand by a somewhat burly man, who thrust out a beefy hand to shake the other one. “Name’s Junior. Maeve over there’s my wife.”

  Matthew’s hands weren’t small by any means, but the crushing grip put on him by Junior made him hide a wince.

  “Junior, knock it off. I swear if you break his hand, I’m gonna break this bottle over your hard head. Apologize to our guest.” Maeve stalked toward them, giving Junior such a communicative look that Junior’s handshake immediately eased to human pressure.

  “Uh, sorry, dude.” But he smirked the second his sweet wife’s back turned on him.

  “Sure. No problem.”

  Junior grinned at Matthew and slapped him on the back like he’d passed some sort of pansy guy test. “You wanna come on out here on the porch and hang with the guys until dinner? The ladies are trying on dresses and shoes and stuff.”

  “Uh, okay.” He cast a questioning glance toward Emma who laughed behind her hand, then winked at him.

  “You’ll be okay with Junior. I’ll come out and check on you in a minute.”

  So, out on the “porch” he went. But this wasn’t an ordinary porch. It was a veranda or fancy patio at the very least. There were trellises with flowering vines woven through surrounding the flagstone area. And it was huge. Big enough to set up tables to seat a hundred or so people. The grassy area that lay beyond was immaculate, and led to a small pond. Off to one side, Matthew noticed a well-kept garden area with an aging but very nice gazebo.

  “I hope Junior didn’t hurt you with those meat hooks he calls hands,” Grey said.

  Matthew flexed his own hand and held it out in front for inspection. “Nah, I’m good.”

  “My father lives through the back gate. Cammie and I grew up as back door neighbors.” Grey had approached while Matthew was taking it all in.

  “It all seems—extensive.”

  “They use the spaces for outdoor events. Most people don’t have this kind of setup, even if they have a big house and yard. Everything around here is meant for events of some size or sort.” Grey explained.

  “Got it. That makes sense. It’s nice.”

  “They do anything from family barbecues to formal evening weddings out here. You wouldn’t believe how versatile it is.”

  Having worked in television, Matthew could see the infinite potential of this kind of setting for commercials and filming all sorts of promos. “I can see it,” he said.

  “So I hear you’re a Tiger fan?” Grey asked. The question, while so innocent, held so many opportunities for him to trip himself up.

  That damned sweat shirt was going to bury him. Maybe he’d worn it to the grocery store, or to buy gas? Or maybe Tad had said something to Ben. Were they friends? “Yep. You?”

  “Roll Tide,” Grey answered.

  There was a short, awkward silence, then Ben said, “Sounds like you and Emma might have been in college at about the same time. Of course, she was at ’Bama. You probably at least know some of the same people.”

  Matthew rubbed away a trickle of sweat off the back of his neck. “I guess so.” His heartbeat had nearly doubled, and so had his breathing rate. He worked to remain calm.

  “You know she was Miss Alabama during that time. I’m surprised you wouldn’t have known that.”

  Easy, man. He covered his discomfort by walking to the edge of the patio nonchalantly and pretending to survey the backyard. “I knew she looked familiar to me. But I was pretty deep in getting my degree during that time. I didn’t pay much attention to pageants.” All that was true. He hadn’t known a thing about her before that night. Ben, obviously done with the grilling, became engaged with Junior about some animal Junior had just stuffed. Apparently, Junior was the town’s taxidermist. And it was hunting season.

  “You wouldn’t believe the rack on that thing,” Junior was saying.

  Ben nodded, but didn’t seem particularly impressed with the buck’s number of points.

  Junior’s interruption gave Matthew the opportunity to get control of his anxiety. He had grabbed a napkin lying on the table and wiped the sweat that had beaded on his forehead. So far, Emma hadn’t grilled him on his college days. If she did, he would tell her he’d attended Auburn. And if the truth came out, he’d have to deal with it then. For now, he would just marinate in all the guilt from his life choices.

  There was a slight hubbub inside distracting Matthew from his own mire. Emma popped her head out the door and motioned for him to come inside.

  “Hey there. How are you holding up?” She asked when he sidled up to her.

  “So far, I haven’t been eaten alive. They’re just a little nosy.” He smiled and tried to look casual.

  She was so lovely. And he was a slug. No, he was lower than a slug. He was the trail of slime slugs leave behind for leading her to believe they’d never met. He’d been lying and it was killing him.

  “Come and meet Howard. He’s marrying my mom.”

  She led him across the room where a very vital older man was talking with a young girl who appeared to be around ten or eleven. She grinned at Emma when they approached.

  “Hey there, Lucy. You look really pretty.” Emma addressed the girl, whose dress matched the bridesmaids.

  The child beamed. “Thanks, Aunt Emma. So do you. Are you going to wear your hair up or down for the wedding?”

  Emma tapped her finger on her chin, looking thoughtful. “Hmm. Not sure, but I’ll text you when I decide.” Lucy grinned again, then she turned her gaze toward Matthew, as if she’d just noticed him standing there.

  “Hi, I’m Lucy.” She stuck out her small hand to shake his much larger one.

  Matthew was charmed. “It’s very nice to meet you, Lucy. I’m Matthew. Thank you for not crushing my hand.”

  Lucy giggled and rolled her eyes mischievously at Matthew. “Did my dad do his handshake thing where he tries to make you beg for mercy?”

  “Yes, he did. But I made it out with all my fingers still working just fine.” He wiggled his fingers.

  Lucy shook her head and laughed. “He’s so embarrassing.”

  Emma piped back up then. “Matthew, this is Howard, the groom.”

  Matthew nodded and shook Howard’s hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “Likewise, son. So glad Emma invited you to dinner. I hear my son-in-law has quite a grip.” He laughed.

  Emma appeared slightly uncomfortable with his statement, but Lucy didn’t seem to notice, because a young girl about her age, but very slender with very intense green eyes had approa
ched. She was Grey’s daughter and Cammie’s new stepdaughter. She seemed a little skittish when they’d first met, but she appeared more at ease in this family situation.

  “Hi, Samantha. I work with your mom on the show. We met before,” He said.

  She smiled tentatively. “Hi. I remember you.” She turned to Lucy and asked her something about shoes. And they were off.

  “They’re both junior bridesmaids. Picking the shoes has been a hard thing for them. Converse high tops aren’t an agreeable choice, and neither are flip-flops,” Emma laughed.

  “They’re wonderful and perfect. If they want to wear high tops, their grandmother Maureen should let them. If I had a say, I would let them.” Howard gazed at the girls’ retreating backs with such a look of adoration, Matthew puzzled it.

  “You might think I’m a sappy old man, Matthew, but I’m sure you heard that I recently found out I had a daughter and granddaughter. Now, I have four daughters, a son and two granddaughters, not to mention three sons-in-law. My heart is so full.” Howard placed a hand on his chest, his eyes misty. “I have my Maureen back after all these years. It’s more than I could ever have dreamed.”

  “Congratulations on your infinite good fortune, sir. That’s like something from a movie. And I should know. I’m in the business.” Matthew grinned, thrilled for this kind soul who’d found love and happiness after a lifetime of being alone.

  Emma had filled him in on some of the details of her mother and Howard’s love story. It was truly an amazing tale.

  “Thank you, son. I wish you the same kind of love and happiness some day. Hopefully, you’ll find it sooner than I did.” He made an obvious nod toward Emma, who’d gotten momentarily pulled aside by her sister, Jo Jo.

  Howard obviously thought he and Emma were an item. Were they an item? Matthew wasn’t going to naysay it to Howard, but he also didn’t want the older man to get the impression things were farther along than they were. “Thanks, Howard. I appreciate it.”

  “Now that I found my family, I’ve taken them all on. And I feel very protective of my girls. Keep that in mind, you hear?” His quick wink and nod was a silent and almost nerve-inducing communication.