by Jean Joachim
Carrie's heels tapped on the dark marble floor polished to a sheen as she moved toward the food. Draped on Grey's arm, the other three Horsemen couldn't help but notice her. Will, Spence and Bobby were talking together and laughing when Spence spied Grey and Carrie. He stopped talking and stared as Carrie approached, elbowing Will to his right. Will and Bobby turned to see what he was watching.
"Carrie, this is Spence, Will and Bobby…the other three horsemen. Guys this is Carrie Tucker."
The men muttered greetings as their eyes raked Carrie up and down, giving her the kind of look she was more used to getting in a bar than she would have expected from Grey's friends. She shifted a little, uncomfortably. He pulled her a little closer to him. Spence took Carrie's hand and led her over to the bar.
"Tell me, Carrie. How long have you and Grey been…together?"
"A few months, I think."
"Where have you been hiding her, Grey?" Will asked.
"A few months? Hmmm. You must meet the requirements on the list," Spence said, dropping her hand.
"Grey doesn't see anyone that long who doesn't pass that test…" Bobby said.
"Guys! Guys, hey, give her some breathing room here," Grey said, taking Carrie's hand and pulling her away.
"List?" Carrie asked, her eyebrows raised as she looked at Grey.
"I don't know what he's talking about. Let's get something to eat. I'm starved," Grey said, cupping Carrie's elbow with his hand.
Grey maneuvered Carrie away from the other horsemen and over to the food table. He introduced her to the head of development for the museum, Lila Samuels.
"Grey told me that you're in advertising? We sure could use some help with our holiday fund-raising promotion. We have bigger goals to reach this year."
"Don't you have an agency?"
"We're a pro bono account, Carrie. Our agencies work for free. Sometimes that works against us. I don't think they always spend enough time on our business."
"I'd be happy to meet you for lunch and brainstorm some ideas."
"That would be fabulous!"
While the women were comparing calendars and making dates, Grey rejoined his buddies.
"Hey, who told you to bring up the list?" he asked Spence.
"Sorry, guy. Doesn't she know about the list?" Spence replied.
"Would you tell a girl about your list?"
"Hell, no. But I've never had a list," Spence said, lifting his wineglass for a sip.
"Maybe you'd be happier if you had," Grey shot back at him.
The smile fell off Spence's face. "You insulting Susan? Wanna step outside and say that again?" Spence said, anger flashing in his eyes.
"I didn't mean anything by it, let's forget it, Spence. You always complain about her. Maybe if you had a list, you'd have everything you want in a woman."
"You're crazy," Spence said turning away from his friend.
"Am I? I have everything I want in Carrie."
The three men stopped in their tracks. Will and Bobby smiled at him.
"It's about time. So when is the big wedding?" Will asked.
"Haven't asked her yet."
"Why not?" Bobby twirled his empty wine glass.
"It's pretty new. Thought I'd wait till the holidays, just to be sure," he said, a blush creeping up his neck.
"No hard feelings, Grey. Didn't know you were that serious," Spence said, extending his hand.
"Yeah, me, too. Susan's great. Keep the list thing to yourselves, guys," Grey said, shaking Spence's hand.
"If you wanted it a deep dark secret, you shouldn't have told Bobby and Spence," Will chuckled.
"Got that right," Grey said, smiling.
"Met your family yet?" Bobby asked, handing the bartender his glass for a refill.
"I'm taking her for a weekend away with Jenna and Bill. Then I thought I'd invite her for Thanksgiving…"
"Thanksgiving? Whoa, that is serious," Will said, raising his eyebrows.
"The holy Andrews Thanksgiving invaded by an outsider. Your parents will flip," Spence said.
"Probably. I need to be sure before I bring her into that lion's den," Grey confided.
"Why don't you wait another ten years, Grey, to be absolutely certain? Geesh," Bobby smirked.
"Family…that's the ultimate test. Hell, any woman who looks like her…we like her, right? But your family…Hell, that's different." Spence said.
The guys nodded.
"My mother will be happy she has two arms, two legs and is breathing. It shouldn't be a problem," Grey joked.
"Who's breathing?" Carrie asked, walking up behind Grey.
"You are, honey," Grey remarked, a little color flushing his cheeks. He put his arm around her and hoped she didn't hear any more of the conversation than that.
"What did you say you did for a living, Carrie?" Will asked as he raised his glass to his lips.
Grey let out a sigh of relief as Carrie got involved in a discussion with Will about advertising.
Chapter Twelve
"It's a perfect day for a drive to the country," Grey said, standing at her window.
"I was lucky to get this weekend off. I'm exhausted," Carrie said, collapsing onto the sofa.
"Come on, pack your stuff, I'm ready to go. The mountain air will be good for you…invigorating!" Grey took her limp hand in his and yanked on it, trying to get her to stand.
"Just let me have a few more minutes like this." She curled up on the sofa and closed her eyes.
"You're going to sleep?"
Carrie opened one eye but didn't move.
"You can sleep in the car, Honey." Grey scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom, placing her on the bed. "A couple of days with fresh air, in the country, with my sister and her husband. Do you good." Grey sat down on the bed next to her, picked up her foot and started massaging it.
"Ummm, that feels good. Don't stop." She rubbed his leg with her other foot.
"If you do that, we'll never get out of here," he chuckled.
"What's your sister like?" Carrie removed her foot from his leg.
"Jenna? I'm closest to her in the family. She's a big tease, so don't believe anything she says."
"What if she says you're terrific?"
"I give you permission to believe that." He reached for her other foot.
"Oooo. I already know."
He leaned over and kissed her.
"What if she doesn't like me?"
"Never happen. She's going to love you."
"How do you know?"
"Because I love you and she's always loved what I loved." He stopped the massage.
"You love me?" Carrie opened her eyes and sat up.
"Of course. Didn't you know?"
She shook her head, "You've never said it before."
"Aren't you supposed to say something here?" He ran his hand through her hair.
"I love you, too. But that went without saying," Carrie tossed off.
"It never goes without saying."
Carrie pulled him down until their lips met in a sweet kiss. When they broke, they stared at each other for a moment before Grey sat up.
"I'll pack." Carrie swung her legs over the side of the bed.
"Right. We can continue this in the cabin." Grey loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.
****
Carrie picked out clothes and Grey packed them. By 1:30 in the afternoon, they were driving across the George Washington Bridge. The sun was bright and the air cool. Carrie looked out the window and spied leaves changing color on both banks of the Hudson River. Grey steered the XK masterfully over the bridge and onto the Palisades Parkway. The riot of color on the parkway was glorious and though Carrie wanted to sleep, the changing scenes kept her attention. She opened her window, zipped up her blue fleece jacket and settled down in her seat. A sense of contentment washed over her. Expecting to feel afraid and reluctant to meet Grey's beloved sister, instead excitement and good feeling kept her alert. He was right…gettin
g away, a change of scenery and fresh air did invigorate her.
Grey glanced over at her from time to time and smiled.
"So where is this little cabin?" Carrie asked, raising her voice to be heard above the wind whooshing through the small convertible.
"Geneva Heights, about an hour northwest of Pine Grove."
"We're not stopping to see the rest of your family are we?" She sat up straight, panic in her voice.
"It would take me some time and alcohol to prepare you for that."
Carrie breathed a sigh of relief. That would be too serious and she wasn't ready to think about... How could she get serious with him, she didn't even know where her life was going. Keeping the status quo was fine with her. She'd deal with the future when it arrived. She sat back, staring at his handsome profile as he expertly maneuvered the Jag along the winding, leafy parkway.
****
The log cabin was nestled in a small clearing in the woods. A gravel path wound around trees and large shrubs about one hundred feet to the house from the driveway. The key was over the door sill as the realtor promised. Grey carried Carrie's suitcase and his own small bag to the door then opened it.
The musty smell of a closed up house greeted their noses as Carrie ventured in. She looked around, admiring the use of space. There was one great room with a large fireplace serving as living room, dining room and kitchen combined. A sofa and love seat were at right angles in front of the fireplace with a square coffee table between the two. Under the front window of the cabin was the dining room table with six chairs. On the opposite wall was the kitchen. With white appliances and counter space filling the length of one wall and a small oak table with four chairs doubling as kitchen table or work space.
Off the back of the house were two bedrooms. Grey eased by her and went into the far bedroom with light green walls to drop off their bags. Carrie opened windows to let in the fresh air and pulled back curtains to welcome the sunshine. Two doors opened off the kitchen, one to the bathroom and one to the deck behind the house and the outside.
The décor was a charming cross between hunting cabin with plaids in dark green and cream and country sweet with small print bedspreads in lavender and white and matching curtains. Carrie liked it. When she was done, she joined Grey in the bedroom, flopping down backwards on the bed.
"I love it here! This is wonderful, Grey! You were so right."
He looked up from the suitcase he was unpacking and smiled at her, then joined her on the bed. He climbed on, crawling up to her to plant a kiss on her pink lips. Carrie wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.
"When is Jenna coming," Carrie whispered in his ear.
He gave her a wicked grin and replied, "Don't think we have time to make love…they're due soon, but if we close the door…"
"Hello! Hello? Anyone here? Grey?" a feminine voice called out from the front door.
"Too late," Grey muttered as he pushed up from the bed.
Combing his hair with his hands, he walked to the door. Carrie got off the bed and grabbed her purse, searching for a brush. As Grey walked through the bedroom door, Carrie heard a feminine voice.
"Am I interrupting something?" Jenna asked, her eyes twinkling.
"We just got here," Grey said, approaching his sister.
Jenna stepped up to her brother and planted a kiss on his cheek. At that moment, Carrie exited the bedroom, fluffing her hair. She wore a rust-colored scooped-neck long sleeve fine cotton sweater over light blue denims.
Jenna stopped, stared then smiled.
"Wow, you're prettier even than Grey said…I'm Jenna," she said.
Carrie smiled and extended her hand. Jenna brushed her hand aside and gave Carrie a big hug. Jenna wore blue jeans that emphasized her long slim legs but with a dark turquoise sweater that set off her strawberry blonde hair.
"So are you," Carrie remarked when Jenna let her go.
They were interrupted by the arrival of a tall, slim man with dark brown hair, two days' growth of beard and shining dark brown eyes. Carrie walked over to him and extended her hand.
"You must be Bill?"
"You must be Carrie," he replied, taking her hand.
"There's nothing in this house to eat," Jenna announced, after opening and closing cabinet doors and the refrigerator. She threw her jacket on and tossed the car keys to Bill.
"Grocery shopping is on the agenda, I fear," Grey said, tossing Carrie her jacket.
They all piled into Jenna's mini SUV, since Grey's car was too small. Bill drove to the nearest grocery store.
"There's a liquor store, Bill and I'll get some wine. Here, have fun," Grey said, folding a small wad of bills into Carrie's hand before he joined Bill.
Carrie opened her hand and counted out two hundred dollars.
"A bit much for a weekend, isn't it?" She said to no one in particular.
"Grey is generous, always has been," Jenna remarked, slipping her arm through Carrie's and entering the store.
Carrie manned the cart while Jenna shopped. They discussed what to cook and food allergies and dislikes were shared. They picked up the ingredients for lamb stew, one of Grey's favorites, according to Jenna. Carrie volunteered to bake an apple pie. Bacon, eggs, popcorn and other snacks were thrown into the cart along with juice, mixers and beer. In the dairy section, the young women stopped to look over the cheese.
"You are amazing, Carrie…perfect match for Grey and the list, too," Jenna said.
"The list? That's the second time I've heard a list mentioned in the past ten days. What is this list?"
Jenna put her hand over her mouth and her cheeks colored.
"Come on, Jenna. You know you want to tell me about the list. What is it? Give!" Carrie wheedled.
"Grey will kill me. It was a slip. Forget it."
"I can't forget it. First Spence, then you…"
"Spence mentioned the list?"
Carrie nodded.
"As long as I'm not the first. I suppose there's nothing wrong with telling you…" Jenna said, justifying her slip of the tongue.
Carrie pulled Jenna over to the bread section where they could be alone and Jenna spilled everything about the list, everything she knew. With every sentence, Carrie's eyes got wider. When the shopping was done, the women filed silently out the door.
"Please don't be mad at me, Carrie…" Jenna pleaded.
"I'm not mad at you, Jenna. I'm grateful you told me."
"I sort of helped though."
"I need to straighten this out with Grey," Carrie said, sticking her chin out a bit and clenching her jaw.
The men tried to start conversation in the car but the ladies were unresponsive. Carrie kept her eyes trained on the road, refusing to look at Grey. Bill and Grey exchanged puzzled looks and finally sat silently until pulling into the driveway of the cabin.
Grey took two bags in then pulled Carrie aside, took her into the bedroom and closed the door.
"What's going on?" he asked, his hand clamped around her upper arm.
"You tell me. Tell me about your list," she said, standing with legs apart, hands on her hips.
Grey turned pale and dropped his hand.
"So it's true. You have a list of qualities…or should I say qualifications for a wife?"
"Sort of…" he stammered.
"And I meet these requirements?"
"You do."
"So now…I'm 'it'?"
"It's not like that, Carrie. You're different…"
"How so? If I hadn't met all those…things…would you still be seeing me?" She asked, watching him squirm.
"Maybe…maybe not. But you do and you're spectacular…way above and beyond…"
"Bullshit, Grey!" She hollered.
Grey gave a quick glance at the closed bedroom door.
"Let's go for a walk. We can talk in the woods where it's more private. How did you find out about the list?" He asked, moving toward the door.
"Jenna told me." Carrie stated flatly.
G
rey opened the door.
"Jenna!" He yelled, his face turning purple.
Jenna saw his face and ran out the front door. Bill put down the groceries he was unpacking and followed his wife.
"It isn't her fault…it's yours!" Carrie pulled Grey by his sleeve toward the back door.
They walked in silence through the woods to a pond. Carrie found a large rock jutting out of the earth and sat down, pulling her knees to her chest.
"I don't know what's wrong with having a list of the qualities you're looking for in a mate, Carrie. Women do the same…or so Jenna told me. Why are you upset?" He sat down on the rock next to her.
Carrie shot him a withering look.
"Explain it to me, honey." He stroked her arm.
She yanked herself away from him and stared out at the pond.
"Do you think I'm some sort of Stepford Wife, one who will cook for you, decorate your house and give you all the sex you want at the drop of a hat?"
"I don't, I don't think of you that way."
"Then how do you think of me?" Tears stung at the back of Carrie's eyes but she was determined to blink them away.
"I think of you as my ideal woman, smart, creative, resourceful, sexy…the woman I love," he said, slowly, quietly.
"That stupid list! Everyone knows about it…everyone but me! Jenna wouldn't explain the third item on the list, said she didn't know exactly what it was but it had something to do with getting enough sex and then she blushed redder than the beets on display in the produce department."
Grey laughed.
"What's so funny?" Carrie sniffed.
"You are. Do you care that my friends and…Jenna…know about my list? Don't you think it's amazing I found a woman I'm crazy about that also has those qualities?"
"I think it's amazing I haven't killed you yet…" She sniffed, turning away from his warm stare.
"I admit those things are important to me, because…because…well the other three horsemen complain about their wives lacking those things. So I thought, if I could get those in a mate, then I'd be a lot happier than they are."
"Now finding a spouse…the best spouse is a four horseman competition?"
