No More Tears

by Sandy Appleyard

“And how long have you been talking yourself into saying that.”

  I look at him, giving drama to my next statement with a pause. “About a week.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, he pulls me closer to him, and he rests his forehead on mine. His eyes are closed. This is the most intimate gesture I’ve ever felt from a man. “I never knew how ready I was for the next step until I met you.”

  “But you’ve only had five years to my ten.”

  “Time is irrelevant, Laura. It’s…you.”

  Chapter 15

  Grayson

  This woman brings something out in me that no other woman has before. With Laura, I’m not afraid of anything. When I met Kelly, she had to make all the first moves. I was terrified and so awkwardly shy. If it weren’t for her taking the plunge, she and I would never have ended up together. But with Laura, I can’t help myself. Even when I know I shouldn’t, because she’s my boss, I figure, if her feelings are reciprocated, everything will fall into place. One thing’s for sure, my heart is in the right place. And by God, if I’ve learned anything from all the Alcoholics Anonymous inspirational quotes, it’s that you’ll never steer down the wrong path if you follow your heart.

  Holding Laura in my arms feels so wonderful. What’s even better, is that she seems to feel exactly what I’m feeling. As I rest my forehead on hers, I want to drink her in. She’s a lovely woman, and I’m lucky to be standing here with her.

  “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” she whispers, as she tilts her head sideways, and plants a soft kiss on my lips. Her lips are so soft and warm, it takes everything in me not to kiss them again. I’m falling so deeply in love with Laura, that I want to tell her, but I’m not sure if she’s ready to hear it.

  After her lips gently stamp mine, and I barely have a moment to respond, I say. “I mean every word of it.” her head is still tilted, and her eyes are still on my lips. I wish with every cell in my body that she’ll follow through and kiss me again. My parted lips wait eagerly, and as I watch her lips part, I close my eyes, and feel her soft mouth on mine again.

  Our kisses grow deeper and more passionate, as we stand by the fireplace, making a little fire of our own. Her hands rake through my hair, pulling me closer to her, and my arms wrap tighter around her. The warmth from her body fills me from head to toe. Lifting her feet off the floor, I carry her over to the bed. Chip jumps down from the bed and heads downstairs. Carefully, I lay Laura down, resting my body on hers. Her kisses are still strong and needy, so I know I haven’t crossed a line yet.

  When she pulls her robe apart, I take that as a cue. Rising, I remove my shirt, pull my shoes and socks off, and watch her face in the process. Laura regards me with an air of sensuality and need, glancing down my chest and abdomen. She slides her arms out of her robe, and pulls it away from her from underneath.

  “God, you’re a sight for sore eyes, Laura.” I breathe, unable to believe that such a beauty is in my presence. Lowering myself onto her, I cup her face in my hands, kissing her, making love to her with my lips, as she gives the same efforts with hers. Her hair is pooled all around her, and her silk pyjamas are sexy yet tasteful, as they cover everything, but act solely as a second skin to her body. Her womanly parts are evident under them, allowing me to explore without exposing her. It’s a game of kiss, touch, and look, until she begins to arch her back each time my lips come off hers.

  When my lips meet her neck, her hands skate down my chest, giving me thrills that I haven’t felt in years. Laura smells amazing as my nose takes in her scent, while my lips kiss down the length of her neck. When I reach her throat and make my way down her chest, her chest starts to heave, and I’m about to stop, but then I feel her hand slide over my nipples, as though guiding me to mirror her actions.

  Her fingers on me sends delicious messages to the rest of my body, as I sheath my teeth with my lips, and gently nip her. With that, her hands fumble down to my zipper, and she desperately struggles with the tab.

  “Hey, hey,” I say to her. “Easy. Take it easy.” My voice is silky, comforting, as I rise and undo my pants. She watches me pull them off, and then, as I take my briefs down, she bites her bottom lip, and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen a woman do. Palms down, I push my hands up her thighs, under her nightie, slowly revealing Laura’s whole body, like a curtain rises to reveal the prize at a gameshow. When it’s peeled off entirely, I help her up to the head of the bed, resting her head on the pillow, and begin my trek of leaving kisses all over her body.

  The kisses don’t end until she begs me to, with her mouth. When I can’t handle her soft, needy kisses on my body anymore, her back meets the mattress once again, as I create the most physical bond with her that I can. There, we explore the far reaches of lovemaking, until Laura’s final, longing cry, as she feels her release with me. We lie there, on top of the blankets, warmed by our bodies and the fireplace, making love throughout the night. When we’ve rested enough and can’t stand to lie next to one another without feeling the other’s touch again.

  By morning, when the sun is beating through Laura’s window, I rise and close the blinds. “Any idea where Chip went?” she asks me.

  “Downstairs is my guess.” I answer honestly.

  “He would have been crying to go out by now, I think.” She says, peering over at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It’s almost six o’clock in the morning.

  “I’ll go look for him.” I say, pulling my underwear and pants on. Laura watches me with this cute little grin on her face. “You’re insatiable.” I say with a chuckle.

  She’s naked, with half her body exposed over the blankets. She stretches and I watch, waiting for her to finish. “You’re cruel. Do you want me to go find your dog, or what?”

  Laura’s satisfied giggle is contagious. I lean over and kiss her lips before heading downstairs. Chip is nowhere to be found. The front door has been left unlocked all night. Walking to the staff quarters, I see Chip sitting out front with Lloyd and Johnnie.

  “You boys are up awful early.” I comment. “It’s Sunday. Hell, even God took a day off.”

  They’re quiet, sipping coffee from the carafe in the common area. Peering down at Chip, I ask. “How’d he get out here?”

  Johnnie swallows a mouthful of coffee. “I was up in the night looking for you. Your toilet was making some funny noises, keeping us all up. When I couldn’t find you or the dog, I went looking.”

  We exchange a look, and I know that he knows, but he’s decent enough to be discreet.

  “Thanks. I…Laura was worried about him.”

  Lloyd, on the other hand, says. “She didn’t seem that worried about him, from what I hear.”

  Johnnie elbows him, but Lloyd can’t help himself. His shoulders vibrate as he laughs, trying to look the other way.

  “Alright. Get it out of your system.” I mutter, checking Chip’s bandage. “Now, I hear anybody making any comments to Laura, and you’ll have me to answer to, you hear?”

  “Dang, Grayson. You ought to hang up a sign when you and Laura are at it. What’s it say? ‘If the trailer’s rockin’, don’t come knockin’?”

  “Shut up, Lloyd.” Johnnie seethes. “I been around a lot longer than you. Ms. Warner ain’t like that at all.”

  “Yeah, but Grayson here is.” Lloyd giggles.

  “You hungry?” I ask Lloyd.

  “Yeah, I could eat.”

  “How about you tell me how my fist tastes then?” I say coolly.

  That works.

  “Err…I was just teasing.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve heard enough. It’s nothing to joke about. Not another word, Lloyd.” I say pointedly and walk away. Chip follows me as I go into my quarters, shower, and head back into the house. Laura is still in bed, all tucked in like a taco. Climbing in next to her, I wrap my arms around her. “Hey, sleepyhead. Is Grace coming in this morning to feed the men? We’ve got a couple live ones out there.”

&nb
sp; Drawing in a breath, she stretches, and I cop a quick feel. She turns over. “Oh, you’re all cleaned up.” she says with disappointment.

  “I can get dirty again, darlin’…after we feed the men.”

  “Grace and Wendy don’t work on Sundays. They know that. I usually let the boys raid Louie’s old quarters and use the kitchenette. With all the fussing over Clint’s party, it slipped my mind.”

  “That reminds me.” I say. “I have to fix my toilet again.” I look at her. “Lloyd and Johnnie know what went on here last night.”

  “Is that what happened to Chip?”

  “Yeah,” I pause. “But don’t sweat it. I already put Lloyd in his place for his lewd comments.”

  “That’s okay, Grayson. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” she stretches again, and I kiss her neck. “The boys aren’t used to this kind of human behavior. They’ll get used to it.”

  “So, you figure they’ll have to get used to it, huh.” I ask, testing the waters. I’m pretty sure that we care deeply about each other, but one with a wounded ego can never be sure.

  “They better.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I plan on keeping you around for as long as I can.”

  I kiss her lips. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah,”

  “Alright then.” I caress her bottom. “I’ll go get breakfast started. A man will fuss a lot less on a full stomach.”

  “I’ll be down shortly.” She yawns.

  “Sleep, Laura. You didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night.” I softly chuckle.

  “Neither did you.” She points out.

  I search her eyes and kiss her again. I speak between kisses. “Yeah, but it was totally worth it.”

  ***

  Laura’s showered and dressed just as I’m filling up the plates. I haven’t called the boys in yet, so when she approaches me, she wraps her arms around my neck, and we kiss like nobody’s watching. “Nice apron. Red is your color.” She comments, pulling back, looking as dreamy-eyed as she did last night.

  I’m wearing a red apron that I found hanging beside the refrigerator. I figure it was way more appropriate than the pink one, or the other one with the hearts all over it. Having only the jeans and shirt clean that I’m wearing, I figure it was a good call putting the apron on. It’s also the reason why I haven’t called the boys in yet. “Yeah,” I chuckle. “I could use more clothes. Don’t have too many to spare these days.”

  “You want me to take you to get some later?”

  I give her a knowing look. “Now, there’s a sure-fire way to kill all the romance that we just established. I think I can handle that on my own, but thanks.”

  Giving me a little peck on the mouth, she walks away. I watch her behind. Man, has she got a great set of buns. “I’ll go call the boys in.”

  “Walk backwards on the way back in.” I say under my breath, whistling to myself as my girl walks out the front door.

  Aside from the odd wink, Laura and I are able to stay focused and professional while we eat with the boys. Cleanup and exercising the horses are all that’s on the agenda for today, so, once I help Laura with the dishes, we get started. I wait until the boys leave the house, acting like I need to talk to Laura about something, but she’s not stupid. I close her study door, and pull her close. “God, that was the longest goddamn breakfast ever.” I say, as though I’ve been holding my breath.

  She giggles. “Why, Grayson Thomas, have I created a monster?”

  I kiss her heartily but keep it chaste. “I think you have.” I grab her rear with both hands. “I should go. The boys were able to keep their mouths shut during breakfast, but if I take too long saying goodbye, they’ll talk.”

  She kisses me again. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

  I wink at her, slapping her behind playfully, and walk out the door, placing my hat on my head. The day seems to drag on, minute-by-minute, and what’s worse is, right after we just finish cleaning up from lunch, Lisa stops by. I try to hide, taking Weasel out on a run, but she’s still here when I return, and her and Laura are up on the porch, sipping tea. Laura smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back as I walk up the stairs.

  “I’m going to go run some errands, like we spoke about earlier. I won’t be long.” I want so badly to kiss her, but I know that with Lisa here, I can’t.

  “Well, aren’t you going to at least say hello, Grayson?” Lisa chides.

  “Hello, ma’am.” I say, tipping the brim of my hat with my index finger.

  “That’s better.” she says righteously. “What are you going to buy, Grayson?” Lisa raises a hand. “And the only reason why I ask is because I know just about every store owner in town. Done everyone’s wedding pictures…some divorce pictures, too.”

  The chuckle I force is soft. “Just some clothes is all. Nothing much.”

  She gives me an evaluating glance up and down, and it makes me feel exposed. I want to pull my arms across my chest…and other areas. “Well, Grayson, there are plenty of stores that would just love for you to walk into them. You fixing to spend a tidy sum, or are you working on a budget?”

  “I’ll give you the credit card, so you can replace the shirt that got ruined when you helped Ned with his arm.” Laura says, rising.

  “That’s okay, swee—” I catch myself before I say it. “Err…Laura. I can manage.”

  But it’s too late. Lisa giggles. Laura blushes. We all know that I was going to call her sweetheart. Shit.

  Laura tries to pretend she didn’t hear Lisa’s giggle. “No, I insist. You wrecked a perfectly good shirt tying his arm off. I owe you a new one.”

  “Better not argue with her, Grayson.” Lisa winks. “Or your sweetheart isn’t going to be so sweet to you.”

  Sighing, I look at Laura. “Does everyone in town know about us now? Dang, we might as well post it on a billboard.”

  Lisa waves. “Oh, Grayson, it’s no secret that you two have been sweet on each other since the day you started.”

  We both look at her and say simultaneously. “That’s not true!”

  Then our gazes meet, and we can’t help but smile at each other. Laura pulls the credit card out of her pocket and hands it to me. I take a step towards her and kiss her lips. “Wha, hell, if everyone knows already, there’s no sense hiding it.” I kiss her again. “I’ll see you later.”

  “See you, Grayson.” Lisa says in a singsong voice.

  “And don’t be looking at me for one of those, because only Laura gets them.” I warn jokingly.

  “Oh, I’m very sure about that.” Lisa smiles and then winks at me. I can feel them both watching me walk towards my truck, and I look back. Sure enough, both their eyes are glued to me.

  I shake my head.

  As I drive into town, I stop at the first men’s clothing store I see. Inside, I select half a dozen pairs of pants, shirts to match, and I head into the change room. You get the idea. After a half an hour of adjusting sizes and such, I have a good helping of clothes ready to be paid for. While I’m at the checkout, I have to look twice. None other than Matty Herald is waiting in line ahead of me.

  “Heyyyy.” He addresses me, like we’re old buddies.

  “Afternoon.” I say cordially. He’s got a stack of clothes, way fancier than mine, and when he’s called up to the checkout counter, he pulls his wallet out, thick with bills. As the man behind the counter walks away, to restock bags, he says to me. “It impresses the ladies when I have a wad of cash.” He winks and makes a clucking sound with his mouth, like he knows it all.

  “Sure you want to be attracting those kinds of girls?”

  He waves, disregarding me. “And for the record, I do own the business that the ladies said I work for. My daddy gave it to me. He’s retiring next year, and then it’s all mine.”

  “It’s all the same to me.” I say nonchalantly. “So long as Laura keeps getting her lumber and materials, it doesn’t matter to me whose name is on the fine print.”

>   “Ms. Warner, you mean.” He says to me, almost chiding. As if I should be addressing her that way. Like I shouldn’t dare to call her by her first name, the way that he did just the other day.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, partner, but she likes to be addressed by her first name. At least, by people she likes.” I say, hoping that this dickwad will take a hint and shut up while he’s ahead. The salesman stuffs Matty’s things into a bag and takes the cash that he’s so proud to hand out, counting it in front of him as if there is a female present in a man’s clothing store.

  When he’s finished cashing out, Matty takes a step towards me, as the cashier glares at me to come to the cash, even though we’re the only two people in the store.

  “I’ve known Laura for a lot longer than you have…Grayson, is it?” Matty says.

  “That’s right.” I say, as my fists ball up. The loser doesn’t have the intelligence to notice.

  “Anyway, she and I go way back.” He blathers. “Y’all know that her husband’s dead, right?”

  I nod, glaring at him.

  “Well, she and I…we got a…thing, you know?”

  “No.” I seethe. “I don’t know. And if you’re smart, you’ll be sure not to share anything about Laura’s personal life with a complete stranger, now, won’t you.” I state plainly.

  He smiles, acting like he’s reading between the lines, but I know he’s too stupid to do that. When he’s about to open his dumb mouth again, I lift my finger, pointing at his face. “You’d be wise to stop while you’re ahead.”

  He puts a defiant hand on his waist. “Yeah, and just what in hell are you going to do about it?” Matty is shorter than me by half a foot. From lumber work all his life, he’s pretty healthy looking, but, even in my years as a doctor, even as an alcoholic, I still found the time to keep in shape. The boys have found me doing chin-ups, push-ups, and crunches in the stable. It’s an inherited thing, too. So, like my brothers, I don’t have to work hard at it. And working at a ranch all my life, it comes natural, too.

  Matty’s body is from years of hauling wood and other materials around, but his mouth works quicker than his brain, so I punch him flat on the lip before he even realizes it. The clerk at the counter is quick to order us to leave, as Matty cries out in pain, touching his bleeding lip.