Liam & Gwen - Entirely Yours: A Romance Novel (The Adair Series Book 1)
Page 5
I let out a short gasp of air, trying to subdue the butterflies, and hoping he did not notice in the meantime, “Yes of course!”
“Then it’s date!” he confirms, the corners of his lips lifting. Leaning toward his mother, he kisses her on the cheek, “I’ll see you later.”
“Have a good evening, Ms. Batin.” He directs with a sly grin. I let out a soft chuckle, “You as well Detective Adair.”
Watching as he walks off, disappearing into the distance, Maia giggles. “What’s with the Ms. and Detective?”
Though my thoughts still on the man that has left, I respond, “Oh, it’s a little inside joke.” Maia’s face gleams with a Cheshire grin, then focus’ her attention on the menu.
The waiter comes to take our orders, then Maia starts, “So, I have an ulterior motive for asking you to dinner tonight.”
My gaze becomes curious; this could go one of two ways with her, but either one will lead to me committing to something I would never usually do. “Maia the last time someone told me they had an ulterior motive, I ended up owning and running a hair salon; not that I’m complaining, I love that place!”
She lets out a laugh, “I promise no business propositions here. I wanted to talk to you about the fundraiser; Emerson Women’s Society puts on every year to help support the women’s clinic.”
Ok, this sounds interesting. Curiosity peaked; I sit a little taller as Maia continues. “So, every year, we ask local businesses if they would like to contribute a donation.”
Well, this is not what I thought at all, this I can do. “Absolutely Maia, let me know how much you were thinking,” I reply instantly.
The people of Emerson have done so much for me over the past couple of years. They made me feel so welcome, so much so, I never really missed my old life.
“Well actually, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind donating a spa package. The women love you, and I know it would do well in the auction.”
This is going to be great. I have recently completed some additional certification in aesthetics, with plans to start incorporating some new services into the salon. It’s going to be like killing two birds with one stone; I can promote the new services, all while helping the community, which I would do regardless of new business or not.
“That’s perfect, Maia! I have some ideas of different packages I can put together. I can start with a smaller one, like a cut and style, then one including a full day of pampering, what do you think? I can even do one for men, which the women can buy for the husbands, or even better; a couple’s one.”
“Oh, Gwen, that all sounds wonderful. Are you sure it’s not too much? Most only donate a basket or gift card.” Joyful gratitude takes over her face.
“Not at all! I’m really excited about it.” I offer, just as thrilled to be able to contribute.
“Great, we will have a meeting soon to go over everything. If you want to put your ideas together, we can tell the women at the meeting. They are going to be blown away, and I can boast that my future daughter-in-law is awesome.” She ends with a giggle.
At first, her last comment flew right over my head, and then it finally clicked in, “Um Maia, future daughter-in-law?”
She lets out an innocent laugh, “Oh my love, do you honestly think with four grown and single sons I would let you get away? You will fall madly in love with one of them. Either one will do, they are all fine young men, but I am rooting for my oldest, he isn’t getting any younger you know.”
I let out a roaring laugh; I swear she is a mind reader. Maybe overreaching with the whole fall in love thing, but she always seems to notice the little things, even when you try not to make them visible. “Um Maia, you may want to run it by them first. They may not be as agreeable to the idea of their future, ‘Mom ordered Bride.’”
“Sweetie, my boys are not blind! You have a delightful personality and a positive attitude. They recognize a catch when they see one. Those boys have been casting their lines in this pond for years, and you are the prize-winning fish they bring home.” She remarks with a sly grin.
I cannot stop laughing, tears falling from my eyes, and I am sure everyone around us is staring. “Maia, did you just compare me to a fish?”
She delicately smirks with all the innocence in the world and shoots me a one-shouldered shrug. “If it gets the job done, I would compare you to Mother Teresa; God rest her soul.” I cannot stop laughing.
The rest of the dinner went by filled with the same entertaining conversation. Maia told me stories of the boys and her daughter growing up, highlighting on each of their accomplishments, as any mother would. I look at this stunning woman in front of me and admire her tenacity for getting the things she wants, but most of all, for the irrefutable love for her family. I always dreamed of a life where I could be like Maia Adair, confident and smart, but most of all a mother and wife. ‘One day’ I think to myself and hold hope close to my heart.
***
Later that evening I lay in bed, not being able to settle. I decided trying to fall asleep would be a losing battle when all I can think about is the look in Liam’s eyes earlier as if they had a secret, a secret he was not quite ready to share with me. I hop out of bed, and head to the kitchen, ‘Maybe tea and some fresh air out on the back porch will help me to relax.’ As I put the kettle to boil, I noticed my answering machine has a message.
“I must have missed that when I came in.”
I play the message, ‘Good evening Ms. Batin; this is Detective Adair. I was wondering if I could cash in the rain check tomorrow evening. Give me a call; my cell number is 541-555-6235. Hope to hear from you soon.’
I look at the clock and see its ten thirty. It is too late to call, but maybe if I shoot Liam a text, he will see it in the morning. I run back to my room, to grab my cell.
‘Hi. It’s me, Gwen. Sorry, I did not call earlier, but I only just now got your message. Let me know what you have in mind.’
I walk back toward the kitchen to make my tea when the phone sounds with a notification.
‘Hi, I was thinking dinner for 7 pm?!?!’
‘Sounds perfect.’
‘Good! I will pick you up at 6:30.’
‘I will be waiting! Good night’
‘Sweet Dreams’
I put the phone down, make my tea, and head to the back porch…Now; I'm really going to have trouble sleeping.
***
Up early the next morning, I run into town to grab my groceries for the week then stop at Jenny’s for some fresh pastries. I am standing in line, waiting to order my coffee, when a whisper comes over my shoulder.
“Well, if it isn’t Emerson’s one and only Gwen Batin.” I turn quickly and immediately a huge smile comes to my face.
“Kai Adair, when on earth did you get back to town?” I said moving closer to give him the biggest hug I could offer.
“Late last night, my mom didn’t even know until this morning when I walked into the kitchen; she almost had a heart attack.”
I let out a laugh, “I can imagine. I had dinner with Maia last night; she never mentioned you coming home?”
“No, I kept it pretty hush, hush. I only told Liam, so he could start looking at place’s for me.”
“You’re not going to stay with your parents?” I ask, only because I know how much Maia would prefer he did.
“I will until I find something, but I need a place to call my own. As much as I love my mother; you know very well how she can be. I’ve had a taste of independence, and I want more” We let out a joint chuckle.
I know exactly…Maia is a wonderful woman, but when it comes to her kids, she can be a little…suffocating.
“Do Ben, Ewan, and Thea know your home?”
“I saw Thea this morning getting ready to go out with Grace; she was as excited as my mom was. Ben and Ewan, if they didn’t know they will after my mom gets a hold of them.”
“I can imagine she is probably beyond herself, with all of her kids’ finally all together.”
“Well, I’m sure I will hear about it all Tuesday morning when she comes in for her weekly nail appointment.”
“…or maybe when my brother takes you out tonight?” he mentions with a suggestive wiggle to his brow.
“He told you?” I ask, not sure, why I am surprised; it’s not as if it was some secret.
“Of course, he did. He wanted to make sure I knew the most beautiful woman in Emerson was off limits.” He replies with a devilish grin
I let out a laugh, “Well, you certainly didn’t lose your charm.”
I look at the counter when my names called, “That’s me!”
I walk over and grab my order, and turn back to Kai with a small pout, “Unfortunately, I have to head out, but we need to get together so we can have some bestie time, I’ve missed you. Also, I want to hear all about how the training went.”
“I’m due for a cut… do you have time this week?” he asks.
“Absolutely! Give me a call or pop in.”
“Sounds good,” he replies waving, as I walk away.
I can’t believe he never told me he was coming home; that’s Kai for you. It was not too long after Ben, Kai and I became close that Kai had to leave for more training, it was sad to see him go, but we stayed in touch as often as we could.
As I am heading to my car, I hear my name. Turning, I see Ben and Ewan coming towards me.
“Hey, I thought they were supposed to put out a heat warning when you two were out together?” I playfully utter as they approach.
Now both walking with an embellished swagger, Ewan’s eyes pop with excitement. “Kai’s back.”
“I know! I just saw him at the coffee shop a moment ago.” I can see they are both as excited as I was about his return; we all missed having Kai around.
“Mom is thrilled. I’m sure you will be hearing from her soon.” Ben advises with a telling laugh.
I nod, “Oh I don’t doubt it.”
“So, I hear my brother finally got a clue and asked you out,” Ewan says with a smirk
“Are there any secrets with you boys?” I question, already knowing there is nothing that goes undiscussed amongst them or the whole Adair household for that matter.
“Nope!” They both reply in unison
I grin and give my head a shake, “Well I hate to leave, but I got to get heading home. “
“Ok…hey, now that Kai’s back, let’s all get together and do something?” Ben mentions
“Works for me, you all know my schedule,” I reply quickly, shooting them a wave as I get in my car to make my way home.
***
It’s only one o’clock. I still have a few hours before Liam is here to pick me up. I decide to check my email and maybe update the salon website I started last year to help with pulling in some of the potential clientele from the surrounding areas. I open my email first, noticing there is a message from an unspecified account from the library server in New York. I right click on it first to run it through my virus protection, and then when it comes through clean, I open it.
‘My Dear,
It is with a heavy heart I am informing you of your mothers’ passing. Recently diagnosed with lymphoma, given only a few months to live, she did not suffer. I know this will be hard for you, but your Mother was clear, I was not to contact you or your sister before now.
There will not be a service, as per her request.
I have not informed Matilda. I felt maybe; this is something you would prefer to tell her.
My deepest sympathies. Know you are always in my thoughts, sweet child, and I pray every day for your safety and happiness.
Sincerely,
Uncle Martin
I sit back in my chair and look at the email again. Is this for real…she’s gone? She can’t be gone. We were supposed to be a family again one day when this nightmare was over. I feel the tears come to my eyes and don’t hold back, letting them fall. I sit there lost in my thoughts, thinking about how it all turned out this way. Did she know she was sick before, and not say anything? Was she scared? I need answers, but I know that will never happen. I shut down my computer, wipe my tears and text my sister Ati, that I will be coming up today for a quick visit. I do not let on much in the text; I want to tell her this in person.
Matilda and I have become very close over the past two years. Since she contacted me that one day two years ago, and I went down the following Sunday, we made a deal that I would be up once a week. Last year she came home for Christmas for a few days, and we had a family celebration of our own. We decided this would become a tradition...No matter where we were, or what we were doing, those few days we would be together. It was a little awkward at first when we met. Ati, as she prefers, was already comfortable with the idea of having a sister, already having a few years to prepare. Myself, well I only had a few weeks, but within moments, she warmed my heart. I have never met a person with such optimism and love for life. She was a breath of fresh air, but most of all she gave me something I was missing...Family! It helped me feel complete, giving me hope for the future. I now have someone in my life to live for…she needed me, and I needed her.
***
I pull into Albrecht Prep, park the car, and make my way into the entrance. Charles, the security guard, is operating the desk today. He is an older man, balding and a tad round. I am not too sure he would be able to ward off any imminent threats, but he helps keep an eye on Ati for me, so I love him all the same.
“Gwen, so nice to see you!” he greets as I walk up to his desk.
“Hi Charles, how have you been? I’ve missed you the past couple times I’ve been up.”
With a grin reaching ear to ear, he replies. “Same old, same old…the Mrs. keeps on hounding me to retire, but I told her I would miss your beautiful face every week.”
I give my head a shake and smile, “You know Charles, you’re lucky she puts up with your flirtatious ways…she’s a good woman.”
“That she is. I struck gold with her!” He hits the buzzer to open the door. “Go on up Gwen; she is waiting for you.”
Thanking him, I give a quick wave and make my way to Ati’s room. I stop in front of her door to take a deep breath before I knock, but she must have heard me. She throws open the door, jumping into my arms with a huge embrace. “Gwen!” I squeeze her in return.
I walk in the room, which looks as though the tail end of a hurricane swept through, but as Ati likes to say, it is her unique way of filing; I call it, organized chaos.
“So, what’s up? Your message was kind of vague,” She asks, walking around the room going through the motions of trying to tidy up.
I hesitate for a moment trying to think of the best way to tell her, and then realize there is no ‘best way.’ “Ati, Mom has passed away.” I wait for some sort of outburst, emotional breakdown...screaming. Really, any sign she has understood what I have said, but nothing comes.
She looks at me with confusion in her eyes, still trying to process my words. “Ati?”
“Are you sure?” is all she says, as I see the realization of my words hit her.
I merely nod. Walking closer to Ati, I wrap her in my arms and remain there for what seems like forever, and then I feel the shaking motion of her shoulders as she lets out a quiet cry. After she composes herself, I explain everything I know from the email, and then we talk about what will happen now.
“Can I come to live with you now?” Ati has asked this before, but we always decided, it was best for her to finish out at Albrecht, but now I want the only person I have left, with me. Then I remember Mom and Uncle Martin saying Albrecht is the safest place for Ati.
“Ati, you know I would love for you to come home, but this is the best place for you. You will be going into your final year in a couple of months, and then you will be off to university; trust me; time will fly
by.” She only nods in agreement, but I can see it’s not what she wants.
I stay a little while longer while Ati and I chat about what has been going on in school, her preparing for the coming year, and I tell her all the gossip I hear about at the Salon; It’s not like she knows whom I’m talking about. After a couple of hours and some tears shed, I make my way back home to Emerson, leaving a piece of me behind…As much as I know it’s for the best; I’m with Ati…I want her to come home, but just like everything else, this isn’t my decision.
Chapter Five
-Liam-
I have imagined this day in my head for a while now, every time a different version of how it would happen. So, needless to say when the opportunity presented itself to ask Gwen out, I took it...there was no way I was passing it up.
As I am getting out of the shower, my phone starts to ring, “Adair Here.”
“Hey Liam, it's Flynn. We need you to come down to the station” I can hear the concern in his voice.
“What’s going on?” I asked, curious as to what has Flynn so bothered and pulling me in on a Sunday.
“We got a file handed to us from the FBI’s New York office; it’s not good. They have sent out a profile to all the major cities and surrounding towns. Chief called and said he wants you here A.S.A.P.”
I run my hand down my face, “I’ll be right there.”
Hitting end on my phone, I take a deep breath. Great, just what I didn’t need. I hope I don’t have to cancel with Gwen, but this is what I signed up for when I decided to take the Detective’s position in Emerson.
***
Arriving at the station, the Chief greets me. “You’re here...this must be bad.”
He nods as we walk to his office. Once we enter, Flynn hands me a file. I take a quick look and give my head a shake, “I have to make a quick call, I had plans’ this evening, but it looks like I’m going to have to cancel them.”
“Sorry, Adair!” Flynn says.
“No worries! It’s my job, Flynn.” I give him a friendly slap on the back and head to a quiet area to call Gwen. Emily never understood when work would put a damper on plans we had made; I hope it’s not the same with Gwen.