“I’m taking the week off, so I can take you there. My left foot is the one that’s hurt, so I can still drive.”
She let her head tilt to the side. “Is this really real? You and me?”
Gray kissed her, more intensely than the ones before. “I hope so. But if it’s a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.”
20
Even though Mama Beach had buzzed him through the gate at the entrance to the complex, Gray knocked on the front door to his aunt and uncle’s house.
“Come in,” Mama Beach called.
Gray went into the house and, unsurprisingly, found himself wrapped in one of his aunt’s famous hugs.
After a minute or so, he felt the tension drain out of his shoulders. Another moment later, she finally let go.
“Sit in the recliner,” she told him. “Prop that leg up.”
Grateful, Gray did as he was told. His doctor’s appointment had gone well, but he still needed to rest his ankle whenever possible.
“Thanks, Mama Beach.” He flipped the handle so the footrest popped out.
Mama Beach settled into her own chair with her feet up on an ottoman. “How are you feeling?”
They spent several minutes talking about Gray’s recovery from his severe weather ordeal, but then Mama Beach cut to the chase.
“How are you doing romancing your wife?”
If he’d been drinking something, Gray would have choked. “What?”
“Romancing your wife.” She arched an eyebrow at him, giving him the same look she had many times when he was younger. “You’re falling in love with her, aren’t you?”
Gray sighed. “I want to be, but I’m not sure I am. I love her, but I’ve always loved her.”
“Have you kissed her yet?”
Gray felt his nose wrinkle. “Maybe?”
Mama Beach snorted. “Maybe? If that’s the answer you’re going with, maybe you need to learn how to kiss better.”
His cheeks heated. “Well, she’s injured very badly. It’s going to be weeks before she’s back to normal. I don’t want to kiss her better than I did the other day and maybe start something she’s not able to finish right now.” He’d never thought about it in exactly those terms, but it was a verbalization of the thoughts he hadn’t quite put into words.
“So? Romancing her doesn’t only have to do with physical. Kissing doesn’t even have to lead to anything more than kissing. Did you ever kiss Jazz or any of the other girls you’ve dated?”
He was sure he turned even brighter red under her intense gaze. “Yeah.”
“Did it ever go any farther than a kiss or two?” The look she gave him rivaled the one she’d given him when he was a kid and took an ink pen to her new couch.
“No.”
“That’s what I thought. So why is it any different with Tessa?”
“We’re married, for one. For another, I’ve never really thought about kissing her until recently. She’s always been my friend but never a romantic interest.”
“So?”
The way his aunt said it irritated Gray. Like attraction was something that could be turned off and on like a spigot.
“So, I’ve known her almost my whole life. It’s that easy?” She wouldn’t brook defiance, but Gray thought he walked the line successfully.
Until her look intensified. “No. Not just like that, but is she your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Are you ever planning to cheat on her?” This was said with a raised eyebrow.
“No.” The very question offended Gray.
“Do you want children?”
“Yeah.”
“Does she?”
“I think so.”
Mama Beach snorted. “I thought you’d known her your whole life. Shouldn’t you know?”
“I have. I do. She wants to be a mom.” This time he passed defiant into obstinate.
“Then you know you’ll have to do more than kiss her someday.” Now the stern mom-look changed back to a smirk.
“I know that. But we’ve only been married a few weeks, and she’s been injured, severely, most of that time.”
“So?”
He almost growled in frustration.
“You can still court your wife, even if she’s not physically able to do more than kiss. Romance is about a lot more than just that. I know you know that.”
Gray’s shoulders slumped. “I know. But I’m not sure how to do that.”
“What does Tessa like in a date? What does she find romantic? What makes her feel loved?”
Gray had to think about that. He’d never considered what kinds of ways Tessa felt loved. She liked it when he took care of things so she didn’t have to. He knew she appreciated that he’d handled so many things for her while she was hurting, but was that showing love?
“I kissed her the other night,” he admitted. “After we got home from the hospital, we both fell asleep early then woke up in the middle of the night. We talked for a while and agreed we wanted more than what we have right now, that we want to fall in love and be real.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know what that looks like.”
Mama Beach nodded as she turned that over in her head. “You should probably start by taking her on a date.”
His aunt had a point. “That was what started the uncomfortable few days before Pop Pop died, though. I asked her if we should try dating. She thought it was ridiculous.”
She shrugged. “Times change. Try asking her out now and see what happens. If you’ve already kissed repeatedly and talked about making it a real marriage, then I’d think you might get a different answer this time.”
He needed time to think about that. Maybe he should ask her out on a date.
But where could they go?
He almost chuckled to himself. There was only one possible answer.
Madi stood in the doorway with her arms crossed as Tessa walked out of the bathroom. “Feeling better?”
Tessa walked slowly toward the door holding a partially full basket of laundry. “Somewhat, but a full basket would be too much, I think.”
The day before, her doctor had told her to resume normal activities as much as possible, but not to push it. It would still be a few weeks before she should expect to be fully back to normal. He even suspected she might have torn something rather than just bruising everything.
Madi took the laundry basket. “Let me help.”
“Thanks, but aren’t you supposed to be working?”
Madi shrugged. “I got a lot done the last couple of days while you two slept. I’m ahead of my deadline, and it’s just a self-imposed deadline anyway.”
“How’s the movie coming?”
“I really have no idea. I need to start figuring out what we’re going to do the night it airs, but my preference would be to stay home or go over to Mama Beach’s house. Something low key. I feel like I’m expected to have a big to do though.”
“Get one of the rooms at the equestrian center? That’s nicer than the Trumanville community center.”
“Maybe.” Madi sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m not sure I’ll know when the premiere date is until too late to do something like that. Even then I know of other people who had a date and then it changed later. I need something free or cheap that has lots of openings should it change.”
“I’ll think about it. If it was a summer movie, I’d say we show it out here on the side of the barn, but that won’t work in November or December.” Tessa sat on the edge of the bed next to Madi. “What else is bothering you about it?”
Madi sighed and stared into the laundry basket. “If some of the local celebs come, even just Harrison, there’s a real chance it gets photographed and put on the gossip sites.”
“So?” Tessa shrugged. “Smile and wave is what Lani said to do.”
“I’ll be dateless.”
There it was. “That’s what’s really bothering you?”
Madi didn’t look at Tes
sa. “I can usually ignore the ignorant reviews and comments. I’m kind of open online about the fact that I’m single and haven’t dated in a while. I don’t know that I’d be public about starting to date someone, but once it turned serious, I’d mention it. Maybe. Maybe after getting engaged.”
“But someone said some unkind things?” Tessa reached over and rested her hand on Madi’s shoulder. “Whatever they said, they’re wrong.”
“You don’t even know what they said.”
“They’re still wrong.”
Madi sniffled. “Thanks, Tess. But several people messaging or posting on my author page within a week of each other saying I shouldn’t be writing romance if I’m not happily married are hard to ignore.”
“I can appreciate that. But ignore them. They’re wrong.” She squeezed Madi’s shoulder then let go and put her hand in her lap. “You’ve dated. Were in love. Were practically engaged, but thank goodness you weren’t because he was kind of a...” Tessa didn’t finish the sentence.
“I thought I was in love anyway. Now I wonder if I really was or if I was just in love with the idea of being in love, and he was convenient. But you’re right. I dodged a metaphorical bullet when we broke up.”
Madi blew out a breath and stood. “It’ll be fine. I’m fine. I really am. I just don’t want to show up at my movie event solo, you know? It’s a romance. The author of the ‘based on a book by’ book should at least have a date.”
“You’ve got several months. I’m sure we can find you a date before then, even if he doesn’t turn out to be the love of your life.” Tessa bumped Madi’s shoulder with her own. “I’d bet Grandma Vi could help you find someone. I’m pretty sure she’s been in matchmaker mode this year. She may - or may not - have had a hand in Brittany and Cole getting together.”
Madi gave Tessa a small smile. “She could probably find someone, but I’m not sure I’d want the guy she found. Mia and Lani both said they’re pretty sure she set them up earlier this year, and the dates were all duds.”
They laughed together then stood. It was easier for Tessa than it had been a week earlier, but still not normal.
At Madi’s request, Tessa filled another laundry basket to take downstairs. Tessa carried the lighter of the two and let Madi handle getting it started in the washing machine.
They sat in the living room and turned on an HEA TV movie when Tessa had a thought, but didn’t tell Madi about it. She could contact Christopher Bayfield and see if he had any ideas for how to do the movie viewing party. Surely he’d be able to help her come up with a plan.
About halfway through the movie, Tessa heard tires crunching in the drive. She didn’t think Gray should be back from his follow-up appointment yet, but that’s probably who it was.
They kept watching the movie - a rerun with a princess hiding out in a small Midwestern town after her uncle tried to usurp the throne. Technically, she wasn’t queen because her father hadn’t died in the car accident.
Tessa suspected her father would be right as rain by the time the end credits rolled.
“Do you want some popcorn?” Madi asked as the next commercial came on. “I can make us some.”
After thinking about it for a second, Tessa nodded. “That sounds good. Thanks.”
As Madi headed for the kitchen, footsteps could be heard on the front porch. Odd. And Gray hadn’t come inside yet. Even odder.
Then came the doorbell.
Tessa and Madi exchanged a puzzled glance, but Madi changed her path to go to the front door. Maybe it was a package. Tessa didn’t remember ordering anything, but Gray could have.
Madi spoke quietly to whoever it was before opening the door wider to let the person in.
Tessa just blinked for a second as she tried to assimilate the new information. “Heidi? What are you doing here?”
21
An extra car was in the drive when Gray pulled up after his doctor’s appointment. It looked familiar, but he couldn’t place it.
He hobbled inside to find Tessa and Madi sitting in the living room with a blonde.
Then she turned.
“Heidi? What are you doing here?” Gray gave Tessa a quick kiss before sitting down next to her. “Are you back from Paris for a visit?”
Heidi shook her head. “No. I’m back permanently, I think. The company I was working for eliminated my position when they were bought by someone else. I don’t have a job there anymore, so here I am. They said they’d call if something becomes available, but...” A single tear streaked down her cheek as she shrugged a single shoulder.
“I’m so sorry. That stinks. Is your visa only good if you’re working for that company or is there someone else you could work for?” Gray put his arm around Tessa. It wasn’t like Heidi to just turn tail and run home.
“I’ve looked some,” Heidi admitted, “but not a ton. There’s not a whole lot out there I’m qualified for, especially since I don’t speak truly fluent French yet.”
“Are you moving back in with Grandma Vi?” Tessa asked.
Heidi shrugged. “I don’t know. I was kind of hoping Sean would still want to get married, and we could live at the Beach House and split the property with you since it could have gone to either of us if we married one of the Beach brothers. Since we both would be, it makes sense to split it.”
The suggestion didn’t sit well with Gray, but he couldn’t put his finger on why. He could tell it didn’t sit well with Tessa either, though she didn’t say anything.
Madi laughed, though. “I don’t think that’s how it works, Heidi. Pop Pop didn’t say anything in the will about splitting the property, at least not that I’ve heard. If they wanted to sell it to you guys, then there’s a whole host of other issues including taxes because it hasn’t been their primary residence for the last two years.”
“Maybe I’ll talk to the lawyer,” Heidi said, almost to herself. “He’ll know.”
“You might want to talk to Sean first,” Gray told her. “He may not want to get married anymore. You kind of broke his heart when you said you weren’t coming home. I don’t know that he wouldn’t be interested in having a second chance at your relationship, but I also don’t know that he would.”
Something strange had been going on with his brother, but Gray had no idea what. He wasn’t going to be the one to tell Heidi that Sean appeared to be dating her cousin after such a short period of time.
“You know, Sean’s had a date to the last few things I’ve seen him at.” Madi apparently had no such compunction.
“Really?” Heidi’s tone was difficult to interpret. “Who?”
“Does it matter?” Tessa asked her softly. “It’s someone he’s known a long time. If anyone knows how easy it can be to go from friends to more, it’s me and Gray. I don’t know if that’s what’s happening with them, but it could be.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter who it is.” Heidi’s shoulders slumped. “I still want to talk to him, though. Try to work things out. But he won’t answer my calls or texts.”
“When did you start trying to get ahold of him?” Gray asked. “He’s been out of pocket for a while. I still don’t know how Mama Beach got in touch with him when I was missing. No one else could. I’m not sure when he’s expected back.”
“Missing?” Heidi apparently hadn’t heard.
She might be the only one. He’d even been mentioned on the news as “a missing Pond Creek County man found with only minor injuries.” Gray told the story quickly, not wanting to dwell on it.
“I guess I’m going to go camp out at his place then.” Heidi stood. “Wait for him to come home. I stopped by there earlier, but his SUV wasn’t there.”
“We’ve been driving it. I couldn’t get in and out of a lower vehicle. He’s been driving your car, actually.”
“Well, I’m going to need that back. I’m using Grandma Vi’s right now, but that won’t work for very long.” Heidi held out a hand. “Keys?”
Tessa just shook her head. “I gave them to
Sean. I can’t drive just yet anyway, so I didn’t need them.”
With that Heidi huffed and turned on a heel, stalking toward the door. “Fine. I’ll get my car back on my own. And my man. You’ll see.”
She snatched the door open then slammed it shut behind her as the three left in the living room shared wide-eyed looks.
“What was that about?” Madi looked at Tessa. “Did you have any clue?”
Tessa shook her head. “No idea. As far as I know, no one did. She probably just showed up at Grandma Vi’s house and surprised them. My parents are out of town for a few more weeks on Dad’s work trip to Europe. Well, they’re in the vacation part of it right now I think, but they won’t be back for a while. They were supposed to stop and see her next week, though.”
“I should try to warn Sean, even if he doesn’t reply.” Gray pulled his cell phone out and sent his brother a text before deciding to just call Mama Beach. She’d reached him the first time. She probably could now as well.
A few minutes later, Mama Beach had promised to do her best to pass the word on to Sean.
“That’s all we can do,” Gray told his sister and his wife. “What happens from here is up to them.”
The washing machine buzzed, and Madi stood up. “I got it.”
“Thanks, Mads.” Tessa leaned her head against his shoulder. “What did your doctor say?”
Gray gave her a quick recap as Madi went upstairs once the dryer had started. “There’s something else I want to talk to you about, though.”
“What’s that?”
“A date.”
Tessa turned her head to look up at him. “A date? What kind of date?”
“You and me. The last time we went to Savarino’s everyone else thought it was a date, but you were adamant it wasn’t. Let me take you again? I can’t dance, but at least we can go on a real date we both know is a date. What do you say?”
Tessa’s head rested on his shoulder again as her forefinger drew random patterns on his knee. “You, Mr. Beach, have yourself a date.”
The dress she wore last time they went to Savarino’s was really Tessa’s only choice, even though she felt more uncomfortable wearing it now that Heidi had returned. She’d also worn it to Brittany’s wedding, though. And that’s where things had, on several levels, begun to change with Gray.
Small Town Girls Don't Marry Their Best Friends: Contemporary Christian Romance (Beaches of Trumanville Book 3) Page 15