It was a nippy, overcast day. I was hoping the meteorologists were right about their timing. I wanted to be home safe and sound before we got the twelve to fifteen inches they were predicting.
I waved to Easton and what looked like his out-of-town family from Chicago, plus their kids playing football in their front yard as we drove by. I’m sure Taylor was inside cooking. I hoped she was taking it easy. Poor thing only had six weeks left before the baby’s due date. They were barely getting settled in the new house, which was gorgeous by the way. It had Southern charm written all over it. I was helping with her baby shower the following week. I knew she thought she was too old for one, but she hadn’t had a baby in over seventeen years; she deserved a baby shower.
I turned up the Christmas music on the radio and we made our way out of Merryton.
Drew was as talkative as ever on the ride over. “Are we putting up our tree tomorrow?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I can’t wait until Christmas. I need to write my letter to Santa.”
I wasn’t looking forward to telling him Santa didn’t exist. I debated on telling him this year, but I wanted the magic to last a little bit longer. I wanted him to stay my little boy forever, but I knew it wasn’t possible. “Do you know what you’re going to ask for?”
He didn’t even need a second to think. “The Millennium Falcon Lego set, a new bike, and video games.”
“Well, I hope you’ve been a good boy.”
“Mom, you know I have.”
“You’re the best.”
“Do you think Andrew can come over for Christmas?”
“Honey, we are going to be in Arizona with Grandma and Grandpa. Besides, Andrew is really busy with work right now.” I looked in the rearview mirror and caught a glance of his disappointed face.
“Well, maybe he can come to Arizona.”
I’m sure my parents would love that. “Not this year, bud. But we’re going to have a great time.”
“Okay.”
I wondered when this all settled out if Andrew was going to want to share holidays or have Drew to himself for some of them. I supposed if he ever married, he would. The thought made me ache to my core. I couldn’t imagine spending any holidays away from Drew.
Drew and I enjoyed singing Christmas carols as we literally drove over the river and through the woods to his grandmother’s. He had no idea that’s what we were really doing, but there you go.
When we pulled up to Evelyn’s house, my jaw dropped. It looked like a chateau placed in the middle of the most beautiful plot of forested land. She had a circular driveway that surrounded an oasis of strategically placed boulders and perfectly shaped pine trees. The landscape was incredible, even in the winter. The house was made of wood, but had amazing stone arches around all the doors, including the garage doors.
Drew was anxious to get out of the car and see Andrew. We knew he was there; he had called us on our drive. I thought he might be more excited than Drew.
I pulled around the drive and parked close to the path that led up to the stone-walled porch and front door. Drew and Jake were out before I turned off the car. I was going to tell him to wait, but it was a lost cause. He jumped out with his trophy and dog and ran toward the front door. Andrew was already coming out to meet us, and Drew ran straight into his arms.
I sat in my car and watched. It was a touching scene—father and son, together again. Andrew held Drew tighter than he ever had before. You could tell he didn’t want to let go.
I didn’t want to let go, either.
As soon as Andrew released him, Drew showed off his trophy.
I decided I should get out of the car. I grabbed the flowers and the pie and walked toward the dynamic duo. At least Jake still loved me, or maybe he was sticking by my side because he smelled the pie. I was almost to the pair when Andrew looked up and we locked eyes. “Hi.” I smiled.
He walked toward me, but didn’t smile back. His amber eyes were warm and inviting as he neared. It made me feel all tingly again. I was glad the flowers distracted him. “You really shouldn’t have.”
“These are for your mom.” I handed him the pie. “This is for you, as requested.”
Then he did something he had never done before. He bent down and kissed my cheek. “Thank you.”
Major tingles. I sighed like I had been thoroughly kissed, which was sad. “You’re welcome.” I had to catch my breath.
“Andrew!” Drew got his attention back where it belonged.
Andrew smiled at me before turning back to our son. “Ready for some batting practice?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re supposed to play football on Thanksgiving. I think it’s a rule.”
“Not in this house,” Andrew informed me.
“Yes!” Drew shouted.
Andrew led us toward the front door. “Let’s get your mom out of the cold first.”
I was eager to see the inside of the picturesque home.
We were greeted right away by the lovely Evelyn. She beamed at the sight of her grandson. “I’m so happy you made it.” She looked like she had already been busy in the kitchen. She was wearing the cutest red and white polka dotted apron that looked straight out of an I Love Lucy episode.
I handed her the bouquet of flowers. “Thank you for inviting us.”
She smiled wide and hugged me before taking the flowers. The Turners were being quite affectionate. I found I liked it.
I hugged her in return. “What can I help with?”
“Follow me.”
“Make sure you keep your coat on,” I instructed Drew before heading to the kitchen with Evelyn.
“I don’t need no stinkin’ coat, Mom. I’m a man.” He had moved on from big boy to man.
I arched my eyebrow at my son. “Is that so?”
He nodded once, sternly.
“Well, okay. Have fun getting cold.”
“Maybe you should take it, just in case,” Andrew suggested.
Drew shook his head.
Andrew and I smiled at each other. The temperature outside was only in the thirties. I wondered how long he was going to last.
“See you guys later.” I walked toward the kitchen only to be pulled back by Andrew, who caught my hand as I passed by.
“Don’t miss me too much.”
I shook my head at his arrogance.
He laughed that booming laugh of his. “We won’t be out too long. Then I’ll show you who is king of the kitchen.”
“I hope your head doesn’t get stuck going out the door.”
“I’ve missed you,” he called back. Drew was dragging him out the door.
I walked past the formally decorated living room with the peaked ceilings, to the to-die-for kitchen where Evelyn was waiting for me. She was arranging the flowers in a crystal vase.
“These are beautiful; they’ll make the perfect centerpiece for our meal this evening.”
“I’m glad you like them. I love fall colors.”
“Me, too.” She looked up at me from her island. “You know what else I love?” she asked.
“What?”
“I love that you hold your own with my son, and how happy you make him.”
“It’s Drew, not me,” I stuttered.
“You think so?”
I nodded, barely.
She smiled as if she knew a secret.
There was a moment of awkward silence. “What’s left to be done?”
“Andrew has the turkey brining already. He’s going to make a maple-glazed turkey this year, with a bourbon-pecan gravy.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize we were going to be eating like we were starring on the Food Channel.”
“He does get carried away, but it’s always well worth it.”
“Did he like to cook when he was younger?”
“Oh no. That all came when he was older.”
“After he met Heidi?”
She looked surprised I knew about her. “Yes, Heidi.”
I joined her at
the island. “Did you like her?”
She thought for a moment. “She was nice enough. We got along.”
“So, you didn’t like her?”
“You are a smart woman,” she said with a smile. “I didn’t feel like she was the right woman for him, but that was his choice. I always promised myself I would do my best to love any woman Andrew brought into our family.”
“I know I have a long time before I have to worry about it, but I sometimes think about the woman that will steal Drew’s heart.”
She reached across the island and rested her hand on mine. “When it is the right woman, it makes it easy.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” Had Andrew brought home the right woman before? The thought kind of made my heart drop.
She squeezed my hand a tad. “Maybe not experience, but from a place of great hope.”
“Here’s to hoping both of our sons find the right woman someday.”
“You know, Andrew and I made the pies last night, and he has everything else pretty much covered. Why don’t you follow me? There are some things I would like to show you.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “Can I get a tour of your beautiful home while we’re at it?”
She laughed. “You and I are going to be the best of friends.”
Chapter Nineteen
Evelyn and I spent a lovely day sipping wassail and going through Andrew’s life in photos while Drew and Andrew cooked and watched football. Every once in a while, Andrew would pop his head in the den, which was in the English-style basement, but his mom always shooed him away. I thought he was becoming frustrated. He was acting like a kid who wanted his friend to come out and play.
After about the fourth time, she grinned at me. “I think someone has missed you. And I wouldn’t mind some time with my grandson. What do you say we head upstairs?”
“Okay, but first would you tell me about this picture?” I handed her a photo of Andrew’s dad, Oliver, standing in front of The Front Range Boys Home.
She took the photo and lovingly looked it over. “Oh … This was Oliver’s crowning achievement as state representative. He worked for years to get the funds and land to build the boys’ home. Once it was complete, he spent hours there volunteering, even after he retired his seat. He felt like every kid deserved a chance at a better life.”
“You must have been very proud of him.”
“I was. He was the best husband and father a woman could hope for. Don’t get me wrong, he drove me crazy, but he was a compassionate leader. I think Andrew will be the same.”
I sighed. I didn’t want to think about Andrew running.
“I know,” she said. “The timing isn’t good.”
“Not at all,” I responded.
“Together, we will all make it work.”
“I hope so. Thank you for sharing your life with me today and showing me pictures I can tease Andrew about later.”
“My pleasure, dear. I’ve been looking forward to the day Andrew brought someone home that I could.” She stood up and stretched after that unusual statement. “Let’s go find our boys. I hope you don’t mind, but I bought Drew a few presents. I wanted him to have some things to play with here.”
“I don’t mind at all. That was very considerate of you, thank you.”
“I’m looking forward to the day I can tell him who I am, and kiss him all over.”
“Don’t be offended if he doesn’t appreciate the kisses,” I warned her.
“I won’t let it bother me … or stop me.” She locked up the den as we exited. We decided it was best for Drew not to go in there until he knew the truth about Andrew. I swear he and Andrew were twins born several years apart.
When we emerged from the stairs and into the family room, Andrew’s eyes lit up. He and Drew were sitting comfortably next to each other like the best of friends. Drew was holding the signed football Andrew had gotten for him a few weeks ago.
I paused at the scene. They looked so natural together, like this was the way it had always been.
“Finally,” Andrew said.
“She’s all yours.” Evelyn nudged me forward.
I wouldn’t say I was all his. I had a feeling, though, she liked the thought. And maybe sometimes I did, too, if I was being honest with myself.
Andrew jumped up from sitting next to Drew, who was engrossed in the game. Drew looked content to be hanging out with his buddy, as he thought of him. He looked like he had warmed up from earlier in the day. Andrew said Drew had tried to make it as long as he could outside without his coat. He was trying to prove his manhood, I guess. That lasted for about twenty minutes.
“Smells terrific,” I commented.
“I helped make the turkey.” Drew looked as proud as he could be. He looked that way a lot when Andrew was around.
“I can’t wait to taste it.”
“Do we need to check the turkey again?” Drew asked Andrew. He seemed serious about it.
Andrew looked at his protégé. “Do you mind if I let your mom help this time? We don’t want her to feel bad.”
He shrugged noncommittally. “I guess.”
“I was hoping you and I could get to know each other better, Drew,” Evelyn rang in. “I may have a surprise or two for you in that closet.” She pointed across the room.
Drew magically forgot about the turkey and raced to the closet. We all watched in anticipation as Drew pulled out a racecar set and a remote control robot.
“I think we will be busy, if you two want some time alone.” Evelyn looked between Andrew and me.
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I was happy to help in the kitchen. I wasn’t looking at it as spending time alone with Andrew. I stood there, speechless, trying to process it—and my feelings about Andrew.
Andrew, on the other hand, reached for my hand and pulled me forward. “Thanks, Mom.” He looked toward our son, who was in awe of his new gifts. “Save me the red car. We’ll race later.”
Drew barely muttered something.
“Drew, what do you say to Miss Eve?”
He didn’t say anything. Instead he stood, ran to her, and hugged her.
I didn’t expect that at all. I don’t think any of us did.
Evelyn was barely containing her tears as she held him to her, and stroked his hair.
Andrew pulled on my hand again. “Follow me.”
There was a whole lot of touching going on in this house.
Why Andrew felt the need to keep a hold of my hand while he led us to the kitchen, I didn’t know. Kind of like I didn’t know why I let him. That’s what I kept telling myself, because his touch had me feeling things I craved, and not just from anyone.
The closer we got to the kitchen, the hungrier I got. “It really does smell divine.”
“Drew’s a great cook.”
“Thanks for being so good with him, and being so good for him.”
Andrew stopped us in our tracks outside of the arched kitchen entrance. His normally playful eyes were now anything but. “Do you mean that?” He pulled me closer.
A little tingly there. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”
He ran his large but smooth hand along my cheek as our eyes locked.
Add some more tingles, and maybe some stiffness—I wasn’t sure how to react to him.
“It’s just me,” he whispered, sensing my reaction.
And that was the problem. “We need to be careful.”
“You’re right … but I’m finding I don’t want to.”
“Me, either,” I admitted.
We were saved by the buzzer, literally. A kitchen timer went off, making us both jump. Andrew laughed at our reactions. I needed to come to my senses.
“Maybe we should stick to creating heat in the kitchen,” he suggested.
“That’s probably a good idea.”
Andrew took the turkey out of the oven and checked the internal temperature of the roasted bird. “It’s almost done. We should probably start on the potatoes and g
ravy.”
“I’ll peel potatoes,” I volunteered.
Andrew showed me where everything was that I needed to make the brown butter potatoes. I noticed he was keeping his distance. He pointed from across the kitchen, which was for the best. I felt a desire to want to be near him, and it confused me.
As I was peeling the potatoes, I looked out the kitchen window above the sink. The grounds were stunning. The tiered backyard design, which backed up to the forest, was breathtaking. But then I saw something that made me groan.
“What’s wrong?” Andrew asked.
“I see flurries already. It wasn’t supposed to start snowing until much later tonight.”
Andrew joined me by the sink, but maintained a good distance between us. “Hopefully it will stay light for now, but if not, Drew and you are welcome to spend the night.”
I stared up at him. “That’s definitely not a good idea.”
“And why’s that?”
Have I mentioned how alluring his voice could be? And those eyes. Eyes I was beginning to read. Eyes that were making me wish I didn’t understand what was written in them. Eyes that were inviting me in, and making me want to accept the invitation.
I swallowed my beating heart down. “I need to get home.”
He inched closer. “Do you really? I thought your office was closed tomorrow.”
“It is, but—”
“But, what?” He removed almost any distance there was between us.
“I don’t want to worry anyone.”
“That’s what phones are for.”
“I suppose.”
He ran the back of his hand down the length of my cheek. “You suppose?”
I nodded, because speaking seemed impossible with him so near.
“You’re blushing.” He spoke in intimate tones.
I felt my warm cheeks.
He took my hands and held them away from my face. “It looks lovely on you.”
“Andrew.”
“Rachel.”
“We should probably finish dinner.”
“What if I want my dessert first?” He pulled my hands to his lips and kissed them with the lightest of touches.
Heat coursed through my body like it never had before. I kept telling myself to pull away, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. “What are we doing?”
Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) Page 16