“I don’t know about you, but I’m failing miserably at not falling for you. You’re my toughest opponent yet, and imagining you in your underwear is only making the problem worse.” He grinned and I was finding it irresistible.
A tiny laugh escaped before I came to my senses. “Drew,” I said.
Andrew reluctantly dropped my hands. “I know.”
“I should finish the potatoes.”
He nodded and walked back toward the stove, leaving me feeling conflicted and breathless. I almost grabbed Drew right then and there to leave. How could I fall for Andrew Turner, the father of my son, of all people?
~*~
Evelyn knew how to set a fine table. Her dark, wood table with high-back white chairs were elegant all on their own, but add fine china and silverware, along with a beautiful floral centerpiece, and you had a Thanksgiving dinner that looked worthy to be featured in Food and Wine magazine. Though a photo wouldn’t do it justice. You had to be there to know how amazing it smelled and tasted.
We all sat gathered together at one end of the table. I liked the cozy environment, even if Drew chose to sit by Andrew. It was probably a good thing. It meant I could focus on Drew and not his dad, who was increasingly coming into my focus. I wasn’t sure how that happened, but as I watched father and son, it made some sense. I could see Andrew’s adoration for Drew in all of their interactions. From the way he made Drew feel empowered, like he could do anything from carving the turkey, to saying grace over the food, to being a professional baseball player. He believed in Drew. He loved Drew, and that made me fond of Andrew. Fonder than I would have ever imagined.
“This is possibly the best Thanksgiving meal I’ve ever had,” I complimented the chef. I wondered if he was picturing me in my underwear from the way he was grinning.
“It was all Drew,” he responded, before the two high-fived.
Evelyn and I looked at each other, like what are we going to do with our sons?
Unfortunately, I knew what I needed to do with my son. “Bud, we should probably hurry up and finish eating so we can help clean up and head home.” The flurries were now light snow showers.
“Don’t worry about cleaning up, Andrew and I can handle that.”
“I’d feel terrible leaving you with that. The weatherman was wrong again,” I lamented.
“But Mom, Andrew and I didn’t get to play with my race track set yet.”
I was so torn. I knew this was probably the last time Drew and Andrew would see each other until the election was over. I could see in Andrew’s eyes he wanted that one last moment with his son before we had to depart. March seemed so far away. “Why don’t you play with Andrew for thirty minutes while I help Miss Eve clean up?”
Drew and Andrew darted toward the family room without saying a word.
Evelyn and I handled her family heirloom china with care as we walked toward the kitchen. “Those two remind me so much of Oliver and Andrew when he was that age.”
“It’s going to be hard on Drew not to see him for a while.”
“It will be hard on Andrew as well. He will miss both of you,” she added.
I gently set the plates I held on the counter. “I suppose I will miss him, too,” I reluctantly admitted. “He has a way of growing on you, or maybe inundating you.”
She laughed. “He’s like his father in that way. If Oliver wanted something, he went for it full force. Never retreated.”
“I wish Andrew would see that dropping out of this race would be a win for him.”
“Me too, but he’s always been able to have his cake and eat it too. Oliver was the same way.”
“We’re talking about my little boy, though.”
She reached across the counter and took my hand. “I know, dear.”
Thirty minutes flew by. We barely had time to clear the table and properly store the leftover food. Mother Nature was much more effective than us. The light snow showers were now more like blizzard conditions. The good ole Colorado weather was notorious for how it could change in a matter of minutes.
“Drew, we really need to get going,” I called from the foyer. I was bundling up, ready to brush off my car before we made our trek home. Jake was obediently by my side.
After a minute, Drew and Andrew joined Evelyn and me. I could tell the two were downcast. They looked like they had both lost their best friend. Andrew kept his arm around Drew.
Evelyn went to the large window in her living room and pulled back the curtains. “Are you sure you should be driving in this?”
“I have four-wheel drive, and I’ve driven in this kind of weather before.” It wasn’t my favorite thing to do, but I could do it. It was going to be slow going for sure.
“Rachel, can I talk to you privately for a minute?” Andrew asked.
“Can you call me? It doesn’t look like this is going to let up anytime soon.”
He wasn’t taking no for an answer. He took my hand and led me to the kitchen.
“What’s all this about?” I asked when we reached the kitchen.
“I don’t feel good about you driving home in this. Please stay the night.”
“I appreciate your concern, but we’ll be fine. I promise.”
He shook his head in frustration. “At least let me drive you home in my Yukon.”
“How does that make any sense? Who’s going to bring my car to me? And by the time you get to my house, they may have closed the roads, and then you would be stuck. And we know how you can’t be seen with us.” My frustration was coming through, but I kept picturing my sad little boy.
He growled and ran his fingers through his hair. “If you’re asking if I would jeopardize my run to keep you safe, the answer is I would do anything to make sure nothing happened to Drew or you. Why do you have to be so stubborn? Will you please stay?”
“We didn’t come prepared to stay overnight. We’ll be fine.”
He marched off in a huff. “You’re infuriating.”
I followed right behind him. “Right back at ya.”
Neither Drew nor Evelyn were there. We didn’t have time for this. The roads were sure to be deteriorating fast.
“Will you please tell Drew to meet me out in the car?” I headed toward the door with my coat in hand.
Andrew was throwing on a pair of boots. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Didn’t we just have this conversation? I’m going to clear the snow off the car and then Drew and I are going home.”
“I’m taking you home.”
“I don’t need your chivalry.”
He stood up and hovered over me. His eyes were blazing mad. “Is that what you think this is?”
“Yes, and for your information, we’ve done fine all on our own. We don’t need a man in our lives.”
His liquid gold eyes went from blazing to fiery. He pulled me to him and I could feel the heat emanating off him. He inclined his head as if he were studying me. His eyes and poise were intimidating. “Maybe you don’t need me, but I need Drew.” He breathed deeply and thought for a moment. “And you.” It sounded like he was reluctant to admit it. “If something happened to either one of you, it would kill me. So whether you like it or need it, I’m taking you home.”
I stood, stunned, as he held on to my arms. I felt like a scolded child. I hadn’t stopped to think he was worried. I hung my head. “I’m sorry.”
He tilted my chin up with his hand. I found myself looking directly in those eyes again. There was still passion in them, but the fire was now a slow burning ember. “I’m sorry I can’t give Drew and you everything I want right now. I know this has been difficult for you, but it hasn’t been easy for me either.”
I was about ready to tell him we would stay when Evelyn and Drew reappeared. Andrew and I broke apart. Drew didn’t have any reaction, but Evelyn looked between the two of us with interest. With a subtle smile, she announced, “They’ve shut down the highway due to several accidents and low visibility.” She side hugged Drew. “Loo
ks like we get to build that robot after all.”
“Yes!” Drew responded.
I looked up at Andrew, who was visibly relieved.
I wasn’t sure how I felt, but it wasn’t relief.
Chapter Twenty
I watched Drew and Jake sleep on the four-poster bed in one of Evelyn’s guest bedrooms we were sharing. They were both tuckered out from playing in the snow with Andrew. I was dethroned in my son’s eyes tonight as the best snowman builder. Andrew easily took the cake. They built an eight-foot tall snowman, complete with button eyes and a pipe. It was his grandfather’s pipe, but Drew had no idea. All Drew knew was that Andrew was the best friend he had ever had.
They had invited me to come out and play with them, and normally I would have, but I opted to stay in with Evelyn and watch. I wanted Drew to have all the time he could with Andrew.
“He’s a natural with Drew,” I commented to Evelyn as we watched our sons.
“Oliver was the same way. When the nurse placed Andrew in his arms it was like this dad switch turned on. Does it bother you?” she asked candidly.
“Yes,” I answered with the same amount of candor, “but deep inside, I know this is how it should be. Drew deserves to have a father, and even more, one who is worthy to be his dad.”
“And do you think Andrew is deserving?”
I thought for a moment as I watched him hoist Drew up to place the eyes on their snowman. I observed their connection, the way they interacted with each other, the way they seemed to … love each other. I nodded silently to Evelyn’s question. I had a hard time admitting it out loud.
She took my hand in her elegant hand. “You know, it doesn’t take anything away from you. You’ve done an amazing job raising him.”
“Then why does it hurt so much?” I felt like a child.
She gripped my hand. “No matter how old we get, or they get, we never want to let our babies go, but this I know, their hearts belong to you in a way no one can replace. The love of a mother is powerful. It is one of the strongest forces on earth.”
As I watched Drew sleep, I delicately touched his hair and thought about Evelyn’s words of wisdom. I thought how I would move heaven and earth for him. I thought about his dad and his possible feelings for me and my feelings for him. Was he really falling for me? Did he need us? Did we need him? Did I want him? My biggest hesitation in dating had always been my worry that no man would ever love Drew like he was his son, but Andrew was my son’s father. Andrew loved him. He hadn’t said it, but I knew he did. Nothing short of love would have made Andrew react the way he did today. He was going to do anything he could to protect his son, to protect me. Even if I thought we didn’t need it.
I got up to change into some of Evelyn’s pajamas she was kind enough to lend me. Drew was sleeping in one of Andrew’s shirts. Andrew jokingly, or maybe not so jokingly, offered me another of his shirts. He mentioned it might push him over the edge if he knew I was sleeping in his shirt. I’m not sure why that was such a turn on for men.
The guest bathroom was twice the size of my master bathroom. It reminded me of Jessie and Blake’s bathroom with the rain shower, raised sunken tub, and natural stone tile. The floor was even heated. I needed to get on that. I made a mental note to ask Blake how much that would run me.
I washed my face and brushed my teeth before changing into the softest flannel pajamas I had ever worn, probably the most expensive, too. I noticed the designer tags inside the sky blue pajamas. Evelyn was a little taller than me and not as well endowed, so the sleeves and pants were too long, but the chest area was a little snug. I hoped I didn’t pop any buttons.
I had just thrown my hair up in a messy bun when there was a knock on our door. I rolled up my pant legs in a rush so I didn’t trip on my way to the door. I opened the door to find Andrew standing there in his Colorado Bears flannel pajama bottoms and long-sleeved black cotton shirt. He looked too good for my own good. His charming smile wasn’t helping, either.
He perused me as well. “I never thought I would say this to a woman, but you look great in my mom’s clothes.”
“They’re a little snug and long.”
“I hope you won’t hold this against me, but the snug part looks the best.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t notice.”
“You can pretend all you want, but I notice you.” He took my left arm and began to roll up the overly long sleeve for me. He did the same for the right side.
“So, can I help you with something?” I felt childlike again as he helped me with my clothes.
He looked over at our sleeping son. Love was written all over his eyes. “They look comfortable.”
I looked back at my son and his faithful dog. “What I wouldn’t give to sleep as peacefully as those two.” I looked back at Andrew, whose eyes contained mischief.
Andrew reached for my hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
I carefully considered taking his hand.
He, on the other hand, took no consideration at all. He took my hand and tugged on it. “You won’t want to miss this. I promise.” He turned off the lights, but left the door open to let the hall light in, in case Drew woke up while I was gone.
I let him lead me down the stairs to the living room, where all the lights were off, and the large picture window was front and center. It was the ideal view to watch the falling snow. It was made more perfect by the Christmas carols playing at low volume in the background, and the steaming mugs of hot chocolate I noticed on the coffee table in front of the couch that faced the window. The glow of the slow-burning fireplace only added to the ambience. I felt like I was in a Christmas card.
We each took a seat in the middle of the couch. We sat close, but not right up next to each other, which was a good thing. He had me feeling things I hadn’t in a long time. Things I wasn’t sure I should feel for him.
We didn’t say anything for several minutes as we sipped our dark hot chocolate with homemade whip cream. I was content to watch the snow fall and listen to Harry Connick Jr. serenade me on the surround sound, but I finally broke the blissful solitude.
“Your mom’s house is gorgeous.”
He set down his mug. “I’m glad you think so, since it’s mine.”
“Yours? I thought you lived in Highlands Ranch.”
“I do, but I had this built about five years ago for my parents, and for when I retire.”
“That was sweet of you.”
“I can be sweet.”
“I’ve noticed that about you.”
He turned toward me. “And what else have you noticed about me?”
I took a sip of my hot chocolate while I thought about that loaded question. “Well, for starters, you don’t lack confidence.”
He chuckled. “So you think I’m cocky?”
“That’s not what I said. I’ve never met anyone as self-assured as you. It’s not a bad thing. I think Drew is a lot like you in that way.”
“I love that kid.”
“I know you do.”
“I know that’s hard for you.”
“Since you’re his father, I would prefer that be the case, but yes, it’s difficult.”
He sat back and rubbed his neck. “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell him sooner rather than later. I’ve even considered just letting everyone know and see where the cards fall, but I’ve seen how brutal they’ve been to the representative that’s being ousted. I don’t want that for Drew or you.”
“Don’t you think it will be just as bad after the election?”
“No. Elections are more vicious, and with the right spin, it should be a flash in the pan.”
“The right spin?”
He turned his head toward me. “Don’t take that the wrong way.”
“How should I take it?”
“I’m not talking about lying. I’m talking about protecting all of us.”
“I don’t want Drew to be some cooked-up story.”
“
He won’t be, I promise.”
“And I don’t want my sister’s name dragged through the mud. You hold as much liability as she does in this situation.”
“I know. Don’t you think I wished I would have believed her or come looking for you earlier? I figured she would have contacted me again if she really thought the baby was mine.”
I took another long sip of the sweet drink before I set it down. I rubbed my face in my hands and breathed out in frustration. It seemed like there was no easy solution except … “I know you’re tired of me asking this, but do you really have to do this now? Isn’t being his father enough for you at the moment?”
“Rachel, finding out I’m Drew’s father is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It makes me want to be a better man. I look at running and serving in this capacity as being able to make a difference, to be the kind of man Drew can look up to.”
“He already looks up to you.”
“I know, but as he grows older, I want him to see that his dad tried to better lives. I want him to see that I fight for what I think is right. I can do this job. I want to be the man my father was. The man that helped the less fortunate and bettered his community, and not just by writing a check.”
I sighed. “Okay, Andrew.”
“Come here.” He held out his arm, waiting for me to snuggle into him.
I had some serious reservations about that and hesitated.
“I won’t bite you. Maybe nibble on you.” He laughed at himself.
I gave in and scooted closer.
He wrapped his arm around me, and my head landed on his shoulder. He ran his fingers down my arm. “Rachel, thank you for being patient and putting up with my circumstances. It will all work out, you’ll see.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“It will.”
“Maybe you are cocky,” I teased.
“There’s probably some truth there.”
We once again fell into a pattern of silence. I found myself comfortable in his arms and I was sleepy.
“Rachel,” he whispered into the quiet.
“Yes?”
“We should probably talk about us.”
Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) Page 17