Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3)

by Peel, Jennifer

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying this is over. We’re over. I want you to stay away from us.”

  “I have rights. You can’t keep me away from my son.” I had never heard him speak with such force.

  “Then I guess I’ll see you in court.” That sounded a lot braver than I felt. My heart had come up to my throat.

  “Rachel, I’m sorry. I don’t want to take you to court.” His tone had softened significantly. “Can you please just be patient with me? You and Drew mean the world to me.”

  “If that were true, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Goodbye, Andrew.”

  I heard him calling my name before I hung up on him. I dropped my phone, brought my knees up to my chest, and sobbed into my flannel pajamas. I cursed the day that Andrew walked into my life and the day Sydney wrote him that stupid letter. I hated myself for falling for him, and not being bolder when I should have been. I thought I was frightened before, but I was mistaken. I was terrified by what I had just set into motion, but if Andrew wanted a fight, he better gear up, because no one was going to come between me and my son.

  ~*~

  I was exhausted, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off Drew. He came through surgery like an all-star, but now he slept. He felt a little pain afterwards, so they gave him some medication in his IV to take care of it. I wished they could give me something for my pain. Any courage I’d had earlier had gone out the window. I’d had to turn my phone off. Andrew had called at least ten times. I let each call go to voicemail.

  I held the hand of the most precious thing in my life and begged God not to take him away and give him to his father. Despite all my shortcomings and mistakes, I had tried my best to be a good mother. Even these last several months, I had only tried to protect him. But in the end, it seemed like it was the wrong course of action. One he and I might pay dearly for. I worried, though, that maybe Drew would be okay living with his dad. I thought of his school assignment I had in my purse. It stung more now than ever to know he chose his dad over me. His dad, who cared more about himself than anyone else.

  I knew this was going to end badly. Sometimes I hated being right.

  I drifted off to sleep sitting on Drew’s bedside chair with my head on his hospital bed. I was woken up around seven in the morning by a knock on the door. I barely had time to raise my head before the intruder walked in, wearing his tuxedo, no less.

  I sat straight up and ran my fingers through my hair. I looked down at my gray flannel pajamas and the wet spot on Drew’s bed from all of my tears. I imagined my eyes and face looked like a puffy, red mess. “What are you doing here?” My voice sounded more like a croak.

  He froze in place from the icy reception. He may have been dressed to the nines, but he looked disheveled and worn. I guess I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t gotten any real sleep during the long night.

  He didn’t answer me. Drew stirred, and when he caught a glimpse of Andrew, my wishes for him to be gone were thrown out the window.

  “Andrew.” Normally Drew would have shouted that, but he still sounded a little groggy.

  Andrew moved forward. In a swift move, he was sitting on the other side of Drew and rubbing his arm, being careful not to disturb the IV. “I heard you aren’t feeling too well.”

  Drew’s smile definitely said he was still drugged. If the circumstances had been different, I would have laughed, but there was nothing comical about this situation. “I feel better now. I’m going to have some new scars.”

  I don’t know why scars were so cool to him. He liked the small one on his face from his football injury. These new additions were going to be a little bigger, which made them that much cooler to him.

  Andrew chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m glad you’re all right.” I could hear the emotion in his voice.

  “Does this mean I can tell people about you now?”

  Andrew looked my way before answering. I saw the pleading in his eyes. “Yes.”

  His answer shocked me. What about his campaign?

  He turned back to our son, who was sporting a huge grin. Andrew tried to return it, but he remained melancholy. “Hey, buddy, I can’t stay long right now, but I’ll be back as soon as possible. I have some things I want to tell you.”

  I guess the truth was finally going to come out.

  Andrew got up and kissed Drew on the forehead. He lingered and breathed him in. “I’ll see you soon.” He looked my way. “Can I please speak to you in the hall?”

  I reluctantly left Drew’s side and followed Andrew out. My heart was ready to beat out of my chest. I worried about the damage he could inflict on my small family of two. And I hated him for making me feel like three was ever a good number.

  We were met by a bright spot—Evelyn waited outside the door.

  “I had no idea you were here,” I said as she hugged me.

  I don’t know why, but that made me lose it again. I felt like I was being hugged by my mother, and now more than ever I needed her, but Evelyn would do for now. She held on tighter and I buried my head against her and let it all out. I didn’t worry that I was in a hospital hallway in my pajamas, no less, or that my ex—or whatever he was—looked on. I needed the comfort only a mom could give at that moment.

  “It will all be okay.” She tried her best to soothe me.

  After my last shudder, I stood upright and looked into her watery blue eyes. Even at seven in the morning, she looked elegant. At least she was dressed properly. She placed her hand on my waterlogged cheek. “I’m going to go in and check on my grandson.”

  I nodded and gave a weak smile.

  The nerves came back in full force after she disappeared behind the closed door. I did my best to muster up some courage and face the man that not only broke my heart, but had the ability to shatter it if he chose to sue me for custody. I wiped the moisture off my face, and met Andrew’s red and tired eyes.

  He stepped closer, but didn’t touch me.

  I used the wall as my support.

  “I’m sorry, Rachel.”

  I didn’t respond other than to keep looking into his amber eyes.

  “I have some things I need to take care of, but I’ll be back as soon as I can, if you will allow me to. The press may follow me.”

  “He needs to know the truth, and you should be the one to tell him.”

  He nodded his agreement.

  “Should I be hiring an attorney?” My voice cracked. I felt like my life was hanging in the balance and he could tip the scale.

  “I wouldn’t do that to you.” He closed the distance and kissed my cheek. I pulled away from him. His shoulders dropped in response. “Watch the five o’clock news. I’ll see you later.” He turned and headed toward the elevator.

  I watched him enter and the automatic doors closed. Wrapped up in my relief was a different kind of pain. It was a kind of hurt that I had never felt before. Andrew and I were over.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  I sank into my tub and tried to forget, for a few minutes, that my life was on display. Merryton loved a good scandal and I’d handed them one. My phone was ringing non-stop, and I had to make the hospital staff swear not to say a word to Drew. Unfortunately, this town was too perceptive. The moment Andrew walked into that hospital to visit Drew, coupled with my revelation from the day before, the pieces of the puzzle fell together all too easily. The worst part was, it had nothing on the exposure coming my way. Evelyn, who sent me home to get cleaned up and changed while she stayed with Drew, informed me that Andrew was dropping out of the race. I supposed that was why he wanted me to watch the news later.

  According to Evelyn, she was more than disappointed in her son’s reaction when I’d first called, and apparently he was, too. But all of that didn’t matter, as long as he made things right with Drew, and kept the courts out of it. I would do my best to endure the onslaught from the truth. More than anything, I needed the truth to be known.

  On the way back to the hosp
ital, I talked to my parents and Taylor. Both were sympathetic, and maybe some other feelings—like livid. My parents offered to come home early, but I asked them not to. I didn’t want them wrapped up in this mess I had made. And knowing Andrew had to be in our lives because of Drew, I figured it best to keep the parties separated for the time being.

  I walked into Drew’s room to find him sleeping again. Easton said he would be pretty sleepy today, but that was normal. Evelyn sat silently watching over him. She was ready for the truth to come out, too. She wanted all the perks of being a grandma.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked.

  I sat down next to her. “Better now that I’m clean and not running around in my pajamas. Thank you for staying with him.”

  “My pleasure.” She looked over her grandson. Her eyes screamed adoration. “Are you ready for all of this?”

  “Not even a little.”

  She turned my way and touched my cheek with all the gentleness of a mother. “It may not seem like it, but it will be short-lived. The next big news item won’t be far behind, and this will be a thing of the past. Just remember two little words.”

  “And what are those?”

  “No comment.” She smiled.

  I blew out a big breath. “I’ll remember.”

  Her hand dropped and she turned her attention back to Drew. “I wonder how he’s going to take the news.”

  I thought back to the essay he wrote. “I think he’ll take it better than any of us.”

  “I better get going. I’m headed to Denver to be with Andrew.”

  Pain swept through my heart at just the mention of his name. “Drive safe.”

  “He is sorry, Rachel.”

  “As long as he makes things right with Drew, that’s all that matters to me.”

  “Is it really?”

  I stared into her all-knowing eyes and tried to keep the tears at bay. “We were foolish.”

  “He was a fool, I’ll give you that. He knows he threw away the best thing that has ever happened to him.”

  “Drew is the best thing to ever happen to him.”

  “That one I won’t give you. Don’t get me wrong, children are wonderful, but to have a partner—to share a child with a partner—there’s nothing better than that.”

  I didn’t know what to say to her. For a while, I had thought I might get to experience that, but now I wasn’t sure.

  She stood up and stretched. “Can I come by tomorrow?”

  “Anytime. You’re always welcome. They should release Drew by then, so we’ll be home.”

  “I’ll bring dinner.”

  “Perfect. Thank you.”

  “We are still going to be the best of friends.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  She walked elegantly out the door.

  I yawned. I needed a nap, but I still wasn’t sure if sleep would come. I had never been so studied as when I walked back into the hospital. Oh, Sydney, you have no idea what you’ve done.

  I tried to rest my eyes, but nurses, as well as Easton, were in and out to check on Drew. He was doing great, but as evening approached, he was getting restless and wanted to be out of bed. Not even the video games I’d brought were keeping his attention. I was hoping to preoccupy him while I watched Andrew’s announcement on my tablet with earbuds. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and wanted to play it safe.

  I was saved by a visit from Taylor and Gage. While Drew showed off his scars and told his harrowing tale, Taylor and I sat on the small couch in the room. Our heads were close together and we each had one earbud in our ear. She was as curious as me. The livestream came up just as the newscast began.

  “The big news today is that Andrew Turner, candidate for District 43’s state representative seat, is dropping out of the race.”

  Taylor and I looked at each other with surprise. Who knew that would be their top story?

  “We have a team, live, at his press conference.” They switched over to the reporter on the ground. Andrew was in front of a podium with his mom standing close by. The backdrop was the municipal building in Highlands Ranch. There were several news teams there, as well as supporters. I saw several Andrew Turner for State Representative signs. I wondered if that helped him feel better or worse. The camera zoomed in on Andrew. He was no longer wearing the tux, but he looked as downtrodden in his dark suit and tie.

  “He really is attractive,” Taylor whispered.

  I ignored her comment, but it was true.

  “Thank you all for coming today. I realize that this announcement comes as a shock and a disappointment to many of you. I want you to know that it wasn’t a decision that I came to lightly.” He took a breath. It looked like he needed to reign back his emotions. “For as long as I can remember, I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps, I wanted to be the kind of man that he was. I thought filling his old seat would bring me a step closer to that goal, but in the process I failed to remember what was truly my dad’s legacy, and that was being a loyal husband and the best father a man could ask for, a man who always put his family first. I’ve stated that nothing would have made Oliver Turner prouder than to see me fill his old seat, but that wasn’t true. There is one role I need to fill, the one that would have no doubt brought him more joy and pride than any other if he were still here with us today. I apologize to those in my party and all the good people of District 43 for not being able to see this through to the end. It would have been an honor and a privilege to serve you, but the greatest honor and privilege awaits me. I’m sorry I lost sight of that and hurt the people I care about the most. I only hope I can regain their confidence in me. I ask now that you support, Jim Hutchinson …”

  The camera turned from Andrew to the male reporter on the scene. “Well there you have it. The question on everyone’s mind here is what, or should I say, who, is Mr. Turner talking about? His language suggests that he is alluding to a bigger announcement. But one thing is for sure, with a move like this, his career in politics is finished before it ever got started.”

  I turned it off. I knew what the bigger announcement was, and by the way the reporter was salivating, I knew they would pursue this story relentlessly, meaning Drew and myself. I also felt guilty. He would probably be blacklisted forever by his own party. Their chances of winning now weren’t very likely. I’m sure they would not be forgiving Andrew for that anytime soon, if ever.

  Taylor offered her assessment of the news conference. “It sounded heartfelt.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I suppose so.”

  “Charming men are the worst to break up with.” She had experience with that.

  “I could think of some other adjectives for him, too.”

  She laughed. “Have fun with that. I better get home before Tessa needs to nurse.”

  “Thanks for coming by, and tell Easton thank you again for everything. He was a life saver last night.”

  “I think I’ll keep him around.”

  “By the way, happy anniversary. I can’t believe you came here.” Though I appreciated it more than she would ever know.

  She waved me off. “We decided to celebrate when I can leave Tessa for more than a couple of hours, but,” she held out her left hand, “I did get this beauty this morning.”

  I admired the stunning diamond anniversary band. “He has excellent taste in diamonds and women.”

  “So does Andrew.” With that, she walked off.

  An hour after the press conference, I received a text from Andrew letting me know he was on his way up to see Drew. The moment of truth had arrived. It was a good thing, too; the grapevine in Merryton was on four-alarm fire status. As relieved as I was that Drew would finally know the truth, I was equally nervous. I thought he would take the news well, but what if he didn’t, or what if he wanted to pack his bags and move into his dad’s mansion?

  I think I was going to lose ten pounds over all of this. My stomach was in knots.

  As promised, Andrew arrived about an hour later, dressed
casually this time. Drew’s excitement level was through the roof. And while Andrew looked happy to see his son, he was anything but. I’m sure he was disappointed that his political aspirations had gone up in smoke. My guilt level crept up. As upset as I was with him, I did care about him and his feelings. I knew how much he wanted to serve others and honor his father.

  I watched on as Andrew held Drew to him like he was his lifeline. I had felt like that on occasion. The scene had tears rolling down my cheeks. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  Andrew’s eyes met mine from across Drew’s bed. “Please stay.”

  I lowered myself back into my chair. I wasn’t expecting a front row seat to the reveal.

  Andrew reluctantly let Drew go. “How are you feeling?” he asked him.

  “Bored.”

  Andrew chuckled at him. “You get to go home tomorrow.” Andrew turned his attention to me. I wished he wouldn’t. His eyes were begging for forgiveness. “And how are you?”

  That was a good question. I took a deep breath in and let it out. “I’ve been better.”

  “I’m sorry, Rachel.”

  When he said it, I believed him.

  “Why are you sorry?” Drew asked. I’m sure this was all confusing to him.

  We both turned our attention back to our son.

  Andrew ruffled his hair. “Drew, I need to tell you something. It’s something I should have told you a long time ago when we first met, but I was too selfish.”

  Was he talking to Drew or me?

  “You see, I wanted something really bad, but after I met you and your mom, I wanted something else even more. So I tried to have both.”

  Drew’s scrunched face said he was more confused than ever.

  “I know, buddy; this doesn’t make sense. And it shouldn’t make sense, because I should have told you that I’m your dad a long time ago.” I was surprised how casually that came out of his mouth.

  I watched Drew as he let those words sink in. It was as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard right, but I could see the hope flood his beautiful eyes. “Yes! I knew you guys were going to get married!”

  Andrew and I looked at each other, not sure what to make of this turn in the conversation.