“Why are you in such a hurry tonight?”
He opened the door to the attached garage. “I feel like we haven’t had any alone time in weeks.”
I touched my belly. “We did, at least twenty some weeks ago.”
He growled and kissed my neck. “You’re going to make us late talking like that.”
“If you want alone time, we better do it before these babies make their appearance into the world.”
“How does a weekend in Ouray sound, just the two of us?”
“Perfect.” It wasn’t too far of a drive from Merryton, but enough of a drive to feel special.
He led me out to the car and helped me in. I needed all the help I could get.
Andrew picked up my hand and held it as he drove us over to the pavilion. “Do you think the Rileys will show up?”
“Probably.” They had been in hiding the last couple of months since Andrew won the May mayoral election by a landslide. They were only showing up for baseball games. Landon was out for blood since Jessie’s team had won the championship two years in a row, but the way they were playing this year, they might not even make it to the playoffs. “Veronica loves any excuse to show off her poor taste.”
He laughed. “Cheyenne will at least have something to laugh at and take pictures of.”
Poor Cheyenne. She’d had a rough year. First, Paxton turned out to be a louse. He dropped Cheyenne after dating for three months when Ms. I-can’t-keep-my-clothes-on-for-photos came calling. So what if she was on the cover of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition? Not only had Cheyenne been enjoying the spotlight, but I really think she thought she and Paxton had something real. He realized that a little too late when swimsuit edition found greener pastures. He tried to come crawling back, but he’d messed with the wrong woman.
Then to top it off, she had been in a horrible car accident a few months ago. We’d had a terrible spring thunderstorm and she got caught in it. She was lucky to be alive. Her car went off the canyon road, and, by the grace of God, Aidan happened to see it. He braved the elements and climbed down the steep rocky incline to save her. Neither really talked about it, but both had been acting out of character since it happened. Aidan had just started immersing himself into Merryton society, but that night seemed to shake him. Cheyenne had lost some of her bravado, too.
“I don’t think Cheyenne’s planning on coming.”
Concern registered in Andrew’s eyes. “I’m sorry I ever set her up with Paxton.”
I squeezed his hand. “It’s not your fault, and I don’t think that’s what’s bothering her.”
“Then what?”
“I think she’s still having nightmares about the accident, and something is going on with her and Aidan.”
“Are they in a relationship?”
“I have a feeling that they’re fighting one.”
“Have you seen them together?”
“No, but I’ve seen the way he looks at her, and how she tries to avoid it, but he does the same thing when she studies him.”
“I’m sure they’ll figure it out. Remember how you tried to run from me?”
I touched my midsection. “I was obviously unsuccessful.”
He kissed my hand. “Best chase of my life.”
We were one of the first to arrive, but Andrew worked the small crowd. I still couldn’t believe I was married to the mayor.
My parents weren’t too far behind us. My dad was still coming around. I was sure it had something to do with the two little grandsons I was growing inside of me. Ever since he found out I was pregnant, he had made more of an effort with Andrew. And I think a little part of him was proud that his son-in-law was the mayor.
Both my parents greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and a pat for my middle. I had never been touched so much in my life, and I wasn’t only talking about Andrew.
“You look beautiful, honey,” my mom said.
“You do, too. I’m glad you went with the red gown.”
“The two prettiest women in town belong to me,” Dad bragged. “Let’s get you off your feet.” Dad was overly concerned about my health. I couldn’t blame him, considering how Sydney had died, but I was being monitored carefully, and so far, everything was going according to plan.
All my favorite couples arrived next, the Summers, Coles, and Parkers. My friends all looked stunning standing next to their handsome husbands. I swore Taylor never aged. I was hoping Cheyenne would have changed her mind and come, but she never walked through the door. They all joined me at my table and my parents made a beeline for the older generation table with their friends. We all exchanged the customary ‘you look so good and how are you feeling’ commentary while we waited for dinner to arrive.
“Is it wrong that I’m practically giddy that Andrew beat Landon?” Jessie asked.
“Isn’t everyone?” Taylor added.
I smiled. “It’s all right.”
The table erupted in laughter.
I still wasn’t sure about his new title. I was happy to report, though, that the Denver media had to eat crow. They had been so sure Andrew would never break into politics again.
“Has anyone talked to Cheyenne today?” Abby asked. “She wouldn’t answer my calls.”
We all shook our heads. And in walked the Rileys. Veronica’s outfit did not disappoint. The black feather boa against the skin-tight white dress was over the top.
“Take a picture for Cheyenne,” Jessie instructed Abby.
Sweet Abby was usually against that sort of thing, but she made an exception for our missing friend.
I was also missing my husband, who was making his rounds and schmoozing. He was good at it. He didn’t even make it to our table for dinner. It wasn’t until the band began to play that he made his way to find me.
“Excuse me,” he interrupted Easton’s harrowing tale of saving a little girl that had swallowed a quarter and held out his hand to me. “I fear I’ve been ignoring my wife.”
I didn’t hesitate, I took his waiting hand and he helped me up. He led us out onto the dance floor. There he pulled me close, well as close as I could get in my current state.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ve been catching glances of you all night, wishing I was with you.”
“Uh-huh. I think you like this mayor gig.”
He spun me around. “You are my main attraction.”
I rested my head on his shoulder. “How did a nice girl like me ever end up married to a baseball player and a politician?”
He kissed my head. “Consider yourself lucky.”
I looked up into his smiling eyes. The ones that said he wished we were alone. “Believe me, I do.”
Sneak Peek – Coming 2017
Cheyenne
The Women of Merryton: Book Four
I sat up straight in bed and held my chest. My heart was pounding, trying to make its way out. It was only a dream, I reminded myself, except it wasn’t. The only difference was that when I went off the cliff this time, I got to wake up in the comfort of my bed, instead of in a rushing river. I shouldn’t be alive. I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him.
He consumed my dreams more than the raging water.
I pulled my knees up to my chest and ran my hands down the length of my smooth legs. The seven-inch scar down my left shin was another glaring reminder of the accident. This was stupid. I was better than this. I needed to run, even if my doctor advised against it. What did they know, anyway? They, along with everyone else in this town, were trying to diagnose me. If I heard the words ‘post traumatic’ one more time, I might have to go off on someone.
I fought through the ache of stretching my legs before I took off on my jog. That pain I could deal with. I took off at a slow pace. I made myself run my usual route near the creek. I kept my earbuds in, though, to drown out the sound of the water. I ran as far away on the path as possible from the stream. I just needed some time, but I would conquer that demon, and I didn’t need any shrink to help m
e do it.
It felt good to run. I needed to clear my head. I needed to get back on my A game. I needed the old Cheyenne, the one who didn’t care what anyone thought of her. Why do I care what Aidan thinks of me?
I stopped and caught my breath. Being out of commission for so long was winding me. I bent over, and one of my earbuds popped out. The sound of water trickling brought me back to that moment. The moment right after Aidan pulled me from my car. The water was rushing in all around me, and I couldn’t get my seatbelt loose. How he did, I don’t know. What I do know is how safe I felt in his arms on the rocky riverbank. He hardly said a word to me, but he held me tight and stroked my hair. If it wasn’t for him, I probably would have … I would have …
I threw my earbud back in. I needed to quit thinking about him and what almost happened.
I survived. And I was done with men.
About the Author
Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-one years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.
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Books by Jennifer Peel:
Other Side of the Wall
The Girl in Seat 24B
Professional Boundaries
House Divided
Trouble in Loveland
The Women of Merryton Series:
Jessie Belle – Book One
Taylor Lynne – Book Two
Rachel Laine – Book Three
The Dating by Design Series:
His Personal Relationship Manager – Book One
To learn more about Jennifer and her books, visit her website at: www.jenniferpeel.com
Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) Page 32