When It Was Us

by Larissa Weatherall

  Max grabbed Anna in a hug, swinging her around. He eyed Drew suspiciously, brows narrowed in concentration for what seemed like eternity before extending a hand his way. “Good to see you, Drew.”

  Drew returned the handshake, and Max yanked him in closer, squeezing much harder than necessary. “Promise me you’ll take good care of my baby sister this time.”

  “I will.” It came out with far more authority on the outside than he felt on the inside.

  Max slapped him on the back with a laugh, falling into a seat at the picnic table. “Good. Cause you’re old enough for me to beat you if you break her heart this time.”

  Drew returned Max’s laugh with a nervous one of his own, but as he moved to sit, Beth tugged his arm.

  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked.

  “Sure.”

  He followed her away from the crowd, and they sat facing each other in two Adirondack chairs by the river.

  Beth’s hands twisted in her lap until she leaned forward and smiled. “We’re having Jace’s dedication at church tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, Anna and I will be there. She’s really excited about standing up with him.”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Kevin and I have been discussing it, and we’d like you to stand with her too.”

  He smiled, equal parts shocked and honored. “Really?”

  Drew followed Beth’s gaze to Anna, where she cradled Jace against her at the picnic table.

  “Yeah, really. Kevin and I can’t think of a better man, but I need to know one thing.”

  Drew’s voice cracked with emotion. “Anything.”

  “I need to know you’re going to be there.” She reached over, her hand resting on his knee. “I need to know you are one hundred percent in this and you aren’t going to change your mind tomorrow. I know you’re not that nineteen-year-old kid now, and I’ve always known you two belonged together, even when you didn’t, but I need to hear you say it. That you are planning to be a permanent member of this family.”

  “I am.” He quickly assured her, eyes burning with tears. “I’d ask her to marry me right now, but I’m not sure she’s ready. I’ve waited my entire life to be her husband…to be part of this family.”

  Beth crossed her arms with a smile. “You know, you’ll probably want to get a ring first.”

  His gaze shifted to the water then back again to see Beth’s jaw drop open.

  “Do you already have a ring?” She all but shouted it, and they both scanned the yard to see if anyone had heard. “Oh, sorry. Do you already have a ring?” she whisper-yelled instead.

  “Yes, I have a ring. I’ve had it for a while now. Beth, I have no doubts Anna is the only one for me. There’s no way I’m letting her go again.”

  “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” They stood, and she pulled him into a hug. “So you’ll do it?”

  “Absolutely, I’m honored. Does Anna know about this?”

  “No, I wanted to talk to you before I said anything to her.” Beth started toward the yard to rejoin the group.

  “Hey, Beth,” he said, and she stopped, glancing over her shoulder. “Can we keep the ring thing between us? When I do ask, I’d like it to be a surprise.”

  She nodded, and Drew kept his place in the chair. He rolled over their conversation again while his fingers rolled over the two-carat diamond in his pocket. The thought of being a permanent member of this family only made him want it…right now.

  He’d carried the ring with him since he bought it. He even scheduled a secret 5 a.m. meeting with Traci at her jewelry store. They designed the perfect ring for Anna without spectators, and he swore her to secrecy this time.

  After lunch, Anna and Drew played in the tree house with the kids. An hour later, each one slid down the slide, distracted by chocolate cake. Anna moved to sit on Drew’s lap when they were alone, nose brushing his neck. The top of her head nearly bumped the wood ceiling.

  He wrapped his arms around her with a kiss in her hair. “You know, it was in this very spot a nervous twelve-year-old me decided to kiss you.”

  She lifted her face to his, and her fingers slid torturously slow over his week-old stubble. Drew’s lips met hers, and he tried to keep the kiss quick, but emotions from the conversation with Beth mixed with the memory of kissing her for the first time overwhelmed him. He had to break free from her mouth before he broke his promise and stripped her right there with her family yards away.

  “Wow,” she murmured, eyes still closed. “Not sure that tops the first kiss in here, but it’s definitely a close second.”

  Kissing his way up her neck, Drew nipped her ear. “You mean I’m not a better kisser than I was eighteen years ago?”

  The teasing smile on her face turned serious as she brushed her thumb along his jaw line. “I was helplessly in love with you before your lips ever touched mine.”

  “There’s not a day in my life where I haven’t loved you.” Tears burned the back of Drew’s eyes as he stared at his Sunshine, the love of his life, while the diamond burned a hole in his pocket.

  His hand moved there, but before he reached the ring, Elise popped her little head into the tree house, informing them it was time for the festival.

  Drew breathed out a sigh, of relief or frustration he wasn’t sure.

  Every light post in the park was decked out with patriotic decorations, and flags hung around the white gazebo. A local cover band played on stage in front of the growing crowd of lawn chairs, and kids ran in circles from the inflatables, to the turtle races, dime pitch and back for face painting and ice cream.

  After spending a few hours with friends and neighbors of Sage Hill and their ‘oh how precious you two are’ and ‘aren’t they just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen,’ Drew and Anna walked hand in hand to the bonfire Luke already had burning.

  Drew’s steps faltered slightly when he saw Luke pulling the cooler from his truck, but somehow the awkwardness that was supposed to be there didn’t show. Luke approached them, squeezing Anna in a hug as he always did. Her laughter sparked an unexpected smile from Drew.

  Sitting her feet back on the ground, Luke peeked from behind her like a shield. “You gonna punch me again?”

  The guy excelled in cracking jokes to diffuse uncomfortable situations. It worked damn near every time, and Drew loved the idiot like a brother. In the end, he wasn’t willing to lose either of them, so his only choice was to let it go.

  Drew jabbed him in the arm. “I wasn’t planning on messing up your pretty face again, but the night is still young.”

  They grabbed a drink and their seats as greens, blues, and reds began to light the night sky. Drew could only stare at the woman sitting next to him. Watching her far outweighed the beauty of any fireworks show. His mind wandered weakly to the Independence Day Festival years earlier. In that memory, Drew sat behind Anna and Mason, trying to drink himself into oblivion.

  Drew kissed her temple, inhaling the citrus scent that calmed the storm raging inside. He lifted her into his arms on his lap and reminded himself he’d never have to live without her again. Someday soon, he’d give her his ring and marry her as quickly as she’d allow.

  Over her shoulder, Drew caught a glimpse of Luke in the lawn chairs behind them. The slight shake of his head told Drew that Luke knew the direction of his thoughts. Unfortunately, their silent conversation hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  “Am I missing something?” Anna said with a laugh.

  Luke leaned back in his chair, arm around his date. “Nope, I’ve seen that look before, and I don’t need another fist to the face.”

  “Very funny.”

  Her head cocked in curiosity, teeth pulling on the side of her lip. Drew let out a discouraged breath. “Let’s just say the last time we were all here, I wasn’t having the best time.”

  Her eyebrows pulled down, confused. She clearly didn’t remember her last Independence Day Festival as vividly as Drew did.

  “The last time Luk
e and I saw you here, you were sitting in this very spot next to Mason, and I was sitting back there with Luke, listening to you say things like, ‘Maybe my parents will go to bed early.’ I spent most of the night trying to get that image out of my head.”

  She scrunched her nose, the look in her eyes apologetic.

  He placed a kiss behind her ear. “It wasn’t my most pleasant evening, but it only makes me more thankful you’re here now.”

  Seeing her that night with Mason had still been better than not seeing her at all. Even if it broke him a little more inside.

  The fireworks ended, and the roaring flames turned to a flickering smolder. Anna moved to load the truck while Drew doused the fire with water.

  “Tonight was great,” Luke said with a slap on Drew’s back.

  “Yeah, it really was.”

  “And I’m…” Luke closed his eyes, pulling in a deep breath. His expression pinched with the weight of his thoughts—a rare occurrence. “I’m glad we’re okay…that things are okay between us. I couldn’t handle losing you guys.”

  Luke stared down at his boot, fidgeting with his hands. It was his tell that his thoughts had turned to Allison. Drew knew better than anyone that Luke hadn’t let anyone else through his armor since they were teenagers. He nodded in agreement and pulled his best friend into a hug.

  “You ever think about dating someone you might let stick around for more than a night?” Drew asked, out of earshot from Luke’s date.

  “A few years ago, I did. There was this girl that…” Luke shook his head. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter.”

  He walked away with a wave over his shoulder before Drew could press him further, disappearing down the grass-covered path with his date.

  Drew moved behind Anna as she loaded the chairs away, the quiet trickle of the flowing water the only sound now that they were alone.

  She spun and raised an eyebrow. “We have to be up super early in the morning for Jace’s dedication at church. We do not have time for crawling in the back of this truck.”

  “There’s always time for that,” he whispered.

  Taking two steps back, Drew pulled his shirt up and over his head.

  “Let’s go for a swim,” he said, and her gaze quickly focused on his tattoo. Damn, he’d get another one right now if it meant she’d always look at him that way.

  He unbuttoned his shorts, slowly stripping down to his boxer briefs.

  “No!” she shouted adamantly. Her arms crossed over her chest in a way she thought made her look tough but only accentuated her cleavage in the tank top.

  Drew continued backward into the water. She’d already taken a few steps toward him. He’d win this battle.

  “Come on, Sunshine.” He gave her his most persuasive voice standing waist deep in the water. “Please.”

  “Turn around,” she huffed, rolling her eyes.

  “I’ve seen…”

  “Turn around or I’m getting in the truck and leaving you here.” She cut him off with a smirk, reaching into her pocket and waving the keys.

  Drew turned into the moonlight. “You just don’t want me to see where that sexy tattoo of yours is hiding.”

  Her soft hands brushed gently over his shoulders, and his whole body set fire from her touch. He turned to face her.

  “Who says it’s sexy?” she whispered.

  “If it’s on your skin, I guarantee it’s sexy.” Drew kissed her neck while every inch of exposed skin brushed his in the cool water on a hot July night. His lips met hers, parting them immediately. The water flowed around them as his fingers brushed down her sides to squeeze her hips. “I’ll never be able to get enough of you.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Anna

  Anna leaned against the shower wall while the hot water poured over her. Five hours of sleep was definitely not enough, but she’d always been a sucker for that sexy crooked smile of Drew’s. Last night’s dip in the river had been no exception.

  Finally forcing herself from the delicious warmth, she pulled her favorite blue dress from a hanger and zipped it up the side. A sleepy reflection stared back in the mirror while a cheerful man, whistling no less, walked behind her in ocean blue dress pants and a red striped tie.

  “Good morning, Sunshine.” He was even more chipper than normal. She didn’t know it was possible for him to be more of a morning person.

  She’d seen him in a suit before, knew the way it fit every muscled inch of him to perfection. But today, she couldn’t pull in a breath, couldn’t close her gaping mouth while her heart set to marathon speed.

  He placed a kiss on the right side of her neck. “You look incredible.”

  The rumble of his voice against her skin had her knees buckling, but his hands steadied her waist.

  “You aren’t so bad yourself, Dr. Stevens, but we do not have time for whatever thoughts are running through your head right now. We cannot be late today.”

  “My thoughts?” He kissed across to the other shoulder. “That blush says I’m not the only one with thoughts, and if you don’t want to make us late, I’d suggest you stop looking at me like that while calling me Dr. Stevens.”

  She pressed her lips to his in what she’d planned to be a swift kiss, but he immediately deepened it, lifting her on the counter to stand between her legs. With a reluctant whimper, Anna pulled away, and Drew laughed as he helped her step into her light pink Mary Jane heels.

  The drive to the chapel was short, but Drew’s anxious tapping of the steering wheel and side-glances in Anna’s direction puzzled her. What did he have to be nervous about?

  They joined her family gathering in the front pews while Pastor Jeff briefed Beth and Kevin on the ceremony details they’d already been through three other times.

  “Anna, we asked Drew to stand with you and Jace. That okay?” Beth said over her shoulder.

  Anna spun to find Drew waiting directly behind her. That handsome face lit in his biggest soul-splitting smile, his shoulder shrugging.

  “Um, yeah, sure,” she barely choked out. Her scattered emotions landed on joy.

  Drew joined Anna next to Kevin and Beth with a reassuring squeeze of her hand. She couldn’t focus on the instructions, staring at Drew and the adorable way he listened to every word. He turned to her and placed a kiss on her temple. They took their seats in the front row while the rest of the town filed into the chapel.

  “Is this what you two were talking about yesterday?” Anna whispered.

  His smile was ear to ear. “Yeah, Beth said she wanted to tell you.”

  “So what did she say?”

  “I can’t remember exactly, but basically she asked if I planned to be a permanent member of your family.” He brushed a stray hair behind her ear then cupped her cheek. “I told her I’d never wanted anything more. If that’s okay with you, of course.”

  A permanent member of her family…

  “I told you, I’m in this,” he whispered in her ear, lingering there. “I’m not going anywhere, Sunshine.”

  Anna could only manage a nod without the happy tears spilling over. Drew didn’t miss her glistening eyes. He placed his arm protectively around her, and her head fell to his shoulder; she breathed in the spicy clean scent that was her home.

  Their conversations had danced on the edge of forever talk, but Drew agreeing to this was a real commitment to a future together.

  Pastor Jeff greeted the congregation. Beth, Kevin, Drew, and Anna joined him on stage with baby Jace. The whispers and awwws from the crowd were obvious, but Anna couldn’t take her eyes off Drew next to her holding a sleeping baby in his arms. He stared down at Jace with so much love that a single joyful tear slipped down Anna’s cheek, but her mind also raced with the fear that she might not ever be able to give him a child of their own.

  When they took their seats, Max slapped Drew on the back, and Anna didn’t miss his relieved sigh at Max’s approval.

  They shared a million handshakes and hugs after the service, then waved their goodb
yes to spend an afternoon alone on the water.

  Anna ran her fingers over the soft hair at the base of Drew’s neck as he drove. “You looked great up there today.”

  “Yeah? My hands were shaking. I thought I might drop him. Are you okay with Kevin and Beth asking me?” He glanced her way, uncertainty in his eyes.

  “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  His fingers traced small circles on her bare thigh. “I don’t know. It sort of bonds us…forever.”

  Anna waited for the surge of panic, but it wasn’t there.

  “You think I don’t want that?” she asked.

  He smiled, that bright crooked Drew smile, kissing her left ring finger. That simple kiss changed the foggy picture of their future together from fantasy to crystal clear reality.

  “Just making sure.”

  ***

  Boat safely backed into the water, Drew dropped anchor in a nice quiet cove before throwing his line in the water. Anna removed her cover up and stretched out on a towel to get some sun. Her favorite straw hat covered her face, and Roxy settled in beside her as she soaked up the delicious rays.

  Warm hands grazed her bare stomach sometime later, pulling her from sleep. Drew leaned above her, forearms caging her in on each side.

  He peeked under her hat. “Nice nap?”

  She nodded with a yawn.

  “I’ve been very lonely,” he teased.

  She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Is that right?”

  Drew closed his eyes, his lips stopping a breath from hers. “Maybe you should make it up to me by giving me a peek at that tattoo?”

  “It’s not something you can see with my bathing suit on.”

  He kissed her chest, her belly button, then the side of her knee before coming back to capture her mouth. His bare chest pressed her into the towel, and her hands gripped his biceps.

  Muscles coiled tight under her hands, and she slid down his side to the tie of his board shorts. But a movement across the boat caught her attention.

  Drew noticed it a second later but not fast enough to grab his pole before it disappeared into the water. He jumped in after, making the save before it completely left the surface.