His Other Woman: A Renny and Rachel Christmas Romance

by MacLaren, Nancy

  The dinner was some kind of chicken thing, delicious, but I could barely get a mouthful down. Something about being around Ruth made me incredibly nervous. I knew she was the one I had to impress. Jonathan had been easy; love a man’s alpacas and you are in. Renny had finally told me Ruth didn’t get along with Claire because Claire insisted on having her own opinions. They’d had a huge blow-out over what color couch Claire wanted in her living room. In her own living room. Apparently Ruth believes only earth tone colors are appropriate and the bright red sofa Claire picked was tantamount to trailer décor. Wow. Renny didn’t have to tell me to keep my mouth shut after that, I couldn’t have expressed myself if I tried. For the first time in my life I wanted to be a good, little girl, just there to support her man. I knew these people were everything to him and I was not about to make it a showdown between them and me, mostly because I knew I would lose big time.

  As soon as dessert was served Ruth pushed it aside and opened a file folder next to her plate.

  “Oh God,” Garrett moaned.

  She passed a typed, precise itinerary for the next day to each of us. As I looked at mine Renny leaned over and whispered, “Now you see where I get my spontaneous nature.”

  I guffawed causing Ruth to look at me. “The boys like to make fun of me but when there’s this many people to account for you have to be organized. For some reason none of the men in this family have learned that lesson.”

  “That’s what we have Jed for,” Said Renny.

  “I thought Jed was your driver?”

  “He’s our road manager as well,” Renny answered.

  “He’s their babysitter,” Ruth joined in, with a smile.

  “And your spy,” Garrett added.

  “He has to make a living somehow since you never remember to pay him, poor dear boy,” she said, actually laughing a bit.

  I liked this side of Ruth, loving, open and with a sense of humor. I got a sense of what she must be like in happier times. She was intense, smart, a wiseass and clearly loved her boys. She reminded me a little bit of myself. Okay, a lot of myself. Freud would have been delighted.

  I looked over at Renny and then at Garrett. Ruth may drive them crazy, always insisting they be better men but then she had done a damn good job with them. Even Garrett was polite when he had to be and for all his womanizing I could see he respected the women in his family. That was the obviously Ruth’s doing.

  We all read through the day’s activities, asking Ruth questions about what was expected of us. Apparently, nothing was expected of me, although the rest of the family had jobs throughout the day, including Claire. There was an outdoor gathering starting around noon. People could swim or play games on the massive lawns. It was Ren’s job to set up the croquet field and the lawn bowling. Garrett was in charge of stocking the ice chests and coolers around the yard and stocking them with an assortment of family friendly drinks. Reade and Claire got the inside of the house, helping keep the buffet stocked and acting as welcome committee.

  There was a huge musical sing-along planned for the late afternoon. It sounded epic and I looked forward to my very own Taylor Brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts, etc. concert.

  If nothing else, it would give me the chance to gaze at Renny adoringly without anyone noticing. I had to admit that gazing at Renny, watching him move, gesture with his lithe hands, see his eyes crinkle and his dimples dimple was still one of my greatest past times. I was in love. Like a school kid. In looooooove! “Renny and Rachel sitting in a tree …” We hadn’t done that yet but there were plenty of big, hardy trees around. I wouldn’t count it out.

  After the sing-along there was an hour break for everyone to gussy up for the formal dinner. Tables and chairs were going to be set up all over, inside and out with linen tablecloths, waiters and the whole works. I was extremely glad I had let Marlene talk me into my velvet and silk number. I wouldn’t disgrace Renny or myself.

  After dinner seemed looser. Cigars, brandy, more music, maybe some dancing by the pool. A full day and hopefully a day I could get through without having to answer too many questions about my relationship with Renny; how serious are we, were we going to get married, have children, grow old together? Questions I had no answers to, even for myself. I doubted that answering those questions with a quick, “Oh, we’re just having fun! We sure do love to have sex!” would go over very well in conservative Tennessee.

  “Ruth,” I said just as we were all getting up to leave, “I’d love to help out. Isn’t there anything I can do to help tomorrow?”

  “How nice of you to ask. I’m sure everyone will want to meet you and hear all about your … life.”

  I was shut out, clear as a bell. Not part of the family. Bitch, get back!

  As she struggled with the walker out the door, refusing Garrett’s help, she turned back to me. “There is one thing you can do for me, Rachel.”

  “Yes, anything.”

  “Help Claire with the baby, if you would, so she can mingle a bit. You do like babies, don’t you?”

  I stuttered, “Of course. Love ‘em. Can’t wait.” I said back to her and then whispered to a smirking Renny, “Shut up Taylor.”

  He laughed but I was feeling better. I was at least considered adequate to care for the grandchild. I patted myself on the back until Renny gave me the real deal.

  “Claudine is teething and Mother can’t stand crying babies. That’s why they weren’t at dinner tonight. You just bought yourself a day of sitting inside with a cranky tot.”

  I deflated. “So, in essence, your Mother just removed me from the gathering.”

  “Not in essence, in reality.”

  “I thought she was getting to like me a little.”

  “I think she does like you. She just doesn’t like you with me. Don’t sweat it, she was the same with Jas. She actually, outwardly, disliked Jasmine. She called her the “carnivore” behind her back.”

  “Great. What’s she call me, the “cougar?”

  “Not yet, but there is still time to charm her with your wily ways, baby girl.”

  5.

  One of the things I liked about my relationship with Renny was the fighting. He was an ace, number one, go for the gusto, fighter. Yes, my very own Petruchio - Indiana Jones - Rhett Butler tough guy! I wouldn’t be too thrilled if he slapped me but he could carry me up any stairs, any time and ravage me. I’d hardly put up a fight!

  Because, see, that’s the second best thing about Renny and me, we know how to make up! It was so worth the fighting just for the make-up sex. I think I might have picked a few kerfuffles just to raise the bar (and other things!)

  As soon as we were back in our side of the house I started in about the tour. Renny wanted to kick back, watch some TV and go to bed, but I was not having it. I stood directly in front of the TV forcing him to lean all the way over to the left in his, vain, attempt to ignore me. Finally, he gave up and fell back on his charm offensive. It still gets me but I’ve gotten used to minimizing its effect on me.

  “Hey sweetheart, sit with me and let’s snuggle up. Anything you want to watch?”

  “Cut the BS Renny Taylor. What’s this about touring again?”

  “Oh yeah, guess what? Great news! We just booked a tour of the southern states. We’re heading out right after the New Year. Cool, huh?”

  “Very.”

  “That’s why I talked it over with the bros and we agreed that you were –are –more than welcome to come with us. Fun, huh?”

  “Fun? No. Torture? Yes.”

  “Don’t you want to be with me?”

  “You, yes? The rest of the band and crew? Not so much. Why in the world would you think I’d want to travel around in a smelly tour bus with a passel of smelly men?”

  “First, it doesn’t smell. Second, pardon me for thinking the woman who says she loves me might want to actually spend time with me.”

  “I have a life too Renny.”

  “But you can write anywhere.”

  “Really?”


  “I’ll make sure the guys give you plenty of space. Anyway, you’re done with the big stuff, right? You’re just revising, right?”

  “Just revising. Wow. You know nothing about writing a book do you?”

  “Uh, no. I don’t but I fear I am going to find out. Why are you so mad?”

  “You never even asked me if I wanted to come along.”

  “I just assumed ...”

  “That’s right, you just assumed. Just like every other man on this frickin’ planet, you just assumed. What? That I had no life until you came along? That writing my little book was just a way to fill up time until you swept me off my feet? I have no life in Portland? No friends? Groups? LIFE?”

  “Hey, forget it. God forbid I tried to spend time with you.”

  “I thought we were going to spend time after Christmas. New Year’s in Portland, remember?”

  “This tour thing just sort of presented itself. I couldn’t say no. The guys really need the work. Not Garrett or Reade but all the roadies and back-up band. It’s not just me that’s affected.”

  “No, it’s not but I know better than to believe a tour just pops up out of nowhere. You knew this was coming and you lied to me about coming back with me.”

  “I was not lying. I wasn’t sure the tour was going to happen.”

  “You omitted there was the possibility.”

  “That’s not lying!” He was so steamed. Calling him a liar is apparently, not cool with him. Tough titties!

  “I can’t stand a man who lies to me, not after… you were supposed to be different!”

  “I am Not Steve.”

  “How can I tell the difference? You lie to me, disregard my feelings, and belittle my work.”

  “Oh for Christ’s sake! I do NOT belittle your work. I thought you could just as well write with me than back in Portland. Then I wouldn’t have to miss you so much. I thought it would be FUN!”

  Stalemate.

  Renny came over to me, put his arms around me and whispered in my ear, “Ever had sex in a pool?” I couldn’t help but laugh. Was there nothing sex couldn’t solve for this man?

  * * * * * * * * * *

  The pool was so warm. Renny switched off all the lights in the pool and the backyard before we shed our clothes and slipped silently into the warm, crisp water. The only light was the moon and it was enormous. Living in a city I forget that the sky can be so bright without other light to compete with it.

  I had been skinny-dipping before, I mean I am a child of the 70’s and I grew up in Southern California but this was truly a magical night. First of all, it was very cold. Even though this part of Tennessee doesn’t get a lot of snow it sure felt cold enough. Then the night light show, always a win. And finally, a naked man swimming with me. So, yeah, magical and uber-sexy.

  It was after midnight and everyone else appeared to have gone to sleep. We had to keep our voices down which became a bit harder as the night wore on. (Other things became harder too but I think that goes without saying.) I totally loved this pool! Because it was a salt water pool everything was naturally buoyant. My boobs actually looked perky!

  As we worked our way through the water we would bob in the deep end, kissing and touching while effortlessly floating. It was a little like making out in the womb. I wonder what Freud would have said about that?

  We finally came to a stop, pressed against the wall of the pool, Renny deep inside me and slowly making our way towards … the … ah …. Final Outcome, when we jumped apart at a small cough coming from above us on the pool deck.

  Standing in full naked glory was Garrett.

  “Looks like fun. Mind if I join in?”

  To say it was any woman’s dream come true, two amazingly handsome men wanting to frolic in a pool in the au naturel, is a massive understatement. All I could do was laugh. And blush. Garrett is … well, let’s say certain things seem to run in their family.

  Renny was pissed.

  “Get out of here, you perv,” he almost shouted at his brother.

  “Now, wait a minute,” I took Renny’s hand, “let’s think about this.”

  Renny looked apoplectic. “What the …. No! Leave Garrett!”

  “I don’t know little brother, seems your lady here might want me to stay. You know what they say, why settle for one Taylor brother when you can have two?”

  “No one says that,” I broke in. “So, tell me Garrett, what are you exactly bringing to the table?”

  “You can’t be serious,” Renny said, staring at me as though I was an alien.

  Garrett plunked down on the side of the pool, laughing. “I must admit I wasn’t, but now I’m a little intrigued. Let’s see, what do I bring to the table?” He grabbed his half hard schlong and waggled it at us. “Well, there’s this.”

  “Looks like it’s got a few too many miles on it. Besides, I have a perfectly good one right here, “I said, pointing at the still flabbergasted Renny. “What do you offer that he doesn’t?”

  “Well, I do believe that a woman has more than one orifice, if I’m not mistaken,” Garret winked at me.

  “That is true. What exactly did you have in mind?”

  “You have to be off your gourds, both of you.”

  “But Ren, sweetheart, you told me to try out new things, expand my horizons and if I like it maybe I’ll agree to come on the tour, in more ways than one. I hadn’t considered what the possibilities might be for me.” I could be as raunchy as any Marine. I was loving this. Payback Renny for not telling me about the tour.

  I really thought Renny was going to explode. Then he looked from Garrett and back to me and started to laugh.

  “Okay. Whose idea was this?”

  “I had no knowledge he was going to come out here waving his flag,” I said, laughing myself, “but, hey, when in Rome …”

  “This isn’t Rome and he’s a depraved pervert.”

  “Hey!” Garrett exclaimed, “I’m not the one out here boinking my girlfriend ten feet from my parents’ bedroom.”

  “He has a point Renny.”

  “At Christmas!”

  “Really, you are so right Garrett, at Christmas. What were we thinking?”

  “I hate you both right now,” Renny said, making his way to the shallow end of the pool.

  “You just going to leave me here with him? The pervert?” I asked Renny as he got out and grabbed a towel from a chair.

  “Depraved pervert, full title please,” Garrett chimed in.

  “Fuck you both,” Renny announced and flung open the door to his side of the house.

  “You think he’s really mad?” I asked Garrett. I was afraid we had gone a little too far with our joke.

  “No way. He’s already plotting his revenge, keep your eyes open.” He got up and grabbed the other towel on the chair. He wrapped it around his middle and sauntered into his side of the house, leaving me stranded, naked and alone, in the pool.

  Ah well, I thought. You win some, you lose some.

  I flipped on to my back and floated effortlessly and enjoyed the night sky. Tomorrow was going to be a tough one, better to enjoy the peace and quiet when I could.

  The silence before the storm.

  6.

  By the time I wandered back to our room, naked and pruney from the water, Renny was in bed feigning sleep. I took a quick shower to get rid of the salt in my hair and everywhere else, threw on a T-shirt of Renny’s I liked sleeping in and slipped into the massive bed next to him.

  Just as I started to drift off he pounced!

  “Now, to continue where we left off. I believe you were like this,” he said, pulling my legs apart and wrapping one around his waist, “and I was about right … here.” He thrust into me with a grunt. I wasn’t entirely ready for this and it hurt a little. I let out a small squeal and Renny quickly pulled out and pulled back.

  “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  “I think the salt sucked up all my moisture.” I said.

  “Salt, eh? I think I
can fix that,” he said, slipping below the covers. “My very own salt lick,” he mumbled.

  “You go little hamster,” I patted his head before settling back to enjoy one of Renny Taylor’s major talents.

  A mere 30 minutes later we were both deeply satisfied and ready for sleep. Nothing like a vigorous, sexy, younger man to calm the nerves. I recommend it highly!

  * * * * * * * * * *

  Renny was up before me, showered, shaved and ready to rumble while I was still trying to talk my eyelids into staying open.

  He came over to the bed and kissed me on the head like I was a child. “You stay in bed as long as you want, baby girl, I gotta go do the manor proud.”

  “I’m up, I’m up,” I murmured, eyes at half-mast, as I struggled to rise from the most comfortable bed in the world.

  “No you’re not,” Ren said, pushing me back down. “Get your beauty rest.” Then he left, closing the door quietly.

  All he forgot to mention was, you’re going to need it.

  As much as I wanted to go back to sleep it was impossible. Not because it was too loud, the place was as soundproofed as Kinsey’s lab, it was the adrenalin of intense anticipation that forced me to roll out of bed. I plunged into the shower, more to wake up than anything, though I did think it might be a good idea to scrub the Renny off me before all the relatives came to judge me. I could try not to be such an easy target. On the other hand I loved running around with Renny’s smell all around me. All his smells. He was smelltastic to me. I have turned into the kind of woman I most despise, sappy and love-struck – and I couldn’t be happier about it.

  By the time I dressed and made my way to the kitchen the place was in full storm. There were people everywhere, running around cooking, baking, chopping, dicing, mincing and other culinary things I know nothing about.

  At the sink, washing a giant pile of potatoes was a blond, slim, pretty woman I recognized from Reade’s photos.

  “You must be Claire?”

  “Yup, Rachel?”

  “Yup.”