by Heidi Sexton
Chadwick had guy friends who entered marriage with pride and arrogance to only turn into cheaters and womanizers. Chadwick wanted to be like his father who had embraced his mother’s love with humility recognizing her value and her power and bowing to it with the grace and strength only a real man could wield. As he leaned into Brittany’s arms he felt her power and knew that he would never do anything to hurt or weaken her. He wanted her always to remain just as she was in this moment; strong and beautiful.
“Brittany, do you trust me?” Chadwick whispered into her neck.
She eased her hands down his back and pulled away. “Yes. I trust you with all my heart.”
“Would you get on a plane with me to Jackson, Mississippi tonight at 7:30 without asking any questions?” Chadwick saw hesitance flicker in her eyes.
“I would, but it would be hard to do. Is it really necessary that I not ask any questions?” Brittany had never been to Mississippi before. She was intrigued, but worried. She wondered what Amber would have to say about it.
“What’s worrying you, Brittany?” Chadwick could see that something about his plan disturbed her.
“My sisters. Our house did burn down less than a month ago. I don’t want to give them anything else to fret over.”
Chadwick was glad this was all that concerned her. He had no doubt Christy would be excited for Brittany. He no longer had anything to worry about from Amber either. She had given her blessing. She would know what was going on. He sat back in the swing smiling.
“Go upstairs and run it past Amber and see what she says. If she gets upset, we can wait. I’ll be in the kitchen eating breakfast. Come find me when you finish talking to Amber.” Chadwick got up from the swing and reached a hand out to Brittany to help her up.
“I guess I should talk it over with her first.” Brittany didn’t look too confident as she went through the glass doors, but Chadwick had enough confidence for them both. He whistled a happy tune as he watched Brittany’s hips sway past the kitchen booth on her way to find Amber who would without a doubt be giving her blessing for the second time that morning.
#
Brittany walked into Amber’s room with every intention of being firm when she explained to Amber that she loved her, but that she had a life to live and Chadwick was part of that life now. She would let Amber know that she would always love her, but she could no longer control her life. She was a woman now. She had to make her own decisions.
She stopped when she reached Amber’s bed. Amber was lying on her back. Her mouth was wide open and she was snoring loud enough to wake the dead. Two black lines of makeup-smudged tears had dried on her cheeks. Why had Amber been crying? Brittany noticed the papers she clutched against her chest. Gently prying them from Amber’s hands she looked at them. She put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming when she realized what she was reading. Ice cold fury swept through her entire body. Amber had crossed the line completely.
“Amber! Wake up now!” Brittany screamed.
Amber sat up with a wild look in her eyes. Brittany’s scream surely could be heard downstairs. It was hair-raising.
“What is your problem?” Amber was confused. She tried to push her hair out of her face and only succeeded in making it stand up higher on her head. She looked a mess.
“How could you do this? You have embarrassed me. Did Chadwick give you this personal information?”
Amber was still confused, but at the mention of Chadwick’s name she broke into a smile. “Yes, he did. Isn’t he wonderful? I am so happy you have him Brittany.”
“I am surprised I have him. It’s a wonder you haven’t run him off. How could you ask him for this? Just what are you trying to do?” Brittany could not believe that Amber had the audacity to be smiling. Her palms itched to slap the smile off her face.
Amber began to understand what all the commotion was about. “Honey, I didn’t ask him for that information. He gave it to me when he asked me if he could marry you.”
“He did what?” Brittany plopped down into the chair beside Amber’s bed. All the air had gone out of her at this point.
“Girl, he asked me for my blessing. Isn’t that special? Then he gave me this to reassure me that he has your best interest at heart. That makes him the perfect one for you in my eyes.” Amber sat staring at Brittany, waiting on her to say something.
“I’m leaving for Jackson, Mississippi tonight with Chadwick. I can’t ask any questions. So, I don’t have anything else to tell you other than that our flight is for 7:30 this evening.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. He’s got a surprise for you. Oooh, girl I wish I were you right now. Do you need me to help you get your things together? You look kind of confused.”
In truth, Brittany was more than confused. She had waited her whole life for this moment. Some girls didn’t know if they wanted to get married and have children. Others knew it from the beginning the first baby doll was placed in their arms. Brittany had always wanted marriage. She wanted a man and she wanted children. Chadwick was like a dream. Brittany couldn’t believe all this was happening to her. She was dazed.
In the end it took all the girls to help Brittany get ready. They all were excited. Chadwick threatened Adanna and Vana with their lives if they so much as uttered one word about their parents living in Jackson, Mississippi. Adanna couldn’t believe that Chadwick and Brittany had courted for over two months without Brittany knowing anything about Jackson, Mississippi. She made her “tut-tut” sound at Chadwick and promised silence.
CHAPTER 22
There was a long lay over in Dallas, Texas of about four hours. Chadwick and Brittany spent that time sitting cocooned in a darkened booth of an elite little bar inside the airport. Brittany listened as Chadwick talked of what he loved most about the south. He talked about how different the people were. Folks looked at you in the south. They were friendly and hospitable. He laughingly talked about how most of the poor in the south thought they were instead middle class. Brittany could see the love of the south in his eyes. She couldn’t wait to get her first taste to see if she would share Chadwick’s feelings.
Their flight landed eight o’clock a.m. Monday morning. The trip had taken longer than Chadwick had anticipated, but everything was in order. The rental car awaited them. Chadwick helped Brittany get situated in the car, before he put their bags in the trunk. They packed lightly. He only planned for them to stay a few days.
Brittany sat quietly looking out the window as Chadwick pulled away from the airport. The first difference she noted was that the land was flat. She was not impressed. San Diego Valley was beautiful with all its green hills and mountain crests. All she could see presently as they traveled along the freeway was fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. Turning her head she looked at Chadwick.
He laughed at her. Chadwick knew exactly what she was thinking. He had to agree that coming from the airport there was nothing really to see. The south was full of flatland and fields. The thing that made the south special really was the people and the food. He tried to relay that to Brittany, but one had to experience true southern hospitality in order to become a believer.
“We don’t have far to go. I know you’re tired,” he said.
“Actually I feel good. I would like to bathe and change clothes, but I’m not tired.” Brittany was excited to be on this trip with Chadwick. Their flight had been wonderful. She and Chadwick had held hands every chance they could. They had sneaked kisses behind anyone or anything that hid them from public view. The minute Amber, Christy, Adanna and Vana had left them at the airport, Brittany had experienced a rush of freedom she had never experienced before in her life. No watchdogs, just she and Chadwick all alone to do as they pleased. She couldn’t be happier.
Chadwick was getting off the highway. Brittany sat up straighter to get a good look at where they were going. She was so anxious for the mystery to be over with. Why was Chadwick being so secretive?
He turned into a subdivision of one
-story homes. Brittany wondered who they could be visiting here. The houses were modest and of the same standard her mother’s house had been. Brittany felt a tug of pain at seeing the houses. They reminded her of her mother’s home she and her sisters had lost.
“Where are we going?” She couldn’t refrain from asking. He was slowing down. He pulled up into a yard with a huge oak tree in the center of the front yard. The entrance of the home was a screened in porch.
Chadwick got out of the car and walked around to her side of the car to open her door. “We’re here. Come see,” was all he said as he took her hand and walked up the two steps to the porch. Opening the screened door he let her in first and came in behind her. Knocking on the front door to the house, he stepped back and waited.
Brittany decided she didn’t like surprises. She had no idea who could possibly live in this little house. She should have made Chadwick tell her something. Brittany wasn’t afraid of meeting new people, but she wasn’t exactly a socialite either.
“Come on in sweethearts.” Mara Jordan said as she swung the door open. “We’ve been waiting on you two. Breakfast is on the table.”
Brittany tried not to let her confusion show as she walked into the small living area. She had been under the impression that Chadwick’s mother and father were wealthy. Brittany looked at the furnishings and it was obvious they were of the finest quality.
“We heard about your house burning down and we’re just happy you girls were able to get out in time,” James said as he came out of the kitchen area. He shook Chadwick’s hand and grabbed Brittany up in a hug. “I tried to tell them that something was wrong when you didn’t call.”
“Thanks for having so much faith in me, Mr. Jordan. I like you too.” Brittany said laughingly as she patted him on his back.
Once again, Chadwick was blown away by the camaraderie between Brittany and his father. They really did like each other. The thought made Chadwick smile. He could see them in the future ganging up against him on one issue or another. He would love every minute of it, as long Brittany was part of his family.
Brittany began to relax. The atmosphere of the Jordan’s home was the same she had grown up in. She liked nice things, but not on a grand scale. The house was comfortable and cozy. There was one huge window in the living area that let in tons of morning light. Brittany again noticed that the furnishings were extremely upscale.
“Brittany, after traveling all night, I am sure you need some downtime. Come with me I will show you your room,” Mara said as she took Brittany by the hand.
They stepped into a hallway that was not as narrow as the hallway in Brittany’s old home. It was much wider. Pictures lined the wall. Brittany saw childhood pictures of Adanna, Vana and Chadwick. She stopped at one picture and burst out laughing. Mara stopped with her and smiled at the family picture with Chadwick sporting an eye patch.
“That’s a long story. I’ll let James tell you about that. He will get a kick out of telling you all the sordid details.” Mara pulled her along.
“You can have Vana’s old room.” Mara lead her into a brightly colored room. Color was everywhere. The bedspread was yellow, red, green and purple. The room was accessorized in a rainbow of colors, which complemented the bedspread. “Here’s the bathroom. Let me get Chadwick to get your bag for you.”
Mara left the bedroom while Brittany stood in the center of the room in amazement. How could there be a bathroom in this room? The house seemed so small from the outside. Could there be a bathroom in each room or was Vana special? Again, Brittany couldn’t help but recognize the quality of the furniture. This house may be the size of her childhood home, but it was definitely not the same standard. A lot of money had gone into the decorating and building of this house.
Brittany went into the bathroom and gasped. This was literally the cutest bathroom she had ever seen. The tiles on the wall of the tub were of the same bright colors as the bedspread. The marble flooring and granite counter were beautiful. Even the water fixtures were different. Brittany was still looking around when Chadwick called out as he came into the room.
“Chadwick, can I start asking questions now?” Brittany said as he peeked around the door frame of the bathroom.
Chadwick smiled. He knew she had questions and he couldn’t wait to answer them. “Yes, you can ask your questions now.”
“Are there bathrooms in every bedroom in this house?”
“Yes.” He didn’t offer anymore information.
“Your parents could have a larger house couldn’t they?” Brittany hated how this question sounded, but she had to find out what was going on here.
“Brittany, my parents could afford five of Adanna’s homes if they wanted them.” Chadwick was just getting warmed up. He wondered how long it would take before she asked the important question.
Brittany sat on top of the toilet seat and stared at Chadwick. She pursed her lips and squint her eyes as she thought. Now why would Mara and James decide to live here in a small house when they could live in a mansion?
“Did you grow up in this house?”
“Yes, we all grew up right here in this very house.” Chadwick stepped into the bathroom and sat on the edge of the tub. He settled Brittany’s legs in between his as he faced her.
“Okay, Chadwick. Tell me why your parents would choose to live here in this small house when they could have lived in a mansion?” Brittany wanted to know the whole story. It promised to be very intriguing.
Chadwick put his big hands on either side of her thighs, which made Brittany’s heart beat faster. His hands against the bare skin of her thighs was shocking. He had her full attention.
“My mother comes from a very wealthy group of people. Her great grandfather invented a machine that made farming in the south easier than it has ever been. The result was mass production of his machine, which still down to this day brings in revenue. My mother is an heiress. She met Dad at a wedding. They fell in love, but Mom’s family didn’t like Dad, because he was poor. My Mom went against them and married him anyway.” Chadwick’s hands were caressing Brittany’s thighs as he told the story of his mother and father.
“So, they disowned her?” Brittany whispered. She could barely muster up energy to speak. Chadwick’s hands were doing things to her insides. At the same time the story of his mother and father had her spellbound.
“No. My mom is an only child. Her family, as it turned out, was not her biggest problem.” Chadwick’s voice was throaty as he ran one hand down to Brittany’s ankle and back up across her knee. Her skin felt like silk. He just couldn't help himself. He needed to be touching her.
“What was the biggest problem?” Brittany felt out of breath. Chadwick couldn’t have any idea what he was doing to her. His hands were everywhere.
“Dad. He wanted her, but not her money. So, they came to a compromise.” Chadwick stood up. He had to put some space between them. Staring at the unsteady rise and fall of her chest, he knew she was in the same turmoil as he. She made the mistake of standing up when he stood up. Their bodies touched as they stood in the small space between the tub and toilet.
“This house is part of the compromise, isn’t it?” Brittany’s caramel eyes watched Chadwick as his chest heaved. He let out his breath in a whoosh as his lips sought hers. The kiss was swift and intense. His arms wrapped around her as he pressed into her.
“Yes. We lived here and we lived simple lives. Momma’s inheritance belongs to her children. She barely put a dent in the interest. She was happy just to love Dad and her children.” Chadwick’s eyes roamed Brittany’s face. He watched the first tear fall from her eye. Cupping her face in his hands he thumbed it away and kissed her again.
“Chadwick, that is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.” Brittany put her arms around Chadwick’s waist and laid her head on his shoulder. This man knew what true love was all about. He had experienced it through his mother and father. He had seen the beauty of it. Brittany knew she would be a very fortunate gi
rl to be part of this family.
CHAPTER 23
Chadwick reluctantly left Brittany to bathe and change clothes. Brittany was just as pained to separate from him. Sharing the history of his parents had drawn them closer together. They each were feeling the hopefulness that people who are in love feel when they are about to embark on a life together. Chadwick had not asked Brittany to marry him yet, but it would be done before the end of the day. He needed to figure out where and when. The ring sat snugly in a small box in his pants pocket. He kissed Brittany thoroughly one last time and closed the bedroom door.
He found Mara and James sitting on the porch in their swing. That swing had been there forever. He remembered how his parents would go out there to get away from the noise he and his sisters were making when they were children. Sometimes they would sit out there talking until the wee hours of the morning. Stepping onto the porch Chadwick stood before them.
“I’m here to ask her to marry me,” Chadwick announced.
James stopped the swing with one long leg as he broke into a grin. “We already figured that out, son. Congratulations. You’ll make a good husband and she will make you a good wife.”
“Oh Chadwick, we’re so happy for both of you,” Mara said as she stood and wrapped her arms around him. Her head only reached his chest. He kissed the top of it and hugged her back.
As Mara and James settled back into the swing, Chadwick heard a loud crash and then a scream. Everyone jerked back to their feet. Chadwick raced through the door. He ran through the living area and down the hall. James waited in the living room, but Mara was at Chadwick’s heels. He could hear his mom calling his name, but fear for Brittany kept him running. He rushed into the bedroom and found it empty. Charging into the bathroom Chadwick was subjected to another loud scream.
Time stood still as Chadwick took in the scene before him. Brittany stood in the center of the tub. The sight of her stark naked before him immobilized Chadwick. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.