Crain's Landing

by Cayce Poponea

  We all laughed through our tears as Peyton came running over to the counter.

  “Momma, go now?” Her voice was pleading. I knew she was anxious as I was to get out into the fresh air. I said goodbye to everyone and made my way back to my car.

  I barely found a parking space in the lot at the park. It seemed everyone was enjoying the weather, as there were tons of people everywhere. I remembered what I had told Brittney about finding her prince and kissing frogs. Was Holden just one of my frogs? Was Grant my prince charming or was he merely another frog I had to kiss?

  “Stay where I can see you, Peyton!” I shouted as I took a seat on a bench. There were too many people to let my guard down. I watched as Peyton ran toward the giant jungle gym that sat in the middle of the park, her hair glowing in the bright sun. She turned quickly, before climbing up the ladder, and waved back at me. My phone began to ring; I didn’t take my eyes off of her as I answered it. Hello?”

  “Hey, beautiful, turn around.” His voice was again like a cool breeze on a warm day as it swept over me. I turned around to see Grant getting out of his car. He started walking toward me and I would have sworn it was in slow motion, he looked so good. His sunglasses covered his eyes, but I could see that his smile lit up his whole face. He looked like a runway model as I watched him cross the grass, heading in my direction.

  I suddenly found myself hoping he wasn’t fond of flies.

  SUNLIGHT GLISTENED OFF THE WINDSHIELD of Grant’s convertible, its silver paint catching a few beams as well. He looked like a GQ model instead of skilled physician. He stood, leaning against his bumper, cell phone in hand and sunglasses resting on his perfect nose as the sun kissed his already tanned skin. He was a very handsome man, no question or doubt about it. However, after speaking with Constance and Tiffany, I did question why he chose me? A man like Grant, successful, apparently wealthy by the car he drove, with nothing to tie him down, and a history of entertaining beautiful women. He was a puzzle whose pieces didn’t seem to match up.

  I watched Grant walk toward me, causing a momentary loss in rational thought. How did I ever allow myself to get here? I was so lost in my head I didn’t realize I had ended the call and placed my cell back in my pocket.

  “Wow, this turned out to be a beautiful day,” he commented and smiled widely at me, looking around at the park surrounding us. Good God, how that voice caused things to stir in me, things I had no real time to deal with at this moment in my life.

  “I’m glad you gave Peyton the all clear so we could enjoy it.”

  His answering smile was not only arousing but, for lack of a better word, magical.

  “Mommy!” Peyton’s excited voice rang from beside me. In a quick move, Grant scooped her up and began to walk toward the swings. I watched, with my heart in my throat, as Grant swung her around his neck and placed her on his shoulders. She was giggling and having the time of her life. I fell in line beside them, looking into Peyton’s face, her eyes bright with glee.

  “Did you bring sunscreen along, Momma?” Grant asked as he fastened Peyton into the swing. I took the travel tube from my pocket and let him see it. “Very good, Natalie, I’d hate to have to discipline you for failure to protect her skin.”

  That million dollar smile of his, its brightness rivaled the sun above, was impossible not to join with one of my own. Grant stood behind Peyton and gently pushed her, the muscles in his forearms flexing with his movement, my eyes fixed on the action. I tried hard to keep my thoughts pure, especially with my daughter so close. Her tiny hands gripped the bar of the swing, while her little legs kicked for all she was worth.

  “I’m glad you could join us, Grant.”

  “Me, too, Natalie...besides, I really need to talk with you and I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”

  I looked at him; he was watching the swing that contained Peyton, his eyes focused intently on the back of her head. “That makes two of us. I have something I want to discuss with you as well.”

  We continued to play with Peyton, she held Grant’s hand as she went from the swings to the slide and then to the wooden bridge. Finally, Grant told her he had a surprise for her and jogged over to his car. He came back with a box of sand toys. There were three other little girls who saw the box and immediately ran over to where Grant stood helping Peyton take her shoes off. He instructed me to save him a seat on the bench that was directly in front of the sandbox. Grant knew all the children and helped each one of them with their shoes. Once everyone was settled, he joined me on the bench.

  “For a single guy, you sure know your way around little girls.”

  He sat down, leaving little space between us, both of his arms going along the back of the bench seat, one resting along my shoulders. I chose to let it stay there for now. “I owe it all to my family. I’ve been exposed to little girls my entire life.” He beamed. “I’ll bet your house was a fun place to be when you were growing up.”

  We both had our eyes trained on the little girls having a blast in the sandbox. It was amazing how young children were when it came to making friends. I envied their simple outlook on the world around them, even if it was only grains of sand in a park.

  “It was the neighborhood hangout. My mom was the mom everyone could come to if they needed help. She always had something baked for us to eat after school.”

  I wanted to be that mom—the mom who would kiss away the pain of any child when they hurt themselves, the mom who would listen and tell them what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear. “I can see Carolyn like that.”

  We were silent for a few minutes. Grant appeared lost in his memories and thoughts. I let him be in them.

  “Natalie, I have a confession to make.” I turned my head slightly, his eyes now on my face. “When I knew Peyton was going to be all right, I said something to my father that I wish I could take back.” His eyes were now moving to look at the girls.

  “I’m listening,” I stated when he remained silent a few moments too long for my liking.

  “During the time I was sending you various gifts, I discovered you’re the type of person who acknowledges when someone does something for you that you didn’t expect.” His eyes stayed on the girls, his face now tinged with pink. “My mother is the same way. She has drawers full of stationary and a cabinet full of empty containers she uses to send people thank you notes, with her famous baking attached.” He took in a deep breath as he turned to face me.

  “If, after you hear this, you want to back out of our date, I’ll completely understand.” His eyes were soft, pleading, a look of uncertainty on his face. “I told my father that you’d go out of your way to thank us for helping with Peyton. I bet him that you’d thank me instead of him. I lost.” The latter revelation caused me to gasp. How did he know?

  “Why do you say that? Do you not want to go out anymore?”

  He hastily placed his hand over mine. “No, Natalie, I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I want to have dinner with you, quite badly in fact.” His eyes became downcast. “I overheard my father tell you not to say that you were going to accept my invitation, to thank him.”

  I couldn’t help myself, I began to laugh. “Oh, my God, Grant, I knew this place was small, but this beats all.”

  He joined me in my laughter. “So you’re not angry with me?” His voice was still hesitant, cautious.

  I laugh inwardly at his worry, “No, I’m not mad at all. It’s rather funny if you think about it.” The glimmer in his eyes returned and the smile again took residence across his face.

  “It is somewhat funny, but I had to be honest with you. Honesty is very important to me.” His words were like promises, declarations of his intentions.

  “Yes, well, at least I didn’t break my word to your father.”

  His fingers began to twirl pieces of my hair; it was completely inappropriate considering we were in public and surrounded by tiny, impressionable eyes. “So, you had something you wanted to discuss with me?” His eyes fli
cked back and forth between mine, and for a moment, I was lost in his gaze.

  The giggles that suddenly became louder diverted my attention from him. Peyton was now holding hands with the other little girls, walking around in a tiny circle, laughing as they sang nursery rhymes.

  “I...um...yes. I wanted to um...” Good God, could I sound more pathetic? I was stumbling over my own tongue. With a deep breath and a quick check of my senses, I pushed forward. “I wanted to nail down a day and time for us to have our date.”

  Grant lifted his hand up and briefly brushed his thumb across his chin, removing something that he must have felt tickling him, although I saw nothing. “Well, how about Sunday night?” That was in two days. “If that’s too soon...” He trailed off.

  “I’ll have to let you know about that. I have to get a sitter for Peyton,” I reasoned.

  “Oh, that isn’t an issue. I mean, if you’re willing, my mother has been itching to have Peyton over with the rest of the grandkids. She lives for the times when she gets them all to herself.”

  The look of wonder in his eyes made me want to know what was running around in his head. “Well, I wouldn’t want to interrupt her time with her grandkids...”

  “Natalie...” He placed his hand on my cheek and stopped me before I could ramble any further. “My mother loves Peyton, just as Autumn and Lily love her. She’d be a welcomed addition.”

  Somehow, I knew he meant more than just for a play date. This was an area I had refused to venture into. It was one thing for me to get my heart crushed, but it was something entirely different for this to affect Peyton. I would take my last breath protecting her, regardless of who was trying to hurt her. “Let me ask Dad first, he’s her grandfather and should get first dibs on spending time with her.” I watched as he looked longingly at the little girls still singing and giggling.

  “Can I ask you something personal, Natalie?”

  I turned to see him looking at me intently. “Sure,” I replied quietly.

  “Do you ever think about having more children? I mean Peyton is a beautiful child and full of life, but do you ever see yourself having a bigger family?”

  I looked into his blue eyes, seeing the look of determination, anticipation, and something I couldn’t quite seem to place. “Honestly, Grant, I haven’t really thought about it. For the past few years, I’ve only been able to focus on getting my degree, keeping Peyton in clean diapers, and keeping a roof over our heads. I haven’t even given her deadbeat dad a second thought.” It was true, after Holden left, I’d struggled to stay afloat many times during my pregnancy and after Peyton was first born. There wasn’t time to think about what I was missing in my life. I had to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t...”

  It was my turn to cut him off. “No, it’s a valid question. But up until now, I hadn’t realized myself that I’d forgotten life goes on, and I do need to consider those things.”

  It wasn’t long after that, Peyton came over us, rubbing her tired little eyes. Grant picked her up and carried her back to my car. I watched him cradle her in his arms, his careful placement of his arm around her back, so gentle and yet such firm protection. As softly as possible, he placed her inside the car and secured her car seat, closing the door with great care, so as not to disturb her.

  I was stunned nearly stupid as I moved to the side, allowing him to open my driver’s side door. With a quick lick of his lips, a gesture I anticipated would lead to him leaning in for a kiss, a measure I wasn’t prepared to return. His eyes traveled between mine, his hand once again finding a place against my cheek, it warm and comforting and completely welcome.

  The sound, however, of gravel under tires behind me was not. I slowly broke my gaze away to find the Sheriff with his window rolled down, elbow outside of the car, hat riding along the bridge of his eyebrows, and the aviator sunglasses he wore with pride covering his eyes from the sun and my ability to see his eyes.

  “Ms. Reid, I've been meaning to have a word with you.” The dust from his travel over the dirt portion of the road rolled with the slight breeze now blowing past.

  I moved away from Grant only to feel him take my left hand, pulling me back into his arms. “Oh really, Sheriff? What can I do for you?”

  Sheriff Dale, as he insisted I call him when he introduced himself, I found to be a bit of comedy in uniform. He held the persona of being a rough and tough law official, however, I discerned he would shake as he pissed his overly starched pants if any real trouble came his way. “Well, it hasn’t passed my special attention you have lived in our town for a spell now, yet you have failed to properly replace those New York plates.” He pointed at the rear of my car; his lips continued moving with the action of his chewing gum.

  “Sheriff, I assure you, I have every intention of following the law to the letter. You have my word, I will take care of it immediately.” In a dramatic gesture, and in all honesty a polite middle finger to him, I placed my hand over my heart, swearing an oath of good measure.

  “You know, I could take care of that for you. Give you a personal escort to city hall, make certain you filled out the right forms, get you to the head of the line.” Sheriff Dale not only tried hard to be a Texas Ranger, but a player as well. I’d seen his car parked down the street and watched him sneak out of Janice’s house on far too many occasions. I suspected he visited quite a few women in this small town. I was determined not to be one of them.

  “Thank you for the offer, but it’s completely unnecessary. I will take Peyton and make an afternoon of it.”

  Grant moved to stand closer to the Sheriff’s car, causing my attention to shift slightly. No pleasantries were exchanged as Grant and Dale stared each other down. Only the honking of a passing truck ended the showdown.

  “Make sure you do, Ms. Reid, I’d sure hate to have to handcuff you.” Just as quick as he pulled in, he made his exit.

  “What was that about?” I asked Grant, as he watched the Sheriff wave to several people walking in the park.

  “That’s just Dale being an ass, hiding behind that badge of his, like he has since they handed it to him.” Grant spun back around, opening my door, motioning for me to climb inside.

  “I take it you don’t care for the Sheriff?”

  Grant’s eyes shifted down before running his hand behind his neck. This wasn’t the Grant I was used to seeing. The confidence left for a moment, uncertainty and doubt in its place. “Dale and I had a disagreement, we’ve never gotten past it.” I knew there was more, much more, but I knew I wouldn’t get anything else out of him today.

  I promised him I would talk with my father and see if he was available to watch Peyton on Sunday night. As I pulled away, I watched Grant standing there in the parking lot, never moving until I turned the corner.

  “I wish you would’ve asked me yesterday, Natalie.” I’d made a slight detour on my way home. I ran by my father’s house to see if he was available to watch Peyton. “Peggy’s sister is visiting from Oklahoma and she’ll only be in Charleston for one day before she heads back home.”

  Dad had just told me of his and Peggy’s plans to drive to Charleston in the morning to meet with her sister. He offered to take Peyton with them, but I worried about having her so far away from me this soon after her illness. “Really, Dad, it’s all right. Carolyn has offered as well. I just wanted you to have the opportunity.”

  “Sign me up for date number two. No matter what’s going on, I’ll make certain I can watch her, maybe take her golfing if the weather is good enough.”

  I agreed and hugged my father. “What makes you think there’ll be a second date, old man?”

  He looked at me and then shook his head. “What did I tell you, young lady? Open your eyes and see what’s right in front of you. He’s a good man and he’ll take good care of you, love you like you deserve.”

  “Dad, aren’t we getting a little ahead of ourselves? It’s dinner, maybe a movie, nothing more.”

>   “All I’m saying is don’t build a dam on a dry creek bed.”

  So with a not so quick call to Carolyn, who spoke a hundred miles a minute about how she was so excited to have Peyton in her home, I had a sitter. She offered to have Peyton spend the night, which I immediately turned down. I did finally agree that Peyton could come over in the afternoon to play. Most of the conversation was spent with me listening and Carolyn excitedly telling me everything she had planned for the kids to do.

  When I finally got off the phone with her, my phone rang almost instantly. This time it was Autumn and Lily. They were nearly as excited as Carolyn. Lily began the interrogation of what I planned to wear and how I should do my hair. Autumn insisted I take a drive over to Bertie’s, a local beauty salon, and get a full waxing done, as well as my hair cut and styled. This was clearly out of control and I was nearing my limit.

  “You know what? This is really all too much. This was such a bad idea. I’m just going to call Grant and cancel. I mean I really don’t want to lie on a table with a complete stranger and have the hair ripped from my body. That isn’t on my bucket list. Yes, I’m sure I need to cancel.”

  Dogs in the next county heard the high-pitched screams of the two of them. They began to plead with me not to cancel on Grant. Autumn was rambling about how this would derail her plans if the date didn’t happen. Lily was making it known she wanted to be put on record that if my date was disastrous because I was embarrassed due to bushy body hair, she was not to blame.

  Peyton was excited to hear she was going to Nana Carolyn’s house to play with the Crain grandkids. She wasn’t in the least bit upset I wouldn’t be there. She just kept chattering on about Savannah.

  “So I hear you got an interesting call this afternoon.” Grant had called me after Peyton was sound asleep in her bed. He had a knack for doing just that.

  “I wouldn’t call it interesting...psychotic maybe, but not interesting.” I giggled as I remembered the conversation I had with Constance, because that was an interesting conversation, one I hadn't shared with Grant.