Sweet Southern Nights

by Rochelle Alers

  “Hell, yeah,” he drawled, kneeling and massaging her legs and thighs.

  “Levi.”

  “Yes, love.”

  “We’re wasting water.”

  He glanced up at her. “You’re right. Let’s shower, then I’ll order room service.”

  They took turns washing each other’s bodies. After they dried each other off, they wrapped themselves in thick cotton robes, and sat on the bed and decided what they wanted for dinner. Levi called room service with their order, while Angela slipped into a pair of cotton lounging pants and tank top. Levi exchanged his robe for a pair of khaki shorts and a white tee.

  The waiter arrived, setting the table in the dining area with silver, china and crystal before he set out their entrees. He uncorked a bottle of chilled champagne, half-filled a flute and handed it to Levi to taste.

  Nodding, he smiled. “Excellent.” Levi signed the check, gave the man a generous tip, and walked him to the door. “Please send someone to pick up the tray in a couple of hours. I’ll leave it outside the door.”

  “Yes, Dr. Eaton.”

  Angela and Levi waited an hour after finishing dinner to go to bed. She lay in his embrace, listening intently as he told her of the three weeks he’d spent working twelve-and-sixteen-hour days at a mobile hospital where scores of injured people were brought around the clock. There were broken limbs, concussions, lacerations from flying glass and other injuries requiring immediate surgery.

  He spoke of frightened children whose parents were missing, or abandoned pets searching for their owners. There were also those who’d suffered a break with reality, searching through the rubble looking for heirlooms and family photos.

  Temporary shelters were set up to house those who had no family nearby, while fresh food and water had to be trucked in daily and distributed by the Red Cross. What had begun as a search and rescue mission became search and recovery. But there were miracles. Survivors were found under tons of rubble.

  “It was as if someone had dropped a bomb, Angie. Unless you saw it for yourself there was no way to imagine the devastation caused by a twister. The hospital took a direct hit and most of the deaths were medical personnel—doctors, nurses, technicians. But their numbers paled in comparison to those injured.”

  “How many, Levi?”

  “Thousands. The only ones who made it through unscathed were the newborns.”

  Shifting in his embrace, Angela pressed her face to his chest. “Do you ever get used to death and dying?”

  A beat passed. “Never. And I don’t want to.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t want to lose my humanity and compassion, which is what made me want to become a doctor.”

  “Are you a good doctor?”

  Laughter rumbled in his chest. “I would like to think I am. At least the children believe I am, because I’m able to imitate their favorite cartoon characters. They love my Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck impressions.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  “Do one for me.”

  Levi combed his fingers through her hair. “Not tonight. I’ll do it tomorrow for the kids.”

  Angela smothered a yawn as her heart swelled with a love she hadn’t thought possible. She knew that if she hadn’t gone through what she did five years ago, her life would’ve been very different today.

  Chapter 19

  Angela was surrounded by three generations of Eatons ranging from infants to middle age. Someone had referred to her as Levi’s girl and the label stuck. Levi was right about the number of young Eatons.

  During breakfast she sat at a table with a group of women who were updating each other about what was going on in their busy lives. All agreed their major problem was juggling motherhood and career, and that made her aware of what she would be faced with if she changed her mind about marriage. Unlike Traci, who’d married three times by age thirty, Angela was still reluctant to consider taking that step.

  Selena’s nineteen-month-old daughter Lily Mia Eaton had crawled onto Angela’s lap and whenever her mother or father tried to pick her up, she would cry. The little girl had a burnished-gold complexion, curly black hair and dark gray eyes—eyes she’d inherited from her maternal great-grandmother. Although the baby’s namesake had been invited, Lily Yates had declined at the last minute because she’d come down with bronchitis.

  Selena lifted questioning brows. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. Normally she won’t let anyone pick her up with the exception of me and Xavier, but there’s something about you she likes.”

  Angela stared at the sleeping baby in her arms. “Maybe it’s because she knows I like her.” She smiled at the chocolatier. “She’s adorable.” The baby was adorable and feeling the warmth from the tiny body, and inhaling her delicate scent stirred Angela’s maternal instincts. There had been a time when she’d fantasized about becoming a mother. But that time had passed. Now it was back and she knew it was because of Levi.

  She wanted a baby.

  Levi Eaton’s baby.

  Selena covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “You wouldn’t say that when it’s time to put her down for the night. She will cry for her daddy until he comes into the room and sits with her until she goes to sleep.”

  “That’s because she’s daddy’s little girl.”

  Angela glanced up, meeting Levi’s penetrating stare, unable to read his expression. A ghost of a smile flickered across her face before she looked away.

  Dr. Mia Chandler joined the group. She and her husband had checked into the hotel the day before and decided to sleep in late, ordering room service. Tall, slender and stunningly beautiful she was often mistaken for a fashion model.

  “Where’s Kenyon?” Selena asked Mia.

  “I left him on the phone. He’s trying to hook up with a few of his old military buddies who live in the area.”

  Selena leaned forward. “Xavier has already connected with three of his buddies from the Corps. He’s trying to see if Griffin can get a few more tickets to the ballgame so they can all hang out together after the game.”

  Mia shook her head. “I smell trouble if they’re going out after the game.”

  “The worst that can happen is they’ll miss breakfast,” Angela said.

  “Try brunch,” Mia and Selena said in unison.

  Angela blinked. “It’s like that?”

  Mia and Selena shared a glance. “You’ll find out once you marry Levi,” the doctor crooned.

  Angela’s eyelids fluttered. “It’s not like that between Levi and me. We’re friends.”

  “Who’s a friend?” questioned Holly Eaton.

  “Angela and your son,” Selena said to Levi’s mother.

  “Surely you jest, young lady,” the older woman replied, then walked away.

  Waiting until Holly was out of earshot, Selena and Mia dissolved into laughter. Mia touched the corners of her eyes with a finger. “You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you’ll never fool my aunt. Everyone expected Aunt Holly to have a woman here to parade in front of Levi, but when he told her he was bringing someone she backed off.”

  Angela felt a lump in the middle of her chest. Had Levi asked her to come to Philadelphia because he knew his mother would try and set him up with another woman? “Should I assume I’m the first woman he’s brought to meet his family?”

  Mia touched Angela’s shoulder. “No. We’ve seen him with other women at weddings, but you’re the first to come with him to a reunion. And you’re the first one we like,” she added.

  “Thank you. What was wrong with the others?”

  “They were nothing like you.” Mia turned to Selena. “What did you think of the one he brought to my wedding last year?”
r />   “She had her nose so far up in the air it’s a wonder she didn’t drown whenever it rained.”

  Mia nodded. “They were divas. I saw where you’d signed up to go to the Phillies game. Levi’s old girlfriends would’ve never done that. You definitely have what it takes to become an Eaton woman.”

  You definitely have what it takes to become an Eaton woman. Dr. Mia Chandler’s statement was etched on Angela’s brain like a permanent tattoo.

  And she felt like an Eaton woman when she joined the women for an afternoon of pampering at the spa enjoying massages, facials, mani-pedis, waxing, haircuts and styling. The younger children were left in the care of their fathers or grandparents.

  Later that evening, everyone drove to Paoli for a buffet dinner. Belinda and Griffin’s twin teenage daughters, whom Angela discovered were actually their nieces, were the perfect hosts. Their young son chattered incessantly and Belinda remarked that he was his father’s mini-me and no doubt would also become an attorney. The Rices had filled the inground pool, but no one ventured into the water because of the cool nighttime temperatures.

  Saturday night, Angela was one of four women who attended the baseball game, the score seesawing back and forth until it went into extra endings. The group left the stadium in the fourteenth inning, half returning to the hotel and the others lingering behind to meet up with old buddies.

  Levi didn’t return to their suite until dawn, falling facedown on the bed fully clothed. It took Angela more than ten minutes to undress him and get him back into bed. She placed the Do Not Disturb placard on the door and rode down to the lobby to meet those going to church. When she returned, Levi had recovered enough to make the drive to the Brandywine Valley. She didn’t ask him where he’d gone or what he’d done and he didn’t volunteer to tell her.

  Brunch at the Tuckers was held outdoors with spectacular breathtaking views of the valley. There was something about the rolling hills in this region of Pennsylvania that remind Angela of Kentucky. She met celebrated playwright Preston Tucker, and talked to him about his plays. When she told him she was interested in writing a play, he gave her great advice.

  Over the weekend she was aware that Holly Eaton was watching her, and Angela groaned inwardly at her approach. Angela moved over on the bench to make room for Holly. She reminded her of a suburban housewife with a man-tailored blouse, khakis, imported slip-ons and pearls. Holly had tied a rose-pink cardigan around her neck.

  Holly patted Angela’s hand. “My son seems to be quite taken with you, Angela.”

  “Well, the feeling is mutual. I’m quite taken with Levi. You raised a remarkable son.”

  Holly removed her hand, patted her coiffed, barely-gray hair. “How serious are you and Levi?”

  “We’re friends, Mrs. Eaton.”

  “That’s what I keep hearing.”

  “It’s the truth. I’m sorry if you want it to be more, but…” Angela’s voice trailed off when she saw the disappointment on Levi’s mother’s face. “We haven’t known each other that long.”

  Holly’s expression brightened. “I see. But you do like him?”

  “Very, very much.”

  Nodding, Holly said, “That’s enough for me.” She shocked Angela when she kissed her cheek. “That’s for giving Levi what he needs.”

  When the woman got up and walked away Angela wondered why Holly was so interested in Levi’s love life. Had some woman broken his heart, or promised to marry him, and broken the engagement? Or perhaps Holly wanted to see all of her children married. She wanted to tell her that her odds were much better than Dianne Chase who had five unmarried children and no grandchildren.

  The reunion ended Monday morning with everyone gathering at Lacroix at The Rittenhouse. Dr. Dwight Eaton, the family patriarch gave a short speech, thanking everyone for coming to Philadelphia and they didn’t need an invitation to return any time. His face fell when he mentioned the obvious absence of his brother Raleigh and Raleigh’s daughter Crystal.

  Dwight adjusted his glasses. “I know my brother doesn’t like reunions as much as he likes marriages.” There came an explosion of laughter. “After all, the man is on his fourth marriage. Will some of you single folks please get married so I can get to see my brother again?” All eyes were trained on Levi who pretended indifference. “You young folks will have to get together to decide where next year’s reunion will be. Do I hear a shout out for West Virginia or Charleston?”

  Xavier raised his hand. “Selena and I will host it next year. Remember good people it’s Charleston, South Carolina, not Charleston, West Virginia.”

  Amid hugs, kisses and tears the Eatons extended family promised to see one another the following Memorial Day weekend.

  Levi and Angela didn’t leave Philadelphia until early Tuesday morning to avoid the holiday traffic. Levi drove for six straight hours, then when they stopped to refuel Angela took over and drove the remaining five. They arrived in Louisville in the early afternoon. He dropped her off at her house.

  “Are you really going to work?” he asked her.

  “I have to, Levi.” She brushed a light kiss over his mouth. “Please go so I can shower and change. I’ll call you later after I pick up Miss Divine from my mother.”

  He ran his finger over her cheekbone. “Try to get some sleep tonight.”

  “You, too.”

  She closed the door, raced to the bathroom to get ready for work. Angela knew Levi was right. She’d gotten very little sleep over the weekend, and after driving for five straight hours she was exhausted. But she’d promised Traci she would come in today and she always kept her promises.

  Levi lay in bed, arms folded under his head, staring up at the ceiling. If he’d planned a perfect weekend, it couldn’t have gotten any better than the one he’d shared with his family and Angela.

  His mother had cornered him wanting to know his intentions when it came to Angela. Only Solomon Eaton had been able to get Holly to stop the interrogation. Levi had never been one to kiss and tell, and he wasn’t about to break the rule now because his mother wanted to know about the woman who’d captured his heart.

  Not only had he fallen in love with Angela but he also wanted her in his life—permanently. He wanted her as his wife and the mother of their children. But that would only happen if he took steps to make it a reality.

  Levi sat up and retrieved his cell. He tapped several buttons. “This is Dr. Eaton. I’d like to speak to Dr. McGill.” He waited for the secretary to patch him through. “Neil, Levi.”

  “I heard you did a terrific job. Delivered a bunch of babies, did you?”

  Levi smiled. “It was four. You’d asked me whether I’d take the position as head of pediatrics and I told you I’d have to think about it.”

  “Have you thought about it, Levi?”

  “Yes. I’ll accept it.”

  “Hot damn! When you come in next week we’ll discuss salary, benefits and perks. Thank you, Levi.”

  “You’re welcome, Neil.”

  Levi ended the call, knowing he had taken the first step to cement his future.

  “I want to know everything,” Traci said when Angela walked into the Garden Gate.”

  “And I want to know everything that happened at your wedding reception first,” Angela countered.

  Traci patted the daybed. “Sit down and I’ll give you all the details. First of all, it was like the Super Bowl. The only thing missing was the half-time entertainment.”

  “No!”

  “Oh, yeah,” Traci confirmed. “My mother got in touch with Reggie’s mother and it was on. Half of his old teammates showed up—again—to wish us well. I was so embarrassed I didn’t know where to hide my face. If I could have I would’ve disowned her when she made the announcement that all of her prayers were finally answered because she was going to
become a grandmother.”

  “No, she didn’t,” Angela whispered.

  “Yes, she did. Then she put on a performance that rivaled any of Meryl Streep’s when she pretended to be overcome with emotion.”

  “Aunt Daphne should’ve become an actress instead of a math teacher. What did Uncle Frank say?”

  “He played into the nonsense like he always does. All my dad has to see is one tear and he’s like hot butter in my mother’s hands. It was so embarrassing. I told Mama the Southern belle act is old-school, but apparently it still works for her because Daddy falls for it every time.”

  “Did anyone videotape it?”

  “Of course. As soon as I get a copy I’ll let you see it.”

  “Does it fall under the category of comedy or drama?”

  “Neither. There’s a new category for this one—hot mess,” Traci spat out. “Enough about me. What happened in Philly? Did you get to meet Levi’s parents?”

  Angela gave Traci a rundown of the Eaton family reunion, recounting how Levi had become the pied piper when all the children gathered around him when he did impressions of cartoon characters.

  “I don’t remember the names of all the adults, but I wrote down the names of the children because Levi wants to buy gifts for each of them from us. The grandfathers got together and went golfing, the grandmothers got to bond with their grandchildren and the women my age bonded at a day spa.”

  “What about Levi’s friends?”

  “Of course it was sports. They went to a baseball game, then went somewhere after that and didn’t get back until dawn.”

  Traci gave Angela an incredulous look. “You didn’t ask Levi where he’d been?”

  “No, Traci. He’s not my husband.”

  “Even if he were your husband, wouldn’t you want to know where he’d been and what he’d been doing?”

  “No,” Angela repeated. “I’m not going to run behind a man to check on what he’s doing or who he’s seeing. It’s about trust, Traci. If I can’t trust him, then I don’t want to be with him.”