Finding Love in Payton

by Shelley Galloway

"What a day you've had," her mom said, looking over Bryan's head to Dinah.

  She couldn't help but agree. It had been quite a day. "I'm in no hurry to make another trip to the emergency room any time soon."

  "He's twenty-six months and already made a trip. This doesn't bode well."

  "He's a boy. That's what boys do," her father quipped.

  Like that was supposed to make her feel any better. "I hope he gives me at least a year or two before we make another trip," Dinah said, compromising. "He may be all boy, but I'm just a mere woman."

  Her mom laughed. "You did just fine, honey. You always do."

  Did she? There was a big part of her that didn't think so. And a whole other portion of her that was tired of handling crises alone. It had felt really good to have Jeremy there, calling Stratton, talking to the doctors and nurses, and holding her after everything was okay. "Jeremy helped a lot," she said, feeling the need to give credit where credit was due.

  Her parents exchanged glances. "We heard. Daphne called us on the golf course and relayed how Jeremy was on his feet and out the door only seconds after you called." She gave Dinah a sideways glance. "He must really care for you."

  Their quiet, assessing glances made heat rise to her cheeks, which made her feel even more self-conscious. How come at almost thirty years of age, she still felt perpetually fourteen around her mom? Especially when her mom gave her those assessing glances? "I guess he does," she replied, mainly just to see what her parents said to that.

  "I like him, too," her dad boomed. "Like his parents, his sisters, that Stratton. You could do worse, dear."

  She bristled at his words. Gosh, her dad was making her sound like some sort of old maid! "I was married before, remember?"

  "We liked Neil, too," her mom said, eager to play mediator. "It's just that ... well, he's gone, honey."

  She knew that all too well. "I don't think I need to be in a hurry to do anything."

  "We wouldn't want you to. Though, I would hate your feelings about Neil to interfere with any thoughts you might have of being with Jeremy."

  "I loved Neil."

  "We did, too."

  "He was a good husband. A good father," she pointed out, feeling the need to defend him though the things they were saying out loud were nothing she hadn't thought to herself before.

  Her father nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes, he was."

  Dinah slumped. "Then why am I so afraid to fall in love again?"

  Her parents looked at each other in alarm, but for once Dinah was tired of hiding her feelings behind a sunny smile. "I had a good marriage with Neil. I wanted him to settle down, wanted him to want to be with me ..."

  "You had a good marriage with him. He was a good man. He also hardly thought of the future, had to go out with his buddies once a weekend, and had a needless accident while you were home with his baby."

  "Dad!"

  "I'm sorry, but I don't understand how we have to make him out to be a saint when he was nothing of the sort," he said, defending himself. "I thought Neil was a great guy ... but he had faults. Just like you and I do."

  Her father stood up as if to prove his point. "He was human. And he was speeding in the rain because he liked fast cars and danger. The police reports proved it."

  She really didn't want to revisit those feelings. "I don't know why we have to bring this up right now."

  Her mother marched forward, her auburn hair bouncing from the motion. "Maybe because we never do. Maybe it's time to actually talk about things instead of pretending they don't matter. All I've ever heard you say about Jeremy Reece is what's wrong with him. `He's too young. He should be with someone else. He's just starting out'." Her expression softened. "But maybe, just maybe you're so busy looking at all the reasons you shouldn't be together instead of all the reasons you should."

  It was nothing new to have her mother give her relationship advice ... but completely weird to actually find herself listening to it. "What do you mean?"

  "I mean Jeremy was there for you today, and he seems like the kind of guy who's going to be there for you all the time."

  Dinah knew that.

  "And, I imagine, you would be there for him ... right?"

  With a start, Dinah knew that exactly. If their places had been reversed, if he'd called her in a panic, she would have dropped everything to be with him. That's what love was.

  Stunned by her revelation, she hardly heard her mother drone on. ". . . he's dependable, likeable, cute as can be, and shoot, the whole school board thinks he's about as great as sliced bread."

  That brought her up short. "Sliced bread?" she echoed with a smile.

  Her mother rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. I think you should take a step back and do some thinking, Dinah. Or you're going to miss out on a great guy„

  And with that, her parents took off, leaving Dinah with a messy kitchen, a sleepy Bryan, and a whole lot to think about.

  "My turn for the fitting," Missy announced, walk- ing into the back of Beagle's Books. "Thanks for letting me come here to try on the dress instead of going to your house. It's so nice to take care of this during my lunch hour."

  "I'm happy to do it," Dinah said, handing Missy a vibrant scarlet colored dress.

  "Red?"

  "You're going to look beautiful in it. Besides, Joanne said the red fabric was on sale."

  "I bet an ivory color was on sale, too," Missy grumbled, heading to the rest room. "Joanne just has a flair for the dramatic. I'll be out in a sec."

  Moments later Missy appeared, looking resplendent in red. "I like that color on you," Dinah said.

  "Me, too ... if you want to know the truth."

  Dinah was relieved to see that she didn't have too many more alterations. Basically, all that needed to be done was just a little pinning around the shoulders and the hemming.

  "Are you excited about the baby?"

  Missy's eyes glowed. "So excited. Sometimes Kevin and I can hardly believe that we're going to be parents soon."

  "When's your due date, again?"

  "Around Christmas."

  Dinah did some quick calculations. "The baby will be sitting up and crawling this summer."

  Missy glanced at her, wide-eyed. "Gosh, you're right! It's hard to believe how different things will be ... just one year from now." She glanced at herself in the mirror, turning this way and that, before directing her attention back to Dinah. "Did you know this is my second marriage?"

  "I'd heard that."

  "My first was pretty tough. We only lasted ten months. I was sure before I met Kevin that I was going to be alone for the rest of my life. Isn't it funny how love can find you when you're not looking for it?"

  Thinking back to her trip to the grocery store, Dinah nodded. "It is funny."

  "I think you and Jeremy are adorable together."

  "Thank you."

  "How's Bryan's hand doing?"

  "Better," Dinah said with relief. "My mom has him today. I think I'm more traumatized than he was. I was so scared when he was hurt."

  "I'll bet. I heard Jeremy was worried sick over the both of you."

  The revelation that Jeremy cared enough to worry made her feel good inside. "Really?"

  "Really." She spun, looking into the mirror from all angles as her dress billowed out around her ankles. "Well, I guess this will do. Sure you don't want to change your mind about participating in the reenactment?"

  "Positive," Dinah replied. "Bryan and I will stand on the sidelines and ooh and aah at all the action."

  "Smart girl."

  Dinah chuckled. With the reenactment just days away, she wasn't sure how smart she was feeling. Constantly she found herself forgetting things, zoning out people, gazing outside ... thinking about Jeremy.

  She felt in love, that all encompassing feeling she'd used to feel with Neil. But this time, it felt richer, more multi-faceted. She felt giddy, excited, nervous, and unsure ... all at the same time whenever he was near!

  Yep, falling in lo
ve with Jeremy Reece might not be the easiest thing she had ever done ... but it certainly did make her feel like she had stepped back into the land of the living.

  Hours later, just as she was closing up, Jeremy stopped by. "Thought I'd take you out for an ice cream," he said, leaning on her counter.

  Her heart lurched, and she felt that now familiar splurge of emotions as she caught his scent. "That's nice," she murmured, ready to do anything with him.

  Then reality set in. Her mom had had Bryan all day and was probably going crazy. "Not tonight," she said with genuine regret. "Bryan-"

  "Is with your mom and excited about her two new boxes of kitchen containers," he finished, humor lighting his eyes. "Come on, even working girls need a treat sometimes." He took her hand and guided her around the counter. "I've been looking forward to seeing you all afternoon. You're not going to disappoint me, are you?"

  What could she say to that? She'd missed him, too. "No," she said, enjoying the feel of her hand in his. "I'm not about to disappoint you." She smiled at him then. "Thank you for coming to get me. An ice cream sounds like heaven."

  He took her hand as soon as she locked up and guided her down the hill to downtown Payton, the little two block intersection that was composed of The Mill, the Payton Grill, and several cute antique and gift shops. Catty-corner to it all was an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.

  They held hands as they walked, filling each other in on their days. Dinah enjoyed the sight of him next to her ... and found herself dreaming of a future of ice cream visits, walks through town, special glances at each other that meant so much.

  She chose a double dip of chocolate chip and grinned when Jeremy chose plain vanilla. "Nothing more exciting for you?"

  "I don't need exciting ice cream, I've got you," he said gallantly.

  She smiled at his joke. "Thank you very much."

  Then they held hands and walked up and down the sidewalks, staring into windows and talking about nothing. More than a few people stopped and said `hi', and one gentleman even said that they looked just like high school sweethearts.

  With some surprise, Dinah realized that that was exactly how she did feel, and she thought it was wonderful. Feeling giddy, she leaned close and kissed him.

  He glanced at her in surprise. "What was that for?"

  "For being you."

  "What? Just because I take you out for ice cream on a Thursday night?"

  "Yes. And because you think of me. And you hold my hand." She breathed deeply, gathering her courage. "I like being with you, Jeremy. You make me feel good inside."

  His cheeks colored. Then, out of the blue, he leaned over and kissed her again, this time a little more pas sionately, his lips lingering on hers. She leaned into him, enjoyed the feel of their bodies brushing against each other.

  When he stepped back, she felt bereft. "Any reason you kissed me?" she asked.

  "No reason," he said with a sexy, movie star kind of smile. "Just because I can."

  Her insides felt like they were melting, right then and there. Quickly, she licked the side of her cone; the chocolate chip ice cream also seemed to be feeling the heat.

  "Are you ready for the reenactment, Jeremy?"

  He smiled broadly. "Sure. Quite a few high school kids are taking part in it. We're all getting together tomorrow night for yet another meeting that Joanne's holding. I think this experience is going to help me start the school year off right."

  "I thought I'd bring a picnic basket."

  He smiled at her gratefully. "Thanks. Joanne said we're going to have to have a whole run through before the actual filmed reenactment. I know I'm going to be starved."

  She felt her cheeks heating. He often looked at her like she was the only person in his world. His attention made her feel flustered, and treasured. With a start, she knew without a doubt that she was so glad she had stopped being afraid to fall in love again.

  "You'll have to visit me and Bryan often, then," she said, attempting to stay on track.

  "You won't have to worry about that. With you and Bryan is where I want to be."

  They'd walked a little longer, and now stood near the walking path, which for once, was deserted. "Jeremy?"

  "Yeah?" he asked, taking a swipe at his cone with his tongue.

  "Kiss me again?"

  The cone zipped by her as he tossed the remainder into the trash can. "With pleasure, honey," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.

  Somehow, in between his ardent kisses, she managed to toss the rest of her cone out, too.

  Finally, the big day had come. Dinah grinned broadly as she watched Jeremy stride toward her front porch.

  "Might I offer you an escort to the reenactment, ma'am?" Jeremy called out as he approached.

  She had to laugh. He looked very gallant in his navy blue uniform with rows of gold braid. Good enough for her to forget just how tricky that gold braid had been to secure.

  "I'd be delighted," she replied. "You look very handsome."

  "Thank you," he said, bowing slightly. "My seamstress has a way with a needle ... and other things."

  She blushed, thinking of the kisses they'd recently shared. And the ones she was looking forward to. "I'd say you were a lucky man, then."

  He picked her up and twirled her around, much to the amusement of Bryan and Bonnie. "Yes, I am."

  Her body tingled from their brief contact and she swallowed hard after he set her back down. "Are you ready?" she asked.

  "Ready as I'll ever be."

  Quickly they let Bonnie inside, then secured Bryan in his stroller, Jeremy talking to him the whole time about his day. Finally, Dinah picked up her picnic basket, handed Jeremy a large thermos of cold water, and they were on their way. "I brought my camera; I'll take lots of pictures."

  "Take them quick, I'm supposed to `die' early."

  She chuckled. "How does the jacket feel?"

  "It feels great, just warm. Wearing this really makes me feel for the soldiers. The pants and jacket don't breathe much."

  "So, it's only supposed to be ninety-two degrees today. Good thing Joanne read somewhere that it was perfectly acceptable to reenact in the morning."

  Jeremy grunted, already pulling at the long sleeves of his jacket. "Good thing she listened to all the men who threatened not to show up if she staged it at two in the afternoon."

  "I've brought my video camera," she said. "I'll take lots of pictures."

  "Thanks. I was actually thinking that this experience would come in handy at school. We study the War Between the States during second quarter."

  "That's the War of Northern Aggression, I believe."

  "Ah, spoken like a true Southerner."

  She chuckled, and for the next half hour they enjoyed the novelty of seeing various "soldiers" appearing out of houses and walking to the park together. Here and there women appeared, looking resplendent in hooped skirts the colors of sherbets.

  Jeremy smiled at the sight of a ten-year-old boy racing one of his friends down the sidewalk, all dressed up in short pants and a drum. "It's times like this when I really appreciate my sister Joanne. This will be an event that will have people talking for the next couple of years."

  "I imagine you're right," she said, knowing she would recall the day for years to come, too ... and not because of any historical significance. She loved walking next to him, being with him, doing things with him. She felt proud to be by his side.

  Suddenly, it didn't matter what anyone else thought about their differences in ages or experiences. All Dinah knew was that Jeremy was one of the nicest men she'd ever met; he was great to be around; he curled her toes when he kissed her, and ... he just happened to look great in a Union uniform.

  They walked on, waving to more friends, when Dinah realized just where they were. "Hey, look at your house!" she exclaimed. Someone had planted row after row of begonias in the front yard. Their red and pink blooms looked vibrant and pretty, setting off the stonework of the historical home. "Whoever hired the
landscaper didn't pay him enough. It looks amazing."

  "It does look beautiful, but it's not mine yet."

  Glancing at him, she noticed the worry in his eyes and strived to make him feel better. On the spur of the moment, she steered the stroller up the front path. "I do think you should go ahead and get it, Jeremy," Dinah said, stepping up on the empty front porch. "It's a peach of a place."

  He chuckled at the phrase but had to agree. It was a peach of a place. And, because he was in no hurry to go pretend to either shoot someone or play dead, he decided the time was just as good as any to admit the truth. "It's great ... though I have to tell you that the price of the house isn't the only thing I've been saving up for."

  "What else?"

  He looked into her eyes, saw sympathy and friendship, and realized she probably had no idea just how much he loved her. "I love you, Dinah," he said baldly, steeling himself for her surprise, yet knowing he couldn't tell her his dreams without explaining his motivations first. "I haven't wanted to rush you, but over these last three months, I've really come to care for you, deeply."

  Finally, he steeled himself to meet her gaze. But all he saw was love shining in her eyes. "I love you, too," she said simply.

  He shook his head in wonder, then did the only thing that seemed appropriate: he pulled her into his arms and held her close, kissing her cheeks and neck, then finally her lips. "I'm so glad. See, I've been hoping to one day ask you to marry me."

  He held his breath. There. It was said.

  Her eyes widened. "Marry?"

  Jeremy nodded. "Yeah. I feel so stupid, telling you this in a ridiculously hot Union uniform. But, I don't want to live here without you and Bryan. I don't want to think about a future without the two of you in it."

  "I don't know what to say."

  "You don't have to say a word," he replied, sure her mind must be reeling. "Just think about it. By the time I save up enough money for us to get married, maybe you'll have made up your mind," he said with a smile.

  She chewed her lip. "I want a future with you in it, too, but I don't understand why you think you have to have a home and a large savings account in order for us to make it work."