Out of the Wreckage

by Amy Cox

  “Dessert tonight Sugar?” Ruthie asks.

  “Yes, what are you planning to have tonight Grams?”

  “I have chicken and dumplins going on the stove and will ask Nathan to join us.”

  “Oh?” ‘Drea asks unable to hide the flush that steals across her face.

  Ruthie smiles and sighs, “Sugar, he is a good man. He comes from a hard past, but he is a good man. He thinks very highly of you.”

  “Does he? Well we don’t really know each other very well do we? He has been very helpful and is working very hard. We will be ready to open the store in the next week or so at this rate.” ‘Drea pops a cookie in her mouth and continues, “I have ordered more from the grocery, which should be here tomorrow. I also paid up all the bills until next month.”

  Ruthie slams her mug down on the table making ‘Drea jump, “Andrea Ruth Westwood, I am not talkin’ about the store, or the bills, or when the groceries are bein’ delivered by Old man Vanover.”

  “Grams…” ‘Drea starts but the glare from her Grams shuts her mouth right back.

  “I am talkin’ about the fact that you were a mess when you got here; bakin’ or Nathan Kyle or a combination of the two had changed that. Judgin’ by the look on your face when I say his name Missy I can see it is both, maybe more him.” Ruthie says scolding ‘Drea.

  ‘Drea knowing looks at her Grams, this woman may be her grandmother and use a walker, but if she doesn’t tread lightly here she will take ‘Drea over her knee with a wooden spoon like she used to when she would misbehave as a child. “Grams, I really love what I’m doing. Focusing on you and me getting the store opened. The trees will be ready for a harvest soon and we will be baking and canning. Oh Grams I love being home.” ‘Drea says teary.

  Ruthie’s eyes soften, “Oh Sugar I have missed so much, but that doesn’t change the subject though. Now I know there is somethin’ goin’ on with Nathan. Neither one of you want to talk about it with me, oh that is just fine. I am just an old woman, what do I know?”

  ‘Drea starts to answer but Ruthie continues, “Well I will tell you what I know Missy. I met your Grand-daddy and nearly fell for him at first sight. I made him a pie and that night I knew he was it for me. I didn’t go lookin’ for it Andrea Ruth, I didn’t. I was seventeen years old for pity’s sake. I wasn’t ready for that, but when I saw the way that ol’ teddy bear looked at me, oh that man. He looked at me like Nathan looks at you, and I know what I am sayin’ that look makes a woman go weak in the knees. You made him a butterscotch pie didn’t you Sugar?”

  “Yes, Ma’am I guess I kinda did. The night you went to Bingo. Grams, do you realize that when you are angry you lose your ‘gs’?” ‘Drea says stifling a giggle.

  “You aren’t too old to go across my knee Andrea Ruth. He is a good man. ‘Drea don’t go messin’ with his head. I just came from the workshop, gave him the same talkin’ to about you. Either you two attack this thing head on or leave it alone. No secrets and no games.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. Did you threaten to take him across you knee too Grams?” ‘Drea asks with a wink.

  Ruthie sighs, “Get outta here Andrea Ruth, I would like to try out the new kitchen and make a pie of my own.”

  “Yes Ma’am.” ‘Drea replies as Ms. Ruthie kicks her out of the kitchen and into the yard.

  ‘Drea walks through the orchard looking up at the sky through the branches. The fruit is starting to fill the trees and the smells are heavenly. ‘Drea picks an apple and bites into it, closing her eyes to savor the taste, no apple had ever come close to tasting as good as the ones she would pick here as child. Nate told her to keep thinking…and she had been doing little else… Thinking of how good his arms felt around her, how his lips felt warm and tender on hers, and the explosion between them. She wanted him badly.

  ‘Drea didn’t know how she ended up outside the workshop, she didn’t intend on coming here did she? As she walked up to it, she was stopped dead in her tracks. Nate was shirtless, sanding the edges of the display cases with an electric sander. He had on low slung carpenter jeans and a tool belt that had belonged to her Grand-dad. He was drenched in sweat and unaware of her watching him. So ‘Drea decided to oogle, she decided to stand there and oogle…and want…and need…a lot.

  Nate wasn’t unaware of her. He had missed her, more times than he could count he wanted to go to her and tell her just that. To hell with her needing to think about them, he wanted her and hell she wanted him just as much. The moment she stepped out of the trees he knew she was there watching, but he kept sanding, making sure the edges were perfect. Moving and bending, knowing she was watching like when he was on the roof. Turning the sander off, he turns and smiles at her. “Well, ‘Drea what a pleasant surprise. Have you come to oogle me?”

  “Those look good.” ‘Drea replies her mouth suddenly dry.

  “Thank you, come take a closer look. I won’t bite Sugar.” He says with a chuckle.

  She walks into the workshop and smiles arching a brow, “Sound a bit like the big bad wolf don’t you?” Nate waggles a brow as she leans down looking at the cabinets. “Wow these look amazing Nate.”

  He walks up beside her, “They will look even better stained and filled with all those amazing things you ladies bake. When are you planning on opening?”

  “Hopefully next weekend, I know Grand-dad used to make a big deal of the weekends. Big displays of fruit, baked goods, and lots of people; Grams would can for days and it would be wall to wall people. Everyone knew us and it was like family, I want that back.” ‘Drea says as she smiles, standing now toe to toe with Nate… How did that happen?

  “It will be a good turn- out; the gossip mill is already going full blast. Start advertising, make flyers and we can harvest what is ready in the orchard and have everything set up. Ms. Ruthie has been canning like mad, and your coolers are full aren’t they?” Nate says as he strokes ‘Drea’s arm.

  “Yes, it is all falling into place.” ‘Drea reaches up and touches Nate’s cheek as her green eyes meet his searching. “Nate…”

  “Don’t ‘Drea, don’t ruin it, don’t think anymore.” Nate says crushing his lips to hers. The warm, tender kiss making her knees weak. ‘Drea could taste the salty sweat on his lip. He pulls her into him; he sighs at the smell of vanilla and meringue. He had grown needy of the smell of her and the taste of her lips. It made him nervous, he never needed someone before; he was realizing a little too late that he needed ‘Drea and the hell with everything else.

  ‘Drea had spent the past few days denying everything she had felt, everything her Grams had said was true. She had felt something when Nate touched her, when he kissed her. She trusted him, she told him things she had never told anyone, she cried in front of him unashamed. She couldn’t believe it but Nathan Kyle had snuck right in and made her trust, made her relax. As Nate pulled back slightly, he smiled down at her as she relaxed into his arms.

  “So, are we done thinking ‘Drea?”

  ‘Drea opens her eyes and smiles at him. “I think that whatever is going on between us is a huge mistake. One of us is going to get hurt, I am not even sure if I am going to stay here.”

  “’Drea…” He starts but she silences him with a kiss.

  “It may be a mistake…” She says as she pulls away letting him catch his breath. “But Nate, right now I don’t care. If Grams has the guts to kick me in the ass about it then maybe I should listen.”

  He smiles a purely sexy, wicked smile. “Sugar, I love that woman.” Nate says with a groan and kisses her again.

  “Grams made chicken and dumplins, I made a black forest cake, and we figured we need you to stay for supper so we don’t waste food.” ‘Drea says kissing his jaw.

  “Black forest cake?” Nate asks grinning against her neck.

  “Yes, ever had one?”

  “It is my favorite. I have one on every birthday; these were just store bought though. I am sure I will never be the same after yours.”

  ‘Drea’s breath h
itches as Nate’s hands run down her back and run along the waist band of her jeans, stroking her bare back under her shirt. “W-well, I have to get back, Grams is baking in the store and I want to taste test. I will see you at supper time.” ‘Drea kisses him sweetly on the lips and heads back to the store.

  Nate sags against the display case and sighs, that woman will be the death of him, but what a way to go. Snapping out of it, he turns and starts staining the first case for the store.

  ‘Drea told Nate so much about her past, things she had told no one. Although she can tell there are things he is not saying. Things she hasn’t really asked about though either. He had such pain in his eyes when she talked about watching her Momma die in the car beside her. Was that all for her? Shaking her head to dismiss the thought, ‘Drea makes a deal with herself that she is going to enjoy this, have fun with it. When he leaves town or she does, it will be a clean break no strings and no regrets. As ‘Drea walks back into the kitchen her Grams chuckles looking up from her meringue and smiles.

  “Well Sugar, you didn’t waste any time did you?”

  “Grams! I went to invite him to supper, and the cases look great” ‘Drea says as the blush runs across her cheeks, she grabs a water from the fridge and sits at the table to drink.

  “Well of course you did. Did you enjoy the view Sugar? That man was grown better than a June Apple.”

  “Grams!” ‘Drea says spitting her water.

  “Now Missy, I know good and well how to appreciate a hard workin’ man. I may be old but I ain’t dead.”

  “Grams, you will never be old, you are timeless. You know Nate would marry you tomorrow if only you would say yes.” ‘Drea says with a giggle.

  “Yes, he would. He isn’t your Grand-dad though Andrea. No man will ever measure up to Frank Westwood in my eyes, though Nathan Kyle is a close second. That man is all about you Sugar.” Ruthie says with a smile as she washes up and kisses ‘Drea on the cheek. “Now you make sure you are at that table, washed up and six or I will come a huntin’ Missy.”

  “Yes, Ma’am, and I will bring dessert.” ‘Drea says as her Grams walks out of the store slowly steadying her walker, climbs into her car, and drives up to the house.

  After cleaning the kitchen ‘Drea boxes up the cakes and locks up the store, making the trip through the orchard to the house. At six on the dot, ‘Drea is washed up in a green sundress at the table as Nate walks in. “Well don’t you clean up nice Nathan?” Ruthie says as she sets the table.

  “Thank you Ms Ruthie, you two look lovely and everything smells so good.” Nate says kissing Ruthie’s cheek and sitting across from ‘Drea.

  “’Drea pour the tea will you?” Ruthie asks.

  “Yes, Grams.” ‘Drea replies, pouring three glasses of sweet tea and then adding lemon.

  The three sit chatting about the orchard and eating supper. Ruthie is delighted to see the smiles on their faces, knowing where this is heading even if neither of them does. She smiles to herself knowing these two don’t stand a chance, just like Frank and her were, they are goners. “Well, Nathan ‘Drea says the display cases are nearly done and that look real good.” She pipes up tired of the comfortable silence as they eat dessert.

  Nate looks up at them both with a shy grin, “Yes, ma’am, all sanded and I started staining them today. Once that’s done I will put in the glass. They will look great filled with all those goodies.”

  “Very good then. Early tomorrow, you two can start pickin’ apples and such, before the heat rises. I’ll call it a night after I clean up here. You two should walk through the orchard, it is beautiful in the twilight.”

  “Grams, I can…” ‘Drea starts.

  “No, Andrea Ruth, I am kickin’ you two out, now go on.”

  Nate smiles, standing he takes ‘Drea’s hand, “She’s lost her ‘gs’, we better go.”

  “At least someone listens. Now shoo.” Ruthie says as she shoos them both out the door.

  “Well that is twice today that she has kicked me out of a kitchen.” ‘Drea giggles.

  “Come one Sugar, let’s go see some trees.” Nate says taking her arm in his.

  They walk arm in arm through the trees, and ‘Drea sighs, “They walked here every night, arm in arm, and stealing kisses under the stars, oh Nate they sure had it all. Even after they married they walked here every night. I used to sit in my window and watch them walk off together. It was so romantic.”

  Nate pushes her up against an apple tree and kisses her warm and passionately. ‘Drea returns his kiss, fisting her hands in his brown pullover. Tilting her chin up to him he deepens the kiss, as his thigh slides between hers. Nate never believed in grand romantic gestures, but when ‘Drea was talking about her grandparents all he wanted to do was kiss her senseless. If it was romantic, then so be it but if he didn’t kiss her soon he would explode. He gently pulls back and puts his hands on her hips to steady them both. “’Drea are you OK?”

  Her eyes flutter open and she sighs, “You kissed me. You kissed me here in the orchard under the stars.”

  Nate chuckles, “Yeah, I suppose I did.” He strokes a hand up her arm and cups her jaw. “I think I will do it again.” Before she can react, he brushes his mouth over hers, and as her lips part for him he caresses his tongue with hers. She moans into his mouth as his hands cup her behind urging her into him.

  “Nate…” She whispers against her jaw.

  “What is it Sugar?” He asks kissing down her throat.

  “Why do you call me that?” She whispers.

  His eyes meet hers, searching. “Ms. Ruthie does, it just stuck and you are so sweet… I don’t know it just fits, why?”

  “Grand-dad used to call Grams that.”

  “Oh, do you mind ‘Drea?”

  “No, I don’t mind it. Nate?” She asks as she looks into his eyes.

  “Yeah?” He asks as his hands travel up and down her back as if he can’t get enough of her in his hands.

  “Kiss me again.” She whispers inches from his lips.

  “Oh Sugar, you only have to ask.” He growls and ‘Drea melts into Nate’s kiss, swept away by the romance in the moment.

  Chapter Four:

  Apple Pickin’

  The alarm sounds at 5am jolting ‘Drea out of her dream-land recap of twilight walks in the orchard with Nate. Last night couldn’t have been more perfect. Throwing on jeans and a gray pull-over, ‘Drea grabs her sneakers and heads to the kitchen for coffee.

  “Mornin’ Sugar.” Grams calls as ‘Drea pours a mug of coffee.

  “Morning Grams, sleep well?”

  “Yes, I did. How was the orchard?”

  ‘Drea sighs and sits at the table, nibbling at a piece of toast. “Oh Grams, it was nice.”

  “It looked really nice to me, Sugar.” Grams says with a wink.

  “Were you watchin’?” ‘Drea says blushing.

  “Andrea Ruth! As if you didn’t watch Grand-dad and me walkin’ every night. Nathan reminds me of him, strong but sweet.”

  “It was lovely Grams, I always thought the orchard was magical. Momma used to say it too. Last night it was, it was perfect.”

  “I don’t know about magic, Sugar. All I do know is your Grand-dad and I put all our love into this place; into your Momma and you, we never wanted anything else.”

  “I miss her Grams, so much.” ‘Drea chokes back a sob.

  “Oh Sugar, not a day goes by that I don’t miss you Momma. Now that you are home it does ease the pain.”

  ‘Drea hugs her hard, “Me too, I guess you are stuck with me then.”

  “Good, now go pick some apples, I hear Nate’s truck pullin’ up.”

  Grabbing the basket her Grams has packed ‘Drea heads out and hops up into the truck with Nate. “Morning Sugar.” He says kissing her sweetly on the cheek. “Ms. Ruthie send breakfast?”

  “And coffee.” ‘Drea says with a nod.

  “Love of my life.” He winks taking the mug. “I loaded the bins already, so we are ready t
o go.”

  “Let’s hit it.”

  Nate pulls into the orchard driving down the worn trail. As he comes to a set of trees nearly bursting with ripe green apples he pulls over and stops the truck. ‘Drea looks over her green eyes dancing with the flecks of gold and Nate’s heart races. Before he can say a word, ‘Drea hops out of the truck and leaps up a tree effortlessly.

  “Careful Sugar, no broken bones.” Nate calls as he pulls the ladder out of the back of the truck.

  “My Grand-dad used to say that I could swing in one of these all day. He would tease me that my Daddy was part monkey.” ‘Drea says as she tosses apples into the first bin.

  “Ha. I seem to forget sometimes that you are a Westwood.” He says as he climbs the ladder and starts on the tree next to her.

  She peeks around a branch her green eyes blazing at him through that black hair framing her face. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “That you are determined and tough as hell. I keep underestimating you ‘Drea.” Nate says his eyes full of heat.

  “Oh.” ‘Drea says, smiles then moves to a higher branch.

  By noon, they have loaded all the bins full of apples into the back of Nate’s truck and are sitting in the grass against a tree resting. Nibbling on the sandwiches and odds and ends that Ms Ruthie packed picnic style and sipping on waters.

  “Looks like the rain missed us.” Nate says squeezing ‘Drea’s hand.

  “Yeah. I could stay here all day, it is so peaceful here.”

  Nate tugs her hand pulling her into his lap, pulling the clip from her hair so her long black strands fall around them. “You are beautiful ‘Drea.” Nate says sweetly as he kisses her softly running his fingers through her freed hair.

  “Grams will come looking for us Nate, and without her ‘gs’.” ‘Drea says teasingly.

  “Nah, she hasn’t been in the orchard since I have been in town.” Nate says kissing her jaw line and nips at her ear. His thumbs rubbing circles into her back. ‘Drea kisses him gently tugging at his bottom lip as her hands twist and tug in his shaggy blonde hair. “’Drea?” He groans, as she nips at his stubbled jaw.