Almost forgetting she was in the room, I hear Audrey say from the corner, “Tracey, how long have you been doing this stuff?”
“The week I heard about the engagement. I was in Tulsa and met Barbara in a club. It helped me forget what a shamble my life was in. I just started doing more and more as the details about your wedding kept coming in. Small towns. Where is Barbara anyway?” she says and starts to walk out of the room but stumbles again causing Audrey to step forward and help steady her.
“No one else is here. Let’s get you cleaned up.” She takes Tracey into the bathroom while I stand here feeling like a total jerk. She has been struggling with all of this alone because I left her behind and never looked back. She didn’t even cry when we broke up so I thought she was ok. I have been just as wrapped up in me and Karlie as Audrey was. Neither of us even thought about Tracey. And now look at her.
Now she is an addict and nothing like the clean freak she was before. I stand up and start cleaning the place up. That’s the least I can do for her. To help remedy the problem, even if it’s a slight amount of help. Walking to the pantry I find there is no food at all in this house. None. What has she been eating? Hence all the take out boxes.
After about 30 minutes of cleaning and several trips to the dumpster, the ladies come out of the bedroom holding a couple suit cases. Tracey looks a little bit more like the girl I spent over three years of my life with but still so much like a stranger. The sunken in face and bony structure, she does look horrible even cleaned up.
“What’s with the bags?” I ask stepping towards them and taking them from their hands.
“I’m going to go with her to Dallas today and her parents are going to get her into rehab there tomorrow.” Audrey says for Tracey who hasn’t looked at me. She surveys the change in the room and I know she is embarrassed that I was the one to clean it and even see it like it was. I should be furious with her because of the problems the fake pregnancy caused, but with the state she is in makes me feel so sorry for her. And quite a bit guilty.
“Do you need me to go with you? This is my fault after all.” I say looking at Tracey who lifts her head and looks at me.
“No, Aiden. None of this is your fault. I had a little trouble with drugs in college but never told anyone. Not even Audrey. I let this happen. I need for you to go live your life the way it was meant to be. With Karlie. I’m so sorry about the pregnant thing. I know she left you because of it. I am just so sorry.” She says and runs out the front door in tears.
“Take care of her Audrey. Call me if you need anything at all.” I say and hug my sister tight enough for both women.
George and Mabel agreed to take care of the apartment while Tracey was gone. That is a big relief too. She will at least have a clean home to come back to if she decides to. This next journey for her is going to be a tough one. Her parents and Audrey will make sure she gets through it. I am the last person she needs to be around or worry about.
***
“Aiden, that is terrible. Poor girl. I should have gone around checking on her too.” Mom says as I replay the afternoon’s events for her in the kitchen of the 6AB. She hands me a beer and I can’t help but take a long drink because today really has been an emotional roller coaster. “Have you told Karlie about this? I bet she would like to know there really isn’t a baby on the way.”
“I haven’t really had much time to think about Karlie. I should call her but she will be home in a few days. I don’t want to run after her and bring her home like I did last time. I need to come up with a better plan this time. This will be the LAST time. Any ideas?” I say and sit down on the barstool next to hers. I feel as if I haven’t slept in weeks and can barely keep myself upright.
“Son, you look like you could pass out right here. Maybe you should go home and get some rest before you plan this big surprise. You haven’t been sleeping well since Karlie left have you?” she asks with that motherly stern look on her face. How does she always know things like that? Must be a mother thing.
“You know Mom, you’re right. I will talk to you all tomorrow. I am beat.” I give Mom a big hug and kiss on the cheek before walking to my pickup and driving home to the AK. It feels so much easier to drive into the ranch now that I know there isn’t anything keeping Karlie and I apart any longer. But first I need some sleep.
18
“Hi Mom. Karlie’s plane gets in at 10:15 and I’ll be here waiting for her with the limo. Yes, Ella Mae gave me Karlie’s extra car key and Austin is on his way back with it right now. Yes, I am where she will see me once she exits the airport. She can’t miss me Mom. Yes, then we will go have a picnic at the park with the pond and I will explain it all to her then. My sign will get her attention believe me. Thanks Mom. Bye.” I hang up my phone and check my watch for the time. It’s almost 10:15; the plane should be landing any minute now. Then if I know Karlie, she won’t have any baggage, just a carry on so she won’t have to go to baggage claim. I lean against the side of the limo holding on tight to my sign and my control as the butterflies and emotions try to overtake me. I am here awaiting the love of my life and I just pray she is as excited to see me as I will be to see her.
***
I’m not sure if I m excited to be home or not. Colvin just doesn’t feel the same as it did before I lost Aiden. But I guess no time like the present to find out because as I walk off the plane and down the ramp I am hit with the reality that the last time I exited this plane, it was to come back to help with my Dad. I never dreamed he would pass away or that I would reconnect with Aiden. Now, I go home to Mom and Mom only.
Luckily, I don’t have any baggage, just my carry on. I can head straight out of this madhouse airport and get my car. Then I will have a hundred miles to compose myself before I enter Colvin, land of Aiden Blake.
I step outside the automatic doors and am taken aback by what I see. The most handsome man ever and a sign that reads:
LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!
What is Aiden doing here? And with that sign? How did he know when my plane got in today? Mom…. That must be why she was so chipper when I talked to her earlier when we landed. She was part of this plan. I am not sure how I feel about this, she knows how upset I am about the baby and now she helps him come here to meet me.
“What are you doing here Aiden?” seeing him after being apart the last few weeks has really affected me more than I thought it ever would. My heart is beating so fast and I can barely breathe. My hands are shaking but I clasp them harder around my carry on and purse.
“I came to get you and take you home. I have missed you so much! Let’s go.” He says also sounding breathless and nervous. He ushers me towards the open limo door and I step into the car to sit on the seat. I have been in hundreds of limos over the years but this one seems to send me in a tailspin. I look around to see that it has flowers all over and sparkling water in glass bottles alongside of chocolate covered strawberries. My favorite. He still remembers. Of course he does. It’s Aiden.
“But I have my own car that I need to get and head home.” I say hesitantly as he climbs in beside me taking up most of the seat. I can feel his shoulder rub against my arm making goose bumps raise on my arms.
“Nope, Austin is probably about home in it as we speak.” He pours a glass and hands it to me. He is enjoying this way too much.
“You thought of everything.” I say and take a big drink of my water. I didn’t realize I had such a dry mouth. Another affect Aiden has on me.
“Yep. Austin and Ella Mae were a lot of help in getting this plan executed. Now sit back and relax. We are going to a special spot for lunch.” He sits back himself and takes a drink the smile never fading from his face.
I can’t help but look at the love of my life and wonder if this is real. Wonder what he is doing here and how he thinks this is okay when he has a baby on the way with his ex.
***
Arriving at our lunch destination at the park with a pond, I grab the blanket and picnic basket out of the
front seat. I spread the blanket out and sit. Patting the spot across from me, I look up at Karlie and see so much emotion on her face. She isn’t sure what to do. She looks like she is ready to run. “Please sit down; I have a lot I need to say before you run in the other direction.”
She sits down cautiously and quickly folds her hands in her lap. If I didn’t know better I would think she were scared. Time to spit it out.
“A lot happened since you left for Miami. Audrey and I found Tracey one afternoon in her bedroom and she had almost over dosed. She has been doing Heroine since our engagement news spread around town. And she was only faking the pregnancy in hopes to get me back. Audrey helped her get to Dallas and her parents put her into rehab. That is why I am here today Karlie, I need you to know that I still love you more than anything and want to marry you as planned in a couple weeks. If you will have me.” I say and reach for her hand unsure if she would allow me to touch her or not. She does. The look on her face tells it all. She is beyond overwhelmed with the information.
As we sample all of the good food that Mom and Ella Mae have sent with me, I answer all the questions she has. The more time that goes by, I start to realize that our future might actually be attainable.
***
Aiden explained the entire Tracey situation during lunch and as we drive back to Colvin, I can’t help but sit here still a little stunned. He isn’t angry with her but I’m not sure I can be that forgiving. Yes, I know she was going through her own little Hell but that doesn’t mean I have to be okay with her ruining the past several weeks of my life. Right?
I look over at Aiden and all of those prior thoughts seem so insignificant. I am so happy to find out that Aiden still loves me and that our future is still the same as it was before all of this drama. I didn’t realize just how much I missed him until he leaned over and kissed me senseless before we took off towards home in the limo.
We made love in the limo and it felt like it had been years not weeks since our last touch. I don’t want to spend another Moment not being able to touch Aiden. I agreed to move back into the AK and move forward with the wedding plans. I would imagine between his family and my Mom my stuff is moved and ready for us before we even get home. When I called Mom a few minutes ago, she was ecstatic. I thought our families are just as happy that we are back on track. That feels so good to say. Back on track.
***
I lay here watching Karlie as she talks on the phone with her Mom and my heart feels so full of love for this woman. I almost lost the ability to see her smile and hear that laugh of hers. She is the most beautiful and passionate woman I have ever met and thankfully I will soon be able to call her my wife. In a few weeks she will walk down that aisle towards me and we will exchange I do’s. That day can’t come soon enough.
She hangs up her phone, smiles and leans into me to press her lips against mine and says, “How far are we from home?”
I reach up with both arms and pull her close knowing her real meaning to that question. I could stay in this backseat all day if that’s what it took to be able to make love to Karlie over and over again.
19
A few weeks later…..
Karlie is working in her downtown Colvin studio when the door opens and in comes her soldier brother and a tall blonde that looks all too familiar.
“Jonathan what are you doing here?” I say quickly but forget to mask my feelings for the next part, “And with Tracey Wheeler?”
“We were just going to get a cup of coffee after running into each other at the post office.” He says with eyes pleading for me to be nice. “I just wanted to stop by and ask when I have to try on this monkey suit I am told I have to wear. The things I do for you girl.”
“Thank you. You can go try it on at the tux shop any time before Saturday. By the way, how long are you home?” Karlie asks trying to ignore the fact that Aiden’s ex is with her brother.
“Only a couple of days. There’s some stuff in Charlotte I have to take care of before I can decide my next move.” He says and kisses my cheek.
“Thank you for coming home to walk me down the aisle. It means the world to me and to Aiden.” She says hugging her brother once more really feeling the tension in the room.
“I would do anything for you sis, you know that. And I really like Aiden.” He smiles and looks at Tracey unaware of the connection she has with his soon to be brother-in-law. “Well, we better get our coffee. See you at Mom’s tonight for dinner. Love you sis.”
“Bye, love you. See you then.” I say as I try to wrap my head around the fact that my brother is having a date with Tracey, of all people. Just coffee. Not a date. Right?
***
“It fits perfectly.” I say tears forming in my eyes as I look at myself in the full length mirror inside the bridal salon. I am here for my final dress fitting before the wedding this weekend. I can’t believe I am finally marrying Aiden. This dress is exquisite and I couldn’t be happier.
Our colors are silver and creamy white so this dress is in that creamy white shade with silver jewels accentuating the curves of it. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen and love it so much. I helped to design it and can’t believe how great it turned out. Aiden is going to love it.
“How are you wearing your hair?” Audrey asks from behind me. “Aiden is going to flip out when he sees you walking down the aisle in this Karlie. It is absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you Audrey for all of your help with the wedding. I really am glad you agreed to be my maid of honor. Savannah will be here tomorrow to be the other bride’s maid.” I say hugging her before returning to the dressing room to change.
“Um, I need to ask you something. Is Tracey dating anyone? I know she is still living in Dallas and going to rehab and all but, she came in the studio with Jonathan earlier today.” I say as I walk out carrying the dress and handing it to the seamstress.
“No, but she did tell me she ran into him and had coffee. Are you ok with that?” she asks knowing enough to realize I might not be with everything that happened a few weeks ago.
“I really don’t know Audrey. She almost cost me and Aiden our future. I have a hard time with anything Tracey. Now with my brother?” I say making a strange face that makes Audrey laugh.
“But he is marrying you in two days. Tracey doesn’t matter anymore to Aiden. He got his girl, remember?” she says making me feel so much better. At the Moment anyway. “Let’s go. We have flowers to finalize with Austin at the nursery.”
***
Later that night as Aiden and I pull up to my Mom’s house for dinner we see that Tracey’s car is also there and I see Aiden get the crease in his forehead when he is unsure about something.
“What is she doing here?”
“She had coffee today with Jonathan and I guess it must have gone well.” I say trying to sound upbeat about the idea. “Let’s get inside before Mom comes out yelling for us.”
“This ought to be interesting.” Aiden says under his breath and opens the front door.
“Hi guys! So glad to see you could make it! Jonathan is in the kitchen finishing his famous guacamole dip. Go on in!”
“Mom it smells wonderful! I had a dress fitting during lunch so I didn’t have time to eat.” I say as I use a chip to scoop some of the dip into my mouth while covertly looking around for Tracey.
“Did it go ok? No issues?” Mom asks while taking the enchiladas out of the oven. She has always made the best enchiladas. “Aiden, I think a fuse is out in my car, could you check on that for me?”
As he walks towards the door leading to the garage he smiles an uneasy smile. I know what he is thinking. Where is she? That’s the same thing I am thinking.
“It all fit great. The extra mile I run every morning has helped to fight off the bulge.”
“It’s not just the running that’s working off those calories Karlie!” Aiden says with a smile and a wink before slipping into the garage.
“You two that’s enough!
Get a room would you? The rest of us don’t need a visual!” Jonathan says and throws the dish towel at me.
“So, I take it your date went well?”
“Yes, it did why do you say it like that?”
“I saw her car out front.” I say quickly. “Where is she?”
“Jonathan’s car didn’t get finished at the repair shop yet and since he’s meeting Tracey for coffee later, she offered him her car.” Mom says smiling completely unaware of my discomfort.
“Thanks Mom but I can talk for myself. What do you have against her anyway Karlie? I saw the way you acted around her and treated her in the studio today.” He asks knowing he is missing something big.
“You really don’t know? How can you not know? Oh yeah, you were in Iraq still.
“She and Aiden were together for three years before I came back. She thought they were going to get married and live happily ever after. Then, a few weeks ago she came to Aiden and told her she was pregnant. That’s when I went to Miami. But come to find out she was faking and also struggling with a drug addiction.” I say while fighting back all of those emotions from that time. It still hurts to remember.
“Whoa. I didn’t know that. I guess I understand now why you were so cold to her. We are just friends anyway.” he says putting his hands up for a truce.
“I don’t hate her. It’s just awkward being around her.” I say with too much emotion that causes Mom to come hug me from behind. “He cared about her too and if I hadn’t have come back before Dad died; I would have lost Aiden forever. And a few weeks ago, please don’t make me remember.”
“Do you have a problem with me dating her? Well, if you call it dating. I am going back to Charlotte in a few days anyway.” He says and pulls me into a hug before I could get mad or answer him but I pull away to answer.
“I don’t know Jonathan. It’s just weird. Have you talked to her about it? I guess not if you didn’t know.” I say with a sassy tone. “This is just weird, can we eat now?”
Down to the Creek- Book 1 of the Colvin Series Page 13