Hot Georgia Rein

by Martha Sweeney

  “You were just projecting your own insecurities,” I reply. “Trust me. I understand.”

  “Thanks,” he returns, hugging me.

  “So, what have you been up to for work?” I inquire.

  “Working for Henry, actually,” Grady shares.

  “Working for Henry? What do you mean?” I search. “Don’t you mean with Henry?”

  “Yes,” Grady confirms. “I mean working with Henry.”

  “Henry?” I question, processing his statement. “Wait. You mean my Henry?”

  Grady laughs. “He’s yours now?” he probes playfully.

  “Yeah, kind of,” I reply, not wanting to explain the whole mess of it right now.

  “Yeah, your Henry,” he confirms. “He didn’t mention it?”

  “No,” I reply. “He said he was in construction.”

  “Sounds like you both need to talk more,” Grady states.

  “We haven’t mentioned a lot of things to each other,” I reveal. “I can’t fault him for not sharing everything…look at me. But, he didn’t say you worked with him.”

  “Might want to start doing that,” Grady teases. “Talking, that is.”

  “I know,” I quip. “Don’t remind me.”

  “Too much sex…you two need to be tied down and not allowed to have any until you talk shit out,” Grady claims.

  “Funny,” I giggle. “The tying down part I’d be into.”

  “Ew,” Grady exclaims, slapping my arm. “I don’t want to know about your sexual perversions.”

  I laugh, knowing that I got to him. “In all seriousness, which company do Henry and you work for?”

  “The one that owns Awohali Ridge,” Grady says.

  “Wow, really?” I reply.

  “Don’t sound all surprised or anything,” Grady quips.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” I defend.

  “How did you mean it?” he checks.

  “I’m sorry,” I sigh. “I’m not really surprised that you’re both working for that company. I just didn’t expect it. It’s a beautiful property and the buildings are stunning.”

  “I’m just teasing,” Grady says, bumping my shoulder with his. “They’re pretty cool on the inside too. The new owner has his act together.”

  “They recently sold?” I check.

  “The original builder wasn’t paying us for a while,” Grady informs. “Someone came in and bought them out, offering a deal before it hit the news.”

  “Wow,” I sigh.

  “All’s good,” Grady returns. “I’m going to bed.”

  I let out a yawn. “Yeah. I should too.”

  20 Henry

  “I don’t see why you don’t want to be at the naming ceremony,” Grady says as I mess with some papers that are in front of me.

  “Because, I don’t want anyone to know just yet,” I remind, eyeing him.

  “You just don’t want Ivy to know right now,” Grady accuses.

  “Precisely,” I confirm.

  “I don’t see why not,” Grady huffs, inspecting one of my carvings. “It’s not like she wouldn’t understand. She’s got her own business for Christ’s sake.”

  “Because,” I sigh. “I need to make sure things are locked in and good for the business before she or anyone else finds out. I need enough time for the finances to be good where I know that I can take care of her once we’re ready.”

  “You know she ain’t stupid, right?” Grady asks.

  ”What’s that supposed to mean?” I check.

  “She’ll know,” Grady states.

  “Know what?” I press.

  “By the name…she’ll put two and two together,” Grady informs. “No one else will get the connection with the Firefly Resort & Spa, but she will.”

  I let out a heavy sign, not realizing that fact with her being in town now. “Fuck.”

  “You two already talking about marriage?” Grady pries.

  “No,” I share. “It’s too early for her.”

  “Not too early for you?” Grady pokes.

  “Nope,” I confirm.

  “How do you know she’s not ready,” he asks.

  “Because she freaked out when it came up in passing yesterday,” I state.

  “When?” Grady questions. “I didn’t hear her or Momma talking about it…and if they didn’t, that means she didn’t freak out like you think.”

  “She didn’t talk to your Momma about it?” I search, confused by his words.

  “Nope,” he confirms. “Whenever something freaks Ivy out, she and Momma talk. Then, Momma talks to Papa and Nana about it as if it’ll help both of them.”

  “So…the idea of marriage doesn’t freak Ivy out?” I check.

  “Not that I know of,” Grady shares. “If it had, she might have brought it up to me last night when we talked, but she never did.”

  “You and Ivy talked?” I ask, curious as to how it went and if there’s anything he can tell me that will reveal what’s going on in her head. I know their relationship has been a little rocky.

  “Not bad, actually,” Grady says. “Better than I thought even though she kind of called me out on shit.” He wrings the back of his neck. “Said that she even knows someone in New York who I might hit it off with instead of one of the crazy freaks down here.”

  I study him for a few seconds and then turn my eyes back to the papers before making my next comment, not wanting to make him feel like he’s on the spot. “She get you to confess that you’re gay?” I probe. I look up and find Grady’s face stark white as if he’s seen a ghost. I chuckle, “You think I didn’t know.”

  “Know what?” Grady denies.

  “Don’t worry,” I soothe. “I’ve known for a while.”

  “Known what?” he repeats.

  “I get it,”I say, wanting to calm him. “You’re not ready for people to know. That’s cool. Just know, I don’t care that you are nor will I judge you…I can’t after the shit I’ve done and been through.”

  “You’ve experimented with men?” Grady pries with a hint of teasing to his tone.

  “Uh, no,” I laugh. “But, nice try.”

  “Was it hard for you?” Grady asks.

  “What do you mean?” I return.

  “You know…being with someone you didn’t really love when Ivy wasn’t…you know,” Grady inquires.

  “Worst time of my life,” I confirm. “I wasn’t happy and blamed everyone else because of it. I made us both unhappy. It wasn’t until we found out that Julianna was dying that we became friends again.”

  Grady nods, processing my words.

  “The hardest part was admitting to Julianna and myself that I could have still been a better husband even though I didn’t love her rather than treat her the way that I did,” I share. “I don’t like the person I was and am determined to not be that again.”

  “Do you think Ivy sees that?” Grady inquires.

  “I hope so,” I admit.

  “I think so,” Grady confirms.

  I nod, appreciative of his words.

  “I know she’s changed a bit too,” Grady states. “You might not see it all yet because you’ve only spent a little time with her…barely talking.” Grady winks.

  “I see some of it,” I affirm. “But, even when I knew Ivy back then, there were parts of her I still didn’t know and understand. Women are complicated in general.”

  “People are complicated in general,” Grady adds. “I don’t think it really needs to be that complicated. Too much bullshit.”

  “Amen to that,” I cheer.

  “Go easy with her,” Grady says. “Push…she needs that. But…also know when not to push. She’s been through a lot…not saying you haven’t.”

  “I know what you mean,” I agree. “Thanks for that.”

  “No problem,” Grady returns with a smile. “I’ll get going for the whole event and all. Just call if you need anything.”

  “Thanks for being the front man,” I reply.

  “I
don’t like it…knowing most won’t understand how I got the position,” Grady says.

  “They don’t matter,” I inform. “You and what you’ve done matters.”

  “Thanks,” Grady returns, as he disappears out of the barn.

  When I finish up some work stuff, I hop in the truck and make my way over the Abney’s home, hoping to catch Ivy and see when we can get together again.

  “She’s with her Momma,” Nana says, opening the door. “They stopped by the bed and breakfast and then they’re going out of town for the day for some girls’ time.”

  “Thanks,” I reply.

  “They should be home around dinner,” she adds.

  “Great,” I say.

  “I’ll let them know you stopped by,” Nana informs. “You should join us for dinner. I’ll text Suellen.”

  “Okay,” I return. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”

  With Ivy gone, I head back to the house we stopped at yesterday to work. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the house was something I started for us back when she first went off to college. I had gotten the land really cheap because it’s just outside of town and off of a side road that’s away from general traffic. There were talks that the land was of no use because of its odd location with a few of the attractions and how the back of it spills out into the national park.

  No one knows that I own the property, not unless they looked it up in the public records. I got some money when one of my grandparents passed which is where the funding came for the land. Then, from all of the money I saved from working, I slowly started to construct the house, using the some of the trees on the lot for the structure.

  When shit went south between Ivy and me, and even when I eventually married Julianna, I only stopped building it for a short while. The last night I had seen Ivy those months before I was supposed to be married, I planned on bringing her to the house, wanting her to know it was for us. It was just a structural outline, but it was something I was proud of.

  There have been several times that I thought about selling it, but I never could bring myself to do it. Instead, I kept working, kept designing, kept hoping.

  The house itself and the garage are completely done. Some additional landscaping, an area for a greenhouse and farm section, and the driveway being paved is all that’s left to be finished.

  I set the timer on my phone before I get to work, knowing that I’ll want to be ready just in case I do decide to go to the Abney’s house for dinner. I’m considering not going, wanting to give Ivy some time with her family.

  With the radio blaring, I get to work paving the back part of the driveway that is in front of and part of the side of the garage. The heat of laying asphalt and from the sun slow things a little, but I push through.

  When the sun is hitting the horizon, I realize that my phone battery had died and that it would be best to wrap up for the day. I clean up, putting all the equipment and tools back in the garage, lock it up, and head back to the barn.

  “Heard you were looking for me,” her sweet voice calls out when I step out from the shower with nothing on but a towel on.

  I look up, excited to find Ivy sitting on the edge of the workbench. “Have you?” I goad.

  “It was either you or some other cute guy…I can’t remember what Nana said,” she teases.

  I slowly stride toward her, enjoying the sight of her in a dress. “I’m sure you remember,” I reply.

  “Momma and I went shopping,” Ivy informs.

  “Yeah?” I ask, wanting her to keep talking instead of paying attention to how close I am.

  “Yep,” she confirms. “I got this dress.”

  “Looks good on you,” I confirm.

  “You think?” she asks with a sexy smile.

  “Would look better on the floor, though,” I add.

  “Got something else too,” she adds.

  “What’s that?” I inquire, running my fingers along her thighs, pushing her dress up.

  “The stuff that’s under the dress,” she says playfully.

  “I’m sure they’d look better on the floor too,” I remark confidently.

  “I’m sure,” she agrees, tilting her head to the side to prevent me from getting a taste of her lips.

  “Why you got to tease me?” I ask, tugging her chin toward me.

  “Seems like all we do is this,” she states with a sassy tone.

  “I don’t mind,” I chuckle. “You?”

  “Not really,” she sighs. “Though…we do need to talk…catch up.”

  “We are catching up,” I return, nipping her ear.

  “Momma was sad that you didn’t make it to dinner,” Ivy claims. “She sent me with some leftovers.”

  “I didn't mean not to,” I admit. “But, I’m still up for eating something…maybe you?”

  Ivy bites her lip. “Maybe….” She lets out a whimper when my fingers graze higher up her leg. “She did send me along with some pie, too.”

  “What kind,” I ask, skimming fingers along the edges of her panties.

  “Strawberry rhubarb,” Ivy informs with a moan.

  “My favorite,” I say. “Next to you, that is.”

  “What the hell is going on?” a woman’s voice shrieks from my right.

  My head spins and I find Mrs. Summerlin standing in the doorway.

  “No wonder my daughter died,” Mrs. Summerlin accuses. “She died of a broken heart because you were cheating on her.”

  “I wasn't cheating on Julianna,” I remark, irritated by her accusation.

  “I find that very hard to believe,” Mrs. Summerlin states with her hand on her hip.

  “Doesn’t matter what you believe. What matters is what Julianna knew and understood,” I quip.

  “I knew there was always something between the two of you,” Mrs. Summerlin continues. “Julianna would not have understood anything with you sleeping around with this slut.”

  “Back off, Mrs. Summerlin,” I caution, taking a step toward her.

  “I will most certainly not,” she says. “My husband will hear about this. The whole town will hear about this.”

  “Mrs. Summerlin,” I call after her.

  She disappears, not bothering to acknowledge me.

  “I should go,” Ivy announces, jumping down off the bench.

  “Stay here,” I direct, needing her to not get in the middle of this bullshit or leave.

  Ivy nods, but I see hesitation and worry in her face.

  I kiss her hard, wanting Ivy to know I need her to stay before I run after Mrs. Summerlin. “I’ll be right back,” I inform. I jog out the barn with my hand clenched around my towel. “Mrs. Summerlin!”

  “Don’t,” she directs, getting her car unlocked. “It’s your fault my baby is dead! Your fault!”

  “I didn’t kill her,” I remind. “Cancer did.”

  “You might as well have,” Mrs. Summerlin seethes before slamming her car door behind her.

  21 Ivy

  As soon as Henry exits the barn, I’m not long to follow. I grab my purse and make sure my dress was hanging correctly before I headed to Momma’s truck. As much as I want to stay, I need to give Henry and Mrs. Summerlin space.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Henry inquires with fire in his eyes.

  The truck is already started and I’ve got it in reverse. “Home,” I admit.

  “Why?” he snaps.

  “You know why,” I remind.

  “I need you here,” Henry claims.

  “You need to fix things with the Summerlins first,” I inform.

  “Get the hell out of the truck, Firefly,” Henry commands.

  I lock the door before he can yank it open. “It’s not a good idea for me to stay.”

  “Why?” he pushes.

  “Because of what just happened,” I remind.

  “Fuck what just happened,” Henry exclaims.

  “You need to calm down. She needs to calm down. Then, you two need to talk things out,” I state.
“They’re hurting…you’re hurting.”

  “Of course I’m hurting,” Henry replies, trying to get the door open. “The woman I love is trying to leave.”

  “I’m not leaving,” I soothe. “Not like that. I’m just giving you time to handle….”

  “I don’t need time,” Henry claims.

  “Well, Mrs. Summerlin does!” I snap. “She’s grieving for her daughter who’s grave doesn’t even have grass growing over it yet. She’s in pain and needs time to heal.”

  “The Bible only gives three fucking days, Ivy,” Henry reminds. “It’s been almost a week.”

  “I know,” I reply. “But, think of their needs.”

  “Fuck their needs!” he shouts. “I’m fucking sick and tired of thinking about everyone’s needs but my own let alone everyone else thinking about their own fucking needs rather than think about what I may need.”

  I let out a heavy sigh, realizing that Henry is definitely not ready to hear my secret. “Okay,” I say softly. “I hear you.”

  “Good,” he huffs. “Get the fuck out of your Momma’s truck.”

  “Henry,” I say, placing my hand over his. “You know that what was going to happen won’t feel right for either of us if I stay.”

  “We don’t have to do that,” he claims. “Just stay. We can talk…snuggle.”

  I smile, always enjoying how a man admits when he needs to snuggle. “I would love to,” I return.

  “But, you’re gonna fucking leave,” he retorts, reaching in to pop the lock.

  I nod as I block him. “But, just for tonight. I’ll be back to check on you in the morning.”

  “No,” he argues.

  “What time do you want me to stop by?” I check.

  “I want you to stay the night,” he informs.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I counter.

  “I do,” he grunts, trying to unlock the door again.

  I block him and put my palm on his cheek. “You’ll know where to find me.”

  “Please, don’t go,” he begs softly.

  “I’ll call you as soon as I get there,” I inform. “We can talk that way.”

  “We can talk while you’re here,” he pushes.

  I shake my head. “It’s not right…not tonight, that is.”