All That I Need (Grayson Friends)

by Ray, Francis

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” Mrs. Youngblood touched his arm. “We’ll talk. Good night. See you at ten, Naomi.”

  As the good-byes were exchanged, Fallon noticed Lance’s stiff posture, his stoic expression. There was something going on between him and his mother.

  “I’ll see you to your door.”

  Fallon caught back a sigh on hearing the cool politeness in Lance’s voice. He didn’t even take her arm. Ignoring the frown on Naomi’s face and the curious look on Richard’s, Fallon went to her door and unlocked it. “Thanks for dinner.” She wasn’t going to waste her breath inviting Lance in. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Richard, Kayla, and Naomi enter her apartment.

  “Good night,” Lance said with none of the warmth he’d shown earlier.

  “Good night.” Fallon went inside her apartment and closed the door softly behind her. Not only had she not gotten a good-night kiss, but she also wasn’t sure if she hadn’t just seen Lance for the last time.

  Chapter 4

  Lance didn’t want to answer his ringing cell phone. He knew who was calling without looking at the readout. Parking his car in the three-car garage, he went inside the house to turn off all the lights and reset the alarm. He left though the back door. The ring came again.

  He’d reprogrammed his cell phone to ring ten times before going into voice mail. With his new business he hadn’t wanted to be out of touch with his employees or potential clients. Probably two rings to go, he reasoned. All he had to do was wait a few more seconds and he’d be off the hook … and up most of the night with a guilty conscience.

  Taking a seat on the lounge chair he and Fallon had shared earlier, he answered his cell phone. Respect and love won out, as he knew it would. “I’m fine, Aunt Gladys.”

  “I’m not so sure about that,” came his aunt’s quick answer.

  Lance blew out a breath. She always knew him better than anyone other than his father. Lance had mistakenly thought that person would be his mother.

  “You and Irene need to stop dancing around each other and talk.”

  “Aunt Gladys, I don’t—”

  “She’s my only sister and you’re my only nephew,” Mrs. Youngblood cut him off. “It hurts to see that you’ve grown so far apart since Luther died.”

  “Her doing, not mine.” Too restless to sit, he came to his feet.

  “Lance, honey. Marrying Jim didn’t mean she loved your father any less.”

  Lance swallowed the anger. A month before his mother started seeing Jim Banks, she’d gotten rid of everything that had belonged to Lance’s father, including the fishing gear and the comic books they’d begun to collect together. Two months later—a year after Lance’s father died—she’d remarried. She’d acted as if Luther hadn’t mattered, as if Lance didn’t matter. That hurt. It still did.

  “It’s done and over.”

  “If that were the truth, you would have been home in the past five years more than a couple of times,” Gladys reasoned. “She wouldn’t be anxious about coming to the wedding.”

  He paced. “What do you want me to do? She wants nothing from me—not even a simple cell phone.”

  “Lance, she’s retired now and stays at home. She doesn’t need a cell phone to keep in touch with people. What she needs is her son’s love.”

  “She has Jim,” Lance shot back.

  For long moments there was nothing but silence. His aunt was a loving woman with a tender heart who loved her family. She wanted them to be close, but it wasn’t going to happen.

  “Just call her. Please. For me. I want her here for Richard and Naomi’s wedding,” Gladys said, her voice unsteady. “Family comes first.”

  He opened his mouth to remind his aunt that to his mother it didn’t, then decided it wouldn’t do any good. His aunt tended to see the good in people. The one and only time she’d met Ashley in Atlanta Gladys had thought her “a wonderful young woman.” To his undying regret, Ashley had fooled both of them.

  “I’ll think about it,” he finally answered. It was the best he could do. Conversations between him and his mother were stilted and awkward, the visits more so. They didn’t seem to have any common ground. She’d remarried when he was ten and proceeded to take her new husband’s side in every argument until Lance felt like an outsider in his own home. The following summer, and every summer until he went to college, he spent with Richard and his parents in Santa Fe.

  “The wedding is in less than six weeks,” Gladys said with mild annoyance. “Richard wanted to get married right away, but luckily Naomi understood that his father and I wanted more of a celebration, since this is Richard’s first, and it’s necessary to give family and friends time to make arrangements to get here.”

  Lance and Gladys were back to his mother. Their family was small. His father had been an only child. Richard’s father had a retired widowed sister in Las Vegas. She had three children in the same city. Since they owned their own business, Lance didn’t see a problem about them traveling or taking the Saturday off. “It’s a short plane trip from Oklahoma to here.”

  “Then you’ll call her?”

  Lance looked up at the sky, then chuckled. “You’re still as stubborn as they come.”

  “With my size, I’ve had to be,” she said, and he heard the laughter in her voice. “Good night, Lance.”

  “Good night, Aunt Gladys.” Lance disconnected the call and retook his seat to stare up at the faint stars sprinkled in the moonlit night. He supposed before too long, to make his aunt happy, he’d call his mother. As he’d told his aunt, he had no influence over Irene. Her decision rested on what her husband, Jim, wanted.

  Girls, then women, Lance had discovered as he went from high school to college and then into the workforce, seldom considered him in their long-range plan or thinking. He was a disposable convenience. With Ashley, he thought he had finally met someone to whom he mattered. She had proved more deceitful than any woman before her and hurt him the deepest.

  He wasn’t going to go put himself at risk for that heartache ever again. He was alone and that was the way it was always going to be. Images of him and Fallon locked in a heated embrace flashed in his mind. They both knew whatever it was between them wasn’t forever. She had her life; he had his. For him to forget was asking to be trampled beneath a woman’s spike heel again.

  Not in his lifetime.

  Coming to his feet, Lance headed for the guest quarters and his solitary bed.

  * * *

  Fallon had a restless night. She’d dreamed of Lance. Not a passionate dream, but a disturbing one of him standing alone and lonely. She’d tried to go to him, but the more she strained against whatever force kept them apart, the farther away he seemed to be. She’d awakened with a headache, feeling blue. She might not want to have an affair with Lance, but she wanted to see him again.

  Admitting to herself that that wasn’t likely to happen until Richard and Naomi’s wedding, Fallon got out of bed and got dressed. This was a big day for Naomi. No matter how miserable Fallon might feel on the inside, she wasn’t going to let it show.

  She was reaching for the door when someone knocked. Thinking it was an anxious Naomi, Fallon opened the door with a grin to find she was right.

  “You’re seven minutes early.”

  A bubbling Naomi grabbed Fallon’s hand and pulled her out the door. “Mrs. Grayson and Catherine sent a limo to pick us up. Mrs. Youngblood is already inside.”

  Fallon had recently met Mrs. Ruth Grayson. She was president of the Women’s League, a charitable organization that helped women in need. Naomi had once been one of those women and now volunteered. Mrs. Grayson’s son Luke was married to Catherine Grayson, a noted author and child psychiatrist.

  Catherine was a very close friend of Naomi and Kayla. Catherine had even made Kayla the main character of her book, The Guardian. It was at the celebration party of a successful book signing benefiting the Women’s League that Fallon had met Lance, Ruth Grayson, and four of her five chil
dren, Luke, Morgan, Brandon, and Sierra, and their spouses.

  When Fallon, Naomi, and Kayla arrived, Richard had been waiting at the valet stand at Brandon’s wife Faith’s family-owned hotel, Casa de Serenidad. Lance had been with his cousin. The attraction between Fallon and Lance had been immediate but, because of her accusation, had died a quick death.

  “Come on, Fallon,” Kayla cried, taking Fallon’s hand. The little girl’s other arm was wrapped around the waist of her teddy bear. “Teddy and I have never ridden in a limo before.”

  Adjusting her red leather cross-body bag, Fallon locked the door. “This is what I call doing it in style.”

  “I can’t believe this. Mrs. Grayson and Catherine have been so wonderful already.” Naomi pressed her hand to her chest. “They’re meeting us for breakfast. The driver is taking us there.

  “Well, let’s not keep them waiting.” Naomi hurried them to the limousine.

  Fifteen minutes later they arrived at their destination, Santa Fe Municipal Airport. Fallon’s mouth gaped when they were escorted on board the private Gulfstream belonging to Sierra’s husband, Blade Navarone. Ruth Grayson, Catherine Grayson, and Ruth’s daughter, Sierra Grayson Navarone, were already there.

  “We wanted to help you find the perfect wedding dress,” Ruth Grayson said. “Sierra had a few ideas. So we’re taking a little trip to Los Angeles.”

  “And since Mrs. Grayson has had experience with five brides in the family, I accepted her help,” Mrs. Youngblood told Naomi. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  Naomi blinked back tears. “Mind?” She hugged each woman, leaving Catherine last. “You helped me to become the woman I always wanted to be; thank you.”

  “As I said, I might show you, but you had the courage to take your life back.” Catherine smiled. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Fallon, I see you have your camera,” Sierra said.

  “I try never to leave home without it.” Fallon lifted the Nikon, then glanced around. When she’d met Sierra and her billionaire real estate mogul husband, Blade Navarone, their bodyguard Rio had stopped Fallon from taking a photograph of them. Catherine’s husband, Luke, explained it was a family outing, but looking into the unblinking gaze of Rio, Fallon hadn’t been sure. “Is it all right if I take pictures?”

  Ruth Grayson answered, “I’m sure Naomi would like photographs of the trip to share with Richard later.”

  “I would,” Naomi agreed. “And perhaps you can get a travel story out of it.”

  Fallon had thought the same thing. Once again she looked at Sierra. It was up to her.

  Sierra hooked her arm though her mother’s. “As a businesswoman myself, I’m well aware of taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. I’m also aware that not everyone has integrity. Fortunately, you’re not one of those people, so have at it.”

  Fallon quickly turned to snap a photograph of Naomi standing by Catherine and Mrs. Youngblood with Kayla. The next shot was of Sierra and Ruth. “You do know that a lot of media outlets will want the pictures of you, Sierra.”

  Sierra’s eyes narrowed. “Because I’m Blade’s wife. But one day they’ll want mine because of what I’ve accomplished in real estate.”

  “I don’t have a doubt that will happen.” Fallon grinned. “In the meantime, you get to enjoy all the benefits of being married to Blade.”

  “That’s a fact.” Sierra grinned and slapped hands with Fallon. “Ladies, have a seat and I’ll tell the pilot we can take off.”

  Naomi hesitated. “Sierra, there’s something I have to tell you first. You might not want the plane to take off, but I can’t put it off any longer.”

  “If it’s about you not needing the house you put the contract on, I’d already figured that out.” Sierra seated her mother, then sat next to her and fastened her seat belt. “With the wedding you and Richard won’t have time to finish the remodeling—which is a good thing. The next buyer might not like your ideas.”

  Naomi frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “Richard already has a house and I don’t see you two as wanting rental property, so you’ll want to sell the house you were going to buy. I’m hoping you’ll consider me to be your Realtor to sell it for you.”

  “Gladly. I can’t think of anyone better.” Naomi took her seat beside Kayla.

  Sierra spoke to the flight attendant standing to one side. “Please tell Frank we’re ready to leave. As soon as we level off, you can start serving breakfast.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Navarone,” the young woman said, and left.

  “Ladies,” Sierra said. “Prepare yourself for a fantastic day.”

  * * *

  Lance buried himself in work all the next day. He didn’t want to think about missing Fallon or the eventual call he’d have to make to his mother. By six that night, he figured accomplishing one of the two wasn’t bad. He’d had lots more practice shoving his mother to the back of his mind and none missing a woman who intrigued him, irritated him, and excited him as no woman before her had.

  Lance rolled his shoulders more in irritation than to loosen the stiff muscles in his back and shoulders. He’d been meticulously going over the catalog entries for the past two hours. And no matter how many times he’d come to an item that he had shown Fallon and his traitorous mind pictured the wonder or the laughter on her beautiful face, he kept his eyes on the page.

  He was not going to turn into one of those men who daydreamed about a woman. Especially a woman who would be gone from his life in a few days.

  His cell phone rang twice. He let it ring for a third time before he glanced at the readout. He told himself he wasn’t disappointed that it wasn’t Fallon and answered, “Saxton speaking.”

  “Very distinguished and professional sounding,” Richard said, laughter in every syllable.

  “Practice,” Lance said, and leaned back in his chair. “Naomi must be back.” He assured himself he was not trying to find out if Fallon was home.

  “Their plane is landing in twenty minutes.”

  Lance straightened. “Plane?”

  “I couldn’t believe it, either,” Richard said. “Mama, Mrs. Grayson, Catherine, Sierra, and Fallon flew to Los Angeles. I’m sure they could have found a dress here instead of flying to California on Blade’s private jet.”

  Lance whistled. “Your fiancée moves in some very high financial and social circles.”

  “Not exactly,” Richard said. “She was blessed to befriend Catherine Grayson. I instigated her meeting Ruth Grayson. Since the Grayson family is so close, when one takes you under their wings the others do as well. But Naomi and Kayla are so wonderful and lovable, it’s easy to see why people want to be there for them.”

  Lance’s lips twitched. Richard was a goner and didn’t seem to mind a bit. Lance hadn’t found that lasting happiness, but he was happy for Richard and his soon-to-be family. “It’s also easy to see you’re a man deeply in love.”

  “And each time I see them I fall a little deeper,” Richard agreed. “I’m heading to the airport instead of waiting for the limo to drop them off. I’ve already been instructed to wait in front so I won’t see the dress.”

  “So you’re just picking up Naomi and Kayla?” Lance rolled his eyes, aware he hadn’t fooled Richard.

  “Yep. That’s the reason I called. Seems we—the men—were calling our women all day. The last time Naomi and I talked before the plane took off to return, she said only Fallon hadn’t received a call.”

  Something twisted in Lance’s chest. He knew what it was to be an outsider.

  “At first the women made a game out of trying to decide who would call next—me, Daddy, Blade, or Luke—until Catherine noticed that Fallon wasn’t as bubbly as she had been when Blade called next. It was only for a moment, but Catherine is good at reading people. Afterward, I was the only one allowed to call.”

  “Wait. Ruth Grayson is a widow, and from the way she almost teared up at the luncheon over her deceased husband I can’t believe she’s dat
ing.” He hoped not, at least. He wanted one woman to love her husband even after he was gone.

  “No, just work. The president of the Board of Regents at St. John’s, where she teaches. Blade’s event director needed more information on a project scheduled at their castle in September. One of her students about the merits of a doctorate program he’s interested in registering for.”

  Lance muttered beneath his breath. Learning what Mrs. Grayson’s calls were about had probably made Fallon feel even more like the odd man out.

  “I can give you Fallon’s cell phone number or you can get your behind out here and meet her.”

  “She’s leaving on Sunday.” He mustn’t forget that, no matter how much he wanted to.

  “She’s here now, and you have the financial means to go wherever she’s traveling.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t? Seventeen minutes.”

  In spite of himself, Lance glanced at the crystal clock on his desk. “You know better than anyone why I don’t want to become involved.”

  “I hurt and cried and cursed with you. I’ll always remember the rainy night you called, the long plane ride to get to you,” Richard said, his voice tight. “Don’t punish yourself because of Ashley’s selfishness. You deserve a life with a loving woman.”

  “Whoa.” Lance stood. “We’re just talking and getting to know each other.” He raked his hand over his head. “I’ve barely kissed the woman.”

  “Sometimes one kiss is all it takes,” Richard said with conviction. “If you didn’t think it could progress further, you wouldn’t be so afraid of continuing to see her. Now get your butt out here. You don’t want Fallon feeling as if no man cares about her.”

  Lord help him, he didn’t. It was that he could never give her what she needed and deserved. “Maybe Catherine read Fallon wrong. You said it was only for a moment. She could have blown this whole thing out of proportion.”

  “Catherine Stewart Grayson has two Ph.D.’s and was up for the department chair of psychology at UCLA before deciding she’d much rather be married to Luke.”