Audrey's Promise

by Sheehey, Susan

  “Then I’ll be sure to thank Canyon for helping me pick out this dress.” She pressed her lips against his, lingering for several seconds. “He could give you a few pointers on your wardrobe, too. Although this suit would be a favorite of his.”

  “No, thanks. I’ve lost enough of my man-card today by begging. Can’t afford the loss of my remaining masculinity by asking for style tips.”

  Audrey laughed. “What begging?”

  Ethan held up his bandaged hand. “To get your father to open the door today and put down the shotgun. Myrna and Adelaide forced him to sit and listen to me. Felt like a teenager who stole his daughter.”

  “He brought out the shotgun, huh? You should know better than to cross the porch of an East Texan who holds a grudge.”

  “Proof enough that you mean that much to me?”

  Audrey chuckled again and kissed his neck.

  “Are you ready to go?” Ethan traced his finger along her neckline and across the lace on her shoulder.

  “Almost. I need to thank the registration desk ladies.”

  “Oh my God.” His finger stopped when he reached her bra, also lace with more intricate designs. And even thinner.

  “What?”

  “Is this a teddy?” He groaned. “I’m dying to see this.”

  Audrey laughed and kissed the tip of his nose. “Soon. Very soon.”

  “Please tell me Canyon didn’t pick that out for you as well.”

  “You’ll never know.”

  Epilogue

  “Audrey, these paintings are phenomenal, but we need the space for when your family gets here.”

  Ethan collected the unfinished canvases from the dining room and moved them into the bedroom. The table and chairs had become easels over the last few months, the walls were covered with sketches, both in color and back and white, as Audrey poured her creativity and emotions into every piece.

  “I have five more I need to finish in time for the auction next week,” Audrey called from the kitchen, trimming the ham and shoving it in the oven. “Besides, it’s not like they haven’t seen my work before.”

  “You want us to eat with our elbows in paint swatches?”

  “How is that any different than the last four months?” Audrey stepped around the corner and leaned against the wall, pulling her hair out of its ponytail and rubbing her fingers against her scalp.

  God, she looked incredible. Even paint smudges on her cheeks didn’t stop the raging passion he had for this woman. He set down the last canvas and moved to her, wrapping his arms around her lower waist and pulling her into him.

  “Because I don’t mind washing paint off you with my bare hands and licking your entire body clean.”

  Their kiss was slow, savory and deep. Ethan’s fingers dove into her hair, twirling the soft curls around his thumbs and lingering over her earlobes. It was only a taste of what was to come.

  “We’ve got a lot things to do before they get here.” Audrey gave a quick squeeze to Ethan’s butt before turning and finishing up in the kitchen.

  “Easter dinner at your apartment was your idea. Lord only knows you wouldn’t have time for all of this had you been elected senator.”

  “Thanks to you,” she called back to him.

  “You’re going to keep hounding my ass on that one, aren’t you?”

  “But it’s such a cute ass.”

  When she moved to help clean up the dining room, Ethan pulled her back and held her in place with his eyes.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing, Ethan.”

  “I thought the other article that I made Bose publish would help patch things up, but…”

  “Ethan, I love you. I’m happy. If I resented you for that article, I wouldn’t have asked you to move in. So drop the guilt. It doesn’t look good on you.”

  “At least it was a close election. If you wanted to run again in the future you could. But, Miranda will never forgive me.”

  “Sure she will.” Audrey went back to chopping carrots. “She already warmed up to you after the donation you gave the Crisis Center. Besides, she’s too busy keeping Canyon in line with the governor’s race next year. A Jewish campaign manager and gay speechwriter on the Republican ticket’s staff. I love Texas.”

  “That’s a killer promotion for them.”

  “Just don’t get on her bad side again. I’m only a Peacemaker in politics, and I can’t have my best friend and boyfriend at each other’s throats.”

  “You deserved the senate seat.”

  Audrey took a deep breath and set down the knife. Ethan’s disappointed lips would only smile again with another kiss. So she did. But Ethan still wouldn’t let it go.

  “You could have done so much more than that Wyatt—”

  “Just as much as you deserved New York.”

  Ethan cupped Audrey’s face, mesmerized by her unfailing faith. “I realized I wanted something more.”

  Audrey kissed him again, this one more sweet and endearing. “Greedy.”

  Two hours later after cleaning, cooking, and a quick romp in the bedroom, Audrey was fresh out of the shower and composed as she opened the door to her parents and Adelaide. Her mother and sister, both smiled, holding foil-covered dishes that filled her entryway with memories of childhood Sunday dinners. Her father’s stubborn façade lifted only slightly as he offered a closed smile and one-armed hug before stepping into her apartment with reserved eyes.

  “Paul, good to see you.” Ethan shook hands with Audrey’s father. “Hope the drive was quiet.”

  Audrey’s father grimaced and finished looking around the living room. No doubt looking for any blatant evidence of Ethan’s personal possessions. Living with his daughter. Unmarried. “Fat chance with those two.”

  “Oh hush,” Myrna interjected. “You love being surrounded by women. Audrey, sweetie, where can I set these dishes?”

  “Right on the table. The ham should be done in about fifteen minutes. Where’s Adam and Sally? I want to see my nephew.”

  “They’ll be along in just a minute. Kid threw a fit in the car.” Paul grunted. “Awful lot of ruckus that one makes.”

  “Poor Adam.” Ethan smiled. “Did the baby sleep through it?”

  Adelaide laughed as she plopped herself on the couch and started flipping through the magazines on the coffee table. When she realized they were news and political magazines, not Cosmo or US Weekly, she started perusing the photo albums and frames scattered about the room.

  “How long have you been living here, Ethan?”

  The two men’s eyes locked on one another, and the silent duel filling the space between them caught even Myrna’s and Audrey’s attention. Even after the heart-to-heart four months ago, the burly guy was still skeptical of Ethan. Not that Ethan could blame him. Neither of them was accustomed to backing down.

  “One month,” Audrey replied for them, failing to hide a smile.

  Paul never took his eyes from Ethan. “New York turned you down?”

  “Other way around.”

  Paul grunted.

  “Hey, Addy. Don’t I get a hug?” Ethan turned from the awkward tension building between he and Paul, and held out his arms. “I don’t get to hug a beauty queen very often. Congrats!”

  Adelaide grinned and jumped off the couch and into Ethan’s hug. “The judges gave me higher scores for my tumbling routine. Everyone else sang or tap danced.”

  “She had the whole audience on their feet,” Myrna added from the kitchen.

  “Was Brace there?” Ethan murmured so only Adelaide could hear.

  “No,” she smirked. “I kicked him to the wings. He wasn’t interested in a hands-off relationship.”

  “Good for you.” Ethan hugged her again. “You’re too smart for playboys like that. You can do better.”

  A knock sounded at the door and in walked Sally, carrying a small and loud bundle in her arms, followed by Adam. To say the new parents looked exhausted with frazzled faces and extra luggage under t
heir eyes was like saying the Middle East had anger management issues.

  “This place looks lovely,” Sally almost panted as Adam dropped the armful of gear by the door. The poor guy looked like he’d been slugged by a perpetrator. A four month old perp.

  “Aud, where’s the can?”

  “Down the hallway.” She held out her arms to take the screaming child from Sally. Adam darted off like his bladder was on a meter that ran out of coins.

  “Meet Jackson Davis Biddinger,” Sally beamed. Ethan had heard the story of how they decided to change the baby’s name after the fundraiser. New name or not, this kid cried a lot.

  Good Lord, babies are a lot of work. They needed an entire entourage to manage them. Ethan stepped forward to see the kid, who at first glance looked like nothing but bulges of skin. But as Audrey held him, an oddly peaceful and fulfilling smile on her face, even Ethan warmed to the kid’s whimpers.

  ****

  Audrey held her nephew with a tinge of sorrow in the back of her mind. Remembering the baby she almost bore all those years ago was a new feeling, but she let it enter her thoughts and simmer for a moment. And just as quickly, it vanished. Her nephew’s face turned lobster red as he continued to scream, no matter how she positioned him. Over the shoulder, tucked like a football in her elbow, or on his tummy. Nothing eased him.

  “This colic will be the death of me.” Sally plopped on the couch just as Myrna held out a glass of water.

  Adam returned, looking a little more composed. “Sorry. I was holding that since we hit Forney.” He wrapped an arm around Audrey’s shoulder and kissed her forehead, then his son’s. “I promise he doesn’t cry all the time.”

  “How long does colic last?” Ethan asked.

  “A few more months,” Sally replied. “Maybe.”

  “Ethan, good to see you.” Adam shook his hand. “Found another paper to scandalize?”

  “Nope.”

  “He runs the Crisis Center’s publicity now,” Audrey chimed in, still trying to calm her nephew.

  “Ethan, be a real man. Hold a baby.” Adam grinned. Jackson screamed louder.

  “I don’t think I’m qualified.”

  “Nothing to it. Just hold the head like an egg.”

  Before Ethan had another second to protest, Adam lifted Jackson from his sister’s hands and rested the bundle in Ethan’s arms. The kid fidgeted and fussed as Ethan balanced the head against the crook of his elbow. And finally the baby stopped crying.

  “I broke it.” Ethan panicked.

  “Wow.” Adam stared. “Exactly the opposite.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jackson’s face turned a light pink color as he looked straight up at Ethan with the same dark blueberry eyes as Audrey and stared. Ethan couldn’t move. Just stood there watching this kid watch him. Any second, this baby would start screaming again. Somehow Ethan had broken something and it was only a little time before the kid felt it. But he never did. He just kept looking at Ethan.

  Sally shot up from the couch and tiptoed over to Ethan. “How did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Whatever you do, don’t stop.”

  “Stop what? I haven’t done anything.”

  Quiet gasps sounded all around him as Jackson slowly closed his eyes and dozed, safe against Ethan’s chest.

  “Hallelujah,” Adam murmured. “You’ve got the magic touch, Ethan. Who’da thought?”

  Sally placed her hands on Ethan’s shoulders and slowly guided him to the couch. “Sit down as softly as you can. Try not to wake him.”

  As soon as Ethan was settled on the couch, the rest of the adults went into the kitchen to fix a drink and get dinner on the table, leaving the writer alone with the first baby he’d ever held.

  Jackson made little sucking noises as his lips twitched. He continued to slumber against Ethan’s shirt. Babies had always seemed daunting to him throughout his life, but he was surprised at how relaxed he felt right now. Once he’d stopped screaming, the kid was actually kinda…adorable.

  This wouldn’t be so bad, after all.

  ****

  Audrey leaned against the wall for a moment, watching Ethan look into her nephew’s face. Something crawled into her gut at how natural he looked. Kissing him right now could wake the baby, so she refrained. But the urge was intense.

  Wow. The feeling hit her like a slug to the face. But instead of a painful bruise afterwards, an incredible joy and peace consumed her. He’s it for me.

  “Heavens, Audrey. How much food did you cook?”

  Audrey turned back into the kitchen and saw her mother wearing her rooster mitts and pulling the ham out of the oven.

  “I wanted to take leftovers to the Crisis Center this afternoon.” Audrey beamed as she unrolled the foil away from the ham. Steam filtered in the air and the savory smell swarmed her face. Her first Easter ham. “We’ve got a mother with three kids staying there this weekend and they could use some home cookin’.”

  “I’m so proud of you.” Myrna kissed her on the cheek. “Not just for this incredible meal, which I’m glad you paid attention back in high school. I could have sworn you were more interested in scribbling in that journal book. But also for that Center. Everyone back home keeps asking about it.”

  “It’s been a great success so far. The application list for therapists and counselors is a foot deep, and donations keep pouring in.” Audrey pulled out napkins and silverware and set them on the counter. “Dad, can you set these on the dining room table?”

  Without a word Paul complied, never setting down his beer can.

  “And thanks to Ethan,” Audrey continued. “We have journalists writing pieces about us every week.”

  “Have the Davises been by to see it yet?” Adam asked, carrying over a bowl of corn to the table.

  “No. They’re coming in over Memorial Day to see it. Mrs. Davis agreed to speak about handling grief. A perfect topic for the women there. We have so many workshops set up over the next month, I’m so excited. After dinner, I’d like to take you all over for a tour.”

  “As long as Ethan keeps that baby in his arms, I’m up for anything,” Sally laughed.

  A short while later with Jackson resting comfortably in his car seat on the floor, everyone sat at the dining room table with the Easter feast in front of their noses. Audrey’s dining set only came with five cushioned chairs, so she and Adelaide sat in folding chairs, everyone rubbing elbows.

  “A little smaller than Mama’s table,” Paul commented, placing a napkin in his lap. “But still cozy.”

  “The pocketbook is still a little tight to look at houses.” Audrey filled her glass with wine. “Maybe someday soon.”

  After they said grace, Ethan held up his glass of sparkling cider for a toast. “To family and full tummies.” He glanced at Jackson, sleeping away. “Happy Easter.” Everyone clinked glasses.

  “Ethan, why don’t you carve the ham.” Audrey winked at him from across the table.

  “Sure.” He stood and walked around the table. But instead of grabbing the knife, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box and set it on the table. Right on Audrey’s plate.

  Silence spread across the room. Audrey caught her breath and looked at the box like it might disappear any second.

  Suddenly, Adelaide giggled in quick, soft spasms. “Oh my God. Really? Oh my God!”

  “Shh!” Sally hissed and held the girl’s hand.

  The simple, small box was too pretty to open. If there were earrings or a pearl bracelet inside, Audrey would die of disappointment. She wanted a life with Ethan. Could he have possibly realized it before me? There’s no way I’m this lucky.

  Her mother dabbed at her eyes with a napkin, grinning, while her father had an amused tilt to his lips. Really? Even Dad is okay with this?

  The thought of his approval, of his pride and acceptance, couldn’t have filled her with more joy.

  Well, maybe one thing could do more.

  Sh
e finally braved to look at the man still standing next to her. He had that playful smile that she loved. Please don’t let this be a joke. A gimmick. A practical joke that would crush my heart.

  “Don’t look so scared. Open it.” He put his hands in his pockets.

  A heartbeat and deep breath later, she did. A keychain. With two silver keys attached.

  “Please don’t tell me these are the keys to your heart. That is way too cliché for a gifted writer like you.”

  “These are keys to something more practical.” He pulled out a folded paper from the same pocket and handed it to her. When she opened it, she gasped. A picture of a house. A gorgeous, but simple, one-story home with navy blue shutters and a glass door.

  “The deed is in your name. We’re free to move in when your lease is up here.”

  “How did you—”

  “I used the money I saved for New York.” He pulled his hand from his other pocket and knelt in front of her. “A house to go with this.”

  The diamond ring sparkled under her eyes, the silver band polished so thoroughly it was like a mirror.

  Adelaide giggled again, only a little more hysterically.

  “Addy, hush!” Adam whispered.

  Ethan’s playful smile was gone, replaced with the same look he gave her when he woke up in the morning. Completely happy and serene.

  “This was my mother’s ring. The one she sacrificed so I could go to college. That I bought back. It’s fitting that this one remaining token of my mother’s love resides on your hand. The only other woman I’ve loved.”

  A small sob came from Audrey’s mother and she covered her mouth. Ethan smiled through it. “Your family gave me their blessing. The idea of a family has grown on me so much ever since I met you, there’s no other life I want. A life with you. I want to wake up with you every morning, live your dreams right beside you, and go to sleep every night the same way.”

  Audrey’s eyes misted over until all she could see was Ethan’s face and the glittering diamond ring.

  “Please marry me, Audrey.”

  This wasn’t a practical joke. This was real. She couldn’t stop the giddiness inside of her if she wanted to. It was amazing this man realized the truth before she did.