Crain's Landing (16 page)

“Natalie, this is my boyfriend, Josh. Josh, this the best boss on the planet, Natalie Reid.”

Josh was the complete opposite of Austin. Where Austin was what I would call eclectic, Josh was straight-up GQ. He stood at least six feet tall and his hair was short and styled in a manner close to Grant’s. His skin was dark like Dwight’s with gray steely eyes, even though I knew he was gay, his good looks captivated me.

Josh and Peyton hit it right off and I was grateful he played with her, while Austin and I talked. Josh had no issue sitting in the middle of the floor, playing with a teddy bear and dollies. He even allowed Peyton to place bright colored barrettes in that dark hair of his.

By Austin’s estimates, the classrooms would not cost us much up front and the profit would be significant in a few months.

“So, I hear you’re turning the head of one Dr. Grant Crain, Ms. Natalie,” Josh said with a cocky grin. It seemed his real motive in coming over was finally out. “I can’t believe you’ve turned him down. Most women, and certainly this man, would jump at the chance to bed that fine man.”

I tapped his arm twice, while sipping on the last of my wine. “Yes, well, assuming I'm a standard issue type of girl is both your and Grant’s first mistakes.”

Austin pulled back, his mouth open wide. I looked at Austin, who only glared at Josh. I couldn’t contain the laughter as Austin began to scold him thoroughly.

It was nearly eleven o’clock by the time Josh and Austin left, but not before Josh demanded we all go out once the library was up and running. “I know the perfect place in Charleston, very low key and the best martinis you will ever drink.”

I gladly accepted, knowing I had a less than zero chance of either one of those guys trying to get me in bed.

As I settled into bed that night, I smiled, finally feeling as though things were going to be okay. Saturday was our grand reopening and our first children’s reading hour. The day couldn’t get here soon enough.

“MY AUNT JANICE TOLD ME
Dr. Grant was at your house on Saturday.”

Brittney met me at the front door the second I came in. I had completely forgotten Janice was Brittney’s aunt and she had a thing for Grant.

“Yes, but he was mowing the lawn,” I answered flippantly.

Her eyes bored heavily into mine. “You didn’t invite him in?” Her voice sounded disbelieving. “Not even to offer him a glass of iced tea, a neck rub, or a lap dance?”

I walked past her and put my purse in my desk drawer. “Not that it’s anyone’s business, but no. I questioned why he was there and that was it.” She looked at me again, shook her head then turned and left, mumbling something under her breath.

It was shortly before lunch when a man with a clipboard walked through the front door. Ashley looked up from her computer and greeted him. “Hello, Sir. I apologize, but we aren’t really open yet.”

The man adjusted his hat and then smiled at Ashley. “Sorry, Ma’am, but I have a delivery.”

My insides clenched as I worried that Grant had begun his flower sending antics again. I walked over and held my hand out to him. “Hello, I’m Ms. Reid. May I ask what kind of delivery?”

He looked down at his clipboard and then handed me an envelope. I opened it and nearly fainted when I read the letter.

Dear Natalie,

As I told you the other night at the game, my gifts have only shown me what type of woman you are. What I’ve discovered is that you’re genuine, caring, selfless, to a fault, and very strong-willed.

You have a love of people and of learning. You want everyone to be able to experience the love you have for books and the characters hidden in them. You want them to be able to take a journey of their very own to places they’ve only dreamed of. You feel strongly for those you love. When you fall in love, it’ll be forever and it’ll be with a passion that consumes you. You haven’t been truly loved yet, Natalie, but if given the chance, I’ll gladly show you how wonderful it can be.

Now, as for the delivery that you’re currently perplexed about, I have some loves of my own that I want to share with not only you, but the people of our great town. I visited a library in Atlanta once, they had this music area where you could step inside of a glass booth and listen to music while not disturbing others who were reading or studying. Music, in my opinion, moves people. It does amazing things to their souls and, like books, it can take you to places you only dreamed of if you just close your eyes and let it.

Don’t think for one second about telling the gentleman who is still standing in front of you to return it. I’ve already spoken with the Board and they’re ecstatic to have something that the Atlanta library has.

Remember, Natalie...only one date.

Warmly,

Grant

Behind the letter was a brass plaque that read...

In honor of the blue-eyed girl who inspires the music of my heart.

The glass booth took the delivery man a little over an hour to install, including attaching the plaque. Austin was the first to try it out. I watched everyone laugh as he began to dance with the headphones that were inside the booth. I couldn’t argue that this would be a welcome addition to the library. Once Austin was done, Kaylin shoved him out of the way, securing her place in the glass confines. It was nice to see everyone laughing, even Brittney when she took her turn.

When Friday night arrived and everyone had gone home, I stood in the middle of the library and looked around. I closed my eyes and remembered how things had been when I’d first entered. How the carpet had been worn and filthy, how the Coke machine had bugs in it and was leaking all over the floor. How Ashley had been doing everything while Brittney had been busy on her phone. Now, it was time to see what the Board thought. Would the people of Crain’s Landing be open-minded about the changes? Would they even use the technology we had installed? Would Grant finally take a hint and leave me alone?

Sleep was not my friend that night. I tossed and turned, questioning whether I had taken care of everything. Peyton had been congested the last few days and I worried she would miss the story reading. However, she didn’t have a fever so I tried not to worry, but she was my life, and that was easier said than done.

“Natalie, have you seen the line?” Austin was quite excited as he looked out the window for the one hundredth time this morning. The library was set to open in ten minutes. The ladies quilting clubs had been in line since before seven o’clock this morning. The drama kids were in the back room rehearsing their parts for the children’s hour. The workers for Contemporary Coffee had baked so many goodies that we could feed an army.

“Time to open,” Ashley whispered in my ear. I smiled at her and then nodded for her to go ahead. Once the doors were unlocked, the quilting ladies headed directly for their wall where the current county fair winner’s quilt was hanging. You could hear them talking about stitching and fabric. Mr. Jamison was first in line for a cup of fifty cent black coffee. He now had his eye on the
Today’s
Hunter
magazine that was sitting in the rack. I watched as the line moved along for new library cards and movie rentals. I had never received so many hugs in my life. Even my father showed up and paid a book fine he had from earlier in the year.

“It’s better than I imagined,” a husky voice spoke into my ear.

I closed my eyes as I felt my thighs clinch. “I agree. It all came together nicely,” I responded more to myself than him.

“Uncle Grant, the story is about to start.” Little Savannah was tugging on Grant’s pant legs. He smiled as he looked down and then took her hand. “All right, princess, let’s take a seat.” He turned to me and smiled, “Care to join us, Ms. Reid?”

It was becoming increasingly hard to resist returning his delicious smile. “Sorry, but I need to make sure everyone is doing okay. You enjoy the story time, though.”

Peyton had begged me to let Kaylin, or Kay-Kay as she called her, sit and listen to the story with her. I asked her if she wanted me, but she wrinkled her nose and said, “No, me want my Kay-Kay.”

Kaylin made the announcement that the story hour was about to begin and all of the children and adults began to make a large circle around the small stage the students had built. It wasn’t really a stage, more like a large step tall enough the children could see the storyteller.

I watched as Peyton followed Kaylin until she spotted Savannah and Grant. She tugged on Kaylin’s hand until she kneeled down to her level. Peyton whispered something into her ear that caused Kaylin to smile. Peyton then wandered over and patted Grant on the shoulder. She leaned into him and said something; he only smiled and opened his arms for her. She sat on his lap beside Savannah and the two girls held hands as Grant cuddled them on his lap.

“So that’s your angle.”

I turned to find Janice standing beside me, staring at Grant and the girls. I rolled my eyes and then returned them to look at my daughter. “You’re seriously mental,” I responded. I was so sick of this bidding for Grant’s attention.

“Perhaps, but I didn’t give you enough credit. My sister is ready to tear your hair out.” Her voice was even, calculating.

It made me shiver slightly. “Well, she has no reason to. I’ve done nothing to her. I don’t return Grant’s interest.”

“You messed with her money. That stunt you pulled with Martin cost her a promotion.”

I turned my attention fully to her. “It seems you got the story wrong, she did all that to herself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.” I walked away hastily. Causing a huge scene would not do the library, or me, any good.

“Spoiled rotten, that one,” Mr. Jamison spoke as he stopped me.

“I’m sorry?” His statement startled me so much I had forgotten why I was upset.

“Janice and her sister, Trixie.” He gestured toward the two women who stood hungrily ogling a laughing Grant. “They’ve been rotten to the core since the second they were born. Their dad took off when the girls were young. Their mamma is the reason they act the way they do, man after man, in and out of the house.” I really didn’t want to listen to the gossip.

“Well, Mr. Jamison, I suppose we all make choices.”

He shook his head and said, “Yes, and you’re choosing to throw away a chance at real love. It doesn’t come around every day, Ms. Reid. That makes it a rare commodity and a prize worthy of pursuing.” And with that, he turned away and resumed reading the hunting magazine.

The line to get library cards had grown and was now blocking the door to get out. I jumped on a computer and helped the girls to get caught up. Brittney was like a new person, actually being helpful as she answered question after question about the features of the computer system, how to rent a movie, and where the restrooms were located. Ashley was in her element as she walked around and helped people find books and periodicals. Before I knew it, the story hour was over and the children were enjoying their snacks.

“Momma!” I heard my little miracle yell. I turned my head just in time to see her and Savannah trying to feed a large bite of cookie to Grant. The poor guy had melted chocolate all over his face, but he had never looked happier as he took a bite from each cookie. I walked over and tried to take Peyton out of Grant’s lap, only to have her screech in protest.

“Peyton,” I corrected sternly.

“Momma, him’s hungry. If we not feeds him, he turn into a monster!” I looked at Grant and wanted to lick that chocolate right off his face.

“I think your big monster has had enough cookies. Why don’t you feed this little monster right here?” I began to tickle her as she squealed with laughter.

“I need to thank you, Dr. Crain,” I said as I handed him a napkin.

“Well, I’ll pass it along to my father then.” I looked at him bewildered. “Natalie, I’m Grant to you. I’m only your daughter’s doctor.”

I rolled my eyes. Could he get any cheesier? “Fine,
Grant
. Thank you for the donation you made to the library. It’s definitely been a hit.” Brittney had to start a sign-in sheet for the booth. Not surprisingly, it was booked until closing.