Crain's Landing (29 page)

The Crain house, as always, was alive with activity. Laughter and enjoyment could be heard the second I approached the door. Carolyn surrounded herself with people who loved her; she gave as much as she received. I would need to make this quick, grab Peyton and get out of there. I didn’t want to see Rebecca and Grant together any more than necessary, but I would be pleasant to them if I ever saw them around. One thing I decided early this morning, I wouldn’t renew my contract with the library. With the gossip mill as vamped as it was, poor Peyton would pay the ultimate price for this. I wouldn’t have that. She was an innocent child who deserved to be as happy as possible, and it was my job to provide it for her.

Carolyn had on several occasions told me to just come in when I stopped by. She advised me I was a welcomed member of her family. Today, however, I felt like anything but. The thought brought back the familiar tremble in my throat. I quickly swallowed it back and raised my hand to the metal horse head adorning her front door. I grasped the bridle designed to move back and forth and tapped it three times, the deep thump echoing around me. The sounds of tiny feet running on the hardwood floor could be heard just inside the door, as someone struggled to turn the latch to open the door separating us.

Bright blonde hair inched around the door, the blue eyes of Autumn and Wyatt’s oldest met mine. “Ms. Natalie, why you knock on the door?” His accent was the thickest of all the grandchildren and I still had to concentrate to understand him. From my work with the school teachers, I’d been told his IQ is quite high and his love for computers practically unhealthy. Yet, just like his uncle, his good looks would break many hearts.

“I’m sorry. I forgot I could just walk on in.” He opened the door wide, smile growing larger as he welcomed me inside. I returned the smile, the best one I could fake today.

Warm sugary smells permeated the room as I walked in the direction of the kitchen. It was the heart of most Southern homes, more so for Carolyn Crain. Her kitchen was much like Grant’s, large and with countless cabinets. Granite and stainless steel, massive and yet so welcoming. Where Grant had a clear view of his pool and backyard provided by floor to ceiling windows, Carolyn had four French doors with solid wood panels to support the hinges and latches. Both had massive swimming pools, but Carolyn and Martin had a custom kitchen, built with fireplace and covered dining area. The first time I came here, we sat out there after the evening rolled in, sipping mint juleps and watching the fireflies dance across the yard.

“Natalie, I’m surprised to see you so early this morning.” Carolyn spoke while flipping several pancakes she had cooking on the stove. Her voice was laced with innuendo and I could understand why she would question my early arrival. Had things gone in a different direction, I had no doubt I would still be wrapped around a very naked and, hopefully, satisfied Grant.

“Where’s Grant?” Lily questioned, her brow furrowed, taking a swiveled look around me to check to see if he was hiding behind me.

This would be my first real test of moving forward, answering her with as clear a voice as I could muster. “I’m not certain. I left the park alone last night.”

I noticed for the first time, Martin sitting in a desk chair, glasses perched on his nose, a ledger of sorts on the desk in front of him. Spinning in my direction, he tossed the glasses to rest on the white paper of the book, its pages now forgotten. “What are you talking about? Grant has the entire weekend off. They were to call me with any emergencies.” Martin moved to retrieve his phone from his pocket.

“We ran into an old friend of his, someone from out of town.” I waved my hands around dismissively, attempting to discourage the phone call he was about to make. Martin looked to his wife, a sense of caution exchanged in their eyes. In an attempt at diversion, I crossed the room to where Peyton was hungrily devouring the pancakes on her plate. Carolyn being the kind and gentle woman she was, created each one to look like a cartoon character. Peyton had eaten nearly half of the famous mouse face, syrup coating her fingers and chin. I would wait until she was finished before I cleaned her up.

“So, I planned to take Peyton over to my house later, give her more time to play with Savannah.” Lily the ever generous giver—her plan for my child was a kind gesture to give me more alone adult time with Grant.

I reminded myself I needed to place some distance between the Crain family and us as I replied, “Actually, I have plans to take Peyton to Charleston to get some new clothes.”

Carolyn spun around from the stove, spatula still in her hand. “Didn’t you find anything cute over at Sissy's?”

How do you tell one of the few women in this town who you actually respect, the truth about a friend of hers? Constance left nothing out of her explanation of how close the two families were. I pictured how thrilled Carolyn would soon be to learn of Rebecca’s return.

Martin’s phone began to ring; looking at his screen he excused himself to take the call. “No, Constance had nothing in her shop I could use for Peyton.” My words were bitter and I hated the way they sounded, even to my own ears. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing she affected me.

“Constance?” Carolyn spoke in surprise. “I haven’t heard her referred to as her Christian name since we were little.” Amusement colored her comment.

“How do you get Sissy from Constance?” Lily questioned as she picked up empty plates.

Carolyn leaned against the center island, a cup of coffee raised midway to her mouth. “I think she was four or five that summer.” Carolyn’s face showed the effort to try and recall the exact details. “Crain’s Landing was even smaller than it is now, back then.” She snickered. “Martin’s father still made house calls to his patients before he went to the hospital. He would take along whichever child wanted to tag along with him.” Her smile from the memory nearly made me forget my anger. “Sissy and her family lived next door to one of the patients he was paying a visit to.”

Lily leaned against the counter, listening in earnest as Carolyn told the story. Even the children were quiet as she spoke. I wondered what she put in those pancakes and how I could get some?

“Sissy always followed around the bigger kids, so when he pulled up, everyone ran over to say hello. Sissy didn’t want to quit playing the game they had been playing, so she tossed herself onto the ground and threw a fit. Grandpa Crain stood over her and said to ‘quit being a sissy.’ Everyone found it funny and we’ve called her Sissy ever since.”

Activity around the table resumed as Carolyn drank slowly from her cup. “Did she tell you to call her Constance, Natalie?”

I grabbed the closest clean dish cloth and started to wipe Peyton’s dirty hands and face. Not wanting to prolong the exit I so desperately needed. “No, she told me to call her Sissy, but the conversation took a different turn than expected, as a result I addressed her by her real name.” I kissed my daughter's nose; her normally sweet smell was intensified by her breakfast.

“Oh, what direction was that?” Autumn, who had been engrossed in her computer screen, questioned.

“The direction where she shared an entirely different explanation of how the name came about.” I lifted Peyton from the booster seat attached to the bar edge. “She also shared how close your two families are.” I wanted to add how happy they would be now that Rebecca was back in town, but I wouldn’t be able to get the words out if I tried. Nor did I need them to hear the sadness in my voice. The reunion of Grant and Rebecca should be an event shared by them, not the girl who was too late.

Call it intuition or just Southern hospitality, but as I picked up Peyton to leave the house, Carolyn came around to block my path and wrapped the both of us in her motherly embrace. “I love you both.” She spoke as she kissed our cheeks. “You be a good girl for Momma today.”

Peyton nodded her head as she grabbed Carolyn’s face. “Love you, Nana.”

I choked back a sob, turned, and left the house as quickly and inconspicuously as possible.

The ride to Charleston was filled with the two of us singing to the animated DVD Peyton watched from her car seat in the back. Grant still hadn’t called, which spoke louder than any words ever could. Shopping turned out to be a huge score as end of season sales were going on. It was nice to be able to buy everything she needed, as opposed to what I could afford at the time. We chose a trendy sandwich shop for lunch before heading back to Crain’s Landing. I couldn’t call it home anymore, not after last night. Tomorrow, I would look for positions farther away, yet close enough for my dad to visit.

The sun was beginning to dip into the horizon as I turned the last corner onto my street. Janice’s car was parked in her driveway and several of the older gentlemen were pecking around in their yards, hoping to get a glance of a near-naked Janice, I was sure. I nearly missed the shape of a woman sitting on my porch—the stark beauty of her prevalent, even with the fading light.

I pulled my car into the garage, leaving the door open and retrieving Peyton. I chose to leave the bags for later. I tried to discern why she would be waiting for me and not with Grant. As I closed the car door, she appeared at the garage opening. “Hey, sorry to come over unannounced.” Even when she was nervous she was delightful, her voice affirming me of her genuineness.

“Rebecca, isn’t it?” A ploy to buy myself some time; rid myself of all the questions swimming around in my mind.

“Becky, actually, but I’m told you prefer to stick to formal names.” Her smile was radiant, hair and makeup still natural and yet absolutely perfect. Why couldn’t I hate her? Blame her for the hole currently growing in my chest. I wanted to label her a homewrecker, a harlot, a backstabber, but she was none of those. From the little I knew, she was just as everyone depicted; a good and genuine soul.

“Would it be all right if we went inside and talked?” She turned and looked behind her toward Janice’s house, then back to me with pleading eyes. “I know this is very untoward and extremely rude to come over like this, but I really do need to speak with you.”

With no real reason to deny her, I motioned toward the kitchen door. She followed as I carried a now shy Peyton inside and into the kitchen. “Can I get you anything to drink?” I asked politely, a trait I had learned since moving here.

“Got any whiskey?” She responded seriously.

I pulled down the bottle I found in one of the cabinets, then handed her a clean glass. As she opened the cap, I excused myself to settle in Peyton. She needed a bath, but that would have to wait. For now, I started a new movie for her, telling her I would be sitting at the big table if she needed me.

Rebecca was already sitting at the unused formal dining table, the bottom of her glass high in the air as she polished off her drink. Her eyes downcast as she softly placed the empty container on the shiny top of the table. “Did Grant ever tell you the truth of why I left?” Her once confident appearance was now marred with shame.

“Just that you wanted something different than he did.” I shrugged my shoulders, placing my clasped hands on the table.

She huffed. “Of course he would say something like that.” She shook her head from side to side. “Even after everything I’ve done, he still remains a gentleman, keeping my secret all this time.”

Her admission sparked an interest inside me and I leaned forward as I just knew this conversation was about to change my entire world.

“Listen, Natalie, I need to tell you some things and I need you to listen until I’m finished. I swear I will answer any questions you have.” Her voice was pleading as her hand came to rest on my forearm. I glanced at her hands, her nails were chipped and not the perfect manicure from before.

“Last week I received a phone call from my mother. She told me I needed to get into town quick because a new woman had moved in and turned the head of Grant.” She removed her hand from my arm and poured herself another drink. “I agreed with her, but not for the same reasons.” She shook her head as she looked at me. “See, I grew up with all of these expectations of being the best at everything. Winning every competition my momma entered me in, always excelling at everything put before me. I had to dress a certain way and act a certain way, all to show the people of this town my family was the best. My momma gave the appearance of having it all, when the truth was, we barely scraped by most days.” She tilted the drink to her lips, pausing and then taking a large gulp.

“I was expected to be beside Grant from the moment we started dating. She wouldn’t hear of me even thinking about another boy. She told me I was going to marry him and have the life of a queen, be treated like royalty by the townsfolk.” Her hands cupped the empty glass, eyes staring at its empty state. “It all started innocently enough. I met this guy just after I turned eighteen. He was much older and I couldn’t believe he was interested in me. I fell hard for him and we began an affair. Hell, I even faked a stomach bug to get out of going on a date with Grant.” The sounds of Peyton singing to one of the songs on her video made me look in her direction. She was sitting in the middle of the floor, puppy in hand, her complete attention on that television screen.