Crain's Landing (34 page)

Atlanta was a beautiful city. I could see many opportunities for Peyton and myself. When I arrived at the public library, you would have thought I was a celebrity. There were fresh flowers placed all around and every employee wore a uniform. I was greeted by an extremely attractive man, Evan Tucker.

Evan was on the city council and owned several businesses in Atlanta. His dark hair and bright blue eyes would cause any red-blooded woman to swoon. He was taller than Grant, yet had the same mannerisms. Evan shook my hand and tried to hold my gaze a little longer than was socially acceptable. I politely removed my hand from his, as he continued to stare at me.

“Ms. Reid, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard so many wonderful things about you. However, none of them included how extraordinarily beautiful you are.”

His compliment should have made me blush, but I couldn’t take it for anything other than words. “Thank you, Mr. Tucker.”

“Oh.” He shook his head. “Please, we are going to be together for the next two days, call me Evan. ” I smiled and nodded my head. I intentionally refrained from asking him to call me Natalie.

I sat at the elongated table that housed the entire Board and listened to their reports. I discerned the library was running quite well. However, the former director had recently passed away and they wanted someone who could work just as hard. They didn’t expect many changes only to keep the ship sailing, as Evan explained. I was shown a lovely PowerPoint on every feature the building had to offer and every benefit I would receive as director. It was all presented in one big beautiful box with a pretty pink bow on top.

No one in their right mind would turn this job down. The salary was nearly three times what I was making in Crain’s Landing. I would have nothing to build or clean up and no programs to start. I could simply sit at my desk and maintain the status quo.

“We have recently opened a child care room on the third floor. Little Peyton would be welcome to participate. When she is school age, Mr. Tucker has assured her a place at Saint Anthony’s.”

Saint Anthony’s was explained to me in another PowerPoint, which also included details of the condo they had for me and Peyton. Saint Anthony’s was one of the top ten prep schools in the country. Children who graduated had a ninety-seven percent acceptance rate in the nation’s Ivy League schools. It was the perfect situation for Peyton and me.

“Ms. Reid, we don’t want to overwhelm you with any of this. We want you to take time and tour our fine city. Enjoy some of its cuisine and activities. Go back to Crain’s Landing and give it some serious thought.”

Everyone smiled and shook my hand. I was told I would be taken to my hotel and to charge anything I wanted to the room. As I was escorted back down stairs, I noticed a limo waiting outside the entrance doors. “Ms. Reid, the Board has arranged for your stay to be completely covered. However, I would like to escort you to dinner this evening. I would appreciate the opportunity to get to know you better perhaps?”

My mind wandered briefly to the memory of Grant and Dr. Garrison kissing and then to the restaurant. He had moved on and maybe, just maybe, I could too. Smiling, I said, “Mr. Tucker, I would really like that.”

Evan helped me into the limo. He assured me my car would be taken care of and I wouldn’t need it for the remainder of my stay.

As the limo pulled away from the building, I noticed a park across the street. I could see several women sitting on benches as they watched their children play. They seemed happy here. Could I be as happy? As we continued down the street, the limo driver announced we were almost to Saint Anthony’s school.

The turn of the century building stood majestically at the end of a large courtyard. The tall iron gates stood guard over the children, as many could be seen walking on the sidewalks. The intricate design of the metal workings looked to be as old as the building itself.

“My sister is a teacher there. She tells me that children go on the waiting list as soon as the pregnancy test is positive.”

I rested back in my seat as I pondered his words. According to Evan, Peyton would already have a place at this school. She would receive an amazing education and perhaps attend Cornell, or even Yale. She certainly wouldn’t be the receiver of the
poor little girl
looks around here. No one knew, or cared, that Grant had moved on. They knew nothing about what we had both suffered at the hands of Jackie and Holden. It would be a fresh start for both of us. We could hold our heads up high and not worry about what was being said behind our backs.

The hotel was beyond my wildest dreams. I should have expected it with as grand as it was, considering how they had already pulled out all the stops. I didn’t even need to check in. Evan was waiting to take me up to my room.

The double door should have clued me into the grandeur of the suite. However, I would admit to having my breath taken away. The large French doors had to be twelve feet tall. They opened to what appeared to be a roof top balcony. There were massive curtains that housed equally vibrant windows in the room. There was also a sitting room beautifully decorated in creams and tans. To the left was another set of massive doors and sitting just beyond them was a king size bed, covered with fine linens and inviting pillows.

“Ms. Reid, I know the hotel has some excellent restaurants, however, I would like to take you into the city. Sample some of the places I love.”

I turned around to face Evan. He was standing by the door in his dark suit with a blue tie and matching shirt. As I looked at the black and white photograph of the hotel that hung on the wall, I asked myself one question. What did I have to lose by agreeing to dinner with him? “I’d actually like to see the city.”

The smile on his face grew. I knew he was reading more into this than I was willing to let happen. It was only dinner. I could allow myself that much. “I’ll be back around six and pick you up. Dress casual, no black ties needed where I plan to take you.”

I agreed to be ready as I closed the door behind Evan. It had been a long morning and I was a little tired from it all. Tomorrow, I would see the condo they had for me and take a look around the area. I crossed the room and entered the door that housed the bed. I jumped onto the bed and threw my arms out to the side. I needed to talk with my munchkin; needed to hear the sweetness of her voice.

My father’s phone rang three times before he finally picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Dad, how is my baby?”

“Oh, Natalie, Peggy and I are fine. I had toast for breakfast and Peggy is making soup for dinner.” I laughed at his banter. He always knew how to make me laugh.

“Sorry, Dad, long day.”

“Peyton is fine. Sleeping at the moment.” I paused briefly as a yawn of my own took over. “Oh, sorry, Dad... I guess I’m tired.”

“Natalie, we have always been honest with each other, haven’t we?”

The telltale stinging behind my eyes started as I knew what was coming. “Yes, Dad, we have,” I responded quietly.

“You don’t have to tell me everything. I just want to make sure he didn’t physically hurt you.”

“No, Daddy...just broke my heart. It isn’t entirely his fault though.”

“That is usually the case.”

I took in a deep breath and told him the entire story. I left out nothing, down to seeing Dr. Garrison in the restaurant that day.

“So are you really considering moving to Atlanta?”

I sighed and sat up on the bed. “Dad, I would be a fool not to at least consider it.”

“Considering it is one thing, running to something to escape something else is an entirely different story.”

“You think I’m running?”

“Don’t you?” He was always good at making me look deep inside myself.

“I just want what’s best for Peyton.”

“Of course you do, but what if what’s best for her is to be surrounded by people who love and adore her?” I had told him about the amazing schools here and the chance of a lifetime to go to an Ivy League school. “Funny you say it like that, Natalie. I seem to recall a certain young girl who attended public school, graduated from that public school, and got her master’s from Cornell.” He had me there. “Furthermore, she worked so hard to get that degree, even with a small baby to care for.” He was right, I had worked hard. I had even sworn to myself I wouldn’t let another man come between me and my dreams.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Anytime, little girl, anytime.”

I’d give Evan a brownie point for being punctual. At exactly six on the dot, he was knocking on my door. “Don’t you look exquisite?” His eyes roamed up and down my jean-clad body.

“Thank you, Evan. Are we ready to go?” I had my jacket and purse in hand, no need to give him a reason to come into my room.

“After you, Ms. Reid.”

Evan tried to place his hand on my lower back, so I moved a bit to the left, adding space between us. Regardless of my decision to move to Atlanta or not, I wasn’t about to get involved with anyone, no matter how charming and good-looking they were.

Evan drove a Range Rover, it was all black and I doubted there was a single speck of dust to be found on it. He drove with his left hand on the steering wheel, only his wrist touching as he let his hand hang free. My father would have had his ass if he saw him driving that way with me in the car. We pulled on to a long street that had restaurants on each side. “Crain's Inn” was printed on the sign that hung over the door we were slowly walking toward.

“Crain's Inn has been around since my father was a boy. They have the best food in here.” As I listened to him, all I could think about was how Crain was Grant’s sir name. Would I ever escape him? Once inside the door, I noticed a line of people waiting to be seated. The restaurant was packed, yet Evan pushed his way to the front of the hostess stand. “Virginia, my usual please.”

The skinny, red-headed girl glanced at him and then smiled. She gracefully picked up two menus and began to walk to the back of the overcrowded restaurant. No one stopped us or said hello, they just continued on with their conversations as if we didn’t matter. Funny how I had grown so used to the greetings of the townspeople.

“I’ll send Cindy over shortly,” Virginia said as she set the menus on the table. Evan took his seat, never pulling out my chair for me. I became angry at myself as I was clearly comparing Evan to Grant. This would get me nowhere. They were two different men and I needed to accept who I was with tonight.

“Well, hello stranger,” a very beautiful brown-haired girl announced as I looked at the menu. “I haven’t seen you in here in a while.” Her hand was resting on Evan’s arm; he did nothing to remove it off is arm. It was crystal clear they had or were having a relationship. I felt like a voyeur sitting here watching them.

Evan ordered a bottle of white wine for the table. I never cared for white wine so I stopped the waitress. “I’ll have sweet iced tea, please.” The look she gave me was of disbelief. She turned to Evan who nodded his head at her. This did not sit well with me.

“So, Natalie, tell me something about yourself that isn’t on your resume.” He was leaning over the table resting on his forearms.

“Well, I like to read.” It was true and it wasn’t written anywhere on my resume.

“That’s a given. You’re a librarian, something that makes you special.” The way his lips dropped the word librarian was the equivalent of a slap to the face. I was very proud of what I did.

“Sorry, Mr. Tuckers that is all you’ll get from me. We are here so that you can sell this city to me, not braiding each other’s hair.”

“Oh, but I think the city sells itself. We have a vast variety of parks, museums, restaurants and night clubs.”

“What about other types of clubs?”

His face broke out in a devilish grin and he leaned farther into me. “We have those kinds of clubs, as well. I would be happy to introduce you if you would like.”

I pulled my body away; he assumed I meant sex clubs. I couldn’t believe him. I shook my head. “No, Mr. Tuckers, I’m talking about clubs for the children, for keeping them busy after school and on the weekends. Clubs for our elderly, to keep their minds active. With you being a member of the city council, I just assumed you would know if these clubs existed.”

When dinner was finished, I reached into my purse and tossed down one hundred dollars.

“Oh, Natalie, I asked you out on this date. Your money is not welcomed here.” I got the feeling that more than my money wouldn’t be welcomed here. By the way he just assumed he could order my drink and I would say nothing. How he had arranged for my daughter to go to a particular school or even decided for me where I would live. Regardless of how great all of these things seemed; I had no part in the decision. I had no doubt if I were to accept this position, my choices would continue to be taken away.

“Mr. Tucker, tonight has been quite eye-opener and you have managed to answer all the questions I had left. I will be heading home in the morning and will let the Board know of my decision.”

He grabbed my arm as I rose out of my chair. “Ms. Reid, I had planned to take you to see your new home tomorrow. It’s been all arranged with you in mind.”