Crain's Landing (40 page)

I didn’t like the look on Grant’s face. Regret, confusion, remorse.

“I asked, when was the last time you spoke with him?” Grant fidgeted in his chair and then placed his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers. This was the way he sat the night we had made up. I knew there was something big going on in his head.

“It was the night of the residence dinner,” Grant’s voice cracked. This was unusual for him. He was always confident when he spoke.

“I would have thought you two would have kept in contact all these years.”

“I tried, Dad, but once his grant was approved and his wife became pregnant shortly after, he didn't have time to do much of anything.”

Grant began to look into the distance again. This was not like him at all. I wanted to know why this memory was causing him so much worry.

“Well, he was still your friend and I think you should make an effort to send your condolences.” I would wait until we were home before I questioned him about his memories, as Peyton silenced the room with what she said next.

“Daddy, Savannah says that when mommy’s and daddy’s kiss a lot they are going to get a new baby.”

I nearly lost my breath as I listened to Peyton’s innocent questioning. I adored how young children were brutally honest with those around them. They spoke their mind at how simple life around them appeared. As adults we should be more like them; less complicated and worry free.

“Well, Peyton, it’s true that when mommy’s and daddy’s kiss, it sometimes can be the beginning of getting a new baby, but it takes a little more than a kiss.” Grant handled her comment like a seasoned pro, not showing her how odd the statement was. I was still trying to keep my laughter silent.

I watched as her gleaming blue eyes studied his face as he tried to give her a plausible explanation. He would have to study up and have better answers for her when the time came to have the boy talk. Her face contorted and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying her brow in concentration. He gave her time to get her thoughts together before giving her any more information.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, sweet pea.”

“I want a brother. Next birthday I will wish for one and the birthday fairy will bring me one.”

The drive home was quiet as Grant was again lost in his thoughts. Peyton sat in her car seat, hugging her puppy and watching the houses go by. Grant slowly pulled into my driveway; the garage door creaked as it rose. The headlights shone brightly against the stark white wall. My garage was mostly empty, only an unused deep freezer sat in the corner.

Grant pulled Peyton from the back seat, yet didn’t tickle her or cover her cheeks in kisses as he normally did. He never said a word as he headed directly into her bedroom, leaving me standing in the kitchen.

I could hear the bathroom faucet and assumed he was helping her brush her teeth. I loaded a few empty cups into the dishwasher then set the dial to start the wash cycle in an hour. As I closed the cabinet door, I heard Grant’s footsteps approaching rapidly.

“Grant…”

I didn’t get to finish as he picked me up bridal style and crossed the room with me gripped in his arms. He sat me down firmly in the chair that rested in the corner of the room.

“Natalie...” His breathing was labored and his hair tousled. I had never seen him act this way. “You have to help me. I’m doing everything wrong.” I pried his fingers off my arms as I tried to get his attention.

“Grant, what is going on?”

“I... I have to make things better for her and I’m screwing things up so bad. I need to give us a good home.” I held his face in my hands as I tried to get him to look at me. “I need you to help me.” His eyes finally met mine, although his far off look was still there.

“Grant, you have to calm down so I can help you.”

He gently grasped my face with his hands, “Natalie, you have to marry me, right now.” I nearly swallowed my tongue as I looked into his eyes. His features told me he was completely serious. “I don’t want to end up like Gary Henderson.”

I cast a confused look in his direction. What could his dead friend possibly have to do with Peyton having a good home?

“Gary and Bernice dated for ten years before he manned up and asked for her hand. Then, it was nearly ten more before she became pregnant.” His voice was serious, jaw tight with tension. I was only a passenger in his journey to the final destination of his thoughts.

“I don’t want to wait until Peyton is leaving for college before having a baby with you.” His voice straining as he sank to his knees.

“Grant, you are going to wake up tomorrow and feel like a huge slug for even asking me like this.”

He violently shook his head as he challenged me. “You’re wrong, Natalie. I want to get my family out of bed, head to Vegas right this second, and get married so that Peyton has a complete family.”

I couldn’t even be hurt by his words. He felt he needed to marry me for Peyton and not because he loved me. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his head, kissing the top of his hair.

“Grant Crain, I love you enough to decline your offer of marriage. Besides, she already has an amazing family. And a completely crazy daddy.”

I watched the fire in his eyes dying down by the second. Grant was an intelligent man, the majority of the time. It just proved all of us had our moments.

“We aren’t your friends. I have no plans of waiting ten years for you to ask me to marry you. Hell, I won’t wait more than a couple.” I stroked his cheek. “I want to see our children, with their dark hair and ice blue eyes just like their daddy.” I loved his coloring, its unique combination. “But first, I want to enjoy each and every day I have with you and Peyton until then.”

Realization flashed across his face and for the first time ever, Grant blushed with embarrassment. “Baby...I can’t say I’m sorry enough. I would call it a moment of insanity, but I was...”

“Overwhelmed? In shock? You have to quit beating yourself up about this.”

He took me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. “If you only knew how I have the moment I ask you to be my wife planned out in my mind, you would want to kick my ass for the monstrosity I managed to blunder.”

“And I already told you that you need to keep with your plans. After all, I told you no the first time.”

The first signs of spring had begun to make their presence known, including a cold Peyton managed to catch. Carolyn took charge during the day, nursing her while Grant and I worked. It soon became evident the cold was more than the sniffles as more and more people came down with it, myself included. Martin was nice enough to prescribe me medication that helped with my symptoms and I was able to only miss two days of work.

Carolyn was working double time to get her house ready for Easter. She wanted all her grandchildren there and again enlisted the help of local venders. Grant and Morgan were excited because even though they had long outgrown the Easter egg hunts they had as a child. Carolyn made the day fun for them as well. She filled their eggs with airplane bottles of alcohol.

Martin, Grant, and Morgan had to hide the Easter eggs several times before the children would settle down and have lunch. This effectively caused all of them to fall asleep as soon as dessert was finished. All the women watched as the men hunted for their eggs, not stopping to place them in a basket. They would tear them open and drink it straight down. By the time all their eggs were found, all three were three sheets to the wind. I found that a drunken Dr. Grant was a very horny Dr. Grant.

I had just checked on the children when he wrapped his arms around me, tossing me playfully against the wall in the hall. “You are so beautiful.” He slurred into my ear as he kissed my neck and mouth.

“You are so drunk. Let’s get you some water, Advil, and a nap.” I giggled as I tried to pry his hands from under my skirt.

“Natalie, I’m the medical professional here. I know exactly what I need.” The sound of my panties being ripped from my body was followed by my squeal as he picked me up and fumbled his way to the guest bathroom. For someone who was completely wasted, he was surprisingly agile. He had my skirt up and his pants down before I could hear the door being locked. There was no warning as his cock was pushed inside me. I gasped at the sensation, but tilted my head back when his hands touched my covered breasts. However, in true drunk and fumble fashion, it was over as fast as it began. He released into me and then slumped his body onto mine. He had just enough energy to pull up his slacks, walk down the hall, and crash onto the guest room bed.

I cleaned myself, then took a still sleeping Peyton home. Carolyn gave me her word she would take care of the drunks upstairs.

It was early Monday morning when Grant finally contacted me. He apologized repeatedly for being an ass. “I remember everything, Natalie. I don't like that I was so rough with you in the bathroom.”

I gave him a hug and told him it was okay.

“No, Natalie, that isn't how I operate. I love touching you and bringing you as much pleasure as you give me. Call me a pussy, but I enjoy foreplay. I enjoy watching the buildup in your eyes.”

His words were enough to make me cry. He didn't hurt me when he took me in the bathroom that day, but it also wasn’t like any of the other times we had been together.

“I’m also not going to stand here and tell you that I will make it up to you. I’m just going to show you, very soon.”

I made it to work in time for Ashley to inform me a Dr. Tristan had called several times from Dartmouth regarding Tiffany Garrison. I rolled my eyes as I sat down in my chair and sighed heavily. The last thing I wanted to do this morning was to deal with Tiffany. Before I could even pick up my phone to call him back, Austin came in and informed me he was once again on the line.

“Thank you, Austin.” I took a deep cleansing breath and reached for my phone, putting a fake smile in my voice. “Good morning, this is Ms. Reid.”

In college, one of my professors told us it is impossible to be nasty to someone if you were smiling. I didn't know if he was really correct, but I always made it a point to have a smile on my face when I spoke on the phone at work.

“Ms. Reid? My name is Dr. William Tristan, and I’m the Dean of students here at Dartmouth School of Medicine. I won’t take up much of your time, as I know how busy you are.”

I wondered if he had a fake smile on his face this morning as well.

“No problem at all, Dr. Tristan, how can I help you?”

“Thank you, Ms. Reid. I’m in charge of doing an investigation on a student of ours, Tiffany Garrison? According to our records, she played an active role in the treatment of your daughter, Peyton Reid?”

It seemed like a lifetime ago Peyton had been in the hospital. Grant had been still trying to prove to me he was a nice guy. He’d gone out of his way to take care of her.

“Well, Dr. Tristan, how can I help you?”

“Yes, well, recently Tiffany Garrison has returned to our school after allegations of unprofessional behavior by one of her superiors. Can you tell me if she was ever unprofessional to you, or your daughter, during treatment?” I leaned back into my chair and closed my eyes remembering Tiffany and Grant kissing and the pain that I felt in my chest.

“Yes, Dr. Tristan, she was unprofessional to me on at least one occasion. However, Dr. Crain was in complete control of care in regards to Peyton.”

I told him of the time when we had to see her for a follow up to Peyton's discharge. How she made it a point to inform me he wasn't interested in having a relationship with me, only a quick fling. I also informed him of the kiss I’d witnessed at Grant’s house and the story behind it.

Dr. Tristan thanked me for the information and assured me I would receive a copy of the Board’s final decision regarding Tiffany Garrison.

Austin knocked on my door just before lunch and wanted to talk with me. I encouraged him to have a seat and tell me what was on his mind.

“Well, Natalie, you know how successful the bazaar at Christmas was?”

“Yes, Austin, it was a huge hit.”

“Well, how about we do something like that for Sweeties day? We can have the back rooms open for the kids’ drop off and then have venders available with desserts or even flowers for those unfortunate guys who completely forget the day. I know Emily would be thrilled to have a second location to help out. We could also have a special on our DVD rentals or even have a special cup of coffee. I mean, the possibilities are endless.”

I smiled at Austin, then told him to get me some solid numbers and I would take it to the Board.

After Austin left and the day was finally done, I dove into several files I hadn’t been able to open in a while. I called Peggy and asked if she could get Peyton for me. She was so excited she didn’t even let me finish telling her I would be by later when she hung up the phone. The sun had set over an hour ago and I could feel the tension setting into my neck and shoulders.

My cell buzzed with a text message from Grant and I smiled as I rose from my chair and followed his instructions.

Come to the back room.

Once I opened the door to my office, I could hear the faint sounds of piano music. I opened the door to one of the back offices and found a half-naked Grant, lying on a huge bed of fluffy pillows, pink rose petals, and white blankets. The soft glow of candles highlighted his hair and made his skin glow. He held his hand out to me as I closed the door behind me.