The Dating List (15 page)

When the sun crept in-between the curtains coaxing
his eyes open, Colin rolled over to escape the piercing, invasive
light and linger longer in his dream.
Leah…a farmhouse in the
country…professorship.
Leah's warm scent enticed to him,
drawing him closer. He spooned her from behind, slipping his arm
around her waist, closing his fingers around her breast. Her firm
bare behind pressed gently against his groin, stirred up his blood.
Now he was wide awake. She stretched her arms above her head and
murmured something he couldn't understand. His fingers caressed her
warm flesh arousing a response.

"Again? Three times last night didn't wear you
out?"

"I'll never get enough of you," he whispered in her
ear.

"I'm not sure I'll be able to walk if we make love
again."

"I'll be gentle."

She rolled over to face him with a saucy smile spread
across her face.

"I can be convinced."

"I'll do the work, lie back, relax." His lips closed
over her peak, bringing a moan to her lips.

She slid her hand down his body.

"Your motor is already running." She closed her
fingers around him.

"Being near you keeps it revved up."

"I'll bet you say that to all your girls."

"No more girls…only women…one woman…you."

He leaned over to kiss her neck while his hands
cupped her behind.

"Oh my God, you're amazing," she breathed into his
ear.

"You're the one who's amazing…I'm just your fan."

****

The week passed quickly. Colin and Leah were
inseparable but didn't spend even one evening with Grey and Carrie.
The couple was cocooning. No one understood that better than
Colin's older brother and his fiancée.

The passing of Angus Davenport required an upstate
visit. Grey and Carrie arrived at the Andrews family home in Pine
Grove on Saturday about three o'clock. Fran Andrews, Grey's mother,
greeted them warmly at the door while Buster and Daisy, their two
fawn pugs, danced around, barking and panting. Grey bent to pet the
pugs right after planting a kiss on his mother's cheek. John
Andrews, his father, followed the dogs into the foyer. After hugs
were shared, they were ushered into the living room. Tea and
homemade scones awaited them in front of the huge fireplace. Daisy
and Buster flopped down on their beds near the warmth of the fire
to catch some shuteye.

"What happened to Angus? I thought he was a hearty
old guy," Grey asked.

"Brain aneurysm," John said.

"He went suddenly. Giselle is still stunned. We all
were," Mary chimed in.

"I'm looking forward to meeting her. I understand she
was one of Grey's friends growing up."

"Grey and Giselle played when they were little but by
high school…"

"Really?" Carrie cocked an eyebrow at Grey.

"Mom, you're exaggerating. Giselle and I were
friends…"

"She didn't speak to you for a year. That doesn't
seem very friendly to me. Would you like one of these, Carrie?
They're chocolate chip." Mary offered her a scone.

Hmmm. Do I need to know about this? Grey seems very
uncomfortable. Later.

"Thanks, Mary. They look delicious."

"Mary makes the best scones in the county," John
said.

She blushed under his praise then made a dismissive
move with her hand but Carrie could see the pride underneath.
Love the way he brags about her cooking. They're so
cute.

"We're going over after dinner to bring her some
food. Grey, I hope you can find time to chop some wood for Giselle
tomorrow. I'm working on a nice casserole. When we finish here,
maybe Carrie can give me a hand."

"Barb and Jenna coming?" Grey asked.

"Nope. Barbara's on a business trip and Jenna is
skiing," John said.

"Colin's coming next weekend for dinner with his new
girlfriend."

Grey and Carrie look at each other.

"You met her?" John asked.

"I've known Leah for a long time. She's like a cousin
to me."

Mary smiled. "Well, if she's anything like you, I'll
be pleased to meet her." She patted Carrie's hand.

"She's a lot like Carrie…quite a dresser, too," Grey
added.

"Bet she's pretty. Colin always had an eye for good
lookin' girls," John said.

"Grey, too. Look at our Carrie." Mary beamed at
her.

Nerves took hold of Carrie.
Oh, God. They have no
idea Leah is older and leaving for Paris…
She looked down at
her hands, then at Grey whose face was a blank. She gulped down the
rest of her tea then picked up her scone.

"Why don't we get on that casserole, Mary?"

"If you don't mind, dear? Grey, please take the bags
upstairs."

Mary and John stood up to leave the living room
first. John carried the tea tray. Grey shot Carrie a look of relief
behind his parents' backs, before he headed for the stairs.

****

Dinner was a pleasant affair as it always was with
Grey's parents. Carrie grew closer and closer to them as time
passed. Most of the meal was spent discussing the location for the
rehearsal dinner and how many people they expected to show up.

"When are we going to meet your parents, Carrie?"
Mary asked as she carried in an apple cobbler for dessert.

"I don't know when they're coming, exactly. They'll
be renting an apartment in the city for a month or two." She
shifted in her seat.
Do they have to meet before the
wedding?

"Ya don't know? Don't ya talk to your own
parents?"

"John!" Mary raised her hand.

He turned his attention to the dessert on his
plate.

"Janice and Harv travel a lot," Grey said, picking up
his fork.

"Hmm. Jan and Harv, eh? Met them yet, Grey?" John
asked.

"Not exactly. I've talked to Janice on the phone,
though."

"I've got four and we talk to 'em, seems like every
day. Specially when I get the phone bill!" John chuckled. "Your
folks only have two."

"We've never been very close. Delia is more like a
mother to me," Carrie said.

Embarrassment stained her cheeks.
Explaining about
my parents again. Why can't Mom and Dad behave like real parents
for once?

"Delia Tucker? We love her! She's a real hoot…and a
dear, dear lady," Mary said, patting Carrie's hand.

"She did a fine job raising you, I'd say," John said,
a smile creasing his face.

"Thanks." Carrie turned her gaze to her food.

Grey took her hand under the table and gave it a
squeeze. She turned grateful eyes to him.

"When are we going over to the Davenports?" Grey
asked.

"As soon as I finish this last forkful of cobbler.
Mary, you make the best cobbler in the county," John announced.

After winter coats were distributed and the casserole
bundled up, they trekked through the well-worn shortcut path to the
gloomy old Victorian next door. Carrie looked up at the house. She
could see signs that it had once been grand, like the Andrews'
house. But now the white paint on the wood trim was peeling. The
light lavender on the house was faded so much it looked almost like
a dirty grayish white. Weeds grew up between the bricks of the
front walk. Shrubs sorely in need of trimming lined the low white
picket fence which was missing a slat or two. The gate in the fence
was rusty. One hinge had come undone leaving the gate drooping
sadly on one side.

"Wow, their house sure has gone to the dogs since
Martha died," Grey said.

"Shhh! Not so loud. Giselle will hear you. She's
tried but keeping up a house like this by herself isn't easy."

"She needs a good man to help her," John said.

Yeah? Well she's not getting this one!
Carrie
managed a tight smile as they paraded single file through the old
gate.

"She's not married? I'm surprised," Grey said.

"She's been living in Boston most of the time. Just
come back in the last couple a years, since Martha died," John
said.

"What about Colin?" Carrie asked.

"She's too old for Colin. She's Grey's age," Mary
responded.

Uh oh. Too old?

Grey shot her a panicked look. Carrie shrugged and
gripped his arm tighter as she navigated the icy walk carrying a
plate of Mary's homemade cookies. He steadied her up the walk.
Carrie looked up in time to see a beautiful, slender woman with
short blonde hair and big gray eyes open the door. A smile lit her
sad face as she greeted the Andrews clan. Carrie noted Giselle's
greeting of each Andrews family member, especially Grey. Each
received a hug, but Grey also got a peck on the cheek. Carrie
smiled.
Nothing to worry about.

"You must be Carrie. I've heard so much about you,"
Giselle gave her a warm smile and extended her hand.

Carrie shook it and smiled back.
I haven't heard
much about you. Fashion model-type living next door to Grey? Hmm.
Were you two playing doctor at sixteen? Get a grip. That was ages
ago. You're being stupid. Grey loves you and only you. You know
that in your gut. No more jealousy.

"Please come in," Giselle stepped back, allowing
Carrie to pass.

"What a grand old house," Carrie remarked, her gaze
traveling from walls to ceiling, from bookcase to roll top desk to
a door with a glass transom.

"It was when mom was alive. But between taking care
of dad, my freelance decorating business and upkeep on the
house…well, I haven't had time to do a very good job."

Carrie moved through the entryway into the living
room. Grey joined her.

"I see Grey still has great taste in women," Giselle
said. "Congratulations on your engagement. He's a lucky guy."

Carrie beamed as she slipped her arm through his.
"That luck runs both ways."

The chime of her cell phone stopped Carrie. "Mom?"
Carrie stepped back into the entryway for privacy.

"Carrie! Darling!"

"Where are you?"

"In New York, sweetheart. Where are you?"

"I'm upstate…"

"Well, come home, dear. We have so much work to
do."

"I'm at Grey's parent's house..."

"Those country people? Boring. Please, Carrie. Home
tomorrow. First thing."

"Where are you staying?"

"The Devon Apartments. We got a cozy place, a studio.
It's tight but since your guest room is still under renovation,
what can we do? I want to meet that man of yours…make sure he's
good enough to become part of the Tucker family."

Carrie frowned.
Oh, God.

"Carrie? You still there? This damn phone…"

"I'm still here. I'll be home tomorrow, Mom."

She put her phone away. Grey turned to her.

"Your mom and dad are in New York City?"

She nodded.

"Great! We'll get an early start tomorrow. I want to
meet them."

"They want to meet you, too." Carrie's stomach
lurched.

Quietly watching everyone, listening to the
conversation, she smiled and nodded but her mind was elsewhere. Her
senses picked up there was no heat between Grey and Giselle. When
Grey glanced at his watch then at her, she knew his signal for time
to leave.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Carrie said to Giselle as
the Andrews clan filed out.

Goodbyes were murmured with Mary and John promising
to return the next day. Grey stretched and yawned, perhaps too
obviously, making Carrie hide her smile. It was only nine thirty
but he was ready for bed but maybe not for sleep.

Once in their room with the door closed, Grey took
her in his arms. Carrie rested her head on his shoulder.

"Could we have a cuddle night tonight?"

"Not up for hot sex?" He teased.

"I have a lot on my mind."

Grey sat down on the bed, pulling her into his lap.
He kissed her hair and stroked her back. "Want to talk about
it?"

"It's nothing…yet. Just a feeling I have…"

"What kind of feeling?"

"That things are going to be…difficult,
unpleasant."

"How so?"

"My parents. They always make things hard for me. My
mother doesn't get along with Delia…and the wedding plans have
started…already she's objected to me…"

"Wait!" He put his hand up.

Carrie sat up.

"Nothing would make me happier than to watch you
stroll down the aisle in a gorgeous white dress, but if this
wedding business is going to make you unhappy, we can elope to Las
Vegas."

"But this is your first…"

"All I care about is marrying you. The rest is icing
on the cake. I can easily do without it. As long as we're hitched,
I'm happy. Don't make yourself crazy. Say the word and we're on a
plane."

Carrie smiled at him. "You're the best. I love you so
much."

He grinned. "Love you, too, honey."

Carrie stood up to stretch. Feeling Grey's eyes on
her body, she slowly eased her sweater up over her rib cage,
humming the beginning of the song "The Stripper". Glancing at him
over her shoulder, she noticed his eyes grow wide.

"If only this house had a carriage house…some place
we could be really alone."

"So when I make you scream with passion, no one hears
us?" He snickered.

"Right."

"We've only mastered quiet loving once, right?"

"Let's practice now," she said, unfastening her bra,
letting it fall to the floor.

The weak February sun melted the thin coating of ice
on the trees on the Palisades Parkway as Grey's Jaguar cut through
the smattering of cars returning to New York City. Carrie held the
cell phone to her ear, making faces as she spoke with her
mother.

"We're on the way, Mom. What? As fast as we can." She
turned her wrist to glance at her watch.

"How about coming to dinner tonight? Good. You have
the address? See you at six."

"Dinner with Janice and Harvey Tucker, eh? What do
you plan to make, arsenic stew?"