Undertow (3 page)

For our honeymoon, Daddy gave us his fifty-foot yacht to cruise down to the islands. Even though Billy’s an experienced mariner, Daddy threw in a captain so we didn’t have to worry about navigation or making time.

The cruise was as much a part of our honeymoon as the destination, and I planned for us to spend most of it in the master suite. I may be three months pregnant, but I’ll be damned if I miss out on my honeymoon nights with Billy. Everybody thinks I’m so innocent, but I’ve been doing my homework. I plan to knock his socks off. Literally. I’ve been studying some of those men’s magazines Daddy hides in the garage—as if nobody knows they’re there. Think again, Dad! I don’t quite get how the ladies manage some of those positions, but I think I can figure out a few. Just because I can’t hold Billy at home doesn’t mean I can’t keep his mind occupied when he’s away.

So more soon, Journal. I’ve got a husband to occupy.

June 28, 19--

Back from our honeymoon! The islands were as beautiful as I’d always heard, but we didn’t leave the boat much to look at them. After that first night, Billy was so intrigued he kept wanting to get back to Daddy’s yacht and see what else I’d learned.

His favorite position was something called a Reverse Cowgirl, which is basically him just lying back with me on top, sitting with my back to him. I’m sure he prefers that method because he grew up on a ranch, but I can’t say it was my favorite way to go. I much prefer either facing him or in plain ole missionary style, hugged up close to his chest with him whispering and kissing my ear and cheek. But hearing his loud groans and swears, and feeling him clutching my butt was exciting enough to get me where I needed to be, so I didn’t complain about repeat performances of that one.

I’m happily confident my new husband’s socks were effectively knocked off. And I have to say, a nice bed and the freedom to spend as much time as you want in it is so much better than being cramped in the cab of a pickup or sneaking behind boardwalks in the dark. We’ll have plenty of time to come back here and actually tour the islands in a few years once the babies are old enough to stay with Mom.

I love being married! I love imagining how it’s going to be once Billy’s finished with his plan, and we’re the richest, most important family in South County. Of course, I’ll be a great benefactress, and the best part will be all the good causes I’ll be able to help. I was thinking about Miss Stella and how she dedicated her dotage to taking care of orphaned children like Lexy. I don’t expect to be left alone, but I would love to be able to find gifted young people like my friend and give them a chance to become famous. Be like their old donor lady, whatever that’s called.

My fondest memory of the week is how close Billy and I’ve become. We’ve been together four years, and I’ve shared everything with him. He was the first boy I ever slept with, but that was as high schoolers. Now we’re husband and wife, and it’s a different situation altogether. One night after successfully mastering a position the magazines called “grinding the corn,” which is a ridiculous name and basically means missionary style only with Billy slightly higher than me (it actually might be my new favorite way), I decided it was safe to share my biggest concern with him.

He loved teasing me about our future, and tonight was no different. “When you decide you’re tired of being home alone, who will you leave me for?” he asked.

“You know good and well you’re the only guy for me,” I said. “I guess I’ll just play with the baby and go visit Mama.”

“You’re not going to take up with Rain Hawkins?”

“No thank you,” I said, hugging his bare chest to mine. I loved feeling our skin pressed together. “I’ve known since I was five I wouldn’t be a farmer’s wife.”

“What about Chuck? He’s a cop now, but he could end up chief of police and then maybe even mayor.”

I leaned back, curling my nose. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? Chuck has a long way to go to catch up with you.” Then I leaned in and kissed my gorgeous husband. “I’m more worried about what you’re going to do when I’m big and pregnant. I know you like skinny girls.”

I felt him laugh as I lay my cheek against his chest again, his fingers tracing long strokes down my back. “I think you’re the one who needs to check the mirror.”

“I’m serious, though,” I sighed. “You’re so smart, and when you and Bryant start going to Atlanta, you’ll be meeting a lot of sexy business women.”

“I’m not interested in any sexy business women.”

I sat up and looked straight into his blue eyes, serious. “Are you sorry about this? The baby? Marrying me?”

“Nope,” he said with that beautiful smile. “I’m just sorry I’m not going to see you much.”

“That’s part of the deal. I said it didn’t matter.” I dropped down to the bed beside him.

He moved to lie beside me, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger. I studied his lined arm, leading up to an equally defined chest. I wasn’t sure he appreciated how many women were checking him out all the time.

“Just don’t lie to me, okay?” I said.

His brow creased. “Lie to you? About what?”

“Anything. Later on I mean.”

“What’s going to happen later on?”

“Well, nothing that’s not in your plan, I hope.”

He pulled me close and kissed me. “That makes two of us.”

I slid my arms around his neck and his hands made their way down my body. We were off again, but I was relieved we’d at least covered the bases.

Still, I couldn’t help worrying about all those long hours he’d be keeping. Billy’s a good guy, but he’s still a guy.

June 30, 19--

We’ve started setting up the house.

It’s not actually
our
house, it’s my grandmother’s old home in Fairview. Mom and Daddy gave it to us for our wedding gift, and while it’s a quaint little historic place, it’s nothing like the gorgeous mansion we’re going to have on Hammond Island once Billy’s the most famous developer in the world.

Still, it’s a pretty little cottage, and we’ll fit for now in its two bedrooms and one bathroom. One bathroom! Who ever heard of such a thing?

Mom said at least we’ll have a guest room if we ever have overnight visitors. I can’t wait to tell her about her grandson. I found out it’s a boy at my last doctor’s visit.

Those doctor’s visits. What a pain in the
ass
! Sorry, that’s not very genteel of me, but that doctor almost pushed me over the edge. Once he knew for sure, he practically demanded I tell my parents about the pregnancy—when I hadn’t even told Billy!

I thought I was going to have to commit a felony to get that stupid doctor to listen to me. In the end, I used Daddy’s heart condition as leverage. I said he wouldn’t want to be responsible for causing the most important surgeon in Fairview to have a heart attack. That shut his big mouth. And after I told Billy, he came with me to all my appointments and assured the doc we were getting married once we graduated.

That stupid doctor rushed me into telling Billy before I wanted to, too. I was going to wait until our graduation party, after Billy’d had a few drinks and was feeling happy. I was afraid of how he’d take the news.

Before I told him, he’d actually suggested we wait until he finished college to get married. “Wait!” I’d cried. “For what?”

Billy knew as well as I did that we were perfect for each other. I’m the only girl pretty enough to be the wife of a future leader like him, and I’d be damned if I let him get distracted by college and drift away from me. I was not going to lose my prince charming or my mansion on Hammond Island!

Once I told him about our little blessing, he was definitely stunned, but I convinced him we should just get married and he could carry right on with that big plan of his. Little Will and I would not slow him down one bit.

Now I’m trying to decide the perfect way to spring the news on my parents. Once we’re all settled, I think we should host an intimate dinner party for just the four of us. I’ll serve wine, and when everyone’s all good and relaxed, we’ll announce the joyous news.

I wish Lexy were here. I’m sure she’s off taking Savannah by storm, but she sure would help me feel more confident. I’m looking forward to taking South County by storm, but it’ll be a few years before Billy and I are established the way we want to be.

When my parents moved here from Birmingham, they didn’t have anything either. Daddy was just an intern at South County General Hospital, and no one had ever heard of the Weavers. A few short years later, he was the top surgeon, and that’s exactly how it’s going to be with Billy and me. In few short years, we’ll be ruling the coast.

July 5, 19--

Our little cottage is right off the main drag between Fairview and Springdale, and it’s in the perfect location for all the events and activities in town. Last night we sat out on the porch steps and watched the city fireworks display. I’ve been so tired lately, I haven’t felt like hitting any parties. The doctor said it’s because of the pregnancy. I just wish Lexy were here. With her gone, I don’t have anyone to talk to about how I’m feeling. Billy can’t be bothered with all this women’s business, and Mom still doesn’t know.

Mom and I have always been close. She’s a Fairview native, which is why my parents came back here when Daddy finished medical school. It’s close to the beach and such a great place to raise a family with all the small-town charm and good schools.

I plan on our family being the same way, only when we make it, we’re moving to Hammond Island where all the rich people live. My parents didn’t want to move once Daddy made it big. Something about the drive being too far from the hospital and them already knowing all their neighbors here.

I think that’s ridiculous. Everyone knows the real sign of how rich you are is where you live, and Billy’s already picked out our spot on Lost Bay. The children will all go to Sacred Heart, and I’ll volunteer at only the most exclusive local charities.

Of course, I’ll join the Fort Bowyer DAR, the hospital auxiliary, and the Krewe de Candy Stripers with Mom. That’s her Mardi Gras krewe. I might even join the Junior League, but they’ll work you to death if you let them. Mom was in the Junior League ten years, and she finally jumped off that crazy train. I prefer the Mardi Gras krewe and the DAR anyway. They’re more about parties and historical events and less about running around town like a chicken with its head cut off.

Lexy thinks all that stuff is silly. I miss her so much now that she’s in Savannah. She might roll her eyes at my plans for future community involvement, but when I need someone to talk to, she’s always a good listener. It’s true Mom and I are close, but she doesn’t always hear me when I’m talking to her. And Billy gets tired of my little problems. He’s completely focused on the big picture.

I can call Lexy on a moment’s notice about anything, and she’ll stop and listen or giggle. Once I called her for two seconds to tell her I found a huge palmetto bug in my tub, and I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to bathe in it again. We just collapsed into giggles.

It’s hard to find friends like that. I had hoped we’d be having our babies together, but that’s not Lexy’s way. She’s got to conquer the art world before she’ll consider settling down with any man. I sure wish she’d hurry up and get it done. Then she can come home, and we can pick up right where we left off.

Sept. 5, 19--

I’ve been so busy setting up our house, I haven’t had time to write. But the night has come to tell my parents about the baby. I’m starting to show, and I don’t have enough billowy blouses to cover it. Besides, I’m tired of hiding. I want everybody to know I’m about to have the most gorgeous little boy this town’s ever seen. How could I not? Have you seen his daddy?

Still, I’ve been so nervous all day today, it’s been hard to cook and prepare. Billy started school so he’s gone all the time. Then when he gets home, he’s constantly talking to Bryant. He says they’re working out the details of their plan, but I can’t imagine what details they can work out with college not even behind him yet. Those are the most focused guys I’ve ever met in my life.

I had to call Lexy to let her know what was happening and get some moral support. “Lexy, I’m freaking out,” I said. “It’s B-day in Fairview.”

“What?” I heard her frown. “I don’t understand. Are you in labor?”

“No, tonight’s the night. I’m telling my parents, and I’m so scared.”

She breathed a laugh. “Oh, please. Your mother’s going to cry, she’ll be so happy.”

“But what about Daddy?” I chewed my lip as I frantically twisted my hair around my finger. “What if he has another heart attack?”

“Why should he? I mean, they already gave you guys a house.” Behind her I could hear music playing softly and what sounded like pages turning in her sketchbook. “You’re working at the hospital, and Bill’s launching his master plan to destroy East End Beach. You’re all set. They’re going to be thrilled.”

“But that’s just it,” I said, still worried. “I’ll have to stop working. What will we do for money once the baby comes?”

“Gigi will not let her only child and only grandchild go without. Stop worrying. That baby will have a trust fund before the year’s end.”