Lost and found, p.14
Lost & Found, page 14
He thought about Georgina’s revelation about Eliza’s youth and knew it was time to go back to the basics with his girl and start from there. Wade texted her back.
I’m looking forward to hearing about our daughter’s progress.
Chapter Sixteen
“Do you think he’ll show?”
Eliza smiled reassuringly at Camille and twirled one of her long braids before adjusting her knotted scarf around her neck. “He said he would, and he’s been pretty good about keeping his word. What’s got you so worried?”
Camille pondered the question as they walked the five blocks to her school and shrugged listlessly before huddling into her jacket. It was late afternoon and the sun was just setting as the cool autumn breeze chased leaves down the street. “This is a pretty big deal for him to be seen in public with me. What if he’s not up to it?”
“Hold on a second, young lady,” Eliza said sternly and grabbed her daughter’s shoulder. “I can assure you that is the last way he feels about you! You are undoubtedly the best thing that has happened to the both of us. He’s just unsure of how to proceed with you because he doesn’t want to overwhelm you, Camille. Please believe me when I say your father loves you very much.”
Eliza was relieved to see her daughter’s radiant smile replace her worried expression. “Okay, if you say so, Mommy. I was just wondering because Aunt Fiona, Sosie, and Paisley are dying to tell everyone but are trying to respect your privacy.”
“Oh, this is on me?” Eliza quizzed her.
“Yeah, you’re basically oppressing me,” Camille said with a big sigh. “But don’t worry; it’s not as bad as when you used me to avoid small talk with the mothers on the playground back in Boston.”
“Every now and then you have to take one for the team, brat,” Eliza pointed out reasonably.
“Mom, you convinced them I had a bladder problem because you were trying to get out of being recruited for the PTA!” Camille said indignantly.
Eliza burst out laughing. It was true; she’d disliked those anti-trans fat, gluten-hatin’ heffas with a passion. She’d devised an escape plan that she coerced a reluctant Camille into. If Eliza scratched her nose, her daughter would have to run up to her and urgently announce that they had to leave right away because she had to use the restroom. “Hey, no complaining! You got paid five dollars a scratch. If you had such a problem with it, then how come you took the money?”
“Oh, I’m saving that money for a lawyer consultation with D.J.’s uncle. I’m pretty sure you violated some of my rights,” Camille explained patiently. “When I asked Uncle Max for a consultation, he said he’d be a fool to get involved and chance making Aunt Georgie mad and referred me to Casey Sullivan.”
“Listen, child, your big head poppin’ out followed by your even bigger body violated all of my body’s rights, and you don’t see me complaining,” Eliza teased and bumped her with her hip, and they both laughed. “And not to burst your bubble, but my Sullivan connections are better, seeing as how I did design the house that D.J. and his family live in. You should remind your helpful Uncle Max of that fact.”
“Duly noted. I’m glad you’re happy,” Camille said as Eliza twirled her around and around. “You’re kind of different now, you know.”
“Oh yeah; how so?” Eliza asked curiously. “And is it a good thing?”
“We all think so. You laugh more and participate instead of hiding away. I think you like living here as much I do.”
Out of the mouth of the babes, Eliza thought as she absorbed Camille’s answer. It was true. Here, she felt lighter and more carefree. Not weighed down by deceit and lies. She’d even changed her dress style and started mixing things up. Normally a classic dresser, per David’s request, Eliza had found herself raiding Aunt Val’s vintage bohemian pieces and adding jeans and sneakers to her daily wardrobe. She’d even contemplated cutting her hair into something a little funkier and edgy.
But it wasn’t just her image; it was the way she felt inside as if she could be who she was supposed to be even though she really didn’t know who that was yet. After David’s death, she’d continued to play classical music and struggle through big, heavy, boring autobiographies just to feel close to him. Well, those days were gone. She discovered a love of neo-soul, R&B, and pop music, and she loved smutty novels. Thank goodness for electronic readers because she would surely die of mortification if anyone ever found out what she was reading.
“Well, I feel different here with my family,” Eliza admitted. “I like seeing them daily and just knowing that they’re so close makes me feel good.”
Except for late at night when she was reminded of how thin the walls were and that her aunt and uncle were still full of youthful passion. It was a damn shame that at forty, she was getting less action than them.
“How long before the bed and breakfast is complete? And what are you going to call it?”
“Well, I submitted all the requested paperwork, so now it’s a waiting game, but I’m sure it will go well and it shouldn’t take too long.. I’m open to suggestions for names if you have any. You’re pretty creative with stuff like that. But in the meantime, I think it’s best for us to find a place of our own, so we can make some new memories.”
“Mom, will I ever get to meet your mother?” Camille asked hesitantly. “I know you don’t like to talk about her, but do you ever think about her?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I think about her every time I look at you, and it drives me to be the best mother that I can be. It’s my privilege to love you and so very crucial to me that you always know that you are the most important person in the world to me and that I would never do anything to hurt you. I’ll try my hardest to never let you down and keep you safe,” Eliza said firmly. “Hey, baby, look who’s already here!”
They were just reaching the crowded school parking lot, and Wade was the first person Eliza saw as he leaned on the hood of his patrol car, patiently observing the crowd with a congenial smile.
“Daaaaddy! You came!” Camille shrieked as she ran towards him, ducking and dodging people with her arms opened.
Eliza blinked back tears of happiness as she watched Wade open his arms and scoop their little girl into them and hold onto her tightly.
Their eyes met and though her vision was a bit blurry, she could see that his were a brighter blue due to his own unshed tears. Around her, she could hear the buzzing of whispers as the townsfolk made the connection that their good sheriff was also a father.
Chapter Seventeen
Wade hurried up the steps of the Carltons’ home, eager to see his two best girls.
He didn’t even get the chance to ring the doorbell before the door swung open and Camille threw herself at him.
“Hi, Daddy! How was your day?” she asked with her beautiful smile. Wade felt his throat tighten up. As long as he lived he would never get tired of hearing her call him Daddy. She said it like she had always called him that. Get it together, man.
Clearing his throat, he picked her up and gave her a hug. “Hi, sweetheart; it was good. How was school?”
He had wanted to take her but had to go to a meeting in Baltimore early this morning. Eliza had sent him a picture of her standing in a pile of leaves, and it was now his screen saver.
“It was awesome! Mrs. Teal told Mommy that I’m extremely advanced for my age and is recommending placement testing for me to advance a grade. For lunch, I had fish sticks and apple fries that Uncle Graham made for me. Mom cried today because she wouldn’t be able to pick me up this afternoon. Then she said everything was alright; she just has to get used to the idea that I’m a big girl all over again.”
Wade smiled. He could listen to her chatter all day. Looking around, he casually asked, “Where’s your mom right now?”
“She and Uncle Graham met Uncle Max at the farm to talk about their bed and breakfast. Granny Val is with me.”
As if on cue, “Granny Val” appeared, not looking a day over forty-five. Her green eyes sparkling, she gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. There was no denying it, the Carlton women were stunning.
“Hi, Wade; it’s good to see you. Little missy’s been waiting for you and checking outside the window every five minutes.”
“Likewise, Val. We’re heading over to my mom’s for dinner. My parents are very excited to meet Camille,” he said with a grin for his daughter. “So, the B&B is gonna happen, huh?”
“Oh, Wade, you should see them! They’re all so excited with their zoning meetings and getting approvals for permits. I’m so glad that all three of them are together again.”
Wade was truly happy for them and himself because it meant that Camille and Eliza would be here for good. “That’s great news. Well, we better get going, babygirl. There are some pretty excited people who are bouncing off walls to meet you. Val, I‘ll be back with her by seven-thirty.”
Val bent down to give Camille a kiss. “Give Granny Val a big hug.”
Camille giggled as she wrapped her arms around her tightly.
“Eliza will be back by then too, Wade,” she said casually, and he had the feeling she knew exactly how he still felt about her niece. With a gentle smile, she sent them on their way.
***
Eliza was bone tired as she dragged herself out of her car. After interviewing several construction crews, four zoning and permit meetings, she was finally calling it a day at ten o’clock in the evening. Graham had left hours ago with a promise to get Camille tucked away for the night. Georgie had made dinner, but she had been too tired to eat. After hugging each other goodnight, Georgie had cupped her cheeks and looked her steadily in the eye.
“I’m really happy that you and Wade are trying to work things out for Camille. But I’m worried about you. Please make time for yourself and be open to the concept of letting love find you. Take care of yourself, sis.”
As she walked up the steps to the house, her sister’s words swam around and around in her head. A smile tugged at her lips. It was hard to explain that what they were doing was making time for herself. Finally being her own person was a completely nouveau experience, and one she wasn’t taking for granted.
“What’s so funny?” Wade’s voice came out of the dark, causing Eliza to stifle a scream.
“Shit, you scared the crap out of me!! What are you doing sitting in the dark?” she gasped as she clutched at her chest.
He stood up from the settee and walked into the light, stopping within arm’s reach of her. Her heart leaped at how handsome he looked in his green plaid shirt and dark jeans. His blonde hair was pulled back in a short ponytail and his beard was a little fuller since they’d last seen each other. His lips quirked in that sexy way that made her heart speed up even more and discreetly, she tried to breathe in his spicy, woodsy cologne.
No one in the world smelled like Wade, she thought dreamily, remembering how much she’d loved to walk around in his shirts, cocooned in his scent.
“Well, now you know how it feels,” he teased. “Sorry about that. When I brought Camille home, she insisted that I stay and read her a story. One story turned into three with lots of question in between. Then it was bath time and she wanted me to stay and tuck her in.”
He didn’t tell her how after tucking her in, Camille had whispered sleepily, “Goodnight Daddy. I love you.”
Wade thought he would start bawling like a baby in front of her. When he finally came downstairs, Graham, sensing how emotional he was, had handed him a beer with a knowing smile as he settled down to watch Monday Night Football with him.
Eliza’s warm smile caused her face to light up, and he was struck dumb all over again by her beauty. He wanted to pull her close to him and never let go. To get drunk on the taste of her lips while buried deep inside of her. Wade tried to focus on what she was saying, but all he kept thinking about were how kissable her mouth looked right now.
“She’s always loved story time. It’s a miracle that you only had to read three stories at bedtime. How was dinner with your parents?”
“It was great. My family decorated the house with ‘Welcome Camille’ signs and balloons. Mom and Dad couldn’t get enough of her. Fiona and her family were there also. She had a really great time. I hope you don’t mind, but they absolutely stuffed her with sweets,” he chuckled. “She just kept telling me over and over again how much fun she was having. I wish you had been there. You would have gotten a kick out of her reaction.”
Eliza told herself not to be jealous, but it was hard. It had been just the two of them for the last couple of years. Now those days were a thing of the past. Her daughter had a whole other family that she now belonged to. “It’s all good. I’m sure I would have just been in the way. You guys needed that alone time.”
There was silence as they looked at each other. Awareness filled the space between them, and Eliza nervously licked her lips. Wade stepped closer to her until there was no space between them. Her eyes widened as she felt his manhood brush her belly. His stare was unwavering as he allowed her to absorb the feelings she evoked in him.
“You look tired. What’d you do today?” His fingers gently brushed the shadows under her eyes, causing her to quiver at his touch. She had to restrain herself from leaning into his palm and purring like a kitten.
She laughed breathlessly. “I’ve been trekking through the land by Cinnamon Farms with construction crews among other things. We need to find the best crew that will do the job and come in under budget.”
He was so close, she wanted to just lean into him and bury her face in the crook of his neck. His large, warm hand came up to tip her chin up. Their lips were a breath away as he whispered her name. She closed her eyes and touched his abdomen, feeling the muscles clench through his shirt, at her touch.
“I want you, Eliza.” His voice was deep and guttural as his breath whispered across her lips. “And I know you want me too. You remember how good it was between us, don’t you? That feeling that could never be duplicated with anyone else?”
Eliza clutched at his shirt frenziedly as his lips covered hers and his hands tangled in her curls. As his tongue curled around hers, Wade did not hold back as he sucked the last of her lipstick off and demanded that she open up and grant him deeper access.
“I want this and so much more from you, baby. I want my family together, Eliza. You’re not just my baby mama, and I sure as hell ain’t just your damn baby daddy. You’re the woman that I dream about and never forgot, because no matter how hard I tried my heart wouldn’t allow me to live with a lie like that,” he breathed against her lips, tracing the seam of them with his tongue.
Her hands slipped under his shirt to caress the hard planks of his stomach, and he groaned into her mouth. She nipped his tongue and laughed throatily as his kiss turned hotter and more demanding.
“That’s my girl.”
Wade couldn’t get enough of her as his hand slid down to cup her breast and she mewled softly. It was killing him, but he managed to not go any further. The sight of her desire-flushed face and swollen lips filled him with the urge to pull her into the dark corner of the porch and have his way with her.
Eliza felt like she would combust at any moment as she drowned in his liquid gaze. She opened her mouth to speak but was startled to hear a scandalized voice say:
“Wade Henry Holloway! Just WHAT exactly are you doing to that poor girl? Need I remind you that a gentleman keeps his hands in sight at all times. I KNOW good and well that Lucy Holloway taught you better!”
The nasally voice came from Abner Crenshaw, the Carltons’ neighbor on the right. Eliza peeked over Wade’s shoulder and saw the older nosy man peering so hard at them through his enormous bifocals over the railing that she was surprised he didn’t fall over it and into his prized chocolate sunflowers.
The spell was officially broken. Eliza buried her face in his chest and shook with horrified laughter as Sheriff Wade Sullivan, protector of the citizens of Baymoor, jerked his hand away from her boob as if it had been scalded.
Cursing under his breath, which made her laugh even harder, he replied sourly, “There’s nothing to see here, Mr. Crenshaw. Everything is fine.”
“Well, I disagree! I think there’s plenty to see! Does Nate Carlton know what you’re doing over there?! I should call the Baymoor Gazette and let them know that the law is taking advantage of its helpless citizens”
Mr. Crenshaw’s indignant huffing was so loud that neighboring doors started to open, and people stuck their heads out warily to investigate.
“Jesus fucking-” Wade’s blasphemous retort was cut off when the Carltons’ front door swung open, forcing them to step away from each other as Nate appeared in his pajamas and bathrobe.
“I thought I heard voices. Everything okay out here?” he asked with a raised eyebrow as he glanced back and forth between them sternly.
“Nate, is everything alright?” Mr. Crenshaw called in a voice laden with suspicion.
Eliza stepped further away from Wade. “Everything’s fine. We were just chatting about Camille’s day. Goodnight, Wade,” she said loudly and brushed by him to follow Nate into the house.
“We’re good over here, Abner!” Nate gave his neighbor the thumbs up signal, and the older man nodded and went back inside his house and turned the porch light off.
“Go out with me!” Wade called out to her, and startled, Eliza turned back to face him. “There’s a football game this Friday, and Camille will be sleeping over at Fiona’s. If you’re free, Eliza Carlton, I’d very much like to take you and maybe we could grab a bite to eat afterward?”
He turned to an amused Nate. “If that’s okay with you, sir? I’m declaring myself here and now that I’d like to date your niece. Just an FYI: my asking is just a courtesy.”
