She smiled through the window to him and waved, then turned and walked in through the glass doors and back into the world she had left behind.Creighton pulled away from the curb. His heart felt much lighter than it had last night. It was amazing how the light of day seemed to make everything right again and gave him hope for a future he was dreading just a few hours before.“I cannot believe you’re married,” Barbara Baker said a short while later as Sandra sat in her old office surrounded by her former co-workers and friends.“Not just married, but happily married,” Sandra said with a wide smile as the other women inspected her wedding rings. “What’s it like?” Kelsey Dale asked, leaning her elbows against the desk and staring at her former boss with dreamy eyes. “Is he really as wonderful as everyone says he is?”“Yes, Creighton is an amazing man. Very handsome, very kind and an incredible lover.” Sandra wiggled her eyebrows as she said the last of her sentence, making the other gi
“He has already held his own press conference this morning, that’s why those reporters were at the restaurant,” Creighton explained. “He’s using all of this as a platform for his re-election campaign.”“Doesn’t surprise me,” she said with a frown as Papa’s phone rang and he began talking to someone on the other line, very briefly.“Cathy said to hurry up,” the older man said, slipping the phone back in his pocket. “She said there has been a reporter following Nelson around all day.”“Good,” Creighton growled softly. “This may be the first time I will be happy to see one.”“I’m coming too,” Sandra said quickly, gathering her satchel from behind the counter and hurrying to where Creighton waited for her by the door, slipping her hand in his.The drive to city hall was short, barely five blocks away, but the tension inside the small car was stifling. Everyone was consumed with their own demons and Sandra found herself actually excited to see the man she used to dread visiting. Creighton
“I will not have you pushing your influence into obtaining the permits needed for this project. It will happen in the appropriate amount of time and I will allow construction to begin, only if and when, everything is ready. I will in no conceivable manner allow my company to become a side show attraction.”“Then this is a real reason for celebration,” Michael said with a smile, patting Creighton on the shoulder. “The people of this town have been preparing for today’s festivities since we learned you were coming back. It would be a shame to disappoint them. Please accept my invitation as my guest. There are a lot of people who would love to shake your hand.”“And what do you gain from all of this?” Creighton asked, turning his gaze to him, his jaw clenching when he finished speaking.“Absolutely nothing,” he said with a shake of his head. “I am a part of this town and I too have been looking forward to your arrival. Your company will benefit the town in many ways, and I support your d
Papa and Nana decided to stay in town and do some shopping, insisting that Cathy could take them home. The ride back to the motel was quiet and tense as Sandra sat next to her husband, trying to figure out his mood. There was definitely something bothering him, but she couldn’t for the life of her put a finger on it. Remembering her deplorable behavior, the night before, she frowned. It had to be that. She had fallen asleep without their usual amount of playing and then this morning after their shower, when she thought things would get exciting, she found herself wrapped in his arms as they made slow love. It was pleasant enough, anytime she was in his arms she found herself succumbing to his charms and desires and eagerly reaching her climax. But that morning was different. If she didn’t know better, she would swear he was deliberately trying to keep her at bay.“Are you hungry?” he asked when they pulled into the parking stall of the motel.“Not really,” she said softly, causing h
Sandra hadn’t realized how much stuff she had put away in storage until Craig opened the door to the unit. She literally had an entire apartment inside the concrete box. There was a complete five-piece bedroom set with padded headboard and footboard, a dinette set, sofa and love seat, coffee table, television, stereo and an assortment of dishes, linens, knick-knacks and wall décor. She remembered how proud she was when she bought each and every piece of furniture, having saved and swapped until she had just the right setup for her apartment. Now, she couldn’t even begin to think of what she would do with all of it. She didn’t need the money, thanks to her new husband, and didn’t relish the idea of a yard sale. Sitting outside in the hot sun while people sorted through all of her personal belongings, wasn’t her idea of a fun weekend.With a heavy sigh, she stood up from the center of the items she had been going through and straightened her back. She climbed across the sofa to the ent
“I’m sorry if my stuff appears to be junk to you,” she snapped, the sting of insult echoing through her voice. “Not all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouth. Some of us actually had to work for what we have.” The tears fell down her cheeks unchecked as she turned and opened the door to the room, slamming it hard behind her as she left. Creighton called after her, but she refused to stop. She was too angry to speak to him or to listen. And to think she was worried he wouldn’t be there when she got back.Sandra ran to the side of the motel and down the dirt alley, behind the building to the familiar road that led toward the opposite end of town. She was confused and mad, though she wasn’t sure which was stronger. Creighton’s mood made her think he was having second thoughts about their marriage. Perhaps it wasn’t just the way she had blown up at him last night. Perhaps he was regretting getting her pregnant. He kept asking her how she felt about it. Maybe he was trying to c
“What’s the matter?” Papa asked from somewhere behind her.“Just take it easy, honey,” Nana said nearby. “Papa, get that bag out of the back, the one we brought with the bread and watermelon.” The sound of the back hatch opening and then closing sounded far away as the nausea took control of Sandra’s actions, yet within a few moments her grandmother was by her side, easing her down to the running board of the old Bronco.“Here,” she said, pushing a piece of homemade bread into Sandra’s hand. “Eat this, you’ll feel better.” Sandra obeyed and began nibbling on the chunk of bread as Creighton wiped the sweat off her brow with the handkerchief Papa handed him.“It will pass in a few minutes,” he told her gently. “What’s going on?” Papa asked. “What’s the matter with her?”“Oh Papa, can’t you guess?” Nana scolded. “She and Creighton have been together for two months. You add up the signs. The mood swings, the increased appetite, always tired, the nausea.”“Sandra!” her grandfather gasp
“But you still thought we had feelings for each other.”“Are you trying to start another argument?” he asked her with an amused frown creasing his brow.“Only if the making up is as good as this afternoon.” Creighton laughed as he pulled her closer to his side while they walked up to the table, they had left a short time ago. Nana and Papa smiled brightly as they approached, pushing the plate of homemade bread, pies and cookies in front of the two, before leaving with Craig and Nellie to get the barbeque. Creighton watched them leave then looked at his wife who was cutting the peach pie, placing two slices on paper plates for them.“You were trying to make me jealous as well,” he accused her. “Craig? He isn’t exactly your type.”“No, he’s Nellie’s type.”“I guess we still have a lot to learn about each other,” he said, watching as she dipped the spoon into the container of whipped cream and placing a dollop onto each piece of pie.“You can think of it this way. There’s a lot of fun,