Chapter Four
“Boy, when did you get here?” Andrew’s mother dropped her garden hose and grinned from ear to ear as she approached him.
Coming to Michigan and not seeing Connie Weathers would have resulted in a long lecture about visiting more often, letting her know what’s going on in his life, and not bringing her any grandchildren to love on. Because, yes, she’d found a way to slide that in during every conversation.
He’d flown into the Detroit Metro Airport, instead of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. And had planned to hit the road in a few hours.
“Hey, Mama.” Andrew embraced his mother and placed a kiss to her cheek.
“You’re full of surprises!” She took off her work gloves and patted his face. “I just talked to you.”
He couldn’t help but smile at his mother’s enthusiasm. “I have business in Michigan and figured I’d visit my favorite girl.”
Connie smiled, her eyes filling with the tears she always shed when she saw him or his brothers. “Well, I guess I’m pretty lucky then.”
“I’m the lucky one.” He winked at his mama. Time had been good to her, but he noticed a few more gray hairs and worry lines than had been there the last time he’d seen her. “How are you, Mama?” He hadn’t missed the slight limp she’d tried to conceal when she’d walked toward him.
“Oh, I’m doing alright.” She stretched a little. “Aching in new places.”
He frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, boy, I’m good. Just tired.”
“Hm.” Andrew studied her. “Are you still working midnights?”
She waved a dismissive hand his way. “No, boy. I started back on days.” Connie shuffled toward the colonial-style house he’d grown up in, talking the entire way about her lawn and the flowers she wanted to plant next year.
On his way to the house, he called to Mrs. Fulton, who was sitting on her porch knitting.
The elderly woman stood, hands on her hips. “Is that you, Drew?”
He stopped to talk to the former elementary school teacher. “Yes, it is, ma’am.”
“Good to see you, boy. About time you came to see about your mama. She’s too busy for her own damn good. I keep telling her to sit her tail down somewhere.”
He chuckled. “I keep telling her the same thing. How are you?”
“I’m fair to middling,” Mrs. Fulton said. “I’d be even better if someone could take a look at my thermostat. I think I messed around and pushed a wrong button or something.”
Andrew knew a hint when he heard one. “I’ll stop by and take a look.”
“Oh, good. You’re such a respectable man. Thank you.”
Andrew managed to get away from Mrs. Fulton before she asked him to cut her grass, but not before she asked him to install the new kitchen blinds she’d recently purchased from the hardware store.
He hurried inside his mother’s house. “Whoa, Mama. You’ve been busy.”
Andrew’s mother had mentioned hiring a contractor to do some home improvements, but he didn’t expect the sleek, modern look that greeted him when he walked in. The old mint green walls were now gray. New leather furniture had replaced the worn brown couches he’d jump on with his brothers when his mom wasn’t around. New cabinets and a granite countertop had been installed in the kitchen.
“You weren’t playing around when you said you were ready for a refresh.” He took a seat at the brand-new kitchen table. “Looks good in here.”
“I’m in love with my new kitchen.” She opened the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water. She joined him at the table. “Oh, and I retired yesterday. My last day is Friday.”
He blinked. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Connie took a long gulp of water and shrugged. “I’m telling you now. They offered a buyout and I took it.”
Andrew chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Once again, you never cease to amaze me.”
His mother had sacrificed everything for him and his brothers. She was strong, determined, and genuine. She’d always walked with her head held high, even after his father had left her for one of the other workers at the automobile plant where they both worked. For years, his mother had to work alongside the man who had broken her heart and treated her like crap. But she’d never let anyone see her cry, never let his dad believe he’d gotten the best of her. And she’d instilled that same drive, that same determination in all of her sons.
Connie giggled. “I’m just me.”
“You always say that.” It was her favorite line when they were growing up. It was her excuse for everything from wearing huge pink rollers when she picked them up from school to doing silly dances in front of him and his friends at his birthday parties.
“It’s true.”
“Are you happy with your decision?”
Connie nodded. “Maybe. Kind of.” She let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. I’m just ready for something more. I’ve worked and now I’m ready to rest.”
There was something about his mother’s tone that didn’t sit right with him. “And you’re sure you’re okay? I noticed that limp when you were walking.”
“I’m fine. I broke my toe last week.”
His mother was entirely too secretive for his liking. She seemed to make sport of hiding shit from him and his brothers. “And you just thought you’d keep that to yourself?”
“I told Connor,” she explained. “And you better not try and lecture me like he did. I’m still your mother.”
Connor was the oldest and self-proclaimed boss of everyone. She’d had his brother young, right out of high school. Andrew suspected his brother’s arrival had influenced her decision to marry their father.
“And I’m not Connor,” he tossed back. “No lectures from me, but I need you to understand how important it is to communicate with us. Since you insist on staying in Michigan, I need to know what’s going on.”
“I haven’t reported my daily activities to any man since your father, and I’m not going to start today.” She snickered. “You’re going to be waiting a long time on this communication you’re talking about.” She grumbled a curse. “I need you and your brothers to mind your own business.”
He held out his hands in surrender. “Okay, Mom. I’m done.”
“All three of you are too busy living your best life and not giving me any grandbabies,” she muttered. “My friends keep showing me cute little grandbaby pics and stuff.”
“Mama, come on now.”
“I’m serious.” She drummed her fingernails on the tabletop. “According to Connor, he’s never getting married again. And Damon? He claims he’s too busy for a wife and kids.”
Andrew laughed. His younger brother had never denied he wasn’t husband material. The financial analyst had moved to New York right after college, and had been singularly focused on work—and parties.
“You know you’re not getting any younger,” she said. “You’re already in your forties. Don’t mess around and have kids that you can’t play with because you’re too old to keep up with them.”
Still cracking up, he said, “You’re on a roll today.”
Connie sighed. “Seriously.” She slipped her hand into his. “I worry about you, all alone in California. At least Connor and Damon live near each other. They hang out a lot. You’re by yourself. I have no idea what you do to stave off the loneliness.”
“Mom, I’m not lonely.” Which was mostly the truth. Andrew had always been content in his solitude. He never had a slew of friends like Connor, and he didn’t date a lot of different women like Damon. He’d made a nice, quiet life for himself. If he found someone he wanted to marry, he’d do so. Until then...
His mom eyed him skeptically. “Are you sure?”
He offered her a smile. “I’m sure, Mama. Don’t worry about me. And if you’re so concerned about me being in L.A. by myself, you could always move closer.”
Smacking his shoulder playfully, she said, “I’m not moving to no California. I’m happy right here where I am. I have my flowers, my new television, my friends, and my card nights.” His mother had a standing card game every Friday night with her girlfriends. “I’m just fine.”
“Well, the offer stands, whenever you’re ready.”
“What time is your meeting?” she asked.
He explained that his “meeting” was actually on the west side of the state, near Lake Michigan. He also told his mother that he’d be gone for a few days.
“Have time to eat lunch with me?” His mother stood and walked to the refrigerator. “I have your favorite.”
Andrew glanced at his watch. He’d planned to get on the road within the hour, but he could never tell his mother no. And he could never turn down her food. So he agreed to stay for lunch. After he took care of Mrs. Fulton’s blinds and checked her thermostat, he and his mother ate leftover lasagna and tossed salad, while they talked about all the things she wanted to do around the house in her free time.
“I have a request.” She cut a big piece of lasagna and transferred it to a plastic container. She’d insisted he take some with him. “I want all of you home for Thanksgiving.”
Andrew joined her at the kitchen sink and watched as she washed the few dishes inside. “Not Christmas?” They’d all made a point to return to Michigan for Christmas. It had been their tradition since they’d left home.
“Not this year. Me and the ladies decided to go on a trip to Vegas.” She smirked. “We thought it would be good to get away from the snow.”
“Good plan.” Andrew had grown up in Michigan, but he wouldn’t move back there. He’d gotten used to the mild temperatures of Los Angeles. “It’s not that far from me. Maybe I’ll join you.”
She frowned. “No. It’s a ladies’ trip.”
“You just want freedom to go to the casino.” He bumped her shoulder and she burst out in a fit of giggles. “You think you’re slick.”
Swatting him with a drying towel, she said, “Get out of here.”
He took the container and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mom. And if you want me here on Thanksgiving, I’ll make it happen.”
Connie beamed. “Thank you. Make sure you tell your brothers.”
“I will.”
“Are you stopping by before you leave the state?”
“I’ll be sure to see you before I leave.” He gave her another hug and waved at Mrs. Fulton before he took off.
Three hours later, Andrew turned down a private road. A mile up the street, he came upon the house. In all the years he’d lived in Michigan, he had never visited South Haven. But he’d done some research before he made the drive.
With a population of around five thousand people, South Haven was known for its beautiful beaches off of Lake Michigan, wineries, unique restaurants, and boutiques. As he’d driven through the city center, he almost felt like an intruder, like he didn’t belong in the small town. But he’d come there for a reason and he wouldn’t leave until he saw her.
He pulled into the driveway and parked outside of the garage. He stared at the sprawling lake house in front of him, before making his way up the stone steps to the large front porch. Knocking on the door, he waited. It took a few seconds, but he heard her unlock the door. Soon, he was staring into the eyes of the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.
Paige had on a pair of yoga pants and a tank. Her curls were pulled up in a high ponytail. She’s beautiful. And safe.
The bright smile she’d donned when she opened the door turned to ice once she’d realized he was waiting for her on the other side. “Andrew,” she whispered.
“Hi, Paige. Can I—?”
But before he could get his question out, Paige slammed the door in his face.
* * *
What the hell is he doing here?
Paige leaned her back against the front door and let out a harsh breath. She’d ordered groceries and had mistakenly assumed the delivery had arrived early. She’d also opened the door without even looking out of the glass like one of those naïve women in a horror flick. If there was a crazed lunatic on the loose, she’d be dead. Except, it wasn’t a killer on the other side of the door. It was him.
“Go away!” she shouted. The windows were open, so she knew he heard her.
“Paige,” he called through the door. “Please. Open the door.”
“ No.”
“I came all the way here to see you.”
Paige didn’t dare turn around. If she looked at him, even through the glass, she would cave. If she met his brown gaze, she’d want to step into his comforting arms. And she couldn’t do that right now.
After she’d found out about Julius’s upcoming wedding to Catherine Davis, she’d made the decision to leave town. Partly because she didn’t want to be the sorry, sad, jilted ex-wife in front of the entire world. Partly because she couldn’t feel comfortable in her house anymore. But mostly because she was tired. She needed a change in scenery, she needed to unplug, she needed peace.
Retreating to the lake house had been exactly what she needed. She’d slept the first two days, then she’d moped for a few more. Paige had just started to feel her legs beneath her again, emerging from inside the other day to take a walk along the beach. Last night, she ventured into town for ice cream—in disguise, of course. This morning, she rode her bike along a public trail. No one had recognized her, and she’d been able to blend in. She had even chatted with some of the other riders. It felt good to talk to someone who didn’t want anything from her.
“Drew, leave,” she ordered. “I don’t want you here.”
“I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, she walked over to the window. “What do you want?” Slow footsteps on the front porch signaled he was approaching the window. “How did you convince my mother to give you the address?”
Paige had made her mother promise not to tell anyone where she was, especially him. He’d obviously charmed her mother into giving up her location. To make matters worse, her mom hadn’t even given Paige a heads-up on their call that morning. Shaking her head, she made a mental note to call her mother and let her know she was not happy.
“Paige, please.”
Closing her eyes, she exhaled. It was the second time he’d said the word please, but this time it felt different. She heard the sincerity in his plea, imagined how he looked when he said it. Andrew had a good voice, deep and raspy. The low timbre coupled with her raging emotions did not make her confident she’d be able to resist him for long. The mere presence of him, the fact that he’d come to see her, made her want to let him in. Even if it was just to take in his scent. He always smelled like comfort and calm, like home. Which was why he needed to leave.
“Paige.”
She jumped away from the window. Even though there was a wall between them, she felt him as if he was standing right in front of her. “Answer the question,” she snapped, forcing the edge back into her voice.
“I asked her,” he replied. “She didn’t want to give me the address, but she did.”
Paige huffed, folding her arms over her chest. “You worked her.”
He chuckled. “You know your mother. When is the last time someone worked her?”
Staring at the ceiling, she sent up a prayer for patience. He was right. Her mother had been in the game for years and she didn’t become Tina Mills, legendary R&B singer and actress, because she allowed people to charm her.
“Your phone is off,” he said.
“There’s a house phone here. The people who need to reach me have my number.” That small group consisted of her mother and her attorneys. Paige had no idea why she’d explained herself, even a little bit.
“Can I come in? Can we talk?”
Paige slumped against the wall. Because, Lord help me, she wanted him to come in. She wanted to talk to him, hear from him. At the same time, he was part of her problem. He’d abandoned her when she’d needed him the most. He’d ignored her calls and sent someone else to handle her. The anger she’d felt at him a few days ago, or even an hour ago, sparked back to life.
“You know what?” she said. “I’m not doing this. No, you can’t come in. We can’t talk. Go. Away.”
Paige walked away from the window, from him. He’d leave once he realized she was serious. He was a gentleman, and he always honored her wishes. She headed to the kitchen, straight to the bottle of wine on the countertop. After pouring herself a healthy glass, she took a long gulp. Get it together, Paige.
Briefly, she considered calling the police. But she wouldn’t do that to him. He didn’t deserve that. Picking up the cordless house phone, she stepped onto the patio off the kitchen. She sat down on a wicker chair. It wasn’t her chaise lounge, but it would do for now.
Taking another sip of wine, Paige kicked her feet up and rested them on another chair. She dialed her mother. The stunning views of Lake Michigan centered her as she waited for her mom to pick up.
“Hey, babe,” her mother said, in the same singsong voice she’d always had.
Growing with the Tina Mills had been quite the ride. While her friends were playing hopscotch or jump rope, Paige was traveling to London and Paris and sitting backstage while her mother wowed massive crowds. Instead of school recess and Girl Scouts, she’d watched recording sessions and put together puzzles.
“Hi, Mom. Are you busy?”
“Not at the moment. I do have to run in half an hour.” Tina told someone in the background to turn the music off and leave her alone. “What’s going on?”
“Why did you tell Andrew where to find me?”
Silence.
“Mom?” Paige called.
More silence.
“Really, Mom. You’re really doing this right now?”
Tina sighed. “Fine. I told him where you were because he asked.”
Andrew had told her the same thing earlier. “But I specifically told you not to tell him.”
“Well, babe, I figured you might need a friend. I don’t like the idea of you up there all alone anyway.”
Muttering a curse, Paige said, “You come here by yourself all the time.” The house had been outfitted with a state-of-the-art security system. There were cameras everywhere. She could see every room in the house on an app that she’d downloaded to her iPad—an iPad that no one knew she had or else they would have been able to track it.
“Now, that’s not exactly true,” her mother insisted. “There’s always someone with me.”
“Fine, I’m not going to argue this point.” Paige and her mother had argued often over the years. At times it felt like they were miles apart, physically and emotionally. Then there were times when Paige didn’t know what she’d do without the woman who’d raised her to be independent, creative, and capable. “Just please don’t tell anyone else where I am.”
“Okay, I won’t. Where is he now?”
“I told him to leave.” Paige stood and paced the patio. By now, Andrew should be gone and she could go on with her life. “I don’t want him here.”
“Why, babe? He cares about you.”
He has a funny way of showing it. “Whatever you say. I’m not convinced.” A beep sounded, signaling she had another call. “Listen, I have to go. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Call me if you need me.”
Paige hung up from her mother and answered the second line. A young woman let her know she’d arrived with her groceries. She stepped back into the house and went to open the door.
“Thank you for coming so . . .” Paige yelped, nearly tripping on the welcome mat. Because the young woman wasn’t alone. Andrew was standing next to her with a soft smile on his full lips. He waved at her. She tried to ignore him.
“I appreciate you,” she told the young woman, handing her an additional tip.
“Thank you.” The lady tilted her head, staring at her, almost like she recognized her. “Do I know you?”
“No.” Paige grinned. “I’m new here.” And thanks to her lawyer, she’d been using an alias since she’d arrived.
The other woman studied her. “You look so familiar.” Shrugging, Paige said, “People tell me that all the time. But I’m just a regular small-town girl.”
“Okay.” The lady seemed convinced. “Well, I’m pretty much the only person who delivers from the market.” She handed Paige her card. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Will do.” Paige waved at the woman as she walked down the steps to her car. A few minutes later she was gone.
“Need help with those groceries?” Andrew asked.
Glaring at him, she grumbled, “You’re still here.”
“I told you I wasn’t leaving until you talked to me.”
“And I told you I didn’t want to talk,” she said through clenched teeth. Paige picked up two bags of groceries and set them right inside the door. Then she picked up another two, then another two.
He pointed at the bags. “See, I could’ve helped you with that.”
“I don’t need your help.” She set the last bag inside. “I’d like for you to just go.”
“Do you have a bottle of water?” he asked, as if she hadn’t even spoken.
She snickered. “You know who has bottles of water? The store. In town. Why don’t you go get one?”
Andrew cleared his throat, drawing her attention to him. She’d managed to pretty much avoid direct eye contact since she’d stepped outside, but now . . . he looked so large, so male. And he did smell good, like grapefruit and moss. Dressed in dark jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, he towered over her. His eyes were soft and focused on her. And she was . . . Oh God.
There was always something between them, more than an agent-client relationship, sometimes more than friends. But they’d never done anything about it.
“Paige?”
She blinked. “Bye, Andrew.” She practically ran inside the house and slammed the door. Again.