Unforgettable, page 18
“You just gave me an idea. Maybe, I’ll suggest she visit you two for a few days,” Donna teased.
“Please don’t do that,” Kelli replied.
Donna laughed, her eyes sparkling. “I’d never do that, especially to someone I love.”
“What we should have done was send her with Daddy and the guys to the game. Get her out of here for a few hours. Don’t get me wrong. I love Aunt Ester, but I love you more.” Deciding a change in subject was needed, Anna said, “It’s wonderful that Devin was able to fly in last night. I know he’s only in St. Louis, but it seems as if he’s half a world away. He should have gone to the Lions.”
Donna smiled. “He likes playing for the Rams. But I agree with you, it’s wonderful to have all our men home for a change. Lester and I were thrilled when he walked through that door last night.”
“No new lady friend?” Kelli asked curiously.
“Not that I heard of but then I’m the last to know these things. You, young lady”—she pointed at Anna—“are a prime example of someone keeping secrets.”
“Mama, what are you talking about?”
“Your cousin and brothers and Dad may be fooled, but don’t try that mess with me. Something is going on with you.” Her mother waved a corn cob before she went back to the next ear of corn. “And you”—she motioned to her daughter-in-law—“Miss Know-What’s-Going-On, and don’t pretend that you don’t.”
Kelli, realizing that her mouth was hanging open, decided to close it. “I should go check on the baby.”
“My grandbaby is fine. You just put her down not twenty minutes ago.”
Anna pressed her hands to her hot face. “Mama…”
“Don’t ‘Mama’ me. Keep your secrets. But I know these shopping trips and days at the salon have to do with a man. What do you think? My mama dropped me on my head when I was a baby?” Donna huffed.
“Mama, where did you get that expression?”
“Sounds like down on the farm to me.” Kelli laughed.
“Humph. You both are stepping on dangerous ground.”
“Okay, okay, I do have news. I wasn’t trying to keep it from you, but you know how protective the men in this family are. They don’t believe there’s a man alive good enough for me.”
Donna raised a brow. “What does that have to do with me? You’re mine. I didn’t know we had secrets.”
Anna insisted, “Mama, I never meant to hurt your feelings.”
“That tells me nothing.” Donna turned her attention to Kelli. “And you. I’ve done everything I can to make you feel like my own. I couldn’t love you more.”
Kelli brushed back a tear. “Oh, Mama Prescott, don’t. If Anna won’t tell, I will.”
Donna fired questions at Anna. “Who is he? How long have you known him? How come you haven’t brought him by the house to meet me? Something wrong with him?”
Anna and Kelli exchanged a look.
“Well?”
Kelli threw her hands up, claiming, “She made me promise.”
Anna refused to drop her head as if she had done something wrong. It had been hard enough not letting Gavin guess what was in her heart. She had no idea how long he would put up with her delays. Or if she could convince him to keep what they shared between the two of them. As of yet she had not given him an answer. Now her mother wanted answers as well.
Donna went over and took both Anna’s hands into her own. “What’s wrong, precious? Why is it so hard to tell me?”
Anna blurted out, “It’s Gavin, Mama. I’m falling in love with him.”
Whatever Donna had expected her to say, judging by the shock written on her lovely brown features, that wasn’t it. “Gavin? Our Gavin?”
Anna nodded, watching as her mother slowly sank into a tall kitchen chair. “Now you know why I didn’t tell you. Can you imagine what the others would say if they knew?”
“The football game is over, ladies. Time we got moving. The men will be here soon,” Kelli announced.
“It will do them good to wait. If they make too much fuss, we’ll go on strike and let them finish up.” Donna laughed. She framed Anna’s face in her cupped hands, “Does he make you happy?”
“Very much,” she said softly.
“He better, or he’ll have me to answer to. Okay, Kelli, you check on those greens, and Anna, after you put those potatoes on, get busy frosting that cake. You know how much our men love your carrot cake. And I’m going to scrape down this corn and get it on the stove. Shouldn’t take too long. The macaroni and cheese is ready to go in the oven, the chitlins are nearly done, and the rolls are almost ready. I forgot to ask. Who won the game?”
The three looked at each other blankly, recognizing they didn’t have a clue. They started laughing.
Kelli said, “We’re in trouble. The first thing Wesley is going to do is ask what we thought of the game.”
It was Donna who said, “Don’t worry, we’ll just smile, nod our heads at whatever they say and try not to look too stupid.”
While Kelli and Anna were putting the finishing touches on the table, Kelli said, “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Bad enough. Did you see how stunned she was? I couldn’t have surprised her more if I’d walked across Ford Field during half-time.”
Donna, carrying in the apple and cranberry relish her family loved, overheard. “So you surprised me. I’ll get over it. Gavin has been happy being a bachelor, while you, young lady, have been so busy building your business that you haven’t taken time to even date. Even you have to admit it was a shock.”
“I know. Gavin’s insisting on telling the family. I’m the one who is holding back. I’m still getting used to the idea myself. I never expected to fall for him the way I have. We’ve been friends so long and I didn’t want to risk losing that. Besides, you know the men in this family.” She shook her head, wearily.
“You’re both over the age of consent, and you have the right to pick your own man. So tell me, does Gavin know how you feel?”
“That I think I’m falling in love with him? No, I’m not ready to bare my soul. We’re still getting used to the idea of being a couple.”
Suddenly they heard boisterous male voices coming from the kitchen.
Anna whispered anxiously, “Mama, I don’t know how long I can keep this from the others, but for now I’m not ready to share it with them.”
“How long do you think that’s going to last?” Donna was clearly not happy about the secrecy.
“As long as possible. Promise you won’t tell, please?” Anna pleaded.
“Only for now.” Donna gave her a quick hug.
15
Gavin followed Wesley into the Prescotts’ spacious and noisy kitchen. His eyes moved around the room until they found Anna. She was at the stove, laughing at something her cousin Ralph had said. She looked up at the sound of Wesley’s booming voice. Her eyes collided with Gavin’s before she blushed and dropped her lids.
“Something sure smells good,” Gavin said as he came over to kiss Donna’s cheek. “Tell me you made it?” He grinned, forcing himself not to stare at Anna.
Anna was beautiful, dressed in an ivory sweater set and black velvet slacks. Why had it taken him so long to appreciate what was right in front of his face?
Whenever Anna’s company catered one of the team’s events, she was the one the guys engaged in conversation. He had noticed but he assumed it was because she was in and out of the guys’ homes on a daily basis. Besides, what could he say? Anna was her own person. When she started working for him so many things had changed.
Donna broke into his thoughts when she laughed. “Yes, I made collard greens.” Patting his lean cheek as she would one of her sons, she said, “Lester and Wayne have been raving about how good you were out there today. Two touchdowns. Congratulations.”
Gavin nodded. “Thanks, but it wasn’t enough. We lost.”
“Nonetheless, you boys did your best. That’s all anyone can ask.”
“What about me?” Wesley said, coming over to give his mother a big hug.
Donna reached up and kissed his cheek. “You did your best. Next time you’ll get them.” She set Kyle and Wayne to work filling the water glasses. “Anyone ready to eat?”
There was an uproar from the men. The women filled the serving bowls, but it was a man who brought them out. Lester seated Aunt Ester at the head of the table. Every head was bowed as Ester said the blessing. As always, the table was brimming with good food, and the house was filled with good-natured teasing and laughter.
Time and time again, Gavin had to pull his gaze away from Anna’s engaging smile as she laughed at something one of her brothers said or teased Devin because he never brought any of the women he dated to meet the family. Ralph, on the other hand, had brought along yet another one of his many lady friends.
Gavin was decidedly uncomfortable with the fact that he shared a table with people he loved, yet he was forced to pretend there was nothing going on between him and Anna.
He planned to give her as much time as she needed to decide, but the waiting was getting to him. How much longer did she expect to keep him off balance? Gavin had always been a patient man. Evidently that didn’t apply when it came to Anna.
“You ladies have outdone yourselves this year,” Devin grinned as he patted his flat stomach. “I can’t eat another bite.”
They received cheers from the men.
“No room for the dessert?” Anna asked as she leaned over to place her hand on her brother’s forehead. “Mama, call the doctor. He must be sick.”
“Don’t let it worry you.” Ralph slapped his cousin on the back. “I’ll eat his cake and mine.”
Devin laughed, “Forget it. I’ll make room.”
“That’s more like it.” She crossed to the sideboard where there was an array of delectable treats that included German chocolate cake, carrot cake, sweet potato pie, lemon meringue pie, and wild berry pies.
“Don’t force yourself, Dev. I’ll eat his, Anna,” Wayne offered.
“No, I will,” Kyle joined in.
Everyone laughed.
“I can’t figure out where you two fellows put it all.” Lester shook his head. “But I haven’t forgotten how Wesley, Devin, and Ralph ate when they were your age.” To his wife he said, “You remember that, don’t you, honey?”
“How could I forget?” Donna laughed.
Devin, Gavin, and Wesley began clearing the table while Anna and Kelli started plating the desserts and Ralph served coffee. After the meal, Wayne rinsed the dishes while Kyle filled the dishwasher and Lester and Ralph cleaned the kitchen. The ladies relaxed in the living room. Later Wayne and Kyle went off to play video games and the men went into the family room to watch a college football game.
Anna was just leaving the powder room when she literally bumped into Gavin.
“Excuse me.” She smiled, tilting her head back to meet his dark eyes.
“My fault.” He’d placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “You look very pretty tonight.”
“Thank you. How are you?” Anna, who was busy studying his mouth, didn’t consider moving away. Her hands were splayed on his deep chest.
“I’m much, much better now that you’re almost where I want you.” Dropping his head, he nestled her sweetly scented throat. “Kiss me,” he whispered. “I have wanted to taste your lips since I walked in the door. Did you miss me as much as I missed you today?”
Anna sighed softly, her breath warming his chin. She held on to the side of his lean waist for balance. “We can’t. Someone might see us.”
“One kiss,” he bargained in a quiet whisper. “Or would you rather I kiss you?”
“Not here,” she pleaded, yet was unable to look away from his dark, handsome features.
“Yes.” He gently brushed her mouth with his own. “Please…”
Anna shivered with excitement and then moaned softly before she gave him the kiss he requested. When he would have pulled away, she teased the corner of his mouth with her tongue. He groaned and opened for her. Anna’s tongue slid inside his mouth, mesmerizing them both as she began stroking his tongue with her own. When she would have pulled back, he leaned forward, suckled her bottom lip as he wished to suck her sweet nipples.
“Sweetheart, I need you so badly. Don’t make me wait any longer. Please, tell me what you decided.” He couldn’t resist taking another kiss, this one longer and deeper than the last.
“I’m telling you that Cameron went after you like—” Devin was talking to Wesley as they walked out of the family room. Both men stopped suddenly when they saw Gavin had Anna pressed against the wall, his mouth covering hers. “What the—”
Gavin jerked his head up and all four of them stared at one another. Shock and disbelief played along both brothers’ faces as Gavin put some distance between his and Anna’s bodies. He gave her hand a quick, reassuring squeeze.
“What in the hell is going on?” Wesley demanded.
“Are you blind? He was all over her,” Devin shouted.
“That is not true,” Anna said.
“Like hell. Have you lost your damn mind, man? Going after my baby sister like that.” Wesley advanced on them.
Gavin stiffened as he turned to face the other men. “Let me explain.”
“I know what I saw,” Devin yelled.
“No. You know nothing.” Anna stepped in front of Gavin.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? And it better be good.” Devin warned. “Man, I’ll break you in half before—”
“Shut up. All of you,” Anna yelled.
“What is going on? Why all the shouting?” Lester asked as he came out of the family room with Ralph a few steps behind him.
Anna wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. This was getting way out of hand.
“Devin and I were on our way back to the kitchen and found Gavin with his hands all over Anna. He had her backed against the wall,” Wesley snarled.
“That’s not what you walked in on.” Anna pleaded, “Will you lower your voices so we can talk about this calmly.”
Wesley moved forward and lifted his sister out of the way, as if she weighed next to nothing. “This is between me and Gavin.” Wesley gestured toward the end of the hall.
“No.” Anna grabbed her brother’s arm. “What you saw was Gavin kissing me and me kissing him back. That’s all you saw.”
Gavin said to her, “Stop worrying. We’re just going outside to talk.”
“Let’s all talk,” Lester said tightly as he walked down the hall and then held open the door to the suite of rooms he shared with his wife. Once they were all inside with the door closed, Lester gestured to the sofa and armchairs positioned in front of fireplace. Only no one made a move to sit down.
“What is this about, Gavin?” Anna’s father asked. “Is there something we all should know?”
“This is ridiculous,” Anna interrupted. “This has nothing to do with any of you. It’s between Gavin and me.”
Gavin placed a hand on her shoulder. He gave it a gentle squeeze. “Anna is right. Lester, we care about each other, that’s all that should concern any of you.”
“If you care about her, why have you kept it a damn secret?” Wesley demanded. “I haven’t heard a thing about it, that’s for damn sure.” Before Gavin could answer, he answered his own question. “I will tell you why—it’s because you’re using her.”
Lester placed a restraining hand on Wesley’s arm. “Is that what is going on here Gavin?”
“No,” Anna interjected. “Gavin, don’t answer that. I’ve had about as much of this as I’m going to take. You all have no right to gang up on him as if he’s done something wrong.” She blinked back angry tears. “It was my idea, not his, to keep our involvement a secret.”
“Sis, you don’t know what kind of man he is when it comes to women,” Devin put in.
“Sure I do.” She glared at her second-oldest brother. “Gavin is just like you, Devin, Ralph, and Wes before he got married. That’s the problem.”
“You don’t understand,” Wesley insisted. “You can’t know—”
“I know all I need to know.” She went over to her father while fighting to hold on to her control. Giving in to tears would only make her appear weak. Determined to say what was in her heart, she insisted, “Daddy, I’m not your little girl anymore. I’m a grown woman. I’ve had enough of this double standard you have going on. One set of rules for me, and another set for the guys. It’s never been fair, and I won’t stand for it any longer.”
Her father looked as if she had slapped him. “Whatever I’ve done has been to protect you, precious.”
“You can’t protect me from life. I made my choice. I want to be with Gavin.” Anna moved back to Gavin’s side and slipped her hand into his. “If I choose to sleep with him, that’s my business, no one else’s.”
Wesley snapped, “You’re going to end up hurt. He isn’t the kind to offer a wedding ring.”
Anna had had more than enough. “Let’s go.” She looked up at Gavin. She could read the hurt in his eyes even though his features were tight with tension.
Gavin wasn’t ready to leave but he couldn’t ignore the desperate plea in her eyes. Once they were in the hallway, he said, “Why don’t you get your things and Kyle?”
“No,” she whispered. “You’re not going back in there without me. This is my fight as well as yours.”
He struggled not to show the despair and hurt he was feeling after being attacked by men he loved and had considered family for so many years. Lester had been more of a father to him than his own ever could be. He and Wesley had shared everything over the years. It was apparent that not one of them felt he was good enough for Anna.
“Please, Gavin, let’s go now.”
His chin jutted stubbornly. “I have nothing to run from. You go ahead, explain to your mother and get Kyle. I will be right out.”
