Another Chance

Another Chance

by Katie Alexander and Kelli Lee Mosley

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Cover Artist: Carl J. Franklin Editor: Elizabeth Carr First Edition ©2011, Rebel Ink Press

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Dedication Thank you to those that helped me follow my dream when I didn’t think I could do it and to my mother who told me to stop whining and just write. - Katie Thank you to everyone who believed in me. But most of all thanks to Kevin, Ali and Jan; you always knew I could do it. I love y’all. - Kelli

Chapter One

Megan closed the last of the suitcases she'd strewn every which way all over the bedroom floor. Looking around the empty room, it was easy to remember what once had been. The bed sat on the right facing the French doors, and curtains in the same matching sage and purple hues as the bedding dressed the doors and the windows. On her dresser, a collection of perfume bottles sat upon a silver framed mirror along with a matching hairbrush and comb. Everything in the room had been perfect. Now everything Megan owned was in boxes, all of which were on their way to their new home. Most of the bedroom furniture belonged to her Megan's grandmother. After the older woman passed, her furniture, along with many other sentimental belongings in the house in Idaho, were left to Megan. Things that meant so little to anyone else meant the world to Megan. Her ex husband, Alan, certainly never liked any of them and he never bothered to keep his opinions about it to himself either. He was always saying her old things were never as good as anything brand new and why would she want that old crap anyway. Calling Megan’s sentimental mementos crap upset her greatly, but what could she do? Alan was her husband. She tried to understand that he wanted to create a new life and her antique family treasures weren't part of the image he wanted for himself or his wife.

Megan walked to the French doors and stepped out onto the patio. The impatients and roses that lined the iron balcony were still there and their petals were almost too bright in the morning sun. Pinks, purples and yellows bloomed all around her and the fragrance in the air made her breathe in deeply. The smell would always remind her of working in the garden with her grandmother. Since the flowers wouldn’t make the trip across the country, Megan decided to leave them behind. Looking out at the backyard one more time, Megan felt a bit lost. The garden is where she's always found peace. It was where she hid from her problems. And Lord knew her marriage seemed to be littered with more problems than she could've escaped in a lifetime.

Megan’s grandma always said that if you needed to think out a problem, it was better to do it elbow deep in dirt. Maybe that was why the garden always looked so good. Getting dirty didn’t solve everything, but it gave her an escape from reality through the troubled years. When the tears threatened to fall, she turned and went back inside. Megan closed the doors and turned the lock. Too bad there wasn’t a way to lock the memories away too.

It was easy to think that back then life was solid and calm. But who was she kidding? Life then had been hell and Megan needed to keep reminding herself of that each time she felt like giving up. If she didn’t, she'd never follow through with her plans to start over.

Megan's marriage had been rocky from the beginning. She'd just finished college in Boise when she had met Alan Mason. The man was too beautiful--blond hair and baby blue eyes that had the power to mesmerize Megan. He was tall and had a lean runner’s body. He was sophisticated and knew exactly what to say to Megan to get her to drop her guard. It didn’t even take him a week to get her into bed. That alone should have been a red flag but Megan ignored it along with all the other signs that seem to point to the fact that trouble seemed to follow Alan Mason.

Her family and friends had sensed that something was quite right where Alan was concerned and they'd all tried to warn her. But Megan was blinded by Alan and she was sucked in before she knew what hit her. She fell in love fast and hard. So hard in fact, that her heart felt bruised from the impact.

Looking back, Megan had only seen what anyone could tell at first glance. Alan was gorgeous, he was stable, he had a job with a great PR firm that he excelled at and he owned his own home. He wasn’t gay and didn’t do drugs. What man could be more

perfect? Little did Megan know that he had a major flaw. Alan Mason couldn’t keep his zipper closed.

Their first year of marriage was the stuff dreams were made of. They held hands and cuddled on the couch to watch TV. They made love every night and often times, Alan woke Megan in the morning ready for more. They shared dinners and stood side by side at the sink washing up. Megan knew why it was called the "honeymoon" period for sure. They were happy. So why couldn’t her family see what a great man Alan was? Why couldn’t they see how happy he made her by just being with him?

****

The second year they were married, Alan got a job offer he couldn’t refuse. After discussing the pros and cons, both Megan and Alan decided he should take it. Since Megan was an accountant, she could find work anywhere. The job meant they'd have to move to Florida and away from her family but that appeared to be the only drawback. And while her parents and brothers were upset at the news, they tried to hide it from Megan. Alan promised they'd come back for holidays and they did for a while. But soon enough, Megan was flying home alone while Alan was off somewhere working with another all too important client.

Four years into her marriage, Megan wanted a baby. She was twenty-five and Alan was already thirty and she could hear the tick tock of her biological clock ticking. Why not start now? Alan made enough money that Megan could put her job on hold and stay home with a baby. Surely it was time. Megan decided to broach the subject one night but when she did, Alan became furious and refused to even talk about it. "Why the hell do you want a baby? Don’t I make you happy enough?" he'd said.

"Of course you make me happy, but don’t you want a baby?" Megan asked. She couldn’t figure out why the subject of babies upset him so much. "It just seems like the right time to me. I'm ready for a little piece of you and me. Doesn’t that sound wonderful, Alan?"

"Wonderful? No, I don’t want a baby. I thought I told you that in the beginning? They only cry and shit their pants. My job is just now taking off and you want to saddle me with a brat?" Figures," Alan had huffed.

"What are you talking about? I was thinking I could stay home and take care of him or her. All you'd have to do is concentrate on your job. I can handle of everything else." Megan could feel the tears behind her eyes. She knew Alan hated when she cried so she tried to blink the water back from her lids. Didn’t he understand how much she wanted a baby? She knew she'd make a great mom and love any child they had. She just needed to make Alan see that somehow

"Let me think about it," he finally offered.

When Megan nodded her head, Alan turned and walked to his office and shut the door. In fact, he never came to bed that night. Megan was so upset by Alan's behavior that she thought her chance of a family was gone until a few days later when he told her they could start trying. They'd even made love that night, an act the thrilled Megan to her very core.

A year later, Megan was desperate. They'd been trying for nearly a year to have a baby. After going to specialist after specialist, Megan was prescribed medication and Alan began giving Megan hormone injections every evening. Needless to say, it got to the point that having sex became a job, not to mention the fact that neither she or Alan seemed to enjoy it at all.

When each pregnancy test kept coming back negative, Megan couldn’t help but feel like a failure as both a woman and a wife. Alan never once comforted her and she kept telling herself that his actions were ok, it was just his way of dealing with the disappointment. It hurt just the same, but with Alan, Megan didn't feel she could show her true emotions. Alan considered being emotional a weakness.

Chapter Two

A month after their six year anniversary, Megan was cleaning out files in the office that she shared with Alan, shredded old paystubs and receipts. It was monotonous work but it kept her mind off the all-consuming baby issue. It seemed that thoughts of having a family filtered into her mind almost continually, her pushing them back in an attempt to deal with them later.

An hour or so into her work, Megan found receipts for several pieces of jewelry which was odd to her given Alan hadn't bought Megan anything more than a pair of dime store earrings since their wedding. Maybe the pieces had been for his mother. Alan and his mom hadn't ever really been close and they didn't really talk much, but it was entirely possible Alan had gifted the head of the Mason clan with jewelry on occasion, wasn't it?

As Megan continued through various files, she came up with more and more receipts. She wasn't only finding jewelry receipts, but hotel receipts and even several for flowers. Each month started the same. First Alan would order flowers then shortly thereafter, a hotel room a few blocks from his office. A week or so later after the hotel charge, he'd purchase jewelry. Unable to believe what she'd found, Megan looked at the piles around her and realized Alan had been repeating this pattern since shortly after they'd moved. The bastard!

Holding the last of the evidence that signified what Megan could only guess was the end of her marriage, it dawned on her while she'd been at her doctor's appointment last week, Alan had been having sex with another woman in a hotel down the street from his office. When she'd been dealing with raging hormones from the injections he'd been giving her, he'd been dating! Sitting back and starting to cry, Megan felt like an idiot. Did his friends know what he'd been doing? Were they laughing behind her back?

Did Alan laugh with these women about Megan while they made love? Megan honestly didn’t think she could feel any worse about herself, or her shame of a life than she did at that moment. Too bad but she was completely wrong.

Megan decided to confront Alan that night over dinner. She made his favorite meal, the candles were lit and she set the dining room table with their best china. Megan knew exactly what she wanted to say to Alan tonight and hoped she didn’t lose her nerve. All she had to do was wait for him to get home.

When Alan finally arrived, Megan was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dessert. "Dinner smells great. What's the occasion? Did I forget that it's baby making night again?" Alan asked before he kissed her.

"No. I just thought we could have a nice quiet dinner at home. I know you've been working hard and I thought you could use a break." Little did Alan know relaxing wasn't on tonight's schedule. The only thing that helped Megan keep the smile on her face was knowing that in a little while, Alan would be out of her life forever.

"You must have read my mind. Let me go get washed up and I'll meet you in the dining room." Alan kissed her cheek and walked out of the room.

They made small talk during dinner with Alan catching Megan up on what was happening at work. Of course there was yet another business trip he needed to go on later in the week. The question was, would he be taking a woman along or would he find one where ever he was going? The question spiraled through Megan's mind, taking her mind off what Alan was saying.

"Are you ok, Megan? You've been really quiet tonight."

"I'm just a little tired. I worked in the office most of the day." I also found out you are a lying bastard, she thought to herself. She stood up to take their plates to the kitchen. "Are you ready for dessert or do you want some coffee first?’

"Coffee with dessert sounds even better. What did you make tonight?" Alan asked, wiping his mouth with the corner of his napkin.

"I tried a new recipe. I hope you like it. Let me put these dishes in the sink and I'll bring it in."

"Do you want any help?" Alan started to get out of his chair.

"Oh, no! You just relax. It won’t take me very long to clean up." Megan’s hands were shaking. "God, get a grip Megan! It’s now or never," she whispered to herself as she headed to the kitchen.

Megan picked up the tray with the silver dome and walked back to the dining room. After placing it on the table, she took off the lid and watched as the smile on Alan’s face slowly turned into a scowl.

"What the hell is this?" He said, lifting one of the many receipts that lay on the tray.

"I told you I was working in the office today. Look what I found in the files I was going through. Can you imagine my surprise when I came across them? It made me all bubbly inside to think that my own husband was getting laid with someone other than his wife."

Alan dropped the receipt he held on top of the others and looked up at her. "Well at least I don’t have to pretend to want you anymore. It was getting pretty hard you know. Maybe I should have been an actor. Clearly I fooled you."

"You son of a bitch! Is that all you have to say to me? How could you do this to me, to us, Alan?" Megan's marriage was over and she had no idea what she'd done wrong. She wanted to ask Alan but was afraid of the answer she'd get from him. He was hateful and would surely only degrade her even further.

Alan stood up from the table. "The big wigs at the company wanted me to polish my image. They wanted me to settle down, so I did. I met you right after that and you seemed like the best choice at the time."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Megan didn’t think her life could get worse but clearly she was wrong. She wanted to run away but she knew she had to finish what she started. After Alan was gone she could break down.

"Out of all the women I was dating, you seemed like the logical choice. You were from a good family and you didn’t have any skeletons in your closet. You weren't the best in bed but it could've been worse." Alan shifted from foot to foot, appearing bored with the conversation.

"Is that why you slept with all those women? Because you had to marry me? I was just a means to an end for your career?"

"Pretty much. Look how fast I moved up the ladder at work after we were married. Then you had to spoil it by wanting children. Do you honestly know how much I hated sleeping with you? The first year was all right but then it just went downhill

after that. Then you wanted a child and we got to have sex by appointment. Do you know how difficult it was to get it up sometimes?"

"No wonder we had so much trouble getting pregnant in the first place. You kept leaving your sperm all over the state. All those times I was at appointments, you were screwing other women. It didn’t matter how much I wanted a child, did it?"

"I told you I didn’t want children Megan. Did it ever matter what I wanted?"

"Supposedly it did or you wouldn’t have been screwing around behind my back."

"It didn’t matter anyway. You were never going to get pregnant by me," Alan said, smirking at her like the cat that ate the canary.

"What do you mean?" She held her breath and waited.

"I had a vasectomy before we got married, Megan. I told you I never wanted to have children and I meant it," Alan snickered as the look on Megan's face shifted from shock to rage.

It took a second for his words to sink in. All this time he'd known and never said a word. Megan felt so helpless and damaged when each test pregnancy test came back negative. She tried so hard to have a baby and the whole, entire time Alan knew it was nothing more than a cruel trick. Megan looked into Alan's eyes and all the hatred came flooding back to her as she lifted her hand and slapped him as hard as she could across his face. "Get out!" Megan screamed "Get the hell out of my house!"

"Finally," Alan said as he turned to go upstairs. "By the way, your friend Melissa? I had her, too, right after we were married." With that he walked up the stairs whistling as he went to pack.

Megan sat down at the table and put her head in her hands. Now seemed like the perfect time to break down.

Chapter Three

That night after Alan left, Megan went upstairs and soaked in the large tub in her bathroom. She was physically and mentally exhausted. She'd called her attorney, Michael Campbell, earlier in the day before Alan got home. Michael was the best money could buy and there was no way she'd lose him to Alan so she got there first. They talked for a bit and Megan made an appointment for the next morning to meet regarding her case. Michael asked Megan to make copies of all the receipts she could find and fax them over. She was promised Alan would be served divorce papers the next morning at work and in Michael's words, they were going to "nail his ass to the wall." Megan wondered what that would do to his image. Like she gave a shit.

There was little doubt that Megan could sue Alan for anything she wanted and she'd win. But nothing could give her back what mattered the most, her dignity. At a minimum she'd end up with a great nest egg. "Sucks to be you asshole," Megan sang into the air. She was going to take him to the cleaners.

Michael put a price on each of Alan's affairs as if they were something you could just pick up at the grocery store. "Price check on aisle 5. I need the price for infidelity with a side of a diamond necklace?"

But again, there was no measure to the worth of the dignity Alan had taken from her. How about the mental cost associated with years of struggling to become pregnant or the fact that he intentionally lied to her about his vasectomy? Was there really a way to declare a value on that?

What about the unprotected sex they'd had over the years? They hadn’t use condoms in years. Needless to say, Megan would have to make an appointment with

her doctor to get tested for everything. Who knew what she might have caught from the bastard.

Megan sat in the tub for what seemed like hours as the tears she'd held back all day began to fall. Her marriage to Alan was over and Megan felt the pain of the loss all the way to her toes, the ache in her chest almost overwhelming her at times. Megan thought her heart was literally breaking into pieces.

Megan splashed water on her face but it didn’t make the tears stop. She dunked herself under the water and held her breath. It would be so easy to just close her eyes and let the pain take her away.

"If you’re going to be a Jameson, be a tough one," Megan heard as she forced herself to stay underwater as long as she could. Her dad taught all of his kids to be tough. Megan was the only girl but it didn’t matter. Whatever her two older brothers, Dylan and Brian, did, she wanted to do it better. They put up with her until they discovered girls. After that, she had to follow behind them and hope they didn’t see her.

When Megan couldn’t hold her breath any longer, she broke the surface of the water and inhaled deeply. Her dad was right, Megan was a Jameson and she was tough. She'd get through this. She had to.

Megan pulled the plug from the drain and wrapped herself in her thick terry cloth robe, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. Megan looked completely different. The woman who peered back had red rimmed, puffy eyes and her cheeks were flushed. There were circles under those swollen eyes. "God, no wonder he left you," she said to the stranger staring back at her.

"You're so sad looking, Megan," she said, shaking her head at her reflection. "You need to get a grip." She ran her brush roughly through her wet hair. When the phone rang she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Hello?"

"Hey Megs! Ready for us next week?" The caller said excitedly.

Oh shit! She'd completely forgot her two best friends were coming to Florida. Should she cancel with some excuse or try to act like everything was normal? Hell, her parents didn’t even know what had happened yet. "Not yet." Megan hoped she didn’t sound as tired as she felt.

"Really? Well you better get it together missy. We're going to shop till we drop or they run out of shoes," the caller laughed. Ali Landon was one of her very best friends. They'd graduated high school together and then went off to college. Even though Megan moved from Idaho to Florida, they still kept in touch, especially since the town Megan moved to was close to Ali’s parents winter condo "I just hung up with Gabby and she's so excited. She said her brother was getting on her last nerve."

Gabby had gone to college and earned a business degree before coming back to work as an executive assistant for her family's construction company.

Megan laughed. Megan's brothers had been friends with Gabby’s brother, Grayson Burke, since before she could remember. Megan completely understood how a brother could get on your nerves. Megan had been friends with Gabby Burke since birth. Their parents had been friends even longer. When Ali moved to town at the beginning of the sophomore, Megan and Gabby took her in, no questions asked.

"I really miss you guys. How long are you going to stay again?" Megan asked quietly.

"I thought maybe a week or two. Hey, are you ok Megan?" Ali questioned.

"I am fine but I kicked Alan out."

"What did that prick do now? Did he forget your birthday again? Jesus, he's such an asshole, Megan."

Megan knew she needed to cut Ali off or she'd just keep ranting about Alan. "I was going through some old files in our office. I came across some things." Megan told Ali everything.

"That mother fucker! He's so lucky I'm here and not there because I'd...."

Megan pulled the phone from her ear as Ali was going on about something regarding stringing Alan up and something else that didn’t seem entirely possible. "Ali, it’s ok. Really. I have an appointment with my attorney in the morning to get everything ready. Alan should be getting the divorce papers in the morning."

"Oh Megan, I 'm so sorry. Do your parents know yet? Have you talked to your brothers?"

"No, not yet. You're the first person I've told. I was going to call mom tomorrow and let her know. I was debating whether to call you and Gabby first. I'm glad you called, Ali." Megan tried to keep the tears out of her voice but it was no use. "Ali, what did I do?"

"Meg, listen to me. You did nothing wrong. It’s not your fault Alan is such a prick. We'll get through this together. Alan Mason is gonna wish he was never born."

They talked for a few more minutes until Megan told Ali that she needed to grab some Tylenol. After hanging up the phone, Megan went downstairs in search of some strong headache relief and a glass of water. A few minutes later, she lay in bed and tossed and turned. She had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

Chapter Four

The next morning Megan woke up with the biggest headache she'd ever had. It felt like a jack hammer was going off in her head. She showered and dressed slowly. Since she was just going to see her attorney, she figured looking great wasn’t necessary. Searching through her closet, she found a black skirt and grey blouse, both of which seemed to match her somber mood. Normally she'd pair the outfit with pearls, but they were wedding presents from her mother and there was no way Megan could bear to look at them. Maybe today jewelry wasn't needed.

Seconds from stepping out the door, the ringing phone kept Megan from leaving. "Hello?"

"Oh Megan, I talked with Elle and she told me all about her conversation with Ali. Honey, you should have called. Daddy has a meeting this morning but as soon as he's finished we're coming down to take care of things for you. My heart is breaking you having to go through all of this on your own." This was why she hadn't called her mother. The older woman meant well, Megan knew, but she went on and on. As a result, Ali was now on Megan's shit list. Ali knew better than to tell her mom, knowing Elle Landon would call Sarah Jameson immediately. The last thing that Megan needed right now was her mother.

"Mom! Mom!" Megan tried to interject as her mother continued talking. Megan was tempted to beat the handset on the table to see if that would get her mother's attention. Probably not. Mom!"

"Yes Megan, I can hear you. You do not have to raise your voice."

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm just running late and need to get going. I have an appointment with my attorney this morning. Don’t come yet, I'm fine. You and Daddy stay home and I'll call you as soon as I can. There's nothing either of you can do for me right now." Megan loved her mother, she really did. But the last thing Megan could handle at the moment was someone fussing over her.

"Only if you promise to call as soon as you get home. I know your daddy will want to talk to you. He's beside himself about all this."

"I will mom, I promise and let dad know that everything's ok. Tell everyone I love them." After hanging up with her mother, Megan had just enough time to be casually late for her appointment. Half an hour later, Megan walked into the office of Michael Campbell, Attorney at Law. She gave her name to the secretary at the front desk and took a seat, the butterflies in her stomach were getting worse as she sat there thumbing through old magazines.

By the time she was called back to the office, her nerves were shot and all she really wanted was to bolt out the front door. "Mr. Campbell is the best in the city. He'll take good care of you so don’t you worry," the secretary assured her while escorting her down the narrow hallway.

The man sitting behind the desk looked nothing like Megan imagined. She'd been told her attorney was in his early sixties but this man looked closer to her age. "I can tell by your face that you were expecting my father. I'm his partner, Jason Campbell." He smiled, his hand outstretched, and pointed to a set of chairs in front of his desk. "Please have a seat."

"Is Mr. Campbell in court or something?" Megan asked as she sat down.

"As a matter of fact he is, Mrs. Mason. He caught me up on your case and asked me to take over." Megan just stared at him. "I know you wanted my father but trust me, I'm better at this kind of thing than he is.

"Alright."

Jason laughed. "You won’t be sorry. I have a couple of ideas that I wanted to go over with you. You’re soon to be ex-husband is going to wish he'd never messed with you, or me, for that matter."

"What kind of ideas?" Megan used the excuse of brushing off a piece of lint to wipe her damp palms on her skirt.

"Well for starters, since you're residing in Florida and it's considered a "No Fault State," you don’t need him to agree to anything. The main thing we need to discuss however is how you want to divide the assets. Do you want to try and get alimony?

Nodding her head no, Megan realized she didn't want anything. Besides, her parents insisted she sign a pre-nup so at least Alan wouldn't be able to touch the trust fund her grandmother left for her. "I've looked over all the information you sent my dad and I think we have everything in order," Jason told her as he read the paperwork in front of him and made notes on a yellow legal pad.

"I've filed a Petition for Divorce with the court and a summons has been sent to Alan at work. I would also suggest that we subpoena all assets given that Mr. Mason was so deceitful to you throughout your marriage. My guess is we'll find out he's been dishonest about his earnings as well."

Once their meeting was over, Megan felt a little more in control.

Chapter Five

After fighting lunchtime traffic, Megan could only think of putting her feet up with a glass of sweet tea. When she turned on her street, however, that idea went south. In her driveway sat an SUV, which could only mean one thing. Ali had come early.

Megan parked her car and walked up to the front door. Before she could put her key in the lock, the door swung open. "Megs! I couldn’t stay home and let you do this alone," Ali said as she hugged her. "Too bad torture is outlawed now. I could really have some fun with Alan." The evil grin on Ali’s face scared Megan.

Megan walked into the house and closed the door. She placed her purse and keys on the small table next to the door. "Oh Megan, are you ok?" Gabby, always the soft heart one, looked like she was going to cry. Between her two friends, Ali was the one that jumped then looked. Gabby on the other hand, thought way too much before she jumped. Megan was somewhere in between. She was always the tiebreaker between the two.

"You two really didn’t have to come early. I have everything under control." When both Ali and Gabby gave her a look that said they didn’t believe her, Megan groaned. Then she turned around and gave Ali a look.

"What did I do?" Ali asked, trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to look innocent as she took a seat on the couch and started studying her shoes intensely.

"You told my parents after I told you not to. Mom called me this morning asking if I needed her to fly out here. You know I can’t handle her right now." Megan sat down next to Ali and crossed her legs. "Who else did you tell?"

Ali gave her a worried look. "Just a few people." Ali looked down and took interest in the pattern of the couch.

"I take it my brothers know too, right?" When Ali gave her a sheepish look, she knew that it would be really bad soon. "Great."

"I called my brother and told him," Gabby said while Megan dropped her head in her hands. "I just wanted to make sure we had back up if we need it." "You told your brother?" Megan asked incredulously.

"I think he called your brothers, too," Gabby continued. All the guys wanted to come with us."

"Fan-fucken-tastic." Megan got up and paced the room. It was just a matter of time before her whole entire family showed up. Dylan and Brian were very protective of Megan. She made a mental note to check how much she had in the bank. With her brothers’ tempers, she might have to bail them out of jail if they got a hold of Alan. Would that really be such a bad thing? "Since they aren't here, I take it you talked them out of it?"

Gabby and Ali looked at each other, which Megan knew that was a bad sign. "So when are they coming in, then?" Megan crossed her arms over her chest.

"They had some things to take care of before they took off. Grayson's coming too." Ali got up from the couch and walked toward Megan. When she wouldn’t look at her, Ali held her chin and lifted it until Megan looked up. "Megan, you have to understand that they mean well. They want revenge."

"I know, but I really can’t take everyone being here right now. I’m overwhelmed any way. It'll just make it worse with everyone here."

"When is your next appointment with your attorney?" Ali asked

"Not until next week. Why?" Knowing Ali like she did, Megan knew Ali could be up to anything. Hopefully it wouldn’t cause any jail time.

"Let's get out of here and go shopping. Nothing heals a girl faster than buying shoes." When Megan just stared at her, Ali turned to Gabby for help. "Don’t you think that shopping would get her mind off her problems for a while? We could drive to Sandestin. It’s not very far at all."

"Sounds like a great idea. We could hit the spa while we're down there." Gabby gave Megan a big smile of encouragement. "We could even stay a few days at Ali’s condo on the beach since you don’t have to be here until next week. I know Ali loves the spa at the Hilton and it’s right next door."

Megan knew taking off for a weekend wouldn't solve her problems. But it wouldn’t hurt either. Megan couldn’t remember the last time she took time just for herself. "Can we leave before the boys get here?"

Ali smiled. "Go pack a bag real quick or you can buy what you need when we get there." She looked at her watch. "We can be on the road in less than an hour if you hurry."

****

"We should probably call the mob squad." Alit said to Gabby the minute Megan ran up the stairs to pack a bag.

Gabby lifted her eyebrow at Ali and shook her head. "What you mean is that I should call them. Right?"

"You're much more diplomatic than I am." Ali said, a huge smile gracing her pretty face.

"Uh huh. Fine. Where's my purse?" Ali pointed to a side table. After taking a deep breath, Gabby grabbed her cell and dialed the guys at work. At least she could let them all know at the same time.

"Burke Jameson Construction, this is Dylan."

"Hey Dylan, it's Gabby."

"How's Megan?" Dylan asked, not bothering to take a breath. Gabby could hear how pissed he was just by the edge in his voice. Like everyone that loved Megan, Gabby knew Dylan wanted to get a hold of Alan so bad he could taste it. Clearly Alan had forgot the golden rule-- if you messed with one Jameson, you messed with them all.

Gabby wasn’t sure how to tell the boys not to come to Florida. She knew whatever she said would just go in one ear and out the other. When Dylan was mad, or Brian or Grayson for that matter, you got out of their way or suffered the consequences. "Yeah, we made it. She seems fine. Her first appointment with her attorney was today."

"Oh ya? What did she say about the meeting?"

"Not much yet. She just found out that Ali spilled the beans to everyone." Gabby heard Dylan sigh. "Listen, Ali and I have decided to take Megan away for a few days, take her mind off of it for a while."

"What good is that gonna do? When she comes back, the problem will still be there." Dylan sighed in frustration.

"Trust me, it'll help. When we get back then we can decide the next move. Plus, Megan doesn’t have to go back to her attorney’s office till next week. If she stays here, all she's going to do is think about the entire mess and blame herself." Gabby looked over at Ali and made a face that said, "I'm just winging it."

After Gabby sat listening to the silence for a minute, she finally heard Dylan agree. "If anything else comes up or you need anything, call me. Anything at all, okay?"

"Agreed. Dylan, is Grayson there?" Gabby asked. Gabby didn’t tell Megan that Grayson was beyond upset. Grayson had been in love with Megan for years but something always seemed to get in the way between the two. He was either dating someone when she was free, or she would be dating when he wasn’t.

The weekend Grayson finally got up the nerve to ask Megan out, and when he'd decided that the rule against dating your friends’ sister was stupid as hell, Megan brought Alan home.

"I'm almost finished getting everything taken care of here so we can fly out this afternoon," Grayson offered. Gabby knew he'd wanted to be there already but one of his main clients had a problem with the biggest part of a newly gained contract. Grayson had spent days ironing out the details. Grayson told Gabby that the guys were

giving the client one more chance and then, if he was still unhappy, they were stuffing it down his throat and hoping the flight.

Gabby also knew Grayson's feelings for Megan ran deep. He was able to keep his crush a secret from his best friends but with Alan's recently screw up, Gabby sensed Grayson's charade was wearing thin. Besides, it was her that found him drunk off his ass the night of Megan’s wedding. It was her he'd poured his heart out to, swearing that he'd wanted to just tell her so many times but the fact that he and Megan never seemed to be single at the same time and the fact that he was best friends with her two brothers always stopped him. It was a rule that you didn’t date the little sister of your best friends. A rule that totally sucked ass according to Grayson.

"Let me talk to Ali," Grayson said before Gabby could end the conversation.

"Why?"

"Because she tells the truth and doesn't sugar coat things the way that you do."

Gabby sighed, knowing it was true. She was a fixer by nature. Ali? Now she was the instigator. Sighing, Gabby pointed at Ali and handed her the phone.

"What?"

"What the hell kind of greeting is that? Never mind, tell me the truth. How is she?"

"She's in shock. We're gonna go do some retail therapy and I'm gonna call the spa and then we're get some Grey Goose and she'll be fine! Don’t worry your handsome little head, sugar. Ali is gonna take this situation in hand."

"Ok, call me and the boys if you need us. Give her our love and should you see Alan...-"

"Don’t worry. If I see Alan, I'm going to kick him in the balls! Bye!"

Ali heard Grayson laughing when they hung up the phone.

"Okay, crisis averted," Ali said as Megan came down the stairs with her bag. "Let’s go!"

They all piled into the SUV Ali rented and everything was fine until they hit traffic. "What the hell are you waiting for? It’s green! Are you waiting for another shade, asshole!" Ali bellowed.

Megan started to giggle and then Gabby joined in while Ali shot them dirty looks. "What's so funny, you two?" The giggling got louder.

Megan wiped her eyes and looked at Ali. "It’s just nice to know that some things don’t change."

A few blocks from Ali’s condo, Ali couldn't help herself. "This guy behind me is so close to my ass that we should be engaged. Should I get out and give him a kiss?" When Gabby and Megan laughed at her, Ali mumbled to herself. "I don’t see what's so funny. I'm about to ask him if he wants to pull my hair. He might as well if he is going to ride my ass like that!" The laughter started all over again. "Bite me, you two

Chapter Six

After hanging up with Ali, Grayson hurried to finish his work. He had an appointment with Dylan and Brian that he planned to keep. He didn’t care what Gabby or Ali said. The guys were heading to Florida to confront the asshole Alan. He'd only promised not to fly out and check on Megan. Going to find Alan had never been discussed so it wasn’t really lying. Besides, who cared if it was?

Grayson grabbed his jacket off his chair and headed to the lobby of the office where Dylan and Brian looked on with strained expressions. "Let’s go," Grayson said as he passed the two brothers and headed outside.

Dylan and Brian gave each other a look. "You heard him, let’s go man," Brian said. Dylan shrugged and followed his brother and best friend.

Three hours later, the trio landed in Panama City Beach and drove to Alan’s office, walking into the front office shoulder to shoulder.

Grayson Burke wore a black tailored suit that fit his large frame of 6 foot 2. A charcoal grey dress shirt and black tie finished off the outfit although he'd have preferred his jeans, t-shirt and work boots. Spending way too much time at his desk in the past week, he'd forgotten to cut his dark hair. Dark lashes outlined his brilliant blue eyes but did nothing to soften the sharp angles of his face. A strong and determined chin was always covered in a five o'clock shadow even if it was eight o'clock in the morning. Broad shoulders and a strong back were the thanks he got from working at too many construction sites. It wasn’t necessary for him to be in the field much but he loved working with his hands..

If Dylan Jameson was trying to look like a Senator, he'd hit the mark. In a Brooks Brothers navy suit with a subtle white pin stripes, there was no way a person wouldn't take him seriously. Standing just shy of six foot six inches, ,Dylan had broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist with a butt that looked damn good in anything he wore--a suit, Wranglers, whatever. His dark blond hair and hazel eyes gave him a boyish quality that kept him from being entirely too serious. Being CFO of a company, it always surprised people Dylan wasn’t uptight about anything other than numbers and family.

Brian Jameson lived to get the ladies’ attention at all cost. He wore a black suit with a burgundy shirt and gray tie. He was six foot but more muscular than his brother, and he kept his light brown hair short instead of longer like Dylan and Grayson. Instead of hazel eyes, Brian's were sea green.

The secretary was blond and blue eyed and each of the men noticed her eyeing Brian, , something they could use to their advantage "Good afternoon sweetheart," Brian said with a smile. When she blushed, he continued with his slow way of speaking that worked for him in the past. Behind him, Dylan rolled his eyes. "We're here to see Alan Mason." Brian looked at the name plate on her desk. "Christie. Is that your name, darlin'?" The woman seemed able to do little more than nod at his question. "I'm sure Alan would be more than happy to see us."

Christie looked down at the phone. According to the flashing light, Brian could see that Alan was on a call. She looked back up at the three men. "I'm sorry, he's on the phone. Would you like to wait for him?" "I’m Brian Jameson, his brother-in-law. I'm sure he wouldn’t mind us just stepping in." Brian gave her a lazy wink.

"You can pick up bimbos later, Brian. Let’s just go," Dylan huffed to his brother.

Grayson turned and marched towards Alan’s office without a backward glance at the other men. He heard Brian sweet talking Christie still but he was tired of waiting. He made it to the office door before Dylan grabbed him by the arm. "What in the hell do you think you’re doing?" Dylan demanded.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Grayson stared at him with his eyebrows raised.

"Waiting for Brian," Dylan suggested.

"What the fuck for?" Grayson’s patience was running thin.

"Sorry, I had to get her number." Dylan and Grayson gave him a dirty look. "It’s not like I'm gonna call her. I just figured we'd get further with some sugar. Never mind," Brian said as the other men both stared at him, Dylan rolling his eyes at his brother as Grayson opened the door.

Alan was at his desk on the phone. When he noticed the three men coming into his office he seemed to pale under his Florida tan.

"Uh, I’m sorry. I'm going to have to call you back." Alan hung up and stood up to greet the men. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He asked, trying to smile.

"I had an enlightening conversation with Gabby who had a conversation with Ali who had a conversation with Megan," Grayson started.

"What the fuck did you do to my sister?" Dylan asked.

"That was real subtle," Brian groaned. They'd all agreed they were going to talk but so far, keeping the meeting just to words wasn’t looking too good.

"This isn’t any of your business. It’s between Megan and me. I'd appreciate it if you all left my office now," Alan pointed to the door.

"You'd appreciate it, huh? If it is between just you and Megan, then why do you have a different whore in every town? Sounds like you're the one spreading the news to me," Grayson said between clenched teeth. "You don’t deserve to breathe anymore."

"Spreading the news and their legs," Brian said under his breath.

Alan buttoned his suit jacket with shaking hands. "Like I said, it’s between the two of us." Alan came out from behind his desk and sat on the edge of the marble top with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Grayson was holding his anger back by a thread. The nerve of this bastard. Didn’t he understand what the hell he held in his hands? Grayson had wanted to hold Megan in his arms for years yet this man had her but didn’t even appreciate her at all. Instead of loving her, he used her and was now just throwing her away.

Grayson turned so that Dylan and Brian couldn’t see his face. He was so angry. He could see his hands around Alan’s throat squeezing the life right out of him. If it wasn’t for the promise he'd made to Gabby, he'd have torn Alan apart by now.

Dylan and Alan started to argue but Grayson wasn't paying any attention. "What does it matter any way? It’s not like I loved her," Alan said laughing. That got Grayson's attention.

Grayson turned around and snapped. It took him exactly three steps to reach Alan and slam his fist into the bastard’s face causing Alan to somersault over the desk and fall back into his chair.

"Oh shit!" Brian said, looking toward Dylan.

Grayson walked around the desk and picked up Alan by his already wrinkled jacket and was about to hit him again when Brian came to his side and grabbed his arm. "We didn’t come here for that, man."

"I'm going to have you arrested!" Alan screamed, words that caused Grayson to just shrug at him, not caring at all what the fucker did. Hell, he wanted to hit him again. And it would be worth the jail time, too.

"Jail means nothing to me. Do you understand that? I care about Megan. That's it!" Grayson growled in Alan’s face as he dropped him back to the ground.

"This isn’t over," Dylan said quietly. "You'd better stay away from my sister and forget you ever knew anyone in my family."

"Or what?" Alan mocked

When Grayson made a move towards Alan again, it took Dylan and Brian both to drag him out of the office.

"Come on, let’s go get a beer. I'll even buy the first round," Brian said, trying to lighten the mood. "You deserve one after that, Gray."

"Just get me the hell out of here before I change my mind and kill that sorry piece of shit." Grayson shrugged out of their hold and walked towards the bank of elevators.

The two brothers followed in silence aware that the normally easy going Grayson was gone and in his place was a very angry man. What the hell was going on here?

Chapter Seven

Megan, Ali and Gabby's first stop in Sandestin was Serenity By the Sea where they were served chilled champagne in crystal flutes, two glasses of which left Megan feeling pretty darn good. Neither Ali nor Gabby was surprised when Megan ordered a third.

A couple of hours later, Megan had been scrubbed, buffed, plucked, and waxed and she'd even agreed to highlight her hair, something she said she'd never do. Clearly Ali knew her stuff as she kept talking about therapy while Megan sipped her seemingly never empty cocktail.

They had facials and massages and Megan realized it felt funny having a man run his hands all over her that she wasn’t dating or married to. After the fifth time Ali told her to just shut up and enjoy it, Megan relented. After all, the man’s hands were pure magic and he wasn’t bad looking either.

The girls had manicures and pedicures, too, during which time Ali made Megan choose a hot pink color for her nails. According to Ali, it would improve her outlook on life, which Megan thought was too big a task for "Purdy Princess Pink". But she did it anyway.

The next stop according to Ali was shoes. "You have to show off your toes, girl!" Since Megan wasn’t a shoe whore like Ali, she followed along and picked out a few pair she liked while Ali bought enough for a third world country. They tried to talk Gabby into high heels but she refused to give up being practical for looking pretty.

As the girls continued to shop for clothes, lingerie, purses and jewelry, Megan mentioned it seemed backward to buy shoes first and then the clothes. Ali promptly disagreed. Who were they to argue?

Megan saw a beautiful necklace and bracelet in a shop window. Without thinking she went in and bought both. Alan never bought her jewelry, the bastard. So she would buy it for herself. Who was there to stop her? When she came out of the store, Ali and Gabby were smiling. "That’s a girl Meg!" Ali said as she joined arms with both women. "Let’s go get something to eat. My treat, what do you say?" Gabby just hoped that there was room in the SUV after all the bags were stuffed in.

Deciding to head to the condo and cook something up on their own, the girls stopped at a small deli and bought cheese, crackers and a couple bottles of wine. After much discussion they decided they'd fix crab cakes and salads with dried cranberries, walnuts and feta cheese with a raspberry vinaigrette.

While fixing dinner together, Megan realized how much she had missed her friends. They'd been bugging her for a while to move back home. She never gave it much thought since Alan’s job kept them in Florida. But now that he was out of the picture, Megan considered the request. Sadly, there was nothing keeping her in Florida anymore.. Her job couldn’t keep her here, either. There was only so much you could get from adding and subtracting numbers for other people. For the first time in a long time Megan wanted to be selfish and do something for herself.

****

Gabby’s cell phone rang and Ali being Ali, answered it instead of giving Gabby the chance. Shane Tucker, Gabby's boyfriend, was calling to see if everything was ok. Ali reassured him that Megan was doing fine and then handed the phone to Gabby.

"I just got done talking to Dylan," Shane offered. I guess the boys had a little visit with Alan this afternoon at his office."

"What? Are you kidding me? Gray promised he wouldn’t come to Florida." Gabby almost blurted out before slapping her hand over her mouth and leaving the room.

"He didn’t promise not to go to Alan’s office, though. Sometimes Grayson can be a sneaky bastard," Shane started laughing. "Dylan told me that Grayson even punched Alan and made him fall over his desk. Then Alan threatened to call the cops on them." Shane was still laughing while he was relaying what Dylan had told him earlier while Gabby stood frozen.

"Honey? Are you there?" Shane questioned.

"What the hell was he thinking?" Gabby ran her fingers through her hair. "Shane, I need to call Grayson. Can I call you later?" After saying goodbye to Shane, Gabby dialed her brother’s home number. When he didn’t pick up, she dialed his cell. Her last try was at the office where her call promptly went to voice mail. Grayson knew that Shane would tell Gabby what had happened and now Gray was avoiding her.

****

After spending a week in Sandestin with her two best friends, the girls headed back to Megan’s place in Panama City for what Megan calmly referred to as a date with reality.

Ali and Gabby decided it would be best to stay in town a few more days to give Megan all the support they could. While it embarrassed Megan, she knew the girls understood that she was trying to be brave but ending her marriage was hard for Megan. She was thankful they were there for her because now was the time to be tough. "I'm trying to make you proud, daddy." Megan kept telling herself over and over again, especially when she didn’t think she could take much more.

When it came time for Gabby and Ali to head home, the goodbyes were full of tears for all three of the girls, but they left Megan with the promise that Megan was coming home where she belonged as soon as the long, sordid ordeal was over.

After her second meeting with Jason, Megan noticed that things started to move rather quickly between she and Alan's attorney's. By the time she had her day in court, Alan knew he'd screwed up big time and although he tried to suck up to Megan, the judge saw right through it.

According to Jason, Alan admitted that the doctor who had been treating Megan for infertility had been a friend of Alan’s from college. It seems the men had struck a deal where Alan would refer patients from his PR office and the doctor would give false test results to Megan. Not only was Alan being legally reprimanding for this behavior, but the doctor was, too. There was a good possibility he would lose his license and serve some jail time and Megan couldn’t have been happier. Maybe karma really was a big, bad bitch after all.

Since Megan's dad made sure she had an iron clad prenuptial agreement in place before she married Alan, Megan left her marriage with everything she started with. The IRS situation was still up in the air but Jason promised he'd do everything in his power to make sure that Megan wouldn’t be held responsible for anything Alan did illegally behind her back.

When Alan's boss found out what he'd done to Megan, the man Megan had always genuinely liked was livid. It seemed Alan's extracurricular activities didn’t fit in with the "image" his the company wanted their clients to see. As a result, there was a good chance that when it was all said and done, Alan would not only be paying Megan alimony and dealing with the IRS, but he might also lose his job. Megan almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

Chapter Eight

Megan was coming home to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family and while Dylan didn’t want to admit it, he was worried that she was supposed to have arrived over an hour ago. Nearly a foot of fresh snow had fallen last night and while he knew Megan knew how to handle herself in less than stellar weather, she'd been a Florida long enough to get rusty.

"Did you get her yet? All your pacing is starting to worry me, too," their mom said, checking her watch for what Dylan guessed was the hundredth time.

"She isn’t answering her phone but it could be because she's in the air. Let me leave a message on her house line just in case she checks her messages at some point." Dylan dialed Megan’s home number while his mom headed back to the kitchen.

"Hello?" Megan answered on the fourth ring.

"What the fuck are you doing answering the phone, Megan?" Dylan yelled.

"Well you see, the phone rings and you pick it up. Then you talk into it and surprise, surprise. There's someone on the other end. What the hell are you calling me for?"

"Why are you at your house instead of in the air on your way here?" Her brother asked her.

"I just can’t Dylan. Not now," Megan cried into the phone. "I was packed but once I started to load the car, I broke down. My luggage is still out there."

"Megan, baby, don’t cry. You've missed too many Thanksgivings as it is. You need to be here with us. Mom's worried about you." Dylan could feel his blood pressure rising. "I know you’re right. Just try to understand that I can’t do this right now, ok?" Megan pleaded.

"Get ready and I'll have Ali send the plane for you," Dylan ordered as he looked at his watch trying to figure out how to get her home in time for dinner.

"Stop being a stupid big brother for a change and listen to what I'm saying," Megan begged even though she knew he wouldn’t understand. Family was very important to Dylan. He'd more than likely write this off as an excuse or a tantrum.

"Fine! If you think you're too uppity to spend time with us. I expect this kind of thing from Ali but not from you, Megan."

"Did one of your horses kick you in the head? I'm not coming Dylan. I can’t do this right now. I'm going to hang up and go. You can keep talking to yourself but I'm done. I love you and if it's not too much to ask, tell everyone else I love them, too. Bye," Megan said before hanging up on her brother.

"Megan!" Dylan heard the click but couldn’t believe Megan had actually hung up on him. What the hell was she thinking? She needed her family right now. He rubbed his hands over his face in frustration and sighed when he realized what Megan had done to him.

She left him to tell their mom. Dylan didn’t want to see the hurt look on her face but someone had to do the dirty work and clearly it wasn't going to be Megan.

"I need to talk to you." Dylan put his arm around Sarah Jameson's shoulders and squeezed. "I just got off the phone with Megan and she said she isn’t coming."

"She's hiding, honey. I had a feeling she wouldn’t come this year." Sarah answered as she patted Dylan's hand with a sad but understanding look on her face.

"Why did you invite her then?" Dylan was confused.

"Dylan, your sister has been left by her husband. This is the first holiday where she's alone. We can’t push her, we need to let her have her space," Sarah said before giving him a kiss on the cheek. "She'll know when to come home. She knows her family loves her and we're here for her when she's ready. "

"But mom..."

Before he could finish, his mom put her hand over his mouth. "Let her breathe, Dylan. And get out of here so I can bake in peace," she smiled, pushing him out of her kitchen.

The only thing Dylan knew was it seemed that every woman in his family had lost their ever loving mind. Megan needed to be home where she could be taken care of. The only person he knew that might be able to help him was Ali. Dylan grabbed his keys and went out the front door, dialing Ali as he let himself into his truck.

"Hey Dylan. Whatcha doing baby cakes?" Ali answered cheerfully.

"I just got off the phone with Megan. She isn’t coming to Thanksgiving dinner,"" Dylan sighed into the phone, gripping the steering wheel hard with his other hand.

"You're kidding me, right? What the hell is she thinking?" Ali growled into the phone. "We made plans. She can't just go changing things and not tell us!"

"Mom says she's hiding. And I know we can’t make her come but we can work on her for Christmas, right? Will you help me, Ali?"

"What do you want me to do?"

Dylan explained his idea as he drove back home. Hopefully, by this time next month, his sister would be home for Christmas dinner. If she didn’t come on her own, then he'd kidnap her. Either way, she'd be there.

****

Everyone was worried about Megan but no one wanted to say anything at the dinner table. Dylan appeared to be fuming because his little sister wouldn’t do what she was told. But then again, Megan always did have a stubborn streak a mile long.

Across the table, Grayson felt just as upset but he was able to hide his emotions better due to the fact he' had years of practice. Grayson hoped to see Megan at Thanksgiving and when she didn’t show, he was let down but understood her reasoning and could appreciate while she just wanted to be left alone. Grayson wished he could make it better for her but he knew the best thing to do was just give her time. Grayson was glad Megan was finally divorcing a man who clearly didn't treasure her but he wished there was a way their separation could have brought less pain to the woman he adored. Regardless, this was his chance to show Megan how he could love her and he wouldn’t let anything, or anyone, get in his way this time.

Chapter Nine

Megan did her Christmas shopping and shipping presents to her family and friends the week before Christmas. She was staying home for the holidays. Megan decided it would be easier to stay alone and not bring everyone else down. While mailing the gifts instead of just telling her mom was a chicken shit thing to do, Megan didn't care. She just didn't want the hassle of explaining herself again. She knew Dylan was going to blow his top but she'd let someone else deal with him, she just didn’t have the strength.

Christmas used to be Megan's favorite holiday and she loved the winters back home. In fact, one of the things she hated about Florida was that she missed the snow, and her family, way too much. Megan couldn’t stand being so far from her family anymore. And while Christmas wouldn't have been the perfect time to make her appearance, Megan chose to wait. She was going to tell them soon, though. She just had to get some things taken care of first. Besides, the idea of a tree and decorations were just too much. She didn’t even want to bother with any of that this year.

Megan called her dad to ask about her Grandmother’s house that had been willed to her. Although the place was small, it held so many good memories and that's what Megan needed the most right now; a place to hang low and lick her wounds.

"Hey Daddy." Megan said after her dad answered the phone.

"Baby girl, is that you?"

"Who else would it be? You got another daughter I don’t know about?" Megan joked.

"Don’t be a smart ass, Megan."

"Better than being..." She never got to finish.

"Megan, did I not raise you right?"

"Yes sir, you did." Megan had to laugh. "Listen, what kind of shape is Grandma’s house in?"

"Why do you ask? You don’t need to sell it for money, do you? I had you sign that pre nup before you married that bastard!"

"Yes, you did. I'm not selling the house, dad. I was thinking about staying there for a while." Megan held her breath because she knew her dad would probably try to talk her into staying with he and her mom instead and that wasn't going to happen in this lifetime. She loved her parents more than anything but Megan's mother drove her nuts.

"You don’t need to stay all the way out there by yourself. Come home and let us take care of you till you get back on your feet." Her dad said, a hint of sadness underlining his words.

"I need to do this for myself, daddy. Did you know I've never lived on my own? I moved out of the house and moved in with Ali and Gabby for college. Then I met Alan and married him. I need this time for me, daddy. Please try to understand." Megan was trying hard not to cry. Making this decision was hard enough and now she had to make her dad understand that she needed to do this her own way to become whole again. Besides, this was too big of a problem for her daddy to fix.

"I understand baby. I'll take care of your mother, ok?" He said with a heavy sigh.

"Thank you, dad." Thank goodness he understood. "Can you get me a copy of the keys? I have to wrap up things out here before and I head your way. I promised my boss I'd stay through tax season so they aren’t shorthanded."

"When do you think you'll be out here permanently?" Megan's dad asked, causing Megan to smile. He was as excited as she was. What a daddy's girl.

"I'm hoping for the end of May. I have to settle this thing with Alan. Then I need to go through everything and put the house here up for sale." Megan took a deep breath. She was losing the battle with her emotions so she cleared her throat in hopes to cover it. "Do you know anyone who could clean up the inside of Grandma’s house? I can do the outside work in the garden myself."

"Of course, honey. I can send someone over right away. We've got people that clean up our construction sites, or did you forget?" Her dad chuckled.

Megan had cleaned many a project during the summers while she was growing up. Her brothers got stuck doing the construction work outside in the baking sun while she was in an air conditioned house cleaning up.

I didn’t forget. I just didn’t want you to run short on the sites. Listen, daddy, I have to go now but I'll call you later in the week when I know more."

"Don’t worry about your mother either. We love you, baby girl. I sure do miss you, too." Now it was her dad that was clearing his throat.

"I miss you too, daddy. Tell everyone I miss and love them too. I gotta go. Bye, daddy." Megan told her father she loved him and said goodbye as the tears she'd tried to hold back started to run down her cheeks. Megan held the phone to her chest and let the tears fall. While she knew she wanted to be home, she didn’t realize how much she'd missed her dad and the rest of her family. She knew she had made the right decision. She was going home and possibly getting another chance at happiness.

Chapter Ten

Megan counted the days and realized that in just ten more days, a new year would be upon her. Shaking her head at herself, it struck her that while she'd never looked forward to a new year before, this coming year had to be better than the last. Other than locusts and death, Megan couldn't see how it could be worse. Sitting on her sofa looking out over the green grass that decorated Florida in December, Megan longed for Idaho. And snow.

Looking at the phone, Megan knew she'd done the right thing by turning the ringer off. She was sick of Dylan’s crap. Calling her relentlessly, he was determined to make her come to Idaho for Christmas. For a change, this was one time Dylan wasn't going to get his way.

As the air conditioner kicked on, Megan shook her head and thought that eighty seven degrees in December was totally wrong. Picking up the remote, she muted the television given that she couldn't concentrate on it or the book she pretended to read. Thinking she needed tea to calm her nerves. Megan shuffled toward the kitchen. Standing next to the sink, Megan was startled from her thoughts when she heard a noise that sounded exactly like a car door slamming shut. Putting the kettle on the counter, she went to the door.

Megan had to blink to clear her vision. Did no one respect her wishes? In the driveway were her brothers, her parents, Grayson, Gabby, and Shane along with their parents. What the hell? Only Ali and her parents were missing. Knowing Ali, she'd made them take her on a cruise of the Mediterranean for Christmas. But before Megan could finish her thought, another SUV pulled up. Well, crap. Megan really did hate him sometimes.

Dylan led the way to the door and stepped right on in without even knocking, the big jerk. Megan couldn’t move as she stared at Dylan standing in her entryway. There was no denying he was a force to be reckoned with. And right now she was the one that was going to have to reckon with him. Her brother, and his personality, seemed too big for her home.

Brian entered behind him. "Hey sis, we made it! Can you believe this weather? We left mountains of snow and now I need sun screen and swim trunks." He walked over and picked her off the floor he was hugging her so tightly.

Megan had to laugh. At least some things stayed the same. Her father approached her next. He was a big bear of man just like his boys and Megan was immediately transferred from Brian’s arms to her dad's. She sighed to keep from crying. It felt so nice to be in his embrace. When she was small, he could make anything better and it was easy to let herself believe that now. If she closed her eyes maybe he'd make the hurt go away. "We're here now. Everything will be okay, baby," he told her.

Wiping her eyes, her mother came toward her next. After they hugged, Dylan returned. Megan thought it was funny that the rest of her friends and family were hanging out on the porch waiting to see if she was going to kick them out. Looking up at Dylan, Megan knew he meant well but she also knew this was all his doing. He pulled her close for a hug, "I couldn’t spend Christmas without everyone I love," he whispered in her ear.

"It’s okay, I'm glad everyone's here," Megan smiled as Dylan wiped the tears that were falling down her cheeks with his thumbs.

Walking outside, it was reassuring to see everyone she loved standing on her porch. Looking at each of their faces, the love they held for her was apparent.

"Ok, ok, you guys win! Come in." Everyone began talking at once and followed Megan inside. For the first time since they'd lived in the monstrosity, Megan was glad Alan insisted on such a big house back when his image was all that mattered. The four bedrooms and four bathrooms along with the formal living and dining areas would come in handy this year.

"It’s good to see you," Grayson said as he stepped in front of her. Looking into his eyes, Megan was amazed at the emotions she saw swimming there. Grayson was a good friend and he was probably just worried about her like the others. Right? Surely that's all his eyes conveyed.

Grayson took one of her small hands in his larger one and squeezed. A shot of electricity shot up through Megan's arm at the contact and her heart skipped a beat. "Merry Christmas." Grayson offered, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

Megan gave up her room to her parents although they tried to talk her out of it. She explained to them that she hadn't slept in the space after she kicked Alan out and her mother seemed to completely understand. She put the other couples in the three remaining bedrooms leaving the den for her, Grayson, Dylan, Brian and Ali. She and Ali took the fold out couch and the men got the floor.

After everyone had their sleeping arrangements set and the luggage was carried off, it seemed natural to migrate to the kitchen where Ali was already searching for ingredients for dinner. Unbeknownst to Megan until she noticed they were gone, Ali sent the parents to go find a Christmas tree and all the trimmings. Even now as she cooked, Ali was mumbling that Christmas decorations were needed to get everyone is

the mood this year and there was no way they were going to use what Megan and Alan had used before. As Ali put it, "that just ain’t right."

Watching as Ali completely took command of her house and her guests, Megan remembered that she and Gabby used to laugh and say they wanted to be Ali when they grew up. It was still funny to Megan that of all people, Ali was a professional caterer and party planner. Who would have thought she'd actually enjoy cooking. Although when she wasn't working, no one could ask her to cook because it was something she always volunteered to do.

"Megan your taste in wine sucks," Ali called out.

"What wine?" Megan laughed.

Ali frowned, "That’s my point and you don’t have any. How can I make dinner and not have wine to go with it? Somebody get me a pen and paper. I need to make a list of all of the things I'm going to need if y'all expect me to cook over the next few days."

"Asking would've been nice," Gabby said, handing Ali a note pad which promptly made Ali stick out her tongue out at Gabby.

Megan shook her head. Dylan was right. Megan needed her family and her friends. "Sorry to break this to everyone but I mailed your presents out last week."

Brian smiled, "You sure did. They're out in the truck and they can be opened Christmas morning along with everything else we brought."

Considering Megan had no plans for the holidays, having everyone with her she loved was better than anything she could have planned herself.

Later that night after a sumptuous meal of crab stuffed grouper, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, hush puppies and a homemade chocolate cake, the parents went for drinks at the country club while Ali made the boys clean up the kitchen.

Chapter Eleven

Grayson smiled watching as the girls adjusted the air conditioner into the low sixties so it would be comfortable inside the house to drink hot chocolate. Megan, Ali and Gabby burrowed down on the sofa with a blanket waiting to put a movie on as the boys finished their kitchen duties.

Ali started groaning when she saw the choice of movies that the boys selected. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Animal House and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. What was it about boys and movies? After a highly contested vote, Animal House, one of Grayson's favorites, won out.

Megan jumped up and said she needed popcorn to help her cope with such a ridiculous choice of films. When the popcorn was finished and she returned, Grayson couldn't take his eyes from her as she walked back into the den holding the large bowl. She'd changed into a little pair of boy shorts and a tank top as had all the girls. Even though she wasn't as tall as Gabby or Ali, there was something about Megan's bare legs that just got to him. Smiling, he remembered the first time he saw those legs and realized they belonged to a real woman, not just his best friend’s little sister.

It was a party that Grayson, Dylan and Brian were throwing when they were in their last year of college. Grayson had been manning the keg that night when three hotter than sin women walked into the room. Dylan was talking to him but Grayson couldn't think for looking at the girls. The first was a red head who looked like she knew exactly what she wanted and knew how to get it which turned Grayson off. He liked to be the one in charge.

The second one was a beautiful blond with legs that went for miles. She was the one he'd like to enjoy up close and personal. Grayson could see her legs wrapped around

him as she begged him to take her and he'd just started to enjoy his little day dream when he saw his sister walk in the room behind the blond. "Oh shit!" He was going to hell. If that was his sister, then the other two had to be Ali and Megan. Which meant he'd just had dirty thoughts about his best friends’ sister. I mean really, could he help it that she was fucking hot? But still, Grayson was certain he was going to hell!

Staring at her now, Grayson wondered where the skinny legged kid went that used to follow them all summer? The one with the dirty pig tails and ratty flip-flops? In her place now was a woman and Grayson liked it a little too much.

"What Gray? What is it?" Dylan asked, confused that night when all Grayson could do was just point towards the new arrivals.

"Damn, that red head is smokin’ hot!" Then Dylan's mouth dropped open. "Son of a bitch! That’s Ali, Megan and Gabby. What the fuck are they doing here?" Dylan looked around the room and saw that every one of his friends had noticed the new arrivals. "They can’t stay here!"

"My thoughts exactly. We have to get them out of here Dylan." Grayson shouldn’t have wasted his breath because Dylan had already made a bee line to the girls. Maybe it had been a good thing that Grayson manned the keg instead of drinking that night. A clear head was definitely needed in this situation since Grayson might have to pull their friends from his sister, Gabby and Megan.. Besides, Grayson knew exactly what his buddies were thinking because the same thoughts were running through his mind about Megan. Not good at all.

Dylan grabbed a sweatshirt from the back of the couch on the way over to the women. Once he reached them, he threw it over the front of Megan’s shirt or lack thereof. "What in the hell do you think you're doing here? Do you have any idea what

can happen at these things Megan? And you two; where the hell are your clothes?" he asked, glaring at three women who should still be having slumber parties at home.

Megan just gave him a big smile. "I knew you'd be here to save me, Dylan. Do we cramp your style? Is that why you're mad?" Gabby started to laugh until Grayson shot her a look but to his dismay, she shot him one right back.

"Hey Dylan, who are your friends here?" A dark haired guy who’s name Grayson couldn’t remember for the life of him asked, eyeing Megan up and down.

Dylan shoved Megan behind him and glared at his friend. "Don’t look at her, don’t talk to her and God help me, and don’t breathe near her. If you do, then you'll be breathing out of your neck." Without saying a word, the dark haired guy stepped away laughing to himself.

"Jesus Dylan, get a hold of yourself," Megan spoke from behind him. Without waiting for a reply, she walked away with Ali and Gabby following her. "What an asshole!"

For the next hour, Grayson kept an eye on the three girls. Fuck, when did the party of the year turn into a God damned babysitting job? The three of them danced to a few songs and now Megan was heading towards him. From his view point at the keg, Grayson could keep an eye on everyone and everything. Megan stopped and asked him for a cup.

At that exact moment, Dylan yelled loud enough for the entire house to hear, "You ain’t having a beer!"

"Shut your mouth, Dylan. You’re embarrassing me again." Megan yelled back. She turned back to Grayson and smiled at him. Yep, he was going to hell.

"Give her a break Dylan and stop treating her like a child." Grayson said, looking into her eyes. "Now tell me the truth, this was all Ali’s idea, right?" Grayson knew Ali was always the one with the wild schemes. Ali was constantly getting into trouble and dragging the others along with her.

Megan glared at him, "It sure was but I'm glad we came, we've been having a blast." She waved to an unknown person behind Grayson and gave a quick smile. Fuck!

Grayson shook his head. Megan's little black skirt didn't leave enough to the imagination and her red halter was full to bursting. When the hell had she grown up? Watching Ali walk over was just as bad. The little jean skirt and pink tube top along with sky high heels was the last image of the two of them he wanted frozen in his mind.

Scanning the room, Grayson found Gabby dancing with a med student named Shane Tucker. He'd always liked Shane but if he looked down her tank top one more time, Shane was going to have a hard time seeing his text book through two black eyes.

Ali came and grabbed Megan by the arm and headed for the other side of the house, straight toward Brian. Grayson could tell the moment Brian noticed two sets of nice legs standing in front of him by the expression on his face. "Well hi honey...." And then his eyes got bigger as he figured out who he was talking to.

"Brian, sugar, do you have anything besides beer here? Beer just doesn’t do it for me darlin." Grayson could hear Ali laugh.

After clearing his throat, Brian began to talk. "Ali honey, you're such a snot, I swear." Brian’s expression turned black as he noticed exactly what the two of them were wearing. "You both need to go home and put some clothes on. What are you all doing here anyway? Don’t you have a test to study for or something?" The girls laughed at him which just infuriated him more.

"It’s Friday night you dumb ass. Who the hell has school on Saturday?" Megan rolled her eyes as if to indicate Brian was a moron. Shaking her head while looking at the girl sitting next to him, Megan pointed at him and Gray heard her say. "This coming from the guy who paid people to do his homework all through high school, pulease!"

"Shut up Megan!" Brian shouted at her. Grayson had to smile. Watching Megan pushing all Brian's buttons was hilarious.

"If you'd actually gone to class and not detention every day, you wouldn't have needed anyone to help you with your stuff. I think you spent more time than anyone in detention that year.."

"The teacher was a hottie and she liked my company!" Brian shouted.

Watching the two of them fight; Grayson couldn’t believe how Megan had changed since the guys had gone to college. Brian and Dylan had their hands full with her, for sure. Too bad Grayson couldn’t fill his hands with her. What was he thinking; this was Megan! If he ever heard Brian or Dylan talk about Gabby like that, he'd kick their asses from here to the state line, even though he knew it wasn't rational to feel that way. Still, Grayson knew he'd have the red halter top and black mini skirt in his thoughts for a long time.

"Grayson, hello. Gray, are you with us?" Brian asked, bringing Grayson out of his memories and back to Megan’s house in Florida.

"What?" Grayson answered, giving himself a mental shake.

"Do you want anything from the kitchen?" Brian asked him again.

"I'm good." Good and screwed now that he had that picture of Megan from the party night stuck in his head. It took weeks to try and forget her the first time. Cold showers and dirty dreams were in his future, again no doubt. No other woman had ever affected him like Megan.

Chapter Twelve

The next few days passed in a blur for Megan and before she knew it they were sitting down to Christmas Eve dinner, which looked fabulous. Ali had really outdone herself this time. The china, the crystal and the silver sparkled on the table, not to mention the food. Megan could eat for days. Fried turkey, dressing, potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, homemade cornbread... It all looked fabulous. After Megan's dad said the blessing, Megan felt truly grateful that her family tricked her into spending Christmas with them and she told them all so.

"Megan, we love you and we're all happy to get to spend this time with you," her father told her. Smiling, he stood and raised his glass. "You know, thirty five years ago when my best friend and I started a small construction company, how could we have ever known we'd be as blessed as we are right now? At first it was just my lovely Sarah and my good buddy Charlie along with his Mary, then came all the children." Megan's father smiled at each of them. "Then came my old friend Scott who brought Elle and their princess, Ali." Megan smiled as everyone but Ali broke out into a fit of laughter.

"What would we do without them? You know, it doesn't always take brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers to make a family. Sometimes it takes hard work and friendships you know will stand the test of time. When I look around this table, I can honestly say there's no one I'd rather spend the holidays with. Merry Christmas everyone."

Waking up to a warm, green Christmas morning still felt weird even though Megan had been in Florida for several years. Being the first one up, Megan nudged Ali who was sleeping next to her. "Get up sleepy head. I want pancakes for breakfast."

Ali lifted her mask and glared at Megan. To say that Ali wasn't a morning person was like saying the mighty Mississippi was a small stream. Ali growled something unintelligible back at Megan as she sat up, yawning and looking around. "Pancakes can kiss my ass."

"Pancakes? Did someone say pancakes?" Dylan said, sitting up.

"I swear all y'all Jameson's ever think about are your stomachs." Ali grouched at them.

Dylan came over and sat next to Ali and slipped his arm around her. "You know you mean more to me than just pancakes, Ali Landon." Looking into his eyes, Ali smiled. Dylan’s face softened as he looked back down at Ali which left Megan wondered what she might have missed there.

"You don’t mean that much to me!" Grayson yelled as he tossed a pillow Ali's direction. "Go make me some damn pancakes, Ali Landon!"

"Kiss ass, Grayson," Ali said, laughing.

Megan shook her head. Something was clearly going on between Dylan and Ali. Dylan was unnaturally soft with Ali and while it shouldn't have, the small gesture worried Megan a bit. Megan loved Ali and she adored her brother but she feared if the two of them every got together, someone would get their heart hurt. What she sensed might just be Megan's imagination but she made a mental note to keep an eye on the pair of them anyway. No way did Megan want them to go through the hurt she'd most recently endured.

"Ok, ok, I'm going. Let me put my contacts in and wash my face. And anyone who doesn't help gets no food," she said, walking out of the den toward the kitchen which left Dylan quickly following her like a puppy on a leash.

Megan got out of bed and put her robe on as Grayson sat on the floor, watching her. "What?" Megan asked while trying to flatten her hair down. "Do I look that bad?"

Grayson just smiled back at her. "No, nothing like that. You just look cute in the morning, Megan." He got up from the floor and went to the kitchen leaving Megan standing there for a second. Shaking her head, she headed toward the kitchen herself. Now she had two mysteries. First, Ali and Dylan, there was something there, she was sure of it. And second, Grayson had either lost his mind or he was going blind. She was betting on the later.

Half an hour later, as everyone sat around eating pancakes and French toast, it was Brian who spoke first. "Ali, you're a fabulous cook, are you sure you won’t marry me?"

Ali laughed and elbowed him in his ribs. "Not a chance. A man has to love me for more than my pancakes."

Megan watched as Ali and Dylan discreetly looked at one another. "I'm not sure about everyone else but I'm eager to see everyone open their gifts," Megan suggested.

Everyone made their way to the formal living room where the tree had been assembled and decorated, which made Megan smile. This time next year she'd be home in Idaho with a large fire and lots of snow. Maybe she could host Christmas next year, too. She'd have to give that some thought. And wrestle her mother for it, of course.

"Who’s first? How do we want to do this?" Gabby asked.

Megan looked around and noticed that the parents all sat together husband next to wife, which left Gabby and Shane together. Even more interesting was Ali, who had Dylan sitting on the floor next to her on one side and Brian on the other. Maybe she was imagining things. After all, she'd been gone for so long it stood to reason that the three of them could have gotten closer and Megan might not know it. Although through all the marathon phone calls, Ali had never mentioned even the slightest interest in either of Megan's brothers. How did she feel about her friend falling for one of her brothers, anyway? They were both pains in the butt.

"How about we let the parents go first for once," Ali said, surprising everyone. Batting her eyelashes and smiling, she threw her hands up and said, "What?" Then she got up and headed to the tree. "I don’t mind being an elf." Ali fished around until she found the gifts for her parents.

When the presents were opened and everyone said a gracious round of thank yous, Ali demanded someone turn on the television which Brian quickly turned to hockey. "No way, I want football!" Ali whined.

"Wait! There are some gifts missing." Dylan looked the tree over and then all around and under it. "Brian, when we first came in I asked you to get that old brown bag of mine. Did you get it?"

"I forgot, Sorry!" Brian shook his head.

"Ok everyone, hold up. I have more stuff to pass out." Two minutes later Dylan returned with a beat up brown duffle bag he'd had since high school. Reaching in to the

bag he began to pull out small presents that were obviously professionally wrapped. He handed them out to all the ladies then he handed all the guys small cards.

Megan smiled at him while opening hers. When she got the paper off, she saw the unmistakable robins' egg blue box. Opening it she found a very pretty pair of silver star earrings. Beaming, she walked over and hugged him.

Gabby was next, her same blue box containing a star pendant in it. In Sarah’s was a pendant that said, "Mom". Mary Burke got a pretty pair of silver moon earrings. And Elle Landon got a pretty pendant with the letter E on it.

Ali opened her box to find a silver charm bracelet. Looking at the charms, Megan could see how very Ali it was. It had a Tiffany box, a purse and a pair of shoes on it. Looking up at Dylan, Ali had a huge smile on her face. "Thank you," she grinned as Megan watched her wrap her arms around Dylan's neck.

"You're such a jerk, Tiffany? Please." Brian cleared his throat.

"I think it’s beautiful. You did a good thing, Dylan." Walking to him and hugging him, Megan heard her mom utter an "I love you."

Grayson looked at his envelope. "Well, I guess I didn’t get anything from Tiffany. And I was so excited to get new earrings," he whined, which sent the whole room into a burst of laughter. In each of the guys envelopes were season tickets to the Boise State hockey games. "Cool Dylan. This will be fun!"

Megan couldn't let the Ali thing go. "So Dylan, too lazy to do your shopping at more than one store?" Dylan had always been a last minute Christmas shopper. Why he

waited until the night before never made sense to her. Her Christmas shopping was always done months in advance. But he definitely outdid himself this year.

Dylan turned red. "You got me. It was easier to do it that way and if you drop as much green as I did, they'll wrap it all! Be prepared because all of your gifts are coming this way from now on." The crowd laughed.

Brian punched him in the arm, "I'm your brother. You could have told me!"

"I was in Dallas checking on some horses and saw the place. This year it was easy to go and pick out everything."

"Well I for one love my bracelet. Will you help me put it on?" Ali asked him as she handed her bracelet to Dylan. ****

While Megan was watching her brother and Ali, Grayson was watching her. Nothing and no one would stand in his way this time when it came to getting the girl. He'd watched her in a marriage where she'd been treated like shit and it was time for her to be happy. Megan deserved the best and she could have everything and anything she wanted. All she had to do was ask Grayson and it was hers. She already had his heart and he hoped in time she'd feel the same. Since Grayson had been a boy he'd gone after what he wanted but with Megan it was different. He didn’t want to scare her away. Rather, he wanted to become her friend again and eventually become something more. He'd take it slow with her since her confidence was still so fragile.

Chapter Thirteen

Before Megan knew it, her family and friends returned to Idaho and the New Year snuck up on her. Which meant she had to go to her company’s annual New Year’s party. Not wanting to be fixed up or go alone, Megan asked Jason to go with her. Over the past few months the two of them had formed a friendship away from the courtroom.

Ali told Megan that buying something sexy that would boost her self-confidence. What could it hurt? Megan' dressed that way in the beginning of her marriage but one night after Alan had drank too much and called her a whore, he made her throw away the dress away the next morning. After that incident Megan wore conservative clothing so she wouldn’t have to deal with Alan's complaints. Now it was her turn to shine again.

Megan bought a new dress before the party and she was thrilled that it wasn’t black like she usually bought but a deep green which the sales woman said set off her eyes. And the dress was shorter than Megan normally bought, too, stopping right above her knees. The straps were thin and tied behind her neck leaving her shoulders and back bare. Layers of fabric were tight around her bust and gave her the best cleavage she'd ever had. She even found matching heels. And Megan had to laugh when Ali told her to text her a picture of the shoes so she could check them out, but didn’t bother to ask about the dress.

At nine on the dot, Jason knocked on the door and when Megan stepping into the opening, his mouth dropped. "My God, Megan. You look beautiful."

Megan blushed. It had been so long since she'd received a compliment from a man. "Thank you, Jason. You don’t look too bad yourself."

Jason looked down at his tux and wiped some imaginary lint off of his collar. "I know, but no one will be looking at me tonight with you on my arm."

Megan grabbed her purse and head to a party she really didn’t want to go to. At least she was with a friend.

Jason put his hand at the small of her back and led her to the car and they made small talk on the short ride to Bay Point.

Dancing the night away and sipping champagne, Megan couldn’t remember having so much fun. Jason was good company on the dance floor and he was fun to talk with. The night Megan had dreaded ended too soon and as Jason drove her home, she wondered if he'd try to kiss her. He was gorgeous but she liked where they were in their friendship. It would be easy to ask for more, but the timing was off. Way off. "I had a wonderful time tonight, Jason. Thanks for going with me." Megan offered as the pair stood at her front door.

"It was my pleasure, Megan." Megan saw him tense as he leaned in a kissed her cheek. There was no question about how easy it would be to move from friendship to something more, but Megan knew he understood her reasoning and would give her the time she needed. She also knew if she went down that path with him, it would be easy not to follow through with her plans to leave Florida.

Chapter Fourteen

Even though Megan decided to go home to lick her wounds, she still had work to do. Given she was an accountant, she was busy well through April. But now it was May and it was time for Megan to get on with her life.

"You know you're one of my best accountants, Megan. I'm be sad to see you go but thank you for helping us through the season." Betty Reynolds, Megan's soon to be ex boss, said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"I'll miss my accounts but I need to do this. I need to start fresh and mourn my life in private." Megan looked down at her hands and noticed they were fisted in her lap. She stretched them out and put her hands on her knees.

"Boy, that bastard sure did a number on you, didn’t he?" Betty asked, a look of sympathy noticeable in her eyes.

"That he did. I'll be okay as soon as I get home. I just need some time to figure out what I want to do next."

"Some of your clients are actually thinking about moving to that little town you came from. They're all going to miss you." Betty got that look in her eyes. "What if I doubled your salary? Would that change your mind?" Betty asked, hope lacing her made up features.

"It’s tempting but no. I just want you to know that not only have you been a great boss but also a very good friend. Thank you Betty. I'll never forget it."

Betty got up from her desk and Megan got up from her chair to meet her half way. "You'd better call me when you get there or I'll worry." Betty offered as she gave Megan a warm embrace.

"I promise." Megan loosened her hold and leaned back to look at Betty. "Thank you." Megan sighed. "I can call you from the road, too. Will that make you feel better?"

"Yup. Now get going before I start to cry. We can’t let anyone think I'm human. Now get." Betty sniffed and turned around to go back to her desk.

Megan walked out of Betty’s office and headed to her own office to take the last of her boxes home. Every day this week she had taken something, a harsh reminder of all that Alan had robbed her of. First he'd taken her trust and then her pride. It came as little surprise that her job would be the last thing he destroyed. Megan hated Alan but sadly, she hated herself even more for letting him deceive her.

It took Megan a while to get to the elevator. Several of her co-workers stopped and said good bye or good luck as she made her way from the offices. Megan had such a good relationship with her co-workers and her boss. Not many people could say that.

Megan finally made it to the elevator and hit the button for the basement garage. Once the doors opened downstairs, she carried her box to her car and put it in the trunk to be added to the rest of her things that were being packed in the moving truck She was scared and excited at the same time.

Chapter Fifteen

"Miss, I need your signature before we can leave," one of the movers said, stepping into her now empty bedroom, jarring Megan from her thoughts.

Taking the clipboard from him, she signed her name at the bottom where he showed her and that was it. With the flick of her wrist she was starting all over again.

"Thank you," Megan said, handing the clipboard back to man. "So it'll take you about 10 days to get my stuff to me on the other end?"

"That's correct, ma’am. We can’t drive that big ‘ol truck as fast as you can drive and we have to stop for the crew to rest. We'll give you a call the day before we make it to your new address."

"Thanks," was all Megan could manage.

The man went back downstairs to tell his men to pack up the dollies and the rest of their gear so they could leave. Megan’s car would be attached to the back of the truck and towed to Idaho while she drove the SUV. The SUV had more room and was more comfortable on long trips. The drive would take Megan at least a week or more if she wanted to stop along the way. She'd decided to take her time and stop along the way at whatever site caught her eye. When Megan was younger, her parents often took the kids on road trips. If someone in the car wanted to stop to take a look at the "Large Ball of String" or the "Ball of Mud," then the car stopped. It was tradition.

Megan bent down and picked up two of her suitcases and headed down to put them in her SUV. She'd have to make two or three trips to get everything she was taking with her down the stairs. Driving was one of the many things Megan would have

to get used to doing herself. Alan always handled the long drives. It was entirely up to her now and she was nervous. Scenarios kept playing through her mind about flat tires or broken belts. That was the scary part.

On her second trip down the stairs. Megan watched the large semi truck pull out of her driveway. There was no turning back now even if Megan wanted to, which she didn't. If she stayed, she would have no furniture. "Damn it!" Megan screamed aloud.

Megan turned back towards to step inside and to get another set of bags when her cell phone rang making her jump. "Hello?" She answered breathlessly.

"Why are you breathless? Are you with that cute attorney of yours? He sure was handsome." Ali had a soft spot for blonds and Jason was definitely that. Ali and Gabby bullied Megan into letting them go with her for her next appointment with her attorney when they'd visited before the holidays and Jason never knew what hit him. When Ali poured on the southern charm, the poor man drooled at her feet. It was really sad but that was how men reacted to Ali. Although Megan should've remembered that little tidbit, years away from her friend had dulled her memories.

"Yes I am and you're right, he's a God in bed. In fact, he wouldn’t let me sleep all night long because he was making my toes curl. Are you kidding? I'm trying to pack up the truck so I can leave," Megan huffed into the phone.

"You don’t have to be so snippy. A simple "no" would have been fine." Clearly Ali was in a mood and Megan realized her outlook wasn't much better.

"Sorry, what did you need?"

"Now sugar, that didn’t hurt at all, did it?" Ali sang out. When Megan didn't respond, she kept talking. "I just wanted to see when you were leaving. Your dad has a crew over at your grandma’s cleaning up so you can move right in. It needed a few repairs here and there but otherwise it was in good condition."

"At least it's one less thing to worry about right now. Remind me to never move again."

"Of course I won't. Now that you're coming back, I'll sit on you before I let you leave again." Ali's words made Megan smile. "Be careful and call when you stop. " Ali didn’t even wait for Megan to say good bye before she hung up which was typical Ali.

Megan sighed as she grabbed another suitcase and headed back down to her SUV. Once everything was loaded, Megan took a moment to say good-bye to her old life. She'd miss the house but not the memories. Starting fresh was exactly what she needed to do.

Megan hooked her seat belt and started the SUV. She hated herself for getting teary eyed over a house but Megan wasn’t crying for her house really. She was crying over her marriage. Without looking back, Megan put the SUV in reverse and backed out of her driveway, watching the house become smaller and smaller in her rearview mirror as she drove away from the past. When she couldn’t see the house any longer. Megan blew out a deep breath she'd been holding. "It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay," she chanted. Megan really needed to stop talking to herself.

Chapter Sixteen

Megan made pretty good time her first day on the road singing along with the cds she'd brought. Although her legs felt like rubber noodles from sitting for so long, she tried to walk around a bit every time she stopped for gas.

Finally making it to her hotel, Megan called her family and let them know where she was and when to expect her next call. She also checked in with Gabby and Ali.

A little less than a week after she started driving, Megan finally came to the hill that overlooked the town of Midnight, Idaho. Midnight was nestled in a small valley with the Snake River running along the left side of town and mountains framing the right. It was beautiful here, just like Megan remembered as she spied the lush green mountains dotted with sage brush as far as the eye could see. This was home. This is where her roots started. And this is where she'd start over again and become the Megan she remembered.

The small town of Midnight had a population of under a thousand people meaning everyone knew everyone else and their business as well. The older men gossiped every morning at the small diner at the end of town where they sat around with coffee and newspapers that they always grabbed but never seemed to read. The ladies did their gossiping at the beauty shop on the other side of town and it was a given that if you did something embarrassing or stupid, it was going to be discussed by everyone in town the next day.

As a teenager, Megan was busted for underage drinking along with her friends out at a farm party. She thought she could hide it from her parents by not saying anything or showing them the ticket. She was so wrong. Her father, somehow aware she'd had too much to drink the night before, served her runny eggs and made Megan

eat every bite. Afterwards she was lectured on the consumption of too much alcohol and being stupid enough to get caught. When he was done, her brothers took over and she was scolded again. After that incident, she learned how to stay one step ahead of the town’s small police force. Megan wasn’t sure they even had bullets in their guns come to think of it. All the three officers employed by Midnight ever seemed to do was hang out at the gas station eating Snickers bars and drinking stale coffee.

Megan turned her radio up and enjoyed the drive to her grandmother’s house. Nothing had changed since she was last home and that was what she loved about it her hometown. A girl could count on a place like Midnight and there was something oddly comforting about that very fact.

Megan passed farms that had been around since longer than she could remember. Her grandma and grandpa were farmers and it was only that they grew older and it became clear they couldn’t work the land any longer that they sold or leased pieces of it.

The house came into view and Megan let out a breath, the ache in her shoulders from the long drive easing immediately. "Home sweet home," she said out loud. The peace and quiet the house offered was exactly what she needed right now.

Megan pulled onto the narrow dirt road that led to the house and remembered the old tire swing that hung in the large trees just off the side of the drive. Megan always fought with her brothers for a turn and finally her dad grew tired of the bickering and put up two more swings.

Rounding the next corner, Megan saw the one story farm house, complete with a full wraparound porch. Built in the fifty's, every few years the house was given a new coat of white paint. It was a great way to get the family together and served as an

excellent excuse to have a BBQ in the large backyard. Megan remembered the paint wars she and her brothers used to have. Once she'd been grounded most of the summer as a result but it had been worth it. It was the one time Megan actually walked away victorious.

Megan parked her SUV in front of the house next to a blue pickup she didn’t recognize but bared the logo of her family’s construction company. Just as she opened the door and her feet hit the ground, the front door to the house opened and a large man stepped onto the porch. "I didn’t know anyone would be here to meet me." Megan smiled.

"Someone had to make sure you got here in one piece. Now get your butt up here and give me a hug," the man ordered.

Megan bounded up the steps to the porch where Grayson waited with open arms where she promptly rested her cheek on his chest and squeezed him as best she could. "It’s so good to be home, Grayson. I didn’t know how much I’d missed this place until I saw it."

Grayson rested his chin on the top of Megan’s head. "I’m glad you're back. Now I can quit worrying about you for an hour or two. Welcome home, bright eyes." Grayson laughed when Megan tried to hit him on the chest.

"I hate that name, Gray. Why did you ever start calling me that anyway?" Megan asked, staring up at him.

Grayson smiled back at her as he let her go and stuck his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. "When we were younger you followed us around. If we jumped, you had to jump higher. You just always had that sparkle in your eye when you were up

to something you shouldn’t be. That's how we knew when you were about to get into trouble. Or get us into trouble."

"I thought you all just followed me around to piss me off?" Megan said defiantly.

"That was just a bonus." Grayson looked out over the land he'd played on so many years ago and then looked back at her. "I do have another reason for being here," he finally offered as Megan lifted her eyebrows at him. "We need your help in the accounting department."

"What about Mrs. Hoyt? She's been with the company forever. Why do you need me?" Megan asked confused.

"She can’t do the job anymore. She's been working accounts payable and receivable but she hasn’t been sending out bills, Megan. She's been printing them and then forgetting to mail them. You need to help the company."

"How old is she? She can’t be more than 50, can she?"

"She was fifty twenty years ago. Gabby's trying to help sort through all the paperwork but she can’t do it on her own. She has her own work to do and it isn’t fair to her. It would be great if you could step in and take over."

"When do I have to start?" Megan asked carefully. Hell, she just got here.

"Now. The faster we get this situation cleared up and get things back on an even keel, the better." Grayson gave Megan one of those smiles that melted the hearts of the ladies all over Midnight.

Damn it! Megan sighed. "I don’t know. I just got here. Now I'm expected at work in the morning?"

"This company belongs to all of us. If we don’t work together then we all lose. Stop whining and do your share, Megan."

"You can’t boss me around, Grayson. I’m not 10 years old anymore." Megan snapped as she folded her arms across her chest.

"I can and I will. You don’t want to let all the people that we give pay checks to go, do you? If we don’t get the billing cleared up then we'll be handing pink slips instead of checks pretty soon. Do you understand?" Grayson ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Damn it! That was a low blow and you know it," Megan growled. Grayson knew their employees were her weakness. Most of the people her father employed had been with the company for years. "Can I have a few days before I start?"

"Sure. I'll expect you in the office bright and early on Monday."

Megan sighed at the thought of all the work that must be waiting. "Fine, you big jerk." She stuck out her tongue at him and he laughed at. When she slapped his arm, it made him laugh harder.

"Come on in and grab a drink, sweetheart. I'll unload your bags for you, okay?" Grayson held the door for Megan as she handed him the keys to her SUV.

"Didn’t you have a car in Florida?" Grayson asked, looking at the large SUV and then back at her.

"I did," Megan answered flatly.

"Then where the hell did the SUV come from?" Grayson asked, confused.

"Alan just bought it for me, bless his cold, black heart."

"Does he know that?" Grayson grinned.

"He will soon. I had the dealership send the bill to his office but that's only gonna work if he still has a job."

"I've missed having the old Megan around. It’s good to see that she's still in there."

"I've missed her too. That’s why I came home. I need to find her again." Megan said the words but there was a part of her that just wasn’t sure if she could actually do them. It had been so long since she'd done anything for herself.

Grayson smiled to himself as he opened the door on Megan’s SUV. "That's the Megan I know and love."

Chapter Seventeen

While settling in at the house over the weekend, Megan laughed every time one of her family or friends took a turn and stopped by. Shane and Gabby brought her several tomato plants to help get her garden started, knowing how much Megan loved plants and gardening. Brian and Dylan each came by with a case of beer they said was for her but she knew was really to stock her fridge for them. Ali was the funniest, however, bringing Megan a gift certificate for a makeover at MAC cosmetics and everything they carried in their new spring line. Her parents dropped by and brought her casseroles, blankets, and pillows. Megan thought it was sweet that they all worried about her.

Bright and early Monday morning, she was at the main construction office before eight. Grayson wasn't kidding when he said they desperately needed her help and she was thankful that the guys were working in the north office and not at the main one, where she was. She'd have surely taken out her aggression on them instead of the calculator she'd been abusing for the last few hours.

Megan made notes and tried to decide where to start first. It was pretty obvious that accounts receivable needed to be handled first. In order to pay the employees and buy the supplies they needed for upcoming jobs, the company needed money coming in. The work the job involved was daunting but not impossible.

Megan started Gabby on the payroll so they could get that out of the way. When she finished, Megan would have her assist with accounts payable. Most of the companies and vendors they were currently working with Megan had known for years. She knew all of the bills couldn't be paid at once so Megan decided to use the family name and started making calls.

Megan worked eight hours a day plus some overtime and took work home with her in the evenings but it didn’t feel like she was making much of a dent. Being upset at Mrs. Hoyt wasn’t an option the woman was old. If anything, it was the guy's fault for not noticing the situation sooner. Getting through everything and creating new systems for both departments that would ensure this type of thing didn't happen again wasn't impossible. Megan just hoped the guys wouldn't assume she'd be the one taking over.

The first time Dylan came and bothered her with questions, Megan exploded and told him to get the hell out of her office. In shock from her outburst, Dylan actually forgot that it was his office and not hers. He didn’t leave but leaned against the door jam and watched her work her magic on the phone. "Look, I understand you've had a rough month. However, you're taking the money my employees will use to buy food. This kind of billing is unacceptable and it will no longer be tolerated. If you can't pay on time then we'll no longer need your services." She looked up to see Dylan standing in the doorway and rolled her eyes at him. "I know you've worked with us for several years. Yes I understand. And I know you worked with Mrs. Hoyt but she's no longer in this department, I am. You have a choice, sir. Either pay by the end of the month or find another construction company." She hung up the phone and dropped her head into her hands.

"You okay, Megan?"

"I’m fine. I just can’t understand how this all got out of control and went on for so long."

"I think we were all just used to Mrs. Hoyt taking care of it. We weren't paying any attention." Dylan admitted.

"What are you doing for lunch?" Megan asked.

"I have an appointment with a client, why?" Dylan said, grabbing a file he needed from his desk.

"I'm hungry but I don’t want to go alone. Gabby's gone with Shane and I haven't seen Brian since this morning."

"Hey Dylan, you in here?" Grayson yelled from the outer office. "I need to ask you something about those new suppliers." Grayson smiled at Dylan as he entered. "Hey Megan. How's the cleaning up going?"

"We're pretty close to being finished. Hey, what are you doing for lunch?" Megan asked him.

"Nothing, why?"

"I don’t want to go alone. Wanna to go and grab a bite to eat with me?"

"Sure, just let me finish this," Grayson said, turning to Dylan. "Can I talk to you now or would after lunch be better?"

"After would be better for me."

"Great, see you later then." Grayson looked back at Megan. "I'll meet you out at the truck in fifteen minutes?"

"You got a date." Megan answered and picked up the ringing phone for the hundredth time.

Chapter Eighteen

Megan and Gabby spent a week getting everything organized and making sure things were running smoothly again. They'd caught up on all of the accounts and made deals with the ones that were remained unpaid. And Megan had reassigned Mrs. Hoyt to answering the phones and handling light office duties instead of working in the accounting office any longer. Megan could see the look of relief wash over the older woman's features when she realized she'd be free of the task. Although the sense of accomplishment was tremendous, by week's end, Megan was exhausted. All she wanted to do was go home, take a long hot bath and grab a good book and a beer.

Needless to say, Megan could hardly believe that Gabby and Ali dragged her to Tater’s, one of the biggest country nightclubs in Boise, instead. They told her ladies’ night was the perfect night to celebrate her divorce and her move home and it had been a long time since the three of them had been out purely for fun.

Looking at Ali, it dawned on Megan that she was even crazier than before, her outfit being a dead giveaway. Most everyone was dressed in boots and jeans, but not Ali. Instead Ali sported short jean shorts, a tight pink tank top, and mile high pink stilettos. Thank God Megan and Gabby refused Ali's fashion advice and went with boots. Megan had on a jean skirt with a green crop length button up shirt. Gabby had on jeans and a purple cap sleeve three-button top and each of the ladies couldn't deny the amount of attention they garnered just walking in the bar.

"Go get 'em, Megan," Ali taunted.

"No way. I’m not in the market for Mr. Right. I just got rid of Mr. All Wrong."

"Who cares about Mr. Right?" Ali laughed. "There are plenty of Mr. Right Now’s in here. Damn," Ali shouted. "These boys are hot!"

As Megan and Gabby laughed, Ali shrugged her shoulders. The three of them headed to the bar where Megan ordered a beer and Gabby ordered a rum and diet coke. Ali, ever the Ms. Fussy, ordered a vodka and sprite with a twist of lime. When the bartender handed them the women their drinks, Ali took a sip and promptly made a ridiculous face before handing it back over the counter. "Sugar, I'm not sure what kind of vodka that is, but please use Grey Goose," she ordered, winking at the bartender. Megan thought she'd gag when Ali batted her eyes at him and the man ran off, immediately making Ali another drink.

****

"Damn, Shane. Pick up the phone." Dylan said in to his cell.

"Hello."

"Brian and I are headed over to the Outpost to drink beer and pretend to watch the Rockies game. You think Gabby will let you out of your playpen long enough so you can come with us?"

Shane laughed at Dylan who just couldn't help sounding like a jackass. It was just the way Dylan was wired. "I have to pass, man. I'm headed out to meet the girls at Tater’s."

"Tater’s? You mean Ali and Megan, too?" Dylan asked.

"Tater’s? I’m in! There are hot women there!" Brian shouted, overhearing the conversation.

"Do you want to meet at the office?" Shane asked.

"Cool. See you in fifteen" Dylan told him as he hung up.

"Hot date?" Grayson joked, walking in as Brian was changing his shirt.

"Maybe. We're headed to meet the girls at Tater’s. You in?" Brian asked.

"Sure, I’m game." Grayson smiled. Why the fuck not?

Chapter Nineteen

Standing at the bar ordering yet another drink, Ali knew that she'd never get Megan or Gabby on the mechanical bull unless she gave them a shot of liquid courage and an idea formed. "Megs! Gabs!" she hollered across the bar. They'd just finished with a line dance and were headed towards her.

"Hey there handsome, how about a round of screaming orgasms for me and my girls? We're celebrating Megan’s loss of 170 pounds of pure asshole. Can you help me out?" she purred to the bartender.

"Whatever you need, doll. Would that be doubles or triples for you, ma'am?"

Smiling at him, Ali got on her knees on the bar stool and leaned in close. "Every girl wants a man to give her triples, but the question is can you perform under pressure, sugar?" Blowing him a kiss, Ali watched as he blushed under the hot lights that hung over the bar.

"What are we drinking to?" Megan said, unable to believe her eyes as Ali stood with a drink perched high above her head.

"To SpongeBob and Patrick!" Ali whooped. The girls had to stop laughing before they could drink their shots. "Here here!!"

****

Walking into the bar, Grayson wondered if he hadn't answered too hastily. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. For as long as he could remember, he'd felt responsible for looking after Gabby and even now, it was hard for him to turn the reins over to

Shane. Ali was just as bad. Who was going to look after her if the three of them didn’t? Megan had Brian and Dylan but the thought of seeing her dancing around with other men wasn't something Grayson wanted to think about. Seeing her at all was going to be hard on him.

"Are they doing shots?" Shane asked, seeing the three women at the bar.

"Looks like it," Grayson replied, shaking his head. This was just what he was hoping to avoid.

"Did Ali just say SpongeBob?" Dylan questioned?

"What the fuck, were you drinking on the way over here?" Brian said, looking at his brother like he was crazy.

"Fuck you!" Dylan replied, punching Brian in the arm, which prompted a quick flip of the bird from the younger brother.

"Do you two need a time out?" Shane said, laughing at the two of them.

"Brian started it." Dylan sulked.

Shaking his head, Grayson gave them both a hard look. "And I'm finishing it. Grow up assholes and let’s go get a beer. The first round is on SpongeBob here." Grayson slapped Dylan on the back a little too hard.

Walking to the bar, Dylan borrowed a phrase from Ali and shouted "Fuck all, y'all!"

The girls set their empties on the bar right as the boys walked up. "Well look what the cat drug in? Buy me a drink, handsome." Ali said, not talking to any of the men in particular.

"Are you having fun?" Shane kissed Gabby as a form of hello.

"I sure am but I'm better now that you're here." Gabby smiled up at him.

"Where the hell are your clothes, Megan?" Dylan asked, half jokingly.

"On my back, asshole! What does it look like?" Rolling her eyes, Megan felt sorry for whichever poor woman tried to make a human out of him as the first few bars of Brooks and Dunn's Boot Scooting Boogie started to play. Winking at Grayson, Megan grabbed him by the hand. "Come on. You're going to dance with me. Let’s see if I remember how."

On the dance floor Grayson twirled and whirled her around as they laughed and Megan was surprised at how easy the steps came back to her. It had been far too long since she'd let her hair down and enjoyed herself like this. She'd make sure this time that time didn’t fly by before she did this again. Of course with Ali as a friend, Megan was sure to get out a lot more now.

"You look nice tonight. Don't worry about what Dylan, the Super Dumbass, says."

"You clean up nice too Burke. Didn’t know you had it in you." Megan replied with a wink.

"Nice Boots."

She burst out laughing "What a great comeback, Gray. A real zinger there buddy." The dance song ended and immediately picked up with the first bars of George Strait's The Chair. Looking into Grayson's eyes, Megan reached out and grabbed his right hand in hers and stood there watching him as he stared at her. Batting her eyes at him to cover the embarrassment she felt, she said the first thing that came to her mind. "Come on Gray, I love this song."

"I've always liked this song, too. Just don’t tell anyone or I will have to strangle you," he whispered, pulling her into his arms.

It felt like heaven to hold her close during the short dance. Grayson could breathe in the scent of her this way. The top of her head came up to his shoulders fitting just perfectly under his chin. She felt tiny in his arms and Grayson had the sudden urge to protect her. He'd always felt that need but just never allowed himself to admit it. How could a little thing like Megan make him feel this way?

Neither spoke until the song ended, each becoming embarrassed by their behavior, unable to meet the other in the eye. Still holding her hand, Gray finally spoke. "I need a drink, how about you?"

****

Megan chuckled softly and thought how weird but nice it was to be in Grayson's arms. Hell, it was nice to be in anyone’s arms lately. Megan had to admit she'd been a bit lonely lately so that alone probably had a lot to do with it. At least Grayson wasn't a fucked up, cheating asshole. And there wasn’t any pressure to be someone she wasn’t around him so she could relax and just enjoy herself for a change. And he smelled really good, too. Why hadn’t she ever noticed that before? Maybe she'd had too many of those shots Ali kept throwing at her.

Megan nodded that she'd heard him but made no effort to let go of Grayson's hand as he led her through the crowded bar. Uncertain of her feelings, Megan had never thought of Gray that way before tonight. It had to have been the drinks. The pair made it slowly to the table that Ali and Gabby picked in the middle of the room. And where the guys were suspiciously absent.

Chapter Twenty

"Where are Dumb, Dumber and the Doctor?" Megan asked.

"Getting drinks," Gabby answered as Ali was too busy laughing.

Standing up and stretching, Ali felt a touch on her shoulder from behind. Turning expecting Dylan or one of the boys, the rude remark died on her lips when she saw a living, breathing Elmer Fudd staring up at her.

"Hey Red, I've been watching you and noticed you were alone, just waiting for me to ask you to dance." Elmer said after clearing his throat.

Grayson gasped and muttered under his breath. "Oh fuck," as Dylan, Brian and Shane approached from behind the strange man.

Ali placed her hands on her hips and took a deep breath, giving him a heartbreakingly charming smile in the process, which he must have taken as encouragement. "They're playing a slow song just for us. Come on, Red. Let me make you happy."

"You okay, babycakes?" Ali asked a red faced Megan as she started coughing in her drink.

Holding up her hand, Megan stopped sputtering on her drink and nodded. "I’m good!"

Elmer’s eyes left Ali's face and wandered to her breasts where they sat frozen. "As for you sugar, it hurts me to break it to you, but your yearly salary doesn't have near

enough commas to support even a quarter of my shoe habit," Ali offered in her sweetest southern voice. Please do everyone involved in this sad little situation a favor and scamper back to whatever little hole you crawled out of." Placing her hand under his chin, Ali lifted the man's head until his eyes met hers again. "Thank you," she said, reached her hand up and patting him on the forehead.

As Elmer began to open his mouth, Dylan, Brian, Grayson, and Shane stepped from behind him. Re-evaluating his position, the man was gone in the blink of an eye.

Megan and Gabby were rolling with laughter while Ali looked on in disgust. "Why the hell does an Elmer Fudd creep like that think that he can ask me to dance? Ewwwa, yuck! Where’s my drink? It better have Grey Goose in it and not that other shit!" Dylan stepped beside Ali and handed her a glass that she downed it in two gulps

"Shit, Ali, that stuff is potent." Dylan told her.

"That had to be the funniest thing I've ever seen!" Megan said, taking a sip of her beer.

Chapter Twenty One

Coming out of the bathroom, Megan headed back to the table and she’d almost made it when she ran into a man. "Oh, I'm so sorry," Megan said, looking up into a strange face.

"That’s okay, little darlin," the man said to her with what he thought must have been sexy grin, a dip of tobacco staining his front teeth.

"Well, excuse me," Megan said although the man made no attempt to get out of her way. When he tried to grab her by the arm, Megan snatched it away. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I just want to dance with you, baby."

Is it Moron one liner night or something Megan thought to herself? "I'm sorry but I don’t think my boyfriend would like that too much." Great Megan said, swearing under her breath. Not only do you talk to yourself but now you're making up fake boyfriends.

"I don’t see you with anyone," the man said to her as he bent down closer.

Megan pointed her finger in the direction of the table where Ali and Grayson were sitting. "He's right over there talking to the red head." Megan couldn’t help the groan that came from her throat after she got a whiff of his breath. Didn’t he believe in oral hygiene or something close to it?

The man looked in the direction Megan pointed and then looked back at Megan with a sleazy grin. "It looks like you've been replaced."

Megan tried to get back to the table but only managed to get a few steps away before the man grabbed her arm again. Jerking her arm out of his grasp, she finally made it over to Ali and Grayson. Megan plopped into Grayson’s lap and turned to make sure the man was watching her. She threw her arms around Grayson’s neck and kissed him hard on the lips, surprised when Grayson pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Megan could feel herself melt and start to really enjoy what she was doing until she realized who she was kissing. This wasn’t right!

Megan reluctantly broke the kiss and looked behind her to see if the man was still watching. At least that was the excuse she sold herself as she attempted to get her feelings under control before she faced Grayson. The man must have walked away because he wasn’t there when Megan looked up. Megan turned back to Grayson with a smile that she didn’t feel.

"Thanks Grayson. I never knew you were such a great kisser," she said before she kissed him on the cheek to cover her embarrassment.

Grayson opened his mouth to say something but shut it again, apparently unable to put two words together. He was still in shock.

"How come I never knew you were such a good kisser, Grayson?" Ali asked playfully.

"She doesn’t know because she's my baby sister. Get the hell off his lap, Megan!" Dylan shouted. Once Megan was standing again, Dylan glared at Grayson. "What the hell were you doing in his lap any way?"

"The last time I checked I was a grown up, big brother. It’s none of your business, you stupid jackass," Megan answered. She wanted to choke him instead. He always found ways to embarrass her.

"How would you like it if I was kissing on Gabby?" Dylan said, turning to Grayson.

"Over my dead body, Dylan," Shane answered as he pulled Gabby closer to him.

"What about me?" Ali asked, clearly feeling left out. "Who’s gonna give me some sugar?"

Before Dylan could answer, Megan grabbed Ali by the arm. "Next round is on me," Megan said as they both headed towards the bar.

Grayson didn’t like the look Dylan was giving him. "Calm down, it was just a joke anyway."

"Better be, man," Dylan said before he marched away in anger.

****

Grayson was glad Megan broke the kiss when she did. The moment her lips touched his, all he wanted to do was get her naked and it wouldn’t have mattered if they were in a crowded bar or not. The bulge in his pants was proof of that. Even now he was still trying to get his hormones under control.

Shane took Gabby by the hand and tugged her towards the dance floor. "Come on, let’s dance."

Before walking off, Gabby gave Grayson a questionable look and all Grayson could do was shrug his shoulders. He had no clue what had just happened any more than she did. Megan had taken him by surprise. Was this the sign he'd been waiting for that Megan was ready or was it just the alcohol making her a little more enthusiastic tonight? Either way, it was getting harder and harder to stay away from her. "Whatcha drinking honey?" the waitress asked, pulling Grayson from his thoughts.

"Whiskey." Before the waitress could leave and give the drink order to the bar, Grayson grabbed her arm. "Wait, make that a double instead. Watching the waitress walk away, Grayson decided coming out tonight had been a great idea after all. A smile broke across his lips that was more feral than anything. A lesser man would've backed away from Megan at that moment, but not Grayson. If he lost her friendship in the pursuit of gaining her heart, then he'd just have to be okay with that.

Standing at the bar, Ali looked at Megan. "What the hell was that all about with Grayson?"

Looking around for the cretin, Megan offered a safe answer. After all, she needed was her brother to hear her. "Elmer’s cousin tried to pick me up and wouldn’t take no for an answer. What was I supposed to do?"

"What the hell does he look like and where is he? What do you mean he wouldn’t take no for an answer?" Dylan asked coming up from behind them.

Megan rolled her eyes at her brother. "Calm down Dylan, I took care of it."

Ali put her arm around Dylan’s shoulder, leaned in closely and whispered breathlessly. "Come dance with me."

Many drinks later, everyone congregated back at the table. "I gotta get going," Shane said, looking at his watch. "I have a lot of appointments in the morning. What about all of you?"

"Screw it, I'm calling in sick. I'm sure my boss won’t mind." Ali giggled. "Wait! I am the boss."

Megan looked at Ali. "How the hell are we going to get home? You drove and we're both wasted."

"I don’t know about you two but I'm riding with Shane," Gabby said as she patted Shane’s thigh and winked at him.

When everyone looked at Brian, he put his hands up. "Sorry, I got plans," he said with a grin.

Dylan gave a hard look at Grayson from across the table. "I got this one buddy." He still wasn’t over the kissing scene between Grayson and his sister.

Chapter Twenty Two

A week before the fourth of July, Ali called Megan at home. "Megs, we need some excitement around here. Let’s have a party for Independence Day."

"Well hello to you too, Ali," Megan laughed. "Considering I don’t have any plans, I guess it sounds good. What do you have in mind?"

"We could have it at my house. I was thinking along the lines of a BBQ. I feel like cooking."

"You wanna cook? Just come over here and cook for me then." Silence from Ali. That couldn’t be good, Megan thought. When Ali was quiet it only meant she was planning revenge.

"Look missy, if you aren’t on board with this then don't come. It won’t bother me none .you know."

Ali was guilt tripping her, a fine art she learned from her mother. "Ali, I'd just die if I couldn’t go to your BBQ." Megan couldn’t help but laugh.

"Bite me, Megan!"

Megan laughed harder. "Just tell me when and what to bring. Have you told Gabby yet?"

"Not yet. I was going to call her after you." Ali looked at her list for her party she was planning. Ali always had a list. In fact, the girls kidded her that she was the queen of lists. "I have the BBQ covered. Can you make your pasta salad?"

"I can do that. Let me know if I need to bring anything else. I can call Gabby for you since I need to talk to her anyway." Megan wrote the date down on her calendar.

"Oh, bring a ride to the party. I plan on getting you a little drunk. I have the goose, you bring the peaches, okay?"

"I can bring the peaches. Did you call Dylan and Brian too? Who else are you calling? I can help you if you want."

"I haven’t called them or Grayson, but I have to call Dylan anyway so I'll let him know. As for the others, we can get the word out between the two of us. I was also going to invite the parents." Ali said. Which meant all of their parents and was easier to say than naming them off one by one.

They talked about the time and a few other things regarding the party. Ali was planning to have BBQ ribs. Megan took half of the list of to dos and started calling everyone after she hung up with Ali.

****

The morning of the party, Megan fixed the pasta salad she'd promised Ali. After cooking and draining the noodles, she added artichoke hearts just to piss her brothers off, knowing they'd make a comment of some kind. Megan stirred everything together and put the large bowl in the refrigerator to cool.

Megan poured herself another cup of coffee and headed to her bedroom so she could pick out what she was wearing. Although it was just family and friends, Megan expected Ali to go all out and for some reason, Megan felt like dressing up a bit.

Settling on capri pants in red, Megan added one of her favorite tops, a white empire waist camisole in cotton with little blue and red stars and ruffled trim on the bottom edge and straps. The only jewelry she wore was a silver star bracelet and a matching necklace, her earrings being the pair Dylan had given her last Christmas.

Since Ali was really into shoes, Megan made her selection carefully. It would be the first thing Ali noticed. Deciding on a pair of blue peep toe wedges with rhinestones on the straps, Megan knew they'd show off her new pedicure, which just happened to match her outfit

Megan took a quick shower and dressed. Her hair would be easy since she didn’t have to worry about the wicked Florida humidity anymore. Megan had naturally curly hair and had to fight with it all of the time before. Now that she was home again, she could add a small amount of mousse and let it air-dry. She just couldn’t decide whether to put it up or leave it down. It was going to be hot today and more than likely they'd be outside most of the party. Megan compromised and pulled the front of her hair up in a clip, leaving the rest to fall around her shoulders.

She added just a little bit of makeup and some lipstick and then Megan sprayed perfume into the air and walked into it just like her mom had taught her to do years ago. "You don’t want to smell like a Harlot," her mom would always tell her. Megan always wanted to tell her "no ma’am. I only want to smell a little cheap," but her mom probably wouldn’t have found that funny so Megan never said it. She wanted to, though.

A little while later, Gabby and Shane pulled into her driveway to pick her up. Megan grabbed the pasta and peaches out of the refrigerator and fetched her bag. "Hey honey. Are you ready to go?" Gabby asked as she grabbed the bowl and the bag out of Megan’s hands.

"I am. Let me just lock up so we can go party," Megan laughed.

"You look so cute, Megan. Is that the outfit we bought in Florida?"

"Ya, I felt like dressing up a bit. I threw a light jacket in my bag in case it gets cold tonight."

"Your blood got too thin in Florida. Cold to you will be warm to the rest of us," Gabby teased.

"Looking very nice Megan," Shane offered as the girls loaded Megan's things to which Gabby shot him a look. "But not as good as my Gabby, of course."

"It must be hard to get around your house," Megan said flatly while both Gabby and Shane gave her a funny look. "I mean with all the shit, you must have to wear boots all the time."

Gabby laughed hard at Shane’s expense. "That sounds about right to me," Gabby said right before she wrinkled up her nose. "Um, Megan, you're not seriously going to wear those shoes are you? Ali will skin you alive."

Megan looked down at her shoes. "What’s wrong with these? They're so comfortable." Megan wanted to see how mad Ali would get given that on her feet was a pair of old gardening shoes instead of the cute sandals Megan picked earlier. They had more holes than a colander.

"Okay, it’s your funeral."

"Thank God I’m a doctor," Shane whispered.

Chapter Twenty Three

The few miles out of town to Ali’s was a quick drive. Shane pulled in to the circular drive behind Dylan’s truck and jumped out to open the doors for both women. Megan and Gabby carried the food into the house, walking through the double doors without knocking.

Ali started a party planning business out of her home a few years ago but now had an office in town and was getting ready to open a second one near Boise. The kitchen was Ali’s favorite room in the house and Megan could see why. It was a beautiful room. Granite top counters with a center island where featured near a large walk-in pantry that Ali kept well stocked since she loved to cook. The cabinets were in a mahogany that matched the accents in the granite. The entire house was done in a hard wood that came into the kitchen and all the appliances were top of the line professional stainless steel. On the left side of the kitchen by the French doors was a large eat-in area. Over the stove hung all of the copper pots Ali used most within easy reach.

Megan put her pasta salad in the refrigerator and the peaches on the counter next to the bottles of vodka. To think Megan thought Ali was joking about getting her a little drunk. Gabby came up behind Megan with even more food and added her bags to the already overcrowded counter. "Looks like it was a good idea for you to catch a ride with us. Is it my turn or Ali’s to hold your hair back?"

Megan turned around to face a grinning Gabby. "Come on! That was one time."

"You know you can never live that down, right?"

"That’s what you two keep telling me. Why do you think I never went on another spring break with you two?" The trip Gabby referenced had been the girls first time

away from home and they partied like it was going out of style. In fact, to this day Megan could hardly remember most of that trip. Sadly, it had been an alcoholic blur. After that time, however, Megan promised herself to never get that drunk again.

"Did my sister finally make it here?" Dylan yelled from outside. "Get your ass out here and have a beer with me."

Megan walked towards the back door to go outside. "Yes sir, your royal highass," she answered as she pushed the screen door open. Everyone was there already. The parents, her two idiot brothers and Ali were all outside. Well, almost everyone. Megan didn’t see Grayson.

The dads were standing in front of the grill arguing on the correct way to BBQ. It happened every time they got together for family functions like this and it comforted Megan to see most things didn’t change.

Dylan met her halfway with a beer and handed it over before giving her a big hug. "Hey little bit, it’s about time you showed up. Did you learn those bad habits down there in Florida?" He had that glint in his eye that told Megan he was joking.

Before she could comment, her other brother Brian came up behind her and gave her a bear hug and the breath was squeezed out of her in a big whoosh. He let her go and whispered in her ear, "I see you're fashionably late."

"Will you two leave it alone already? Sometimes you boys can be such assholes." Both of their eyebrows went up.

"Megan! I didn't teach you to talk like that," her dad bellowed from across the yard. The man could hear a pin drop from a mile away. Her brothers laughed at her which only embarrassed her more.

"Dad, he said ass first." Megan sounded like she was ten again. Good lord, five minutes around Dylan and she was getting in trouble and even worse, she was whining about it.

"Megan!" Her dad warned again

"Yes sir," she answered her dad while glaring at her brothers, who were laughing at her. Sometimes Megan really wished she'd been an only child like Ali. It would have made her life a lot easier.

"Oh. My. God! What the hell is on your feet? You're not wearing those to my party, Megan." Ali barked as everyone looked down at Megan's feet. She raised one foot to let everyone see. Ali came forward and grabbed one of Megan’s arms to drag her into the house. "Come with me, missy. I know I have something that will look a lot better than those...things. I know you don’t mean to lack fashion sense, bless your heart."

"I just don’t know how you can put up with me sometimes, Ali." It was so hard for Megan to keep a straight face. Ali turned her head to look at Megan and bobbed her head in agreement.

Megan dug her feet in as she noticed what Ali was wearing. She had jean shorts on that would make Daisy Duke blush. A tight white t-shirt that left nothing to the imagination of anyone and red high heels that matched the lipstick she wore. Ali’s red

hair was in pigtails with blue ribbons that had stars on them tied into neat little bows. "I hope you have a fire extinguisher handy."

"Why do you say that?" Ali asked looking down at her outfit in confusion.

"Look at you. Most of the male population will go up in flames. Do your parents know you're wearing that?"

"Mind your own business. I think it’s very patriotic." Ali started to drag Megan towards the house again.

Gabby and Shane were coming out from the house as Megan and Ali were coming in and Gabby saw the look on Ali’s face. "I told you she'd freak out." Megan just glared at her.

"Ali, I have other shoes in my bag. You wanna see?" Megan asked while trying to get her arm free of Ali’s surprisingly strong grip. "This was just a joke. Would you stop dragging me around already?"

They walked into the kitchen and through the small living room and Ali stopped outside her bedroom door. "Megan, I'm so disappointed in you. You don’t joke about shoes. Did I not teach you anything?" She sneered down at her feet.

"Can I show you the real ones for your approval?"

Ali let out a long sigh. "I suppose." Megan grabbed her sandals, which Ali liked. With the shoe situation taken care of, they went back outside to join the party.

Chapter Twenty Four

Grayson was just finishing up a quote for a potential new client. Everyone at the office wanted this deal to work out as it would bring in a healthy profit and allow Megan's dad to branch out like they had planned. Grayson knew that with this deal, they could be one of Idaho’s leading construction companies.

He glanced at his watch and cursed. He was late for the party at Ali’s and he knew she'd be pissed but he could handle her. Grayson turned the light off on his desk and headed out the door, remembering he still had to go by the store and pick up some beer. Ali only bought sissy beer for men who obviously wore pink. If the name of the beer had more than two words in it, he didn’t want it.

Grayson looked down at his clothes. He didn’t have time to stop by his house and change. He wore a pair of faded jeans, a black t-shirt and his work boots. If Ali didn’t like it then she could kiss his ass.

Grayson finally pulled into the driveway at Ali’s an hour and twenty minutes later. The party was already going full swing and he could smell the BBQ as he made his way around the house to the back yard. Opening the side gate and walking through, Grayson could hear everyone laughing and talking with each other. Without saying hello to anyone, he headed through the screen door to the kitchen. After taking off his sunglasses and sticking them in his shirt, he grabbed a beer before putting the rest in the refrigerator.

Fresh baked pies were sitting on the counter and Grayson thought he'd take a quick peek and see. Before he could touch one, someone behind him cleared their throat. "I wouldn’t recommend that, son."

Smiling, Grayson turned around to see his dad, Charlie Burke and Megan’s dad. "I wasn’t going to eat one. I just wanted to see if there was any apple." He tried the innocent face that used to get him out of trouble as a kid but it obviously wasn’t working.

"You'd better not let your mother see you around those pies. She won’t think you're too old for a wooden spoon," his dad told him.

"Yes sir," Grayson said as he rubbed his knuckles remembering. He hated that damn wooden spoon. He even tried hiding them as a kid but his mom always seemed to have one in reserve.

Grayson finally made his way outside where long tables were set up under the patio so no one had to eat in the sun. His mom and Sarah Jameson were placing the plates and silverware on the tables. Music played through speakers shaped as rocks set around the yard. Ice chests sat against the house so guests could help themselves. Scott Landon was at the BBQ turning over the meat.

Brian was under one of the many trees talking with Megan, Gabby and Shane. Something funny must have been said because Gabby’s laughter reached him from the other side of the yard. Grayson couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. Life was good.

His dad and Collin walked past him and headed to the grill to argue with Scott. It was the same every year. Neither one of them could agree on anything when it came to BBQ. Scott thought they didn’t turn the meat enough. Collin thought that they didn’t brush enough BBQ sauce on. And Charlie just loved to start trouble between his two friends. It reminded Grayson of the way his sister, Ali and Megan carried on sometimes.

As Grayson walked off the porch steps, he saw Ali with her arm through one of Dylan’s. She was smiling up at him and Dylan had this dreamy look on his face. He popped the top off his beer and took a long drink, wondering what was going on with them.

Grayson gave Ali a smile hoping it would work with her unlike earlier with his dad in the kitchen. "Hello you two."

Ali looked over at Grayson and noticed that he was dressed for a work site. "Grayson, honey, what the hell are you wearing?" She asked with a hand on her hip.

"Sorry I'm late, Ali, but I was working on something and didn’t have time to run home and change." He did a double take and looked down at her outfit and shook his head. "What the hell are you wearing? Did you forget your parents would be here?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" When Grayson didn’t answer her, just glared at him. "You're late Grayson. At least Dylan came early to help set up. Isn’t that right, sugar?" Ali turned her head to wink at Dylan.

Dylan cleared his throat and looked at Grayson, who was looking back at him rather oddly. "What? I don’t see anything wrong with it." Dylan offered quickly.

"You wouldn’t, you suck up," Grayson said, moving away to greet his mother.

"It’s ok, darlin. We don’t need him over here anyway." Ali patted Dylan's arm and winked again.

Dylan wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I love to help a lady in need."

"I'll need you to help me in the kitchen later. I need a big strong man like you to get some things off the high shelf for me." Grayson watched as Ali tilted her head to the side and grinned at Dylan. "You think you can handle that, sugar?"

"Yes ma’am." As the pair started to walk around the back yard, Grayson noticed that Dylan flashed Ali a Jameson smile that could melt any girl's heart. What the hell?

"I just bet you can." He heard Ali say as she and Dylan slipped out of sight.

****

An hour later the women were in the kitchen taking all the dishes out of the refrigerator or off the stove. Megan went back and forth from the kitchen to the backyard, delivering the dishes and placing them on the tables. Grayson offered to help bring the pies out.

"Are you going to taste test them as you bring them out?" Megan joked. She knew that he had a soft spot for his mom’s apple pie.

"You don’t want anyone getting poisoned on this national holiday, do you? Could you imagine the guilt?" Grayson said with a boyish grin.

"Nice try, Gray. Just make sure you put them on the smaller table. Mom doesn’t want them cut until after we eat."

Grayson sighed in frustration but did as he was told.

"Ali, dad needs a big platter for the ribs. Can you grab one?" Grayson called to her.

"I have one but it’s up really high." Ali turned to look at Dylan who stood next to her. "Dylan sweetie, could you find it in your heart to help little ol' me?"

Dylan smiled down at Ali. "Are you a lady in need?"

"I sure am. I need a big strong man like you to get a heavy platter for me. It’s on a high shelf and since you're so tall, I thought you could get it for me." Ali spoke so sweetly that everyone who stood near here was sure to end up with cavities by the end of the night.

As Grayson was headed out the back door again, he made a disgusted sound. "That's just sick."

"What did he say, dear?" Megan's mom asked

"Oh, um, I think he said you have to try this." Of course Megan's mom didn’t believe her.

While Grayson was clucking and snorting at Dylan, Brian came into the kitchen and walked over to Ali. "Hey baby, you need any help?"

"I could never refuse help from a big guy like you, sugar. Could you help me with this heavy platter of corn?" Ali gave him that helpless look that always made men do her bidding willingly.

Brian took the platter outside like Ali asked as Grayson and Dylan stopped carrying on like children and watched him walk out the door.

"Looks like you've been replaced. And by your little brother no less," Grayson laughed to which Dylan just scowled.

On the table outside were hot wings, ribs, pasta salad, southern baked beans, roasted red potatoes with rosemary and garlic, grilled venison wrapped in bacon and onions, homemade coleslaw, grilled chicken, corn on the cob and homemade cornbread with honey. On the smaller table were apple pie, pecan pie, red velvet cake and a strawberry cheesecake.

""Man!" Dylan grumbled shortly after everyone fixed a plate and sat down to start eating.

"What?" Megan and Ali asked at the same time.

"This is all chick food. Well, except for the meat anyway."

"You're such a caveman, Dylan. I'm surprised you can walk upright and your knuckles don’t drag the floor."

"Megan, that’s enough," Collin said before she and Dylan could get going. Brian started laughing at his sister until Megan raised her brow at him. That shut him up.

"Wow, are those roasted potatoes? Don’t they look good?" Gabby asked, ever the peace maker.

Grayson’s mother was looking at Ali and Dylan sitting across from her. "You and Ali look really cute together."

Dylan choked on his corn on the cob while Ali smiled. "I'd make a cute couple with anybody, but I wouldn’t want to ruin a great friendship like ours." Ali gave Dylan a dark look. If he liked her, Grayson wondered, why was he being so obnoxious about it?

"I completely agree with you. Of course, dating Dylan here would just creep me out any way." Megan said as everyone at the table erupted in laughter. Dylan just gave her a dirty look.

Gray looked at Gabby to check her reaction. Just like he thought, she looked mad. He squeezed her hand under the table and she squeezed back.

They all made small talk as they ate and once the dinner was over, Megan and Ali took the plates into the house. All the moms offered to help but were told to sit and relax. Everyone had worked hard that day and deserved a break.

Chapter Twenty Five

Grayson and Gabby were sitting in the porch swing sipping one of the froo froo drinks Ali made. "Are you sure you don’t want one of these peach martinis?"

"Uh, no. I'd be afraid that my balls would shrivel up and fall off if I drank that. But thank you." Grayson took a sip of his beer and then sat it down on the ground next to the swing and looked back to the party. The blue and red on Megan caught his eye, again although he'd been trying hard not to watch her. He couldn’t seem to help himself. The sandals she was wearing were driving him nuts. And she had those little red toes peeking out. Before tonight Grayson didn’t even know that toes could turn a man on.

He rubbed his hands over his face. Jesus!

Across from Megan, Dylan and Ali and seemed to be looked in a heated discussion about fireworks from the bits and pieces Grayson overheard. Megan had her back to them and honestly, he wasn't trying to look but Grayson couldn’t help but notice that she didn’t have a panty line under the capri’s she was wearing. She was either wearing no underwear or had on one of those g-string things. Either way, staring at her was making him hard and he was starting to sweat. Grayson let out a groan and hung his head.

Gabby looked at her brother. "What’s wrong, Gray?"

"Not a thing," Gray said raising his head. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Jesus, he felt like he was sixteen all over again. This was one of those times a guy was afraid to be called to the board in math class. "No, that’s ok teacher. I’ll just take the F. Thank you, though."

Just then, Gabby noticed what her brother was looking at. Megan. Grayson looked at her like he wanted to devour her in one bite.

"Wonder if I'm the only one who's noticed?" Gabby asked, her voice low.

"What?" Grayson hissed, unable to believe Gabby might be going where he prayed she wasn't.

"Hope no-one else has noticed but I gotta tell you bro, I'm not sure. You aren't a very good actor." Gabby reached out and took Grayson’s hand in hers. "You’re still in love with her, aren’t you?" When he didn’t look at her or say anything, she squeezed his hand. His silence was her answer.

"What was Alan thinking? Didn’t he understand what he had?" Grayson looked at his sister with anger in his eyes. He still wanted to fly back to Florida and beat the shit out of Alan .

"I don’t know, Gray," Gabby sighed. "Why is it that a man like Alan can do such a thing to a woman like Megan and then she blames herself?"

"It's not fair. He rips out her heart and I can't even get a chance with her? I could make her so happy." Grayson thought about loving Megan for the rest of his life and his heart swelled. "I just don’t understand."

"What I do know is that it'll take a long time for Megan to trust a man again. She still blames herself," Gabby admitted.

Grayson jerked his head to look at his sister. "That son of a bitch!" He shouted.

When everyone turned to look at them, Gabby gave them all a big smile. "He just found out that Albertson’s won’t be carrying Count Chocula anymore," Gabby said as everyone laughed and went back to what they were doing before being interrupted by Grayson's outburst.

Ali looked at her Gabby as if she was an idiot. "How many of those drinks have you had?" But Gabby didn’t answer.

"Nice save, Gabby," Grayson laughed and nudged her with his leg as he bent down and picked up his beer. "Come on; let’s go get ready for the fireworks."

Chapter Twenty Six

Everyone gathered around to watch the fireworks. Brian was in charge of buying fireworks this year and everyone gathered around to watch his display. Needless to say it was going to be loud and very bright. Brian could never be subtle.

Since the temperature had dropped a few degrees as the sun set, jackets and sweatshirts were brought out. Gabby and Shane were snuggled under a blanket on the porch swing, her head lying on his shoulder. Megan and Ali sat on top of a big blue blanket with Dylan and Grayson right behind them holding fire extinguishers.

Since the "incident" of nineteen ninety nine, one could never be too careful. That was the year Grayson and Dylan had decided to use illegal fireworks and set a neighboring cornfield on fire. Since then they'd been banned from ever using fireworks again.

On the left of Megan were her parents. After all the years of marriage, her parents still snuggled together. Collin and Sarah had always shown affection towards each other and their children. Feeling like a failure, Megan sighed and took another sip of her very strong drink, losing count of how many had been shoved into her hand throughout the day.

To the right were Ali’s parents. Scott and Elle had been married for as many years as Megan’s and although they didn’t snuggle, they held hands. In fact, Megan noticed they were never too far from each other.

Gabby’s and Grayson’s dad, Charlie , had his arm around the back of Mary’s shoulders and she was leaning into him. Megan remembered that Alan would never

show affection in public and shook her head to get rid of the thought of her failed marriage.

"Are you okay Megan?" Grayson asked, looking at her intently.

"I'm Fan-fucken-tastic. Why?" Megan slurred, taking another sip of her drink.

"I think you've had enough there baby cakes," Ali said, taking away Megan's drink. When Megan gave her a dirty look, Ali gave Megan one right back.

Megan shook her head and tried to concentrate on the fireworks. Feeling a little tired, she leaned back against her brother.

"Hey Megan! Get off me."

Ali turned her head to look at Dylan. "That's a great idea. Let me lean on Dylan."

"Are we fighting over my brother? Because if we are, that's just gross." Since Ali was distracted by Megan's question, Megan snagged her drink back. "You snooze, you lose," Megan laughed when Ali realized what had happened.

"That's your last one Megan. To answer your question, no, we aren't fighting over your brother. I'm taking him and you can have Grayson." Ali turned to look at Grayson in case he wanted to argue with her but he was smart and kept his mouth shut.

Megan leaned back into Grayson’s arms and felt herself relax.

"Are you warm enough, Megan?" Grayson whispered in her ear and although Megan's mind was fuzzy, she couldn't help notice that he smelled her hair.

"I'm a little chilly. Can I share your blanket?"

Grayson gathered the blanket and wrapped it around the two of them while Megan rested her head on his shoulder and let out a little sigh. She was feeling warmer already.

Grayson put his arms around her to help warm her better. Who was she kidding? She just wanted him to hold her.

"Is that better?" Grayson asked again.

"Much."

****

The firework show lasted for a good hour and fortunately, nothing caught on fire. The fire extinguishers were put away and everyone gave a sigh of relief. With everything cleaned up and the leftovers put away, all of the parents took their leave and headed home.

The rest of the party sat around the table in Ali’s kitchen. Gabby sat on Shane’s lap while Shane rubbed her back. Every now and then he would kiss the top of her head.

Brian was leaning against the wall nursing a beer. "I got a hot date so I'll see you all later," he said as he walked to the kitchen sink to pour out the remainder of his beer, throwing the empty beer bottle in the garbage.

"I'm heartbroken! I thought we had something special after all the wonderful help you were to me this afternoon. Who's the lucky girl this week?" Ali asked, unable to keep a straight face any longer.

"I don’t kiss and tell, which you should be thankful for," Brian winked at Ali. Then he took his keys out of his pocket and left.

"What do you say we go to the hot springs tonight?" Shane asked the table.

"That sounds nice. What do you say, Megan?" Gabby asked her friend.

"To tell you the truth, it'll make me feel like a third wheel. Thanks, but no thanks." Megan wasn't into going to watch them make out. She wasn’t feeling too good about her love life and it would just make it worse to watch two people in love.

"How about you, Ali? You wanna?" Dylan asked with a wink and a wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Sure, what the hell. It’s better than staying home alone." Ali shrugged.

"Don’t get too excited now. I don’t want you to have an aneurism or anything," he told her and walked over to put his arms around her.

"We can drop Megan off at home before we head out then," Shane told Gabby as he kissed the top of her head.

"That’s okay Shane. I can drive her. It’s on my way home." Grayson told Shane.

"Are you sure you don’t mind?"

"Will people stop talking about me like I'm not here." Megan glared at Shane. She turned back to Grayson. "Can we go now?"

"Sure. I'll meet you out front."

Ali grabbed towels to take with them to the hot springs. Megan grabbed her jacket and promised to call Ali and Gabby tomorrow so they could plan a shopping trip and they all said goodbye.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Grayson was already in the truck when Megan came out of the house. She got in and buckled her seat belt and they waved to everyone, as he turned right out of the driveway while the others turned left.

"Grayson, it’s too early to go home, do you mind if we do something else?"

"What do you feel like?" Grayson asked her while keeping his eyes on the road.

"Do you want to go swimming in the pond behind grandma’s house with me? I take a swim every night now that the weather's gotten so nice."

Grayson didn’t know whether to thank the Gods for this offer or worry about making a fool out of himself. Go swimming with Megan seemed like both torture and a blessing at the same time. "I don’t have a suit, Megan." Maybe that would change her mind.

"That’s okay, Gray."

Grayson choked on his tongue and started coughing and Megan couldn’t help but laugh at him. "What’s wrong, Gray? Never gone skinny dippin?"

"No, not in years," he managed to get out while his throat tried to close up on him. Yup, this was going to be torture. The good thing it was dark outside.

A few minutes later they pulled up the driveway of Megan’s house. Megan got out of the truck and headed to the back door with her keys in her hand, unlocking the door and turning the kitchen light on as Grayson followed her inside.

"Why don’t you grab a couple of beers? I think there's a cooler in the pantry that we can put some ice in. I'll be right back with some towels."

Grayson watched as she headed upstairs. He went to the pantry and found the small cooler on a shelf by the door. Placing it on the kitchen table, he then went to the freezer and grabbed some ice before finding the beer she had in the fridge. Saying a silent prayer hoping Megan didn’t drink sissy beer like Ali did, Grayson looked to see what she had. Perfect! It was the same kind he'd bought earlier and left at Ali's.

Grayson finished putting the beer on ice and was zipping the cooler closed when Megan came back into the kitchen with a beach bag full of towels. "Are you ready?" "After you," he said with a bow, making her laugh.

"Thank you, sir," she answered sweetly.

They walked down to the pond in silence. Each in their own thoughts as they made their way to the pond following the path that had been there longer then Megan could remember. The pond was so calm it looked like glass in the moonlight.

Megan dropped her bag on the shore and took the cooler from Grayson. Kicking off her shoes and pulling off her clothing, without looking back.

Megan wore a bikini that definitely showed more than it covered. Their kiss at the bar came to mind but Grayson pushed it back. He didn't want to dissect it too much. Diving under the water, he watched as Megan swam further out.

"Come on in. The water feels wonderful," Megan called out.

Grayson sat down to take off his boots and socks. He stripped off his shirt and put it next to her clothing. He then stood up to unbutton his pants. With everything off but his briefs, Grayson made his way into the water.

"Holy shit! This water is freezing," Grayson shouted. Well, at least he didn’t have to worry about embarrassing himself now. Thanks to the chill of the water, his hard on was gone. Well, almost anyway.

Megan laughed at him. "You're such a baby," Megan teased, disappearing under the surface of the water before popping up a few feet to the right of where she'd started.

Grayson quickly swam towards her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Looking for me?" Megan screamed as she spun around. Now it was his turn to laugh. "Who's the baby now?"

Megan glared at him and then tried to dunk him but he was stronger than her so it wasn’t easy. Since Grayson was laughing so hard however, Megan got the jump on him. He sputtered below the surface and then came back up wiping the water from his eyes, grinning at her. Before she knew it, Grayson had her by the waist and he lifted her in to the air. "Pay back's a bitch, isn’t it?" he said before he threw her. She came up coughing pond water but laughing.

"Asshole!" Megan yelled at him.

"Don’t dish it if you can’t take it, bright eyes."

"You started it."

"What are we now, five?" Grayson asked with a raised brow.

"At least my parents didn’t name me after a crayon."

"That was grown up, Megan," Grayson laughed. She might be little but she had a mean streak and it Grayson thought it was great to see her showing it again.

"Kiss ass, Grayson Burke," Megan tried not to laugh but it was no use. Grayson knew in his heart that she was having fun and he wondered when she's last laughed this much.

"You're just so much fun to annoy." Grayson gave her one of his cocky grins. "Hug to make up?" He finally asked, holding out his arms.

Megan surprised both of them by walking into his arms. He wrapped himself around her as she put her arms around his waist. He held her tightly against his chest and kissed the top of her head. "I really am sorry, Megan. Forgive me?"

Megan looked up into Grayson's eyes. Megan nodded at him and smiled but he just stared at her until her smile faded. Then Grayson slowly lowered his head, never taking his eyes off of hers. Ever so gently he touched his lips to hers and when she didn’t pull away, he closed his eyes and really kissed her.

Megan stiffened in shock but Grayson didn't stop. This was his best friend's sister he knew that. He was like a brother to her. He knew that, too. But she was letting him kiss her. Strangely, it was wonderfully mind blowing. When he deepened the kiss, Megan slowly brought her arms up to his shoulders so she could run her fingers through his wet hair.

Grayson touched his tongue to her lips and she opened for him. A small moan left her throat and Grayson swore he’d never heard anything sweeter in his life. When she sucked his tongue into her mouth, he nearly exploded with want for her.

He slid his hands down her back and drew her in tighter to him. Megan broke the kiss and lifted her head to take a deep breath. This was crazy but yet it felt so good. He couldn’t remember being this turned on so quickly by any other woman but this was Megan! The same girl he'd taught to swim and the one that used to chase after him.

Grayson started to kiss his way down Megan's throat stopping at the curve of her shoulder. He slipped the strap of her bikini down to expose one breast and he grazed her nipple with his thumb. Megan let out a little moan of pleasure as she pressed against him. Grayson knew it had been too long since she had been touched like this.

"You're so beautiful, Megan," Grayson whispered against her skin. "I want to see all of you. Touch all of you. Taste all of you." Grayson replaced his thumb with his warm mouth, the sensation of the cool water mixed with his warm breath making goose bumps appear on her skin.

"This is crazy, Grayson. What are we doing?" The way he was touching and tasting her made it so hard for her to speak.

"I'm doing something I've wanted to do for years. I've been thinking of touching you this way forever. When you kissed me at the bar, I decided that waiting for you was no longer an option for me." Grayson looked her straight in the eye and asked the one question that could literally kill him where he stood. "Do you want me to stop?" He wanted Megan to really want him without any regret later. She had to want this as much if not more than he did.

"I've always thought of you as a brother."

Grayson stopped and looked up at her with a worried look on his face. "How do you see me now?""

"If it all falls apart, how could I ever look you or Gabby in the eye again?" Megan closed her eyes for just a moment before peering up at Grayson. When she finally gave a quick nod, Grayson gave her a wicked smile.

"Thank God because I don’t think I could've stopped now that I've started." He took her lips again. "I want you Megan," he growled in her ear. Even though it killed him inside, he let her go but kept one of her hands clasped in his as they headed towards the beach.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Thankfully the door to the house was unlocked which meant he didn’t have to wait to get inside. After following her into the house, Grayson slammed the door closed with his foot. Without breaking stride, Grayson grabbed Megan from behind and carried her into the bedroom. He set her down in front of the mirror that sat on her dresser and stood behind her. With wide and nervous eyes, Megan watched his every move. Wanting to put her at ease, he picked up her brush and started to slowly brush the tangles out of her hair. With every few sweeps, he'd graze her neck with his knuckles bringing soft sighs from her throat. Once he had all of the tangles out of her hair, he swept her hair aside and began exploring her neck with his lips.

Grayson knew he needed to take it slow with Megan because it had been a while but his instincts were driving him to mark her hard. He felt like the luckiest man in the world and mentally thanked Alan for being such an ass. Grayson brushed his fingers down her arms until he came to her wrists and then used them to pull her arms above her head, giving him better access to her breasts. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples and watched in the mirror as she hardened to his touch. The sensation also caused Megan to wiggle a bit and Grayson had to grind his teeth together so he didn’t lose it and shame himself. While he rubbed and pulled lightly on one nipple with his left hand, he used his other hand to slowly run down her belly and to the apex of her thighs. He smiled when he heard a little moan slip past her lips and he swore it was the best sound he'd ever heard.

With a growl Grayson turned her around and slammed his mouth over hers. There was that moan again and he couldn’t help smiling against her lips. He'd never been nervous about having sex with a woman but with Megan, he wanted it to be perfect. Knowing his body was hanging by a thread, he picked her up and walked to the bed where he laid her down. She stared up at him with trusting eyes and Grayson could

feel his heart swell with pride just knowing the look was just for him. Grayson used his thumbs to lower her bikini bottoms down her legs and threw them over his shoulder. His briefs were the only barrier between him and heaven. When she lifted her arms to him, he didn’t even think twice before going to her.

When Grayson started kissing her again, Megan shivered and Grayson knew he had to slow down and take his time. He started to whisper all of the naughty things he wanted to do to her and couldn't help but smile when a deeply held moan escaped her throat.

Grayson lifted himself over her on his elbows. Looking into her eyes, he entered her slowly and watched the emotions play across her face. When she closed her eyes on a sigh he lowered his head and rested his forehead to hers. This is what he'd been waiting for all his life and now that he had it, he'd never let it go. He wanted to tell her that he loved her but he was afraid that it would scare her away.

Grayson almost lost it when Megan bit her bottom lip. He used one hand to reach between them and rub her feminine folds. When her muscles started to squeeze him, he sped up his strokes. Grayson knew he'd died and gone to heaven because this had to be the best sex he'd ever had. No, that wasn't right. This wasn’t just sex but something completely different and he loved it. Sex would never be the same now that he'd been with Megan. With gritted teeth and one final stroke, Grayson followed Megan over the cliff and fell into heaven.

When he was able to breathe again, let alone move, Grayson lifted himself on his elbows so he could look at her. He was about to apologize for suffocating her but when he saw her face, he realized she was smiling. Using both his hands, he held her head so he could kiss her. This woman brought him to his knees and he couldn’t be happier about it. By the look on her face, she couldn’t be happier either. Grayson kept her

wrapped in his arms as he rolled to his side where Megan rested her head on his shoulder and lay her hand on his still rapidly beating heart.

"What are you thinking about? You're way too quiet." Grayson asked a relaxed and satisfied Megan, using his fingers to massage her arm.

"I was just thinking that this is really weird," she giggled.

"Weird good or weird bad?"

"Weird good but still weird. I've never thought of you this way and I'm not sure if I can look at you now without blushing."

"I've seen it all now. Why be embarrassed? Which reminds me. I don’t think I got to see it all clearly so we might have to do that again just to make sure. Turn over so I can see you from the back," Grayson couldn’t help but laugh when Megan slapped him on the chest.

After another round of lovemaking, Grayson wanted to talk but Megan's breathing had evened out so it would have to wait until later. For right now he would hold her and they could talk in the morning. With a sigh of satisfaction, Grayson closed his eyes and followed her into a dreamless sleep.

****

Megan wondered how she'd never seen this before. Grayson had been there all her life and she'd never noticed him. It made her feel powerful that she could turn on a man like Grayson so quickly. Megan felt invincible but she couldn’t let it go to her head because everything ended eventually and the thought of that scared the shit out of her.

Megan resisted waking up and before she opened her eyes, she remembered last night and began to blush. Did she really do that? With Grayson? In her bed? More than once?

When she finally had the courage to open her eyes, she found herself alone. Oh no! Did Grayson have second thoughts about last night like she was? Megan had to admit that it had been wonderful. Who would have thought that the easy going Grayson, who, by the way, she'd known most of her life, would be so good in bed.

Sitting up, Megan pulled the sheet to her chest and thought about what to do. If he acted like he regretted last night, then she'd act like it didn’t bother her. Yeah, right. Who was she kidding? Megan more than likely wouldn’t be able to face him without her face turning beet red. "Way to go Megan, you idiot!" she thought to herself. Megan dropped her head in her hands and sighed.

Just when she was about to lay back down in bed and feel sorry for herself, she heard a noise in the kitchen. Come to think of it, she thought she smelled of coffee? Was he still here? Oh god! Megan didn’t know if she was happy or if she wanted to jump out the bedroom window.

Not giving herself a chance to think anymore, Megan got out of bed and put on her robe. Squaring her shoulders, she made her way to the kitchen to face Grayson and the night they'd spent together.

Grayson’s back was to her when she walked into the kitchen and good lord if the man didn't look like a dark haired Greek God. Clearly when he woke he'd just thrown his jeans on because that was all he was wearing and they weren't even buttoned so they hung low on his hips. "Less to rip off him." Megan really needed therapy, and soon.

Since he wasn’t aware of her presence yet, Megan took her time looking him over from head to toe. She remembered those broad shoulders and the feel of running her hands down his back last night, touching him as his muscles shifted while he moved over and inside her. His hair was rumpled from sleep or lack thereof. And those arms that were stirring something on the stove had held her and made her feel so secure and loved.

Grayson turned from the stove and gave her a slow smile. "Good morning, bright eyes. Breakfast is almost ready. Sit down." He turned back to the stove and finished whatever he was doing.

Grayson had set Megan's kitchen table for breakfast. What a surprise. He was good in bed, he cooked and he had manners. What else was Grayson hiding? Megan sat down and watched him move around her kitchen and she had to admit, Grayson looked relaxed and at home in her kitchen.

"You look like you could use this." As Grayson handed her a cup of coffee, Megan smiled when she realized he remembered she liked cream and sugar. She would call for an appointment for therapy as soon as he left.

"You look tired," Grayson said, turning back to the stove.

"What’s for breakfast this morning?" Megan asked while she took sips of her coffee. "Change the subject, change the subject!" She kept telling herself while mentally smacking herself in the head.

"Nothing too fancy, just bacon, eggs and some toast. By the way, I thought you didn’t like grape jelly but I saw a jar in the pantry" Grayson questioned her.

"You remember that?" Grayson nodded but didn’t turn around.

"I remember lots of things." Before Megan could comment, Grayson went on to tell her that after breakfast, he had to leave because he was meeting with a client at a job site and he couldn’t reschedule. In a way Megan was glad because maybe then she could get her shit together.

Grayson filled two plates and brought them to the table. After going back for his cup of coffee, he sat across from Megan and dug into his food while Megan could only sit and watch him, the night before running through her head without ceasing.

"Stop it or I'll have to take you back to bed," Grayson ordered between bites.

"What are you talking about?"

"You keep looking at me like you want to eat me alive. If it wasn’t for my meeting this morning, I'd use this table instead of the bed because it’s closer." When Megan’s mouth dropped open, Grayson laughed at her. "Now eat your breakfast, bright eyes."

Megan and Grayson finished eating breakfast and Grayson loaded the dishwasher as Megan watched in disbelief. After he dressed, he bent down and lifted her from her chair and the next thing she knew, Grayson was kissing her and not the sweet kind of kiss but the kiss that led to sex kind. Just when Megan started melting, he pulled away. All she could do was stare at him and watch him wave goodbye.

"I'm so screwed," Megan mumbled as she headed to her bedroom to get dressed. "Completely and utterly screwed."

Chapter Twenty Nine

Looking at her watch, Megan knew she was never going to be on time, although running late to work was the least of her problems. It was still unbelievable to her that she and Grayson, Grayson Burke of all men, had the most incredible sex of her life last night. Earlier she was thinking how she was going to face Gabby but now she was trying to figure out how she was going to face Grayson. Every day. Megan was blushing just thinking about having to face him. Plus, what was with that kiss right before he left her house earlier? Was that a taste of things to come or a thank you for last night? Given that no mention of any future was discussed last night, Megan was confused as to what to do next.

Parking and walking in to the building, she said good morning to Mrs. Hoyt and went straight to the makeshift area Dylan has fashioned as her desk. Her real office was planned to be ready by the end of the week and Megan delighted in the thought of having a place to work where she could actually enjoy a bit of privacy. Opening her email, Megan went straight to work.

Two hours later, Gabby came back to Megan's desk to get a bit of help with billing. Megan wanted to ask about the hot springs but was afraid Gabby might in turn ask about Megan and Grayson so Megan said nothing.

"You really should've come last night, it was a blast!" Gabby offered as if reading her mind.

Megan tried to keep from smirking because she had a blast last night herself, but she couldn't say that to Gabby. She and Gabby had been best friends since birth and Dylan and Brian were like brothers to Gabby. Until last night, Megan felt the exact same way about Grayson. But as of this morning, there was nothing brotherly about how she

was feeling toward Grayson now. "I needed some rest, but I'm glad you guys had a good time."

"How about we grab some lunch in about an hour. I'm starving already." Gabby asked her.

"Sounds good. I should be at a stopping point by then," Megan told her as the phone interrupted their conversation. "Yes ma'am?" Megan said to Mrs. Hoyt.

"Line 2 is for you. It’s the Collinson Company."

Waving bye to Gabby, Megan picked up the phone knowing this conversation wasn't going to go well. The Collinson Company owed the construction more money than any other and Megan had gotten nasty with them last week.

By the time her call ended, Megan had a splitting headache. What was it about people that made them think they didn't have to pay their bills on time? Looking down, Megan rubbed her temples.

"You okay?" the deep voice asked, causing her to jump.

Looking up slowly, Megan saw Grayson looking irresistible as he stood in the entry way. "A little headache, nothing major. You, ah how are you doing?" She answered shyly, smiling at him.

"Fabulous," Grayson replied grinning from ear to ear. "Can you look at the computer in my office for a minute? It was giving me a fit earlier," he said, raising his eyebrows at her.

"Yeah, sure." Grayson followed Megan into his office and shut the door behind him. Before she could get to the computer, he pulled her close and trapped her back against the door of his office. Megan thought it was a good thing her hair was down or it wouldn't have been salvageable given the way he was running his hands through it as if it were a lifeline. It was amazing how fast he could turn her from completely frustrated to hot and bothered. At first Megan started to push him away but then he started to kiss her neck and she was gone, a million miles away. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own because they slowly made their way up and around his neck.

****

Grayson couldn't help himself, when he saw Megan he knew he had to kiss her again. He had wanted to stay with her this morning so he could show her just how much he wanted her all over again but the meeting he'd scheduled couldn’t be put off. As it was Grayson had never run through a meeting so fast in his life but he had to see her again so he had proof that she was real and last night really happened. Pulling away from their kiss, he looked into her eyes which were as beautiful now as they'd been last night, lit up with arousal for him. "I'm not going to say I'm sorry for that anymore than I'll say I'm sorry for last night because I'm not." Grayson waited for Megan to say something but she stayed quiet so he went on. "Are you going to say anything?" Her silence was starting to make him nervous. Had she changed her mind since he last saw her?

"Yeah, last night was umm …" She began but didn’t finish but blew out a breath and blushed instead.

"I feel the same way," Grayson made his way to the black leather sofa nearest t hem and sat down. He laughed when she sat at the other end and he raised one of his eyebrows in question. "Megan?" He thought her embarrassment was cute since she'd

let him see and touch just about everything he knew she was hiding under her sedate looking suit.

"Where do we go from here, Grayson?" Megan questioned.

Smiling, he was glad she couldn't read his thoughts at the moment. Then again, after last night, she might not mind what he was thinking. "That depends on what you have in mind. I was thinking a picnic at my house tonight. You game?" Grayson leaned back and crossed one leg over the other, hoping to put her at ease although she looked ready to bolt at any moment. Those legs of hers were driving him mad but he wanted her to relax. Any thought of Megan changing her mind or regretting last night was like a knife to his gut.

Megan took a deep breath and Grayson knew she was stalling. A "yes" would mean they were involved and he sensed her hesitation with going that far just yet.

"Look Megan, I'm not going to beg. Either you want to spend time with me or you don’t, the past notwithstanding." Grayson wasn't going to let her weasel off the hook this time because she meant the world to him Maybe he could've walked away before he'd had a taste of her, but now, there was no way. It would kill him and he knew it. Walking away from her just wasn't going to happen.

Chewing on her lower lip, Grayson waited for Megan to speak/"It’s not that, Gray. It’s our past together and my past and what I just came from and…"

He cut her off without even thinking. "I know you're not comparing anything about me and you to what you had with that shit for brains Alan." Grayson refused to be considered anything like that man. He'd never cheat on Megan or leave her wanting more. He was totally committed to this, to them, and he hoped to hell Megan was too.

"You're nothing like Alan and I know that, but what about our families and our friendship? Can we take things slow and see where it takes us?"

"I can do slow but I'm not going to lie."

She leaned in and kissed him. "I don’t mean lie but just be quiet for God sakes. Do you think we need Dylan in our business? Or Brian for that matter? You know they'd blow a gasket."

Grayson had to laugh because Megan was right. Dylan wasn't one to tolerate anything about Megan and the thought of Gabby going out with Dylan made Grayson want to punch Dylan in the face. Maybe keeping things quiet was a good thing. "You're right. Let’s see where this goes and keep it quiet for now."

"You wanna make out?" Grayson asked, flashing Megan a mega watt smile as she laughed and stepped from his office..

****

Megan couldn't believe she was headed to Grayson’s house for a picnic. It seemed like a romantic thing to do but she'd never seen Gray in that light before. She was interested to see what else he was hiding. Of course she knew what he hid beneath his dirty work jeans and lordy was she happy about that. Just thinking about Grayson's body sent goose bumps popping out all over her body, her mind swimming in anticipation.

Facing her closet, Megan had a hard time deciding what to wear. It was just a picnic at Gray's for goodness sake. But that was the thing though, it was Gray.

Everything meant so much more now because it was Gray and honestly, Megan didn’t know why and she didn't want to look at it too closely. This was just a summer fling and nothing more. It would end eventually. Flings always ended, right? Had Megan been meeting anyone other than Gray she would've asked Gabby or Ali for advice but since that wasn't an option this time, Megan was on her own. In the end, Megan opted for being casual and chose khaki shorts paired with a pink summer top and pink flip flops. Ali would've had a fit if she saw Megan because there was no way she would have let Megan wear pink flip flops with toes that were painted red. Checking her watch Megan needed to get a move on or she'd be late.

In Grayson’s driveway, Megan hoped Grayson wouldn't be upset that she decided to bring something after he specifically told her no but the peach cobbler was still warm and she knew it would make him smile. Next to his mom's apple pie, it was Grayson's favorite dessert.

Grayson bought the old Alford place and seeing all the work he'd done firsthand left Megan dumbfounded. The house was nothing short of amazing. Growing up it had been a wild tangle of overgrown weeds and a broken down shack but it was nothing like that now. The rocking chairs on the wide porch and gorgeous bay windows in the front gave the whole place a welcome feel. Who would have thought that Grayson would build a California style bungalow? Grayson was an architect so it stood to reason he would have a great house.

Taking a deep breath, Megan knew things were never going to be the same between them again and the fourth of July would forever have a new meaning in her life. Knocking on the door, she heard Grayson yell.

"Come in, it’s open!" Megan let herself in the house and shut the door behind her. The cleanliness of the house was the first thing she noticed which was definitely a

change from his office. His office at work was known as the "pit" and that was only because everyone tried to be nice. Smiling, Megan was going to have to give him hell about his office now. If he could keep his house clean he could certainly shovel out his office occasionally.

"Grayson!" Megan called, making her way to the back of the house.

"Out here," Gray responded and Megan had to smile. Grayson had really outdone himself. Walking through the kitchen, Megan noticed the back patio was covered and set with tiki torches to give off soft lighting. Music was playing and the table was set with fine china, cloth napkins and crystal stemware for two. Megan froze when she realized Grayson had gone to all this trouble for her.

Feeling arms come around her waist and feeling Grayson’s lips on her neck, Megan let out a soft sigh. Getting used to this wouldn’t be hard at all and that's what scared Megan the most.

"Glad you could make it," Grayson told her quietly.

"Me too." The closeness felt nice yet Megan was still uncomfortable in many ways. Conscious of the consequences, Megan felt the need to slow things down a bit. Untangling herself from him, Megan started talking.

"What’s for dinner?"

"It’s funny that you should ask that. Normally my go to girl would be Ali, but I didn’t want to call her and ask. So I decided we'd go with steak and baked potatoes. I

bought some stuff we could use to make a salad with but I'm not exactly sure what goes in one."

"Not one much for rabbit food huh?"

****

"Caught me." Grayson turned back to the grill. "I'm just a meat and potato man, nothing fancy about me." Grayson wanted Megan to know he wasn’t the stuffed shirt she'd been married to before. He was just a man that was in love with a woman. There was nothing special about that but in some ways it was the most prefect thing in the world. It didn’t mean that he couldn’t dazzle Megan if he chose to but he didn’t want to go that route to get her. "I wasn’t sure if you'd like beer or a glass of wine so I have both in the fridge."

"Okay then, I'll be right back. What do you want?"

"Surprise me, bright eyes." Megan's comeback was a mumble of words Grayson was probably better off not knowing. He knew she hated that nick name but he planned to keep using it just to rile her because honestly, Grayson loved watching her wrinkle her nose up at him.

Grayson had the entire night planned in his head. He was going to feed Megan and have a drink with dinner then they'd have dessert and watch a movie. He just hoped he could last through the movie before he started pawing her. They were bound to end up in bed again and he couldn’t wait to touch that body of hers. He wanted to memorize her with his hands.

Megan came out of the house with two bottles of beer. Handing one to Grayson, she took a sip of the other and Grayson couldn’t help but watch her throat as she swallowed the cold beverage. He could feel his jeans get tighter by the second. Maybe they could skip dessert and just watch a movie instead? When Megan licked a drop of the beer off her bottom lip, Grayson groaned. Maybe it would be just dinner and no movie because Grayson wasn't sure he could make it through anything more without touching her. Their eyes met and he knew that it was hopeless to even try and make it through the dinner. He needed her. Now.

Megan gasped when Grayson grabbed her free hand and dragged her over to him, taking the beer bottle out of her hand and placing it on the small table next to the grill. With a turn of his wrist he turned the grill off.

"I tried, I really did but I need you now, Megan." Bending his head, he took her lips in a soft kiss, their lips just barely touching until he heard her sigh into his mouth and then it was like flipping on a switch. Holding her head between his hands, he took them deeper until only the two of them existed.

****

Megan was still reeling from Grayson grabbing her. Now he was kissing her and all she wanted to do was get naked with him. How could a kiss turn her on so fast and be so powerful? She'd never felt anything like this before with another man. As Grayson’s lips started to kiss a trail down her neck, she knew it was over and he could make her do anything he wanted. Megan grabbed the front of his t-shirt and said something she'd never before uttered. "Please make me yours."

Grayson stopped kissing her long enough to pick her up and head for the doors. They could eat later.

Chapter Thirty

Grayson seemed to have a permagrin on his face lately. He had no complaints whatsoever but Dylan had questioned him numerous times about it. After promising Megan to keep quiet about the two of them, Grayson had to come up with a reason to give Dylan other than the truth and he hated it. He'd never lied to his childhood friend and it was causing him great pain but he wanted to be with Megan even more. He finally came up with a story about a woman he'd met a few weeks ago and Dylan never pushed him further on it so the two best friends left it at that. Talk about feeling guilty.

It was Thursday and Grayson had a meeting with a client scheduled for tomorrow and Brian would be going with him to help "schmooze," as they put it. He had no idea what that meant nor did he really care to be honest. Grayson just made the building plans and Brian took care of the clients. The system worked.

Grayson was still going through the mountain of paperwork when Brian came in with a look on his face.

"Hey man, what's going on" Brian said as he made himself comfortable on the sofa in Grayson’s office. It always amazed Grayson that Brian could land anywhere and look like he was right at home.

"Not much. I gotta a lot to do before we leave tomorrow. What do you need?" Grayson really didn’t have time for chit chat at the moment. Plans for the new building addition for the O’Reily account were missing and Grayson had no idea where they could've gone. He'd have to ask Megan if she had seen them because she always seemed to know where everything was which was downright spooky at times.

"I forgot that I already made an appointment with a client tomorrow. It wouldn’t matter too much but it's with the Schubert’s. If we want to land them, I can’t back out. It wouldn’t look good." The O’Reily account was a big one and needed to be handled with tender loving care. Of course the Schubert account was just as important. Which one should they cancel? Either way they were going to look like idiots in someone's eyes.

"I don’t need this shit right now, Brian," Grayson grumbled while running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Why didn’t you notice this until the day before we leave?" Grayson's voice was starting to rise which wasn't a good sign.

"I'm sorry man but I honestly don’t know how it happened. You're going to have to take Dylan or Gabby with you instead."

"Take Dylan with me to meet the O’Reily’s? Are you kidding? That would be like taking a bull into a china shop. He doesn’t have the patience for this shit. He'll get all worked up over some clause in the contract he thinks is costing the company too much. You know how he is when it comes to money. Plus, Gabby and Shane are leaving for the weekend for some medical convention." Grayson stood and began pacing his office trying to think of a solution to the problem when a knock came at his door. "What?" he bellowed.

Megan peeked around the corner with a worried look on her face and Grayson immediately felt guilty about yelling at her. He was being an ass but he couldn’t help it. But he may have found a solution to his problem. "Megan, sorry sweetie, come in. I was just fighting with your brother." Grayson could see Brian giving him a dirty look out of the corner of his eye.

"Why are you two fighting?" Megan asked, sitting on the sofa next to Brian.

"Well, it seems Superman here can't be in two places at once and we need to meet with the Schubert’s and the O’Reily's tomorrow. It wouldn't normally be a problem but I've never met the O’Reily’s and this is where we need to really wow them if we want the new sub-division contract."

"Hey!" Brian interrupted, "Megs, do you remember Marcia Lewis? She was a little older than you?"

Megan gave him an odd look. "Yes."

Brian held his hand up at Grayson, "I know, I have a point. Anyway, she's married to James O’Reily's oldest son. Gray, take Megs with you and then at least there'll be a connection." Brian smiled and stood. "Problem solved. Megs, pack your bags. It'll be good for you to get away."

Grayson could hardly think. Not ten minutes before the thought of being away from Megan was crushing him and now they were going to get three days alone, away from everyone and they didn't even have to lie about it. "Brian, you might want to ask Megan if she wants to go with me and make sure she doesn't have other plans." Good job Burke, that'll keep them off the trail, Grayson thought to himself.

"I think Ali and I might have had plans, but I'm sure she'll understand. I'm in. And maybe we could do a little shopping, too."

Brian barked out laughing. "And at the mention of the shopping excursion I'm out. Good luck with that, Burke!" Brian was still laughing as he left Grayson's office.

Grayson and Megan smiled at each other because now they were going to have a weekend together compliments of Brian. "I wonder what we can do to pass the time in between meetings?" Megan wiggled her eye brows at Grayson. She had a few ideas and wondered if he'd be game. Walking up to him slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear just exactly what she was thinking. His hands squeezing around her waist and a groan were his only reply. "Brian always was my favorite," Megan giggled.

****

The following day Grayson and Megan touched down in Denver ahead of schedule allowing them a few hours for some alone time. Not wanting to waste a moment of it, Grayson nearly dragged Megan through the airport and to the car rental office.

They made their way to the hotel and Megan couldn’t help the butterflies in her stomach. She was nervous about having so much time alone with him but she was also really excited. She'd be able to wake up in his arms without worrying which is something she'd wanted since they began sneaking around. Grayson always left before sunrise so he could head home before work and shower. The lies they were telling, or rather the omission of the truth, was starting to get to her but knowledge of what might happen if Dylan and Brian found out always outnumbered the honesty issue.

They pulled into the hotel parking lot and left the rental with the valet and made their way into the lobby. Grayson checked them in and when he was finished, he guided her to the elevator with his hand on her lower back. It was such a small gesture but Megan couldn’t help being comforted by it. Grayson was a large man but he didn’t throw his weight around like Dylan always did. He was a bit more subtle. Grayson wasn’t a push over by any means but he didn't try to overwhelm Megan with all the

testosterone her brother was so quick to display. Instead, Grayson made Megan feel safe and not vulnerable like she'd felt before this little fling had started.

"Earth to Megan," Grayson was laughing at her with a knowing smile. "Are you going to come in or not?" Grayson was holding the door to their room wide open.

"Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts." How embarrassing to be caught standing there like an idiot? Megan gave herself a mental shake as she walked into the room.

Grayson shut and locked the door to their room and walked over to Megan and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Resting his chin on her head, he sighed in contentment. Megan knew he was happy but she also knew he hated sneaking around like they were cheating. "What’s got you all quiet?"

"Nothing," She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I mean it." Grayson still didn’t look like he believed her and who could blame him? Even Megan didn’t want to admit that what they were creating was starting to scare her. "What's next on our itinerary, Mr. Burke?"

Megan knew Grayson wasn't buying her change of subject but he played along and she was grateful. He looked as if he was a bit out of sorts, too. He took the phone off his belt and acted like he was looking through the menu to which Megan gave a quick giggle. "Funny you should ask, Ms. Jameson. It looks like we're to spend a number of hours in bed before we have to shower and change so we can meet with the O’Reily’s. However, I see a problem."

"Oh ya? What's that?" Megan always loved it when Grayson’s voice got deeper when he got turned on.

"Too,." He unhooked a button on her blouse and gently kissed her lips. "Many." Another button and another kiss. "Clothes." The last few buttons were released and the kiss turned carnal in a heartbeat. Grayson slipped off Megan's blouse and let it fall to the floor. He did the same with her skirt so Megan was left in her bra, matching panties and her heels. She figured she looked innocent enough just standing there but she knew when Grayson touched her, he'd turn her wanton in a heartbeat. That feeling alone made her feel like the luckiest woman in the world. She was his even if he didn’t know it or tried to deny it.

"Turn around," Grayson ordered. Megan’s eyes widened but she did as he said. "Lift your hair." When she did, she realized Grayson had a perfect view of her slender neck and her shoulders. He kissed the space under her left ear and slowly made his way down her neck, peppering her with small kisses. Her shivers and goose bumps surely let him know he was turning her on as well. As he kissed her he undid her bra and slipped the straps down and off her arms. Reaching around her, he held her breasts and squeezed each tender orb which made her sigh. "You like that, don’t you?"

"Yes."

"Then you'll adore this." He pinched her nipples between the thumb and forefinger of each of his hands. Megan gasped as she pushed back into him. And Grayson couldn’t help but groan at the contact. Megan knew she was making it hard on him but she couldn’t stop all the little sounds coming from her throat. Slipping a hand past her belly to the top of her panties, Grayson fondled the bundle of nerves of her sex.

"Oh Grayson!" she yelled as she shattered into a million pieces.

****

Grayson needed to be inside Megan now. He couldn’t wait any longer so he ripped her panties and threw them over his shoulder. "Bend over the bed," he told her and watched as Megan walked the few steps to the bed on shaky legs and bent over so she could lean on her arms. As he walked towards her, he unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. Holding Megan with one arm, he lowered his pants and briefs before he bent behind Megan and entered her in one swift motion, finding she fit him like a glove. He fondled one breast and used his other hand to rub between her legs and her muscles gripped him harder as she got closer to her second orgasm. He himself was only holding on by a thread.

His thrusts were getting quicker which made Megan groan louder. "I’m sorry baby but I can’t hold on much longer. I promise to make it up to you later." Grayson tugged at her nipple and flew over the edge with her.

When Grayson could breathe again, he slowly withdrew and helped Megan onto the bed and she looked up at him and smiled a satisfied smile. Sitting next to her on the bed, he bent down to kiss her lips and smiled to himself when she sighed. He was lost over this woman and he didn’t give a damn who knew it. He broke the kiss and raised his head to look at her. "I'll be right back so don’t move. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," Megan answered while giving him a mock salute.

Grayson stepped into the bathroom to clean up. When he saw himself in the mirror, he couldn’t help but chuckle. He'd never been turned on so much by a woman that he actually forgot to take his clothes off.

When Grayson got back to the room, he found that Megan had fallen asleep on the bed. She'd pulled the covers back and gotten underneath the sheets. Stripping

down to nothing, he crawled in next to her. Megan automatically turned towards him and snuggled against him. Grayson closed his eyes and held her close as he fell asleep next to the one woman who could ultimately break his heart. He was willing to take the chance, though. Some things were worth the risk of heartache and Megan Jameson was one of them.

Later that evening, Grayson and Megan met with the O’Reily’s at a local restaurant. The meeting went well and they got the contract signed but Grayson couldn’t help sneaking looks in Megan’s direction the entire night. He felt like a caveman because all he wanted to do was throw her over his shoulder and head back to bed. He couldn’t get enough of her and to be honest, he was definitely okay with that. He just wished he could change her mind about the fling. He wanted to make it permanent but knew that she was still cautious about relationships. She was the one for him and he wanted her to be the last thing he saw at night and the first thing he saw every morning for the rest of his life. He just had to show her that not all relationships ended in misery. Some could last forever.

****

"Damn phone." Megan muttered as it continued to ring. All she wanted was a cold beer, a warm bath and nice, good book. "Hello!"

"Hey, baby."

"Hey Gray. I thought you were working late tonight."

"No, I changed my mind. Can you be ready in about twenty minutes?"

"It’s been a long day. I really just want to stay home and relax. Why don’t you just come over here?" The day had been hellacious and Megan could feel a headache coming on.

"Come on Megan, get ready. I have plans for us." Grayson was using his sweet voice which meant trouble was coming.

"Okay, what do I need to wear? Where are we going?"

"Wear something sexy. See you in a half hour," Grayson told her as she hung up the phone and realized he didn't tell her where they were going.

"Something sexy means high heeled shoes. Damn it!" Megan muttered to herself as she walked to her closet. All her shoes were staring back at her as if they were taunting her. Why couldn’t they go somewhere she could wear her sneakers? No, they had to go somewhere where heels were likely mandatory. Laughing at herself for being so sulky, she was sure Ali was the one that probably said sneakers weren’t sexy.

The knock came at the door just as Megan was stepping in to a pair of black heels. "Come on in," she called.

"Wow! You look fabulous," Grayson told her as she walked in the room. In a black suit with a cobalt blue shirt, Grayson looked pretty good as well and she told him as much. "And we are going where?"

"It’s a surprise," Grayson replied, sporting a devilish grin

Twenty minutes later, Grayson handed the valet his keys. "The Grove, really Grayson? What are you up to?"

"Let’s just say I wanted to show you off tonight. It’s not every day that 'I'm able to take a beautiful woman out to dinner." Megan could see by the look on his face that he meant what he was saying.

Walking into the hotel with Grayson’s hand on the small of her back made Megan to feel safe and secure. Even if this was just a fling, it was good to live in the moment for a change.

Megan had heard of the Grove but she'd never been until tonight. The first thing she noticed was the piano music flowing into the lobby. Instead of walking towards the music, Grayson headed to the front desk instead. Were they going to stay here? Apparently they were because the woman checked them in and gave Grayson a key card. Once they were out of ear shot Megan made him stop. "What’s going on, Grayson?"

"I'm going to be spoiling you tonight like you deserve. I got us a suite where we can have dinner together and maybe make out afterwards." That sexy smile of his was going to make her go crazy. "I even heard a rumor that there will be chocolate and champagne so you can get me drunk and take advantage of me if you want."

Megan smacked him on the arm. "Grayson Burke, you're gonna be the death of me."

"But what a way to go, right?" Grayson smirked.

They rode to their floor and walked towards their room. Grayson used the key card and held the door open for Megan, the smell of fresh cut roses surrounding her as she walked into the suite. A seating area was set up next to the windows that

overlooked the foothills of Boise. What really got her attention was the table set for two. The table was covered with a white linen tablecloth and there were rose petals scattered on top. Fine china was set complete with two crystal champagne flutes. A bottle of champagne was chilling in a silver bucket.

Grayson came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and Megan couldn’t help but lean back against him. Her brothers had always teased and picked on her but not Gray. He always came to her rescue. The lips against her neck brought her back to reality. Megan tilted her head to the side to give him better access and closed her eyes in contentment. ****

A knock at the door of the suite made Grayson growl in frustration because he had Megan just where he wanted her. Dinner! Damn it if he'd already forgotten.

"Sir." The waiter nodded his head to Grayson in greeting as Grayson walked to the table and held Megan’s chair out just like his mom had taught him. Once she was comfortable, he took his seat across from her.

Grayson was getting ready to order when he noticed Megan scrunching her eyebrows as she studied her menu. "Megan, hon. What’s wrong?"

Megan looked up. "Everything looks great but to be honest, I'd just rather have a burger." Megan’s cheeks turned a little shade of pink. When Grayson started laughing at her, the embarrassment turned to anger instead. "What's so funny?"

"With all these great choices on the menu you choose a hamburger instead of steak."

"I'd just rather have the burger. Steaks and lamb are all great but I'm a country girl at heart, Gray. I don’t need all this."

Grayson turned to the waiter. "Can you get a hamburger from the restaurant? "

"Of course, sir. Will that be for one or two?" The waiter asked with a small grin.

Before Grayson could answer the waiter Megan answered for Grayson. "Make that two burgers with cheese and two chocolate shakes if you can."

"Right away, miss." The waiter nodded his head and left room.

"Megan, we don’t have to stay. I didn’t do this to upset you." Shit, this was supposed to be a romantic surprise and Megan seemed like she didn’t want to be there. Smooth Burke, real smooth.

"It’s not that," Megan began slowly. "This is wonderful Gray, it really is. I just don't need all of this to be happy."

Standing, raking his hands through his hair, Grayson couldn't help but feel a little bit like a failure. "Let’s just go. I'll let them know that something came up."

Feeling arms come around him from behind, Grayson turned to face Megan. Holding her tight, he slowly lowered his mouth to hers. "I'm sorry," he told her quietly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Pulling back so he could look in to her eyes, Grayson didn't know what to do. "Take me to bed, Gray."

That was all the invitation Grayson needed. Picking Megan up, he carried her straight to the bed. Grabbing for the phone with one hand while taking off her shoes with the other, he asked the front desk to hold their room service order. After the call he tried to hang up the phone but was focused on other things so the phone landed on the floor next to the bed. Grayson made love to Megan all night and into the early morning hours.

****

The sun shining through the curtains woke Megan. Smiling and stretching, she curled closer to Grayson. Breathing deeply, Megan thought about how it would be so easy to stay here in Grayson's arms and pretend the world didn't exist. Thinking over their evening together, she knew she owed Grayson an apology. Leaning up, she kissed him lightly on his jaw as the stubble tickled her, making her giggle. "Rise and shine sleepy head, I'm starving. You never fed me last night."

"Sorry about that. I really meant to, but I had other things on my mind. Besides, I tried to feed you the best steak in Idaho but you wanted a cheeseburger. What’s up with that, Megan?" Grayson asked, yawning.

Megan knew he deserved an explanation, but she wasn't really sure how to explain it without making herself seem like a lunatic. How could she tell him she was starting to fall in love with him and that it would be altogether too easy to tumble completely over the edge? Taking another chance just seemed way too scary for Megan and there was no way she was ready to give her heart away again. This was just a fling and she deserved to have a great one and she wasn't going to be the one that messed it up.

"Gray, you know I'm a simple girl and I like simple things. Don’t get me wrong, all of this is nice, but I'm just as happy at home grilling a burger."

Propping himself up on his elbow and looking her in the eyes, Grayson paused before he attempted to speak, "I know I don't have to do these things but I want to. Can you please just accept them for what they are? You deserve a little pampering now and then."

Feeling ashamed at her behavior, Megan leaned in to kiss him. Rolling on top of her, Grayson pinned her to the bed. "You might be hungry for food but I'm hungry for other things." Boy was she ever hungry for the same thing.

Chapter Thirty One

The next few weeks proved to be a blur to Megan. She worked hard during the days on getting the company’s finances back in order and she played hard at night with Grayson as they continued their affair and somehow managed to keep it under wraps. It turned out that Grayson was impossible to resist so Megan gave up trying and even let herself go as far as to imagine how wonderful it would be if this became more than just a crazy fling. She couldn't help smiling to herself as she worked in her garden planting some of her favorite flowers. Her fingers knew what to do while her mind wandered to thoughts of Grayson. She couldn’t help but smile when he came to mind.

Things had gotten a bit more serious than she was hoping for but it didn’t seem to bother Grayson so Megan let it pass. Whenever they were alone he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her and if she was being honest about it, she couldn’t either. The sex was fabulous but there was a feeling she always got during the night after they made love. Grayson always held her as if he didn’t want to let her go and it made Megan nervous. She knew what they had wouldn’t last so she just enjoyed it as much as she could and tried not to think too hard.

****

"Hello, Megs, where are you?" Ali called, walking in the front door of Megan’s house.

"In the backyard," Megan called back.

Ali found Megan elbow deep in potting soil surrounded by different varieties of flowers. It baffled her how Megan could be content with all that dirt. Sure, flowers were

pretty and all but they could be bought and not grown from seed. It was too much work for her. "Where you been hiding, Missy?"

Megan shrugged her shoulders. "I’ve been trying to fix up the house a little bit." In reality, Megan was dodging the question. She wasn't ready to go public about Grayson, especially with Ali. She loved Ali like a sister but the girl couldn't keep a secret to save her life. Maybe if she didn’t make eye contact with her, Ali would just move on to the reason she stopped by. A girl could hope, right?

Ali narrowed her eyes at Megan when she didn’t look up and she knew there was more but she could be patient. "So, we were thinking of making it a group thing and going to the rodeo. Whatcha think?"

"Who’s going?" Megan asked as she stood and brushed the potting soil off of her hands with a rag she kept in her back pocket.

"The usual suspects; Gabby, Shane, Brian and that drippy blonde he's been seeing, you know the one he had the hot date with on the 4th. What's her name again….um…the season girl… Spring, Summer?" Ali said questionably.

"I think it’s Autumn."

"I hear she's teaching Pilates and Yoga over at the gym in Indian River. I bet he only likes her for her downward facing dog position," Ali said as both women burst out laughing.

Megan recovered first. "You're so bad, Ali Landon!!! That's just NASTY! He’s my brother and now I have a visual!!" Although Megan was sure that Ali was right, it still

didn’t make the visual go away but it did give her a few ideas for the next time she saw Grayson.

"So ahh… how would you feel if I ask Dylan to go with me?" Ali asked deadpan, all the laughter gone from her face. Caught off guard, what could Megan say without feeling like a total hypocrite? "Do you really like him?" Megan knew she’d been right last Christmas when she thought Ali and Dylan had sparks flying between them. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about it but she kept that to herself.

"Maybe. He’s cute and may have some potential. Besides, we've been spending some time together the last few weeks. I needed a couple of things fixed at the house and he came over to help me out." Ali shrugged her shoulders. "Although I was a total bitch to him earlier when he called, but damn! I have PMS and I'm trying to get some work done and he wants to know if I'm hungry and if I want to go catch a bite at the diner. I've got shit I gotta do." Ali’s hands were on her hips by the time she finished talking.

"Like what, bother me?" Megan laughed.

"My my, we're pissy too, huh?"

They both laughed. "PMS you say? Well, its sounds to me like you need to get a good book, a hot bath and a strong martini instead. We can talk about the rodeo later, unless you want to help me re-pot these geraniums."

"Not unless you have a hot gardener I know nothing about," Ali said.

Megan smiled. "Nope, but you're keeping me from getting them done." Asking Ali to get dirty was a sure fire way to end her visit.

"I know what you are thinking about me and Dylan. And believe me, I'm not willing to fuck up a fifteen year friendship for a few rolls in the hay. That’s why I've been putting him off. I want to make sure it’s right. I want something more." Ali smiled nervously at Megan although the emotion didn't quite make it to her eyes. After promising to call later, Ali left.

Watching Ali pull away, all Megan could think about was fucking up a lifetime friendship for some really good sex. And unlike Ali, Megan didn't suffer from PMS and honestly, her cycle hadn't been a problem for her and Grayson. Talk about good timing. Wait a minute, Megan thought, he heart falling into her feet. When was the last time she had a cycle anyway? Running inside, Megan counted the days in her head and realized that she was a week and a half late.

Grabbing a quick shower and changing into shorts and a t-shirt Megan headed for the drugstore. Missing her cycle was probably stress induced, she knew that. But she wanted to be sure. Walking in the door at Moody’s Drugs, she saw none other than Mrs. Harrison. Her husband was the deacon of the Baptist Church and one of the biggest gossips in town. Right then Megan knew she'd have to drive to the next town over to get the test.

Forty-five minutes later Megan pulled up at the Walgreens in Indian River. Walking straight to the pregnancy tests, Megan bought one of every kind and a Hershey bar for good measure. Either way, Megan needed the chocolate.

****

Later that afternoon, Megan found herself staring in disbelief at the third pregnancy test. Each one had been positive. "This isn’t happening," she told her

reflection in the mirror. "All those years of trying and it finally happens on accident. Go figure!" Megan started laughing hysterically and wasn’t sure if she'd be able to stop.

"What happened on accident Megan?" Gabby asked from just outside of the bathroom door.

Megan tried to hide the test behind her back but forgot about the ones that still sat on the counter and Megan watched, as Gabby’s eyes grew big as she took in what Megan was doing. "Um," Gabby cleared her throat. "Are those what I think they are?"

With a sigh and a look of terror, Megan played dumb. "It depends on what you think they are?" When Gabby just gave her a look, Megan gave up and told her the truth.

"Do I know who the daddy is?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to tell me who he is?"

"No."

Unlike Ali, Gabby didn't get upset but started pouting instead. "Can I guess?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest in the process.

"Why not?" Megan answered as she lowered herself to the floor and put her head between her knees trying to find a breath. Having a panic attack probably wasn’t good for the baby, Megan thought as she made a mental note to ask her mom. Oh god,

her mom! This was something that Megan wouldn’t be able to hide forever. "It’s okay mom, just a little bloating."

Leaning against the wall outside the bathroom, Megan watched as Gabby seemed to do a bit of mental math. Megan knew that Gabby had figured out she'd been seeing someone. "Could it be Grayson?"

Megan nodded and threw the used test into the sink where it bounced off the edge of the porcelain and landed at her feet like it was mocking her. Gabby knelt down in front of Megan and put her arms around her. Leaning back so Gabby could see Megan’s face, she looked into her eyes. "Megan, it’s okay. Everything will be okay."

"Oh god, I have to tell your brother. How am I going to tell your brother, Gabby?"

"Let’s call Shane first to make sure. How many of these have you tried so far?" When Megan shrugged, Gabby got up and counted. "Well, these are just store bought so let’s get you into see Shane. Let me go call him, okay?"

"Sure." Before Gabby could open her cell phone, Megan grabbed her arm. "Can you ask him to keep this quiet until I can talk to Grayson?"

"I will but I'm sure he has to keep it to himself anyway. Oh wow!" Gabby giggled.

"What's so funny about this?"

"I'm going to be an aunt," Gabby said with a ridiculous smile on her face. Then she took her phone out and dialed Shane’s office. His receptionist put her on hold for a second and a few minutes later they had an appointment to see him.

****

Megan didn't remember getting in the car, driving over or walking through the door of Shane's office.

Megan was sitting on the exam table in one of those paper wrap around things that didn’t cover anything while Gabby sat in a chair next to her holding her shaking hand. Shane sat in a chair across from them with Megan’s chart on his lap.

He had drawn blood and ran another urine test in his office and both came back positive. "Megan, it looks like according to your HCG levels, you're about 4 weeks along. Does that sound about right?"

Megan did the math in her head. She'd just had her period a week before the Fourth of July party. She was almost two weeks late. "Ya."

Shane scooted closer to Megan and took her hand. "Listen to me. I'm sure Grayson is gonna love the idea of becoming a daddy. I do suggest that you tell him soon, okay?"

"Okay." Megan nodded.

"Now let's make your next appointment. That is if you want me to be your doctor. I understand if you'd feel uncomfortable and I can recommend someone else if you want."

"Shane, I think it would be better for Megan to see one of your partners. I don’t think Grayson would like it, you know what I mean?" Gabby offered as tears started down Megan's faces.

"Okay. Do you prefer a female Doctor or a male Doctor? Shane asked.

"Thank you, Shane." Megan answered. "You know, I thought I'd be so happy when I finally got pregnant. Now I just feel scared. Scared of what Grayson is going to think of me."

"I think you need to give Grayson more credit, Megan." Gabby said. "Megan, he's loved you forever. Stop and think for a minute. You have to know that, right?" As the words washed over Megan, she realized it didn't really matter what Gabby thought she knew about how Grayson felt. All that mattered was what Grayson thought and Megan needed to hear it from Grayson.

"You’re right, Gabby. I’m sorry." Megan squeezed Gabby's hand and tried to get herself together.

"Okay, I want you to start on some prenatal vitamins. I'll call you with the name of a doctor and a new appointment time later today. Right now, try to get some rest if you can." Shane and Gabby left so Megan could get dressed.

"Hey Megan? What are you going to tell your brothers?" Gabby asked as she drove Megan home.

"Let me tell Grayson first. My brothers can wait." Megan froze. Hopefully they can wait forever. She was pretty sure they'd notice after a few months but how she hated the thought of telling them. Megan closed her eyes for the rest of the drive home and tried to come up with a way to tell Grayson. Everyone knew she and Alan had been trying to have a baby for years and Megan knew how bad this looked. She didn’t do this on purpose and she hoped everyone would believe her. Whether they believed her or not, she had another person to worry about now and that trumped all. She couldn’t help but smile when she placed her hand on her still flat belly.

****

Looking at the display on his phone, Brian smiled. "Hey baby."

"Hey, I just wanted to remind you that I made reservations for four at the new restaurant in Boise. They were booked solid so I could only get a late reservation at nine thirty. Are you still going to ask Dylan to come with us? I know you thought he was seeing someone," Autumn said

Autumn was right. Brian did think Dylan was seeing someone but he was being nauseatingly close mouthed about it, which was unlike Dylan. "Well if he does not want to bring his new girl maybe Megan or Ali will want to go instead."

"I'm not sure but I think I saw Megan at Walgreens yesterday. I only met her that one time so I wasn’t completely sure. I tried to get her attention but she was focused on what she was doing and seemed a little upset."

"Upset? Ok, well maybe I'll call and check on her." Brian didn't like the thought of Megan being upset. She'd been through so much lately. She didn't need any more layered on.

"If I thought I was pregnant I'd be more than upset. I thought she just got divorced?" Autumn went on.

"Are you sure it was Megan? I mean what gives you the idea she might be pregnant?" Brian wasn't going to jump to a conclusion, that was Dylan’s department. Instead, Brian would wait for solid evidence and then he'd freak out.

"I'm pretty sure it was her and I think she bought about five pregnancy tests. She got into a blue SUV. Isn’t that what she drives?

"Yup. Look honey, I'll call you when I find out who's coming with us." Brian needed to call Dylan.

"Are you going to come over tonight to watch a movie like we planned?" Autumn asked.

"Um…I need to go over some contracts with Dylan so I may be late. Do you wanna catch a rain check? I know you have class first thing in the morning." Brian really just wanted to talk to Dylan and get a hold of Megan to see what was going on and Autumn and her movie were the least of his problems.

"If you get finished earlier and change your mind, let me know."

"Ok, bye." Brian ended the call and immediately began dialing again.

****

Grayson could see that Dylan was upset after getting off the phone with his brother.

Grayson just stared at him. "What's wrong, man?"

"That was Brian on the phone."

"I figured that. So what happened? Maybe I can help."

"I don't think you can help with this one, Gray. Some son of a bitch might have knocked up my sister. "

Grayson dropped down to the couch in a daze. What the hell? Megan never said anything. How long had she known? "I can help more than you think Dylan."

Dylan turned around to look at Grayson. "What do you mean?"

Grayson got up from the couch slowly. He needed to talk to Megan about this before he made any rash judgments or said anything he'd regret. Why she didn’t come to him first he didn’t know. What he did know, however, was that he was going to ask her to marry him tonight instead of later like he planned. It wouldn’t be as fancy but as long as she said yes, Grayson could care less. "Listen, I have an appointment to get to but..." Grayson cleared his throat. "I'll see what I can do to help, okay?"

Dylan slapped him on the back. "Thanks, Gray. I can always count on you."

Grayson looked away. How could he face Dylan when he found out that it was Grayson? The thought of becoming a father should have freaked the hell out of him but it didn’t. It felt surprising right instead. He wanted to shout out in joy but he knew if he

did, Dylan would kick his ass. Well, Dylan was going to eventually kill him anyway but Grayson wanted to enjoy the moment for a bit first.

Chapter Thirty Two

The day before Grayson found out about the baby he picked up the ring he'd ordered for Megan a week ago. Last week when he was out on business, he saw the ring sitting in the window at Tiffany’s and knew it was meant for Megan. Grayson went into the store and told the salesman what he wanted. Now that he knew about the baby, it seemed more than right to marry her. He'd loved Megan since they were kids but Grayson hadn't realized the depth of his feelings for her until college.

Grayson drove to Megan’s house and sat in his truck trying to center himself. Taking a deep breath for extra courage, he got out of the truck and walked towards her house. What he wouldn’t give for a beer right now. Megan had started keeping his brand stocked since they'd started sneaking around. God he loved this woman.

Grayson knocked on the door and waited patiently although he felt like his insides were full of jumping beans. Being nervous like this was so far off the mark for him that Grayson almost didn’t know what to do. Megan opened the door and gave him one of her smiles and suddenly everything felt better. In fact, when he saw her his heart did a little flip in his chest. "Come on in." Megan moved to let him in.

****

Megan had been nervous all day trying to come up with a way to tell Grayson about the baby. She wanted him to understand that he wouldn’t have to worry about it. Megan could handle it all on her own. "Are you thirsty? Can I get you something to drink before dinner?"

Gray could tell that Megan was nervous. He wanted to fall on his knees and shout his excitement but it was Gabby who'd told him that Megan needed him to be

calm and let Megan talk out her feelings. Grayson just wished she'd hurry up so they could celebrate. "No thanks, I’m fine. Come sit down with me."

When Megan sat on the sofa next to him, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. He still couldn’t believe that a small part of them was growing inside her. His baby. No, their baby. Grayson closed his eyes and just soaked it all in. He could see her belly getting bigger as the baby grew and couldn't wait to hold their child in his arms. The future seemed good to him.

He didn’t care how long it took her to tell him as long as he could hold her like this forever. They would work it out and go forward together. A small smile crossed his lips.

"Gray?"

"Yes?"

Grayson loosened his hold on her so she could sit up to look at him. Now that he saw her up close like this, he could see the dark circles under her eyes. He wanted to tell her right then that it would be okay but he knew she needed to make the first move.

"There's something that I need to tell you. I just don’t know how to begin." Megan couldn’t make eye contact with him.

Grayson took her cold hand in both of his and squeezed. Maybe he should just tell her that he knew and help her relax. After all, the stress she was under couldn't be good for their child. Making his mind up, Grayson spoke calmly. "I already know, sweetie." Megan tried to look at him but sent her eyes to the floor instead. "I was at Dylan’s when Brian called him to tell him."

Megan’s face turned pale right before his eyes. "They know?" She choked. "How? I just found out yesterday." Megan jumped from the couch and started pacing. "They know and they haven't said a word to me? This isn’t good, Grayson. It means they're thinking of ways to kill whomever they think the father is!" Before Megan could get any more worked up, Grayson turned her to look at him.

"Does Ali know?" Grayson asked. If Ali knew something juicy then the entire state might know by now. The woman couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.

"No, just Gabby." Grayson was about to say something but Megan put her hand over his mouth. "The only reason she knows is that she barged in on me when I was taking the third test."

"How many tests does it take?" Grayson questioned, confused.

"Five in my case."

"Why so many, Megan? Is everything okay with you? With the baby?" If a man could get more nervous, Grayson was sure it was happening to him.

"It’s because I didn’t believe the first four. So when Gabby saw what I was doing, she called Shane and he saw me right away." Megan looked down at her hands.

"Megan, baby, look at me." When she wouldn’t make eye contact, Grayson lifted her chin.. "We can handle this. It’s gonna be okay."

"I'm just so sorry to do this to you. We were so careful. Shane told me that with all those hormones I was taking with Alan, it would have taken about year for them to

leave my system." A tear ran down her cheek and Grayson wiped it away with his thumb. "I’m not sorry about the baby though. I've wanted a family for so long. But you have to know that I didn’t do this on purpose. I don’t expect anything from you. I can do it all on my own."

Megan looked as if she'd been crying since she heard the news and it was obvious she hadn’t slept. So Grayson knew he had to tread softly.

"What are you saying, Megan?" Just then Grayson's stomach clenched. Was she going to brush him off? Why? Things between them were going great and Grayson really thought he'd be able to change her mind about keeping things quiet so they could come clean and let everyone know they were in love.

"I don’t want you to feel obligated to me or the baby. I can handle this. I'd planned on handling everything alone when I was with Alan. We won’t be a bother, I promise."

Grayson could feel his temper rising. Obligated? Hell, he'd love to be obligated to her from now until the end of time. Was she kidding? "So you are saying you don’t need or want my help with this? Is that right?" Grayson had to grind his teeth together or he'd scream at her for being so stupid.

Megan watched Grayson's eyes darken with anger but honestly, he didn't care at the moment. How could she say she didn’t expect anything from him and wouldn’t let him pay the price for her mistake? Was it that she cared for Grayson but didn’t love him?

"What would be your answer if I asked you to marry me right now, Megan?" Sadly Grayson already knew what the answer would be but he wanted to hear it from her lips. The lips he'd dreamt about at night.

"Gray, you don’t need to do the noble thing. I can do this on my own. I'll be fine. We’ll both be just fine."

Grayson ran his hand through his hair and stared at her. She looked small and scared standing next to him. "What kind of man do you think I am? Why would you even think I'd let you do this on your own? This baby might not have been expected but he or she is damn well wanted." Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket, Grayson took out a small blue box and opened it showing Megan a twinkling diamond ring. "I bought this for you days ago. I know you don’t believe me right now and that’s okay. You're just scared and to be honest, I am too. " Grayson didn't want to yell and he didn't want to look like a total pansy in front of her but he needed to make his point. "I've loved you forever." There, he'd said it. He was totally exposed and had no other cards left to play.

"You can’t be in love with me."

"No? You remember that morning I cooked you breakfast?" She nodded at him. Grayson drew her back down on the couch and held her hands. "I remember more than just the grape jelly, Megan. I remember how you' get freckles on your nose during the summer when you get too much sun. I remember how you chew on your bottom lip while you're thinking out a problem. I remember teaching you to swim because your brothers didn’t want to. I remember your favorite ice cream is Rocky Road. I remember that you had a pink bike until you turned twelve and you decided pink made you look like a baby so you had your parents buy you a yellow one instead." Grayson put the box on the coffee table in front of her. "I remember when you married Alan I got so drunk I

couldn’t stand on my own two feet after I watched you walk down that aisle. It made me sick knowing he'd never be good enough for you. And to hear you talk, I’m not either. But don’t ever say I don't love you!"

Grayson got up from the couch and bent to kiss Megan on the top of her head, tears lining his eyes. "When's your next appointment?"

"Next Monday at ten. Why?" Megan asked with alarm.

"I'm going with you. I'll pick you up at nine thirty so be ready." Megan might not want him in her life but he was dammed well going to be in his child’s life. She couldn’t keep him away from his baby, ever. Megan would just have to get used to seeing Grayson more because he wasn’t leaving.

She looked up at him but Grayson had already turned to walk towards the door before stopping to look over his shoulder at her. "You may think you know me, but if you really did, you'd know that all I've ever wanted was YOU! And I guess you never will, because that would mean you'd have to take a chance, Megan. Not all marriages end the way yours did. Some last a lifetime but you have to take that chance. I was willing but I don’t think you are." Grayson turned and walked out the door.

****

Megan had no one to blame but herself for Grayson’s anger. In fact, she thought he'd be happy to be released. She didn’t need his money, Grayson knew that. And marriage was completely out of the question for her. Once was enough,, right? But Megan couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like if she'd said yes. Megan knew she loved Grayson more than she was willing to admit but she was scared of

making another mistake and possibly hurting everyone in the process. How could she live with herself if it didn’t work out?

Chapter Thirty Three

A few days later Megan was still trying to figure out what to do. Grayson didn’t act the same around her anymore. She had a doctor's appointment scheduled for next week and Grayson said he would drive her. In fact, he told her he wanted to be there for every appointment.

Megan finished getting dressed and was about to get a cup of tea when the door bell rang. Looking through the peep hole before opening the door, Megan was surprised to find Jason on the other side. "Well hi," Megan said quietly.

"I was in the neighborhood so I thought I'd stop by. I wanted to check on you." Jason kissed her on the cheek and then walked passed her and stepped into the house, leaving Megan dazed.

"That's a hell of a neighborhood you have," she joked as he followed her into the kitchen.

"I like this place, Megan. Now I know why you wanted to come back home." Jason stood at the picture window while Megan made a pot of coffee for him and a cup of tea for herself.

Jason held out his hand and Megan took it just as a movement in the corner of the room got her attention. Grayson was standing in her kitchen and the look on his face could have frozen the ocean. "Grayson, I wasn’t expecting you." Megan let go of Jason’s hand as if it was on fire.

"Obviously. Who's your friend here? I don’t believe we've met." Grayson scowled at Jason. "What the fuck is going on?" Grayson finally asked without the slightest lift in his voice.

Jason stood up to shake Grayson’s hand. "My name is Jason Campbell. You are?"

"Apparently replaceable," Grayson answered as he looked Jason up and down.

Megan stood up from the table in an attempt to referee the situation. She wouldn’t be surprised if they started to mark their territory soon. Having two brothers growing up didn’t help her understand the male species. "Jason, this is Grayson Burke. His father and mine started the construction business our family owns."

Grayson was just about to open his mouth when Ali came through the front door. Thank God Megan had back up now. "What’s going on, Megan?" Ali asked while trying to figure out why there was so much tension in the air between Megan and Grayson. And then the other man caught her eye. "Where the hell has Megan been hiding you, sugar? I didn't know you were coming to town."

"Ali, I was just going to call to see if you remember my ATTORNEY, Jason and see if you would mind taking him on a tour of town and maybe lunch at the diner?" Megan asked with a look in her eye that told Ali do it or else.

And Ali must have gotten the hint because she grabbed one of Jason’s arms and steered him towards the front door. "I'd love to show you around." Before they walked out the door, Ali turned and winked at Megan.

****

Ali took Jason on a tour of town which only took only about 30 minutes. With that over, she asked Jason if he wanted to get a bite to eat at the diner or if he had something else in mind.

Ali pulled up to the diner and walked with Jason to the door. He opened it for her and placed his hand at the base of her back to lead her to a table. The waitress, a girl Ali had gone to school with, gave them menus. "So what do you recommend?" Jason asked her over his menu.

"The chicken fried steak is really good. The diner is known for their burgers though. You should try one." They both ordered burgers with fries and made small talk about how Ali ended up in nowhere Idaho and about how each their jobs kept them busy as they finished up their lunch, Ali signaled to the waitress for the check. As she opened her wallet, Jason handed the girl a credit card. "Allow me." After the bill was paid they both got up from the booth and started to head for the door just as Dylan and Brian walked in. Dylan noticed them first and looked Jason over. "Where the hell did he come from?" He asked, rudely pointing to Jason.

Ali shrugged. Who did Dylan Jameson think he was? "I don’t know he Megan’s attorney. Although I can tell y'all I'm thinking of keeping him." Ali smiled at Jason and winked. ****

Dylan looked at Brian and shook his head. Ali’s behavior was really pissing him off. He looked back at Jason and noticed his hand on Ali’s arm. That pissed him off even more. "Jason, we need to have a talk with you if you don’t mind."

Jason had a feeling this conversation wasn't going to go well by the look on the men's faces. But he followed them outside the diner anyway. They went around the corner and out of the blue, Dylan pulled his right arm back and nailed Jason in the face, knocking the man down.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing Dylan?" Brian asked in shock.

Ali couldn't believe what she was witnessing, having ran out the door behind the guys. "Dylan, would you care to explain why you're being such an ass?" She bent down and touched Jason’s jaw. "Are you ok, sugar?"

"I think this could be the guy that knocked up our sister," Dylan barked.

Jason had been rubbing his jaw but suddenly went very still. "Megan? Wait a minute. I only took her to the company New Years Eve party."

With hands on her hips, Ali stood up and stared down the Jameson brothers. "Hold on, Megan is pregnant?" Oh no, Dylan thought. Hurricane Ali was ready to blow through Midnight, Idaho.

"Not that I normally kiss and tell but I can assure you that nothing ever happened between Megan and me. All I did was kiss her on the cheek. If I remember right, it takes more than that to get a woman pregnant." Jason blurted, getting up from the ground.

"Are you sure you never touched her?" Dylan asked.

"Come on sugar, we aren't all animals like the Jameson’s." Ali led Jason back to her car.

"I guess we're back to square one then," Brian said as Dylan nodded in agreement. He wanted to find the bastard.

Before Ali and Jason get to her car, Dylan stopped her. "Are you okay, Ali. We didn’t know Megan hadn't told you."

Brian pushed Jason aside and put his arm around her shoulders but Ali shied away from him and grabbed Jason’s hand, turning to look at Dylan. "You know, one of these days you're going to have to learn to look before you leap. Until then, you and I won't be keeping company. Do you understand me, Dylan? Right now you're so not the man I thought you were." Turning away from Dylan, Ali smiled brightly at Jason. "Come on. You can buy me an ice cream cone to make me feel better, love."

"What the hell is going on with you and Ali? What I just witnessed was more than just concern about Megan." Brian said, glaring at Dylan.

"Fuck you Brian, mind your own God damn business for a change." Dylan told him as they walked off. ****

As Ali and Jason were walking to the window in front of the diner to order ice cream Jason starting talking. "I know she's your best friend, but she never told you?"

"That’s right." Ali was so mad at Megan. Why didn’t Megan feel that she could have come to Ali about this? Ali was more hurt than upset.

"I just assumed that Grayson was the daddy," Jason said after he ordered their ice cream. Ali eyes grew wide and couldn't believe that his guess explained so much. "I mean, they grew up together and they're really good friends." "I mean, why else would he look so mad when he saw me there today? Friends don’t get that upset."

"Don’t worry your handsome little head, sugar. Ali will know all by night’s end." Ali picked up her little pink phone while Jason grinned at her and crossed his arms over his chest.

Gabby answered on the first ring. "Congratulations, Gabby! I just heard you're going to be an aunt."

"Megan finally told you about her and Grayson?"

"No, but you just did. Thanks! Bye sugar." Before Gabby could answer, Ali hung up on her.

Jason burst out laughing, "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Ali Landon."

****

As Dylan and Brian were driving away, Brian looked at him. "What’s really going on with you and Ali?"

"Leave it alone would you? Or you can walk," Dylan said through clenched teeth.

Ten minutes later they pulled into Megan’s driveway.

Without bothering to knock, they barged in. "Megan Michele Jameson, get your ass out here now!" Dylan bellowed.

"What the hell are you yelling about?" She asked as she stepped from the kitchen drying her hands on a dish towel.

Brian elbowed Dylan. "Are you pregnant?" He saw no need to beat round the bush. "Why would you ask me that?" Megan snapped, dropping the towel in shock. Megan narrowed her eyes at him freaking him out a little because it really reminded him of their mother right before she walloped him for something he deserved. "Umm, well it seems Autumn thinks she saw you over in Indian River buying pregnancy tests. Why would you need a pregnancy test?"

"You know what. I'm a grown woman and I don't report to either one of you." She turned away from the two of them.

Dylan grabbed her by the arm, "Tell us who did this to you!"

Megan snatched her arm away from him and rubbed at the red spot he'd left on her skin. "Who do you two think you are? Get the hell out of my house and don’t come back until you learn some manners. Wouldn’t our mother just be so proud of your behavior?" When neither one of them turned to leave Megan started screaming. "I'm not changing my mind so get the hell out."

Brian took a step toward her "We're just worried about you. It’s our job to take care of you." Dylan nodded his head in agreement.

"Get the hell out of my house. NOW!" Megan headed towards the kitchen but stopped after two steps and turned back. "Listen here, you big jerks. If either of you tell mom and dad that you think I'm pregnant, I swear to God I'll never speak to either of you again." Dylan started to speak and Megan held up her hand, "I'm not joking, Dylan. Neither one of you had better say a word. Now get the hell out of my house and don't show your face here again until I say you're welcome.

As Dylan and Brian made their way back to Dylan’s truck, Dylan started mumbling under his breath. "I think she meant that."

"I'm sure she did."

"When did she get so ornery, anyway?" Dylan sulked, starting the truck and leaving against his better judgment.

Brian laughed and said "I think it was there all the time, we were just so busy running over her that we never noticed."

They both laughed as Dylan drove away.

****

Megan sat down at her dining room table and put her head in her hands and began to laugh. What the hell was the world coming too? She just kicked her brothers out of her house, Grayson thought he loved her and she was pregnant. Then it hit her everyone knew but Ali. Megan really needed to sit down with Ali and tell her.

As if thinking about her could conjure up her image, Megan heard Ali call from the front door, "knock, knock, sugar."

"In the kitchen," Megan called. She may as well get it over with quick she thought, now that Ali was standing in front with Jason not far behind.

"Hi Megs. How are things going?" Ali said way too sugary sweet.

"I'm fine. What’s up with you?" Just tell her you big baby, Megan thought to herself.

"Oh not a thing." Turning to Jason she said, "You know what sugar, it sure has been a pleasure seeing you again. You keep in touch." She dug in her purse and handed him her card. "Megs I will call you later I got some work I need to do." Ali told them goodbye and headed out the door.

Megan started to ask her to wait but thought maybe she needed to settle things with Jason before she soothed what she knew would be ruffled feathers on Ali’s part. "What did you and Ali do this afternoon."

Jason smiled, "Ali showed me around and let me buy her lunch and then your brothers showed up and although I didn't catch their names, they accused me of getting you pregnant. The big one punched me and Ali let me buy her an ice cream cone to make her feel better. I didn’t quite understand her thinking there. I got punched but she needed the ice cream?"

"What?" Megan asked, a horrified looking taking over her face.

"It was strawberry; she said it was her favorite. That's some woman, that Ali," Jason said rubbing his jaw.

"Forget about the damn ice cream cone. One of my brothers punched you?"

"Yup, for some reason they thought you and I did the deed. I assured them I wasn’t the one and I think they believed me, but I can’t say for sure. That one brother of yours really doesn't like me."

Megan began to laugh uncontrollably. How could her life get so far off track? All she ever wanted was a family and a nice home and someone to love her and she had two of the three. It was the love she wasn't so sure about.

Jason was staring at her. "Megan, are you ok?"

"I'm fine, just fucking fine! I'm so sorry that my brother hit you. I'm sure it was Dylan since he's such a hothead. Besides, I think Dylan and Ali have something started and I'm sure it pissed him off to see Ali with you." Megan got up and started walking to the fridge to grab a drink of water. "You're welcome to stay here. The spare room is all set for company."

Jason shook his head no. "I'm gonna catch a late flight home. You've got too much drama in your life for me to add to it. Just know if you need something, I'm here for you. If things don't work out for Ali and Dylan, give her my number." Jason kissed Megan on the cheek and turned to leave when out of nowhere a fist came flying at him.

Falling flat on his ass, Jason rubbed his jaw again. Looking up, he saw Grayson and shook his head. Standing up, he caught Megan's eye and pointed to Grayson. "Like I said way too much fucking drama."

"I'm gonna let that one pass because I can see everyone's under a lot of stress here but if one more of you assholes takes a swing at me today, I won't be responsible

for my actions. Megan, please tell Ali I said bye but only for now, I hope." Giving Grayson another hard look, Jason walked out of Megan’s house.

Megan couldn't believe that Grayson hit Jason. First Dylan and now Grayson. Megan's life was going to hell in a hand basket. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came by to tell you that I'm going out of town. I have to go to Denver for a few days. You have my cell number if you need me. Sorry about hitting your friend but I'm not ready to see anyone else kissing you." With that Grayson turned and walked out on her.

Megan just stared after him. How many people were going to walk out on her today?

****

Checking into his hotel in Denver, Grayson was having a hard time concentrating on the task at hand. His thoughts kept drifting back to Megan and his life in Midnight. He knew his parents would be delighted to have a grandchild. But of course they'd be less than thrilled about the circumstances. But what could Grayson do about any of it? , It wasn't like he could force Megan to come to her senses. He'd given her all of the pride he could afford to lose at the moment.

Thinking about the time he'd spent with her was hard, especially knowing now that she'd only thought of it as nothing more than a summer fling. Checking the caller id on his cell, Grayson saw that Gabby had called twice and he'd also missed both Dylan and Ali. Gabby and Dylan were shit out of luck; he wasn't dealing with either of those two. But Ali rarely called him. Not that they weren't good friends, they were. But Ali tended to call Dylan first, then Brian and only then would she bother with Grayson.

Punching in the correct numbers to retrieve his voice mail Grayson listened. "Hey sugar, it's Ali." Gray rolled his eyes as she went on. "Give me a call; it’s important that we talk. Love ya."

It was obvious Ali was up to something but she could wait like everyone else. Grayson was going to a call a couple of friends go to Stampede, drink shots of Jack Daniels and Megan could just kiss his ass. Well, that's what Grayson wanted to do, but reality said different. He knew he could drink until the cows came home but it wouldn’t make him feel a damned bit better.

Grayson picked up his cell phone and hit speed dial for one of his friends that lived in the area. After making plans to get together later that night, Grayson went to take a shower. He'd have some fun time tonight even if it killed him.

Chapter Thirty Four

Sitting on her porch swing, Megan sighed over the warm weather. She was dressed and ready for Grayson just like he'd commanded, the big jerk! She was still pissed at him. But anxiety had her stomach in knots. Megan wasn't sure if she was anxious over Grayson, the baby, or what the doctor might say. Seeing his blue truck pull up the drive, Megan took a deep breath. They hadn't spoken since their disastrous meeting with Jason. Realizing he was just sitting in her driveway and wasn't getting out of the truck, Megan got up and walked to him instead, each step making her madder than the last.

"Hey," she said as she opened the door and pulled herself in to the seat. She knew it was a weak attempt at conversation but they needed to start somewhere.

Grayson looked at her with a deadly calm expression and nodded his head. Then he reached over and turned on the radio without saying a word.

Signing in at the doctor’s office, Megan was so glad to be out of the truck. Grayson seemed little more than a stranger to Megan now.

After a short wait, the nurse called Megan back and explained that the appointment itself was routine. They made Megan pee in a cup, which she'd always thought was really gross but she did as she was told. Then they checked her blood pressure and what was she told-- it was high, big surprise! When the nurse asked her to rate her stress level between one and ten, she lied and said an even five, hoping her nose wasn't growing. She really wanted to scream fifteen. Megan's answer must not have fooled the nurse because the hefty woman gave her a look and made furious notes in Megan's chart anyway. Despite all she'd already been through, stepping on the scale was the hardest part for Megan and then the damn nurse yelled out the number. Well,

she didn’t really yell it but she said it awfully loud, Megan thought. "Hey, that’s not nice!" Megan told the nurse and the woman actually laughed at her like Megan was joking.

Shaking his head, Grayson finally piped up. "You're not going to be one of those women who obsesses over their weight, are you?"

"Well, ah no but she didn’t need to let everyone in the waiting room know."

He laughed. "Megan, you look great and you know it." Looking up at him she saw him frown. Maybe he hadn't meant to say that? Interesting. Did Grayson still care for her? Could they get past this and move on to be friends again or was it too late to go back? Megan didn’t know what to do.

The rest of the appointment was uneventful. The doctor came in and introduced herself and asked several routine questions about family history and gave them both a pamphlet on the importance of maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The doctor must have assumed they were married and Megan was embarrassed when the doctor called Grayson Mr. Jameson.

At the reception desk, Megan was asked for the co-pay for her visit and when she wanted her next appointment. While Megan was fumbling in her purse for her checkbook, Grayson handed the receptionist a credit card. "Keep it on file and run it each time we're here," he said with a smile.

Clenching her teeth so she wouldn’t make a scene, Megan took her appointment card with a forced smile and said thank you even though she wanted to puke. Grayson was such a jerk and if he were smart, he'd know he was going to catch hell for that move. But then Megan realized it was his baby, too. And Megan knew he'd always been

a man that took care of his responsibilities. Megan being hardheaded wasn't going to make him change his ways now.

Backing the truck out of the parking lot, Grayson was concentrating on the other cars when he noticed Megan turn the radio off out of the corner of his eye. "Where the hell do you get off paying my bills? I've always paid my own way. I don’t need your damn money."

Trying to concentrate on the road, Grayson tried to focus on rush hour traffic. "I took care of it so don’t worry about it."

"Fuck you, Grayson Burke. Don’t you ever pay my bills again!"Megan shouted at him.

Reaching out he turned the radio back on and the pair sat in silence all the way back to Megan's.

Pulling in her driveway, Megan opened the door before Grayson stopped the truck. Looking back at him, Megan sighed. "Look Gray, it’s been a hellacious day. I'll see you at my parents at the barbeque on Saturday."

Shaking his head he told her no. "You won’t. I have plans in Denver. I'll see you at the office on Tuesday. I'm heading south right now."

Megan glared at him. "Fine!" She yelled and slammed the door to his truck so hard she was surprised the glass didn't shatter. How had life gotten so far off track in less than a year?

****

Megan knew she had a limited amount of time to tell her parents about the baby before someone else did. And knowing she needed to talk to them was putting her in a really bad mood. Then there was the issue of telling Mary and Charlie Burke, Grayson's parents, as well. How could one baby affect so many different people in so many ways?

As Megan sipped her tea, she tried to come up with the best way to break the news to her folks. She wanted to make sure she told them before one of her brothers let the cat out of the bag. Scratching her head knowing she couldn't put it off any longer, Megan decided to just get it over with. Picking up the phone, she dialed her parent’s house.

"Hello," her mother answered on the first ring.

"Hi mom, what’s going on?"

"Getting ready for everyone to come over for the bar-be-que. I was just telling your father that I needed to call and check on you. Dylan said you didn't go with the kids to the rodeo. Is everything ok?"

Megan shook her head. Dylan was such a snitch. "Just not into seeing everyone coupled up right now, ya know? So what should I bring?"

"Not a thing sweetie. It’s going to be small this year. What with Elle and Scott not in town, I was going to call Ali and see if she was coming. Mary and Charlie will be here though. I need to make sure that I have enough food. Especially if Ali's bringing that young man she's been seeing. But then I talked to Mary and she said Gray wasn't in town and since I'd planned on feeding him, if Ali should show up with someone, there will be plenty to go around."

Megan had no idea what to say to her mother. Number one, Megan didn't know that Ali’s parents were out of town and number two, she had no clue who Ali was seeing. She hadn't spoken with Ali since the day Jason showed up without warning. Ali usually called Megan to talk about her new boyfriends. Considering the fact that Megan hadn't talked to her, it said a hell of a lot. Megan knew Ali was pissed at her for not telling Ali about the baby. In the many years that she'd known Ali, Megan knew better than to try to talk to her before Ali was ready. "What about the boys? Are they going to be there?"

"Brian's going to be here. He’s bringing that delightful girl he's been seeing. Her name's Autumn. Have you met her? Such a nice girl. Oh and Dylan hasn’t said anything, so I'm assuming he'll be here as well. As well as Gabby and, Shane of course."

Trying to keep from pulling out her hair at her mother's rambling, Megan interrupted. "Mom, I'm going to come over in a little bit. I want to talk to you and Daddy about something important." That was such an understatement. Megan knew they'd be happy for her but the circumstances were a bit unorthodox to say the least.

"Megan, you know you can come to the house anytime. You're always welcome and you know if you get tired of being at Grandma’s house all by yourself, Daddy and I have plenty of room here. You know I'd love to have you back home."

Megan knew her mother was being genuine. There wasn't an insincere bone Sarah Jameson's body. Megan also knew that she'd be bald in a week if she had to endure her mother every day for an extended period of time. "Mom, I like staying here. I like having my own space. But I do love your cooking so I'll be there in a little while. Tell Daddy I need to see you both. Okay?"

"Ok dear, you know you're always welcome and you never need an invitation. Be careful driving over though. Traffic will be heavy because of the holiday and everything. Can you pick up some extra ice on the way? I was going to send the boys but who knows when they'll show up."

"Sure mom, see you in a bit."

An hour later Megan took a deep breath as she pulled up in the front drive to her parent’s home. She'd wanted to arrive early enough to talk to her parents but Mary and Charlie Burke had beaten her there. They also needed to hear the news but not without Grayson present. Megan wouldn't do that to him. It was his baby too after all. So talking would have to wait until later which sucked because Megan was afraid she'd lose her nerve. Ice in hand, she went around to the back yard and handed the bag to her father who was standing at the grill. Given that the weather was cooperating this year, everyone was outside.

Tables were set up with all types of food and the long table where everyone would eat had a tablecloth and a place setting for each person. Coolers were set along the side of the house so anyone could just grab a soda or another beverage. Megan knew all the desserts were in the kitchen where they would be looked after by the moms. Even though she was an adult, she still wanted to sneak in and taste one or two of the pies but the retribution wasn’t worth it.

Music was playing through the speakers that sat on either side of the patio and a dj on one of the local radio stations was wishing everyone a happy Labor Day. Megan mentally shot him the bird as she passed and made her way into the kitchen to help out. It was going to be a long day.

Inside the kitchen were smells Megan recognized from her childhood. A ham was sitting on the cutting board ready to be sliced. A few pies were cooling on racks along one counter and Megan eyed them with a sigh. She'd have to wait until after dinner just like everyone else.

"Megan, you leave those pies be and come on over here and give me a hug," Mary Burke said from across the room. Megan obediently walked over and held on a little tighter and longer than she normally would. And Mary must have noticed because when Megan finally let go, Mary leaned back to get a good look at her. "Oh honey, everything will be fine," Mary promised to which Megan hoped Mary was still thinking of her divorce and not the little bundle of joy in Megan's belly.

"I know it will be. I'm just tired is all. I must have worked longer in the garden yesterday than I thought." That was a BIG fat lie because Megan had been paying homage to the porcelain god all night long. Morning sickness her ass... It came whenever it wanted to!

"Okay, you know where I m if you need to talk." Mary squeezed Megan one last time and went back to what she'd been working on. For the next hour or so Megan was put to work mixing and blending whatever her mother or Mary put in front of her.

Megan was taking a break on the back porch swing when she spied Ali walking in with someone she'd never laid eyes on before. The man on Ali's arm was handsome in a preppy kind of way. While he wasn't Megan's style, Megan had to admit he was a real looker. He had on light brown colored chinos and a pink polo shirt, as in real Ralph Lauren Polo with the little horse on it. But the kicker was the leather sandals. All Megan could wonder was where on God’s green earth Ali had found this one. Dylan was going to have a heart attack and Megan couldn't wait to watch the show.

Speaking of the devils, Brian and Autumn were right behind Ali as was Dylan and the five of them made their way to the backyard where everyone was sitting. "You want something to drink?" she heard Ali ask her date. As Ali turned she nearly ran straight into Dylan. "Excuse me," she said before side stepping him completely.

Dylan looked like someone punched him in the face and Megan immediately got up and went over to see what was going on.

"Who’s your friend, Ali?" Brian asked.

Ali smiled, "This is Edmond. Edmond please meet Brian, Dylan and Megan Jameson." Pointing to Autumn Ali said, "This is Autumn, Brian’s girlfriend. Everyone, this is Edmond Chancellor."

Brian laughed and held out his hand for Edmond to shake. "Cool, nice to meet you Ed."

Edmond cleared his throat. "It’s a pleasure to meet each of you, I'm sure. Although I must tell you I hate being called Ed. Can't stand Eddie either. My name's Edmond."

Megan noticed it was all Dylan could do to keep from rolling his eyes. What in the hell did Ali see in this guy? Looking down at Dylan's own faded Levis and t-shirt that said "Keep staring, I might do a trick." along with a pair of beat up running shoes, Megan had to admit however that Edmond looked a hell of lot more presentable than Dylan did.

"Brian, did you bring the beer?" Dylan hollered.

"Yep."

Megan noticed the look in Brian’s eye and knew that trouble was coming. Grabbing his free arm, she led Brian and Autumn to the kitchen where their mom was waiting. "You better behave, Brian," Megan whispered maybe a little too harshly.

Without looking at Megan, Brian answered with a snort in his voice. "Always Meg, always."

The clinking of the silverware was heard around the table as everyone ate which was odd in itself. Dinners at home were usually loud with everyone either arguing or laughing but tonight even the parents were subdued. Megan could feel the anxiety in the air. Dylan was shooting daggers at everyone. Brian was grinning like a loon. Ali was sulking and everyone else just seemed to be along for the ride. What a fabulous way to celebrate Labor Day. Megan almost felt sorry for Edmond and Autumn. Clearly they had no idea they were in the middle of a minefield.

"I don’t know what's going around here but it needs to stop!" Colin yelled as his fist hit the table. "There's been nothing but tension around here for the last few weeks and this is the end of it." He looked at everyone sitting at the table. "Now then, who's going to tell me what the damn problem is?"

Looking around and noticing that no one was going to speak up or make eye contact with her dad, Megan groaned as she opened her mouth to speak. "Well, the thing is everyone's sorta pissed at me, daddy."

"Why are they mad at you, Megan?" Her mother asked in confusion.

"Because I've been keeping secrets."

Dylan dropped his fork on his plate, turning everyone's attention to him. "I swear to God, Megan! If you'd just tell me his name…" Dylan's mother smacked him on the shoulder and reminded him that they didn’t talk that way at her dinner table. "Yes, mama." he answered in apology.

"What are we talking about now?" Colin asked growing more annoyed as the conversation progressed.

"How do you feel about the thought of grandchildren?" Megan asked while she pretended to go for a second helping of potatoes.

"Fine honey, we love kids. Honestly though, I haven't thought a lot about it," her dad answered as he looked over at his wife in confusion.

"Well, guess what? The Easter Bunny is bringing more than jelly beans this year." Megan looked at her parents and saw shock register on each of their faces. This wasn’t how she pictured telling them but the secret was out. "Dylan, can you pass the salt, please?" Megan asked, but Dylan ignored her.

"Megan, you really need to watch your salt intake," Shane offered as he passed the salt. Her brother was still glaring at her from across the table.

"Why thank you, Dr. Tucker." Megan said, repressing the urge to stick her tongue out at him.

Sitting quietly with his arms crossed over his chest, Megan noticed that Brian seemed to be just watching the show. He seemed happy for his sister and if Dylan

would take a moment to get his head out of his ass, he should be too. Dylan was just angry about the dad part of the equation and for once, Megan was too.

"We know that a baby's a blessing, but we don’t think you need Alan in your life," Sarah calmly replied, looking at her daughter.

"I've always wanted to kill him. Please tell me it's his," Dylan pleaded, almost looking happy for a change.

Megan stood up and threw her napkin on the table. She was completely fed up with her brother. "I'm a grown woman, Dylan! For your information this baby isn’t Alan’s." Megan took a deep breath to calm herself but she could feel the tears behind her eyelids. "And I'm not going to tell you who the daddy is either. He's aware of the situation and that's all you need to know." Megan turned and walked away from the table with as much dignity as she could muster.

After a few minutes of silence, Brian broke the tension that engulfed the table. "I guess dinner's over, huh?"

Getting up from the table, Ali took her plate and went inside. As she walked passed Brian, she smacked the back of his head.

Shaking her head at him, she followed Megan in the house where she found her in the den looking at a catalog for seeds of all things. "You gonna grow something else?" Ali's small attempt at humor fell flat.

"Are you talking to me now?" Scooting over, Megan made room for Ali on the leather sofa and she smiled as Ali rolled her eyes.

"I was never not talking to you. I just needed time to understand that you needed time to come to terms with not only the baby, but the father as well." There didn't seem to be any reason for Ali to tell Megan that her feelings had been hurt. Megan was her best friend she knew everything about her.

"What do you mean the baby’s father? What do you know?"

Ali shook her head. "Do you really think that you can keep this a secret? I know as well as Gabby and Shane. It’s only a matter of time before Dylan finds out and kills Gray."

Megan had to laugh because she knew it was the complete and utter truth. "Speaking of killing someone, what's going on with you and Dylan and where ever did you find Edmond? Not only that, but what possessed you to bring him today?" Ali wasn’t the only one that was nosy about other people’s lives.

"There is nothing going on with me and Dylan. He's a selfish, opinionated jerk and he's welcome to whatever bimbo that'll have him. You may have to deal with his shit, but I don’t." Leaning over, Ali put her arm around Megan and pulled her close "You know I love you, right? Stop worrying because everything will work out. Just wait, you’ll see." "Edmond and I are going to a jazz concert at the park. You wanna come?"

Megan wrinkled her nose. "Jazz. Um, no thanks. Not really my cup of tea."

"Whatever, I think it'll be fun. You need to lighten up, by the way. You’re pregnant, not dead."

"Ali…" Edmond called, walking in to the room.

"Hey sugar, Megan's going to come with us to the concert," Ali offered.

Ali was good at backing Megan into a corner. As Edmond smiled down at Ali, Megan could see his appeal. He was very handsome in a metro sexual kind of way.

"Sounds great. We need to leave in about an hour to get there in time. I thought you were going to invite Gabby and Shane?"

Ali stepped into him and he put his arm around her. "I'll see what Brian and Autumn have planned as well."

Megan couldn't resist. "You should see what Dylan's doing as well. He might like to come."

Smiling tightly Ali replied in a clipped tone "That’s all you, Meg. You want him to come you invite him. I'm so not going there."

Megan watched Ali and Edmond walk out hand in hand.

Chapter Thirty Five

It was hard to believe it had been two months since Megan had actually spoken with Grayson. He still took her to doctor Appointments but he was cold to her. He'd shut her out and although she hated to admit it, it hurt. She knew that was his way but it didn’t make her feel any better and neither was the thought of her appointment this morning. Grayson had a meeting with a new client but promised he'd meet her there.

Taking a long hot shower to help wake up did nothing to ease the queasiness. Whoever named it morning sickness needed to be smacked. Megan was certain the lying dog had to be a man! Tea seemed to help a bit so Megan put a kettle on to boil. Once she got that going, she went to get dressed. It was cold outside so she picked some leggings and a big sweater. If Ali saw her at the moment, she'd lecture her on her outfit. The way Megan was feeling however, she'd tell Ali to kiss her ass. With her outfit done, Megan looked for a pair of shoes and ended up wearing a comfortable pair of boots.

Megan sat at the kitchen table and sipped her tea slowly to avoid making her stomach mad. Even the thought of toast made her feel like puking. Sitting at the table, Megan couldn't help but think about the morning Grayson made her breakfast causing her to think about the night before they'd spent making love. Too bad she couldn’t add some whiskey to her tea.

By the time Megan finished her tea it was time to go. Megan grabbed her purse and her keys. She locked the back door behind her and headed to her truck.

It was a thirty minute drive to the OB/GYN Megan chose from the list of doctors Shane had given her. She passed the time singing with the radio. It was only nine in the morning but Joe Nichols was singing about tequila and clothes falling off which was

technically what got Megan into trouble in the first place. Just fucking great. Megan was a country song! Now all she needed was a dog.

Megan made her appointment on time and got the honor of peeing into a cup again. This morning wasn't going well and Megan had a feeling this was just the beginning.

Grayson still wasn’t there when Megan came back to the waiting room. The nurse came out again a few minutes later to call her back and took her blood pressure, way too many blood samples and gave Megan one those gowns that showed everyone her business.

After the nurse left the room, Megan got undressed and put on the gown. When she finished, she got up on the table to wait. Glancing at her watch, she saw that Grayson was twenty minutes late. What was keeping him? He never missed an appointment. When Megan's doctor came in ten minutes later, there was still no sign of Grayson.

The rest of the appointment was just like the others and Megan and the doctor spent time talking about her weight and her blood pressure and how Megan needed to watch both because of the baby. Sadly that was easier said than done.

By the end of the appointment, it was apparent that Grayson wasn’t going to show. Her doctor had surprised her with a sonogram and Megan now held a picture of the baby growing inside her. They were unable to tell Megan if she was carrying a boy or a girl but that was okay with her. But Grayson missed it and she felt bad for him, she really did. She knew he was as excited as she was but honestly, they each spent most of the time trying to ignore each other instead of enjoying the moment. Megan got into her truck and started the engine so she could turn on the heater. She was going to head

over to her parents house and show off the baby pictures. She could just hear her mother talking about colors and this and that. Smiling like a loon, Megan couldn’t wait to drive back home to Midnight to share her news.

****

"Damn it!" Dylan grumbled for the third time that morning. Where the hell were Grayson and Brian? Neither one of those jerks was answering their phone.

Looking at his watch, Dylan saw that it was one minute later than the last time he looked, which made it nineteen minutes till eleven. The client had given him until eleven to get the contract in. Dylan was just happy they called and said they hadn't received it. On the one hand that meant the company’s reputation for getting things done was still good. But on the other hand, why the hell hadn’t they received it yet? He knew without a doubt that Grayson had sent it to them. Maybe he got the email address wrong or something.

Running his hands through his hair, Dylan barked into the phone. "Have you heard from them yet?"

Mrs. Hoyt came back on the line, "No, Dylan. If I do, I'll let you know, dearie."

Immediately Dylan was sorry for his tone and told Mrs. Hoyt as much. Hell, it wasn’t her fault he couldn't get anyone to answer his phone. She'd reminded him that Gabby had taken the day off. She and Shane were going car shopping. Megan was at a doctor’s appointment, which pissed Dylan off even more. Not that she was at a doctor’s appointment but because she was still rarely speaking to him. But as far as those other two went, they'd better have a damn fine excuse for being incommunicado.

"Dylan, "Mrs. Hoyt said, interrupting his murderous thoughts.

"Yes ma'am."

"Brian's on line 2."

"Where the hell are you?" Dylan barked, snatching up the receiver.

"Chill man, I was at an engineering meeting at the Southside project. What’s got you all worked up?"

"The Denver shopping project that Gray has spent 3 months working on says they didn't receive the final contracts and I can't get him to answer his phone. As long as we get it to them by eleven, we're still in the running." Just thinking about not making the deadline was making Dylan perspire. The three of them had spent numerous man-hours on this but Grayson had written up the final proposal. The million dollar question was what the hell had he done with it?

"Ok. Let me think. Are you sure Grayson sent it to them?" Brian asked.

"Come on man, its Grayson. He's as dependable as they come." Dylan ran his hand through his hair knowing his statement was true.

"Ok, go to his computer and let’s see if you can pull it out of his sent mail."

Dylan laughed. "Why the hell did I not think of that? Hang on. I'm going to put you on hold so I can go to his office."

Picking up the phone in Gray's office' Dylan looked around. "How in the hell does he find anything in this garbage pit?"

Brian laughed. "I know man, but he can always put his hands on whatever it is he needs."

Touching the mouse, Gray's computer came to life. Double clicking on the outlook icon, Dylan waited for Gray’s email to boot up. The opening screen popped up his reminders, ‘Denver Shopping Plaza due at 11 am’ and ‘Appt with MJ 10:30am.’ MJ was Megan; sometimes the family called her that.

"What the fuck?" Dylan exploded.

"The computer not working?" Brian asked at the explosion.

"No! Why in the hell would Gray have Megan’s doctor’s appointment on his calendar?"

"What are you talking about? Dylan, keep your head in the game. Look in his frickin' sent mail and see if the contract is there." Brian said keeping his tone calm.

Dylan couldn't believe where his mind was going. He was going to have to kill his best friend and on top of that, Gray had been lying to them all along. The idea made him furious. There was no fucking way Grayson had gotten Megan pregnant. He was an upstanding guy. The kind that married a girl if they got them in trouble.

Sure enough, Grayson had sent the email and Dylan was able to find it with ease. Telling Brian the crisis was over, Dylan was going to fax the contract and overnight the original.

"Dylan, don't go off half cocked and do something we'll all regret. We'll talk to Gray together. Knowing Megan, she's using him for support and that’s all. Until last week I was sure it was that Jason guy that Ali has started seeing. But there's no way that he's the one or Ali wouldn't be dating him."

"What do you mean Ali's seeing him? I thought she was seeing that pretty boy Edmond." This day sucked ass, Dylan thought. He should have stayed home with his horses.

"I'm pretty sure when she flew off to Florida last week she was headed to Jason's. I overheard her telling Gabby that one of her cousins was getting married or something and that she was thinking of looking him up. What’s going on with you two? Why would you even care? "

"You are right Brian, there’s no reason at all for me to give a damn. But I am telling you I am going to get to the bottom of this whole Meg and Gray thing." Dylan said and hung up the phone.

Driving to Grayson’s, Dylan knew that Brian thought he was going to wait on him but fuck that. It wasn't happening. Somehow he'd managed to wait all day while Brian was out schmoozing with the flavor of the week. Driving around for the past hour and willing himself to calm down just wasn't working. Dylan was pissed. All he could think was that surely he was jumping to conclusions. Grayson had been his best friend for years and Dylan knew him better than anyone else. All Dylan knew now was that life was pretty fucked up.

****

Sitting on the sofa, Grayson was nursing his third beer. It had been a hell of day. The Boise State game was on but he wasn't really paying much attention to it. Instead he kept replaying the terrible day with Megan over and over in his mind.

It all started with him missing the appointment because he put the appointment in his calendar wrong and Megan being mad as fire at him when he finally showed up.

Grayson had pulled into the parking lot of the doctor’s office, as Megan was getting ready to back out. After opening the door of her truck, she stood there with her hands on her hip, which was never a good sign. "Oh, so now you decide to show up?" Somewhere deep down he knew she had to be happy that he'd made it even if he was late.

"Where are you going? I thought you had an appointment?"

"I did, an hour ago. But you missed it," she told him matter of factly.

"I'm sorry. I must've entered it wrong on my calendar. Then I got caught up working on a design for a new project."

Everything went downhill from there and Grayson felt like shit for missing the appointment, especially when Megan showed him the little picture of their baby. His hands shook while he held the small photo in his hands. This is what it was all about and when it came right down to it, the baby inside her was more important than both of them getting along. It didn’t make him miss what he thought they had in July any less, but made it that much more important to get back to that point. Grayson's mind knew that was never going to happen but it didn’t mean his heart felt the same way. Grayson had loved Megan for years and it was hard to break a habit like that cold turkey.

Today made him realize that she really didn't want him. With his eyes open to the fact that other than sharing a baby, they really weren't going to have a future together crushed him. He'd always thought when he had kids, they'd grow up the same way he did--with two loving parents that loved each other.

Grayson heard a noise and looked out the window to see Dylan’s truck pulling into his driveway. Hearing Dylan open the front door, Grayson yelled "come on in and grab a beer, we're only about three minutes into the first half." The guys usually watched the game together. But this time Dylan came straight to the living room without heading to the kitchen first, which caused Grayson to raise an eyebrow. "What, you give up beer?"

Dylan's stare was disconcerting but his words were worse. "Grayson, is there something going on with you and Megan?"

Taking a deep breath Grayson thought about what to say. "Did she say something was going on between us?"

"Damn it, Gray, that’s not what I asked you. Answer the damn question!" Dylan said through gritted teeth.

Standing up and looking Dylan in the eye, Grayson replied. "If there was something going on between Megan and myself, I can't see where it's any of your business."

"God damn it, Grayson Burke, are you the father of Megan’s baby?" Dylan exploded. When Grayson said nothing and looked away, it was all the answer Dylan needed. Dylan reached out and punched Grayson squarely in the jaw, knocking him on his ass in the chair. "How could you, you son of a bitch? There are plenty of women in

the world, why her? She's been dumped on enough without you adding to it. She didn’t need your smooth ways." Looking down at his best friend, Dylan couldn't seem to stop himself. "You better buy a fucking ring and tell me the wedding is only a matter of time."

Standing up meeting Dylan’s gaze, Grayson responded. "There's not a wedding planned."

Before Grayson could prepare himself, Dylan nailed him with a right hook. "Wrong answer, asshole."

Grayson wanted to hit him back except he knew that Dylan was right. If the situation was reversed and it was Gabby, Grayson was sure he'd come out swinging first and ask questions later. Hell, sometimes he felt like punching Shane just because and he was wonderful for Gabby. Rubbing his jaw, Grayson tried to explain. "I asked her and she said no. It was her choice."

"Fuck that, she’s out of choices. Get ready man. There'll be a wedding soon. You can either show up in one piece or in pieces. Your choice, asshole." With those words Dylan walked out on his best friend of over thirty years and regardless what he felt, Grayson hurt like hell.

****

Running on pure adrenaline, Dylan pulled up at Megan’s house not more than ten minutes later. Walking straight in, he saw Megan curled up on the couch with a book. "The polite thing would've been for you to knock and wait for me to say come in. But let me guess. You're too big of a jerk and you're also not polite. Did you forget I

told you not to come back until you're invited? I don't recall issuing an invitation so get out."

Unfazed by her words, Dylan chimed in. "How long did you think you could keep it a secret?"

Dropping her book onto her lap, Megan rubbed her head. "What are you talking about?"

"Don’t play innocent with me. I know all about what you've been doing behind everyone’s back. Grayson and the baby!" He exploded.

Her mouth fell open. "Did Ali tell you?"

"Ali knew too? Did everyone know but me, Megan?"

"Not everyone," Megan whispered.

"Megan this baby needs a father! You need a husband."

"Dylan, we've had this conversation before and like I said already, I'm grown and I make my own choices. I'll get married when I please to whom I please and it won't matter that Grayson is the father of my child or not."

"Megan, you need to choose to get married because there's going to be a wedding when I'm finished with the two of you." Dylan threatened.

"Oh, really? Are you wearing the dress or is Grayson? You'll have to pick a color other than white if it’s Grayson. He no longer qualifies."

Just short of smiling, Dylan had to admit she gave as well as she got. "Ha ha, you're such a comedian! I just want what’s best for you and the baby."

"Don’t you think I want what’s best for me, too? I just got out of a shithole of a marriage and the last thing I want to do is mess up more of my life or the baby’s." Megan ran her hands protectively over her stomach. "Besides, I'm a grownup. I don't need you fighting my battles for me. Grayson and I are capable of working this thing..." the phone ringing cut Megan off mid sentence.

"Hello," she said.

"Heads up, Dylan knows and he's probably on his way to your house," Grayson said.

"As usual, Grayson. A day late and a dollar short." Megan laughed.

"He’s there?"

"Yep. You need to talk to him?"

"Not the best idea." Grayson groaned.

"Ok, see you tomorrow," she said and hung up.

"Grayson?" Dylan asked.

"Yep," she said and giggled because she was having the same conversation with a different man. "Before we start yelling at each other again, it would help you to

remember that you're my brother, not my keeper. Call me when you are rational." Megan picked up her book and tried to ignore him.

Dylan knew when he'd been dismissed and he turned and walked out the door, not because he wanted to but because he knew the conversation was going nowhere. Getting in his truck, it was hard to resist the urge to go back to Grayson’s and finish beating the shit out of him. But what would that accomplish? Instead, Dylan headed home.

****

The next morning standing in the break room, Megan gasped when Grayson walked in. He had a black eye along with a nasty purple bruise on his jaw. "Get in a fight?" she asked.

"If you want to call it that."

Then Dylan walked in with a coffee cup in hand, nailed Grayson with a dirty look and left without any coffee.

"Dylan hit you." Megan stated.

"Leave it alone, Megan," Grayson growled.

"That asshole needs to control his impulses."

Twenty minutes later everyone was seated in the conference room for the weekly staff meeting and the tension was so thick in the air Megan could feel it. After the meeting, she pleaded a headache and told everyone she was going home.

On the way home she knew that she had to get things cleared up with her family. Picking up her cell phone she dialed.

"Southern Hospitality Party Planning and Catering, this is Ali."

Megan knew Ali was irritated because she could hear it in her voice. And why was she answering her phone? "Hey Ali, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, whatcha need baby cakes?" She said.

"Call everyone and tell them to come to your house for a family meeting at seven but ask the boys and Gabby to show up at six thirty. And will you please, please make enchiladas and potato salad." Megan held her breath. She wasn't sure what Ali would say.

"Ok, but you owe me and just for the record, enchiladas and potato salad don't go together!" Ali said laughing.

"Thank you. You're a doll. You might not think they do but the baby thinks that they sound delicious together."

Ali laughed. "Ok, if you want food tonight let me get off this phone I have to go to the market and still get some other work done."

"Thanks Ali, you really are the best!"

"And don’t you forget it, sugar!" Ali sang out.

Chapter Thirty Six

Megan was nervous about what she was going to do. It was going to be a tough crowd to please tonight. What seemed like a fabulous plan earlier now seemed to have holes in every angle and no speech Megan tried to prepare earlier sounded worth a crap now. At least she was the first one to arrive but only by a minute or two. Glancing in her rear view mirror, she saw that Shane and Gabby pulled in right behind her.

Walking into the house, Megan couldn’t help but inhale deeply. Ali’s house always smelled so good. Ali was an angel to make her enchiladas on such short notice. There'd better be some potato salad, too. Making a beeline to the kitchen with Shane and Gabby hot on her heels, Megan saw Ali looking like a Stepford wife. Red hair artistically arranged, black slacks, pink sweater, black patent leather Mary Jane shoes and an apron tied neatly around her waist, completed the outfit. It made Megan feel dumpy in her old jeans and large t-shirt. She was stuck in between her regular size and maternity clothes and she'd stuffed her unruly hair in an old Broncos ball cap.

"What do you need to me to do?" Megan asked her friend.

"Unload the dishwasher," Ali directed. "By the way, that outfit's hideous," Ali, said without looking up from the vegetables she was chopping at the sink.

Megan smiled. Leave it to Ali to state the obvious. Her outfit wasn't entirely hideous, it just wasn't in Ali's league. Ali rarely wore t-shirts and jeans and wouldn't be caught anywhere near sneakers unless she was working out. But Megan knew it was the ball cap on her head that pushed Ali over the edge.

Ali put Shane and Gabby to work making salad dressing and seasoning the steaks when they heard someone come through the door.

"All right Ali, what’s the big deal? Why did you call us all over?" Brian said walking in with Autumn on his arm.

Coming out of the kitchen, Ali gave him a hard look then let her eyes dart over to Autumn. "Megan wanted the entire family here." Looking into Brian’s eyes, Megan knew he got her message. Autumn wasn't family.

Behind Brian stood Dylan in a suit instead of his favored jeans and t-shirt. Megan knew the two of them hadn't spent any time together since August. Word was Dylan had called Ali but she hadn't bothered to return any of his calls. It stood to reason he was surprised to hear from her today and then to be invited over.

"I agree, what’s the big..." before Dylan could finish, Megan stepped from the kitchen. It couldn't have been a surprise that she was there given her truck was in the driveway. It was the look of determination on her face. As Dylan took off his coat and rolled his sleeves up, a knock came at the door.

Turning around Grayson now stood in the living room, the bruise on his jaw and his eye were no worse, but no better. Without a word, Dylan walked straight to the fridge and opened it

"Somebody needs to peel potatoes," Ali called. "Brian if you can bring a guest you can get your ass in here and help."

Grumbling, Brian and Autumn made their way to the kitchen with Grayson following. "Guess I'm somebody," Brian said as Ali handed him a potato peeler and everyone in the room snickered. Ali smacked him on the side of the shoulder and slung a ten pound bag of potatoes on the counter. "How many?" He asked.

"All of them, sugar." Seeing the look on his face, she went on. "They're not going to peel themselves you know." As Grayson laughed, Ali pinned him with a look. "Don’t worry, I can find you something to do, too. I need two light bulbs changed in the dining room. The extra ones are in the laundry room." Grayson looked at her and Ali raised her eyebrows at him. Saying nothing, he left the room.

"Ali, what else do you need?" Megan asked.

"I want you to sit down and take it easy," she told her friend. "Go in the den and find something on the TV and get comfortable. Shane's going to go get the grill ready, aren’t you, Shane?"

"Yes ma’am." Getting up, Shane headed out the door.

"Shane send Dylan in. I need him."

A moment later Dylan walked in stood shoulder to shoulder with Ali. "Shane said you needed me."

Leaning up to him she whispered. "Go make up with your sister. She's in the den." When he said nothing; she glared at him. Shaking his head, Dylan went over to the trashcan and threw away his empty bottle. As he started to reach for another beer, Ali handed him two glasses of sweet iced tea and pointed him toward the den.

****

"Whatcha watchin?" Dylan asked his sister. Handing her a glass of tea, he sat at the other end of the leather sectional and waited for her to say something. When it was

apparent she wasn't going to talk Dylan started. "I'm sorry. I'm tired of you being hurt and I'm not ever going to let anyone else ever hurt you again."

"I know you love me but you can't fight all my battles for me. Alan was an asshole, there's no way getting around that. And yes, I’m pregnant, can’t get around that either. But I'm just as much to blame as Alan was. I settled and I blame myself for that. And I'm just as guilty as Grayson, too. But I'm not ever going to settle again."

"Why do you blame yourself Megan? Alan isn’t worth it." Dylan said as he leaned toward her. "I hate seeing you hurting. It tears me up."

"He stopped loving me Dylan." Megan whispered. "I couldn’t make him love me anymore. I don’t know if he ever did to tell you the truth. I guess I wanted to believe all the tough times were just a bump in our marriage and everything would get better but it never did. I fell into a routine and put blinders on to keep the world out. But I don’t have the blinders on anymore."

Grayson entered the room and stood stock still, his hands clenched at his sides.

"He just wasn’t the right one for you." Grayson stated.

A hush filled the room and Megan stared at him. "Who is then, Grayson?" Megan really didn’t expect an answer. It was one of those questions that needed to be asked but had no real answer. Looking at Grayson, it was impossible not to see what he was thinking. He still thought he was in love with her.

Obviously she wasn't the only one that caught the look because the next thing Megan saw was Dylan lunge for Grayson. With one punch to his face, both men fell through the screen door and onto the porch with a loud thud.

Hearing the noise from the den, Ali came rushing out of the kitchen. She dried her hands on the kitchen towel in her hands and surveyed the scene. "What the hell is going on?" When Megan didn’t answer, Ali tried again.

Megan turned wide-eyed to Ali and opened her mouth but nothing came out.

Ali went to go separate the two men. Calling them men was a stretch at the moment though. But one way or another, someone was going to talk.

Without thinking, Ali ran outside. "What the hell do you two think you're doing?" Dylan took another swing at Grayson and Grayson ducked just in time to avoid the punch. Sadly, Ali didn’t.

Everything stopped at once when Ali went down. Dylan knelt down beside her and tried to get her to open her eyes. "Ali, please tell me you're okay. Can you hear me, baby?" By the look on Dylan's face, watching Ali fall had taken ten years off his life.

Grayson knelt down on the other side of Ali with a worried look on his face.

"Of course I can hear you. You hit me in the eye, not the ear, you asshole," Ali answered trying unsuccessfully to open both of her eyes.

"What the hell did you hit her for?" Grayson barked at Dylan.

"I was aiming for you, dickhead!" Dylan yelled back

"You could have fooled me."

Before things could get heated again, Megan knelt beside her friend. She'd gone into the kitchen to grab a steak and washed off the seasoning. Since she had two older brothers, she knew how to take care of a black eye. "Here Ali, put this on your eye." Megan passed the steak to Ali while she glared at the two men that caused this disaster in the first place.

Ali opened her good eye and took the steak. After eyeing it, she placed it gingerly on her blackening eye. "You could have given me one of the nicer cuts of meat, you know."

"She 's going to be just fine," Megan, said as she wiped her hands on her jeans and stood up.

Ali sat up slowly. Dylan tried to help her but she smacked his hand away. "I got it Dylan so just keep your hands to yourself."

"I'm so sorry Ali. I swear I wasn’t aiming for you..." Dylan didn’t get to finish before Ali carefully got up off the floor and walked back inside the house.

"Everyone get in here!" Ali yelled as she held the steak on her eye.

Looking around from her spot on the couch, Ali saw that Dylan and Grayson had sat down on opposite sides of the room. Gabby and Shane sat close to Grayson on the floor while Brian and Autumn were sitting on the sectional closer to Dylan. Megan chose a place by herself near the far wall by the fireplace.

"Look at us. We don't behave like this. Megan, I believe you have something you brought us all here to hear."

Damn Ali for calling her out, Megan thought. She waited to see where Ali would sit and when Ali took a spot on the floor close to Dylan, Megan smiled inwardly. Everyone in this room knows I'm pregnant and everyone in this room knows the father of my baby is Grayson." When nothing was said, Megan knew that they were waiting on her to get to the point. Unfortunately, that was the exact moment the parents began piling into Ali’s house.

"Ali, what's the meaning of needing us to come over right away?" Scott Landon asked, walking in to his daughter's den, with his wife, along with the Burkes and the Jameson’s, right behind them. "What in the Sam Hill happened to your eye? Why are you holding a steak on it? And where the hell is the door?" Scott asked going straight to his daughter and putting his arm around her.

"I got hit, daddy," she told him, cuddling up to him.

"BY WHO?" He exploded.

"I'm fine. Remember your blood pressure." Ali began patting his chest.

"Ok I think that I can explain," Megan said.

"You shouldn't be around all this commotion, honey. It's not good for the baby," Mary Burke said, looking at Megan with a worried expression on her face.

"Well I'm glad you're concerned about the baby because well… um because..."

"I'm the baby’s father," Grayson announced, walking over to Megan’s side and putting his arm around her for support.

The hush that fell over the room was the loudest thing Megan had ever heard. The parents were speechless. Elle Landon was the first to speak up. "We didn't even know that you and Meg were seeing each other. Why, this is wonderful news!" Being the southern lady she was, babies were such a happy occasion to Elle.

Gray cleared his throat.

"Momma, why don’t you and daddy come in the kitchen with me?" Ali said, walking over to her parents and Megan watched as the three of them disappeared.

With him standing behind her, Megan hoped they were presenting a united front. She knew there'd be questions but she wasn't sure that she was up to answering them by herself.

"Megan Michelle Jameson, you and I need to have a long talk." Colin Jameson told her. And then he turned to look at Dylan. "I suppose you've known about this and it explains your dreadful behavior at the office."

"Yes sir," Dylan answered dutifully.

Standing up, Brian walked over and kissed his sister and mother. "Look, Autumn and I are going to head out but please enjoy the potatoes I peeled. Call me if you need me. At this point I just think we're more in the way." Megan watched him head to the kitchen and say goodbye to Ali.

Shane and Gabby stood up and headed to the kitchen. Looking back at Dylan, Shane inclined his head toward the kitchen. Dylan nodded. "I'll be in the kitchen helping Ali if anyone needs me."

Looking around Megan saw that she and Grayson were alone with their parents.

Charlie Burke placed his hand on his son’s shoulders. "You two have some plans to make as to the care of my new grandchild."

Megan cleared her throat. "We haven't gotten that far, yet."

"With your divorce barely being final, I think a small, quiet wedding would be best," Sarah Jameson said.

Megan shook her head no. "Mom, it's twenty eleven, not nineteen fifty seven. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean that Gray and I are going to get married."

"By God it does! I raised him better than this. He'll do right by you," Charlie Burke hissed, his face turning red.

"Dad, we're going about things in our own way. It’s the best that we can do. Besides, Megan isn't ready to be married again right now." Grayson looked at his father knowing this was a hard fact for the man to hear. He was old school and Burkes didn't shirk responsibilities.

"Well, she may not be ready to be married but you two have another person that wasn't taken into consideration before you two decided to create him or her. It's different now. Collin said.

"Look, Gray and I are going to have a baby but that doesn't change things between us. It was a crazy thing that happened and no matter how much you all push us, we're going to do things our own way." Megan took a breath and reached for Grayson's hands without thinking. "Daddy, I know what I have to do to be a good parent

and I'm fortunate to be close to such great family for support but Grayson and I don't need to be married for this baby to be loved." Walking over Collin put his arm around his daughter.

"But Megan, what will everyone think?" Sarah asked. "I don’t care but do you or Grayson? People can be cruel and you've already been through so much because of Alan. Are you really ready for all of this?"

"You know, I don't care what people think. I'm having my baby. I'm not marrying Grayson. I'm not going to let you and daddy or anyone else interfere in my life." Seeing the hurt look on Charlie and Mary’s, Megan continued. "I'd never keep the baby from Grayson or from you two. When the time comes, everything will fall in to place." With nothing more to be said, Megan left them all staring at her and walked to the kitchen where Ali stood alone stirring a pot of something.

"Where did everyone go?"

"Brian and clueless went out for the evening. Dylan, Shane and daddy are outside grilling and Momma went upstairs to check her sugar levels. I guess Gabby is outside with the boys," Ali recited.

"Ali, how did my life get so fucked up?" Megan asked quietly, barely able to hold the tears back.

"Well sugar, that question can be answered many ways but my Memaw Stella Rae always said, "Don’t worry about how things got off track, worry about what you gotta do to get things back on track.""

Megan laughed. "More southern words of wisdom?"

"Yes and they never fail ya, either. You think about that. Oh, and hand me that strainer over there. I need to drain these potatoes and get this show on the road. Would you go remind Dylan that I want steak and not shoe leather. Those steaks are to be cooked medium rare and not a bit more. And tell him he needs to go get something so he and Grayson can fix my door. It's freaking October for crying out loud and now I have a hole in my house."

As always, Megan did Ali’s bidding.

Dinner that night was quiet but good. At least there were no more secrets. Megan felt better about her family knowing about Gray and the baby, not to mention the fact that now his family knew, too.

Later after the parents left, the girls were cleaning up the kitchen and keeping an eye on Grayson and Dylan who were fixing Ali’s door to her den. Megan wasn't sure things would ever be the same between the seven of them. In a way, she already missed her friends.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Making a third pot of coffee, Dylan scowled when he glanced at the clock. The unexpected snowstorm had him working late. Knowing he was expected at his parents no later than ten killed any chances of a quick nap. By the time he could grab a shower and chug more coffee, he'd be nearly running behind. Thankfully he'd already rounded up all his cattle and the horses to safe areas so he wouldn't have to worry about any of the herd.

Brushing his teeth after his shower, all Dylan could think about was at least Megan was going to be at the table this year. Whether she spoke to him or not was a different story. But at least she'd be there. He and Gray still weren't right and seeing Gray at work made Dylan want to punch him in the teeth. Worse than that though, was Brian, who acted like nothing had happened. And then there was Ali who had gone back to dating that jerk Edmond. Dylan prayed Ali would leave Edmund at home today. There was no way Dylan could be expected to deal with both Grayson and Edmond and still enjoy the holiday. Thanksgiving was going to be a riot as it was and Dylan just hoped he could get through it without throwing a punch.

Shaking the snow out of his hair, Dylan opened the front door of the Burke’s house. It was strange thinking he and Grayson weren't getting along. So much of his life had been spent at this house. He knew he ought to man up and apologize for being a jackass, but Dylan also knew it wouldn't be sincere. Taking a deep breath, Dylan realized the house smelled fabulous. Mary Burke’s turkey and dressing was legendary. Peeking in to the kitchen, Dylan saw his mother standing at the island stirring something in a bowl. Elle and Mary we’re sitting at the table arranging food on platters, to the left Gabby was standing at the sink peeling carrots. Ali and Megan were suspiciously absent. "Your best looking son is here," Dylan said, kissing his mother on the cheek.

"There's plenty for you to do. Go over to the oven and take out that turkey so Mary can baste it. You came in the nick of time. Now we don't have to pull anyone from the game to do it."

Dylan should've known better than to go in to the kitchen. There was never a time when those women couldn't find something for a man to do. Sitting the turkey on the island, he waited for Mary to baste it so he could put the bird back in the oven for her.

"Mom, do we have anymore of the cheese?," Grayson called from the direction of the den. Ali and Megan chose that moment to walk in as well, each carrying an armload of groceries, smiling and laughing with each other.

"Hey y'all, I have some more pies and cakes out in my car if someone will help me with them." Ali announced, smiling up at Dylan. No Edmond?

"I'll help you. Let me take those first." Taking the bags from both girls, he set them on the counter. Maybe Thanksgiving was looking up. Megan actually smiled at him and Ali was alone.

"Megan honey, come on over here," Her mother had open arms waiting for her and Megan went straight for her. "You look pale, are you feeling okay? Are you still getting sick?" Megan's smile immediately fell from her face. Grayson knew she was and he'd been worried until he talked to Megan’s doctor. He just wished that she'd let him help her more.

"When does it end?" Megan groaned as she sat down at the table next to Elle and Mary who were both laughing.

"It'll get better as you get farther along," Mary said as she squeezed Megan’s hand. "Did you get those fabric samples I sent you the other day? I knew you wanted the baby's room in green and I thought those were so pretty."

Megan and Grayson agreed on one thing--not finding out the sex of the baby. With that in mind, the baby’s room would be decorated in greens and yellows. Megan and the moms had been shopping for just the right things and had grown closer instead of further apart as Megan initially feared might happen. Grayson had been invited on a few of the shopping sprees but he said being alone with four women made him feel uncomfortable so he always declined. They'd even gone through the baby furniture that Megan and Grayson used as children themselves.

Grayson had been secretly putting a baby's room in his house for when he had his child at his home. He didn’t even tell his mother about it for fear that Megan would find out. Gabby knew what he was doing but kept it a secret for him. Since he wasn’t able to be around Megan as much as he wanted to he could learn about what her body was going through, Grayson read up on the process in the pregnancy books. He seemed determined to learn everything he needed to know. While he remembered Gabby as a baby, being a big brother and a father were two completely different animals.

The Thanksgiving meal turned out much better than Dylan expected. Conversation was made and it was nearly like old times. It was easy to see that he and Grayson were going out of their way to be nice to each other and no one was discussing the baby, but it was nothing like the last meal they'd all shared. The best part was that it was just family--there were no extra people. And even though it was terrible of him to feel this way, Dylan was secretly happy that Ali and Edmond had broken up. And Brian hadn't brought Autumn.

****

"Hey, Ms. Hoyt, how are you today?" Ali asked walking into Burke Jameson Construction. Stopping at the door, she hung her coat, scarf, hat and gloves on the rack as she waited for Ms. Hoyt to answer her.

"Well dearie, I'm just fine. You haven't been by in such a long time. We've missed your pretty face."

"You're so sweet. Are Megan and Gabby here?"

"Oh yes. Go on back. I'll let them know you're on your way."

Mrs. Hoyt was right, it had been a while since Ali had stopped by but things were just so crazy. It was almost easier to just let things be, but Ali missed her friends. "Knock, knock! Hey Megs, you in here?" She called into Megan’s office.

"Right here behind the desk. What brings you by Ms. Ali?" Megan asked.

"What the hell do you have on?"

"What? I have clothes on. It’s called an outfit, I believe." Megan told her before looking down at her green sweater. Sure it was old but it kept her warm and still fit, marginally.

"No, what I have on is an outfit. That's hideous and way too tight. My baby can't breathe in there. That’s it. We're going shopping tomorrow. Where's Gabby? Gabby Burke where are you?"

Ali saw Gabby walk out of her office laughing. "You rang, ma'am?" Ali laughed at Gabby’s tone.

"Do you see what she has on?" Ali pointed to Megan.

"Yeah, it’s pretty horrible and I told her as much. But she said she didn't want to wear maternity clothes."

"Well I don’t care what she wants to wear, she can’t be seen in public like that. Where did you get that sweater? Goodwill? Take it back. And those pants are terrible. Oh My God! You have on Keds. Megan, how old are you? My poor baby has to go around with you looking like this all day. It breaks my heart." Turning to Gabby Ali made a face. "This is a fashion emergency. We have to take her into Boise tomorrow and get her some clothes."

"I'm in. I told her just yesterday she looked like crap."

"Hey you two, you know I'm standing right here. Stop talking about me like I'm two years old and not sure how to dress myself. Wait! Your baby? You deal with the morning sickness and …"

Raising her eyebrows at Megan, Ali said, "Sugar, if you knew how to dress yourself, we wouldn't be having this conversation. So whatever you have planned tomorrow, cancel it because we're going shopping for stylish maternity clothes." Ali of course ignored the part about her having morning sickness. Brat!

"I'm not wearing a moo moo dress," Megan started again.

Ali held up her hand. "I said stylish. Last time I checked there wasn't a thing stylish about a moo moo."

"Fine but I'm not wearing overall or jumpers of any kind," Megan told them, stomping her foot.

All three girls laughed at once.

****

Ali picked Megan up the next day to go on their shopping spree just like they planned but some small details had been changed without Megan's knowledge. "Where’s Gabby? I thought she was picking me up for this torture session?" Megan questioned Ali after she got in the car. Megan was secretly happy to be hanging out with her friends. She was just being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. True, she really didn't want to wear maternity clothes but even she knew she needed them. Megan just hadn't been able to make herself go buy any. In a way she was glad that Ali had pushed her to finally do it.

"Change of plans. Gabby’s car broke down again and we're picking her up," Ali told her as they pulled out of Megan's driveway and headed east.

"Ali, I 'm not trying to tell you how to drive because I know it would be useless, but you do realize we're going the wrong way, don't you?"

"I'm not that silly. If we were going to Gabby’s, this would be wrong. But Gabby is at Grays," Ali told her in a small voice.

"WHAT? I can’t go to Grays. We're barely speaking to each other. There's no way I can go to his house. Turn this car around now, Ali! I mean it so don’t make me jump out!"

"Not going to work. We're just picking her up and then we're on our way to get you something great to wear because it isn’t fair to my baby having you dressed like that." Megan glared at Ali while Ali seemed oblivious.

Not ten minutes later they pulled into Grayson’s driveway. Megan’s heart jumped into her throat remembering that fateful July fifth she pulled into this same driveway for the first time. One day not only changed Megan's life, but so many others forever. Getting out wasn't what Megan wanted to do but she really didn’t have a choice. The baby chose this moment of all moments to jump up and down on her bladder. There was no way she'd be able to hold it all the way to Boise so she might as well go inside and relieve herself.

"What in the hell is that smell?" Ali asked as they walked into the house. Megan knew the smell. It was paint. What in the world could Grayson be painting in the middle of the winter? Walking down the hall, Megan stopped short when she saw the sunny yellow walls of one of the spare bedrooms. Knowing this had to be the beginnings of a nursery, her heart skipped a beat. Grayson was further along than she was on planning her nursery but what really shocked her was the fact he’d done it all on his own. An old rocking chair sat in one corner with a fresh coat of white paint. A dresser and changing table were sitting in the middle of the room waiting for the walls to dry to be placed. Crib bedding was stacked on top of the dresser and Megan had to take a peak. Grayson had chosen soft yellows and shades of cream to go along with the bright sunny walls. Megan was speechless.

Standing as if rooted to the spot was how Ali, Gabby and Grayson found her not two minutes later. It was hard for Megan to take it all in. This nursery was going to be a place that her baby would sleep away from her. How was she ever going to be able to abide leaving her child? Automatically, a protective hand covered her stomach. Another part of her didn’t want to have to share her baby this way. But it wasn’t just her child, it was Grayson’s too and it wasn’t fair to make him pay for what Alan had done to her. Grayson was right about this baby deserving two parents that loved him or her not individually, but together, as a family. Not because they had to but because they wanted to. Megan had been so wrong thinking Grayson felt obligated to her. What man would do all this if he only felt that way about the mother? This room was created out of love for a child. Megan needed to fix this but right now wasn’t the time. She needed a plan and since she was heading out shopping with her two best friends, why not make it a working lunch so Ali and Gabby could help her get her man back.

"So what do you think?" Grayson asked her. Grayson looked so worried and it broke Megan’s heart even more for all the pain she'd caused him these last few months.

"It’s beautiful. Gray. I'm sure the baby will be very happy here."

Grayson looked crestfallen but just nodded his head. "Well, you better get out of here because the fumes aren’t good for the baby. " He shooed the ladies out of the room and shut the door in their faces, locking it behind them.

After Megan went to the bathroom, she met her two friends on the porch where they both sat looking solemn and uncomfortable. Gabby had a hard time looking Megan in the eye. She had to know about this but she never said a word. "So, you both knew about this, huh?"

"Of course we did, hon." Ali smiled brightly at Megan. "Why do you think we stopped here? Gabby’s car is just fine but we wanted you to see how much Grayson wants that baby just like you do. Did it work?"

"If I said we need to make some plans, would that answer your question?" Megan didn’t stop for an answer but headed back to the car. Ali and Gabby followed and gave each other a high five as they went down the porch steps.

They did shop for maternity wear but the girls also made plans on how Megan could get Grayson back. Timing was everything however and given that Christmas was right around the corner, it seemed perfect.

Chapter Thirty Eight

This year Christmas was at Megan’s parent’s house and everyone was expected to be there. Sarah bought a large turkey and a ham for Christmas dinner and Megan’s mouth watered just thinking about it. Gray’s mom was making apple and pecan pies. Thank goodness Megan was eating for two because at least she had an excuse to go for seconds, maybe even thirds. Megan’s belly was bigger now and she had to wear maternity clothes and she had to admit designers had come a long way from the relics her mother had worn. Megan was nearly five months pregnant now and her morning sickness was nearly nonexistent. Thank God!

Since it was snowing, Megan chose black dress pants and a red sweater. Even pregnant, she refused to wear a dress. She wore black leather boots that didn’t have too high of a heel. Megan had let her hair down and let the curls go. It was too uncomfortable to wear it up. It felt good on her neck this way.

Once she was done getting ready, she went to her closet to get the presents. There was one for everyone and each one had been picked out with extra care. She had a lot of making up to do and Megan wasn’t missing a chance to bribe the ones she loved.

Picking up the small box wrapped in gold paper with a small red bow, she held it to her chest and sighed. This one meant the most to her. She just hoped it would be well received because everything tonight rode on this one gift.

She placed the small present on the kitchen table and started to walk the others out to the truck in small bundles. After she put the first load in, she started the truck to warm it up and she turned the defroster on high to clear the windshield of ice.

Megan heard the phone ringing when she came back in from outside "Hello?" She answered the phone short of breath.

"Megan? Is that you? Are you ok, is it the baby?" Her mom asked in one breath.

"Everything's fine mom. I was just taking packages out to the truck."

"Are you taking just a few at a time? You know you can’t lift a lot while you're in that delicate condition of yours. In my day we..." Once her mom got on a roll, Megan just kind of tuned her out. She had many years of practice.

"Mom! I]'m taking a couple at a time so don’t worry. What did you need anyway?" Megan asked once her mom stopped.

"Do you have Grandmas big platter over there? I can’t seem to find my other one."

"I can look. If I don't find it I'll call you. I'll see you later."

After hanging up with her mother Megan went back to filling her truck with presents as if she was Santa on a binge. She was about half way done when she saw a familiar truck coming up her driveway.

"Hey there Santa, you need any help with those?" Grayson asked. There was no smile on his face though. He had a wonderful smile and hopefully after she gave him his present tonight, she'd see it again.

"Sure. What are you doing here? I thought you had some work to finish before dinner?" Megan asked as she made her way back into the house with Grayson close

behind. Once inside she got a whiff of his after-shave and it brought back a few memories she didn’t need to think about.

"I figured I could do it tomorrow. Gabby said you had a number of presents to take over. I didn’t want you to overdo it so I came out to help. Where are they?" Grayson looked around the kitchen and then noticed them in the hallway. "Never mind, I see 'em."

While Grayson was loading the truck, Megan looked for the platter that her mom needed. She found it in the third cabinet and took it out to the truck and placed in on the front seat.

When she came back in, Grayson was standing by her kitchen table holding the small present. She started towards him until he looked up at her and then she froze. "What's this?"

"A present," Megan said deadpan

"I know that," Grayson sighed. "It has my name on it. Why?"

"Because it's for you. Grayson, sometimes I wonder how you graduated from college."

****

Grayson started to rip the paper and Megan lunged at him to grab it because he wasn’t supposed to open it yet but he held it out of her reach. She started to fall forward when Grayson caught her in his arms and pulled her into his chest. They stared at each other for a few moments until Grayson let go of her slowly. He told himself he

didn’t want to harm the baby but he knew what the true reason was and that wasn't it. The day that Megan stopped by and found the baby’s room painted Grayson was sure she'd change her mind. He wanted to show her just how much he wanted them both. After she left, he spent the rest of the day on the couch feeling sorry for himself and drinking beer. It was obvious she'd never change her mind and Grayson knew he should just move on. But he couldn't.

When he pealed back the rest of the paper he saw the box he'd given to her months ago when he asked her to marry him. With anger in his eyes, he looked up at her. "Is this some kind of sick joke?"

"No Grayson. In the last few months, I've come to a conclusion about us." Megan had to stop and take a breath.

Grayson sat down hard on one of the kitchen chairs. Setting the box in the middle of the table, he turned back to Megan. "What conclusion is that?" He asked calmly even though he was shaking with anger inside.

Megan walked over to the table and placed her hands on both sides of his face and bent down and kissed him lightly on the lips. She'd caught him off guard because he flinched. "I came to the conclusion that I love you Grayson. I want to be with you and only you."

Grayson took her hands away from his face and sighed, the room was so quiet you could've hear a pin drop. He picked the blue box up and opened it. Inside was the velvet box that held the ring Grayson special ordered just for Megan. He took it out to look at it again. "Why are you giving this to me Megan?" He asked, unable to look at her. Surely she had no idea how pissed off he was right now. She might love him but she gave him the ring back. Yet another Megan slap in the face to him.

"I gave it back to you so you could ask me again."

"Ask you what? To marry me so you can tell me no again? No thanks." Grayson put the ring back in the box and stood up. "It was a mistake to come out here. I have to go." Grayson started for the door but Megan caught his arm. She wasn’t strong but her touch made him look back at her.

"Please, Grayson. Ask me again. Please." She pleaded with her eyes. "I was wrong, so wrong. I love you so much, Grayson. Please don’t tell me it’s too late."

Grayson turned toward the door and rubbed his neck with his hand. He knew he still loved her but could he take another chance with her? If he gave her his heart, would she give it back again in pieces? "I’m too late." He heard the whisper and closed his eyes in an attempt to block out her words. "I'm so sorry and I hope one day you can forgive for what I've done to you. At least I'll always have a piece of you to love," Megan said quietly as she rubbed her belly.

Grayson turned around and grabbed her so fast that she had no time to react. He caught her in his arms and pulled her close, their baby nestled between them. Grayson could feel the small movements of his son or daughter in her belly. Looking down at her he noticed tears running down her face and he wiped them away with his thumbs. "Oh Megan, I can’t walk away from you. Don’t cry, baby." He brushed his lips against hers and then leaned his forehead on hers.

Grayson let go of her just long enough to walk her to the kitchen table. He sat down in one of the chairs and pulled her onto his lap. Cradling her to his chest, he took the box in one hand. It took him a bit but he finally got it open. "I saw this in Denver a week or so before you told me you were pregnant. I picked it up the day before and

planned to ask you to marry me but when I did, you thought that it was because of the baby."

"At the time I really felt that way. I'd just found out and needless to say, I think I was in shock. Imagine after years and years of trying it finally happened by accident. But it wasn't really an accident at all I guess and I'm glad it was with you, Grayson." She snuggled closer in his arms. He was so strong but he was always gentle with her.

"Do you know when I saw you as more than just Dylan’s little sister?" Megan shook her head. "That night you crashed our party in college. You walked in and I was blown away until I figured out who you were. Then I felt like a pervert." Grayson started to laugh. "I was a goner after that," he said looking down at her.

"When I kissed you at the bar, it freaked me out because I enjoyed it. I'd always thought of you as a brother. Not so much now," she grinned up at him.

"After that first time I made love to you, from that moment on you had my heart." He took her left hand in his and looked her square in the eye. "Megan, will you marry me?"

All Megan could do was nod at him while her tears of joy ran down her face. Grayson slipped the ring on her finger. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, the tenderness in his eyes overwhelming as he looked down at her with their hands together over her belly. Megan hugged him to her and kissed him with all the love in her heart.

"You can’t back out now, you know. You're stuck with me and I promise to make you both happy." Just when he was about to kiss her again, the phone rang. Grayson picked the cordless up and answered. "What?"

"Grayson, is that you? Where's Megan?" Brian asked

"She's right here. What do you need?" Grayson asked annoyed. He wanted sometime alone with Megan to make up for all the time they had wasted.

"Okay Scrooge, what crawled up your ass? We were all just wondering why neither of you were here. Dinner started already. Do you mind making an appearance?"

"Oh Shit, tell everyone we'll be right there."

"We?"

"Shut up." Grayson hung up before Brian could say anything else. "Dinner already started and we're being summoned. As Grayson nuzzled her neck, he whispered in her ear. "We can celebrate later because I plan to keep you awake all night."

After discovering that her truck was now out of gas, they transferred everything to Grayson’s truck and Grayson helped Megan into the cab. He'd left it running while they transferred the presents so it was nice and warm. Grayson locked the back door of her house and jumped into his truck. Before he could help himself, he had Megan up against the seat kissing her. Miserably he ended the kiss and put his truck into gear. This Christmas was going to be a memorable one for sure.

When Brian hung up with Grayson he was smiling. He knew his sister had won back her man and she'd be smiling again which everyone had missed seeing these past few months. Brian and Dylan would be uncles soon and Gabby and Ali would be aunts. Life was definitely looking good for their family. Brian followed the noise into the

kitchen and let everyone know Megan and Grayson were indeed coming and it appeared they were back together. He couldn’t help but laugh when everyone but Dylan yelled, "Yes!"

Epilogue

Being born is a traumatic experience for anyone and me being Emily Faith Burke is no exception. The world is entirely too loud and too bright.

"Let me hold her." Even through my loud screams, I know that's my mommy. She has the most beautiful voice in the whole world. My whole life that voice has been with me and I love it.

Wait, now who has me? Dark hair, blue eyes and strong arms. He won't drop me because he loves me. "Hey there bright eyes." He's my daddy. He and Mommy love me best.

"Emily! It’s Uncle Dylan." As if I wouldn't know his loud voice anywhere. I think mommy was right when she said he's never quiet.

"Hi Emmy, I brought you beautiful new shoes and a fabulous dress to come home from this place in." Too bad I can't smile yet because I know that is Auntie Ali.

Gosh, it's hard work being born, don’t these people know that? I think I need to rest and eat. Oh yeah, eating would be great right about now.

"Isn’t she beautiful?" That's Grandma Sarah.

"Of course, she's the very image of Megan." That's PawPaw. He's going to be lots of fun, I just know it.

"She has Grayson’s eyes." Silly Grandma Mary, these are my eyes, not my Daddy’s. He has his own.

"The shape of them is like Grayson’s but that sparkle is all Megan." Hmmm, Grandpa Charlie thinks I have sparkly eyes. I'll have to remember that.

"Hey there, little buddy. It’s a good thing you look like your mommy because your daddy ain’t all that cute." Uncle Brian, my name is Emily, not little buddy.

Ugh, who's touching my head now? "Hi there beautiful, your daddy is very handsome and Uncle Brian wishes he was half as handsome." Yep just as mommy says, Auntie Gabby always keeps the peace.

It's hard work being born but I think after a nice, long nap I'll enjoy being the center of attention.