Trust Me (77 page)

“Sandra,
these are my brother’s monsters,” Creighton told her a few moments later when the children released him. “This is Spencer and Mandy.” He introduced them together and smiled as they both hugged Sandra. Creighton took Traci Ann from his fiancée and sat her on his shoulders, tickling her knees and causing her to giggle hysterically.

“All
right you three,” their mother said with a warm smile. “Let Sandra breathe. Hello, I’m Kristine, the mother of these creatures.” Sandra shook her hand with a smile as the children slowly relented and eased away.

“It’s
very nice to meet you,” Sandra said, glancing down to her stomach. “When are you due?”

“Next
month, but not soon enough,” she answered. “I swear to all that's holy, nine months is far too long to carry a baby.”

“Could
be worse,” Creighton teased, hugging the woman and kissing her cheek. “You could be an elephant. They stay pregnant for two years.”

“Not
on your life,” the woman argued, stepping aside as Creighton lowered Traci Ann to the floor, looking up as his brother and father approached. Derek reached him first, wrapping his arms around his brother, equaling him in height and weight, but far less muscular than the younger.

“Welcome
home little brother,” the man said, then turned to look at the woman next to him and smiled warmly. “Had no idea you would return engaged, but we’re all delighted.”

“Darling,
this is my eldest brother Derek and my father William,” Sandra blushed, shaking hands with his brother who chuckled, much like Creighton before hugging her securely.

“It’s
a pleasure to finally meet you,” he said, releasing her in time for his father to follow suit, hugging her in a very fatherly manner. “We were beginning to think Cray had gone mental.”

“Why’s
that?” Sandra asked with a slight frown when she was finally unwrapped from everyone’s arms, except Creighton’s.

“Creighton
has spoken about you so often, we were all beginning to think you were a figment of his imagination,” William said, waving an arm toward the table.

“Nice
to know my family has such confidence in me,” Creighton said with a warm chuckle as he held the chair out for Sandra to sit then chose the one next to her. Kristine poured two additional cups of coffee and joined them at the table, while her three children eagerly climbed on available laps. Spencer sat on his father’s knee; Mandy climbed up on her grandfather’s lap and Traci Ann practically jumped onto Creighton’s lap, giggling as he began bouncing his leg beneath her.

“When
your son comes to you and tells you he met a woman in America and has decided to marry her, you’re happy,” William began. “But when he admits she doesn’t yet know him; you begin to wonder if he’s daft as a brush.” Sandra frowned, looking to Creighton who groaned slightly.

“That
means they thought I lost my mind," he clarified, causing her to smile and blush.

“I’m
sorry dear,” William said. “We forgot you were a newbie to England.”

“That’s
all right,” she said softly as they all laughed. “Creighton has promised to get a book of translations.”

“So
what did you do to Irena?” Emma asked her son when she joined them. “She was spitting tacks when she came back down here.”

“Yeah,
that would be my fault. She surprised us and I sort of yelled at her.”

“You
need to apologize,” Sandra said softly, reminding him that he had promised to make things right with his sister. He kissed her cheek and stood up, handing his niece to her mother.

“Yes
ma’am,” he said, his tone laced with humor. “Where is she?”

“She
went to the hen house, of course,” his mother told him. Creighton drew a deep breath and walked toward the back door, leaving the others to watch his departure.

“Irena
goes to the hen coop when she’s upset. It’s an old habit,” Kristine explained. Sandra just smiled in return, unsure what she should say.

“You’ll
get used to it all very soon, Sandra,” Emma said, patting the girl’s hand from across the table.

“Has
Cray told you about the final plans for the wedding?” Kristine asked, changing the subject. Sandra nodded her head softly, sipping the coffee from the cup in front of her.

“He
told me most of it; I’m just amazed that everything has been planned so easily.”

“Your
gram helped finish everything up, via the Internet or phone and all the plans are in motion,” Emma said.

“Cray
said you wanted things simple, which helped a lot in getting things arranged on such short notice,” William added. “The chapel was the only tricky part, but with a little persuasion on Cray’s side, we managed to get it for the ceremony.”

“He
has a way of persuading people,” Sandra said softly, looking down to the coffee cup.

“Don’t
you let that bother you none,” Emma insisted. “Cray only uses his money and his influence when he feels it necessary. He wanted everything to be perfect for your big day; that's all.”

“I
wish he would stop spending money on me.” Sandra blushed scarlet, realizing she had spoken aloud to his family.

“He
will soon enough,” William said. “He just needs to settle down a bit.”

“He
did the same thing with all of us,” Derek said with a warm smile. “Once he started making money, he was pretty insistent on making certain everyone had what they needed and wanted. It’s been a good two years since he stopped bringing presents every time he came to visit. Now he only does it occasionally.”

Sandra
thought of the gifts he had purchased for them in Orleans a few days before, choosing to ignore the subject as the back door opened up and Creighton walked through holding hands with his little sister who was smiling brightly beside him.

“Anyone
home?” a voice shouted from the foyer as a young man appeared in the doorway. Sandra looked to Creighton, who sat down beside her again, taking a drink of his coffee. He physically became tense, his jaw clutching for a moment before he pulled himself back under control, glancing up at her. Their eyes met and she knew he was aware she had noticed the change in him. He drew a deep breath when the man stepped to the table, patting him on the back. Creighton stood and accepted the hug his brother offered, even though it was a little strained on both sides.

“Good
to see you brother,” the man said, his eyes drifting to Sandra as he released Creighton. “So this is the famous Sandra,” he said with an amused smile, his eyes taking in every feature of her face, then lower to her tight tee-shirt.

“Sandra
this is my brother Andrew,” Creighton said, watching closely when the man reached out and shook her hand.

“It’s
a pleasure to meet you. I was wondering if this boy would ever have the courage to bring you to meet the family or not.”

“Why
do you say that?” Sandra asked with a frown.

“Just
that he’s talked about you so often, we were all beginning to think he was delusional.”

“Thanks
Andrew, appreciate that.” Creighton said sitting back down at the table.

“Andrew,
coffee’s fresh, go pour yourself some,” Emma said. It was more than obvious this type of tension was the norm between the brothers and their mother was accustomed to intervening. “Supper will be ready once Sandra’s family gets here. I’ve put you and Creighton up with Derek and Sabrina will share Irena’s room. Sandra’s grandparents will take Sabrina’s room, and her sister can have yours.”

“Sounds
good,” Andrew said with very little conviction as he walked to the stove and poured the coffee. Creighton glanced to Sandra and smiled a halfhearted attempt when the front bell rang. William stood and disappeared through the foyer and then the sound of familiar voices echoed through the house causing Sandra to smile, recognizing her grandfather’s deep tone. She stood and hurried out of the kitchen. She smiled happily wrapping her arms around her grandmother who pulled her into a warm embrace.

“Sandy,
you look beautiful,” she said, kissing her cheek. “Europe has been good to you.”

“Or
maybe it’s love,” her grandfather said, taking up where his wife left off and hugging her tightly. “I’m so happy for you,” he whispered.

“Thank
you so much for coming. How was your trip?” Sandra asked, wiping the stray tear from her cheek.

“It
was amazing,” her grandmother said. “Have you seen that plane? It was pure luxury. I could travel like that anytime.”

“I’ll
keep that in mind,” Creighton said, stepping to Sandra’s side. “The plane will always be at your disposal, Mrs. Stevens, whenever you wish it.”

“The name is Nana,” she said pulling the young man into a bone crushing embrace.

“I’ll try to remember that,” he chuckled, turning to look at the older man next to him.

“It’s
good to see you again, Mr. Ashford,” Papa said, shaking Creighton’s hand.

“Please
call me Creighton, or Cray. We’re about to be family, after all.”

“That we are and the
name is James, but most people just end up calling me Papa.”

“Will
you let the man breathe,” the feminine voice said behind them, causing Sandra to turn to see her sister standing near the door. She rushed to her side, hugging her sister tightly.

“Cathy,
I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.

“You
are sure you’re happy?” Cathy asked in a soft whisper next to her ear.

“Very,”
she whispered back. “Come meet Creighton’s family.” Sandra pulled her sister toward the man who walked ahead of them, her grandparents in his wake.

The
next hour was spent in happy introductions and friendly reminisces of their trip and the happy couple as children. Sabrina arrived a few moments after Sandra’s family and the noise increased and continued until Emma announced that supper was ready.

The
food was placed on the long antique walnut table as additional chairs were gathered. The room was warm and inviting; a large brick fireplace stood at the end with three long narrow windows looking out onto the twilight sky, draped by burgundy and white floral curtains. The walls were painted in a soft wine, the dark wainscoting and crown molding matched that of the rest of the house. A small table was set up near an antique buffet for the children while the rest of the family gathered around the dining table.

Sandra sat next to Creighton who sat on the left of his mother, who was at the end of the table. Derek sat next to Kristine on Emma’s right side, with Cathy and Andrew next to them, enjoying a private conversation of their own. Sabrina and Irena sat on either side of William who was at the head of the table, while Nana and Papa took up the seats next to Sandra. The noise and excitement continued while plates were filled with steaks, scalloped potatoes, steamed carrots, fresh salad and homemade rolls.

Red wine was poured around the table, with the exception of Kristine and the children who chose apple juice or fresh milk. The lights from the ceiling illuminated everyone with a warm glow and conversations continued, occasionally bringing up the wedding or the reception. Emma cleared her throat loudly once everyone had their supper, bringing silence to the room. William stood as if on cue, raising his glass to those around the table.

“This is a very special occasion,” he began. “As much as we love having our family together, having new additions are even better. As the head of this family, I would like to welcome Sandra and her family into ours and congratulate her and Creighton. Here’s hoping you have a long love affair that spans the limits of time and space.”

Everyone cheered, raised their glasses and smiled to the young couple. Creighton took a sip of his wine, winking to the woman at his side.

“So, Cray, are you really buying the old Marston place?” Andrew asked, cutting his steak and glancing toward his brother. Creighton looked across at his brother and forced a smile to curve his lips, though Sandra could see it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Marston place?” she asked him quietly.

“The Marston family was the original owners until Miriam’s father bought it. Around here, it’s always been known as the Marston place.”

“Probably always will,” Emma said quietly.

“So, are you really buying it?” Andrew repeated.

“Already did,” he answered, setting his fork aside and reaching for his wine.

“Can’t imagine why in God’s name you would want to buy that dump. It’s a disaster, has been for years.”

“Everything can be fixed with the right hands doing the work.”

“What are those things on the roof?” he asked, glancing behind his brother to the house that could be seen from the dining room windows.

“Solar panels,” Creighton said proudly. “The house will be completely eco-friendly once it’s finished.”