The Reunion: Ashley's Mountain Retreat (Starting Over Series) Read online

  “I am actually forty five years old, Miss Ashley,” he said leaning back in his seat.

  “No way. That is not possible. What do you have up here? Some kind of magic mountain water?” she asked. City guys never looked as good, she thought to herself.

  “Maybe so. I suppose it’s the mountain air or the slower pace of life.”

  “I guess so.” Her palms started to sweat a little which was unusual for her. She never got nervous around men, but this one was different for her.

  “What’ll you guys have?” Emmy asked reappearing at the table. Parker ordered a hamburger and fries while Emmy opted for a Patty Melt with chips.

  “So, what’s your story?” Parker asked as Emmy left the table. Ashley’s breath hitched in her throat. This was getting more personal than she ever intended.

  “My story?”

  “Yep. What brings you up here to Mountainview? I mean, we are off the beaten path, as you know,” he said.

  “I… um… I just wanted a place to get away and think when I needed to. And I love these mountains. I went to nursing school in Atlanta, and I would sometimes take day trips up to this area,” she said trying to remain as objective as possible.

  “A nurse, huh? What kind of work do you do?”

  “I am a labor and delivery nurse. So, I basically help bring babies into the world every day,” she said with a slight smile.

  “That must be cool. I’ve never seen a baby born before, but I’ve heard it is an amazing event,” he said as he took a sip of his Coke.

  “Yes. Amazing.” Ashley’s stomach churned as she thought of her own empty womb. She had wanted a baby since she was a teenager, and somehow she had never been blessed to have her own. Adoption often crossed her mind, but she just wasn’t sure it would fill the void of never having her own biological baby. At forty years old, time was certainly running out, if it hadn’t already.

  “Are you okay?” he asked with a genuine look of concern on his face. “You stopped talking for a few minutes…”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. I was just thinking. Anyway, let’s talk about the house,” she said changing the subject.

  “Sure. Of course.” Parker went with the change of subject as he pulled out the paperwork so that she could make an offer.

  ***

  The ride back to the cabin was quiet. They stopped off at the market so that Ashley could get a few things for dinner and breakfast while she stayed at the cabin. As they approached the road up to the house, Parker suddenly pulled over.

  “Is something wrong?” Ashley asked looking behind them to see if a police officer had pulled them over.

  “I don’t know. Is it?” he asked looking over at her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ashley, I know that we are really strangers, but you seem like a nice woman. You were awfully sad about something back there, and I am a great listener. I just hate to see a woman so blue about something,” he said softly. At another time, she might have thought this was a come-on, but he seemed sincere.

  “I appreciate that, but it isn’t a big deal. And it certainly isn’t your problem,” she said biting her lower lip.

  “I don’t feel right leaving you at the cabin alone and sad,” he said with a smile.

  “Parker, I am sure you have plenty on your plate to keep you busy. You must need to get back home…”

  “Nope. I live alone and run my own business. I can do what I want. And right now, I want you to tell me what’s wrong.”

  Realizing that he wasn’t going to let up, she decided that she might as well spill her guts. At least he would stop asking, and it might just run him off completely. But, then she could get back to the cabin.

  “Alright, but remember you asked for it,” she said shaking her head. “I was sad talking about babies because I’ve never been able to get pregnant. At forty years old, my time is definitely running out. Secondly, I was married for eight years to a man who turned out to be living a double life. He was married to someone else in another city and had several kids. As you can imagine, that didn’t make me feel so good. Talking about delivering babies just put me back in a space I am trying to forget for a few days. That’s all. Okay?”

  Parker just stared at her for a moment. There was no look of disgust or even pity. There was a softness about him that tugged at her heart and made butterflies do a dance in her stomach.

  “Thanks for telling me that.”

  “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Ashley asked incredulously.

  “What do you want me to say?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she said. She felt kind of irritated that she had bared her soul to this stranger, and now he seemed uninterested.

  “Ashley, I need to know right now whether you want me to be a man or an objective real estate agent.”

  “What?”

  “Which role can I play right now? Should I tell you what I want to say as a man or continue acting like a real estate agent?”

  She thought for a moment, and the anticipation of what his “man” side would say was killing her.

  “Speak like a man, please.”

  “Okay. I think whoever the jerk was that lied to you all of those years should be taken out behind the wood shed so he can get the crap beat out of him. Secondly, you are one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in person, and any man should be honored to share his life with you.”

  Her heart sped up as she looked at this man who had seemingly been dropped in her life by God himself. Was he a mirage? Was he some kind of dating angel? It was everything she could do to not jump into his lap and bite his full bottom lip. Instead, she just said “Thank you.” What a crock. Thank you? That’s all you can say?

  “You’re welcome,” he said with a slight smirk as he re-started the truck and made his way up the steep incline to the cabin.

  Chapter 4

  As Parker pulled up the driveway in the dark, Ashley was amazed at how easily he did it. She wondered if she could ever venture out at night once she owned the place. It was hard to imagine being able to maneuver her large SUV back home up the steep incline, but she decided that she would figure it out one way or another.

  “Thanks for dinner. It was great,” she said looking over at him as she reached for the door handle. “Let me know what the seller says about my offer. You have my cell number, right?”

  “I surely do. Listen, I never do stuff like this, but would you be interested in going out tomorrow?”

  “Like on a date?” she asked trying not to look too excited.

  “Yes, ma’m… like a date,” he responded with a grin. “I was thinking you might like to see the sights around here in the day time. I could pack us a picnic lunch, and we can do a little hiking.”

  “Hiking? I really didn’t bring proper clothes for hiking,” she said.

  “Well, I don’t mean we have to climb rocks or anything. You got a pair of boots, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do have boots.”

  “Wear ‘em,” he said with a wink. “And bring a jacket just in case. The mountains can be a bit crisp this time of year.”

  “Okay then, yes sir,” she said saluting him.

  “Very funny. Here’s the keys to the place. I will be here to pick you up around ten,” he said handing her the keys to the door. When their hands touched, she swore she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her.

  “Good night,” she said softly.

  “Good night, Miss Ashley,” he whispered back as he held her gaze for a moment.

  Parker watched her as she unlocked the door and waved from inside the window before he pulled off. Ashley sat down on the sofa and sighed.

  ***

  Morning couldn’t come soon enough. Ashley had tossed and turned in the uncomfortable bed all night as she waited for the sun to rise. Thoughts of the handsome and dashing Parker Crenshaw were dancing in her head, and she had a hard time fighting back the excitement over their date.

  The other, more logical part of Ash
ley told her that he was off limits. After all, he lived several states away and long distance relationships were on her list of “don’ts”.

  Putting on a pot of coffee, she looked at the clock. It was only eight o’clock, and she was already dressed and sitting by the door. How desperate was that? As Ashley sat down on the sofa, she heard a text message on her phone.

  How’d you sleep?

  It was Parker! She couldn’t believe how butterflies started dancing around in her stomach at the mere thought of him.

  Not very well. The bed is like sleeping on tree limbs!

  As she typed, she stretched her neck and back.

  Maybe that cup of coffee will help wake you up…

  She smiled for a moment before she realized that she hadn’t told him she was drinking coffee. She put down her phone and ran to the front window only to see him sitting in a rocking chair on the porch with a smile.

  “Parker! What are you doing here so early?” she asked with a smile.

  “I guess I was a little excited about our date,” he said slowly standing up. “I’m not a stalker, I swear.” He held up his hands as if he was trying to stop traffic.

  “I’ve gotta say, I am not sure that would hold up in court,” Ashley said with a smirk.

  “Wanna get some breakfast?” he responded ignoring her comment.

  “Sure. That sounds good. Let me get my coat and purse,” she said walking back inside. Ashley’s insides were a mish-mash of emotions - excitement, anxiety, trepidation. How could they all fill one space?

  As they drove into town, they talked about her life back home in Texas, her job, her family. She felt more comfortable with him than she expected after having known him for a couple of days. Conversation flowed easily and freely. It struck her that communication with Dave was never so easy. As an attorney, he could pick apart anything she said so winning an argument with him was near impossible.

  They pulled up to a small restaurant called “Celia’s” and Parker walked around to open the door for her. She slid out of the truck, thankful that she had worn jeans, boots and a baby blue sweater in the cold, mountain air.

  The restaurant was small and very country. Celia, a big barrel of a woman, gave Parker a warm hug as they walked through the door.

  “Hey, honey!” she yelped as she kissed him on the cheek. Ashley couldn’t help but be a little jealous of her at that moment.

  “Hey, Aunt Celia…” Parker said trying to get his breath as she hugged him.

  “Your aunt?” Ashley whispered.

  “Ashley, this is my aunt Celia… the friendliest lady in town,” he said with a smile.

  “Hi there, Ashley. And how do you know my favorite nephew?” she asked with a grin.

  “He’s selling me a house,” Ashley said.

  “Oh, I see…” she said in an almost disappointed tone.

  “Aunt Celia, don’t…” he warned as he held up a finger.

  “Fine… There’s a table right over there. Make yourselves at home,” she said pointing to a table in the corner.

  As Ashley sat down, she looked at Parker’s uncomfortable face. “What was that about?”

  Parker smiled and his face turned a shade of red. “Well, my Aunt Celia is a matchmaker at heart. She thinks every woman I bring in here should be my date…”

  “Every woman? You bring a lot of women here?” Ashley said as she looked around smiling. “Not exactly a babe magnet, Parker.”

  “No, I bring clients here for breakfast meetings a lot. She wants to fix me up with everybody,” he said.

  “Why does she want to find you a date so badly?”

  “Because I haven’t dated in several years since…” Parker stopped himself.

  “Since?” Ashley’s curiosity was peaked now, and she wasn’t going to let go.

  “It’s something I don’t really like to talk about…” he said looking down.

  “Oh. Sorry…”

  “It’s okay. You opened up to me yesterday, so I guess I should return the favor. I’m a widower, Ashley. My wife died five years ago, and I have not been on a date since then.”

  The revelation shocked her. She’d never expected that he was a widower. She figured he was just a lifelong bachelor.

  “I’m so sorry, Parker,” she said, instinctively reaching out and placing her hand on his. As a nurse, she’d had to comfort many people over the years.

  He looked up at her and stared into her eyes for a moment. “Thanks…”

  Ashley realized that she still had her hand on his. Removing it, she picked up a menu to divert her attention. One of the waitresses took their order.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure,” he said.

  “Why did you ask me on a date if you don’t go out on dates?”

  “Because I couldn’t help it,” he said with a smirk.

  “What do you mean?”

  “There was just something about you… Losing someone you love teaches you that you can’t take things for granted. If you feel something, you need to act on it.”

  “And you feel something?”

  “Well, I did show up at your house two hours early, didn’t I?” he said with a wink.

  “Yes, you did…” Ashley said.

  As they ate breakfast, Ashley kept thinking about the “feel something” remark. What did he feel for her after only two days? Was that even possible?

  When breakfast was over, they drove up deep into the mountains. He parked the truck near a pathway and got out.

  “Where are we going?” Ashley asked, all too aware that she was willingly trekking into the woods with a stranger.

  “There is a waterfall and small pond up there. It’s a bit out of the way, but it is the perfect spot for a picnic later. Is that okay?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  Parker got the picnic basket and his backpack, and they began to head up the trail.

  “So, have you ever thought of moving to Georgia?” he asked out of the blue.

  “No. I’ve never really thought about it. I mean, I lived here during college, but then I ended up in Texas. I have great friends there, but nothing is out of the question, I suppose.” Ashley surprised herself.

  “We have a great hospital just outside of town. I bet they need labor and delivery nurses there,” he said with a smile as he cocked his head at her.

  “Are you trying to sell me a house or sell me on moving here?” she asked.

  “Maybe a little of both.”

  “You don’t really know me that well, Parker. I’m not as wonderful as I might seem,” she said flipping her hair sarcastically.

  “Oh really? You seem pretty cool to me.”

  They continued to walk as Ashley talked about college and life back in Texas. Parker spoke about living in Mountainview all of his life.

  “Do you ever think about leaving here?” Ashley asked.

  “No, not really. It’s a great place to live. And raise a family…”

  Ashley’s heart sped up again. Family. There was that word again. Why did she feel so emotional about having a baby lately? Back in Texas, things like this did not bother her, but this stranger was making her feel all sorts of things that she had managed to keep buried for years.

  “You want a family?” she asked quietly.

  “I do. I would like to have the whole thing. A house, a white picket fence, kids running around… What about you?”

  “Well, I don’t think that’s going to happen for me, Parker,” she said trying to gently remind him about her infertility issues.

  “Don’t say that, Ashley. You know better than I do how many medical interventions they have these days. Plus, there’s always adoption. I don’t mean to pry into your life, but to me it’s an easy decision. If you want to be a mother, it doesn’t matter if the child shares your DNA…”

  Ashley had never really considered adoption seriously, but she knew he was right. What was she waiting for? Prince Charming? She could be a mother any time she wanted if sh
e adopted. Being pregnant was something she wanted for herself, but she wanted to be a mother more than she wanted to be pregnant.

  “You’re right… I’ve never thought of it like that.”

  “I just know that you can’t live in that kind of grief forever. Before you know it, years have passed and you are no further along,” he said sitting down on a big rock beside the path for a break. Ashley said down next to him.