Farewells
"Where are we going, Aunt India?" Beau questioned as India buttoned his coat and placed a cap on his head.
"I told you, Beau, we're going to your Daddy's work. We're going to take him some lunch. Would you like to do that?"
"Oh, yes!" Beau smiled. India reached for the basket containing Ashley's meal and escorted her nephew out into the sunshine. The sun's warmth washed over her face and India suddenly realized that she was beaming, too. She reveled in the pleasure she felt, in the change that had taken place inside her. Something had turned, changed for good, and India liked it.
She hoped silently that Grey would be at the mill. They'd seen quite a bit of each other since the incident at Kennedy's. India knew that Grey's lumber order was nearly ready and that he'd be leaving for Louisiana soon; she wanted to take advantage of every moment together they had left. Funny, she didn't remember when her feelings for Grey had changed. Things happened in a sort of whirlwind, one she rather enjoyed being caught up in.
They arrived at the mill to find Ashley poring over the books, his eyes looked tired, and his mouth was tight. He smiled at the sight of Beau who ran toward him with arms outstretched. Ashley took him up in a tender embrace, appearing to gain as much comfort from the hug as Beau did. "What brings you to work today, sir?" he asked Beau in an exaggerated, businesslike tone.
"We brought you some lunch!" Beau declared, hastily taking the basket from India and shoving it toward his father. Beau grinned as Ashley uncovered the basket and gasped excitedly at its meager contents.
"The biscuits are leftover from breakfast," India informed him. "There's a fried pork chop and a baked apple as well. And teacakes for desert."
"I helped Aunt India make the teacakes!" Beau boasted proudly. He gazed at his father admiringly as Ashley smoothed his son's brown hair. It was the same chestnut color that Melanie's hair had been.
"You did?" Ashley asked. "Then I'm sure they'll be absolutely delicious!"
"May I stay with you while you eat?" Beau asked as he seated himself beside his father. "Please?"
"Of course you can," Ashley replied. "As long as Aunt India says it's all right."
"Aunt India?" Beau looked at her pleadingly.
"It's fine with me," India told him honestly. "In fact, I believe I'll step out to enjoy the sunshine while the two of you have lunch." India moved outside the mill office and inhaled deeply. A slight breeze moved through a nearby tree, asserting just enough force to barely stir its tiny green leaves. Spring, India mused, has finally come. She smiled a bit at this small-seeming revelation, knowing fully that a small thaw had begun in more than just the red Atlanta earth, it had begun in her heart as well.
"Excuse me, ma'am," a deep male voice interrupted, "I'm looking for a Miss India Wilkes."
India whirled around to find Grey standing behind her, smiling slyly, his entrancing blue eyes narrowed. She'd been so deep in thought that she hadn't even heard him approach. "Grey," she smiled brightly before she even realized it. His eyes twinkled merrily as he took in her appearance.
"Oh, excuse me, Miss. You couldn't be the India Wilkes I'm thinking of," he teased lightly.
"Really?" India responded raising an inquiring brow.
"Yes'm, you're entirely too lovely to be the woman who I first knew to be India Wilkes."
"Is that so?" She crossed her arms over her chest in feigned offense, but couldn't muster a pretend pout. She could only smile at Grey's amusement.
"That's right. The woman I'm speaking of has a hard time controlling her tongue and she's sometimes found covered in flour, not to mention has a temper that would rival any Irishman I know."
"Greyson McAllister, don't you dare tease me that way!" India protested weakly, but found herself laughing in spite of it.
Grey reached for her hand and gave it a small squeeze before speaking again. "What brings you to the mill today?"
"Beau and I brought Ashley his lunch. It was just such a nice day I couldn't resist getting out of the house for a bit. How about you? What brings you here?" India inquired.
"I'm making the final arrangements on my lumber order," Grey informed her. "I'll be leaving for home tomorrow morning."
"Really?" India tried to conceal her obvious disappointment. The past two weeks had been unbelievably enjoyable. She feared that Grey's departure would send her reeling, back into the rut in which she'd spent so many lonely years. "I'm sure you're anxious to return to Baton Rouge."
"It's always nice to go home," Grey consented. He must have seen the change in India's demeanor because he quickly added, "Though I have enjoyed my stay in Atlanta."
"Have you." India pulled her hand away from his abruptly, her head lowered, her eyes cast down to the dirt beneath their feet. "I'm glad to hear it.'
"India?" Grey prodded.
"Hmm?" was her response.
"India, don't be angry with me," Grey pleaded earnestly. "You knew full well that I'd have to go back to Baton Rouge sooner or later. What with Meg's wedding and everything, you knew I'd be heading home eventually."
"I'm not angry," India said quietly. "I'm not."
"Then why won't you look at me?" Grey asked her. India instantly lifted her gaze, forcing a smile in Grey's direction. His concerned expression didn't lift, it only deepened. "India, you must know how fond I am of you."
She sniffed nobly, and then nodded. True, Grey had never spoken aloud of his feelings for her, but India knew he hadn't been spending time with any other girl during his visit to Atlanta; not even with that horrid Scarlett Butler, who had tried so persistently to snag him. India's gaze returned to the dirt, her mind racing furiously. Though she knew she should say something to him, she wasn't sure what. The words simply wouldn't come.
"Well?" Grey questioned. "Aren't you fond of me?"
She lifted her head and studied at him for a moment, her expression solemn. His icy blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight; his straight white teeth were barely visible through his slightly parted lips. His tanned face and sun-streaked sandy-blonde hair made it plain that he worked outdoors. He was the most handsome man she'd ever seen, the man who'd just told her he cared for her. India decided then and there that she wouldn't let Grey return to Louisiana without letting him know exactly how she felt. She stepped toward him hesitantly, Grey did not back away.
She opened her mouth to tell him what she was feeling, but she suddenly felt an overwhelming feeling of drowning. What if she told him how she felt and he didn't respond? What if she put herself out there and then he never returned to Atlanta again? She'd be left alone just as she was with Charles! Alone, and this time more the fool because she was older.
India stared at him and felt her heart slam into her ribs. He smiled softly at her and then she slapped him square on the jaw! Grey pulled away from her, obviously shocked by her actions. "Wh… what was that for?" he asked, rubbing his red, welted jaw in puzzlement.
"You, Greyson McAllister, are a cruel, heartless cad!"
"But India, I…"
"How dare you?"
"How dare I what?" Grey questioned, confused.
"You barge into my life, turn my whole world upside-down, and then leave for Baton Rouge, just like that! It isn't right! It isn't fair! It isn't…" She pressed her knuckles to her mouth quickly, fully aware that she'd said too much. Grey, who still looked bewildered, didn't say anything. He stood perfectly still, his eyes wide, his mouth open, and his hand on his red jaw. India panicked and hurried toward the door to the lumber mill's office. She halfway expected Grey to follow her, but he didn't move. She covered her face with her hands and leaned her head back against the office door. She reopened her eyes to find Ashley and Beau staring at her as if her hair was on fire.
"Everything all right, India dear?" Ashley questioned her.
"Fine," India replied weakly, trying desperately to hold herself together in front of her brother.
"You look a little flustered? Are you sure you're feeling well?"
"I'm just fine. Come on, Beau, we need to be going now." She took the little boy's hand and practically dragged him out of the office. Beau offered no protest. As they stepped outside again, India scanned the area for Grey, but there was no sight of him. So this was goodbye, she supposed. Things had gone exactly the way she thought they would. With a resigned sigh, she held tightly to Beau as they headed for home, never noticing Grey staring at her from across the street as she moved away.
