Wounds to Bind Chapter 30 – 'Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves...'–Jane Austen, Persuasion
November 17 – CPOV
"Did you plan to Skype Mia, hoping Ana would arrive while you were Skyping?" John referred to my conversation with Ana via Mia's Skype.
"I swear I didn't. We would have been finished but Mia had an important phone call. She didn't think she would be long. I had a nice, short conversation with Ana, and had a chance to see her." I revealed my encounter with her mother in New York and inviting her to brunch.
"Christian, I've always been aware how careful you are about information you give me. That being said, I'm calling bollocks – two people coincidently meeting in a city of eight million? Now, how did you know Ana's mother was in New York?"
"Kate," I lied. John would be pissed if he heard I had Carla's email hacked. "Kate, Mom and Mia flew to New York with me. They shopped for the holidays. Mia and I met with business partners. Kate asked Ana to come to New York, Ana refused. We had brunch at the Four Seasons. Someone told social media we were there, Carla and Bob showed up. Ergo – they joined us for brunch."
"What did you learn from your brunch?" John inquired.
"I learned I could stand to have Carla touch my arm." I smirked.
"Pray tell…just what goal did you achieve by having brunch with Ana's mother?" John's question was phrased a little too politely.
"Carla plans to attend a New Year's Eve dance at their country club when Ana visits over Christmas." I silently fume.
"How do you feel about that?" John cross-examined me.
"Ana didn't ask for time off at Christmas, which tells me Savannah isn't her Christmas destination. I also learned Ana likes her father's new girlfriend, perhaps more than she likes her mother."
John shook his head. "Ana asked you to leave her alone, which means no stalking. How do you know Ana didn't ask for time off at Christmas?"
"HR requires staff submit their holiday leave requests before November tenth. We encourage single people to work during the holidays so parents have time off with their children. Ana didn't ask for time off. Ergo – she's going to Montesano for Christmas and probably the New Year."
"Speaking of holiday plans – what are yours?" John ensures I am following directives to interact with my family.
"Aspen with my family and the Kavanagh family over Thanksgiving. Aspen with my family and Kate over Christmas and just family for the New Year. Kate needs to work the week between Christmas and the New Year so she and Elliot are flying back to Seattle late the afternoon of the twenty-sixth. I'm sending them home on the GEH jet." I check the logistics in my cell phone.
"Why the Kavanaghs? You're not supposed to ask Elliot for information about Ana. He's not supposed to ask Kate for Ana information for you." John scolded.
"Elliot wants to spend time with Kate's family but he needs backup. He wants to know if the families are compatible. Our parents know her parents, socially. Elliot has dated Kate longer than he's ever dated anyone in his life. I think he's nervous about having the talk. I think my brother will propose to Kate. I'm not thrilled…but I don't have to live with her."
"Ah, the talk," John nodded wisely. "Are we perambulating down the road of life together or are you just tossing a weekend bag in the boot talk."
"I think I understood that," I laughed.
"Good, now understand this…I believe you're keeping track of Ana. Maybe you are stalking her, maybe not. However, you're not in charge of her, where she goes, what she does, who she sees…and that's her hard limit." John reiterated. "Tell me how you are handling her directive."
"I'm not stalking Ana, but I am keeping eyes on her. Taylor believes Leila attacked Ana on Halloween…" I explained about searching for the pink costume, Leila's whereabouts, etc.
"You need to learn what a healthy relationship looks and feels like. A healthy relationship does not involve your list of rules and dictating what Ana wears, eats, or how many hours she sleeps. A healthy relationship definitely does not include spanking Ana because she rolled her eyes." Flynn explained. "A healthy relationship doesn't push boundaries all the time. More means an emotional component to sex, connecting with someone you care about. Ana wants more than multiple trysts, positions, toys and pushing boundaries than you can stuff into a weekend. Think about that."
XXX – 3PPOV
Sir is not here. Where is he? I can't leave a message at the front desk at Grey House. I can't get into Escala anymore. I can't ask Elena for help. She doesn't want to help me; she wants to use me. She wants me to cause more problems for Miss Steele …but how? Miss Steele drives to work every day since the assault. I can't get into her home or work building. She doesn't go near Escala. Sir won't run near her condo. I never know if the black SUV cruising by Miss Steele's condo is Isaac, Elena or Sir's men.
November 20 – APOV
I don't agree with Kate's assessment that salon/spa days are necessary upkeep for every woman. However, I can't deny I'm pleased with the results when my torture is over. I relax more at a salon/spa day with Kate than with Mom. Aqua Spa feels a little otherworldly. Exceedingly high tech, glass, white, chrome and contemporary décor seems a little cold. The music they play is too tech noir for me, but they play the music at low volume to not be annoying.
The salon is citrus scented, which reminds me of the red room of pain. Mani, pedi, body waxing…sans my nether regions, a facial and eyebrow shape, and finally a good trim, shampoo and blow dry. I schedule a wonderful detox wrap and massage while Kate's doing the Brazilian thing. I think about how Kate is anxiously waiting to have the talk with Elliot about their future. I don't know how or when or if Christian and I will move past polite conversation. I try not to think of the day the SEC completes their investigation. Perhaps Christian will forgive me and talk to me when the SEC finishes.
I'm thankful salon/spa day and a long chatty lunch eat into the amount of time which could be spent shopping. Kate hauls me into the JCrew store before we go home. Thanks to online research on my phone, I find a code for 20% off my purchases. Kate laughs when I skip a black and white polka dot fit and flare dress, a vibrant pink and teal A-line skirt, and a cap sleeve wildly patterned purple and pink shirt…all recommended by a retail associate who appears to be in her teens.
In the clearance racks, I find an indigo fit and flare dress which needs rehemmed. I find a classic long-sleeve voile, ocean blue blouse, which will look great with navy slacks or skirt. I find a white linen pencil skirt, which needs to be shortened. I find a beige linen sheath dress which is in desperate need of a new zipper. I don't like the current industrial metal zipper. I find a scoop neck, long-sleeve T-shirt in a gunmetal grey color which will pair well with black jeans for the weekend. Thanks to a 4-H sewing club, which Mom insisted I join in fourth grade, I can make basic repairs and alterations to clothes. I email pictures to Shawn. He'll be pleased I'm shopping. I tell him I need to see Harley when they return from vacation.
I'm thrilled because I have sewing to keep me busy over Thanksgiving weekend when I'm not busy in Dad's shop. I'm determined to read a couple dozen manuscripts over the weekend also. I call Dad and tell him how I'm doing. He advises me to take my packed suitcase to work with me, so I can leave from work and drive straight to Montesano. I sent him the Thanksgiving shopping list so I don't have to shop before heading to Montesano.
November 22 – APOV
"A month has passed since you and I began talking to one another," Mary unpacks our Thai food delivery. "Tonight, we will discuss what is working for you and what is not working." We discuss my morning and night routines. She checks I'm not using my schedule to keep from interacting with the world. We review my food diary.
We talked about examining my work wardrobe list on a Sunday afternoon. Prechecks ensure all my clothes for the next week are cleaned, pressed, mended and not missing buttons. Prechecks facilitate getting dressed for work. Mary asks about the ten minutes for my purse. She wonders if I'm anal retentive. I explain about emptying purses into a mesh basket on top of my dressing table at the end of the night, and reloading purses in the morning. I ask Mary why I have to change purses every day and she says I don't. Changing purses is good practice to learn to coordinate accessories. However, if I wear black shoes every day, I can carry one black purse until I change shoe colors.
Mary recommends working out in the safety of Grey Annex gym versus being vulnerable to an accident, attack or braving inclement weather. I admit Grey Annex gym eases Dad's worries about my safety. We rearrange my schedule to accommodate workout time on M-W-F. She recommends having two or three filled gym bags all the time to keep me from procrastinating about exercising.
We talk about what makes me feel grateful. We talk about who is grateful I'm in their life. When we discuss work, I explain the issues between Jack and me. I focus on the leering and rotating clothing, the micromanagement schedule, and the lack of cooperation from the clerical trainee. Mary reminds me work is a means to an end, not my life. She says I don't have to put up with a drunk, letch or a hostile work environment. She recommends bypassing Elizabeth completely and going straight to GEH HR if the situation continues. She comments Christian's job is keeping tabs on his company and not just me. I'm not tattling out of school if I'm trying to maintain a professional attitude and work environment.
We talk about Christmas gifts. Mary recommends consumable gifts with purchasing, wrapping and shipping online. It will be less stressful for me. She also recommends only paying cash for Christmas gifts to avoid credit card bills in January. While Black Friday is on the horizon, Mary and I discuss ideas for no spend weekends.
Mary asks me to work Santa Saturdays at WSCC on the first and second Saturdays in December. The Women's Health Center is one of the sponsors. For a nominal fee, families bring their children for fun and games from nine to three. Parents can shop, work or take care of personal business. I think Santa Saturdays sounds like fun but I need to check with Dad. If he needs help in the workshop, that's priority one for me.
November 23 – APOV
I get my DP shot in Dr. Greene's office. I feel like I'm being followed, but I don't recognize anyone in the waiting room or in the parking lot. Whoever Christian has following me blends in the background and doesn't stand out.
At lunchtime, I go to the bank for cash for the weekend in Montesano, I am unsettled. I feel like I'm being followed, but no one is an obvious creeper. Within twenty minutes, I'm back at GP. Jack went out to lunch with an author, and will not return today. I get a Caprese wrap and a Diet Coke off the sandwich cart. I text Kate about her plans for the night. She packed last night and took her suitcase with her this morning. She's having dinner with Elliot and then leaving for Aspen.
I tell her I packed last night. I have one space bag of clothes to wear for the weekend and one space bag of clothes needing repairs. I'm going home to change clothes, and then I'm heading to Montesano. I upload fifteen synopses even though I only need to upload nine. I back up my computer and clean my desktop. Four days of vacay…with Dad and Laura and puppies! Four days of working out angst in the workshop. I'm anxious to see what Dad and the men have finished. Four days to shop online for gym bags, more gym clothes and Christmas gifts.
XXX
The doorbell rang just as I finished changing clothes. Jeans, long-sleeve T-shirt and Converse. I grab the patchwork jacket and toss the important things from today's purse into the matching quilted hobo bag. I'm ready to go to Montesano. Checking my watch, I'm running out of time. Upon opening the door, I was surprised to see my doppelganger from the bus. I freeze when I see a revolver in her hand. She's observing me…a side tilt of her head…like Christian. WTF? What is she doing here? I'm tempted to slam the door, throw the bolt and run for my gun. Instead, I reached for my smart phone, and dialed Christian.
"Anastasia… darling…" he croaks out. Surprise colors his voice. "Did you change your mind about going to Aspen?"
"Christian, there's someone on my doorstep who wants to see you." I open the door wider for her to enter. "You probably know who she is…she's been following me…and I know you've been following me…so someone…obviously NOT ME…has a clue about what is happening." I state calmly.
"FUCK!" Christian yelled and hung up on me.
"That went well," I hit the record conversation app and slid my phone back into my pocket. "Would you like to come in…?"
"Leila…Leila Williams." She is calm, examining me. "Alone…" she mutters. "All alone…"
"Am I alone? Or are you alone?" I walk into the living room. I've left the door standing wide open. "What are you doing here? Can I help you?" Can I run for my bedroom, and close and lock the door before she can reach me? Avoiding getting shot on the way to the bedroom is another matter. My bedroom door is bulletproof and there's no way Leila can break through the door. However, there's no sense spooking her.
"Would you like some tea? When I'm alone, I like tea at this hour of the day with a tea sandwich or two. The sweets boost my blood sugar levels." Dad's words ring in my head. 'Keep calm, keep them talking, observe … act when you can disarm them or safety flee…'
I go for the kitchen, which brings Leila into the condo. She leaves the door standing wide open…Thank God! While she's busy observing me…she is vulnerable to approach by Christian or his minions. I put the electric kettle on. I busy myself making a plate of tea sandwiches out of sliced cheeses, Dijon mayo and sourdough bread. We have ruffle lettuce which will look pretty. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FRIGGING MIND? RUFFLE LETTUCE… THERE'S A GUN POINTED AT YOU!
I assemble the sandwiches. I cut off the crusts and cut the sandwiches into fingers. I plate strawberry cream-cheese mini muffins, gourmet dark chocolate dipped biscuits, and the finger sandwiches. I set the breakfast bar with placemats, plates, cups, saucers and cutlery. I check the water which is hot. Perhaps ten minutes have elapsed. If Christian was at Escala, he would be here soon. If he was at Grey House, I need to keep Leila occupied for at least fifteen more minutes, given traffic at this hour of the day. Maybe longer because the streets are filled with people gearing up for the holiday.
I gesture at the stool where a place is laid for Leila. If she sits there – her back is to the door. I make tea for myself. "I like English breakfast tea, made with extremely hot water. I have chamomile, chai and vanilla-ginger tea." I put the three bags near her cup for her to choose. I help myself to two sandwich fingers, two mini muffins and two biscuits. I make my tea...swishing the bag through the water three or four times before removing the tea bag to a spare saucer. I sip my tea and let out a sigh of appreciation. Perhaps she will come and sit down. Leila frowns, because she doesn't understand what I am doing.
"You're not afraid of me?" Leila asked.
"Honestly, if you're given the choice between Armageddon or tea…you don't ask what kind of tea." I fractured the quote and I can't remember the author. I eat a sandwich finger and drink tea. "If you plan to shoot me...at least the police will tell Mother I was a conscientious hostess."
"What do you have that I don't?" Leila asks, her intonation is that of an innocent child.
"What do you mean, Leila?" I continue to nibble on food and sip my tea. I concentrate on setting my tea cup down without a shake or a rattle.
"Sir…Mr. Grey…he lets you call him by his given name," Leila explains.
"I'm not his submissive Leila. I tried; but I am unable…inadequate…to fulfill Christian's needs in that way," I speak carefully, not to spook her.
"In-ad-e-quate," Leila's mouth forms the syllables. She treats the word like a foreign concept. "But Sir is happy with you…and you look like me."
"Ah," I know what she means. Christian has a type. I wonder if a touch of crazy and dangerous accompanies his penchant for petite, long-haired brunettes. "Have some tea, Leila. Eat something. You're thinner than I am if that's possible."
"Why does Sir like girls like us?" Leila sighs. " Sir likes obedient ones who look like you and me. The others, all the same … all the same … yet he has pictures taken with you. He goes places with you. You sleep in his bed."
"I don't know why I'm different from his previous women. Perhaps I'm different because I'm not part of the lifestyle. Perhaps I'm different because I don't want what he can buy me. Perhaps I'm different because I'm not obedient. I talk back to him. I look at him. I touch him. I won't let him hurt me...physically, mentally or emotionally." My words freeze on my tongue.
Right on cue, Christian and Taylor step through the front door Leila left open. Christian's eyes sweep over me and I notice the relief in his look. But his relief is fleeting as his gaze darts to Leila and stills, focusing on the gun in her hand. He glares at her with an intensity I have not seen before. Some of his fifty shades are reflected in his eyes…wild, angry, scared…Dominant.
Leila freezes at the sight of him, her hand tightens around her gun.
Christian holds up his hand, signaling to Taylor to stay where he is. Taylor's blanched face betrays his fury. I have never seen him like this, but he stands stock-still as Christian and Leila stare at each other. My hand shakes as I put my tea cup down. Taylor frowns at my impromptu tea party, shaking his head like I've lost my mind. Christian and Leila continue to stare at each other. Christian's expression is raw, full of some unnamed emotion. Her face softens… her head dips slightly and she gazes up at him through her long lashes, her expression contrite.
Christian's intense gaze burns brighter, and his bearing changes subtly. He looks taller, colder and more distant. I recognize this stance. I've seen him like this before, in his playroom. Dominant Christian has arrived. Whether he was born to or made for this role, I just don't know. However, Leila responds; her lips parting, her breathing increases as the first flush of color stains her cheeks. Anticipation written on her face.
"Kneel," Dominant Christian snaps coldly. Leila responds immediately. She drops to the floor on her knees, sitting on her heels. Her head is erect, her eyes are lowered. She sets the gun on the floor before her, spreads her legs and places her hands on her thighs.
Holy fuck.
Christian calmly walks to where the gun lies and bends gracefully to pick the gun up. He regards the gun with disgust before passing to Taylor.
"Anastasia, go with Taylor," he commands without looking at me. His eyes are on Leila.
Taylor crosses to the front door and stares at me.
"Anastasia," Christian's tone is cold. He moves to stand beside Leila as she kneels at his feet. He hovers over her, protectively. She's so still, it's unnatural. "For the love of God, Anastasia, will you do as you're told for once in your life?" Christian's eyes lock with mine as he glowers at me; his voice a cold shard of ice. The anger beneath the quiet, deliberate delivery of his words is palpable.
The Master has spoken…only he's not my Master…and I don't follow orders.
Taylor starts to walk toward me.
"RED," I shouted. Taylor stops in his tracks and Christian's expression turns from anger to shock. Leila's back straightens even more if possible. "Fuck you," I throw my napkin down and stand to face Christian. "MY condo, MY rules. Pick up your trash and get the hell out of MY condo. I'll give you fifteen minutes to exit the building. After that, I will call the police and report I was threatened by a gun-wielding psycho who has been stalking me because I had the misfortune of meeting you." I reach in my pocket and show him my smart phone. "Just for your edification…I've been recording since I opened the door to her."
I fled to my room, slamming and locking the door. I turn on the radio, loud. I don't want to hear what's going on outside my bedroom door. Fifteen minutes gives me enough time to gather my things. I tuck my laptop and cords in the travel bag. I pack the tablet and charger, and the phone charger. I text Kate I'm leaving for Montesano. I let her know I'll return early Monday morning.
The uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach becomes determination. I should have left for Dad's house twenty minutes ago. Time is up…Christian had better be gone. The living room is empty. I clean up the impromptu tea…dishes in the dishwasher. Excess food in the freezer. I shove the trash bag down the trash chute. I grab my jacket, my rolling suitcase, laptop bag and my purse. I grab my locked gun case and my gear box. I lock the door behind me. I'm in the elevator and headed down to the parking level. My things are stored on the back seat of my car. I'm ready to hit the road.
I'm headed to the first gate which lets me exit the parking garage. When I get to the second gate which leads to the street, I look left and then right. I observe an SUV, not Christian's fleet, pull up to the condo complex and park. I recognize Dr. Flynn as he exits, accompanied by a woman dressed in pale blue scrubs. Taylor holds the front door to the building open. Christian exits, carrying Leila in his arms bridal style. She is wearing his suit jacket and appears to be quietly content in his arms. He carries her to Flynn's SUV. I watch as he gently puts Leila in the SUV and then climbs in after her. Flynn looks up and sees me waiting at the exit gate. He glances at me sympathetically and comes over.
"Christian needs to know if you are okay." Dr. Flynn comments.
"I will be when I get the hell out of here and go home to Dad for four days." My shocked system and body produce a cold voice.
"Just so you know, I'm taking Leila to a psychiatric hospital in Fremont," Dr. Flynn explained.
"Just so you know…I don't care," I snap.
"I think you do. You could have overpowered her, shot her, called the police and made her life and yours a misery. Calling Christian was an act of compassion." Dr. Flynn asserts. "You should know she vandalized your car and mugged you. She's been following you since you came to Seattle."
"Not my clown car, not my circus, not my elephant in the room…go take care of whatever you need to do. Mr. Grey's entourage of crazies begins with Elena Lincoln and I doubt his stalkers end with that one." I nodded in the direction of Christian and Leila. "I would like to leave now and go home to Montesano." I pause and wait for Taylor to approach my car. Dr. Flynn watches me to see how I react to him. "Taylor," I finally greet him.
"Miss Steele, Mr. Grey would like," Taylor started to say.
"Taylor…Mr. Grey can put what he likes where the sun doesn't shine and I don't mean up MY ass." I take a deep breath, because this next part will be uglier. "Was she the issue which made Mr. Grey leave Savannah?" I watched his face.
Taylor nodded.
"Was she one of the women Elena Lincoln vetted for him?"
Taylor nodded again.
"I'm still intuitive. So, I've been lied to…commission and omission…for months now. When Grey loses control over this situation, I won't be around to be his whipping post." I entered the code on the touchpad, looked left, looked right, looked left again and pulled out into traffic. I don't give Dr. Flynn's SUV or Christian's SUV another glance. Six blocks down the road, I pulled a four-square move…and notice there was no one behind me. At the interstate, I head south toward Montesano, Dad and sanity. I turn the music up loud to drown out the self-doubting voices in my head. My hands shake and I know I experienced an adrenalin rush since the doorbell first rang this afternoon. I pull off the side of the road and let the tears fall for a few minutes.
XXX – Taylor's POV
"She won't come back to me, ever," Grey sighed. "She saw how her life could be destroyed by knowing me. I need you to break into her condo, remove her gun, and install a CCTV unit. I have to know she's safe."
"Miss Steele is on her way to Montesano to spend the weekend with her father. Your family is waiting for you at Boeing Field. You must depart for Aspen within the next hour or you'll miss your departure window. I told your family there was a work emergency, and you'd be here as quickly as possible. Staff in Aspen know you're incoming tonight. The house is ready, supplies have been delivered. Your clothes are packed, and on the plane. My clothes are packed and on the plane. Surplus security staff have the weekend off. Welch pulled back all the staff looking for Miss Williams. I told Welch not to follow any directives from you regarding Miss Steele. I'm not breaking into her condo, and neither is anyone else. Her gun was on the backseat of her car. She's obviously taking her gun home with her. Maybe she and Ray will find time for target practice. I'm not installing a CCTV unit. Either back off or I'm telling Flynn. Then I'm calling Ray Steele to tell him Ana caught the woman who mugged her so there's no reason for Grey security to follow Ana."
"You're fired," Grey snaps at me.
"Good, I needed something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving since my bitch ex-wife has my daughter for Thanksgiving. We're at Boeing. Either I'm getting on the plane or I'm going to Portland to see Gail. If you have security issues while you're in Aspen, you can fuck with Sawyer." I pull the SUV into the hanger, park and get out. I open the back of the SUV and unload four banker boxes of work for Grey.
"You are an asshole," Grey snaps after he slams the SUV door shut. He has his briefcase and laptop case in hand.
"I strive to emulate my boss," I grinned. "So, am I getting that cold beer or a cold shoulder?"
"Just put your ass on the plane," Grey ordered. "I'll make sure to kick it around the football field at least once this weekend."
"Says you," I laughed my first genuine laugh all week and kept the derision out of my voice. "I haven't played flag football since kindergarten. I've played Pop Warner from elementary school through junior high. I played defensive end on high school varsity teams. I played pickup games during Marine Corps training and during tours of duty. You're not capable of kicking my ass, Boss."
November 24 – APOV
I taught Laura to make several batches of pumpkin pecan waffles so she and Dad can freeze the extras. I emailed the recipe earlier in the week so they purchased what we needed. Laura brought a K-cup/carafe coffee maker, a spare waffle iron and a spare crockpot to facilitate cooking today. She also brought three sheet cake pans to cook bacon and sausage for breakfast for us, six of Dad's VFW friends, and the Rodriguez men. Laura made coffee and hot water for tea and kept watch on the bacon and sausage while I monitored the waffle irons.
We baked a dozen pumpkin pies last night, in addition to prepping everything possible for today like peeling twenty pounds of potatoes, prepping salad and crudité trays, baking rolls for dinner and teaching Dad to clean ten pounds of fresh green beans.
The twenty-five pound turkey went into the oven at nine o'clock. Roasted by two-thirty; we can carve and serve at three. While Dad and Laura were putting the turkey in the oven, I set the table to hold breakfast items with José's help. We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and performed tasks during commercials. After breakfast, the vets cleaned Dad's sunroom and set up banquet tables. Dad borrowed two tables from the VFW to seat twelve and to hold the food.
Dad's good china, which he inherited from Grandma Steele, is blue floral…which is really tough to match with fall motif items for a centerpiece. I was thankful for José bringing a white pumpkin carved as a lacy vase to hold white roses and blue asters for the table. He brought a set of white candles for the candlesticks. After we set the table, he was off to the dining room with the guys for cards and conversation while Laura and I started cooking. She took over the logistics this year and knows when we should start cooking everything. I'm grateful because I keep trying to slam thoughts of Christian behind closed doors in my head.
In our spare, non-cooking time, Laura shows me the completed sale pieces. The completed projects storage shed is full of items for the sale. Dad created terrariums from window frames; hall trees from antique doors; and memory boards, bulletin boards, and key holders from his stash of picture frames. There are a dozen wooden trays made from the larger picture frames. He recreated six sets of identical sized ornate frames as end tables. I think the finished projects will sell well. The toy kitchens are done, and so cute! The redesigned armoires are great also! He has a dozen dressers with coordinating mirrors for the sale. The items he's completing on consignment are in the main workshop. We'll concentrate on those this weekend.
XXX – CPOV
"Get off your duff," I threw Elliot a new football Taylor tucked in my stuff. "I get Taylor, you can have Dad."
Elliot groaned. "I ate too much bro, I can't move."
"Come on piglet," I showed him no mercy. "We're playing full-contact tackle football."
"NO," Dad objected. "Touch only – I don't need a broken hip. Mia already tried to kill me by foraging for leaves for the centerpieces on the tables."
"I'll play," Ethan offered. "Come on Dad, we can be on Elliot's team and Carrick can be on Christian's team."
"Flag football only," Mom ordered. "I've got my doctor's bag but I don't want to spend my afternoon at the emergency room. Use washcloths for rags – white from our bathroom, blue from Christian's."
"We're good for touch football," I announced. "But we'll play flag football if you guys are such pussies."
"Mandatory fun," Taylor muttered as he headed out the door to mark the end zones with line marker spray paint.
XXX – 3PPOV
"You have to talk to him," Carrick protested to Grace. "Touch football?"
"Christian did very well," Grace was a proud mama. "Once you and Taylor played defense for him – Elliot must have warned Ethan and Eamon not to touch Christian. They concentrated on Taylor and you. Ethan got the worst of it. Taylor accidentally head-butted him in the mouth, causing a spit lip. You guys had run around for a couple hours by that time. What was the score anyway?"
"I think we were eight to their five," Carrick bragged. "Let's have a long soak. I haven't played football with the boys in years. Once Elliot learned to snap the ball and Christian learned to kick the ball...Theo and I chased them around Theo's orchard for hours."
"Christian's tougher than he looks," Grace admitted. "I think he's trying to stay busy and not think about Ana. Ethan's paired off with Mia, Elliot's paired off with Kate…"
"And Christian is odd man out with Taylor. I heard Kate ask Mia to invite Ana for Christmas so she doesn't have to go to Savannah to visit her mother." Carrick turned at the door of the bathroom. "Will you join me for a long soak? I heard football players get to do the deed after they win the game."
"Go start the water, I'll bring up some wine," Grace smiled.