Chapter 23
“Ineed your help,” I breathe into the phone as I scour the internet.
“Hello, brother. With what?” Ava’s going to roll her eyes. I just know it.
“Reese has a birthday before Christmas and I want to do something for her.”
“Give me the basics.”
I begin to sweat. This has to be good. “She’s never had a party. They couldn’t afford them. She’s also never had a cake or a tree, like a real Christmas tree. I want her to have all of that this year.”
“What day is it?” she asks.
“December twenty-third.”
“That’s your birthday, Walker.” She pauses. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”
I sigh. “No. I want her to have this day, just one day for her.”
“All right, this is what we’re gonna do.” Ava starts talking so fast, I have trouble taking notes.
“Ava?” She’s quiet. “It’s perfect.”
“Thank you. I know poor and doing without. I also know The Pennington men; your mom will love it.” My heart beats wildly at the thought of Reese and her surprise. “Call your mom and clear the plans with her.”
“Have I ever told you how much I love you, little girl?”
“Not lately.” She giggles. “I’ll ask around, dig up some more ideas.”
“Sounds good. I’ll call Mom now. Love you.”
“Love you.” She ends the call as quickly as she answers.
I wipe my hands on my pants, trying to calm myself. I hit dial for Mom and start sweating again when she answers. “Hey, honey. Are you okay?”
“Hey, Mom. I’m good.” I swallow hard, my heart trying to escape out of my mouth. “I need some help.”
“Anything,” she jumps at the chance to help.
“Reese has never had a Christmas or a birthday party.”
“Love her heart. Our girls have had it rough, haven’t they?” Mom already counts Reese as hers.
“They have, but I want to change that for her.”
“You boys are so much like your father. What can I do?” she chirps.
I explain to mom my plan. “So, what do you think?”
“Absolutely perfect. Ava’s one smart cookie.” I can hear her smile through the phone.
“She is and a great friend.”
“What can I do? Tell me. I have my pen and paper ready.” I hear her click her pen.
“Well, I need everything. And I need it by the twenty-second.”
“I’ll get on it. I’ll keep it here until the morning of. Will that work?” she asks.
“Yeah, she doesn’t get here until after work. I’ll clear my schedule and help set up.”
“Now, for the twenty-third, I’ll need some basic information. Her likes and dislikes, food and favorite color.”
My stomach rolls. I don’t know most of that. “I’ll get you a list by the end of the week.” As soon as I know the answers.
“Also, what should we get her? I have an idea for Christmas but hadn’t thought about birthdays. Walker, does she know it’s your birthday?” She sits waiting for me, knowing my answer.
“Can we make this about her?”
“She’ll be upset if she doesn’t have something for you. You should tell her.” She’s right.
“I will.” My hands sweat again at the thought of waiting to tell her until after.
“Talk soon. Love you, sweet boy.” My heart melts.
“I love you, Momma.”
A week of party planning will get to a guy. This is hard work. I’ve come to the point where I count down every day until she’s here. I want to ask her to move in, but I don’t think she will. The weekend before her birthday we do a little last-minute Christmas shopping.
“Your Mom? I have no clue what to get her.” She bites her nail, staring at her phone.
“She’s easy. Get her anything.”
“Walker, you’re no help.” Her brows furrow. “I need help. I can’t show up with anything. What if she hates it?” Her eyelids drop.
I reach across the table, take her hand from her mouth, and hold it tightly. “Reese, she will love anything you give her. It’s your thought and the love you put into it that matters, baby.”
She rocks in her chair, holding her stomach with her other hand. “I-I’ve never done this, Walker. It’s important to me.”
“I have an idea. Come on.” I pull her up, marching straight to the store I think will have it. I spot the place up ahead and we duck in.
“Fingers crossed.” I wink at her, opening the door.
“Mr. Pennington, it’s been a while. How’s your mother?” Tina, the jewelry manager, says as she greets me.
“It has been ages. She’s well. Thank you for asking.” I tuck Reese under my arm. “As a matter of fact, we’re looking for something for my mother. Reese, would you like to look around?” She nods, biting her lip as she wanders away. “Tina, I need a small favor.”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Pennington.” She studies me.
“This young lady owns me. Therefore, whatever we find, she will likely insist on paying for. I need you to give her the lowest price possible and I’ll make up the difference.”
“I understand. Would you like that on your account?” I scan the room for Reese, spotting her in the corner.
“Please. And again, it’s better she doesn’t know about this. All right?”
“Of course.” She smiles sweetly.
I walk away to join Reese. “Did you find anything?”
She chews on her thumbnail, shaking her head with a frown. “Nothing that I can afford.”
“Really? They usually have great sales this time of year. How about we walk around and if we find something we’ll ask.”
She takes a deep breath. “All right.” I take her hand in mine, praying we find something. As we walk the showcases, a twinkling light draws me over. “Reese, have I ever told you about butterflies?”
“No.” She peers into the case, spotting the necklace. “Beautiful.”
“Butterflies represent life, rebirth. Sallie collected butterflies.” My eyes well with tears.
“Ma’am, I’d like this.” Reese points to the sparkling jewelry.
“Aww, yes. Good choice.” Tina takes it from the case, allowing us to examine it. Reese’s eyes dart to the price tag and immediately bites her lip.
“I’ll take it. Thank you.” She pushes it toward the assistant.
“Wonderful. Would you like it giftwrapped?” Tina asks.
“Please.” Reese digs her wallet out, getting a credit card from it.
“You don’t have to pay this much. Mom won’t care.”
“I’ve got it. Besides, it’s the last gift on my list.” She winks.
“You’ve already bought mine?”
“A couple of weeks ago.” She smiles coyishly.
“We have a great sale this week and if you pay cash, you get an extra ten percent off,” Tina says. “With the discount, it’s fifty-five dollars.”
Her eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
“I am. Would you like to pay cash?” Tina smiles at us.
“Oh, yes. Here ya go.” Reese lays a hundred on the counter. “See, not so bad.”
Tina wraps the gift as we circle the counters again, pausing by rings. Reese quirks a brow when I stop, accessing the stock. She has no clue but there’s no way her ring will come from inventory. I’ll design it myself.
“Here’s your package. Thank you for coming and have a Merry Christmas.” Tina hands the bag to Reese.
She takes the bag, beaming. “Thank you. You have a wonderful Christmas.”
We step from the door and I make my excuse. “One second.” I hold up a finger. “I want to get her card, to tell the owner what a wonderful job she did.”
“Please!” Reese agrees.
I step inside, walking to the counter. “Mr. Pennington, the remaining balance is four-hundred and fifty dollars.” Tina hands me the receipt.
“Thank you.” I sign the paper, shoving the copy in my pocket along with her card from the counter. “Just between us.” I wink.
“Of course.” Tina nods.
“Got it!” I flash the card.
“Where to now?” She takes my hand.
“We’re done. I’m starving.”
“How about we order some food on the way home and jump in the shower before it gets there?” she suggests to my delight.
“If you’re waiting for me to complain about getting you naked, it’s not happening.”
“Such a horn dog.”
I narrow my eyes at her, slipping my hand around her back. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, baby.” I grab her ass, making her squeal.
“Walker!” She slaps at me, laughing.
The playful mood dies quickly.
“Well, aren’t we just the happy couple,” Candy spits at us. “For the record, he’s grabbed mine that way and it only took one hand.”
I open my mouth to answer her but not before Reese sits her on her ass. “That explains it.” Reese arches her brow.
“Explains what?” Candy sneers.
“Why he came looking for me. He was tired of using one hand and wanted more bang than just a fuck.” My chest swells with pride and if she’s not damn right. Reese laces our fingers, leading me away.
As soon as we’re at the truck, I unlock the door, tossing in our bags. I grab Reese, pinning her to it. “Fuck.” I grind into her as I take her mouth, releasing her only when someone pulls into the spot next to us. “I’m damn proud of you.”
She giggles. “Me too. I can’t believe I said that to her.”
“I knew you had it in you.” I kiss her and then help her inside.
She fists my shirt, yanking me to her. “You make me believe in me. Thank you.” She places her sweet lips against mine.
“No, Reese. You were already well above the rest.” I jump in the driver’s seat and head home. As we hit Highway Seventeen, I remember we need food. “What are we eating?”
“I’m easy.” She shrugs.
“The hell you say. I worked for that shit.”
“Fuck you. I was willing. You were the one acting virginal.” She glares at me.
“Be gentle with me, baby.”
“Yes, sir,” she murmurs.
My dick pushes against the seam of my jeans. “Keep it up and you’ll get fucked.”
“Please, sir.” I glance over to see her chest heaving. My cock hardens.
“We need to order some food.” I change the subject to keep from pulling over and fucking her now.
“Pizza? Quick and easy,” she suggests.
“That’ll work. Get a couple. I like variety.”
“No kidding. I’ve met your ex-girlfriends.” Her snide remark catches me off guard.
“You’ve met a girl, not girlfriend.”
“I also met Thayer but I didn’t know at the time. She’s gorgeous.” She raises her brows.
“When did you meet Thayer?”
She bites the side of her cheek. “The gala. She walked over to speak to me.”
“She did? What was said?”
“Not much. We swapped horror stories and went our separate ways.” She shrugs.
“I see.” I nod. “Not gonna tell me, are you?”
“Nope,” she responds, taking my hand in hers.
“She is a beautiful woman but she’s no Reese Morgan.” I bite my lip, before deciding to say it. “We never slept together, for the record.” When she doesn’t respond right away, I chew my lip.
“I think I knew that. I mean, no one told me. I just had a feeling.” She shrugs.
“How would you know?”
“I know you, Walker. I know how you treat me, how long it took for us to have sex. You have more respect for women than most men do.” She stares out the window.
“You know me better than anyone on earth, Reese.”
“There’s still a few things I don’t know, but give me time.” She takes my hand, and my chest tightens.
“I’ve got all the time in this world for you.”