Free Crain's Landing by Cayce Poponea Page B

with my daughter.” Sounded plausible to my ears.
    “If you say so,” Emily added as we ended the call.
    I took a deep breath as I hung up the phone. Dr. Crain had been correct when he’d said he would be persistent. However, I knew this would only last a little while. He would figure out I wasn’t the type to drop at his feet with my legs spread wide and my mouth open and waiting. He would be right back to the regular stream of locals he was used to. I was just the fresh new meat around town. My appeal would wear off and he would cool his jets; returning to his life before I entered town.
    Lunch had just ended when Ashley came into the office. “Natalie, we need to talk.”
    I motioned for her to close the door. She did with a huff and then plopped into a seat.
    “I know you’ve been getting flowers from Dr. Crain. Brittney is out there telling the entire world you’ve placed a spell on him and now he’s ‘off the market.’” Her air quotes only added to the drama that was brewing, something I didn’t want or need in my life. “I’ll warn you, Janice and Brittney are about to become your best friends, or maybe your worst enemies, as they’ve been after him for years.”
    I leaned back in my chair as I took in her words. How could one man cause this type of disruption? It would be one thing if I was in pursuit of him, but this was the complete opposite and it left me practically speechless. “Well, you can let the Dr. Crain fan club out there know I have no interest in a relationship with him.”
    Ashley only shook her head and snickered. “It’s not the fan club you have to worry about,” she said confidently. “You know Lily over at the daycare center?” She pointed in the direction of the back parking lot.
    “Yes, she takes care of Peyton for me.” I leaned my elbows on my desk, my interest peaked.
    “Yes, well, when she moved here with her family she, of course, turned many heads. She’s beautiful inside and out.” I nodded my head in agreement. “Her daddy made it known she couldn’t date until she turned sixteen. The day that happened, several boys in town made it known they wanted to be her boyfriend. Lily wasn’t interested in any of the guys in town, though.
    “Well, Morgan Crain decided to pull out all the stops and overwhelmed her with gifts and crazy acts of chivalry. Just like Grant is doing to you. Everyone thought he’d get tired and give up when she showed no interest in him. The weekend of the big homecoming game something happened at Lily’s house. Her family to this day won’t speak of it. However, the next Monday at school, Lily and Morgan were a couple.”
    I found this to be odd—did he pay her or blackmail her?
    “I can tell by the look on your face you think he did something to make her like him, but I happen to know what happened. My father was called out to the house as the family minister. Morgan did nothing wrong or evil. After nearly a year of trying to get her attention by giving her gifts opening doors, decorating her locker, and even writing her a song he sang at the talent show, one act of bravery sealed the deal for her.”
    This news had me intrigued. What could have happened that made Lily change her mind about Morgan? And why would you call a minister to the house? Specifically the good Reverend here in town.
    “What I’m trying to tell you is the Crain men can be very aggressive when they want something. If you think diverting his gifts to another location is going to work, you’re kidding yourself.” Her face now colored with glee.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Please, Emily Merchant couldn’t keep silent if her mouth was welded shut.” Her eyes rolled as her hands flipped in time with her words.
    “Wait...did you say Emily Merchant?”
    Ashley looked at me puzzled. “Yes, she owns the flower shop. She and Dwight have been married for about three years now.”
    “Dwight...the guy who...?” I pointed at the parking lot still buzzing with