Page 26 of Falling Again
Elm River was a sister town to Buckeye Falls. They were connected by the only highway in the area, and a lot of their residents shopped and worked in the other town. Natalie had the idea that the two towns should start meeting and partnering on events and initiatives. It was an idea she was proud of, but now she was kicking herself.
“There’s no other day we could reschedule to?” Natalie asked, knowing the answer was no.
Trudy shook her head. “I’m sorry. I tried. The good news is that Steven and Donna are coming over to get the kids to school and daycare. Max already told Ginny to cover your meetings, Natalie. We should be all set.”
Natalie deflated and looked to Anthony. “Then I guess give me thirty minutes to look presentable.” Reaching up, she touched her hair and sighed. “I’ll need to wash my hair. I smell like a fire house.”
Alice chose that moment to appear. “What’s going on?”
Trudy looked at Alice and sniffed, like she found an expired gallon of milk in the back of the fridge. “Alice,” she said in greeting. “I guess that explains the mess and burning smell.”
“Trudy. If you’re here, who’s guarding the gates of Hell?” Alice retorted.
There was no love lost between the pair. Alice’s rebellious teenage streak had taken years off Trudy’s life when Steven was in office. Reelection campaigns were difficult when the mayor’s only daughter was purposefully trying to get herself arrested.
Anthony stepped between the pair and raised his hands in defeat. “That’s enough, Alice. Mom and Dad are coming over for the kids. You can go back home with them.” Turning to Natalie, he added, “Go get ready. I’ll be up in a minute.”
Natalie wilted but headed for the stairs. A quick shower and hectic morning were not what she wanted from her day. She wasn’t certain, but she had dreamt about Anthony; one of those fuzzy romantic dreams that make you feel warm all over. Absentmindedly, Natalie wondered if Anthony had reached for her last night. Or maybe that had been a dream as well? While the shampoo foamed, she let herself hope that maybe someday the stars would align and she and Anthony could find a moment together. What a novel thought.
*
Anthony couldn’t thinkof another time he’d been this worked up. Between Alice’s shenanigans, the change in plans with the Elm River meeting, and his frustrations over his marriage, he didn’t think he could take much more. White-knuckling the steering wheel, he hoped they wouldn’t look as disheveled as he felt.
“Crap, there’s their car,” Natalie said from the passenger’s seat. “I knew they’d be early.”
Not for the first time, Anthony marveled at how quickly Natalie got ready. She’d turned herself into a Midwestern Jackie Kennedy in the blink of an eye. Her hair was styled and pulled back from her face, showing off her high cheekbones and long neck. Her cheeks had a rosy hue that made her look youthful, fresh. And the dress she wore needed to come with a warning label. It hugged her curves in all the right places and made him want to pull the car over and ravage her right there in the front seat. He really needed to get a grip.
Anthony put the car in park and hesitated before they got out. He turned to Natalie and took her hand, stopping her from leaving the car. “We’re going to be late,” she argued, but didn’t pull away.
“You look gorgeous,” he breathed, unable to stop himself from staring at his wife like a goofy teenager.
“Oh,” Natalie said, reaching up to check her hair. “Thanks.”
Anthony wanted this moment to be anywhere else. He wanted to take Natalie out on the town, just the two of them. Selfishly, he wanted her to get dolled up for him, like she used to. When they were first married, she’d keep him waiting for hours each week while she got ready for their dates. Dinner, dancing, parties—they had done it all. Now he was lucky if they even snagged a double date invitation.
“We should go,” Natalie whispered, her eyes still locked on his.
The car was filled with an electric charge so thick, Anthony could barely breath. The air smelled like the lemon of Natalie’s shampoo, with a hint of smokiness from the horrors of their morning.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He cleared his throat and reluctantly let go of her hand. He missed her touch immediately.
They exited the car and were greeted by Helen in the doorway. “Corner booth,” she instructed. “I just put down some coffees for you.”
“You’re a saint, Helen,” Natalie quipped. She and Helen had always gotten along, unlike Anthony and his stilted attempts at small talk with the popular waitress. Anthony mumbled his thanks and followed the clacking of Natalie’s heels to the back of the restaurant.
“Good morning,” the mayor and his wife chimed in unison. Mayor Fin Flanigan was about ten years older than Anthony and Natalie, but his wife Megan seemed about their age. Both were dressed to the nines and looked like they didn’t spend the morning battling with half of their family. Some people had all the luck.
“Good morning,” Natalie replied, taking Anthony’s hand as she slid into the booth. Anthony squeezed it gently before releasing.
These were the moments he wished they’d continue in private. Whenever they were playing the part of mayor and first lady, Natalie was all over him. Hand holding, swiping a rogue hair from his face, leaning into him when they walked; it was all so natural when they had an audience. But he was greedy, and Anthony wanted this version of Natalie to himself.
Realizing he’d missed the first part of the conversation, Anthony cleared his throat and downed half of his scorching coffee. Spluttering, he recovered and smiled. “Sorry. Apparently I’m more caffeine dependent than I thought.”
Megan laughed, a shrill sound that was the polar opposite of Natalie’s warm laugh. “Right? I was telling Fin that we need to get one of those fancy espresso machines, otherwise Elm River will have to get a Starbucks.”
“Not gonna happen,” Fin chirped. “We are not selling out.”
The comment made Anthony flinch, as Buckeye Falls had opened their first chain coffee shop the year before. It was a decision Anthony hadn’t made lightly because he knew it would be received with mixed reviews.
