Nursery in Bloom- Book 2 of the Colvin Series Read online

  Nursery in Bloom

  Heather Morris

  Copyright © 2013 Heather Morris

  All rights reserved.

  Acknowledgements

  A great big thank you goes out to Holly Singer for creating and painting the cover! She took my ideas and created the perfect image!

  1

  “Leah! Where are you?” I hear my husband yell at me from downstairs.

  “Upstairs, why?” I yell back and start towards the stairs so I can meet him at the top. I’m almost eight months pregnant and know better than to fly down the stairs to meet him eye to eye.

  Looking down at Lewis I can clearly see that he’s had too much to drink. Again. They must’ve lost the game today because that’s when he normally gets this way. He’s a pitcher for the New York Yankees so I can only imagine why he’s three sheets to the wind.

  “What are you doing up there?” he slurs out a little too loud. His voice echoes through the whole house. The marble floors don’t help the sound carrying.

  “I was putting baby clothes away. I take it you guys lost?” I say to him as he starts to come up the stairs.

  “Why would you ask me such a thing? You’re an ungrateful bitch! You don’t care what I go through every day to bring you this nice house and nice clothes.” Almost to the top, he misses a step and grabs ahold of the banister. I leap forward to help him afraid to see him fall down the stairs. It’s a long way down and that would be terrible.

  As I help him make it to the top of the stairs, he jerks his arm out of my grasp and starts yelling again.

  “Don’t touch me you whore. You are nothing but a whore who sleeps with all of my teammates. You don’t know how to be a good wife. You spend all my money and leave me with nothing.”

  “Lewis you don’t know what you’re talking about. You are just drunk. Let’s get you to bed and you’ll feel better in the morning.” I shake my head and sigh knowing this happens all too often anymore.

  Lewis drinks and drinks until he can’t take anymore then I have to deal with his outrageous claims. None of it is true; I am nothing but a faithful, devoted wife that is also the mother of his child growing inside me. Where he gets this stuff from is beyond me. It’s always the same thing when he’s like this. He got hurt last season and hasn’t been released yet this season to play, leaving him angry and vulnerable. Lewis in this state and alcohol isn’t a good combination. Sometimes he tries to get physical and violent but I have always been lucky enough to keep away from his flying fists. I have had to call a contractor many times to fix holes in the walls and broken doors. Better them than me I guess.

  I reach over and wrap my arm around his waist hoping he will let me get him to bed before anything else happens tonight. He swings both fists and connects with both sides of my face. Pain beyond anything I have ever experienced rushes through me. He continues to hit and connect no matter where I move my head. I let go of him and try to grab his arms. But as I do, he realizes and shoves me with all his might, he catches me off guard and off balance.

  Before I know it I am the one falling backwards towards the stairs. And then I feel myself falling back and down. I try to grab the banister but can’t get it before beginning to fall backwards and feel my feet go over my head and I hit my stomach on the hard stairs once, then twice, then a third time. Pain is shooting through my whole body but all I can think about is the baby.

  Once I quit falling, I vaguely hear Lewis laughing. It’s very faint and I’m not real sure if I imagined it or not. I try to open my eyes but they’re swelling shut from the trauma and his fists. My abdomen is throbbing with pain and I try to move my hands up to massage it but I can’t seem to find the strength to do so. I’m afraid both arms are broken and can’t move my legs. Am I dead? My baby…

  I hear a soft voice crying and saying my name and once again I try to open my eyes. I know the voice is my housekeeper and she must have seen the whole thing. Is Lewis coming down the stairs to help? Did he mean to do this?

  “Miss Leah, oh my goodness! I called 911 and they’re on their way. Can you hear me Miss Leah?”

  I groan out what I can and she says again, “Help is on the way Miss Leah. I called your dad too.”

  “Lewis.” I groan out again wondering where he is. Is he sitting by me? Where is he?

  “He isn’t here Miss Leah.” I can feel her stroke my cheek and right my clothing. She is so thoughtful to not want my lady parts showing when the medics arrive. Little do we all know, that is the least of my problems. I have just fallen down a tall flight of marble stairs. Pregnant.

  I hear sirens becoming louder and louder. Help is here. Please tell me they can help my baby. My stomach hurts so terribly that I’m not sure I can wait much longer. I have never hurt this bad in my entire life. I hope they can help Shan… And out I go.

  2

  “Where’s my daughter? Leah Frankle! Where is she?” I hear my dad’s booming voice come breaking through my haze. I hear him but where is he? Where am I?

  “Dad? Where are you?” I croak out, not sure if anyone can hear me.

  “He’s just outside ma’am. I’ll get him for you.” Why isn’t he in here with me?

  “Leah, I’m here. You scared me so much. I’m so sorry this happened to you. Please tell me you’re going to be okay.”

  “Dad? How’s the baby? How’s Shannon? Is she okay Dad?”

  “Leah, baby, you need to get stronger before we worry about anything else. They did a C-section and your body is stapled together. You have broken bones and two fractured ankles. Your left wrist is sprained and you have a severe concussion. Please stay still and rest. I can’t lose you.”

  The sound of Dad’s voice scares me. Something is wrong. I had Shannon, so what’s wrong? I don’t care what’s wrong with me; I just want to know Shannon is okay.

  “Dad, she’s my child. I want to know how she is. Please tell me she’s okay.” He grabs my hand and I plead to him over this.

  “Leah, she didn’t make it. The trauma she received during the fall was too much for her. I’m so sorry.”

  “Dad no! She can’t be dead. Dad!!!” I scream and try to sit up but am stopped from the excruciating pain shooting all over my body. He wraps his arms around me and pats my back as I lose control.

  How could this have happened? How can my baby be gone? She was supposed to be born in two months and I was going to have a beautiful little girl. This morning I woke up full of hope and promise with a baby girl coming and now I’m alone. And empty. I really am empty, she isn’t growing inside me anymore. I can’t keep the tears at bay now. Dad holds me while I cry and mourn my little girl and the life we were going to have. I’m completely heartbroken.

  ***

  “Hey sweetheart. How ya feeling today?”

  “Hi Dad. Good as can be I guess.”

  “Are you up for company? Lewis is in the waiting room and wants to talk to you.”

  “No Dad. I don’t want to see him or hear a word he has to say. He did this.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk to him outside. You rest. I won’t let him near you.”

  “Thanks Dad.” I roll over in my hospital bed and look out the window. With clouds looking like cotton candy in the sky I envision Shannon being up there in Heaven with my Mom. That thought makes it a little easier to know neither of them is here now.

  “Take care of her for me Mama.” Tears stream down my cheeks as my heart continues to break.

  After a half hour or so Dad comes back in the room looking a bit off. I can only imagine what was said between those two. After what Lewis did my father will never let him get away with it. I wonder if he called the cops? I d
on’t want to deal with any of that or the media. The media, ugh.

  “Dad, what’s with that look on your face?”

  “You have nothing to worry about Leah. Lewis is going to grant a quick divorce and a very large settlement. He will never come near you again. Ever again. He realizes what he did and I think he is very upset too but knows it’s all his fault. He’s going to check into rehab and sell the house. While he’s gone we’ll get all your stuff out of that house and get you moved into my house for now.”

  “Wow. This is all so much Dad. Thank you for taking charge while I couldn’t even think of what to do. It’s just too much!” Crying again Dad wraps me in his arms and kisses the top of my head. I feel broken and this man is the only thing I have left. The only thing.

  3

  Two weeks later I’m looking for another place to live because living with my father is not fun. He is fawning over me like a child. He never treated me like this when I was a child. Ugh. I know he means the best but he’s driving me nuts!

  We had Shannon’s little graveside service a few days after I got out of the hospital and Lewis was unable to come because of rehab and the deal he made with Dad. It was very very sad but I know she is in good hands with Mama. I have had a little bit of time to get over it the best I can. I will always remember the dreams I had for her but things happen for a reason and I can just pray that I know what those reasons are someday soon.

  I have to hobble around on crutches because of the two walking casts I have and my one wrist still has a cast on it from the sprain which I had to have surgery on. My face is still black and blue so I don’t really go out in public yet. I look horrible and would have to explain to the world what happened to me. And with Lewis being in rehab now they would put the pieces together. I haven’t been to work since before I started showing and have since then terminated my contract with Chanel because being in public in front of the cameras is something I’m not sure I want to ever do again.

  The divorce was finalized last week too so I’m not married to Lewis anymore. That sounds so strange to say. Within a few weeks’ time my life has been turned upside down. I lost my husband and child in such a quick moment. He has been to rehab and sounds like he is doing better from what Dad tells me. I can’t help but to feel sorry for him but then again I am very mad at him too for what he did. His life was spiraling out of control and seemed to take mine with it. No more. He will never affect my life again.

  ***

  “Leah, I need to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”

  “Sure Dad, what’s up?”

  “I just got a call from Colvin. Grandpa Stampley has passed away.”

  “Oh my goodness Dad! Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I feel bad for not being there. Do you think you would want to go for the funeral?”

  “Not like this Dad. I would be looking over my shoulder. You go though.”

  “I can’t leave you Leah. Grandpa would understand.” “No Dad. You go, I will be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Go Dad. He was your father.”

  “Okay I will. Can you have your old housekeeper come help you here while I’m gone?”

  “I’ll call her right now. Go make your trip plans Dad. I’ll be fine.”

  Wow now Grandpa Stampley is gone. I feel so terrible that I can’t go to say good-bye. He was such a wonderful and kind man. Poor Dad. What more could happen?

  4

  It’s been a week since Dad got back from Colvin, Oklahoma where he grew up. He said the funeral was a great tribute to the man Grandpa was. He has been trying to figure out what Grandpa wanted done with Stampley’s which is the nursery that he owned. And their house. The house Dad grew up in. Dad has been awaiting a call from Roger Yasser, Grandpa’s attorney.

  I’m standing in the kitchen making lunch when the phone rings so I reach over and put it on speaker.

  “Hello?”

  “Is Leah available please?”

  “Speaking. What can I do for you?”

  “This is Roger Yasser, I am your Grandfather’s attorney here in Colvin, Oklahoma.”

  “Oh yes, Dad has been awaiting your call. Let me go get him.”

  “No, that’s not necessary, I called to talk to you ma’am.”

  “Me? What would you need to talk to me about?”

  “I need you to be in my office tomorrow at 2 pm for the reading of your Grandpa’s will.”

  “Me? What about my Dad?”

  “Just you, Mrs. Frankle, can you be here?”

  “That’s tomorrow. I have to come all the way there? You can’t just tell me over the phone?”

  “No ma’am. Do you think you can make it?”

  “I suppose if that’s the only way. I’ll be there.”

  “Thank you Leah and I look forward to meeting you. Take care.”

  “Thank you.” Now that was very strange. What in the world would I need to be there and not Dad?

  “Dad? I just got a call from Grandpa’s attorney.”

  “Ya, he said he was going to call you. Are you going?” “How long have you known?”

  “Since this morning when he called me. Grandpa had special instructions for you and only you.”

  “This is bizarre Dad. Why wouldn’t you need to be there? Why me?”

  “You were his only grandchild Leah.”

  “You were his only child though Dad.”

  “He had a letter for me that was left for me. Roger gave it to me when I was there.”

  “What about the house and the nursery?”

  “I don’t know Leah. We will figure that out as we go along. You need to go to Colvin and see what he has to say to you.”

  “Must be a lot if I have to fly there on such short notice.”

  “I’ll make the flight arrangements for you Leah.”

  “Alright. Lunch will be ready in a bit.”

  Dad’s taking this very well but I’m still confused. What in the world is going on? Why would I need to be in Oklahoma just to receive a letter Grandpa left me? I guess I’ll soon find out.

  ***

  “Austin, this is Roger Yasser. I need you to come to my office today at 2pm. I have some information for you regarding Jack Stampley’s nursery. Once again, 2pm, my office. Thanks.” I hear on my voicemail after coming in from helping Aiden with a new horse.

  What in the world would an attorney want with me and Jack? I look at my watch and notice its 1:00 pm. I will know that answer soon enough. Just enough time to clean up and head into town.

  As I pull up in front of Roger’s office I get a strange feeling that things are going to get a little crazy in there. The hair is standing up on the back of my neck.

  “No time like the present to figure out why.” I say as I get out of my pickup and head inside the office.

  “He is waiting in his office Austin. Go right on in.” Penny Lancaster says as I step inside. She has worked in this office since before Roger’s father retired. In this small town everyone knows everyone.

  Except for the red head sitting in the office with Roger. This is strange. She is gorgeous though. Long hair to the middle of her back and curls, my goodness. They look so soft. I ache to touch one between my fingers but rein in my thoughts. How could one woman I have never met before stir so many thoughts inside me in a split second? And why do I need to be in here with someone I have never met to talk about Stampley’s? This is not going to be good if she is from one of those big corporations that have been pressuring the citizens of Colvin to sell so they could build big box stores.

  Roger must have read my thoughts because he quickly says, “Thank you for coming Austin. This is Leah Frankle. I’m not sure if you have met, she’s Jack Stampley’s granddaughter. She’s here just like you to hear the reading of Jack’s will.”

  This is Jack’s granddaughter? Reality hits me like a Mac truck! I used to have the biggest crush on her when she would come spend the summers with Jack and hang out around Stampley’s. I have worked with Jack
at Stampley’s since I was old enough to go there with my mom. Once I was old enough to work, Jack gave me a job. I always looked forward to the summers when Leah would come until she was in high school. And got married. Jack has told me all along about all of her modeling success and all about her husband Lewis.

  “As you both know, Jack Stampley was the sole owner of Stampley’s Nursery here in town. He has left very specific instructions as to what he wants done with the ownership of the nursery now that he is no longer with us.” Roger says as he looks between me and Leah. “He wants the ownership of Stampley’s to be divided up between the two of you. Leah, you will have 51% and Austin you will have 49%. Jack wanted to make sure that you two know how important it is to maintain the integrity and manage the business as he would have. Austin, he believes leaving you ownership of the business will ensure that you will help to teach Leah the ins and outs of how it has been ran for decades. Leah, you have been given majority ownership because you are a Stampley.

  He wants you to work very closely with Austin and keep the business thriving for decades to come.”

  “Why do I have to share ownership with someone I have never met?” Leah asks letting on the frustration in her voice. “How would he know what my grandfather has been doing?”

  “I have worked for your grandfather for over fifteen years part time between helping at my parent’s ranch. I know exactly what goes on. And furthermore, you haven’t just met me. You met me every time you came to spend the summers here. I take it you don’t remember.” I spit out with too much anger. “I shouldn’t expect a big city diva like you to remember us here in ‘hickville’. Isn’t that what you called it?”

  She looks at me as her face turns pink and you can see the look in her eyes as she starts to remember. She looks away and says to Roger, “Are you sure about this? This is really what my grandfather wanted?”

  “Since you weren’t even at the funeral, what are you doing here now? He was your grandfather and you couldn’t even bother to come back until you could find out what money he left you?” I say with my eyes shooting daggers at her.