Out of the Wreckage (6 page)

‘
Drea chuckles out a sob, “No, Nate.  No one has ever made me feel so special.  No one in a long time, not since…” She trails off.

“
Since you left here?  Oh Sugar, you’ve been with the wrong people.  You are amazing, ‘Drea.  It’s there loss and my gain.” He says sweetly as he tucks her beneath him and brings his lips to hers. “I plan to spend the night showing you just how amazing I think you are ‘Drea.”

‘
Drea stretches as she feels the arms tighten around her.  Relaxing back into Nate’s arms, she relives last night and it hits her… We are
STILL
in the orchard, jerking up she laughs out loud. “We stayed out here all night, and we are naked.” She says as Nate’s eyes flutter open.

“
Looks like we did, better get up to the house before Ms. Ruthie comes huntin’” Nate teases as he grabs her dress and hands it to her with a wink.

             
Once they are dressed, they walk up to the house where Ms. Ruthie is waiting on the porch swing peeling apples. “Mornin’ you two.” She says with a conspiratorial grin.

“
Grams, we were um…” ‘Drea starts.

“
Andrea Ruth, do you think you could possible spin a tale and make be believe anything other than what happened between you two in the orchard?  Do you think Grand-dad wasn’t so smooth himself?” Ruthie says with a laugh.

“
Grams!” ‘Drea says blushing.

Ruthie
’s eyes dart to Nate lovingly, “Nathan.” She says sweetly.

“
Morning Ms. Ruthie.” Nate says as ‘Drea pulls him into the house.

“
Pancakes and bacon are on the stove.” Ruthie shouts.

As Nate sits digging into the pancakes and bacon, ‘Drea pours the coffee.  Sitting beside him she sighs as she bites into a piece of bacon. “So are we…I mean…Um…” She starts.

Nate laughs, “
Yes, ‘Drea you’re my girl, that is if you want to be.”

‘
Drea blushes, and then smiles. “Um, well, just like that huh?”

“
Guess so.” Nate says finishing his plate, he stands pulling her into him.  “I like the sound of that, you ‘Drea…My girl…mine…”  Crushing his lips to hers, he turns and lifts her to the counter behind her and her legs wrap around his hips.  After surrendering to needing to kiss her senseless he remembers where they are… I
n Ms. Ruthie’s kitchen, her only grand-daughter on her counter… Jesus man you are a goner.
  Pulling back he smiles, “OK.  I am going back to my place to change; I’ll be back in an hour to put in the display cases.” He adds as he kisses her again, and then he saunters out of the house saying goodbye to Ms. Ruthie on his way to his truck.

After gathering her wits, and cleaning up the breakfast dishes,
‘Drea showers and dresses quickly.  Ruthie is cooking apples when she comes into the kitchen.

“
Oh Sugar, you seem lighter this mornin’”

“
Grams, really…” ‘Drea says with a giggle.

“
We have calls about tomorrow all mornin’, should have a good turn-out Sugar.” Ruthie says as she starts preparing jars to can apples.

“
That’s great.  Nate and I are going to put in the display cases today.”

“
Oh, so how are you and Nate, Andrea?”

‘
Drea smiles, “Good Grams.  He is so sweet, and makes me feel…special.”

“
Well, good Missy.  Now, you get on, I’ve got things to get done.  I’ll bring jars down later, once they have cooled.”

“
Grams, Nate and I will come and load up after supper.”

“
Alright then Sugar.” Ruthie nods as ‘Drea heads out the door and into the orchard.

By the time ‘Drea walks to the store, Nate is backing the truck up to the front doors to unload the display cases. She stops, admiring the view of him stretching across the truck removing the straps holding down the cases. 
Will she ever tire of oogling this man and his backside?  Get a grip ‘Drea, you are gawking like a pervert!

Turning just in time to catch her, N
ate smiles. “Hey, Sugar.”

“
Hey yourself.” She calls back as she turns to unlock the doors. “Need some help?”

“
Nope, they are lighter than they look.  You should get in there and bake, Sugar.” Nate says with a grin.

“
Oh so one night under the stars and I am destined to be the ‘little woman in the kitchen…” She says teasing.

Nate laughs, “
Well hell, maybe.” He winks. “I would do anything with a donut.”

‘
Drea waggles a brow, “Then I had better get to it then.  I fully intend to make you work for every bite.” She winks back at him as she turns and saunters into the kitchen.  Nate lays his head against the cool metal of his truck and sighs…
Yep killing him…killing him…

              ‘Drea cranks Bon Jovi on her IPod and hooks it into the sound system; she starts mixing flour, eggs and adding all the other ingredients to the mixer.  As her dough rises she starts mixing up her glaze.  Singing along with ‘Always’ as she rolls out her dough, she feels arms around her waist and smiles. Nate...

“
They aren’t ready yet.” She teases as he nuzzles her hair. 

“
I got the cases in, and bolted into place.  You are ready to open Sugar.”

“
Nearly.  Grams has apples at the house, jars of jelly and some other stuff.”

“
I’ll go get it now.” Nate says sweetly as he nuzzles her ear pulling her tight against him. Whipping around to face him he hoists her up on the counter and kisses her hard and demanding, her hands roaming up and into his hair and tugging.  A cough from the front door startles them both, making ‘Drea nearly jump off the counter.

“
Well Andrea, I see you changed your recipe.  Exactly which part of the process is this?” A man from the door says, adjusting his suit. 

Part Five:

Sometimes you have to face the Past, in the Present, to have a Future.

‘
Drea’s face falls as she takes in the man she never thought she would see again... “Phillip.  How did you know where to find me?  Why are you here?” She asks appalled that he has the guts to show his face now.  Nate takes her hand in his and she swears she heard a growl low in his throat. Phillip stands his whole 5’10 in the door way in his expensive black tailored suit and eyes the place. His perfectly styled black hair, not one strand out of place, his brown eyes assessing his distaste for the situation.

“
Andrea, I was curious as to where my fiancé ran off to, I have missed you pet.”

Nate eyes
‘Drea? 
Pet
?  What the hell, she isn’t a
pet.

“
Um Nate, this is Phillip my old boss.  I would say it is a pleasure Phillip but it isn’t.” ‘Drea scowls.

Nate sighs, “
Phillip.” Nodding icily.

“
Nate would you mind seeing to Grams?  I will see to this and be ready to set up when you get back.” She says not taking her eyes off of Nate.

“
Are you sure, Sugar?” Nate asks sweetly, clearly marking his territory.

“
Yes Baby.  It won’t take long.”

“
Ok.” Nate replies kissing her cheek sweetly, turns and strides out like a man on a mission.  After ‘Drea shakes her head to steady herself she turns to deal with this mess.

“Phillip what do you want?” She asks him as he strides over to her.

“
I have missed you My Pet.  Why did you leave?” Phillip says as he touches her cheek.

“
Why?  Why!  I guess you and the waitress didn’t think I would mind?  You could have cared less that I left you Phillip.  You don’t love me and I don’t love you.” She snaps as she jerks away from him. 

He chuckles, “
Ah Pet you are so much smarter than I give you credit for.  I am a bit disappointed in the whole ‘kissing the handy man thing’ but I can forgive you.”

‘
Drea closes her eyes mentally counting to ten, “Don’t call me pet.  I hate than Phillip, I am not your damn pet.  Why would I want your forgiveness, we are over.”

Phillip laughs. 
He laughs!
“We are far from over my pet. My father has decided that since you left, the restaurant is no longer high-priority.  He is threatening to boot me and close if you don’t come back.  I booked us a flight and we...”

‘
Drea slams a pan across the room, “Now you listen to me, Phillip.  Very carefully, I am
not
going back to New York, I am
not
working for you and I am
not
putting back on your ring.  Now leave before I make you.” She turns to her dough and starts to roll it out and he grabs her spinning her into him pinning her against the island. “Phillip, I am warning you.”

Phillip smiles, “
Andrea, you have no idea what you are saying and who you are messing with.  You will go back to the way things were and that is that.” He pushes against her and nuzzles her neck.

“
Never, Phillip I mean it.  Back the hell up and
NOW
!” ‘Drea pushes at him and he jolts back.  Not because of her force, but Nate’s.  He grabs Phillip by the throat and jerks him to the door.  Choking off his airway, making Phillip gasp and beg.

“
Nate!  What are you doing?” ‘Drea gasps fearing Nate will kill him.

“
I am just taking out the trash Sugar, won’t be but a minute.” Nate says dragging him out the door and jerking it closed.  Nate is bubbling with fury, standing outside during the conversation was nearly impossible.  This egocentric ass caged her in, put his hands on her. He throws him into his car and he crumbles to the ground. 

Gasping for air Phillip is cursing Nate with every breath. “
I will sue you.  I will own you.  She is my fiancé and belongs to me.”

Nate growls grabbing him by the jacket and hauls him up against his shiny little BMV rental. “
Now you are going to listen to me, real good.  I am going to speak nice and clear, as to not confuse you.” Phillip starts to talk but Nate shakes him furiously, shutting him up.  Nate continues, “You are not welcome here.  She doesn’t want you here.  If you decide to show up here again, I will be waiting and you will see just how handy I am asshole.  Andrea is no longer your fiancée, employee, or whatever else she may have been.  So get in your car and have you a real nice day.” Nate growls letting him slide down the car.

Phillip gasps for breath as he climbs into his car and drives away.  Nate turns and walks back into the kitchen where
‘Drea stands at the sink.  “’Drea are you alright?” Nate asks as he wraps his arms around her from behind. 

She blows out a bre
ath and closes her eyes, “Yes, he just tried to get his point across.  He wanted me to come back and make his life easier.” ‘Drea says as she turns in his arms and he pulls her in tight.

“
I know Sugar.” Nate says.

“
You were listening?” ‘Drea asks surprised.

             
Nate nods, “He looked like a classic douche and I wasn’t leaving you alone with him.  When he got too close, I decided to remove him.” He says drawing a giggle from her.

“
Thank you, Nate.  So...is he still alive?” ‘Drea asks as she nuzzles into the crook of his neck.

“
Yeah, but if he comes back we will need to plan on where to hide the body.  I won’t be so polite next time.” Nate says sweetly.

“
He won’t be back. Phillip doesn’t love me Nate, he never did.  I won’t live that way and now he knows that.”

“
OK, so now that you are alright.  I will leave you to my donuts and I will see to Ms. Ruthie.”  Nate says as he kisses her sweetly then he is gone.

             
‘Drea turns and starts punching out donuts and cranks up the fryer.  Placing six on a plate, she boxes up the rest and sits the plate on the table just as Nate walks in.