Page 44 of Pregnant by the Texan
“I definitely don’t think it’s the whole town. The town council would be the ones to select someone and they haven’t said a word to me. I can’t imagine the town really wanting me for that role.”
“Wednesday we’re going back to Royal. Are you moving out of the Cozy Inn Friday?”
“Yes. My town house is all fixed up, so I’m going home. Friday or Saturday I’m getting a Christmas tree and decorating it.”
“I have appointments Thursday in Royal and Friday I have to go to Dallas. I hate to leave now, but this is a deal I’ve worked on since before the storm hit. A wealthy family from back east wants to move to Dallas and build a new home. He was a college buddy, so there is a personal interest. I made a bid for R&N on building it. Now they’ve finally decided to go with R&N Builders. It’s a five-million-dollar house, so I have to see them and be there to sign the contract. Cole could, but that would take him away from Royal and this is really something I’ve dealt with and I know the family.”
“Aaron, go to Dallas,” she said, smiling. “That’s simple enough.”
“That’s what I have to do. I just wanted you to know why. I still can move you in early Friday morning before I go to Dallas. Also, I’ll help you get a tree on Saturday if you’d like.”
“I’d like your help on the tree,” she said, smiling at him. “I don’t have a lot to move, so I can move home all by myself. Will you stay in Royal through Christmas and New Year’s?”
“Yes. Probably about January 3, I’ll go back to Dallas for a little while. I’ll still be back and forth.”
That thought hurt. She would miss him, but she had known that day was inevitable.
Sadness gripped her and she tightened her fist in her lap. “Next week is the TCC Christmas festival. It should be so much fun, Aaron. We’re getting lots of presents and I haven’t been there this week, but I’ve had texts from Lark, from Paige and from Megan Maguire.”
“You’re right—it will be fun. You’ll be shocked by the number of presents that are coming into the TCC. That doesn’t count the ones dropped off at businesses, fire stations, all over town.”
“We have envelopes with checks for individuals and families that are on our list. I’m so grateful we’ve been able to do this.”
“The Christmas drive is a great idea,” he said.
She smiled. “Right now I’m excited over the Christmas festival,” she said, thinking it would be another chance for her to spend time with Aaron. When January came and he returned to Dallas, it was going to be hard on her without him. She knew that, but she pushed aside her fears. Friday she would move out of the Cozy Inn. She would never again see it without thinking of Aaron.
Their pilot announced they were approaching the Houston area.
“This is exciting, Aaron. I hope we can raise a lot of money and get more help for Royal,” she said, slipping into her suit jacket.
* * *
By Wednesday afternoon they had finished the interviews, the dinners, the talks to groups, and were flying back to Royal. Aaron knew some money had been sent directly to Royal, some checks had been given to Stella and some to him. He sat with a pen and pad in hand figuring out a rough total. She remained quiet.
When he raised his head, he smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Stella. As far as the money, the checks that have been promised and the ones we’re taking back with us total approximately a quarter of a million dollars. That’s tremendous. I don’t think the mayor himself could have done any better.”
“I’m just astounded by the help we’ve received. Some of it was from out-of-state people seeing interviews that got picked up and broadcast nationally. I can’t believe I’ve had three more offers to go on television news and local interest shows after the first of the year.”
“You look good on camera.”
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. That isn’t why I’m asked.”
“I think that’s a big part of it.”
“I’m sure that it’s much more because Royal has some touching stories.”
“They do, but it helps to have a pretty lady tell them.”
Shaking her head at him, she changed the topic. “I’m hungry and ready to get my feet on the ground in Royal and have dinner.”
“That’s easy. Where would you like to eat? I’ll take you wherever you’d like to go?”
“After being gone this week, I’m happy to eat at the inn.”
“That suits me.”
“Good,” she answered, certain their lives would change and wondering if Aaron would leave hers.
