by Nomi Summers
“Allow me,” she heard the voice growing near. It sounded familiar enough, but she couldn’t quite place it. Whomever it was, she didn’t need his help, she just needed a minute to get the board situated so she could get off this ladder. She’d never been fond of heights, and even being a few feet off the ground made her nervous. But she wouldn’t allow Rose to get on the ladder with her bad hip, so it had become her least favorite daily task.
A hand reached around her and grabbed the bottom of the board, straightening it on the nail. Whoever it was, he had to be tall to reach without a ladder. But still, she didn’t appreciate a customer coming behind the front counter. Swinging around instinctively to see who it was, her weight shifted, and the top of the ladder began to topple to one side. Panic raced through her body, knowing she was going down with it.
She closed her eyes and tightened her grip on the ladder, preparing for the fall. The warmth of strong arms wrapped around her body, scooping her away from the ladder just as she lost her balance. With her eyes squeezed tight, she was afraid to open them until her feet were planted firmly on the ground. Luckily, within a matter of seconds, she was stabilized and quite sure she was standing upright. Slowly opening her eyes, she was greeted with a familiar face only inches from her own, his arms still wrapped tightly around her body.
She blinked hard. Was she seeing things? Could it possibly be? Feeling assured of her balance now, she pulled back and the man loosened his grip, allowing her to get a better look at him as she assessed her savior.
“Chase, is that you?” she asked the man standing before her, his identity partially hidden behind aviator sunglasses. He sure resembled her long-lost friend, but this wasn’t exactly how she remembered him. If this was Chase Knox standing behind her counter, he sure had grown into a man—a far stretch from the lanky eighteen-year-old boy he was the last time she’d seen him. Sure, he’d always been good looking, he was a Knox after all and every one of those Knox brothers were known for their looks, but this guy standing before her was ruggedly handsome in his faded blue jeans and black leather jacket. His chiseled features were prominent, even under the five-o’clock shadow and bronzed skin. If it was Chase, she needed to extinguish the flames building inside her. She’d never looked at him like that before, and she sure didn’t plan to start now. He was just a friend, a good friend. Well, he had been anyway … until he’d left her.
“It’s me, Em,” he told her as he removed his sunglasses, revealing familiar eyes. Her heart sped with excitement as she threw her arms around him, taking in the comfort of an old friend as she held onto him for a moment longer than she’d anticipated.
He returned the embrace and a mixture of leather and masculinity hit her nose, his scent new and yet still comforting. He smelled good, and an unfamiliar feeling jolted through her body. She loosened her grip and stepped back to take another look at him.
“What are you doing in Arbor Shores?” Was all she could manage to get out as she studied him. As happy as she was to see her friend, seeing his face brought memories with it—memories of her parents’ funeral, and memories of him leaving town right afterward when she’d needed him most. A pain stabbed at her heart with the thought. She’d held onto sadness for a few years after he’d left. How could he have left her at a time like that? But it had been almost eight years since all that, so she decided those questions could wait. That was a conversation for another time. Right now, she’d put that resentment aside to find out what he was doing here.
“That’s a question I don’t have a short answer for. Have time for a coffee break?” he asked.
She looked around at the handful of people in the store—nothing Rose couldn’t handle. “Sure, let me just ask my gal to come take over the counter.” She poured two cups of coffee from the pot behind her and slid them to Chase. “Grab us a table.”
Taking the ladder into the back, and thankful it hadn’t toppled over or crashed into the bakery case, she found Rose kneading dough. “I know this is bad timing, but would you mind handling the counter for me? An old friend just arrived, and I’d like to catch up with him for a few.”
“Him?” Rose raised a brow as the corners of her mouth formed into a grin.
“It’s not like that. We’re just friends,” she told Rose, who wore a look that said she wasn’t buying it. “Old friends,” Emma added as she removed her apron and smoothed at the tendrils that had sprung loose from her ponytail.
“Mm-hmm.” Rose wore a suspicious grin, but Emma ignored it. She was used to people thinking there was something more between her and Chase back in the day, but there never had been. They were just the best kind of friends.
Sure, she’d grown close to a few girls in town over the past few years like her good friends Avery and Rylee, but in middle school and then well into high school, it had always just been her and Chase. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have had many friends in school. She was the one that was known for studying and keeping to herself, but she knew Chase was extremely smart. He’d worked hard to keep that hidden from the world, instead cultivating a carefree, bad boy image. But Emma knew the real Chase. That’s probably why their bond was so strong. They didn’t open up to most, only each other. There had never been any expectations between them, or catty arguments that most high school friends had, and that was refreshing. They’d do their own thing most days, but then have the most fun when they’d spend time together. And if they’d needed each other, the other was always there. By the time graduation hit, they were closer than she’d ever imagined she could be with another person. That’s probably why it hurt so bad when he left.
But again, she’d resolved not to think about that. Right now, she just wanted to get out there and learn what he’d been up to over the past eight years. She’d tried to find him on social media many times, but he didn’t appear to have a profile. Knowing how Chase always liked to keep to himself, she wasn’t surprised. Eventually, she’d get all those questions burning inside her answered and find out why he’d left so abruptly, and more importantly, why he’d never come back.
Chase looked up from stirring creamer into his coffee to find Emma walking toward the table. She sure looked different now; more grown-up than he remembered. Although she had always been mature in mind, now her appearance had matured as well. She had started to blossom in high school, and he’d watched her morph from a brainy bookworm into a girl that started to turn all the boys’ heads. He’d always resolved not to look at her in that way, but it got harder and harder the older they got—especially once the hormones began to kick in.
Still, he’d never let on that he had any attraction toward her. She was his only true friend, and he hadn’t been willing to jeopardize that. But looking at her now, he was reminded of those feelings that began stirring in high school. She’d turned into a woman, and even more attractive than her looks was all that she’d made of herself.
“Chase Knox, I’d all but given up on ever seeing you back here. What brings you home?” she asked, taking her place across from him.
“That’s a loaded question.” He shot her a playful grin, but he’d have to come clean with her. This was Emma he was talking to. “You heard my dad had a heart attack?”
“Yes, but that was a month ago. I know Shane was hoping to see you then.”
“You speak to my brother?”
“He’s marrying my good friend, Avery. Didn’t you know?”
“No, I didn’t.” He scrubbed at his face. “Wow. I always knew they’d end up together someday. So, does that mean he’s back in Arbor Shores?”
“He sure is,” she told him. “Haven’t you spoken to him?”
Silence fell between them for a moment. “No,” he finally said, looking down at his hands. He was excited to hear his older brother was back home. He just wasn’t sure if the feeling would be mutual.
“So, what about you? Are you married yet?” Changing the subject, he glanced at her left hand. Although he wasn’t sure why, relief flowed through him wh
en he found her ring finger bare.”
“I am, actually.”
His stomach dropped. “You are?”
She waved a hand at the tables and bookshelves around them. “I’m married to my business.”
He let out the breath he’d been holding. “It sure is great. And it suits you.” He reached across the table and gave her hand a light squeeze. “Your parents would be proud of you, Em.”
Her smile fell at the mere mention of her parents, and her eyes glazed over for a moment. He shouldn’t have brought them up, but it was the truth. They had loved their only daughter dearly, and they’d be proud of the woman she’d become. What he really wanted to tell her was that he was proud of her, too. But he’d swallow that admission for now.
“So, where are you staying?” She took a sip of her coffee.
“Don’t know yet. I was hoping to stay at Hemlock House, but I heard it’s been closed.”
She gave a half laugh. “I closed Hemlock House the summer my parents ...”
“No worries, I’m sure there’s another room in town,” Chase was quick to change the subject. “I should probably grab a paper to see what’s for rent.”
“How long are you here for?”
“Don’t know yet. That all depends on how my family reacts to my return.” He pushed his coffee cup away from him and leaned back in his chair. “I’m in no rush to let them know I’m here, so if you could keep it between us for now, I’d appreciate it.”
“In a town as small as Arbor Shores?” she chuckled. “Good luck with that.”
“I know, but I just need some time to get settled first.”
“Well, don’t check into the resort then or you’ll run into Shane.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” He looked out the window. “Do you know of any rooms for rent? I’m relying on a small nest egg to keep me afloat until I can find some work, so nothing too expensive.”
Her eyes lit up. “I have an idea.”
“Uh-oh, I know that look.” He smiled. She had the same look in her eye she’d had when they were fifteen and she’d had the idea of a campout on the beach to try and catch the Northern Lights. They’d both told their parents they were going to a slumber party. Instead, they’d taken sleeping bags out to the shore and built a fire to keep warm. They’d stayed up all night waiting for the show, which did not disappoint. For a quiet, girl-next-door type, she’d had an adventurous side that few knew about, and he’d loved that about her.
“I have an empty guesthouse behind Hemlock House. Mind you, nobody has stayed back there in years, and it probably needs a good cleaning. I suppose I could rent it to you. In exchange for your stay, the Hemlock House just needs a few repairs.” Her eyes were filled with excitement and hope.
“You mean, I’ll be your on-site handyman in exchange for staying in the guesthouse?”
“Why not?” she asked. “It’s just a studio though. You’d have to come inside Hemlock for use of the kitchen, but you’d have your privacy out back.”
“Define ‘a few’ repairs.”
“Well, quite a bit of repairs, actually, but nothing you couldn’t handle. You were always handy. Thing is, I don’t have the time nor the extra cash to hire a contractor, and I’d like to get the place fixed up a bit. In case I decide to sell it someday.” She looked around somberly. “Things have been kind of slow around here lately.”
He grinned. “This doesn’t sound like a bad gig.”
“Well, you should know, Hemlock House is not what it used to be. I mean, there’s no homemade breakfast in the mornings. It’s just me and Zeke, so I don’t do much cooking. I’m here most of the time anyway.”
“Who’s Zeke?” he asked. Did she have a kid he didn’t know about? A live-in boyfriend, perhaps?
“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll love him. So, are you in?” She held her hand across the table to shake on their agreement.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” He shook hers back and smiled, and something passed between them with their touch. He wasn’t sure why, but the thought of spending time with Emma shot life back into him and filled him with an excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Especially since the last six months of his life had been miserable.
Chapter 3
“Zeke, say hello to Mr. Chase,” Emma told the excited Lab who was dancing inside the front entrance of Hemlock House.
“Ah, Zeke is your dog,” Chase said, taking a knee to pet the dog on his level.
“Well, of course. Who did you think he was?”
“Never mind,” Chase said as Zeke snuck in a lick to the side of his face.
“I think he likes you,” Emma beamed.
“Most dogs do.” He gave Zeke a good ear scratch before getting up to take in the place. Emma was right, it was in rough shape. Still a beautiful Victorian, but it had seen better days. This was not exactly how he remembered it. It still adorned the same furnishings and decor, but time had taken its toll on the old house. Right away, he noticed the floors could use refinishing and the wallpaper was peeling at the corners. Chipped paint bordered the window frames and the windows themselves could all use a good scrubbing. He’d surely have his work cut out for him, but it was a small price to pay to have a place to stay, and he enjoyed manual labor—always had. In high school, he’d worked on a farm just outside of Arbor Shores. After he’d left, he’d done construction for a few years in Nashville before moving on to New York City. It always made him feel manly to work with his hands. And that feeling he got when he’d see the finished product? There was nothing in the world quite like it. It sure beat the gigs he’d had in New York. Especially his last job as a bodyguard. But that’s another thing he didn’t want to think about.
“You know where the kitchen is. Just let yourself in any time you’d like. I keep the door unlocked.”
“What do you mean you keep the door unlocked? Living here alone, Em? You can’t do that.” He’d seen far more than he’d ever wanted to living in a big city like New York. He couldn’t fathom her living alone and not locking her door at night.
“It’s Arbor Shores; it’s fine.” She waved off his concern, but he’d revisit that conversation later.
“All right, show me to the guesthouse.”
She led him through the house and out the back door, which just like the front door was unlocked. He was going to get her locking her doors before he left town, that was for sure. The guesthouse sat back in the far corner of the lot, behind what he remembered as a lush garden. Now, it was overgrown with weeds and tall grass. Maybe he’d have time to plant some crops while he was here. Although it was late in the season, and he might not still be around for harvest time, but at least Emma could enjoy them after he left.
She reached up and grabbed a key from the ledge above the front door. “Great hiding spot,” Chase teased.
“Hey, at least it’s locked.” She looked back over her shoulder and gave him a wink before unlocking the door. A hard push from her hip pried it open.
Greeted by the pungent scent of mothballs and must, Chase assessed his new rental. A full-size bed sat in the corner with a floral bedspread that looked straight out of the eighties, and a couch covered by a sheet sat across from it on the opposite wall. There was an old wooden bistro table for two by the window, and a small bathroom and closet at the far wall. It was all he needed.
Emma yanked the sheet off the couch and ran her finger across the table, collecting a layer of dust on its tip. Color flushed to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. It’s been awhile since I’ve been back here. I guess it’s in worse shape than I thought. You don’t have to stay back here. I’m sure you’d rather rent a room somewhere else. You know, I hear the Evergreen Manor has vacancies.”
“Emma, it’s perfect.” He offered her a reassuring smile. If only she knew where he’d stayed the past few months, she’d realize this place was a palace in comparison.
“Are you sure?”
He reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. “I
promise, this is nothing a good cleaning can’t fix, and I’m just grateful to have a place to crash.”
“All right. Well, I need to get back to work so I’ll let you get settled.” She started for the door. “If you need anything, just call me at NovelTea.”
“Hey, Em,” he called after her.
“Yeah?” She turned to face him.
“Can I make you dinner tonight?” It was an idea that had just come to him.
“You cook?” she asked with an amused grin.
“I worked as a sous chef for a bit,” he laughed, slightly embarrassed at the admission, but cooking was one of his passions. He just never had a place to do it, or anyone to cook for. “You know, as a way to say thanks for letting me stay here. Plus, I’d love to catch up with you.” What he really meant was he’d love to spend time with her. It’d been so long since he’d seen her, and he looked forward to the company.
“I’d like that.” She smiled one last time before heading out the door.
Elation surged through him. First things first, he’d give this place a good scrub down, then he’d walk down the street and do some shopping at Callahan’s Town Store. Tonight, he’d make Emma a dinner she’d never forget.
For some reason, a strong desire to impress her had taken over him.
Chase found cleaning supplies inside the butler’s pantry of Hemlock House, and had his small guesthouse in living condition in no time. Giving Emma’s kitchen inside Hemlock House a quick run-through, he found its contents quite bare, which made him wonder what she actually ate in the way of food. She probably ate at work, because there was little to be found in the fridge.
A quick trip to the store would solve that problem, he just hoped he wouldn’t see anyone he knew in town. He wasn’t ready yet to let his family know he was home, and in a town as small as this one, it would only be a matter of time before it inevitably occurred. He’d deal with that when the time came, but tonight, he just wanted to enjoy a quiet evening with an old friend.
