by Nomi Summers
“Well, forgive me for asking, but how long is he here for?” Aaron was not letting up, and it was beginning to annoy Emma.
“I don’t know. A while, I hope. He’s a good friend, and I’m enjoying having him around.” She grabbed a shawl from the coat rack by the door and wrapped it around her arms. “Plus, he’s fixing up the house for me. In case I decide to sell it.”
“Sell it? Well, you have a long way to go if you plan to get this house in selling condition.” He looked around the room, digging further and further under Emma’s skin.
Her lips pursed together. “Well then, I may just have to keep him around even longer. Ready to go? I don’t want to be late.”
“After you,” he said, holding the front door for her as she walked through, then closing it firmly on the elephant in the room behind them.
Chapter 6
Chase pulled his motorcycle into Ripples’ parking lot and removed his helmet. A mixture of nerves and excitement swirled inside him. Two of his brothers, Shane and Hunter, were awaiting him inside. It was just too bad his twin, Ethan, wouldn’t be inside. He played pro football for the NFL and the season had already started.
Thinking about each of his brothers’ successes only illuminated his own faults. That’s one reason why he’d stayed gone for so long. He hadn’t wanted to come back until he’d made something of his life. But when would that have been? It had already been eight years, and he still didn’t have anything to show for himself except for a handful of stories too wild for anyone to believe, his motorcycle—which he cherished—and the shirt on his back. Sure, he’d acquired some skills over the years, but he didn’t possess any of the special talents his brothers did. He’d always been the black sheep, the outcast, the drifter of the family, and he wasn’t sure how he’d answer questions about where he’d been or what he’d been up to. He figured he’d just answer on the fly. But there were some things he wasn’t ready to talk about, not even with his brothers, that he planned to keep to himself.
Chase made his way inside and looked around. There was no sign of his brothers by the bar so he headed out back. In the corner of the patio, they flagged him down from a table by the railing, overlooking the beach.
Not knowing how his presence would be received, Chase reluctantly made his way through the maze of tables on the outdoor patio. He was thrilled at the sight of his brothers, but were they as equally pleased to see him?
“Chase, it’s so good to see you, bro.” Shane was the first to get up and greet him with a big hug.
“Good to be home,” Chase said, patting his brother on the back. He turned to Hunter, who’d also risen to his feet.
“Nice to see you, Chase. It’s been far too long.” Hunter also leaned in to hug him, and it was a relief. So far, so good, anyway.
“Man, sit down and tell us what you’ve been up to. We tried to get ahold of you last month when Dad had his heart attack. We left several messages.” There it was, the inevitable conversation he’d been dreading.
“Yeah, about that. I was out of the country in Costa Rica. I lost my phone down there, and figured I’d wait ‘til I got back to the US to get a replacement. When you called, I didn’t have a phone with me and no way to check my messages.” Chase hated to lie, especially to his brothers, but he had no choice.
“No phone? I can’t imagine,” Hunter chimed in, looking up briefly from the email he was checking on his.
“That’s because you are always on yours.” Shane shot him a look, and Hunter put his phone down and pushed it to the side.
“All right, all right. No business tonight. My phone is off limits,” Hunter agreed.
“I came as soon as I got a new phone and heard your messages. Sorry I couldn’t be here when you needed me.”
“Not your fault, man. You didn’t know. We’re just glad you’re here now,” Shane said, putting a hand in the air to get the server’s attention. “Can we get a round of beer, please?” he asked as she approached.
Once the waitress took Chase’s order and left to get the drinks, Hunter asked, “What were you doing in Costa Rica, anyway?”
“I went down there on a guys’ trip. A few guys I worked with were always talking about how great it was. I learned to surf while I was there and fell in love with the area, so I didn’t come back with them. I stayed and got a job in Jaco, a beachside town on the Pacific coast. I took tourists on eco-tours—zip lining, volcano tours—that sort of thing.” That part was the truth. All of that had happened, so he didn’t feel quite as bad about his words. The only thing was, that had happened three years ago, not in the past six months. He just couldn’t tell his brothers where he’d been more recently. He was already feeling like a loser in comparison.
“Man, that sounds awesome. I envy you, bro. You’ve been able to really live and enjoy your life.” Shane took a sip of the beer the waitress had delivered to the table.
Chase was shocked at his brother’s admission. “You’re a famous rock star. You’ve got the life all men dream of.”
Shane looked out at the water. “Yeah, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“So, what are you doing now? Are you still with your band, Distant Union?”
“Oh yeah, we have a tour scheduled for next summer. Just taking some time off until after Avery and I get married. I just needed a bit of a break, you know? I’ve cut back; just taking it one day at a time.”
“That’s cool. So, you’re in Arbor Shores now? Permanently? And congrats about you and Avery, by the way.”
“Yep, this is home base now. I hope you’ll consider sticking around awhile. Our wedding is in December, and I’d love to have you stand up as a groomsman.”
Chase hadn’t thought that far ahead. December was still three months away, which seemed like an eternity. “I don’t know how long I’ll be in town, but I promise to come back in December for your wedding, how’s that?”
“Well, where are you off to next?” Hunter asked.
“I’m not sure.” Chase took a drink of his beer, trying to buy some time to contemplate his next words. Truth was, he didn’t know where he’d be going next. The only thing that was certain was that he wasn’t going back to New York.
“Well, you could always stick around awhile, you know. We’d love to have you back home for a change.” Hunter sounded genuine. This was going far better than expected, and Chase was happy to be there, but he wouldn’t stay. There was nothing for him in Arbor Shores. Small town life was a refreshing change for a getaway, but it didn’t suit him for a permanent home. Or did it? A vision of Emma sitting across the dinner table from him, eating a meal he’d prepared for her, flashed through his mind. That’s a thought that he could get used to.
The guys stayed on the patio catching up until the sun had dipped beyond the horizon. Since they’d enjoyed two more rounds of beer, Shane called Avery to pick him and Hunter up. Out in front of Ripples, as they waited for Avery and were saying their goodbyes to Chase—who had decided he’d walk the few short blocks back to Hemlock House—Hunter added, “So, when are you going to get over to see Dad?” The question had likely been burning in both of his brothers’ minds.
“I’ll get over there soon,” Chase assured Hunter. But Chase wasn’t in any hurry to see his father, and he didn’t want to go there alone.
“I was thinking, what if I have a barbecue tomorrow afternoon? As a welcome home to you? I could invite him over then.”
“Hey, a Sunday barbecue at the lake house sounds great to me. Count Avery and me in,” Shane added.
It sounded good to Chase, too, because he had no desire to go to Knox Estates alone to visit his father. He’d far rather have his brothers around for that reunion.
“That sounds good, but I have plans to go into the city with Emma. I’m helping her fix up Hemlock House, and we need to get some supplies.”
“How about you do that in the morning, and we’ll barbecue around 3 p.m. Sound good?”
“All right, that should work. Let
me just make sure that works for Emma.”
“Ah, Ms. Emma, huh? What’s going on there?” Shane teased.
“Nothing. You know Emma and I are just friends. She’s renting me her guesthouse behind Hemlock.”
“Emma’s a great girl; you might want to reconsider your stance on your ‘friendship,’” Shane advised.
“Well, she’s out with Aaron Reynolds right now, so I’m pretty sure she’s already taken.”
“Aaron Reynolds? That guy was in my class. He’s a tool. He’s got nothing on you, Chase.”
“It’s not a competition. Like I said, we’re just friends.” Chase’s jaw tightened. This interrogation was beginning to annoy him.
“Yeah, well, let me know when you come to your senses. It’s obvious Emma was always crazy about you. I’m sure if you wanted it to be more, it could be.”
“No, she wasn’t. She doesn’t look at me like that. And like I said, she has a boyfriend.”
“I see Emma a lot. She’s good friends with Rylee. She never talks about Aaron, and she never brings him around. I don’t know how close they actually are,” Hunter added.
Shane put his hand on Chase’s shoulder. “All I know is, that’s a girl worth fighting for. You, my little bro, just need to up your game.”
“All right, it’s time for me to head home. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Chase ignored Shane’s comment and left his brothers standing in the parking lot, waiting for their ride. He didn’t appreciate their meddling about his relationship with Emma. They were just friends. As far back as he could remember, people had never been able to accept that there was nothing going on between the two of them. There never had been.
Why would things be any different now?
Emma cut her evening short with Aaron. After an hour and a half at the mixer, she’d told him she wasn’t feeling well and asked him to take her home. Actually, she was feeling fine, she just wasn’t feeling him after his interrogation about Chase, which hadn’t set well with her. As the evening went on, there was an unspoken tension between them, and she just wanted to get home.
When she arrived, she was disappointed to find Chase’s motorcycle wasn’t parked in front of the garage. She went in, got into her pajamas, and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
That’s when she heard it. There was no denying the sound; she’d lived in that house her entire life. She knew the sound of the latch on the front door being pulled shut hard. “Hello?” she called out. But no one answered. That’s odd. Zeke was upstairs, waiting for her in bed, so he must not have heard it because he didn’t bark or make his way downstairs. His hearing wasn’t what it used to be.
“Chase, is that you?” she called again. Still, no response. For the first time ever, she felt unsafe in her home. Had an intruder come into her house? Darn Chase for putting those thoughts into her head. Her pulse quickened as she grabbed a knife from the cutting block and slowly made her way through the dining area, staying close to the wall to stay hidden. When she got to the opening where she could see into the parlor, she held her breath and peeked her head around the corner to investigate.
No one was there.
She tiptoed over to the front door to open it and see if anyone was outside, but when she twisted the handle, it wouldn’t turn. That was odd; the door was locked. She didn’t lock it when she came in. She never locked the front door. She decided in that moment that she would from now on, but why was it locked right now? Her heart pounded inside her chest.
Someone was in her house.
She turned toward the parlor, and as she did, she noticed the light of the guesthouse flip on through the side window. Thank heavens. Chase was home. She bolted toward the back door as fast as her feet would allow and ran outside, slamming the door behind her. Running through the backyard, hand still gripping the knife, she made her way to the guesthouse and began banging on the door until it swung open.
Chapter 7
“Emma, what’s going on?” Chase asked, his eyes immediately falling to the knife she was gripping, then making their way up her body. He didn’t mean to stare, but she was standing at his door in a pair of thin, silk pajamas consisting of shorts and a matching tank, which left little to the imagination.
“Chase, someone is in my house!” She dropped the knife and lunged forward into his arms, and he could feel her silky body pressed against his. He wrapped his arms around her instinctively, as if to shield her from the possible intruder. He held her tight and locked the door.
“You stay here. I’ll go over there,” he said as he picked up the knife off the floor.
“No! Don’t go in there. What if he has a gun? Let’s just call the police.”
Chase began sifting through the pockets of his leather jacket hanging on the back of the chair. “How do you know someone is in there?” he asked, pulling out his phone to power it on. His plan was to first call the police, and then go in the house and capture the intruder himself. How dare someone try to harm Emma.
“Because I heard the front door shut, and when I went to check it, it was locked. I know I didn’t lock it. Someone came in and locked it behind them. Someone is in my house!” Her voice was frantic, and relief flushed through him as he listened to her words. “Why aren’t you dialing? Why are you smiling?” she demanded, panic and fear still stricken on her face.
“That was me, Em,” he told her, tossing his phone on the table and then putting his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to calm her down. “I was walking home from Ripples and saw your bedroom light on upstairs. I checked the front door and noticed you had left it unlocked. I locked it for you and pulled it shut. I don’t like the thought of you being alone in there at night with your door unlocked.”
“Chase Knox!” She swatted at his arm. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
She was still huffing. This look of vulnerability on her face was something he wasn’t used to seeing from Emma. She was always so independent and laid back. A strong desire to console her took over him. He pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her, in an attempt to calm her down. “I’m sorry, Em. I was just looking out for you. I didn’t know it would startle you.” As he held her tight, her arms wrapped around his waist, and she rested her head on his chest. He put his chin on top of her head and held her, the smell of her shampoo tantalizing his senses.
Holding Emma’s soft body in his arms was making him feel things you’re not supposed to feel for your best friend. As if she’d likewise suddenly discovered the awkwardness of the situation, Emma pulled back and wrapped her arms across her chest, a clear attempt to cover herself.
“Here.” Chase picked up on her discomfort, and grabbed his sweatshirt off the sofa, which she quickly pulled over her head.
“I feel like an idiot,” she said, plopping down on the couch. “I’ve lived in that house alone for years and never once have I been scared. It was you who put bad thoughts in my head about leaving my door unlocked. I should have known better. This is Arbor Shores.”
“Small town or not, you need to lock your doors.” He took a seat next to her. “That’s exactly my point; had your doors been locked, this never would have happened,” he teased.
She swatted at him playfully, and finally, a hint of a smile turned up the corners of her mouth. Finally, she was beginning to calm down. Problem was, he was getting worked up inside, in a way that was confusing him. She looked just as good in his oversized sweatshirt as she had standing in those silky pajamas at his front door, and he was finding it hard to take his eyes off her, or shake the feeling that still lingered of having her in his arms.
Emma didn’t want to go back inside the main house. Not alone anyway. Now, she was wide awake, and her idea of having a cup of tea and going to bed was long gone.
“What are you doing home already, anyway?” Chase glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s just after nine.”
“I’d had enough of the mixer.” What she really meant was she’d had enoug
h of Aaron. “I was ready to come home.”
“Must have been an exciting date,” Chase said dryly.
Was that a hint of jealousy she was picking up on? Nah, Chase didn’t care who she went out with. Why would he?
“Hey, I don’t really want to be alone after that ordeal, and now I’m wide awake. Wanna watch a movie with me?”
“Are you inviting me inside the main house? I feel so special,” Chase said with a grin.
“You can come inside Hemlock House anytime you want. You’re always welcome.”
“I know. I was only kidding.”
“So, how about it?”
“Well, I don’t know, I had big plans to finish Beyond Good and Evil tonight,” he said playfully, motioning to the book on his nightstand.
“Ah, I see you made your way to the upstairs library.” Emma was amused. She appreciated that Chase was a closet bookworm; it was something she assumed nobody knew about him except her, which made her feel special. She was pleased to find he’d helped himself to a book from the Hemlock House library. “I think Nietzsche will understand.”
“Well, I could probably be persuaded to break away, if you had some popcorn.”
“I do have popcorn, believe it or not. That’s one of the few things I’m sure to keep on hand.” She got up from the couch and waited for him at the door.
He rose off the couch to follow her. “All right, but I get to pick the movie,” he said, closing the door behind him as they stepped into the cool night. “I remember how terrible your movie-choosing skills are.”
