Jamie poked his head into her bedroom. “My throat’s dry.”
Corra sat on her bed with her feet up unwinding from a busy Sunday while detailing her day at the races to Sharon.
“Okay, go get you some water and bring it up with you.”
“Is he okay?” Sharon asked through the phone.
“Yeah, he’s fine.” Corra frowned as soon as Jamie left the room. He looked fine, but he also breathed as if he’d run up the stairs already.
“So finish telling me about your date,” Sharon said.
After Corra shared some exciting details about the race day Sharon coaxed her for more. “What else can I say, it was great. Chris knows some people in high places. I’ve only looked up at those boxes. I never imagined I’d be sitting up there one day.”
“Chris is a good guy, Corra. I like him.”
“Yeah, he is. I’ve always liked Chris. But, sometimes I think why me, when he can have any woman he wants? And I can’t imagine the women he had in Philadelphia. I’m surprised he’s still single.”
“Maybe he’s been waiting for you?”
“Girl, please. That man has not been waiting for me. After the accident I didn’t think I’d see him again. Not in a dating capacity anyway. It was as if his whole presence at the fund-raiser was a dream. He came along and helped us, then poof, he was gone.”
“Like Cinderella in reverse, huh?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
“But the prince has come back to get his princess. Just like in Cinderella.”
“Sharon, stop fantasizing everything.”
“I can’t help it. I believe in happily-ever-afters. Maybe in school you wouldn’t have been perfect for each other. But now that you’ve both grown and matured, the time is right.”
Corra laughed. “I don’t know about all that. I’m just going to hold on and enjoy the ride.”
“That’s it, girl. And haven’t you been celibate for a long time now?”
Corra sat up and swung her legs off the side of the bed. “Okay, I’m not talking about my sex life tonight. I’m going to hang up now and go check on my son. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Aw, you’re no fun.”
Corra hung up and went to check on Jamie. The house was quiet as she walked down the hall and eased the door open to his room. He had the covers pulled up over his shoulders and was fast asleep. She tiptoed over to the other side of the bed and watched him sleep for a few seconds. His breathing was normal with a light snore. She tiptoed back out of the room and returned to her bedroom.
After her nightly beauty ritual, she lay back to read a book. The phone rang. Before she snatched the phone from its cradle, she wondered who was calling this late. She glanced at the caller ID, but didn’t recognize the name or number.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Corra. I heard you were looking for me?”
Corra dropped her book. “Eric?”
After a long pregnant pause he cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s me.”
Corra sat up. She hadn’t heard his voice in over two years. She didn’t know whether to curse him out or thank him for calling. Seems like her chat with Cookie worked.
“How are the kids?” he asked.
“They’re fine.” Still unsure how she wanted to handle this call, she walked over and closed the door to her bedroom. “Why haven’t you called them?”
“It’s a long story—”
“Yeah, I bet it is. I know where you’ve been.”
“Who told you?”
“Cookie.”
“Yeah well, I didn’t want to call from jail so—”
“Eric, what happened? How did you wind up in jail?”
“I kind of got caught up in something and made a stupid mistake. But I’ve put that all behind me now. I don’t gamble anymore, Corra. I’m sorry I screwed everything up between us, but I didn’t mean to walk out of my kids’ lives.”
Oh, yeah. It’s just me you meant to walk out on. And what about the cheating? Are you still a cheater? Or just a liar? “You need to see your kids, Eric. Or call them if you can’t make it down here.”
“I’m in Danville now.”
“How long have you been here?”
Silence from the other end. Then she heard what sounded like him putting his hand over the phone.
“Look, Corra, I gotta go. This isn’t my phone. I do want to see the kids, so how about I come by tomorrow? What time do they get home from school?”
Tomorrow! Corra wasn’t prepared mentally to see Eric so soon.
“Jamie has baseball practice after school. He won’t be home until around five.”
“Okay, how about I stop by at six.”
“We’ll probably be eating dinner around that time.”
“Then how about seven?”
God knows she did not want to see Eric. But, she asked for this because she didn’t want to be one of those mothers who kept their kids from their fathers. “Yeah, seven o’clock is good.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
Corra hung the phone up and just sat there staring into the floor. Eric had avoided her question about how long he’d been in town. If he’d been that eager to see his kids he would have come around as soon as he returned. But, Cookie must have confirmed that she didn’t want child support from him. Bastard.
* * *
Thankfully, Corra hadn’t mentioned her phone call from Eric to Jamie or Katie. Monday evening came and went—no Eric. On Tuesday when he called to apologize and rescheduled for the next day, she blew a gasket.
“How come I knew you were going to do this? You are still so predictable and unreliable.”
“Corra, hold on. It’s not my fault.”
“It never is, Eric.” Livid with herself for thinking for one moment that he might do the right thing, she began to have regrets.
“I promise I’ll be there tomorrow evening, I’m sorry.”
She lowered her forehead into her palm and kept telling herself, it’s for the kids. “Okay, but don’t stand them up again.” She hung the phone up questioning herself as to whether she’d done the right thing or not.
Less than a minute later, the phone rang again.
“Hello,” she answered in a cheerful voice when she saw Chris’s name on caller ID.
“Hey, what are you doing this evening?”
A flash of excitement crept into her. “Well, I was about to see if the kids have any homework. Why? Did you have something in mind?”
“Yeah, I’ve been working on something that I really want you to see. And this evening would be perfect.”
“Hum, this is kind of short notice,” she said, with a little hesitation in her voice.
“I know. I’m sorry. I just got a little excited.”
“Well, let me call Mrs. Baker to see if she can babysit for a while. I’ll call you right back.”
“Great.”
She hadn’t seen or spoken to Chris since Saturday, so she wondered what he was so excited about. After they hung up she quickly called Mrs. Baker who happily agreed to watch the kids for her. The only caveat was she had to bring them to her house.
Corra called Chris back and arranged to meet him after she dropped off the kids. Curiosity plagued her as she rode through town headed for their rendezvous spot. The minute she pulled into the parking lot she spotted Chris’s Cadillac. She parked next to him, got out of her car and into his.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice. You look nice.” He started the car.
Corra tried not to blush. She’d put on one of her favorite sundresses since it was almost eighty degrees out.
“Thank you. I feel like a woman cheating on her husband, meeting in a parking lot like we’re having an affair.”
Chris laughed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel like a scandalous woman. I had some business to take care of in the area and didn’t want to lose too much sunlight.”
“Hum, now I’m really wondering where you’re taking me.”
“Trust me, you’ll be surprised. It’s someplace important to me so I wanted you to see it.”
“Okay.” Corra noted the serious tone to Chris’s voice. She couldn’t wait to see whatever he had to show her.
He pulled out of the parking lot. “I promise I won’t keep you out too late. How was your day today?”
“Busy. I swear I work more at the bed-and-breakfast than I ever did at Save-A-Lot. Some days I feel like a jack-in-the-box. Jumping from one role to another.”
“Is the software helping out any?”
“Oh yes! I’ve loaded inventory and created helpful reports. So far, I like it. Tayler loves it. And Rollin’s even a fan, but he said he would talk to you about it. So, he might have a few questions.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it’s working out for you guys. I knew it would. Once you get everything implemented it should cut your workload in half.”
“So, did you create the program? I know you’re a computer whiz and all.”
Chris laughed. “Me a whiz. Now that’s funny. 3C has a team of developers working on new programs all the time. We have a suite of applications just for the hospitality industry. I have some input, but the design isn’t all mine by any means.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, what does 3C stand for?”
“The three owners of the business, Chris, Cameron and Carl. And Evolution because we plan to continue growing, evolving. We’ve found our niche, but there’s plenty of room for growth in the industry.”
Corra stared at Chris admiringly. He’d always been a smart guy in high school, but she never knew he had such an entrepreneurial spirit. “And this is your second company?”
“Yep. The first one was built to sell. I knew if I made it attractive enough I could make a profit once it sold.”
Corra was more focused on Chris’s businesses than where they were going. So, when he turned off the highway down a road that led to the old Whitfield home, she didn’t know what to think. No one had lived in that house for years.
“You’re a smart businessman. But I have a question for you? What the hell are we doing here?”
“You’ll see,” Chris said, as he pulled up close to the front entrance.
From the looks of all the building material alongside the house, it was being worked on. At one time it belonged to the richest family in Danville. Who owned it now?
“Come on, this is what I wanted to show you.” Chris climbed out of the car and Corra did the same. He walked around to close her door.
He took her hand and they walked up to the front porch. When he reached in his pocket and pulled out a key to open the door, Corra’s eyes widened.
He pushed the door open and looked back at her, she was stunned.
“After you,” he said.
Confused, she walked in, her eyes darting around the foyer and beyond to the bare drywall and dusty floors, settling on the magnificent chandelier above. “Chris, whose house is this?”
“Moi!” he said, pointing to himself before he closed the door and walked in behind her. “I’m restoring most of the rooms. Come on, let me give you the grand tour.”
Corra wanted to stop him and ask, “No, really, whose house is this?” He did not just tell her he’d purchased the oldest, grandest home in all of Danville. Chris took her hand and walked her through the house pointing out his plans for each room. She was too stunned to speak.
In the master bedroom he held the balcony doors open as she stepped out to enjoy the view. The trees blowing in the wind and the chirping sound of the birds was so calming and serene. She could imagine herself standing there with her morning cup of coffee, dressed in her robe.
“Nice view, huh?” Chris asked, as he walked up behind her.
“The best. What a way to start your morning. And it’s big enough for a small table and two chairs.”
He stood behind her and reached around placing his hands on the railing. “So you gonna sit out here and have breakfast with me?” he asked.
Corra wanted to lean back against his big hard body and have him wrap his arms around her. Secretively, she’d thought about Chris holding her that way for years. She could feel his breath against her neck, he was so close. She bit her lower lip and shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe one day.”
Chris backed away from her and took her hand again. “Then I’d better speed up renovations.”
Chapter 10
They continued the tour until Chris walked Corra out the back door. “I’m going to put a ramp in back here so my mother doesn’t have to take the steps if she doesn’t want to.”
“Chris, can I ask you about your mother’s health? I never knew what was wrong with her.”
“She has a debilitating case of fibromyalgia. It was diagnosed when I was in junior high. She’s always in pain.”
“Oh, wow! I know I used to see your father in Save-A-Lot all the time. I’ve only seen your mother with him a few times. Does she work?” Corra followed Chris to a set of chairs on the back patio that looked over the property.
He shook his head. “She used to be an elementary school teacher, but she’s been disabled most of my life.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that.”
“Thanks. It’s not something I talk about a lot. She suffered for a long time before the diagnosis. When I was younger I used to get upset because she missed a lot of school activities. By the time I started playing football, I understood she couldn’t make the games.”
“She never saw you play?”
“She saw a few games. But, the pain kept her away most days. And my dad, being the good husband he was, stayed at home taking care of her most of the time.”
“That must have been hard on you.”
He shrugged. “You get over it. They attended the most important games. She came to the All-Star game, and that was good enough for me.”
“Are you keeping the pool?” Corra asked, to change the subject. She wanted to know about his mom, but she didn’t want to cause him to relive any painful memories. She remembered Chris being an outsider, and now she had an idea.
“Of course. Would you come over and swim?”
“Can I bring the kids?” she asked, hoping he wouldn’t have a problem with that.
“You most certainly can. A pool party might be the first thing I do once I move in. You guys are welcome anytime.”
“Chris, you’re really moving in here by yourself?”
“Of course I am. I’ve wanted this house ever since I saw it for the first time from the school bus.”
“Wow, you’re gonna rock this town. A young successful black man living in an antebellum mansion that likely belonged to slave owners.”
Chris laughed. “I don’t think the house is that old. What I plan to do is change the perception of how a young black man can live.”
The sun was setting now and Corra knew their time was winding down, but there was so much more to see. “What’s that building over there?” she asked, pointing at what looked like another house beyond the pool.
Chris stood up and reached for her hand. “That’s the pool house. Come on, let me show you.”
Corra took his hand and they walked along the side of the huge empty pool with a frog on each end. “What are the frogs for?”
“They’re fountains. They run on a pump. Once the pool is filled, water runs up and spouts out through their mouths. I don’t know if they work or not, but that’s what they’re meant to do.”
“Fancy.”
“I love all the t
rees back here. Complete privacy. And at night, it’s pitch black. I’m thinking of installing some solar lights.”
Chris opened the door to the pool house and Corra was completely blown away by its size. This was a complete house that smelled a little musty, but that was it. She stepped into the living area, and could see the kitchen. “Wow, Chris, this is much larger than I expected it to be.”
He gave her a tour of the two bedrooms, full bath and kitchen.
“Okay, there’s nothing antebellum about this pool house.”
“Yeah, I figure the owners added it after they purchased the house. My dad said they had a couple of sons, so possibly one of the sons lived out here and wanted something a little more modern.”
“Is there a laundry room?” she asked.
“Down here.” He walked in the opposite direction back through the living room and beyond the kitchen. He opened a closet door. “Looks like a stacked washer and dryer were in here. Not a laundry room, more like a closet.”
“Yeah, but that’s nice. This was a great little bachelor’s pad for one of those lucky guys.”
“It sure was. And far enough from the main house to feel like you weren’t living at home. I bet they had some wild parties out here.”
“And imagine the girls they brought out here.”
“Oh yeah, I know if I had a pad like this while living at home I would have—”
Corra placed her hands on her hips and twisted her lips up at Chris. He stopped talking. “You would have what? Had a revolving door installed. Different girl every weekend.”
Chris threw his palms up. “I didn’t say that. I was about to say I would have snuck you over. Forget what Rollin or your father said. You would have been all mine.”
His left brow twitched as he smiled at her. Corra wagged her finger at him. “Nice save. I know that wasn’t what you were about to say, but I like that.”
Chris dropped the smile and moved closer to her. “I would have. We would have been out here making love all night long.”
“Chris, we were kids.”
He lowered his gaze at her. “Kids don’t make love? Or what they think at the time is love?”
The Only One for Me Page 6
