Unforgettable Christmas - Gifts of Love (The Unforgettables Book 3)

by Mimi Barbour

  “Did you tell her how he acted with you?”

  “I couldn’t. You see, it was Stan Garett, my stepsister Patricia’s husband, who recommended his brother Scott. They were both truck drivers, but Scott had previously worked as a mechanic and was presently unemployed. And Mom supported his recommendation hoping it would get Patricia and Stan to come to see her. Dad hired him a year before the accident. Scott often visits Mom and brings her chocolate. I wasn’t going to badmouth her protégé, but Rino has no qualms about barking at Scott. He bit him once when Scott tried to pull me against him.”

  “Good dog.”

  Interesting. Disgusting but interesting. Josh would look into the guy’s background first thing tonight.

  “Emma, do you have a lawyer?”

  “The lawyer of the shops. Scott deals with him now.”

  In an effort to comfort her, he squeezed her fingers and offered an encouraging smile. “If you want I can be your lawyer. You’re not on your own anymore, but don’t mention our conversation to anyone.”

  “I won’t. Thank you, Josh. I really appreciate your concern.”

  Josh wouldn’t have minded hugging Emma, but he thought better of it at the moment.

  Half an hour later, he stopped in front of the Cassieros’ house and noted the absence of his parents’ limousine.

  “Thank you for driving me.” Emma unbuckled her seatbelt and slid out of the car.

  He followed her to the door, a half-smile on his lips. “Aren’t you going to invite me in for a drink?”

  Her eyes widened. “It’s kind of late, and I’m not used to inviting, huh, people in.”

  He’d bet she’d never invited any men in.

  “Can you make an exception for your new... lawyer.” He didn’t want to say boss.

  “Okay, come in. But I don’t know if the bottles we have are safe to drink,” she added with an apologetic smile.

  “I’ll be careful.” He followed her inside after she unlocked the front door.

  A table lamp cast feeble rays in the living room but Maria had probably vacated the place to go to bed. He assumed his mother must have helped her.

  A far-away bark, followed by continuous barking, startled Emma. “Darn, we left Rino out too long. I’ll bring him in. Make yourself comfortable here. Sorry about the mess.” She folded the afghan laying on the recliner. “We were not expecting visitors.”

  At first glance, Josh noticed the piles of newspapers and books at the foot of a big recliner facing the TV, the bottles of medicines and glasses half-filled with water on the two carts flanking the recliner. He understood Emma’s reluctance to let him come inside. The living room had been organized to accommodate her mother. Yet a cozy smell of potpourri floated around in a welcoming way.

  A beige sofa, two matching armchairs, and a maple cocktail table occupied the room with a credenza against the wall. A large painting of a sailboat hung on the wall and a silver frame with a family picture of Emma in a graduation gown and flanked by her father and stepmother adorned the credenza. A happy portrait from better days.

  “Have a seat.” Emma waved to the sofa, picked up a glass and plate with remnants of a sandwich from one of the carts and scurried to the kitchen visible from where he stood.

  By the shape of things, Emma and her stepmother were not used to entertaining people.

  Had she ever had a boyfriend?

  A moment later she returned, holding a barking dog by his collar. “Quiet, easy, Rino. Meet Josh.”

  Rino jutted his muzzle toward Josh with a menacing growl that didn’t impress Josh. “He’s beautiful. My brothers and I grew up with a German shepherd who died a few years ago.” He peered at the dog’s eyes and softened his voice. “Touch my arm, Emma. Show him that I’m friend not foe.”

  She placed her hand on his forearm and rubbed it. “Nice, Rino. Josh is nice too.” She moved to his hand and continued stroking. The gesture seemed to soothe the dog but it definitely had the opposite effect on Josh. He was tempted to return her caress. “Sit, Rino,” she ordered and the dog instantly obeyed.

  “Good boy.” Slowly, Josh raised his hand and touched the dog’s head. Encouraged by the animal’s rumble, he trailed his fingers along Rino’s back and raked his warm fur. Obviously pleased, Rino sat down and nuzzled Josh’s loafers. “Okay, we’re friends. I’ll get you a treat next time.”

  “Here, give him this.” Emma reached on the credenza and handed him a piece of dried sweet potato skin. Rino jumped and yanked it from Josh’s fingers. They laughed while watching him.

  “I’m not going to keep you longer. You’ll have an early start tomorrow for your first day at work.” Josh pulled a small wallet from his pocket and took a card out. “Emma, here is my business card. Our office is in Newton. About a fifteen minute drive from here. Probably twenty in the morning rush hour. We start at eight a.m.”

  “I’ll be there on time.”

  “What’s your cell phone number by the way?” He immediately entered it in his contacts and fast-dials.

  “Thank you for everything you and your family did for us.”

  “Don’t even mention it. I’m glad I was able to help.”

  She approached him and placed a chaste peck on his cheek. The sweet gesture melted his heart. He enfolded her in his arms and kept her pressed against him, promising himself he’d never take advantage of her.

  “I better go now.” He released her and walked to the door, stunned by his forceful need to protect the young woman he just met today.

  It was already nine p.m. when Josh entered his house. Eager to start his investigation of Emma’s business, he settled in his office and opened his computer to create a new folder. He typed the information obtained from Emma’s confidences, his impressions, and a line of action.

  Later he texted one of the junior lawyers.

  Colin, Top priority for tomorrow. Need info on Speedy Auto shops. Business, manager, staff, owners, lawyers. Thanks, Josh.

  He thought for a moment and texted again.

  Charlotte, Need info on Stan and Patricia Garett. Thanks, Josh.

  Then he called his mother. “Thanks for your support. How did it go with Maria?”

  “Great. Carl and your father walked her to her house, then they waited for me in the car. I went inside with her and helped her change, take her medication, and go to bed.”

  “Mom, you’re amazing.”

  “Don’t forget I was a nurse in my younger years.”

  “Not a nurse anymore, but a generous, and still young and beautiful senator’s wife.”

  “Thanks for the compliment. Try to visit more often. We miss you when you disappear for weeks at a time.”

  “I will. Night, Mom.”

  Unable to remain idle, he opened a search program and entered Victor Cassiero, to learn as much as he could about Emma’s father, his shops, and the accident that ended the life of the fifty-two-year old mechanic.

  The ring of his phone interrupted his search and a high-pitched shrill pierced his ears. “You jerk, where are you? I have been waiting for an hour.”

  Damn it, he’d forgotten all about Tammy Burt, the pretty paralegal, he’d taken to the City Hall Gala.

  “Oh, hi.”

  “Don’t tell me you forgot you invited me to the comedy club tonight?” Her voice escalated to a crescendo and Josh eased the phone away from his ear.

  “Huh?” Oh damn it.

  “Don’t call me anymore. I need someone serious in my life. Someone not afraid of commitment. Go to hell, Joshua Dutton.” She banged the phone down on him. Good, she’d spared him the headache of breaking up with her.

  He dropped the phone on his desk and shrugged, then frowned. Was he really afraid of commitment?

  Afraid of commitment to Tammy or Annabelle or Brook, yes. Maybe he hadn’t found the right woman yet.

  A lovely sweet face popped into his mind. He smiled and punched Emma’s fast-dial number. “Hi, are you already asleep?”

  “Josh?” Joyful surpr
ise resonated in her voice. “Not yet.”

  “Are you in bed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Daydreaming?”

  She chuckled. “How about you?”

  “I’m at my desk at home. Thinking of you. Goodnight, Emma.”

  Now he was ready to call it a night. Ready to daydream too and indulge in a few fantasies.

  Chapter Four

  At the door of Suite 1010, Emma fingered her handbag’s clasp. Her gaze glued to the gold sign, she sucked up a deep breath and read. “Dutton & Cramer, LLP.”

  Her new place of work. Actually her first real job. She straightened her shoulders and patted her hair, but she couldn’t get herself to turn the brass knob.

  “It’s not locked,” a woman said from behind her. Emma spun, hating to be caught shuffling her feet in front of a closed door. The stunning woman in black pants and a white silk shirt gave her a curious smile. Lawyer, intern, or assistant? “We open at eight. Do you have an appointment with one of the lawyers?”

  “Oh okay, thank you,” Emma mumbled, ignoring the question as she turned the knob to open the door. She stepped into a spacious lobby with marbled beige tiles and a glass reception counter occupied by another beauty.

  Emma surveyed her own navy blue pants and printed blouse. Darn, not professional enough compared to the other two women. At least she hadn’t pulled her hair into a ponytail but brushed it back.

  “Good morning. Can I help you?” the receptionist said.

  “Morning, Connie.” The young woman from the hallway answered and strolled to the counter.

  “Hi Sue,” the receptionist answered without taking her eyes off Emma. Their subtle perfumes permeated the air with agreeable scents.

  Both women arched their eyebrows.

  “Hi, I’m Emma Cassiero. Hmm, I’m here to see Josh Dutton.”

  “Josh?” They looked at each other and scoffed. “He usually comes in at nine a.m.”

  “Huh...” Should she wait or come back later?

  “Good morning, ladies.” Josh appeared at the entryway of a corridor, looking relaxed and breathtakingly handsome in brown suit pants and a white shirt with long sleeves. A yellow and brown striped tie hung loose around his neck.

  “Sorry, I didn’t see you come in.” Connie shifted uncomfortably.

  He flipped an intimidating glance from one employee to the other. And Emma missed a heartbeat. Where was the easygoing man she’d met last night?

  “I’m here,” he said without elaborating. “Come in, Emma. This way.” His hand on her back he led her through a hallway with several closed doors and opened one to let her pass.

  “I appreciate your promptness.” His gaze roamed over her face.

  Did she pass inspection?

  “Have a seat please.” He indicated one of the two chairs in front of an impressive desk and settled in his big leather armchair behind the desk. Quite intimidated by his big-boss attitude, she sat on the edge of a chair, waiting for instructions about the work he expected her to do.

  “Did you have a good night’s sleep?” he asked with an affable smile that stirred butterflies in her stomach.

  “Yes, thank you.” She wasn’t about to tell her new boss she’d barely slept last night with so much on her mind, her worry about her stepmother swiftly replaced by her pleasant interlude with Josh. She must have replayed their kisses a hundred times in her mind.

  Her cheeks warmed and her breath clogged in her throat. To focus on something different than her attractive boss, she surveyed the huge brown book case that covered the wall behind his back and reached the ceiling. Thick law books neatly occupied the two top rows, an array of folders covered the lower shelves, and a pile of magazines formed big stacks at the end of each row. A desk top computer sat on the left corner of his desk and a laptop on the right one.

  “Is Maria feeling well today?”

  “Yes, and I have to call your mother and thank her. We received an occupational therapist as part of home health care. She arrived at seven a.m. and said she’ll stay till eleven to help Mom with her daily routine. And apparently a physical therapist will come around as well to perform the required treatment and exercises. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see her in such good hands.”

  “Great, so you can relax about Maria and concentrate on your work.”

  “Absolutely. I’m ready to do anything you want.”

  His grin brought a flush to her face.

  Darn, that didn’t come out right. “I mean I’m ready to start working.”

  “Let’s go meet the staff. Connie will give you forms to fill out and sign.” He stood and she immediately jumped to her feet to follow him back to the receptionist desk.

  “Connie, Emma Cassiero is starting with us as a junior intern. Give her the required papers to look at and introduce her to everyone. She can occupy the office space left free by our latest graduating intern. Emma, when you’re done with the official stuff, come back to my office and I’ll start you on your first project.”

  “Come with me.” Connie preceded her to a large area divided into cubicles by gray partitions with clear tops. “This will be your office. You can settle while I bring you the paper work.”

  Emma surveyed her office. The six by six foot area with a ceiling-high glass window on one side was furnished with a desk and chair, a credenza, and a book case. Much better than she could ever imagine. Tomorrow she’d bring a few knick-knacks to decorate it with a personal touch. Connie returned with two folders, a few brochures, and a laptop in its case.

  “Sign here that you received the laptop.” Emma scribbled her name next to the X. “Take your time, read every paper, and enter the required information.”

  By noon, Emma had filled out all the necessary forms that guaranteed her a good income, unexpected benefits including paid graduate studies and a fantastic insurance to cover her stepmother. If it was up to her, she was ready to work at Dutton & Cramer, LLP, for the rest of her life. She sent a special prayer that nothing happened to deprive her of her new job.

  “Hey, Emma,” Connie said. “Sue, Charlotte and I are going to lunch. Want to join us?”

  Emma glanced at the thick folder on her desk. “Is it okay for me to leave? I was about to start on the file Josh gave me.”

  Connie chuckled. “Yes, it’s okay to eat lunch. We all have an incredible amount of work but we take a break to eat. Josh, Brad Cramer, Colin McFarell and the two junior lawyers often lunch with clients.”

  “In that case, I’m coming.” Emma collected her handbag and followed Connie, determined to socialize with her new colleagues.

  Apparently, the staff always ate at the fast-food restaurant on the first floor. The waiters knew them by name and chatted with them. After they got their meal, mostly salads and drinks, the ladies settled at a table and launched into the latest political gossips. Emma curiously waited to hear what they’d say about Josh, but not a single word came out about any of the firm’s lawyers. By the time she almost finished her salad, a young man approached their table and took off his suit jacket.

  “Hi Colin,” everyone said and Sue added, “Meet Emma Cassiero, our new intern.” Sue scooted closer to Emma, making room for the lawyer next to her.

  “Nice to meet you. Josh told me that he hired you.” They shook hands and Colin dropped onto the bench next to Sue.

  “How did it go in court?”

  “We’re not done yet but I gave them a piece of my own.” A satisfied grin slowly formed on his mouth. “I will win this case.”

  They all seemed so determined in this firm. Emma applauded herself for taking the job—as if she had a choice—but she promised herself she wouldn’t disappoint the lawyers.

  “I’m sure you will,” Sue answered with a look that spoke volumes. “We’re trying to plan an outing for Friday. Can you come?”

  “Not sure. I have a special project for Josh.” Colin huffed. “As usual he wants it yesterday.”

  “I received one of those,” Charlot
te, another junior lawyer, said. “We better postpone all planning for next week. I need to finish it and don’t want Josh on my back every hour until it’s done.”

  Emma studied Charlotte’s stressed frown. Were they talking about the same Josh who’d been so nice to her last night?

  ~*~

  Four weeks went by in the blink of an eye for Josh, and he hoped for Emma too. She’d been doing an amazing job, thorough research, and neat reports. Contrary to what he thought at the beginning she stayed long hours to finish her work and didn’t complain a single time about neglecting her stepmother.

  Josh had his mother to thank for providing Maria with an excellent home healthcare service and freeing Emma from her previous worry about her stepmother.

  He hadn’t tried to take her out for dinner. Actually he enjoyed discussing her work in the privacy of his office and preferred to avoid exposing her to the press gossip. Here no one found it odd that an intern or a lawyer spent an hour in the boss’s office. They all did it. To his own credit, Josh left his door open and never stepped out of line. Not that it was easy to suppress his admiring gazes and control the temptation to pull her in his arms, but he insisted on following his own rules.

  A knock on the door interrupted his musing. “Come in.”

  Charlotte and Colin, the two junior lawyers he’d assigned to investigate the Speedy Auto shops and related problems, entered his office. Colin closed the door behind them since their project had been labeled confidential. They both settled across from his desk and each handed him a flash drive that included their reports.

  “You start, Charlotte.” Josh hadn’t informed his lawyers of their case’s connection to Emma, but he assumed they must have found out if they did thorough research. “What did you discover about Stan and Patricia Garett?”

  “They divorced six years ago.”

  “Six years ago? Really?” Emma probably never heard of the divorce. Josh wondered if Maria knew and kept it secret.