Hometown Girl (Home Again)

by Jennifer Ketchum

  The mention of New York and the night she'd spent there had her stomach tightening into a knot. "No, Mom, nothing happened in New York. I just decided that I'm tired of traveling all the time. I want to focus more time on my boutique." Emma realized it would've been easier to just call a family meeting and announce her plans. She was tired of repeating herself.

  "Well, I suppose if that's what you really want…"

  "It is." Emma gave a firm nod. At least, she was pretty sure it's what she wanted.

  Chapter 5

  Derrick walked down Main Street, admiring the beauty of the town. The mountains were a gorgeous backdrop for the old rustic looking buildings. The air was warm and the sun was shining brightly. He'd grown up in a small Ohio town so the stares he got didn't bother him too much. A stranger in a small town—he would've been shocked if he hadn't gotten a few dirty looks. He didn't pay it too much attention. He was here for one reason: Emma.

  It had been three weeks since that night in New York. Neither of them had called like they said they would. He was just as guilty as she was, but in his defense, he had wanted to call. There were so many times he had dialed her number and just couldn't bring himself to hit the send button, especially after that first week had passed. He'd left New York, flown to LA, had the worst show imaginable, and then spent several days in meetings. He really had been so busy that first week. It was no excuse though. He should've called. Although, she hadn't called either, and that was really bothering him.

  He'd been reliving that night every moment since it had happened. No woman had ever affected him as quickly or as deeply as Emma had in that one night. She was all he'd been able to think about and it was driving him crazy not seeing her or talking to her. But, it had been three weeks and they were way beyond a simple phone call, which was why he was now standing in front of the Be Beautiful Boutique. It was a small, brick building with a purple awning that jutted out over the door. He smiled. It was the only building with any real color to it.

  Derrick took a few moments to admire her from where he stood looking through the window. She had her back to him, leaning up against the counter, the phone pinched between her ear and her shoulder. Her long coal black hair cascaded in curls around her shoulders and down her back. He took a deep breath and went inside. She must not have heard him because she didn't turn around. He browsed through a rack of clothing and listened to Emma talk on the phone.

  .

  "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" Emma said. Derrick glanced her way and saw her nod her head a few times. "Paris? You're kidding right?"

  He smiled to himself. He had a showing in Paris in two weeks and he'd asked his manager to get in touch with Emma's modeling company to see if she'd be willing to model in his Paris show. He knew she said New York was her last show, but it was Paris. There was no way she would turn down a trip to Paris. Moments later, she proved him wrong.

  "I'm sorry, but my sister is getting married that weekend. Please give Mr. Dawson my apologies." Emma spun around and hung up the phone.

  "Or you could just give them to me yourself," Derrick said stepping out from behind the clothing rack.

  "Oh my god," Emma gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "Derrick?" His name came out as a muttered jumble of sounds as opposed to a coherent word.

  "Hello, Emma," he said as he approached the counter. "You look amazing." Derrick noticed the way her stunning blue eyes sparkled as she slowly dropped her hands from her face and came out from behind the counter. She was wearing one of his designs--a sleeveless, V-neck, floral print dress with an oversized belt. It looked fantastic on her.

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Dawson, but I will be unable to accept your invitation to model in your Paris show." She leaned up against the front of the counter and crossed her arms over her chest. "Good luck with it though. Paris is great."

  Derrick grinned. Her spunkiness was just one of the many things he'd found attractive about her in the short time he'd known her#. "You've been?" he asked with a raised brow.

  "No." She averted her gaze from his. "But it's great for you. Not many designers make it to Paris as quickly as you have."

  "I overheard you on the phone. Your sister is getting married that weekend."

  "Yes." Emma sighed and recaptured his gaze. "Why are you here, Derrick? I know you didn't come all the way to Dallas Springs to eavesdrop on me."

  He chuckled. "No, you're right, I didn't. I came here because I miss you."

  "Oh, so that's why you've called so much? Because you miss me?" she snapped.

  Not exactly the welcome he'd hoped for, but what did he expect? She was right. "In all fairness, you didn't call either."

  "I'm not the one who flew across the country to find you, either."

  Ouch. That stung. He exhaled audibly. "Do you want me to leave?" His heart beat loudly in his chest as he waited for what seemed like an eternity for her to answer.

  "What I want is for you to tell me why you're here."

  Derrick walked up to her and gripped her upper arms. He bent down until he was at eye level with her. "I told you, Emma. I miss you. I could stand here and give you a list of reasons why I didn't call, but they would just sound like excuses. All I can say is I'm sorry," he said searching her eyes.

  "Me too," she whispered and looked away from him.

  He gently turned her face back to his. She had that look in her eyes—the same look she'd had when she had spoken about giving up modeling to focus on her boutique. It was a look of sheer determination. He knew this wasn't going to bode well for him. "I have nowhere to be for the next nine days until I have to catch a flight to Paris. I'd like nothing more than to spend them here, with you."

  "I don't think that's such a good idea, Derrick." Emma broke free from his hold and walked over to a display of hair accessories that she began to organize.

  "Why not?"

  Emma shrugged. "What's the point?" She was doing a good job of avoiding his gaze.

  "What's the point?" he asked, his voice rising with each word he spoke. Derrick walked over, pulled her into his arms, and slanted his lips over hers, kissing her slowly and with a lot of passion. He was prepared for her to push him away. He was pleased when she didn't. And he was even more pleased when she parted her lips for him, welcoming him. "That's the point," he whispered against her lips. "We're good together, Emma. You can't deny that."

  "I'm not denying that, Derrick. I just don't see the point in spending time together to just have to say goodbye again. It seems masochistic."

  "Is being with me really that painful?" If she'd have slapped him it would've hurt less.

  "No, not being with you, Derrick, saying goodbye to you. Not hearing from you for weeks on end. I refuse to do it again. I'm sorry." Emma once again pulled out of his embrace and resumed organizing the display in front of her.

  Derrick ran a hand through his hair and licked his lips. He didn't come all the way here to leave so easily. "Emma," he said in a controlled tone. She continued to organize the display. "Emma," he said with a little more force. She walked around to the opposite side and knelt down out of his view. "Emma!"

  "What?" She stood and glared at him.

  Okay, he knew he was a jerk for not calling, but why was she so angry at him? Wasn't coming here a sign of how much he cared? It had to count for something, didn't it? "Please, give us a chance. That's all I want, just a chance."

  Emma shook her head. "There is no us, Derrick. There was one night. That's it. And that hardly constitutes a relationship."

  He was obviously getting nowhere trying to convince her to give him, give them, a chance. So, he switched tactics. "Do you think about that night?"

  She gathered a handful of scarves from a table behind her and carried them to the counter. "Do you?"

  "Every moment of every day," he said.

  "Me too."

  Derrick said a silent thank you. He put his hand on her shoulder and gently turned her to face him. "We could have a lot more nights like that, Emma." He
ran the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip and watched as she kissed his finger. Before she could respond, the bell above the door jingled and two women walked in, laughing and talking loudly.

  Emma smiled. "Hey, Danna, Katie," she said with a wave.

  "I brought you a paying customer," the girl with the auburn hair.

  Derrick dropped his hands from Emma's shoulders as the two women approached. He smiled at them. "Hello."

  "Did I interrupt something?"

  Emma cleared her throat. "No. Danna, Katie, I'd like you to meet Derrick Dawson. Derrick, this is my sister Danna, and her soon to be sister-in-law, Katie."

  Danna was Emma's sister? They looked nothing alike. He shook Katie's hand first and then Danna's. "A pleasure to meet you," he said.

  Danna cocked a brow. "Derrick Dawson? As in the designer that Vogue Magazine is calling a delicious blend of Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein?"

  Derrick laughed. "Yes, that's me."

  "Wow," Katie said.

  "So what's a hot shot like you doing in a town like Dallas Springs?" Danna looked back and forth between Derrick and Emma.

  "Danna!" Emma said, her face blushing that beautiful shade of pink that Derrick loved so much.

  "What?" Danna asked innocently. "It's a fair question."

  "No, it's not," Emma said. She was clearly agitated. "Danna, why don't you help Katie pick something out. I have some business to discuss with Derrick." Emma clutched Derrick's arm and led him into the back room.

  "Your sister seems nice," he said with a broad smile.

  Emma shook her head. "I'm sorry about that. She tends to speak before she thinks."

  "Don't worry about it, Emma. I'd probably ask the same thing if I were in her shoes." Derrick took a step closer to her. He realized he couldn't be around her without holding her or kissing her. It was like an obsession.

  Emma moved away and turned her back to him. He could tell she was doing something, but he had no idea what. A moment later she turned back around and handed him a piece of paper with an address written on it. "That's my apartment building. It's just outside of town. Here's my key," she said handing him a key. "If you're serious about wanting to stay here, then go there and wait for me. I'll be home in a couple of hours and we'll talk."

  Derrick grinned. "You won't regret this, Emma. I promise."

  She bit back a smile. "I said we'd talk, Derrick. I didn't say yes to anything."

  "Yet," he said with a wink.

  "You'd better get out of here before I change my mind." Emma laughed.

  He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Her key was firmly clutched in his hand. There was no way he was going to blow this. It was just the chance he needed to make her see that she belonged with him.

  Chapter 6

  Derrick looked around at his handiwork with a self-satisfied smile. In the living room there were lit candles on every available surface he found: the coffee table; end tables; bookshelves; the top of the television. He'd used all white candles that were scented with a hint of vanilla because the scent reminded him of Emma. Soft music played in the background. He didn't know who or what it was, but it had been in the CD player so he figured it was a safe bet that Emma would like it. In the kitchen he'd set the table for two. He'd made his specialty dish—penne with a light garlic butter sauce, seasoned grilled chicken breast, and a Caesar salad. Emma had texted a few minutes ago to let him know she would be home any minute. Derrick checked the temperature on the wine one last time to make sure it was chilling properly and then he went into the living room to wait for her.

  He felt like a teenager on his first date. His stomach was flip flopping. His heart was beating so fast he was afraid he might keel over and he was having trouble drawing a deep breath. A lot was riding on tonight. If he couldn't make Emma realize that they belonged together then he was going to lose her before he ever really had her. That wasn't an option he was willing to consider. There was something Emma wasn't telling him. He could feel it in his gut. The sooner he found out what it was, the sooner he could figure out a way to get past it. The sound of the doorknob turning snapped him out of his thoughts. Emma walked in looking a little tired and very weary. "Welcome home," he said.

  Emma stopped and looked around, her eyes widening as she took everything in. "You did all of this?"

  "Yes, I hope it's okay," he said rocking on his heels. Man, why am I so nervous? "I made dinner too. Are you hungry?"

  "You cook?"

  He nodded and smiled. "Cooking is a hobby of mine that I don't get to do nearly enough anymore."

  "It smells great. I'm starving," she said. Emma went into the kitchen and stopped again. She put her hands over her mouth and looked around. "Derrick."

  Derrick stepped up behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist. He inhaled the scent of her, ingraining it in his memory. "I have a bad habit of overdoing things," he said softly at her ear.

  She turned in his arms. "It's perfect, Derrick. Thank you."

  His heart swelled with happiness. "Let's eat before it gets cold." Derrick pulled out her chair and waited until she was settled before he took his seat across from her. "Wine?"

  "Yes, please."

  He poured each of them a glass and then lifted his. "To new beginnings," he said with a smile. They ate in companionable silence for a while. Derrick watched her as she ate; watched the way she would momentarily close her eyes as she put the food in her mouth and then withdraw the fork, savoring every last drop; listened to the subtle way she'd moan with delight. She was so beautiful and so erotic and she didn't even realize it—which made it all that more attractive to him.

  "Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, interrupting his admiration of her.

  "What do you want, Emma?" he blurted out.

  "Excuse me?"

  "I know you said you're giving up modeling because you want to focus on your boutique, but what else do you want out of life? Personally, I mean."

  Emma wiped her mouth and took a sip of her wine. "You're not going to like what I have to say."

  "Try me." Despite his brave exterior he was terrified of what she might say.

  "I dated this guy for a while. His name was Jonah and I thought he was the one. I thought things were great between us and then one day he dropped a bomb on me. He told me that he loved me, but he couldn't be with me. He couldn't support my life as a model." She paused to take another drink and Derrick noticed her hands were shaking. He knew where she was going with this, but he remained silent and waited for her to continue. "He said he hated that I traveled so much and that as long as I lived the life I did, he or any other man would never want to settle down with me."

  "This Jonah guy sounds like a real idiot."

  Emma smiled faintly. "He broke my heart, but I was devoted to modeling and I wasn't willing to give it up for him, which I know is what he really wanted. I figured why be with a guy who couldn't support my passion, right?"

  Derrick nodded.

  "But now…" She shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe Jonah was right. I didn't get it at the time, but I do now."

  "Get what?"

  "I want to settle down; get married; have a couple of kids."

  Derrick reached across the table and took her hand, his thumb grazing across her knuckles. "Go on," he urged.

  "The life I was leading, traveling all the time, it isn't conducive to having a husband and kids. Jonah was right. I can't have both. So, I had to decide which was more important to me. And having a family is my top priority."

  "I can give you those things," he said. "I want to give you those, Emma." She took her hand from his and wiped her eyes. What had he said to make her cry? Panic crept into his veins. This wasn't going as he'd hoped.

  "That's sweet, Derrick, but you're not the man who can give me what I want." She stood and paced into the living room.

  Derrick followed. "Why? Because you don't want me to be that man?"

  She turned to look at him; her face was wet with tears. "No, I want
you to be that man, Derrick. I want that more than anything, but you can't because of who you are."

  He sighed with frustration. "You're not making any sense, Emma."

  "That day in New York, when we had to say goodbye, that was so hard for me. It was in that moment that I realized what Jonah must've felt like every time I had to leave for a job and I vowed I'd never live that kind of life again. I don't want to marry a man who is gone more than he's home. I don't want my children to have a father they only get to see on holidays."

  Derrick pulled Emma to him and held her as she cried. He stroked her hair and tried to calm her. She'd been right. He didn't like what she had to say. But what could he do? It was clear that if he wanted to be with her, he'd have to give up his lifestyle. Was that something he was willing to do? It had always been a dream of his to have his designs shown in Paris. It could make or break his career as a designer. It wasn't a decision he could make right now.