Love, Alabama (Alabama Series Book 2)

by Susan Sands

  Judith’s face was turning very grey and her breathing had become shallow and fast. Emma knew beyond a doubt that Judith was going into shock.

  Sadie came around the corner of the runway at that moment with the bag of ice.

  She gasped. “Oh, no. Oh, my gosh. Her leg—” Sadie slid down beside Emma, clearly having a visceral reaction similar to her own.

  “Sadie, we need to keep Jamie from seeing her like this. Go over to where she is and tell her to stay outside and watch for the ambulance. Then, look in the closet and bring me a blanket.

  “She’s still on the line with the 9-1-1 operator. I’ll make sure she doesn’t come back until they get here.” Sadie’s hand was shaking when she handed the bag of ice over to Emma.

  “M-my leg.” Judith croaked. Her eyes were wide, pupils dilated.

  “You’re in shock. But you’re going to be okay. Stay with me, Judith. Jamie called the ambulance. Help is on the way.”

  Judith squeezed a tear out the corner of her eye. “I’m scared.”

  Emma wiped away a tear of her own. “I know. Me, too. But it’s going to be okay. I promise. I’m so sorry you were hurt, Judith.” She could never stand to see anyone in pain. When her siblings were hurt or sick as kids, Emma suffered too.

  “Where’s my sister?” Jamie wasn’t having it, apparently. “I need to see Judith, right now.”

  Emma heard her before she saw her. “Jamie, she’s okay, but I really don’t think—”

  Too late.

  “Oh, my Lord, Judith, your leg’s broken half in two!” Nothing like overstating the obvious and trying to keep the patient calm.

  Judith began making keening noises. Emma tried to shush her.

  “Jamie, we need to keep her calm,” Emma said sternly, hitting her with a meaningful stink-eye.

  Jamie appeared ready to go on a tirade when her body language changed completely, and she… smiled.

  What on earth?

  Matthew appeared from around the corner, eyes concerned. “Emma, are you alright?”

  She nearly fainted with relief. No wonder Jamie smiled. A big, strong man had come rushing in.

  “I’m fine. But Matthew, look at Judith’s ankle,” she whispered and pointed.

  He did then, and frowned. He noticed Judith’s glazed eyes and shocky look. “Go get her another blanket. We can’t move her until the ambulance gets here.”

  He took over talking to Judith. “Hey there, beautiful lady…” He was obviously good in a crisis.

  Jamie slid down and sat next to him. As Emma reached the closet, she heard the siren and saw the flashing lights. Finally.

  *

  At the hospital, chaos reigned. The husband brothers arrived about the same time as the ambulance carrying the sister wives. Brothers marrying sisters still made Emma’s head spin with confusion. Matthew had driven her and Sadie to the hospital, but Sadie had called Tad in to pick her up because she’d ridden over to Emma’s studio with the Fremont sisters for pageant practice. Surprisingly, Tad waited out in the car for his wife instead of bursting in on the scene and trying to divert attention to himself. Curious. It was unlike him to pass on such a ripe opportunity.

  They were all now in the surgical waiting area, well, all except Judith, who was in surgery having her ankle repaired with who-knew how many plates and pins. She’d likely set off metal detectors in the airport for the rest of her natural life.

  “What the hell happened?” Judith’s husband, Jefferson Fremont, asked Jamie and Emma, though he didn’t deign to speak directly to Emma.

  Jefferson had made a play for Emma back in high school, and when she’d quietly turned him down, he’d held it against her all these years. Jefferson had gone to a rival high school, thankfully, but it was a small community, and word had gotten around that she’d turned him down in favor of Terrific Tad. So, his male ego and pride being what it was, he’d just dismissed her as beneath him and moved forward, holding a grudge. Perhaps that was why Jamie and Judith both snickered behind her back as well.

  Jamie was sitting between the two Fremont brothers and answered before anyone else. “It was that runway thing at Emma’s place. It’s so narrow; I almost fell off the thing last week in my flats.”

  Hot color surged into Emma’s cheeks. Now it was her fault? But the accident had happened at her business on her property. So, instead of allowing Jamie and company to see how her comment had gotten under her skin, she directed her comment to Jefferson. “I have insurance, Jefferson, but I’ll need to go get the paperwork.” Then she stood, and turned toward Jamie. “If the two of you hadn’t been so busy swapping insults, as usual, Judith might not have lost her concentration and taken a swan dive off the runway.”

  Matthew stood then, “I’ll drive you.” He gently wrapped his big hand around her elbow and nudged her away from the Dozier-Fremonts.

  Once they were outside the hospital and walking toward his car, it was all Emma could do not to shriek in frustration. “I know I shouldn’t have given in and said that. But those women are the devil!”

  Matthew chuckled. “I think it’s not just the women. I’m beginning to suspect Tad Beaumont of some nastiness, too.”

  Emma’s head whipped around. “What do you mean?”

  “He stopped by my house a few days ago in his unofficial mayoral role to make sure I was settling in. He wanted to know if there was anything he could do to make my transition from the big city easier.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Hmm. Sounds like he was up to something.”

  Matthew nodded. “Later that evening I came down with the stomach bug, and I hadn’t left the house until I was on my way to your studio tonight to thank you for bringing me the crackers and stuff.”

  She nodded, face flushing again at the memory of that ill-fated evening when she’d entered the bathroom and found him stark naked.

  He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I was pulled over by one of Ministry’s finest for a broken taillight on my way over to see you.”

  Then it hit her. “Oh, my goodness, I saw your broken taillight on your car in the driveway when I left that night. There was a little pile of red glass right under it. I thought it was weird that the glass was still there. If you hit something in a car, the glass doesn’t follow you home. Wait, I took a picture.”

  She pulled out her cell phone and showed him the photos she’d taken. “I’m sorry I didn’t think of it before now. I’ve been busy with my classes and family stuff.” But she’d thought of him. Oh, boy, had she thought of the last time she’d seen him.

  He took the cell phone from her hand and looked carefully at the photo, then nodded. “I’m sure he was trying to send me a message.”

  “To stay away from me,” Emma said, fisting her hands until her nails dug in.

  “I definitely got the good ole boy, ‘We’ll let you off with a warning this time, but you’d better watch your step around here, city boy.’” Matthew put on such an authentic Alabama accent, it freaked her out.

  Then, he pretended to spit tobacco like a true hayseed redneck. Just like Boss Hogg on the Dukes of Hazzard.

  She laughed. “That was really good. You should go into television or movies—oh, wait.” He rolled his eyes at her. Then, she said, “Maybe we shouldn’t be seen together.”

  His expression darkened. “Are you kidding? I’m not afraid of a pissant like Tad Beaumont.” He didn’t look afraid at all. In fact, he appeared more than ready to defend himself and her.

  Emma bit her lip. “He has a lot of pull around here and can make life miserable if you cross him.” Back to the reality of things.

  “What’s he going to do? Have his minions on the police force put me in jail?” He snorted. Then, their gazes connected, and they realized Tad had the power to do exactly that.

  They headed inside her house to retrieve the insurance papers from the safe inside her bedroom. Having him there beside her wasn’t so great for her peace of mind. He was so manly. She’d even seen him naked. And here he was, in h
er bedroom.

  “The safe’s back in my closet,” she said over her shoulder as they walked into the bedroom.

  *

  Her bedroom, like everything else about Emma Laroux, was beyond sexy. She sauntered inside the closet with a sway of hips that was as natural as breathing to every other mortal on the planet. She moved like no woman he’d ever met. Pure grace and style in every gesture and step. She’d never believe that kind of line if he tried it on her, but it was true.

  The bed was a huge, four-poster with a fluffy white duvet covered in pillows. His jeans tightened just looking at it. Did the woman have no clue how she affected men? How she affected him? She behaved with no apparent guile whatsoever. But her appeal was pure Eve—totally organic and not derived from anything artificial.

  He’d never experienced such a base level of attraction to anyone. Even when he’d met her the first time, nearly ten years ago on that fateful weekend, when she’d been in whatever kind of stupor, she’d been utterly gorgeous. But, at the time, he’d not allowed himself the indulgence of attraction. She’d been compromised, and he’d taken on the role of protector only. Men who took advantage of women in that state were the lowest form of scum, in his opinion. That tick of guilt crept in, and he again firmly pushed it back. He would tell her about meeting her before. But not today.

  “Found them.” He heard her say from her cavernous closet, which looked to be nearly as large as her master bedroom—which was quite generously-sized by any standard.

  He’d approached the doorway to the closet, somewhat blocking the way out. She made to squeeze by and he gently put his fingers around her wrist. “Tough day, huh?” This surge of attraction, coupled with an over whelming urge to protect her had him pulling her close.

  Emma sighed raggedly, allowing it. His arms went around her shoulders, and she shivered as she stepped into his embrace. His body instantly responded to having her curvy one cuddled against his. He was sure she was aware of his—response. But instead of pushing away, she unexpectedly pressed closer, especially that part of him. With her arms around his waist, it was obvious. He kissed the top of her hair, which smelled like the honeysuckle that used to bloom along his grandmother’s fence.

  Then, she raised her face to his. He saw in her eyes a desire that matched his and somewhat of a challenge in her gaze. Matthew wasn’t the sort to back down from such a delicious challenge.

  He kissed her, softly at first, to see what she had in mind, but Emma didn’t seem to want softness at the moment. This first kiss rapidly developed into a hungry, needful meeting of lips.

  Were her legs really wrapped around his waist? Holy God. And look, her bed was right there.

  A cell phone vibrated between them. Hers? His?

  Emma’s rational thought seemed to return just then. “Oh…oh—the papers.” The envelope containing the insurance papers had fallen and scattered on the floor during their acrobatic embrace.

  She pulled free, hair wild from one of his hands roaming free in it. The other hand, well, that hand had been having a bit more fun running bases.

  “H-hello? Yes, I found the paperwork. I’m on the way,” Emma said shakily into the phone. “Has there been any news?”

  She hadn’t met his eyes yet. He hoped Emma didn’t have regrets. Certainly, there were none on his part. Best thing that’d happened since he’d set foot back in Alabama as far as he was concerned. Allergies, a panic attack, and stomach virus in the span of a couple weeks. Yep, definitely top of the list by a long shot.

  “Okay. Thanks.” She pressed disconnect on her phone, then looked him in the eye. Of course she looked him in the eye. She was Emma Laroux.

  “Everything okay?” He asked, his meaning slightly double-edged.

  “Jamie says Judith had to have a metal rod, plates, and pins put in, and will be incapacitated for awhile.” She didn’t acknowledge the double meaning, obviously choosing the easier path.

  “Sounds painful. But after meeting those girls, I’m certain there’s enough stubborn there to get her back on her feet soon enough.”

  Emma nodded. “No doubt.” Then she narrowed her eyes at him. “You know, I wasn’t going to sleep with you tonight.”

  So, she did want to engage. “I was giving you an encouraging little hug, and you nearly mauled me.” He wiggled his brows at her. “I liked it.”

  She laughed. “Asshole.” Then turned away and headed toward the door that led to her driveway. “This can’t go anywhere, you know. I don’t date.”

  “I didn’t ask you to be my girlfriend.” He smirked. His feelings might be a little hurt.

  “Well, fine. Just so you know. It won’t happen again.” With a toss of her head, she led the way outside.

  *

  Tad pulled out the photographs and spread them on the table. This was his special time with Emma Jean. He loved looking at her like this. The way she used to be. The pictures showed a young, stunningly confident woman wearing a figure-hugging beaded evening gown. She was beaming, wearing her Miss Alabama crown. Had there been a more exciting night? He didn’t think so. Emma had reached the top, and her success had been his. With her on his arm, he was a king no matter where they went in Alabama. She was the most beautiful woman in the state and wore the crown to prove it.

  Until she’d gone and ruined everything for him. That fateful night, when things were supposed to be so perfect. He’d only wanted to enhance his and Emma’s evening. But she’d gone and screwed it up for both of them by getting herself compromised. Tad shook his head. No, he shouldn’t have left her alone, but who knew she would have her wits about her enough to get up and leave the damned room? It was supposed to be innocent fun.

  He’d had to break off their relationship. She’d stepped down from her title as Miss Alabama, and wouldn’t be involved in the Miss America Pageant. No, the first runner-up would have that opportunity. If Emma’d only stayed where he’d left her that night while he went to retrieve their companion. Oh, it would have been perfect. He got hard just looking at the photos of his Emma Jean and how she used to shine.

  A sharp knock startled him. “Tad. Can you call the hospital and check on Judith? They won’t give me any information at the desk, and I can’t reach Jamie.” It was his sweet Sadie. His second choice.

  “I asked you not to disturb my work, Sadie,” He tried not to sound as completely annoyed as he was.

  “What are you doing in there, Tad?” She dared to ask.

  “It’s none of your concern. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Sadie knew her place better than to demand to know how he spent his time. Perhaps she was overwrought. Yes, that was the only thing that might explain her impertinence.

  He was careful to lock the door when he spent time with his darling, Emma Jean. The idea of her spending her time with other men still made him physically ill. His sweet Sadie likely wouldn’t understand what Emma Jean represented to him. The past that had to remain unsullied. The past Emma represented. He had to preserve her—not to have for himself, it was too late for that after what had happened, but he couldn’t let another man touch her and ruin what had been near perfection. Plus, he had a wife and was the mayor. He wouldn’t allow his own reputation to suffer by being an adulterer.

  That Matthew Pope was the closest he’d ever come so far to having to take real action. Emma Jean had been so easy to keep in line until he’d come along. Maybe the warnings Tad had issued were too subtle. Surely, Emma Jean realized he’d keep his promise to ruin her family’s reputation or worse. He didn’t give two shits about them. They were white trash as far as he was concerned, along with most of this town.

  The traffic stop obviously didn’t leave an impression. Perhaps he’d have to ramp up his efforts, just to make certain the man didn’t put his hands on her. He really couldn’t have that.

  He had a powerful family at his disposal, gobs of lovely money, political pull, and power all over the state, and control over all the city municipalities in Ministry. He could do all so
rts of really awful things to dissuade Matthew Pope from living here. But he hoped it wouldn’t come to that. He really did consider himself a good guy.

  It was time to thoroughly research Matthew Pope and find out exactly who this guy was. He’d ask around about him to some of his Auburn friends who’d attended around the same time. It was a big school, but like the South, it wasn’t so big that Tad couldn’t find who he was looking for if he set his mind to it. Certainly not with his connections.

  *

  Matthew insisted on following Emma home from the hospital after she’d provided all her insurance info to Judith’s husband. Emma wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised if they’d cut open an artery and taken her blood as well, considering the grilling she’d gotten, not only from Judith’s parents, who had arrived while Emma was getting the paperwork, but from the police as well. One would think Emma had actually shoved Judith off the catwalk herself, the way she’d been treated by the near-mob at the hospital-sitting vigil. Emma understood their worry. She was concerned about Judith as well. The accident had been scary as hell for all of them.

  Now that she was finally home, the last thing she needed was Matthew Pope tucking her in. So, the second she shifted into park, she wasted no time hopping out and heading back to where he was sitting inside his car.

  “Thanks for everything tonight,” she said from beside his open window.

  “Do you want me to come in? You’ve had a pretty traumatic evening.” His eyes were concerned.

  She yawned and stretched for effect. “No. I think I’m just going to go in and crash. I’m beat. But, I appreciate your coming to the rescue. You showed up just as things were getting hairy. I’m not sure what I would have done without you tonight.” She smiled.

  He reached out and gently encircled her wrist, pulling her toward him. “Are you sure you don’t want me to hold your hand while you fall asleep.” He wiggled his brows suggestively and inclined his head toward her house.