An irrational anger swelled inside Leo. He had no idea as to the specifics behind why Emma…Rose…had run off from her life and gone into hiding, but eavesdropping provided him with enough information to know John had caused her problems. The single fact alone got his ire up.
He typed “Rose Richardson” into the search bar. Up popped several listings for Sophisticate. A tap on the computer mouse took him to the women’s magazine. He located her column, Dr. Rose Says. A photo showed the same person who’d been at the senator’s side.
An advice columnist on the run. The irony wasn’t wasted on him.
He exited the computer. No matter who this woman was, Leo vowed to patiently wait for her to share the truth. There had to be a damn good reason she’d leave her life and come here. If it had to do with the investigation, then there had to be a valid reason she’d hide from that, too.
The big house suddenly felt lonelier than ever before. He wished she were home, so he could talk to her. Later he’d stop in at the vineyard for a glass of wine. He could at least make sure she was okay.
A horrible thought struck. What if someone else watched the news and connected the same dots he just had?
* * * *
Rose woke slowly, still half-asleep but immediately wandering in memories of Leo’s visit to the vineyard last night. She thought he’d come to see Jay. After he’d tossed out a manly handshake, they’d chatted and laughed for a while.
After a group of her customers had disappeared, he came to the bar and pushed forward his credit card. “I’m here for a tasting.”
He’d said it seductively, watching her closely through smoldering eyes and a sexy grin. Throughout the tasting, she’d reminded him about the location of the tip jar. They’d laughed a lot. It had felt nice and unguarded.
Only when she’d returned home, a message from Dan had ruined her good mood with news the FBI had gone public with an investigation about John’s illegal campaign money that afternoon. A fact she’d been too busy to notice because she’d been rummaging in Leo’s drawers and then left for work. While her name did not come up, he told her to use caution and they’d talk today.
She’d replayed the conversation with Leo a hundred times since then, picking it apart and certain he’d been looking at her differently. Her cell phone rang and she swiped it off the nightstand.
“It’s Dan. Did I wake you?”
“No. I’m up. I got your message.”
“Expect more today. Can you stay inside?”
“Yes. I’ll call in sick to my job.”
“Good. We’re getting closer, Rose. Please don’t worry. I’m adding a resource to this. We’ll find a way to stick this on John before the FBI traces it to you.”
“I hope so. Call me as soon as you get any new information.”
“Will do.” Dan hung up.
The nightmare stalking her was suddenly tangible and waiting at her door. Using the phone, she searched the Internet for John’s name. An article in the Times caught her attention. She went to it and cringed at the photo of John rushing toward a limo as the press surrounded him.
She closed her eyes. Fear stole the life from every muscle. Leaving home. Arriving at a new place. Pretending to be someone else. Deceit snaked around Rose like a cobra. Suffocating. Threatening her well-being. She fell back onto her pillow, curled into a fetal position, and let tears take over. Better than the never-ending diatribe going on inside her head.
When Leo learned the truth, he’d realize he harbored a woman wanted for criminal actions. He didn’t strike her as the type to take such news lightly, which meant he probably hadn’t seen anything out there yet. It was only a matter of time.
She cried harder, her gut trembling as she remembered finding her parents dead and the terror of her new reality: she was alone in this world. Something inside her clicked that day, caused her to adopt an attitude she’d carried for decades…it’s me against the world.
But who was she kidding? The decades spent convincing herself she was invincible were a sham. Vulnerable people hurt. Being alone hurt. Hell, loving and losing always hurt. Being used did, too. John used her, from their phony marriage to stealing her funds. Pain had made her hide, back then and now.
A boulder-sized weight pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe. A pain that was hers alone to tolerate. In Leo’s arms, though, she’d been offered brief refuge. To feel that way again would bring sweet relief. However, to go there again without telling him the truth would be an epic lie. Worse than any she’d already told.
* * * *
Refreshed from a hot shower, Rose dressed and wandered to the kitchen. Bella waited near the counter, an impatient gleam in her eyes.
“I got the hint, Bells.” She removed an empty container, realizing Leo had used all of what was in there last night. “I hate to tell you, but you’ll have to wait a few minutes.”
Bella didn’t look happy, but did she ever?
Rose grabbed her car keys and went outside, the dog following. Later she’d think about sneaking off to a local pet store and seeing if they carried the brand. It would be good to know where she could buy it; that was, if she lasted here long enough to warrant more than one purchase.
A horrible notion hit out of nowhere. If she got arrested, who would take care of Bella? She imagined John gleefully returning poor Bella to the shelter. Sick over the idea, Rose searched for options. Leo fell at the top of a short list. Would he watch her?
She sighed and pushed the worry aside. One problem at a time, and the FBI was a big problem.
After popping open the car trunk with the remote, she leaned into it. The spare bag of food had been shoved to the back and blocked by jumper cables, a roadside emergency kit, and a few items from home she’d never moved into Leo’s house.
She pushed the items aside and dragged out the food. As she did, a plaid blanket inched forward. Beneath the blanket—in the corner—a paper edge stuck out. A flash of awareness spread over her. Could that be…? Leaning further into the trunk, she concentrated all her hope on the object she believed to be her missing cash.
She flipped over the blanket. Relief rushed her as she picked up the envelope. She flipped through the wad of bills, full as the day she’d left.
She mentally retraced her steps on the night she’d arrived, trying to figure out how this ended up in the trunk. The moment her purse tipped inside the trunk on that night as she grabbed a few things for overnight returned. In the dark, she couldn’t really see to put everything back inside the purse—but she had assumed it was everything. The envelope must’ve never been put back and got shoved aside in the shuffle.
Relief swept through her, a sign that things were looking up. Her joy quickly vanished. More than once, she’d accused Leo of being a thief. The puzzled expression on his face flashed before her eyes. His adamant denials.
Embarrassment squirmed through her over all the times she’d insulted his integrity. Under normal circumstances, she’d never behave so poorly.
Rose headed back to the house, forming the words for an apology in her mind. She went to the bottom of the stairs, where she heard noise on the upper level. “Leo?”
She waited but got no response.
Inhaling a deep breath, she moved to the top landing. As she passed the closed bathroom door, it swung open. Steam rushed out. Leo stood in the archway with only a white towel wrapped at his waist.
His dark hair was towel dried and tossed about in many directions. The scent of shaving cream drifted her way, drawing her to his clean-shaven cheeks, showcasing every rugged line. A few drops of moisture dripped from his hair.
“I’m sorry.” Rose took a step back. “I thought you were working.”
“Soon.” He tilted his head, frowned. “Is everything okay?”
A droplet of water fell off his damp hair and hit his solid shoulder. She followed it as it flowed along the curve of his bicep. “Yes. Look what I found.” She held up th
e envelope. “My money. It was in my trunk.”
“Huh. You don’t say.” He pursed his lips then almost smiled. “Well, I’m glad you found it.”
“Me too.” She placed a hand on his forearm. “I’m truly sorry. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
His gaze skipped over her, pausing at her chest. “How could I hold a grudge against a woman wearing a Bazinga T-shirt?” He softened his eyes. “How about we call it even after the stunt I tried to pull on you?”
Rose found it hard to move, hard to keep her eyes focused on his face. “Sounds fair.”
She slowly took a step back, afraid if she stood here one second longer she’d end up in his bedroom. She couldn’t. Not unless he knew the truth about her.
“I’m heading to Sunny Side Up in town for some lunch in a couple hours.” His gaze searched her face. “Want to join me?”
Of course she did, but she couldn’t be seen in public. A desperate part of her wanted Leo to know everything. Right now, while he stood here barely covered. “I can’t. I’ve got some work to do. But I did want to tell…”
A buzz sounded from the bedroom.
He frowned. “Better get that. I’m expecting a call from Seth. Did you want to tell me something?”
“Only thank you for being so understanding.” She turned and hurried down the stairs.
* * * *
“Leo! You never come in on a Sunday. Can I get you something to drink?”
Leo glanced up from the plastic menu and smiled at his favorite waitress at Sunny Side Up. She wore the same teased hairstyle he remembered as a kid and still greeted each customer like they were her favorite. “Hi, Peggy. How about a Coke?”
“Pepsi okay?”
“Sure.”
“I know it’s lunchtime, but the chef’s special is chocolate-covered waffles à la mode. Might satisfy that sweet tooth of yours.” She raised an eyebrow, the kind drawn on with pencil.
Leo laughed. “Don’t tell me I have a reputation around here?”
“Only for sweets.” She winked.
He thought for a second about all Emma’s eating habits and how they compared to his. His entire life, he’d paid very little attention to what he ate, but he wasn’t getting any younger. “How about a turkey club sandwich with fries…no, hold the fries and give me a salad.”
She pulled a pencil from her hair and a small pad from the pocket of her apron. “Changing it up a bit, I see. Change is good.” She nodded and walked off.
Leo removed from a bag the Sophisticate magazine he’d purchased at Walker’s Drugs on his way here. Curiosity about the woman living in his house warranted the purchase. Since she’d refused his lunch offer, he figured he’d take the time to learn more about her role as Dr. Rose Richardson.
This morning, even though she was happy over finding the money, something still bothered her. Mostly likely from the news he’d heard about the FBI the day before. He’d hoped if they went to lunch today, she might be comfortable enough sharing her troubles.
Leo had almost kissed her again this morning as they stood in the hallway. What stopped him was a new reality. One that hit him while they’d laughed together at the vineyard last night.
He’d fallen for a married woman.
Nothing on the Internet suggested she wasn’t. Her responsiveness when they did kiss meant something, but armed with his new knowledge, physical contact could only lead to disappointment.
He unfolded the magazine and flipped to the column. “Dr. Rose Says… Relationship Advice You Won’t Hear From Your Friends.”
The same woman he’d seen with the senator and online appeared in a small box to the left of the column. God, she was cute. A plain blouse and blazer suited her. Nothing like the get-ups Emma wore. And without those ill-fitted glasses, the camera exposed her entire face, picking up a ready shine in her pretty eyes. She tilted her head sideways and held a cup of coffee in her hands. Her closed-lip smile suggested someone had just confided a deep dark secret and she was about to dispense some sensible advice.
He’d seen the smile before, and even recognized those slender, well-manicured fingers. The very hands he’d wanted to touch his freshly scrubbed body earlier.
“Yoo-hoo, Leo?”
The melodic voice jarred his delicious thought. He glanced up as the real estate agent…Marge…no, Meg, waved to him. She followed a group of ladies he recognized toward a table on the other side of the diner. Meg appeared to change her mind and detoured his way, grabbing the hand of a tall brunette.
He quickly shut the magazine.
Meg stopped at his booth. “Leo, this is the Northbridge Library Director, Veronica Sussingham-Jamieson. I thought you two should meet. I mean, you write books and Veronica…” Meg paused and thought. “Well, she runs a building filled with them.”
Leo smiled at Meg’s remark, finding her way with words actually kind of charming. As he shook Veronica’s hand, he said, “I heard from my tenant you’d like to have me speak?”
“We’d be honored to have you come talk with our members.”
Leo fished out a business card. “Email me here with possible dates and we can set something up.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Drake.”
“Leo, please. It was nice to meet you.” He nodded at Meg. “Nice to see you again, too.”
Veronica walked off, but Meg didn’t. “Are you and Emma doing okay?” She dropped her gaze to the magazine. “I’d never figure you for a man who reads Sophisticate.”
He flipped it over. “Well, there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
Meg pursed her lips and considered him, her expression confused. Or was she curious? “Anyway, is everything okay with your renter arrangement?”
“It’s been fine.” He hoped she hadn’t put things together after seeing the news, like he had. “She’s a good tenant.”
Her ruby lips curled upward, clear delight lighting her face. “Oh wonderful! I was a little worried. After the communication problem. You know?”
He nodded. “I’m curious, how did my brother find this renter?”
“My office ran an ad. Why?”
“No reason. Did he run reference checks?”
Her face twisted. “I thought you said there were no problems.”
“No, none. Just wondering how thorough my brother is as a businessperson. That’s all.”
“Hmmm, well, you shouldn’t worry.” She glanced to the table with her friends, where Peggy had just arrived with her pen and pad out. “I’d better go. Glad everything is going well.”
Leo returned to the magazine. While waiting for his food, he scoured every word of the Dr. Rose column. When he finished, it occurred to him how Emma was a living and breathing contradiction. Queen of good advice, but her own life a fiasco. So bad, she didn’t even stay to face her problems. Running away had to be about something more, something not making the papers.
If she wouldn’t tell him what was going on, then maybe it was time for him to let her know he’d figured it out. Only what if she ran from him, too?
Chapter 21
Leo made a quick stop at Bellantoni’s Market after lunch. As he exited, he noted black clouds gathered along the surrounding hillside and a foreboding breeze whispering through the trees. He packed the car and pushed the speed limit, hoping to make it home before the approaching downpour. Right before the turnoff for his street, steady sheets of rain clouded his view of the winding road.
Pulling into the driveway, he noticed the kitchen light was on.
He shut off the car and sat there, working up the gumption to run through the heavy torrent. Finally, he put one hand on the door handle and was about to take off when an angry rage of thunder rumbled like a sonic boom, followed by the bright glare of a lightning bolt. A crack immediately filled the air then a nearby transformer sizzled. The kitchen went dark.
He grabbed the grocery bags off the passenger’s seat, got out, kicked the car door shut with his fo
ot, and ran. Stepping inside the kitchen doorway, Leo slipped off his sopping wet shoes. Water dripped from his saturated clothing onto the linoleum floor.
Emma came out of her apartment, a frown on her face. She eyed him up and down, grabbed a dishtowel off the counter. “Bella and I were enjoying the lake view, and suddenly over the hills it looked like Armageddon was approaching. You’re soaked. Did you walk from town?”
“No. From the car.” He set down the groceries on the nearby counter edge and took the dishtowel. “It’s coming down hard. A transformer blew in the neighborhood, probably a fallen branch landing on it. The power may not be back until the morning. I heard this storm is hitting a large part of the state. We small towns get power restored last, but there’s always a chance we’ll get lucky.”
He wiped his face dry, taking note how she’d changed into a simple white V-neck pullover and a pair of Levis. Probably more how she normally dressed. Her glasses sat nestled in her hair showcasing her entire face.
Beyond any doubt, a reality hit. This was the woman on TV. Unexpected emotion for her crept into his heart and the urge to learn even more rode him hard.
“Thanks.” Leo hoped he sounded normal. He lifted the groceries and walked toward the refrigerator.
“Should we check on Harry?” Genuine worry filled her eyes.
“You don’t need to worry about him. He’s probably already got his generator going.”
“A generator? So that means he has power, right?”
Leo nodded and quickly stuck the cold six-pack he’d purchased in the fridge.
“Do you have one?”
“A generator? Nah. I like to rough it.”
“What a surprise.” She grinned, but it slipped as she glanced around the room. “I should try to get some work done while there’s a little daylight.”
“Change your plans.” He tossed the ground beef he’d purchased into the top freezer and put the powdered donuts on the counter. At one of the drawers, he removed a flashlight. “When the power goes out there are better things to do around here than work.”
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