I glanced down at the ring she still wore on her finger despite her claims of breaking up with him.
“I don’t belong to him. I wear the ring because it’s easier than answering a lot of questions from the busy bodies in town. Evan doesn’t want the ring back, but I will give it to him.”
I didn’t blame her about the gossip. “We can do this your way for now. Slow and steady and out of the prying eyes of the town. Agreed?” A shy smile warmed her mouth as she bobbed her head yes. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving?” she asked.
“If I stay, it’s going to be fast and hard and there’s nothing wrong with that,” I said. “But I promised slow and steady, which I’m neither at the moment.”
Her robe slipped, giving me a naked view of a strip of skin from between her breast down to the tie belted at her waist. It was going to be a long night.
I tipped my head with fingers on the brim of my hat and left. I couldn’t risk kissing her again. What I did know that she didn’t, was that she was mine. I dared any man, including her ex, to prove me wrong.
And damn if I wouldn’t be tested in the very near future.
Chapter 19
Emma
Had that really just happened? I kissed Aiden Faulkner. Why did I feel like a schoolgirl that needed to call her best friend and share?
“Jessie, I know it’s late, but I need to talk to you,” I said when she answered. “Promise you won’t tell anyone, not even Miles.”
“What, that you had your father’s body exhumed? When were you going to tell me?”
I sucked in a breath because for a moment, I’d forgotten. “You heard?”
“A few people are wondering. I don’t think it’s big news yet. Some think the grave is for Old Man Collins.” He was the guy that had passed a day before they’d come for my father.
“It’s my dad. I’m getting an autopsy.”
She was quiet. “I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry you had to do that.”
“Me too. But I need answers.”
“I get it. But that isn’t why you called, is it?”
“No.” I had to push the sadness back.
“Is it about Aiden?”
“I kissed him, rather he kissed me,” I blurted out, hoping to find that joyous moment I had earlier.
“Holy shit.”
“Yeah.”
“And... how was it?” she asked.
“Everything I hoped and better.” Some of the giddiness was back and I tried not to feel guilty about it. “I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like that before.”
I wasn’t lying. Kissing Evan had been a chore after the first time. It never felt natural, and I’d assumed it was from my lack of experience. I’d only had a few serious boyfriends.
“Good for you. You deserve it, my friend, and I like Aiden. He was so cute when Janet tried hitting on him. I had to intervene because he was at a loss for words.”
“He mentioned that. Not that I blame her.”
“Who are you telling? What girl didn’t have a crush on Aiden at one point or another while we were in school?”
“Did you?”
“Maybe. A little one. I thought he was hot that’s for sure.”
We talked a little while longer and then I got off. I needed sleep.
Before I left for work the next day, I had chores to do around the house. Through most of it, I floated. I was certain my feet hadn’t touched the ground. Was that what it was supposed to feel like when you were falling in love? Not that I was there with Aiden. But I hadn’t ever felt this way with anyone else, including Evan.
By the time I made it to the bar, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I didn’t even get pissed off when one of my waitresses called out. I put on my apron and got to work.
After the lunch crowd, one of my cooks, Robert informed me we were low on meat and wouldn’t last through the night. I scowled.
“Jack didn’t order any?” Though I asked the question, I didn’t think he knew the answer.
He shrugged.
“I’m going to run to Sal’s and see what I can get.” I stormed off having a feeling that Jack was seriously trying to screw me over.
Sal’s was behind the police department on a different street, but I could see the back parking lot of the station. I had to pry my eyes away from hoping to catch a glimpse of Aiden.
What was wrong with me? I’d seen him in the middle of the night. The problem was I could still feel his lips on mine.
I got out of my car and went into Sal’s.
Sal’s niece, Hallie, who was new to town, stood behind the counter.
“Hey, Hallie, it’s good to see you.” We’d met a few times while getting coffee. “I’m in a jam. I don’t think Jack put in my order with Wilder. It seems I’m short on ground beef and won’t make it through the dinner hour. Do you have—” I rattled off a number of pounds that made her eyes widen, “I can take off your hands?”
“I’ll have to go back and check.”
“If you could. I’ll take half that, even a quarter could get us through the night. Then, I can straighten things out with Wilder tomorrow.”
I swore she blushed. Did she have a thing for Wilder? He was a good-looking guy.
When she came back, she said, “This is what I can get you.” She told me the amount and arranged to get it in my car.
It was less than half of what I needed, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “Can you put it on my account?”
She nodded.
“You know we should hang out some time,” I said.
“Yeah.”
We didn’t make exact plans, but now that Jessie had Miles and his adorable son, even I knew we wouldn’t be hanging out as much.
I drove back to the bar and made a few trips to haul in the meat with the cook’s help. On the last trip, I ran into Jack.
“We need to talk,” I snapped.
“Yeah, but I think you need to deal with your boyfriend first. He’s asking for you out front.”
Evan had been my fiancé, and what I had with Aiden was new. Still, I wasn’t sure who he was referring to after all the comments he made about my personal life. I brushed passed him and breezed into the main bar area.
When I spotted Evan talking to Darcy, I didn’t miss a step. I found that I had no reaction to their closeness.
“Hey Emma,” Darcy said like we were best friends.
I ignored her. “Evan, what are you doing here?”
His carefree expression shifted quickly into a frown. “Is that how you greet your fiancé?”
It didn’t matter that we’d gained the attention of everyone in hearing distance. It was time the town knew my relationship status.
“I told you the other day, we aren’t together anymore.”
He glanced around before flashing me a placid smile. “With everything that’s happened, I can understand that you’re confused about our future, but I’m not. I’m here because I want us to work.”
There wasn’t an admission of love, which suited me fine. I didn’t think either of us had really loved one another. I’d cared, not so much anymore, especially after seeing this side of him.
While he’d been going on, I’d worked the ring off my finger. I took his hand and placed it in his palm. “This should clear things up for you. We’re done.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, his tone turning hostile. “There’s no turning back.” I let my eyebrow arch in answer. “Fine.” He held up the ring. “I don’t need this back. It’s not like it’s real, though no one noticed. Not surprised in this hick town. Though I’d planned to give you a real one once we were married.” He set it down on the counter. “Keep it as a reminder of what you’ve lost.” Then he left the bar.
Darcy was on her feet. “Make your choice Emma. You can’t have them both. Evan or Aiden. I know who I would choose.”
I said nothing. She shrugged and followed Evan. They deserved each other, I thought.
When I spun around, everyone who’d had front seats to the show turned as if minding their own business. I didn’t care. I was free. I didn’t look at the glass ring, uncaring if anyone took it.
On the way, I pointed to Jack. “My office, now.”
For a second, he was startled. I was too. That was the first time I’d claimed Dad’s office as mine. As I continued forward, I’d accepted that I’d made up my mind about several things after reading Dad’s letter.
“Close the door,” I commanded when we went in.
Jack did, albeit a little slowly. “Emma?”
I held up my hand. “You’re not my father. I don’t need lessons from you on how to run this bar. And don’t try to deny it.”
He kept his mouth shut.
“Whatever game you think you’re playing ends now. And let me tell you, I’m not going anywhere. If you can’t work under me, then quit now. But if you stay, you’ll treat me with the same respect you treated my father. Your choice.”
He stared at me, creating an uncomfortable silence I wasn’t willing to give into. I folded my arms instead.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.
“You know, I’m really tired of being asked that question today. I’m not a little girl.” I pulled a copy of Dad’s will from under a pile and handed it to him. “Dad left me the bar. He trusted me and you need to as well if you want to continue working here.”
He glanced down at the paper and I watched as he scanned the page. When he looked up, I saw the anguish on his face. “This is all I got, Emma. I’m not qualified to do anything else.”
That wasn’t true. He could go to work for the mill or the ranch if either would have him, but I didn’t say that. “Then, you’re going to have to work with me, not against me.”
He nodded. “Would you consider me being a partner?”
“No. You haven’t shown enough respect for me to trust you as a partner.” Though I wouldn’t commit to anything more, regardless. “I don’t want to get your hopes up either. I’m not sure I need a partner.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I needed more confirmation than that. “Are you in or out?”
“In,” he said.
He might have agreed to it, but I could see in his eyes he would likely be making other plans. I would need to hire a new manager soon. Someone I could trust.
After he left, I sagged in my chair, emotionally exhausted. I glanced down at my naked finger and smiled. I picked up my phone and dialed.
“Emma.” My name had never sounded so sweet.
“I have news,” I announced.
Damn, his chuckle was sexy. “What’s that?”
“My finger is bare and so is my bed.”
“Is that an invitation?”
Was it? “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
Chapter 20
Aiden
Well, fuck my life. How was I supposed to work after an invitation like that?
I was painfully hard and trying to calm myself down when Bess came in my doorway. “Got a call, Wyatt and Sam are tied up. You’re going to need to take it.”
Her appearance softened everything that had been hard seconds ago. I had no trouble getting up from my desk and strapping my vest on as Bess explained the who, what, and where of it all.
Ten minutes later, I pulled up in front of a dilapidated house in need of much repair. Bess had warned me what I was walking into, but it was my job to show up regardless.
A woman in her early forties with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth stepped out onto the porch.
“Thank goodness you came. It’s smells like something died in there.”
From the state of the home’s exterior and the abandoned toys overgrown with vegetation, I wouldn’t have doubted something had died. Her husband had passed away over two years ago, and she wasn’t handling it well. According to Bess, she called the station every few days about something. Bess speculated the woman wanted company or needed a handyman and couldn’t afford one.
When I reached her, she said, “Aiden Faulkner, oh, how you’ve grown.”
I came to a sudden stop as I tried to place her. “You know me?”
She laughed. “I taught you in second grade.”
My mind flew back in time. “You were a teacher?” Her name didn’t ring any bells.
“I was Miss Wilson back then before I married my good-for-nothing husband, who died and left me with a crumbling house and a pile of bills.”
Once she said her maiden name, I remembered the teacher my younger self had a mad crush on. She’d been pretty and nice. The woman before me bore no resemblance to that. Haggard lines etched on her face that had turned the inviting smile I remembered into the bitter scowl she wore today.
“Do you still teach?” I asked.
She shook her head. “My husband didn’t want me to.”
“He’s gone. Maybe you could go back to teaching.” It was as if she’d never considered the thought and it wasn’t really my place. With no more comments about her life choices, I got back to business. “You called about a smell.”
We didn’t often go to peoples’ homes for smells. But she’d smelled death, which had to be investigated when she’d been unable to pinpoint the culprit.
“It’s in here.” She waved me in, and I followed her.
The house looked worse on the inside than the outside. It wasn’t cluttered, just neglected. Time had taken its toll on the place. But the smell was unmistakable.
I followed her into her kitchen.
“It’s in here.”
Though I wasn’t a bloodhound, I used my nose as I opened cabinets and even drawers looking for the origin of the awful stench. Nothing. “I’m going to check outside,” I said.
“I didn’t think of that.” She opened the back door.
The smell was there too. As I walked alongside the wall, I found it. A rodent had tried to get through a small hole in the wall to the house and had somehow gotten stuck.
“There’s your problem,” I said, pointing at it.
Her mouth widened before she covered it with one hand and locked her eyes with me. “What can I offer you to help me get rid of that?” she asked, while loosening her robe.
I froze, even though I’d expected as much. Bess had warned me this might happen. Once she revealed she’d taught me as a child, I’d let my guard down.
Years ago, she’d been something to look at. Now she was in her forties but looked a decade or two older. However, that wasn’t why I glanced away. Though I would have never used my position to gain such favors, it was an image of Emma in my mind that made it impossible for me to enjoy the view of any other woman.
“If you could get me some gloves, a trash bag and a shovel, I’ll take care of it.”
Her relief was enough to know I was doing a good deed. Though I would have preferred being at the station going through video footage relating to Emma’s dad, my former teacher needed help.
By the time I was done, I’d removed the creature that was causing the stench and plugged the hole it had got stuck in, then fixed her toilet. I managed to leave before she found another thing for me to do off her honey do list.
I was tired, sweaty, and dirty. What did I do? I called Emma.
“Aiden,” she said and, man, did I love hearing her say my name.
“Meet me at the creek. You know the spot. That is if you aren’t busy.”
“I—” She hesitated for a second and said, “Okay. I’ll be there shortly.”
We hung up.
I could have gone home, showered, and returned to the station. But after her call earlier, I needed to see her badly.
I drove to the hidden cove with a smile the size of Montana on my face. Emma was closer and beat me there. I parked my car on the side of the road near some trees. This stretch of road wasn’t widely traveled. In fact, it didn’t have a name, just ruts in the ground to mark it.
“Why are we here?” she asked, all grins and giggles.
“Let’s see, I just finished playing handyman for my old teacher, Miss Wilson, and need to wash the smell of dead rodent off my skin.”
“And you thought of me? I’m flattered.”
I eyed her bare finger. “I thought of you for plenty of reasons. For one, school is still in session, so we’ll have this place to ourselves.”
“It’s cold,” she mentioned, faking a shiver when she wore short sleeves.
“I’m hoping you’ll warm me up.”
She tapped a finger on her lips. “I’m to warm you up?”
“Yes,” I said, taking a step closer to her.
“And what about me?”
“I’ll keep you warm too.” I was closing the distance between us.
I caught the twinkle in her eye a second too late as she took off. Damn she could run. By the time I reached the short cliff over the water’s edge, she was halfway out of her clothes. I could have nabbed her then, but I wanted her to shed her jeans.
Just as I had mine halfway down my calves, she leaped off and splashed into the water. I was right there after her, cannonballing my way in.
Water cocooned me for the moment. In that split second, all the memories of coming out here with friends struck me. Emma would have been here too on occasion. Though off to the side. She hadn’t been a flashy girl like Darcy who wanted the attention. But I’d caught her looking my way a time or two, and she had to have caught me staring or so I assumed. I broke the surface with a thought.
“What took you so long, stranger,” she teased.
I swam over to her. “I was just thinking,” I began.
“About what?”
“About how much I wanted you back in high school.”
She looped her arm around my neck. “Why didn’t you have me?”
I groaned. “By the time you grew up, I was in a complicated relationship.”
“Complicated, huh?”
“Very complicated. Besides, you had boyfriends too if I remember.”
“I did. Though none of them compared to this.”
Perfect Night Page 11
