"What is this?" Chase announced as they entered the house. "No cookies?" He stared at the very empty platter with a mock grin and then looked at Rietta, a half-eaten cookie in her hand, eyes wide as if caught stealing it. Rick could tell Chase wasn't bothered in the least, probably because he knew his mother could easily make more when the group left. Charles, too, seemed unaffected, but then, he had come in earlier and probably already snagged a cookie. Rick kept his forced smile on, feeling alone and forsaken, but hoping no one would notice his pathetic misery over no cookies.
"Here."
Rick turned to find Anne holding out a cookie for both him and Chase. "I saved you one." Those chocolate eyes of hers caught his for a second, but they dashed away before he could read them.
"Thanks," he muttered and took the cookie, trying to pretend it meant nothing, that her simple act didn't feel like an overdue warm hug. She had thought of him. Well, Chase, too, so it wasn't like he was extra special or anything, but she had thought to save a cookie for them. He'd forgotten how good she was at that, always thinking of others, making sure everyone was happy, even angry, ex-foster boys that didn't deserve her time or attention. And how he loved making her face light up when he'd return the favor and shower her with attention.
"We should head out," Charles announced. "I'm sure Rick needs to get going."
Rick jerked out of his reverie. "Yes, I do." Inwardly, he thanked Charles. Anne had succeeded in unsettling him again. At this rate, he might fall in love with her again.
"No!" Mary announced, her voice ringing throughout the kitchen. The entire group froze as if expecting her to explode like a bomb. "I am not walking all the way back. It's too far and I'm too tired. I'm staying here until someone can drive back and fetch me."
Rick resisted glaring at Mary. She looked well rested in comparison to Anne who looked like she hadn't recovered at all.
"I have an ATV," Chase offered. "I could take you home in that."
Rietta hopped next to him. "Oh, me too!"
"I get first dibs!" Louisa ran outside and Rietta chased after her, insisting she get the dibs instead.
"Wait!" Mary called as she hurried after them, moving far faster than someone who had claimed to be too tired to walk. Anne, on the other hand, rose slowly and minced her way to the exit.
Rick hurried with the group as well, telling himself he simply wanted to make ensure everyone got a ride, not just a certain, tired girl. When he reached the ATV, he frowned. It was designed for two people, one in the front and a cushy, raised seat in the back. Mary made it very clear she would be riding in the seat in the back. Louisa stepped up to fight for the spot but a pleading look from both Rietta and Charles made her clamber onto the racks at the front, her legs dangling dangerously close to the tires. Rietta laughed and squeezed beside her, both declaring they wouldn't fall off. Chase positioned himself into the rider's spot so by the time Anne had joined them, it was obvious there was no room for her.
"Sorry, Anne," Chase began. "But I'll come back--"
"I'm fine. I can walk." She smiled as if she truly didn't care, but her tired eyes didn't agree. "I don't mind."
Rick wanted to argue, to point out that she was the most tired of them all, and he wanted Louisa or Rietta to willingly give up their spot. But neither seemed to care about her exhaustion. Actually, they probably hadn't noticed. Anne hadn't once complained. It was a strange phenomenon. For someone who was easily persuaded to dump him, she certainly had a will of iron to never complain.
Charles and Anne waved as the overly-packed ATV took off down the road. Rick pulled out his phone instead, pleased to find he had service. Apparently, the no-service pocket only affected Charles' area. He dialed his sister's number. Sophy and A had mentioned they wanted to drive in this area. If Rick was lucky, they might be close by.
"Rick!" Sophy cried on the other end of the line and he could hear the drone of an engine in the background.
"Hey, where are you?"
"Oh, lost somewhere," his sister said.
"We're not lost," Al's voice sounded in the background. "We just don't know where we are. A big difference."
Rick chuckled. "You wouldn't happen to be on Somerset Road, would you?"
"Let me see..."
He heard some shuffling. She was probably checking the GPS on her phone.
"Oh, we're about to come to it. How'd you know that?"
"I didn't, but I'm on it. If you happen to pass me, stop."
"Needing a ride, huh? What did you do, get a flat tire?"
"Very funny. It's not for me. But I'm sure you'll figure out who when you get here."
"Oh, a mystery! We'll come, then. Don't get run over before then."
Rick laughed. "I won't." He ended the call and looked up--and found chocolate eyes staring at him. He jerked, looking away. Had she heard the call? He didn't want her to know he'd done it for her. And besides, he hadn't. He was just being a gentleman. It wasn't anything specific about her.
"Well," Charles began, looking at him and Anne. "Looks like we get to walk!"
"Let's head down the paved road for a bit," Rick said as casually as possible. "I'd like to get some pictures from that angle."
"Oh, good idea!"
They tromped down to the paved road and Rick made sure to take an obscene amount of photos to slow the pace to a crawl. Charles didn't seem to mind but excitedly pointed out new angles for the shots. Anne, on the other hand, kept out of their way and trudged behind them, a thoughtful look on her face. He couldn't help wondering what she pondered. Eight years ago, he'd known her so well he could have guessed the answer. But now, he had no idea. And the thought saddened him.
He shook himself. She was getting to him again. If he wasn't careful, he'd soon be on his knees, begging her to love him again. And then she'd laugh, amused to find he'd failed to get over her like she had of him. What could he possibly have to offer? He was no longer that penniless, ex-foster boy; he had a job, money, prestige, and his good looks and judging by Louisa's attentions, he could attract the ladies, but Anne hadn't given him the time of day since he'd met her again. He had no idea what she wanted anymore except that she obviously she didn't want him.
That old anger resurfaced and Rick focused on the pictures, wishing his sister would show up faster.
Finally, the rumble of an approaching vehicle filled the air and Rick grinned as the sporty car--totally out of place in these woods--slowed down beside them.
"Rick!" Sophy cried. "What are you doing walking about in the middle of nowhere?"
"Taking pictures! How's the drive been?"
"Like a dream. This area is gorgeous. Charles, you're so lucky to live out here."
Charles straightened like a proud owner. "Thank you."
Sophy finally spotted Ann who had a warm smile on her tired face. Rick grumbled to himself. His own sister got a more favorable response from Anne than he did.
"Anne! You poor thing, did they drag you out on this picture tour?"
"Uh, no--" Anne began but Sophy wasn't listening. She opened her car door. "Come, let us give you a ride to Charles' place. We'll be passing it soon."
Anne's eyes lit up as if she'd love to take the offer, but she frowned as she eyed the tiny car. "I don't think there's enough room--"
"Nonsense!" Al boomed and wrapped an arm around his wife and pulled her close. "We'll squeeze together like this, see? Plenty of room for a thing like you."
To Rick's surprise, Anne again resisted the offer, insisting there wasn't enough room. For someone who was easily persuaded, she certainly was failing to be so now. Even stranger that he could tell she wanted to go and yet still balked. Part of him wanted to see how long her resistance would last, but another part didn't want her to succeed and then be forced to walk the five miles back. Without another thought, he walked up to her. She immediately stiffened, her eyes jumping to his as though he was an incoming monster. He averted his eyes and grasped her arm, a bolt of lightning shooting through him from that touch
and her sweet scent filling nostrils. Frantic, he propelled her toward the car. She moved stiffly and in two seconds, he discerned why. She was trying to hide a limp in her walk. Where she'd picked that up, he had no idea, but a new anger rose. A possessive one, the same kind that had sparked in him long ago when he had sought to free her from her cruel family's treatment. No one ever seemed to pay attention to her and he wanted to stop it.
Without thinking, he wrapped his other arm around her waist to help steady her limp, and nearly pulled her in close, like a knight desperate to protect his princess. Thankfully he had some wit left and shoved her into the car instead of into his arms. He backed away quickly and waved at his sister as if no roar of emotions roared within him. He was so glad when the car started down the road, taking that intoxicating girl far away from him. She was like dynamite to the defenses around his heart, blowing them to smithereens. And she was a trap, like plastic fruit to a starving man. He could lay everything at her feet and she'd only kick it all away.
"That was really nice of your sister," Charles began. "Anne's never been a great walker."
Rick had no intention of discussing Anne. Grasping for any topic than Anne, he asked, "Hey, have you ever heard of a name called Elisheba?"
Charles stared at him. "What?"
Rick waved his hand. "Never mind. So, there a faster way to your place?"
"Not unless you have another relative with a bigger car?"
Rick laughed. "Fresh out, sorry. Though, I'm sure my brother-in-law would have been very willing to hog-tie us to the roof."
Now Charles laughed. "I'm not that desperate!"
"Well, then, the long way it is!"
Chapter 10
"How did it go?" Sophy asked as they gathered around the table for dinner that night.
"Good." Rick slowly eased himself into the chair. His legs were certainly feeling the ten-mile hike.
"Getting old, eh?" Al quipped.
Rick grinned. "Just trying to catch up to you."
Al laughed while Sophy leaned forward, an excited look in her eyes. "So?"
Rick's grin grew. "I said 'good', didn't I?"
"That's not good enough for Sophy," Al said.
"All right, then. It went really well. I was able to get some nice pictures and sent the email off about an hour ago."
"You haven't been excessively checking your phone this time, though."
"That's cause I'm reminding myself how slowly my boss responds to things. She probably won't get to it until next week or maybe even next month."
Sophy sighed. "And here I was hoping we'd know the results before you left us tomorrow."
"Well, there is this thing," Rick held up his phone. "Called a telephone that lets me call--"
She waved her spoon at him. "That's not what I meant. I like to get good news in person. Besides," she stirred her soup with sudden vigor, "I had thought you'd want to go back to that place one more time. You know, for a certain someone?"
Rick stiffened, the image of Anne springing to his mind. Had Sophy discovered the pathetic hold that girl had on him?
"Anne told us a lot about Louisa," Sophy continued, still stirring her soup and Rick nearly gasped out loud. Sophy thought he liked Louisa? Well, he did talk about her a lot, mainly to avoid the subject of Anne. And yet, this time he didn't want to change the topic. If Anne talked about Louisa, she might also have talked about HIM.
He cleared his throat. "What did she say?"
Sophy took a sip from her soup, obviously hoping to keep him on the edge of his seat. He was on the edge, all right, but for the wrong girl.
"She mentioned that Louisa's very ambitious and has big dreams, but doesn't seem very interested in settling down." Sophy eyed Rick as if expecting to see disappointment. Rick hid a grin. Sophy didn't approve of Louisa, apparently, and was hoping to dissuade him. Or had Anne done that?
"Did Anne seem opposed to it?" Now it was his turn to stir his soup.
"Oh, no. She didn't seem to care either way."
Rick glared at his soup. He should have known. "Well, not many people Louisa's age are interested in settling down."
"You make a good point."
"Anne seemed open to it," Al offered.
Rick's jaw dropped. "You asked Anne if she wanted to get married?"
"No, no," Sophy waved both of her hands as if to ensure he understood her rejection of his sentence. "We're not that type of noisy people--"
"Sophy noted she'd make an excellent mother," Al said with a grin, knowing he was not helping his wife's side at all. "Giving certain hints--"
"I didn't mean to imply marriage--"
"Most people see that as a requisite, sweetheart."
Sophy threw up her hands. "I had only wanted to compliment her! She was so good to those boys--her nephews, right? But Rick," she leaned forward. "I wasn't trying to set her up with you at all. You have to believe me."
Rick forced a smile. "I believe you. She might have gotten out of the car in disgust if you had."
"Nah," Al countered. "The girl is too sweet. She would have politely declined."
Rick kept the forced smile in place while the old anger boiled inside. Of course Anne would decline. He wasn't good enough, even now with having traveled the world, speaking several languages, holding a good job, and having an amazing sister and brother-in-law. Anne wouldn't take him even if he was destined to be a king somewhere.
Wanting a different topic, he asked, "How was the drive?"
The trick worked and Sophy gushed over the enjoyable day they had, exploring the gorgeous area. Unfortunately, they kept referencing Anne, even praising her calm manners and sweet personality. She obviously had made a great impression on them. The fact was rather heartening, though. Proved that her power didn't only work on him, but could affect others. Ironically that it only affected his family instead of her own. But if luck was with him, Emma would take her sweet time and Anne should be long gone before he had to return to the Musgrove's place.
Alas, he wasn't so lucky. The very next morning, he found an email from his boss. But a quick read through explained the speedy reply. She had forwarded the email to her co-worker, Mr. Knightly, a man known to get things done. In fact, Rick was sure Emma's company wouldn't be nearly as successful if it weren't for Mr. Knightly's efficiency.
While Emma's emails often sounded more like a teenager, Mr. Knightly's was precise and short. He had read over the information, found it favorable, and would be passing through the area. He didn't think he had time to inspect the property, but he trusted Rick's judgment. He would like to meet the owner, though, if said owner could possibly come out and see him while he passed through Lyme. Emma might even be able to make it if the owner was willing to come. If not, he would rely on Rick's judgment and have the contracts be signed digitally.
Rick grabbed his phone and dialed Charles' number, but it went straight to voicemail.
"Hey, Charles, my boss has approved the deal and has sent over the paperwork to be signed. I can send it digitally if you want, but my boss would also like to meet you. She will be in Lyme. I checked; it's only about an hour away from you. Let me know what you think. Thanks!"
Rick hung up, then paced for a bit, wishing Charles had service so he wouldn’t have to wait for a response. The thought of Anne also plagued him. What if she came with Charles? No, that wouldn’t make any sense. It was a business meeting, not a party. He should only have to deal with Charles, not the whole clan.
Since Rick had only met Mr. Knightly once at the big Christmas party last year, he decided to wear a business suit for the meeting. It never hurt to look one’s best for a boss and he ignored any thoughts of possibly being able to strut in the suit before Anne. She wasn't coming anyway, remember?
A text pinged his phone. Charles was ecstatic. He would come for lunch, couldn’t believe it had happened so soon, would Rick also be there, and what time was the lunch?
Rick texted back, answering Charles’ questions, then sent an update to Mr
. Knightly. A few seconds later and he had the confirmed reply from Knightly. He’d be there for sure, but Emma was still an unknown. She hadn't replied yet. Rick doubted she would.
With that all settled, he tapped for the documents to be printed, then headed downstairs to break the news to his sister.
"Oh, I'm so glad it happened so fast!" Sophy squealed as she stirred the contents of her bowl. Apparently, some sort of egg-mixture was on the menu for breakfast.
"Charles got lucky, I guess. Where’s Al?"
“Oh, I ran out of milk again. He went to get some. Will Charles be bringing any of his family?" Sophy gave him a knowing look.
Anne jumped to his mind, but he knew Sophy meant Louisa. "I doubt it. It's a business meeting and girls wouldn't like that."
Sophy waved a spoon at him. "Don’t you dare underestimate girls. Your own boss is a girl!"
"Okay, okay, I meant Charles' sisters. There's no need to haul them an hour for a boring business meeting."
"Unless a cute guy was involved!”
"You’re right. Mr. Knightly is very a handsome man."
Sophy shook her spoon at him. "That's not who I meant."
Rick grinned. "Sorry, Sophy, but no drama will happen on this trip. It will be just a boring business meeting."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find a reason to go back with Charles and visit."
Rick just waved. "See you tonight." He jogged to the office and picked up the printed documents, then headed outside for his car.
One hour later and he found himself in Old Lyme, a quaint little city in Connecticut. He was far too early, a good hour early, but he didn't mind. He had an old friend in the area and was about to call him up when his phone pinged with a text. Charles had also arrived too early. Rick laughed and texted he'd meet him in front of the restaurant where they were supposed to meet. Fully expecting to only find Charles, Rick fought to keep the shock off his face when he discovered Charles brought not only his wife and two sisters but also one maddening, chocolate-eyed girl.
Persuading Her: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 2) Page 8
