Persuading Her: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 2)

by Keena Richins

  Rick glared at his hands. "I can't." It dribbled out of him. "If she rejects me again--"

  "Look, let me ask her."

  "I'm not letting you ask--"

  "Who is she? Could I at least meet her? See if she's actually worthy of YOU?"

  Rick hesitated, not sure he wanted her to know. But she leveled a stare at him and he had a hunch she'd start pestering everyone he knew to find out. He sighed. "You've already met her. Several times."

  "I have? But who..." She immediately stopped, her eyes widening. "Please don't tell me it's that sweet girl, Anne."

  Rick groaned. "Even you think she's too good for me."

  "What? No! That's not it at all! Actually," she leaned forward, "I've been secretly hoping you'd like her over Louisa."

  Rick nearly lost his balance off the stool. "What?"

  Sophy laughed. "It's true. The instant I met her, I thought, oh, she would be perfect for Rick! You can ask Al. I told him everything and he agrees with me."

  "Really? Why?"

  Sophy leaned back. "Honestly, I don't know." She drummed her fingers on her chin. "It's like what you said. Something in her eyes. One look and I felt that, of all the girls in the world, this one could probably reach past the hurt and anger that guards your heart."

  Rick gave a dry laugh. "She's one of the reasons those walls exist."

  "And yet, if she's consumed you all these years, you have to talk to her. Especially since I want her as my sister-in-law. She'd fit perfectly with us. In fact, if you had shown the slightest interest in her, I would have tried to get you two together."

  "I thought you didn't force singles together?" Rick couldn't help muttering.

  Sophie wagged her finger at him. "I would have made an exception in this case. You seemed to me like a perfect fit and I never had any idea about your history. But Rick," she leaned forward, "have you ever thought that maybe she's scared of you?"

  He jerked. "I'd never hurt her."

  "No, not like physically hurt, but, well, she knows she already rejected you. And you can be a very angry guy. She's a sweet, kind little thing. She may fear that if she tried to confess, you'd blow her off. I mean, I couldn't even tell you had any interest in her and I was TRYING to find some! When I saw you two at the Musgroves' place, you acted as if she was nothing to you. Nothing! If Al had acted like that to me after I had changed my mind about blowing him off, I would have been devastated!. I would have crawled into some corner and refused to come out again."

  Rick fell silent, staring at his hands. "You really think she doesn't know how I feel?"

  Sophy leveled a stare at him. "How many of those Musgroves have guessed you like Anne?"

  Rick grimaced. "None."

  "My point exactly."

  Rick drummed his fingers on the table. Could Sophy be right? He had made a point to avoid Anne during that week with the Musgroves. Perhaps it had scared Anne away, making her run into the vile arms of Will.

  Sophy poked him. "Why are you still sitting here? Go and sweep her off her feet already!"

  Rick laughed. "By the time I'd get there, it would be near midnight. And she's staying with her father. I'm not going to talk to her with her father around. Or her godmother. It will be hard enough just talking to her alone."

  "Then call her!"

  Rick flushed. "I don't have her number." He still hadn't found the right way to ask Charles' for it.

  "I think I have her number."

  Rick looked up in shock. "You do?"

  "She's the daughter of who we rent from. Give me a moment." Sophy headed upstairs while Rick drummed his fingers. What would he say when he called? How would he even begin? And what if she was with Will?

  By the time Sophy came back, he was dreading the call. He feared he'd end up sounding like an idiot.

  "Looks like I only have her father's cell number. I could call him--"

  "No, you're not calling him." Rick didn't want the father to be aware of anything. He'd only make sure Anne ended up with Will.

  "He won't suspect a thing--"

  Rick stood up. "Charles has her number. I'll ask him when I see Louisa again. But not tonight."

  Sophy wagged her finger at him. "Tomorrow, then."

  Rick rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine, tomorrow. I'll ask him then."

  Sophy clapped her hands. "Oh, I can't wait!"

  Chapter 24

  The following morning found Rick in his hotel room, staring at his phone. He knew how to start a conversation with Charles; simply ask about the status of his sister. It was finding a transition to Anne that was the hard part.

  He paced the floor again, then muttered hotly to himself. The more he waited, the more likelier Elliot would have sunk his claws into Anne. He needed to act.

  With that mindset, he dialed Charles' number, then waited in trepidation for his doom.

  "Hey, Rick?"

  "Charles, I--"

  "Sorry, can I call you back? I'm talking to Louisa's doctor."

  "No, that's no problem. Call me when you have a chance." Rick hung up the phone with a sigh. All that worrying for nothing.

  He resumed his pacing, mainly because he had nothing else to do. Then he remembered he was supposed to be hounding a senator.

  Seizing the idea, he dialed her office, fully expecting to reach an annoyed secretary like last time. To his surprise, the secretary sounded happy, as if pleased for his call, and he was put through to the senator shortly after.

  "Rick," the senator said, her tone as pleased as the secretary. Some happy bug must have infected her whole office. "I'm glad you called. I was thinking about what you've said and I think we can come to some sort of arrangement."

  It took a second before Rick's shocked brain could accurately process what she had said. Then he wanted to yell in triumph, but instead, managed a polite, "That's, uh, that's great. What did you have in mind?"

  "I'd like to see this Robert Martin and his farm. I'm scheduled to visit that area in two days. Would he be willing to let me drop by?"

  Rick highly doubted Martin would be against it, but he didn't want to promise before speaking with the man first. "I'm sure he would, but let me make a quick call."

  "That would be fine. Just let my secretary, Jill, know. You should come, too. In fact, you can come with me on my plane."

  Now Rick really believed the senator was ill. "That, uh, that would be great. Where--"

  "Jill will give you the details. I'll see you then. Hold for Jill." The line went dead for a second before the secretary's overly cheery voice was back on the line, spouting off information. Rick dashed for a pen and paper and frantically wrote down the instructions, then thanked the lady before hanging up. Once he was able to wrap his mind over what happened, he called up Martin.

  "She wants to come here?" his voice squeaked. "Are you sure? This is a working dairy farm. It's, you know, smelly and not super clean."

  "I know, but it's what she said. I'll be coming along as well so if there are any problems, I can handle them. You won't have to worry about a thing. She probably only wants a tour of the new process you invented."

  "Wow. Rick, just wow. You promised I'd have a different life, but I never thought I'd meet a senator."

  Rick didn't think meeting Senator Dalrymple was a grand achievement, but he wasn't going to dissuade the humble farmer about it.

  "Will she want to meet my family? My mother isn't--"

  "If you don't feel comfortable, I don't think you have to. I'm sure the senator will understand about the Alzheimer's issue."

  "Good. Okay. Two days. A senator. I'll, uh, I need to go. Got lots to do."

  Rick laughed. "You don't have to clean the entire place up."

  "I know. But, I'd like for it to be somewhat more presentable. Thanks again, Rick. You're the best."

  "Anytime. See you in two days."

  Once he ended the call, he made another one to Bingley. His sister answered first, but thankfully put him through without much of a fuss.

  "I
knew you could do it!" Bingley basically shouted in his ear. "I knew I could count on you!"

  "Thanks, though to be honest, I'm not sure what I did."

  "Being you is enough. You have more luck than a clover."

  Rick laughed. Seemed Brandon wasn't the only one to think that. "Thanks, sir, but I only seem lucky in work."

  "Oh? There a part of your life you're not so lucky at?"

  Rick wished he hadn't said anything. "Oh, you know, life hands you challenges you're not quite expecting all the time."

  "Wise words. When do you leave with the senator?"

  "In a few hours."

  "Good. She'll have reporters with her. Make a good impression for our company, all right?"

  "Of course, sir."

  "Good. Oh, and Rick, that job over the Boston office? It's yours if you want it."

  Rick stuttered for a second. He hadn't yet made up his mind about that, namely because of Anne. If there still was no future with her, then he'd want to flee and go anywhere in the world where he wouldn't accidentally run into her again. Especially if she ends up with Will.

  "Sorry, sir, but could I have a few days to think about it?"

  "Sure. I'll have Caroline send over the contract. Look it over and get back to me after your trip with the senator, okay?"

  "Yeah, okay."

  He hung up and stared at his vacant hotel room, noting the usual two beds, his suitcase stationed next to one, and the simple bathroom. A sterile, clean environment that never cared how long he stayed, but was always the same, no matter where he went. The familiarity of hotel rooms was the closest thing he had to a home, but suddenly, he might have a real home. And yet, for some reason, it didn't sound that appealing.

  Still, the manager of the Boston office--Anne's father had to be impressed by that. And maybe even Anne.

  He began to dial Charles' number before remembering the poor man was busy with a doctor. He checked for any new text updates but none had come from Charles. He must still be in that meeting. Well, there were still a few more hours before he had to leave. Hopefully Charles would call before Rick wore out the carpet with his pacing.

  Chapter 25

  Unfortunately, Charles never called and Rick was soon on a plane, packed with reporters and one very polite senator. It didn't take him long to realize he had been invited to be a poster child for how wonderful the senator was to listen to the common folk. Though Rick ached to set her right, he endured with a polite smile of his own, well aware that whatever he said could be mistranslated in the press and embarrass his boss and the company. His patience was thoroughly tried when the so-called tour of Martin's place was also just a big publicity stunt, all engineered to make it look how attentive she was and how much she cared. Martin, bless the man, was too in awe to realize how fake everything was, and played the part perfectly of an overly grateful man.

  Once it was all over and the reporters sent packing, the senator dropped the warm facade.

  "Thank you for your time," she stated coldly to Rick. "You'll have to find your own way home. I'm sure your company will cover the costs." And with that, she was gone, leaving him stranded in the middle of Massachusetts.

  Not minding in the least, he pulled out his phone and bought a flight heading to Boston as well as procured a ride to the airport. Charles had called once during the two days with the senator, but with all the reporters, Rick hadn't dared to call him back. He didn't needed his awkward conversation about Anne being spun by the tabloids as proof he was a spy or some other ridiculous idea that would sell papers.

  Charles had also sent several texts. The doctors were pulling her out of the medical coma and she had begun to show signs of life. A stirring here and there. Once, she had opened her eyes, but closed them without showing any indication she had seen anything.

  Rick muttered to himself. Asking for Anne's number was going to be even more awkward now, especially since Charles would only want to talk about Louisa. Then again, it was either talking to Charles or confronting Anne's father.

  Growling, Rick quickly dialed Charles' number before he lost his nerve, then froze as it rang. But alas, it abruptly went to voicemail. Charles must be busy again. Rick left a lame message instead, explaining he'd been out of town, but he hoped the best for Louisa.

  With that over, he slumped in his chair and wished his flight would leave sooner. Waiting had never been a strong point of his, but he'd already paced the entire length of the small airport and wasn't in the mood to restart.

  His phone suddenly pinged. Hoping it was Charles, he checked it, but discovered it was a text from Sophy.

  "I know, I know," it read, "I'm being a nosy, older sister, but what did she say???"

  Rick grimaced, sure she would give him an earful once she read his reply: Work came up. Had to fly to Vermont. Flying back now."

  "To see her?" she texted back with a winking smiley.

  "IF she'll see me," he texted back.

  "She will!" was the response.

  Rick rolled his eyes. His sister was too optimistic.

  He paused, a suspicion suddenly alighting in his head. "Have you seen her?" he texted. He had been gone for two days. She could easily have made an excuse, like needing Anne to come and "inspect" something at the house.

  "No," came the reply and Rick blew out a sigh of relief.

  "But I can't wait until you bring her here!" was the follow-up text.

  Rick rolled his eyes. At least someone had high hopes for this. His own hopes, on the other end, couldn't decide if they wanted to rise or plummet. Worse, by the time his plane landed in Boston, a sucking pit of dread had formed in his stomach. It had been two days. So much could have happened since then. In fact, she could be engaged to Will or something!

  As if confirming his doom, when he turned his phone off of airplane mode, a long series of pings caroled like heralds of bad news. That had to be over twenty texts!

  Thinking the world must have ended, he checked the notifications. Some were from work. Bingley congratulating him once more and Miss Bingley wanting a reply to the management offer. He'd completely forgotten about that. The others were from Charles, including a phone call from him. Louisa had woken up. And she had asked after him.

  Rick checked the time of the texts and missed calls. Less than a half an hour ago. He immediately called Charles but it went straight to voicemail again. Either his phone was off or he was too busy with his overjoyed family.

  Once he was in possession of his car again, he headed for the hospital, eager to see a happy Musgrove family. Though truth be told, he was more eager to see one certain chocolate eyed girl.

  Arriving at the hospital, he raced to the elevator, then paced as the slow beast hauled him up to Louisa's floor. When the doors opened, rushed down the hallway like a freed man, his eyes on the numbered doorways. When he turned the corner, he caught his breath. There, with that gorgeous brown hair half pulled up, stood Anne, her back to him, as she chatted with Charles.

  He wanted to shout her name, to confess right there, but remembered in time that he was supposed to be here for Louisa, not Anne. Composing himself, he strode toward the group, then stiffened when he spotted Harv standing right next to Anne. He didn't want Harv to guess where his true feelings lay and start teasing him. Not until he knew Anne's feelings first.

  Before he could scamper away, however, Charles called out, "There he is now!"

  Trapped, Rick strode down the long hallway, trying not to break into a sweat when Anne leveled those calm eyes on him. To keep his cool--and avoid staring at her--he focused on Charles.

  "Sorry, I was on an airplane when you called. I came over as soon as I could. How is she?"

  "She's doing okay," Charles said. "We don't know all the damage yet, but she asked after you."

  "She did?" He'd forgotten Charles had mentioned that earlier. Now this was even more awkward since Charles would be expecting him to fawn of her sister, not Anne.

  "Yeah. Do you want to see her?"

&n
bsp; Rick hesitated, his eyes darting to Anne. But it would be rude to refuse to see Louisa when she just woke up. "Yes, if that's okay." He half hoped it wouldn't.

  "It is, but you'll need to whisper and be quiet. Noise upsets her."

  Rick resisted the urge to start making a lot of noise. "All right."

  Charles led him across the hall to Louisa's new hospital room. Though she was out of the intensive care unit, the room still had a variety of beeping monitors with tubes twisting around Louisa and disappearing under the blanket on top of her. In the small space around her bed huddled flowers and balloons, all wishing her well. Louisa lay on the stiff, hospital bed, eyes closed like the last time he had seen her, but without the oxygen mask that once covered her face. James sat beside her, holding her hand like before, and reading poems from his book. The air between them was peaceful and Rick hesitated, not wanting to interrupt. Then again, she HAD asked for him, and Charles stood watch, obviously excited to see his sister's face. Not knowing what else to do, Rick coughed.

  Louisa opened her eyes and a weak smile spread over her face, nothing like the strong, flirty smile, but a tired, wincing smile as if it hurt to focus her eyes on him.

  "Rick," James said, standing up. "She was asking about you." He bent over Louisa. "It's Rick, Louisa."

  "Is it?" She asked, her eyes struggling to focus on him, but they found Charles instead.

  "Charles? Can I...get more water?"

  "I'll ask the nurse." He gestured to Rick. "Rick's here."

  "Mmmm," she said, her eyes closing. "Poems?"

  Rick hesitated, not sure what that meant, but James apparently knew the answer and sunk into his chair and picked up his poems book. Charles mouthed "sorry" as he headed out the door and Rick stayed at the doorway, not sure of what to do. Should he wait until Charles returned? Or could he sneak away and no one would notice?

  A laugh from Harv caused him to glance in his direction. To his surprise, he found him chatting with Anne on the other side of the hall.