The Sweet Road Home

by Jacki Kelly

  Asa opened the kitchen door for him to go out. He meandered about the yard, sniffing his way from one bush to the next. She put a cup of water in the microwave. Tea helped her to think straight. Did she only imagine the sparkle in Simeon’s eyes as he led her to the private dining room? Why did she feel so exhilarated whenever he came near her or touched her?

  She dialed Dakota. “Can you pop in and watch the dog for me today? I’m going to be tied up most of the day.”

  “No problem. I’ll pick him up and bring him here.”

  “Are you available for dinner tonight? My treat.” Asa put sugar in her tea.

  “No. I’m…I’m…”

  “If you don’t want to tell me, I understand.”

  “I have plans tonight. A date of sorts.” Dakota was hesitant.

  After the normal small talk they ended the call. From the kitchen, she watched the dog bury his nose in the tall grass. With her arms crossed over her chest, she leaned against the counter and waited for the microwave to beep.

  Simeon didn’t have anyone special in his life and neither did she. Maybe, just maybe... She shook her head, forcing those thoughts out. But the kisses still lingered on her lips and promised to keep her energized for a few days. Their dinner was a business meeting, a meeting that didn’t produce the results she wanted. From now on she would remain focused. The house needed her attention.

  She dipped her teabag in the hot liquid and watched the water turn burgundy. Then she dropped in five teaspoons of sugar. The heat from the cup warmed her hands. She let the dog in and headed upstairs.

  From the bedroom closet she pulled on a short skirt and a ruffled top. She slipped on a pair of platform sandals. “You be a good boy while I’m gone, okay, Scruffy.” She patted the dog on the head before leaving. She backed the car out of the driveway. At a stop light she smacked the dashboard when the car threatened to cut out.

  “Come, on baby, don’t stop on me now,” she whispered as she pulled slowly through the intersection. The car wheezed and began to slow down. She pressed the accelerator to the floor. The car didn’t pick up speed. Several more pumps on the accelerator produced nothing. She steered the slow moving car toward the curb.

  “I suppose that’s as far as we’re going for now.” She got out and stomped her foot. Lifting the hood could have been useful for someone that understood cars. She knew nothing about cars so why pretend now? Instead, she kicked the tire.

  “Having trouble?” A tall man approached. He wore a familiar smile. Asa wondered if she should know him.

  “This is an old car and I’m not surprised it conked out. It’s been threatening to do this for quite some time.”

  “I’m Brian. I run the mission.” He nodded to the stucco building behind him. “I don’t know much about cars, but let me get one of the guys from inside. I’ve got a good guy that knows a lot about them.”

  “Brian, I’m Asa. Thank you, but I don’t want to keep you from what you were doing.”

  “It’s no trouble. The men here want to be helpful. Let me get him.” Brian walked back inside.

  She caught her breath when after a few minutes, Simeon walked out of the stucco building.

  “Asa, what’s wrong, what are you doing here?” His dark eyes flickered with concern as he scanned her from head to toe.

  “The gentleman that runs the mission just went inside to get me some help with the car. Why are you here?”

  Simeon chuckled. “That gentleman is my brother, Brian. While they look at the car, can I give you a lift somewhere?”

  “I was on my way to your office.” She pulled her bag out of the back seat and hoisted it onto her shoulder.

  “Your car will be in good hands here. I assure you.”

  Brian came out with a burly man close behind him.

  “Well it’s not running, so I can’t imagine anyone is going to hijack it.” Asa handed the key to Simeon’s brother.

  “I’m parked in back.”

  She followed Simeon behind the building and slid into the passenger seat when he opened the car door. She raised her sunglasses and peered at him. “You’re sure I’m not keeping you from something? You always seems to be rushing from one thing to the next.”

  “Is that comment in reference to me cutting our dinner short last night?”

  “In part, yes. But you seem to be too busy for your own life.”

  He pulled into traffic. “I have plenty to do, but you’re a pleasant distraction.”

  “I figured talking about your family is a sensitive subject.”

  “I don’t like visiting the past.”

  “We both have something in our past that we’d like to forget.” She turned to him. “Anyway, I enjoyed dinner, too.”

  “Even though it didn’t turn out the way you wanted?”

  “The food tasted fantastic. The company was good. I’ve learned to take pleasure in whatever form it comes.”

  “Then maybe we can do it again. Come to my house tonight and I’ll cook for you.”

  “Simeon, I don’t know. I’ve got a lot--”

  “Oh, come on. I’m a good cook. You can bring your four legged friend, too.”

  “You don’t cook, you’ll probably have your housekeeper prepare a meal,” she said.

  “No, I’m doing it all.”

  She hesitated for a moment, while running her finger along the leather strap of her bag.

  He pulled into the parking garage, turned off the car and faced her. “How about it?”

  She nodded.

  It was too late to back away now.

  Chapter Twelve

  Simeon watched his assistant walk Asa to the office he had set up for her. His breathing accelerated with each sway of her hips. He shook his head and nearly careened into a woman on his way to his office.

  Spending time with Asa might not be one of his best ideas. But he couldn’t resist asking her out again. Her bubbly personality drew him in like waves crashing to shore, and if he wasn’t careful he’d end up crashing too. As long as her charm didn’t derail his project, there was no need to worry.

  He dislodged his thoughts of Asa’s shapely butt. After tonight, maybe he needed a few days away to get beyond his growing obsession. A trip to the beach to focus on something other than her soft skin, curly dark hair, or radiant smile should help. But first he had to get through tonight without being tripped up by something like stupid emotions.

  Dinner with Asa. His house. Tonight. He felt like a million dollar lottery winner. Fate finally smiled down on him. Maybe the Harper curse was broken or maybe he wasn’t damned forever, at least not tonight.

  Usually he looked forward to matching wits with an opponent. Inviting trouble into his life was normal. Harpers had danced with danger their whole lives. Just being a Harper came with its share of challenges. It prepared him for greater obstacles.

  He sunk all of his savings into a development company with no expertise in construction. After eating beans that first year while he reorganized the business, it got a little easier. His first project, the multiplex, turned out successful after a steep learning curve and several stumbles. But it seemed like eons ago now.

  “Are there any messages?” He asked Catherine when she returned.

  “Yes, George from the Plaid Group called. He said it was urgent and they want you to call back this afternoon.”

  “What’s it about...the planned community project?”

  “He didn’t leave a message. Shall I get him on the line now?”

  “No, I’ll call him back. Is there anything else?”

  She rattled off a few more messages. All of them could wait until tomorrow.

  “Please call Munson’s, have them deliver two large bone-in rib-eyes. And get some fresh seafood too. Lobsters would be nice. And order two large baking potatoes and fresh asparagus.”

  “Okay, got it. Anything else?”

  “Yes, order something sweet for dessert. Have it all delivered to the house around seven tonight. Thanks.”
>
  He hurried into his office, lifted the phone receiver and punched in the numbers for The Plaid Group. He knew it without having to look it up.

  “George, this is Simeon Harper. You were trying to get in touch with me?”

  “Yes, Simeon. Good news. We have all the signatures. Barring any unforeseen incidents the funds should be released by the end of the week. You can start calling in the heavy equipment. I wanted to stop by your office today to get your signature.”

  “I’ll have Catherine call your assistant to get those documents couriered to me at home. I’ll get them back to you tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good. Let’s get this project moving. We’ve been waiting long enough.” There was laughter in George’s voice.

  “I agree, George. Let’s get it done. But I’m looking into an issue regarding the lot size. I expect it will be easy to resolve.”

  “You’re the expert. I’ll leave it up to you,” George replied before hanging up.

  For the last three weeks, he had anticipated final approval. Now that his investors were on board, he didn’t have to write any more company checks. There was no turning back now. Both of his projects were set to begin.

  The Golden Leaf strip mall for him. The planned community for his mother as promised.

  When the opportunity came to buy the fledgling company, she’d assured him he could make it a successful business.

  His mother saw the need for the community center and housing from the beginning, calling it one of his best projects. When Nolan Harper died from exposure, they lost their apartment. After living on the streets for two weeks, until space opened in the shelter, he knew he had to do everything he could to help his family pull the Harper name out of the gutter.

  He spun his chair around to the window and stared at the traffic below. Everything he ever wanted was within his reach. He took a deep breath.

  Asa was having dinner with him in a few hours. When she accepted the invitation her eyes overflowed with hope. He winced at the thought of the pain he would inflict on her. Could they get through the evening without talking about the project?

  § § §

  The morning was productive. Fabric samples were ordered. The venue design was set and her realtor was lining up studio properties. She put her pen down and sat back. The satisfaction felt good. Everything seemed to be coming together, except one big booby trap just waiting on her.

  In her mind caution signs lit up at the thought of Simeon. But the warnings came too late to heed. Why couldn’t they get their timing right? In high school their immature clumsiness kept them apart, now they had managed to find more obstacles to place in their path. Dating Simeon wasn’t a smart move. He could crush her world by signing his name on the dotted line. But she couldn’t stop, and the betrayal was eating away at her insides.

  “Are you ready to call it a day?”

  Even before she saw his face, she recognized his deep, velvet voice. Simeon towered in the office doorway.

  “Simeon.” Her mouth was dry. She would never grow tired of looking at him. He took the seat in front of the desk and placed his briefcase on the floor. The last couple of days with him had been fantastic.

  “I’ve got an important date tonight, so I can’t be late.” His mischievous smile made her chuckle.

  “Ah, so it’s a date now, is it?”

  “It is for me.” He stood up. “Ready?”

  She gathered her things and walked ahead of him to the elevators.

  “Did you get much done today?”

  “Yes, thanks to you. For starters, I was able to do phone interviews with two designers and I had a virtual tour of a property for the studio. I even convinced Dakota to take care of my dog since I’m going to be getting in late.”

  Her sister’s warning about getting involved with him gnawed at her, but tonight she planned to enjoy dinner.

  And nothing more

  Chapter Thirteen

  Guilt rippled along her spine while she waited for him to change and come back downstairs. Was she fighting hard enough to save the house? Was she betraying her grandparents or parents or even worse, herself?

  He prepared dinner with the efficiency of an Iron Chef. Everything she thought she knew about him evaporated as he marinated the steaks and butterflied the lobster tails. Any remembrances of the brooding teenager faded away with the genuine happiness on his face.

  Simeon had all the traits of a perfect man. There was just one thing standing between them and even though she could name the mountain, she knew scaling it seemed insurmountable.

  “Thanks for inviting me over. You’ve saved me from another evening of frozen TV dinners and television.”

  “Is that the only reason you came?”

  He led her through the enormous sun-filled kitchen to another large room equipped for entertaining. A leather sectional sat in front of a huge plasma screen TV. Soft music filtered through the air. Brazilian walnut hardwood floors gleamed throughout the first floor. The grandeur of his house made her fight seem foolish. She was trying to save a dump and he was living in a mini-mansion. But his house couldn’t have as many memories or treasured moments as hers. Everything here screamed new, with no sentimental value.

  “You never answer my questions. Are you only here so you won’t have to eat a frozen dinner?”

  “That didn’t come out quite right, did it? I’m here because while you’re being nice to me, I need to enjoy it. No one knows how long it will last.”

  “That doesn’t sound a whole lot better. You make me sound like an ogre.”

  “Like Mim used to say, ‘If the shoe fits, wear it’.”

  “Did your Mim have a lot of sayings?”

  “She had one for every occasion.” Asa smiled.

  “I think I would have liked your grandmother.”

  Asa took a seat on the plush sofa and pursed her lips.

  “I wasn’t that bad in high school. Was I?”

  “Worse. I’m not just talking about high school. You terrorized me in grade school, avoided me in high school, and now you’re trying to tear down my house.”

  “Can we call a truce for tonight?” His voice took on that lusty quality, melting her resolve.

  The smooth, soulful sound of Raphael Saadiq filled the room. He sang about unrequited love that stroked her heart.

  “Asa, did you hear me? Are we calling a truce tonight?”

  She shook herself back to reality. “Yes. Tonight let’s just enjoy ourselves. How about that?”

  “Good. Let me pour you a glass of champagne.”

  “You’re in a good mood tonight.” Asa accepted the glass he handed her. She watched as he took a long swallow.

  His eyes clouded a moment before he replied, “Yes, I got some good news today, so I’m happy.”

  “Care to share?” she asked.

  His jaw tightened before he shook his head. “It’s only work. Tonight, I won’t talk about work if you promise not to talk about my project or your house.”

  She studied him, stunned.

  He stared at her for several moments before he added, “Even busy people find time to enjoy a good cooked meal before talking business.”

  “Mmm hmm.” She shifted in her seat. “Okay, no business talk tonight” Since he wanted to nix all conversations relating to business, he’d given her the perfect excuse for not mentioning the rally.

  “You have a beautiful home.” Asa surveyed the area she could see from where she sat. Elegent detailing was apparent, from the wainscoting to the handcrafted built-ins along with the theater system. Even the media room where they sat could appear on the cover of House Beautiful. No personal touches adorned the room, though. No pictures or mementos, nothing bearing Simeon’s personal stamp. It lacked warmth. They could have been sitting in a museum. “I didn’t see much of it the last time I was here.”

  He drained his glass then stood up. “Let me show you around.”

  “Who did your decorating?”

  “Well, my mother plan
ned to help me, but she got sick before we could finish. So, I ended up using a decorator. Someone we found in New York. I don’t think she really understood me, so eventually I’ll make some changes.”

  The long mahogany dining table could seat twelve, but only two settings were in place tonight. Two crystal chandeliers hung low over the table. “This room is gorgeous. Is it your favorite?” Asa ran her finger along the table.

  “I don’t have a favorite.”

  “There’s no room in this huge house that you love to sit in and relax?”

  “No. I don’t do a lot of sitting.” He shrugged. “All these rooms are pretty much the same to me.”

  “What a pity. My favorite room is my grandparent’s bedroom. I remember me and my sisters crawling into their bed on Saturday mornings and begging my grandfather to make pancakes.”

  He glanced over his shoulder at her, but didn’t reply.

  Asa’s eyes traveled down his long, lean frame. He wore a pair of vintage jeans with a simple T-shirt, quite different from the suit and tie from earlier today. He pointed to the formal living room without stopping and led her down the hall. Asa noticed the stacks of magazines and papers on his desk as he gestured into his office. She slowed her pace and lingered in the only room in the house that looked lived-in. A few framed pictures crammed in the corner of the cluttered desk seemed strategically placed.

  There weren’t any mismatched pieces of furniture or personal items strewn about like the chaos she enjoyed at home.

  “Okay, Simeon, you have to tell me, is your house always so neat or did you make it picture perfect for me?”

  “What...what do you mean?”

  “Oh, come on, this isn’t a house, it’s a museum. The only room that looks lived in is your office.”

  “I work long hours. I’m not as emotionally tied to this place as you seem to be to yours. I’ve learned not to grow too attached to anything or anyone.”

  “I work a lot also. You can see pieces of fabric, sketches, or buttons all over my house.”

  “When I’m here, most of my time is spent in the office.”

  “Why do you have a house like this if you have no intention of living in it or enjoying it?”