by Kathy Harris
“If I may say so, sir, it’s none of your business how I handle my personal life.”
“Oh, but it is. You see, I’m smart enough to know that if you cheat on her, you’ll cheat on me.”
“I would never—”
“Spare me the drama, Evans. I know you have designs on the reporter I sent this week.”
Ramirez had sent Cassia? Rob cursed his boss underneath his breath.
“Yes, it was me who sent Ms. Noelle to interview you. Are you surprised?”
Rob could hear the smile in Ramirez’s voice.
“Why would you do that?”
“I wanted to know more about you, Robert. Is that a problem?” He chuckled to himself. “She’s sending the transcript to me straight away.”
Rob swiped his hand across his forehead. “Sir, you know I would never divulge anything that would put our work in jeopardy. I did the interview to talk about my music career.”
“The size of your ego amazes me sometimes, Evans. If nothing else, I’m sure that hearing you boast about yourself will provide a few minutes of entertainment for me and my associates.”
“Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“You don’t think that’s appropriate?” Ramirez roared with laughter. “You really need a sense of humor. Enjoy your trip back to Tennessee. I’ll look forward to seeing you and meeting your beautiful, naive, and might I add, very compliant, bride-to-be. She’s the perfect woman, you know, Robert. Marry her as soon as you can so she can’t testify against you.”
He hung up the phone.
Rob stared into the bathroom mirror. His cover story may have been a sham. His retirement plans seemed to be going awry. But he was smarter than the rest of them, and that included Ramirez. He just needed time to think.
A loud knock on his bedroom door jarred him from his dilemma.
“What is it?”
“Boss, one of the band guys has a question. I told him he needed to wait, but he said it was important.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” Danni yelled across the room as Caleb settled into a booth near the front of the restaurant. It was his favorite place to sit. He could keep an eye on the front entrance and still watch Danni work.
She ran a tight ship. It was no accident her restaurant had become one of the best known and loved in Nashville. While he was watching her and her crew cleaning and checking every table, one of the kitchen workers came to her about a sack of flour that had been found on the storeroom floor.
“Throw it out,” Danni told the girl. “It’s better to lose a bag of flour than to take a chance on harming one of our customers.”
Even after one of the sous chefs tried to convince her the flour was okay, despite potential exposure to the flood water a couple of days ago, Danni stuck to her guns, suggesting the outside appearance of the sack didn’t tell the full story.
The irony was not lost on Caleb. Why would a woman who sought out perfection in her work settle for someone as lacking as Robert Evans? Then again, why would she be interested in someone like him? His past wasn’t much better than Evans’s. It was only by God’s grace that he had moved beyond it.
Evans’s surface appearance might be untarnished, but Caleb knew you didn’t have to dig deep to find the real man, tainted by the greed of drug money. And he didn’t seem to be the least bit concerned about his customers, young men and women, some only twelve or thirteen, who would be lured into drugs because of the convenience of buying them.
Even some kids who initially resisted would eventually buy into them because of peer pressure and the illusion that drugs wouldn’t harm them. Like most people in today’s culture, they had been conditioned to think it was only the unlucky few who drew the bullet. And they all trusted their own luck.
He had thought the same thing when he was younger. Unfortunately, it was Jonathan who had taken the bullet. Part of Caleb had also died that day. The other part had to live with the regret, guilt, and the dread that his mistake had cost his brother’s life—and that someone else he loved could be taken from him. Which had left him with only one choice. If he spent all of his time trying to rid the world of the bad guys and educating kids, it would leave no time to lose his heart—
“You look like a man who could use a good cup of coffee and a bowl of apple crisp.” Jaycee broke into Caleb’s self-absorbed, internal monologue, setting a cup of steaming coffee and a dish of sweet-smelling dessert in front of him.
“How did you know?”
The chef smiled. “That you wanted coffee?”
“No,” he said. “That apple crisp is my favorite dessert?” The smell of cinnamon-covered apples took Caleb back to his childhood.
She lowered herself into a seat across the table from him. “Well, my first clue was that you’re from the South.” She raised an eyebrow. “But who doesn’t love cinnamon, brown sugar, and apples all rolled into one?”
“Especially with fresh cream on top.” Caleb ceremonially toasted her in mid-air before pouring a half-cup of cream from the pitcher she had placed on the table.
Jaycee laughed.
Before setting the pitcher back on the table, he splashed a small amount of cream into his coffee. “This is good for my heart, isn’t it?”
“Well . . . maybe not long-term.” She grinned. “But it’s good comfort food.”
“I needed that tonight.”
She sobered. “You appeared to be a bit introspective.”
He took a bite, and the flavor took him back to his childhood. “This tastes just like my mother used to make.”
“She probably used the same recipe. It’s straight from the Betty Crocker cookbook that most of our moms used when we were growing up.”
Caleb laughed and shook his head, “I thought you were some fancy kind of chef.”
She laughed. “Most people think the same thing, that chefs are supposed to always be creating innovative new recipes with contemporary cultural significance.” She pronounced the final words with a fake, intellectual flare. “But it’s often the time-tested ideas that work best.”
“You’re a wise woman.” He took another bite. “Whatever you do, don’t mess with this recipe.”
Jaycee sobered again. “So . . . what has you so worried tonight? I could tell from the back of the room that you have a lot on your mind.”
“Honestly?”
“Absolutely.”
He hesitated. “Maybe a little bit of everything.”
She nodded.
He took his watch off and laid it on the table in front of her. “This belonged to my brother Jonathan, who was killed when he was a young man.”
Jaycee studied the watch but said nothing.
“I was only a few years older, so needless to say, it was a life-changing event for me.” He cleared his throat, not sure whether to go on.
When she didn’t speak, he continued. “I decided then and there not to risk my heart again. You know, not to get close to people, because I might lose someone else.”
“How’s that working out for you?” She had both compassion and mischief in her eyes.
He laughed. “Not too well.”
“I didn’t think so.” She tapped the table with her fingertips. “If you figure it out, you could get rich selling it to the rest of us. None of us want to be hurt any more than we have to—”
She hesitated, seeing Danni approaching from the far side of the restaurant.
“Just remember one thing.”
Caleb set his napkin on the table and leaned back in his chair.
“Perfect love drives out all fear.”
“Hey, there. The two of you look serious.” Danni stepped up to the table. “What’s going on?”
“We were just debating about another piece of apple crisp.” Jaycee stood and reached for Caleb’s bowl.
Danni settled into the seat next to her. “None for me, thanks. But I will have a cup of coffee, if you’re heading back to the kitchen.”
�
��Absolutely,” Jaycee said. “Caleb?”
“No, thanks. I’m good right now.” He patted his stomach. “But after you return, let’s make sure we all know what we’re doing tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 39
Sunday – April 21
When Rob walked in the front door of Amoré at one o’clock on Sunday afternoon, Danni was ready to leave. The less time he spent at the restaurant the better.
“Are you okay if we look at rings before we eat?” Rob planted a kiss on Danni’s cheek.
“Works for me.” She said, throwing her handbag over her arm.
They had almost made it out the front door when one of Amoré’s servers stopped them. “Ms. Kemp, do you know if that police officer will be back today?” A watch dangled from the girl’s fingers. “He left this at his table last night.”
“Oh . . . I don’t know.” Danni gave a sideways glance to Rob. “I don’t expect him, Meg. Just give it to Jaycee to keep.”
“She’s not working today, ma’am. It’s Sunday.”
“Of course. Tell you what. Give it to me. I’ll put it in the safe when I return.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The server handed Danni the watch, smiled flirtatiously at Rob, and then took off for the kitchen.
“Why have the police been hanging around here?” Rob scowled as he opened the door.
Danni slipped Caleb’s watch into the zippered pocket of her handbag. “Maybe because one of our servers died of a drug overdose.” She kept walking. “Which way to your car?”
Rob nodded to the left and latched onto her elbow. “Those idiots who take drugs never cease to amaze me. What do they expect if they’re going to play with fire?”
Danni resisted the urge to slap him. Instead, she reached back into her handbag for her sunglasses. She had never been good at lying. It was probably a good idea to hide her eyes and keep her mouth shut.
“It’s bright out today, isn’t it?” Rob opened the passenger side door of his car for her and then walked to the driver’s side.
They remained silent while Rob fought his way through the maze of downtown construction and lunch-hour traffic. Busier still was Hillsboro Road, the main access road to Green Hills, Nashville’s premier shopping area for urban dwellers. Traffic to and from the mall could be even worse than downtown.
“So tell me about your trip.” She broached a noncontroversial topic as they neared the Green Hills Mall.
“It was okay.” He glanced her way. “But I’m getting ready to make some big changes.” Pulling to a stop at the next red light, he reached to take her hand, massaging her ring finger.
“I was going to wait and tell you later, but since we’re talking about it now, I have a wedding gift for you.”
What now? She didn’t want or need another gift from him.
He patted her hand, returning his attention to the road. “I’m making plans to retire this year.”
Danni’s hand flew to her heart. “Seriously?”
He laughed. “I knew you would be surprised. Can you believe it?”
“No! Rob . . . I can’t even . . . why? You love your work.”
“I know.” He eased into the right lane, and then turned right into the mall parking lot. “I’ve been putting money away for a while so I can slow down and enjoy life.” He glanced to her again. “I’d like for us to travel. Maybe buy a place in the islands.”
Danni forced air from her lungs. “I-I’m shocked. I don’t know what to say. I mean, I still have my career, and it’s a time-consuming job, and . . .”
He found a parking place near the front of the mall and pulled to a stop.
“No worries, babe. You can travel with me as you can. I’ll be home most of the time, and that’s another surprise I want to talk to you about. But let’s relax right now and enjoy the day. We can talk about everything after lunch.”
A few minutes later they walked hand in hand into Swartz Jewelry, a well-established family-owned store known for its prestigious brands and celebrity customers.
Danni’s eyes widened as they walked toward the back of the store, passing displays of everything from tiny charms to expensive watches encrusted with diamonds.
“I have an appointment,” Rob caught the attention of the first available clerk. “It’s Robert Evans.”
“Yes, Mr. Evans.” The clerk demurred. “Our manager will be right with you.”
The woman left to retrieve the manager, and within a few minutes, a smiling, middle-aged man wearing wire-rimmed glasses appeared from the back. “Robert! How nice to see you again.”
He shook Rob’s hand and turned to Danni. “And this must be—?”
“Danielle.” Rob grinned from ear to ear.
The manager, who was introduced as Henry, grabbed her hand and held it. “You are a lucky man,” he gushed in Rob’s direction, and then looking back to Danni said, “Congratulations on your impending marriage.”
“Thank you.” Danni shifted her gaze to the rows of wedding bands and solitaires. This was more awkward than she had imagined.
“Danielle and Robert, please have a seat. Would you like coffee or tea?” Henry asked.
“Not for me.” Danni said.
“We have lunch plans later,” Rob said, ushering Danni to a chair near a large display case.
“Then let’s get started! We’ll find the perfect ring for this perfect bride.”
“Show us only the best,” Rob said.
“Of course, sir.” Henry smiled, pushed his glasses higher up on his nose and rolled up his sleeves, while no doubt counting dollar signs. He selected several samples for their perusal.
It’s you I should love. Not the ring. The phrase kept playing over and over in Danni’s mind as she and Rob exhausted their search for what Henry had called the “perfect” ring.
Finally, after everyone’s enthusiasm had almost run its course, the store manager took a seat. “If nothing I’ve shown you catches your eye, we can design something for you. But you won’t, of course, be able to walk out of here with it today.”
“I’m just not seeing it,” Danni said. “I want something simple. Almost plain, but unique.”
“Wait!” The smile returned to the manager’s face. “I have something in the back.”
When he returned with the ring, he held it out for both of them to see. Rays of light scattered from every angle. Danni’s heart took a plunge. She had to admit it was the perfect ring. Simple but elegant.
Rob grabbed her hand. “Try it on.”
She put it on her finger and slid it in place. It fit perfectly.
Henry raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Oh, yes . . .”
Rob nodded his approval as Danni admired the sparkling bauble. It looked great on her hand.
“It fits you beautifully.” Henry gushed. “You have exquisite taste.”
“I—I don’t know.” Danni now regretted even trying it on. How could she say no? She loved it.
“What do you think?” Rob was hovering, hanging on her decision. And appeared to be almost nervous.
Why was he so eager now to have her in his life, to marry her? He hadn’t been around when she needed him. For the break-in. Or the flood. Or even when her father had nearly died.
She shook her head. “No . . . this isn’t it. There’s something about it that’s not quite right.”
Henry and Rob deflated simultaneously.
“I don’t think I can make a decision today.” She took off the ring, handed it to the store manager, and leaned back in her chair.
Rob squirmed in his seat.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll know it when I see it.” She assured him. “Can we eat lunch now? I’m starving.”
After lunch at a restaurant in the mall, Rob escorted Danni to the car. “I think we should elope, with or without a ring.” He took her hand. “I want my new life to start with you in it.”
“Rob, I’m already planning the wedding.”
“Can’t you cancel what you’ve started? It�
��s not like the invitations are ordered. You told me the other day that it was a lot of work.”
“I know, but—” Was that desperation in his eyes?
“Danielle, please. Think about it.” He opened the car door for her.
“Okay. I promise. I will.”
“Good.” His smile returned. He expected her to give in, as she always had.
“Now, I want to show you something.” He said, taking the driver’s seat. “I have another appointment for us.” He looked at his watch. “In ten minutes.”
“Where?”
“You’ll see.” He grinned and started the car.
Two blocks up the street, on their way toward downtown, he eased his Mercedes into the left lane.
“Why are we turning here?”
“Just wait.” He patted her hand and smiled. “It’s a surprise.”
Danni sat back into her seat and enjoyed the scenery. Woodmont Avenue was lined with beautiful older homes in a fairytale setting. Each home had a manicured lawn, and most were set back from the street in a small grove of trees and featured exquisitely designed landscaping. A number of the larger homes had circular drives.
For years, it had been one of the most exclusive addresses in Nashville. At least by Danni’s estimation. She had driven down Woodmont countless times to and from meetings or to shop at the mall. Convenient to downtown, most of Woodmont Boulevard’s stately homes and mansions were off-limits to even upper-middle class families.
“Why are we stopping?” She asked, as Rob pulled into the circular drive of a beautiful two-story brick.
“I told you, we have an appointment.” He checked his watch again.
“Here?”
“There she is.” A silver Lexus pulled into the driveway in front of them. Then Danni noticed the realtor sign in the front yard. Offered exclusively by Mansion & Manor Realty. Shown by appointment only. Even the real estate signs in this neighborhood touted its exclusivity.
“Why?”
She had been reduced to monosyllables. And Rob couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.
“Because you’ve always wanted to live on this street. And I want a nice place to raise a family. And to live with my wife.” He emphasized the last word.