Maybe the flower person was the same person who’d sent her the clippings. It was a possibility, but a grim one. Emma had thought that once she arrived in Purdue, the anonymous clippings sender might contact her in some fashion. If the blood-dipped flowers constituted contact, she was stumped.
She slipped off her heels and went into her office. She retrieved the news clippings and scanned them again, trying to see if there was any mention of flowers. Nothing. Just like there was no explanation as to how her father had ended up at the presidential rally that night. All she knew was that he had responded to a timeshare invitation in Purdue and had somehow ended up murdering the leader of the free world. She returned the clippings to her briefcase.
Emma opened her laptop and waited the ridiculously long time it took for the relatively new machine to come to life. While it did its thing, she decided to make herself a cup of coffee. She was startled when she turned the corner into the kitchen from the hall and found David in the kitchen.
“You scared me,” she said.
“Sorry.”
“No big deal. I’ll just tie a bell around your neck so I’ll know when you’re around.”
He gave her a small grin. “Why do I think you’d actually do something so whack?” he asked. “And I know I’m supposed to stay upstairs, but my mom hasn’t stocked our fridge yet and I’m hungry.”
“David, you can have the run of the place. Except for my office and my bedroom.”
He shrugged. “How was the party?”
“Long.”
“I’ll bet. When my mother worked for the Burkes she put in some long hours and usually got screwed on her paycheck.”
“I can see Renae stiffing an employee. She seems like a bit of a tight ass.”
He raised a speaking brow. “Only a bit?”
It was Emma’s turn to shrug. “Did you happen to notice anyone outside the house tonight? Maybe hear a noise or something?”
He shook his head. “No, but I had on headphones with the music jacked, so I didn’t hear anything other than my tunes.” He took the container of leftover jambalaya from the fridge, nudging the door closed with his hip. “Why?”
Emma sighed. “Nothing major. Someone in the area is screwing with me.”
“Welcome to Purdue,” David said with a snort of disgust. “Now you understand why I bailed on school. This town is toxic.”
“So, get your GED and go to some college far away from Purdue.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “And pay for it how?”
“Student loans, scholarships…I’d be happy to help you once you get your GED.”
He squinted and he looked at her with mistrust. “What’s your deal? First you give my mom and me someplace to live. Then you throw in a car. And now you’re offering me help with college?”
Emma smiled. “Trust me, this has nothing to do with you. I grew up with a single mom who worked two jobs just to keep us in a decent apartment.”
“You didn’t grow up rich?”
“Nope. I’ve been where you are and I know what it takes to break the cycle. You’re smart, David. Get an education and decide what you want to do and you’re all set.”
“I already know what I want to do.”
“You do?” Emma asked, a tad surprised, looking up from popping a pod into the coffee machine. Then she leaned against the counter, waiting for the Keurig to do its magic.
“I want to work in the tech industry.” He paused as if expecting her to mock him. “I’m self-taught but I’m pretty good with computers. I’ve already taught myself basic code.”
“That’s great,” Emma said. “Does that mean you can fix my slow computer? It’s taking forever to load.”
He nodded. “Sure. Is it in your office?”
While they were chatting, Emma’s the coffeepot spewed into her mug and she soon had a steaming mug of coffee in her hands. “Follow me,” she said.
Emma stood off to the side, giving David the chair. His fingers flew across the keyboard and the screen turned blue. Then a bunch of numbers and symbols scrolled across the screen, making Emma nervous. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Piece of cake,” he assured her. “You’ve got too many programs loading when you turn the machine on. If we delete some of them, your computer will operate much faster.”
To Emma’s ears what he said sounded like Wah wah wah. The information went right over her head. When it came to computers, she knew how to use the power button and that was about it.
“You have two versions of security software. Which one do you want to keep?”
He might as well have asked her to explain advanced math theory. “Whichever one works better.”
“Actually, I have a better one. Hang on and I’ll go get my thumb drive.”
She could hear David’s heavy footfalls as he ascended and descended two flights of stairs. He returned to her office and in just a few minutes had a new security system loaded on her computer.
“Try it now,” he said, surrendering the chair.
Thanks to David, the laptop came to life in roughly one-quarter of the time. “You’re amazing,” she said.
David blushed slightly. “It was nothing.”
“Not to me,” she assured him. “Go feed yourself. You’ve earned it.”
Once David was gone, Emma set about doing some Google searches. Maddison Burke had an elaborate website set up for his campaign. Emma read about his various positions as well as his long biography. The site was also littered with photographs taken of Burke through the years. Renae was in most of them—usually standing politely next to him, always impeccably dressed. Emma noticed something else as well. Or rather someone else. Former deputy Kenny Simms was in several of the pictures. Since he was the one who had killed her father following the assassination, Emma had to admit she was curious about him. Why had he used a kill shot? Where did her father get the rifle? Her rational mind reminded her that her father was the assassin and Simms had only been doing his duty. Still, it was difficult to look at pictures of the man.
Not wanting to dwell on the past, she searched lilies and tulips to try to understand why someone would be taunting her with those specific bloody flowers. She didn’t find anything aside from planting tips and places to order bulbs; eventually she gave up and went to bed.
* * *
She got up early, knowing Conner and his daughter were coming over: Conner to fix her window casing and Sam to begin tutoring David. Though she refused breakfast, Jeanine insisted she have a freshly made sweet roll along with her three cups of coffee. Emma reminded Jeanine she had the day off but Jeanine insisted she didn’t need it.
After putting on jeans and a pale blue, long-sleeved T-shirt, she spent a few extra minutes on her makeup as anticipation knotted her stomach. For a smart woman, she knew she was being very stupid. Her stay in Purdue was temporary at best, and as soon as the sheriff found out who she was he’d probably run for the woods.
After twisting her hair up in a messy bun, she went down to the kitchen and pulled the telephone book from the drawer. Looking up alarm services, she chose one with Sunday and evening hours and gave them a call. She’d just placed the receiver back on the cradle when the doorbell chimed.
Her stomach fluttered and she stood planted in place, listening to Jeanine’s soft footfalls and the snick of the latch as she opened the front door. Emma put on a fresh cup of coffee.
Conner filled the doorway. She had intended to only give him a quick glance, but that wasn’t how it worked out. The instant her eyes caught sight of him, she did a little mental exploring.
His well-worn jeans rested on his hips and fit snugly over his thighs. He had some sort of tool belt around his waist, and even though there was a slight chill in the air, he was wearing just a shabby gray T-shirt with a few splatters of pink paint on it. By the time her eyes met his, Emma’s mouth was bone dry and her pulse was pounding in her head.
“Good morning,” she said in a relatively n
ormal voice.
“Morning,” he replied over the sound of David thundering down the stairs.
“Hey,” David greeted Sam.
“Hey,” she answered back.
There was an awkward teenage moment before David said, “C’mon up to my room; we can work there.”
“Like hell,” Conner interjected. “You’ll work down here at the kitchen table.”
“Dad!” Sam whined. “You’ll be making all sorts of noise with your saw and whatever else. We need to have quiet.”
“I don’t like the idea,” Conner said.
“They’ll be fine,” Emma promised. “Sam, would you like some coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
Jeanine interjected, “I’ll be upstairs with them. Sheriff, I promise nothing but studying will come of this.”
Conner’s shoulders slumped as he relented. “In that case, okay.” Then he turned to Emma. “Do I get coffee, too?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve got to bring some stuff in from my truck,” he explained.
“Need help?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Coffee is enough.”
When he turned to go out the door Emma was treated to an unobstructed view of his back. Broad shoulders tapered to slim hips, and then he had that hot backside that made her warm in places she hadn’t even known she had. “Coffee is so not enough,” she muttered as she made him a steaming mug.
The kids and their watchdog went upstairs, and Emma found herself studying Conner through the kitchen window. He set-up two saw horses, then took a length of wood and started sawing. Sometimes, when he moved, the fabric of his shirt pulled taut against his stomach and she could make out the outlines of a very well-defined torso. And his arms were massive. For just a brief second she wondered what it might feel like to have him wrap those arms around her.
“Dangerous detour,” she warned herself. But that didn’t stop her from looking her fill.
When Conner returned, he took a measuring tape out of his toolbelt. “This shouldn’t take long.”
“Have your coffee first,” she said. “Before it gets cold.”
He paused for a millisecond, then joined her at the table tucked under the window. They sat across from each another at the table. “Cream? Sugar?”
He shook his head. “Black works.”
“Have you recovered from the party?” she asked, hoping to keep it light so her hormones would settle down.
He shrugged. “I have to run for re-election every four years, so I’m pretty used to sucking up to the town council.”
“You don’t impress me as a suck-up.”
“You’ve never seen me shake babies and kiss hands.”
She laughed. “Isn’t that supposed to be the other way around?”
His gray eyes glinted with good humor. “Fifty-fifty.”
Emma slid the plate of sweet rolls in his direction. “Have one. Jeanine made them and they are amazing.”
He took a bite and agreed. “Really good. You can’t cook?”
“I can cook,” Emma defended herself. “I’m not The Ghost of Julia Child or anything, but I get by.”
“Then why hire Jeanine?”
“Just because I can cook doesn’t mean I like to cook.”
Conner took a napkin from the holder in the center of the table and wiped his hands. “Time to get to work,” he announced as he stood. He went over to the trash can to get rid of the napkin but as soon as he opened the lid, Emma winced.
“What the hell is this?” he asked, plucking the limp, bloody tulip from the top of the trash.
She waved her hand. “It’s nothing. A prank, like you said.”
“Where was it?”
“On the front door mat when I got home last night.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
She sighed heavily. “Because there wasn’t anything you could have done.”
“First someone shooting out your window casing, and now this?” All signs of humor faded. A nerve pulsed in his jaw. “I’ll post a deputy here.”
“No,” she insisted. “I’m having a state-of-the-art security system put in tomorrow. Complete with cameras and motion sensors.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“See?” she said with her arms out, palms up. “Problem solved. If anyone creeps up on my porch again, I’ll light them up like a Christmas tree and take their photo. Then I’ll call you.”
He reached into his back pocket, took a card out of his wallet, then used the pencil he had tucked behind his ear and scribbled something on the back. He handed it to her. “This is my cell number. Call me if something like this happens again.”
“I’m kind of hoping it won’t. It’s kind of creepy.”
“And you’re sure you haven’t made any enemies in Purdue?”
She rose but she still had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. “Of course I’m sure. I mean Whitley didn’t like me taking over his cases. Hayden doesn’t like losing and your deputies don’t like being bested in court, but I hardly think any of them would behave so childishly. So far the only person I seem to personally irritate is you.”
He took a step closer so they were barely a breath apart. “I’m not irritated. I’m interested.”
Her belly flip-flopped. She felt the warmth of his breath on her upturned face. All she had to do was reach out and draw him in. But that was far more dangerous than a few bloody flowers on her front porch. “You don’t know anything about me,” she said with a slight catch in her throat.
“I’d like to change that,” he said, dipping his head.
Emma was rigid until she felt him snake his arm around her back as his lips gently explored hers. He nibbled her lower lip and then slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
Because of her better angels, Emma flattened her palms against his rock-solid chest. The plan had been to push him away but that thought went out of her head as soon as she touched him. Her head was literally spinning and it took some self-control to keep from lifting the hem of his shirt so she could explore skin to skin.
He moaned against her mouth and she felt the sound coursing through her. Then he slowly pulled back, raising his hands to cup her face. His eyes searched hers. He offered a cocky half-smile. “You didn’t slap me.”
“Yet.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
A week had passed since Emma had last seen Conner. Well, that wasn’t exactly true: They’d passed one another at the courthouse a few times but he’d done little more than tip his hat in her direction.
Of course she couldn’t decipher a hat tip. Did that mean great kiss or that kiss was so bad I’ve decided to join the clergy? Still, she understood avoidance and Conner was definitely avoiding her. And she was returning the favor. Emma stayed late at the office every night, ensuring she’d miss Conner when he came to pick up Sam after her tutoring sessions.
She sighed heavily and went back to the pile of folders on her desk. Thanks to the long hours, she was completely caught up and was considering going out for a bite for dinner when she heard a noise.
Looking up, she saw Conner standing in her doorway. Hatless, he wore his uniform and a broad grin. “Evening,” he greeted her.
“Hi.” It suddenly seemed difficult for her to breathe normally, so the word came out sounding sultry and embarrassingly alluring.
His answer started with a sexy half-smile. “I’m here on a mission.”
“Mumm-humm.” She didn’t trust her voice. Not when he looked so good in his uniform. “I’m supposed to take you out to dinner.”
Blinking, she looked up at him. “What?”
“Jeanine told Mary that you rarely eat dinner. Mary told George—he’s the gardener for the Burkes—who told Stella, who told me.”
“I thought you didn’t get involved with gossip.”
“I’m making an exception this time. Grab your purse and let’s get out of here.”
“I have work to do,” she protested.
“You’r
e probably ahead of your workload. C’mon, Emma. Live dangerously.”
She took her purse and briefcase out of the bottom drawer of her desk, then took another minute to freshen her lipstick. “Stella’s or the rib place—which makes an amazing Cobb salad.”
He chuckled. “Who orders a salad from a rib joint?” He shifted his weight to one leg and leaned into the jam. “There’s a decent seafood place two counties over. Game?”
She tilted her head. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
“I never used the word ‘date.’”
“But what you described sure sounds like a date.”
He sighed. “Okay, yes. I’m inviting you to dinner.”
“See? Was that so hard?” Emma asked smugly. She stood and gathered her purse and her briefcase.
“Actually, yes.”
* * *
She went to pass him and he grabbed her arm. She looked up and their eyes locked. Then ever so slowly, he dipped his head and brushed his warm lips against hers. He could feel her tense at first, then relax as he deepened the kiss. It was a good thing he’d wrapped his arms around her because she relaxed in his grip.
He could feel the heat of her body through the thin fabric of her blouse; he could feel the contours of her waist before his hand moved lower and gave her firm butt a gentle squeeze. His tongue sparred with hers and he could taste her uneven breathing. Conner had expected a reaction, but not to this degree. Knowing how much she wanted him stroked his ego, among other things.
But then he allowed his past to creep in. His first wife, Lisa, had kept up the pretext of their marriage all while she was having an affair with her boss. He didn’t know enough about Emma to even think about trusting her yet.
He gently set her away and smiled down at her flustered face. “This could get addictive,” he said, reluctantly dropping his hands to his sides.
“Yes…well…What about dinner?” Emma glanced down at her wrist. “It’s after nine.”
Abandoned Page 11