Something About You

by Bridget Anderson

  “Gavin, we can talk about it, but we don’t have to take their offer,” Kyla said.

  “Have you even seen Parker Edmunds’s offer?”

  “No, but...”

  “Gavin,” Tracee butted in. “Miles Parker’s the owner of Parker Edmunds, and that’s the guy who invited Kyla to the Global Summit last week.”

  “No shit! So, you know this guy, Kyla?”

  She frowned and squished up her nose at Tracee for telling Gavin about her relationship with Miles. Her sister shrugged as if she’d done nothing wrong. After explaining to Gavin how she knew Miles, and why she didn’t trust his offer, she received nothing but silence from either sibling.

  “Hello,” she said into the speakerphone.

  “Yeah, I’m here. I heard you, but it doesn’t make sense. Why plot to take the land when he can just wait for it to go into foreclosure and possibly get it cheaper?”

  “Booyah!” Tracee shouted, and pumped her fist one time.

  Kyla jumped.

  Tracee leaned in closer to the phone. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I mean, I don’t know a lot about foreclosures, but wouldn’t he then be responsible for the unpaid taxes and loans?”

  “That’s right,” Gavin confirmed. “But if he purchases the property in preforeclosure, we take care of all the debt connected to the house. He also avoids a bidding war if somebody else wants it.”

  Tracee kept nodding in agreement with Gavin.

  “But where are all you guys gonna live?” Kyla asked.

  He snorted. “Someplace with a shower, a dishwasher and a two-car garage. Kyla, do you know how old this place is? You’re staying over there with Rollin and Tayler with all their modern conveniences, and Tracee has her townhouse. I’m the one stuck fixing all this old shit up all the time. I think Mama would be happy to leave.”

  “I can’t imagine them living anyplace else,” Kyla said.

  “Well, we have about two months before the foreclosure. We haven’t listed the property for sale because Daddy doesn’t want to, but we have to do something before the foreclosure becomes public knowledge. You know how proud the old man is. That would kill him.”

  Kyla folded her arms across the table and lowered her head. This was too much to take in all at once.

  “Ladies, I have to run, but look, why don’t you guys come to dinner tomorrow? We haven’t had a Sunday meal together in a long time. I know that would make Mama and Daddy happy.”

  “Sounds great, Gavin.” Tracee arched her brows at Kyla for confirmation.

  “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Tracee will bring dessert and we’ll talk.”

  After Gavin hung up, a cloak of silence covered the room while Kyla cursed herself for being so self-absorbed. For the last couple of years, everything was about her and her damned PhD candidacy. Her parents lived less than an hour away, but her contact had been reduced to brief holiday visits and the occasional Sunday calls.

  Tracee held the wine bottle over Kyla’s glass. “Want some more?”

  Kyla shook her head. “What are we going to do? We can’t let them lose the place.”

  Tracee poured herself another glass of wine, then set the bottle down. “I don’t know.”

  Kyla pushed the plate of brownies away. The last thing she needed to do was drown her sorrows in sugar and alcohol. She placed her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together, resting her chin on her fingers. “Tracee, we work together every day—how come you didn’t tell me any of this?”

  “We didn’t want to worry you. With school and your program, we know you have a lot on your plate. I mean, I just found out recently. Remember when Gavin dropped by and you were headed to UK for that World Hunger Day event?”

  Kyla lowered her hands. “Yeah. I thought it was strange that he came by when he usually doesn’t.”

  “That’s the day I found out. We did a little brainstorming, and he even asked if I could take out a loan. But neither you nor I are in a position to take out the kind of loan they need.”

  After a beat, Tracee added, “Kyla, I know you can’t see this, but Miles’s offer could be a godsend.”

  “What? Are you kidding me? Think about it Tracee—he claims he came to the B and B to learn about my program, but for what? He’s not an organic farmer, he’s a charmer, and he used his charm to make us feel comfortable about selling to him.”

  “Kyla, do you honestly believe that Miles knew that the property, which is in Mom’s maiden name, belonged to your parents before he spent a week getting to know you? Then he turned around a few weeks later and flew you to Chicago so you would fall in love with him, all so he could get the land? I mean, do you honestly believe that?”

  Kyla shrugged, a little unsure of herself now. “I know it sounds like a long shot, but he could have done that...couldn’t he?”

  Tracee tilted her head, looking skeptical. “I don’t think so. You know, I’m with Gavin. Maybe we should look at Miles’s offer.”

  Kyla cocked her head to the side. “I’m not sure it’s still on the table.”

  “Why not?”

  “I sent the real estate investor away, and after Miles came by and explained everything to me, I asked him to leave, as well. I couldn’t believe it.”

  “You kicked them out, just like Daddy, huh?”

  Kyla shrugged. For years people had been telling her she was just like her father. “Tracee, I don’t want Miles to be the one who saves our family.”

  “But Kyla, it’s business. Whatever you guys have going on personally should only help the situation, not hurt it.”

  Kyla leaned back in her seat. “Personally, we don’t have anything going on. As fast as it started, it’s over with.” She sighed. “I think I just became another notch on his belt.”

  Chapter 20

  The moment of truth finally came for Kyla when she and Tracee drove to Nicholasville for Sunday dinner with the family. After dinner, Gavin’s wife, Donna, took the kids upstairs for a bath while the rest of the family gathered to discuss their financial crisis.

  Her father, Ernie Coleman, sat in his broken-in easy chair, while her mother, Paula, sat on the corner of the sofa closest to him. Both of her parents were in their sixties now, and Kyla could see them moving slower than usual. Gavin initiated the conversation by asking his father if he could show the girls the papers from the man who’d offered to buy the house.

  “They’re in the top drawer of the dining room hutch. I haven’t looked at them since he left.” Ernie motioned toward the dining room.

  Paula chimed in. “I told Ernie maybe we should look into this. I don’t see as we have any other option.”

  “There you go, making it sound as if you’ve made up our minds,” Ernie complained. “That’s why the girls are here, to help us decide. It’s just as much their home as ours.”

  Paula crossed her arms. “Then you tell us what other choice we have? We’ve borrowed everything we can and sold whatever we could. There’s nothing left to do, Ernie, but sell.”

  Kyla sat on the edge of her seat, holding her stomach. “Mama, you’d really consider selling the land?”

  “Kyla, I know you’re attached to this place, possibly more than your sister and brother, but we’re going to have to face the reality of the situation. We can’t afford to work this land any longer. It’s taken everything we have, and we don’t have any more to give,” Paula said.

  “I’m not attached to this place.” Tracee spoke up from her chair across the room. “In fact, I’d like to see you guys in a nice ranch-style home somewhere closer to town. It’s not like Kyla and I are ever going to move back in here. And I bet Gavin and Donna want their own place, instead of one that needs so much work.”

  Kyla looked over at her brother, who nodded in agreement before handing her the envelope that contained Miles’s offer. She’d always assumed
Gavin and Donna would inherit the house once their parents passed on. It never occurred to her that they might not want to stay there.

  “This offer would get Mama and Daddy out of debt and I can pursue a new career,” Gavin added.

  Ernie looked toward the ceiling and nodded. “We may have waited too late to do something about the finances, but I always thought the Lord would work it out for us.”

  Gavin cleared his throat. “Did you ever think that maybe the Lord sent you Parker Edmunds? Not many people get an offer for their land right before it goes into foreclosure. And this offer leaves you guys enough money to purchase another home, something large enough for a garden out back.”

  Kyla’s mother reached over and took her father’s hand. “Ernie, I’m okay with this. As long as the family is together, does it matter where we are?”

  * * *

  Monday morning, Miles sat across the table from Dave, Glenda, Winston and Ralph, trying to figure out another way to help Kyla’s parents while helping his business. He’d already proposed the best offer they could afford.

  “What I can’t understand is why they won’t sell,” Glenda said. “If my home were being foreclosed, I’d jump at this deal.”

  “It’s one of the best deals I’ve ever seen,” Dave added. “As we get closer to the foreclosure date, we might want to approach them again. If no other offers come in, they may realize it’s better to sell than ruin their credit.”

  “Maybe we need to speak to the son,” Winston added. “Do we know if the father has shared the offer with him?” He turned to Dave.

  Dave shrugged. “I left a package with Mr. Coleman, but I haven’t tried to reach out to the son, and personally I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t even think paying them a second visit is a good idea right now. Unless we have someone in our corner, our best bet may be to wait until their backs are up against a wall.”

  Miles listened to his team discuss their failed efforts to purchase the land Glenda had spent so much time researching, and he felt responsible. If he’d known it was Kyla’s parents’ land before he invited her to Chicago, he might not have extended the invitation. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he’d given up his vow, or lied about the whole thing, just to get her cooperation. His feelings for her were real, and he hoped they would persist no matter the outcome of this deal.

  “I’m going back down there,” Miles said.

  Everyone at the table looked at him. “Going where?” Glenda asked.

  “The Coleman House B and B. I think I can talk to Kyla before it’s too late.”

  * * *

  Miles waited until the end of the week to drive down to Danville. He hadn’t spoken to Kyla all week, and it was killing him. He’d booked a room under another alias, not wanting Kyla to be aware of his arrival until there was nothing she could do about it.

  Tayler checked him in this time. “So, Mr. Eddie Smith, I have you down for two nights, checking out on Sunday, is that correct?” Tayler asked.

  Miles detected a slight coldness in Tayler since his last visit. “That’s correct.”

  “Well, we’re certainly glad to have you.” Tayler glanced around. “Does Kyla know you’re staying with us?” she asked.

  “No. And I’m not sure she’ll be pleased, but I hope to change that before I leave.”

  Tayler smiled. “Let’s hope so. If I can be of any assistance—” she handed over his key and receipt “—please don’t hesitate to ask. Things are kind of slow this morning, so Kyla’s helping with a few deliveries. She should be back before long.”

  He looked down at the old-fashioned metal key in his hand. “Thanks.”

  They’d put him in a different room this time, and he made himself comfortable. This visit wasn’t about the land in Nicholasville, and it wasn’t about his genetically modified seeds—this visit was all about him and Kyla.

  Miles stood on the front porch of the B and B, enjoying the warm breeze. He inhaled the fresh air and smiled at two women sitting in rockers, knitting and talking. Aside from him, they were the only guests at the B and B this weekend. Without a full house, maybe he’d have more time with Kyla. A few seconds later, she pulled up and slowed before driving around to the back of the house. He was positive she’d spotted him.

  He walked around back to catch up with her before she could run inside to avoid him.

  All four guest bicycles were on their racks next to the staff parking spaces. He gripped one by the handlebars, and it brought back memories of the first time he’d kissed Kyla.

  She exited the car wearing dark shades, in her khakis and polo shirt with her hair in her usual ponytail. Only she could make their standard uniform look so good. She closed the door and stood there, staring at him.

  “Want to go for a ride?” he asked, still holding the bike’s handlebars.

  She held up her elbow and shook her head. “I’m still healing from the last one.”

  He took another deep breath and walked closer to her. She met him halfway. He needed to see her eyes to know if she was mad at him or not, but those damn glasses hid her emotions.

  “What do you want, Miles?” she asked in a harsh tone.

  Okay, so she was still pissed at him. “I was hoping we could talk.”

  She crossed her arms. “We don’t have anything to talk about.”

  “Yes, we do. I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood my intentions.”

  “Let’s see if I’ve got this right.” She removed her shades and tilted her head. “You intended to purchase my family’s farm to produce genetically modified seeds from corn, among other things, that you’ll ship overseas to third-world countries while you line your pockets.”

  “You think my desire to feed the hungry is just a bunch of bullshit so I can get rich?”

  She glanced down at her feet before giving her head a slight shake. She was trying to look cold, but the warmth in her eyes gave her away. “Maybe not intentionally, but that’ll be the outcome.” When she looked up at him, her mouth softened a bit.

  “Kyla, with everything I’ve done to show you who I am, you should know better than that. But I didn’t come down here to argue with you. I want to talk about us.”

  She lowered her arms and walked around him. “There is no us.”

  He grabbed her as she passed. “Kyla, come on, you aren’t going to let this deal ruin what developed between us, are you?”

  She stopped and looked down at his hand. He removed it. “Nothing happened between us. We just got caught up over the excitement of it all.”

  All the warmth was gone from her eyes, but still he didn’t believe a word coming out of her mouth. He’d broken a year-long vow for this woman, and he didn’t do that for nothing. “That’s all it was, huh? A little weekend excitement?”

  “Miles, come on, you don’t really care about that. What you want is for me to help you get that land. Stop pretending you’re the least bit interested in me. You played me. This country girl fell for it, but this is where it ends.” With her chin held high, she turned and walked away.

  He ran a hand down his face in frustration. She’d just stabbed him in the chest while he stood there looking around, contemplating his next move. He wasn’t used to this type of behavior from any woman. Then again, he hadn’t cared enough for any woman to do the things he was doing for Kyla. He hadn’t chased a woman in so long, he couldn’t even remember how. But he hoped it was like riding a bike, because he’d checked back in for another ride.

  Chapter 21

  Friday, Rollin elicited everyone’s help for the haul of the day. It was time for the Whole Foods harvest, and they were slated to pick three hundred pounds of tomatoes over the weekend. Ben, Sean, Rollin and two other employees were hard at work in the greenhouse already. After they provided the B and B guests with a few simple instructions, they jumped in. Kyla had picked a large baske
tful of tomatoes, and when she turned around Miles was right there to take it from her.

  “Let me help you with that.” He reached out for the basket, but she pulled back.

  She didn’t want him there, and she definitely didn’t want his help. “I can handle this. Shouldn’t you be collecting your own basket?”

  He motioned to a large full basket a few feet behind him. “I’ve already filled one, so let me dump this for you. I’m sure you’re ready to start another one, aren’t you?” he asked.

  She gave in, not wanting to create a fuss in front of everyone. She was surprised he’d worked faster than she had. After he deposited her tomatoes, he returned with an empty basket.

  “Here you go. Let’s get to picking—we’ve got a lot of tomatoes to get out,” he said before settling in and working alongside her.

  She eyed him suspiciously, not sure what he was trying to prove. And why did he have to come stand right next to her?

  Kyla tried to keep her eyes on the tomato vines in front of her, but Miles standing next to her in a pair of green cargo shorts and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up was hard to ignore. He’d turned his baseball cap backward and was working harder than she’d ever seen him do on past visits. She could still feel his firm thighs and his arms wrapped around her body from when she’d sat in his lap.

  “So, what’s in store after the tomatoes?” he asked.

  “We’re picking peas. Then the community center is bringing some kids out for a field trip.”

  He nodded and kept plucking tomatoes, placing them in his basket. “We didn’t harvest peas the last time I was here,” he said.

  “I don’t remember what you did when you were here before,” she said.

  “I do. I remember everything we did.”

  Kyla stopped and placed her hands on her hips. “Are you going to follow me around all day and,” she lowered her voice, “make me reminisce about your first stay?”