Rhianna stood motionlessly, watching Emery as he walked back to his vehicle and drove away. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, tasting him again. Bringing her fingertips to her mouth she blew a kiss to the cold, silent night.
“Good night, Emery.”
Stepping back, she closed and locked the door. His taste and touch lingered with her as she prepared for bed. She slipped under a mound of blankets and switched off the bedside lamp. The last thing she remembered before sleep claimed her was that the more time she spent with Emery the more she recognized distinct differences between the twin brothers.
CHAPTER 6
Emery woke before dawn, and instead of getting out of bed he lingered, staring up at the skylight. He didn’t know what possessed him to ask Rhianna to kiss him because he usually did not act or react on impulse. But there was something about her that kept him a little off balance, made him a little less confident than he presented.
Running a hand over his face, he let out a deep breath. He did not want to acknowledge the obvious—he was lusting after his dead twin brother’s fiancée.
Mixed feelings swirled through him as his mind reeled in confusion. He’d always interacted with Rhianna as he had with his sisters, but their roles changed after Errol’s death. He’d comforted her along with his siblings, and whenever she clung to him she elicited in him an overwhelming urge to take care of her.
Days before Rhianna left Shepherd, Tonya made her feelings known. The woman he’d hoped to marry admitted that she hadn’t been prepared to become a stepmother or compete with his dead brother’s fiancée for his attention. He’d stood there unable to form a reply even after she left his ring on a table and walked out of his life. He’d believed Tonya’s jealousy was totally unfounded until now—now that he’d seen Rhianna again and now that he’d kissed her. Perhaps Tonya recognized something he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge at that time—his feelings for Rhianna went beyond their role of brother and sister-in-law.
Throwing back the blanket, he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He had to get up and check on the sheep before going to Campy’s. Every morning he fed and watered the flock, then turned them out into a fenced-in pasture before he returned to clean the barn. He relied on the three border collies to protect the sheep from coyotes and other stray dogs.
* * *
Emery entered Campy’s carrying a toolbox. His gaze swept around the small café-restaurant. He nodded to the early morning regulars as he made his way to the rear of the building. Shrugging out of his jacket, he placed it on a makeshift worktable Reid had constructed when he placed a piece of plywood over two sawhorses.
“What are you doing in here?”
He glanced over his shoulder to find Anna Campbell in the doorway, hands resting on her hips.
He smiled at her. “Didn’t Rhia tell you?
A slight frown creased her smooth forehead. “Tell me what?”
“I’m going to finish the expansion.”
Her frown deepened. “When did you decide this?”
“Rhia and I discussed it last night.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to do this, Emery.”
“Yes, I do,” he countered softly. “It’s the least I can do to repay you and Reid for what you’ve done for my family.”
“We did what anyone else would’ve done considering the circumstances.”
“You’re wrong, Anna. What you and Reid did went beyond love thy neighbor.”
“I appreciate your help, but I don’t want to take you away from your own work.”
Emery gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s not a problem. I’ll come by and work after closing hours. That way the noise won’t disturb your customers.”
Clasping her hands together, Anna’s features became more animated. It looked as if Reid was going to get his wish. Her husband had become so obsessed about expanding the restaurant that after a while she refused to discuss it with him. She thought when he’d contacted Emery for his advice he would let the younger man do the work. Much to her surprise, Reid decided to embark on his do-it-yourself project, which resulted in him injuring himself.
Rhia and I discussed it last night. It was apparent her daughter felt comfortable and confident enough with Emery to meet with him. Her mouth curved into an unconscious smile. Emery was the reason Rhianna had fled her hometown, and perhaps she would enlist him to help her daughter change her mind and come back to live in Shepherd.
“How can I thank you, Emery?”
“You did that ten years ago,” he said with a significant lifting of his eyebrows. “After I finish what your husband started, then we’ll be even.”
“Okay,” Anna said with a wide smile. “Would you like anything special for breakfast?”
“No. Just my usual.”
“I’ll let you get back to your work.”
Emery removed a retractable tape measure, pencil, and pad from the box. He made notations on the pad as he measured walls and floor space. Climbing on the ladder propped against a wall, he measured the ceiling. Three-quarters of an hour later he’d filled several pages with diagrams with accompanying measurements for windows, electrical outlets, load-bearing walls, a solid floor construction, and a ventilation system. The task was daunting for someone with his experience, and Emery could not understand what would make Reid attempt to tackle it by himself.
He left his toolbox in a corner and made his way to a bathroom to wash his hands. His mind was working overtime as he calculated how long it would take him to finish the space before Christmas. He planned to put up the walls, lay the floor, and install the windows first, then tackle the electrical installation and ventilation. He always left the painting for last.
Emery walked out of the bathroom and into the restaurant, hoping to see Rhianna, but was disappointed when Nicole came over to his booth carrying a carafe of coffee. She turned over a mug and filled it with the steaming brew.
“The usual, Emery?”
“Yes, Nicole.”
He did not know why she asked him the same thing every morning. It was only on a rare occasion that he ordered the country breakfast: grits, eggs, bacon, ham or sausage, and biscuits.
He retrieved his cell phone, scrolled through the directory and punched in the number for the company where he’d bought all of his materials for Sutherland and Sons General Contracting. He called in his order with a request that everything should be delivered to Campy’s.
His breakfast arrived and he ate slower than usual, hoping Rhianna would show up. She still hadn’t put in an appearance when he paid his check, and he called himself every kind of fool for coming on to her.
She’d admitted that seeing him reminded her of Errol, and he had taken advantage of her vulnerability when he asked her to kiss him. He clamped his teeth tightly, welcoming the pain radiating in his lower jaw.
He’d made a fool of himself, and he swore a silent oath that it would not happen again.
* * *
Rhianna overslept for the first time in a long time. The sun was high in the sky as she scrambled from her bed, wondering why her mother had not come to wake her up.
She showered and dressed quickly, then raced down to the restaurant. Breakfast was over, and Nicole sat at the counter reading the newspaper. The television was muted with closed captions, while the soulful wail of a flugelhorn came through the jukebox speakers. She found her mother in the office, sitting at a desk writing checks.
“Good morning, Mom.”
Anna peered at Rhianna over a pair of half-glasses. “It’s more like good afternoon.”
She sat down on a worn chair next to an antique desk Anna had picked up at a tag sale.
“Why did let me sleep so late?”
“When you didn’t get up, I figured you needed your sleep. What time did you go to bed?” Anna asked, as she scrawled her signature on a check.
“It had to be after midnight. I went to see Emery last night.” Anna’s head came up and stayed as she told her about
Emery’s offer to finish the renovations, but not about kissing him or the promise to go skating with him later that night.
Her mother gave her a long, penetrating stare. “Are you certain you’re going to be all right with Emery hanging out here?”
“Very certain,” she said with a quiet confidence.
“So, whatever it was about him that made you leave has been resolved?”
“Yes.”
Lacing her fingers together in a prayerful gesture, Anna flashed a grateful smile. “It does my heart good to hear that. Now, I pray for your father’s speedy recovery.”
“Aren’t they supposed to stop sedating him today?”
Anna nodded. “His doctor asked that we don’t come to the hospital until he’s fully conscious.”
Vertical lines appeared between Rhianna’s eyes. “When will that be?”
“Probably some time tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile I need you to come to the bank with me. I want to add your signature to the business account. Once your father’s home I’m going to be spending most of my time with him.”
Rhianna picked up a flyer announcing an annual fundraising dinner-dance to benefit homeless and infirmed children. “Who left these?”
“The president of the Chamber of Commerce asked me to put them out for our customers.”
“Are you going, Mom?” The event was next week.
“No, sweetheart. Not without your father. But, you should go and represent Campy’s.” She opened one of the desk drawers, took out an envelope and handed it to Rhianna. “I paid for the invitations and sent in our donation.”
“I didn’t bring anything to wear.”
Anna smiled. “After we finish our bank business we can go to that little boutique in Yorktown Heights you like so much. They still carry the most darling little outfits for evening wear.”
Rhianna found it impossible not to return her mother’s enchanting dimpled smile. She’d lost count of the number of times she and Anna shared what they’d called their mother–daughter away days. Once each month they’d get up early and spend the entire day together, dining out, sightseeing, and shopping. The shopping was what Rhianna loved most.
“I need a cup of coffee. Then I’ll be ready to leave.”
“I only have a few more checks to write. I meant to tell you that everybody says they love the Christmas decorations.”
Nodding, Rhianna stood up and walked out of the office. She’d placed electric candles in each of the many windows; positioned red poinsettia plants on a stepladder in the shape of a pine tree next to the jukebox, and hung a massive wreath on the front door. She liked the tiny white lights entwined in the leafless trees most.
She went behind the counter and filled a mug with coffee, then sat down beside Nicole and picked up a section of the newspaper. She was on her second cup when Anna told her she was ready to leave.
* * *
Rhianna locked the door behind the cleaning man. Seconds later the telephone rang. She contemplated whether to answer the call or let the answering machine pick it up. The restaurant had closed more than an hour before. At the last moment she picked up the receiver.
“Campy’s.”
“Are we still on for tonight?”
Her heart beat a double-time rhythm as she recognized the sensual baritone voice. “Yes.” The word came out in a breathless sigh.
“How soon can you be ready?”
“I just have to get my skates.”
“I’ll be here.”
“Where are you, Emery?”
A soft chuckle came through the earpiece. “I’m standing on the porch. I was waiting for Mr. Archer to leave.”
It was her turn to laugh softly. “There are laws against stalking.”
“There’s a difference between stalking and waiting for my date.”
Rhianna froze, her fingers tightening around the receiver. “I’ll be right out.” She pressed a button and ended the call. My date. What she’d wanted to tell Emery was that she wasn’t his date, but an old friend who’d agreed to go ice-skating with him.
She’d returned to Shepherd to help her family with their restaurant, not become involved with a man.
* * *
Rhianna left through a side door and came around to the porch. Emery leaned against a massive column holding up the second floor, his arms crossed over a heavy knit sweater. He straightened slowly with her approach.
“Hello.”
Emery stared at Rhianna. He didn’t think he would ever get used to the throaty timbre of her sensual voice, and didn’t want to. She was dressed for skating—knitted cap, bulky sweater under a short jacket, and wool slacks.
“Hey.” He came off the porch, his gaze fusing with hers. “Are you ready?”
Rhianna nodded, but wanted to ask Emery what he meant by ready. Ready for what he considered a date, ready for him, ready to open herself up enough to fall in love again? He took her skates from her loose grip, reached for her hand and led her to his pickup.
“It feels like snow,” she said softly as he opened the passenger-side door.
Emery hoisted her up onto the seat with a minimum of effort. “It’s too cold.”
“There’s a haze around the moon.”
A knowing smile parted his mouth. “So, the girl still has a little country in her.”
“I’m not that citified,” she retorted, rolling her eyes at him.
“Yeah, right,” he drawled. “I bet you’ll fall down within five minutes of lacing up your skates.”
“Bite your tongue, Emery Sutherland.”
Chuckling under his breath, Emery closed the door and came around the vehicle. He got in behind the wheel, grinning broadly. Rhianna had no idea how much she’d changed—in looks and demeanor. She’d left Shepherd a shy girl, and returned a very sexy woman.
* * *
Rhianna sat on a bench beside Emery, lacing up her skates, as a biting wind stabbed her exposed skin like sharp needles. They had the pond to themselves. If it had been the weekend there was no doubt it would’ve been crowded with skaters of every age from sunrise and far beyond sunset. She completed the task and slipped her stiff fingers into a pair of fur-lined gloves.
Emery stood up, cupped her elbow, easing her gently to her feet. Leaning against his length, she managed to keep her balance until they reached the frozen pond. Then, without warning, her feet went out from under her, and she would’ve fallen if not for the strong hand on her forearm.
“Careful.”
Rhianna wrapped her arms around Emery’s waist, pressing her face to his shoulder. “Don’t move yet. I need to get my balance.”
Emery nodded. Rhianna needed to get her balance while everything about her kept him off balance. Emotions he’d never experienced with any other woman, including Tonya, surfaced.
He wanted Rhianna, the wanting surpassing the desire to take her to bed to slack his sexual frustration. He could do that with other women, what he’d shared with every woman he’d slept with over the past ten years. He hadn’t realized it, until now, that they were only temporary, a poor substitute to the woman in his arms.
Why Rhianna Campbell? He didn’t know, and didn’t want to know, because he’d spent years denying his feelings for a girl who’d fallen in love with his brother. He spent years telling himself that Errol was blessed to have found someone with whom to live, laugh, and love. But after Errol lost control of his new car, killing himself and their parents, he’d called his twin king of fools.
Emery felt a shudder shake Rhianna. Lowering his head, he pressed his mouth to her forehead. “What’s the matter, darling?” The endearment had slipped out unbidden.
Another shiver swept over Rhianna’s body, the cold replaced by a swath of heat. Easing back, she stared up at Emery. The bright overhead lights flattered the elegant ridge of cheekbones that gave his face the appearance of a high fashion male model. Large, deep-set, dark eyes regarded her intently.
“I’m freezing,” she said in a half-truth. She was cold a
nd hot at the same time because of frigid below-freezing temperatures and the man holding her to his heart.
He lowered his head until their mouths were inches apart. “I know a way to heat us up.”
Her gloved fingers tightened on his sweater. “We can’t, Emery,” she whispered, even though there was no one around to hear them.
Emery’s lids lowered. “Yes, we can, Rhia.” She shook her head. His hold on her upper arms tightened as he pulled her closer. “I am not my brother.” He had enunciated each word.
This time she nodded. Emery wasn’t Errol, and she wasn’t the same person who’d left Shepherd ten years before. She’d dated men for all of the wrong reasons, and she’d slept with one for a multitude of reasons: she was lonely, tired of sleeping alone, and she wanted to see whether she could finally exorcise her deceased lover’s ghost, and she had failed miserably—until now.
“I know you’re not Errol. I realized that the moment you kissed me last night.” A sense of strength came to her as her defenses began to subside.
One of Emery’s hands moved up and cradled the back of her head. “I’m not Errol, nor do I want to replace him in your heart, but I don’t want to hurt you. “
She closed her eyes for several seconds. “You can’t, Emery, because I will never permit my heart to overrule my head again.”
“Where do we go with this?”
She lifted her eyebrows. “I don’t know.”
“Neither do I, but I promise to be truthful with you. I’ve always liked you.”
Her gaze widened in astonishment, but Emery plunged on recklessly. “I suppose I wanted you a long time ago, but you were dating my brother and I wouldn’t allow myself to entertain anything licentious.”
Rhianna stood there, amazed, shaken and unable to believe what she was hearing. Emery Sutherland—the quiet twin, the straight-A student, the consummate all-around athlete, and valedictorian had had a crush on her.
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I did.”
“To whom?”
“Errol.”
Shepherd Moon Page 5