Persuading Her: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 2)

by Keena Richins

  He jumped out of his bed and pulled out his laptop, eagerly typing out an email to Charles with the specifications required and the number of pictures he'd need to take to satisfy his boss. Less than five minutes later, Charles had replied with so many exclamations, Rick couldn't help laughing. The man wanted Rick to come and to take the pictures, fearing he wouldn't do them justice if done by himself and that he didn't have the right camera, etc., etc., and if it was no problem, Rick could come today, even this very hour.

  Rick paused, not entirely sure he wanted to go back to that place where warm, chocolate eyes could find him. Then again, maybe they'd finally be impressed with the deal he had managed for Charles...

  He shook his head, angry at himself. Why was he STILL worrying about what she thought? She meant nothing to him. No, he'd rather see the blue eyes of Louisa be impressed. Yes, that was it. He would go to impress Louisa. Never mind the fact she already was impressed by his very presence. He would focus on Louisa and forget all about chocolate eyes.

  Besides, he would have to do a lot of walking and he knew Anne wasn't a good walker. Sports of any kind had never been of great interest to her. Playing the piano and studying had been her main obsessions. And, assuming she'd even still be there, she would be with the children and with the amount of walking he planned, they'd never make it.

  Relieved, he headed downstairs to let his sister know of the change of plans.

  "We'll give you a lift," Al offered. "Assuming you can hold onto the roof."

  Rick grinned. "Planning on driving the area out there, I take it?"

  "Well, with you abandoning us again, us two got to find something to do." Al snuck a hand around Sophy to snag some of the apples she was cutting. She slapped his hand and he howled as if she'd stabbed it.

  Sophy ignored him. "We'll take pictures of our drive. Your boss might like knowing if the area is good for a general drive." She glared at Al as he tried for another attempt.

  "That's a good idea," Rick said, snatching a slice of apple while Sophy defended the food from her husband. She waved her knife at him. "Oh, not you, too!"

  He grinned. "You're too good of a cook."

  "It's not even cooked!"

  "Yes, it is," Al countered, snagging one himself. "It's cooked by your beauty."

  Sophy raised her hands in defeat. "You two are incorrigible!"

  Rick grinned and swiped a banana. "I shall have to miss the amazing food. I'm sure the Musgroves will try to feed me again."

  "They do make good food. You should put that in your report."

  "Already did!" Rick called, waving goodbye as he headed out.

  An hour later, he pulled in front of the not-a-barn and heroically avoided checking the cottage for movement. Surely she should be gone by now. He shouldn't have to worry so much.

  Charles strode out of the main house. "Rick! Come on in!"

  Rick followed him into the house and a quick glance assured him only the Musgroves and their daughters were in attendance. Relaxing, he focused on the map Charles had pulled out. It took several minutes for them to decide on the path they'd take for the pictures. Probably would have taken shorter if Louisa hadn't constantly argued with Charles on the route. Rick finally had to make the final decision, going with Charles, but adding a route that Louisa had suggested.

  "Oh, that's a good choice," her mother said when the plan was explained to her. "Rietta took some pictures from those angles and won awards in the country fair."

  Rick glanced at Rietta who ducked her head in pleased embarrassment.

  "So did my pie," Louisa added as if determined to not be outshone by her younger sister.

  "That's because Mom helped you," Rietta said, ruining Louisa's triumph.

  Rick hid a smile when Louisa shot her a 'shut up' look. "Let's head out, then."

  "Here are some snacks," Mr. Musgrove said, handing a backpack to Charles, "For your journey."

  "Is there enough for us?" Louisa asked.

  "It will be a long walk," Rick warned.

  She raised her eyebrows as if offended. "You think I can't walk as much as you?"

  "No, no, not at all," Rick said, wishing he hadn't given the warning. It had been stupid of him to assume she was like Anne, anyway. Not that he was thinking of Anne in the first place. She hadn't even shown up yet. Not that he had noticed that either. Or was even nervous about it.

  "Let's go," Rick decided to say, sick of his own brain already.

  Charles led the way and they headed down the hill, passing dangerously close to that cottage, but Rick kept his focus on Louisa who was regaling him of stories from her youth.

  "Hello!" A voice suddenly rang from the direction of the cottage. Not Anne's voice, though.

  They turned to see Mary leaning out the back door. "Where are you all going?"

  Louisa waved. "On a walk! We'll see you later!"

  "No one told me there was going to be a walk today. Why is there a walk today?"

  "Rick needs to see more of the property," her husband answered.

  "Then I shall come."

  "It's a long walk," Louisa offered, ironically using the same excuse he had tried on her. It also failed miserably.

  "Come, Anne," Mary yelled inside. "We're going on a long walk."

  Rick froze. She was still here? Did the girl live here now or something? He hoped she'd refuse; she didn't like long walks. Even better, he hoped she'd convince her sister to stay at home.

  Alas, neither happened. The kids were deposited up at the main house and Mary and Anne soon joined them. Rick forced a smile on his face. He should have known this would happen. Anne wasn't someone who'd resist doing something she didn't enjoy doing. She didn't even put up much of a fight when she WANTED to do something, instead, she let others dictate her life. It was the reason he couldn't stand the sight of her anymore.

  He made sure to stick with Louisa who happily chatted, barely letting Charles and Rietta add in any comments, and often gushing about her own ambitions and dreams. She seemed to be fishing for his approval so he gladly gave it. He saw no problem with her big dreams and with her persistent, head-strong personality, he was sure she'd attain them. Not like someone else he knew. Not that he cared, of course.

  However, as he took the needed pictures to please his boss, Louisa began to insist on posing in them. He didn't mind at first, but after the third time, he tried to explain that the shots would be useless for his boss. Alas, Louisa either refused or failed to understand since she didn't take the hint and continued to pose in his shots. Not wanting to cause a scene, he gritted his teeth and endured, but wished Louisa could be more aware of others than just her own desires.

  During one of those annoying shots of Louisa, he glanced at Anne. She kept her eyes on the ground as if not wanting anyone to notice her, but he could see the tired flush in her cheeks. That polite smile of hers flashed to a grimace when she stumbled on a branch, but it frantically returned when she checked to see if anyone had caught that small moment of weakness. He looked away so she wouldn't catch him and studied the Musgroves. None of them had noticed. In fact, she was practically invisible. If she simply turned around, he doubted anyone would realize she was gone.

  That old anger rose up. He'd been invisible with his never-ending foster homes, never noticed until he did something wrong. Anne was too sweet to be treated like that.

  He shook himself. What was he thinking? If she truly wanted to get away from a family that didn't care, she could have gone away with him. But she hadn't. She had chosen that miserable life over him. She deserved no pity.

  Still, he found himself taking more pictures than necessary, telling himself it would please Louisa for all her poses and that it had nothing to do with slowing the pace so Anne could rest.

  Whistling echoed about the trees and Rietta lit up. "Chase!" Right on cue, Chase came into view. Rietta ran to him, embracing him in an excited hug.

  "Chase!" Charles called. "Sorry, I should have sent you a message. No work on the farmh
ouse today. Rick needs more pictures for his boss since she liked it so much."

  "She liked it? So, it's a go?"

  "Almost," Rick said. "She needs more information about the area."

  "Oh, you could tell her about my place. It's only about another mile from here."

  "Another mile?" Mary asked as if he'd asked for her first born. "No, we can not go another mile. We've walked enough as it is. I say we turn back. You've seen the best part, already. No need to go to Chase's place."

  "Mary," her husband admonished. "His place could be a great addition to the plan."

  "But I'm tired. I'm not walking another mile to his place."

  "Fine, you could stay here."

  "Stay here? By myself?"

  "Anne will stay with you."

  Anne jerked as if broken out of a daze of simply putting one foot in front of the other. Rick hoped Mary would stay with Anne. Though Anne maintained a polite smile, he could tell she was exhausted.

  "Why should we stay behind?" Mary snapped, obviously not backing down.

  Rick hid a groan. Why was that woman so stubborn? And why did she always have to focus on her own comfort instead of others?

  "Mary--" Charles began but Rick overrode him. "How about a walking stick?"

  Everyone looked at him as if surprised he had entered the argument, but he ignored them, his eyes on the ground for a suitable stick.

  "Yes!" Charles seized the idea as if it was his last hope and the group scattered in search of one.

  Rick bent down and grabbed a possible candidate. It wasn't tall enough for Mary, though. It would be more suitable for someone of Anne's height...

  "Here you are!" Charles called.

  Rick turned to find Charles presenting his wife with a long, sturdy stick. Mary sneered but took the stick, tapping it onto the ground a few times before apparently becoming satisfied with it.

  "Rick found one, too," Louisa said, pointing to the stick in his hand.

  Charles laughed. "Do you want one, Louisa?"

  "Anne could use one." It was out of his mouth before he realized it. Everyone's attention zoomed to Anne as if shocked she'd need anything. Fearing she'd reject the offer--she had a tendency to do that to him--he strode up and handed her the stick before she could say anything.

  Terrified she'd toss it in disgust, he walked away as if he didn't care at all what she did with the stick. "Now, Chase, I think we're ready to continue our way."

  "Yes, we are," Charles echoed and marched ahead, apparently not caring if his wife followed him. Rick half expected Mary to object, but a quick glance in her direction informed him that she followed. His gaze drifted to Anne and found her staring at the stick as if it had strange magical qualities. Why was she doing that?

  Louisa fell into step beside him and he snapped his attention away from Anne.

  "Sorry about that," Louisa said. "Mary can get really cranky sometimes, especially if she's being forced to do something that no one else has to do. It can get so aggravating sometimes."

  "In-laws can be like that."

  "Is your brother-in-law like that?"

  Rick grinned at the thought of comparing the fun-loving, always happy Al to the snobby, moody Mary. But, to save his comment, he said, "In his own way, he can."

  "Well," Louisa wrapped a hand around his arm, "At least Chase shouldn't be as annoying." She nodded at Rietta, happily trotting beside Chase. "And you're going to love Chase's place!"

  He smiled, letting her talk, the words passing through his brain as fast as she delivered them. He'd never admit it, but his thoughts kept straying from the girl on his arm to the girl somewhere behind him. He wondered if she'd tossed the walking stick by now. He didn't know why, but he really hoped she hadn't. After a while, he dared a quick glance. To his surprise, not only did she have the stick, but a peaceful look arrested her features, as though she was in her own world, far away, in a place where she was happy. It was the same look she'd get when playing the piano, a look he had always envied. She hadn't had the best upbringing either, yet she somehow could find peace, something he still struggled to find. It had been one of the reasons he'd been so attracted to her. Especially since not only could she find peace, but somehow, she could share it with him, creating a world of their own.

  Eight-year-old emotion bubbled up and he nearly shook off the girl on his arm to seek the girl behind him. Thankfully, he came to his senses before making an utter fool of himself. Again. How could he forget that this girl betrayed him? Shut him out of that peaceful world? Refused to take a chance with him and stayed with her father to pursue college and a career, the safe route. And she'd do it again. Not that he'd give her another chance. And why was he even on this topic again?

  Chapter 9

  He was so happy when they reached Chase's farm, nestled in a large meadow. He desperately needed a new diversion. Louisa was nice, but her conversation skills revolved around herself, rarely needing much from him other than supporting grunts. Definitely not like some other girl.

  Argh, he was on that topic again!

  To his relief, an elderly man in his sixties ventured out of the house, giving Rick something new to think about, and he noted the calloused hands with swollen knuckles afflicted with arthritis. The man had worked hard, but old age hadn't been kind. Chase introduced him as his father and Rick launched into a speech, explaining his purpose and what his company was about. Though the father was friendly and nodded very solemnly, Rick could tell his speech was going over the man's head. Judging by the rusting piles of decade's old equipment scattered about the yard, the worn-out barn and even older farmhouse, he guessed the father either wasn't the type who kept on top of the latest inventions or was too backlogged with the many tasks that a working farm required. Rick would guess it was a combination of both and that it was Chase who was desperately trying to salvage the farm and update it to meet the new century's demands.

  "I'm going to show him around the farm," Chase added at the end of Rick's speech.

  "But you must be tired," his father said. "Come inside and rest first."

  Rick smiled. "I'm good. Five miles isn't too much for me."

  "Neither for me," Louisa announced and planted herself next to Rick as if nothing could move her from that spot.

  "My wife's making cookies today. I bet some just came out of the oven."

  Louisa froze and Rick could tell she was dueling inwardly between her desire to stay with him and her need for fresh cookies. To his amusement, she pranced toward the house, following after the other women and Charles. Apparently, Rick was no match for fresh cookies.

  He darted a glance for a certain chocolate-eyed girl, but cookies seemed to have won as well. Not that he cared, of course.

  He followed Chase, taking pictures and asking the needed questions as the boy gave a tour of the farm. It was certainly run-down and needed funds. He could understand why Chase was so pushy for Rick's attention. Unfortunately, Rick's company wasn't a charity foundation. It functioned by pleasing its customers and said customers would not be pleased by this.

  Still, Chase himself was sharp and ambitious. If the boy could land a lucrative job, he could save the farm himself.

  "You've got a good eye," Rick said as the tour ended. "I liked how you rigged those two old machines together to make them work. And your plans for the place are impressive. Ever thought of working for my corporation?"

  Chase stopped dead in his tracks. "Really? YOURS?" The boy flapped his jaw for a moment as if the zillion of thoughts in his head couldn't get past a floodgate, but his eyes shone with excitement. However, he abruptly pulled back his shoulders and squared his jaw. "I should finish college first."

  Rick froze his smile as that old anger re-surfaced. "I never went." It came out evenly, without a hint of how much he hated being judged for lacking a college degree. Or even a high-school degree. Though he had obtained a GED, no one ever thought that was enough. Thankfully, everyone stopped caring once he had a good job.

  "Y
ou didn't? How do you work for Pemberley Estates, then?"

  "I was a translator in the navy and was assigned to help Mr. Bingley, one of the bosses there, when he came over to Japan. During the job, I told him I knew some folks who had an invention he might want to look at. He was so impressed with the find, he told me I had a good eye, like I told you, and gave me an opportunity to prove my worth. Once I did, I was in."

  "Wow. You got really lucky."

  Rick forced a grin. "Well, luck didn't find me until I was in my twenties so you could say I was overdue."

  Chase gazed around his run-down farm. "I know that feeling."

  Rick clamped him on the shoulder. "You'll make it. You have the drive and the ambition. You keep trying and luck will eventually reward you."

  He nodded. "Thanks. And thanks for the offer of the opportunity, but," he took a deep breath, "My parents have always dreamed of me finishing college. They never did and have sacrificed a lot so I could go. But, would this offer still hold in a few years?"

  "Prove you still have that good eye and you bet."

  A smile burst on his face. "I will. You can bet that I will."

  Rick grinned as well, then paused for a second. The mention of luck had reminded him of his promise to Brandon. "Hey, sorry if this is random, but have you ever heard of a name called Elisheba?"

  Chase frowned. "No, never. What is it?"

  "Hey!" A voice called to them and they turned to find Charles making his way to them. "You two better get into the house before all the cookies are gone."

  Chase laughed. "Don't count on it. Louisa and Rietta devour all the cookies whenever they come over."

  That old anger of Rick's bubbled up like an old sore. Rick forced a smile and rolled his shoulder as if that could bury the seething emotion, but it persisted. Too many years of being shafted as a foster kid, not qualifying for the sweets and constantly being punished, rose to his mind. Logically, he knew it made no sense. The cookies weren't even made for him but had been generously given. And he could have snagged a cookie earlier but had chosen to forgo it for the tour instead. So, really, it was his fault, this time, that he'd get no cookie. But that old anger refused to back down and he walked into the house, still hoping one cookie was left.