Tanner is quieter, thoughtful. “Maybe I’ll take you someday.”
A pang twists my chest. Was he alone or did he take someone? I’m sure if he’d asked any woman walking down the street to accompany him, they would have jumped at the chance and called all their girlfriends.
We sit in silence a moment and I turn into the parking lot, Cora in view through the glass windows, working at her desk bright and early for once.
I wonder what inspired her to show up?
For over a year I’ve waited for her to announce she’s retiring because she hates her job. Hasn’t happened but the clock is definitely ticking.
“I have to go.”
“Noon then,” he says with authority.
“Yes, noon. I’ll text Dan the address.”
“Send it directly to me.”
Quietly I agree to his terms and we hang up. I quickly Google Atlanta Ballet to check Tanner’s story, and my shoulders slump at the photo of last night’s performance popping up on their website, their social media linked to the main page.
“Nooooo,” I moan, grabbing my purse and waiting for the auto seat belts to let me get the hell out of here.
CHAPTER 22
EMMA
F rom over stylish reading glasses, Cora says, “Good morning.”
Guilt spreads into my body as our eyes lock. I hate lying. Why am I playing this game with Tanner? What is wrong with me?
“Good morning, Cora. Sleep well?”
“Mmm,” she hums with disdain, going back to the screen. “Are you excited about the event the Woman’s Group has coming up? Will we see you there this time?”
I confess, “I don’t know what it’s for. Haven’t spoken to Mom in a few days I guess.”
Tapping away at the keyboard and leaning in to check what she wrote, Cora distractedly mumbles, “I’m sure Drew is busy with arrangements. She loves that sort of thing.”
“What kind of event, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“A fundraiser. Their roof is leaking. Hasn’t been changed since before you were born. It’s going to cost a lot of money, and your mother and father have generously offered their company to do the construction. Even with the forfeiting of their usual fees they need to cover supplies and labor. Plus the solar paneling they’re planning to install will be pricey, but it will finally bring them into the modern world for chrissakes.” Her voice trails off as she focuses all her attention on her computer.
Taking my seat I lay my purse down and mull over this news. Tanner will be there as a potential donor, which means this isn’t a ladies-only event. Mom will drag Dad there. The three of them in a room together—I can’t miss that. Even if my showing up is the same as lighting a match to dynamite.
I don’t want Tanner Hamilton alone in a room filled with women. I’m still suspicious he sat in the audience with a sexy and sophisticated date last night while I wiped tears and scarfed snickerdoodles.
I must go to this event.
“Emma, are you just going to stare off? Do something productive! Make me coffee!”
Eyeing her I exhale pride and rise up.
Her voice is tempered with a warning. “Is there a problem?”
“Sure I make a great cup of coffee, but in case you haven’t noticed, I can do so much more,” I grumble.
My hand sprints to my mouth, shocked. It’s the first time I’ve talked back to her. Cora’s almost like family. She and Rachel have been tight since I was a child. They went to grade school together! In the South you do not disrespect your elders.
Colder than ever, her lip curls. “I bet you could.”
Surprised by her tone and insinuation, I stutter, “Excuse me? What do you mean…?”
“You know what it means,” she sneers, eyeing me up and down.
“No, I don’t!”
I walk right up to her desk.
She drops her reading glasses.
“Have something to say?” she sneers.
“Yes! I’m tired of you treating me this badly. I don’t know what your problem is but I work hard for you. Always have. Five days a week I’m here, learning and staying up to date, bringing in new clients, closing deals you don’t want to close anymore because you hate your job. It’s not my fault you’re miserable here!” Cora’s lips part, eyes hard. “Tell me what I’ve done to make you treat me this way! Tell me!”
She shouts so loudly my hair practically blows back. “You’re young! You’re at your peak, Emma! The world is open for you!”
Shocked and confused I sputter, “You’re angry I was born later than you were? I can’t control that!”
A bitter laugh rocks her chest and she stands up to face me and her demons. “Once I was, yes. And what good did it do me? I married a man who turned out to be gay and wasted the baby-making years of my life trying to get him to make love to me, like a fool! By the time I woke up I was in my fifties and it was too late! All my friends had children and I wanted one of my own. The rare man like Tanner Hamilton wanted to be with an older woman like me, but that fizzled out and he will never get married, much less have children, not like I could anymore! This town is like a damn desert if you want someone attractive who is my age and who isn’t scared. They all want women like you!”
Struggling to keep up with the raw confession—things I never knew, like her and Tanner!—I hold my temples and blink like crazy. “But you had that boyfriend just last Christmas. You were with Ian over a year! He even came to all the family BBQs we had! Nobody comes to those unless they’re special. You guys sat with me and we laughed all night that one time, remember? He was a good man, wasn’t he?!”
Her voice is hoarse as she leans in. “Oh I remember. Ian and I got home and he said, ‘I can’t do this anymore, Cora, I’m in love with Emma.’”
My jaw drops and I step back. “That can’t be true!”
“Can’t it?!”
“I never talked to him other than when I was with you!”
“As if that matters.” Cora shoots me a look that could kill plants. “All you have to do is smile and they fall at your feet.”
“I had no idea, Cora. I’m so sorry. He never approached me! If he had I would have told you, I promise. And I didn’t know you dated Tanner…” I trail off, realizing what a horrible dilemma I’m in.
She takes her seat with a flourish, neck held high with pride. “I told Ian if he made a move on you I would ruin him in this city. He knew better than to doubt I would. But you’ve made a good point. I’m not happy with my job anymore, but not for the reason you think. It’s because every time I look at your face I see him loosening his tie and dropping that bomb.” She leans back, volume thick as she motions around with bitterness. “This morning when you weren’t here I was happy. I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to hear you tapping on my keyboards! I don’t want to read your cute little notes in my calendar anymore! I want you gone, Emma, gone!”
Tears stream down my face as we stare at each other. Having nothing to fight back with, and no reason to do so, I whisper, “I guess this is it then.”
It feels terrible in every way to clear out my desk with her tapping off some email or whatever she’s doing over there, as if I’m already invisible.
When I’ve gathered all I can carry, I walk to the door. My voice is quiet as I turn. “Cora, I loved this job. I really did. For all the years I’ve been here, I loved every minute. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and experience.”
She swallows hard, but doesn’t stop me. I walk into the sunshine feeling nothing but pain.
CHAPTER 23
T ANNER
I ’m at the property by eleven-thirty, chomping at the bit to see Emma and gauge whether or not that date she had last night went further than just kissing. It’s crazy but I want to smell her like a primate, as if that will tell me. I’m sure she’s showered since last night, if he had his hands all over her—and other things, goddamn him to hell—but my emotions aren’t as logical as my mind.
Wh
en my phone buzzes I impatiently dig it out, expecting Dan to give me a run down of today’s fires he put out in my stead. But it’s Emma’s number.
“Are you running early?” I demand, my way of being optimistic.
“Tanner…”
“What’s wrong? You sound upset.” I soften immediately, “Are you hurt? Where are you? Have you been in an accident? I’ll come get you.”
Sniffling, she clears her throat and attempts to sound strong. “No, I’m not hurt. Not like that. I’m sorry but I have to cancel our appointment.”
Staring into nothing I press the phone closer to my ear and reassure her, “Don’t worry about it. Take care of what you have to and I’ll see you later this evening. After work again?” I’ve already figured out that’s why our appointment last night was after-hours. If she had to sneak on her lunch break today, it made sense that any other time the showings would have to be at night.
“No, I can’t…”
“Tomorrow then,” I offer.
“I can’t be your realtor anymore.”
I freeze and rake my hair back, staring at the cement. “What? Why not? Is it your father? You’re just showing me houses! We’re not eloping!”
Even as I say it, I know my intentions to Emma are not platonic. I want more. And not just sex, I want to get to know her better, because she’s all I can think about and it’s driving me insane. I think I could spend days, maybe years listening to her, laughing with her, looking into those eyes and drowning out the world.
Emma’s voice is shaky, though she’s trying to mask it. “It’s not my dad. I lost my job today. I don’t want to go into the details.”
“She found out you like me, didn’t she? Cora found out and now she’s jealous, is that it?”
The line is dead for a beat. “First, I don’t like you.”
“Yes you fucking do. But go on.”
“Second, she didn’t find out. There was something building for a while that I didn’t know about. But it also brought to light that I should never have shown those houses behind her back. So, I’m sorry but I can’t be your realtor.”
“Do you still have your license?”
She pauses. “Yes, but that’s not the point.”
“Get over here and show me this house, Emma Cocker, or I will break a window and see it myself. I’ve stayed in town accommodating your inflexible schedule for four, maybe five days longer than I intended. Now be professional and get your ass over here!” I hang up and wait.
When her convertible drives up Emma stares at me, red-eyed from behind the windshield. She climbs out, looking miserable. I know I’m starting to care about the girl because every instinct is yelling for me to hold her.
But she needs a backbone.
Not coddling.
One thing I learned in business is this.
Get a thick skin.
Or they will eat you alive.
Eyeing me, she walks up as I jog my chin to the property. “Let’s get on with it. Stop dragging your feet.”
Frowning, anger flashes across her, but she walks faster and by the time we enter the nine bedroom home Emma’s shoulders have squared and she’s pulled her hair into a bun. Only trouble is, she’s blinking around like she’s forgotten everything she knows.
Prodding her I firmly ask, “When was this built.”
“1967.”
“Is it up to code?”
“Of course.”
“How are the windows?”
“They…aren’t double paned,” she frowns, remembering. “But we could talk them down in price to cover that upgrade.”
Thatta girl, Emma.
Keep it up.
You can do this.
“The appliances?”
She inhales, eyes clearing. “Those are new. They have three refrigerators. Sorry, two. One is a dedicated freezer. This doesn’t have the luxury of the last property but it has the charm the other lacks. Let me show you.” Her steps become more confident and I let her lead me through the house. At each detail she points out, a little more confidence shines through the hurt and fear. She does make a pit-stop for a tissue in one of the bathrooms, but quickly returns, streaked mascara cleaned off, lips firm with determination.
When the tour is complete, a slow smile appears, directed at me.
I don’t return it. “Next one?”
“There is only one more.”
“What are you waiting for?”
Her lips tighten and she nods once, like a soldier. We walk toward our cars with the intention of driving both, but that would mean less time with her. And she might start crying again. I change course and head for her Lexus. She pauses, takes in my decision and without a word walks to the passenger side and waits for me to open the door. As she glides in, our eyes lock. She looks confused, unsure of what we are to each other. I want the cocky woman I found so compelling, back.
So I drive in silence, not wanting to sully the rebuilding of her strength and self-worth with aimless chit-chat. I feel her sneaking looks at me but I don’t meet her eyes. Instead my knuckles tighten on her leather steering wheel. It’s not long before she instructs me to slow down and points to a home I know is not going to work. It looks dreary and abandoned. The paint is fine, but the trees are too many in number.
Being a practical man I consider telling her this is a waste of time. But I’m not practical when I’m around this woman, and she needs this. I spring out of the car and call out, “Don’t you dare!” as she starts to open her door. She waits with a flash in her eyes.
Offering my hand I smirk, “It’s so confusing letting a man be a man.”
“It is,” she frankly admits, eyeing me. “But I don’t mind it.”
“You just got angry. I saw it.”
“Habits die hard, that’s all.” Smoothing down the lovely red dress she wore to work today she gazes at the house and frowns. “Mr. Hamilton, the photos did not look this bad. And this home I haven’t personally toured but I did study up on it so let me show you what’s good about it.”
“I can’t wait.”
Her gait is much stronger as we walk inside and she expertly rattles off intricate details with dates attached to each and every one. As the tour ends in the backyard she inhales and announces, “While I’ve gathered clues regarding your tastes and preferences, you’ve kept pretty quiet about exactly what you’re looking for so I’m not certain what that is. But as your realtor, I have to look out for your best interests. I do not believe this property is the right choice.”
Sliding my hands into my pockets I tilt my head. “Oh?”
“I’m afraid that’s my opinion. I think you can do better. But what do you think? Is this what you’re looking for?”
I know she means the house, but I’m thinking of her question in regards to her. Truth is, I don’t think I could do better than this sweet, quiet strength I see staring back from those whiskey eyes.
“You’re right, Ms. Cocker. We saw better houses for my purposes. I appreciate your honesty.” Flicking a glance to the sun I think for a moment and run my tongue along my teeth. “I wasn’t going to tell you this. Dan is the only person on Earth who knows. But I do want to share it with you.” I pause while she patiently waits for me to work it out. “Maybe it’s because I know you’ll respect my plan and I want to impress you. Or perhaps it’s because I feel as though we haven’t just recently met, like I’ve known you longer than this brief period of time. That I can trust you. That you’re…a friend. I’m not sure. Meeting you, I’ve been confronted with feelings that are unknown to me, so excuse me while I ramble.”
“You sound so cold when you talk about feelings, like a scientist observing an experiment.”
“Do I?” I frown. “I guess it’s not a subject I broach often. Hmmm.”
We stare at each other as birds chirp in the overgrown trees around us. Her smile is kind as she asks, “Are you going to tell me or…?”
Blinking to the ground I rake my hair back. “Oh, I haven’t, have
I?”
“No.”
I inhale deeply on a frown. “I have anonymously hired a team in town to interview social workers. They’ve been doing it for weeks. Also interviewing volunteers because, while they will be paid, if someone is willing to work hard for nothing they’ll work harder for something. We’ve been looking into teachers who will work part time and split shifts. The bookkeeping will be handled by my company’s accountants until I find local businesses I can trust. Piece by piece I’m building an orphanage that will double as a school teaching grades pre-school through sixth. Even when the children get placed in a home they will continue their learning here so they keep their friendships and their special needs, battling feelings of abandonment and other challenges, will be accommodated by professionals who know how.” Emma’s lips part in surprise. My eyebrow cocks as I wait for her to say something. When she doesn’t, I smirk, “Did you think these enormous homes were intended just for me?”
Her eyes say yes, but she shakes her head. “No, I didn’t think that.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
She blushes and instantly I want to kiss her. So I pull her to me, expecting her to object. But she melts into my arms and stares up at me like I’m a hero. “That’s why I wanted you to know. The way you’re looking at me now. What man wouldn’t want this feeling?”
Tracing my face with searching tenderness, Emma confesses “I heard that you were ruthless.”
“I was, once.”
“What changed?”
“Later. Right now I have to kiss you.” Crushing my lips to hers the lightning I felt before is multiplied by thousands. She gasps into the kiss, feeling the electricity too, and rises up on her tiptoes, arms softly encircling my neck as the kiss becomes more passionate and puzzling. I’ve been with so many women, but her I feel in my pores. She moans and I marvel at the sound, embracing her closer. I want to hear her purr.
CHAPTER 24
Emma Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 11) Page 9