The Sweet Road Home

by Jacki Kelly

  “How are you going to organize a block party, get the shop ready, and save the house? It’s too much.”

  “I can do it. It wouldn’t take much. I could ask all the neighbors to help organize and hire a caterer. Or bring potluck like they used to. Entertainment would be pretty easy, a few games for the kids, some horseshoes, checkers and dominos. Some music.” She crossed her leg. “See, I’ve done it already.” She brushed her hands together.

  “Asa, in a few months there won’t be any houses left on that block. It’s practically deserted already.” She stroked her sister’s shoulder. “When are you going to accept reality?”

  Asa shook her head without meeting her sister’s eyes. “Pepa worked hard for that house. We should keep it in the family.”

  “Are you sure this is about Pepa?” Dakota continued to stroke her sister’s arm.

  “What do you think it’s about?”

  “Only you can answer that. But maybe—and this is only my take on the situation, you were married to a jackass so you’re feeling deserted, deceived, and deflated. Right now, you’re looking for comfort. It’s like taking off those awful pointy-toes shoes and putting on your favorite slippers.”

  Asa spun her back to her sister. “Nope, that’s not it.”

  “I hope you’re not getting your hopes up too high, Asa. Even if Simeon decides to leave the house alone, it would take a small fortune to make the place livable. There are new townhouses and condominiums down on the Riverfront. You should take a look at them.”

  “Money is not the issue. I don’t want something without character or to live with a bunch of strangers. I lived with a stranger for two years and it’s no fun.”

  “You’ll make new friends.”

  “Can I use your computer? I want to do a little web-surfing to see what I can find out about Simeon.”

  “You can use the computer in the office.” Dakota nodded to the back of the store.

  “I need to call the realtor that’s looking for the studio and contact a few fabric suppliers.” Asa jumped up. “This shouldn’t take too long.”

  In the small office Asa typed Simeon’s name into the computer. In an instant a list of relevant topics flashed on the screen. She found pictures of him with the mayor and the governor. His broad smile beamed across the page. He’d made the front page of The Weekender as one of the wealthiest eligible bachelors in the tri-state area. There were several magazine articles and news clippings about his philanthropic work. She couldn’t find anything on the Golden Leaf Community. Finally, her eyes settled on a feature about the community center across town.

  Asa read the story twice. She rubbed her forehead with the heel of her palm. With all those glowing accolades her task to save the house seemed more daunting. His wonderful speech received praise from several elected and government officials. There was even a brief comment from a Golden Leaf resident proclaiming the benefits of all his good works.

  “Traitor,” Asa shut down the computer.

  “Are you going to be much longer?” Dakota stood in the doorway of her office.

  Asa groaned and pushed away from the desk.

  “Why the long face. Did something bad happen?”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” Asa squared her shoulders.

  “Ooookay,” Dakota walked to the front of the store. “Let’s go to lunch across the street.”

  Dakota led the way to the small café. The noise level inside was deafening. Someone called out numbers for orders that were ready for pick-up. And the kitchen staff released their frustration with the heat by slamming the oven door each time they removed a slice of pizza. A thick crowd gathered around the cash register to pay for their lunches.

  Dakota pointed to a table in the corner. “Someone is getting up back there. Grab those seats for us, Asa.”

  Asa gave her sister her lunch order and rushed to the table. She pulled the small table away from the wall to make room for the two of them.

  By the time her sister came to the table the crowd had begun to thin and the noise level had dropped.

  “It’s good to have you back in the city again. I missed our lunches together.” Dakota placed the trays on the table.

  “I know. Atlanta never felt like home.”

  “Maybe I should plan a party. You know...invite the cousins so we can sit around and reminisce about the good old days.” Dakota pushed her salad around her plate without taking a bite. She put her fork down. “So, any luck finding a place to open your studio?”

  “There are two places I like. I’ll make a decision soon.” Asa finished the last of her salad. “Why aren’t you eating?”

  Dakota shrugged. “So what’s with Simeon?”

  Asa hadn’t mentioned her overnight stay with Simeon. The last thing she wanted was more teasing. She put her soda can down. “How would I know? One thing for sure I never did get that fancy dinner at the hotel.”

  “I can take you tonight,” Dakota replied. “Let’s do it, we’ll make it a night.”

  “Dakota, if it was about the food I could take myself.”

  “Ohhh, what does that mean? Was it more than dinner?” Dakota leaned forward.

  “Never mind.”

  § § §

  He eyed the phone. He should have called her by now. A quick apology, a little groveling, and setting a date for dinner should be easy. She wanted to keep her house and he wanted her. Mixing the two was a toxic cocktail. Combining business with pleasure never worked out in his favor. But he wanted to do just that. Succumbing to carnal desire almost brought down a president, cost a few mayors their offices, and brought a golfing great to his knees. Simeon needed to be careful. He wouldn’t be at peace until Golden Leaf became a strip mall and dad’s favorite bench was made into kindling.

  But the intense pleasure flowing through his veins could not be denied. He needed more time with Asa. Any hot-bloodied man would.

  He picked up the phone and dialed her number.

  “I still owe you dinner.” He didn’t introduce himself.

  “Uh, that you do. I thought you were avoiding me.”

  “Never. Can I pick you up this evening at six?”

  There was a long pause. His stomach knotted while he waited for her to reply.

  “Tonight?”

  “I know it’s short notice, but I’d really like to see you.” He drummed his fingers on the desk.

  “Six is fine. See you then.”

  He hung up and reared back in his chair. Saving the Conroy home was not an option. Her large dark eyes had begged for understanding. How could he tell her the house was coming down as soon as the ink dried on all the contracts?

  He opened his briefcase. The two contracts were on top. He spread them out on the desk. The words blurred into a gray haze.

  After dinner tonight he’d tell her the project couldn’t be stopped. It would put an end to their relationship before it actually got started. That was always the course for them. But this would be the longest dinner in history. Maybe he’d talk her into his bed, before delivering the bad news.

  He picked up the phone and buzzed Catherine.

  “Yes.” She came into his office with a pad in hand. “I need reservations at the Hotel DuPont tonight.”

  “Again?” She smirked.

  “Tell them I want two Hazelnut Soufflés, but I don’t want them to begin the preparation until after we’ve finished our entrees.”

  “You hate waiting.” She wrote down his instructions. “Tonight must be special.” Catherine raised an eyebrow.

  Simeon turned to face his computer. “It’s been a long time and I have a taste for something decadent.”

  “Do you need anything else?” Catherine prepared to leave.

  “One more thing.” He scribbled a note on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “I’ll need you to find me one of these and have it wrapped. That’ll be it.”

  She glanced at the note and curled her lip. “Where am I supposed to find one of these? Aren’t these things anti
ques now?”

  “Use your magic, you’ll find one. I don’t care what it costs.” She nodded. “Oh, your brother called this morning.”

  “What did he want?”

  “He wouldn’t say, and he wouldn’t leave a message. Do you want me to get him on the phone?”

  If Brian called in the middle of the day it must be important. The Mission kept him so busy they seldom found time to get together. The last time he called he needed new bedding for the cots.

  Donating money to his brother’s causes made Simeon feel like he was doing something meaningful. If someone had opened a place like that years ago it could have helped their hapless father. Maybe they could have figured out why Nolan Harper found so much happiness at the bottom of a liquor bottle.

  “Simeon.” Catherine waited till she had his full attention. “You have a meeting with the Operating Committee in a few minutes. They’re gathering now in the large conference room. Everything you requested is set up.”

  He picked up his folder and stood. “And please call the car service. Tell them to detail my car. Let them know I want it back here by five.”

  The Operating Committee owed him an update on the strip mall and the community center. If everything went according to plan, the demolition on Excalibur Avenue could start in a month. And the new community center could be under way in less than a year. Just in time to memorialize the two-year anniversary of his mother’s death. He had to stop worrying about what Asa would think.

  Chapter Ten

  The conference room grew warmer. Simeon glanced at his watch. The meeting needed to come to a close. Nothing would keep him from dinner with Asa. Not even the potential to make more money. He stacked his papers then signaled with his hand to get everyone’s attention.

  He cleared his throat. “We have to table the remaining agenda items until our next meeting.”

  “I think we’ve covered the important details. The funds for front-end loading of the planned community are secure. Delaware Wrecking has our schedule and the demolition date is set. The leases for the strip mall are being prepared. I’ll follow-up on the details of the grant and shoot you an e-mail tomorrow,” said Brad Stevens as he placed his papers into the folder.

  “Fine.” Simeon stood up and nodded to the committee. “Brad, I’ll need you to run down the questions on the lot size for the center. I don’t want any surprises.”

  “Sure thing.” Brad scribbled a note.

  When he reached his office, Catherine’s clean desk signaled she was gone for the day. He picked up the phone and dialed Asa’s number.

  “I just want to be sure we’re still on.”

  “Of course. I’m getting ready.” The tender sound of her voice ricocheted to his heart, reinforcing his draw for her.

  “See you shortly.”

  He rushed into his Italian marbled en-suite bathroom. After a quick shower, he dressed in a dark suit. The elevator descended to the lobby. He caught a glimpse of his crooked tie in the mirror and made the necessary adjustment.

  His Mercedes had been cleaned as requested and gleamed in the designated spot in front of his building. He backed the car out of the parking space. All day he’d played with the words to let Asa know he wouldn’t change the project. No matter how he put it, she wouldn’t be happy. There was no way to have his project and Asa, too.

  He eased the pressure on the accelerator before shifting into the right lane. His heart thumped fast making it difficult to focus on the drive.

  The site for the planned community sat just ahead on the right. On schedule, construction was set to begin in a few weeks. His mother didn’t smile often, but the day he told her about the project her face lit up like an excited child. He drove by the huge Harper Enterprise sign. Elation bubbled in his stomach.

  He cruised several more blocks before turning onto Excalibur Drive. The Conroy house was the only house on the block with the porch lights on. The sun hadn’t begun to set, but the street had a picturesque glow.

  After shutting off the car he surveyed the block. The quiet street used to be the liveliest in the neighborhood. Tonight it didn’t look as intimidating as it when he was a teenager. He shrugged. In a few weeks the whole block would be a pile of rubble.

  He stepped out of the car. With his hands shoved in his pockets, he glared up at the house. Asa walked past the upstairs window, her silhouette moved back and forth across the room in a flurry of activity. Then she stood motionless for several seconds. Even in the shadows, he detected her gracefulness; her fluid motion resembled a ballerina. His attraction for her had never diminished, maybe it was stronger.

  When she extinguished the light, he reached into the passenger seat and removed the neatly wrapped gift. At the sound of the shrill doorbell, the dog barked.

  She opened the door. “I wondered how long you were going to stand outside and stare at the house.” Scruffy ran out. After a thorough sniff of Simeon’s shoes, he wagged his tail.

  Without addressing her question, he drew her into his arms. His body stiffened as he found the warm sweetness of her mouth. Years of longing faded. Her crisp, floral cologne hit his senses with a force to strong for him to resist. He pulled her closer, lifting her feet off the ground.

  She released his mouth before he wanted. “Wow, Simeon. I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “What were you expecting?” He looked down at her.

  “With you, it’s hard to say.” She was teasing him and he liked the banter.

  “I’ve been thinking about doing that all day.” He grabbed her by the waist, pulled her into his chest and kissed her again. “You look so good, I couldn’t help myself.” The strapless maxi dress she wore exposed the golden hue of her shoulders. He traced his finger along her collarbone and down her arm. “You saw me from upstairs?” He responded to her original question while his finger lingered on her warm skin.

  “I did. Why were you standing there, like that?” She searched his eyes.

  “I was falling for your magic.”

  “You know it’s crazy for us to go out when we have such opposing ideas.”

  “I do it all the time when I’m negotiating with clients.”

  “Do you kiss them, too?”

  He shook his head. “Not usually.”

  “Then you kissed me to what, to divert my attention away from my goal?”

  “Is it working?”

  “Nope.” She dropped her head. “I remind myself every day of my purpose for moving home and all the things I need to get done.” She pulled her pocketbook onto her shoulder.

  “I hope I’m on that list and I’d like to get you in my bed, soon.”

  “I pray you’re not getting your hopes up either.” She batted her long lashes.

  “Touché.”

  She motioned to Scruffy to go outside.

  While they waited on the dog, he handed her the gift.

  “What’s this?” Her smiled strengthened his resolve. “I didn’t know we were doing presents. I don’t have anything to give you.”

  “I wasn’t expecting anything. Go ahead, open it.”

  She ripped the paper off and released a squeal that pierced his ears.

  “I don’t believe you bought me a CD player!” She turned the shiny red player over in her hands. “It’s exactly like the one my father bought me. How could you remember the color and the make? You didn’t need to do this.”

  “Oh, yes, I did. You were right. I broke the first one. I was an angry teenager that adored you and was jealous of you all at the same time. The least I could do was buy you another. I know no one listens to them anymore...”

  She rose up on her toes and brushed her soft lips against his cheek. “Thank you very much. I have a few disks I still enjoy. Thank you.” Her fingers lingered on his cheek.

  “You look stunning as usual. Nice dress.” He needed to break the trance before he was swallowed up by his attraction.

  “You like it. It’s from my collection.” She pivoted on her toes. “I’m thinking
about including it in my Fashion Week show, but I’m not sure if I like this knit.

  “Fashion Week, huh? I’m impressed.”

  “You should be, buddy.” She nudged him before closing the door behind the dog. “I’ve been trying to get in for several years. This year I finally got my invitation. Do you have any idea what this could lead to?”

  “Success,” he kissed her forehead.

  She accepted his arm and together they walked to the car.

  They drove several blocks without talking. He adjusted the music. Taking her to dinner was flirting with fire. He needed to manage an entire meal without giving in to what she wanted. Damn. His loins tightened every time he looked at her.

  He pulled into the valet lane of the Hotel DuPont. An attendant rushed to open the door for Asa. “Please leave my car parked here on the street.” He motioned to an empty space in front of the hotel before handing the attendant a large bill. With his hand on her back he guided her inside.

  § § §

  Asa caught Simeon’s eye as he led her across the ornate lobby to the restaurant. A mixture of excitement mingled with trepidation ran down her spine. She could envision Mim’s disappoint if she knew instead of fighting to save the house Asa was flirting with the enemy.

  Two women seated in the lobby stopped talking and stared as they made their way to the restaurant. One woman pushed her nose in the air when Asa caught her eye. Asa suppressed her grin and gripped Simeon’s arm a little tighter.

  “Friends of yours?” Asa tilted her head at the women.

  Simeon chuckled. “Do you think I know every woman in Delaware?”

  “Well, they look like they would like to get to know you. I think the blonde is actually drooling.”

  He planted a kiss on her cheek and slipped his hand around her waist. “That ought to send her a message, don’t you think?”

  “Uh huh.” Asa fought the blush warming her face. Every kiss pulled her closer to surrendering the resistance she was trying to hold on to. Dealing with the studio, the house, and her feelings for Simeon was almost more than she could manage. But she would. No way could she allow her emotions to derail her plans this time.