AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was late, but not late enough. I walked to the front. “Jack, do you think you can close tonight?”
I had to trust someone, and my father trusted him. Unless I wanted to be shackled here every night, I needed help. For now, that was Jack. I prayed I wasn’t making the worst mistake of my life.
“I need the code to the office.”
“I know.” I lifted on my toes and whispered in his ear. “It’s Dad’s birthday.”
He nodded. “I’ve got your back, Emma. I hope you know that.”
“Thanks.”
There were camera’s installed in the office now. I didn’t have to completely trust him. And with the new electronic locks, I could change the passcode as I’d done right before I left the office. I didn’t want to give him the code I’d come up with. Besides, he should know that number without having to write it down and someone else seeing.
The ride to Aiden’s was shorter. I checked the road ahead and didn’t see any cars. His was parked on the driveway. I got out and jogged up to the door, full of pent-up energy or maybe anxiety.
I briskly knocked on the door and Aiden opened it with a paint roller in one hand. He wasn’t wearing a hat and he was also shirtless.
“Emma, I didn’t expect you.”
“No hat, cowboy?”
He ran his hand over his head. “I didn’t think I was having company.”
I rocked on my heels. “I know. I’m sorry.” I peeled my eyes from the ground and met his. “I was a total bitch to you earlier and you didn’t deserve it.”
“You didn’t have to come all the way over here to tell me that. You have a lot going on.”
“I need to tell you to your face. You deserved that from me.”
“Want to come in?”
“I don’t want to bother you.”
“No bother. Just painting.” He stepped back and I went inside.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been inside this place.”
I looked around, wooden floors sagged in some spots and paint peeled from the walls in the living room. It showed its age, but there was a lot of character.
“Neither did I. I bought it sight unseen besides a few pictures sent to me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, Mom and Dad came by before I bought it. I trusted them to tell me if it was worth the price.”
From the living room there was an opening to the kitchen where I’d seen him and Darcy. “From the little I see, it has good bones.”
“Go ahead and look around. I’ve got to find a shirt. I didn’t want to get paint on the one I was wearing.”
“Don’t get a shirt on my account,” I teased. “You’ve filled out more from the boy down at the creek.”
On really hot days, teens headed to a secluded spot where the creek filled up a little cove.
“You saw me there?” he asked.
“Who didn’t? You didn’t see me?”
“Oh, Emma. Who didn’t see you?”
I slapped at his arm. “You acted like you hadn’t.”
He shrugged. “I wanted to hear what you noticed.” He winked.
Not wanting to answer or leave, I asked, “Do you need a hand painting?”
“I’ll take free labor where I can get it.”
“Consider it a down payment on your sleuthing skills if you’re still going to help me.”
“Is that a question? You asked for my help. Besides,” he said, walking to the back. “Now that you’re here, I’ll pick your brain after I grab us both a shirt.”
“Both?” I asked.
“That’s too pretty to get paint on it.”
“It’s just a shirt,” I said.
He held up a hand and left the room. When he came back in, he handed me a shirt. “Do me a favor and wear mine. Then I won’t feel so bad when my brush accidentally slips, and you know.” He lifted his shoulders and gave me a wide smile.
“Fine.” I pulled off my shirt without a care in the world. The size of his eyes was the same size as the gaping hole of his slack jaw expression.
“Oh, come on. You saw me in my bra and panties before at the creek. You said. So what’s the big deal?” I plucked the shirt from his hands and pulled it over my head.
“If you weren’t engaged,” he muttered.
“What was that?” I’d heard but I wanted him to say it again.
“Nothing.”
“Mmm huh,” I teased.
“Anyway, I learned a few things.”
“What’s that?”
“What do you know about the mayor?” he asked.
I dipped my roller in the paint and started not far from him. “That’s an ominous question. Why do you ask?”
Chapter 12
Aiden
Seeing her in my shirt was a problem. Seeing her in my shirt and in my house was a recipe for disaster because she looked as though she belonged here with me.
“Aiden?”
I vanquished those thoughts. “Yeah. Sorry. The mayor.”
“Yes, the mayor.”
“I went to go see him with the sheriff and he was really interested in what your plans were for the bar.”
