Are you being shrewd or kind?
I can’t tell which.
Inside, whenever we enter a new room I read the notes emailed to me from our competitor. I even email them questions when I find intriguing things missing from their list that might make Tanner happy to know more about. It takes time but he never shows impatience, so I remain thorough and relaxed as we make our way through unfamiliar territory.
In a guest bedroom on the south side I scan my phone and tell him, “It says here this fireplace doesn’t work.”
“We wouldn’t need it.”
My eyelashes flash up. His face betrays no humor this time. I glance to his ring finger. It’s naked, and there is no tan line, either. It’s not the first time I’ve checked. But it’s the first time he’s seen.
Tanner rolls his eyes. “Women, you’re all the same.”
Annoyed, I toss back, “Oh? And how is that? We don’t want a married man hitting on us, or are you accusing us of wanting marriage?”
“Yes,” he flatly replies, eyes dead.
I stare at him, mouth twisting at his quippy, blanketed generalization and deliberate non-answer.
“For your information, Mr. Hamilton, I do want to get married someday. And soon would be nice.”
That sharp chin of his angles up like he’s never heard someone admit it before.
We walk into the hall, but just before the final bedroom, I turn and face him. “I have a wonderful family and it’s taught me a lot. Mostly about loyalty, support, humor, camaraderie, and so far there haven’t been any divorces. Some of my cousins, and even my brother, have found wonderful people to love. I hope to find that someday. To know someone special is on my team, and mine alone. That he’s the type of man I’d love my children to call Daddy. Someone I laugh with, trust, and a myriad of other wonderful qualities. So don’t you worry, you’re safe. I wouldn’t want that from someone like you, so hard and cold you think to love and be loved is a trap. You are saved from my charms, Mr. Hamilton, because I’ve never met anyone I wanted to slap as much as you. And I hope you won’t hold that against me. I’m just being honest.”
His eyes are on fire, but he smirks, “Nothing personal, I’m sure.”
“I didn’t mean to say all of that, and the moment I felt the train going I wanted to jump off but couldn’t seem to stop myself.”
He chuckles, “It would have been a tragedy if you had been able to.”
I blink and adjust my purse, shrugging my shoulder to get it to a more comfortable place. But this bag is not what’s bothering me. My agitation is so great I run into the doorframe mid-sentence. “And this is the Master, oof! Ouch!”
Tanner’s fingers flash around my left arm. “Careful now.”
CHAPTER 7
EMMA
Embarrassed I stammer, “I’m fine,” and jut my chin in a challenge, I dare you to tease me.
I have not one, but two, brothers.
I’m the oldest but the only girl.
I’m ready to skewer this guy.
He releases me, strolls into the empty bedroom, the hardwood floor making his presence all the more known. “You didn’t mention the plumbing. Modern or old?”
My head feels cloudy as I follow him. I expected to be made fun of after all the jabs he’s given. Puzzled, I glance to their email and answer, “There’s a well on the property.”
Disapproval dashes across his eyes, and he slides a hand into his pocket while thinking of how to solve this. “I have friends in construction, connected with the water department here in town. I’ll throw a little business their way.” Inspecting a wall sconce he mutters, “If I were to buy, that is.”
My parents work in the water industry. Desalinization, reclamation, reservoir maintenance. Large properties like this they’ve been known to do as well. “Are you talking about Likuss?”
Oddly, he sneers, a reaction I never expected. My mom and dad are loved by pretty much everyone they work with. Few exceptions, and those people I don’t like at all.
“I’d fly someone else here to do the job before I’d give Likuss my business.”
My temper kicks. What the hell is wrong with my parents’ company, you obnoxious jerk! But as the words itch inside my tongue, a loud vibration makes both of us look at my hand. My aunt’s name shining from the screen gives me the pause I need. This timing might have saved me my job. I’ve pushed my luck a lot.
Tanner catches my frown. “Is it important? Answer it.”
“She never calls unless there’s an emergency. I’m the phone-vine person for my immediate family.” I unlock the screen in time. “Aunt Rachel? Everything okay?” Walking to a sun-filled window, I stare at the beautifully landscaped backyard while we talk.
“Emma, I’m not sure what inspired me to call Cora, but I’m glad I did after what she just told me.”
“What’s wrong? Is she hurt?”
“Cora’s fine. Or crazy,” she mutters, asking more loudly, “Are you with a man named Tanner Hamilton?”
Surprised I blink. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Are you?!”
I glance from him back to the view. With forced casualness I answer, “Sure.”
“He’s watching you, isn’t he?”
I slowly answer, “In a way, yes.”
Rachel, my normally zen aunt, unleashes a torrent of information, totally out of her mind with worry, “Tanner and your father got into a huge fight, about ten years ago I think it was. Something happened. Jake wouldn’t say what. It cost him and Drew the job they were working on, some guy who was a friend of Tanner’s and when the drama hit… Anyway, I have no idea why Cora has you showing him houses, Emma, because she knows damn well that Jake said if Tanner ever came back to Atlanta he’d cut off his…you know what. Get out of there! I told Cora she has to cut ties with this one. Just make up an excuse. Say you have to get
