Chapter 4
“Emily. Slow down.” Peering over my shoulder, the look on Charleigh’s face causes alarm. I need to explain. “Emily. Take a deep breath. I’m right here, honey.” I look back out into the crowd as I listen in concern.
“Thank God they finally let me use the phone. I’m in the hospital.” My alert just went up extremely. “They let me go at work two days ago, severing due to cost cutting, low man on the totem pole, and then Jeremy broke up with me last night. I was so distraught. After crying my eyes out, I took a drive and someone plowed into me. My car is totaled. I have a broken arm and some cuts, otherwise, I’m just shaken up.”
“Oh, no! What can I do to help?” I hate that she’s so far away.
She’s sniffling. “Can you come get me and let me stay with you for a while?” I smile.
“Emily. You know I’d do anything for you. Do I need to rent a trailer or something?”
“Yes. Please.” She stops and I hear her blow her nose. “I’m telling my landlord I’m moving out. I need a change in a big way.”
“Of course.” Turning around to face Charleigh, I smile but she is gone. “I’ll…. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
“Thanks, Greer. You’re the best.”
Ending the call, I look at the empty space across the table where the most fascinating and beautiful woman once sat. I don’t feel like the best.
She’s too young for you.
You’re not ready.
Damn, she’s so beautiful.
She’s too young for you.
These are the thoughts going through my head as I try to sleep. Before I left the bar, I told Matt about the call and that I’d be gone a couple of days then I’d let him know after that. Emily needs me so I’ve tried, unsuccessfully, to put that in the forefront of my mind, but the look on Charleigh’s face keeps invading my thoughts. First time in months of warding off women, not even caring to look at one, much less talk to one, and I meet an amazing young woman who I can’t get out of my head.
I slept only a few hours but get out of bed with renewed vigor. My concern for Emily gives me drive. After my shower and packing a bag, I take off in my car, pick up a trailer, and head out. It’s about a six and a half hour drive so it gives me too much time alone to think. Charleigh had to think that was a woman I’m seeing or maybe my girlfriend. I should have told her from the beginning. Why does this woman fascinate me so much? She’s younger, beautiful, and has a good head on her shoulders. Career driven. Knows what she wants. Two jobs to make ends meet while going to college. Reminds me of – me. She obviously loves children. A plus in my book. She has a sexy way about her, a sweet musical laugh. Kind, yet she stands up for herself when needed. She’s – perfect. The figurative light bulb lights over my head. I have her phone number! Keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel, I pull my wallet out of my back pocket and dig out her card that I’d taken from my desk drawer.
First ring.
Second ring.
Third ring.
Voicemail.
I end the call.
What in the hell would I say? This isn’t a conversation I want to have over the phone or by text. I need to see her. Explain. Wait! Her address is on the card! No, she’s most likely at the bar working. Maybe once I get Emily settled I’ll go over to the bar. Insist she hear me out. That’s it! It will be much more effective face to face.
Then my mind changes in the opposite direction.
Is it too soon since the divorce?
Am I ready? Will I ever be ready?
What if my heart is crushed again?
What if Embry becomes close to her and we break up? It would be so difficult for Embry in an already difficult time.
What if I don’t take a chance and I’m alone forever? Not completely alone. I’ll always have my Princess.
By the time I reach Emily’s apartment building, my mind is exhausted from my thoughts. Maybe I just need to go out and get laid. No. Not my style. That would haunt me even more. Knocking on her door feels odd at best, but it’s not like I’ve been here but a couple of times. The door swings open and she’s in my arms instantly. “Greer.” I walk inside, her pulling on my hand, and notice how red, swollen, and puffy her eyes are. Looking around, I see boxes everywhere.
“You already packed?”
She wipes her eyes of fresh tears. “After my job let me go, I knew I needed to get out of here so I’d packed everything but my clothes and bathroom stuff. Finished that this morning after I got home from the hospital.” Releasing my hand, she folds herself into me and lays her head against my chest. My arms move around her as if they were home. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It’s gonna be okay,” I whisper against her head.
I ended up crashing on her couch and we ended up talking the night away. The next day, I’d packed the trailer and back seat of my SUV with all her things. We stopped and ate lunch then headed home. Home. It will be more like a home now that she’ll be there. At least for a while. Not sure how long she’ll stay. Maybe until she gets on her feet, maybe longer. For now, I’ll cherish the time we have.
“Greer! Your house is amazing! Are all these things new? I don’t recognize anything.”
We’d been home for a couple of hours. I’d unloaded everything and put most of it in my garage except the things she wanted in her room. It’s evening so I poured myself a Jack and Coke while she nursed her straight Coke as we sit in the living room.
“Um. Out with the old….”
“In with the new. I get it.” She sighs. “At least Jeremy and I weren’t married, even though we’d been together for a few years.” I watch as she wipes under her eye. “Anyway. I won’t be here too long. At most hospitals, nurses are hard to come by. I shouldn’t have an issue getting a job. This thing will be a hindrance for a while.” She lifts her left casted arm. “I’ll start looking for a place in the morning too.
“No hurry, Em. I’ve got more than enough room. Embry will be excited you’re here.”
“Oh, my little bug. I can’t wait to see her.”
We spent the rest of the evening ordering in Chinese and reminiscing. By eleven, she was practically falling asleep on the couch. I made her go to bed while I cleaned up. She’s been through so much and hasn’t been out of the hospital long. She needs her rest.
I lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling, thinking about blue eyes.