Out of Nowhere Page 17

  He doesn’t say anything. He grabs my mug, places it on the coffee table and pulls me into his lap. Wrapping his arms around me, I snuggle into him. “Ems, you are a strong individual. Tell Sheridan that you will look over what she has and go from there. Tackle one issue at a time. I have faith that you can turn this around.”

  “Will you help me, Chase?”

  “If you want me to, I will. But Ems, I think you already know what you need to do.”

  “I know,” I quietly whisper. “Can we just stay like this for a little longer?” Silently I add, because I don’t know how much longer this is going to last.

  “We can do whatever you want.”

  For the rest of the day, Chase keeps me occupied. We head to Nelson Lake and go for a hike before having a dip to cool down. We stop in and visit Ma and Pa on our way back. As night falls, Sheridan texts me.

  SHERIDAN: Files are on your doorstep.

  EMERSON: Thanks. I’ll look them over.

  SHERIDAN: Thanks, Ems. On my way back to NY, chat in a few days

  Chase notices a change in me as I slide my phone into my pocket. “Everything okay?”

  Nodding my head, I reply, “Yeah, that was Shez. She dropped off the files for me to look over.”

  Reaching over, he squeezes my knee. “I know you can do this. You can’t move forward until you confront your past. I’m here to bounce ideas off anytime.”

  “Thanks, Chase, but I’m scared. I was just an assistant, actually, I was unemployed before this all happened, and now I’m the head of a multi million dollar corporation on the brink of collapse because I was a chicken. Some CEO I am.”

  “Emerson, don’t be so hard on yourself. You will get through this.”

  “I hope you’re right, Chase, because if those people lose their jobs because of me I will never forgive myself.” Looking over at him, I hesitantly ask, “Do you mind if you drop me home? I need a night alone to process all this.”

  “Of course I can. Just know, I’m here of you need me.”

  “Thanks, Chase.”

  The rest of the car trip to my place is silent, my mind racing with a million different scenarios. Before I know it, we’ve pulled up at my place. Turning to face Chase, I say, “Thank you for this. Wanna do lunch tomorrow?”

  “That sounds perfect. I suggest you go inside, pour a wine, grab your latest smut fest, and have a relaxing bath. Tackle it tomorrow when you have a clear head.”

  “Are you in my mind? That is exactly what I was thinking of doing.”

  He taps the end of my nose lightly and with a smile declares, “I know you better than you think, Emerson James. Now get out of my car.”

  “Yes, boss,” I cheekily reply. Leaning over the center console, I kiss him goodnight. “See you tomorrow, Chase.”

  As I’m closing the door, I swear I hear him quietly whisper, “I love you.” But the door is now closed and, with a heavy heart, I turn and head up the front stairs. Picking up the package from Sheridan, I unlock the door, wave goodbye to Chase, and head inside for a relaxing bath with a wine.

  * * *

  My phone is ringing and I see that it’s Sheridan. She only left yesterday, so if she’s calling me so soon, it can’t be good. Picking up my phone, I answer on the third ring. “Hey, Shez.”

  “Emerson, you need to come deal with this now. I can’t hold them off any longer. When I returned, they expected you with me, they weren’t happy. I’m sorry,” she immediately says, my stomach sinking as what she says fully registers.

  “It’s not your fault, Shez. We always knew this day would come. We could only hold the board off for so long.” Rubbing my forehead, I sigh. “When do you need me there?” I ask, but I already know the answer.

  “Yesterday,” she replies. “Ems, while you are on your way back, you need to decide what you want to do.”

  “I know, I know,” I confirm, breathing out deeply. I close my eyes and sadly tell her, “Funny thing was, I was just sitting down to go through everything right now.”

  “I knew you would do it, I wish I’d come to see you sooner.”

  “This is not your fault, Shez. You have gone above and beyond your job description. Dad was right, you are a godsend. I’ll leave this afternoon. See you soon…ish.”

  Hanging up from Sheridan, I dejectedly sigh. I sit down and look at the papers from her. Picking up the top file, I shake my head and throw it back on the counter. I know that I have to go back and face it all…and I know that I have to do it alone. Standing up, I grab an apple, take a bite, and a laugh escapes me. “Looks like I’m going back to the Big Apple,” I sadly say to my empty kitchen, staring at the apple in my hand.

  Not wanting to get there too soon, I decide to drive—the twenty-eight-ish hour drive will give me time to accept that I have royally screwed up, both my past and present. And it will allow me to time to process it all and hopefully come up with a solution. Who knew that running away would have such dire consequences?

  Heading into my bedroom, I quickly pack a bag. Placing it by the front door, I walk into the kitchen and fill my travel mug. It’s going to be a long drive from Nels Cove to New York. While I wait for my coffee to brew, I take pen to paper, and just like last time I ran away, and I write a note.

  Dearest Chase,

  Writing this is so hard because as much as I want to stay and be with you, I can’t. I need to face my past and that means going back to New York. We always knew my time here in Nels Cove was temporary.

  I’m a city girl, you’re a country boy. Maybe one day our paths will cross again. But if they don’t, know that you are a wonderful man who made me live again. You brought me back to life, you taught me to love again.

  I love you, Chase!

  Love, Ems XoXoX

  Folding the note in half, I kiss it as I slip it into my pocket. Putting the pen and paper away, I turn to my coffee machine. I fill up my travel mug, screw on the lid on, and walk toward the door, grabbing my bag as I head out.

  Jumping into my car, I have one stop to make before I go. I’ll get them to pass this onto Chase. I wish I was strong enough to say goodbye in person, but I’m not good at goodbyes. Reversing out of my driveway, I drive over to the homestead to see Ma. When I pull up, she is sitting on the porch swing. As I’m getting out of my car, she walks over to me. Before I get a chance to say anything she says, “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

  Nodding my head, the first tear falls. “I have to, I can’t put it off any longer. How did you know?”

  “Oh, sweetness,” she says as she wraps her arms around me. “You knew this day would come and so did I. I just hoped it would have been a little longer.”

  “I know, but I don’t want to leave Chase. I…I love him.”

  “I know you do, and he’ll be here when you get back.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll be back,” I tearfully say.

  “Emerson, you will be back. You and Chase are meant to be, I feel it in my bones.”

  “I hope so, Ma. Can you please give him this?” I reach into my back pocket and hand her the letter. “I’m not good at goodbyes.”

  She takes the letter and places her palm on my cheek. “You are better than you think Emerson. I’ll give this to Chase and I’ll see you soon.”

  Wrapping my arms around Ma, I cry into her shoulder. She hugs me tightly, just like Mom used to, and it’s just what I need. Pulling away, I tearfully smile. “Bye, Ma.” Turning around, I put one foot in front of the other until I climb into my car. For the second time in my life, I sadly drive away from the homestead with someone I love sadly watching on.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Chase

  THEY SAY YOU CAN’T DIE from a broken heart, but obviously ‘they’ have not had their heart ripped out by the person they love and cherish the most in this world. Finally, I thought she had opened the door to her heart and was letting me in. I’d opened the door to mine, and for the first time ever, I fell hard and fast for a woman. With one damn note, she ripped
my heart to shreds. I knew as soon as Ma called and asked me to stop by that something was wrong, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this.

  It was a crazy day so I asked Ma to meet me at Tiff’s and as soon as I saw Ma walk in I knew. I knew from the look on her face that Ems was gone. With each step Ma took toward me, a piece of my heart shattered. Deep down, I knew that she was going to run, but I was hoping that if I gave her space, that she’d stay. That she loved me enough to stay, to let me help. Oh, how wrong I was.

  For the next week, I’m a total grumpy ass. Everyone steers clear of me. Oddly enough though, I manage to finalize a few deals that have been lingering. I think my fiery attitude and take-no-prisoners approach is what sealed the deals. I’m just finalizing an e-mail when my phone rings, it’s Sheridan. Immediately I think of Emerson and wonder if she’s okay. I stare at my phone, wondering if I should answer it. If Emerson is in trouble, I want to help her, even with what she had done to me. On the third ring, I answer, “Is Emerson okay?”

  “Well, hello to you too, Chase. I’m well. Thanks for asking,” she sternly says. I picture her sitting at her desk with a smug grin on her face right now.

  “Sorry. Hello, Sheridan. How’s it going?”

  “Things are shit, Chase.” Her voice is broken. “I need your help. Emerson needs your help.”

  That shocks me and I sit up. “Anything. What does she need? I can be there tonight.”

  “Hold on, hold on. She’d kill me if she knew I was talking to you. Look, things are bad. Like bad-bad, and I need your advice, help, hell, a magic wand to fix this. The board is out for blood, Emerson’s blood. And unless I can come up with a plan, they are going to fire her and remove her as CEO, she won’t have any say in the running of the James Corporation. Chase that cannot happen. This is her legacy. I worked closely with Mr. James for three years, Chase; he wouldn’t want this. If they take this from her, it will destroy her.”

  “What can I do?” I say, without any hesitation whatsoever.

  “I’ve just couriered you a box. Look though it and let me know your thoughts.”

  Nodding, I say, “Can do.” Pausing, I purse my lips and then ask, “How is she?”

  “Miserable. She’s missing you, but she’s too proud to say anything.”

  “That sounds like her.” We both go quiet. “Sheridan, I think I’m in love with her. I’m going to fix this and then I’m going to win her back.”

  “I know you love her, and I know she loves you too. Chase, it’s bad. I need all the help that I can get, and I know you are the person to help. No pressure.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, no pressure, but I’m here, Sheridan. Whatever you need.” I say, “I won’t let her, or you, down.”

  “I know you won’t, Chase. And thanks.”

  The next day, the box from Sheridan arrives. I call in the big guns to go through this with me: Pa. For the next three days, he and I scour every document. We speak to Sheridan several times a day and a few other contacts as well. It gets to the point that I need to be on the ground in New York to finalize our plan, so I pack a bag and head to the big city.

  * * *

  It’s so hard to be in the same city as Emerson and not be able to see her. Touch her. Hold her. Talk to her, or make sweet love to her. With all my heart, I know that once this is sorted, that will happen…I hope. As Ma always says to me ‘patience is a virtue,’ but I’m sure whoever came up with that saying wasn’t in love with the most amazing person in the world.

  I’ve been in New York for four days now, and the board meets in three days time. I’m pretty sure that Sheridan and I have a solid proposal that the board will approve of. It will save both the James Corporation and Emerson. I’m walking out of a coffee shop and I run in that last person I expect to see, Emerson’s best friend, Bella. Her eyes nearly pop out of her head when she sees me and then her face breaks into a megawatt smile. “Dude, please tell me you are here to swoop in and declare your undying love for my best friend?”

  “Eventually, yes,” I say, before adding, “But first I need to save her company.”

  Bella smiles at me before proudly saying, “I knew you were a good egg.” She grabs my arm and leads me back into the coffee shop, “You and I need to come up with a plan.” With a wicked smirk, she adds, “And I know exactly what we are going to do.”

  “Karaoke, that’s your plan?”

  Bella excitedly nods at me, taking a bite of her chocolate chip cookie. With her mouth full she says, “Yep, and I know the perfect song for you to sing to our girl.” I’m looking at her hesitantly, this chick can’t be serious, but what’s scary is that I think she might be onto a winner here. I need a grand gesture to win her over and this crazy plan just might work.

  “Bella, what if she doesn’t go?”

  “Have you met me? Like she will have a choice in the matter. By the end of tomorrow night, she will realize that you are meant for each other. Then the following day, you swoop in and save the day-slash-company-slash-her. And then voila, you both live happily ever after. The End!” She finally takes a breath and I’m still processing all that she just said to me.

  I find myself smiling as I laugh. Shaking my head, I say, “I think you’re right, Bella. This crazy-ass plan of yours, and mine, just might work.”

  “Of course it will, Chase. You need to throw those positive vibes into the atmosphere, bring in all the good juju and all the crap.”

  “You are one crazy chick, but I can see why Ems likes you so much.”

  “Please, she loves me. I’m her sister from another mister,” she matter-of-factly states. “Okay, I have to run, but tomorrow night, eight p.m., at the Five Lounge over on Madison. And Chase, don’t be late.” Then she scarily adds, “Or I’ll find you.”

  “Trust me, Bella. I will be there. I love Emerson with all my heart.”

  “Naw, I know you do. See you tomorrow.” She stands up and leaves me sitting in the coffee shop grinning like a dumbass, a dumbass in love…and I could not be happier.

  * * *

  The next day I wake earlier than usual and I decide to jog around Central Park, rather than on the treadmill in the hotel gym. It’s so peaceful in the park this early in the morning, I can see why Emerson loves it here so much. After a few more miles, I take a seat near the carousel and start thinking about Emerson. I’m smiling when I realize that I would move here in a heartbeat if that’s what she wanted. Not sure a country boy like me could live in the Big Apple, but with Emerson by my side, I know I could do it.

  Heading back to my hotel, I pass a memorial. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and when I walk over to it, I realize that this is the spot where Emerson lost everyone. Walking up to the memorial chair, I place my hand on it and I whisper, “Hi guys. I’m Chase and, umm, man this is weird, but umm, I promise to love and look after Emerson for all of you.” Pausing, I take a deep breath before adding, “Brian, you will always be her first love, and I will never take that away from her, or you. Mr. and Mrs. James, you have raised an amazing daughter, you should be proud of her. She’s been a little lost, but I think she will be okay, and I will do whatever it takes to make her happy.”

  Walking away from the memorial, I feel a sense of acceptance and happiness. I know that they would want Emerson to be happy and I will do everything in my power to make that happen…even sing karaoke. I have the perfect song in mind, sorry Bella, but I’m going with my choice, your song just won’t cut it.

  Arriving at the lounge early, I head to the bar to grab a beer and a shot of bourbon. I need the bourbon to calm my nerves. As agreed with Bella, I will hide out in the back of the bar. We don’t want Ems to see me until I’m up on stage. I’m lifting my beer to my lips when I feel her presence. Looking up I see her, Bella, Sheridan, and a few other people walk in. My heart literally stops at her beauty. She’s wearing ass-hugging black pants, and a black and white monochrome corset top. She looks absolutely beautiful. It’s taking everything I have to not race over there
and whisk her away. She’s smiling, but it’s her fake one, the smile she gives when she’s miserable. My heart breaks for her and I want nothing more than to go over to her, wrap my arms around her, and hold her. I know that I can’t because—A. Bella would kill me. And B. She needs a grand gesture, and this will be epically grand.

  Bella spots me and grins sheepishly at me. When she walks toward the bar, she winks and subtly gives me the thumbs-up. Sheridan spots me, her mouth drops open in shock, but I shake my head and nod toward Bella. Sheridan whispers in Bella’s ear and the two of them whisper to each other. Sheridan looks back over at me and giggles. Man, I’m never going to live this down, I think to myself.

  Before I know it, the karaoke starts. My nerves kick in and I feel like I want to vomit. I’m the third person on tonight, but I don’t notice the first two who sing because my eyes are steadfastly locked on Ems. It’s killing me to be so close to her, but soon I’ll have her in my arms again, I hope. All of a sudden I hear, “And up next we have a special guest. You know who you are, so come on up.” Everyone in the lounge is looking around. Chugging back my beer, I place the empty bottle on the table and stand up. As I walk to the front, my eyes are locked on Emerson. She’s looking around the bar and when she spots me, her eyes pop open in shock. Her face is totally confused. Our eyes are locked on each other as I walk past her toward the stage. As I pass her, I wink. She shakes her head at me like she used to when we first met, but this time her face is lit up like the Rockefeller Christmas tree.