Chapter One

This is crazy. Could life get back to normal with a simple change of addresses? Asa Conroy flung her sunglasses across the dashboard and glared at the run-down house in front of her. She flexed her fingers and rolled her shoulders to release the tension from the twelve-hour drive from Atlanta. Her late model Mercedes sputtered, punctuating her arrival in Bristol, Delaware.

Her cell phone vibrated against the passenger seat. Eric, her ex-husband, had started calling ten hours ago. She refused to answer the annoying interruption. His ranting grew more persistent when she refused to entertain his apology.

She surveyed her grandparents’ house through the bug- splattered windshield. It didn’t look inviting. A faded and tattered shutter hung at an ugly angle, the torn screen door blew in the afternoon breeze, and weeds threatened to overtake the yard. But this was home, where she grew up, the only place where she could put her life back together.

Her adorable, dizzy sister, Dakota, had promised to stop by and remove the dust covers from the furniture, turn on the utilities, and stock the refrigerator. From the deserted look of the large colonial, she hadn’t done much. Asa wished she had followed her instincts and hired a cleaning crew to get the house ready. Her schedule for the next few weeks didn’t allow time for domestic activity.

Instead of unpacking everything stuffed in the trunk, she shoved her cell phone into her purse, grabbed her overnight bag, and trudged up the rickety wooden stairs. Everything she needed tonight fit into one of these two bags. She was too exhausted to unload anything else.

The stairs creaked, piercing the quiet surroundings. She stuck her key in the lock and turned the knob. The door didn’t budge. She dropped her bags at her feet, sized up the task, then threw her hip against the door. It swung open with such force that she stumbled into the narrow hallway.

She groped for and found the wall switch. Dim light illuminated the front hall and threw a band of gloss across the scarred wooden floors.

Sheets covered everything. It didn’t surprise her that Dakota had forgotten to keep her promise. The interior of the house looked almost as bad as the exterior. A musty smell permeated the air and a layer of dust covered everything. Despite the odor, her chest puffed with happiness. Now she could start over. Joyful anticipation made her knees tremble.

Her cell phone rang, again. She fished it out of her purse. Before accepting the call, she checked to make sure it wasn’t her stalker ex-husband. Her sister, Melissa’s number appeared in the display.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Why haven’t you been accepting my calls? I’ve been trying to reach you for two days.” Melissa’s shrill voice pierced the silence in the room.

“Eric kept bugging me, so I stopped picking up.”

“Well, while you’re trying to dodge your crazy ex did it dawn on you that you might miss some other important calls? That’s so much like you, Asa, always taking the passive-aggressive route. I thought you would have some backbone by now.”

“Look, Melissa, I wanted to concentrate on the road, I didn’t need the distraction.” Asa plopped down on the sofa and massaged her temple. “What’s so important?

“Where are you?”

“In Bristol. I just got here. I haven’t been in the house ten minutes yet.”

“What took you so long? I thought you were getting in yesterday.”

“I had car trouble, and stopped in D.C. to look at a boutique on Connecticut Avenue. They’re featuring my spring line.” Asa fingered a curl on her forehead.

“Did Dakota tell you about the house?”

“Tell me what? That it needs a thorough cleaning? You know how forgetful she is. She didn’t even open the house like we agreed. The electricity is on but I’ll bet there isn’t any food in the fridge.” She fell back against the sofa. A plume of dust rose around her. “The house looks abandoned. Why isn’t Dakota keeping the place up?”

“Did she tell you about the house?” Melissa’s voice was tense.

Panic crawled up her spine. “Tell me what, Melissa? Why can’t you tell me?” She couldn’t suppress the edge in her voice.

“Look, I don’t know how long you plan to stay, but the house is being torn down in a few months to make way for a strip mall. I signed a preliminary agreement with Simeon’s company a few weeks ago. Once they’ve completed the due diligence, we’ll sign the final contract.”

Asa squeezed her eyes against the sharp pain churning in her gut. “What did you say?” Her hands trembled. Her heart thundered against her ribs. “Simeon Harper?”

“Yes, it’s his company’s project. It shouldn’t be a problem, you usually only stay a few days anyway.”

“Did you say the house is being torn down?” Asa shouted into the mouthpiece.

“Yes, calm down. What is your problem?”

“It shouldn’t cause a problem for who, Melissa? For you? Why am I just now hearing about this? ”

“I know Mim and Pepa left the house to the three of us. I thought this is what you and Dakota wanted. This offer came along...I took it.”

Asa groaned. She had a vague recollection of conversations about selling the property, after her grandmother’s death, but between grieving for her grandmother and bemoaning her failing marriage, she hadn’t paid much attention.

“The house is a money pit, we need to run while we can,” Melissa continued.

“I’m willing to buy you and Dakota out. I want the house.” Asa rubbed her forehead.

“Well,” Melissa hesitated. “They’re looking to see what, if any, liens exist on the houses, checking surveys, and zoning permits; stuff like that. If everything checks out then we move forward to final contract.”

Tension crept back into Asa’s shoulders. She slumped against the couch. Her sisters didn’t know this trip to Bristol wasn’t a visit—it was permanent. She planned to live happily in the house where she grew up. Why was it talking to her sisters more difficult than talking with a strangers? Hearing their judgment-laced speeches about running away again would make her scream. That was why she didn’t bother telling them her plans.

“Are you there, Asa?” The exasperation in Melissa’s voice clawed her skin like a cat.

“Yeah, I’m here. Look Melissa, I didn’t mention my plans to you or Dakota, but I’m moving back permanently. This summer, I need to finish my designs and renovate a studio. I had no idea you were even considering selling the house.”

Melissa snorted. “Well, Asa, I didn’t know you’d ever think about moving back to Bristol to live. Why don’t you come out to California and stay with me and Darius. We have plenty of room.”

She and Melissa got along about as well as Tom and Jerry. After constantly matching wits with Eric she didn’t intend to repeat the bitterness again with Melissa. She wanted tranquility. “I’m staying here.”

“Are you running from something?”

Asa rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “No. I just wanted to

come home.” Asa gulped for air.

“Well— that’s up to you. I have a letter here that says there’s a meeting tonight at the high school.” She heard Melissa shuffle through some papers. “The developer will review the plans and answer the residents’ questions. If you want to know more about the project then you should go.”

“Thanks a lot.” Asa disconnected the call and fell back against the sofa. Her mind went blank as she concentrated on the crack in the ceiling that stretched from one end of the room to the next. She closed her eyes and tried to recall if it had been there the last time she came home. No, she didn’t think so.

Her fists clenched at her sides. How did bad luck find her so fast? “I should get in the car and keep driving until it runs out of gas?”

Melissa climbed out of the womb knowing what she wanted and how to get it. Asa was still looking. And by her sister’s account, she didn’t have a clue. She curled up on the sofa until her heartbeat returned to normal. Laying there she could almost feel her grandmother’s soothing fingers stroking her back. This was home. This was the only place where she felt loved. Now Simeon wanted to take her security away.

The sound of scratching broke into her thoughts. For a moment she tried to label the sound. Instead of investigating she bolted upright, punched Dakota’s number into her cell phone and pounced on her sister as soon as she answered. “Dakota, did you know about the house?”

“Hey, where are you?” Dakota was stalling, Asa could tell by her slow speech.

“Did you know?” Asa asked again between clenched teeth.

“I meant to tell you about that. I forgot. Every time I picked up the phone something happened in the store.” Dakota paused. “You’re not upset, are you?”

“Hell yes, I’m upset. How could both you and Melissa fail to tell me about this?”

“Well, you were dealing with Eric and working on your designs for Fashion Week, so...”

“Melissa mentioned a meeting, are you going?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

Asa jumped up and another cloud of dust followed her. “I’ll pick you up in five minutes. I need to find out what’s going on.”

Asa pushed her way to the front of the crowded school auditorium. Her stomach twisted in a tight knot. The meeting was beginning and she wanted a seat in the first row. The crumpled meeting agenda left ink stains in her sweaty palm. She didn’t need a piece of paper to remind her what she wanted to do.

How could Simeon Harper still turn her life upside down after ten years? Most of the time in high school he ignored her, barely acknowledging her existence. Now his strip mall threatened the one place she felt happy and safe.

Her curiosity compelled her to hurry to the empty seats in the front of the room. So privately agog about Simeon’s intentions that she had to remember to greet her gathering neighbors. When she saw Simeon eyes then she would know whether his project should be taken as a personal affront against her and her family or not. Eyes never change. Emotions always showed in the eyes.

Asa took the seat next to her sister. The deafening chatter in the room made it hard to hear.

“Look at all these people. I hope they’re here to support the block and not the strip mall.” Asa glanced around the room hoping to find support.

Dakota nodded, her huge afro swayed back and forth. Asa leaned close to her sister and whispered. “I can’t believe I had a crush on Simeon in high school. I thought he was the most handsome boy in our class.”

“You can see for yourself, he’s still hot.” Dakota pointed to a group of men standing in the far corner.

There he was. Asa’s eyes followed the length of his frame. For a brief moment, the room stood still. No one seemed to move or utter a word. The only thing she heard was the ear-splitting sound of her blood rushing in her ears. She swallowed. Her eyes lingered on his chiseled jaw and warm brown complexion. She exhaled slowly through her nose while forcing her body to remain calm.

Some people don’t change and he didn’t disappoint her. He looked even better than she remembered. His thick lashes fluttered over his dark brown eyes and the smile he reserved for everyone else spread across his strikingly handsome face. He stood taller and leaner than the other men gathered near the podium. In a room of NBA players, maybe he wouldn’t stand out, but in this crowd of Golden Leaf residents and a few suited gentlemen he was easy to spot. His custom fitted suit was a huge contrast to the rag-tag clothes he wore to school. That handsome hunk talking to the group of men seemed self-assured and confident, not the brooding teenager she once fixated on. Would he remember the last time they saw each other? She doubted it. He probably had no idea how hurt she was that day in the parking lot.

“Aren’t you going to say something to him?” Dakota nudged her.

“Let’s wait until after the meeting. Maybe he has nothing to do with the project. I don’t want to look foolish.”

“Oh, he’s the one all right. He’s not the Simeon Harper you remember. These days, his name is stamped on almost every building project in the city.” Dakota raised an eyebrow. “Nearly every woman in town flirts with him at some point. Since you had a crush on him, why don’t you go on a date with Mr. Perfect? I think you two would make a good couple.”

“When hell freezes over. The man is trying to tear down the house. If he has his way I could be homeless in months.”

“Don’t get so dramatic,” Dakota sighed. “You know what I mean. Besides, even though my divorce is final, the last thing I want is to date anyone. I’m taking a hiatus from men until the studio is established and the fashion show is over.”

“It’s time to get back out there. You know Mim used to say, fall off a horse and get right back on.”

“No thanks. I don’t care for horses. First the house, then my studio and then the fashion show. That’s my new mantra.” Asa crossed her arms over her chest. Her heart was safely tucked away and she didn’t intend to expose her emotions for another sacrificial offering.

The corners of her lips turned up. She leaned against her sister. “But if I ever change my mind, he’s definitely the one I’d want between my sheets.”

Dakota gave her a playful nudge.

Asa sat back. Thoughts of her ill-fated marriage and the resulting divorce decree buried in her trunk were enough to stave off men. When she returned home she might need to pull it out, just in case she felt compelled to rush into another relationship. Getting her design studio up and running needed her full attention.

“But—” Dakota started.

“Shh, the meeting is getting ready to start,” Asa patted her sisters arm and leaned forward in her seat.

His confident swagger made her tingle. Simeon strolled across the stage to stand behind the podium. He cleared his throat and adjusted his papers. She squeezed the agenda tighter and concentrated on what he had to say. Understanding what he planned to do with her grandparent’s house was the only thing that mattered.

As the lights dimmed he pointed to a detailed presentation. Several pictures of a sprawling planned community flashed on the screen. A community center with basketball courts, an indoor pool, game rooms, computer center, and a commercial- sized kitchen had several people cheering. One slide depicted cottage style housing for senior and disabled citizens. His presentation of the colorful strip mall, with red awnings, slated for the Golden Leaf area drew jeers from the back of room. The muscles in her back knotted. A dry cleaner occupied the space where her home now stood.

Asa used her hand to smooth the agenda against her thigh.

Swallowing hard as she tried to make sense of his project, she scribbled dates and locations into the margins of the wrinkled paper. The image of Simeon’s broad shoulders and muscular build made it hard to concentrate. After all these years, his voice still sent ripples down her spine. But saving the house was too important to focus on anything else.

In the ten years since leaving, he’d grown taller and morphed into a charismatic man. With a boyish charm he never possessed in high school he strolled around the podium discussing the two projects’ benefits. His deep voice filled the room as he commanded the auditorium.

Everyone’s eyes focused on him. He rolled through the papers in front of him with ease. His long, lean fingers restacked the papers, banging them against the podium to indicate his presentation was finished.

“I’d like to thank all of you for coming out tonight. You can see the design for the community center or the mall on the website listed on the program. Also, if you have any questions please feel free to contact my office.” He took a step away from the podium and flashed a smile directly at her.

“Hey, Mr. Big Shot,” a man shouted from the back of the room. “Just where are we supposed to live now?”

Simeon stopped and faced the crowd. “Everyone is being compensated handsomely for their homes. If you don’t think your offer is commensurate with the value of your house, please contact my offices.”

“You bet I will,” the man huffed.

Asa watched the exchange with her mouth open. “I wonder if he’ll have the same tone after talking to me?” she asked her sister.

The crowd rushed to their feet. Some moved for the back doors. Others elbowed through them pressing toward the front of the room. Asa stepped aside, gathering her thoughts. Forming a coherent sentence seemed impossible. This wasn’t the place to discuss her issue. She needed a different approach. Getting him alone could work in her favor.

His infamous good looks and dimpled cheeks were familiar. But the way this man finessed the crowd, he could make them believe in Santa Claus. Even the angry gentleman seemed pacified now. The Simeon she remembered couldn’t, or wouldn’t do that.

Several women stood in the line to talk to Simeon. From the way they refreshed their lipstick and patted their stylish hairdos, Golden Leaf wasn’t what drew them to the school tonight.

“How do I look?” Asa asked Dakota, suddenly feeling underdressed. Her jean shorts and lace tee seemed inappropriate now.

“You look fine. Why?” Dakota turned around to see what Asa was looking at. “Oh, well, you’re not showing as much cleavage as that woman, but you look fine. This is a school, not a night club.” Dakota pushed her forward. “Now go up there and ask your questions so we can get out of here. I saw him smile at you,”

“You need to stop. Girl, there are nearly a hundred people in this room. I think he smiled at all of us. He needs to smile at every homeowner that lives at Golden Leaf to make sure we agree with his project. But I’m not falling for his charm, smooth talk, or his plans. Why in the world would he want to tear down all those houses? We need another strip mall around here about as much as we need a basement full of rats.”

“Oh boy,” Dakota sighed. “There you go.”

“You know I’m right. That neighborhood is great. The houses are historic. We had a great time growing up there. Remember the fantastic block parties we had every summer?”

“Not as fondly as you do, evidently.”

“Our parents and grandparents would turn over in their graves if they knew that house could be torn down. We have to try to save our memories for them.”

“I was there last week when I had the electricity turned on and I didn’t get a warm, fuzzy feeling about the house. Instead it felt a little creepy to me.” Dakota shivered.

Asa eyed her sister. “Well maybe you need to spend a little more time there. My first few minutes felt great, until Melissa called.”

“And you think the feeling was because of the house? Maybe that warm feeling was because you were closer to people who love you or because you were closer to Simeon. Everybody knew you had a crush on him. Maybe you still do,” Dakota snickered.

Asa ignored her sister. “I’m going up there to talk to him.”

“Just remember, be nice. It’s like Mim always said, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

“Mim had lots of sayings. Remember the one about be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home? It seems you and Melissa forgot that one.”

Dakota shrugged. “I’m just saying be nice. Don’t lose your temper.”

“Of course, I’ll be nice. I’m going to present the facts...he can’t ignore facts. Besides, since he has so much money, he can find another tract of land to build his mall.”

Dakota’s dubious look didn’t go undetected. Asa shook her finger at her sister and made her way to the podium. She fell in line behind a woman that reeked of perfume and openly flirted with Simeon. She purred his name the way a woman does when trying to entice a man. Asa slapped her flip-flop against the cement floor while she waited for the ridiculous spectacle to end. The woman placed her hand on his shoulder, faking laughter at something he said. He shifted just enough to escape her touch. The elusive Simeon hadn’t changed; the ice cube embedded in his heart remained intact.

Asa hadn’t been this close to Simeon since that unfortunate day in the school parking lot. Excitement coursed through her veins. Maybe this time she could tease him like he teased her in school. Let him do a little panting while she cruised out of his life. It would serve him right.

Her planned speech evaporated on her tongue as she watched his luscious lips. He glanced over the woman’s shoulder. His dark eyes drew Asa closer as warmth crawled up her spine and settled in her neck. She looked away until the woman finally ended her flirting and stepped aside.

In front of him she pushed her shoulders back and smiled. His aftershave smelled as good as he looked. The black flecks in his chocolate brown eyes made him look hunky and tempting. If she focused on those eyes, she would follow him anywhere, like Hansel and Gretel following crumbs through the forest. He cleared his throat and broke her trance.

“Simeon you might not remember me.” She stuck out her hand and gave him a firm handshake. “We went to high school together. I’m Asa Suarez...um...Conroy.” She scrambled for something more to say.

“Yes, I remember you. What can I do for you, Asa Suarez Conroy?”

“No, it’s just Asa Conroy now. I’ve been divorced for two years; sometimes I still slip up.” She pushed a handful of curls behind her ear. “Anyway, I’d like to talk with you about this project--the strip mall. My grandparent’s house will be impacted by it.”

“I see.” He took a wider stance, clasped his hands and held her gaze. “You haven’t changed much since high school.” He flashed a smile.

He was capable of emotion; who knew? Her stomach somersaulted. She wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Anything she felt for him should have died years ago. Play it cool girl.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Dakota nod with encouragement. Her sister’s support helped bolster Asa’s courage. “Can we talk?”

“Sure what would you like to know that wasn’t already covered in this meeting?”

“Well I don’t know much, only what you’ve shared tonight.” She wrung her hands.

“We’ve sent quarterly notices to keep everyone informed.

“I haven’t been following the notices. I just got in town tonight.”

“I can have my administrative assistant get copies for you.” The curl of his lip was sexy and seductive.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m sure my sister can fill me in. Can we meet tomorrow and talk in private?” A little time would allow her to formulate a plan and quell the rebellion building in her stomach.

“There are so many people waiting to talk with you tonight. I don’t want to hold up the line.”

He hesitated; his eyes ran the length of her legs. “We can do that.” He pulled his phone from his breast pocket and used his thumb to maneuver the screen. “How about tomorrow, we can have lunch at my offices and I can go over the plans with you?”

“I wasn’t thinking of something so formal.”

“I’ll keep it casual, it’s not a problem.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest. His platinum Rolex flashed under the fluorescent lighting. Dakota had tagged it right. He was wealthy. He reached for her hand again. This time holding it longer than necessary, but even a millisecond would have been long enough for a rush of heat to shoot up her arm. Before she could read anything into the gesture, another resident drew his attention.

Asa stumbled away to find her sister talking with a small group. What just happened? The look, his touch, was he flirting? She was the one that was supposed to be flirting. Did the lack of male companionship over the last two years have her confused?

After all these years, the last thing she should have cared about is what Simeon thought about her, but she did.

§ § §

Simeon stared after Asa as she walked away. She had to be joking. Not remember her? Unable to forget her, came closer to describing his feelings. He had seen her walk into the auditorium. For a moment, he thought it might have been a Conroy cousin, but when she smiled, there was no mistaking it was Asa. The hairs on his arms stood at attention. Only Asa Conroy could cause that kind of reaction.

He chatted with one of the residents of Golden Leaf, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Asa. The way she sashayed across the room was pure heaven. The familiar sway of her hips reminded him why he liked her so much in school. If possible, she looked even better now. The skinny high school cheerleader had blossomed into a stunning woman. The glow of her smooth complexion, along with the loose unruly curls made a spectacular package. Could her skin feel as soft as it appeared? After all these years, thoughts of Asa still swarmed in his head. Without her even knowing, she still held his heart and always would. His current appetite for her exceeded his childish crush. Thankfully, age made him wiser and in control of his desires.

He ran the back of his hand across his brow to wipe away beads of sweat.

“Did you hear me?”

“I’m sorry,” Simeon focused his attention on the resident standing in front of him. “Please repeat that for me.”

“You’re still looking at that pretty girl you were just talking to. I don’t blame you.” The man rubbed his hands together. “If I wasn’t married, I just might give you a run for your money.”

“It’s a good thing I don’t have to compete with you.” Simeon joked with the older man. He watched as Asa found her sister. The Conroy family always stuck together. He wasn’t surprised to see two of them at this meeting tonight. There were probably more Conroys gathering in the parking lot to support Asa’s mission. The Harper family could take a lesson from them.

“What can I do for you tonight?” Simeon turned back to the gentleman.

“I just want to thank you. It’s a good thing you’re doing for the neighborhood. We need a place to shop, without having to go across town.”

After shaking the resident’s hand Simeon sought out Asa again. The beautiful Asa was still as gorgeous as ever. Now she was divorced and available. He smiled. Maybe the time was right.

The poor, timid boy from high school disappeared the day they buried his father. Simeon lifted his chin and peered over the crowd. The Harper family name now represented prosperity and wealth. His current projects alone would net his company millions.

He sighed. Asa wanted to talk to him about the project. If she wanted to stop him she was wasting her time, but he planned to enjoy every minute they were together. For once, he had something the Conroys wanted and nothing she said or did would nudge him into changing his mind about tearing down those houses and the ghastly memories associated with them. That block along with the disgusting park bench his father called home would cease to irritate him.

But, a well thought out plan might allow him to enjoy Asa Conroy while convincing her the house had to come down. At least I’ll give it a good try.