Chapter Nine

Two days and nothing. No message, not even a call. “Some seduction plan that turned out to be,” Asa muttered as she made her way down the stairs.

Her stomach knotted, reminding her of the foolishness for expecting more. Simeon remained an enigma. She needed to give up. He may have wanted her, but something kept him from crossing that line. He had followed her back to her house, watched as the electrician replaced a few blown fuses, and disappeared.

She sat down in an overstuffed chair with her sketch pad. A few more pieces were needed for the fashion show. She drew a sketch of Simeon’s broad shoulders and sharp jaw, before crumpling the paper and dropping it on the floor.

There was a small glimmer of hope for the house. Enough for her to stroke and nurture until she could convince him that this house deserved saving. She wrapped her arms around her waist while staring at the water stain on the ceiling. Did every ceiling in this house have some major defect?

“Come on, Scruffy, let’s get you outside. I need to get to the bookstore before Dakota starts questioning where we are.”

The dog bounced out the door ahead of her. He scurried out of sight behind an unruly forsythia bush without its yellow blossoms. She crept down the stairs after him, mindful of splinters from the rickety banister. The tall, damp grass tickled her ankles. No wonder Simeon wanted to level the block. It looked like nobody cared.

§ § §

“It’s about time you showed up.” Dakota greeted her when she walked in the store. “I wasn’t sure you’d get here before lunch.” Dakota held an arm full of books.

“I’m not used to having a dog. It takes extra time getting out of the house in the morning. Then I ran into Mrs. Donald, called someone to cut the grass, spoke to my accountant and my seamstress in New York. I’ve put in a full day’s work and it’s only noon,” Asa walked behind the counter and perched on the edge of the stool.

Dakota set the books on the counter. She eyed the dog for a moment before patting his head.

“I’ve got a really good idea,” Asa tapped her finger against her cheek.

“Are you going to stop grinning and tell me what it is?”

“I could throw a block party to rally the residents against the strip mall. It could be just like old times.”

“How are you going to organize a block party, get the shop ready, and save the house? It’s too much.”

“I can do it. It wouldn’t take much. I could ask all the neighbors to help organize and hire a caterer. Or bring potluck like they used to. Entertainment would be pretty easy, a few games for the kids, some horseshoes, checkers and dominos. Some music.” She crossed her leg. “See, I’ve done it already.” She brushed her hands together.

“Asa, in a few months there won’t be any houses left on that block. It’s practically deserted already.” She stroked her sister’s shoulder. “When are you going to accept reality?”

Asa shook her head without meeting her sister’s eyes. “Pepa worked hard for that house. We should keep it in the family.”

“Are you sure this is about Pepa?” Dakota continued to stroke her sister’s arm.

“What do you think it’s about?”

“Only you can answer that. But maybe—and this is only my take on the situation, you were married to a jackass so you’re feeling deserted, deceived, and deflated. Right now, you’re looking for comfort. It’s like taking off those awful pointy-toes shoes and putting on your favorite slippers.”

Asa spun her back to her sister. “Nope, that’s not it.”

“I hope you’re not getting your hopes up too high, Asa. Even if Simeon decides to leave the house alone, it would take a small fortune to make the place livable. There are new townhouses and condominiums down on the Riverfront. You should take a look at them.”

“Money is not the issue. I don’t want something without character or to live with a bunch of strangers. I lived with a stranger for two years and it’s no fun.”

“You’ll make new friends.”

“Can I use your computer? I want to do a little web-surfing to see what I can find out about Simeon.”

“You can use the computer in the office.” Dakota nodded to the back of the store.

“I need to call the realtor that’s looking for the studio and contact a few fabric suppliers.” Asa jumped up. “This shouldn’t take too long.”

In the small office Asa typed Simeon’s name into the computer. In an instant a list of relevant topics flashed on the screen. She found pictures of him with the mayor and the governor. His broad smile beamed across the page. He’d made the front page of The Weekender as one of the wealthiest eligible bachelors in the tri-state area. There were several magazine articles and news clippings about his philanthropic work. She couldn’t find anything on the Golden Leaf Community. Finally, her eyes settled on a feature about the community center across town.

Asa read the story twice. She rubbed her forehead with the heel of her palm. With all those glowing accolades her task to save the house seemed more daunting. His wonderful speech received praise from several elected and government officials. There was even a brief comment from a Golden Leaf resident proclaiming the benefits of all his good works.

“Traitor,” Asa shut down the computer.

“Are you going to be much longer?” Dakota stood in the doorway of her office.

Asa groaned and pushed away from the desk.

“Why the long face. Did something bad happen?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” Asa squared her shoulders.

“Ooookay,” Dakota walked to the front of the store. “Let’s go to lunch across the street.”

Dakota led the way to the small café. The noise level inside was deafening. Someone called out numbers for orders that were ready for pick-up. And the kitchen staff released their frustration with the heat by slamming the oven door each time they removed a slice of pizza. A thick crowd gathered around the cash register to pay for their lunches.

Dakota pointed to a table in the corner. “Someone is getting up back there. Grab those seats for us, Asa.”

Asa gave her sister her lunch order and rushed to the table. She pulled the small table away from the wall to make room for the two of them.

By the time her sister came to the table the crowd had begun to thin and the noise level had dropped.

“It’s good to have you back in the city again. I missed our lunches together.” Dakota placed the trays on the table.

“I know. Atlanta never felt like home.”

“Maybe I should plan a party. You know...invite the cousins so we can sit around and reminisce about the good old days.” Dakota pushed her salad around her plate without taking a bite. She put her fork down. “So, any luck finding a place to open your studio?”

“There are two places I like. I’ll make a decision soon.” Asa finished the last of her salad. “Why aren’t you eating?”

Dakota shrugged. “So what’s with Simeon?”

Asa hadn’t mentioned her overnight stay with Simeon. The last thing she wanted was more teasing. She put her soda can down. “How would I know? One thing for sure I never did get that fancy dinner at the hotel.”

“I can take you tonight,” Dakota replied. “Let’s do it, we’ll make it a night.”

“Dakota, if it was about the food I could take myself.”

“Ohhh, what does that mean? Was it more than dinner?” Dakota leaned forward.

“Never mind.”

§ § §

He eyed the phone. He should have called her by now. A quick apology, a little groveling, and setting a date for dinner should be easy. She wanted to keep her house and he wanted her. Mixing the two was a toxic cocktail. Combining business with pleasure never worked out in his favor. But he wanted to do just that. Succumbing to carnal desire almost brought down a president, cost a few mayors their offices, and brought a golfing great to his knees. Simeon needed to be careful. He wouldn’t be at peace until Golden Leaf became a strip mall and dad’s favorite bench was made into kindling.

But the intense pleasure flowing through his veins could not be denied. He needed more time with Asa. Any hot-bloodied man would.

He picked up the phone and dialed her number.

“I still owe you dinner.” He didn’t introduce himself.

“Uh, that you do. I thought you were avoiding me.”

“Never. Can I pick you up this evening at six?”

There was a long pause. His stomach knotted while he waited for her to reply.

“Tonight?”

“I know it’s short notice, but I’d really like to see you.” He drummed his fingers on the desk.

“Six is fine. See you then.”

He hung up and reared back in his chair. Saving the Conroy home was not an option. Her large dark eyes had begged for understanding. How could he tell her the house was coming down as soon as the ink dried on all the contracts?

He opened his briefcase. The two contracts were on top. He spread them out on the desk. The words blurred into a gray haze.

After dinner tonight he’d tell her the project couldn’t be stopped. It would put an end to their relationship before it actually got started. That was always the course for them. But this would be the longest dinner in history. Maybe he’d talk her into his bed, before delivering the bad news.

He picked up the phone and buzzed Catherine.

“Yes.” She came into his office with a pad in hand. “I need reservations at the Hotel DuPont tonight.”

“Again?” She smirked.

“Tell them I want two Hazelnut Soufflés, but I don’t want them to begin the preparation until after we’ve finished our entrees.”

“You hate waiting.” She wrote down his instructions. “Tonight must be special.” Catherine raised an eyebrow.

Simeon turned to face his computer. “It’s been a long time and I have a taste for something decadent.”

“Do you need anything else?” Catherine prepared to leave.

“One more thing.” He scribbled a note on a piece of paper and handed it to her. “I’ll need you to find me one of these and have it wrapped. That’ll be it.”

She glanced at the note and curled her lip. “Where am I supposed to find one of these? Aren’t these things antiques now?”

“Use your magic, you’ll find one. I don’t care what it costs.” She nodded. “Oh, your brother called this morning.”

“What did he want?”

“He wouldn’t say, and he wouldn’t leave a message. Do you want me to get him on the phone?”

If Brian called in the middle of the day it must be important. The Mission kept him so busy they seldom found time to get together. The last time he called he needed new bedding for the cots.

Donating money to his brother’s causes made Simeon feel like he was doing something meaningful. If someone had opened a place like that years ago it could have helped their hapless father. Maybe they could have figured out why Nolan Harper found so much happiness at the bottom of a liquor bottle.

“Simeon.” Catherine waited till she had his full attention. “You have a meeting with the Operating Committee in a few minutes. They’re gathering now in the large conference room. Everything you requested is set up.”

He picked up his folder and stood. “And please call the car service. Tell them to detail my car. Let them know I want it back here by five.”

The Operating Committee owed him an update on the strip mall and the community center. If everything went according to plan, the demolition on Excalibur Avenue could start in a month. And the new community center could be under way in less than a year. Just in time to memorialize the two-year anniversary of his mother’s death. He had to stop worrying about what Asa would think.