Page 59 of Wine and Research
When he drew back, she smiled up at him. “Is that your stick or are you glad to see me?”
“Sorry, Elle,” he said, grasping her hips and moving her back. “Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head. “No. I was joking. See?” She motioned to her body with a wave of her hand.
He inhaled and nodded. “I certainly do. And I like what I see.”
She laughed. “I’m glad.”
“And I’m going to be late if I don’t get moving,” he said. “Coffee’s set to automatic, so there’s a pot ready in the kitchen. Help yourself to toast, bagels, whatever.”
“Will do.” She gently pushed him toward the hall. “You worry about you.”
He smiled and repeated her words, “Will do.” Then walked to the door and turned around. “Can I call you later?”
Today was a workday. So was yesterday, and she’d seen him both days. Still, this was a step in a more permanent direction.
She nodded, just in case her voice failed her. But it didn’t. “Yes,” she said, in a tone a little softer than normal.
He flashed her a gorgeous smile then left the room.
Her chest was warm and heart felt full, like it always did where Jeremy was concerned.
Refusing to think about the possible repercussions, Elle jumped in the shower, and ten minutes later, she got dressed in the living room where her clothes were located. The delicious aroma of coffee beckoned, so she ambled into the kitchen and smiled. Near the coffeemaker was a clean mug, a plate with an apple, orange, and a banana on it, and a bag of bagels and a loaf of bread next to it.
Sweet of him.
Elle poured herself a cup, grabbed the banana, then sat at the snack bar and enjoyed her leisurely breakfast, as well as being in his house. It was pretty cool. Jeremy told her that he’d allowed Ethan’s sister, Brandi, to use his house as a project when she’d been in design school. Elle loved everything she’d seen so far. Her gaze drifted to the den, just off the dining room.
Last night, Jeremy had given Elle a tour but she had only stood in the doorway and looked in. She was intrigued by the mid-century chair she could just make out from her stool. So, after she finished her breakfast, she cleaned up, then wandered into the den.
The clean lines and minimalist design elements continued, with expansive windows on the back wall, allowing natural light to flood the room. Like the living room, this area contained low-slung sofas upholstered in sleek fabrics. The neutral colors and wood accents lent to a surprisingly homey feel.
Elle walked over to the chair that had caught her attention. It was a Bentwood style, upholstered in black leather with a rosewood back. She smiled, easily picturing Jeremy lounging in it while watching a game on the huge TV that took up a good portion of the side wall.
When she turned to leave the room, she was surprised to see a fireplace made up of white brick in a stacked pattern on the wall separating the den from the dining room and entranceway. To the left of the fireplace was a desk with a bunch of photos and framed articles above it on the wall.
Inexplicably curious, Elle walked over and smiled at a photo of a young Jeremy and Jenna hamming it up for the camera. But when her gaze drifted upward, her smile disappeared on an indrawn breath that echoed through the den.
Dear God…why did he have a framed newspaper clipping of her brother’s death?
Chapter Eighteen
Elle moved closer, telling herself she was seeing things.
God, she hoped she was seeing things.
Her heart hammered hard in her chest, drying out her throat as she stared at a picture of a young Jeremy with his father in uniform, then her gaze drifted to the article with a photo of the same man next to her brother’s photo.
Oh, God…his fatherwasDaniel Mercer, but as she read the article, it became clear that her mother had gotten the names wrong. It hadn’t been Officer Martin who’d tried to save Patrick, it was Officer Mercer.
This meant Jeremy’s father had lost his life trying to save her brother.
With her gaze blurring and legs about to give out, she sank down into the nearest chair.
How could this be?
What were the chances?
