Page 50 of So in Love
“Yep.Even though I’m bummed you didn’t find anything, I’m still going full speed ahead with Darryl.We’re hoping to find Dorinda’s family—maybe they’ll have some information.”She’d call him next to tell him her news about meeting with Kim.
“I’m not done either.I’ll see if I can’t findsomethingout about the Stowe family.”
“Really?That would be so cool of you.”She loved that he wanted to help.“I think Darryl and I will try that avenue as well—along with looking for KKK activity in that area, regardless of when.Even if it isn’t around 1902, we can hopefully trace the participants back to the Stowes and try to piece together what happened.I just really want to know why they targeted Dorinda’s brothel.And I’d rather not make that part up.”
He leaned forward and set his phone on his desk.“You’d do that?”
“Well, if it’s going to be a movie, there has to besomemotivation.”
“I guess so.And I guess true stories are dramatized all the time.”
“Allthe time.Anyway my agent pal was pretty stoked, so I am too.”
His gaze softened.“That’s so great.You deserve that.”
Did she?How did he know?That was something Alaina would say.Him saying it inferred he knew her well.Did he?Shit, this was maybe moving in a direction she didn’t need.
You called him,she reminded herself.
Before she could tell him she needed to go, he beat her to it.
“Unfortunately, I need to get back to work.I’ve got a call with a supplier here in a couple of minutes.”
“Yeah, I’ve got stuff to do too.Catch you later.”
“Later!”
The call ended, and she set the phone on her desk.Turning the chair, she stared out at her patio.She’d expected him to make some flirty parting comment.But he hadn’t.He’d been as ready to ditch the call as she had.Which is for the best.
Wasn’t it?
Jamie was in a crap mood.Today’s day trading had gone really poorly, and he was now very negative for the month.Hopefully he could recoup some of his losses over the coming week, but if not, he’d have to come up with plan B.Whatever that was.
Plus, he hadn’t talked to Crystal since their FaceTime conversation about a week ago.They’d texted a few times, but they’d both been busy.He also sensed they were both embracing the space of their separation, which was a good thing.Or so he told himself.If it was good, why did it make him irritable?Because getting laid on a regular basis was great for one’s stress level.
He silently chastised himself.She was more than that.
And now he was right back to appreciating the separation.
It was just as well he hadn’t spoken to her.He’d hated lying to her about not finding anything at Mom’s.He was afraid that if he talked to her again, he might spill the beans.Unfortunately, he hadn’t learned anything new since then.His college friend was on vacation and wasn’t due back for another few days.
Something dark scurried across the road, causing him to slam the brakes.He skidded, and his heart nearly pounded out of his chest.
“Goddammit!”He yelled at whatever wildlife had decided it was a good idea to run around in the pitch dark in nearly freezing rain.“Stupid animal!”
He took a deep breath to calm his racing pulse and started forward again.He moved slowly up the hill toward his half-brother Dylan’s house.He and Sara had invited him to come for dinner and to visit with his infant niece.Emma was ten months old and had just started to walk the day before.Dylan had proudly sent video to him, Luke, and Cam.Jamie’s enthusiastic response had netted him this dinner invite.
He pulled into their driveway and forced himself to relax.A cute baby would cheer him up.
After shutting off the engine, he dashed up to their porch and rang the bell.
Dylan greeted him a moment later.“Come on in.Wow, it’s really coming down.”
“Steady misery.”Jamie stepped inside and closed the door behind him.He shrugged out of his coat and hung it on a rack near the door.
Dylan was already walking back toward the kitchen.“You want a beer?”
“Sure.”Jamie looked around the remodeled house.They’d finally done the dining room.He paused, looking into the nearly finished space.Looked like all they needed was molding.“Dining room looks great,” he called out before heading toward the kitchen.
