"Why did you and your brother go after Emily's grandfather's land like that?"
"I was the one who screwed up. As soon as Russ heard the land was for sale, he went after it. We didn't know anything about the history of the property. That's something I'm kicking myself for, and I'll make sure not to repeat the same mistake. Neither one of us set out to bring harm to Emmitt Carson or steal from him. I'm the one who brought harm to Emily, not my brother."
"I'm not happy about your actions but at least you're admitting your wrongs. Pretending to be your brother was your worst offense. You really hurt her."
"We've switched identities many times in the business world but made it against the rules when it came to women. I broke the rule and now it's biting me in the ass."
"You've probably done it all your lives."
"We grew up in foster homes since birth. We don't know who our parents are and quit caring a long time ago. People were reluctant to adopt two boys. Every time we were separated, one of us would run away. Some of the homes we were in, there was a lot of abuse. We began to switch places back then to protect each other. That continued from time to time in business, but that's where it stayed until I broke the rules." Parker looked at the ground in shame.
Mick was beginning to feel empathy for Parker, but still had the strong need to protect Emily. "What are you going to do now?"
"I want to adopt the shepherd. I've always wanted a dog and I'll be good to him. I think the best thing I can do for Emily is to stay away from her."
"Parker, thanks for talking with me, but I have to get back to work. I need some time to digest all you've told me. Are you staying in town for a bit?"
"Until the shepherd is well enough to travel, I'll be here. If I have to go home to New York, I'll return as soon as I can. But don't worry, I won't come in here when Emily's working."
"I'll be in touch," said Mick as he patted Parker's shoulder.
Parker nodded and smiled, stopped to pet the shepherd, then quietly left. The drive back to the property seemed to take forever. All he wanted to do was lie down and close his eyes.
Emily wandered around her cramped apartment with her mind in a fog. The coffee didn't seem to be affecting her. She wished she could just sleep until memories of Davis Enterprises were far behind her. The yellow t-shirt, with the blue stain on the front that she'd decided to sleep in, didn't help with her emotional state. I wish I could turn back the hands of time. She still kicked herself for sleeping with the bastard, but wanted to lie in the road for falling for him. Emily knew she had to get her head together. She had a lot of work to do at the clinic and needed to check on the shepherd.
"Emily, you sound like hell." Mick hated what she was going through and wished there was something he could do.
"Yeah, I'm sure I do."
"Take some time off. I hired Jerry Moore and he's starting today. The dog's doing great so no worries there."
"Take time off and do what? Sit in my head?" Emily sucked down the rest of her coffee.
"Go pitch a tent out at the property or go out of state on a vacation. Seriously, Em, take a couple weeks off." Long enough for Parker to get out of town.
"I'll think about it, okay?" Emily could tell he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"Deal. Call me tonight and let me know how you're feeling."
"Thanks, Mick." Emily hung up the phone, stripped on her way to the shower, and tried to plan a day for herself that wouldn't involve toxic thinking. Staying for a few nights at the property would have been the perfect reprieve if she still had a house to stay in. I would see nothing but the destruction from the tornado, and the destruction from Russell. She still didn't want to admit to herself that she'd actually slept with Parker Davis. Bile began to creep up her throat.
Parker tossed and turned. If he knew he'd be safe and wouldn't get lost, he'd have gone for a nice, long walk to get some fresh air. Even though the RV was a good size, he felt himself suffocating. Screw it, he thought, and headed into town to get some breakfast and a hot cup of coffee. Parker ended up driving a little farther to avoid the same restaurant that haunted him with memories. He hoped his new dog would heal quickly so he could get back to New York, leaving Colorado and Emily far behind him.
Russell skimmed through some classified ads and found lots of property for sale in Colorado. He quickly crumbled the page and threw it in the trash. That's the last state he wanted to have his brother, or himself for that matter, have anything to do with. Knowing Parker was still there gave him great concern. He hadn't ever seen his brother be this crazy over a female. Russell needed to check on him.
Parker was staring out the window in the restaurant when his phone rang.
"I needed to make sure you were still alive and kicking out there."
"I'm just waiting for my new dog to get healthy, then I'm coming home." Parker explained in detail about the accident and the shepherd, but avoided the topic of Emily. Knowing he would ask questions, Parker changed the subject quickly. "What's with the mustache? Rhonda make you grow it back?"
"She didn't make me, but strongly encouraged me to do so..."
"Okay, so she made you." It felt good to laugh again for Parker.
"When we first hired her as a secretary, I think it was only two months after that when we started dating."
"Yeah, something like that." Parker remembered how bashful his brother had been about the whole thing.
"She was terrified that we'd swap places, so I grew the mustache for her. It looks like shit but it makes her happy."
"You mean to tell me she's afraid you'll sleep with Emily Carson?" Parker was trying to stomach another problem he'd caused.
"She knows I'd never cheat on her. But she doesn't want our personal life to be slammed in the news. I'm afraid that swapping places is out of the question for us in the future." Russell tried to laugh but knew it hit a sore spot with his brother.
"Russ, I'm so sorry I did all this."
"It's fine, Parker, we live and learn!" Russell's humor wasn't shared. "So what's this dog's name?"
"Good question. I figured I'd name him after I picked him up. Any suggestions?" Parker loved his brother but was struggling to stay on the phone. He needed to think, and the longer he put it off, the more complex the situation became to him. After more attempts by Russell to humor him, Parker ended the call, climbed back in the Escape, and drove to the property. A nice walk will do me good. There was still lots of daylight ahead of him and no fear of getting turned around. He knew there was a lake and it couldn't be too far. Water had always brought him peace. Parker quickly packed some bottles of water and made a good-sized lunch. Locking the door behind him, he headed away from the RV.