"No, no, that's okay. A regular flight will be just fine."
Rhonda checked on the computer and informed Emily that there was a flight leaving soon, and if she hurried she'd make it.
"Well I don't want to disturb Parker, so I'll just leave him a note." She really struggled to find the right words. She quickly jotted down that she had to go back and for him to take care of himself. As soon as Emily closed his office door behind her, she was already kicking herself. What a cold, dumbass thing to write. But she didn't believe in pulling any punches. There wasn't going to be a future for them, and no use in pretending there would be.
Parker stopped by Rhonda's desk to ask about Emily. She pointed to his office. She didn't want to have to see that sad look on Parker's face again.
He hurried to his office and opened the door with a big smile on his face. There was no Emily, only a note. His smile quickly left as he read it. He closed the door and turned off the light. His mood became as dark as the room.
Chapter 19
Juan Rodriguez was charged for the fire. Parker remembered him as a pleasant man who owned multiple dry cleaning businesses. You just never know. Parker was definitely getting sick of seeing his picture and news about the fire in the paper most mornings. Three weeks had passed and he hadn't heard from Emily. He wanted the shepherd but doubted that it was still available to be adopted. Even though the chances were slim to none that he'd ever talk to her again, he still held hope on a daily basis.
Parker was able to purchase the big house on twelve acres in a nice gated community. He had a couch, bed, and very little else. Rhonda harped at him constantly.
"Give me your credit card, Parker." Rhonda glared at him while she stood in his office.
"Uh, ask your husband for money?" Parker laughed, Rhonda didn't.
"Give me your card. I'm going to furnish your house. You've been there for two weeks and it still looks like a shell. Let me take care of it for you."
"Thank you for caring, but I'll take care of it myself."
Rhonda sighed heavily and shut the door. She'd already tried to get her husband to talk to Parker. All he did was remind her that she wasn't his mother. That wasn't going to deter her one bit. She was just going to have to be more creative.
Jerry Moore was out of the office for a solid week. Mick was really happy that Emily came home, but he didn't like watching her sink a little deeper inside herself more and more every day.
"Can we talk, Emily?" Mick knew she'd been avoiding him. She wasn't even joking around with the staff, which was way out of character for her.
"Sure." Emily offered him some cheesecake she brought in.
"You're baking like a mad woman. Have you looked around at the things you've made? We have cookies, cakes, more cookies...there's even half a meatloaf in the fridge. You mind telling me what's going on?"
"I love to bake, you know that."
"Emily, this isn't about a hobby. You haven't been yourself in a very long time. I think this has everything to do with Parker Davis."
"When are we starting on the facility for the clinic on the property?"
"Emily! I don't want to talk about anything but this. What's going on?"
"Parker Davis is a thing of the past. I'm just getting on with my life, so is he."
"Let me ask you something. If Parker lived in Colorado would you be with him?"
Emily just stared at Mick. She definitely didn't want to unbury painful feelings that she was trying to cover up by constantly doing stuff. Luckily, Mick had no clue about the four afghans she'd made. "I don't know." Emily stared down at some paperwork until Mick removed the folder.
"Emily, why would you stay here? Even though I think he can be a jerk, which most men can be, I think he genuinely loves you. I've known you for too long to not notice when you're in love, hurt, angry, and any other emotion you want to throw out there. I'm not the enemy. Talk to me."
"I love Parker. Is that what you want to here? But he lives in New York and I'm stuck here." She'd said it. She finally said out loud what she has felt for a long time. They both stared at each other.
"Hun, why do you think you're stuck? You're not stuck." Mick reached over and took her hands in his.
Emily closed her eyes tightly but the tears spilled over anyway. "My land is here, we have plans for it. My family--there're the loans and the clinic we started and--"
"Sweetheart, you aren't stuck. If you stay here, you'll be so miserable. We will build a little cottage on the property and you can come visit anytime. I have Jerry working here now, and finding another veterinarian won't be a problem. He already voiced interest in becoming a partner. Go be happy, Emily. This world's a big place, and I'm just a plane ride or a phone call away." Mick dried her tears and kissed her forehead. "And when you go to New York? Take Parker his dog so the staff works more and plays with him less."
"He's probably already found someone, Mick. He's cute, single, and rich."
"So are you, so get going." Mick had always said, as long as you have people who love you, you'll always be rich.
Emily hugged him and went out the door. The last thing she was going to do was take off for New York without thinking things through.
Parker stood in his empty living room and looked at his empty house. He went to the window and looked at his empty yard. Maybe he should let Rhonda decorate it. But he saw how much Russell loved the flowers on everything in their house. Parker chuckled at his brother's predicament. He sat on his black leather couch and looked at his phone. I should call her. What's the worst that can happen? She'll say things I don't want to hear. Parker let his phone fall to his lap. He would gladly deal with a house full of floral everything if it meant spending every day with the person he loved.
***
Russell walked into Parker's office and found him looking out the window. "Parker, you about ready? The investors are arriving to review the Texas project."
"Yeah, let's get this over with." Parker stood up and stuffed papers in his briefcase and followed his brother to the large conference room. The last meeting he had with investors, Emily Carson had made quite an appearance. He couldn't seem to take his eyes off the place where she had landed. He still had some of her purse contents in his desk drawer. That cheap tube of lipstick, the--
"Mr. Davis?"
"What? Oh sorry, could you repeat that, Joe?"
Russell stared at his brother. "I think the plans will be welcomed in the community. It'll definitely create many jobs, both in the construction end of the project, as well as the hiring of employees to run the resort and grounds. And don't worry, gentlemen, the land accommodated a large factory that has been defunct for years. The owner was glad to get rid of it." The investors laughed amongst themselves.