small county, with close ties. It might not matter what the law says. People’s opinion does hold a lot of sway and everybody loves a scandal.”
Trevor sighed, then swore under his breath. “Everything you’re saying…thinking back over my conversations with Lionel…I think you might be right. I can’t believe I never went in that direction.”
“Why would you have? All you wanted to know was who was in your direct lineage. Did he tell you where the answers were?”
“He said everything I needed to know was in the hidden room.”
Emma’s gaze jerked up to his. “Then why are we standing here?”
“Because,” he said, a hint of a smile coming out now. “Perversely, now that I’ve been handed the key to unlock my own personal kingdom, given what you’ve just said, I’m not sure I want to know what I’ve inherited.”
Emma smiled. “It’s perfectly normal to be nervous, but…you have to know. I mean, you do know that, right? You can’t let anything I’ve said change your mind. I know you’re looking to the future, and that’s right and good and healthy, but…this is a part of who you are.”
“More foundation talk?” he said, smiling, even though he was clearly distracted, his mind probably on new ideas, possible other answers.
“Yeah, of a sort. Do you want me to go with you? Or would you rather go through things alone?” Then another thought occurred to her. “Or…were you coming to tell me you wanted me to leave altogether? Did Lionel fire me for letting you in?”
Trevor reached for her then, and pulled her into his arms. It felt like forever since she’d been there, and she was very happy to be back.
“I did tell him you had nothing to do with letting me in. And no, he hasn’t fired you. In fact, he didn’t even ask after you. He’s not exactly known for treating his hired help like human beings, but then I gather you’ve noticed that.”
“So…he doesn’t know about—”
“Us?”
She smiled, she couldn’t help it. She liked that word. A lot. “Yeah. Us. Is that going to cause other problems for you?” She tried to move out of his arms, her smile fading. “Because this is a much bigger thing than you and I—”
“You and I are a very big thing. And, when Lionel finds out, he’ll feel about it however he feels. I’m not particularly concerned about that.”
“Okay,” she said, trusting him on that. Besides, she wasn’t going to fall apart if every last thing wasn’t perfect. It was pretty damn perfect enough.
“I will be honest and say that I’m not sure how it might impact your future business opportunities in Randolph County. Lionel can be…punitive. And since I don’t know what I’m going to find—”
She stopped him. “Why don’t you do that, then we’ll worry about my business opportunities or sudden lack thereof.”
He kissed her then, surprising her with the intensity of it.
“What was that for?”
“Your business opportunities or lack thereof are a real problem. What I find in that room is an ancient one. It’ll wait.”
“Trevor—”
“Let me ask you something, and I know it’s a bit over-reaching, all things considered, but…Does your family live here? In Virginia, I mean?”
She shook her head. “Connecticut. Much like you, I went to college here, stayed. I work with my college roommate, or did, for your uncle’s company. Chelsea still does, in HR, but I quit seven months ago after I inherited some money from my grandma on my mom’s side. I was good at my job, but I hated it. I love animals, and always wanted to work with them. I can’t stand to see them suffering though, so being a vet was out. I came up with the pet-sitting service idea and…” She smiled. “I’m babbling again.”
“You’re human. And I like mine imperfect.”
She laughed. “Well, you’re getting that with me in spades.”
“So…seven-month-old business.” He pulled her more tightly against him. “Did you know that there are pets in need of sitting in North Carolina? At least, I’m assuming there must be.”
“Huh,” she thought aloud, trying to be calm and casual, when her insides were erupting into a party of hope and expectation. Was he really saying what she thought he was saying? “Is that so?”
“I think it is quite probably so. Maybe you’d consider relocating. Just saying to think about it. We can figure things out long distance if you want, or I could even think about—”
She cut him off with a kiss. “Did I mention I love an adventure?”
“No. No, I