Sand Castle Bay (Ocean Breeze) - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,114

intend to break it.

“Emily, is something on your mind?” Tricia asked, a worried frown on her face.

“Just thinking about all we have left to do tomorrow,” she claimed.

“That wasn’t the look of a woman worried about details,” Tricia chided. “That was a woman thinking about the man in her life.”

Emily smiled. “Okay, you got me. I have to admit I am anxious to get back to North Carolina next week. It will be the first time I’ve spent the holidays there in a while. B.J.’s in a Christmas pageant the night I get back. He’s so excited about it. I can’t wait to see it.”

At least B.J. had been in touch with her almost every day, his excitement over Christmas and Santa’s approaching arrival making her smile every time they talked. She was starting to understand why people talked about the best part of the holidays being the chance to see Christmas through the eyes of a child.

“I predict you will have a very merry Christmas,” her friend said. “And I am never wrong about these things.”

Derek rolled his eyes. “If something doesn’t seem to be going her way, Tricia nudges it along until it does. Watch out for her, Emily. She’s a meddler.”

“Meddlers don’t bother me,” Emily claimed. “I have a whole family full of them.”

“Not like her,” he said. “I guarantee it. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to check on a few things and then get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day, making sure everything’s under control for the event tomorrow night.”

“That’s my cue, too,” his wife said. She bent and gave Emily a kiss on the cheek. “Sleep well. You’ve done a wonderful job.”

Emily looked around as they left and gave a little nod of satisfaction. She had done all she’d promised and then some, but it didn’t have the same thrill that she’d gotten from opening that modest little safe house for the women in such desperate need of it. Just this morning, Sophia had sent pictures of their modest tree, decorated with paper ornaments made by the children. To Emily’s eyes that had been the most beautiful tree ever.

23

After tossing and turning every night for days after Emily had left, Boone reached a decision. He couldn’t lose her again, not out of stubbornness, not without trying everything possible to pull this relationship together.

“Pete, in my office,” he commanded as he passed his friend in the restaurant.

“Sure, boss,” Pete said, following him at once. “What’s up?”

Boone sat behind his desk. “I want you to forget about Charleston. You’ve been jumping through hoops. They’re obviously not going to come around, at least not on our terms.”

Pete nodded. “I know you’re right. I just hate giving up. Should I get those other options so we can look them over?”

Boone shook his head. “I want new options, this time in southern California.”

Pete’s jaw dropped. “Los Angeles? San Diego? Where?”

“L.A.,” Boone said. “Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, whatever.”

“You know real estate there’s going to be as bad as New York, and the market’s just as competitive,” Pete said, frowning. “You were totally against that. I don’t get it.”

“Emily’s going to need to be in Los Angeles nonstop for quite a while. She’s not going to be there without me. You’ll take over East Coast operations. You can hire an assistant. I’ll fly in from time to time.”

Again, Pete’s jaw dropped. “Did I hear a promotion in there?”

Boone chuckled. “You did. I’ll give you a raise, too, so you can afford those tickets you’ll need for New York on a regular basis.”

Pete shrugged. “I don’t think that’s going to work out, but the promotion is great. How soon do you want the information on Los Angeles? After the first of the year?”

Boone shook his head. “I want it yesterday. There’s a bonus in it, if you can find me the perfect property by the end of the day today, so I can fly out to take a look at it tomorrow. And, by the way, I’ll be in Colorado for a couple of days after that.”

Pete looked as if his head were reeling. Boone had never done anything this impulsively before.

“You’re full of surprises,” Pete said, sounding concerned. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Never better,” Boone said with conviction. He fingered the thick vellum invitation to the opening of the Aspen ski lodge and smiled. “It’s taken me a very long time to have what I want within reach. This time I’m not letting go.”

*