Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Emerson
“There are some things that are off limits, my ass,” I mumbled as I showered and got dressed. He was irritating the fuck out of me, and the best thing to do was to separate myself from him for a while. I was suffocating here anyway. I packed a small bag and climbed into Adam’s car. I was taking a road trip to Napa Valley, where my sister and I always said that when we were of drinking age, we’d go visit and get drunk off the amazing wine they had there. I never had the chance to go because I left California at eighteen. But now that I was back for a short period of time and Alex Parker was being nothing but a douchebag, I was off to explore the wineries. I saved one credit card for emergency purposes only, and this was an emergency situation. As I was making my seven-hour drive to Napa, my phone rang. It was Adam.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Em. I was just calling to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m good. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m taking your car to Napa Valley.”
“WHAT?! Why the hell are you going to Napa Valley?”
“I needed to get out of that house. I was suffocating, and Emily and I always wanted to go there. Adam, tomorrow is the anniversary of their death. This is something I need to do.”
“I know what tomorrow is, Em, and I wish I could be back in California with you. But I can’t.”
“I know you can’t, and it doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve spent the last eight anniversaries alone, so tomorrow will be no different.”
“Emerson, I’m?—”
“No need to say it, big brother. I already know.”
“Do you need some money?” he asked.
“No. I have cash and a credit card that I have saved for emergencies.”
“Okay. Have a safe trip, and if you need anything, call me.”
“Thanks. I will.”
While driving down the highway, I pulled up the playlist on my phone and played “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis. It was our favorite song in the world, and we sang it together almost daily. I turned up the volume and rolled all the windows down. I began to sing it as loudly as I could as the warm breeze swept over my face.
As I pulled up to the Wine Country Inn bed and breakfast, I prayed they had a room available. If not, then I would have to find somewhere else in Napa. When I walked into the lobby, a blond-haired woman smiled at me from behind the desk.
“Hello. Welcome to Wine Country Inn. How can I help you?”
“I’m hoping you have a room available. This was a last-minute trip, and I didn’t call to make a reservation.”
“Ah. How many guests?” she asked.
“Just me.” I smiled.
She looked at me as she checked her computer. “We have one room available, and it’s our Private Vineyard View King Cottage for $615.00 a night.”
“Ouch. That’s the only room you have?”
“Yes. How long are you planning on staying?”
“I don’t know. A few days, maybe.”
“On Tuesday, we have one of our standard rooms available. If you want, you can stay in the cottage for two nights, and then we can switch you over to one of the other cheaper rooms.”
I twisted my face, unsure of what to do. Six hundred fifteen dollars a night was more than I had planned. But, if it was only for two nights, I could manage it, and it was surely beautiful here.
“Fine. I’ll take it.” I smiled.
“Excellent. I’ll just need your driver’s license and credit card.”
Once she input my information, she handed me the keys to the cottage and gave me directions as to its location. Upon opening the door, I stepped inside, and the first word out of my mouth was, “Wow.” I could see why this place was expensive. The room featured a small living area with a loveseat and a chair that sat across from a fireplace with a TV mounted above it. Behind the living area were three steps that led up to the king-sized bed with a large window that faced the vineyards. Setting my bag on the bed, I unpacked and put my clothes away in the three-drawer dresser that sat against the wall. When I heard my phone ding from my purse, I grabbed it and found a text message from Alex.
“Where the hell are you? You’ve been gone all day. It’s nighttime, and I want to know you’re safe.”
Did I answer him? Where I was, was none of his concern. He wasn’t my keeper. But I didn’t want him to worry and get his blood pressure all high, so I replied.
“I’m safe, and I’m fine. I took a little road trip and will probably be gone for at least four days. Make sure to take your blood pressure medication and lay off the salt.”
“A road trip? TO WHERE?”
“I appreciate you asking, but I’m not talking to you about where I am. It’s somewhere I needed to be.”
“EMERSON JAMES! WHERE DID YOU GO?!”
“Calm yourself, Parker. I’m fine. Are you going to miss me or something? You should be happy I’m gone. Now I can’t bug you about the frizzy curly-haired girl.”
I silently laughed to myself.
“Emerson, please tell me where you are.”
“That’s a no for me, Parker. Enjoy your week, and I’ll see you when I get back.”
Alex
I stood there, staring at her message in anger. “That’s a no for me.” Was she serious? She and that mouth of hers was killing me. Who the hell did she think she was? A small smile crossed my lips. She was Emerson James, a fierce, not-to-be-fucked-with type of girl who did whatever the hell she wanted to. No boundaries, no rules, and not a care in the world. I didn’t know her when she was off gallivanting around the world, so I couldn’t care. But now I knew her, and I cared about her and her safety. Fuck, I cared way more than that. She had gotten under my skin and somehow into my heart. I dialed Adam to tell him his sister had left.
“Hey, Alex. What’s up, man?”
“Your mouthy and defiant sister took off and went somewhere for a few days.”
“Yeah. I know. I talked to her earlier.”
“Where did she go? She won’t tell me.”
I heard him chuckle. “Did you two have a fight or something?”
“No. Yes. Well, sort of.”
“Jesus. What is going on with the two of you?”
“Nothing. We’re friends, and I’m concerned for her safety.”
“You don’t need to worry about Emerson, Alex. She’s been doing this for eight years.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s a young woman all alone in a strange place.”
“What are you going to do? Go to where she is?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh my God, Alex. You’ve fallen for her. Haven’t you?”
“I don’t want to discuss it over the phone.”
“Well, you have no choice, bro, because I can’t be in California. So, you better fucking tell me what’s happening between you and my sister.”
I silenced myself for a moment. I'd have to tell him if I wanted to know where she was.
“I may have developed some feelings for her.”
“Jesus Christ. You’re serious. Aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll ask you one last time. Did you sleep with her?”
“Yes.”
Silence crowded the other end of the phone.
“The two of you had a fight? You haven’t known each other long enough to fight yet.”
“I know, but she’s Emerson.”
“True, and you’re Alex Parker. The two of you couldn’t be more opposite. God, Alex. Why?”
“We can’t help whom we fall for. It’s just there, Adam.”
“Fine.” He sighed. “She’s in Napa Valley. Fuck, I can’t believe I’m telling you this. It’s a place she and Emily always wanted to visit. Tomorrow is the anniversary of her and my parents’ death. Emerson spent too many years alone on that day, and I don’t want her alone again. Promise me you’ll go to Napa and be with her as a friend, Alex.”
“I will. Where is she staying?”
“I don’t know. She didn’t say, but I’ll do some checking and see if I can find out through her credit card. I’ll call you back.”
She went to Napa Valley. I loved Napa Valley. It wasn’t a place to be seen alone. I took my suitcase from my closet and began packing some clothes. A few moments later, my phone rang, and it was Adam.
“Did you find out?”
“Yeah. She’s at the Wine Country Inn. I’ll send you the address. Don’t tell her that I told you.”
“I won’t. I promise. Thanks, Adam. I appreciate it.”
“You owe me again, Alex. I know my sister, so don’t come crying to me when she breaks your heart.”
“I’ll remember that. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I ended the call and immediately called my pilot, Warren.
“Hello, Mr. Parker.”
“Warren, I need you to fuel up the plane for tomorrow morning and take me to Napa Valley. We’ll leave around nine o’clock.”
“It’ll be ready, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I sighed as I tossed my phone on the bed. Was I doing the right thing? Hell, if I knew. The only thing I did know was that she shouldn’t be spending tomorrow alone.
When we landed at the Napa County Airport, I had a car waiting for me to take me to the Wine Country Inn. When I walked into the lobby, a blonde-haired woman smiled at me from behind the desk.
“Welcome to the Wine Country Inn. How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for one of your guests. She checked in yesterday, and her name is Emerson James.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I cannot give out that type of information.”
“Please.” I glanced at her name badge. “Noelle. It’s very important.”
“Again, sir. We are not allowed to give out our guests’ information.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. “See this. It’s all yours if you tell me which room she is staying in.”
“You’re going to have to leave before I call the police.”
I sighed. “Listen, please. She’s a close friend of mine, and today is the anniversary of her twin sister’s and parents’ death. I don’t want her to be alone. I’ll give you my credit card information and my driver’s license—anything you need. I’m not a murderer or a rapist. I’m her friend and here to make sure she gets through this day.”
“Then I’ll call her room and tell her you’re here.”
“No. It’s a surprise.” I smiled. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. “Here is my credit card. I want you to use this to pay for her stay here.”
She glared at me and then took the card from my hand. “I’ll also need your driver’s license.”
“Here you go.” I handed it to her.
She typed on her computer and handed me back my credit card and license.
“She’s in cottage five. Go out the door, make a right, go down the trail a bit, and you’ll see a line of cottages. She’s the last one on the right.”
“Thank you, Noelle.” I smiled as I handed her the hundred-dollar bill.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Parker.”