CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A fter they finished eating, Crystal and Emmett took a walk along the creek, stopping when they found an empty bench with a pleasant view of the burbling water.
Emmett had been staring at her during dinner, and Crystal could tell he was as anxious as she to see where their attraction might lead them.
“Maybe we could go to my house. You haven’t seen some of the work on it, and we could have some privacy there,” suggested Emmett.
“Okay. I can’t promise any time alone as long as Misty is staying with me.”
They walked hand-in-hand back to his car, each step adding to the anticipation Crystal felt growing inside her.
On the ride to his house, she and Emmett exchanged small talk, but nothing of consequence was said. Instead, he glanced and smiled at her whenever he could. And as they drew closer to his house, he gave her hand a squeeze.
Emmett pulled into his driveway and slammed on his brakes. “Damn!”
Crystal stared at the black Cadillac Escalade. “Who is it?”
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s my father. I wonder what he wants.” Emmett got out of the car, went around to her side, and waited for her to emerge.
A tall, well-built man with short but thick gray hair and strong, classic features left the dock and crossed the lawn to them.
“Hi, son,” Everett Chamberlain said, walking briskly.
Crystal felt Emmett tense beside her and took his hand.
“Who is this pretty little woman?” the senator said, giving her a wide, practiced smile.
It was Crystal’s turn to freeze.
“Hi, Dad. This is Crystal Owen.”
“Miss Owen.” He dipped his chin.
What are you doing here?” Emmett asked him. “Did Mom ask you to drop by?”
“As a matter of fact, she did. I left Mt. Desert this morning for a meeting in Portsmouth. She wanted me to check on you, see how you’re doing with your new job and such.” His gaze settled on Crystal.
Crystal decided she wasn’t about to be intimidated by Emmett’s father and straightened her back, staring back at him steadily.
“You can tell my mother that I’m fine, the practice is fine, and I’m making nice friends,” said Emmett firmly. He put his arm around Crystal.
“Look, I don’t want to judge you. I’m pleased that you’re doing well on your own. I’ve always been impressed by the way you stood up to me. That won’t change. But I think you ought to know I’m considering a run for president of the United States in the next election, and I want to keep things in order. That means I’ll need your support. I hope you can give that to me.”
“Is that why you and Mom are suddenly getting together more often?” Emmett asked. He eyed his father with suspicion.
“That’s only part of it. I’m through being less than an ideal family man. I want you to know that.”
Hearing the silky voice that she’d often heard in the news, Crystal realized how that smooth talk could easily sway some people. She waited to see what Emmett had to say.
“I’ve heard this before,” said Emmett.
“Well, your mother doesn’t make it easy. We both know that,” said the senator.
“Yes, but I won’t give up my independence because you’re thinking of running for president. I’ll hold back any negative stuff, but that’s it. So, don’t go holding me up as a perfect son because it’ll blow up in your face.”
“I know, I know. I couldn’t talk to you and change your mind back when you decided to change your name. I just don’t want any dirty fights in the press.”
“Neither do I,” said Emmett. “Now, my girlfriend and I are going to enjoy some time together.”
“What happened to the one with the purple hair?” his father asked, giving Crystal an admiring glance.
Emmett shook his head. “I won’t bother to answer such a crass question.”
“Well, I guess I’ll go. But I’ll be back. Next time, I’ll call before I come.” He stepped forward and gave Emmett a pat on the back. “See you, son.”
Crystal noted a look of pain on Emmett’s face, but he said, “Goodbye, Dad.”
She stood beside Emmett as they watched his father get into the SUV and drive away.
As soon as the senator was out of sight, Emmett let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry you had to be part of that. You see how superficial my relationship is with my stepdad. I never had the chance to know my real father, but from the start with the senator, I never felt as if we belonged together. It’s sad, but true. I sometimes wonder why he ever married my mother. They certainly haven’t been the happiest of couples.”
“It seems like a very difficult situation. I can tell it hurts you, and I’m sorry. How old were you when your mother married him?”
“Four. My father died when I was two.”
“So, Everett raised you,” Crystal said.
“Not really. He was gone most of the time with or without my mother, with or without other women. I give credit to my birth grandmother for helping me through some difficult times. And it’s her money that allowed me to make an independent break from the family. I’ll always be grateful to her.”
“GG, the Gilford girls’ grandmother, is that person for me. Guess we’re both lucky that way.”
Emmett took her hand. “Let’s walk down to the dock. The moon has risen and it’s a special sight to see it reflected on the river.”
“Okay,” said Crystal, understanding the turmoil with his father had erased some of the earlier passion rising between them.
They walked across the well-maintained grass and onto the dock. The moon, a glowing yellow ball in the dark sky above them, shed a silvery light on the moving river. They sat together on the bench staring out at the sight that was as mesmerizing as flames in a fire.
Emmett put his arm around her and drew her close.
With her head against his chest, Crystal heard the strong beat of his heart and realized Emmett was a survivor, like her. She lifted her face. “I want you to know I’ll always be here for you whenever you need to talk about your situation. My friends have helped me, and I want to do the same for you.”
He cupped her face in his broad hands and gazed at her, his lips spreading into a smile.
“You’re such a special woman,” he said softly before lowering his lips to hers.
His kiss was gentle and sure and then became demanding as desire rose in them both.
When their kisses weren’t enough, Emmett said, “Do you want to go inside?”
Crystal knew he was asking more than that. It’s what they’d both wanted from the beginning.
He held out his hand, and she took it.
Emmett led her into the kitchen through a temporary door where a glass sliding door would eventually be placed. They stepped through the construction area, into the living room, whose interior walls had been removed, and walked up the stairs to one of the guest rooms.
At the doorway, Emmett studied her. “Are you sure?”
Heart pounding with anticipation, Crystal said quietly, “Yes.”
Smiling with delight, Emmett picked her up and carried her over to the bed. Gently, he lay her atop the covers and climbed onto the bed beside her.
“I intend to enjoy every inch of you,” he murmured cupping a cheek in his hand and gazing at her with those beautiful eyes of his.
“Yes, all of me,” whispered Crystal as his lips met hers.
As they lay close, Crystal marveled at how well they fit together. She was overcome with the thought that she’d found her true home in his arms. When kisses were not enough, they eagerly removed their clothes to discover what else they could about one another.
###
C rystal woke suddenly , and realizing where she was, she nudged Emmett. “Wake up! It’s late, and I need to get home. Misty is there and I have to get up early.”
Emmett opened his eyes sleepily and smiled at her. “Ah, fantastic woman, your wish is my command. First, another kiss.”
As his lips played with hers, Crystal reminded herself that she couldn’t stay, even though the thought was tempting. Making love with Emmett was soul-satisfying. More like a spiritual reunion.
She forced herself out of bed and tugged on his arm. “Sorry, but you have to take me home.”
Emmett got up and dressed as quickly as she. Crystal assumed that skill was part of being a doctor—coming awake easily and moving quickly.
###
W hen she walked into her apartment, Misty gazed up at her from the couch where she was watching television. “Nice dinner? It’s after one o’clock.”
Still riding high from the lovemaking, Crystal’s lips curved.
“I’m happy for you,” said Misty. “You’ve been alone too long, and even with a lot of friends, it’s nice to have someone special in your life.”
“Emmett is ... well, wonderful,” said Crystal. “Surprisingly, our backgrounds mesh, and we understand one another. In addition to that, being with him is perfect.” She took a seat next to Misty. “How are you doing?”
“I’ve gone ahead with the move. I’ve been released from the lease on the apartment in Florida, turned in my letter of resignation, and applied for a teaching position here in town. Everything has come together so quickly, I’m sure it’s the right move for me.”
“That makes me very happy,” said Crystal. “I wish I’d known earlier that your situation in Florida wasn’t healthy.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m a big girl who can take care of my problems. It’s just nice to know I have a home to come back to.”
“We’ll take it one day at a time to see how you’re doing before I push you out of the nest,” said Crystal. “But you can stay as long as you need.” She hugged Misty. “I’ve got to get to bed. Another early morning.”
“Maybe I can take over for you tomorrow until it’s time to open at seven. No reason I can’t help with the earlier baking.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Sure,” said Misty. “I can’t just sit around and do nothing this summer.”
Crystal gave her sister another hug. “You’re a doll. Thanks. I’m going to let you do it. Maybe we can make alternating early mornings part of a new routine.”
“Even when I’m teaching, I can help you,” said Misty. “I need the extra money, and you need a break.”
“Deal,” said Crystal. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“No,” Misty said grinning. “But you can start now.”
Crystal hugged her. It was fabulous to have her sister at home.