21. Charlie
21
O n Friday morning, I notice my boss finally took back the box of old books since they’ve been here all week and I've made no move toward them.
I can take a hint.
Crazy Charlie is at it again with her weird hobbies.
No, thank you.
I was happy to see it gone when I got back from lunch this afternoon. Maybe Emily got the hint at how annoyed I am. That after all my years and efforts here, it’s still ‘my little project’.
Besides, I have more important things to do. For people who appreciate my good deeds.
We’re a week out from the coordinated bachelor parties. Well, sort of coordinated. Lonnie, Tessa, Pepper and I will be going to a spa in Denver. And the guys will be at Levi’s for poker. Then we're all meeting for dinner at De Lu’s, a fancy seafood restaurant not far from the spa.
No strippers, no dancers, no chance of anything going wrong.
Just unadulterated fun.
Aiden had overheard Noah and I planning and suggested we all come back to the Inn after our rendezvous. He’ll gather some folks from around town for a late-night celebration with booze and small bites.
And then Chase and Pepper can spend the rest of the night together like the love-sick puppies they are.
I clear my desk at two-thirty and set up a quick away message that I’m out of office for the rest of the afternoon.
This morning Noah asked if I could leave work early today because he wanted to talk ‘wedding stuff’. Nowadays it’s the only way to get my attention.
I said no because no matter how slow we are this time of year, I never leave before five.
But when I noticed the children’s books gone, my loyalties to my job took a sharp turn and now, I’m on my way to Noah’s office to surprise him.
I gather my things and reach for my new car keys. On my way out, I find Bethany in the lobby. She’s dressed in a purple cardigan and white cowboy boots. Her colors match my style but she’s much better coordinated than I usually am.
“Charlie, hey.” She jumps off the bench cheerily and skips over to me like we’re old friends.
I clutch my tote and pull back. “What? I mean, hey, Beth.”
“Oh, call me Bee. That’s what Noah calls me.”
God, why does her high-pitched voice bother me so much?
She scans my outfit. “Oh my goodness, I feel like we could share a closet. We should totally shop together.”
“Yeah,” I say uncommittedly, giving her a quick scan myself.
“So what is the deal with you and Noah? You guys have the town talking again.”
“Really? What are they saying?”
She rolls her eyes. “That you’ve somehow weaseled your way back in with a Reeves… That you’re using the excuse of your mom dying and being all alone for comfort.”
Pain pierces my chest for a brief moment until I remember Beth's crush on Noah.
And if there are such rumors, she's likely the source.
I take a step toward her. "Gosh, you're right. Someone should warn Noah. Hey, maybe you should do it."
Beth blinks back and waves a hand dismissively. “Oh I'm sure it's nothing. Like everything else, it'll die down.”
"No, no. I'm sure he'd appreciate it. Besides. I think I've developed a 'defending my honor' kink." I wink and weave around her stunned body for the exit.
She jumps back to life. “Are you meeting Noah?”
I turn back slowly. “Sorry, did you need something?”
“Oh my gosh, yes, thanks for reminding me. So, Kelly and Susan got an invite from Aiden to some afterparty at the Inn next Saturday for Pepper and Chase.”
I blink. “Okay.”
“So I told them there must be some mistake because Charlie and I are close, and she would have invited me.”
No shame. This girl.
“I’m not running the guestlist. That’s all Mr. Reeves.” I turn for the exit.
"Oh, so Pepper is not letting you invite people? It's cool. I'll just call Pepper or Aiden. I'm sure it was an oversight."
"Please don't,” I snap and check the time. "Look, I'm sure it's fine if you stop by. Okay? Gotta run.”
The girl literally squeals. “Yay. Is it okay if I bring a date?”
“Um…”
“I’m kind of shy, so I’m sure you don’t want me latching on to you all night.”
“Yes. Please. Bring a date. I’ve got to run."
I put my car in park and double check the address. I’ve never actually been to his office. And unless you’re looking for it, you’ll likely miss it. There’s no sign, it’s just a door between two storefronts that opens to a single stairwell leading to the second floor.
It’s quiet as I climb the stairs, with nothing but my two iced mochas clattering around in the plastic cups. I pause when I reach the top step and see his name on the first door.
Noah Reeves – Attorney at Law
Should I have come here? He didn’t invite me. But I guess, that’s the whole idea behind surprising someone…
I’m trying to figure out a way to knock with both my hands full, when the door swings open.
Chase gives me a cocky smile. “Charlie.” He turns back to Noah, who’s seated behind his glass desk. A silver pen at his bottom lip, his dark rimmed glasses firmly in place, and a look that says, ‘well, well, well’.
I step in and take in the space as I place his drink on his desk. Newspaper articles and files are spread beside an open laptop. There are two client chairs across from his desk and a small sofa. There’s one overgrown plant near the large windows on the back wall, but other than that, it’s empty and hallow.
“I was just leaving, but…since you’re here, Noah and I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
The brothers glance at each other and Noah motions, giving Chase the floor.
“We…have a new lead,” Chase starts.
“Oh.” I don’t mean for it to sound disappointing, but that’s all it’s been for Pepper. Every new lead gets her hopes up and she ends up disappointed.
Noah shifts his gaze to me. “I have a theory about why they’re not getting us anywhere. And it’s something that Pepper refuses to do.”
“What is it?”
Noah looks to Chase to explain the rest.
“Pepper refuses to identify herself as their daughter.”
“What? Why?”
“I won’t get into it but—would you consider taking a trip this weekend and… pretend to be her?”
Noah stands. “I think this next lead is our best bet. He’s not another victim. He’s not an attorney. Didn't even work for the company. He’s just an average guy who may have information on how to contact Robert and Emma Woods.”
I frown at the vagueness. “How did you find him?”
“From a man in prison for the same thing Robert Woods was on trial for. We mentioned a car exploding and the guy got defensive, saying he doesn’t know anything about explosives and told us about this little shop not far from town.”
“I’ll do anything to help, but…what if I screw up?”
“Noah and I wouldn’t ask if we didn’t trust you could handle it.”
“Really?”
Noah steps around his desk. “I’ll lead the conversation. And we can prep you.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to convince me. I’m in.”
“You're the best. One more thing. Can you not tell Pepper about it?” Chase asks.
I nod in agreement. “That much is understood.”
“Thanks. See you two at dinner this Sunday at Dad's?”
I frown. Dinner?
“We’ll be there,” Noah answers.
Chase gives me a friendly wink and walks out. He really is a different man since meeting Pepper. Almost like the goofy kid he’d been back in high school.
Noah is behind me as soon as the door closes. “This is a nice surprise.”
I'm about to turn into him, when my focus is caught by a familiar photo on the wall. No, three black and white photos across the side wall. The library cafe, where I'd stand behind him in line to order my afternoon Earl Grey. A photo of his old studio just off campus, where we'd hang out.
And the last…the staircase in Avery Hall.
I turn to him. "What are these?"
His voice is tender. His eyes are warm. "Isn't it obvious? All my favorite places."
He doesn't give me a chance to ask him what this means. He takes both my hands. “I’m glad you’re here. I need your help with something.”
"What is it?"
He grabs his keys and the iced mocha. “It’s this new thing I’m doing and I could really use your help.”