He’d make an even better fellow citizen.I couldn’t stop the thought from happening. Was it possible Zach could make a home here? If not now, then later? Could I ask that of him? Could I leave and follow him and make my home away from these people who were so warm and welcoming to strangers?
Zach’s eyes caught mine above his surrounding admirers. His smile brightened beyond the one he gave to everyone else. My body relaxed even as my heart fluttered a little faster. Without a doubt, I knew that home would be wherever Zach was. Neither Iain nor I could bear to be separated from him again.
Cam nudged me with her elbow. “Something has you lost in thought.”
“I was just thinking about where home is.”
She started to answer, but Beverly Seymour spotted us from across the room and made a beeline straight for us.
“We’ll talk more later.” Cam turned quickly in her ridiculously cute espadrille wedged shoes.
“Coward,” I hissed and sought out my own escape route, but as usual, I wasn’t fast enough.
“Emalee, I’m so glad I caught you.”
Said the spider to the fly,I thought. But I was determined not to get caught in any more of her webs.
“Mrs. Seymour, what can I do for you?”
“It’s more what I can do for you. I was thinking, wouldn’t it be fun to have a pie contest at Derby Day this year?”
Looks like Harriet was right.“I’ve already thought of that and have put it on the schedule.”
“Oh.” She looked like I’d popped her balloon. “Well, as the Project Committee Chair, I think we should have a meeting where I can be present. Say, this coming Monday?”
I was thinking of all I had to do, all the reasons to say “no.”
She kept going. “I could double-check the schedule you created. In the past, it was printed in the newspaper. I suppose I could use my contacts with the radio station to get it announced.”
I felt myself wavering. That would be a load off my back, but that was the same long weekend Zach had asked Iain and me to join him in Charlotte.
I looked over at Zach, who nodded his head at someone and excused himself. He walked across the room toward me, his smile warm and loving and possessive. We hadn’t shared the words yet, but at that moment, I knew it was true.
I flashed my smile back at him and straightened my back, returning my attention to Beverly. “I’m sorry, Beverly. Monday won’t work for me as I’ll be out of town. We’ll have to find another time to talk. Or better, I’ll email you the final plans my committee has already made. At this late date, I’m not open to making new changes, but I amsoglad to have your offer to help. You’ll let me know when you’ve got it to the newspaper and radio station, right?”
“I, uh…”
“That’s great. I’m so grateful, again, for your offer to help. I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”
I linked my arm through Zach’s and ushered him away quickly. I didn’t slow my steps until we were outside, where I blew out a breath of relief and leaned against the brick wall.
“Want to tell me what that was about?”
I grinned at Zach. “I just pulled a ‘Beverly’ on Beverly herself.”
Zach scrunched up his face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I opened my mouth to explain, but he held up his hand. “It doesn’t matter. All I really care about is hearing you say you’re going out of town. I assume that means you and Iain are coming to Charlotte with me?
I wrapped my arms around his waist and tilted my head up. “We are.” I rose on my toes to kiss him, happy when he eagerly accepted it.
His lips trailed across my cheek until they nuzzled my neck under my ear. “I loved seeing you take charge like that. That was very sexy,” he growled in my ear. “And I should know. After all, I’m bringing sexy back.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Come on, stud. Let’s make Sterling jealous. Take me home and show me instead.”
He didn’t disappoint.
CHAPTER32
Emalee
