Page 14 of Mine to Hold
“Rhett told me you’re thinking about renting her the pool house,” Miles said. “He’s already looking into her background.”
Emmerson cringed. “Is nothing sacred in this family?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You better not tell Mom he’s poking around.”
“Do you think we’re stupid?” Jameson laughed. “But why the contorted look? Did he find something already?”
Emmerson shook his head. “I learned something the old-fashioned way, but Rhett will see it as a red flag. I view it as a girl who had a shitty childhood and is simply trying to find her place in this world.”
“Wow. You got all that from a walk on the beach?” Jameson glanced at his watch. “In an hour’s time?”
“I’m a cop. I know how to ask the right questions.” The last thing Emmerson wanted to do was gossip about the new girl with his little brothers, even if they were good sounding boards.
“Dating your tenant could get awkward,” Jameson said.
“No one said anything about me taking her out.” Emmerson wanted nothing more than to get to know Rumor better, and that included romantically. However, his cop instincts had been set into high alert during their conversation.
And not because of what she’d told him about her past.
It was because of what she hadn’t told him and the way she averted her gaze during part of their talk. She gave just enough detail to make a normal person feel satisfied about her answers, but for him, he needed more.
No one spent fifteen years going from one place to the next, living on pennies, unless they were running from something.
Or hiding.
He almost wished he could tell Rhett to back off. Rhett was the best private investigator Emmerson knew. If there was something to learn, Rhett would uncover it.
Part of Emmerson wanted to figure it out on his own. Peel back the layers one mystery at a time. However, that wouldn’t be smart. Not if she was going to live in his backyard.
“Oh, come on, man,” Miles said. “We all have been watching you drool over her all day.”
“That’s a stretch.” Emmerson set his beer down and leaned back on his hands. “I’ll admit, she’s pretty and all that, but she’s too young for this old man.”
“I call bullshit on that,” Jameson said. “Age is just a number and she’s what, maybe ten years younger? Why won’t you go for it?”
“Do you really want the laundry list?” Emmerson asked.
“We do. That way we can start crossing off your stupid reasons why and get you motivated to actually have a love life again.” Miles raised his drink. “Lord knows you need one. You’re ornery as fuck lately.”
“You’re one to talk.” Emmerson laughed. “When was the last time you went out with anyone?”
“Last week.” Miles cocked a brow. “I’m at least getting action.”
Jameson burst out laughing. “You’re going through ladies so fast lately that no one will have anything to do with you in this town. How are you ever going to find a good woman to settle down with?”
“Who says I want to settle down?” Miles asked. “Not everyone wants a white picket fence, a couple of kids, and adog. Besides, we’re not talking about me; we’re talking about Emmerson.”
“I’m doing just fine on my own, thank you very much.” The only problem with that statement was that Emmerson had wanted what all his married brothers had. At least he had thought he did. Now? He wondered if that ship had sailed. He was set in his ways and he wasn’t sure he wanted to change for any woman.
He loved his career. His family meant the world to him, and his life was comfortable.
“Hey, Emmerson.” His mother appeared at his side. “Are you sober?”
“I am. Why?”
“How sober?” His mother pointed to the beer by his side and glared. “I need to know how much you’ve had to drink.”
“That’s my third beer in the last three hours and I’ve barely touched it,” Emmerson said.
“Where’s your uniform?” his mother asked.
