Page 5 of Mine to Hold
He wasn’t unhappy with his life. He loved his career as a police officer and detective for the Lighthouse Cove Police Department. Sometimes working for his mother could be a royal pain in the ass and he couldn’t wait for her to retire.
She threatened to all the time, but never did.
But when that happened, he’d end up working for his brother, Nathan. That wouldn’t be so bad. They had similar opinions and butted heads a lot less.
“Thanks,” Shelby said. “I better go get this little sweetie changed and fed so I can put her down for a nap.” She turned on her heel and strolled toward the sliding glass doors that led to the massive kitchen.
Emmerson’s mother was loaded. Well, she wasn’t, but her husband had millions. Emmerson had no idea how much, but the house—if he were to sell it—could get him at least twenty million.
It had to be the finest piece of property in all of Lighthouse Cove, Florida.
He turned his head and stared out toward the ocean. It was a good walk to get there and he could barely see the sand. But he could see the pretty blue waves rolling in. It was rare that the entire family could ever get together, so it was nice to see all his brothers in one place.
Jameson was in the pool with his two kids. Nathan was with him, while his two older kids splashed and played with some of their younger cousins.
Their wives huddled on lounge chairs, deep in conversation.
Emmett and Miles were leaning against the bar, staring up at the baseball game on the television.
Trinity, Emmett’s wife, looped her arm around her husband, watching, acting as if she cared. She was good that way, but Emmerson also knew this was the second time they were trying to adopt a baby. The first birth mother backed out two monthsinto the process and Trinity was beyond nervous the second time.
Seth sat on the edge of the pool next to their father, the two lawyers in the family. His wife and Emmerson’s mother were somewhere in the house.
His mom had taken to being wealthy better than anyone could have expected. She’d been frugal his entire childhood. Now, she spent like she had deep pockets and didn’t have a care in the world.
Okay, not entirely true, but she didn’t worry anymore.
And she’d catered the family party.
Three waitresses strolled around with trays, one of which had more than caught his attention, but only because he’d seen her twice in town in the last three days.
There was one bartender. A chef to man the grill. And a chef inside.
Afterward, his mom would have a cleaning service.
But all this made his mother happy, something she hadn’t been the last few years she’d been married to his father, and the first year Steve had come back into her life.
The waitress, Rumor, the one he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off, strolled by. “Would you boys like a couple of cheeseburger sliders?” She leaned over, holding the tray close to the table. “They’re fresh. Just got them from the chef.”
“They smell delicious.” Emmerson took the small plate she offered and snagged three. “Thanks,” he said. “Aren’t you the girl who served me breakfast yesterday? Rumor, is it?”
“That’s me.” She gave him the same bright smile she had when she’d served him in the Safe Harbor Café. “You commented on my name being the same as Bruce Willis’ daughter.”
Emmerson waggled his finger. “And you told me you were named after the Fleetwood Mac album.”
“Glad you remember the conversation.” Her long dark hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck in a messy bun. She wore a standard white button-down blouse, but he could see a tattoo peeking out from her wrist. He didn’t know what it was, but it intrigued him.
She intrigued him.
Her eyes were the color of a bright shiny emerald. It was an intoxicating look and he found himself staring. Her complexion was fair, but it had been kissed by the sun.
There was something about this girl that had crawled under his skin. He’d gone back to Safe Harbor Café this morning, but she hadn’t been there. He’d gone as far as to inquire about her with the owners, Lucy Ann and Phil. They informed him that she had just started working, but his mother snatched her up for this party.
Lucy Ann and Phil would do anything for his mother, including releasing one or two of their staff when his mom and Steve catered a party.
“You are definitely memorable and it’s good to see you again,” Emmerson said. “Have you met my brother, Rhett?”
“Not officially, but isn’t everyone here a brother? When your mom was briefing me for the job, she said she has seven sons.”
