Read Online Emily and the Stranger by Beverly Barton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Beverly Barton
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broad shoulders almost touching each side, his big body filling the space.
"No problem," Mitch said. "But if this isn't a life or death situation, could we get this over with in a hurry? I've got a date tonight."
Zed raised his dark, bushy eyebrows, giving Mitch an is-that-so? look. "This won't take too long, but if it's going to run you late, give the lady a call."
"I gave her a quick call from a pay phone before I came over." Mitch followed Zed into his large, airy office. "I was supposed to pick her up right after work."
Zed eyed Mitch's appearance, the sweat-stained shirt, the grime-covered jeans, the day's growth of beard. "Is the lady unto bums?"
Mitch grinned "We're going to pick up the fixings on the way home, and then while she gets dinner started, I'm going to run home and take a quick shower."
"The lady must live close." Zed motioned for Mitch to take a seat, then sat down behind his enormous black metal desk.
"As a matter of fact she lives in the cottage next to mine," Mitch said.
"Dammit man, what have you done?" Emitting a furious growl, Zed slammed one big hand down on his desk. "Have you lost your mind?"
Mitch sat down in a white leather chair strategically located in front of Zed's desk. The inquisition chair. The interview chair. "She's lonely, Zed. Very sad and very lonely. And very beautiful."
"A sad and lonely lady," Zed said. "Old buddy, you're asking for trouble. My advice is to stay away from her. You've got enough problems without sticking your neck in that particular noose."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Mitch eased his body to the edge of the chair, spread his legs and dangled his hands between his knees. "But I'm afraid I can't take your advice. I need Emily in my life right now."
"You didn't tell her who you are, did you?"
"I didn't tell her I was Mitchell Ray Hayden. I told her that I was Ray Mitchell."
"Secrets have a way of coming out. If you won't take my advice about staying out of Emily Jordan's life, then at least don't wait too long to tell her who you are."
"I can't believe she's lived in the Gulf area all her life and the two of you have never met. I thought you were acquainted with every beautiful woman in South Alabama ." Mitch knew for a fact that Zed Banning had a reputation when it came to women—lovely, sophisticated women. But to Mitch's knowledge, his friend hadn't been involved in a serious relationship since his divorce. Zed had been in the middle of a messy settlement when Mitch had first worked for him twelve years ago.
"Maybe it's lucky for me that our paths haven't crossed. I don't think she's my type. And she's not your type, either," Zed said. "From what I've learned about Emily Jordan, the woman isn't the type for one-night stands or brief affairs. There doesn't seem to have been anyone special in her life since her husband died."
"If you're trying to tell me that I can't be that special man in her life, don't bother. I already know. All I can be is her friend. And once she knows who I am, I'll probably lose her friendship."
"Keep that in mind, and make sure you don't lead her on and wind up breaking her heart. You've already got enough guilt to handle."
"For a man who's never met the lady, you seem awfully concerned," Mitch said.
"I knew that once you saw her, you'd find a way to meet her, but it never entered my mind that you'd ask her for a date."
"I didn't plan it. It just happened."
"Being her friend is a mistake," Zed said. "Becoming more than a friend would be suicidal."
"Don't you think I know that?"
"You'd be better off and so would she if you found yourself some bosomy blonde."
"I've had my fill of cheap blondes and meaningless one-night stands." Mitch glared at his old friend. "For the last five years there hasn't been one meaningful thing in my life. As crazy as it sounds, I want Emily Jordan's friendship. I need to know what it's like to go out on a real date, to be with someone honest and decent and—"
"Tell her who you are.
"No problem," Mitch said. "But if this isn't a life or death situation, could we get this over with in a hurry? I've got a date tonight."
Zed raised his dark, bushy eyebrows, giving Mitch an is-that-so? look. "This won't take too long, but if it's going to run you late, give the lady a call."
"I gave her a quick call from a pay phone before I came over." Mitch followed Zed into his large, airy office. "I was supposed to pick her up right after work."
Zed eyed Mitch's appearance, the sweat-stained shirt, the grime-covered jeans, the day's growth of beard. "Is the lady unto bums?"
Mitch grinned "We're going to pick up the fixings on the way home, and then while she gets dinner started, I'm going to run home and take a quick shower."
"The lady must live close." Zed motioned for Mitch to take a seat, then sat down behind his enormous black metal desk.
"As a matter of fact she lives in the cottage next to mine," Mitch said.
"Dammit man, what have you done?" Emitting a furious growl, Zed slammed one big hand down on his desk. "Have you lost your mind?"
Mitch sat down in a white leather chair strategically located in front of Zed's desk. The inquisition chair. The interview chair. "She's lonely, Zed. Very sad and very lonely. And very beautiful."
"A sad and lonely lady," Zed said. "Old buddy, you're asking for trouble. My advice is to stay away from her. You've got enough problems without sticking your neck in that particular noose."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Mitch eased his body to the edge of the chair, spread his legs and dangled his hands between his knees. "But I'm afraid I can't take your advice. I need Emily in my life right now."
"You didn't tell her who you are, did you?"
"I didn't tell her I was Mitchell Ray Hayden. I told her that I was Ray Mitchell."
"Secrets have a way of coming out. If you won't take my advice about staying out of Emily Jordan's life, then at least don't wait too long to tell her who you are."
"I can't believe she's lived in the Gulf area all her life and the two of you have never met. I thought you were acquainted with every beautiful woman in South Alabama ." Mitch knew for a fact that Zed Banning had a reputation when it came to women—lovely, sophisticated women. But to Mitch's knowledge, his friend hadn't been involved in a serious relationship since his divorce. Zed had been in the middle of a messy settlement when Mitch had first worked for him twelve years ago.
"Maybe it's lucky for me that our paths haven't crossed. I don't think she's my type. And she's not your type, either," Zed said. "From what I've learned about Emily Jordan, the woman isn't the type for one-night stands or brief affairs. There doesn't seem to have been anyone special in her life since her husband died."
"If you're trying to tell me that I can't be that special man in her life, don't bother. I already know. All I can be is her friend. And once she knows who I am, I'll probably lose her friendship."
"Keep that in mind, and make sure you don't lead her on and wind up breaking her heart. You've already got enough guilt to handle."
"For a man who's never met the lady, you seem awfully concerned," Mitch said.
"I knew that once you saw her, you'd find a way to meet her, but it never entered my mind that you'd ask her for a date."
"I didn't plan it. It just happened."
"Being her friend is a mistake," Zed said. "Becoming more than a friend would be suicidal."
"Don't you think I know that?"
"You'd be better off and so would she if you found yourself some bosomy blonde."
"I've had my fill of cheap blondes and meaningless one-night stands." Mitch glared at his old friend. "For the last five years there hasn't been one meaningful thing in my life. As crazy as it sounds, I want Emily Jordan's friendship. I need to know what it's like to go out on a real date, to be with someone honest and decent and—"
"Tell her who you are.
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