Read Online Rooms: A Novel by James L. Rubart - Free Book Online Page A

He wouldn’t go there. Never. Nice try, Archie.
    He grabbed a Diet Coke and paced through the living room, staring at the fireplace, out the windows at the storm clouds gathering over the ocean, at the hallway leading to the painting room.
    Going crazy was not an option. He should get it over with, sell the place. Or simply leave and never come back. Push the house out of his mind. Get things right with Julie and move on with his life. She deserved a ring; he deserved his sanity.
    He would do it. Put the house on the market and set a wedding date. Micah picked up his cell to call Julie; a second later he tossed it onto the hunter green couch in front of his fireplace.
    Impossible.
    Julie was right. In spite of what happened to his mom here, this place had a grip on him, and his heart was changing addresses.
    Which would make their meeting on Monday a powder keg.

CHAPTER 9
    Monday morning Julie walked into Micah’s office, looking like a tiger that hadn’t eaten in a week. Her countenance sent a clear message. He was dinner.
    “Hey, how are you?”
    Julie didn’t answer.
    Micah pulled away from his computer and leaned back in his leather chair. She stared at him, her lips pressed together so hard they were white.
    “I’m sorry.” He stood and hopped over to her. “I’ve blown it. I’ve been distant. Blah, blah, blah, okay?” He flashed a smile.
    “Not funny. This is serious, Micah.”
    “I know. Really. I’ve been emotionally absent these past few weeks and I’m sorry.” He ran his fingers down her arms and slid them into her palms.
    “A few weeks? Try six.” Julie yanked her hands out of Micah’s grasp. “What is going on with you? You’re my business partner. And my soul mate, I thought. Both of those relationships require spending time together, talking to each other. And I need an answer about our future, one way or another.”
    “We have been talking.” He rubbed the back of his neck and walked toward the wet bar at the back of his office to pour a Diet Coke.
    “E-mail is not talking. We haven’t had a conversation since our abbreviated dinner last week. Are you going to explain what’s been going on with you?”
    “I’m . . .”
    “I need the answer now. Is our romance on hold? ’Cause that’s the message coming across the line clear and sonic-boom loud.”
    “No. Of course not. I don’t want to lose us. I’m just trying to—”
    “To what, Micah? Break up gently?”
    “It’s hard to explain.” He walked to his windows, turned, and scuffed back to his desk. “We’re not on hold. Really. But things are going on inside me.”
    “What things? Tell me.”
    What could he tell her? He hated Cannon Beach because it’s where his mom died? Sorry, no one knew that. But that he was also weirdly attracted to Archie’s house because it felt so familiar and even peaceful? That part of him would refuse to ever face his past, but maybe a part of him was willing? Tell her the man who was always in control and knew exactly what he wanted didn’t know anymore?
    “I can’t, Julie. Not yet. But I will. Trust me. Please?” He touched the tips of his fingers to the tips of hers, and this time she didn’t pull away.
    “You have to be done very, very soon, okay?” She nestled into his arms, and he held her tight.
    A few minutes later Micah sighed as he watched her walk into the hall. He would be done with Cannon Beach soon. He just needed a little bit longer.
    Yeah, as if all he needed was more time.
    ||||||||
    He didn’t leave for the beach till Thursday night at nine for work-related reasons. But in reality they were flimsy excuses to delay arriving at a house that both drew and repelled him. No more new rooms, Archie. Please.
    Friday morning he dropped in on Rick. Devin was out front wiping his palms on a rag dirtier than his hands.
    “Anyone in the old guy’s office?”
    “Nah, good timing,” Devin said. “Head on back.”
    Micah opened Rick’s door and found him sitting in an