His Southern Sweetheart

Stephen paused his lecture to cock his head to the side. “You said she was fired, Nate.” Stephen shook his head and pressed his hands against the table. “She doesn’t have a job.”

Nate shrugged his shoulders, biting back the ounce of pain he’d gotten from brushing up against the brick wall in his attempt to hide from Helen Marlow. “Yet,” he corrected his brother. “Amelia doesn’t have a job yet and the lease on her apartment is almost up. This is perfect timing.”

“You’re going to take her on as a client?”

Part of Reyes Realty and Contracting meant selling homes. The brothers were so successful in their business back in Atlanta that they’d been able to concentrate on their nieces without having to worry about work and clients. Nate was good at selling and finding dream homes for people. He preferred the hands-on part when they flipped homes.

Stephen gave a skeptical clearing of his throat. “So you think you’re enough to keep her here?”

“Amelia’s grandmother is here, and her cousin.”

“From my understanding, her grandmother doesn’t like too many people, her granddaughter included.”

Shaking his head, Nate chuckled. “Haven’t you learned your lesson listening to rumors?”

“We’re talking about you, little brother.”

“Whatever.”

“No, not whatever.” Stephen’s voice became sterner, reminding Nate of their father moments before he laid down the law. “Let’s talk about the next week or so Amelia is in town. How do you plan on conducting yourself with Kimber and Philly in the house?”

“I’m going to start off with inviting Amelia over for dinner, hang out with us so she’ll see the perks of staying in town, and then I’m bringing her to the Crystal Coquí Ball.”

Stephen choked on his words. “What? I don’t understand.”

“Don’t worry,” Nate replied with a smug grin, “it’s not too complicated.”

* * *

Amelia spent Sunday afternoon pretty much how she did when she lived with Grandmamma—in her room. She wanted to avoid the pressures and questions from the few church patrons who stopped by with a covered dish. After she’d practically pushed Nate out the window, Amelia had gone downstairs to say hello to the visitors and make sure she did not get the eye from Grandmamma. She took to the top steps and eavesdropped on Grandmamma bragging about the new ramp Nate Reyes had put in for her. Occasionally she heard the screen door squeak for Grandmamma to show off. The ladies who came to visited hummed and prayed in thanks for a man like Nate Reyes. Their form of thankful prayer might have turned more into gossip about the time each of the ladies caught a glimpse of Nate playing basketball down at the park with their own grandchildren, or running into him at the store. According to what Amelia learned from the church ladies, domestication made Nate sexy as hell.

Twenty-four hours later Grandmamma still did not mention anything about Nate sneaking out of the house, but so as to not borrow trouble, Amelia took off the moment Grandmamma asked for a new bag of ice. Amelia guessed her friends drank all the iced tea. Besides, getting out of the house felt liberating. A few days ago, Amelia had wanted to spend her time in Southwood hiding, since she’d been too afraid of running into anyone. But thanks to talking to folks at Emily’s wedding, Amelia had learned her senior exposé had done more good to the community than harm. Too bad she didn’t plan to stick around to find out how people’s attitude to her had changed.

The black cell phone in her purse came to life as Amelia pulled into the Piggly Wiggly parking lot and put her car in Park. When she answered her phone, she thought she might have sung her greeting. Her toes wiggled in the jeweled flip-flops on her feet.

“Well, someone sure is in a good mood.”

“Rory,” Amelia exclaimed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear to better hear. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Rory laughed into the receiver. “Small-town life is treating you well?”

A shiver ran down Amelia’s spine. The temperature had crept up to eighty-five degrees and it was only eight thirty in the morning. One man made being back in town better. “Life back home is not as bad as I thought.”

“Does any of this have to do with a particular man?”

Amelia cleared her throat. “I’m not kissing and telling.”

“At least I know you’re kissing,” Rory quipped. “Listen here, missy, I know Christopher said you’re not allowed to contact anyone in the business but you did not have to leave a message on my work phone. I heard your message this morning, and before I get mad at you for not calling me at home, how’s your grandmother?”

“Grandmamma?” Amelia shook her head back and forth. “She’s fine,” she started off with a slow drawl and filled her friend in on the updates and remodeling.

“Good grief, there is a man,” guessed Rory. “The same one you purchased?”

“How’d you know?”

“Natalia demanded to speak to the higher-ups before she took off.”

“Took off?” Amelia scratched her head. A teenager zipped by on a skateboard in front of the automatic doors, triggering the signal for them to open. “What do you mean, took off?”