AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Since she knew the woman, Jada never left home without it. It was as much a part of her wardrobe as her stilettos and love for knee-length dresses that made Genevieve think of the nineteen fifties. Put it all together and it formed a kind of endearing woman who could also be a little intimidating when she had to be. The woman knew how to work a room full of people and make others feel comfortable. Unless you missed a deadline. And then you feared that smile.
“Jada?” She welcomed the hug from her editor and friend. “What in the world are you doing here? I was going to call after the commotion died down a little. Did you get my late-night email? Were you able to run the article back in New York City?”
“Run it, Genevieve, dear, it’s been the talk of the town since the early edition hit the stands this morning. My phone won’t stop ringing. You really outdid yourself. It’s why my friends have followed me all the way out here. We drove straight here. I’venever been in a car so long. Dreadful. They insisted on seeing what all the talk was about so here we are. They especially loved how you described the importance of keeping a town’s identity.” She gestured to the men at her side.
Genevieve hadn’t noticed the three men that joined Jada until she pointed them out. They stood shoulder to shoulder opposite the counter, their attention roving over every detail of her parents’ shop.
“Oh, nice to meet you all. Welcome to Pinegrove.” She took their hands and offered a warm smile and noted how Whiskey came to stand by her. “I’m so glad you could make it to our little town.”
The shortest of the three men who worked an epic handlebar mustache like nobody’s business spoke up. “You’re right about little. It’s barely elbow room out there.”
Jada cut in, “Listen, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought on the way here. I want you to stay on in Pinegrove, continue to write a weekly article about your quaint town. The people back home can’t get enough. You’ll have your own column. Could be good for both of us. Like a breath of fresh air. What do you say?”
What did she say? She turned to Whiskey, who looked at her with a peculiar expression of hope and happiness. That little detail joined the other one she tucked away in a tiny box in her head about him calling her his girl. And how could she forget his words or reclaiming her all over again last night? Words like those stayed with a woman long after they were uttered.
Genevieve’s eyes went wide. “You’re kidding.”
“Not even a little.” Jada placed her considerably large purse on the counter, pushing aside a pile of ribbon. “Is that a yes? I know you’ll miss all the traffic and loud noise of the big city, but…”
Did she just die and wake up in dream job heaven?
“Yes!” she nearly tripped over her own tongue trying to get the answer out. “Yes! I can’t believe this.” She cupped her hands over her mouth. It felt oddly like what she imagined winning the lottery would be like. Wait until her friends found out. Her parents. They would be over the moon!
She turned to see Whiskey’s eyes alight with something she’d never seen there before. Pride. And all aimed at her.
He pulled her in for a hug and she buried her face into his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what, sweetheart?”
“Just for being here and so much more,” she murmured for his ears only. “So much more.”
She pulled back and slipped from Whiskey’s arms, flashing her boss and smile.
The tallest of the three men that joined Jada grabbed Whiskey’s attention. “I’m assuming you’re the owner of this building?”
Whiskey nodded.
“In that case, we’d like to talk about renting a few locations here. Setting up an antique shop, a beauty parlor and then go from there. Breathe life back into this wonderful timepiece.”
Whiskey nodded again. “I’d like that.” He took out three business cards and passed one to each and another to Jada. “Call my secretary and let’s work out a time.” Whiskey turned his gaze on her. “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
Genevieve’s heart did a funny quiver in her chest that she couldn’t push off on coffee or nerves. Nope. That was nothing short of a Whiskey-caused quake.
Pugly picked that moment to growl and bark until she freed him from his puppy prison.
“Pugly, dear!” Jada scooped up her pup and planted a kiss on his head. “How did he behave?”
Genevieve gave Whiskey a long side-eye. “Like a perfect gentleman.”
Jada turned her attention on Whiskey. “I guess no introductions are needed for the man of the hour, but still,” She held out her hand and Whiskey took it.
“Byman of the hour, I’m assuming you're referring to the smashing article Genevieve whipped up while everyone else slept away last night?”
“That would be the one.”
Genevieve smacked a hand against her forehead. “I’m so sorry, yes. Whiskey Morgan, this is the one and only Jada Lawson, editor-in-chief of New York’s finest newspaper. Jada, this is my childhood friend and current –”
“Friend at the moment,” Whiskey interjected as if he sensed the direction she was headed.
