N. Walters - Past Promises

Since he and Linda had gotten together, he’d been jogging in the mornings after she went to work. The change was nice. Instead of running in the dark, he ran when the rest of the world was up and around. Folks were starting to recognize him and wave as he passed by. It was…nice.

He glanced at his watch. It was just after eight. Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he dialed.

“Yeah.” The male voice on the other end was brisk.

Levi smiled. “I see your wife hasn’t domesticated you yet.”

Jonah Sutter snorted. “What do you want?”

“I need help.”

There was no hesitation. All traces of humor disappeared from Jonah’s voice. “What do you need?”

Levi’s reply was quick. “I need you to make some calls.”

Linda stood in the shower and let the hot water cascade over her. She still couldn’t believe she’d had such a meltdown in front of Levi last night. But she’d been upset and vulnerable when he’d found her.

Still, he’d handled it just fine. Better than fine. He’d let her cry and vent, all the while holding her in his arms. He’d offered her the only thing he could. Comfort.

She grabbed her sponge, squirted some of her rose-scented shower gel on it and began to wash. She’d awoken alone and still fully dressed. It was a grungy feeling to sleep in your clothing, but she’d slept well in spite of it. Other than her eyes being puffy, she felt like her normal self again.

After she’d crawled out of bed and used his bathroom, she’d found Levi hard at work at his kitchen table, tapping away on his laptop.

He’d closed the cover on the computer when she’d appeared and she hadn’t asked what he was doing. If he’d wanted her to know what he was working on, he’d tell her. Besides, she had more than enough to worry about in her own life at the moment.

Sixty days. She had sixty days to relocate Past Promises. She might lose the building, but she wasn’t going to lose the store. The promissory note had been a personal loan to her, strictly for the building and the renovations. The bank could have it.

She ignored the pain in her stomach and continued to wash. She’d searched long and hard for the right location and loved the hundred-year-old building with its brick façade. Rinsing her body, she grabbed her shampoo and squirted a dollop into her palm. She could rent for as long as she had to if it meant keeping her business open.

Finding another place to live would be more of a problem. Apartments weren’t plentiful around here. She could impose on Amanda and Jonah for a few days if she had to. She couldn’t ask Cyndi for a room at her B&B. It was almost summer and that meant tourist season. Most likely the rooms were already booked. If this had happened in January, she probably could have rented a room there for a decent rate.

She scrubbed her scalp and then stood beneath the spray, rinsing off the shampoo and any remainder of soap. Slicking her hair back from her face, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower stall. She grabbed a thick white towel and wrapped it around her body.

Her friends would help her. Unlike her family, she knew she could count on them. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but facts were facts. At least she had wonderful friends. That was definitely a reason to be thankful.

Linda swiped her palm over the mirror, clearing away some of the steam. She stared at her reflection with a critical eye. She didn’t look too bad all things considered. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, but some strategically placed concealer would take care of those.

She grabbed her hairdryer and brush and dealt with her hair. Thankfully, her short haircut was wash and go. When that was done, she dug out her cosmetic bag, knowing she needed an extra boost today. She applied her makeup carefully and went for the works—foundation, concealer, blush, mascara, eyeliner and shadow, followed by lipstick in a deep plum.

Her reflection was different this time. Gone was the tired woman. In her place was a confident businesswoman. Her grandmother had taught her that the proper clothing was half the battle in any business situation. You had to look the part before you could act the part.

Linda went to her bedroom and yanked open her closet door. She had to find something to wear. A damp towel just wouldn’t cut it. She ignored the clothing in front of her and dug right to the back. She knew exactly what she was looking for. The garment bag was zipped tight, but she pulled it out and hung it on the hook on the back of the closet door. The zipping noise was loud in the room as she opened the garment bag.

The skirt and jacket were a rich burgundy and screamed power. The designer label was discreetly sewn into the collar of the jacket. “Thank you, Grandma,” she murmured as she pulled out a cream-colored silk blouse to wear with it.

Underwear came first. Linda rummaged through her dresser drawer searching for just the right undergarments. She needed a bra that wouldn’t show through her light-colored blouse. It also had to make her feel sexy and confident. No one else would know what she was wearing beneath her suit, but she would. And that was all that mattered. After a short debate, she chose a lacy bra and panties in a light café au lait color. She dropped the towel and slipped them on. Stockings were next. Her choice was thigh highs. Much more comfortable than pantyhose.

She slid the blouse off its padded hanger and slipped it on, doing up the pearl buttons one by one. The skirt came next. The silk lining slipped over her skin like a lover’s caress. Linda stilled, her thoughts going back to Levi.

He’d been so good to her this morning. She’d barely stepped into the main room before he’d ushered her to the far end of the table, away from his laptop. He’d served her tea and oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal.

Tears welled in her eyes. She took a deep breath and sucked them back. She wasn’t going to cry over oatmeal. But it had been so sweet of him. He’d obviously gone to some trouble because it wasn’t the kind of oatmeal you just added water to, but the kind you actually cooked on the stovetop.

The warmth had felt good in her belly, while his obvious concern had been a balm to her soul.

She worried about what this whole situation would do to them. When she lost the building Levi would be homeless, just like her. Would he move on? Would he stay in Jamesville? She’d been too afraid to ask him. She was already losing so much. She didn’t want to contemplate losing Levi as well.

Not now.

Maybe in a few weeks when she had hopefully found a new place to live, as well as rented a space for her store. Maybe then she would broach the subject with Levi. If he hadn’t already left town by then.

Sixty days. Actually, it was less than that now. Not much time to find a new place to live, relocate a business and find out if her lover would be leaving or staying.

It wasn’t that she was being a coward. It was that she could only deal with one crisis at a time. And, unfortunately, the financial one took precedence. Unless Levi decided to pack it in and leave town in the next few days.

Her hands stilled on the suit jacket hanging on the back of the closet door. No, he’d tell her if he was leaving. She knew he would. Besides, he hadn’t kissed her like a man who was planning on going anywhere.

After she’d eaten her breakfast, he’d walked her to her door and wished her luck with her bank meeting, telling her he’d see her later. Then he’d kissed her with a passion that had left her breathless, her entire body tingling.

Her breasts swelled and her nipples tightened. Swearing, she yanked the jacket off the hanger and pulled it on. There was one button right at her waist, which she closed. She slipped on a pair of black leather pumps. The added height gave her a sense of confidence. She grabbed her matching leather purse, quickly transferring her wallet and belongings from her everyday purse. Everything she wore was good quality and classy. Perfect for a meeting with a banker.

Accessories were next. Nothing too flashy. Small gold hoops for her ears and a single strand of pearls for around her neck. She looked smart and successful. A quick glance at her watch told her she was running out of time. The store would stay closed until she got back. She hated to do it, but there was no other choice. Her part-timer was in school and wouldn’t be able to work.

There was nothing left to delay her any longer. She was as ready as she was ever going to be. Linda left her apartment before she gave herself any more time to think, locking the door behind her. There were no sounds coming from Levi’s apartment as she passed his front door. Only silence. She had no idea if he was still in there or if he’d already gone out. He ran in the mornings and was most likely pounding the pavement. She would have liked to have seen him before her meeting, but she consoled herself with the fact she’d see him later.

She almost left by the front door to the building, but at the last second decided to go through the store. She needed to put up a sign anyway to let folks know she’d be late opening today.

A noise reached her ears as she unlocked the inner door. Maybe she hadn’t missed Levi after all. She pushed the door open, a greeting on her lips. It caught in her throat and she blinked, not quite able to believe what she was seeing. Amanda was there, her reddish hair tucked back in a ponytail, wearing jeans and a cotton sweater. Beside her was Cyndi, looking stylish as always, dressed in pair of dress pants and a silk blouse. Both women walked toward her, their arms open wide.