Money was the only thing standing in his way, but soonhe would have enough to break free and live his life without always looking over his shoulder or seeking approval from the clan. He would finally be his own man, and if Dakota was right, a very rich one. But until then, he had to stay in school and make it look like he wanted a law degree, even if it was the farthest thing from the truth. It wouldn’t be much longer; he could handle a few more weeks of classes and could even handle being close to Emily if that’s what it took to keep his life running smoothly.
***Emily***
Emily rushed around her little kitchen, packing up leftovers, loading the tiny dishwasher, and scouring the pots and pans she’d used, keeping an eye on the clock the entire time. It was her favorite night of the week, and she was right on schedule. All she had to do was wipe down the counters, then make a cup of tea before she could grab her computer and relax for an hour. It had been an exhausting week, but at least for the first time since she transferred to Parkhurst, she felt like she was making progress, both scholastically and professionally.
Settling down on the couch, she opened her computer and propped it up against her knees, sipping her tea as she waited. Only a few minutes later, the happy chime signaling that she had a video chat filled the small living room, and she smiled as she opened up the window for the video call, already feeling better.
“Hey princess,” her father said, a matching smile on his face. “How’s my girl tonight?”
“Exhausted. It’s time for midterms already, and I feel like I just got here,” she said, with a sigh and a shrug of her shoulders. “And I’m not even going to mention the reason I’mhere, I’m trying not to think about it for a few hours. What are you up to?”
“Oh, no, you don’t, young lady,” her father said, a frown on his face. “Don’t try to change the subject after an outburst like that. Come on, spill it, I want to know everything.”
“Well, I might not be able to tell you everything, but the week started out with me nearly flunking a test,” she said, debating how much to share, then realized it might help if she talked about it, even if it was a little embarrassing. “I might have accidentally accused a classmate of cheating in the process…”
“And caused a big scene, I bet,” her father said with a sigh. “Emily, I love you more than anything, but one of these days that mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”
“Yeah, Dad, I know, but sometimes I just can’t help myself,” she said. “The problem is now I’m supposed to try to get close to this guy. Captain Strattler is sure the fraternity he belongs to knows more than they’re saying.”
“It sounds like you’ve backed yourself into a corner, sweetheart,” her father said, shaking his head. “What are you going to do?”
“I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but I finally got a break today. Professor Whitmore partnered us up for the mid-term project, so that should give me some time to figure it out,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy though, he’s a huge jerk, and most of the time I want to slap him.”
Her father studied her for a second, then shook his head. “Well, I’m sure you can handle it. You’re an amazing young woman, Emily,” he said. Your mother would have been proud of you.”
Emily was silent for a second as she dealt with the stab of grief that always hit her when anyone mentioned her mother. “I know, Dad, I just hope I’ve made the right choice this time,” she finally said. “I want to make a difference forpeople like Mom, people who didn’t know how to work the system to get the help they needed. I thought joining the police force would let me do that, but I was wrong. I hope I’m not wrong about this too.”
“You weren’t wrong about the police force, you have done some good since you joined, don’t forget that, it’s just not the kind of good you wanted to do,” her father said. “I don’t think it was a waste of your time if that’s what you’re thinking, you just took the long way to what you’re really supposed to be doing. It happens sometimes. You’re going to be a great lawyer, Emily, you’re going to help a lot of people, and that’s all that counts in the end.”
Her father’s words made her feel better, and she smiled at him. " Thanks, Dad. I needed to hear that,” she said. Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in everything that I forget to stop and look at the big picture.”
“You work too hard, you need some downtime,” he said, shaking his head. “When was the last time you took a day off to just have fun?”
“I took a few days off last summer and went to the beach,” she said, a bit defensively. “That was only a few months ago.”
“Emily, that was more than just a few months ago. It’s October; you went to the beach in May right after school got out,” her father said, his voice full of patience. “If you keep up this pace, you’re going to burn yourself out.”
“I’m okay, Dad, I promise,” she said. “And when this case is over, I will take a few days off and get away. You can even come with me if you want.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, the smile back on his face. “I know you think I worry too much, but it’s my job.”
“I know, Dad, and even if I don’t act like it, I appreciate your concern,” she said. “I love you, old man.”
“And I love you, baby girl,” her father said. “It’s your turn to call next week.”
“Don’t worry I won’t forget,” she said, rolling her eyes. “That only happened once, and I had finals.”
Her father laughed, “I know, I just like rubbing it in,” he said. “Have a good week.”
“You too,” she said, then closed the call, a smile on her face.
It always made her feel better to chat with her dad, and tonight was no different. She felt more grounded than she had all week. So, what if she’d left out her attraction to Taylor when she was recounting her week to her father? It wasn’t really that important, just a passing madness that she was sure would go away soon.
CHAPTER 5
***TAYLOR***
Taylor flipped the last pork chop onto the platter in his hand, the smell making his stomach growl, then turned off the burner on the barbecue before carrying the stack of meat back into the house. It was his turn to cook dinner, and he took the responsibility seriously, if only out of respect for Hattie, who believed they should all be able to put together at least a simple meal. Setting the platter on the table, he decided he was the king of the simple meal and went to retrieve the potatoes he’d put on to bake earlier that evening.
