Signed, Sealed, Delivered (2 page)

Bethany’s eternal optimism was a blessing. While that trait sometimes bordered on naïveté, this time it helped Juliana feel stronger about risking a change. “Thanks, Beth.”

Beth saluted her with a mock toast of her Diet Coke.

“You haven’t mentioned this to the principal yet, have you, Jules?” Mallory asked.

“I’m not that stupid,” Juliana replied. “Besides, it’s just a seminar. Who knows if I’ll even decide I want to give it a whirl?”

“You can use summer break to get a good start,” Danielle said.

Juliana nodded. “That’s what I thought, too. I’ll just head to the seminar with Robert, see what Max Schumm has to say, and—”

Mallory choked on her Diet Cherry Coke. “Did you say Max Schumm?” The anger in her voice came as a surprise.

“Yeah, why?”

“Ben hates that guy.”

Ben. Mallory’s husband. The two of them had a bit of whirlwind romance that started when he renovated her house, which turned into true love when they connected at the Bayside mixers.

If only Juliana could be so lucky to land a hunk like Ben Carpenter. “What happened that made Ben hate him?”

“Schumm screwed up the paperwork on the house he sold when he got divorced. Cost Ben a pretty penny to get things straightened out. The lawyer told him Schumm doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground.”

“Then why is he head of the biggest real estate firm in Cloverleaf?” Juliana asked.

“Because there’s not much competition,” Mallory replied. “The other firms are national chains, and you know how tight-knit this town is.”

“Always use a local,” Danielle said, stating the town’s informal motto.

“Look,” Juliana said. “I’ll go to the seminar, find out what I need to do to get licensed, and see if I can stomach Max Schumm. Then I can make some hard choices.”

But did she have the stomach to walk away from her career and risk starting over?

Connor Wilson leaned back in his chair and waited for the presentation to start. Not that the seminar was going to change his mind about facing this new real estate market solo. He was there strictly for research, learning everything he could about the competition.

He’d made this move to such a small market for all the right reasons, and there was profit to be had here. He could smell it as easily as a pig sniffing for truffles.

Max Schumm. Cloverleaf’s number one Realtor. He held court near the front of the conference room, close to the table his assistants had piled with swag—calendars, pens, refrigerator magnets. Not a surprise that his office staff, his minions, were all women while his Realtors were mostly men. He counted only two ladies in the bright blue Schumm blazers, and every advertisement he’d checked contained listings by males.

The town and the surrounding counties were ripe for the picking.

Time for the king to get knocked off his throne.

Glancing around the three big, round tables set with six places each, Connor sized up the people who thought they might have the chops to sell homes. A pitiful lot it was. He’d dismissed each and every one, noticing Max doing the same thing as he appraised the newbies. The only person Max kept staring at was Connor, probably because he knew a true salesman when he spotted one.

Perhaps he even recognized him from his past. Indianapolis wasn’t a huge market, but it was somewhat close and Connor had been well known there. Two years away wasn’t all that long to distance himself from making sales or getting new listings. Their paths might have crossed on a long-distance move, although he was sure he’d have remembered a man like Max. Damn if the guy didn’t look like an eighties game show host, from his oversprayed hair to his fake tan to his far-too-white teeth.

What Max didn’t know was that Connor had no intention of becoming part of Schumm Homes. While Max would undoubtedly make him an offer of employment, there was only one firm Connor intended to work for—the newest agency in town.

Wilson Realty.

The time for the program to begin came and went, causing him to make a mental note, matching the information he’d already gathered. Tardiness was one of Max’s sins. He had others, but the most mentioned was his disregard for other people’s time.

Just as Max stepped closer to the podium, talking in low tones with the Ramada’s technical advisor, a kid who had to be right out of college, a couple appeared at the double-door entrance.

Connor caught and held his breath when he saw the woman.

Hair the color of a setting sun—the most gorgeous shade of natural red he’d ever seen. It was long and down, bouncing around her shoulders in wavy cascades. She wore a perfect black dress. Not a slutty “little black dress” but one that would work fine for business
and
pleasure, with a square neck that showed a hint of generous cleavage. She was curvy without being too curvy. Her legs seemed to go on forever, and the black stilettos were enough to finish him off.

He was no longer thinking about Max Schumm or real estate or the Cloverleaf market. Connor wasn’t going to be paying an ounce of attention to anything anyone had to say tonight. Not with the redheaded vision heading right for his table. Too bad she was with another guy, because there was nothing he wanted more than to take her home.

It had been a long time since he’d felt such a swift and severe attraction. The closer she drew, the harder his heart pounded. Since the last empty seats were at his table, it was a given she and her escort were going to sit next to him.

“Mind if we sit here?” she asked, her husky voice hitting him right in the groin.

“Um, no. Go ahead.” Then the blood started flowing back to Connor’s brain long enough for him to remember his manners. He stood up and pulled out the chair for her, drawing a lopsided smile from her escort, who hadn’t made a move to help.

She dropped a rather large black purse on the floor, sat down, and smiled sweetly over her shoulder as Connor pushed her up to the table. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Her perfume drifted his way. Something light yet sensual. Hell, everything about her was sensual. She moved like a feline, all sleek lines and confidence. He wanted to sweep the gorgeous creature into his arms, carry her up to his third-floor room, and make love to her until they both collapsed in sated exhaustion. He let a light chuckle slip as he wondered what she’d say if he up and told her exactly what he was thinking.

She tossed him a charming smile, but he couldn’t enjoy it because he was too busy looking to see if she or the guy who’d escorted her to the table wore a wedding ring.

Neither did, and Connor did a mental jig. He wasn’t leaving without this beautiful creature’s phone number.

Maybe his fresh start in this new place was truly going to be his salvation. Maybe he could really leave his past behind and forge a new life here after all. Maybe a leopard could finally change his spots.

For the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt the confidence and purpose that had been missing for far too long. He would make a life for himself here, earn a decent profit, and maybe get back to the world of the living.

Only time would tell.

* * *

Juliana’s hopes fell with each word out of Max Schumm’s mouth. What he was proposing was a sales position where she’d slave away for him, selling real estate yet giving back far more in commission than she thought necessary. All for the privilege of being able to use his logo and wear a tacky blue blazer. The way he parceled out office space was ridiculous, and although he was the number one Realtor for miles around, she couldn’t help but think there had to be someone with more warmth and personality than the rather cardboard Max Schumm.

Dinner had been a steak that was about the size and consistency of a hockey puck, a baked potato, and a bowl of tossed lettuce. The only drink provided was water. Twenty bucks didn’t buy much anymore.

Then Max had proceeded to tell them how lucky they all were to even be
considered
as one of his representatives. Once he finished putting himself and his business on parade, he settled in with one-on-one conferences.

Juliana held back, wondering if whatever he could say was worth waiting for if she got a turn with him.

Robert scooted his chair back and stood. “I’m done, Jules. This guy’s a jerk.”

She nodded, still unsure of her next move.

“You staying or going?”

“I’m gonna stick around for a little while. Okay?”

“How will you get home?

“I’ll call a cab.”

His frown was a bit fierce coming from such an easygoing guy. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you stranded.”

“I won’t be stranded. Just going to grab a drink then call a cab. Stop worrying about me.”

He glanced back to Max. “If I spent more than five minutes alone with that guy, I’d probably shove my fist right down his throat.”

She let a chuckle slip out. “I can understand that inclination.”

“See you Monday.” Robert gave her a goofy little wave and headed for the exit.

Juliana fished her cell phone out of her purse and texted Mallory.

Seminar was a bust.

It didn’t take long for Mallory to reply.

Sorry. Want to come over?

As if she’d interrupt the Carpenters’ peace and quiet.

Nope. Heading to the bar.

Mallory texted right back.

That bad?

There was only one word needed in reply.

Absolutely.

Juliana turned the phone’s ringer off, shoved it in her purse, and started to push back from the table. Then she realized the man who’d pulled out her chair was helping her again. “Thank you,” she said as she stood. Whatever else she’d planned to say evaporated as she took a good look at him.

How preoccupied had she been with planning a new career to have missed
him
?

He had to be around six foot. Black hair, trimmed short. Not quite a military cut, but definitely no-nonsense. The darkest brown eyes she’d ever seen. He wore a light gray suit that fit him perfectly. His tie was a mixture of black, silver, and purple, the perfect complement to complete the outfit.

No matter how hard she tried to imagine it, Juliana just couldn’t see him in one of the Schumm blazers. It would be an abomination.

His smile washed over her, making her blood heat to the point that her face flushed hot all the way to her ears.

“So what did you think?” he asked in an appealing baritone.

Since she had no idea who this man was or what his connection was to Max Schumm, she shrugged.

“Are you going to talk to him?”

“I think I’ll pass tonight.” She slung her heavy purse over her shoulder as she cast one last look at the queue to talk to Max.

As though he knew she watched, Max turned toward her. His dark brown hair seemed a little too perfect, and his smile made a shiver run the length of her spine. She had a passing thought that he looked a little bit too much like Ted Bundy to allow her to be comfortable being alone with him. He gave her a practiced smile that she responded to by shifting her gaze to the dark man who still stood with his hands on the back of her chair.

Disappointment weighed heavily, making her frown despite the welcoming smile he gave her. Right now, she wanted a drink. She
needed
a drink. “Thanks again. I’m getting out of here.”

Had she been her normal outgoing self, she would have invited him to accompany her. Since he didn’t reply to her farewell, she left the room, heading for the bar on the other side of the hotel. She’d been there with the Ladies before. Kicks was small, had loads of televisions to keep people from trying to start conversations, and the booze wasn’t overpriced.

A hand on her shoulder dragged her to a stop in the lobby. “Um… hey.”

She whirled to find the raven-haired man. Knowing he followed her left her as tongue-tied as a girl with her first crush. “Hey.”

“Were you leaving?” he asked.

“Not yet.”

A quick look down the hall and his eyes fixed on the overhead sign pointing to Kicks. “Heading to the bar?”

“Yeah. I am.”

There was reluctance in his eyes and another glance down the hallway as though he was making up his mind. “Care if I tag along? I’d love to buy you a drink.”

How long had it been since some man, especially one as good-looking as this guy, had tried to pick her up? At all the mixers she’d attended, only twice had she accepted a date. Both guys were nice, but there simply wasn’t any chemistry. One kiss with each was more than enough to convince her of the sad lack of attraction.

“I suppose I should introduce myself.” He held out his hand. “Connor Wilson.”

Juliana put her hand in his. Heat shot through her body so swiftly she gasped. What a cliché—a touch being akin to a lightning strike. Yet she was affected anyway.

He didn’t let go of her hand, and she wouldn’t even consider pulling it away. They just stared at each other. He was only a few inches taller, which kept their eyes locked. People moved around the lobby, coming and going as though the world was still spinning.

Yet her universe had been reduced to the touch of this man.

Max Schumm broke the magic spell. “Connor Wilson? I knew it! I
knew
it was you!” He stuck his hand right above where Connor still held Juliana’s.

Feeling ridiculous, she drew her hand back while Connor shook Max’s hand.

“Wasn’t sure you’d recognize me,” Connor said.

“One of the leading salesmen in Indiana?” Max snorted a laugh. “I always know the competition.” He gave Connor a head-to-toe appraisal. “You’re thinking about getting back in the biz?”

Back?
She filed that bit of info away, figuring it might be a conversation starter as well as a way to get to know more about Connor.

Max turned to her, giving her such a fake salesman smile she almost rolled her eyes. “Sure didn’t know you’d married such a looker, Wilson. What’s your name, doll?”

Doll? Oh, Max. You’re an asshole.

“I’m Juliana Kelley, but we’re not married.”

“Well, then.” Max rubbed his hands together. “What would it take to get you to come sit and talk? You came for the seminar, which means you’re interested.”

Was
interested. “I—I’m not sure about anything yet, Mr. Schumm,” she said, hating the hesitation in her voice. For some reason, she couldn’t just come out and tell him to buzz off. Perhaps that reason was Connor. She was dying to hear what he had to say to Max.

“Oh, sorry,” Max said. “I meant Connor.”

How the hell would she have known that? The guy had been staring right at her. Now he was summarily dismissing her.

Her pride shattered. Not only had she been rudely dismissed, it had happened in front of the first man she’d been attracted to in just about forever.

With a shake of her head, she walked away. Somewhere in that bar was a shot of Patrón with her name on it.