Chapter 10

Emerson didn’t quite know what he wanted or intended, but somehow the architect he’d hired seemed to have all sorts of ideas that certainly sounded appealing. When he picked up Mei at the airport and showed her the plans, she did nothing but roll her eyes and cluck her tongue. He blushed lightly awaiting her reproach.

Finally the Asian woman laughed out loud and told him, “You don’t need a fountain in your living room!”

Em cringed, thinking probably that was a little over the top. “Sorry. I may have gotten carried away.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” she said bluntly, turning the blueprints to get a better look. “You’re not serious about all this, are you?”

“Um, I guess not,” he shrugged. “I just wanted something radically different from the other house, you know? Something that would not remind me of… of things. Something different.”

“Hm,” the woman intoned, but said nothing more as she scrutinized the plans further. Then she burst out laughing again. “A hot tub? Ha ha! I hope you don’t think I’m cleaning that!”

She threw the plans on the seat between them and grinned smugly out the window. Emerson laughed after a moment and said, “Okay. Whatever you say, Mei. I’m just glad to have you back.”

“Well, thank you,” the housekeeper said graciously. “I’m glad to be back.”

They drove on in pleasant, comfortable silence. He felt happier than he had in a long time. It was as if his life was truly beginning, and he couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

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