Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (20 page)

* * * *

Aubrey woke to a silence unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Jumping out of bed, she opened the blinds. The sun was rising over a distant mountain, and everything was covered with a thick layer of glistening frost.

She never heard the door open or the footsteps of the man who stood watching her. With her hair hanging in a dark cloud down her back, she made an attractive picture. Corbin wished he could see this every morning.

“Quite a different view from ours, isn’t it?” he said quietly.

Aubrey turned around quickly, a sweet smile lingering on her lips. “Yes, but it’s beautiful all the same.”

He touched the thin material covering her arm. “Were you warm enough in that? It doesn’t look very, um, substantial.”

Aubrey smiled as she reached for her robe and slipped it on. “I brought some flannel pajamas; I couldn’t find them last night.”

“Good. I wouldn’t want you to catch pneumonia. Well, I should leave so you can get dressed. If Mike finds me in here with you looking like this, all the talking in the world isn’t going to convince him.”

“Doesn’t he know I work for you?”

“He’s not one to let facts get in the way.”

“In that case, it’s probably a waste of time saying anything now. I’ll meet you downstairs as soon as I change clothes.”

Aubrey slipped into her warmest jeans and sweater and went to find the two men. Just as she turned a corner in the hallway, she heard Corbin’s voice.

“When have you known me to mix business with pleasure?”

Mike laughed. “Never, but then again, you’ve never had a female assistant before.”

“It doesn’t matter. The temptation isn’t worth the risk.”

“What did you do last night? Move to another room?” Mike asked with evident amusement.

“Of course, so you can wipe that silly grin off your face.”

Corbin exited the kitchen, almost bumping into Aubrey. “Well, how much did you overhear?”

“Enough to know that I’ll never understand how men think,” she admitted in a low voice.

“I take it you’re satisfied. Your reputation is still intact.”

She bit down on her lip. “You don’t have to be sarcastic about it.”

He took her hand. “I didn’t mean it that way, Aubrey. I’m just trying to figure out why you care what Mike thinks. You aren’t bothered by what the people on Tybee think of our relationship.”

“It’s hard to explain. This is more personal – Mike is a friend of yours. I didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding.”

“I’ve taken care of that so you can relax. Let’s go eat.”

The talk over breakfast was confined to business. Once it was over, Aubrey disappeared while Corbin and Mike were still arguing over an article they’d read in the newspaper. She wandered down the hall peering into rooms and admiring the view from every window.

Once she’d explored the downstairs, she returned to her room. Opening her suitcase, she unearthed a new pair of fur-lined gloves and was admiring them when Corbin appeared in the doorway.

“Going somewhere?” he asked with a grin.

“I wanted to take a walk.”

“Can I come along?”

A few minutes later, he was opening the front door. The only sound other than their footsteps was water dripping from hundreds of icicles hanging like ornaments along the eaves of the house. Corbin took her arm, slipping it through his.

“The ground is slick; I don’t want you to fall.”

The sensation of being drawn close to him filled Aubrey with a happiness she didn’t want to question. Neither had much to say as they ambled slowly down the driveway, enjoying the peaceful silence enveloping them. It was a moment that would have been spoiled by conversation.

Not until the return journey did Aubrey realize the steepness of the terrain. Her legs began to feel like jelly, and it became a struggle to maintain Corbin’s pace. Just when she felt she couldn’t take another step, he halted, his glance taking in her red cheeks and heavy breathing.

“You let me drag you along and say nothing. I didn’t realize you were having difficulties.”

Between breaths, Aubrey retorted, “I’m ashamed to admit I’m so out of shape.”

“Most people would find this climb difficult. Would you like to be carried back?”

“Are you serious?” Not bothering to answer, he swept her into his arms. “Corbin, put me down. You can’t carry me up this hill.”

“Why can’t I?”

“Think what we must look like.”

“Who’s going to see us?”

“I hope Mike’s not looking out the window.”

Corbin chuckled. “Me, too; all my work this morning will be for nothing.”

“You mean telling him we’re not a couple?”

“Exactly. Although to be truthful, I don’t think he believed me.”

“Why?”

“Because he knows me better than most people.”

Aubrey didn’t know what to make of that statement. Ironically enough, Mike was standing on the porch waiting for them when they ascended the stairs, eyebrows raised and a look of concern on his face.

“Something happen to Aubrey?”

Corbin smiled faintly. “She found your hill a little trying, and I didn’t have the heart to leave her behind. Just one more reason I should have stuck by my rule of never hiring a female.”

“It was a stupid rule,” Mike retorted as he opened the door and waved them in. “Women are easier to work with and definitely nicer to look at.”

“It depends on the woman,” retorted Corbin as he lowered Aubrey to the ground.

Mike looked at Aubrey. “Are you going to let him get away with that?”

“I just ignore him. I must be doing something right or why else would he keep me around?”

“I’ve been wondering that myself,” Mike added softly with a puzzled glance in Corbin’s direction.

Corbin smiled enigmatically. “I’m wondering if my assistant is ready to start working. That’s why we’re here.”

“I’m ready when you are. Just let me get out of this heavy coat and wet shoes.”

They spent the remainder of the morning going over a preliminary renovation schedule for the four buildings. Each job site presented its own challenges, not the least of which was the distance between them. It was during these discussions that Aubrey found out Mike was responsible for recommending Corbin to the property owner, Dillon Meets.

After consuming some hastily prepared sandwiches, Corbin turned to Aubrey. “Dillon and his attorney should arrive in the next hour or two. It will probably be intense for the next few days as we hammer out all the details. I have my own ideas how I want this done and of course, Dillon will have his. It will be your job to ensure we don’t get bogged down with trivial matters.”

Wondering how she was supposed to do that, Aubrey began clearing the table. Mike came up beside her.

“Let me help with those, Aubrey.”

“That’s all right; I’ve got it.”

“I’m sure you’re very efficient; Corbin wouldn’t have kept you otherwise.”

“We’ve had our moments, haven’t we, Aubrey?” piped in Corbin. “But she’s come around nicely.”

“I don’t doubt it. If I didn’t already have a very competent assistant, I might try to lure her away from you.”

“Another conquest for you, Aubrey. Have we even been here twenty-four hours yet?”

“You’re both being ridiculous.”

“In that case, I’ll leave you two to get further acquainted,” Corbin retorted as he glanced at his watch. “I have a call to make.”

Aubrey hoped Mike would follow Corbin’s example and leave the room. Instead, he came to lean against the counter.

“How long have you worked for him?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Almost three months.”

“How long have you been in love with him?”

Dropping the towel she’d been using to dry the dishes, Aubrey turned toward him. “What did you say?”

“In the circumstances, it was inevitable. Corbin has a way about him that’s difficult to resist. Take my advice and find another job. You’ll get over him in time.”

Aubrey bent to retrieve the towel. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t make a habit of butting into other people’s lives, but you seem like a nice person. I hate to think you’re wasting your time on a lost cause.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“Corbin hasn’t had a serious relationship with a woman since Mandy. Think about that for a minute – it’s been what, six years. That’s a long time for a man to hold on to the past. He’ll never get over Mandy because he doesn’t want to.”

Aubrey let out a long sigh of exasperation as she watched Mike turn the corner. Had he said anything she didn’t already know? There was no chance for her, so why was she still hoping for a miracle?

Her task completed, she exited the kitchen and started down the hall. Behind the closed door of Mike’s office, she could hear Corbin’s muffled voice. He would be talking to Mandy, of course. Aubrey wandered into the living room and flung herself into a huge recliner.

After a few minutes, he joined her. “I just got off the phone with Phoebe. Haven’t you called her since we arrived?”

“Since we only left yesterday, I didn’t think it necessary to call her.”

“Ouch! Are you mad because she appears to be gaining ground with Richard? Only someone with his ego would get involved with sisters.”

Aubrey frowned. “What happens between Phoebe and Richard is their problem.”

“I credited her with more sense.”

“Don’t you believe people can change?”

“Sure, but I haven’t seen much evidence of Richard doing so.”

Tired of what appeared to be a hypocritical stance by someone who was usually so logical, Aubrey rushed into speech. “That’s because you don’t
want
to see it. You’re holding Richard’s past against him. I wonder if you’re holding Mandy to the same standard. Or are you willing to believe she’s changed because that makes it easier for you to take her back?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t think Mandy has changed, but I know I have.”

Those simple words silenced Aubrey, and suddenly she was ashamed of her outburst. “I’m glad things are working out for you,” she said quietly.

“Are you? You don’t think it unwise for me to get involved with someone who thought nothing of leaving me on our wedding day?”

“You must love her very much.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

She looked away from him. “It doesn’t matter what I think.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

Mike joined them then and the subject was dropped. Throughout the next hour, she took notes, her fingers trying to keep pace with the two men. A brief reprieve was called when their visitors arrived.

Dillon was an intense individual in his late thirties. Though his stature wasn’t great, his authoritative manner and booming voice made it impossible to ignore him. Jeremy, his attorney and business partner, turned out to be his younger brother.

After introductions had been made, the men went right to work, discussing everything from where they would procure materials and local labor to the possibility of hiring separate crews. Aubrey began to realize the magnitude of the task before them. As she listened to the various topics being discussed, she also realized Corbin had done his homework. His designs were well thought-out and reflected an appreciation for the guests who would stay at these inns.

Mike, whose hobby was cooking, prepared them a delicious pasta dish for dinner and shooed Aubrey out of the kitchen when she tried to help with the dishes. The rest of the evening was spent watching a series of promotional ads soon to be released by Dillon’s company.

It wasn’t long before Aubrey’s thoughts wandered from the screen. Her own situation with Corbin was more deserving of her consideration.
What was she going to do? How much longer could she stay with him when every day brought him closer to Mandy?
Maybe she wasn’t as noble as she thought.

Once she was in bed, she couldn’t fall asleep. All the scenarios with Corbin and Mandy kept running through her mind. It wasn’t surprising that with such mental anguish she would trigger the dreaded nightmare. This time, however, the dream was hauntingly different. When she finally arrived inside the burning aircraft, it wasn’t her parents she was searching for, it was Corbin.

Aubrey couldn’t stop the hysterical sobs wracking her body. As she fought her way to consciousness, she must have made some sound. Corbin was inside her room before she realized it. He didn’t, however, come closer than the foot of her bed.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

Aubrey smiled wanly. “You don’t know how much I want this to stop. I feel so awful disturbing your rest.”

“We’ll just add this to the ever-growing list of things Phoebe neglected to tell me about you.”

“Yeah, you certainly got more than you bargained for with me. Every day I’m more surprised that I still have a job.”

Corbin threw her his slow smile, his eyes twinkling in the dim light. “Me, too. Taking you on was a terrible lapse in judgment. I have a feeling I’m going to pay dearly for it, too. Try to get some sleep, Brey. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day.”

“That’s what my father always called me.”

“Does that mean you would rather I didn’t?”

“No, I didn’t mean that at all. I actually like it better. Aubrey is normally a boy’s name, you know.”

Corbin walked toward the door. “That may be true, but Aubrey will always be a girl’s name to me.”

She never understood what made her say the next words. “I didn’t like you at first.”

With his hand on the doorknob, Corbin slowly turned to face her. “I know. I didn’t like you, either. You weren’t what I was expecting.”

“I
know
that. Why did you let me stay?”

He looked uncomfortable. “I realized I was wrong about you.”

“Me, too. I thought you were an unsociable grouch.”

“I
am
an unsociable grouch.”

A sweet smile played around her mouth. “Not all the time.”

“And you’re not completely useless. In a year or so, you might be as good or better than Jason.” He ducked out of the way of the pillow she threw at him. “Hey, that was a compliment.”