Stolen Hearts (Thoroughbred Men Book 2) (10 page)

15

Baby,

Please call me so I can explain to you…

Jacob

              Millie cried the whole way back to the apartment complex and stayed in her car for quite some time, hiding from the world. She didn't want anyone to see her red eyes and red nose on the way to her door. She certainly didn't want Jacob to see her. When she finally stopped crying, she turned off the car and ran up the stairs, slamming the apartment door behind her with a satisfying thud. Millie opened her laptop and saw the email from Jacob.

Officer Hunter,

There is nothing to explain. It was perfectly clear.

Millicent Clark

PS-I quit. Find another realtor.

              Jacob banged on her door later that night when he got home from the station.  Millie did not reply. Jacob knew she was home because he saw her vehicle parked outside. “Millie! Open up so we can talk!” he shouted at the door and banged again. Silence still greeted him. He tried again before her neighbor across the walkway asked him to lower his voice.  Frustrated, Jacob left but was not giving up.

              The next morning, Millie was very terse in the office and could have sworn she heard Danielle mutter “well that didn't last long” but chose not to respond to the quip. Millie went throughout her day like normal, not leaving the office for lunch nor returning any emails from Jacob. Millie was tense and hurt. She felt betrayed, toyed with, and humiliated. She had opened up and given herself to him- and to him it was a game to win. Millie felt like she was the one who had lost though.

              Flowers arrived shortly after 3:00 PM. Millie said not a word and didn't open the card, however, she did put them on her desk. They were lovely orchids and red roses. Another bunch of red flowers arrived shortly after, followed by a third grouping of pink and red roses combined. Each card went unopened, tossed in a drawer.

              Danielle teased her; “Red roses mean passion and love …you know? ” she said with a wink and was shocked when Millie began to cry. “Oh my gosh, Millie! What is going on?” Danielle exclaimed and rushed to her coworker. No wonder she had been cold and stiff all day long. She was falling apart!

              Millie was close to Danielle and they had been friends since middle school. Danielle had always been there and truly got a kick out of Millie’s frosty temperament. Danielle always told Millie she had “thick walls to protect herself” and saw now that her statements were very much true. Someone had broken through those walls and had hurt Millie deeply.              

              Millie poured out everything to her friend, holding back nothing. Danielle took over at the computer while Millie got some coffee to calm down and read the emails from Jacob. Danielle hugged Millie, suggested she go home and pull herself together. “And take a big ‘ol bottle of booze with you, my friend,” she ordered.

              Millie wanted to work but felt distracted, so she took the advice and went home to ‘lick her wounds’ like an injured animal. She was no use at work in the mental condition she was in. She jumped each time the door opened, jumpy when the phone rang and so very on edge.

              Danielle sat back stunned. Millie was in love with Jacob and had basically admitted so. Jacob’s last email begged her for another chance to explain the situation. It sounded to her like someone had gotten more than they bargained for … maybe both of them? Danielle was tempted to read the cards on the bouquets; however, she did not open them. It was different if Millie let her, she didn't want to take advantage of her friend and snoop where she wasn't invited.

              Danielle wrapped up things at the office they shared and groaned when the police car pulled in front and parked. She really did not want to have to deal with being a go-between between the two lovers.

              She saw Jacob get out of the car and he was followed by a very contrite looking police officer sporting a heck of a bruise on his right eye. “I hope Millie put that there?” Danielle said wryly. She flipped off the open sign in the window and said, “We are closing. What I can I do for you boys?” asking pointedly.

            
 
“How is she doing?” Jacob said quietly. “Is she here?” He did not expect to find her here, much less for her to talk to him after all the attempts to contact her had been ignored.

              Danielle scoffed and continued to put away things to close up the office.  She strode over to Jacob, upset
.
“No. She left crying. You did that, just so you know,” she said as she jabbed him in the chest with her finger, enunciating the “you” in her statement. She poked him again, “You did this to her, now find a way to fix it,” she said - attempting to close the door on Jacob and Max.

              Jacob held the door firmly
.
“I am trying to, Danielle. But I can’t if she won’t even talk to me,” he said forlornly. “I need her to listen for a minute while I explain. It was a huge misunderstanding,” he said stubbornly.

              Danielle rolled her eyes at the look he was giving her
.
“Well, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…” Danielle said snidely and turned to walk back to her desk, allowing the officers into the entryway.

              Jacob sighed
.
“Then it's a duck. I get it and I probably deserved that. Danielle, my duck isn't a duck, she’s a swan and I love her. I need help getting her to listen to me. I need her to give me a chance, to give us a chance.” Jacob beseeched and slumped down in a chair, looking at Millie’s empty desk seeing his flowers still present.

              The other officer chimed in, patting his friend on the back. “I’m Max and I messed it all up. I didn't realize things were so involved between the two. I pulled Millie over.”

              Danielle’s laughter interrupted him. No surprise there, she thought. She motioned for him to continue.

              Max continued
,
“I pulled Millie over, saw Jacob in the front seat with her and began teasing him. Only he didn't laugh, she didn't laugh either. In fact, Millicent got really angry and kicked Jacob out of the car. There was a bet going around, it was more like a ‘pissing contest’ but it was never a serious bet. No one put money down. No one intended there to be a winner or loser. No one kept tabs on them until Graham said one day “I will be damned, I saw Millicent Clark laughing with Jacob in the park”-oh we teased him a bit, but let it go. Jacob is like a brother to us all.  We didn't want to hurt him,” he explained. “None of us knew how badly he had it for Millicent cause he never discussed her at work. When the boys found out, he still wouldn't talk. This is the first time I have heard him say anything about her.”

              Jacob put his head down in his hands. “Danielle, if I can’t talk to her, I can’t fix this misunderstanding and I need her.” He felt like he was talking to a wall. Danielle was his best bet, that he knew of, getting a hold of Millie and having someone on his side.

              Danielle said nothing and studied the two of them. Both looked sincere and with as upset as Millie was… maybe it was all true? It made sense and she could see how miffed her friend could be if she thought someone was toying with her. Millie never dated cause she didn't like the town gossip of the games people played when they dated in high school. That is what Danielle liked about Millie - she was very straightforward and told you like it was. No games, no sugarcoating.

            
 
“How can I help?” Danielle finally asked. Jacob’s friend, Max, sat back and winked at her. Danielle whipped her eyes back to Jacob, who breathed a sigh of relief.

              Jacob said, hope lighting his face. “I just need a chance to explain,” he said quietly “where she will listen to me,” he added on, knowing there was a difference between listening and hearing. He wanted her to comprehend how bad he felt and how much of a misunderstanding it was. “Millie ‘fired’ me as a client. I need you to sell me a house and I need to find a way to pique her interest”.

              Danielle smiled at the idea, knowing which house he was buying from Millie’s telling of the situation. “I think that is a good start,” she said approvingly and pulled out her documents to get the process started.

              The next morning, Jacob arrived at the real estate office with two coffees in hand. Danielle was seated at the desk on the phone and motioned him in. As she hung up, Jacob asked, “Where is Millie?” he said motioning with the extra coffee cup.

            
 
“She called in today,” Danielle said with a frown. “She has never done that. She must still be pretty upset.”  Jacob gave Danielle the cup of coffee and sat down to discuss the house.

              Jacob had offered less than the asking price, due to the volume of repairs and remodeling that would have to be done. Danielle cautioned him to leave himself open for surprises due to the age and condition of the house. Jacob thanked her because she wouldn't be doing her job if she didn't tell him that. Both agreed that a home warranty would be a requirement on the purchase. Jacob left, thanking her again and waited eagerly to hear a response.

              The house would need a lot of work and Danielle said she would help him with details if needed to surprise Millie. Danielle had never heard of someone buying a house as an “I’m sorry” gift but maybe there was more to Jacob and Millie’s relationship than anyone knew.

              Millie returned to work the next day, very quiet. She did not say much but added water to the vases of roses on her desk. A good sign, Danielle thought, cause she was sure that Millie would throw them out if it was completely over between herself and Jacob. Millie did not bring up Jacob at all, and neither did Danielle. She asked her friend and coworker how she was doing today and Millie replied “I’m fine,” and that was the end of the conversation.

              As the day progressed, Danielle stepped out to call Jacob from her cell phone and tell him he news. “You got the house, Jacob, but it was conditional on you closing quickly. The seller has another property and they don't want to drag it out. I know you are pre-approved, any problem closing as early as two weeks from now? That means we need to get an inspector, surveyor, and property appraisal ASAP. Depending on what they say, you would only have five days to back out if things went south,” she cautioned.

              Jacob had no intention of backing out of the purchase. He stopped by the office later that afternoon to sign more paperwork and was dismayed that as he entered the office, Millie excused herself and left. He asked if she had said a word to Danielle regarding him or their relationship. Danielle only shook her head negatively.

15

              The next few weeks flew by quickly for Jacob, with little contact from Millie. He was very frustrated with the lack of communication from her and he was still putting forth effort but to little avail.

              Danielle suggested that he leave Millie alone, which went against everything in him. He felt a sense of horrible loss not hearing from her daily. Each day he checked his phone, his email and drove by her office. Sometimes he would stop in to see her, and each time she would excuse herself and leave without a word.

              Jacob felt he would never make any headway with her if he couldn't even get the chance to talk to her. He continued to send her flowers every Monday, and before he knew it, he was closing on the house. Which meant a month had passed for them with no contact between them. He loved her and missed her. It was that simple. He wanted Millie to be a part of his life and she wanted no part it seemed. Jacob was determined to change that.

              Jacob closed on the house and had a small get-together with the boys from the precinct. They all teased him and ribbed him about how badly he was ‘pouting’ around the station. He good-naturedly took the teasing and put them all to work revamping the much-needed kitchen. The group had the kitchen pulled out in one day, and Jacob arranged for a plumber and electrician the next to make sure things were in working order and safe prior to starting the repairs. He had Danielle collaborating with him, secretly hounding Millie on colors, cabinets and counters-claiming that she was in the process of remodeling her own kitchen. Millie unknowingly was selecting her own items for her own home, which was exactly what Jacob planned.

              Jacob took Danielle’s advice and left Millie alone. He was delighted to see her drive by the house one afternoon as he was walking from the backyard area to the front to get rid of some debris. Millie sped off as he attempted a wave with his hands full of yard debris and waste he was cleaning up. He smiled from ear to ear the rest of the afternoon despite the miserable heat.

              Jacob patiently waited for another sighting and when it wasn't forthcoming, he decided to kick the interest level into high gear. He showed up at the office with coffee for Danielle and not Millie. She stormed out the back door of the office without a word and slammed the door.

            
 
“You realize I have to work with her, right?” Danielle quipped sarcastically. Jacob nodded affirmatively but it made no difference. Either she was interested or she wasn’t, and either would be painful for him. “Why don't you try some other tactic than jealously?” Danielle asked, curious.

              Jacob was unsure as to what would work. Millie was different from other girls, but jealously seemed to be universal it seemed. “She obviously doesn't miss me like I miss her,” he said dejectedly. “I am not sure what can get her to be in the same room with me for more than five minutes so I can try talking with her.”

              Danielle thought about it for a long while, sipping the coffee. She sat up and snapped her fingers excitedly. “How far are you from having the cleanup on the house done?” she asked. Jacob looked at her oddly “I have two rooms left to paint and some flowers to put in…why?”

            
 
“I think you should move and list the house,” Danielle said, shocking him.

              Jacob felt his jaw drop at the ludicrous suggestion
.
“Seriously? Why would I move when I am almost done fixing the place up? Hell, I have a fountain at the house to put in that is waiting for me when I get home,” he said frustrated. He had just begun to make headway and could see a finish in the future.

            
 
“No! No! No! You have to think differently!” Danielle said excited. “You have to appeal to her and get her to sit still for a few, right? You want to talk? So talk. Tell her you are moving away, relocating, and you are being force to list the house. You need to sound really upset about it and tell her you want to discuss it, that you want her to list it. Tell her you weren't pleased with me, even though you were naturally,” she said with a wink. “Get her to sit down and spill your guts, man,” she said happily. “Give it a week or two, finish up what you need to get it ‘ready to show’ and let’s get you two back together.”

              Jacob was thrilled with the idea of them being back together, he was not pleased with tricking Millie whatsoever. He suspected that if she found out, she would never forgive him for lying to her. Jacob left to finish his shift and begin the process of putting in a fountain in the dusk this evening after work as he pondered Danielle’s idea.