Where the Heart Is Read Free Page B

of nature.
    â€œYes, we think it might have something wrong with its eyes. I wanted to take her in to see Sam this morning.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it, dear.” Emily petted the cat fondly as she looked up at Derek. “You look dead on your feet. Why don’t you go on home?”
    â€œActually, I had Hank drop me off here so I could grab a shower and a nap before work.”
    â€œWork?” Rob shook his head. “Why would you go in to work today? Forget that.”
    Derek was the CFO of Archer Enterprises, so if the CEO told him he shouldn’t go to work, who was he to argue? “Okay. But I’m filling in this afternoon at the pub. Mike’s shorthanded.”
    â€œThat’s so nice of you.” Emily smiled warmly at him. “You have such a generous heart. But go on, take your shower. I’ve got your cat.”
    â€œNot my cat, Chloe’s.”
    Emily glanced at Rob as if he might have the answer. “Who’s Chloe?”
    Rob shrugged. “I’m guessing she’s the tenant of the house that burned down tonight.”
    â€œOh!” Emily’s mouth dropped in horror. “That’s awful! I should’ve realized there was an actual fire. You wouldn’t be doing a training exercise in the middle of the night. How did you come to have Chloe’s cat?”
    â€œShe’s staying at the Blackberry Inn tonight. She’s new to town, no family, no friends.” He ached for her loss. “I offered to take care of Ashley.”
    Rob coughed to cover up a laugh. “The cat’s name is Ash ley?”
    Derek smiled. It was hard to say for sure, but he thought Chloe was in possession of a great sense of humor. Why else would she name the kitten Ashley? “It seemed appropriate, given that I found it outside of a burning house. And she’s gray.”
    â€œSo she is,” Emily murmured. “Well, I’ll take care of Miss Ashley.”
    Derek had thought of something on the way over and now seemed like as good a time as any to ask. “Speaking of Chloe, do you think she could stay in the apartment over the garage until she finds a new place?”
    â€œOf course!” Emily said quickly, then sucked in a breath. “But we have guests coming on the fifteenth.”
    Derek’s brain froze for a moment. December 15 was the worst day on the calendar.
    â€œUnfortunately, she’ll need to be out by then,” Emily continued, sounding regretful. “Unless she wants to stay in one of the kids’ rooms.” The Archers’ house contained nine bedrooms—one for Rob and Emily and every one of their children, including Derek. “I’m sure at least one of them will be available. It’s not like they all come home for the holidays, except for the Christmas party, and that’s on Saturday.” The company Christmas party was the one time each year when all of their seven kids—plus Derek—would be in the same place, a fact that never failed to disappoint Emily.
    â€œThere’s another option,” Rob said slowly, fixing his gray gaze on Derek. “Have you decided whether you’re going to sell your house?”
    God, the fifteenth and his house in the same conversation? They were both things he tried to ignore. And unfortunately couldn’t. He hadn’t lived in the house since his mother had died ten years ago, but he also hadn’t been able to sell it and sever the last tie to his youth. Rob’s property management company rented it out, and for the most part Derek went out of his way to avoid it. However, it was currently vacant, and Rob had asked him last week if he was finally ready to sell.
    â€œNot yet.” But Derek knew the answer was no. He was just too tired to get into it right now.
    â€œSo rent it to this Chloe,” Emily suggested, nuzzling the kitten to her chest. “The last renters had their own furniture, but we can refurnish it