Hometown Girl (Home Again)

  Hometown Girl

  Jennifer Ketchum

  PUBLISHED BY:

  Jennifer Ketchum

  Copyright © 2013

  http://jenniferketchum.com

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  ____________

  Chapter 1

  Emma sat in the empty room and stared at the runway. Not more than two hours ago this place had been packed with people: representatives from fashion magazines, major clothing distributors, wealthy men and women who came just to watch, and of course photographers, lots and lots of photographers. She should be the happiest woman in the world. Tonight was the debut show for a new designer by the name of Derrick Dawson and she'd modeled some of the most beautiful clothes she'd ever seen. The guy had some serious talent. Emma had even managed to work out a deal to carry a line of his summer dresses at her boutique back in Dallas Springs.

  The Be Beautiful Boutique was Emma's pride and joy. She'd started the business when she was just twenty two. Having received quite a bit of money for some modeling jobs she did in New York and LA, she invested the money into starting her own boutique. It was an affordable boutique that carried a wide variety of clothing ranging from workout wear to red carpet attire. Emma's boutique also carried hair accessories, jewelry and other trinkets. The jewelry and trinkets were one of a kind as they were all handmade by the local residents of Dallas Springs.

  She sighed. Dallas Springs. That was her home. She'd been born and raised there. Her mom still lived there, which was the biggest reason Emma never left. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving her mom alone. Emma's sister, Danna, had moved away from Dallas Springs at the first opportunity and just only recently returned. Emma's other sister, Olivia still lived in Dallas Springs, but Olivia owned a very successful accounting firm and was always working. That left Emma to take care of their mom. Not that Mom needed to be taken care of because she was in relatively fair health and mentally sharp as a tack. But still, Emma didn't like the idea of Mom being alone.

  That was one of the reasons why Emma had started her boutique—so she could stay in Dallas Springs with Mom and not have to travel so much anymore. Sure, she still took the occasional modeling job because the money was good, but it was getting harder and harder each time she had to leave Dallas Springs. She wasn't sure why. It's not like she had a husband or kids that needed her. Heck, she didn't even have a boyfriend. That's not to say her life wasn't full because it was. Emma was smart, successful and beautiful. She had a large circle of friends, a career she loved, and a family she adored. Yet, something was missing.

  Emma stood and looked around once more. She came here tonight knowing it would be her last time in New York as a model. Being on the runway, the constant flash of the cameras, it just didn't hold the wonder that it used to. No. Emma was changing focus again. She wanted to focus on her boutique, maybe open another store or two in the surrounding towns. Emma had hired her sister Danna to handle the marketing aspects of the boutique. With some hard work Emma knew she could expand the business. Danna was thrilled to help and was even more thrilled with having a job. Danna had decided to stay in Dallas Springs and marry Jack, her one true love.

  Emma was happy to have both of her sisters living in the same town again. Seeing Danna and Jack so happy was nice. But it was also a little depressing. Emma wanted what Danna had. Emma wanted to settle down. Getting married and having kids had always been a dream of hers. Now was the time to start taking it seriously. No more casual dating. No more breaking up with a guy because she didn't like how his fingernails looked or because she didn't approve of his telephone manners. Nope. Emma was going to get serious and settle down. All she had to do was find the right man.

  "Oh, Emma, I'm so glad you're still here," Rachelle said. Rachelle was a fellow model and a rising star. Emma had no doubts that someday Rachelle would end up on the big screen. The girl had buckets of talent.

  "Yeah, I was just getting ready to head out. What's up?" Emma adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder.

  "Me and some of the other models are going to go out for some drinks to celebrate. You should totally go with us."

  Emma smiled. Any other time Emma would've jumped on the idea to spend a night in New York City. "Thanks, Rachelle, but I'm actually catching a flight home tonight."

  Rachelle pouted. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes." Emma laughed.

  "Next time then."

  "Next time," Emma said even though she knew there wouldn't be a next time. It wasn't in her nature to lie, but she knew if she told Rachelle the truth then she would insist that Emma go out and all Emma wanted to do was get home.

  #

  Rachelle gave Emma a hug. "Have a safe trip."

  "Thanks." Emma waved as she left the warmth of the building and stepped out into the frigid night air. Snow fell at a steady pace, coating Emma's hair in a blanket of white. She hated the snow. It was a deciding factor in her decision not to live here permanently. Emma whistled and waved for a cab. Three of them drove by without stopping. Getting a cab in New York City was hard enough on a good weather day. Getting one at night while it was snowing was near impossible. After twenty minutes, she finally managed to get a cab. She climbed in the backseat and shivered.

  "Where to?" the cabbie asked.

  "The airport, please," she said brushing the snow from her hair. "La Guardia."

  Emma watched in silence as the city passed her by. She thought she'd feel sadder leaving what was arguably the greatest city in the world. But she was calm and at peace with her decision. It was for the best. Emma rested her head on the back of the seat and closed her eyes. In a few hours she'd finally be home.

  Chapter 2

  "I'm sorry ma'am but all flights leaving La Guardia have been temporarily grounded due to weather," said the woman behind the ticket counter.

  Emma stared at her with contempt. She knew it wasn't the woman's fault but that didn't alleviate Emma's frustration. "Do you know when flights will resume?"

  The woman shrugged apologetically. "No, I'm sorry, I don't." She tapped loudly on her keyboard for a moment and then looked up at Emma. "If this storm front moves out tomorrow like the forecast predicts then we will resume our normal flights late tomorrow afternoon."

  "Will I have to buy another ticket?" Emma always bought a round trip ticket when she had to fly for a job. Typically it cut her travel time by an hour or so because she didn't have to stand in line at a ticket counter.

  "No, the ticket you purchased will be honored."

  "Thanks." Emma reached down and grabbed the handle on her rolling suitcase. Thank goodness I packed light, she thought.

  "If you need accommodations for the night, the Airport Inn and Lodge across the street is offering a five percent discount for grounded passengers."

  "Thanks," Emma said again, this time with a smile. She pulled her suitcase behind her and found an empty seat near the large window that overlooked the runway, which was eerily quiet. Emma contemplated her options. She could call one of her friends and crash at their place for the night. No. If she did that she'd get roped in to going out and that's the last thing she wanted to do. She could get a room at the Airport Lodge. Paying for it wasn't an issue, but Emma hated staying at hotels. She was never able to get any sleep when she did. The only other option was to stay here, in the airport, and hope she could get comfortable enough in the hard plastic chairs to get a couple
hours of sleep. In the end the hotel idea won.

  But first she had to make a few calls. The first call she made was to her mom, Carla, to let her know that she wouldn't be home until tomorrow because of the weather. Emma's mom was understanding, as she always was. Carla told Emma to be safe and stay warm—the same thing she always told Emma when Emma would travel. "Okay, love you, Mom," Emma said and then hung up.

  Her second call was to her sister, Danna. Emma explained that she wouldn't be home until late tomorrow and asked Danna to please open the boutique and run it. At first Emma had been reluctant to train her sister on how to open and close the boutique, but now she was glad she had. Lastly, Emma called her other sister, Olivia and told her that they'd have to reschedule their lunch for the day after tomorrow. Emma and Olivia were planning a surprise bac#helorette party for Danna. It had been almost impossible for the two of them to get together to figure it out. Between their hectic schedules and the fact that Danna was hanging out with them a lot, the only way they could get away with it was by telling Danna that they were meeting for lunch to discuss the financials for the boutique. Danna had politely declined to attend that little event, which worked out well for Emma and Olivia.

  With her calls made, Emma stood and grabbed the suitcase handle. She was going to grab a quick bite to eat and then head over to the hotel to see about getting a room. As she walked through the airport she noticed a lot of travelers had decided to wait out the storm right here. That meant her chances of getting a room were good. A woman with an infant caught Emma's attention. The baby couldn't be more than a couple of months old. The mom had the baby swaddled in a blanket, rocking it, and singing softly. Emma smiled at them. She was so engrossed in watching them, longing for what they had, that she didn't notice the man stopped in front of her. Emma ran right into him. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry," she said, her face flushing with embarrassment.

  The man turned around with a scowl on his face. "Walk much?" he said.

  "Derrick?" Emma cocked her head to the side and smiled. The man she'd run into was Derrick Dawson, the designer she'd modeled for tonight.

  His scowl slowly turned into a full blown smile and Emma was taken aback. He had perfect white teeth, a strong jaw, two of the sexiest dimples known to man, and the most stunning green eyes she'd ever seen. "Emma, right?"

  "Yes." She was impressed and flattered that he'd remembered her name considering they'd only been introduced once in passing. "Sorry I ran into you."

  "No, it's okay, really. I'm fine."

  Emma noticed the way he studied her, his gaze raking over her body. She was accustomed to men checking her out. It wasn't anything new, but there was something different about the way Derrick did it. She felt naked and exposed beneath his gaze.

  "I take it you're stranded here too?" Derrick said interrupting her thoughts.

  "Yeah." She frowned. "I was just on my way to get something to eat. Would you like to join me?"

  He smiled again. "You mean, you actually eat?"

  Emma scowled and put her free hand on her hip. "Y'know, I really don't appreciate you assuming that I fall into the typical model stereotype of being a vain, shallow, anorexic that only cares about what dress size I am. It's insulting. Would you like it if I just assumed that you're gay because you're a clothing designer?"

  Derrick looked at her, his face serious. "I am gay, Emma."

  "Oh." She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize…" The tips of her ears burned hot with shame and embarrassment. She wanted to run and hide. It was just like her to go off on a topic she was passionate about—a topic that was a hot button for her—and end up saying something stupid. "Well, that's cool; I mean everyone is entitled to—"

  Derrick flung his head back and laughed. "Relax, Emma, I'm kidding."

  "What?"

  "I'm not gay."

  "You're not?"

  "No." He raised a brow and smirked. "Why do I get the feeling that upsets you more than if I were gay?"

  "It doesn't," she protested. "I'm glad you're not gay. Not to say there's anything wrong with being gay because there isn't. I have gay friends. It's just…" You're too damn sexy to be gay. That would be such a shame for all the women in the world, she thought but didn't say.

  "It's just what?"

  "Nothing, forget it. Okay, so now that I know you're not gay and you know I'm not anorexic can we go eat?"

  Derrick chuckled. "Sure, let's go."

  Emma walked beside Derrick, neither of them speaking as they weaved their way in and out of the throngs of people that were gathered at various locations throughout the airport. La Guardia is hectic on a normal day. Tonight it was just plain crazy. People were crying, shouting, talking loudly on their cell phones. Security was in full force too. Emma hated traveling and all the headaches that came with it. Just one more reason why I need to quit modeling and settle down in Dallas Springs, she thought.

  "I've heard great things about this place," Derrick said, stopping at the entrance of a restaurant called Crust.

  "They have the best chicken wing pizza here."

  "Well, that settles it then." Derrick led the way and Emma followed.

  They were quickly seated at a table in a far corner and they or#dered a large chicken wing pizza with double cheese, a large antipasti salad, and two jumbo sized sodas. Emma wasn't normally a soda drinker, but tonight was the start of a new life for her and she deserved to celebrate. She didn't indulge very often, but when she did, she usually went a little overboard.

  "So, where were you headed?" Derrick asked.

  "Home."

  "And where is home?"

  "Dallas Springs, Georgia." Emma sipped her drink. "What about you?"

  "LA." Derrick fiddled with his straw wrapper, wadding it up and then smoothing it out, then rolling it up and unrolling it.

  Emma watched him with a faint smile. She wondered if he was nervous around her. Most men were so it wouldn't surprise her if he was. She hoped he wasn't though because she really liked him. "You live in LA?"

  "No, I live in Ohio. I have another showing of the line tomorrow night." He sat back in his chair and draped his arm over the back of it. He looked sexy and relaxed. "Wait, you're not modeling in that show, are you?"

  Emma shook her head. "Tonight was my last show. I’m officially retired." Before Derrick had a chance to respond, their pizza and salad arrived. They both helped themselves and ate in companionable silence.

  "It's a shame," he said after a while.

  "What's a shame?"

  "You're much too beautiful to retire." He smiled.

  Emma blushed. "Thank you." She looked down at her plate and then back up at him, her blue eyes meeting his green ones. "I own a small boutique back home. I want to focus on building my business and possibly opening a couple more locations."

  Derrick nodded as if he fully understood her aspirations. No reason he wouldn't understand. He was a business owner himself. "You still shouldn't give up on modeling though."

  She pushed her plate away, propped her elbow on the table, and dropped her chin into her hand. "I've been juggling both for a few years now. It's too much. The boutique is suffering." Emma smiled. Who knew that getting stranded at the airport would turn out to be so much fun? "You've got some sauce…" she said pointing to the corner of her mouth.

  Derrick wiped his mouth, but only managed to smear it across his face. Emma laughed. She pulled a clean napkin from the dispenser and leaned over the table. "You missed a spot," Emma said, wiping his cheek. Their faces were inches apart and Emma couldn't help but notice how clean shaven his face was. It was smooth beneath her touch. He smelled incredible, too. A mixture of chicken wing sauce, expensive cologne, and soap assaulted her senses.

  "Thank you," he whispered when Emma dropped her hand from his face.

  Derrick turned his face toward hers and their lips met. It took Emma by surprise but she didn't pull away, even though she knew she probably should. His lips were soft and they felt nice as they worked aga
inst hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth. He slid his hand into her hair and cupped the back of her neck, holding her in place so that she couldn't end the kiss, which was fine with her because she didn't want it to end. She enjoyed kissing him. When their lips finally parted, Emma's head was spinning and her breath was stolen.

  "Wow," Derrick said, licking his lips.

  Emma pressed her mouth to his and engaged him in another soft kiss that she broke off much too soon. "Yeah." She eased back down into her chair and swallowed hard at the realization that she wanted more—more kisses, more touches, more Derrick. It was a bad idea though. Emma didn't want to get involved with a man who lived clear across the country, a man who traveled as much as he did. That's not the life she wanted anymore. "I should go," she said standing. "Thanks for the food."