Open Your Heart Read online

  “This is absolute nonsense. Now I have to find her again and hope I can create some fucking story of an accident.”

  “You will if you want to get paid.”

  “This is some bullshit. How in the hell am I supposed to know where she is?”

  “There’s a bed-and-breakfast in Charleston, South Carolina, that you should check out. Do whatever you have to do to make her disappear. I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Charleston, South Carolina

  Yolanda woke up and almost screamed. Where in the hell was she? She blinked and calmed her heart rate. She was in Charleston. In Chuck’s home and in his guest room because he didn’t want her in his bed. Sitting up in the bed, she swung her legs over the side and sighed. It was a little after ten and super quiet.

  She didn’t like the silence. Did Chuck leave her alone in the house . . . with decaf coffee? Yolanda groaned and rose to her feet. She hated being this close to the bed-and-breakfast, yet unable to enjoy a cup of coffee and a big, juicy blueberry muffin.

  “Yolanda, are you up?” Chuck said from the other side of the door before knocking.

  “Yeah, come in,” she said.

  “How did you sleep?” he asked as he walked into the room.

  She shrugged. “The bed is comfortable.” I wonder what yours feels like.

  “I started to fix breakfast, but I wasn’t sure if you were hungry or not.”

  “I really need some coffee and my sketch pad,” she said.

  Chuck smiled. “Your things are in the living room. And I do have some coffee with caffeine in it just for you.”

  “Look at you being all hospitable.”

  “Come on, lady, let’s get some food. How do you feel about banana pancakes?”

  She raised her right eyebrow. “You’ve been hiding the fact that you can make banana pancakes?”

  “I don’t think you had the right kind of bananas at your place for me to make them. You can take a shower and I’ll cook.”

  “Chuck,” she said, “I have to let my family know that I’m here.”

  “Kind of defeats the purpose of being here if you do that. Take a shower, have some coffee, and we can talk about everything.”

  She wanted to kiss him, wanted to feel his arms around her. But Chuck walked out of the room without a word. Fine, she could play his game too.

  After a quick shower, Yolanda wrapped up in a towel and headed into the living room, where Chuck had placed her things. As she pulled out a pair of leggings and a T-shirt, she watched him move in the kitchen. She tried to tell herself that he was just cooking because he had to eat and that she needed to forget about what had happened in Charlotte. One and done was the play and they had more things to consider.

  She dashed to her room and dressed before joining Chuck in the kitchen, where he had finished the pancakes and was starting on eggs and sausage.

  “This is chicken apple sausage,” he said when she walked in. “I hope that won’t be a problem.”

  “Beggars can’t be choosers,” she replied. “Can we talk about . . . Why are you so distant?”

  “What do you mean?” He turned back to the stove to check the eggs.

  “Will you at least look at me?”

  “Yolanda, this is why we should’ve never crossed that line. This is when mistakes happen and I’m trying to avoid that. I want to make sure that . . .” He moved the pan of eggs from the burner and turned the stove off. “I have to keep you safe and protect you from everything that can bring you harm and that even includes me.”

  She raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

  “Trust me, it does. Yolanda, I know what it’s like to get too close to someone and lose focus. I don’t want that to happen with you.”

  “Then . . . all right, fine.” She had no idea what he was talking about and she really didn’t want to hear his lame-ass excuses. Wait, why was she so worked up? She had been the one who put it out there that she just wanted a physical thing with him. But she also had the right to change the rules if she wanted to. “One day, I guess you’ll open your heart to me. Hopefully, I’ll still want to listen,” she said. “I’m going to get my sketch pad.”

  Chapter 20

  Charles knew he’d messed up. Knew this was the moment he should’ve been real with her, told her how he was afraid because he’d lost Hillary. But he couldn’t, more like he wouldn’t. Maybe it is time to come clean, he thought as he fixed their plates and started a pot of coffee for Yolanda.

  “Food’s ready,” he said as he walked into the living room. Yolanda was sitting on the edge of the sofa drawing in her sketch pad with strokes that seemed to broadcast her anger.

  “I’m not hungry. I need to get this done,” she said.

  “You need to eat something,” he said as he set the plates on the coffee table.

  She looked up at him and speared him with an annoyed look. “I’ll eat when I’m done.” She returned to the drawing and Chuck wondered if she was designing something or creating a picture of him to burn later. A couple of seconds passed before she looked up at him. “Are you just going to stand here and watch me? That’s annoying.”

  “Don’t want to annoy you,” he said.

  “But that’s what you’re doing,” Yolanda said. She closed her sketchbook and stared at him. “I didn’t expect to come here and play house with you. But you’re acting as if last night didn’t happen.”

  Charles cleared his throat. “That’s not what I’m doing. You have to realize that my major responsibility is to keep you alive. And being distracted by feelings could be a problem.”

  “Okay then,” she said, then picked up her plate. “You don’t have to worry about me ever distracting you ever again.”

  “But I don’t want us to go back to being . . . Yolanda, this is the best thing for both of us. We wanted each other and we’ve had each other—now we can move forward.”

  She didn’t answer; she simply shoveled a forkful of eggs in her mouth. A few beats passed before she acknowledged him. “Chuck, we never have to have this conversation ever again. I got my answer as to where things stand and I’m fine with it. By the way, this food is delicious.”

  Though he wanted to smile, Charles figured it was starting an argument if he did. “Do you still want coffee? I made a cup for you.”

  “I’d like that,” she said. “But if you don’t mind I’ll fix it myself.”

  Charles nodded and watched her walk into the kitchen. Yeah, he’d messed up royally.

  Yolanda didn’t like being an asshole, but that’s where she was. And for her own sanity, that’s where she’d have to stay. He hurt my feelings and I have the right to act out, she thought as she poured her coffee. But she needed to get over herself, sooner rather than later, because she wanted to talk to him about seeing her family safely. Since her father knew the basics of what was going on, she wanted him to know everything now.

  “Chuck,” she called out. “Can you come in here for a second?”

  He walked into the kitchen with his empty plate. “What’s up? Coffee too hot?”

  “Funny,” she said, then rolled her eyes. “I know we’re here because Danny Branch found me, but I want my father to know what’s going on.”

  He nodded. “I can understand that. I’ll call Mr. Richardson and have him meet us here. Though I don’t think we were followed from Charlotte, I don’t want to take the chance of leading the wrong people to your family.”

  She nodded. That was her biggest fear and she’d never forgive herself if she was the cause of one of her people getting hurt.

  “And you were right. We need to stop distracting each other. I guess I just thought things would be easier since we . . . I’m clear as to where everything stands and you don’t have to worry about me acting like a brat anymore today.”

  Chuck released a low laugh. “But I might be in trouble tomorrow is what you’re saying?”

  She shrugged. “Depends on what you make for breakfast.
The least I can do is cook dinner to make up for my bad attitude this morning. I’m really not like this. I do understand that sex doesn’t have to lead to some kind of commitment or declaration of love. I get it. But, I’m scared. And I don’t know how to process all of this.”

  Chuck set his plate on the kitchen table and crossed over to her. He pulled her into his arms and held her for just a moment. It was the salve that Yolanda needed. And when she closed her eyes, she felt safe in his arms. Don’t get comfortable, she thought as she broke the embrace. “Thanks,” she said as she wiped the moisture pooling in her eyes. “Um, do you have a place here where I can work? I don’t want to put you out, but I need some natural light to draw. Since I won’t be launching my shop in Charlotte for a while, I figure I can get my line together.”

  “My sunroom is available. Why don’t I give you the tour of the place and you can figure out what works for you?”

  “That sounds like a plan. Let me finish my breakfast first. I can’t let that goodness go to waste. Seems like you’ve figured out how to calm me down.”

  “Banana pancakes?”

  She nodded, then headed back to the living room. Even cold, the food was great and she ate every bit. When she walked back into the kitchen she wasn’t surprised to see Chuck engrossed in work on his laptop. The kitchen was spotless and whatever he was cooking for lunch was resting in a plastic bowl next to the sink. She washed her plate and set it on the drying pad next to the sink.

  “I would’ve taken care of that for you,” he said. Yolanda turned around and wondered how long he’d been looking at her. Probably not long at all since he didn’t want to be distracted.

  “Well, I try to clean up my own messes,” she said with a smile.

  “Cute,” he muttered as he rose to his feet. Yolanda wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or the computer.

  “Are you ready for your tour?” he asked.

  “Yes. And am I allowed to leave this place?”

  “I’ll take you anywhere you need to go.”

  “Good, because I need some material.”

  “What are you making and can’t you order material online?”

  “Not until I touch and feel what I need.”

  Chuck threw his hands up. “Whatever you say.”

  “It’s important to know how the fabric feels and works for a specific design. Some of the stuff online arrives feeling like a tablecloth.”

  “I bow to your expertise,” he said.

  “Good, because I need you to be my model,” she said.

  “Didn’t agree to that. I just said I would take you where you needed to go.”

  “Chuck, now is the perfect time for me to make those swim trunks. And you have the perfect body for them.”

  “No.”

  “Please,” Yolanda cooed. “According to you I have to be in your house for a month. I need something to do or I’m going to go crazy.”

  “That doesn’t mean that I get to be your personal Barbie doll.”

  “No, you’d be my model. Wouldn’t that just be so cool?”

  “I’ll give you one day and then I’m done.”

  “Good thing for you I only need one day. Thanks, Chuck. Now let’s do this tour,” she said as she clasped her hands together.

  His smirk made her wet and she wanted to punch herself when they had just talked about this. No more sex. But she couldn’t turn off her attraction. How could he do it so easily?

  She followed him out of the kitchen as he gave her the tour of his house. She liked ranch-style houses; they were simple and beautiful. Chuck’s was as well. The hardwood floors were her favorite part. She couldn’t tell if it was cherrywood or something else. When she got the chance to go home, she was going to redo Nina’s carpeted floors. Would she ever be able to go home? Yolanda sighed and Chuck turned around and looked at her. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I was just thinking about . . . Will it ever be safe enough for me to go home? When we go to Richmond, what if that’s where . . .”

  “Yolanda, I’m working on that. I want you to feel safe again and live your life. When Danny Branch goes to jail, you’re not going to have to look over your shoulder.”

  “But if he’s the monster that you say he is, then how can I be sure? You’re not going to be with me forever.”

  Chuck didn’t reply; he just led her into his sunroom. It was amazing. Floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out on a rose garden. A leather love seat and an oak coffee table.

  “There’s a remote to close the curtains,” he said, nodding toward the blackout curtains. The remote was in a holder against the wall.

  “Why would you ever close these curtains?” she asked as she spun around in the room. “This is just a beautiful room.”

  “Glad you like it. Come on,” he said as he reached his hand out to her. Yolanda looked down at his hand and took it. Why was he acting like this now? She didn’t want to hold his hand and walk down the hall with him. She didn’t want to confuse what she was feeling. Once they walked out of the room, she dropped his hand.

  “Do you grow the roses yourself?” she asked.

  “It’s a memorial garden for my mother. She loved roses and I wanted to make sure I’d have a space where I could think of her.”

  Yolanda nodded. Her cooking was how she thought of her mother. Even though she hadn’t been old enough to cook in the kitchen with Nora Richardson like Robin and Alex, she would watch her mother’s joy as she prepared dinner. She always added something new to her meals and never used a recipe.

  And she was always smiling when she cooked. Her mother had the most amazing smile.

  “You all right over there?” Chuck asked when they stood at his door to his office.

  “Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking about your garden and how I wish I had more memories with my mother.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said and paused for a second as if he wanted to give her a hug or something. Yolanda knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it and would probably burst into tears.

  “It’s not your fault,” she said, fanning her hand. “What’s behind the door?” She tilted her head toward his office.

  “This is the one place that I need you to stay out of. I have a lot of sensitive information in here as well as my security camera feeds.”

  Yolanda shrugged. “All right. So, I can have the sunroom?”

  “It’s yours. When do you want to go get this all-important material?”

  “After you call my father and set up this meeting.” Yolanda folded her arms across her chest.

  “When you dig your heels in, you mean it, huh?”

  “When it comes to my family, I sure do.”

  “Let me finish a report, then I’ll call your father.”

  “I’ll be in the sunroom,” she said.

  * * *

  Charles had to rein this thing in with Yolanda. But as he watched her glide down the hall, he knew he was a goner. He needed to focus all of his energy on keeping her safe and not falling in love with this vibrant woman.

  Who was he fooling? He was halfway there, even though he knew the consequences of it all. He returned to the kitchen and sat down at the counter where he’d set up his computer. Madison had sent him information on Daniel Branch: official accounts of his work in Richmond, a background report on his life and his alleged crimes. This man was dangerous. But Charles was happy to see that he didn’t have any business in Charleston. Maybe he didn’t know about Yolanda’s family. But he knew it wouldn’t be long before he found out. From what he’d seen in Madison’s investigations, Danny was a smart guy. And Yolanda was proud of her family’s name. She didn’t hide who she was and where she was from. He noticed that on her social media and company website.

  He wanted her in Charleston because he had a network here where he could offer her another layer of protection. Sighing, he pulled out his cell phone and called Sheldon Richardson.

  “This is Sheldon,” the man said when he answered.

  “Mr. R
ichardson, it’s Chuck Morris.”

  “Chuck, did something happen?” Sheldon’s voice wavered.

  “No, sir. Everything is as fine as it can be in this situation. I wanted to call you because Yolanda and I are in Charleston. She wants to meet with you and I want to go over the details as to why we’re back.”

  “Meet with me? Why doesn’t she just come to the bed-and-breakfast?”

  “It’s a complicated issue and a matter of safety,” Charles said. “I’m going to text you my address, sir. When is a good time for you to come by?”

  “As soon as I get the text, I’ll be on my way.”

  “Mr. Richardson, I know how close you and your daughters are, but I need you not to tell them that we’re here right now,” Charles said.

  “I don’t like what I’m hearing right now,” Sheldon said.

  “I’ll explain everything when you get here, but please don’t tell your girls that Yolanda is here.”

  “All right, I’ll see you soon.”

  Charles ended the call with Sheldon and sent him the text with his address. He rose from the stool and headed to the sunroom. Standing at the door, he watched Yolanda as she worked on her sketch. Her strokes were a lot less angry than before. He smiled at the look of peace on her face. The last time he saw her look like that was in . . . Stop it. Those were memories he needed to tuck away. Her safety was the top priority.

  “You’re staring again,” she said without looking up.

  “Sorry, it’s just interesting to see how your face changes when you sketch. It’s almost as if you’re the work of art.”

  This time she did look up. “I don’t know if that was cute or corny. Corny cute? Is that a thing?”

  “Whatever. I wanted to let you know that your father is on his way.”

  Yolanda set her pencil on the table and smiled at him. “Thank you for doing that.”

  “I asked your father not to tell your sisters that you’re here.”

  “Good thinking. Alex thinks she is in control of all of Dad’s affairs.”

  Charles shook his head. “I find it hard to believe that your father answers to anyone.”