The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (13 page)

“Want to tell me what this is all about?” Emma’s soft voice invited.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, she couldn’t help being pulled toward the little redhead. Her voice was warm and comforting, and that was something that she was desperately missing right now. Dani couldn’t resist as she rolled back over and put her head on Emma’s thigh.

“You threw out all my stuff,” she mumbled before the tears came again. “You didn’t ask. You just threw my stuff out.”

Emma leaned down to give Dani a kiss on the top of her head. Sitting back up, she continued to stroke Dani’s head as she took a deep breath. “Yes, I did, Danielle. I care about you, and the way you eat isn’t healthy. Cookies and chips and gallons of diet soda isn’t good for you, sweetie.”

“But it was mine, and I liked it.”

“I know, Dani, but this isn’t about the food, is it?”

“Yes, it is. You threw everything out,” Dani accused as she pulled away from Emma and sat up. “All the stuff I like. All of it. You just threw it out!” Dani wailed, her eyes once again blurring with tears.

“Dani?” Emma gave Dani a moment to respond, but Dani turned her head away. She reached up and gently tilted Dani’s chin with her fingers so she could see her eyes. “That was all your comfort food, wasn’t it?”

Dani pulled her chin out of Emma’s fingers and gave a slight nod.

“Oh, Dani, it’s okay. I promise you, I’m not going anywhere, and we’ll work through this, alright?”

“Why?”

“Why what, Dani?”

“Why would you still want to be friends with damaged good like me?”

“You listen to me, Danielle Elizabeth Ryan,” Emma’s tone suddenly became stern. “You are not damaged goods. You are an intelligent, caring, and lovely young woman. You just need a little bit of guidance in the right direction.”

“And that’s your job?” Dani asked bitterly. “To give me guidance, like a charity project?”

“No, Danielle, it’s not a job; it’s a privilege. It’s a privilege to be allowed to be part of your life. As a friend, and maybe someday…”

“What?”

“Maybe someday as something more.”

“What do you mean by something more?”

“Well…” Emma’s reply was cut off when Dani’s bedroom door flew open.

“Danielle, why aren’t you answering you phone? I need your signature…”

“For crying out loud, Morgan, don’t you know how to knock?” Dani was immediately composed and off the bed. “This is my bedroom, Morgan, not some damn bus stop.”

“I am so sorry. Danielle, Emma, I didn’t…”

“Out, Morgan, just get the hell out! Leave the papers in my office, and I’ll get to them later. I don’t want to see you again until tonight,” Dani’s icy voice demanded. “Go!”

“Fine, Ms. Ryan. The papers will be on your desk. I’ll see you in a few hours,” Morgan answered coolly before leaving the room.

“I’m going to shower. The caterer should be here in about an hour to set up,” Dani announced before disappearing into her bathroom and locking the door.

Emma knocked on the bathroom door, but her only answer was the sound of the shower running. Shaking her head, Emma decided to let Dani have some time to calm down and left to give her some privacy.

* * *

Emma entered the kitchen in search of Dani. She hadn’t seen her since the blowup in the bedroom, and though that room was now empty, she couldn’t seem to find Dani anywhere else either.

“May I help you, Ms…” a short woman with cropped, light-brown hair trailed off as she gave Emma a warm smile.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m Emma Gray, a friend of Dani’s. You haven’t seen her, have you?”

“Kris Fields, caterer extraordinaire…” Kris trailed off again, distracted by one of her employees. “Luke, the sweets go on the buffet in the butler’s pantry. You remember what happened last time Ms. Ryan saw them before service.” Turning back to Emma, she added, “And no, I haven’t seen Danielle, sorry.”

“It’s okay, and I’m sorry about leaving the mess in the middle of the kitchen,” Emma apologized.

“Don’t worry about it, Ms. Gray. I had one of my guys dump it. About time she has someone looking out for her. How she keeps that figure is beyond me with what I’ve seen in her pantry.”

“Please, call me Emma, and if you see her, tell her I’m looking for her.”

“Sure will,” Kris answered before turning her attention back to her staff. “No, damn it, Luke. How many times do I have to tell you, put the sweets in the butler’s pantry!”

Heading toward the living area, Emma heard the front door quietly close. Walking down the hallway to the foyer, she saw Dani come in, a bag in her hand.

“I missed you,” Emma said, greeting Dani at the door.

“I had to pick a few things up,” Dani flatly replied.

“Oh, like what?” Emma asked, keeping her tone light as she walked next to Dani.

“Just stuff,” Dani answered as they reached the kitchen. Handing the bag to a small dark-skinned man, Dani smiled. “Hey, Luke, put this in my pantry would you?”

“Sure thing, Ms. Ryan, not a problem.” He winked at her as he removed a large bag of chips and cookies from the plastic sack.

“So where are those great deserts your boss makes?” Dani asked, ignoring Emma.

“Can’t tell you. She’ll have my hide,” the man winked at her again before returning to his previous job.

Feeling a tug on her elbow, Dani tried to ignore her, but Emma placed one hand on Dani’s still tender backside, giving it a little squeeze for emphasis. “Your bedroom, now,” she hissed.

Dani rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

Closing the bedroom door, Emma turned the lock and crossed her arms. “Sit down, Danielle.”

“I prefer to stand.”

Sighing, Emma, quickly turned Dani around and laid one heavy swat to her backside. “Now, we do this the easy way or the hard way,” Emma announced as Dani quickly moved to sit on the bed. “Good, you chose the easy way.” Emma stood in front of Dani tapping her foot, hands on her hips. “Care to tell me what the sudden attitude is for? I realize that Morgan’s timing stinks, but we can talk about it later. I told you, I’m not going anywhere.”

“What do you want from me, Emma?” Dani challenged, as she jumped up and started to pace. “I went out and bought junk food. What are you going to do, spank me for it?”

“No, Danielle, but I may spank you for your attitude in a moment,” Emma returned evenly but with slightly narrowed eyes.

Dani stopped and looked at Emma. “Why the hell do you care, Emma?”

“Uncle Sean saw something special in you, Danielle Ryan, and so do I. Yes, he asked me to look out for you, but I wouldn’t be wasting my time or energy if I didn’t think you were worth it.”

“And you know this because you know me so well, right?” Dani spat, crossing the room to the window.

“I know because I’ve watched you, Danielle. I’ve was there when you protected me from my father, held me through my nightmares, and let me fall asleep in your arms. Do I want to get to know you better? Hell, yes! So don’t you dare tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about when it comes to how special you are.”

Emma stood and made her way to the window. Placing her hand on the taller woman’s shoulder, she waited until Dani turned around. Opening her arms, she enveloped Dani in a hug as Dani broke down into tears. Allowing Dani to cry for a few moments, Emma then moved back to the bed. Sitting down, she pulled Dani next to her and rocked her in her arms.

Hearing a light knock on the bedroom door, Emma grumbled before answering. “Yes?”

“Sorry to interrupt you two doing God-knows-what, but I’m having a few technical glitches out here and need to know what Ms. Ryan wants me to do about them.”

“I’ll be right there, Kris,” Emma answered. “Give me a few minutes.”

Hearing footsteps walk away from the door, Emma gave Dani a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “Okay, you, I’ll go and put out the fires while you get cleaned up and ready for tonight. We’ll talk later, about everything.”

“You mean talk with words? Or talk as in your hand does all the talking?” Dani asked seriously.

Chuckling, Emma gave Dani a kiss on the cheek. “As in talk using words, and don’t worry about the junk food, sweetie. I should have realized making you go cold turkey wouldn’t be good for any of us.”

Dani looked up hopefully. “So I can have my soda tonight?”

“Tell you what, you may have two sodas tonight. After that, water,” Emma decided.

“Emma…”

“Go get dressed, Dani. I’ll be in the kitchen,” Emma cut off Dani’s argument before helping her to stand and giving her a gentle swat towards the bathroom. “Two sodas, Danielle, no more,” she intoned again before unlocking the bedroom door to see what crisis awaited her on the other side.

Striding into the kitchen, Emma was immediately engulfed in the chaos.

“Ruben, move that tray to the next counter. Gwen how many appetizers do we have? Luke, for the last time, get those damned sweets into the butler’s pantry before I kick you out of here.”

“Kris?”

“What?” Turning, Kris’s hazel eyes were flashing. Seeing the redhead in front of her, she calmed immediately. “Sorry, Emma, sometimes I wonder why I hired these folks.” Smiling, she pointed to the almost empty tray of what looked like miniature hamburgers. “We have a problem.”

“With?”

“Danielle’s favorite appetizer,” Kris sighed. “Seems the rest of them are on their way to a party in Lincoln Park tonight.”

“How many do you have?”

“Counting the ones on that tray? Six.”

Emma laughed. “Wrap them up and put them in the refrigerator. Dani can eat them later. What do you have that we can substitute?”

“You’re serious?” Kris’s eyes opened wide.

“I’m serious. Oh, and Kris? It doesn’t have to be junk food or a variation of junk food.”

“Danielle will stop using my services if I don’t deliver. She’s very particular.”

“I promise you, if there’s any flak from Dani, I’ll take it. So, now that one crisis is averted, I’ll let you get back to doing whatever you were doing.”

Giving Emma a smile and a wink, Kris mock saluted. “Right away, ma’am,” she said before turning to command her troops.

The next hour seemed to fly by as Emma not only got herself ready, but also made sure Dani’s condo was appropriately prepared to receive guests. Not that the place was messy, in fact it was almost as pristine as a museum. Everything seemed to be strategically placed to maximize the look, but the whole house seemed strangely without heart. Save for a couple of small framed photos she saw nothing that showcased Dani’s person, much less her personality. Straightening up the pillows on the sofa, Emma almost jumped as the clock struck and the doorbell rang at the same instant.

Well, at least Dani’s staff was punctual, Emma thought as she opened the door. Smiling at the guests, she welcomed and invited them in. None of them seemed particularly thrilled to be there, especially Morgan, who seemed embarrassed by Emma’s presence.

“Hi, I’m Emma. Dani will be right out. Make yourselves at home in the living room and I’ll go see what’s keeping her,” Emma explained, walking the guests to the sitting area before heading in the direction of Dani’s bedroom.

“Did you hear that?” Cal, the tall red-haired man asked. “She called her Dani? It sounds like our boss got herself a girlfriend.”

“Give it a rest, Cal. We don’t know anything about this Emma, other than she worked at her uncle’s bookstore,” Olivia, Dani’s blonde, curly-haired office manager replied on her way to the bar. “Who else wants a drink?” she asked.

Entering the bedroom, Emma went straight to the bathroom and threw open the door. Dani was still in her towel, but her hair was dry and her makeup was on. “Okay, Danielle, you have exactly five minutes to get dressed and get your butt out of this bedroom. You invited these people over tonight, and we are going to be wonderful hostesses.”

“I don’t feel like it. Tell them I’m not feeling well. They’ll have a better time without me anyway,” Dani whined.

Muttering under her breath, Emma approached, causing Dani to physically take a step back. “I don’t think so. You invited all these people over here, and you are going to deal with them. Get dressed, now.” Emma directed her with a single finger before walking toward the bedroom door again.

Returning to the group of strangers in the living area, Emma steeled herself before entering. “Sorry about that. She just lost track of the time.” Accepting the glass of wine offered to her by the curly blonde, she smiled. “How about introductions? It seems I’m at a loss. You all know who I am, but with the exception of Morgan, I don’t know who any of you are.”

“I’m Olivia, Danielle’s office manager,” the barkeep started. “That tall red-head is Cal. Prince Charming,” she indicated toward the tall blond with blue eyes, “is Logan, and Brynn, our secret weapon, is hiding over there in her glass of scotch.”

“Secret weapon?” Emma asked, not sure she really wanted to know.

Brynn looked up, her brown eyes twinkling. “Best negotiator in Chicago.”

“And she has business cards to prove it,” Cal teased, as the rest of the group broke out in laughter.

Emma smiled, obviously left out of some joke, but was interrupted by Dani, who finally managed to tear herself out of her bedroom.

“Sorry, guys, I lost track of the time.”

Logan rolled his eyes. “Not like it’s the first time, Danielle,” he said in a bored tone. “So we’ve all introduced ourselves to Emma here. Tell us more about your little adventure south of Chicago-land.”

Accepting the diet soda from the blonde barkeep, Dani smiled. “Thanks, Olivia.”

“Sure thing. I know how fond you are of your virgin rum and Diet Cokes,” she winked as the group laughed.

Moving closer to Emma, Dani didn’t miss the finger being held up to count one. Sighing, she sat on the couch to catch up with her employees and show Emma just what she might be getting herself into.

* * *

Emma was silently watching the debate as the group settled around the dining room table. So far she’d been impressed by Dani’s employees. They seemed to be a friendly, intelligent group, whose easy banter reminded her of the relationship she had with the other employees at the store. They kidded and joked with each other, but it was clear that Dani was in charge. She noticed more than once that they’d pause to gauge Dani’s reaction before proceeding.