The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (2 page)

“You mean he didn’t want to force me back to visit him. He wanted me to come on my own.”

“I never said that, Dani.”

“I told you, its Danielle now!”

Emma reached across the table and took one of Dani’s hands in hers. “There’s no need to yell at me, I’m sure you’re tired. I’ll clean up here. Why don’t you go get ready for bed?”

“I still have work to do,” Dani answered, reaching for her laptop.

Rising from her chair quickly, Emma claimed the laptop before Dani could. “Work can wait. We have a big day tomorrow, and you need rest.”

Not believing what had just happened, Dani practically growled at the women across from her. “Give it back,” she demanded.

A red eyebrow rose at the command. She put the laptop back on the table but also put a hand on Dani’s arm. “Calm down, Danielle. I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“I have an event coming up that I need to work on,” Dani tried again.

“When is the event?”

“In a month.”

Emma sighed. “So it’s not an emergency?”

“No, but…” Dani bristled, feeling both annoyed and oddly cared for in the same moment. On one hand, this woman had no right to do what she had, but on the other, she felt strangely safe with Emma. She sensed that Emma was truly concerned, and like her uncle often did, seemed to be able to call her on her actions. “Perhaps you’re right,” Dani relented. “It’s been a long day.”

Emma smiled. “Good. Now, don’t worry about a thing. You go rest, and I’ll clean up in here.”

Dani nodded, not thinking as Emma pointed her toward the bedroom. Once she shut the door though, the realization hit her. She wasn’t one to give in so easily, but that little red-haired dynamo had somehow convinced her not only to stop working, but to agree to go to bed. Looking at the clock on the nightstand, Dani groaned; it wasn’t even 9:00 p.m. Last time she’d been sent to bed this early was when she was twelve.

Shaking her head in disbelief, she sat down on the edge of the bed. The wedding she’d been working on was still a month away, but it was a big one, with lots of details that needed to be sorted out. But then, she supposed, they could wait until tomorrow or the day after. Lying back on the bed, she let her mind wander to earlier days, happier days, days when she felt free and without the weight of the world on her shoulders.

When she’d gotten the phone call about Uncle Sean’s heart attack, a piece of her had died as well. Her uncle had always been the one constant in her life, and even though they’d grown apart, he’d always been just a phone call away. Knowing that he was no longer there left her feeling hollow.

Her parents both passed when she was little, so while growing up, she’d lived with her grandparents. All she’d had to do was pout or throw a fit to get her way, but when she was with Uncle Sean, things were different. She spent every summer and most holidays with him, and although he’d been strict with her, she wouldn’t have traded that warm and secure feeling he gave her for the world. She hadn’t felt that feeling in a long time, and she missed it. With a small smile, she realized that Uncle Sean wouldn’t have put up with the little tantrum she just threw, and something told her it wouldn’t work with the small dynamo either.

Getting up, she opened her bag and pulled out her favorite pajamas. They were old, tattered, and a little bit too small, but there was something about the warm red flannel that always made her feel better. It was a small comfort that she more than needed tonight. Once dressed, she managed to crawl under the sheets, taking additional comfort in her uncle’s bedding. The lingering scent of Old Spice brought back warm memories, and if she closed her eyes, she could almost feel his presence. Feeling much better, Dani suppressed a yawn, and although she didn’t want to sleep, she couldn’t resist the pull. Her last conscious thought was that 9:00 p.m. was just too early to go to sleep.

* * *

Her heart pumping, Dani bolted upright. It had been years, and she couldn’t believe that the dream had returned. It was the same dream. Always the same dream: red clothing, a full moon, and the fear, worst of all was the fear. Looking at the clock, she realized it was still early, 3:30 a.m. It was too early to get up, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep any longer.

Maybe it was the stress. Maybe it was the fact that being in Uncle Sean’s apartment brought back so many of her childhood memories. This had been a happy place, but her childhood wasn’t always happy, and the dreams plagued her even in her happy times. It was more than disconcerting that they were back.

Rolling out of bed, she shuffled to the kitchen and grabbed a diet soda out of the fridge. She then retrieved her laptop and headed to the sofa where she could switch on the TV for background noise. She still had details that needed to be sorted out for the wedding she was planning, and with the funeral later in the day and the lawyer tomorrow, she wanted to get as much work done while she still could.

* * *

Dani sat in the lawyer’s office as the balding man in a wrinkled suit and Emma made small talk. She was still numb and only half paying attention to what they said. The service had been nice. Her uncle would have approved. By the amount of people who showed and shared, he was well-liked, and that had pleased Dani. Her own memories were just as fond.

The night before, she’d had another nightmare and again had attributed it to stress, not that any of it mattered. In a few minutes, she’d find out the details of Uncle Sean’s will, and then she could deal with sorting out the store and his possessions before heading back to Chicago. All and all, she hoped to be home within a week.

Turning her attention back to the conversation, she realized that the lawyer and Emma were both looking at her. “What?” she snapped.

“Danielle, were you even listening?” Emma groaned.

Dani shook her head. “No, sorry, what was it again?”

Emma and the lawyer exchanged a look while the lawyer patiently read the first section of the will again. Dani sat for a moment, digesting the information. “You’re kidding right? Is this some kind of joke?”

“I assure you, Ms. Ryan, your uncle was very clear on his wants and expectations, both for you and for the store.”

She turned to look at Emma. “Did you know about this?” she demanded.

“No,” Emma answered quietly, “but that’s the type of man Sean was, Dani.”

“It’s Danielle,” Dani corrected again. “And don’t you think I know what kind of man he was?” she continued, narrowing her eyes at Emma. Not getting an answer, she huffed and threw herself back into her seat. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm down. “Okay, tell me exactly what this means.”

“It means that Emma is now the owner of her apartment free and clear, just as you now own Sean’s apartment. The two of you equally co-own the building the bookstore resides in and the bookstore itself,” the lawyer explained to Dani, watching as she slid lower into her chair before continuing.

“There is a clause, however, that states if you do not want to stay and run the bookstore, that you may sell it to Emma for $1,000.00. If you choose to stay, then you may offer her your share after one year for a fair market price. There will be no outside sales of the bookstore for at least a year, and then, only if you both agree. Also, during the first year, Emma is to have the final say in the day to day operations of the bookstore itself.”

Emma shook her head, “You’re sure about this, Roger? He really wanted me to have all this?”

The lawyer nodded and handed the stunned woman a sealed envelope. “He said everything would be explained in here.” Smiling, he handed an identical envelope to Dani. “We can go over the deeds in a few days and get the ownership of the building and store transferred.”

Emma stood, reaching out to shake the lawyer’s hand. “I’ll call you in the next few days. Thanks, Roger.”

“My pleasure. I’m going to miss the old goat. He was a great friend.”

Emma nodded in agreement before glancing at Dani who was still slouching in her chair. “Come on, Dani, we’d better get going. We need to discuss this new chain of events.”

“I need to get back to my event and contact my attorney in Chicago.” Dani stood and tried to walk past Emma, but Emma put a hand on her arm, effectively stopping her.

“I don’t want to keep you from your work, but you and I still need to talk, and we both need lunch. Your work and phone call can wait an hour or so.”

Dani pulled her arm away and glared at the shorter woman, but Emma simply ignored her. Instead she addressed the lawyer. “You know how to reach me if anything comes up.”

The man nodded. “Yes, Emma, I know how to reach you.”

“Good,” Emma responded before turning back to meet a pair of steely-blue eyes. “Come on, Danielle. There is a little coffee shop around the corner, best sandwiches in town,” she explained, brushing by Dani and out the door.

Dani blinked and then started after her. There was something about Emma that infuriated her, but there was something else that made her want to follow her to the very ends of the earth.

* * *

The women were sitting in a booth staring at each other. Dani was definitely on the defensive, with her arms folded across her chest. After a long moment, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the edge of the table. “Despite the relationship you had with my uncle, that doesn’t give you the right to order me about like a child, Ms. Gray.”

“Well then, I suggest you not throw tantrums like a child anymore, Danielle.” Emma took a sip of her water. “That display in Roger’s office was ridiculous, and as I said, we do need to talk about the will and what it means for us.”

Dani sat back and nodded slowly. “I agree. We do need to discuss this. I want to know exactly how the bookstore is run and if it might be profitable to add or change anything there.”

“I’d be happy to go over the books with you, Dani,” Emma paused as the waitress delivered their food. “However, before deciding to make any major changes to the store, I do think you should get to know how it’s run, as well as the community we serve.”

“I’m not a novice at this. I understand the store. I spent every summer of my childhood there,” Dani replied picking at her sandwich. “My clients are just going to love that I’m stuck here rather than easily accessible in Chicago for the next year.”

Green eyes flashed. “You don’t have to stay. I’d be happy to buy you out.”

“I don’t think you understand, Ms. Gray. That bookstore is more than just a business. It’s part of me. I’m not going to just give it up.”

“I think I understand more than you think I do,” Emma managed, giving her darker haired companion a small smile. “But you need to be sure. Keeping the store may mean giving up your life in Chicago. Are you sure you’re ready to do that?” Emma challenged. Taking a bite of her sandwich, she studied Dani, who continued her pouting.

“No, I’m not sure, but Uncle Sean didn’t give me much of a choice, did he?” Dani responded shortly, stabbing a pickle with her fork.

“If you aren’t going to eat your lunch, at least stop playing with it,” Emma directed before leaning back in the booth. “I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out if you want to continue your event planning from here. There has got to be a happy medium, and after all, it’s not as if we’re that far from Chicago.”

Dani took a bite of her sandwich. “I suppose,” she responded.

“Emma!” a tall, blond man with dark brown eyes called as he approached their table and slid into the booth next to Emma. “I am so sorry about Sean.”

“Thanks, Jake,” Emma smiled softly as she motioned to Dani. “Danielle Ryan, I’d like you to meet Jake Braun. He and Uncle Sean used to play cards together every Tuesday night down at the lodge. Jake, this is Dani, Sean’s niece from Chicago.”

The man smiled and shook hands with Dani. “So, you’re Liam’s kid? Sean was always talking about how proud he was of you.” He reached across the table to pat Dani’s hand. “I am sorry about your uncle. We all miss him.”

Taken aback by the man’s words and familiarity, Dani looked at the table, only able to mutter a quiet, “Thank you,” before the man excused himself and left.

“Finished?”

Tossing her half-eaten sandwich back on her plate, Dani threw a couple of bills on the table. “Yeah, I’m done.”

Taking a deep breath, Emma took the check to the front counter. Paying the bill, she watched as Dani slowly made her way to the door, making a show, as if waiting for her was the worst thing possible. Wondering just what type of upbringing Dani had, Emma thanked the cashier before exiting the restaurant with her new business partner.

* * *

“You want me to do what?” Dani asked indignantly. She hadn’t spent four years of her life in college to ring up book sales or stock shelves.

Emma regarded Dani’s outburst coolly. “Please sit down and stop yelling at me, Danielle.”

At the tone of the words, Dani stopped short. No one spoke to her like that, and they certainly didn’t boss her around. Feeling incensed once again, she rounded on Emma. “I do not like being spoken to in that manner. I am not a child.”

Emma sat back in the chair as she watched Dani’s dark hair swing across her shoulders. “Then stop the tantrum and sit down.” Her tone was even, and she waited patiently for Dani to do as she asked. “Danielle, please sit down, and I’ll explain myself.”

“Fine,” Dani huffed throwing herself into the chair across from Emma.

“Have you ever worked in a bookstore before?”

“Of course. I told you, I spent much of my childhood here. Every summer, I helped Uncle Sean.”

Emma smirked. “Did you ring up customers, answer the phone? What did you do?”

Dani frowned. It had been a long time. Yes, she did help the customers, but she also was underfoot a lot. “I did a little of everything.”

“Perfect,” Emma relayed. “Then this should be a good refresher for you.” Dani ground her teeth as Emma continued. “I know you think you know what’s going on, but ultimately it’s up to me to make sure that the store still running and being profitable. I’ve been doing this full time for many years now. A lot has changed in the last few years. If nothing else, you need to re-familiarize yourself with the store. Working here and doing the everyday tasks of making it run will allow you do that. Once you are more comfortable, then we can adjust things and see what works for us.”