Home For a Cowboy Christmas(45)

Emmy would feel a lot safer knowing that both men were there. But would it be enough? She had known of Joe Roma’s connections when he first became a client. She always liked to know a little about those she worked with to help her better understand how they did business and if there were ways she could help them save money.

Joe was known for his lavish parties, where the upper crust of Denver society came out to play. Sometimes, celebrities were there, as well. However, everyone coveted an invitation to his intimate dinner parties. Only those that Joe liked the best, the ones he brought into his inner circle, got invited to those.

Emmy had been to both. She had liked the lavish parties, where she could sit back and watch everyone with a bit of awe. The booze flowed freely, and there was never-ending food. Women dressed in decadent formalwear while dripping with jewels. Emmy had been one of those little girls who had loved playing dress-up, and those kinds of parties let her do just that. Not to mention getting to meet people she never would’ve had the opportunity to mingle with.

During one of the lavish parties, Joe had introduced her to two businessmen that he knew. Within a month, both had moved their accounts not just to the company she worked for but had also specifically asked for her. That had gotten her noticed by the top brass at the business. Six months later, after another two of Joe’s acquaintances moved to her, they gave her a promotion and a nice pay raise that included a corner office.

She had thought her life was finally moving in the direction she wanted. It wasn’t the money, either. She had never overspent. There were occasional splurges, but she had never been a big spender. Probably because as a bookkeeper she’d seen so many people do just that. She even rented the gowns she wore to Joe’s lavish parties because she couldn’t justify spending the money for a dress she would likely only wear once.

While the big social gatherings were fun, she truly loved the dinner events. Sometimes, there were as few as six at the table. Other times, there were as many as twenty. Emmy had never known who would be there—the mayor, a senator, professional athletes, celebrities. Every dinner was different in the atmosphere, the food, and the conversation.

Joe was a born entertainer. He knew how to make sure all his guests were well taken care of. And he spared no expense. For Emmy, who had never been to anything close to such events, it had been like being granted access to a whole other world.

She had gotten caught up in the glitz and the glamour, in the attention Joe and others paid her. Because of that, she hadn’t seen what was really going on. Or maybe she had and just hadn’t wanted to admit it. It didn’t matter now. The past was the past. She could only move forward.

Emmy drank her tea and looked out the windows, hoping to get a glimpse of Dwight. Her gaze moved to the Christmas tree. It was beautiful. Tall and coated in lights with ornaments in a vast array of colors and dating back over a hundred years. The only thing missing was presents.

Without hesitation, Emmy took out the phone Dalton had given her and dialed Victoria’s number that she had added in for Emmy.

“Hey, you,” Vic said when she answered, a smile in her voice.

Emmy smiled in return. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“Only me watching Ted make a mess in the kitchen. He said he knew how to bake. I told him he didn’t. Now, he’s trying to prove he can.”

“I can,” Ted’s voice hollered in the background.

“He can’t,” Victoria whispered.

Emmy laughed.

“What’s up? Everything good?” Vic asked.

“Yeah. We’re fine. It’s been quiet.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Definitely.”

There was a beat of silence before Victoria asked, “Then why do I hear something in your voice?”

“I don’t know. Just a feeling I’ve had for a few days.”

“Well, the first is approaching. Maybe you’re caught up in that.”

Emmy shrugged, even though Vic couldn’t see her. “I hope that’s it.”

“If something was going on, Dwight would tell you.”

“Would he, though?”

Victoria made a sound through the phone. “Now that you ask that, I’m not sure. Dwight is a protector. He’s always felt like it’s his duty to protect others. I’ve also seen how he looks at you. It’s different with you. And because of that, he might try to keep things from you so you don’t worry.”

“Hmm.”

“Do you really want to know? You’re already worried.”

Emmy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know. I think having the information is vital for making decisions, but if it’s something I can’t change, maybe not knowing is better.”

“That’s what I think. And it might be nothing. What I do know is that Dwight will do everything he can to keep you safe.”

“You haven’t told Ted anything, have you?”

“No,” Vic answered immediately. “I promised you and Dwight I wouldn’t.”

Emmy released a breath. “Thank you. There’s one more thing.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“I want to give Dwight something for Christmas. That’s a little difficult since I can’t get out to shop, and I can’t shop online either.”