Amelia by Bernadette Marie Page A

legal pad and a pen and then looked at her.
    “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
     
    ~*~
     
    At ten o’clock the next morning, Sam could hear his mother escort people into the room across the hall from his office. He hadn’t had much sleep thinking about what Amelia had said to him. And it wasn’t her plan that had kept him awake, it was the words I guess tomorrow I’m going house hunting.
    He hadn’t been able to think of anything else. She was staying in Parson’s Gulch. She was going to embrace her Oklahoma roots. She was going to be near—him.
    He hadn’t made any more inappropriate moves and she hadn’t done anything but tell him goodbye when she’d helped Penelope out of the office yesterday. But it was a good sign that she was staying.
    Sam looked around his desk and began to gather up everything he needed when there came a tapping at his door.
    He looked up expecting to see his mother, but instead there was Amelia smiling.
    “I like you in glasses. You look very sophisticated.”
    Quickly he pulled them off his face. “They’re kind of my nerdy secret.”
    Her lips pursed to conceal her smile.
    She looked more comfortable today—more herself. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She had on a pair of jeans and a beaded tank top, much like yesterday’s, which showed off those amazing shoulders he’d love to rub. Around her neck, she wore a necklace with something on it. He’d have to ask her about it.
    “Heads up, Vivian needs to get out of here in an hour. She already has an employment interview.”
    He nodded. “I think I have everything put together so it shouldn’t take long if they just go with the plan.”
    “I guess we’ll see.”
    He stood and started for the door as she turned around and walked to the room. Sam slowed his pace. He was enjoying the view in front of him.
    Penelope, who looked very tired, sat in the same place she had the day before. She wore a tank top and a pair of shorts that Sam was sure she wouldn’t be wearing much longer. Vivian sat in the same seat she’d occupied the day before as well. She too had on a pair of jeans and a fitted T-shirt. Her hair was straight and hung over her shoulders. Today she sported glasses. It was then Sam realized she was much younger than he thought she was. He did some quick math to realize that if she’d married Adam when she was twenty and had been married for ten years she was only inching into her thirties.
    “Good morning, ladies.” Sam put on his professional smile and waited for them to return the gesture, but he wasn’t going to get that. He was use to that. “Amelia Monroe, who as we established yesterday as the sole heir to Adam Monroe’s assets, has proposed a plan to secure the assets for long term gain for you, Vivian, and you, Penelope, to ensure for the caring of your children.”
    Sam pulled out a packet for each of the women and handed it to them.
    “Adam had incurred a substantial debt while away as well as having invested some of his savings. Mrs. Monroe would like to pay off the debts and then use the money left for capital toward a business venture.”
    “Nice. Leave him debt free and gamble his money.” Vivian pushed aside the plan in front of her.
    “Why don’t you listen to the rest of the plan?” Amelia urged through gritted teeth.
    Vivian narrowed her eyes at Amelia and Sam cleared his throat. “Amelia suggests that the three of you go into business together.”
    Vivian was on her feet. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going to go into business with two women who slept with my husband.”
    Sam could see the crust of Amelia’s calm begin to crumble.
    “Slept with your husband? This is what you think this was?” Amelia pushed herself to her feet keeping her hands planted on the table and Sam moved to the edge of his chair in case he needed to intervene—though if Amelia made a move, he knew he’d never get her off of Vivian.
    Amelia focused her eyes on Vivian. “Listen sister, this