Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [25]
After Jada had taken the chair in front of her desk, Netherland walked over from the window and took the chair behind her desk, as well. “We haven’t had a chance to really talk since you started working here, and I was wondering how things are working out for you, Jada?”
“Everything’s fine, Ms. Brooms. Everyone here has been really nice to me.”
Netherland nodded. “I’m happy to hear that, and I’d be happier when you feel comfortable enough to call me by my first name. ‘Ms. Brooms’ makes me feel so old, and I’m only about five years older than you.”
Jada smiled. “I’ll try, but it isn’t easy. I think of you as my boss so I automatically feel I should call you by your last name.”
“Well, we’re not all that formal here. Calling me Netherland or Nettie is fine.”
“Which do you prefer?”
Netherland thought about that question. Everyone, including her parents and brothers, called her Nettie. Ashton, however, called her Netherland. And as far as she was concerned, no one could say her name the way he did. When he said it there was always this sensuous sound to it.
“Nettie will do.”
Jada nodded. “I appreciate your giving me those two days off last week to attend the trial.”
“And how did that go?”
Jada inhaled what appeared to be a deep cleansing breath. “It’s over and that’s what matters. I’m no longer married to Anthony Roberts, and he’s no longer free to hurt me, although he did make those threats while they were taking him away.”
Netherland raised her brow. “What threats?”
“He threatened to hurt both me and Mrs. Madaris if he ever got out. He blames me for everything that has gone wrong in his life, and he blames her for our divorce and for him going to jail.”
“How long did he get?”
“Seven years with no chance of parole until he makes at least five.”
“Well, hopefully he’ll have a lot to think about over the next five years and will get out of prison a different person.”
Jada shook her head sagely. “He can do whatever he likes when he gets out as long as he leaves me alone. I hate the day I ever got mixed up with him.”
“Well, that part of your life is over now, Jada. You have an opportunity for any kind of future you want.”
Jada smiled. “Yes, Nettie, I do. I’ve had so many blessings in my life lately, and I thank God every night for them.”
Later that evening Netherland’s heartbeat skittered, increased, then slammed against her rib cage when Ashton walked into Sisters. He looked around briefly before his gaze locked with hers. She swallowed heavily as she watched him walk over toward her. Memories invaded her brain of how she had seen him last night, and also of how he had seen her, had touched her.
She saw the lack of emotions on his face and would have given anything to know what he was thinking. Had he gotten upset when he’d returned to his hotel room to find her gone? She took a deep breath. It lodged in her throat when she saw the darkness of his eyes and the intensity in them.
She met his gaze directly when he came to a stop in front of her. “Ashton,” she said softly, hesitantly.
“Netherland. Is there someplace we can go and talk? Privately.”
She swallowed. The last thing she thought she could handle right now was being someplace alone with him. “Does it have to be private?”
He shrugged. “Not unless you want everyone here tonight to know our business.”
Netherland definitely didn’t want that. She didn’t have to glance around to know that the two of them were the recipients of curious stares. “Let’s go into my office.”
Once they reached her office and closed the door behind them there was a long pause. “What did you want to talk to me about, Ashton?”
He was quiet for several long moments more before he spoke. “Why did you leave like that this morning, Netherland?”
“Because it was for the best,” she said, although she would be the first to admit to the pang of regret she felt at having done so. At the time she had been confused and had done the only thing she could think