Free Ember Burns (The Seeker) by Ditter Kellen

Chapter One
    Ember Wells gazed around her new seventh-floor corner office. She’d been promoted to lead photojournalist at the Lakeland Hedger after eight years with the fast-paced newspaper company. All those late nights spent sucking down coffee and abusing her laptop had finally paid off.
    “Eat your heart out, Lois Lane.” She grinned and strolled across the room to open the blinds. The morning sun bathed the city below in a golden glow. Horns could be heard from several cars and cabs in a hurry to reach their destinations. It was her home.
    Ember had grown up in Lakeland, Florida, with no desire to relocate. Her busy schedule didn’t allow much time for a social life other than an occasional drink with her editor and dearest friend, Laura Donovan. The pretty blue-eyed blonde was the closest thing she had to a sister.
    The trill of a phone put a stop to her musing, and she abandoned the view with a little reluctance. A large oak desk faced the windows with a hideous painting hanging on the wall behind it. That definitely has to go . She toed off her stilettos and padded across the carpet to take the call.
    “Ember Wells.”
    She almost laughed when Laura’s flat tone came over the line. The editor just had one of those humorous personalities.
    “Would you mind bringing me some coffee now that you’re up here with the big dogs?”
    Ember grinned at the request. “I’ll be right there. Anything else, Your Highness?” When a contemplative hmmm echoed back, she chuckled and hung up. She snatched up the office keys, stepped into her heels, and tucked her purse into the bottom drawer of the desk on her way to the door.
    It opened suddenly, and Alan Boyd stuck his head inside. “Can I come in?” Without waiting for confirmation he stepped into the room “Nice office.” He took in everything with a quick glance.
    “I was just heading out. Can I help you with something?”
    He stopped just inside her personal space, wearing cologne strong enough to peel the paint. “Yeah…I was wondering if you had any plans for tonight.”
    Ember noticed he had something stuck in his teeth. She made a conscious effort to stare into his eyes, but her gaze strayed back to his mouth against her will. What in God’s name is that?
    “I’m having drinks with Laura after work. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment.” She suppressed a shudder and tried to step around him, but he blocked her path.
    “How about after that? I could come over when you get home.” His knowing smile made it clear he wasn’t offering to hang drapes.
    “I don’t think so. I’m running late, and I really do have to go.” She skirted around him and marched through the open doorway, hoping he would take the hint to leave.
    The mail guy happened to be in the hall, heading toward her, and she bit back a sigh of relief. Perfect timing . “Hi, Stanley.” He reached her seconds before Alan fled the office without a word to either of them. It was obvious he wasn’t happy, but it couldn’t be helped.
    Ember had agreed to go out with Alan a couple of years ago, and it was not something she wanted to repeat. Between his roaming hands, lack of breath freshener, and cologne bath, the date had ended in disaster.
    “Miss Wells?” Stanley held a manila envelope with her name on it. “This came Friday, but you weren’t in your office, so I kept it for you, ma’am.” He flushed and handed over the mail, making it hard to resist wrapping him in a hug.
    “Thank you.” She accepted the envelope with a smile meant to put him at ease and turned to lock her office door before heading off in the direction of the break room. “Have a nice day, Stanley.” Poor guy. It must be hard being that introverted.
    Stanley had worked for the Hedger for two years before gathering enough courage to speak to Ember. She could only imagine how difficult he found it to make eye contact.
    The smell of coffee reached her seconds before entering the employee lounge. She