“What?” Emerson said, catching the look.
“Your ears are red.” Before Emerson could comment, Cassie took off one glove, reached up, and grabbed Emerson’s ear between her fingers. “You’re freezing. You should’ve worn a hat or something. Here.” Cassie took the bright yellow fleece band off her own head and, over Emerson’s protests, stood on her toes to put it on her. “Stay still,” she ordered, tugging and fixing until it was on correctly. It was warm from Cassie’s own body heat, and Emerson felt it immediately. Cassie dropped her hands from Emerson’s head, but let them linger on her shoulders, their faces mere inches apart. “Better?” Cassie asked softly.
Emerson swallowed and nodded, and they stayed that way for a long moment. Finally, Emerson cleared her throat and said, “But what about you? Now your ears will get cold.”
Cassie made a face, let herself down off her toes. “I’m used to this weather. You, on the other hand, are a lightweight.” She gave Emerson’s shoulders a squeeze, then stepped back as the kids came down the driveway, much less exuberant than an hour ago. “You guys getting tired?”
Izzy nodded. Zack looked reluctant to admit it, though it was obvious. Their bags were fat and bulging with candy.
“I think you’ve got enough treasure there to last until Easter,” Emerson commented.
Cassie pulled her phone from her pocket. “Let’s keep walking, and I’ll text your mom that we’re just about done. Okay? She’ll meet us.”
Fifteen minutes later, a minivan slowed to a stop on the road next to them and the passenger side window hummed down. “Hey, anybody want a ride?” Emerson glanced over at the woman in the driver’s seat who was the spitting image of Cassie. Her face was a bit rounder and her hair a couple inches shorter, but other than that, they looked like twins.
“Mommy!” Izzy cried and bounced on her toes. She held up her bag. “Look!”
The side door of the van slid open, and the kids piled in. Cassie glanced at Emerson, her voice low, her eyes warm. “Do you want a ride back? Or do you want to keep walking?”
Emerson’s knee was aching steadily. She’d be limping in a matter of minutes. But the idea of another twenty minutes alone with Cassie was much more appealing than a ride in a minivan of kids and being dropped off at her door. “I’m fine to keep walking, but it’s up to you.” The smile Cassie gave her was all the proof she needed that she’d made the right decision.
As if reading their minds, Chris said, “Do you guys want a ride?” She ducked her head a bit and added, “You must be Emerson. Hi. I’m Chris. Sister of the rude chick standing next to you who neglected to introduce us.”
Emerson laughed and lifted a hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you.”
“We’re going to walk, Chris,” Cassie answered. “Thanks, though.”
“What do you guys say to Aunt Cassie?” Chris tossed over her shoulder at the kids in the back seat.
“Thanks, Aunt Cassie,” they said in unison.
Izzy climbed back out of the van, held up her arms for Cassie, who gave her a big hug. In return, the girl handed her another mini Snickers. She hugged Gordie and kissed the top of his head. Then she moved a step over and held her arms up to Emerson.
Shocked, Emerson glanced at Cassie’s smiling face before bending down and hugging the girl tightly. “Thanks for letting me trick-or-treat with you,” she said quietly.
“You’re welcome,” Izzy whispered. Then she climbed back into the van and buckled herself into her booster seat. As the kids waved, the door slid shut, and Chris drove them away.
Cassie took a big breath and blew it out. “Alone at last,” she said, then looked away quickly at Emerson’s raised eyebrows. “How are you doing? Warm enough?”
“I’m good.”
Cassie unwrapped the candy, and as before, bit off half of it and gave the other half to Emerson. Then she tucked her hand into the crook of Emerson’s arm, and they began walking, keeping their pace slow, as if neither of them wanted the evening to end. Their shoulders rubbed. Emerson tightened her arm to her side, securing Cassie’s hand there. Even Gordie strolled along easily.
“Thanks for coming with me tonight,” Cassie said. “I hope it wasn’t too boring.”
“It wasn’t boring at all,” Emerson said and meant it. “I’m glad you asked me. Even if my ears did almost freeze off.”
Cassie barked a laugh and pushed against her. “You were ill-prepared, Ms. Rosberg, and you know it. You need to come by my store and get yourself some proper cold-weather gear if you plan to hang around here much longer.” She was quiet for a beat before adding, “Do you? Plan to hang around?” Then she quickly put up her hand. “No. No, don’t answer that. It isn’t my business. I just…” Cassie swallowed, looked out at the lake. “I’m just having a good time is all.” She seemed to be struggling with something more she wanted to say, but she kept quiet and continued walking.
“I’ve had a great time, too,” Emerson told her, aware that she’d started to favor her left leg, but hoping Cassie didn’t notice.
She did.
“Emerson, your leg.” Cassie stopped walking, turned and looked up at her. “You’re limping.”
Emerson shrugged. “It happens. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re limping. I kept you out too long and made you walk too far in the cold. I’m so sorry. You should have said something.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll text my sister and get her back here to drive us.”
Her concern was touching, and Emerson grasped her arm. “Cassie.” She waited until Cassie made eye contact. “I’m fine. It’s okay. It happens often. It just means it’s time for me to sit soon. You didn’t make me do anything. I’m a big girl. All right?”
Cassie didn’t look convinced, but she said, “All right. But let’s get you home and put that leg up.”
“I like that plan.”
“Here. Lean on me.” She took Emerson’s arm and draped it over her own shoulders. She held Emerson’s bare hand with her gloved one. Her other arm wrapped around Emerson’s waist, Gordie’s leash held loosely in that hand, and they stayed that way for the rest of the trek, stepping in tandem, moving almost as one entity. They walked slowly. It was obvious Emerson was consciously trying to keep her full weight off Cassie, but neither of them said anything. And neither of them moved away.
By the time they approached the walkway that led down to The Lakeshore Inn, Emerson was limping pretty good and trying to clench her jaw without drawing Cassie’s attention. They walked slowly down the sidewalk, passing by the main building, tossing a wave to a couple staying in one of the second floor rooms who was out on their balcony watching the water. Cassie stayed very close, still holding Emerson’s hand, keeping Emerson’s arm around her, ready to catch any stumble or break any fall that might occur. Gordie trailed slightly behind them, as if understanding that getting stepped on or fallen on was a possibility.
At the door, they stopped. Emerson faced Cassie and spoke quietly. “I really had so much fun tonight.”
“In spite of your aching knee?” Cassie asked hopefully, keeping her hands on Emerson’s arms, maintaining contact, much to Emerson’s delight.
“In spite of my aching knee.” Emerson glanced out at the lake, searching for words. She wet her lips and looked back at Cassie. “Truly. I would’ve just stayed here alone and…” With a shrug, she said simply, “This was so much better. Goblins and ghosts and…thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Cassie whispered.
They stood like that, face to face, Cassie’s hands still on Emerson’s arms, for what seemed like minutes, but was probably mere seconds. Emerson’s senses were suddenly on overload, everything felt…bigger. The brisk air, the gentle lapping of the water, the hushed whispers of the balcony couple who were no longer visible, the feel of Cassie’s warm breath on her face, smelling like chocolate, the comforting weight of Cassie’s hands on her arms. Before she realized it, she was leaning in slightly as Cassie slowly raised up on her tipt
oes. Her eyes drifted closed, as did Emerson’s…
The sound of the door pulling open was like a gunshot, and it startled the two of them so much they each jumped. Even Gordie woofed in surprise.
“There you are,” a woman said from inside Emerson’s cottage. Cassie and Emerson each blinked at her as she held up a cell phone and tilted it back and forth in her hand as she looked at Emerson. “It doesn’t help you to have this if you don’t take it with you, sweetie. I tried to call.”
“Claire.” It was all Emerson could manage. She was completely taken aback. What the hell was Claire doing here? It took all her strength not to rudely ask the question out loud.
“Hi, baby.” Claire leaned forward and pecked Emerson’s lips with her own. Emerson felt Cassie stiffen, then take a subtle step to her right. Away from Emerson. “God, it’s freezing out here. You didn’t tell me this place got so cold so early in the season, Em. Come in so I can close the door before we all catch pneumonia.”
Emerson turned her eyes to Cassie, who took another small step away and looked at the ground.
“We’ve got to get going,” Cassie said, too loudly. She nodded down at Gordie, who was sitting politely and waiting for this new person to notice him.
“Are you sure? Would you like to come in for a drink?” Emerson was nothing if not a good hostess, and there was an internal battle going on in her head. Part of her wanted Cassie to stay. A big part. The rest of her wanted to get Cassie as far away from Claire as possible. Immediately.
“No, thanks. I’m good.” Cassie was already backing away. “Get inside and get off that leg, okay?”
Emerson nodded. “I will.” Claire had gone quiet behind her.
Cassie inclined her head once. “Okay. So.” The silence grew, and she finally cleared her throat and said simply, “Goodnight.” Then she turned and hurried up the walkway, Gordie trotting along next to her. Emerson watched until they were out of sight, continued to stare after them until Claire called her name. Then she closed her eyes, counted slowly to five, and went inside.
“Who was that?” Claire asked. “You didn’t even introduce me.”
“What are you doing here?” Emerson asked instead of answering as she closed the door behind her. She did an admirable job, she thought, of not sounding accusatory. She stepped out of her shoes, unzipped her jacket. As she turned to hang it up, her back to Claire, she pulled Cassie’s headband from her head and held in front of her nose, the scent of Cassie’s citrus shampoo filling her nostrils. Then she jumped as Claire spoke from directly behind her.
“Seriously. Who was that?”
Emerson shook her head. “Nobody. Just a woman who helped out my mom. She’s nobody.”
That seemed to placate Claire. “I felt terrible that I wasn’t able to be here for your mother’s funeral,” she said, wrapping her arms around Emerson and pressing her cheek between Emerson’s shoulder blades. “Then I heard about that fiasco at McKinney Carr and thought you could use some support.” She stepped back and when Emerson turned to face her, she held her arms out from her sides. “Ta da! Here I am!”
Emerson forced a smile, then walked directly to the kitchen where a bottle of Cabernet stood open and breathing, a half empty glass with a lipstick smear standing next to it. “I see you found the wine.”
“I didn’t think you’d mind.”
Emerson didn’t speak. Instead, she poured herself a healthy glass and took it into the bedroom where she tried not to focus on Claire’s enormous suitcase now propped in a corner. She found her pills, shook one out, and downed it with a big gulp of the wine.
“You know, getting here was not easy,” Claire was saying as Emerson peeled off her clothes and changed into more comfortable flannel pants. She found a long-sleeved T-shirt in her mother’s drawer and pulled it over her head, smelling it as it slipped past her nose. “I didn’t realize I’d have to drive three hours from the airport. If I had, I’d have called you to pick me up.”
Emerson kept herself from scoffing aloud, thinking, That would not have happened. She then immediately felt guilty. Claire had come a long way to see her. Rearranging her work schedule wasn’t easy, and Emerson knew this.
“But I wanted to surprise you.” Claire was still talking. She body-blocked Emerson as she came out of the bedroom. “Aren’t you glad to see me?” Her bottom lip protruded in an expression she clearly assumed was endearing. Emerson tended to think it was childish.
With a deep sigh, she tried to relax and said, “Of course, I am.”
Claire took the wine glass from Emerson’s hand and set it on a dresser. Then she slid her hands up Emerson’s arms, and wrapped her own arms around Emerson’s neck. “Well, then, give me a real kiss, lover.”
Their mouths met, Claire projecting her desire in seconds, pushing her tongue against Emerson’s. Emerson forced herself to relax, to go with it. Behind her closed eyelids, Cassie’s face loomed, and Emerson’s heart rate kicked up a notch. She took Claire’s face in her hands and sank into the kiss, feeling Cassie’s skin against her palms, Cassie’s soft lips beneath hers, Cassie’s whimpers being swallowed by Emerson’s mouth.
When she remembered who she was kissing, she pulled back, dropping her hands from Claire’s face. Claire’s eyes were cloudy, her cheeks flushed, her chest heaving. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Wow.”
Blinking until her vision cleared, Emerson took a step back, snatched her wine off the dresser, and headed into the living room. “I have to sit down,” she mumbled, her knee throbbing. She dropped onto the couch and propped her foot up on the coffee table, her entire body sighing with relief. She took a large sip of wine and held it in her mouth as she let her head fall back against the headrest and tried not to think about where her mind had just gone.
She hadn’t even been here for two weeks and this fucking town was messing with her head already.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I almost kissed her.”
Jonathan sputtered, trying not to dribble his coffee down his chin and onto his very expensive Ralph Lauren sweater. “You did what?” he asked once he’d gotten himself under control.
“You heard me.” Cassie sat at her desk where she’d been most of the morning. She wasn’t sure why she’d told Jonathan about the previous night. She knew what his reaction would be. He didn’t disappoint.
“Jesus, Cassandra. What’s gotten into you? Her? The Ice Princess? Really?”
Cassie shook her head and gazed out the window at the steel gray sky. The first snowfall was predicted to arrive this week and for the first time in years, she wished it would hold off. The idea of curling up in front of her gas fireplace alone was less than appealing. “I wish you’d stop calling her that,” she said quietly.
“But it’s so fitting.”
“It’s really not.” Cassie dropped a hand onto Gordie’s head, pet him absently as she continued to stare into the distance.
Apparently, Jonathan agreed to disagree with her because he let that one go. “Well, she is stunningly good looking. At least I can see why you’d be attracted to her. And pray tell, why did you not kiss her?”
Cassie looked at him and tried to gauge whether he really wanted to know or he was just pacifying her. Surprisingly, she didn’t care. She needed to talk this out, and Jonathan was there. He’d do. “Her girlfriend showed up.”
Jonathan stared at her for a full five seconds before he spoke. “Wait. What? Her girlfriend is here? In Lake Henry?”
“Well, my regular friends don’t kiss me on the mouth in greeting, so I’m going to go with yes, it was her girlfriend, and she’s here.”
“Huh.”
“Yeah.”
“Was she pretty?”
Cassie cocked her head at him. “Really?”
He shrugged. “What? I’m curious.”
“She was beautiful,” Cassie said with a sigh as she thought back to the evening before and the woman who’d so rudely interrupted what had been an amazing night, surely about to ge
t better. Chestnut brown hair that fell in waves around her shoulders, and light blue eyes that darted from Emerson to Cassie and back. An outfit that consisted of pricey tailored slacks and a light blue sweater that looked like it was meant only for her. Cassie shook the memory away and realized she was irritated with herself that it never occurred to her Emerson might have somebody. “Very put together. Pretty blue eyes. Gorgeous hair. Expensive clothes.” The anti-Cassie, she thought but refrained from saying aloud.
“Has she been here the whole time?”
“I don’t think so. Mary would’ve said something.” Cassie thought back to the previous night. “And you know what? Emerson seemed as shocked to see her as I was.”
“Oh, the surprise visit. Those are always fun. Not.”
“Right? Anyway, I have no idea what’s going on. It was all so weird. We had a fun night. She was surprisingly great with the kids. She got really cold at one point, but she never complained because…I think she was enjoying herself. I know I was.”
Jonathan nodded, studying her, and didn’t say anything for a long moment. Finally, he spoke. “You’re really starting to like her, huh?”
“She’s nice, Johnny. And she’s so damn sexy…” She let her voice trail off for a moment. “I have no clue if there’s much beyond that, but I do know that I had a really great night with a beautiful woman for the first time since the shit hit the fan with Vanessa. I spent the evening with a very attractive, intelligent, interesting woman who seemed to be enjoying my company. It felt good.”
“And there was enough chemistry that you wanted to kiss her.”
“And she wanted to kiss me. Don’t forget that part. She wasn’t exactly pushing me away.”
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