Sunshine on Silver Lake: Includes a bonus novella (Sweetwater Springs Book 5)

by Annie Rains

  Pressure built fast and suddenly inside of Emma just as if she were a bottle of soda and someone had shaken her up. She felt like she might explode in this one second if she didn’t spew the words that she regretted before they’d even come out of her mouth. “Well, I didn’t ask you, and you didn’t even care enough about her to stay away from my dad.”

  “Emma Grace,” her father said. “Apologize.”

  “You first,” Emma said.

  Chapter Eight

  Sometimes things couldn’t be taken back with a quick apology. Not that Emma had apologized yet. Instead she’d eaten her birthday burger, brooding and marinating in the guilt she felt every time she looked at Angel, who was no longer smiling. Her eyes were no longer twinkling either, thanks to Emma’s little explosion.

  Ruby Jean came with the check and laid it at the edge of the table. “Here you go. Unless I can get you some type of dessert.” She eyed Emma’s burger. “No birthday cake for you. Maybe next year, hon.”

  Emma shook her head. “I tried. It was too big.” Add the heavy guilt to her full stomach and she might not be able to walk out of this diner tonight.

  “Can I get you all something sweet? Maybe a slice of pie?” Ruby asked.

  Everyone shook their head. There was no need to extend this awkward meal. Even Sam looked like this was some form of teenage torture. He hadn’t even taken Ruby Jean up on her offer for free seconds.

  “I’m paying.” Her father handed his card to Ruby Jean.

  “Dad, you don’t have to—” Emma began to say, but he silenced her with a look. Once again, she saw the disappointment in his eyes, thick and heavy.

  Her guilt deepened. She hadn’t meant to snap at Angel, but this event for her mom wasn’t any of Angel’s business.

  “Well, it was so nice catching up with you two,” Angel said, sliding out of the booth. She wouldn’t meet Emma’s gaze. “We should do it again sometime. And my offer to have you all over for dinner still stands. I know you’re busy, but if you change your mind.”

  “Thanks,” Jack said. Then he offered his hand to Emma’s dad to shake.

  Her father stared at it, leaving Jack’s hand hanging in midair for a long, tense second. Then he shook it, and Emma suspected her father squeezed the heck out of it in some kind of alpha handshake war. Emma scrutinized Jack’s face as they gripped hands, thinking that he seemed to be suppressing a painful grimace.

  “Good night, Dad.” She slid out of the booth and gave him a big hug. It never mattered if they were fighting. She never avoided hugging her dad and giving him a kiss on the cheek, knowing that another opportunity wasn’t promised.

  “We’ll talk later,” he said, pulling away, warmness returning to his eyes.

  She nodded. Then she faced Angel. “Good night, Angel.” She mustered a smile but not a hug. Never a hug. And after all these years, Angel knew better than to try to initiate one.

  Angel was pretty good at hugging with her eyes though. She was like a puppy, back in good spirits despite how Emma had treated her. And that somehow made things worse. “My other offer stands too. Let me know if you need any help planning this event of yours. I want you to know that I loved your mom. I would never have done anything to hurt her. And neither would your dad. She was a special woman,” she said before turning to leave.

  Emma sighed deeply as she sat back down in the booth and watched her dad and Angel exit the restaurant. “That was…”

  “Awful,” Jack said, finishing her sentence and reading her mind.

  “What was all that about?” Sam asked. His plate was completely clear.

  Emma shrugged. “A dysfunctional family is a normal family,” she told him.

  Jack chuckled, looking a lot more relaxed now that her dad and Angel had left. “I guess we’re normal, then, huh, Sam?”

  Sam gave a half grin, his bangs falling in front of his eyes just a touch. “My mom has called me like ten times a day since you picked me up. She needed time away, but she won’t leave me alone. I’d say that’s dysfunctional. So yeah, normal.”

  “That’s what mothers do, bud,” Jack told him. “She wants to make sure you’re okay and I’m not falling down on the job. So what do you think? Am I doing an okay job so far?”

  Sam peered at his uncle through his bangs. “I guess. It’s not your fault that your job is kind of boring.”

  Jack scoffed while Emma giggled beside him.

  “You know, Sam, you could divide your time and help me at the café a little too. I need some part-time help. The café is busier during the summer months, starting tomorrow. The Fourth of July is one of my busiest days of the summer.”

  Sam pushed his hair out of his eyes. “A job?”

  “Yep. I’d put you on the payroll and everything. And you eat for free if you work at the café. An added bonus is that there are lots of girls that come in.” What teen didn’t feel better at the prospect of food and girls? “That is, if your uncle Jack can spare you for a couple days a week.” Emma looked over at Jack.

  “You sure?” he asked, surprise playing in his expression. And something else. Maybe gratitude.

  Emma lifted a shoulder. “I have an event to coordinate, so extra help at the café will be a godsend.”

  Jack looked at Sam. “It’s up to you, buddy. What do you think?”

  Sam offered a full grin. “She’s paying in money and food. That’s a way better offer than what you gave me.”

  Jack’s mouth fell open, and both Emma and Sam burst into laughter. “I pay in free rent and food.”

  “Except your fridge is always empty.” Sam looked at Emma’s half-eaten burger. “You’re really not going to finish that thing?”

  Emma slid the plate forward. “It’s all yours. Ruby Jean likes you. She might even give you my slice of cake.”

  Jack chuckled beside her, and then, surprising her, he slid an arm behind her. She didn’t mind. It was part of the act. They were just having fun, despite the previous hour with her dad and Angel.

  Tomorrow, she’d dwell on that, and perhaps she’d make an attempt to apologize to Angel. Maybe she’d look into joining forces with the Women’s Wellness Center for her event too. Emma hadn’t realized that her mom had wanted to give back to the center. In that regard, it really was the perfect match.

  * * *

  Jack wanted to be enjoying the peace and quiet of doing his job solo today, but the park was extra busy with it being the Fourth of July. He also had too much on his mind. First, he was wondering how Sam was making out at his first day of work at the café with Emma.

  Then he was thinking about Emma, and some of those thoughts needed to be reined in to a safe, nonromantic territory.

  Lastly, he was watching his back just in case Emma’s dad decided to come after him.

  Edward St. James was a peaceful man, but the thought of a drunk dating his daughter might drive the senior St. James over the edge. Jack wasn’t a drunk, but Edward didn’t know that.

  Jack’s thoughts swung from topic to topic as he rode his ATV along the trails of Evergreen Park, slowing when he saw evidence of a recent campfire near Blue Sky Point, in the same place he’d seen evidence of a camper before. Jack stopped the vehicle and inspected his surroundings from where he sat. Who was making their home here these days?

  “Hello?” Jack called out into the woods, his voice echoing just a touch. Most hikers stayed on the trails. There were warning signs posted about the dangers of stepping off. There were bears and all kinds of wildlife in this area, along with a variety of snakes, including rattlers. Now, being added to the list, there was a shady character who made illegal campfires out here.

  Jack got off his ATV and walked around the charred earth, squatting low to look for any kind of clue or evidence. All he found was a penny and a toothpick. The toothpick wasn’t the end of the world, but it was still litter.

  Jack straightened and looked around again. “Hello out there? Care to come out and talk to me? It’s illegal to camp out here, you know.” He
didn’t think anyone could hear him, but if they could, that was a stupid thing to say. Telling the squatter that it was illegal was pretty much threatening jail time.

  Well, good. Maybe the person would get a clue and go squat somewhere else.

  After another ten minutes of futile searching, Jack hopped back onto his ATV and rode along the trails some more, helping hikers find their way and checking on some baby geese that had recently hatched near the Evergreen Park side of Silver Lake. He ended back at the ranger’s office and returned some phone calls from his desk. One was from Mayor Brian Everson, who was having a function at the park this summer. Of course he was. Mayor Everson was always organizing something. The next event was for the Special Olympics, which Brian and his wife, Jessica, headed up.

  Jack also needed to return a call to the Women’s Wellness Center. Dr. Ashley Rivers wanted to review how many tables she’d have for her fair and where they’d be set up. Too bad Emma was still on the fence about combining events. Today would be a good time to swing the idea by Ashley, when she was still hammering out the final details.

  “Knock-knock!” a woman called as she pushed open the ranger office’s front door.

  Jack stepped out of his office and saw Sophie Daniels walk in, dressed in springtime colors. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail today. “Sophie,” he said. “What brings you here?”

  “Well,” she said, stepping closer, “I was thinking that I would like to take up bird-watching.” She looked at him expectantly.

  Jack remembered what Granger had told him about Sophie and the Ladies’ Day Out group. Apparently, they’d encouraged Sophie to make a play for him. Was that what this visit was? Was she interested in him romantically?

  Sophie was a beautiful woman, no doubt. She was smart and sweet. And they were both single. Dating her should be a no-brainer for a bachelor like him. “You want to go on the trails today?”

  “Oh no.” She waved a hand. “Not today. Not in my good clothes.” She gestured at her outfit, which included a T-shirt and a long flowing skirt.

  “Well, there’s really no need for lessons. I have brochures on the wall that help identify the birds around here. And the trails are labeled. Just wear good shoes, bring water, and stick to the paths. I can give you a map too if you want.” He grabbed one from the rack on the wall. “Here you go.”

  “So you don’t give…private lessons?”

  He cocked his head. “Bird-watching lessons? No.” He scratched the new growth of hair on the side of his jaw. He’d never had this request before. “Or at least, I don’t usually.”

  “Maybe you’d make an exception for me?” she asked, a hopeful lilt in her Southern accent.

  She was a nice woman, but she didn’t light him up on the inside the way that Emma did. “Well, I guess you could let me know when you’re ready. I might be able to go out with you.”

  One corner of her mouth curled. “Great. Then it’s a date.”

  The D-word got his attention. Had he really just agreed to a date? No, he was out of practice, but he’d know if he’d just asked a woman out on a date. That usually warranted nervousness on his part, complete with sweaty palms and a racing heart. He didn’t even give her a Hershey’s Kiss, which was his go-to dating move. “It’s a plan,” he corrected, just to clear that D-word off the table.

  “Definitely. Okay, well, I’m off to go finish errands and then get back to the boutique,” Sophie said. “My mom is watching the shop right now. I can’t leave her too long. She likes to give discounts to everyone she knows.” Sophie’s smile fell a notch. “And she knows everyone in town.”

  This made Jack chuckle. “You’ll go out of business if you keep her behind the register.”

  “That’s true.” Sophie waved. “Next time I come, I’ll have good shoes and athletic clothes.” She rubbed her hands together. “I’ll text you to make sure you’re available. I have your number.”

  Jack wasn’t sure what to say so he just nodded and gave a small wave, watching her leave. He did another internal check. Nope, he didn’t feel anything. When Emma was around, on the other hand, he felt the spark between them ignite, turning into a hungry blaze inside his belly. When Emma was around, his world was brighter, sharper, kinder. With her, he felt everything.

  Unable to help himself, he grabbed his cell phone and tapped in a text: I haven’t checked on my girlfriend yet today. How are you?

  * * *

  When Emma finally got a chance to take a break from serving customers, she grabbed her phone and smiled down at the text from Jack. She was tempted to tap back a reply text, but she didn’t want to look overeager. Instead, she shoved her phone back into her purse and looked out on the café. Despite being new on the job, Sam had carried a lot of the workload today. She’d hired him on a whim, but he was already working out perfectly. In fact, over the last hour, she’d noticed an influx of teenaged girls coming into the café.

  Sam was just as cute as his uncle had been at that age. And Emma had been just as smitten with Jack as the girls currently sitting at the corner table were with Sam. Not that she’d ever let on. When Emma’s friends had drooled over him, Emma had insisted that Jack was just her guy pal. Then she’d seethed when her friends had proceeded to flirt with him shamelessly.

  Then again, the extra customers could be due to the fact that it was the Fourth of July. The holiday brought in an influx of family to the town, which increased business.

  The door to the café opened, and Sophie Daniels walked in. Sophie had been one of Emma’s friends who’d gone gaga over Jack back in the day. At least before she’d fallen head over heels with Chase Lewis, the town’s veterinarian. Sophie was a bit of a flirt, but she was classy about it. She was beautiful, and most of the time the object of her attention returned her affection. And yet, she was still single. Emma had always wondered if it was because she’d never fully gotten over Chase, her first love.

  “Hey, Sophie.” Emma leaned against the café’s counter. “Busy day at the boutique?”

  “Oh yeah. I just got a new summer line out, and I can’t keep it on the rack. My mom is covering for me right now, bless her. Women are loving these new clothes. You should come by before they’re all gone.”

  Emma walked behind the counter, ready to prepare Sophie’s order. “I’ll have to do that. I need to brighten up my wardrobe. Your usual?”

  Sophie laid her wallet on the counter and then dipped down to inspect what was in the bakery case. “Yes, along with a scone, please.” She gave a sheepish look under her lashes. “They’re calorie- and fat-free, right? And gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, and free of everything else I’m supposed to avoid.”

  Emma laughed out loud. “Like you have anything to worry about.”

  “Oh, I do. My clothes are feeling tight these days.”

  “Well, I can’t promise that the scones are free of all the things you listed, but I can promise they’re delicious. I had one this morning,” Emma admitted.

  Sophie gave her a once-over. “And yet it looks like you might’ve lost a pound. If I didn’t love you, I’d hate you.”

  Emma put a lid on Sophie’s cup of coffee and slid it over. Then she dipped into the bakery case and grabbed a cherry vanilla almond scone and placed it into a small paper box. “Anything else?”

  Sophie handed Emma her debit card. “Nope. Who’s the new guy you have working here?”

  Emma followed Sophie’s gaze as she took the card. “Oh, that’s Sam. He’s Jack’s nephew, here for the summer.”

  Sophie’s eyes lit up at the mention of Jack. Or maybe it was Emma’s imagination. “Really? Amanda’s son?”

  Emma zipped the card through the reader and handed it back to Sophie. “Amanda is Jack’s only sibling, so yes.” She could hear that edge coming through in her voice. It wasn’t jealousy exactly. And she couldn’t fault Sophie for being interested in Jack. He was single, and Emma had no claim on him. No real claim, that is.

  “So is Amanda in town for the summer to
o?” Sophie asked, grabbing her coffee.

  “No, just Sam. He’ll be working for me part-time and with Jack at the park part-time. Although, if he keeps bringing in the teenaged girls, I’ll have to fight Jack for him,” Emma joked.

  Sophie smiled brightly. “Just don’t fight him too hard. We have a date planned soon, and I want him all in one piece.”

  “A date?” Emma asked, jealousy now in full effect.

  “Well, it’s not planned, but we’ve talked about hanging out. Who knows what will happen? Maybe my mom is wrong about me turning into an old maid after all.” Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

  Emma’s face burned, but she couldn’t decide if it was fury or embarrassment. “No, of course not.”

  Sophie nodded. “I would be, if you were the one going out with Jack. So I guess that makes you a better woman than me. Anyway, I haven’t seen you at the Ladies’ Day Out festivities lately. What’s been keeping you away?”

  “Just working here at the café.” Definitely not spending alone time with Jack. But if he wanted a pretend girlfriend, the least he could do was not make dates with other women in town.

  Her face was burning because of anger, she decided. And a twinge of jealousy that she never intended to admit to anyone.

  “I’m busy at the boutique,” Sophie said, “but I still make time to go. We’re all going to the Music in the Park tonight.”

  Evergreen was a state park, but Sweetwater Springs Park had vendors and a playground for kids. It also featured hiking trails and a natural hot spring to wade in. During the summer, the community flocked to the Sweetwater Springs Park for live music and picnics.

  “It’ll be extra special because it’s the Fourth of July,” Sophie added. “There’ll be fireworks after the music. You don’t want to miss that.”

  Right. When Emma was younger, she’d always pretended like the fireworks displays were a belated birthday gift just for her since the day typically landed in the same week.

  Emma shrugged a shoulder. “I might do that,” she told Sophie. It depended on how tired she was after she closed the café this afternoon. And whether she wanted to go out alone. Although she wouldn’t be on her own for long. Once she arrived at the park, she’d be surrounded by friends and family.