******
Thad pulled into the driveway of Pete and Emma's gorgeous log home overlooking the lake, and parked behind their truck. They followed their friends up the softly lit path onto the porch and into their house, immediately hearing a familiar bark.
"Bear will be so happy to see you two." Emma smiled. "I'll get him." She turned back to them as she walked toward the living room. "Do you want to come in and visit for awhile? I'll make us some coffee."
"No, but thank you." Phyl smiled, knowing that now she was anxious to get home and start the clean-up. "We have a lot to do at home."
"We'll be glad to help you with the clean-up, Phyl."
"I know, but you've done so much already, Emma." Phyl smiled at her friend. "We can handle it."
"Emma made a delicious lemon pound cake this morning." Pete hung his and Emma's jackets on the tall, walnut coat rack in the foyer.
"As tempting as that sounds, Pete, I think we'll have to pass this time." Thad stood with his hands on his hips and looked over at Phyl.
"We understand. If there's anything we can do, let us know." Pete turned as they heard Emma laugh as a very excited Bear, his tongue hanging out, ran ahead of her into the foyer and lept up on Phyl and Thad.
"Hey Bear. Hey, you sweet boy." Phyl laughed at her sweet dog, as she knelt down and gave him a good rubdown with Thad following suit. All right, she could do this. She could try to get back to normal. She stood up and gave Emma a hug.
"Thank you again. You're a good friend."
"Phyl, I know it's going to be all right." They pulled apart and Emma placed her hands on Phyl's shoulders as she smiled, her blue eyes sparkling. "I sincerely hope that all of that scary intrigue with Jonathan is in the past for you and Thad."
"I certainly hope you're right." Phyl laughed, and she hugged her sweet friend again.
"I'm going to hold you to that, Emma." Thad laughed as she reached up to hug him as well.
"Oh, I almost forgot." She turned and headed back toward the kitchen, returning with a white box. "Here's some lemon pound cake that I made this morning."
Phyl attached Bear's red leash as Emma gathered up and handed Bear's favorite toys to Thad, and they headed out to the Jeep, Emma carrying the cake box with Pete following behind with Bear's dog bed. After everyone got situated in the vehicle, there were waves all around, and Thad maneuvered the Jeep down the long driveway, and turned south toward their home.
A Pale Paradise Page 29