After the introductions, Charlotte directed Emma to a rocking chair festooned with pink streamers. She settled the girls at her feet with books and toys, and sat on the chair, wondering at the butterflies in her stomach.
The décor of the house consisted of lace doilies on the backs of sofas and chairs, pretty plates and teacups on the fireplace mantle, and sepia-toned framed photographs on the walls. The smell of warm cinnamon hung on the air.
Charlotte stood in the entry to the kitchen. “Emma, why don’t you tell us something about yourself?”
Before Emma could open her mouth to speak, Charlotte continued. “I knew her when she was in high school. Back then, she and Travis Taylor were quite an item.”
Emma could only wonder why her face didn’t combust into flame. She kept her gaze lowered, knowing that when she looked up, she’d meet the avid eyes of dozens of women.
She was right. The new girl in town had taken on a fresh sheen. Pasting on a smile, Emma lifted up Kendra onto her lap, needing to hold onto someone.
“I did live in Galveston for a time. And the thing with Travis was, well, you know, a high school thing.”
Charlotte gave an indelicate snort. Emma’s smile felt frozen into place. “Actually, I’m not from anywhere. I was born in Sri Lanka, and my parents moved around a lot. Galveston was where I lived the longest—one year.”
The ladies murmured differing comments, mostly consisting of ‘Oh, how interesting’ or ‘That’s too bad’.
Taking a deep breath, she felt a touch of tension alleviate. “I worked in an orphanage in Haiti for a couple of years, and that’s how I met my girls. They were placed there due to the poverty and illness of their father. Even though adoption is somewhat easier from Haiti, it still took almost a year before I could bring them home.”
She gave Kendra a squeeze. Katrina, noticing her sister getting all the attention, crawled onto Emma’s lap and put her arms around her neck.
“Well, however it happened,” Charlotte said, “we’re glad you’re back in Galveston. Ladies, there’s punch, tea, and coffee in the kitchen. Help yourselves.”
Emma felt a measure of relief to be off the hot seat. She hoped she wouldn’t be forced to return anytime soon.
After everyone reassembled in the living room, the ubiquitous games began. Next, Emma spent nearly an hour opening the stacks of gifts. She ran out of adjectives for the darling outfits and cute toys. She was amazed to know people had gone to such effort and expense for her and the girls. She felt guilty for worrying how she’d be accepted in town.
After the gifts came ice cream cake and a time to visit. Charlotte lorded over all of it like a regal queen surveying her domain. As the shower wound to a close, she lifted her hands.
“Ladies, before you all leave, let’s pray for Emma and the girls.”
The women gathered around Emma, many placing their hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. The prayers swept through her heart like a sweet breeze, giving her a feeling that she was in the right place.
“Dear, Lord,” Charlotte said after a pause, we thank you for bringing Emma in our midst. Your word says that like the path of the wind, we don’t always know Your ways. For how ever long you keep Emma with us, we pray you would calm her restless spirit and give her a peace unlike any she’s ever known. And watch over these precious girls. Help them to grow up in the wisdom and stature of the Lord. Help us to do our part in support of this family. We pray all these things in Your Name, Amen.”
Amid the whispered amens, Emma sat struck by Charlotte’s prayer. Calm her restless spirit. How had Charlotte known? When she opened her eyes, the faces around her ran together in a blur. Emma pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, unable to stem the flood of emotion.
“I’m sorry,” she said on a sob. Someone pushed tissue into her hands. She wiped her streaming eyes and nose, mortified to lose control so completely. Emma couldn’t remember a time in her entire life when she felt so much love and support, and never amid strangers! How have I survived without it for so long?
The girls wriggled in her lap, apparently agitated by her tears. Emma hugged them, glad for the distraction. When she felt a bit more composed, she looked up at the women and attempted a smile.
“Thank you.” Her voice came out in a croak.
One by the one, the ladies patted her shoulders, murmuring comforting words before leaving the house. When everyone had left, Charlotte tottered over to the sofa and sat down with a sigh.
“That went well, I think.”
Emma sniffed away a remaining tear. “Of course it did. Thank you so much. It was more than I expected.”
Charlotte waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “That’s part of your problem. You don’t have high enough expectations.”
Now what can I say to that? She averted her face, half rattled and half annoyed at the way the older woman labeled her.
“Well, I suspect you’ll need some help loading all this booty into your car.”
Emma smiled. “It will definitely take several trips.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve arranged for help. Travis should be here any minute.”
Before Emma could respond, she heard a knock at the door.
8
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind.
-Keats
“Come in!”
Travis, hearing Charlotte’s call, pulled open the screen door and stepped inside.
“We’re in here!”
He went through the hall, heading for the living room, mentally preparing himself to see Emma. It had been a long week and he’d missed her. A lot.
When he stepped inside the living room, he zeroed in on her. She sat with her head down, attending to the twins at her feet. When she looked up, he discerned redness around her eyes. Had she been crying? He stifled the impulse to cross the room and take her into his arms. Why would anybody cry at a baby shower? Asking her about it, especially in front of Charlotte, would undoubtedly make her more uncomfortable. Travis forced his attention to the older woman.
“Afternoon, Mrs. Evans. You needed me?”
Charlotte motioned toward the pile of unwrapped gifts. “Emma needs help loading these into her van. Being a bachelor, you probably have nothing better to do.”
Travis saw Emma’s eyes widen. He was used to Charlotte’s blunt speech, but as everything else she did was sugar and spice, it was hard to stay vexed with her for long.
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded at Emma, hoping to tease her out of her apparent sadness. “Miss Hayes.”
That brought a shy upturn of her lips. Does she have a clue how much power her smiles have over me?
“Well, quit staring at her and start helping her,” Charlotte said, her tone amused.
Chagrined, Travis saluted Charlotte and walked over to the pile of gifts. “Any special place you’d like these in your van?”
Emma shook her head. “Anywhere is fine.”
He set to work, feeling almost giddy at being in her presence again. Fifteen minutes later, he gave his report to Charlotte. “All finished, ma’am. Is there anything else?”
Charlotte rose with the help of her cane. “I forgot to give Emma my gift. Travis, you sit tight for a minute.”
When she left the room, he looked at Emma. She peered up at him, a pink flush staining her cheeks.
“Thanks for helping load everything up.”
“Well, when Charlotte called, telling me to hightail it over here and help with your baby shower, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. But I admit I hoped to see you.”
Emma gazed at him for a moment before looking away. The blue flash of her eyes made him want more. Kendra toddled over to him and patted his leg. Travis crouched down and smiled, glad for the distraction.
“And what can I do for you, little lady?” Kendra reached into his shirt pocket and let out a gleeful shriek. She held up a sucker triumphantly to her sister. Katrina rushed to get one for herself.
“Travis, you
shouldn’t do that. They’ll begin to see you as their private candy store.”
He stood. “That’s okay. As long as they think I’m sweet.” He winked at Emma. She rolled her eyes at him.
When both girls had the suckers in their mouths, Charlotte ambled back into the room. She held out a pink-wrapped package.
“Mrs. Evans,” Emma said, “this is too much—”
“Never mind all that, just open it!”
Travis watched Emma dart a glance at him before opening the package. She pulled out a pair of adorable frilly pink dresses. “Thank you! The girls can wear these to church tomorrow.” An envelope fluttered to the ground.
“Oops! I didn’t see your card.”
Emma picked it up and opened the flap. When she read the card, she shot another glance at Travis.
He lifted a brow. What’s Charlotte up to now?
Emma smiled at Mrs. Evans. “A coupon for a free babysitting. How thoughtful!”
“Well, it needs to get used pretty quick. I’m not getting any younger.”
“If I may say so, ma’am,” Travis interjected, “these little gals might be a bit much—”
“Keep your shirt on, young man. My granddaughter has already agreed to help. As a matter of fact, this Friday night works both for both Rosemary and me. Travis, Emma hardly knows a soul in town. Why don’t you take her out? She needs a little break after chasing toddlers around the house.”
It all made sense now. Charlotte Evan should’ve been an army general, except she’d have all the soldiers married off before they ever saw battle.
The phone rang. Travis blessed the interruption. Poor Emma looked like she was about to keel over from mortification. When they were alone, he walked over to her and gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Oh, Travis, I’m so embarrassed.”
“I am, too,” he said in a low voice. “I’ve never seen Charlotte quite so determined. So let’s think on this. If we avoid going out this once, she’ll be relentless. If we take her up on the offer, what can she say after that?”
Emma looked away, fidgeting with card in her hands. She turned back to him. “Are you sure it would be wise?”
Is she referring to Lucy? Emma didn’t know things had changed. He’d let her know the minute they were really alone. He tipped his lips into a smile. “Wise? Can’t say for sure, but it’s definitely the lesser of two, um, quandaries.” He stepped closer, wondering if he should tell her about Lucy now.
Charlotte entered the room. “That was Rosemary. Told her to be here by six-thirty Friday night.” She gave a meaningful look to Travis.
He glanced at Emma. She bit her lip. “Six-thirty would be just fine,” he said. “I’ll pick you both up and take you to Emma’s. She has everything there, so I think it will be easier.” He turned to Emma for confirmation. She hesitated, then gave a nod.
“Rosemary can drive me over to Emma’s,” Charlotte said. “Well, now that that’s settled, this old woman needs a nap. Excuse me, Emma. Travis.” She turned and left the room.
“Thank you for the shower!” Emma called after her. She blew out a sigh. “Why do I have the feeling everything went according to plan without a hitch?”
Travis picked up the girls and settled one on each hip. “Well, it would be nice to get together with you.” He headed for the door without waiting for a response, deciding not to bring up Lucy when Charlotte was no doubt eavesdropping.
Emma met him at the van. After he had the twins latched into their seats, he turned to her.
“Travis—”
He held up his hand. “I know you’re going to ask me about Lucy.”
She blushed, but her gaze held steady. He took a deep breath. “Emma, she and I have...gone our separate ways.”
Emma furrowed her brows. “Why?”
“It was just time, I guess. We both want different things.”
She leaned against the side of the vehicle, her gaze avoiding his. “It didn’t have anything to do with me, did it?”
Travis didn’t now what to say. Neither the truth nor a lie would suffice at the moment. She looked up at him, obviously expecting an answer.
He touched her shoulder. “Partly.” When she began to pull away, he stopped her. “Emma, listen to me. I can’t deny that now that you’re back in my life, I want to see you.”
She shrugged his hand from her shoulder. “I don’t want to feel in any way responsible for another person’s hurt.”
“I honestly don’t believe Lucy was that hurt.”
“She was with you, wasn’t she? I'd be.”
Travis’s heart knocked against his ribs. Does she mean what I think she means?
Emma shook her head, lowering her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t know what to say so he cleared his throat, deciding to change the subject. “I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll work out the details, okay?”
She nodded. A giddy excitement bubbled in his veins. Travis wanted to tell her how much he was looking forward to spending an evening with her, but decided she was too skittish right now. Let’s see how Friday night ends up, then I’ll go from there.
Emma sent him a tentative smile before climbing in the driver’s seat and starting the engine. As she pulled away from the curb, she thanked him again for his help.
Travis stared at the van until it was out of sight.
****
Emma ticked her fingers as she went over her mental list. “And Kendra really likes to be read to. Both girls do, of course, but Kendra especially so. I have juice in the fridge, bedtime is eight o'clock—”
Charlotte thumped her cane. “Emma Hayes, I raised five children and have thirteen grandchildren. I don't need a refresher course.”
Emma released a breath and nodded. She lowered her gaze, unable to shake the kamikaze butterflies on the loose in her stomach. She sent a sidelong glance at Travis, wondering if her anxiety was due more to having an evening with him, or leaving her girls. Travis wore a dark green dress shirt and black jeans with boots. His bland expression told her nothing of his feelings at the night ahead.
She looked at Charlotte. "Sorry. This will be the first time I've left them."
Kendra and Katrina appeared content where they sat on the floor with Rosemary, amid piles of colorful toys and books. Rosemary, with two-tone hair, the top light brown and the bottom, black, lay flat on her belly reading to them from a large picture book. She looked up.
"They'll be fine, Miss Hayes. I'm working on my degree in childhood development at the community college, and I even have a first-aid card. Between me and Grammy, they won't have time to get upset."
Emma took another cleansing breath, wishing she'd never agreed to this enterprise. "You have my cell phone number if you need anything at all—"
"And we have Travis’s cell phone number. You two scoot on out of here before I have to chase you out."
"You heard the lady," Travis murmured. He took Emma's arm and gave a little tug.
"Just one more hug." She crouched down and pulled Katrina into her arms, inhaling her fresh bath scent. Kendra scrambled over for a hug, too, and Emma held them tight. She wondered if every parent struggled with leaving their children, even if where they were going was only minutes from home. She kissed their soft cheeks and released them to Rosemary.
The girls toddled back to the young woman’s side and plunked down next to her, eager for a story. Emma's smile faded. While she was glad they weren’t traumatized being parted from her, should they go so easily to a stranger? She frowned as Travis put his hand on the small of her back, pressing her to the door. The girls didn't even look up when she went out the door.
Outside, the night air blew warm with a hint of oleander blossom and sea mist. She also caught a hint of Travis’s cologne, reminding her that this was a date. They headed down the steps to the driveway. Emma paused on the last step.
"I wish I'd never let Charlotte rope us into this."
Travis stopped in the driveway and looke
d at her, surprise apparent in his eyes.
"That's not what I mean exactly,” she said wretchedly. “It's just the way that she's forcing us to do what she wants."
He leaned against the side of his truck, his expression inscrutable. "Well, I for one am looking forward to spending time with you. Even if it's a bit forced by a little ol' busybody."
Emma gripped the edge of her purse. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. I'm glad to be with you, too." She cringed at the wooden sound of her words. Why does everything have to be so convoluted?
Travis opened the passenger door of the truck. Emma climbed in and settled in the seat, smoothing the skirt of her eyelet dress. They were to have dinner at a nearby restaurant, then go someplace to hear live music. It sounded simple, even safe. That was good, right? Travis got in on the other side and backed out of the driveway. Emma wondered how long they’d be out.
"I wonder how the girls are doing."
Travis glanced over at her, his brows raised. "It's been two minutes."
Emma's shoulders slumped. "I know."
He reached over and touched her hand. "Don't worry. They'll be fine."
Her skin burned where his fingers had been. But will I be?
Travis turned right, heading along Seawall Boulevard. Emma looked out at the expanse of the ocean. A brisk wind whipped the waves as they hurried to shore in an endless succession of surging and receding. When she lived here before, she learned about the storm of 1900, the worst natural disaster in American history that took six thousand lives. She had a hard time imagining how the flat expanse of water could turn so deadly, even if it was fomented by a raging wind.
A few minutes later, Travis pulled into the parking area of a seafood restaurant. While they waited inside to be seated, a measure of her angst receded. With lots of greenery, piped-in jazz music, and noisy diners, it had the appearance of a casual eatery. No roses and violins here.
Phew.
Despite her attraction to Travis, despite the absurd pounding of her heart, she had no intentions of re-animating a romantic relationship.
After being seated and ordering, Emma leaned back against the booth, forcing her lips into a smile.
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